Review: The Novel, Ancient Blood: A Novel of the Hegemony (The Vampyr Hegemony Book 1)...

If you were an ardent, unwavering, ultimate fan, what would your innermost desire be? Would you want an infinite continuation of your favorite sci-fi universe? The classic “old” universe, not that crappy “new” one? Would you want to become, in real life, the class and character in your favorite Massive Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game (MMORPG)? Would you want the love and dedication of a jaw-droppingly, heart-stoppingly, stutter-inducingly attractive partner in a world where romance–and only romance–rules all? Would you yearn to become a supernatural being, like those you read, watch movies, and streaming series about?

How about a vampire? Would you want to become one of those? 

I’ve had the pleasure of rereading one of my friend’s and fellow writer’s first novel, Ancient Blood: A Novel of the Hegemony (The Vampyr Hegemony Book 1), by Brian Patrick McKinley. This book answers said fantastic desire, yet it’s worldbuilding is truly what sets it apart. 

Protagonist Avery Doyle is a fanboy, all right. He even joined the “vampyre” community. But this is all precursor to when he meets Caroline Ludlow, an actual, honest-to-gods vampire, and has a one-night stand with her. 

Talk about a fanboy dream come true.  

After searching for, locating, and confessing his pure-hearted love to Caroline, she Creates him as a vampire. Or in this universe, a vampyr–there’s a difference here, mostly one of class and experience. The couple soon falls into the hands of Caroline's cruel Creator, Sebastian Blackwood, who enslaves them. 

Now this is where Ancient Blood truly begins. 

To ensure their survival, they work as servants for Sebastian at a secretive gathering of vampyr world leaders. Manipulations, secrets, backroom conferences, and political intrigue soon follow. Because these vampyrs actually rule the world. Our Earth is broken up into Domains, with a Hegemon–vampyr leader–in charge of most of the continents. They have influenced history and human events since Roman times, throughout Medieval Europe, where we find out that Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany (Geoffrey Plantagenet), is revealed to be one of these Hegemons. Their rule continues well into our contemporary world. 

Unfortunately, Sebastian suffers from a rare vampyric malady, feralism. His actions and appearance are so affected by this disease that he makes Bond-villain overtures of wiping out human civilization. The rest of the Hegemony, with members like Iago de Medici–yes, that Medici family–secretly plan with Avery and Caroline to thwart the mad vampyr’s plans. 

Avery proves to be quite the Campbellian hero here. Not only does he leave the comfort, such as it is, of a former life, but he progresses through trials, makes indelible impressions, and transforms by the end. This is truly Avery’s story. 

As I’ve mentioned, the novel truly comes alive once we witness the political intrigue. These immortal creatures are something to behold. Unfortunately, to get there you’ll have to swallow some implausible moments. Meeting, courting, loving, and becoming the vampyric progeny of Caroline zips by too fast to uphold much credibility–remember it is a fanboy dream come true. Without being vetted, Avery gets a World Wars (yes, both Wars) veteran security officer of Sebastian’s to admit secret plans upon first meeting. You would think that experience with classified information and armed forces hierarchy would at least give this grizzled officer some pause. It doesn’t. 

But you don’t read this novel for the moments that question suspension of disbelief. It is a vampire novel after all. You read it for the universe created and developed, you read it for a unique world stage–if not worldview–and you read it to witness how outdated power groups struggle to maintain control over our contemporary world. 

I recommend this novel. It’s a fun read, especially if you like vampires and/or secretly desire to become one.