33 A.D. Review
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At a time where every vampire seems to be an emo supermodel with a sun allergy, it is refreshing to come across a novel where the vampires actually act like monsters. In 33 A.D., author David McAfee introduces us to the terrifying world of vampires in ancient Israel during the Roman occupation. The Council of Thirteen, undisputed masters of the vampire race, has long sought to bring the region under vampiric control. But the faith of the Jewish people has held the undead lords at bay. Having manipulated the politics and army of Rome to help erode the Jewish religion, their plans have been interrupted by the appearance of a certain young rabbi who has managed to even convert a powerful vampire enforcer.
As the title suggests, McAfee's novel follows the "what if" scenario of vampires being the true reason behind the crucifixion of Jesus. McAfee does an exception job of recreating the days before the arrest of Jesus, immersing the reader into the turbulent city of Jerusalem at a point where the slightest match can ignite the tensions between the Roman army, the religious zealots, and the rest of the Jewish population.
Hardcore horror fans may be annoyed by a few minor, but somewhat glaring, inconsistencies. One wonders how the mortal Roman soldier Taras managed to sneak up on the 900 year old vampire assassin Theron, for example, particularly after the author goes to great lengths to detail Theron's exceptional skills. And there are some points where the author appeared to have painted himself into a corner and has to engage in elaborate literary acrobatics to get himself out.
Despite those issues, I encourage the reader to suspend belief and absorb the story. Theron is a deliciously evil representative of the vampire race. You will almost want to root for him, if for no other reason than to hope he survives into the modern nights to teach the current batch of wannabe vampires what it means to be a monster. McAfee also demonstrates great restraint in just scratching the surface of the vampire race's powers. For every show of strength, there is the hint of truly terrible abilities just below the surface.
33 A.D. Overview
Jerusalem, 33 A.D. The vampires of the era have long sought to gain a foothold into Israel, but the faith of the local Jewish population has held them in check for centuries.
When one of their own betrays them to follow a strange young rabbi from Galilee, the elders of the vampire race dispatch Theron, a nine hundred year old assassin, to kill them both.
The rabbi's name is Jesus. Killing him should be easy.
"33 A.D. by David McAfee is a wildly original, non-stop pulse pounder that tells the story of a vampire assassin whose mission is to kill Jesus of Nazareth. In a genre mired by cliché stories, this stands out as something bold and new."
Jeremy Robinson, author of Antarktos Rising and The Didymus Contingency.
"David McAfee's 33 A.D. is a truly compelling and unique perspective on the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. With all the skill of a seasoned novelist, McAfee's thriller brings a melange of riveting characters, otherworld mythology, and political intrigue together in one fascinating read - a tautly paced winner on all levels."
Jon F. Merz, author of the Lawson Vampire novels & Parallax
"This story is an action-packed thriller, filled with mystery, intrigue, betrayal and murder. The attention to detail and careful plotting are masterfully done. You'd never guess this was David McAfee's first novel."
Jess Haines, author of Hunted by the Others
"...a fun, bloody addition to vampire lore...these vampires are brutish, bloody, murderous monsters. Look for sex and sparkles elsewhere."
David Dalglish, author of the Half-Orc series
"When compared to other vampire stories out there, 33 A.D. carves its own niche."
Dark Wyrm Reads - darkwymreads.blogspot.com (edited by author)
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