Review: Unique urban fantasy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 17, 2011
I was really intrigued by the premise of Intern With the Vampire when I read it. As a urban fantasy fan who also enjoys medical drama/thrillers I thought the idea original with lots of potential and this brief novella is an excellent introduction to a new series. In fact really my only complaint is that at just 152 pages, Intern With the Vampire is too short.Iwasaki places her protagonist doctor in training, Aline Harman in a familiar setting with a paranormal twist. Dismissed from her residency Aline's options are limited so when Dr Rocque offers her a position at a private hospital she has never heard of, Aline is wiling to at least take a look. As she steps into the frantic ER of Grace General Aline discovers the hospital has a very select clientele and is both terrified and fascinated as she is introduced to a host of supernatural creatures she never imagined really existed. During her very long shift she treats a senile vampire, an injured mermaid and a zombie while dealing with a black widow surgeon that has taken an instant dislike to her and a doctor whose pheromones make her vulnerable to his deadly charms.The blend of the familiar hospital environment and the absurdity of it's patients and staff works surprisingly well. There is an authenticity to the structure of the ER and the treatments which I am sure comes from the the author's own experience in the medical field and the details really help sell the idea. From the start Aline lurches from crisis to crisis and she barely has time to reflect on her strange new environment. The fast pace of the storyline keeps the reader immersed in the action and the imagination engaged.I was fascinated by the characters who despite being supernatural have very individual traits. The author's characterisation is deft and clever and I love how she gently pokes fun at some of the stereotypical characters in a medical drama. The lead surgeon for example is gorgeous but also a vampire who could potentially suck her dry, it certainly creates an interesting workplace for Aline who has to pretend she is not human to keep her job.Intern With the Vampire is a well written, creative novella and I admit to being surprised at both the quality and the execution. The world of Grace General is imaginative and intriguing and I am looking forward to reading the next installment, Slash and Burnthough it is sadly already several months over due for publication. I really hope the sequel eventuates.