Thirst #2: Phantom Evil, Evil Thirst, and Creatures of Forever is the second omnibus in the Last Vampire series by Christopher Pike. is the second three books (four through six) of the popular teen thriller series, The Last Vampire. Reprinted into an omnibus for easier reading, the book description states:
What Alisa has desired for five thousand years has finally come true—she is once again human. But now she is defenseless, vulnerable, and for the first time in centuries, emotional. As she attempts to reconcile her actions as a vampire with her new connection to humanity, she begins to understand the weight of life and death decisions. Can Alisa resolve her past and build a new identity, or is she doomed to repeat her fatal mistakes?
The story of Sita continues, picking up where Thirst No. 1 leaves off. Thirst No. 2 opens with Sita discovering she is human once again. With this realization, this is her opportunity to procreate a child with her Ray. What should have been a blessing later becomes a fast-paced nightmare--because after all, once a vampire, always a vampire. Her baby is born thirsty for blood and with superhuman strength. Sita must decide whether her humanity is worth the cost. Ovearll, Sita's child propels her toward a profound understanding of her long life, opens her up to a journey into her past, and ultimately offers her with an ending that is both astonishing and meaningful for her.
This is technically books 4-6 of the original series. The action passes quickly, making this format preferable to the separate books. In this omnibus, Christopher Pike retains what is perhaps the best aspect of Sita's personality: her introspection of her past and present circumstances. Her introspective monologues are written in such a way that one can actually believe she has lived as long as she has -- 5,000 year old vampire who has pretty much seen it all. There are frequent flashbacks to her past, with each one relating to her present predicament. I believe the blend of the past and present is very satisfying and realistic. Plus, it's nice to read and understand why she does what she does, and not simply read that she does it.
On the one hand, readers should be forewarn that this book includes a lot of "new age" and science fiction themes that may sound farfetched. On the other hand, this is a book about vampires, immortality, spirituality, and redemption -- so this isn't really surprising. Despite this route, Pike created a memorable tale that I will cherish. I can see why Sita is considered the original kick-ass vampire huntress. It doesn't matter what age you are reading these books -- they are a pleasure to read.
Stay tuned for the (brand new) seventh novel in The Last Vampire series, Thirst No. 3: The Eternal Dawn
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