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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Honestly: disappointed. I had expected way more but it turns out del Torro only created the universe and left his cowriter to do all the filling out. Meh. It wasn't scary. It didn't make me stop and ponder the deep dark things of life. It was unfortunately predictable and a bit boring. The writing was good. And perhaps I just held too high of an expectation on.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
the most disturbing thing in this book was eph skulling milk whenever he got stressed
I think I only made it through this book because I was listening to the audiobook. As a story being told to me it was basically like I was watching a movie. If I had been sitting down reading it I think I would have groaned myself into submission. It's a pretty cliche story with lame stereotype characters and it seems like it would appeal more to the Boondock Saints-loving frat boys towards the end when there's a whole team of vampire hunters assembled. Still, it was entertaining enough to listen to, and I'll probably get the following sequels audiobooks as well for the same reason. If it is made into a movie -- and it sure seems like it was written with that exact intent -- it'll definitely be a good enough popcorn flick to warrant a ticket purchase. Just temper your expectations slightly.
This was a fast, fun read. It begins with what appears to be a dangerous, contained event that kills entire plane full of people. It ends with rampant vampirism throughout New York.
Ephraim Goodweather has a name that suggests he is some sort of wizard. Alas he is not; he's an employee of the CDC, part of project called Canary that deals with emerging infectious diseases. The confusion of his team gives way to horror as they realize that the victims might be dead - but the virus inside them is just awakening. And turning them into an undead nightmare. I suppose he's supposed to be the main character, but him and Nora are not nearly as entertaining as literally every other character.
I loved how all the side plots ended up converging, and for all of the somewhat cheesy moments, there are still some scary ones. The scenes of various people being changed by their family members were sad and scary. Particularly the one man who realized something was seriously wrong with himself and chained himself in a shed to protect his family.
Setrakian said "Think more along the lines of a man with a black cape. Fangs. Funny accent... Now take away the cape and the fangs. The funny accent. Take away anything funny about it."
I can't decide between which of the characters are my favourite, but it's a toss up between Abraham Setrakian, concentration camp survivor turned vampire hunter; or Gus who's so much of a badass he's kidnapped by an opposing group of vampires to be their pet daytime hunter.
Setrakian gets all the cool lines like: You think that you are drafting me into your cause. The truth of the matter is, I am drafting you into mine.
Gus, who sees what he believes are a group of vampire hunters and excitedly exclaims "sign me the fuck up" is unfortunately taken at his word. I honestly hope he gets away at some point in the next book, I'm definitely worried about him.
Fet, the rat catcher, is a close second in his practical application of rodent hunting to vampire killing. Fet does not lose his cool in emergency vampire killing situations, which is a good quality to have.
Ephraim Goodweather has a name that suggests he is some sort of wizard. Alas he is not; he's an employee of the CDC, part of project called Canary that deals with emerging infectious diseases. The confusion of his team gives way to horror as they realize that the victims might be dead - but the virus inside them is just awakening. And turning them into an undead nightmare. I suppose he's supposed to be the main character, but him and Nora are not nearly as entertaining as literally every other character.
I loved how all the side plots ended up converging, and for all of the somewhat cheesy moments, there are still some scary ones. The scenes of various people being changed by their family members were sad and scary. Particularly the one man who realized something was seriously wrong with himself and chained himself in a shed to protect his family.
Setrakian said "Think more along the lines of a man with a black cape. Fangs. Funny accent... Now take away the cape and the fangs. The funny accent. Take away anything funny about it."
I can't decide between which of the characters are my favourite, but it's a toss up between Abraham Setrakian, concentration camp survivor turned vampire hunter; or Gus who's so much of a badass he's kidnapped by an opposing group of vampires to be their pet daytime hunter.
Setrakian gets all the cool lines like: You think that you are drafting me into your cause. The truth of the matter is, I am drafting you into mine.
Gus, who sees what he believes are a group of vampire hunters and excitedly exclaims "sign me the fuck up" is unfortunately taken at his word. I honestly hope he gets away at some point in the next book, I'm definitely worried about him.
Fet, the rat catcher, is a close second in his practical application of rodent hunting to vampire killing. Fet does not lose his cool in emergency vampire killing situations, which is a good quality to have.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I went into this story not knowing what it would be. I knew monsters, of course, because of del Toro, but I did not expect an expanded Blade II story.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
This novel is delightfully compelling and one of the most creative vampire stories I have ever read! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
dark