My copy of Lost Souls was a present from an older Goth friend who had grown up in the scene and could relate to some of the events in the book. As author Dan Simmons once very accurately said, Brite “combines the sensibilities of a poet with the unflinching eye of a surgeon.”Īs a Goth myself, it was a lot of fun spotting references from within the subculture. A common thread in Brite novels is the thorough description and somewhat wry treatment of incredibly gruesome moments. Trust me, this is * not* a book for sensitive readers. Descriptions can get graphic, especially during the scenes when the vampires kill. As a New Orleans native himself, Brite gives an accurate and beautiful portrayal of the city, especially the French Quarter. Even if you’re a first time Brite reader, you learn a lot about them and get to know them really well.ĭescriptions are incredibly lush throughout the novel, a signature of Brite. For any established Brite or S&G fans, it expands their relationship and serves as a way to “catch up” with them. We even get the story of how they met as children. This novel serves as a more in-depth look at the beloved pair, who are arguably Brite’s most popular characters. The way Steve and Ghost fit into the story works incredibly well. A huge plus of the novel version is earned by the characterization and role expansion of the vampires, as well as the inclusion of Steve and Ghost into the plot. This novel was the expansion of a novella Brite had written before titled “The Seed of Lost Souls,” which is basically an incredibly compressed version of Lost Souls. Older vampires can walk in the sun as long as they cover their skin and eyes, naturally have fangs, and rely solely on blood for nourishment.

Brite also makes an interesting distinction between young and old vampires: younger vampires can eat like humans, can walk around in sunlight, and have to sharpen their teeth. They are similar enough to humans to crossbreed with them but otherwise are completely different. Unlike your traditional vampires where humans die and are transformed with a bite, these vamps are a separate race entirely.

Lost Souls is a clever spin on the coming-of-age story with a focus on the character Nothing, who comes to discover his mixed heritage (human and vampire) and realizes that, after years of feeling like an outcast in the human world, he can live as he pleases in good company with vampires.Īs someone who has been obsessed with vampires since the age of seven, I absolutely loved this new take on the supernatural creatures.

Lost souls poppy