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youraveragedave's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A vampire story set on the Mississippi River in the mid 1800s. I haven't read this much steamboat action since reading Mark Twain.
As with any good vampire tale, GRRM gives them a unique twist. Joshua York has developed a way to slake the "red thirst" and it's converting others to his side, with the hope of joining human society. The chapter where he recounts his history was enthralling. Damon Julian on the other hand is the classic evil vampire, but with no real motive, just having power. His Renfield is a true weasel of a man, Sour Billy, who's probably the most memorable character. The main character is a down on his luck riverboat caption Abner Marsh, who just so happens to look like GRRM.
I learned a lot about steamboats and the Mississippi River, the chase sequence on the river is great. I was surprised at the number of confrontations with the ballots though, given how strong they are compared to humans.
As with any good vampire tale, GRRM gives them a unique twist. Joshua York has developed a way to slake the "red thirst" and it's converting others to his side, with the hope of joining human society. The chapter where he recounts his history was enthralling. Damon Julian on the other hand is the classic evil vampire, but with no real motive, just having power. His Renfield is a true weasel of a man, Sour Billy, who's probably the most memorable character. The main character is a down on his luck riverboat caption Abner Marsh, who just so happens to look like GRRM.
I learned a lot about steamboats and the Mississippi River, the chase sequence on the river is great. I was surprised at the number of confrontations with the ballots though, given how strong they are compared to humans.
disneynerdsworld's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
joebertx's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
bombegranate's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
saffic's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Disclaimer, I read this book after being recommended it as a branching off point from GRRM's non-ASOIAF books.
The first half of this book... was tough to get through for many reasons, but I'm only going to go into one. I have never hated a character more than I hated Sour Billy Tipton. Nor Joffrey, nor Ramsay (maybe Ramsay), nor Craster could rise such vitriolic anger I felt towards Sour Billy.His death was the most cathartic thing to have ever happened to me. It is purely because we are never in any of those characters' heads the way we are with Sour Billy.
The second half pleasantly surprised me. I think one of my biggest complaints is how a lot of the female characters are just non-characters. Like if you remove Valerie from the story, I don't think much would change.
Book good.
The first half of this book... was tough to get through for many reasons, but I'm only going to go into one. I have never hated a character more than I hated Sour Billy Tipton. Nor Joffrey, nor Ramsay (maybe Ramsay), nor Craster could rise such vitriolic anger I felt towards Sour Billy.
The second half pleasantly surprised me. I think one of my biggest complaints is how a lot of the female characters are just non-characters. Like if you remove Valerie from the story, I don't think much would change.
Book good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Racism, Slavery, Misogyny, Death, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Rape and Gore
Minor: Cannibalism and Infertility
The majority of this book takes place pre-Civil War America, so expect everything that comes with that. The main character starts the book thinking abolitionists are weirdos, butstepriot's review
4.0
The first 1/3 of this may be some of the most terrifying vampire story I've read. After a while the danger just sort of tapers out.
desolation73's review
4.0
This book was written way before games of thrones so its an interesting read and proves that there's more to george than games of thrones. This book is a vampire tale and is like Salem's lot on water. Its set on a steamboat which sounds like a ridiculous place to set a vampire tale and yet George makes it believable.
calatheacat's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I really enjoyed the setting, and the nitty gritty details of the river trade. I also really liked Abner, and as a character, Sour Billy is wonderfully disgusting.
I feel like GRRM might struggle with writing endings. The large time jump at the end really upset the book's momentum, and I felt like the climax could have used more description. It was almost anticlimactic.
I feel like GRRM might struggle with writing endings. The large time jump at the end really upset the book's momentum, and I felt like the climax could have used more description. It was almost anticlimactic.
rhoadesd20's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.75