In Eighteen Forever: A Story of a Vampire Elizabeth Sheldon, David Crane takes readers on an intriguing journey through the eyes of Elizabeth, an ordinary girl whose life is turned upside down when she’s bitten by a vampire against her will. From that moment, Elizabeth’s singular focus becomes finding a cure to reverse her transformation. The question of whether that’s even possible hangs over her quest, as she dives into understanding the origins of vampires and how they function. At only 18, an age when most people are planning their futures, Elizabeth is forced to grapple with immortality, reshaping her view of life and what it means to truly live.

The first-person narrative gives us a direct line into Elizabeth’s thoughts and feelings, making her story more relatable. You experience her struggles and inner turmoil firsthand, which helps create a strong connection to her character. Crane does an excellent job of grounding the story in its 1988 setting, capturing the essence of the time period with vivid descriptions and historical accuracy. The way Crane paces the novel is particularly engaging. The plot moves quickly, with multiple storylines running parallel, which keeps the reader on their toes and ensures the book never feels dull or slow.

One of the more intriguing parts of the book was Elizabeth’s internal struggle between her human past and vampire present. The flashbacks to her childhood and her close relationship with her brother Robert were especially poignant. They remind us that Elizabeth wasn’t always immortal, and the moments where she reflects on her past ground her in humanity.

The vampire lore in Eighteen Forever is a fascinating mix of familiar and fresh ideas. The concept of Urtama, the vampire race, and their relationship with humans is well-explored, but the part that really drew me in was the failed scientific attempts to let vampires walk in the sun. The scenes where Elizabeth reflects on these experiments, which almost killed several vampires, are chilling. It gave the sense that, despite their power, vampires are still vulnerable in ways that matter.

Eighteen Forever is a refreshing take on the vampire genre. It blends elements of history, science fiction, and introspective character study. I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy character-driven narratives and are fans of vampire lore with a twist.

Pages: 419 | ASIN: B0DGFH7M9W