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songwind's review against another edition
3.0
Ever see a video (or in person) shot of someone who's leading in a competition, and then throws it away at the end my accident or mistake? Celebrate too early, racer blows an engine on the last lap, trip before the finish line, whatever.
This book is the literary equivalent of that.
It starts strong and goes on well. The writing in quick paced and witty. The historical setting (New York, 1978) and culture are well researched. The story itself is interesting, creepy and engaging.
The book is a vampire book about vampires, and that's it. There are no important human characters other than the MC's family in the pre-turning flashbacks. Otherwise humans are food - charmed, passive, and ultimately oblivious. The book's conflicts are all about vampire society.
It also deals with some recurring tropes from vampire fiction in ways that are not really common. In particular, the concept of child vampires.
Unfortunately, the story draws to a close that seems pretty contrived, abrupt and saccharine. And then after that, the author indulges in a sort of epilogue where he spells out too much and basically says "hey, look how witty I am."
All in all, it was an enjoyable story - but be prepared to be extremely frustrated by the ending.
This book is the literary equivalent of that.
It starts strong and goes on well. The writing in quick paced and witty. The historical setting (New York, 1978) and culture are well researched. The story itself is interesting, creepy and engaging.
The book is a vampire book about vampires, and that's it. There are no important human characters other than the MC's family in the pre-turning flashbacks. Otherwise humans are food - charmed, passive, and ultimately oblivious. The book's conflicts are all about vampire society.
It also deals with some recurring tropes from vampire fiction in ways that are not really common. In particular, the concept of child vampires.
Unfortunately, the story draws to a close that seems pretty contrived, abrupt and saccharine. And then after that, the author indulges in a sort of epilogue where he spells out too much and basically says "hey, look how witty I am."
All in all, it was an enjoyable story - but be prepared to be extremely frustrated by the ending.
cat_astrophicallybookish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nitzer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jaydoncornell's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
skycrane's review against another edition
4.0
I've read four of Christopher Buehlman books this past week, and I think this is my favorite of them (though the others were all very good as well). His vampires are an odd mix of alluring, disgusting, and pathetic. They live forever, they can hypnotize humans, and they have to sleep in sealed containers because otherwise bugs will climb into their noses. There's something very sad about this vampire family, especially the main character, trapped at age 15 forever. Later the book does get quite horrifying, when you start to realize what the title means.
Spoiler
The children are terrifying. The way their true natures is only hinted at, and then suddenly revealed almost all at once, is fantastic. When Joey starts to realize how completely out of his depth he is, it gives a whole new perspective. All the vampires we've met so far are revealed to be young, weak, and ignorant, next to something ancient, powerful, and unknowable. His death was deeply disturbing and a perfect conclusion for this book. I was not a fan of the weird trick ending, and the postscript written by the "true" author. I guess it was necessary for the conceit of the book, as a way to explain how this was recorded if the ostensible author died before he had a chance to write anything down. But I think the whole explanation diluted what was otherwise a very powerful ending.impalingheaven's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A solid book, and strong comeback for Buehlman after The Necromancer's House. The prose is strong. And the setting in 70s New York feels authentic. It truly surprised and disturbed me.
azzurro22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
trgrze20's review against another edition
4.0
Highly recommend the audible. The accents where not only done by the author himself but really brought you into the story.
This wasn’t to crazy original vampire book, till you got to the very last chapter and then my mind was partial blown.
If you’ve every seen The Sixth Sense, you’ve probably experienced a similar feeling. Now I need to eventually re-read/listen and see if there are hints that I missed that lead to that reveal.
This wasn’t to crazy original vampire book, till you got to the very last chapter and then my mind was partial blown.
If you’ve every seen The Sixth Sense, you’ve probably experienced a similar feeling. Now I need to eventually re-read/listen and see if there are hints that I missed that lead to that reveal.