Attempted Vampirism: Publisher's Pack

About This Audiobook

Forget brooding gothic vampires—*Attempted Vampirism* is a razor-sharp urban fantasy where turning into the undead is less about cursed romance and more about navigating a Kafkaesque nightmare of supernatural red tape. L.G. Estrella’s series flips the script: here, vampirism is a bureaucratic process, complete with paperwork, probationary periods, and office politics so absurd they’ll make you howl. The worldbuilding is dense but never overwhelming, layered with dry wit and a protagonist whose exasperation feels painfully relatable. Joel Froomkin’s narration is a standout—his deadpan delivery sells the satire, turning even the driest administrative dialogue into comedy gold.

What sets this audiobook apart is its refusal to romanticize the supernatural. The humor isn’t just punchlines; it’s baked into the premise, where every fang and spell comes with fine print. The pacing balances snappy banter with slower, character-driven beats, though the second book, *Attempted Adventuring*, leans harder into action without sacrificing the series’ signature sarcasm. If you love fantasy that skewers tropes while still delivering a compelling story—or if you’ve ever wanted to strangle a DMV employee—this is your next obsession. Just don’t expect any sparkly vampires."

"review": "I’ll admit, I side-eyed the premise at first: *vampirism as a 9-to-5 grind*? But within an hour, Joel Froomkin’s narration had me fully invested. His timing is impeccable, especially when delivering the protagonist’s increasingly unhinged internal monologues about ‘mandatory bloodlust seminars’ or the ‘vampire HR rep from hell.’ The voice work isn’t just performance—it’s *characterization*. Froomkin makes the bureaucratic jargon sound like a stand-up routine, which is crucial because this series lives or dies by its satire.

The first book hooks you with its absurdity, but the second, *Attempted Adventuring*, stumbles slightly in its shift to more traditional questing. The humor remains sharp, but the plot occasionally meanders into side quests that feel like padding (a 17-hour runtime is *long*, and some trims wouldn’t hurt). That said, Estrella’s world is so richly detailed—think *Good Omens* meets *The Office*, but with more hemogoblin union disputes—that even the slower bits are entertaining. The production quality is flawless, with clear audio and no distracting edits, though I’d kill for a slightly faster narration option for the denser exposition.

**Verdict?** If you love fantasy that’s equal parts clever and cynical, this is a must-listen. But if you’re here for gothic angst or breakneck pacing, look elsewhere. This is vampire fiction for people who’d rather stab a stake through paperwork than a heart."

"tags": [
"bureaucratic fantasy satire