The Nameless-Ray Wallace

The Nameless
Ray Wallace
Black Death, Mar 2010, $12.99
www.khpindustries.com
ISBN: 9780979988189

The Nameless are one step above vampires on the evolutionary ladder. They are stronger and faster than their lesser cousins while getting their nourishment from eating mortal flesh. These human eaters also find sunlight poisonous so remain inside during the day. Master Nicolae created the Coven as a family with eleven others that he made. He knows they need one more to become incredibly powerful, but delays choosing the final entrant.

Ariella loves her boyfriend Jake, but ends their relationship because everyone she cherishes dies. One night while clubbing, Ariella meets Nicolae. He takes her to his abode, naming her his czarina and second in command mate. She enjoys being a Nameless, but has failed to move beyond Jake. She turns him, but leaves him alone out there. Jake goes on a killing spree, which has mortal law enforcement believing a vicious serial killer is on the loose. However, Jake remains resolute to find his Ariella and take her away from Nicolae and his coven. Nicolae realizes Jake is a hazard to their well-being as the mortals know nothing of the Nameless and he plans to keep it that way.

Ray Wallace provides a refreshing variation on the vampire (some might say zombie too with what the nameless dine on) theme with this strong urban fantasy that will have enthralled readers turning the pages to learn what shocker is next. The cast is strong as readers get inside the heads of several characters especially those recently changed while the seven deadly sins of Cassandra surface with believability. Mr. Wallace will not remain Nameless with this strong horror thriller.

Harriet Klausner