This book caught me by surprise, for around eighty pages I found it frustratingly cliched and I could easily have given up, but then, a chapter that completely changed the dynamic of the book and set the tone for a fast-paced intriguing drama. Two incredibly different characters one a journeyman steamboat Captain and the other a reformist vampire 'Bloodmaster" form an unlikely partnership that steers them head on to the choices between good and evil.
Abner Marsh and Joshua York form a partnership the strength of which time and time again Abner our steamboat Captain becomes extremely cautious of. With the partnership near breaking point we have a scene where Joshua our vampire must tell Abner the whole truth to allow things to continue, what follows is an incredibly well-told story of his evolution from vampire boy to a century old 'Bloodmaster'. You feel Joshuas mental dilemma in deciding that the need to reveal his story out ways the risk, but also you get a real insight into the intelligence, logic and reasoning of Abner.
We meet incredibly evil characters throughout not all are vampires. Along with being a great story it also explores questions like whether it is possible to change our nature because it’s the right thing to do. The abolitionist movement in America, and how we treat out fellow man.
From the author who went on to give the world ‘Game of Thrones' this 1982 story is an excellent way to start to explore R.R. Martins other works.
Marks out of ten 8.5
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