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on 22 February 2017
Read this on the strength of 'A Song Of Ice and Fire,' and found it another thoroughly enjoyable read. Good vampire yarn.
on 30 June 2015
I picked this book up because I wanted to sample Martin's writing without getting into the LONG A Song of Ice and Fire series and I was basically pleased. There were some things I loved, the main character Abner for example. You just don't come across many middle aged, fat, harry, warty, UGLY protagonists that often and I appreciated it. Plus, I just plain liked him.
There were also things I hated, the frequent use of the "N-word" being one of them. Now, I understand this is set largely in 1857, on the Mississippi River. Slavery was a reality and no, people of the time wouldn't have used polite language. I get it. But it's still nails-on-a-chalkboard for me to read and pulled me out of the narrative every-time, especially when the word was used in the narration in addition to dialogue I could blame on a character. Maybe it just wasn't needed quite so OFTEN.
The story itself was fairly straightforward, but took enough turns to keep things interesting. I did think it was bogged down with steamboat information, but I never quite reached boredom. There were also some interesting moral questions explored by the main characters, though this was only a small part of the book. It had a great ending though.
Al in all, I enjoyed the book well enough to trust the author with a longer series. I'll happily read more of Martin's work.
There were also things I hated, the frequent use of the "N-word" being one of them. Now, I understand this is set largely in 1857, on the Mississippi River. Slavery was a reality and no, people of the time wouldn't have used polite language. I get it. But it's still nails-on-a-chalkboard for me to read and pulled me out of the narrative every-time, especially when the word was used in the narration in addition to dialogue I could blame on a character. Maybe it just wasn't needed quite so OFTEN.
The story itself was fairly straightforward, but took enough turns to keep things interesting. I did think it was bogged down with steamboat information, but I never quite reached boredom. There were also some interesting moral questions explored by the main characters, though this was only a small part of the book. It had a great ending though.
Al in all, I enjoyed the book well enough to trust the author with a longer series. I'll happily read more of Martin's work.
on 18 October 2016
For any George R. R. Martin fan, you should already know what to expect. He is one of those authors whose writing style is recognisable no matter what genre of book he is writing. His particular style makes the books easy to read, keeping you interested from start to end, constantly curious as to what happens next. Whilst this book does not follow the path of his most famous series (A Song of Ice and Fire) it is a great book for any of his fans or anyone who simply loves a good vampire book.
The story takes place across thirteen years, mixing history and fiction to create a great story. Whilst it isn’t my favourite vampire story of all time it is truly great and is very high up on my list. One thing that really hit me is the way in which many of the more recent vampire stories seem to have aspects of this one within them. Whether this is simply a coincidence or something more I cannot say for sure, yet it is safe to say that at the time of this book being written it would have been a standalone in that realm.
Another thing that really struck me was the realness to the characters, considering the time in which the story took place. It is easy to believe that these characters (vampires and human alike) could have been around at that time. Even in the case of racist characters whose actions and words leave you frowning, you have to admire the real quality this gives the book as such people would have been around at that time.
Overall, I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves Martin’s work or simply wants a unique and enjoyable vampire story.
The story takes place across thirteen years, mixing history and fiction to create a great story. Whilst it isn’t my favourite vampire story of all time it is truly great and is very high up on my list. One thing that really hit me is the way in which many of the more recent vampire stories seem to have aspects of this one within them. Whether this is simply a coincidence or something more I cannot say for sure, yet it is safe to say that at the time of this book being written it would have been a standalone in that realm.
Another thing that really struck me was the realness to the characters, considering the time in which the story took place. It is easy to believe that these characters (vampires and human alike) could have been around at that time. Even in the case of racist characters whose actions and words leave you frowning, you have to admire the real quality this gives the book as such people would have been around at that time.
Overall, I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves Martin’s work or simply wants a unique and enjoyable vampire story.
on 5 March 2012
I'm not a huge fantasy fan, I read horror and I've always been a vampire fan. I heard of George r.r. Martin after Game of thrones and then starting to read the books. Once I realised he'd written a vampire novel I had to read it.
I really enjoyed it. It's original (a few interesting differences to the vampires regarding their history etc not far fetched but well thought of). The characters are vivid and intriguing. If you want a vampire romance look away now this book is proper vampires. Demon vampires who prey on humans, it's original in being set on a steamboat in New Orleans. I won't say too much and spoil it.
It's not really a horror but there are moments- horror/fantasy/ it's own genre. It's unpredictable- a common thing for this author- you don't have a clue what's going to happen next and you don't really want the story to end.
The blurb/ book description doesn't do the book justice. Marsh discovers Joshua York is a vampire but that's not it. If I say anything else I will ruin the story but there is a lot more to it than that, that bit is a tiny portion of the book. The rest is part steamboat information, part york's history and the rest is.. well, read it. If you're a vampire fan missing the old style (non romantic) vampires read it and love it. When I say old stay don't worry this goes beyond the old Nosferatu Dracula type vampires. So if you're sick of old dracula vampires and sick of lovesick vampires this is for you.
I really enjoyed it. It's original (a few interesting differences to the vampires regarding their history etc not far fetched but well thought of). The characters are vivid and intriguing. If you want a vampire romance look away now this book is proper vampires. Demon vampires who prey on humans, it's original in being set on a steamboat in New Orleans. I won't say too much and spoil it.
It's not really a horror but there are moments- horror/fantasy/ it's own genre. It's unpredictable- a common thing for this author- you don't have a clue what's going to happen next and you don't really want the story to end.
The blurb/ book description doesn't do the book justice. Marsh discovers Joshua York is a vampire but that's not it. If I say anything else I will ruin the story but there is a lot more to it than that, that bit is a tiny portion of the book. The rest is part steamboat information, part york's history and the rest is.. well, read it. If you're a vampire fan missing the old style (non romantic) vampires read it and love it. When I say old stay don't worry this goes beyond the old Nosferatu Dracula type vampires. So if you're sick of old dracula vampires and sick of lovesick vampires this is for you.
on 26 July 2010
Fevre Dream, unlike Martin's epic Song of Ice and Fire series, is a standalone novel, set in our world - or our world with vampires. Set in the Southern US during the final years of slavery, the story echoes some of the work of Anne Rice in setting. However, it is better written, less predictable, and has a slightly different take on vampires, their origins and qualities.
The book is definitely thrilling and gripping and dramatic, and filled with convincing detail about the heydays of river steamshipping. If I were a great believer in auteur theory, I might point out that George R R Martin seems to favour characters who are confident to the point of arrogance, which can be their downfall. The story never gets boring, and never offers any comic relief. This is a story which takes itself seriously, and is well-written enough to earn the reader's complete engrossment in it.
The great writing, the completely authentic historical detail, the serious, but engrossing tone, and the larger-than-life characters showcase George R R Martin's writing in a novel which is completely different and separate from Song of Ice and Fire, but carries itself with the same confidence and bravado which sustains that long series of books. Well worth a read, and not just for Martin fans.
The book is definitely thrilling and gripping and dramatic, and filled with convincing detail about the heydays of river steamshipping. If I were a great believer in auteur theory, I might point out that George R R Martin seems to favour characters who are confident to the point of arrogance, which can be their downfall. The story never gets boring, and never offers any comic relief. This is a story which takes itself seriously, and is well-written enough to earn the reader's complete engrossment in it.
The great writing, the completely authentic historical detail, the serious, but engrossing tone, and the larger-than-life characters showcase George R R Martin's writing in a novel which is completely different and separate from Song of Ice and Fire, but carries itself with the same confidence and bravado which sustains that long series of books. Well worth a read, and not just for Martin fans.
on 6 October 2010
Well like most of the fantasy reading world, I have more or less given up on ever getting another installment of the Fire and Ice series, so looked to GRR Martin's back catalogue for a 'fix'. Of the many offerings this looked the most promising written back in '82, I would say, just before George became the total master of his craft. But only just, as there is a huge amount here to relish. For one, the atmospheric and convincing setting on the wide and meandering rivers of the deep south, where I was by the end of the book, convinced I was being bitten by the mosies myself.
Then there is the gradual bond between the stories two main characters Abner Marsh the grizzled, fat, warty old riverboat man and the mysterious pale stranger York. Starting with deep mistrust and ending in the very best of friendships.
I would say the gap between this and the later 'Game of Thrones' is just the depth of character portrayal was not quite so deep and convincing. In that classic fantasy series even minor figures leap off the page and confront you in full 3D actuality whereas the lesser people in this just left me groping a bit for a sense of who they were.
In fact after the two leads the books most graphic feature is the huge paddle Steamer 'Fevre Dream' where most of the action takes place. A great backdrop for a historic adventure like this!
I suppose the story is a Vampire tale, but this seems to unfairly characterise it, as it is a deeper tale than a typical horror and should not be thought off in the same light as Anne Rice's (I have always felt) at times rather self indulgent Vampire tales which also start off in the deep south of the States. There is a message in there, if you care to look, on the white mans treatment of slaves. With the vampires neatley turning the tables on the plantation owners and slave catchers. But I will give no more of the plot away as it is best left to gradually unfurl before you the reader in the tropical heat of the Mississipi Delta.
Well worth a read, but if you are looking in George, you know what we all really want!
Then there is the gradual bond between the stories two main characters Abner Marsh the grizzled, fat, warty old riverboat man and the mysterious pale stranger York. Starting with deep mistrust and ending in the very best of friendships.
I would say the gap between this and the later 'Game of Thrones' is just the depth of character portrayal was not quite so deep and convincing. In that classic fantasy series even minor figures leap off the page and confront you in full 3D actuality whereas the lesser people in this just left me groping a bit for a sense of who they were.
In fact after the two leads the books most graphic feature is the huge paddle Steamer 'Fevre Dream' where most of the action takes place. A great backdrop for a historic adventure like this!
I suppose the story is a Vampire tale, but this seems to unfairly characterise it, as it is a deeper tale than a typical horror and should not be thought off in the same light as Anne Rice's (I have always felt) at times rather self indulgent Vampire tales which also start off in the deep south of the States. There is a message in there, if you care to look, on the white mans treatment of slaves. With the vampires neatley turning the tables on the plantation owners and slave catchers. But I will give no more of the plot away as it is best left to gradually unfurl before you the reader in the tropical heat of the Mississipi Delta.
Well worth a read, but if you are looking in George, you know what we all really want!
VINE VOICEon 10 January 2015
I'm not much of a reader of horror fiction but picked this up on a recommendation partly influenced by the current fame of George R. R. Martin.
It's a very effective reworking of the vampire story, set amid the Mississippi paddles steamers of the mid 19th Century. The setting is one of its great strengths - powerfully evocative. It's slow to start but as the tale progresses it become darker and more chilling. It's perhaps little drawn out in the final third but for a that a gripping and enjoyable read. ,
It's a very effective reworking of the vampire story, set amid the Mississippi paddles steamers of the mid 19th Century. The setting is one of its great strengths - powerfully evocative. It's slow to start but as the tale progresses it become darker and more chilling. It's perhaps little drawn out in the final third but for a that a gripping and enjoyable read. ,
on 10 October 2012
Like many readers I discovered George RR Martin reading the Ice & Fire series, that I couldn't put down. Fevre Dream starts a bit slow, building out the main characters and the situation, but it draws you in this story of friendship. Besides thoroughly enjoying the book, I learned about the river boat trade of that era, before railway and trucks took over. George RR Martin is now on my favourite author's list, for sure!
on 21 May 2009
Vampire stories aren't really my thing, but i gave it a try because George R.R. Martin's brilliant Songs of Ice and Fire series. It didn't disappoint, with each of the characters brought to life vividly and the plot keeping you in suspense for most of the story. If you fancy something different and an enjoyable read, then give it a go.
