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westernsunshine's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
joshpants101's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
rickwren's review against another edition
3.0
Creative, action-packed, and definitely creepy! But this book was not without its technical problems.
First the good: The Strain was filled with gruesome imagery and macabre suspenseful action. It's a new kind of Vampire - one of cancer and virus. It's a page turner with action erupting at every corner, behind every door, with every new revelation. The Monsters are really scary, the descriptions are spot-on perfect, and the plot was gripping.
Now the bad: The characters were cliche Hollywood stereotypes, which is disappointing but not unexpected from a Hollywood director. The points of view shifts were dizzying . . . within one scene the reader was given a first person POV from 4 or 5 characters. I find that sloppy and unacceptable.
It was good enough that I'll read the sequel, but not good enough that I want to recommend it.
First the good: The Strain was filled with gruesome imagery and macabre suspenseful action. It's a new kind of Vampire - one of cancer and virus. It's a page turner with action erupting at every corner, behind every door, with every new revelation. The Monsters are really scary, the descriptions are spot-on perfect, and the plot was gripping.
Now the bad: The characters were cliche Hollywood stereotypes, which is disappointing but not unexpected from a Hollywood director. The points of view shifts were dizzying . . . within one scene the reader was given a first person POV from 4 or 5 characters. I find that sloppy and unacceptable.
It was good enough that I'll read the sequel, but not good enough that I want to recommend it.
rosekk's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, though I did have a few issues with it. It tries to toe the line between the scientific and the arcane, and I'm not sure it always works.
ljs39's review against another edition
2.0
It was interesting, but just too gory for my tastes so I probably won't bother reading the other books. I'm just sick of vampires I think.
noemilysclub's review against another edition
3.0
Guess who's dumb ass didn't realise this was a series when she read it
plurabelle's review against another edition
3.0
This book was very much a mixed bag for me.
The first half I found to be extremely creepy and well done. However, once past the 50% mark, things went downhill. I am far from squeamish when it comes to horror books/movies, but some of the descriptions here were just plain disgusting. The slow build of the premise became annoying, and I kept waiting for the action to pick up. The last act of the book, ended up being a little silly and over-done.
However, I am willing to give book 2 a chance, and am hopeful that the story moves along at a more enjoyable pace.
The first half I found to be extremely creepy and well done. However, once past the 50% mark, things went downhill. I am far from squeamish when it comes to horror books/movies, but some of the descriptions here were just plain disgusting. The slow build of the premise became annoying, and I kept waiting for the action to pick up. The last act of the book, ended up being a little silly and over-done.
However, I am willing to give book 2 a chance, and am hopeful that the story moves along at a more enjoyable pace.
babsaway14's review against another edition
2.0
Guillermo needs to stick with movies. Liked the vampires (the stingers are interesting). As other reviewers have noted, this will obviously be turned into a movie, though I doubt a very good one. Cliches abound in this vampire "epic" - no new ground was broken. Unless I am again in an airport with nothing to read but People magazines filled with reality stars, don't think I'll be reading the follow-ups.