cover image Gideon Redoak

Gideon Redoak

Anne Fraser, . . By Light Unseen Media, $25 (220pp) ISBN 978-0-9793028-7-9

It’s a great shame that Fraser (1957–2008) didn’t live to see the publication of this impressive dark fantasy debut, which introduces a stirring classic vampire. Baron Gideon Redoak is the gay son of a Puritan living in 1641 Shrewsbury, England. At age 19, he’s seduced, “turned” and abused by Etienne Corbeau, a sadistic vampire who eventually buries him alive (or undead). Evan Jones, a Welshman with superhuman abilities, digs Gideon up at the behest of Le Societé des Gardiens, vampires who don’t believe in killing. Over the next several centuries, Gideon learns much of love and grief as he and Evan join a group of druids in battling the evil vampires. Fraser keeps the pages turning with brisk pacing and a thoughtful, sensitive portrayal of Gideon’s struggles with Corbeau and his inner puritanical demons. (Aug.)