The best of Vampire: The Masquerade

DARK PRINCE by Keith Herber is the first full-length novel for the World of Darkness and, more specifically, VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE setting. It was published in 1994 and introduced the character of Vannevar Thomas. It also imagined a complicated interlocking web of undead politics taking place behind closed doors in San Fransisco.

The premise is San Fransisco in 1994 where a particularly scummy Caitiff vampire named Sullivan is intimidating sex workers under his control and shaking them down for twenties. Sullivan works for the Family, a group of Chinese vampires who have been working the docks since the 19th century and don't seem to follow the Cainite clan structure but are still able to make their own. Sullivan is neither particularly smart nor insightful but he's doggedly loyal. So much so that the Family has kept him on despite the fact they only Embraced him as an intermediary with the white criminal element.

Unfortunately, for Sullivan, Kindred power games don't care if you're loyal or not and he's soon set up as a traitor to the mysterious Grandfather. Sullivan finds himself bouncing from one faction to the next in San Fransisco, trying to find someone who will protect him from his sire. This includes the Anarchs, Prince, Primogen, old friends, and even older enemies. Sullivan soon finds out that his banal street level of evil has nothing on elder vampires or the Sabbat. He also finds himself shamed by vampires who actually tried to help others during the AIDS crisis among other human tragedies.

Dark Prince knows how to keep a careful balance between lore and character development. Garou, hunters, a frigging Bane, and (arguably) the Kuei-Jin show up in the book but you're never overwhelmed. The focus is entirely on Sullivan realizing he's wasted his vampire life and debating whether or not he should try to become a better person or pursue something more meaningful than being the exact sort of low level scum he's been for a century. As you might guess, power and prestige don't go well with personal growth. Neither does maintaining any sense of freedom or command over your own destiny.

I really recommend this book if you want to get started in the World of Darkness but also note that, well, the lead is a scummy pimp who only begins to become someone you don't want to see staked for the sun later on. Also, there's the koala scene. Let's just say that the Sabbat don't get any sympathy in this book. They're very much of the irredeemable monster interpretation even if they talk a good game about freedom.

Gary Noon is a fantastic narrator and really brings this world to life. He manages to make Sullivan as well as other characters distinct while making dramatic scenes dramatic as well as somber scenes somber. It is a great introduction to the World of Darkness and can be enjoyed by newbies as well as fans alike.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Decent story for a book printed in 1994

I feel like the story has some decent plot lines, but the author chooses not to pursue them. Overall the story seems rushed, the author starts a line and instead of coming to the conclusion you're there. For example they start an origin then instead of embellishing you're at the conclusion. I also felt like the main character started as one person who's been around for a 100ish years and over the course of the book which is only about a month (could be slightly longer) he's an entirely new character. Seems far fetched. Otherwise if they had a sequel (that it set up) I'd listen to it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

classic wod

The really old World of Darkness. Before even most of the meta plot was running amuck. it's a decent story but the characters seem to be rather dumb for 200 year old vampires. the 1 month old neonate catiff somehow out politics the old guys. written in a bland way but not bad. it's a good start for the WoD.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!