Krisi Keley
Auteur de On the Soul of a Vampire
A propos de l'auteur
Crédit image: (c) Krisi Keley, Author
Séries
Œuvres de Krisi Keley
Pro Luce Habere Volumes 1 and 2 Combined Edition 1 exemplaire
Étiqueté
Partage des connaissances
- Date de naissance
- 1969-01-04
- Sexe
- female
- Lieu de naissance
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Études
- DeSales University (BA/Theology)
- Courte biographie
- Krisi Keley is a writer and artist with a degree in theology from DeSales University and she has also studied foreign and classical languages. She was born in Philadelphia and currently lives in Chester County, PA with her family and seven dogs. Pro Luce Habere, a two volume novel that has also been released in a combined volumes edition, is the follow-up to her debut novel, On the Soul of a Vampire, and is the second book in a gothic series that spans more than eight hundred years of history. She is currently writing Genesis, Book III of the series, as well as working as a translator and freelance editor.
Membres
Critiques
On the Soul of a Vampire by Krisi Keley was not at all what I expected. It is a deeply emotional and introspective look at one ‘man’s’ search for meaning in life. (Or in this case, one ‘vampire’.) Written primarily in first person from the point of view of Valery Castellene, a vampire of some 800 years, we see and feel his inner pain as he struggles with his existence. Convinced that he is evil incarnate, yet still subconsciously wishing to be good, Valery’s emotional conflict is the center of this novel.
One would think that after that many centuries little could surprise, but even Valery is taken aback when he meets a young mortal woman named Angelina Lacroix. In her he senses sublime goodness and beauty; her very presence brings him to the brink of self control and back again. But even more alarming is the fact that she can sense his presence even when she can’t see him. She knows him by name and seems to know every detail about his existence, both past and present. As the book progresses, Valery is more and more frustrated by his need to find out the truth about this girl, struggling with his overwhelming desire to take her life and his need to protect her at all costs. Woven throughout are flashbacks to Valery’s past which further develop the complexity of his character and the struggles he now faces.
Lest the description so far sound somewhat like another familiar vampire saga, let me assure you that it is not remotely similar. In fact, it isn’t even really a love story in the typical sense. Yes, there are deep emotional passages, but the real crux of the story is about self discovery, forgiveness and hope. The author writes with eloquence and sophistication, in a tone that is reminiscent of an older, more classical style. This fits well with the story since it is primarily told by Valery himself, and he is, after all, 800 years old.
Let me reiterate that this was a very well written book, with complex characters, subtle plot twists, and a strong focus on examining man’s innate capacity for both good and evil. It is also written from a Biblical world view, and tries to (quite successfully I might add) point to a higher grace which is above even the most heinous of sins, although I would not recommend using it as a doctrinal reference. Sometimes the inner musings seemed a bit drawn out, however. I felt at times like a certain point had already been hashed over quite thoroughly and then it would reappear subsequent times. As well, I was sometimes frustrated by the use of foreign languages in the text (usually French) which were often quite lengthy and which forced me to consult the appendix for an explanation.
Aside from that, On the Soul of a Vampire is worth consideration simply because of its uniqueness. As a book with a Christian bent it stands out as totally fearless, especially in its choice of protagonist and his portrayal. From a secular view, it is also unique in its genre since there contains such a profound message of hope not usually found in a novel about vampires. I recommend this book for those who are looking for a meatier read. (No pun intended.) Read it if you dare.… (plus d'informations)
One would think that after that many centuries little could surprise, but even Valery is taken aback when he meets a young mortal woman named Angelina Lacroix. In her he senses sublime goodness and beauty; her very presence brings him to the brink of self control and back again. But even more alarming is the fact that she can sense his presence even when she can’t see him. She knows him by name and seems to know every detail about his existence, both past and present. As the book progresses, Valery is more and more frustrated by his need to find out the truth about this girl, struggling with his overwhelming desire to take her life and his need to protect her at all costs. Woven throughout are flashbacks to Valery’s past which further develop the complexity of his character and the struggles he now faces.
Lest the description so far sound somewhat like another familiar vampire saga, let me assure you that it is not remotely similar. In fact, it isn’t even really a love story in the typical sense. Yes, there are deep emotional passages, but the real crux of the story is about self discovery, forgiveness and hope. The author writes with eloquence and sophistication, in a tone that is reminiscent of an older, more classical style. This fits well with the story since it is primarily told by Valery himself, and he is, after all, 800 years old.
Let me reiterate that this was a very well written book, with complex characters, subtle plot twists, and a strong focus on examining man’s innate capacity for both good and evil. It is also written from a Biblical world view, and tries to (quite successfully I might add) point to a higher grace which is above even the most heinous of sins, although I would not recommend using it as a doctrinal reference. Sometimes the inner musings seemed a bit drawn out, however. I felt at times like a certain point had already been hashed over quite thoroughly and then it would reappear subsequent times. As well, I was sometimes frustrated by the use of foreign languages in the text (usually French) which were often quite lengthy and which forced me to consult the appendix for an explanation.
Aside from that, On the Soul of a Vampire is worth consideration simply because of its uniqueness. As a book with a Christian bent it stands out as totally fearless, especially in its choice of protagonist and his portrayal. From a secular view, it is also unique in its genre since there contains such a profound message of hope not usually found in a novel about vampires. I recommend this book for those who are looking for a meatier read. (No pun intended.) Read it if you dare.… (plus d'informations)
The story begins with Valéry an 800 year old vampire who notices a young woman named Angelina. He's immediately drawn to her. Valéry tries to figure out his infatuation with her from a safe distance. We learn that these two already have a connection. Angelina knows what and who Valéry is, she has had dreams of a time long ago in which she never lived and the things she dreams about are of a life she couldn't possibly know, Valéry's life. This only makes Valéry more intrigued by her and he wants answers. How does she know all these things?
The chemistry between Valéry and Angelina is wonderful. Valéry is keeping himself in check when he's around her not wanting to hurt her but he also gets pretty annoyed and angry when Angelina is being quite cryptically because he wants answers and she just gives him riddles.
At the end of this novel all the puzzle pieces fall into place and you get these answers questioned.
This is not your typical vampire novel. Theology came to my mind when I read this novel. It makes you think. But not just for Valéry but the things described in this novel makes you think about different aspects of life, love and believe. Keley's writing is great, the story gripped me from beginning to end I was just as annoyed and frustrated at times as Valéry was with Angelina. And I love that, I want to feel the same way as the characters are feeling. I'm looking forward to reading more by Krisi Keley.… (plus d'informations)
The chemistry between Valéry and Angelina is wonderful. Valéry is keeping himself in check when he's around her not wanting to hurt her but he also gets pretty annoyed and angry when Angelina is being quite cryptically because he wants answers and she just gives him riddles.
At the end of this novel all the puzzle pieces fall into place and you get these answers questioned.
This is not your typical vampire novel. Theology came to my mind when I read this novel. It makes you think. But not just for Valéry but the things described in this novel makes you think about different aspects of life, love and believe. Keley's writing is great, the story gripped me from beginning to end I was just as annoyed and frustrated at times as Valéry was with Angelina. And I love that, I want to feel the same way as the characters are feeling. I'm looking forward to reading more by Krisi Keley.… (plus d'informations)
***this review does NOT contain spoilers**
I will post a separate review for Amazon, I just want to get some thoughts down about this terrific novel tonight while it is still fresh in my mind. I read it in one day and I couldn't have put it down if I wanted to.
I give this book a zillion stars. If you could only see the smile on my face. I read a LOT of books, and this one moved me at a cellular level.
I want to be coherent and useful in my review so let me just say that 1) it is the very best vampire perspective I have ever read. Think a PG-rated "Anne Rice" to the 10th power, with a compassion and spiritual insight that Mrs. Rice didn't have in her vampire chronicles... 2) it is written flawlessly, yes, I could find no flaws... so much so, that to my writing friends -- this book should be required reading for all vampire writers. I'm not kidding. 2) Krisi's voice and style touches me very deeply, and draws me right into the story. I was lost in the story today and as you can tell by my gushing, I have barely crawled out an hour after finishing it.
So there you are. I bared my soul to you.
WARNING -- this is not a trite, cliche'-d book...no, sir. It means something...I hope it moves you too!… (plus d'informations)
I will post a separate review for Amazon, I just want to get some thoughts down about this terrific novel tonight while it is still fresh in my mind. I read it in one day and I couldn't have put it down if I wanted to.
I give this book a zillion stars. If you could only see the smile on my face. I read a LOT of books, and this one moved me at a cellular level.
I want to be coherent and useful in my review so let me just say that 1) it is the very best vampire perspective I have ever read. Think a PG-rated "Anne Rice" to the 10th power, with a compassion and spiritual insight that Mrs. Rice didn't have in her vampire chronicles... 2) it is written flawlessly, yes, I could find no flaws... so much so, that to my writing friends -- this book should be required reading for all vampire writers. I'm not kidding. 2) Krisi's voice and style touches me very deeply, and draws me right into the story. I was lost in the story today and as you can tell by my gushing, I have barely crawled out an hour after finishing it.
So there you are. I bared my soul to you.
WARNING -- this is not a trite, cliche'-d book...no, sir. It means something...I hope it moves you too!… (plus d'informations)
Statistiques
- Œuvres
- 8
- Membres
- 36
- Popularité
- #397,831
- Évaluation
- 4.2
- Critiques
- 5
- ISBN
- 5
Possibly one of the most well-written and complex self-published debut novels I've read to date. Instead of the plots in most vampire stories, this one explored Valéry Castellane's relationship with himself, with Angelina Lacroix, and with God. I could really feel his struggle with "good" and "evil" and his longing for more. Redemption and forgiveness were the two most prevalent themes, for me. The mystery surrounding Angelina was what really hooked me, though. There was terrific chemistry between Valéry and Angelina, and it was (nearly) void of romance and even sexuality. That was a little strange at first but then I dug into the heart of the story and didn't look back. Throughout On the Soul I could sense Keley's love of languages and theology without a nagging feeling that I was being preached at.
Recommended if you're looking for a unique vampire story and you don't mind it having a religious slant, namely Catholicism.
3.5 stars
Received trade paperback (April 2013 edition) from the author as a gift, which in no way influenced the above review.… (plus d'informations)