Father Christopher, a Jesuit priest, is also a scientist. Once a journalist he found the invitation to hear the story of a Dhampir irresistible. Soon he finds himself recording the details of the dhampir's 500 year existence.

Damia Donatello had been brought up by her mother – a drunk who broke Damia's nose on her thirteenth birthday. At the end of her senior year in high school Damia had had enough. She decided that she would leave once and for all, move to New York and start a rock band. When Damia was attacked by a group of cheerleaders she lashed out – but not physically. Her rage flooded out from her head and the attacker died in a puddle of blood. Now seemed as good a time as any to leave.

It was while performing with her band, Satan in Chains, that Damia first met the Slayer. As soon as he walked into the hall the Slayer felt Damia's power. He also realised that the Coven had sent someone to kill her – because Damia had been chosen by fate to usher in the Second Coming.

Soon Damia learns the truth about her dark champion. In order to find out what fate has in store for her she and Alek must travel to Endworld to meet with Falco, an ancient vampire, who seems to have forseen the end of the world, ushered in by a being that Alek believes to be Damia.

Stigmata is the latest book in the Slayer series and continues the story of Alek, the Slayer, and his battle against the darker side of his nature and also against the Coven.

As with the previous volumes, we gain a further insight into Karen Koehler's world of dhampirs, vampires and the undead. The story is faithful to the world previously described and the book follows on well from previous releases.

Alek is a well-written character. So vivid I can practically see him standing in front of me. For me, this is one of the joys of Karen's writing. I love a book that drags me into the world and traps me there until the very last page. The hardest part about reading Ms. Koehler's work is finding a suitable book to read next as it is a hard act to follow.

The Slayer series takes you to the dark side of life. Into a world that you can imagine exists at the end of dark alleyways, with character who only come out to play when the rest of us are fast asleep.

Karen Koehler is a stunning new author of the darkest fantasy and the arrival of a new book always fills me with anticipation.