In DEATHLESS CREATURES, Katie Wilson puts a fresh, paranormal spin on the classic vampire tale. The story follows 27-year-old Sarah Woodward, who emerges as the sole survivor of a tragic bus accident. Sarah’s improbable survival is not without complication, as she now finds herself trapped between life and death and suddenly has some inexplicable abilities (like rapid healing). Sarah’s situation is further upended when she meets the centuries-old vampire Alex Smith, with whom she forms an immediate connection. As Sarah grapples with her newfound powers and her growing feelings for Alex, she’s soon approached by Lucy, a representative for the enigmatic “Society of Keepers.” Lucy somehow knows about the strange cave that’s been haunting Sarah’s dreams and believes that Sarah is their long-awaited “keeper.” With Lucy’s “flock” waiting for her to restore “the balance,” Sarah must unravel the mysteries surrounding her new reality, the Society’s agenda, and her complex bond with Alex.
Blending elements of horror, romance, and the supernatural, DEATHLESS CREATURES is an impressively realized debut. Sure, the subject matter might be well-trodden ground, but Wilson succeeds at giving the whole girl-meets-vampire template an intriguing twist. For instance, Sarah’s connection to the spirit world and all that comes with it is a refreshing departure from traditional vampire lore. Wilson has also provided an authentic, relatable protagonist with a backstory that many readers will recognize and identify with: “Well, I sort of needed a break after school. Just some family stuff to deal with. And then COVID happened. And I work at the bookstore because I like books.”
Alex, on the other hand, is an appropriately mysterious figure with a shrouded past and a unique perspective on life: “People die all the time. I have learned that it is not my place to intervene. I tried that for a time, but in the end, it does not matter.” This intriguing dynamic is complimented by Wilson’s evocative writing. Quality lines like “The elevator doors have invisibly sliced me apart, and half is still up there with Alex, haunting his strange apartment” are commonplace. They serve as an ever-present reminder that DEATHLESS CREATURES is more than just your angst-ridden YA vampire tale.
Despite its strengths, and there are many, DEATHLESS CREATURES occasionally relies a bit too heavily on emotional tells like excessive dialogue tags (“she answers apologetically”) and a somewhat coincidence-driven plot. Fortunately, these are minor issues in an otherwise tightly written debut and are easily forgiven when considering the fun, satisfying pace and incredibly strong character work. The conclusion is particularly gratifying, hinting at a much larger world and leaving ample room for future installments. While there’s a lot going on in the story, Wilson manages to pack it all into just over two hundred pages, making DEATHLESS CREATURES a satisfyingly quick read that will leave readers eager for more.
With its brisk storytelling and compelling protagonists, Katie Wilson’s DEATHLESS CREATURES makes for an engaging, imaginative take on vampire mythology complete with an intriguing overarching mystery.
~James Weiskittel for IndieReader