cdeane61's review against another edition
4.0
Not at all what I was expecting, this end-of-the-world scenario is a captivating read that barely fits into it nearly 800 pages.
I'm pretty sure there is a sequel out there, and owing to the story and the possibilities for expanding on it, it may be just as hefty a tome.
I was a little lost at first when the main character from the beginning, didn't seem to be showing up again, but all that got settled and played out nicely.
May not look for the next one right away, but will definitely follow up at some point.
I'm pretty sure there is a sequel out there, and owing to the story and the possibilities for expanding on it, it may be just as hefty a tome.
I was a little lost at first when the main character from the beginning, didn't seem to be showing up again, but all that got settled and played out nicely.
May not look for the next one right away, but will definitely follow up at some point.
harley09's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
katlynn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
craftsbury's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
tms98's review against another edition
4.0
Dit boek is een serieuze opgave als je het wilt lezen. Het is dan wel een boek van 1000 pagina's, maar het voelt aan alsof dit drie verhalen zijn die niet chronologisch verlopen. In se gaat het het over het Amerikaanse leger dat een bepaald virus wou ontwikkelen om supersoldaten te maken (go figure), maar dit loopt natuurlijk mis waardoor de test-subjecten veranderen in vampiers die, voor zover geweten is, bijna geheel Amerika hebben aangetast. Het boek is een enorme kanjer om door te geraken en leest bij momenten tergend traag, maar ook soms enorm vlot. De wereld wordt zeer goed verklaard en is mooi om te leren kennen, maar door de niet chronologische volgorde is het soms moeilijk om te volgen als je het eventjes laat liggen. Het blijft wel oneerlijk om een boek van 1000 pagina's te beëindigen met zo een cliffhanger.
koalathebear's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. I know that a lot of people have criticised it as starting out well but going to pieces later on - but I loved it. It was soooo suspenseful and so cinematic that I'm not surprised that Ridley Scott has purchased the rights for it. I cannot wait for the second book and I would love to see a movie version.
What did I like about it? Oddly enough it wasn't the characters - although they were fine. They were not standouts but they were not annoying. What I enjoyed was the world building, Cronin's writing style and the way he kept me interested and intrigued with what was going to happen next. The 'vampires' are scary and hallelujah for that because I am beyond sick of having vamps characterised as sex objects. There's nothing sexy about copulating with dead flesh, seriously. The 'Virals' in this story are scary and creepy and the battle between the Virals and the remnants of humanity is very interesting. It reminded me a little of World War Z but with vamps not zombies
What did I like about it? Oddly enough it wasn't the characters - although they were fine. They were not standouts but they were not annoying. What I enjoyed was the world building, Cronin's writing style and the way he kept me interested and intrigued with what was going to happen next. The 'vampires' are scary and hallelujah for that because I am beyond sick of having vamps characterised as sex objects. There's nothing sexy about copulating with dead flesh, seriously. The 'Virals' in this story are scary and creepy and the battle between the Virals and the remnants of humanity is very interesting. It reminded me a little of World War Z but with vamps not zombies
laura_tlamichova's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
aaronmjnoy's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyable post-apocalyptic book. Good writing and a real pager even though it's a chunkster at 770 odd pages. Reminded me somewhat of 'Earth Abides' which is a favourite of mine, I really love books that span a long time. Already ordered the sequels.
cryosphinx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It happened fast. Thirty-two minutes for one world to die, another to be reborn.
My mom got the series for me for Christmas and DEMANDED I read it because I like me some post-apocalyptic novels, not so much vampires but I rolled with it.
What I did like is that this book gives you the moments that led up to the end of the world before jumping forward ~100 years after the fallout. I didn't mind the time skip that much, or the even larger one that comes and goes (because it still makes sense) but the book really slogs when that time skip happens. I understand that Cronin needed to world build the colony but it was hard to keep track of all the new characters, who they were, and who was important. It's just jarring because the pre-apocalypse does the same thing: a ton of characters and who is important and who does what. Then we time skip, dump all those characters, and do it all over.
The book itself could have probably been edited down shorter. Some of sections where the POV changes to one of the other characters spends more time than necessary building a character who ultimately isn't a plot critical character.
I did enjoy the ending sections where the POV changes and gives insight into some the mysteries, but ultimately, some mysteries are left unsolved like Which I hope get answered in the next book or I'll be big mad.
So yes, it gets real slow and boring in some parts but I think it was worth plowing throigh to get some of.the more exciting parts and a lot of the prose IS really good.
My mom got the series for me for Christmas and DEMANDED I read it because I like me some post-apocalyptic novels, not so much vampires but I rolled with it.
What I did like is that this book gives you the moments that led up to the end of the world before jumping forward ~100 years after the fallout. I didn't mind the time skip that much, or the even larger one that comes and goes (because it still makes sense) but the book really slogs when that time skip happens. I understand that Cronin needed to world build the colony but it was hard to keep track of all the new characters, who they were, and who was important. It's just jarring because the pre-apocalypse does the same thing: a ton of characters and who is important and who does what. Then we time skip, dump all those characters, and do it all over.
The book itself could have probably been edited down shorter. Some of sections where the POV changes to one of the other characters spends more time than necessary building a character who ultimately isn't a plot critical character.
I did enjoy the ending sections where the POV changes and gives insight into some the mysteries, but ultimately, some mysteries are left unsolved like
Spoiler
Amy is special but WHY is she special?So yes, it gets real slow and boring in some parts but I think it was worth plowing throigh to get some of.the more exciting parts and a lot of the prose IS really good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: War, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicide, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Miscarriage