A centuries-old vampire named Navarre navigates a punk-infused space opera universe, confronting parasitic plants, flying coffin-ships, and interstellar capitalism while forming complex bonds with his unconventional protégés. Blending dark humor, social critique, and inventive world-building, these three novellas explore themes of immortality, rebellion, and the enduring impact of violence and power.
Set in a universe that blends science fiction and vampire lore, the book follows Navarre, a vampire born around 1450 who has traversed centuries and even space, encountering monsters, working for the Vatican, and eventually becoming the target of extraterrestrial entities. The work is a collection of three novellas, each featuring Navarre in new adventures, and is part of a larger cycle that includes the Testament trilogy and other related collections. The stories are set in a richly developed space opera world, where vampires coexist with brain-parasitic plants and coffin-shaped spaceships, and where the backdrop is a competitive, capitalist interstellar society. The narrative explores both intimate character dynamics and broader political themes, with each novella designed to be accessible even to those unfamiliar with previous entries in the cycle.
Readers appreciated the book's humor, sharp dialogue, and the depth of its world-building, particularly the integration of punk and rebellious elements into the character of Navarre. The protagonist's complex personality, marked by a mix of charm and abrasiveness, was highlighted as engaging, and the stories were noted for their ability to convey character relationships and backstory without requiring prior knowledge of the series. The writing style was described as lively and incisive, with the author addressing serious topics such as violence against women in a direct and impactful manner. The blend of science fiction and vampire elements, as well as the inventive details like spacefaring vampires and unusual companions, were also cited as strengths.
Some readers expressed reservations about the vampire genre and the novella format, finding the latter potentially frustrating due to its brevity. There was mention of initial reluctance to engage with the book based on these factors, though the narrative ultimately overcame these hesitations for at least one reviewer. No significant criticisms of the content or execution were detailed in the available review, but the format and genre preferences were noted as potential drawbacks.
The book is scheduled for publication on July 10, 2025, and is authored by Jeanne-A Debats, a writer with nearly two decades of experience in speculative fiction. It has received a small number of reader ratings so far, with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5. The collection is positioned as a return to the character of Navarre after previous works, and is designed to be accessible to both new and returning readers. The stories incorporate elements of space opera, social commentary, and character-driven narrative, and are part of a broader literary universe developed by the author.