Long before the film there was the written word. Long before we settled down in
front of video or now DVD players for our fright-fests, we would read tales of 
terror by candlelight.
For most, this has been lost, however there are still those that prefer the pages
to celluloid or even both and why not?
This section then is for you. To help you to search through the rubbish and find
stories worth your time to read. If you're an avid reader of horror novels then
why not join 'Castle Dracula' as an official 'staff member' reviewing them.
To do so, just click on the 'Join My Staff' link in the menu to the left for details
of this and other vacancies.

- Lost Souls -
- Poppy Z Brite -

Set mainly in New Orleans, this is three stories which come together to form one
of the best known cult vampire classics of the 90’s. 
'Zillah', 'Twig' and 'Molochai' are three vampires that travel around spending 
there days living on alcohol, sex and blood.
'Zillah' is the leader and is the usual androgynous vampire that we all love and 
hate at the same time. 
They love partying and of course that means New Orleans where they frequent a pub
owned by another vampire, 'Christian'.
After a night fuelled by sex and drinking they leave town and behind them leave 
a shock for 'Christian' who can do nothing but deal with it.
'Ghost' and 'Steve' have a band called 'Lost Souls' but 'Ghost' has visions and 
knows things that he shouldn’t know, because of this 'Steve' feels that he needs 
to protect him from not only the outside world but from himself. 
They live in a small town called 'Missing Mile' which holds everything for them 
until they get a gig at a pub called 'The Sacred Yew' where their lives were 
crossed with some unusual people and a young boy who needs their help.
'Nothing' is a fifteen year old who lives with this adopted family who only want
him to do well at school and be a normal child. 'Nothing' doesn’t want this and 
knows there is something different about him. He drinks heavily and hangs out with
his Goth friends who sit about listening to 'The Cure'. After hearing a tape by a
band called 'Lost Souls' he sets out to find this band and his destiny. 
Poppy Z Brite, being my favourite author and 'Lost Souls' being my all time 
favourite book I have to say this is an amazing story. 
I first read this in the early 90’s and will never forget it. 
The characters are fascinating. 
From 'Ghost', the original boy who could see dead people to  'Steve' the caring 
person who won’t let 'Ghost' out of his sight. 
Then there is 'Zillah' who has got to the most beautiful person I’ve never seen,
Poppy sets him up to be this amazing seductive vampire who’s cruel side makes  
him even more alluring. 
'Christian', the old vampire that has more of a conscience than the average vampire
and who is willing to help anyone. 
'Twig' and 'Molochai' remind me of little lost children who will never grow up.
Lastly to 'Nothing', the little kid who knows nothing of his existence since the 
day his parents found him on their doorstep with a note saying "His name is 'nothing'.
Care for him and he will bring you luck".
The story is full of sex in all forms, mostly gay as in all Poppy Z Brite's books. 
She once said that she thought she was a gay man in a woman’s body.
This adds to the story, as it doesn’t go over the top but adds depth and understanding
to the characters. 
This is a book that isn’t worth describing in too much detail, as you really have to
read it for yourself and not many people who love vampires; horror or the Goth lifestyle
have ever hated it. 
Read it and feel yourself fall in love with the story and the characters.

Reviewed By Zilliah.

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