Reviews

Baltimore, or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire, by Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden

kittenscribble's review against another edition

3.0

Fable-ish, gothic horror. Sort of Arabian Nights in that its characters sit around telling one another nested tales (that's really the better bits of the book). A soldier gains the enmity of a vampire and looses a dark plague upon the world; the soldier must hunt down his nemesis. Some decent descriptive passages and weird angular illustrations.

booksofbelwood's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

greatnate008's review

5.0

This was such a great book. I liked the vampire lore, and the way the story was told.

thehmkane's review against another edition

5.0

I love the pace and structure of this book. If it weren't for homework and borderline exhaustion, I'd have read it in a single sitting. A truly great installment from Mignola and Golden.

hannahfishie's review against another edition

5.0

Oh my god. Read this if you love Mike Mingnolas other work.

ollie_lee's review against another edition

3.0

Three colleagues/ friends are called together by Captain Baltimore for unknown reasons. They spend the day and evening recalling thier friendships with Baltimore and the horrors that led them to this moment. I enjoyed the dark atmosphere of the story and really loved the character of Baltimore. A little slow paced for my liking.

cj_jones's review against another edition

3.0

Golden and Mignola do well with the creepy tales building up to the climax, but I don't feel like they followed through--the ending was a bit of a let down. I didn't need them to take the Tin Soldier metaphor quite so literally.

themadmaiden's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed the story and the stories within the stories. Some of the stuff was incredibly creepy. Like the puppets and the demon in the lake, and the puppets.

I liked how well the atmosphere was conveyed through the descriptions as well as the illustrations. Also the Steadfast Tin Solider story has always been just like the worst/is a horribly sad story I hated growing up and putting it into another story like this was very clever. Apparently I'm fine with the story when it's shoved into another more sad story.

The heart at the very end was still heartbreaking though.

mscoutj's review against another edition

4.0

Not my usual cup of tea, but a really interesting take on an old fairy tale. Makes me want to brush up on my HC Anderson...

rovertoak's review against another edition

5.0

I've been giddy (yes, GIDDY) about getting my hands on Baltimore. I have to say, I'm still basking in the afterglow of spending the weekend with this book and all it's rich, subtly dark glory. Mike Mignola (Hellboy, B.P.R.D.) and Christopher Golden (Body of Evidence/Jenna Blake CSI-type thrillers) have collaborated on one of the most finely crafted vampire tales I've read in years. The pair have opted to present a tale that is a refined, pickled-in-folklore yarn detailing ancient, sinister abhorrations birthed from old gods abandoned long ago by modern humanity.