Charlie Huston, No Dominion

No Dominion

Charlie Huston

Del Rey, January 2007, $13.95, 250 pp.

ISBN 0345478258

The Vyrus causes those exchanging bodily fluids to become Vampyre, and for the most part they are divided into two groups: the Coalition and the Society. The Coalition wants to remain underground, while the society wants come out in the hopes that human scientists can find a cure for the Vyrus. Joe Pitt belongs to neither group, and is considered a Rogue, one who needs blood and money for the rent, and to help his HIV girlfriend get the drugs she needs to stay alive because he won't turn her.

At a bar, Joe sees a new Vampyres flip out, and he ends up taking him out. Terry, the leader of the society says that is happening more and more to newbies. He hires Joe to find the person supplying the drug, and during Joe's investigation he learns someone has found a way to keep the virus alive in the blood outside a host for a short period of time. The newbies shoot up and get a tremendous high. The answers lie in the Coalition land not controlled by the Hood, but they will do Joe no good unless he can stop the mastermind from carrying out a diabolical plan that is nothing more than a power play in vampire politics.

Charlie Huston's take on the vampire mythos is fascinating, original and believable, because in his universe it is a blood disease. Joe Pitt loves Evie, and he takes a job that almost kills him, not only for his own needs, but because he wants to get the medicines she needs so she can live. He hates being a Vampyre and wants nothing more than for someone to find a cure, but he believes the Vampyre groups have their own interests that come before the needs of the individual. Joe Pitt is Phillip Marlow with a blood addiction.