Review by Weston Ochse

The Invoker

By Jon F. Merz
Pinnacle Books

His name is Lawson and he's a vampire. But he's also a Fixer whose job it is to keep other vampires from letting the world know of their existence. In this second book of the Lawson Vampire Novel Series, author Jon Merz seduces the reader into a Ludlem-esque tale of world wide intrigue. From the cold New England winter of Boston where the Council is headquartered to the Yeti inhabited mountains of Nepal, the reader is hurled into a breakneck adventure where the fate of humanity and a magical young boy is at stake.

Not since the 'Casca' novels have I enjoyed a series as much. Of singular importance in series novels is the reader's ability to connect with the main character. In this case it's Lawson we are expected to befriend. Merz's characterization is pleasingly complex. Too many times complex plots are structured around one-dimensional characters. In the Lawson Vampire Novels, complex plots are paired with a complex character making the actions and decisions and interactions of Lawson wholly believable and immensely entertaining.

The world of Lawson is one in which vampires coexist peacefully with humans. That is, as long as the humans don't realize the vampire's existence. This is not the vampires of Bram Stoker. These vampires can handle sunlight. Wooden bullets kill them quite easily. The bat thing just doesn't happen.

In The Invoker, Lawson is ordered to 'sanction' a vampire because he's a drug dealer and has brought unwanted attention to the world of vampires. Or so the Council told him. As it turns out, the would be drug dealer is the father of a very special child who is able to conjure spirits and control them. An invoker on the Council wishes to use the child for her own evil gains. To achieve her goals, she must conspire to rid the world of Lawson, the child's new self-appointed bodyguard.

The Invoker is filled with vivid characterization. From Lawson's arch-nemesis Petrov to the wily ancient elder Wirek, the characters the reader meets while traversing the pages of the novel are a pleasing rogues gallery.

As a martial artist himself, Merz provides a beautifully detailed backdrop to Lawson's Eastern philosophies. The fight scenes are authentic and realistic with just the right touch of gore to stimulate the reader's lizard brain.

The Destructor is the next book in the series and if it is anything like the first two, I will devour it as soon as it hits the shelves. This is a highly recommended read from a bold new author.

Visit the author online at www.zrem.com

Weston is the co-author of the collection Appalachian Galapagos now available at a bookstore near you. He promises that no unwarranted blood sucking occurred during the research of this review. Try him at www.westonochse.com.