Review by SophieS1994 -- The Hand Bringer

SophieS1994 · Post by **SophieS1994** » 19 Feb 2020, 08:18

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Hand Bringer" by Christopher J. Penington.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Forget Twilight! If you are somebody, like myself, who aches for something more from vampire literature other than the usual college student falls for sparkly bloodsucker narrative, then have I got the perfect book for you. The Hand Bringer by Christopher J. Penington follows Dallas cop, Peter Hadrian, as his life takes an unusual step back in time. A stormy evening and a violent encounter sets the chain of events in motion. Alongside his sharp-tongued partner, Luke, Peter finds himself uplifted from the fogs of his present life and straight into 15th century Romania to prevent the outbreak of vampirism. To do this, he must slay Prince Vlad Tepes - better known as Dracula. But Peter is also on a personal mission - one that frequently haunts him - to bring back his son, Stephen, back to life by revisiting the past. Throw in a host of complications, unsavoury characters and a shaky romance with blue-eyed beauty, Boriana, the assignment proves to be far more dangerous and complex than Peter had expected. Surrounded and outnumbered by growing enemies, Peter must call on his new supernatural strength and intelligence to survive, and must succeed before time runs out.

Let me confess, I tend to steer clear of any sort of vampire books, worried about falling prey to the same well - worn plot: Girl meets vampire. Girl falls for the vampire. Girl becomes a vampire. The End. But once I read the blurb, my mind was instantly put at ease. This book was an absolute treat to read and I have so much admiration for the author for creating such a dazzling, original triumph.

I don’t know where to start. There is so much praise to unpack! First of all, what I love about this book is the no-nonsense approach to the storyline. This book begins and continues at a cracking speed. You are immediately thrown into the centre of the action from the first page, so there’s no fumbling and waiting around for the story to kick in. Also, the small chapters add to the thrilling adrenaline and quick pace of the story. Secondly, I absolutely adore the sharp, snappy dialogue and banter between the characters. Especially, the devastatingly sarcastic Luke. Wit is a recognisable sign of intelligence and I love that in a man. Whilst reading, I actually think I developed a little crush on Cool Hand Luke. Elizabeth is a lucky woman! Ahem - anyway, moving on swiftly. The cast of characters in this book are anything but dull. They are deep, complex individuals with their own personal struggles and secrets. For example, Boriana and Peter are both suffering the loss of their children. And Bat! Bat went from being an extra from Of Mice and Men to..well, that's for you to find out. Speaking of Peter and Boriana, I want to thank the author for not rushing their relationship. If there is one thing I can't stand in the world of books, its fast and furious Insta-love stories! I love a good slow-burning romance which takes time to develop, full of brooding tension and crackling chemistry. As the old saying goes, the hunt is better than the kill. Furthermore, I like how the story is told from different viewpoints. The narratives are split, giving the book a multi-layered cinematic feel to it. The characters are not clumped together chasing the same goal. They separate, going through their own trials and tribulations. Undoubtedly, it is obvious that Christopher J. Penington has done his research and has studied his material well before commencing writing. His medieval backdrop of Romania is supported by authentic facts and as he mentions in his 'Acknowledgements', the assistance of native Romanians. The author has done a remarkable job achieving total historical accuracy whilst telling a great story - and that's a tough thing to do!

Moving onto my two little dislikes. Firstly, some of the beginning chapters were a little bit too saturated with scientific terminology. Some of the conversations involving Doctor Kolemis went over my head. Words such as ‘polycythemic’ and “ seenjites” halted me in my tracks, that I had to do a few internet searches, just to fully understand what the characters were talking about - a gentle reminder of my school days skipping science class. However, the novel still flowed and read smoothly, despite my lack of understanding of all the technical stuff; it wasn’t too disruptive. Secondly, I felt that these modern-day Americans settled into medieval Romania a little too comfortably for my liking, striking up an instant friendship with Count Sergumir as soon as they arrived. There was no dazed confusion or harsh adjustments to this unfamiliar time zone. Here, in the real world, we haven't exactly mastered the ability to time travel - yet - but if I was suddenly banished to the land of the dinosaurs, I would be a tad freaked out, to say the least. I wouldn’t share the same easy-going attitude as these guys. But that’s just my opinion. As my beloved Luke points out, “ it ain’t book learning. It’s assimilation”. On the plus side, for the most part, the book is superbly well-written and engaging.

In terms of identifying the demographic audience, I feel The Hand Bringer appeals to the vampire fanatics amongst us. But I don't want to pigeonhole it in the supernatural section. It's a combination of all genres ranging from historical, romantic, dramatic and adventure. In other words, there is something for everyone, so you don't have to be a fan of the creatures of the night to enjoy this book.

In conclusion, The Hand Bringer easily deserves a 4 out of 4 stars rating. Striking narrative, thundering composition and strong characterisation, Christopher J. Penington is a hidden talent. This blood-thirsty novel is a book you can really sink your teeth into.

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The Hand Bringer
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