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tony_gibbons's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly well-written and a really engaging story.
mudder17's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up
So this was a very different book from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which I loved. I think I was expecting something similar, but this one was definitely more serious and more like an alternate history book. That's not to say that there weren't moments of humor--there definitely were. And honestly, picturing Abraham Lincoln as a badass vampire hunter wielding an ax is pretty hilarious and awesome at the same time. But as I said, it was definitely more of a history book than it was a fictional story (even though yes, this was totally made up). Once I made that adjustment, I enjoyed it a lot more and I am very impressed by all the research the author had to do to create an authentic Abraham Lincoln who just happened to be a vampire hunter. He incorporated a lot of Lincoln's tough childhood as well as his political career. And of course, he incorporated the details of his death, although obviously some details were changed and I liked what ended up happening with John Wilkes Booth. I enjoyed the reading of this book and I think that now that I know what to expect, I might read it again in the future. It was definitely an interesting way to view Lincoln, the civil war, and even the lost colony of Roanoke. If you're a fan of history or of Abraham Lincoln, and you enjoy tales of vampires, well, this is a very interesting combo of the two and definitely has a unique place in books.
So this was a very different book from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which I loved. I think I was expecting something similar, but this one was definitely more serious and more like an alternate history book. That's not to say that there weren't moments of humor--there definitely were. And honestly, picturing Abraham Lincoln as a badass vampire hunter wielding an ax is pretty hilarious and awesome at the same time. But as I said, it was definitely more of a history book than it was a fictional story (even though yes, this was totally made up). Once I made that adjustment, I enjoyed it a lot more and I am very impressed by all the research the author had to do to create an authentic Abraham Lincoln who just happened to be a vampire hunter. He incorporated a lot of Lincoln's tough childhood as well as his political career. And of course, he incorporated the details of his death, although obviously some details were changed and I liked what ended up happening with John Wilkes Booth. I enjoyed the reading of this book and I think that now that I know what to expect, I might read it again in the future. It was definitely an interesting way to view Lincoln, the civil war, and even the lost colony of Roanoke. If you're a fan of history or of Abraham Lincoln, and you enjoy tales of vampires, well, this is a very interesting combo of the two and definitely has a unique place in books.
nutmeggeraim's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of those books that I hated to put down, and couldn't wait to get home to read. It really was a creative venture by Grahame-Smith, one that could have ended badly. It didn't. Read this book!
agathe_athena's review against another edition
4.0
Well executed. Now I want to read a biography of Lincoln to see to where the truth ends and the vampires begin.
peedge's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed it as an audio book but I think if it was a book I would have skimmed a lot of it over or given up.
krikabee's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing. I LOVE books that blend real life/history so seamlessly with fantasy, fiction, and intrigue. Written so well you might actually question whether or not this version of events is the true one.
karlajstrand's review against another edition
3.0
Get over the "it's so unbelievable" thing and enjoy this quick summer read!
mountainstroh's review against another edition
4.0
I am not a biography reader, so the format was not my favorite, but I did enjoy the book! Made me want to read a real biography of him to see what was real and was "the new real" Best quote from the book. "Some men are to interesting to let die"
felts's review against another edition
3.0
Forrest Gump meets North and South meets Twilight? Yep, but it still works pretty well. An interesting take on what might have happened if Honest Abe would have grown up in an America that was home to blood sucking vamps. A few critical comments to make:
The pacing of the first half of the book is pretty good, but the second half, when Abe is president and the Civil War is in full effect, seems like everything is put in fast forward. I would have thought that a war *****Spoiler******fought with vampires would have been a pretty big event here. Not so.
Also, I would have liked to have figured out what happened to the character we meet at the beginning of the book who is the supposed author of this novel. Maybe I missed something, but it seems like something should have been said about what happens between he and Henry. But, all in all, I thought it was enjoyable. If you don't mind having your history lessons skewed and your political and literary heroes manipulated into homicidal, revenge seekers...then this book will be right up your alley.
The pacing of the first half of the book is pretty good, but the second half, when Abe is president and the Civil War is in full effect, seems like everything is put in fast forward. I would have thought that a war *****Spoiler******fought with vampires would have been a pretty big event here. Not so.
Also, I would have liked to have figured out what happened to the character we meet at the beginning of the book who is the supposed author of this novel. Maybe I missed something, but it seems like something should have been said about what happens between he and Henry. But, all in all, I thought it was enjoyable. If you don't mind having your history lessons skewed and your political and literary heroes manipulated into homicidal, revenge seekers...then this book will be right up your alley.
rebeccas94's review against another edition
2.0
I tried reading this book about 8 months ago and couldn't finish it. Though the concept behind the story is good, Abraham Lincoln dedicates himself to a life of vampire slaying after his mother falls victim to one herself, the execution fell flat for me. Mr Grahame-Smith takes the basic biography of Lincoln's life weaves in his plot points and relies heavily historical documents through the novel to back up his story line. Diaries, letters, and speeches of both Lincoln and the people in his life have been used. I have no more knowledge of Lincoln than the average high school graduate, so I am left to trust the author on the resources he's used.
The bulk of the novel focuses on Lincoln's youth and the events that shaped his personal beliefs. He grows up on America's frontier, loses his mother and first love to illness (in this story vampire attacks), and his rebels against his father's perceived "shiftlessness" by becoming industrious and successful. From the time of his mother's death, Lincoln vows to kill all vampires in America. Can you say Oedipus complex? He has a chance meeting with a vampire named Henry Sturges who teaches Lincoln vampire lore and skills to kill them. Sturges and Lincoln form an odd pact that has Lincoln roaming the countryside killing vampires that Sturges names as deserving to die.
The final third of the book focuses on Lincoln's election as president and the Civil War. Unbeknownst to all of us the Civil War was merely a cover for warring factions of vampires. Uh huh. I can't say I agree with the ending that the author chose either.
I listened to the audiobook of this novel. I didn't like the reader. It seemed to me that every voice he read was with a Southern accent. It was odd.
The bulk of the novel focuses on Lincoln's youth and the events that shaped his personal beliefs. He grows up on America's frontier, loses his mother and first love to illness (in this story vampire attacks), and his rebels against his father's perceived "shiftlessness" by becoming industrious and successful. From the time of his mother's death, Lincoln vows to kill all vampires in America. Can you say Oedipus complex? He has a chance meeting with a vampire named Henry Sturges who teaches Lincoln vampire lore and skills to kill them. Sturges and Lincoln form an odd pact that has Lincoln roaming the countryside killing vampires that Sturges names as deserving to die.
The final third of the book focuses on Lincoln's election as president and the Civil War. Unbeknownst to all of us the Civil War was merely a cover for warring factions of vampires. Uh huh. I can't say I agree with the ending that the author chose either.
I listened to the audiobook of this novel. I didn't like the reader. It seemed to me that every voice he read was with a Southern accent. It was odd.