The Strain by Guillermo del Toro
When a plane lands at JFK International Airport and suddenly goes dark – plane, crew, and passengers all dead – Ephraim Goodweather is called in as the head of a special task force of the CDC to determine what killed them It becomes more and more obvious that something truly out of the ordinary is happening, but it takes Abraham Setrakian to convince him that this is more than a pandemic, it is something other worldly. Vampires, actually.
The vampires of “The Strain” remind me more of zombies than of vampires in many ways. They become staggering brain-dead beings. Even beyond this they are not traditional vampires. They have no fangs, instead there is something that shoots from their mouths to bite their victims who basically have an incubation period until they become vampires as well.
I enjoyed the lore of the vampires in del Toro’s world, they were completely unlike any other I have encountered. I listened to an audio version of this book and the narrator was fantastic, really giving this a creepy feeling. There were an awful lot of characters to keep track of for audio for my taste. I occasionally forgot exactly who was being discussed and I would have liked to be able to flip through the pages and remind myself, but it still worked well.
Totally creepy and a PERFECT Halloween read.
Buy this book from:
Powells.
A local independent bookstore via Indiebound.
Amazon.
Source: library
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I agree that this book is totally creepy, in a very good way.
I’m glad you enjoyed this one! I agree, it’s the perfect Halloween read. I read it, I can only imagine how chilling the audio would be!
What I liked most about it was that the author didn’t attempt to “beautify” vampires like so many authors have of late. A true horror tale, without any sensationalism!
I loved reading this book! I wasn’t sure I’d be a fan of vampires, but it really worked. I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
I’ve had this book on my shelf and was thinking of donating it in it’s pristine, brand new condition… But after reading your review, I might have to make time to read it before Halloween! Thanks for sharing.
Yes, creepy! I totally agree that they’re more like zombies, but sometimes vampires need something different. They’re far too romanticized in lots of other books these days.
I’ve been dying to read this. Someday I will get a copy! I’m glad to hear it is good!
Caite was kind enough to send me this book, and it is on the short-term TBR. I wish I had a few more Octobers to read spooky stories!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Zakopane #2 =-.
I have this on audio as well and I’ve always enjoyed a good creepy story (in this genre anyway) so I will give it a try. I’m sad to hear that characters are difficult to keep track of at times, I think this is where I struggle with audio the most.
This one’s on my list to listen to as soon as my new ipod comes in the mail!
.-= A Bookshelf Monstrosity´s last blog ..Waiting On Wednesday (4) =-.
I just finished this the other night and I totally agree!
I read this a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it!
I have the print version of this, but doubt I can get it read before Halloween. Darn!
It sounds interesting, but I’ve about had my fill of vampire novels for awhile.
I have not heard of this book before but it sounds totally creepy and really really good!!
I’ve been dying to read this book for a while now but always have something ahead of it. I think I’m going to have to move it up on the list and get started.
I have this on my queue and am eagerly awaiting it from the library. Great review.
I can’t tell if this would be too scary for me. I’m okay with creepy and totally different vampires would be a nice change.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Thursday Tea: An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon =-.
del Toro is just amazing, isn’t he? I have yet to read this book, but I’m a fan of other del Toro works, and it’s on my list, possibly for the readathon.
I really need to read this. Great review!
I’ve been meaning to read this! Glad to hear you liked it.
Great review! I got a copy of this one from Jenn (Jenn’s Bookshelves) and am really looking forward to reading it.
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..Every Last Cuckoo – Kate Maloy =-.