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120th out of 280 books
—
192 voters
Gil's All Fright Diner
Bloodier than Fried Green Tomatoes!
Funnier than The Texas Chainsaw Massacre!
Welcome to Gil's All Night Diner, where zombie attacks are a regular occurrence and you never know what might be lurking in the freezer . . .
Duke and Earl are just passing through Rockwood county in their pick-up truck when they stop at the Diner for a quick bite to eat. They aren't planning to sti...more
Funnier than The Texas Chainsaw Massacre!
Welcome to Gil's All Night Diner, where zombie attacks are a regular occurrence and you never know what might be lurking in the freezer . . .
Duke and Earl are just passing through Rockwood county in their pick-up truck when they stop at the Diner for a quick bite to eat. They aren't planning to sti...more
Paperback, 268 pages
Published
May 1st 2005
by Tor Books
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Mar 26, 2012
Carol
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of irreverent UF
Fast, fun read. Solid four stars for cleverness and silliness--the book blurb was right, this was silly in the style of Hitchhiker's Guide, and that's a high compliment indeed.
It starts off like a buddy movie of the anti-hero variety, with Earl the vampire and Duke the werewolf driving around drinking beer in a beat-up pickup, whose cab holds exactly 76 empties. They stop at an all-night diner run by Loretta, but little does anyone know, the diner is under assault by the most fearsome of opponen...more
It starts off like a buddy movie of the anti-hero variety, with Earl the vampire and Duke the werewolf driving around drinking beer in a beat-up pickup, whose cab holds exactly 76 empties. They stop at an all-night diner run by Loretta, but little does anyone know, the diner is under assault by the most fearsome of opponen...more
THIS IS NOT A REVIEW, although the rating does reflect my opinion of this book.
This is a heads up for people following my reviews who have their filters set up to block general updates. If you've enjoyed nosing around on my shelves in the past, be sure to read my most recent update. This is the last time I'll mention it.
Now I think I'll go consume some nightcrawlers.
4 likes · like · see review
view all 6 comments
Jan 09, 2009
Chloe
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Chloe by:
Lori Hettler
I'll be the first to admit that there's been a glut of books like this on my reading list lately. Humorous takes on horror archetypes seem to be all the rage right now, which is more than fine by me. They're quick, light and entertaining- just the break I need in between the other books that howl at me from the shelf, trying to guilt me into reading them next.
Gil's is a buddy adventure starring Earl the Vampire (think Dwight Yoakam with fangs) and Duke the Werewolf (think Jesse Ventura with fur)...more
Gil's is a buddy adventure starring Earl the Vampire (think Dwight Yoakam with fangs) and Duke the Werewolf (think Jesse Ventura with fur)...more
12 likes · like · see review
Jul 22, 2008
Noran Miss Pumkin
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
No one ever! never to kids!!!!
Recommended to Noran by:
good reads
Shelves:
worst-bks
The first page had most of the 7 famous words, driving while drinking, and the phrase "yellow puddle formed around my groin". I really do not think this is a youth book! The curse words got worse from there, and graphic underage sex was also included. The obese werewolf, describes the fatty woman's butt. as it jiggles--like the last time he disemboweled someone--lovely. Just what we want to teach teens today to think about large people--new insults!
The only reason for a star is the lovely romanc...more
The only reason for a star is the lovely romanc...more
7 likes · like · see review
Mar 04, 2008
Lori
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction,
fricken-awesome
Loved Loved Loved this book!
I am a big fan of campy fun novels. Books that make the unbelievable seem like, yeah.. ohkay... that could happen.
Meet two unlikely best friends: Earl (a vampire) and Duke (a werewolf). Throw in an all nite diner run by a very large, very spunky Lorreta. Sprinkle in a teenage wanna-be mistress of the old gods, a few ghosts, and a ton of zombies/ghouls and slimy, tentacled, oozing things, and you have yourself one helluva kick ass novel!
This was one of those books i j...more
I am a big fan of campy fun novels. Books that make the unbelievable seem like, yeah.. ohkay... that could happen.
Meet two unlikely best friends: Earl (a vampire) and Duke (a werewolf). Throw in an all nite diner run by a very large, very spunky Lorreta. Sprinkle in a teenage wanna-be mistress of the old gods, a few ghosts, and a ton of zombies/ghouls and slimy, tentacled, oozing things, and you have yourself one helluva kick ass novel!
This was one of those books i j...more
This is a fun book. It's about a vampire and a werewolf that try to stop Elder Gods.
And it's a comedy!
I think it's great, there's a lot of weird stuff in it but overall it's just a fun and rather silly book that is a really good read.
OK, it's been 4 years since I wrote this review. I should probably try and expand on why it's so good.
In short it's about a vampire and werewolf that are kind of stuck traveling together that stumble upon a small town that seems to have a bit of a zombie problem. T...more
And it's a comedy!
I think it's great, there's a lot of weird stuff in it but overall it's just a fun and rather silly book that is a really good read.
OK, it's been 4 years since I wrote this review. I should probably try and expand on why it's so good.
In short it's about a vampire and werewolf that are kind of stuck traveling together that stumble upon a small town that seems to have a bit of a zombie problem. T...more
3 likes · like · see review
Melinda raised her head and uttered a low, haunting howl. The rest of the herd joined her in a bloodcurdling moan that seemed to bubble up from the sulfurous pit of Hell itself
"Mo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oo."
Gotta love those zombie cows! Rockwood is sort of a Texas redneck version of Sunnydale with its own answer to the Hellmouth. Vampire Earl and werewolf Duke run out of gas in the God-forsaken county of Rockwood and offers to help Loretta, owner of Gil's All-Night Diner, solve her zombie problem. Bu...more
9 likes · like · see review
Gil's All Fright Diner - the title makes you think WTF is this? - and that cover! I admit that is why I bought it. Come on just look at that baby - There is a huge one eyed monster coming out of that Diner! I love monsters. As soon as I saw it I was like "Oh jeezuz I have to read this!" Maybe thats just me but I'm a total cover whore and I never can tell what I'm going to be attracted to. One thing for sure this had just the right amount of playful and monster for me, and not your atypical trait...more
Apr 09, 2009
The Flooze
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Christopher Moore fans
Martinez's debut novel is a wild ride, at once horrific and hysterical. Despite what I've been taught, I judged this one by its cover and it lived up to my every zany expectation.
Earl, a scrawny vampire, and Duke, a hulking werewolf, stop off at a roadside diner for a bite, only to become entangled in a web of dark magic where things bite back. But zombie cows, cemetery guardians, ghostly dogs and spirits that reside in Magic 8 Balls aren't enough to deter this duo from doing their best to preve...more
Earl, a scrawny vampire, and Duke, a hulking werewolf, stop off at a roadside diner for a bite, only to become entangled in a web of dark magic where things bite back. But zombie cows, cemetery guardians, ghostly dogs and spirits that reside in Magic 8 Balls aren't enough to deter this duo from doing their best to preve...more
in a sentence or two: the funny journey of Earl the vampire, Duke the werewolf, Loretta the overweight waitress, and Cathy the ghost in their quest to rid the diner of zombies. and as if that isn't enough, a foxy teenager is trying to open the gates to hell right underneath their immortal noses.
Duke and Earl stumble upon the little diner in rockwood county (read: middle of nowhere). within minutes, they are defending the diner from zombies. the good news is, zombies aren't really that bad - just...more
Duke and Earl stumble upon the little diner in rockwood county (read: middle of nowhere). within minutes, they are defending the diner from zombies. the good news is, zombies aren't really that bad - just...more
Jan 05, 2009
Jensownzoo
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2009-reads,
urban-fantasy
Oh, this book was wonderful. It spoofs a lot of the werewolf/vampire/etc. cliches and themes. Earl the vampire and Duke the werewolf are traveling together and stop at a diner to get something to eat just before the place is attacked by killer zombies (again). They agree to stay and help the harried waitress/cook/owner figure out why her diner is being targeted. Hilarity ensues. I definitely will be checking out more offerings from this author!
What a fun read!!!! This would make a HILARIOUS movie. It's silly, it's goofy and has plenty of horror and gore to go around. It's marketed as a young adult novel, don't know if I would go that far...but it was just a good time. I read it in a day. I would like to see further adventures of Duke, Earl, Cathy and Napoleon. I liked this book so much I reserved a copy of A. Lee Martinez's In The Company of Orges.
5 likes · like · see review
Mar 26, 2012
Michael
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone.
Recommended to Michael by:
Paul
A vampire and a werewolf walk into a diner...
and an awesome book ensues.
I heard this book was not as good as the newer ones, which I loved as well, but this one is far superior. The humor is less forced, more natural in its delivery, and the writing is damned good, especially for a debut.
This is not high art, unless you consider entertainment art. But it is a simple, good read, something that makes the commute fly by, something that you'd take on a plane and not worry about the turbulence. I'd c...more
and an awesome book ensues.
I heard this book was not as good as the newer ones, which I loved as well, but this one is far superior. The humor is less forced, more natural in its delivery, and the writing is damned good, especially for a debut.
This is not high art, unless you consider entertainment art. But it is a simple, good read, something that makes the commute fly by, something that you'd take on a plane and not worry about the turbulence. I'd c...more
A werewolf and a vampire are just passing through a nowhere desert town when a diner owner offers them cash to help with her zombie problem. Being supernatural beings, how hard can it be? Given a teenage witch, an especially Magic 8 Ball, undead livestock, a spectral guardian, and a potential apocalypse, a lot harder than anticipated.
This was a really fun read. I am a fan of his stuff so I was great to go back to the beginning. I love that Martinez does science fiction while still having a sens...more
This was a really fun read. I am a fan of his stuff so I was great to go back to the beginning. I love that Martinez does science fiction while still having a sens...more
Zur Beginn des Buches reisen die Freunde Earl und Duke durch Texas. Erst mal nicht verwunderlich, bis man erkennt das die beiden ein Vampir und ein Werwolf sind. Ein ziemlich feiger Vampir und im Gegensatz dazu ein sehr abgeklärter, ruhiger Werwolf.
Die beiden machen Halt bei „Gil’s Allnight Diner“, welcher regelmäßig von Zombies heimgesucht wird. Sie beschließen, der Inhaberin Loretta das „Zombieproblem“ vom Hals zu schaffen und bleiben in Rockwood. Eine kleine Stadt, in der die 17jährige Tammy,...more
Die beiden machen Halt bei „Gil’s Allnight Diner“, welcher regelmäßig von Zombies heimgesucht wird. Sie beschließen, der Inhaberin Loretta das „Zombieproblem“ vom Hals zu schaffen und bleiben in Rockwood. Eine kleine Stadt, in der die 17jährige Tammy,...more
Great title, great cover, great premise that is played out in an occasionally uneven style. But, all in all, a fun read. I mean, it combines werewolves, vampires, zombies, a teenage witch, a lonely, amorous ghost, a ghost terrier (complete with leg humping, the eminent end of the world and an all night diner. Come on-- what's not to like?! And get this-- the vampire and werewolf are the good guys!
From the Publisher
Bloodier than Fried Green Tomatoes!
Funnier than The Texas Chainsaw Massacre!
Welco...more
From the Publisher
Bloodier than Fried Green Tomatoes!
Funnier than The Texas Chainsaw Massacre!
Welco...more
1 like · like · see review
I like Martinez's writing. I found one of his books last year and have since read everyone I can find. This one was no exception. I think the key to Martinez's formula which generally involves quirky characters in a fantastic, perhaps unbelievable setting is that his characters are all so honest and normal (despite the fact that they may be supernatural; you know vampires, werewolves, or maybe godlets). Their motivations are normal; their feelings are normal; their lives are normal bordering on...more
I'm not quite sure why some people are expecting these books to be for kids. Maybe I missed a website where Mr. Martinez was tagged as a "youth" author or something. That said, no, these are most definitely NOT for children. That doesn't mean it deserves such a low rating though. If you made the mistake of thinking it was a kid's book, that's not Mr. Martinez's fault, perhaps you should have done more research...
That said, Gil's All Fright Diner is a heart-touching, warm, hilarious, zombie-squel...more
That said, Gil's All Fright Diner is a heart-touching, warm, hilarious, zombie-squel...more
Duke, who is a werewolf and Earl, who is a vampire -- are travelling together -- when their old truck runs out of gas, in the small southern town of Rockwood, just outside of Gil's All Night Diner. When they enter Loretta the proprietor and waitress questions them about whether they saw anything weird, but they simply shake their heads. Duke empties the last of his change asking how much food this will buy him. When the food finally arrives, Duke begins to eat but his meal is interrupted when zo...more
A Lee Martinez has come a long way since this, his debut book. His understanding of his craft, and his skill with comedic timing has only increased, and there's a lot to be said for that. This first book is rife with easy targets of the sort which tend to piss me off in most books; the jailbait sorceress villain, the convenient mockery of the overweight waitress, and so on. All overused tropes that just deepen the epidemic disdain for women in this country. That said, he took equal aim at his ma...more
1 like · like · see review
This is like a not-stupid version of The Dukes of Hazzard - except one is a werewolf and one is a vampire. Meet Duke (the werewolf) and Earl (the vampire). They're driving in the middle of nowhere, lost, when they come across a place called "Gil's All Night Diner." The two of them make a quick pit-stop and end up befriending the proprietor by proxy, Loretta, after defending her place from zombies.
Duke and Earl end up staying longer than they thought because something very wrong is happening at G...more
Duke and Earl end up staying longer than they thought because something very wrong is happening at G...more
I read this book because it sounded funny, and it was pretty funny. Anyone who likes corny zombie movies would like this book.
Two unlikely characters serve as the heroes of this tale. Earl (as in earl of the Vampires) and Duke (as in Duke of the Werewolves) stumble across a diner with a zombie problem on a road trip they're taking. Loretta, the diner's owner, handles the zombies without batting an eye. Unfortunately soon things take a turn for the worse and even Loretta with her shot gun needs a...more
Two unlikely characters serve as the heroes of this tale. Earl (as in earl of the Vampires) and Duke (as in Duke of the Werewolves) stumble across a diner with a zombie problem on a road trip they're taking. Loretta, the diner's owner, handles the zombies without batting an eye. Unfortunately soon things take a turn for the worse and even Loretta with her shot gun needs a...more
Dec 07, 2010
Michael
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-i-have-reviewed
Humor is subjective and if you like the author's sense of humor you'll probably really like this book. If, like me, you don't, you probably won't.
Duke the werewolf and Earl the vampire stop in for a meal at Gil's and find themselves under attack from zombies and smack dab in the middle of a plot to destroy the world. The duo stick around to try and help the diner's owner and save the world and all manner of supernatural hilarity ensues.
The story was fast-paced and entertaining enough and the cha...more
Duke the werewolf and Earl the vampire stop in for a meal at Gil's and find themselves under attack from zombies and smack dab in the middle of a plot to destroy the world. The duo stick around to try and help the diner's owner and save the world and all manner of supernatural hilarity ensues.
The story was fast-paced and entertaining enough and the cha...more
GIL'S ALL FRIGHT DINER by A.Lee Martinez
Tor, paperback, 268 pages, $17.95
"In the middle of nowhere, along a quiet stretch of road, the diner dreamt of the hungry dead."
That's the first sentence in the best book that I've read all year. I don't know who this A. Lee Martinez is, but the man can tell a story. Let me give you another excerpt.
"The waitress smiled. Her smile vanished as her eyes fell on the glass diner doors. "Aw, damn it, not tonight."
Earl glanced to the front. Nine shambling corpses...more
Tor, paperback, 268 pages, $17.95
"In the middle of nowhere, along a quiet stretch of road, the diner dreamt of the hungry dead."
That's the first sentence in the best book that I've read all year. I don't know who this A. Lee Martinez is, but the man can tell a story. Let me give you another excerpt.
"The waitress smiled. Her smile vanished as her eyes fell on the glass diner doors. "Aw, damn it, not tonight."
Earl glanced to the front. Nine shambling corpses...more
Mar 09, 2009
Anita
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fans of Terry Pratchett and Christopher Moore
Shelves:
fantasy-funny,
urban-fantasy
I am really starting to like this author. This is the second book I've read by Martinez, and I'm looking forward to more. It's tongue-in-cheek funny in a slightly wrong way that I love. It's not as sick and twisted as Christopher Moore, more like wry humor, and very entertaining.
A vampire with a comb over (Earl) and his buddy a former-truck-driving werewolf (Duke) roll into a godforsaken redneck town in the desert, and the townsfolk think, no big woop - crazy shit happens to them all the time. L...more
A vampire with a comb over (Earl) and his buddy a former-truck-driving werewolf (Duke) roll into a godforsaken redneck town in the desert, and the townsfolk think, no big woop - crazy shit happens to them all the time. L...more
This is not my usual type of read. Sure, I like horror novels and usually just really supernatural genre books in general, but not all paranormal books are made the same. Usually, the supernatural characters are really pretty or really ugly or can very in aesthetics but are generally either one or ther other and usually super powerful. Humans just aren't a match.
This book is different. Duke and Earl have their supernatural abilities but they ain't your usual cup of sweet tea. Duke is a werewolf...more
This book is different. Duke and Earl have their supernatural abilities but they ain't your usual cup of sweet tea. Duke is a werewolf...more
Jul 29, 2009
Robin
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
paranormal,
kindle-books
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Let me start by saying that this book is a lot better if you don't take it seriously. If you look at it as in the vein of 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,' it definitely has its' fun and witty moments.
I loved the first half of this book with the redneck and trucker stereotype thrusted on the vampire and werewolf (respectively) because too many of them are so serious and so badly written lately. Yeah, the humor can be a little hokey and childish, but that's what it is supposed to be!
The second...more
I loved the first half of this book with the redneck and trucker stereotype thrusted on the vampire and werewolf (respectively) because too many of them are so serious and so badly written lately. Yeah, the humor can be a little hokey and childish, but that's what it is supposed to be!
The second...more
I have very mixed feelings about this book. It started out much more poorly than it ended, and I'm almost tempted to give it three stars...but in the end I think it's more of a two and a half. The main characters are all right guys, but we're introduced to them when one of them is described as being simultaneously fat and also wearing a "No Fat Chicks" shirt. This seems to be a theme with the main characters -- they themselves do or are the things that bother them, and I'm fairly certain that wa...more
Over my vacation, I got handed a new book to read by my brother-in-law. He raved about it and said that this particular author was brilliant and funny and had a good grasp on horror as well. So I read the book on my flight home and I must say that I agree.
Duke and Earl are a werewolf and a vampire who are traveling on the road when they find an all-night diner that is besieged by zombies. They stop to help and get some grub and find that zombies might not be the only problem they have to deal w...more
Duke and Earl are a werewolf and a vampire who are traveling on the road when they find an all-night diner that is besieged by zombies. They stop to help and get some grub and find that zombies might not be the only problem they have to deal w...more
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| Urban Fantasy Afi...: Gil's All Fright Diner (Marked Spoilers) | 8 | 20 | May 03, 2012 06:59pm |
A. Lee Martinez was born in El Paso, Texas. At the age of eighteen, for no apparent reason, he started writing novels. Thirteen short years (and a little over a dozen manuscripts) later, his first novel, Gil's All Fright Diner, was published. His hobbies include juggling, games of all sorts, and astral projecting. Also, he likes to sing along with the radio when he's in the car by himself.
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“Reality is like a fruitcake; pretty enough to look at but with all sorts of nasty things lurking just beneath the surface.”
—
62 people liked it
“When you cross over into the weird stuff, there's no going back. Hector has a theory on it. Calls it the law of 'Anomalous Phenomena Attraction.' He explained it to me once. Didn't really pay attention, but it boils down to 'weird shit pulls in more weird shit.”
—
21 people liked it
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