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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
An interesting take on vampire stories however the writing was pretty rough. Definitely not a great novel, but worth a quick read if you want something to pass the time.
Hell, Guillermo Del Toro could recite IRS tax code and I'd probably pay attention.
This book made me hear things going bump in the night. I can hardly stand waiting for part 2.
I love that they treat a vampire outbreak as a massive public-health crisis! Two of my nerdy obsessions together! I surprised at the relevance to today's culture and society. The monster's lair is the site of the Twin Towers and, of course, the monster is a foreigner that comes to destroy our country. A vampire palate cleanser!
A
A
The Strain is definitely the first in a series and takes a little while to getting get the main story going. But once it starts, its a great ride. Del Toro and Hogan have a unique take on vampires and what they do. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.
These are not your glittery gorgeous vampires but those reminiscent of 30 days of night! From the moment I started reading I was engaged. The characters were very well developed as was the story. The authors gave me just enough in each paragraph to keep me wanting more. I had to on several occasions stop myself from reading because I was falling asleep. Not from boredom mind you but because it was 2 or 3 in the morning.
Very good read. Can't wait to start book 2
Very good read. Can't wait to start book 2
The first thing I do when reading a hardback is to remove the dust jacket and place it somewhere that I'll hopefully find again and where it won't get hurt. I refuse to read anything written on that piece of paper because SPOILERS. Also, I definitely remember this book being about zombies, and because I love Del Toro and Zombies (and because they're making a tv-show about it) I decided to read this series sooner rather than later.
I think I spent the first 100 pages of this book trying to decide how two authors write a book. Was this Del Toro's idea and he talked to Hogan about it and Hogan was super-geeked and wanted to also write the story? Did Del Toro come up with the idea, outline it, and then contact Hogan to flesh out the story? Or did they both sit in poorly lit rooms between filming movies drinking liquor-laced coffee, laughing, and typing out the story? I like to think they are good buddies and have the best of friendships.
I wasn't really paying attention to the narrative. Dead bodies on a plane, windows shuttered except one, clearly they're all in a pre-zombie plane. I'm expecting a zombie to bite someone at any second.
Of course, I stopped imagining the writers' friendship as soon as the main characters walked into the belly of the plane and found the big black box. Without a doubt: there were zombies inside the box. Don't OPEN THE BOX. They open the box and find loam, a.k.a. rich black dirt.
THAT'S A VAMPIRE.
I scramble for the dust jacket cover. Nope, clearly says vampires right there on the cover. How did I read a summary of this book years ago and not remember that it was about vampires? I don't really like gothic vampires. They're dull--like bored cats half-heartedly playing with mice. But these vampires were different--initially more like zombie-vampires. That interested me.
I'm interested with where this series is heading. I'm not all that interested in the people. Nora is flat and Eph is only interesting when he's concerned about his son. I do like Fet and Gus, but I feel like they're development is being hampered by the main character's lack of development. I become highly concerned whenever ANYBODY I like gets in a danger zone. Many of the characters I did become attached to early on ended up dying--or becoming soulless husks.
Glad it didn't end with a cliffhanger. It didn't get tied up with a pretty bow, but it is allowing me to take a break from zompires to read a few other books before returning to the series.
I think I spent the first 100 pages of this book trying to decide how two authors write a book. Was this Del Toro's idea and he talked to Hogan about it and Hogan was super-geeked and wanted to also write the story? Did Del Toro come up with the idea, outline it, and then contact Hogan to flesh out the story? Or did they both sit in poorly lit rooms between filming movies drinking liquor-laced coffee, laughing, and typing out the story? I like to think they are good buddies and have the best of friendships.
I wasn't really paying attention to the narrative. Dead bodies on a plane, windows shuttered except one, clearly they're all in a pre-zombie plane. I'm expecting a zombie to bite someone at any second.
Of course, I stopped imagining the writers' friendship as soon as the main characters walked into the belly of the plane and found the big black box. Without a doubt: there were zombies inside the box. Don't OPEN THE BOX. They open the box and find loam, a.k.a. rich black dirt.
THAT'S A VAMPIRE.
I scramble for the dust jacket cover. Nope, clearly says vampires right there on the cover. How did I read a summary of this book years ago and not remember that it was about vampires? I don't really like gothic vampires. They're dull--like bored cats half-heartedly playing with mice. But these vampires were different--initially more like zombie-vampires. That interested me.
I'm interested with where this series is heading. I'm not all that interested in the people. Nora is flat and Eph is only interesting when he's concerned about his son. I do like Fet and Gus, but I feel like they're development is being hampered by the main character's lack of development. I become highly concerned whenever ANYBODY I like gets in a danger zone. Many of the characters I did become attached to early on ended up dying--or becoming soulless husks.
Glad it didn't end with a cliffhanger. It didn't get tied up with a pretty bow, but it is allowing me to take a break from zompires to read a few other books before returning to the series.
Finally, a vampire novel for grown-ups! Totally engrossing, a first-rate page-turner with characters I want to follow in the next 2 books.
The novel seems to be good for people (like me) who don't usually like fantasy fiction, since the author's grounded the main characters in a sort of "New York sceptic scientist" mode and it reads more like a murder mystery. Reminded me of Caleb Carr, but modern-day. In some parts, reminded me of Lawrence Block.
Loved the New York City settings, dialogue rang true, and most of the plot's logic worked. I won't note a spoiler, but one major character's motivation for his most influential action (to the plot) didn't get properly explained to me.
My notes to self:
ARC from ShelfAwareness
On sale June 2, 2009
Tavia Kowalchuk, Marketing Director - [email protected]
Like to see reviews on FB, Twitter, Goodreads, LibraryThing and Shelfari
The novel seems to be good for people (like me) who don't usually like fantasy fiction, since the author's grounded the main characters in a sort of "New York sceptic scientist" mode and it reads more like a murder mystery. Reminded me of Caleb Carr, but modern-day. In some parts, reminded me of Lawrence Block.
Loved the New York City settings, dialogue rang true, and most of the plot's logic worked. I won't note a spoiler, but one major character's motivation for his most influential action (to the plot) didn't get properly explained to me.
My notes to self:
ARC from ShelfAwareness
On sale June 2, 2009
Tavia Kowalchuk, Marketing Director - [email protected]
Like to see reviews on FB, Twitter, Goodreads, LibraryThing and Shelfari
I generally pick up most of my books at thrift stores, so sometimes they match and sometimes they don't. I'd actually grabbed the third book in this series without realizing it wasn't standalone, so I had to check out the first two from the library.
I am a HUGE GDT fan, so I was looking forward to seeing how this played out, even though I don't super love vampire stories. I'm not sure why. Zombies are really more my thing.
Of the three, this one is the most engaging. Then again, I'm a sucker for a good intro. The scene is set, the characters introduced, the plot unfolds slowly and deliciously. It's the best part of any story, imo.
The story starts with a mystery- what happened on that plane?! All the usual suspects are suggested: biohazard, disease/virus, terrorists. But the actual catalyst of the story is even more terrifying. Something unexpected.
While present day experts try to unravel the events on the plane, we're also treated to a backstory set during WW2 and previous. Two parallel stories of pure evil.
I left this one looking forward to the next.
I am a HUGE GDT fan, so I was looking forward to seeing how this played out, even though I don't super love vampire stories. I'm not sure why. Zombies are really more my thing.
Of the three, this one is the most engaging. Then again, I'm a sucker for a good intro. The scene is set, the characters introduced, the plot unfolds slowly and deliciously. It's the best part of any story, imo.
The story starts with a mystery- what happened on that plane?! All the usual suspects are suggested: biohazard, disease/virus, terrorists. But the actual catalyst of the story is even more terrifying. Something unexpected.
While present day experts try to unravel the events on the plane, we're also treated to a backstory set during WW2 and previous. Two parallel stories of pure evil.
I left this one looking forward to the next.
The first book that ever made me dry heave. But it was fast-moving, interesting and intelligent--you don't get that often with these contagion/apocalyptic stories, and this is a good one!