Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-SmithMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Goodreads Synopsis:
Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness."
"My baby boy..." she whispers before dying.
Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.
When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.
While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.
Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.
My Review:
I suppose I should write this review, since I finished the book a few weeks ago.
Don't let my rating fool you, I enjoyed this book enough. I liked the feel of it historically, which normally tends to bore me (don't judge me). Aside from the vampire hunting, if what was said about Lincoln's life is accurate (sadly, I have to admit that I'm not that knowledgeable of his life prior to presidency)then it was just as compelling and heartbreaking as Angela's Ashes. That is to say it was written in way that kept my attention and kept me entertained. And the narrators portrayal of his famous speeches was awe-inspiring (yes I listened to the audiobook, I tried to read it before but just couldn't get into it - again, don't judge me).
As for the vampire hunting, I thought that was very cleverly worked into the storyline. As a sci-fi and fantasy lover I have learned that I enjoy the story more if I just go with it, even if it's impossible/improbable. That being said, I found quite a few plot holes, which for me, left the story lacking. Since I'm also a fan of reading the book before the movie, I will be watching this movie soon. Dependent on my thoughts towards the movie, I may update this review.
I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading this book, especially if it will give someone the desire to read further into historical biographies, etc., but I'm not sure I'd actively recommend this book either.
Favorite Quotes:
“I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all mean are created free and equal.”
“But I am happy. And happiness, I have decided, is a noble ambition.”
“There are but two types of men who desire war: those who haven't the slightest intention of fighting it themselves, and those who haven't the slightest idea what it is.”
“Real power comes not from hate, but from truth.”
“I wouldn't back away from what's right just because it's hard.”
“Surely life has taught you that a thing can be both beautiful and vile.”
“The only certainty is that we shall never be certain.”
Read from March 13, 2013 to June 26, 2015
Top 5 Genres*: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Paranormal/Vampires
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)
View all my reviews
