ARC Review: Solstice by Bryan Dull

Goodreads Synopsis
***Expected re-release January 2013***
In Gavin Moxley's world, there is not a thin line between right and wrong. In a personal crusade to help severe a line of disease carried by a clan of vampires that are purposely infecting the human population; Gavin has no choice but to be ruthless. Waiting for the infection to start within the person, Gavin executes them one by one. Gavin is not strong or powerful, so finding the persons before they turn into full vampires is ideal.

This is Gavin's life, and nothing has changed it until a young half breed vampire, Solstice, attaches herself to Gavin. Asking for help and protection, Gavin unwillingly takes Solstice and agrees to protection for information leading to whereabouts of others that are infected.

Solstice's existence leads to a dangerous game of cat and mouse. There is no where safe for either of them as they are consistently being hunted. Solstice is a rare breed and is wanted for her "ability".

For Gavin, the past is not always forgotten. During their outing, Gavin starts coming to terms about his past and his family. His faith and humanity is tested during the turmoil that ensues.

"Solstice" is a story about faith and love in a way that is completely unconventional. Torn between his hate and his love for Solstice he is thrown into a moral dilemma that only he can figure out.

Solstice! Wow, this book is so very different from other paranormal, particularly vampire books that I have read. And in a good way! From the opening of the novel, it is clear that this story breaks the paranormal conventions that have been laid out over last 10 years or so.

What is so very different, apart from the lack of sparkling vamps, is the element of reality that Bryan Dull brings to the novel. His writing is so very visual; it was like watching a film. Admittedly, I am a very visual reader, and when I do watch a film adaptation, I get confused as it feels like I’ve already watched it when I was reading the book, but Solstice is something else.

I explored Bryan Dull’s thoughts and response to Solstice in a recent interview, and he comments on how his novel started off as a screenplay; I really see this! There are still elements that are crafted like a screenplay. The language and way that Bryan describes the detail of the setting, and provides very explicit character detail is still very much like a screenplay. Please, do not misunderstand me however, Solstice is most definitely a novel, and a fascinating one at that, but the way that Bryan Dull crafted the novel blew me away.

Admittedly, it did take me a while to get into synch, or even the momentum of the book as it is a pretty unique read. However, once I accepted the stylistic lilt of Solstice, I really began to appreciate the novel for its action, plot and superb characters.

The novel opens with the introduction of Gavin, a man full of mystery and quite a heavy past. It is then that we are introduced to Solstice, a young girl who can only be described as unique (obviously because I don’t want to give away any spoilers!). Their relationship is effectively created and developed, with a thought-provoking father/daughter like connection developing. I really liked this angle and appreciated the freshness for the genre.

Throughout the novel, there were many examples of well-crafted wit developed that successfully helped to make Solstice an entertaining read. This, in addition to the creation of suspense, was very well crafted, so much so that it had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation.

Bryan Dull has produced a very successful debut novel, on that I would most definitely recommend to paranormal and horror lovers. A well-deserved 4 stars.

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***Expected re-release January 2013***

You can purchase you're very own copy of Solstice on:
Amazon Kindle / Amazon Paperback / B&N