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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“ Just try to keep up. „
This was a fun take on the traditional vampire story we’re all so used to seeing. I really enjoyed the way the two timelines were woven together, and the art was horrifying and grotesque in a way that was perfect for the genre. I much preferred Snyder’s sections to that of King’s, and I’m not sure if it’s because I preferred Pearl’s story over Skinner’s or if I just hated the whole ‘love story’ towards the end of King's timeline. If you can even call it that.
I’m interested to see where this series goes, and I’m glad to see the rest of the volumes are written solely by Snyder. Sorry King.
This was a fun take on the traditional vampire story we’re all so used to seeing. I really enjoyed the way the two timelines were woven together, and the art was horrifying and grotesque in a way that was perfect for the genre. I much preferred Snyder’s sections to that of King’s, and I’m not sure if it’s because I preferred Pearl’s story over Skinner’s or if I just hated the whole ‘love story’ towards the end of King's timeline. If you can even call it that.
I’m interested to see where this series goes, and I’m glad to see the rest of the volumes are written solely by Snyder. Sorry King.
If you'll allow me to go off topic from this graphic novel for a bit, I need to tell you about my love affair with vampires. From the time that I was 10 years old, and saw Dracula (the 1931 version with Bela Lugosi of course!), I was absolutely enamored with vampires. I read the original Dracula book, I pawed my way through all the Anne Rice vampire novels (which I probably shouldn't have read at 11, but *shrug*), and my bookish world became centered around finding more vampire reads.
Then in 2005 Twilight came out and I was so excited. I bought the book, read it, and promptly threw it across the room. What had happened to my vampires? Where were the cunning and vicious predators that I loved? Keep in mind that I hadn't read much YA at this point. I all but skipped it, with the exception of Lurlene McDaniels books, since my mom essentially let me read whatever I wanted. So I wasn't used to paranormal romance on a YA level, and I was angry. I pushed my vampires away, and moved on to other topics. It wasn't until 2011, when I picked up Enter, Night by Michael Rowe on a whim, that I finally started to fall back in love. Still, to this day, I'm very wary about anything vampire related. I'm always afraid to be burned.
Which is why my comic book loving friend had a very tough time convincing me to read American Vampire. He pushed, he prodded, he used my love of Stephen King against me. Finally, I gave in.
I have to say that, while I wasn't totally in love with this first volume in terms of the story, I am definitely in love with the vampires here! Putting these characters into the late 1800's and the early 1900's was a brilliant choice. There's nothing more perfect than the vicious deeds of a the notorious Skinner Sweet, set against the backdrop of the Old West. When Pearl Jones, a 1920's silent film actor, was introduced? I was hooked. These two characters couldn't be more different, but the vampirism flowing through their blood ties them together in the best way possible.
If you'd allow me, I'd go on for ages about the clever ways that these two stories are tied together. How brilliant Stephen King's writing for Skinner Sweet's origin story is, and how much my heart was happy at the art here. The illustrations are gorgeous, plain and simple. They're gritty and violent. I'm tentatively in love. I'm looking forward to Volume 2, and having a more fleshed out view of these two characters as they move forward. I'm glad I gave in and finally read this, because my bad-ass vampires are back!
Then in 2005 Twilight came out and I was so excited. I bought the book, read it, and promptly threw it across the room. What had happened to my vampires? Where were the cunning and vicious predators that I loved? Keep in mind that I hadn't read much YA at this point. I all but skipped it, with the exception of Lurlene McDaniels books, since my mom essentially let me read whatever I wanted. So I wasn't used to paranormal romance on a YA level, and I was angry. I pushed my vampires away, and moved on to other topics. It wasn't until 2011, when I picked up Enter, Night by Michael Rowe on a whim, that I finally started to fall back in love. Still, to this day, I'm very wary about anything vampire related. I'm always afraid to be burned.
Which is why my comic book loving friend had a very tough time convincing me to read American Vampire. He pushed, he prodded, he used my love of Stephen King against me. Finally, I gave in.
I have to say that, while I wasn't totally in love with this first volume in terms of the story, I am definitely in love with the vampires here! Putting these characters into the late 1800's and the early 1900's was a brilliant choice. There's nothing more perfect than the vicious deeds of a the notorious Skinner Sweet, set against the backdrop of the Old West. When Pearl Jones, a 1920's silent film actor, was introduced? I was hooked. These two characters couldn't be more different, but the vampirism flowing through their blood ties them together in the best way possible.
If you'd allow me, I'd go on for ages about the clever ways that these two stories are tied together. How brilliant Stephen King's writing for Skinner Sweet's origin story is, and how much my heart was happy at the art here. The illustrations are gorgeous, plain and simple. They're gritty and violent. I'm tentatively in love. I'm looking forward to Volume 2, and having a more fleshed out view of these two characters as they move forward. I'm glad I gave in and finally read this, because my bad-ass vampires are back!
It's hard to read the first volume of a series that is still only at volume 1. There's so much room for the story to grow and change, but you only have a glimpse of it. Who knows what direction it will go in? I was drawn to this because Stephen King is one of the writers, but I don't know if that shows very much. The writing and artwork were good, and the story has interest, as well.
I guess there are some series that leave you with a cliffhanger, or enough of an interesting story that you can't wait for the next volume. (Fables is like that for me). I would pick up the next volume of this, but I'm not exactly on the edge of my seat waiting for the next volume.
I guess there are some series that leave you with a cliffhanger, or enough of an interesting story that you can't wait for the next volume. (Fables is like that for me). I would pick up the next volume of this, but I'm not exactly on the edge of my seat waiting for the next volume.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
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:
Yes
dark
fast-paced
A very cool, new take on vampires that strips them of the glamour and sparkles. Some are slightly more noble than others, but they are violent creatures that feed on blood, and this book doesn't shy away from that fact. I really enjoyed the chapters split into two stories, one focusing on the 1920's and one on the 1880's where we see a few characters' origins.
adventurous
challenging
dark
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:
Yes
I really enjoyed this. Fast paced, great storyline, liked the historical nature of the story (Vampire Western!!), especially the 1925 storyline. Will definitely move onto Vol. 2.