TEAM OF DARKNESS

By Tony Ruggiero
Hard Shell Word Factory 0-7599-0103-1
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$10.95

What if vampires were real? And what if the military wanted to use them as weapons? An interesting idea in the tradition of McCammon's "Wolf Hour" but "Team of Darkness" is not as action packed.

The story focuses on Navy Commander John Reese who's outside interests is mythology and legend. When drained bodies turn up in Kosovo, John Reese assigned to confirm the vampires, capture them, and train them for classified operations. But Reese suspects that the vampires might be used for more personal gain than military, and quickly becomes attached to them.

In some ways, you may find this a campy knock off that often fills the Sci-Fi section of your local Barnes and Noble, but this is no knock off. Tony Ruggiero firmly places the story in reality and delivers some interesting reading.

"Team of Darkness" is heavy in theme and theory while light in character and plot. Although the characters are interesting, they do execute the theory and themes, they don't have much change or conflict. Each character is filled with a perspective that conflicts with each other.

Hm, maybe there is conflict.

There are some creepy moments halfway through the novel when Reese and his team go into the tunnels to capture the vampires. Unfortunately, that is as scary as it gets. There are some cool techniques used by the navy in catching the vampires, mixing old world folk medicine and modern technology.

Ruggiero examines how our armed forces are constantly unsatisfied, always trying to be the strongest force when they already are. Human nature is also ripped open, making us wonder who is the vicious animal; the humans who kill for power or the animals who kill to live.

"Team of Darkness" is a subtle, gothic, and intelligent novel; and an interesting addition to the military horror genre.

Review by Mike Purfield

Critical Raves for Mike Purfield's "Dirty Boots."

"If you're looking for a good read, something you've never experienced before, then this is the book for you." Paul Kane of Terror Tales.

Rated 3 out of 4 by Unhinged Magazine.

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