The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes, a review by Elleanore G Vance

 

Fred is not an Anne Rice style vampire. Nor is he a glittery vampire. Fred is a geeky vampire. He wears sweater vests and refuses to give up his glasses because he just doesn't look like himself without them. He even indulges in his taste for fine wine and cheese having discovered that his vampire physiology treats human food like the human system treats chewing gum.  In fact the biggest difference between Alive Fred and Unalive Fred is that instead of working for one of the biggest accounting firms in Winslow, Colorado, he now owns his own. 

The first in a (currently) six-book series, U, U, &U is told as a series of vignettes.  In the first, we go with Fred to his Highschool Reunion over Halloween; likely the last he will attend. The second involves a group of  LARPers who have met in a park to play. Fred and a Friend show up to play along.  The third,  takes us to Las Vegas. Similar to the first act of a Heist movie,  this first book is very much getting the team together,  and yet each vignette has its own beginning,  middle and end,  while still providing an over all arc for the book.  

Fred is an unlikely hero with a fiercely loyal squad of friends. Including but not limited to:  an accidental necromancer,  a mage, and a Were-steed. Witty and unexpected,  I found myself laughing out loud.  In this first book,  Fred,  an abandoned vampire,  is still figuring out the new world he finds himself in,  and sometimes surprises himself with abilities he had no idea he had. This accounts for much of the humor of the piece,  because like we all do,  Fred is just figuring stuff out as he goes. 

If you've ever felt Like a loser or outcast,  had problems believing in yourself,  or had to build a whole new family for yourself,  Fred's journey is only too relatable,  which leads to some "funny cuz it's true" moments.  You just feel so bad for this clueless dude who has no idea how to fly by the seat of his pants,  but when he manages to land anyway, you cheer twice as hard.  

In the large,  diverse cast, there is someone for everyone to relate to.  This falls under the Urban Fantasy category.  This book is not for children due to some language,  sexual situations and substance abuse. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars