Wednesday 23 February 2011

Book Tour: Tami Jackson (Ravena & The Resurrected)

Today I would like to introduce the wonderful Tami Jackson, author of Ravana & The Resurrected! She will talk about the physical abilities of the vampires in her novel compared to those of other books. Enjoy (:
(She made an image especially for NBR! How cool is that.)


Tami Jackson, Author of "Ravena & The Resurrected," [SunTigerMOJO.com] writes from South of Seattle, WA (USA)
First of all, I just like to thank Celine for offering me the opportunity to post here in the Netherlands at nyxbookreviews.blogspot.com. Because this blog focuses on many different kinds of great books, I thought it would be fun to discuss how vampires in my book, "Ravena & The Resurrected," compare to vampires in popular fiction - physically. To learn how they compare to vampires, socially, see the article that was posted here, http://1000plusbookstoread.blogspot.com, on February 20th.

Climb Walls (Literally)
Anne Rice's Vampire Lestat mastered the ability to climb walls better than any rock climber. While that's not a natural ability for all vampires in R&R, some can climb and it's not just because of what's shared in today's comic (their roommate is driving them nuts, emotionally). Some dark stalkers, after they commit a heinous crime and practice vampire cannibalism, learn to climb walls instantly and can even fly. Ravena does not have this talent when she first becomes vampire but she hopes to acquire it, even if it takes a really long time to learn how.

Extra Seeing and Smelling
This natural ability comes from turning vampire, not just in R&R but with most vampires in mythology. Maybe with exception to some vampires in European folklore, most all immortals have this kind of extra sensory power.

Fangs (Retractable)
All vampires in R&R have retractable fangs, just like the vampires in the "Sookie Stackhouse Series," and "Buffy The Vampire Slayer Series." That's also true of "Vampire Diaries" (on television). The retractable-fang-vampire was also made popular by Barnabas Collins, from "Dark Shadows," a soap opera that ran through the 1960s.

Healing
Ravena has a lot in common with "Dracula." Two abilities that he has, which she does not, are the ability to shape-shift and to heal others. While most mythological portrayals of vampires (including modern television series) give vampires extra healing capabilities, Ravena has not noticed any healing gifts of her own. Not yet anyway.

Mind Control
In Ravena & The Resurrected, vampires can mesmerize people and animals alike, but it takes practice to develop this skill. Vampires in the Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood series have this ability, except for when it applies to Sookie, who is fey and therefore immune. Dracula could also use mind control to mesmerize his targeted audience.

Strength
Most vampires from most dark fiction books have extra powerful strength. Vampires are no different in R&R.

Swimming
Unlike vampires of old who could be drowned or burned with water (e.g., Bram Stoker's "Dracula," "Blade," European folklore) Ravena Doomlah learns that she can swim and it feels like she's breathing under water, at least she feels at home there. In one scene, she attempts to escape her advancing, highly motivated enemy, the Assassins, by diving into Puget Sound. Other vampires from popular fiction who can tolerate the water include those from Twilight, Vampire Chronicles and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

Speed
This is a natural ability that comes from being vampire in R&R. I think most popular vampires have adapted this extra-human ability to move at amazing speed.

Thank you again, Celine, for allowing me to visit your blog today. If any of your subscribers would like to follow along during this author tour, the calendar provides hyperlinks to this blog and others, where I introduce more R&R characters, present original artwork, and share much more: SunTigerMOJO.com/book-tour-author-tami-jackson-blogs.html. Anyone who wants to contact me may search "Vamchoir" on-line or visit the publisher's website: SunTigerMOJO.com

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I like the comparisons between R&R and vampires in popular culture, both in books and movies. I think this book will be fun and I can't wait to read it.

Most of us who like vampire novels enjoy the strength and cunning of vampires and it is great escapism. Great interview.

SunTiger said...

the movie even if you don't have access to the book.

Ravena & The Resurrected was inspired by many books and some movies (e.g., the use of herbs was inspired by the original Wolf Man Movie - in black and white - where the old gypsy woman says: "Even those who are pure of heart, and say their prayers at night, can become a wolf, when the wolfsbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright." That poem inspired me to add some of my knowledge of herbs into R&R.

Celine said...

Hey Dana, thanks for stopping by! Vampire novels definitely make for great escapism. At least I know I can't get enough of them (:

And Tami, I hope your tour is going the way you hoped it to be. I really liked working with you. Thanks for leaving a message!

Unknown said...

I love vampire genre and the comparisons of abilities does seem a little different in each adaptation. thanks for your insight....

Celine said...

Hi tallntrue! Thanks for stopping by and commenting on the post.

SunTiger said...

TallnTrue ~ Thanks for following the tour. I have appreciated all of your comments.

Celine ~ You were wonderful to work with. (Thank You).

Post a Comment

I love to hear from you!
Make sure to come back as I try to answer all of the comments (: