This one was not for me. I thought it started off with a bang and I could not wait to see what would happen...only we kept going back to the history of the vampire and well those parts didn't work for me. I loved the present day, but the past stuff didn't work for me so I dnf-ed this one.

Seth Ardelean is a monster locked up in awaiting death. The day before his execution a paralegal name Eunice goes so he can sign papers in preparation for his demise. He is locked up in the lowest level of A renovated POW camp on an island in Thailand. When Eunice first enters the chambers she is fearful and it doesn’t help when Seth decides to play mind games with her but before it’s over he will tell her his story. It is a story made up of sadness terra horror kingdoms peasants victims perpetrators and so much more he talks about how he was there through corrupt colonist to corrupt governments and although he has done horrible things he also tells about how horrible things were done to him his wife and his daughter. He is in prison for the murder of Dr. Anderson and we also get to know why that happened and OMG if this wasn’t a great story! Before it’s over Eunice we’ll go from fearing him to assisting him. This is a very very long book and it took me a few days to read but OMG it is so good anyone who has been a victim will appreciate this book especially those who have a dislike for corrupt government greediness and power-hungry people I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it if you love vampire stories and revenge tales you will definitely like The Formosan Vampire by Amadeus Rockefeller. I want to thank the author and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Gorey, dark, and very violent but also gripping and well plotted. A story that talks about vampire but also society and history.
I assume it's inspired by Interview with the Vampire but it stands on its own feet and it's an excelent book.
Do not read if you are queasy because it can be very graphic
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Formosan Vampire is a fictional biographical tale of a Cro-Magnon man who is altered by a cataclysmic event and is able to live for thousands of years on the blood of others.

Now imprisoned, on the eve of his death sentence, he shares his fantastical tale with a young woman who was hired as his lawyer.

The reader jumps back and forth from present day to the past many times. You can tell the author has put so much work into the world building of his tale. Not only the fictional aspects, but the history of Taiwan itself is so detailed and creates a rich narrative.

There were some repetitive sentences (like almost word for word), and some typos (ex: “katana” is spelt “kanata”), so hopefully those are all caught in the final draft.

This was quite a long story, and I did find some parts a bit dry, but if you’re looking for a unique vampiric tale, this is the one for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and BooksGoSocial for a copy!

Formosan Vampire is a fictional story that combines elements of history, fantasy, horror, and thriller genres. With its graphic portrayal of violence, cannibalism, and fantasy horror, this book is best suited for mature adult readers. Through a horrifying narrative of bloodshed and horror, Formosan Vampire introduces Seth Ardelean, a pre-historic Cro-Magnon man who was subjected to a cataclysmic event 42,000 year ago that changed him into an immortal vampiric creature. Seth eventually became a vampire king that ruled over a terrifying kingdom on the island of Formosa. In the present day, however, Ardelean is a death row inmate, awaiting his imminent execution. As his demise draws near, a young paralegal named Eunice Wang from his law firm pays him a visit to complete his last will and testament. During this time, he vividly recounts the incredible tale that explains how he ended up in his current predicament. Unbeknownst to Eunice, Seth has no plans to depart from this world. Eunice is nothing more than a pawn in his sinister scheme to break free, and as the plot unravels, it will captivate readers with its thrilling, chilling, and grand finale.

Formosan Vampire intricately weaves together real historical events and figures, shaping the main character's journey and eventual tyrannical rule over Taiwan, once called Formosa. The characters are meticulously crafted, with captivating backstories that will captivate the reader's attention. Rockefeller's talent lies in his ability to generate gripping conflict at every turn. From Seth's enduring struggles through the centuries to his impending execution, the story is filled with tension. The intricately designed escape plan, the quest for revenge, the mysterious organisation called the Dark Order under his control, and the explosive finale all contribute to the captivating narrative. This is a story that breaks free from genre conventions, making it a standout in the realm of vampire fiction.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.

I was attracted to this book because it was about vampires (and I love vampires!) This was a satisfying read - it was very dark and gory (which a good vampire tale should be!). In fact, it put me in mind of 'Interview with a Vampire' mixed with 'The Green Mile' (both of which are amongst my favourite books.) I can see this being expanded into further books.

This book was similar to “Interview With A Vampire” where an ancient vampire is telling his story to a rather naive person in current time. Like “Interview,” I could easily see this as a movie as well. I liked the historical details and there was just enough vampire gore to make my horror-junkie heart happy. The ending leaves off as a perfect start to a second book, though this is a complete story; which I appreciated. I really enjoyed this book and would read more from the author. Thanks for the opportunity to read!