Oscura (urspr publ 2010; utgåvan 2013)

After the events of cite>The Strain New York is in chaos, and the rest of the world is following in a downward spiral. Ephraim Goodweather is trying to keep his son out of the clutches of his vampiric ex-wife, these vampires feel a real need to turn their “Dear Ones”, human love turned into hunger. And Abraham Setrakian is busy trying to track down The Master, as he learns that the events happening are even worse than he could have suspected. Along with Fet, the rat exterminator turned vampire-hunter, they are attempting the impossible, to stop the vampire contagion spreading across the world.

This is a very solid vampire book. More sci-fi than fantasy, although both are mixed together in this horror story. And it is a page-turner that’ll make you want to keep on reading in order to find out what comes next. Unfortunately I never really got a proper sense of the characters, which I need if I am to love a book, but it is an action-packed read. Perhaps too action-focused for my tastes?

I did enjoy it, however I’d have to say solid rather than great.

However, given the darkness of the ending, and the horrible-ness of the vampires I know I’ll be reading the final book in this trilogy when it comes out. ( )

Bad vampire hunters unite against an overwhelming force!

It says it all, or it doesn't say anything about the book. The scope is worldwide, although all of the action still stakes place in NY on the eve of humanity's fall to vampirism. It wasn't bad, but something about it made me want to see improvement. I got the epic scope. I was also rather impressed by the magnitude of the events. These are obviously ambitious novels that strove to be bigger and brighter than most fare, and I can appreciate it for that, but perhaps it was something about the characters that didn't grab me as much as they could have.

I'll continue on, of course, if only to see the aftermath novel, and wonder if there will eventually come a celluloid moment or if I should resign myself to an end that is the end of all dreams.

I can't say that these are the best novels ever, but they are ambitious and certain scenes are very memorable. The epic flavor of the fall of modern humanity is rich and detailed. The faux science of vampirism and the hints of its genesis isn't rooted in religious thinking, thank goodness, and the hints of bigger plans was a great boon to the novel.

There's just something about it that prevents me from giving it a lower score than I think I want to. I think it might deserve a 3, but some parts deserve a 5. I hate the obvious compromise, but 4 it is. ( )

3.5 stars!
The Fall by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan (Audio) I liked this second entry in "The Strain" series!  
 
This is the first book I've listened to narrated by Daniel Oreskes and he was fantastic. 
 
I was worried that it would affect my enjoyment listening to the second book after reading the first, but it was for naught. First off, I probably couldn't have read this one right now, due to this stupid slump that won't let me get into anything. Second, I've been very busy at work with a lot of mundane paperwork that doesn't require too much brain power. Overall, everything worked out perfectly. 
 
The story itself was just okay. I thought the narration made it sound better than it actually was, if that makes any sense. However, the end really came together in an explosive way, and now I can't wait to see how the third novel wraps this all up. I mean, everything seems beyond saving at this point, including the International Space Station. When everything, even stuff in space, is messed up, how can the world come back from that? I guess I'll have to read the last book and see. 
 
  ( )

3.5 stars!

I liked this second entry in "The Strain" series!

This is the first book I've listened to narrated by Daniel Oreskes and he was fantastic.

I was worried that it would affect my enjoyment listening to the second book after reading the first, but it was for naught. First off, I probably couldn't have read this one right now, due to this stupid slump that won't let me get into anything. Second, I've been very busy at work with a lot of mundane paperwork that doesn't require too much brain power. Overall, everything worked out perfectly.

The story itself was just okay. I thought the narration made it sound better than it actually was, if that makes any sense. However, the end really came together in an explosive way, and now I can't wait to see how the third novel wraps this all up. I mean, everything seems beyond saving at this point, including the International Space Station. When everything, even stuff in space, is messed up, how can the world come back from that? I guess I'll have to read the last book and see. ( )

Good middle volume of the trilogy. Moves the plot along and is very entertaining. Honestly all three books should probably been one large volume, but the economics of the publishing business dictated otherwise. In any case if you liked the first one, you'll like this one too. ( )