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Red Serpent: The Falsifier, Delson Armstrong, 2010, ISBN 9780982952306 First of a series, this far-future tale is about humanity really needing a savior. In the 34th century, humanity has lost the war against vampires from the planet Migra, and have been exiled to Regnum, a giant spaceship in Earth orbit. The vampires, living on Earth, plan to harvest the humans for their blood. John Howe is the "President" of Regnum. His nephew, Alex, has grown up in the shadow of his famous father, who united the scattered remnants of humanity, and whom Alex never knew. Alex graduates from college, as valedictorian, has a girlfriend, Angel, and is about to become a father. Some of the vampires, the Rebels, fought with humanity during the war, Afterwards, they were denied permission to join humanity in orbit; they have been systematically murdered until there are only a handful left. Alex learns, one day, that he is the long-prophesied Falsifier, who will bring about the end of the vampires. The vampires know this, too. Alex is kidnapped and taken to Earth. The kidnapping is not a complete surprise; one of the Rebels is a good friend of Howe, and has assured him that no harm will come to Alex. Killing him will not affect the prophecy. The vampires give humanity an ultimatum: Disarm immediately, or it's war. Humanity responds with an ultimatum: Release Alex, or it's war. Meantime, Alex has been learning a lot about the prophecy, and gaining a great deal of power. John Howe practically forces the Regnum Senate to give him dictatorial powers to fight the war that everyone knows is coming. Does Alex fulfill his prophecy to end the reign of the vampires? What happens in the final battle between humanity and the vampires? This is a really interesting novel that touches on a number of subject, including very ancient history, religion and racial prejudice. Yes, it's very much worth reading. Paul Lappen is a freelance book reviewer whose website, Dead Trees Review, has over 800 reviews on all subjects, with an emphasis on small press books.
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