Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Genre: vampire, historical
FTC Disclosure: bought used on Goodreads Swap
Published: 2010
Pages: 336
Content: PG-13 for vampire violence.

In a Line: A fun and fast look at Abe Lincoln as a vampire hunter.

I really enjoyed Grahame-Smith's first novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. So I was hoping for same sort of style with this novel. I was not disappointed! I expected to just like it, but I really enjoyed this one.

Grahame-Smith starts the novel with himself...receiving a bunch of old diaries from someone named Henry...ta dah, all about Abe Lincoln's life as a vampire hunter and the real truth behind the Civil War. This plot device is cheesy, but it drew me in even more. Let's blame everything on imaginary creatures, those darn vampires! HA, love it!

We follow Abe through his life from the loss of his mother to the discovery of vampires and his desire to see them all sent to Hell! To his political career to end slavery, since that is how the vampires feed so well in America.

It definitely makes me want to read an actual biography Abe Lincoln. There are also fun doctored photos of Abe killing vamps and such. It's fun and campy and I really enjoyed it. The only thing that bothered me was the literal demonization of certain key historical figures...but then I just thought to myself that it is fiction and to turn the brain off and just enjoy it!

Rating: 4/5 stars

Blameless by Gail Carriger

Genre: steampunk, Victorian England, paranormal
FTC Disclosure: bought online from Book Depository
Published: 2010
Pages: 355
Content: PG-13

In a Line: Lacked the chemistry of the first two, but ended strongly.

I actually liked this one better, overall, than the second in the series Changeless. I was sort of outraged at the ending on that one. But this one came through, for the most part.

We start with Lady Macon being thrown out from the presence of Lord Macon. She is again living with her unbearable family and is THE scandal. And then her only real friend Lord Akeldama leaves town with his drones with nary a word. She soon finds herself on a journey to outrun all the vampires who now want her dead with no protection of the pack...due to her delicate condition. She turns to Italy, the land of the Templars, who may be able to shed some light on how she could even possibly be with child.

It's wit, danger, and a parasol at every turn. The only thing missing was the actual interaction of her and Conall. Everything turns out just dandy in the end so I can only imagine that the next in the series will be superb!

I'm really loving this series. It doesn't need to have an over reaching story arc...we can just follow along the lives of these adoring characters. Keep them coming Ms. Carriger!

Rating: 4/5

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Genre: dystopia, young adult
FTC Disclosure: bought Costco
Published: 2010
Pages: 398
Content: PG-13

In a Line: Slow start then raced to the finish line.

It had been a year since I read the first two books in the series...not a good idea. I really need to wait to read series' until they are all out...there was a lot that I couldn't quite remember from the first two that would've made the reading of the last book a bit more enjoyable.

The third book started off really, really slow for me. Then the ending went up in smoke and I had to reread parts just to make sure I got them.

The descriptions of the rebel district were fascinating. It sounded very Big Brother communism. Everything's the same and everyone. Each had their own part whether you liked it or not. So it got you thinking about what kind of place the rebels would be replacing...Why were they really rebelling? Was it for the people? Or was it really for power, power for President Coin? I didn't like where that plot line was leading. They want to replace one crappy government for another???

I also felt that Katniss was just lead along and not really proactive in her life. She kept getting blown up or almost assassinated in every chapter. She was just a pawn for everyone else. But I guess that was the point. She just went along with everything until it really mattered and that's when she takes everything into her own hands. She's a survivor and that's what she does.

I think Collins does a pretty good job on talking about the horrors of war and the reasons for it. She may have hit it over our heads a bit too much in the last book, but overall I think the theme is an important one. I really just wanted more. The book was too short and short on the details. I have so many questions about the Hunger Games world. Maybe she'll come out with an encyclopedia of their world and satisfy my curiosity. But the ending really was done too fast. It took awhile for her to build up to the last battle and then it was over and done with before I even blinked. It was like she had a deadline and she rushed to keep it.

The first two books were better, but overall I was satisfied with this one.

Rating: 3.5/5

The Winner IS.............................

Thanks to everyone for participating!

I'm really excited to announce that..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Kisah J. 

 is the winner of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and the Undead! She has been notified by email.

Thanks to Misty over at Book Rat for letting me participate in her Helluva Halloween II!