The Modernization of Literary Vampires
A Look into the Contemporary Vamps of Kerrelyn Sparks
Apr 14, 2009
While her vampires do bear a slight resemblance to literary vampires of the past – what with the classic characteristics – sensitivity to sunlight, holy water and silver as well as their classic good looks, they are also quite different.
Synthetic Blood as a Nutritional Alternative to Human/Animal Blood
The contemporary vamp doesn’t adhere to any standard set of rules, so it is hard to discern what exactly makes up a vamp. Some vamps don’t even have fangs anymore! While Sparks’ vamps are unique they also share similarities with some of today’s contemporary vamps.
The most outstanding example would be the synthetic blood concept. The bottled blood concept dates back for quite some time – think Nick Knight, vampire detective of the Forever Knight television series. Nick, in an attempt to reverse his vampirism was trying to stave off blood all together, though when he did drink, there were bottles of chilled animal blood in his refrigerator.
Recently vamps have manufactured synthetic blood as an alternative to feeding from live creatures. Charlaine Harris’ vampires have a synthetic blood option – which is similar to the synthetic blood in Sparks’ novels. Though, Sparks takes the concept one step further and instead of just producing different types (A, B, AB, O) of blood, her vamps produce a vampire fusion cuisine.
The modern vampire scientists of Sparks’ world have managed to mesh the blood they need for sustenance with different types of beverages they enjoyed as mortals. The flavors include, but are not limited to:
- Chocolood (a mixture of chocolate and bloody)
- Bubbly Blood (champagne and blood – for festive occasions)
- Blissky (a mixture of blood and Scottish whiskey)
The vampires in Sparks’ stories are able to enjoy the comforts of their humanity while still providing them with the sustenance they need.
Vampire Integration into Human Society
Today’s vamps, have managed to introduce themselves into human society. Sparks’ isn’t the only author to utilize this technique. There are vamps all over the place getting human jobs to sustain themselves, but Sparks’ vamps have risen above mere integration.
Romatech--the company that produces synthetic blood is run by vampires. The synthetic blood not only provides nourishment to the vamps, it is also used in human hospitals for transfusions and other procedures and has managed to save thousands of human lives.
The medical world is not the only industry affected by the vamps. McKay Securities, the worlds largest private security agency is run by a vampire--it also employs many vamps as bodyguards. Though, humans and other paranormal creatures also find employment with McKay Securities.
While medicine and security are both important industries, vampires have also managed to infiltrate one of the world’s largest industries… the fashion industry. France’s most prestigious fashion designer is--this one’s a shocker – a vamp! Let’s not even get started on DVN (The Digital Vampire Network – The vamps’ own television station.
Vampires have successfully integrated into human society and the humans are none the wiser. Perhaps this fact will soften the blow should the vamps ever come out into the open. Modern vamps are making a huge impression on the paranormal romance community – it will be interesting to see what else develops in the future.
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