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The Strain
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I have a reserve on it at the library. Looks like it got mixed reviews at GR, but the 4 and 5 star ratings outweigh the 2's and 3's.
I just finished it. I really enjoyed it. It reads like a movie. Young vamps are more like freaky zombies but it is well thought out vamp lore and a good mix of supernatural and science fiction. Kind of more horror. The vamps are not sexy. Go to the link to the book (below) There are some great book trailers. If you scroll to the bottom right of the page there is a section called videos about this book. Check um out. They are pretty good reflections of book and its monsters.
worth the read.
Read it. Loved it. Missed it. Hehe!Yes, vampires the way they're meant to be! Scary and very dangerous. Just finished it this morning before I ran off to work. I noticed how it read like a movie... are there any plans to make it one in the works? I look forward to book two being released soon.
I loved it. It's nothing new but well done.
I read it when it first came out and am eagerly awaiting the second book, THE FALL. A great take on vampires, who would easily take down the twinklers in the Meyer's books. Which I would love to see, btw!
I read it and listened to it on audio. I loved it and can't wait for the second one. There are truly some chilling scenes in there.
Chilling were those where a family member was trying to hide another. I could imagine the scenes in the shed vividly.
And the rockstars bathroom.Can't remember his name. Don't want to give any spoilers.
Wow. I'm going to a local bookstore this evening for their 33 year anniversary where are all books are 33% off and you've all inspired me to pick this one up. Thanks!!
I have a feeling you'll enjoy it, Felina!
Yes. The co-author drags down the characters into mundane lame thriller potboiler stuff. BUT-- the vampires are creepy, dirty, and nasty. Skip the "characterization" revel in the vampires!
You're the first person I met here and IRL who didn't like The Strain, David. At least you got to enjoy the vampires if not the characterization or plot.
I got a free exerpt of this on my reader!
Tressa wrote: "You're the first person I met here and IRL who didn't like The Strain, David. At least you got to enjoy the vampires if not the characterization or plot."Tressa-- sorry I might have sounded more harsh than I intended. Again I liked the book very much, but thought the characters and their personal trials were very stock and predictable.
I agree with David on that. I thought the book was very well written in its effect, but it was predictable and unoriginal.
Yeah it was almost like Del Toro wrote the vampire stuff which was great and then the other guy was hired to write everything around that.
I didn't like The Strain much. It seemed like a lot of set-up with not much reward. And I don't like this incarnation of the vampire myth. It was well-written though, and the characters were interesting.
David, you weren't harsh at all. You're welcome to post any opinion you like about The Strain. I really meant that I hadn't heard too many negative things about The Strain until your post, which doesn't mean that a whole lot of people didn't like it. It's just funny how so many people can "read" a book differently. After all this time after the Dracula legend wormed its way into literature, of course there are going to be almost identical plots and situations. But many authors have managed to put a new spin on the old legend: Stephen King, Ann Rice, Ray Garton, del Toro, lol.
I thought the execution of The Strain was fantastic. Every separate characters was slowly built up until I came to know and care for each one. Maybe those who didn't like it need to listen to Ron Perlman reading the audio. Man, that was some good listening!
Oh, its yet another vampire story, meh!
I agree that you can kind of get a feel for which parts are Del Toro -- the flashbacks with the Holocaust survivor, and all the good vampire set-piece scenes -- and the pedestrian "CSI" stuff is all Chuck Hogan. I enjoyed it, but I wanted more resolution at the end instead of a cliffhanger, and I thought it over-explained. I don't care about the "science" behind the infection, it makes it feel too mundane.
Ron Perlman is the PERFECT choice to read the audiobook -- now I wish I had listened to it!
Perlman does a good job, Cathy.About the cliffhanger, I mean what can you expect with most planned series?
While reading The Strain I wasn't even aware of two people writing the story: it all melded perfectly for me.
I think you can write a series in which each book successfully wraps up its own arc, while still being part of a larger story. Harry Potter does it, Hitch-hiker's guide, and some others.I hope the second book has more of the Haitian nanny -- I really liked her and the connection of vodou zombie lore and vampirism.
A lot of characters were introduced in the first book, and I hope we will be 'seeing' more of them in the sequels. I think some of the weaker characterization and personal things were set up and used to gain sympathy for what would happen to the characters in later chapters. I'll see how I feel after I read the second book.
Although I didn't feel it had original ideas, the creepiness factor was so well done that I would read the next book.
My reaction was along the lines of David's. Actually, I was probably much harsher. I had read something by Hogan a while back that was pretty good, so I had high hopes. I also like Del Toro. Oh well.
Camelot books sent me a notification that they've got the Cemetery Dance ltd, signed edition @ 175$http://www.cemeterydance.com/page/CDP...
I can't wait and so just bought The Fall for 12.99 for my Kindle.
This was a book I couldn't put down. The first book reminded me a bit of the pilot of Fringe. Have yet to finish book 3 yet as I keep finding other epic books to read through haha but I will get back to it eventually. Rumor has it it's being made into a TV show/movie, gonna be awhile but I'm stoked!
The first book in the series is fantastic and I couldn't put it down either. The second was OK but I didn't like how it ended in the third. A TV series would be great.
The pilot for the series is due to begin filming in September. John Hurt is to star as Professor Abraham Setrakian.
Love John Hurt and he sounds perfect for the role.
I liked the first book a lot. Liked the second one quite a bit too. Haven't read the third one yet but I've heard it isn't as good from different sources. A tv show would be good I think. It already reads like one if you know what I mean. And Hurt is a good actor.
I'd like to see more books focusing on Setrakian's early adventures.
This might work better in a visual medium. Have to say I was underwhelmed and even bored at times while reading The Strain. Never bothered with the second as a result.
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This looks really good to me, but am curious as to if anybody has flipped through it yet.