Book Review: Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter

Calendar May 14, 2010 | Posted by Heather

After the fun that was reading Pride, Prejudice and Zombies, I thought Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter would be a hoot.  I was very excited to read it.  Couldn’t wait.  So when a review copy of the audio book landed in my lap, I almost immediately stuck it in the CD player in my van and got caught up in Abraham Lincoln’s childhood almost immediately.

The book reads almost like a textbook, real parts of Abraham’s “real life” filled with quotes from Abe’s “Vampire Journal” interspersed throughout.  The book starts with Abe around the time his mother died, leads up through his romances with Anne Rutledge, through to Mary Todd and their marriage and life together, and into his presidency and the Civil War.  Of course, vampires figure heavily into his life throughout.  Abe’s real life was nothing short of fascinating.  The vampire parts, while cool at first, were…well, I got tired of it pretty quick.  Honestly, I think I’m burned out on vampires and will be taking an extended vacation from reading them.

However, I am now desperate to get my hands on a copy Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book Team of Rivals!  I never knew Abe Lincoln was so fascinating!  I mean really, the man nothing short of amazing and so important to our nation’s history.  I minored in history, so just about anything about the past fascinates me anyway, plus my grandmother was obsessed with the presidents.  She would have loved to read DKG’s book.  I shall get it and think of her.

Voice actor/actor Scott Holst was a great reader for this.  As far as I can tell, it’s his first audio book and I certainly hope it’s not his last.  His shifts in voice for different characters were subtle, but well done.  His voice IS Abraham Lincoln for me now.  I thought he did a fantastic job and I’ll be looking for more from him.

As for AL, VH, my recommendation is this.  If you like vampires and history and Abraham Lincoln, I think you will really enjoy this.  I think if you like vampires, you’ll probably like it.  If you are tired of vampires like me, you may not like it at all.  I enjoyed it for the most part, but I’m not crazy about it.  If I had to give it a rating, I would say 3.5 out of 5 stars.  Love the history, love the Abe, but alas, the vampires, not so much.

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter
Author: Seth Grahame-Smith
Read by Scott Holst
Category: Historical Fiction, Paranormal
Published by: Hachette Audio
Format: Audio book
On Sale: March 02, 2010
ISBN: 9781607881735
A big thanks to Hachette Audio for provided a review copy of this audio book.
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Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Calendar April 23, 2009 | Posted by Heather
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
The majority of which written was by Jane Austen.  Zombie tidbits contributed by Seth Grahame-Smith.
Quirk Books, 2009

I’ve been trying to review books in the order read, but since everyone seems curious about it, I’m going to jump ahead and review PPZ.  I hope you don’t mind.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.”

Honestly, as soon as I read that infamous, but now rewritten, opening line, I was delighted.  Yes, I’ve read Pride and Prejudice and own multiple copies.  Yes, I’ve seen all the movies.  Yes, I have just as big a crush on Mr. Darcy as the next girl.  And it did not bother me one bit that it’s been expanded to “feature all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem.”  You see, I’m a pretty huge nerd sometimes and this did nothing but create in me a desperate knowledge that I just HAD to read it and make me pre-order it like any zombie loving girl would.  *Please note; I bought this.  I did not get an advanced reader from Quirk and I had no idea of the ruckus they caused.*

 Over at the Wikipedia entry for this book, you will find the timeline of its existence, from conception to completion. (Just be careful if you go to the link, they have a rather detailed summary of the book, don’t read it if you don’t want the book spoiled.)  I find this quote from Grahame-Smith as to how Pride and Prejudice was perfect for this mash-up:

“You have this fiercely independent heroine, you have this dashing heroic gentleman, you have a militia camped out for seemingly no reason whatsoever nearby, and people are always walking here and there and taking carriage rides here and there,” he said. “It was just ripe for gore and senseless violence. From my perspective anyway.” Goodwin, Liz (2009-03-31). “Monsters vs. Jane Austen”.

Basically he took the original Pride and Prejudice manuscript and added in zombies, ninjas, and lots of death.  The Bennet girls are now proficient killers.  Lady Catherine de Bourgh is one of the best zombie killers employed by the crown.  Mr. Darcy’s hotness now includes lots of zombie-butt kicking action.  Mr. Collins is still a simpering idiot.  All the romance, social prejudice and misunderstandings are still there.  I won’t tell you who among the original cast becomes a zombie or who is maimed for life by Mr. Darcy *** SPOILER ALERT!!!!! *** (and by God, that person deserved it and I always felt it was sorely lacking in the original!).  End spoiler alert!  You will just have to read it yourself.   Suffice it to say, I greatly enjoyed this zombie, 19th century comedies of manners mash-up and if you have a skewed sense of humor, enjoy zombie mayhem or just want something very different, I think you will too.

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