Help by Cynthia Fridsma is a paranormal story that truly makes vampirism look very much like an existence that is bound to despair. Consider the case of its protagonist, Sybil, a vampire who tries to defy what comes naturally to her by injecting liquid silver. On top of that, she sacrifices her own happiness by breaking up with the man she loves. But then again, she has no time to wallow in too much self-pity, as she is preoccupied with being a free agent of the Anti-Terrorism Unit. Josef Mengele, the infamous Angel of Death, is back as he inhabits a new body. His gruesome experiments with children are something that even a bloodsucker like Sybil will not be able to stomach, and a book called The Necronomicon is the key to stopping him.

Cynthia Fridsma has a detailed vision of the supernatural element that plays an important factor in her storyline. This gives this novel a good balance between realism and a nightmarish effect. It's a brilliant speculative take on how vampires would coexist alongside mortals. Its single-word title sets the tone, and the opening chapter makes it clear to you why being a vampire is a curse. Mengele, as a historical figure that everyone woud rather forget, is the creepiest aspect of this tale. But the unique glory of Help as the third installment in The Nightbird Series lies in the depth of its protagonist. Fridsma has revealed enough of Sybil's personal side to make her sympathetic. It has a good plot that doesn't depend too much on vampirism but on the collective horrors provided by the antagonist and the conditions of the period. If you love paranormal stories, this is an engaging read.

Help: The Nightbird series by Cynthia Fridsma is a horror story that would appeal most to a diverse audience of mature young adults and adults who enjoy paranormal horror thrillers. Sybil is a vampire and the head of a secret government agency known as Nightbird that investigates X-file cases. Sybil’s life of doing her best to live as a human through liquid silver injections is thrown into chaos when her ex-boyfriend, Felix Wooden, calls her for help after one of his daughters ends up in the hospital after a dangerous car accident. Sybil’s decision to rush to his side sets her on a path that will lead her to confront her past and the truth of who she is and what she is willing to do. Will Sybil manage to hang on to what’s left of her humanity or will she embrace her inner savage nature?

Help by Cynthia Fridsma is a well-written paranormal horror story with an attention-grabbing cover image that hints at the tale within. I have read and watched a lot of vampire books, movies, and TV shows, yet I found this particular book to be filled with innovations. I liked the way that Sybil had managed to learn ways to make herself appear human and even be able to eat human food. The author did a simply spectacular job in switching between periods while adding supernatural elements to history without making it feel fake. I loved the fast pace of the plot in how it kept me on the edge of my seat, dying to learn what choices Sybil would make and how they would affect her and those she loves.