reggiethebird's review
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Real silly historical fiction. I sort of wish there was more time dedicated to the vampire rules for this world, but we get what we need. I feel like adding vampires to Lincoln's quest of emancipation can be a little problematic by changing the reasons he did it, but like who cares!
I can't wait for the sequel, "Martin Luther King Jr., Vampire Hunter"
I can't wait for the sequel, "Martin Luther King Jr., Vampire Hunter"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
bhsmith's review
3.0
There are not a lot of surprises here. The name of this novel tells you pretty much what you'll be getting when you read this novel: The account of Abraham Lincoln hunting vampires.
The cleverness comes in when you see just how closely Grahame-Smith ties many actual events from Lincoln's life into the story of vampires in America. The darkest tragedies and the greatest triumphs of Lincoln's life are intricately woven into vampire lore. The skill at which this is done is actually quite fun and makes this novel a quick, entertaining read. Knowing a little bit about Lincoln and the Civil War will certainly increase the pleasure of reading this book.
The cleverness comes in when you see just how closely Grahame-Smith ties many actual events from Lincoln's life into the story of vampires in America. The darkest tragedies and the greatest triumphs of Lincoln's life are intricately woven into vampire lore. The skill at which this is done is actually quite fun and makes this novel a quick, entertaining read. Knowing a little bit about Lincoln and the Civil War will certainly increase the pleasure of reading this book.
nerdyrev's review
3.0
Overall, this was a very enjoyable book. As the book mixed history and fiction well, we learn that Abraham Lincoln is well...a vampire hunter in fact, one of the best vampire hunters in history. Most of Lincoln's life had vampires in it in fact- all the deaths in his family, the Civil War, and members of his protection at the White House. It was a lot of fun.
With that typed, my biggest critique was that it seemed long. About 3/4s of the way through the book, I just wanted it to end so much so that I essentially speed read the last bit of the book.
I would say read it for fun, but know that you are in a for a long ride. Lots of fun, well written, and ultimately very silly.
With that typed, my biggest critique was that it seemed long. About 3/4s of the way through the book, I just wanted it to end so much so that I essentially speed read the last bit of the book.
I would say read it for fun, but know that you are in a for a long ride. Lots of fun, well written, and ultimately very silly.
rockchickchickyrock's review
1.0
First 20% was really good then I just got more and more bored. Wouldn't recommend this book it was a real slog to get finished.
theatomicpirategirl's review
2.0
Oh my peas and carrots! How can one not want to read a book with this title?
I read Seth Graham-Smith’s Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the play on a classic. So when I saw the really cool cover and awesome title of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, how could I not want to read a book this book? I was expecting something a little campy told in a fictional way, full of action and adventure and the 16th president killing zombies. But what did I get? Nada. Nil. Zilch. And let me say…I fill slightly jilted. Just an FYI, there is a spoiler ahead as to how the book ends, but I really need to voice my dissatisfaction with the ending.
Here’s my main issue with this book: YAAAAWWWNNN! It was so boring. It read like a biography, which, yeah, I get. But for me, it’s hard to read biographies. It’s just not something that sparks my interest. And the author was trying so hard to write some kind of action into this faux biography but it fell flat and felt forced. Also, the ending was kind of a cop-out I feel. It’s like Graham-Smith forgot until after the fact that Lincoln had been assassinated and then tried to pull some verbal ninja move and turn it around and make Lincoln a vampire. I mean, really? COME ON! Should have just let the man stay dead.
I can appreciate that Graham-Smith was able to tweak and weave the idea of vampires into a fictional telling of the life of Abraham Lincoln.
You can tell the Graham-Smith took time picking all the correct words to make sure that the story he was trying to sale you, you would buy. Unfortunately, for me, I could not suspend reality and buy what the author was selling.
I read Seth Graham-Smith’s Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the play on a classic. So when I saw the really cool cover and awesome title of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, how could I not want to read a book this book? I was expecting something a little campy told in a fictional way, full of action and adventure and the 16th president killing zombies. But what did I get? Nada. Nil. Zilch. And let me say…I fill slightly jilted. Just an FYI, there is a spoiler ahead as to how the book ends, but I really need to voice my dissatisfaction with the ending.
Here’s my main issue with this book: YAAAAWWWNNN! It was so boring. It read like a biography, which, yeah, I get. But for me, it’s hard to read biographies. It’s just not something that sparks my interest. And the author was trying so hard to write some kind of action into this faux biography but it fell flat and felt forced. Also, the ending was kind of a cop-out I feel. It’s like Graham-Smith forgot until after the fact that Lincoln had been assassinated and then tried to pull some verbal ninja move and turn it around and make Lincoln a vampire. I mean, really? COME ON! Should have just let the man stay dead.
I can appreciate that Graham-Smith was able to tweak and weave the idea of vampires into a fictional telling of the life of Abraham Lincoln.
You can tell the Graham-Smith took time picking all the correct words to make sure that the story he was trying to sale you, you would buy. Unfortunately, for me, I could not suspend reality and buy what the author was selling.
adrienneturner's review
adventurous
dark
funny
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? No
4.0
lanica's review against another edition
2.0
Abraham Lincoln is one of my personal heroes. I enjoy reading about his life and times, the Civil War and the biographies or diaries of people who lived through it.
I also enjoy dark urban fantasy; urban romance just pisses me off.
I should like this, right? Right?
Actually, I am pretty ambivalent about it. I enjoyed the story. It could have been any main character and the story of how vampires influenced the Civil War could have been an interesting premise. The life of the vampire hunter during the Civil War could have been a good story all on its own. But, by adding Abraham Lincoln as the main character...well, it killed the story for me.
I see that there was research done, I understand that the facts were 'bent' for the sake of the story and I am completely able to 'suspend disbelief' when needed. But, in this case...it was just not possible. I am sure this author could probably write an original story, but he didn't do it here. He took an existing story (the amazing life of Abe Lincoln) and wrote vampires into it, throwing a mesh of vampire details over an already existing biography. It was basic research of Lincoln rewritten with simple mythology of vampires and put into an unimaginative 'journal' format.
I was entertained, but not really interested or 'buying in'.
I also enjoy dark urban fantasy; urban romance just pisses me off.
I should like this, right? Right?
Actually, I am pretty ambivalent about it. I enjoyed the story. It could have been any main character and the story of how vampires influenced the Civil War could have been an interesting premise. The life of the vampire hunter during the Civil War could have been a good story all on its own. But, by adding Abraham Lincoln as the main character...well, it killed the story for me.
I see that there was research done, I understand that the facts were 'bent' for the sake of the story and I am completely able to 'suspend disbelief' when needed. But, in this case...it was just not possible. I am sure this author could probably write an original story, but he didn't do it here. He took an existing story (the amazing life of Abe Lincoln) and wrote vampires into it, throwing a mesh of vampire details over an already existing biography. It was basic research of Lincoln rewritten with simple mythology of vampires and put into an unimaginative 'journal' format.
I was entertained, but not really interested or 'buying in'.
tayrod4594's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lakecake's review against another edition
4.0
Clever take on the Lincoln mythology, now with vampires! Very true to history, minus that whole undead thing. Grahame-Smith does such a great job with this genre, as he should, since he basically invented it.