"[Darksome Thirst] turned out to be set in an era which was quite familiar to me... the large floors and the rooms of computer equipment with old, magnetic tapes and fluorescent rooms with their controlled air... Darksome Thirst proved to be fascinating and I enjoyed it immensely. The plot is engaging, at times allowing the author's sense of humor to add great color to the writing style. Morven also tosses the readers several surprises and the book builds to a potent climax and yet, even then, it doesn't quite end as I anticipated. But wait, there's more... If you enjoy it half as much as I did, you'll have a great time."
-- The Unicorn
"[There] lies a gap between Anne Rice and Laurell K. Hamilton
that the new series of Vampire novels from Morven Westfield have a great potential
to fill. In her first book in the series, Darksome Thirst Westfield introduces
us to the sharp-witted vampire Wesley and his accomplice Frederick. Unwillingly
drawn into their world is a bright systems operator called Alicia Anderson,
and her boss Meg McMillan. As the story unfolds, a local coven begins to detect
the presence of the vampires and zeroes in on their prey Clearly the author
has done a lot of research (either objectively or subjectively) on Paganism
and Wicca, and the attention to detail and accuracy of the rites and correspondences
included is impressive. If the book has a failing, it is that the characters
do not have the depth of those created by Rice or Hamilton - there is a two-dimensional
quality to them. The book could quite easily have been an extra 100 pages long
without bogging down the storyline and would have given us deeper insight into
its protagonists. This may merely be because Westfield is still feeling her
way, of course - this is her debut novel, after all. I feel sure that as the
series progresses, this is something that will be corrected, and we will find
a new Lestat or Anita Blake to simultaneously love and hate..."
-- Pagan News
"DARKSOME THIRST portrays a good positive look at a contemporary
Wiccan training coven in an easy-going fiction setting that will appeal to fans
of the genre. May Rob and Janith go on to have many more adventures! ...A good
read."
-- Rosemary
Edghill,
author, Speak Daggers To Her, The Book of Moons, The Bowl of
Night, and others
"Rarely do you find any books that combine two different characters from the horror world. Witches and vampires have been done once before by Anne Rice, but Westfield’s story is a more down-to-earth tale that you can relate to... Westfield does a great job in bringing two horror characters into a world that is as quiet and simple as any person’s life should be. While there is an opportunity to overdo it, she stays reserved to keep the story together smoothly. She takes her time to develop her characters and reminds me of Stephen King with the detail he displays with his characters. I recommend this book..."
-- D.W. Jones, Blood Moon Rising Horror Magazine, Issue #20
"The computer equipment and scenery are pure 1970’s and the story sits well in this era. Morven Westfield has written a story that could be about anyone whose life is turned on its ear by the presence of a vampire in their midst. My only complaint is that the book ends without tying up some loose ends, but that’s what the sequel, THE OLD POWER RETURNS will do. This debut novel is a job well done and I’m looking forward to it."
-- Barry Hunter, Baryon Online
"An interesting story about a vampire, his intended victim and a witch who senses that something dark is on the horizon. The story is told from two points of view. First is Alicia, a young computer operator who lives in a night-shift world of magnetic tape and run instructions. The second point of view comes from Matricaria, a witch-in-training who begins to have nightmares when the vampire comes to town. Surprisingly, their two lives intersect more than you realize. It's certainly a fantasy tale, and the witchcraft part of the story is secondary to the vampire tale. I personally enjoyed the detailed workings of the 'vintage' computer environment."
-- Terri Paajanen, Pagan/Wiccan Religion section on About.com
"This has been a year full of surprises for me, concerning
to new books and authors. I must confess that I am not a vampire novel fan myself
but I guess that I am now! Well-written and with a fantastic plot, this book
brings you to a very realistic atmosphere of science, witchcraft and vampires.
Matricaria, a forming witch, starts having strange dreams about evil presences
and bad omens. When she brings that issues to her coven, her coven mates start
to investigate the problem. Thru tarot readings and rituals, they start to realize
the truth nature of this evil presence. In the opposite part of the city, Alicia,
struggles with her rationality to find a reason for all the strange things happening
to her lately. She is a very practical girl working at a computer company. She
is totally dedicated to her work, though, in her deepest mind she knows that
life is more that what we see. Very independent, Alicia will find herself in
a situation of despair and love for the evil presence. Come and find out where
the witch and the rational girl meet to fight the same enemy! This book is the
first chapter of a very promising Saga. Cant wait to read the second one! Read
it! "
-- Pagan
Reviews
"Tired of good vampires or bad ones who run in clans
and act more like gangsters than the undead? If so, you might want to chase
down a copy of this first novel, which features a nasty and somewhat untraditional
bloodsucker. Westfield's vampire appears more by suggestion than physically,
a hint of shadows, a sense that you're no longer alone... The author does a
very good job of establishing atmosphere, and the evil force is nicely handled...the
characterization was convincing and the story engrossing. Overall, a very promising
debut."
-- Don D'Amassa, Science
Fiction Chronicle, Issue 240, October 2003
"Remember the name Morven Westfield. She's an exciting
new voice in the Horror/Vampire genre. DARKSOME THIRST is her debut novel and
what an entrance it is! Set in the 1970s, the vampire Wesley and his protege
Frederick come face to face with a coven of smart Wiccans and the climax is
both unexpected and exciting. The characters in this work are believable and
interesting; the background authentic. The mixture of modern computers and ancient
blood-suckers is fascinating and will draw-in the most seasoned reader. I look
forward to Morven's next recounting of the ongoing battle."
--Raymond
Buckland, author,
The Committee, Cardinal's Sin, The Witch Book, and others
"The story is engaging and down to earth. Being a working
professional in the world of computers and technology, I feel for the characters
in the book. It is very realistic, with a good amount of suspense to keep you
going. My only disappointment was that it was too short! "
--Mischa Parrill, BellaOnline's
Wicca Host
"An impressive debut novel by Morven Westfield. This
is why we buy books! The intriguing plot keeps one turning pages way into the
night, and the characters seem to take on a third dimension -- a thrill ride
for the vampire aficionado."
--Jimahl di Fiosa, author,
A Voice in the Forest
"This book is a lesson in the unexpected! Alicia is someone
most of us can identify with: an ordinary hard-working person who could easily
be a friend or neighbor. Her life is fairly uncomplicated until she and her
coworkers discover the presence of true evil in their midst. The story is told
with an unusual twist, combining vampirism and wicca in a most unusual read."
--Morganna Davies, author,
Keepers
of the Flame
"Vampires, Witches, and technology -- an intriguing combination, and Morven
Westfield has put them together in an ingenious and entertaining story... Filled
with deliciously rounded characters and believable situations, Darksome Thirst
is a delight to read. Morven has captured the inner voices of her characters,
and the reader can see people they know, and perhaps even something of themselves,
in them. Each one has a distinct voice, which remains consistent throughout
the book. You really care what happens to them, because they could be your friends
or even you. Full of suspense and surprises right to the very end, you will
find yourself looking forward to the next book in the series."
--Elizabeth K, Horns & Crescent
Magazine
"Wow. It's a rare occasion that you find a book so good that you have a
hard time putting it into words, but that is exactly what Ms. Westfield has
done with this book. Darksome Thirst is almost seductive in the way that it
pulls the reader into the story... Ms. Westfield makes the characters feel so
real; they could be your next-door neighbor or a fellow co-worker... Ms. Westfield
did an excellent job combining the supernatural and occult into a wonderful,
smooth-flowing blend... anyone familiar with the elements of a coven will be
pleased to find that she keeps this very realistic, unlike many pagan fictitious
writings out on the market today. My hat is off to Ms. Westfield..."
--Kathryn Moondancer, Elements
Magazine
"This interesting story deftly weaves occult threads into the fabric of
everyday life. Morven Westfield's novel reminds me of the fictional work of
Stewart Farrar."
--Starspawn, Wiccan Elder
"A most enjoyable and pleasant way to spend a couple of evenings. What
appear to be two separate stories are neatly drawn together. I recommend it
if you enjoy fiction with an understanding of occult principles. I look forward
to following the development of the characters in future novels."
--Mike Gleason, independent reviewer
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