Re-vamped Vampirates Series Covers!

Long term visitors to the blog may have heard me rave before about a series that was published between 2005 and 2011, comprising of six main novels and novella released for World Book Day in 2007. I was always a huge fan of the series, written by Justin Somper. I even ran a fan site and fan forums back in the day! So I've been there from the start, from when the covers looked like this...

Before they got their first re-design just in time for the fourth book, Black Heart to be published in 2009!

I even have a few of the US editions, which are absolutely STUNNING!!!

Now, in 2020, the books are being re-released with a new publisher and a new look, ready to set sail on another voyage to find a new audience! The covers for Demons of the Ocean, Tide of Terror and (my personal favourite of the series...) Blood Captain, have been unveiled and they'll be available to buy from 5th March.

I really like them. I love the tattoo style of them. The colours. Ugh. I really like them. In all honesty my absolute fave has always been the original style just because it was so cool and colourful and I adore the original UK logo for the series! Plus I think there is something special about that first cover you read a series with. It always leaves an imprint on you. However, these new UK ones are brilliant and are a massive improvement on the original re-release over here in the UK. I just can't wait to see new readers find the series back in print and with covers like these they're going to stand out from the crowd! Can't wait to see the rest of the series! Justin has also revealed that each book will have new material as well, so I'm looking forward to seeing what that will be.

Roll on March!

An Open Letter to Publishers: Cover Changes

Hey guys! So, this is a bit of a different post to my normal stuff on here. This is something which has niggled me, and no doubt most of, or all of, you at some point and personally it annoys me to no end and has done for as long as I can remember. And that is when the look of a series changes mid-way through the series' publication. I would like to point out that this is not a post to attack publishers or to annoy them or to do any other thing than give my own personal opinion, perhaps evoke some discussion and possibly get a reason why. If you agree with anything I have to say, then please do leave a comment - this is something that interests me and peoples opinions on this matter also interest me so I would like to hear what you have to say at least.

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Dear Publishers,

I have been a reader ever since I was very young - and something I have also been since I was very young was a collector. I like to collect a series of books. I like to collect books by certain authors. There are authors that no matter how old I get, no matter how much my tastes differ, I will always read their work because it evokes some kind of magic within me and it's a magic that I love to experience again and again. But something that comes with the territory of being a collector is slight, and sometimes obsessive OCD. It is something that I guess just cannot be helped. It's nice to have a collection that looks nice on the shelf together, or wherever you choose to display your books. But something that makes collecting books a sometimes painful habit is when the look of a series changes. This is something that both enrages and saddens me. I have lost count over recent years where covers have changed for a series either mid-way through, sometimes at the very end, just with the last book and sometimes they've changes several times.

The Lionboy trilogy by Zizou Corder. The look changed just for the final book, The Truth, so my series doesn't match. Vampirates by Justin Somper. The series had a massive over-haul when the fourth book, Black Heart came out. Anthony Horowit'z Alex Rider series. The covers changed slightly for the eighth book, Crocodile Tears - they were somewhat similar but fonts had changed, placements had changed. And then they changed again for the final book, so vastly different that it looks somewhat out of place on my shelf. And now, most recently, one that has niggled me most and inspired this letter is Michelle Paver's Gods and Warriors series.

Gods and Warriors, the first book of the series was published in hardback last August. It had a stunning cover that really excited me and made me want to read the book even more - although because it's by Michelle it was a given that I'd read it anyway - and I just knew that it'd look amazing on my shelf especially when all five books of the series had been released. So cue my excitement when the cover for the second book, The Burning Shadow, popped up online a couple of months ago. It matched the cover for the first book. It had the same kind of feel but it was so colourful and exciting - ooh, the lion cub, the explosion - everything about it made me excited. It fit with the first one and that was important and the wait for the book, due in August continued. 

And then one day I went on Amazon and this happened...

A different cover was showing. What's this? I asked myself. Perhaps this is the one they did before... Hmm... I'll check with Puffin. So I merged the 2 together into one picture and tweeted the publisher asking which one was the one I could expect to see on the hardback and the reply came back saying that it was this new, different cover... Okay... It's not that bad. It's pretty similar to the one they had already posted and yeah, I was probably over-reacting but I was so annoyed and so upset. It looks nothing like the first one. The characters look so much bigger - yeah the colour is still there but it didn't look, to me, as excting as the cover for the book above. And most important of all, it didn't match the cover for the first book. As it is, I am not too disheartened as the paperback for Gods and Warriors is due to sport the same sort of new look and has been re-branded as The Outsiders.

But that doesn't solve my problem that I'm now not going to have a matching set of hardbacks and this saddens me as a collector and as a fan of Michelle Paver. It probably sounds sad, but it's just the way I am and a lot of other people are too. It's nice to have stuff that matches.

As I mentioned in my note before I began this letter, this is not an attack and I am not attacking Puffin in particular, it's just that Gods and Warriors is the most recent example I've seen and one that has a direct affect on me.

I understand that you may want to change the look of a series at some point. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes change makes things better. And sometimes it just makes collectors like me get two or three or even more sets of books. I have The Hunger Games trilogy in multiple sets. The same for the Harry Potter series. It's nice to have a full set that way. But if it were me, and I wanted to change the look of a series, I'd wait till the end of the series. Then the people who have been fans or readers of it from the beginning have a nice neat set that they can re-visit again and again and again for years and years to come. Great! Mission accomplished. A great series read and they look nice too which is a bonus. But as is obvious this doesn't happen some times and it's disheartening. 

I understand that some people just frankly do not care what the book looks like. And I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. It's what is on the pages within the cover that count and I know and appreciate that. But it is also nice for those of us that do have OCD and look forward to the day when we have a series that looks uniform that we are proud to display on our book shelves, mantle tops, tables, desks, anywhere. 

I guess I just want to know why. Why do you do this to us? Why do you torment us so? All we ask is that we get one go at the series without having to fork out more money to get a series that matches - which is something I have done. With Justin Somper's Vampirates books I went out and got the first three in the new cover look just so that my series matches. You want to know they're part of the same whole and the look just adds to this. Just please, spare a thought for the fans, the readers, the collectors. 

Thank you for reading. Again, please understand this isn't an attack. It is a plea. From one book lover to another.

Yours Sincerely

Ryan - Empire of Books

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As I said above guys, any comments or views or anything you want to say at all, please do leave a comment. Thank you.

Immortal War Blog Tour: Top 10 Vampirates Characters

Wow. When I was asked to do this by the lovely people at S&S I thought, wow... what an easy subject. Cannot wait! It was only upon sitting down to write this that I realised that it was not easy. Far from it. It has to have been one of the hardest pieces I've done for the blog, be it part of a Blog Tour or not. Really hard. So thanks to S&S and Justin for giving me the challenge!

10) Stukely - Now, not initally one of my favourite characters I couldn't stand him towards the start of the series. Crewmate to Connor turned Vampirate, he always annoyed me when he popped up and being Sidorio's sidekick he just kept coming. But as the series has progressed I've come to really enjoy him as a character. He still has some good in his dried Vampirate husk of a body, and it's buried so deep that all he can seem to do is highlight his flaws. 

9) Bo Yin - The innocent, odd, daugher of a swordsmith, she's been a favourite since she first appeard in Blood Captain. Her innocence always makes me smile and is sometimes a good rememdy to the darkness going on in the rest of the books.

8) Mollucco Wraithe - Captain of The Diablo, and a mighty fine pirate. He sure does have his moments of annoyance but he just seems to be one of those characters. Wheter you agree with him, or what he does, or not, you cannot help but like him. 

7) Kally - A fishtail (mermaid) who appears in Dead Deep, the novella Justin wrote for World Book Day and then again throughout the subsequent books. She doesn't really have any series-changing moments, but she's a fun little addition and always brightens things up whenever she pops up for air.

6) Darcy Flotsam - Figurehead of the mysterious Nocturn by day, regular Vampirate by night, she's been a consistent source of wisdom for Grace. Other characters waver in their wisdom, The Captain, Lorcan, because they always seem to have other interests at heart, and as we learn throughout the series, secrets to keep, but Darcy always has this sense of honesty about her which I really like and draws me to her as a character. The only downside is that the poor girl is only looking for true love and it seems so far away for her.

5) Lady Lola - One of the most wicked characters in the series, possibly even more than the big bad himself, Sidorio. She ia a complete puppet master. Pulling the strings to get what she wants, when she wants. With a chilling tendancy to bottle the blood of her victims and savour it rather like wine, she'sa highlight on the oceans!

4) The Vampirate Captain - A complete enigma throughout the series, this guy creeped me out majorly in the first few books, and also in the latter, but more so in the early days of the series. The whole mask situation and how his voice never exceeds a whisper even when angry. Creepy creepy dude!

3) Lorcan Furey - An important character all the way throughout the series, and a constant love interest for Grace, Lorcan is the loveable Irish vamp frozen forever in his nineteen year old body. Plucking Grace from the ocean in the first book, Demons of the Ocean, it was clear from the start that he'd be one to watch!

2) Grace and Connor Tempest - Our main characters. Yes, they are technically two different characters, but as they're twins, I'm grouping them togther. They've had a tumultuous journey throughout the series, being shipwrecked and finding themselves on two completely different ships, fighting for their lives in a world of piracy and vampires, no real Top 10 could exist without them.

And so it comes down to this, the Number 1 spot. 

1) Sidorio - Yes, I know, I hear you. WHAT?! WHAT????!!! Are you mad? You name Sidorio the number 1 Vamps character of all time?! Well guess, what, yes I do? Love him or hate him he is one cracking character! With his golden insisors which puncture his victims bodies to feast on their blood, and his Roman-esque wardrobe and ways, he truly is the self-styled King of the Vampirates. You cannot fault his enthusiasm, no matter how many knockbacks he takes, he won't stop until he gets what he wants. He is definitely a favourite character of mine, no matter how much I try I like him just as much as I am repulsed by him. He, more than any other character in the series has caused greater effect on me, and so therefore he is my Number 1 Vampirates Character!

So what do you think? Who are your favourite Vampirates characters?! Leave your comments below!

Thanks to Justin and S&S for allowing me to do this. It's been a lot of fun! Be sure to check out the series if you haven't already done so, and if you have, do not miss out on Immortal War! (Review here).

Vampirates: Immortal War by Justin Somper [Review]

I had intended to save this for the Vampirates Week in June but after reading it, I couldn't wait anymore!...

Written by: Justin Somper.

Published by: Simon & Schuster.

Format: Paperback.

Released: 9th June 2011 (UK) / Jan 2012 (USA).

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "A bloody war is raging across the oceans, with the Pirate Federation and Nocturnals in alliance against the renegade Vampirates, led by Sidorio and Lola. Lola might be heavily pregnant with twins, but it doesn't stop her from remaining an active in battle! Connor and Grace Tempest each have important roles to play - he as a pirate warrior at the heart of the fight; she as a powerful healer working with the war-wounded. As the twins face their greatest challenges to date, old allies and foes return to play their part in the ultimate battle of Pirate versus Vampirate."

On 6th June 2005, Simon & Schuster published, Demons of the Ocean, the first book in a sequence of books to set the barren landscapes of adolescent male reading alight. In a world of spies and wizards it was a refreshing read. And in the 6 years that have passed, we've seen blood, death, oceans, vampires and pirates aplenty. And now they are set to publish this, the sixth and final book of the sequence, Immortal War.

Conceived by Justin donkeys years ago (he actually had the idea 5 years before Demons of the Ocean was published, so the end has been 11 years coming - wow!) the series blended the world of vampire and pirate together. I have to admit to being a little nervous, okay... very nervous to read this book. I've been a fan of the series pretty much since I got the first book after seeing Justin talking about it on Blue Peter way back in the Summer of 2005. I speak to Justin quite a bit and have done since about 2006! Email, twitter, you name it. Every time there's a piece of news my excitement burns a little brighter and so my excitement in the weeks leading up to this one has been exceptionally mental. Every book, Justin topped himself and brought out something bigger, more epic than the last. 

And then I got my copy from the lovely people at S&S! Cue major excitement, shouting and maybe a little bit of crying at the fact it was finally here... As I sat down I was in two minds. The first was that as long as it was as good as Blood Captain (my then favourite in the series) I would be very happy. The other was to try and not to expect anything - to just sit back and let Justin take me across the ocean into the heart of the war between Pirates and Vampirates.

And wow... I was not disappointed. The book opens with a prologue that takes us way back and begins to fill in some gaps and sets the tone well for the book. We're then taken back to the present (or future considering the books are set 500 years into the future...) and right into the midst of the war. Grace is at Sanctuary doing her best to help the war wounded, while Connor is right in the very heart of the war as a key member of the Alliance that has formed between the pirates and Nocturnals - vampires who shun the blood-thirsty ways of renegade and self styled Vampirate King Sidorio and his monstrous - although fascinating... - wife, Lady Lola Sidorio Lockwood, who just happens to be heavily pregnant.

With a prophecy that looks set to send shock-waves out through the characters, and more tension and action than you can shake a stick at, Immortal War makes for a brilliant read. I would say, read the first 5 first because the true magic of this book is that as a reader, you really do become close to the characters. You've seen them grow, and change into the people, or demons..., they are now and really fear for their lives as they fight for supremacy over the oceans.

I have to say that Connor in particular in this book was a personal favourite. The secret that he is a dhampir, as is Grace, is eating away at him and he can't stand it. He's trying to fight himself, yet at the same time finds it hard not to cave in to his blood hunger. Along with a few new tricks he learns in the book, it's the strongest he's ever been as a character and he was a personal highlight in this book, or more his experiences were.

Most of all, I'm glad at the overall outcome. The ending is just - wow... I don't want to say anymore incase I spoil anything, so I'll just say you need to check it out! Justin has done the characters, the story and his Nocturnals - that's what his fans are called... ;) - worldwide justice. I can't begin to thank him enough and pity his poor inbox right now! Haha! Seriously, you need to check out this series. It's addictive regardless of your age or gender. I defy any boy who doesn't like reading not to be engrossed and captured by this series. 

A fitting end to the series. Enough said really. Can't wait to see what Justin does next!

Pre-order from Amazon UK

News: Immortal War Blog Tour

To celebrate the release of Immortal War by Justin Somper, there's going to be a blog tour of epic proportions and it is not to be missed. Stopping off here on 14th June, so the Monday after Vampirates Week, there's all sorts to look forward to. Top 10's. Q&A's. Giveaways and lots more! Check out the full schedule below and don't miss out!

Monday 6th June -- Chicklish - Extract #1 
Tuesday 7th June -- My Favourite Books - An interview with Justin Somper 
Wednesday 8th June -- The Crooked Shelf - Guest Post: on Lady Lola Lockwood & The Women of Vampirates
Thursday 9th June -- Feeling Fictional - Animal Antics 
Friday 10th June -- The Bookette --Extract #2 
Saturday 11th June - Girls Without A Bookshelf - Playlists & The Music of Vampirates
Sunday 12th June - Wondrous Reads - 10 Ways to Know You're Obsessed with Vampirates 
Monday 13th June -- Daisy Chain Books - Guest Post: Ending An Era -- Killing Off Vampirates 
Tuesday 14th June -- Empire of Books -- Top ten Vampirates characters ever
Wednesday 15th June -- Book Zone For Boys -- Q&A with Justin
Thursday 16th June - I Want To Read That - WIN! Vampirates swag

News: Immortal War Cover Art Released

At long last folks, the cover art for the final Vampirates book, Immortal War has been released. And it is a BEAUTY!!!

I first saw the cover in the 2011 stocklist booklet for Simon and Schuster UK Children's Books. Bare in mind it was a teeny tiny little pic, and I commented to Justin about the cover who said that the foil has certainly been cracked open! I cannot wait to see this in the flesh! :D

Announcing 'Vampirate Week' - June 2011!

If you are a regular reader of the blog, or my tweets for that matter, or have even gone deep into the abyss of my reviews when I first started, you'll know I am a MASSIVE fan of Justin Somper and his Vampirates books. I think they are brilliant, and pretty much perfect in every way. And so therefore I am majorly, extremely, butterflies in my stomach, excited to read the sixth and final book, Immortal War which is published on 9th June (46 days according to Waterstones!!!!!!!!)!!!!!!!!!!!! And therefore, to show and really fulfill my excitement, I'd like to announce...

Yes that's right! :D VAMPIRATES WEEK is coming to EoB! There'll be lots of fun. Reviews of the past 5 books, all sorts. And of course a review of Immortal War! The fun all kicks off on 6th June so be there!

News: Vampirates: Immortal War Synopsis Released

The synopsis has been released for Immortal War, the sixth and final book in the Vampirates series by Justin Somper. 

"A bloody war is raging across the oceans, with the Pirate Federation and Nocturnals in alliance against the renegade Vampirates, led by Sidorio and Lola. Lola might be heavily pregnant with twins, but it doesn't stop her from remaining an active presence in battles! Connor and Grace Tempest each have important roles to play in the war - he as a pirate warrior at the heart of the fight; she as a powerful healer working with the war-wounded. As the twins face their greatest challenges to date, old allies and foes return to play their part in the ultimate battle of Pirate versus Vampirate."

Sounds good, no? It's out April 2011!

Trailer: US Vampirates

Check out this AMAZING trailer produced by Little Brown US for Justin Somper's Vampirates series. Very ciematic and epic. I love it! Well done Little Brown! And it showcases the stunning new artwork the lucky American readers can now get their hands on! 

Cover VS Cover - The Vampirates Series

US Covers up top, UK covers on the bottom. Please click to enlarge!

I intended to do this, and Jenny over at Wondrous Reads said she saw a Cover VS Cover coming up, and here is is! :D

As regular readers of EoB's will know, I am a big fan of Justin and his Vampirates series. I think they are brilliant for readers of all ages and can't recommend them enough, but I don't want to talk too much about the content of the books in this post, for fear of repeating myself. This is merely a commentary on the cover art.

I loved the original UK covers, and was sad when S&S made the decision to change them. But in hindsight, it's the best decision they could of made. These new covers stand out on the bookshelves. They're bright, but dark at the same time. And shiny too!

I was also a big fan of the US covers, but I never felt that they had the same drawing quality that the UK covers. And then Little Brown also made the decision to re-jacket the books. And goodness what a job they have done!

These new US covers which you see before you are absolutely stunning. Yes, they are kind of scary. But they are just so enticing, so intriguing. The use of the skull, the font used for the VAMPIRATES logo. The shining lights out of the eye sockets. Just simply amazing! Created by Justin Gerard, these are true works of art. One very proud Vampirate fan here!

This Cover VS Cover has to go the US, I'm afraid. That's a very rare occurrence as I'm not normally a fan of US covers, but these covers are possibly my favourite so far of 2010! Well done Little Brown! Big thumbs up.

In My Postbox #5

In My Mailbox idea from Kristi @ The Story Siren, and all links take you to Amazon.

Some would consider this a quiet week but for me, it's been pretty epic! I got these beauties! The first three books in the Vampirates series, by Justin Somper. These babies are the brand new US editions! Aren't they stunning. Definitely my favourite covers for the series, and my favourite covers for 2010 so far! Kudos to Little Brown US. These have been superbly designed. Was very excited when I opened the package.

Something inside me wants to read them but they're so beautiful I don't think they should be spoiled! Don't want a crease or anything on these books. What do you guys think? Like the covers?

Hope everyone has a good week.

Empire of Night [Review]

Written by: Justin Somper

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Format: Paperback.

Released: 4th March 2010.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Sidorio, fuelled by grief and revenge, is intent on becoming King of the Vampirates and building a new empire to bring terror to the oceans. He faces growing opposition from both the Pirate Federation, including Vampirate Assassin Cheng Li, and the Nocturnals - the more benign vampirate realm - led by Mosh Zu and Lorcan Furey. Both the pirates and the Nocturnals are forced to raise their game in response to the new and urgent threat from Sidorio and the renegade Vampirates. Twins Grace and Connor Tempest, still ricocheting from the recent discovery of their true parenthood and its explosive implications, are thrust deep into the heart of the conflict. Old foes and allies are thrown together in unexpected ways and, as the stakes rise higher than ever before, Grace and Connor find their alliances shifting in ways no-one could ever have possibly foreseen..."

Wow wow wow wow wow wow WOW!

Empire of Night is the fifth book in Justin Somper's terrific Vampirates Series. Blending piracy with vampirism is not an easy task, but Mr. Somper does a terrific, neigh... AMAZING job, as this book only proves.

This book has a slightly different style to the previous four. The openning chapter, well, prologue, actually takes place in the closing chapters of the book. Rather frustratingly, this prologue is absolutely amazing. So descriptive, so addictive. I was hooked instantly, and then to have to return to the start of the story, and have to wait to see what happens next was a major task! I had to fight tooth and nail not just to flip right to the end and see what happens next! Believe me though, it is totally worth waiting for! Do not, under any circumstances flip to the end, like I was tempted!

After the revelation at the end of the last book, Black Heart, there are some interesting developments involving the twins, Grace and Connor, and their growing appetite for blood. This for me was a massive highlight of the book.

I really don't know what else to say, what else I can say,without spoiling the book. All I can say, is that it is by far my favourite of the series. With some stunning twists and turns, major deaths that shocked me to the core, really! It's not very often a book makes me cry, but I did shed a few tears at the death near the end!

Well done Mr. Somper. One extremely happy Nocturnal here! Excited to see what you have up your sleeve for Book Six! I cannot recommend this book enough. The series too! If you haven't read them yet, what are you waiting for?

Buy from AmazonUK

Vampirates Catch-Up

Now, I am a massive massive massive Vampirates fan. I have been ever since the first book, Demons of the Ocean was published in June 2005. The artwork was dark, brooding, and so stunning, it just caught my eye at first glance. I'd also seen Justin talking about the book on Blue Peter and it sounded brilliant, so I knew I had to have a read. And I was not disappointed on iota.

Demons of the Ocean opens with Grace and Connor becoming orphans after their beloved father, and Lighthouse Keeper, dies. They have no other family, and so have nowhere else to go. And rather than be put in the children's home, they make a dash for it and head out to sea. But things all go quite wrong, very fast. There is a storm and the twins are ship-wrecked, separated, each fearing that the other has died.

Connor is saved by Cheng-Li. A brooding Chinese pirate aboard The Diablo. There he meets Captain Muluco Wraith, and many others. While his poor sister is picked up by a altogether more mysterious ship. That of the Vampirates. Here she falls for the dashing Lorcan Furrey. An Irish vamp frozen at 17-years-old. Oh yes, before your Edward Cullens there were Lorcan Furrey's!

I don't want to give too much away, and that's about all I can say without going into major detail on the next three books, 2006's Tide of Terror, my personal favourite Blood Captain released in 2007, and last years offering, Black Heart. For me, the books just get better and better. More and more epic every time.

Black Heart introduced us to the most chilling female character I have come across. Lady Lola Lockwood. She bottles blood for crying out loud! She baths in it. The woman is pure terror. But so amazing. There's just something about her that makes you like her, for me anyway. She's the sort of person that you love to hate. But you can't help forming an attachment to her.

The series even under-went a make over in-between Blood Captain and Black Heart, to give us the glorious covers that we have now!

There are twists and turns a-plenty in these books. You definitely will not be disappointed. I cannot recommend them enough, for boys and girls. And what with the fifth book, Empire of Night, published in just over a weeks times, things look set to get even darker. Expect a review! It's one of my most anticipated books this year!