This was an interesting story but it didn't quite soar to the heights I was hoping. For one thing it really needed to be more than one book. I think it crammed to much of the time line in. I kept waiting for the action to really cut loose but the story was always in a hurry. Having said that, I finished it and I never finish books I don't enjoy anymore (too many books to read). This might be one of those rare cases where I end up liking the movie better. It probably didn't help that I read this book after Railsea. Mieville is a magician with words. ( )

This book was aggressively alright. The premise is perhaps it’s strongest point (Abraham Lincoln chopping up the undead with his trusty axe, what’s not to like?) but the novel seemed reluctant to fully lean into the absurdity of it. The book gets bonus points for weaving in genuine biographical details with vampirism but was at its most entertaining when filling in the gaps of Lincolns life with pure monster hunting fabrications. ( )

Even allowing for the fantasy of vampirism, it's a little bit insulting to suggest Lincoln was primarily concerned with the evils of slavery as related to the growing threat of vampires. Even so, the whole idea does make for an interesting bit of historical fiction.

So although the book dragged about mid-way through and ultimately disappointed me, I will probably check out the movie. This may turn into one of those rare instances where the movie is better than the book. ( )

This is Grahame-Smith's follow up novel to the huge best seller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. That book did so well I figured I'd give this book a chance, hoping to find out what exactly, made "Zombies" so popular. Sadly, I was disappointed. Perhaps I may have been able to enjoy a retelling of a fictional story.But reading through a re telling of Lincoln's life as a vampire hunter just didn't work for me. I found it to be nothing more than a cheap gimick, disrespectful, and at times down right offensive. The issues involved are just to serious to be made light of in this way. ( )

Holy shit, though, have you guys seen the movie for this book?!

I know it looks like one of those ridiculous stories that you watch once and just forget about, but allow me to explain how great this thing is.

Written by Seth Grahame-Smith of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies fame, the book follows a man who is currently editing the unabridged, never-before-seen diary of Abraham Lincoln, a man who everyone thought they knew. The book is an extremely accurate retelling of the life of Lincoln, from early childhood down to the last few days before his death. Grahame-Smith shows off his amazing research skills here, and gives you the impression that he actually knows what he’s talking about.

Grahame-Smith takes you through Lincoln’s life with a different kind of lens this time, though. See, Lincoln’s mother died from a vampire bite, and the young Lincoln becomes a vampire hunter before he’s even eighteen years old, decided to rid his great nation of the scourge of the earth. Everything he does, he does for his mother.

The whole thing is a pretty interesting look at American politics, especially for a person like me, an outsider on all fronts. I’m not very familiar with American politics, and can’t even tell you what party Lincoln belonged to, just that I know he was President. It’s a great way to get a glimpse at American history, and – I’m sure – a great refresher for people who are actually American.

What I loved most about the whole thing is the way Grahame-Smith incorporates things that actually happened into the story to make it seem almost-pretty-believable. Lincoln’s entire anti-slavery campaign is secretly based around the fact that slaves are bought by vampires to feed from. He comes to the conclusion that abolishing slavery would deplete the vampire’s food source, and therefore make more people safe. The whole thing is almost insane enough to believe, and the ending is a bitter-sweet little ‘What if?’ for all of us who know how Lincoln met his untimely demise.

Final rating: 4/5. I’d tell anyone who likes fantasy novels to give this book a shot. ( )