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TOP 1000 REVIEWERon 6 November 2013
In decade where pretty much everything I have read including Vampires portrays them as misunderstood or vegetarian creatures rather than the monsters that the legends originally depicted, it is refreshing to read this novel and catch a glimpse of an actual good old fashioned vampire story.
Granted Fevre Dream was written in the 80s so it has not been effected by recent trends but still it is no less enjoyable for being more than thirty years old. The brilliance of George R R Martin's writing in this novel is in his use of language, specifically in the speech patterns. When reading this story I would not have been surprised if someone told me it had been written actually at the time the novel is set and therefore it was easy to immerse yourself in the story.
As good as the writing was however, this book was not quite up to the standard that George R R Martin will later be known for. Obviously all of his books will now be measured against his brilliant 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series and by comparison this book falls far short. Whilst it is very descriptive and immersive, the plot is slow and poorly paced and the story seems to drag on far too long. This story could have been cut down by a third and it wouldn't really have lost anything.
Still in spite of that, this southern America river boat story with vampires is an intriguing and at times enjoyable read that I would recommend. The underlying story is interesting, the back history of the vampires is relatively original and the characters were well rounded and original.
I would especially like to recommend it to any fans of the Twilight series, Vampire Diaries or Sookie Stackhouse novels. This story sits alongside Anne Rice's 'Vampire Chronicles', and of course Stoker's 'Dracula' as how a true vampire story should read.
Granted Fevre Dream was written in the 80s so it has not been effected by recent trends but still it is no less enjoyable for being more than thirty years old. The brilliance of George R R Martin's writing in this novel is in his use of language, specifically in the speech patterns. When reading this story I would not have been surprised if someone told me it had been written actually at the time the novel is set and therefore it was easy to immerse yourself in the story.
As good as the writing was however, this book was not quite up to the standard that George R R Martin will later be known for. Obviously all of his books will now be measured against his brilliant 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series and by comparison this book falls far short. Whilst it is very descriptive and immersive, the plot is slow and poorly paced and the story seems to drag on far too long. This story could have been cut down by a third and it wouldn't really have lost anything.
Still in spite of that, this southern America river boat story with vampires is an intriguing and at times enjoyable read that I would recommend. The underlying story is interesting, the back history of the vampires is relatively original and the characters were well rounded and original.
I would especially like to recommend it to any fans of the Twilight series, Vampire Diaries or Sookie Stackhouse novels. This story sits alongside Anne Rice's 'Vampire Chronicles', and of course Stoker's 'Dracula' as how a true vampire story should read.
on 20 June 2012
George RR Martin's Fevre'd dream can only be described a tale of steamer trading in the south cross bred with a re imagined vampire tale. For the most part it is a successful synergy that brings two completely abstract worlds together and leads the story down a path of self discovery, redemption and understanding. The discovery is the journey that takes the characters into a murky future, not only for the future of the vampires but for the races of people and for the future of steam boating. The redemption comes in the nature of the vampires seeking a new way to live with humans, the whites to life with blacks, etc. And the understanding is despite all the external differences people are people and all aspects and spectrums can understand each other and where they are coming from.
Of course in life there is no such thing as a straight path and the way forward leaves uncertainty, twists and a large degree of sadness. Some people claim this book as a horror... I disagree there is a large amount of tension but nothing really that incites terror, to be honest the main villains of the book where tragically pathetic in there own way (more on that later).
It is however a book that will incite emotion as 'some' of the character depictions and portrayal are fantastic. Most prevalent above all is the protagonist Abner Marsh who was quite a surprise choice but ultimately a fantastic one. His course manner, huge levels of impatience and brutal honesty makes him instantly lovable, the key in this book is that his strength is his personality and that what makes the finale of the book work so well. While others are too weak to fight he almost suicidally throws himself into mortal danger for the sake of friendship and his boat.
Where the story fails is the one dimensionality of the other characters propping up the main characters. They are to accepting of everything and truly do not add to realism. A good example is on how hairy Mike and the clerk receive the revelation of the true identity but did not react in anyway that can be deemed realistic. They just followed suit as to everything they are told.
The seconend problem was complete inadequacy of the main villain Julian. He is a man that showed initial potential inhumane, strong & deadly, manipulative and a man with strong idealogical beliefs. However this is just a facade of an empty husk, his beleifs of humans serving him in everything even thought has made him useless to the point of being invalid. The true villain Billy makes up for Julian's failures but is such a perfectic thrall that I had more sympathy for him than any for of hatred.
Futhermore the story kept jumping from 1st person to third person with gaps in plot being filled by hearsay and rumours, a nasty habit that Mr Martin has
Ultimately the story fizzled out and where left with just an empty hole where the emotion should be when the story ends... it also feels like a story of crushed dreams, loneliness and sadness... and I truly dont think the author intended that.
An interesting and beautifully compiled concept, but ultimately an incomplete piece of work.
Of course in life there is no such thing as a straight path and the way forward leaves uncertainty, twists and a large degree of sadness. Some people claim this book as a horror... I disagree there is a large amount of tension but nothing really that incites terror, to be honest the main villains of the book where tragically pathetic in there own way (more on that later).
It is however a book that will incite emotion as 'some' of the character depictions and portrayal are fantastic. Most prevalent above all is the protagonist Abner Marsh who was quite a surprise choice but ultimately a fantastic one. His course manner, huge levels of impatience and brutal honesty makes him instantly lovable, the key in this book is that his strength is his personality and that what makes the finale of the book work so well. While others are too weak to fight he almost suicidally throws himself into mortal danger for the sake of friendship and his boat.
Where the story fails is the one dimensionality of the other characters propping up the main characters. They are to accepting of everything and truly do not add to realism. A good example is on how hairy Mike and the clerk receive the revelation of the true identity but did not react in anyway that can be deemed realistic. They just followed suit as to everything they are told.
The seconend problem was complete inadequacy of the main villain Julian. He is a man that showed initial potential inhumane, strong & deadly, manipulative and a man with strong idealogical beliefs. However this is just a facade of an empty husk, his beleifs of humans serving him in everything even thought has made him useless to the point of being invalid. The true villain Billy makes up for Julian's failures but is such a perfectic thrall that I had more sympathy for him than any for of hatred.
Futhermore the story kept jumping from 1st person to third person with gaps in plot being filled by hearsay and rumours, a nasty habit that Mr Martin has
Ultimately the story fizzled out and where left with just an empty hole where the emotion should be when the story ends... it also feels like a story of crushed dreams, loneliness and sadness... and I truly dont think the author intended that.
An interesting and beautifully compiled concept, but ultimately an incomplete piece of work.
on 2 March 2015
Quite good for what it is (a vampire story), but better for its descriptive content of life on the paddle steamers of the Mississippi and its tributaries in the mid 19th century.
on 19 November 2005
George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice books are by far the best I've ever read, so I thought I'd give one of his earlier books a try.
This book was very light on "horror." There are no shocking, blood-chilling moments. The vampires themselves are locked in a good vs. evil battle and act in very predictable and boring ways. When he has the chance, will the good vampire kill the evil one and end the threat to everything he has worked to accomplish so far, not to mention ending the threat to him and his friends? No, he'll predictably let his evil enemy live so that enemy can come back and once again pose a threat ten pages on. Predictable, frustrating and boring.
The books' saviour comes in the form of an interesting and likeable main character (not a vampire) and Martin's excellent descriptions and use of the steamboat world and the Mississippi River trade. In fact, I wish the book had just stuck with this theme and left the vampires out.
Overall, it's an entertaining read, but far from a masterpiece.
This book was very light on "horror." There are no shocking, blood-chilling moments. The vampires themselves are locked in a good vs. evil battle and act in very predictable and boring ways. When he has the chance, will the good vampire kill the evil one and end the threat to everything he has worked to accomplish so far, not to mention ending the threat to him and his friends? No, he'll predictably let his evil enemy live so that enemy can come back and once again pose a threat ten pages on. Predictable, frustrating and boring.
The books' saviour comes in the form of an interesting and likeable main character (not a vampire) and Martin's excellent descriptions and use of the steamboat world and the Mississippi River trade. In fact, I wish the book had just stuck with this theme and left the vampires out.
Overall, it's an entertaining read, but far from a masterpiece.
on 11 May 2014
Saw this and as I love the author decided to purchase it. Very good but surprised when I opened it up as it was a comic layout, I expected a written fantasy novel. It was either not made clear or I overlooked its format when ordering.
on 13 March 2010
As all the books from George R R Martin better known as GOD , it is interesting but it shows thats it is one of his first books , it is interesting well settled , the characters are Ok , but something is missing to reach teh heights of his future works . Not a bad book not a wonderful one neither
on 12 December 2014
Honestly, I was slightly disappointed.
I read this before the TV series of his later work was made, so I was not influenced by his fame.
It did not have many surprises, and barely held boredom at bay...
I read this before the TV series of his later work was made, so I was not influenced by his fame.
It did not have many surprises, and barely held boredom at bay...
on 11 August 2014
Gets a bit boring. Great plot theme though
