Cabaret in Flames

Pueyo (But Not Too Bold) spins a glittering neo-noir that reinvigorates vampire lore, rendering the classic monsters as both decadent and threatening. In an alternate Brazil where vampires, known as guls, hold some degree of political power, quadruple-amputee Ariadne, who lost her limbs in a gul attack, provides medical treatment for injured guls under the direction of her mentor and father-figure, Erik Yurkov. When Erik vanishes without a trace, one of his old friends, an ancient gul named Quaint, suspects he’s been kidnapped. Ariadne reluctantly teams up with Quaint to find him, a quest that takes them to a glittering cabaret club in Rio de Janeiro that caters to the upper echelons of guls, through the heart of Brazil’s political turmoil, and into a confrontation with Ariadne’s past. Pueyo does an impressive job grounding the fantastical elements, tantalizing mystery, and glitzy setting in realistic politics and frank discussions of heavy topics, including child abuse. Add in an intimate romance that never feels rushed despite the slim page count, and this is a triumph. Agent: Lee O’Brien, Looking Glass Literary and Media. (Mar.)