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magikspells's review against another edition
3.0
It was a pretty ok book. The world building is pretty interesting, but most of the characters a pretty unlikeable. And it was pretty obvious where the story was going. It was also really annoying when they kept asserting the fact that there were no vampires in America, but then suddenly they keep appearing. Anyway, I might read the next one, we'll see.
abaugher's review against another edition
4.0
good one. cut and dry like the Monster Planet series. looking forward to reading theh next one in the series.
el_viral's review against another edition
3.0
Much as I enjoyed this book, it was problematic in several ways, not least in its portrayal of a lesbian character. Also, it became rather stilted at times. That said, I will be reading the second book, so will see whether there is an improvement and progression.
coffeedragon's review against another edition
4.0
This book was recommended to me and since it had vampires I decided to check it out. It turned out to be a bit of a drag to finish it as the pacing is much slower than some of the books I read, but the whole vampire concept was really interesting. I really liked the vampires and what they were capable of in this book
gma2at's review against another edition
3.0
One of the reviews of this book said it was really poorly written. I have no idea what they are talking about because that is one of the best parts of this book. I could completely picture what the author wanted me to picture as he used words and descriptions that were amazing. This is also a well-done variation of vampires I like a lot better than the descriptions some authors and movies portray. They are monsters and in this book that is quite clear. The book is also a thriller and does a great job in that area. I kept coming back to it, thinking about it when not reading it, and frustrated when my usual ability to read it was somehow inhibited. All good signs of a great book to me. I also liked the main character and how human she was, how relate-able, rather than some superhuman who suddenly falls into a role she didn't ask for and it fits like a glove. It shows her fear, her angst, her emotions quite well.
The other characters, however, fell quite flat, even the special deputy vampire hunter who was another main character. I would like to have seem more development there. This is not a deep thinking book, so don't pick this one up for intellectual development. It's also quite gory with descriptions of blood, yuck, and dismemberment. I cringed quite a few times. It also has lots of language some may find offensive.
There were a few situations or parts of the book that grated on me. First, someone knew the main character was a lesbian because she had short hair? Seriously? Second, one draw a vampire felt toward one of the characters was because she was a lesbian and it was some sort of erotic goal? Gross. I'm even lesbian and that's just gross. Lastly, in the midst of intense stress, relationship issues, huge loss, and traumatic feats related to a committed relationship, somehow a woman is kissing another woman because she's there? Come on! Offensive overgeneralization.
This was half great and half not so great for me. That's why I can only give it a 3 star review. I enjoyed it 85% of the time, it kept me interested, and I finished. I might even recommend it to someone looking for a great vampire or horror story. The other drawbacks keep me from wanting to own it and they are significant enough for it to drop down a star.
The other characters, however, fell quite flat, even the special deputy vampire hunter who was another main character. I would like to have seem more development there. This is not a deep thinking book, so don't pick this one up for intellectual development. It's also quite gory with descriptions of blood, yuck, and dismemberment. I cringed quite a few times. It also has lots of language some may find offensive.
There were a few situations or parts of the book that grated on me. First, someone knew the main character was a lesbian because she had short hair? Seriously? Second, one draw a vampire felt toward one of the characters was because she was a lesbian and it was some sort of erotic goal? Gross. I'm even lesbian and that's just gross. Lastly, in the midst of intense stress, relationship issues, huge loss, and traumatic feats related to a committed relationship, somehow a woman is kissing another woman because she's there? Come on! Offensive overgeneralization.
This was half great and half not so great for me. That's why I can only give it a 3 star review. I enjoyed it 85% of the time, it kept me interested, and I finished. I might even recommend it to someone looking for a great vampire or horror story. The other drawbacks keep me from wanting to own it and they are significant enough for it to drop down a star.
surlymanor's review against another edition
2.0
I was really craving a well written, super scary, super creepy page turner of a book for the season & had heard that David Wellington's monster books fit the bill.
So.... yes, I did keep turning the pages, but some of the pages I didn't bother finishing - some of the pages demanded skimming and I never like to skim my books.
Yes, Wellington's vampires were entirely unsympathetic - none of this sparkling romantic verklempt vampire mumbo jumbo - but rather than being creepy, Wellington's vamps just seemed like unstoppable killing machines.
I don't know, I still grabbed the sequel at the library so there must be something I like about it.
So.... yes, I did keep turning the pages, but some of the pages I didn't bother finishing - some of the pages demanded skimming and I never like to skim my books.
Yes, Wellington's vampires were entirely unsympathetic - none of this sparkling romantic verklempt vampire mumbo jumbo - but rather than being creepy, Wellington's vamps just seemed like unstoppable killing machines.
I don't know, I still grabbed the sequel at the library so there must be something I like about it.
maryehavens's review against another edition
4.0
I ended up liking this book more than I initially wanted to. At times, it was more gruesome/terrifying than I wanted it to be. I liked the take on vampires (the dying nightly, the impenetrable body armor when they’ve feasted, the nightly feedings) but the violence got to me at times. The whole suicide angle was also interesting but I’m not in a good place for that right now. I thought Laura was largely weak/passive/whiny for the most part but I appreciated her character development. Liked Arkeley a lot and his story arc. I’m somewhat interested in pursuing this series but I spoiled it by reading the plot summaries for the next four books. Sounds like the characters I grew to love take some interesting and possibly dumb paths. We’ll see....
jrobles76's review against another edition
5.0
With all the Vampire Romance lit out there, I'd almost forgotten that Vampires could be scary. Thanks Mr. Wellington for bringing back the fear! He also addressed another pet peeve of mine, which is if Vampires existed in the sheer numbers that they do in other books, and committed the crimes they did in other books, people would know they existed. In 13 bullets humans are aware that vampires exist, but thought they were extinct, with the last vampire being killed in the 1980s. When people find out that the vampires are back, you can almost feel their fear, which is a testament to Wellington's great writing.
Also, a character from the Monster Trilogy appears and makes me wonder where this will all lead. I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
Also, a character from the Monster Trilogy appears and makes me wonder where this will all lead. I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
mirable's review against another edition
3.0
Lots of good gory interesting vampire lore, but I didn't really end up caring too much since the characters were not developed. All plot.
jhouses's review against another edition
2.0
Empezaba con mucha acción y resultaba un contraste interesante a la languidez de un par de lecturas anteriores. Por desgracia luego cae en una espiral cansina que solo levanta con un intento de plot twist sin demasiada fortuna. El resto de la serie para el gato.