Review: Amish Vampires in Space

Amish Vampires in Space by Kerry Nietz
Genre: Sci Fi, Fantasy
Publisher: Marcher Lord Press
Publication Date: September 30, 2013

Note: Yes, this is a real book. Yes it was actually published. No, it wasn’t self published and no, it’s not a parody. Amish Vampires in Space was published by Marcher Lord Press (one of my favorite publishers) and it’s actually really good. Read on and you’ll see what I mean.

The Amish world of Alabaster isn’t that different from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. With a strict Ordnung that covers even the most minor of issues, the people of this world live by rules. Just rules. There’s little, if any, grace that exists in this peaceful society. But that’s the way they like it. It’s how they exist and it’s comfortable for them. But when crops start failing and the sun isn’t looking as it should, something drastic needs to happen. That’s when Jebediah must reveal the secret he’s harbored for years. A piece of technology can save his people if he’s brave enough to do it.

Elsewhere, moving through the infinite darkness of space, a cargo ship full of items moving from one station or planet to another, receives the message to come and pick up the Amish community. It’s their job to transport the entire colony, as much as they can carry, from Alabaster to a new planet that’s been set up for them.

And then there’s that other box. The one that came from a research lab and is now cryogenically frozen. What’s in it? What happened to the people at the lab? Do they need to be worried.

The title of this book intrigued me and put me off all at once. I’m not a fan of either Amish adventures or vampire tales whether they take place in space or not. But when you put the three of them together? The idea of the mash up is equivalent to watching a slow motion train wreck. You would really like to tear your eyes away. You know you should. But you’re too fascinated to stop. I admit to giggling with much delight when I received the review copy of this one.

However, I was even more entranced when I realized this wasn’t a comedic parody. It wasn’t even an attempt to make fun of the genre. Where the title of the book started out that way, the story, plot and characters themselves ended up being an honest to goodness book about Amish Vampires in Space. And not only that, it was GOOD. I know, right? You wouldn’t think so. Despite the crazy title, this book is fast paced, evenly plotted, and well written. The characters were real and dramatic with very few clichés. And the overall clichés throughout the book were handled so gracefully that they really weren’t as cheesy as one might believe. They became actual character details.

I really enjoyed this book. *shrugs* If you like any of these genres, I’d recommend you give it a shot. I mean it. The book is worth the read!

Rated PG-13: This wasn’t a book that was heavy with anything inappropriate, but because of the very subject matter I’d recommend it for at least 13 and up.