A review by ieatdirtformoney
The Lesser Dead by Christopher Buehlman

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

If there's one thing I adore in a book, it's consistent characterization that draws the reader in. I will forgive a lukewarm plot in a heartbeat if I like the characters; this, fortunately, was not necessary, as this is not one of those books.

The Lesser Dead brings so many things to the table, including a creative take on vampiric myth and the cultural mores that would follow, a delightfully well-paced plot, and a wonderful inner dialogue that made reading the story engaging even when nothing of great importance was happening.

Once again, Christopher Buehlman has reminded me why he is one of my favourite authors. If you have any interest in modern vampires, or vampires at all for that matter, read this book.

Now, this next section is reserved for those who have read this book, and those who do not particularly care about spoilers...

...holy shit, this book's coda is relentlessly bleak. Very infrequently am I struck dumb from a plot twist, and yet this ending forced me to sit in silence with it, letting it sink in just how truly fucked from the beginning the nocturnal inhabitants of Manhattan's subway system were. An excellent execution of a "bad ending" that felt earned and fitting, rather than spiteful and out of place. Well played, Mr. Buehlman, well played.