Scan barcode
macaronireads's review against another edition
men should be banned from writing books at this point…book started off strong but then switched to racism and then incest and then weird sexualization of women..
dnf at like 3 hours in
dnf at like 3 hours in
geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
'V-Wars' edited by Jonathan Maberry is a series of shared universe stories in which a vampire virus outbreak has occurred. There are some shared events, and a couple shared characters, a patient zero and a vampire expert. The nice twist is that the virus resides in our dna in what is known as junk dna. How it manifests depends on your ethnic heritage. So, some become Chinese hopping ghosts, or werewolves, or european vampires.
The stories feature a wide range of characters in this strange new world. From an undercover law enforcement agent travelling the US borders with a gang of vampire killing vipers to a talk show host who has to figure out how to quell her hunger. There is also the story of a vampire enforcer trying to track his sister down and a local politician who finds that being a vampire might hamper his election.
There are a wide range of authors, including Maberry. John Everson, Keith R. A. DeCandido, Scott Nicholson, Nancy Holder, Yvonne Navarro, James A. Moore and Gregory Frost all contribute stories. The stories intertwine throughout the book. I liked some of the stories better than others, but the stories are short enough to read and move through.
I was given a review copy of this ebook by Open Road Integrated Media and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
The stories feature a wide range of characters in this strange new world. From an undercover law enforcement agent travelling the US borders with a gang of vampire killing vipers to a talk show host who has to figure out how to quell her hunger. There is also the story of a vampire enforcer trying to track his sister down and a local politician who finds that being a vampire might hamper his election.
There are a wide range of authors, including Maberry. John Everson, Keith R. A. DeCandido, Scott Nicholson, Nancy Holder, Yvonne Navarro, James A. Moore and Gregory Frost all contribute stories. The stories intertwine throughout the book. I liked some of the stories better than others, but the stories are short enough to read and move through.
I was given a review copy of this ebook by Open Road Integrated Media and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
4.0
Awesome collection of vampire stories, each one different and distinct from one another. I liked "Stalking Anna Lei" and "The Ballad of Big Charles" best, but each one featured a vampire from various cultures and mythologies, and some creatures that weren't vampires at all! I'm not sure how I feel about the way the stories were placed (most of them were in parts so you would get to the second part of a story waaaay down the line of the book), but it was definitely a fun read!
birdloveranne's review against another edition
5.0
Really interesting audio book. Lots of different parts, people, and narrators. Different, but it worked!
audreychamaine's review against another edition
4.0
I've stated before that I love me some vampires. Especially scary vampires. Jonathan Maberry is also one of my favorite horror authors currently writing, so when I saw this book by Maberry, with contributions by other writers I enjoy, like Nancy Holder and John Everson, I knew it was a must-read. I'm glad to report that my instincts were dead-on. This book is great, and so much fun.
The structure of the anthology is one of the best I've seen in a multi-author book. Each writer is allowed to have his or her own style and story, but all of the stories relate back to the larger work by Maberry and weave in elements and characters of his tale. Maberry writes in his signature style: the events leading up to a supernatural crisis, with medical and military storylines playing a large role in his plot. He breaks the events into chunks, giving us the countdown to, and time elapsed after, the V event. The other stories are sandwiched between Maberry's overarching narrative, so we know that we'll always come back to that central plot.
None of the stories here are weak. Each author has a strength and unique voice, and those add up to a rich experience. Readers see the Vampire Wars as they play out across the country, and even around the world: on the talk show circuit, along the Mexican-American border, on an Indian reservation, in the Bronx, in Chinese gangs, in the backwoods, and in Europe. I think what I appreciated best about the world building is the way that a multiplicity of vampire archetypes are at play here. This is really a vampire aficionado's dream. Vampires run the gamut of classic western vamps, to flesh-eaters, to psychic vampires, and everything in between. They're called by their cultural names, and are even sometimes pitted against one another. Anyone who enjoys vampire horror from Carmilla through Anne Rice (maybe not Twilight fans so much) is sure to have a great time with this book.
The structure of the anthology is one of the best I've seen in a multi-author book. Each writer is allowed to have his or her own style and story, but all of the stories relate back to the larger work by Maberry and weave in elements and characters of his tale. Maberry writes in his signature style: the events leading up to a supernatural crisis, with medical and military storylines playing a large role in his plot. He breaks the events into chunks, giving us the countdown to, and time elapsed after, the V event. The other stories are sandwiched between Maberry's overarching narrative, so we know that we'll always come back to that central plot.
None of the stories here are weak. Each author has a strength and unique voice, and those add up to a rich experience. Readers see the Vampire Wars as they play out across the country, and even around the world: on the talk show circuit, along the Mexican-American border, on an Indian reservation, in the Bronx, in Chinese gangs, in the backwoods, and in Europe. I think what I appreciated best about the world building is the way that a multiplicity of vampire archetypes are at play here. This is really a vampire aficionado's dream. Vampires run the gamut of classic western vamps, to flesh-eaters, to psychic vampires, and everything in between. They're called by their cultural names, and are even sometimes pitted against one another. Anyone who enjoys vampire horror from Carmilla through Anne Rice (maybe not Twilight fans so much) is sure to have a great time with this book.
mellabella's review against another edition
Finished more than half.
But, it wasn't Jonathan Mayberry's usual. It was boring. DNF.
But, it wasn't Jonathan Mayberry's usual. It was boring. DNF.
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
This is a very intriguing concept, one that I've only seen from one other known author. The concept being a story written by several author, each telling a different aspect of the same tale. It works with George R.R. Martin editing the Wild Card series and it definitely works with Jonathan Maberry at the editing helm here.
Vampires, here, are created by a virus that was released and infected certain folks with 'junk DNA' that turns them into vampires. But the cool thing here, there's more than one type. Bloodsuckers, sure, but some that use life force to get their energy, some are more violent than others. Some enhance personalities already loathsome, some turn from a mellow nature to more aggressive.
My favorite was the story as narrated by Wil Wheaton. He's a natural and the tale he narrated was perfect for his voice. A brother just trying to get used to his new nature as well as find his missing sister.
One or two stories stood out as the main character was able to finally fight back after a lifetime of suppression and owning her own life. One character found she was practically a crime-fighter.
One narrator irritated the bejeezus out of me and I had a hard time listening and one story's character just grated my nerves. It might be different as a handheld. But then I'd have missed Wil Wheaton....
I can recommend this book, set of authors, and editor
Vampires, here, are created by a virus that was released and infected certain folks with 'junk DNA' that turns them into vampires. But the cool thing here, there's more than one type. Bloodsuckers, sure, but some that use life force to get their energy, some are more violent than others. Some enhance personalities already loathsome, some turn from a mellow nature to more aggressive.
My favorite was the story as narrated by Wil Wheaton. He's a natural and the tale he narrated was perfect for his voice. A brother just trying to get used to his new nature as well as find his missing sister.
One or two stories stood out as the main character was able to finally fight back after a lifetime of suppression and owning her own life. One character found she was practically a crime-fighter.
One narrator irritated the bejeezus out of me and I had a hard time listening and one story's character just grated my nerves. It might be different as a handheld. But then I'd have missed Wil Wheaton....
I can recommend this book, set of authors, and editor
amber_faith_27's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Listened for Fun (Library)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 3.75
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: V-Wars was an interesting mix of things. I enjoyed it far more than I expected too.
Read It, File It Thoughts: This is one of those books that I should probably break down into individual stories but I'm feeling lazy. This was however a fascinatingly different take on Vampires. I liked how all the authors played off each other and how well the stories blended. This was one of those times I was glad I didn't have much of a clue going in because I am usually not a fan of these type of interwoven stories. This one worked though!
Audio Thoughts:
There was not a weak link in this bunch! I enjoyed the narration a LOT! The pacing, timing, narrator blending, and emotion was spot-on. I can't imagine "reading" this book any other way.
Final Thoughts: This was overall a very enjoyable tale(s)!
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 3.75
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: V-Wars was an interesting mix of things. I enjoyed it far more than I expected too.
Read It, File It Thoughts: This is one of those books that I should probably break down into individual stories but I'm feeling lazy. This was however a fascinatingly different take on Vampires. I liked how all the authors played off each other and how well the stories blended. This was one of those times I was glad I didn't have much of a clue going in because I am usually not a fan of these type of interwoven stories. This one worked though!
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated By Cassandra Campbell, Gabrielle de Cuir, Roxanne Hernadez, Arte Johnson, Stefan Rudnicki, Wil Wheaton / Length: 18 hrs and 33 mins
There was not a weak link in this bunch! I enjoyed the narration a LOT! The pacing, timing, narrator blending, and emotion was spot-on. I can't imagine "reading" this book any other way.
Final Thoughts: This was overall a very enjoyable tale(s)!