I chose this book because of the title (and I also love good vampire stories). I know, it’s not a convincing reason, but I guess it just shows that a catchy title (and also a cover) may help convince a reader to select a book. It’s Hard To Be a Vampire sounded like the title of a diary to me, so I picked it up. It turned out that it wasn’t a diary though.
It’s Hard To Be a Vampire is a collection of short stories, and by the time I was done reading I was glad I had judged a book by its cover. I simply couldn’t put it down. “Just one more story” … “Just one more” … that’s how it went for me.
Without giving away any spoilers, I especially enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns. The ending always came as a surprise; especially in the two consecutive stories of painters Jan and Anthony. While Jan was inherently evil and Anthony was a pure, honest soul, the torment in both artists was depicted so vividly, creating an understanding for both characters, even for the bad guy. It doesn’t happen often that an author can draw the reader to feeling the antagonist’s pain, and that was exactly what Victoria Faust did in Anthony and Jan’s tale.
Synopsis
I think it’s best not to give you a synopsis of each story. They are short stories, after all. Instead, I will explain in two or three lines what each tale is about, just to give you an idea.
List of Short Stories
- It’s hard to be a vampire: the story of a girl who wants to be a vampire, but she can’t because she is too fat.
- Gallery of Horrors: a young painter who sacrifices anything (and anyone) for his art
- The painting strikes back: what happens with one of the paintings, years after the artist’s death
- Narcissus: a girl who kills for love of herself
- Quietly they rise from the fog: a man walks into the fog to find his wife and daughter
- Behind the door: what lurks behind a door during the attack on a fort …
- The invisible ink: the story of the sister of a missing writer who keeps all her handwritten pages. There’s something about that ink …
- That bloody useless bloodless body: a horror author meets a fan who turns out to be undead
My Opinion
Like I mentioned in my introduction, I couldn’t put this book down. I was always looking forward to reading the next short story and I was disappointed when I came to the end of the book, because there was nothing more to read … I wanted to read more 😉 So, this is a good disappointment. If a reader doesn’t want a book to end, then the author definitely did a great job.
My favorite was Jan and Anthony’s story (Gallery of Horrors, and The Painting Strikes Back). It was filled with malice and evil, and it 
shocked with a terrible end. That one was a mesmerizing tale, the exquisite pain of the artist, justifying his evil streak. How can pain be exquisite? Only in tales of horror, of vampires, or of bad deeds told from the perpetrator’s point of view. Jan was a truly malevolent person, and yet …
Oh, I won’t say more. That’s for you to find out. I promised no spoilers!
The best price for this book is on Amazon, it’s available as Kindle. I didn’t see it on Kindle Unlimited, but at the price of $5.14 this is a pretty good deal.
It’s Hard To Be a Vampire would make a nice Christmas gift for any vampire or horror fan. I will certainly look at some more books in different genres to recommend for this Holiday Season. So, stay tuned for more reviews 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Lila!
I know someone who will find this book very good because he has really grown a very fund feeling for movies that are horror and he also likes to read books of the genre as well. In addition to that, he makes sure to play resident evil and all the types. I dont know if he will see the dynamics of the book but it will make him excited and maybe glued too.
Hi Nayem,
If your friend is into Resident Evil and similar genres, then I am pretty sure that he will like this book 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
I am not buying this for anyone. This will infact be a gift for me because I will be able to read this and enjoy all the beauty of the vampires here. I have watched a movie where we were made to purge emotions for the antagonist. That movie was one of the best for me so this one by Victoria Faust will be very enjoyable. Nice post.
Hi John,
That movie sounds very interesting. And it’s always good to buy gifts for ourselves. We should spoil ourselves too, right? 😉
Enjoy the book!
Hi Lila,
I am always looking for new books to read. I find it hard to find good ones in different genres and authors that are new to me. This is why reviews like yours are great for me when I need a new book to read. Your enthusiasm for this book makes me want to give this author a try. Thanks for your review.
Hi Tom,
That’s great! I really enjoyed this book. I hope you’ll like it too, it’s a good read.
I know someone who will find this book very good because he has really grown a very fund feeling for movies that are horror and he also likes to read books of the genre as well. In addition to that, he makes sure to play resident evil and all the types. I dont know if he will see the dynamics of the book but it will make him excited and maybe glued too.
Hi John,
If he is into horror, then maybe he will like the book too. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by again!
You are right! The title is very catchy! My daughter loves to read these type of books and horror stories so I think she would love this book for Christmas. The vampire theme is still very trendy and appealing to so many. So I am sure she will love it! Also, the “terrible end” is something that will surprise her!! Thank you for sharing this review.
Hello!
That’s great that you’re getting your daughter this book for Christmas! If she likes vampires and horror stories, then she will enjoy these short stories. Considering how they still appeal to many people, vampires are truly immortal, aren’t they? They still are very popular and I think they will remain so. 😊
Hi Lila, Thanks for sharing a nice review on a horror book. I like this cover of the book the most. From my childhood, I have been a fan of horror movies, stories, and books. Vampire related books, story and movies are very popular in all range of ages. They find thrill, fear, twists and turns on these. It’s hard to be a vampire – an interesting name that the writer has picked up. People would have found more interest by its cover and having it include eight short stories. People would find different twists in each story. I am surely going to buy this book for my friend. Is there any other horror book by the same author? Thanks for your wonderful review.
Hi Irin,
This book will make a great Christmas gift for your friend, she will enjoy it. Victoria Faust has another book out as well. I haven’t read it yet and Amazon shows no reviews so far, but it looks interesting, and it’s also about vampires. It’s called Beauty of Beast.