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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Being a fan of Del Toro films, I was eager to read this book. In general, I've enjoyed this book, despite a few flaws. I would give it three-and-a-half stars, if possible.
De view Del Toro has on vampires is interesting: finally - vampires as scary and otherworldly creatures instead of the beautiful and romantic vampires prevalent in the paranormal romances. Del Toro also makes good use of the decor of the city of New York.
You can easily spot this book has been written by a filmmaker. It seems to be cut in scenes from different perspectives and seems not so difficult to make into a movie.
Why I didn't 'love' this book? Difficult question, it has me pondering the last few hours, because it has so much that I do like. Thinking back on my reading experience I think it has something to do with 'flow' or 'intensity' of this book. It was not very difficult to put down. The storyline contains lots of repetition, which has a certain purpose but has de backdraw that for a good part of the book, the story lacks in building of climax.
Fortunately, it has an exciting ending which makes me very interested in de sequels.
De view Del Toro has on vampires is interesting: finally - vampires as scary and otherworldly creatures instead of the beautiful and romantic vampires prevalent in the paranormal romances. Del Toro also makes good use of the decor of the city of New York.
You can easily spot this book has been written by a filmmaker. It seems to be cut in scenes from different perspectives and seems not so difficult to make into a movie.
Why I didn't 'love' this book? Difficult question, it has me pondering the last few hours, because it has so much that I do like. Thinking back on my reading experience I think it has something to do with 'flow' or 'intensity' of this book. It was not very difficult to put down. The storyline contains lots of repetition, which has a certain purpose but has de backdraw that for a good part of the book, the story lacks in building of climax.
Fortunately, it has an exciting ending which makes me very interested in de sequels.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you watched the show, and enjoyed it, you will enjoy this book.
See my full review here:
https://sarahoverbooked.wordpress.com/2025/05/17/the-strain/
See my full review here:
https://sarahoverbooked.wordpress.com/2025/05/17/the-strain/
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Before I say anything else I will admit that I am a huge fan of del Toro's work so I am more than slightly biased. (side note I have not seen the TV adaptation...yet)
So obviously I absolutely loved this. This takes vampires back to their old school legends as horrific brutal beings not the suave and sophisticated beings of the Victorian era, the cool trendy occasionally guilt-ridden 90s/00s guys, or the modern sparkly versions. These vampires are cold, hard killing machines with one thing on their minds. And damn I am here for it (not in real life though please and thank you). Things start off chilling enough with a plane landing in New York and then going dark, not a survivor to be seen, and no obvious reason for the problem. So the CDC arrive as one would expect, implementing quarantine procedures and locking things down. Unfortunately that only works if the victims behave, which they don't, so containment is breached and the city begins its spiral. But there is something more going on in the background, someone is pulling strings somewhere, undermining the CDC and those trying to uncover the truth. A truth the world is just not ready for. Add to this a decades old quest by a Shoah survivor who saw this very thing at Treblinka feeding off the evil of man (literally as well as metaphorically) and knows what is coming as well as the backdrop of domestic breakdown and you have a superb story that is gripping and fast paced.
I love the social commentary that is part of this, which was a big draw for me with the Walking Dead series too, as it shows people can and are their own worse enemies, and that power is the biggest corrupter of all. Goodweather's attempts to get the message out in the internet age, when it should've been easier not harder, show that pitfalls of the levels of communication we have now, we may be connected in some ways but have lost so much in others (and when a CDC doctor says we have a problem, listen!). Setrakian's flashbacks to Treblinka also add so much not just to his and the Master's backstory but also offer life lessons that have been lost by many (more so in the years since this was written). And not a one of these deeper more important issues are lost in the gut wrenching horror of the story, and nor do they detract from it.
Put it this way, this book had the hairs on the back of my neck tingling as night fell. Having read a lot of horror over the years, this is a rare but welcome occurrence.
So obviously I absolutely loved this. This takes vampires back to their old school legends as horrific brutal beings not the suave and sophisticated beings of the Victorian era, the cool trendy occasionally guilt-ridden 90s/00s guys, or the modern sparkly versions. These vampires are cold, hard killing machines with one thing on their minds. And damn I am here for it (not in real life though please and thank you). Things start off chilling enough with a plane landing in New York and then going dark, not a survivor to be seen, and no obvious reason for the problem. So the CDC arrive as one would expect, implementing quarantine procedures and locking things down. Unfortunately that only works if the victims behave, which they don't, so containment is breached and the city begins its spiral. But there is something more going on in the background, someone is pulling strings somewhere, undermining the CDC and those trying to uncover the truth. A truth the world is just not ready for. Add to this a decades old quest by a Shoah survivor who saw this very thing at Treblinka feeding off the evil of man (literally as well as metaphorically) and knows what is coming as well as the backdrop of domestic breakdown and you have a superb story that is gripping and fast paced.
I love the social commentary that is part of this, which was a big draw for me with the Walking Dead series too, as it shows people can and are their own worse enemies, and that power is the biggest corrupter of all. Goodweather's attempts to get the message out in the internet age, when it should've been easier not harder, show that pitfalls of the levels of communication we have now, we may be connected in some ways but have lost so much in others (and when a CDC doctor says we have a problem, listen!). Setrakian's flashbacks to Treblinka also add so much not just to his and the Master's backstory but also offer life lessons that have been lost by many (more so in the years since this was written). And not a one of these deeper more important issues are lost in the gut wrenching horror of the story, and nor do they detract from it.
Put it this way, this book had the hairs on the back of my neck tingling as night fell. Having read a lot of horror over the years, this is a rare but welcome occurrence.
Now THIS is what vampires should be - dark and scary! A return to form for vampire novels, and a very fast read!
I needed a good break from heavy reading, and this hit the spot.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
tense
medium-paced