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I was born in Ukraine in 1970, which was then a part of the Soviet Union, a country that no longer exists. I saw the world as a very different place while I lived behind the Iron Curtain. As a child, I never questioned anything because I was too busy trying to be a normal kid who played with toy soldiers, played soccer and hockey, who loved adventure and science fiction books, and occasionally skipped school to see my favorite movies. The world broadened for me after the famous Perestroika and Glasnost. Once forbidden movies, music, and literature from the West became more readily available. I had great teachers who taught me the craft with great patience, fun and understanding. I learned from the books written by some of the best writers in the world: Jack London, Ernst Hemingway, David Morell, Isaac Azimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Frank Herbert… And the movies that always inspired me are on my shelf, waiting to be picked up when I need to go where the winds of creation will take me. For me writing is a labor of love. I want to share with my readers all the fun and joy of creativity and imagination. My hobbies include traveling, book and coin collecting, graphic novels, Japanese food and manga, military history and science. I currently live in New York City.
Reviewed by Tiffany Ferrell for Readers' Favorite
Before the Dawn by David Crane concerns the plight of Cindy Condor, who is a 150-year-old vampire. Cindy looks like the thirteen-year-old girl she was when she died over a century before and is now stuck at that age. Being one of the very few child vampires in existence, she lives on the fringes of society, not belonging to any coven yet having support from the elders. Some additional rules apply to her because she is a special case. Then she meets Frank Sunborn, an average thirteen-year-old boy who is just looking for love with all the innocence of his age. He quickly fell in love with the beautiful blonde girl who appeared to be unlike any other girl that he had known. He did not expect all the drama associated with a young vampire. Was he already in too deep with his innocent love and worship of her?
I thought Before the Dawn was an amazing and compelling read. I’ve previously read books about vampire lore and the creation of immortal children, so I loved David Crane’s take on this aspect. The two main protagonists, Cindy and Frank, are well thought out with great backstories and personalities that you will find yourself able to identify with. I loved the mystery and action as well as the light romance that this book offers. It’s not over the top or too mature when writing about characters of this age and it provides a genuine touch. It’s a book I will recommend to friends, and I can’t wait to read more of Crane’s work.
