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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
A vampire story from before it all got soppy and filled with teenage angst. Falls somewhere between Bram Stoker and Anne Rice; emphasis firmly on the horror not the romance. Beautifully detailed setting.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've been reading a lot of Martin lately, but this is the first thing I've read that didn't take place in Westeros, and I really enjoyed it.
Martin is probably one of the best writers around for just creating great characters and subverting reader expectations. This novel is full of tricks and turns and frustration. That's actually kind of the best way to put it, probably: this book frustrates you almost as much as it frustrates its characters.
I mean, it didn't frustrate me so much as a reader, as I was expecting the tricks and turns, after having read, like, 6,000 pages of Martin in the past. But I really dig this take on vampires, but I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much without the steamboat stuff.
Who knew?! Steamboats are just awesome and I want to have one.
Anyrate, really enjoyed this.
Martin is probably one of the best writers around for just creating great characters and subverting reader expectations. This novel is full of tricks and turns and frustration. That's actually kind of the best way to put it, probably: this book frustrates you almost as much as it frustrates its characters.
I mean, it didn't frustrate me so much as a reader, as I was expecting the tricks and turns, after having read, like, 6,000 pages of Martin in the past. But I really dig this take on vampires, but I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much without the steamboat stuff.
Who knew?! Steamboats are just awesome and I want to have one.
Anyrate, really enjoyed this.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m glad I finally read the book, I’ve had it in my to-read pile and it’s done. I’ll have more to write eventually but this will do for now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture
Interesting take on the vampire novel. Creates its own particular style and lore, referencing but not beholden to other stories. Complex characters and arcs beyond simply the need for blood or to vanquish evil. Setting added a lot of flavor as well. Even the passage of time was exciting. Seemed slow at some points but that’s likely in comparison to how tense and drawn out a matter of seconds could feel at other times. This guy’s got a future for sure.
5/5 110% A++ absolutely fabulous vampire story set in Illinois, Ohio, and Louisiana rivers. Plays with tropes, exploits your assumptions, has frustrating character moments that yield really satisfying conclusions. One of the most compelling reads in a long time for me. Unputdownable.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Prepare to hear the n word!