Vampires at Sea
Lindsay Merbaum’s funny horror novella Vampires at Sea follows the challenges a vampire couple’s relationship faces on a queer, sex-filled vacation cruise.
Rebekah and Hugh are vampires who have been together for as long as they can remember. On a Black Sea cruise that was meant to be a vacation, the couple meets an alluring socialite, Heaven. The boundaries of their open relationship strain when Heaven forms a special bond with Hugh. Rebekah’s discontent grows, and she begins to suspect that there is more to Heaven than meets the eye.
Rebekah’s faltering relationship and waning sexual appetite contribute to a building sense of ennui aboard the cruise ship. Her perspective shows her disconnect from the humans around her, making otherwise pleasant environments empty and lonely. The food in the ship’s restaurants is extravagant beyond reason, and the realization that Rebekah will instead feed on her fellow passengers contributes to a complementary sense of horror.
Rebekah and Hugh sustain themselves on emotions rather than blood; an important part of their feeding process is charming their way into sex with anyone who catches their eye. As such, the book depicts kink, orgies, and intercourse. Rebekah’s narration follows her winding thoughts; she is blunt about her sexual desires, which often lead her to have sex with her adversaries.
At various points throughout the novel, Rebekah repeats the mantra “We’re on vacation!” At times an affirmation, at times ironic, sarcastic, and biting, it’s a way she convinces herself she’s having fun. The pervasiveness of the phrase creates a feeling of being trapped, compounding the growing physical isolation on the ship.
Vampires at Sea is a carnal horror novella that parodies queer culture and tackles a failing relationship’s impact on a vampire’s sense of self.
Reviewed by
Violet Glenn
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