Book Review… Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010

Book Review… Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Author: Seth Grahame-Smith

Publisher: Grand Central/Hachette

ISBN #: 978-0446563086

Type: Fiction:Historical

Pages: 352 Hardcover

Published: March 2, 2010

Purchase: $12.86 (HERE)

The Story

The Review

About 2 years ago, I started reading a biography on Abraham Lincoln called One Man Great Enough. I also bought a copy for my brother to read. I only got about half-way through it and promised myself that one day I would finish it. I still haven’t. What I did read of this book, I found interesting, especially the details about how he grew up.

A Novel Menagerie seemed to be about the only book review website who didn’t publish a book review of Pride & Prejudice & Zombies last year. I certainly did not want to miss out on the opportunity to review Seth Grahame-Smith’s next one. And, I knew that I liked Abe’s story… so I assumed that I’d find a good fit in this novel.

One would ask, “How does Honest Abe become a vampire hunter?” It seems that the tragic, early death of his beloved mother was attributable to a vampire. From that point forward, he was committed to avenge her death.

To a degree, I really enjoyed reading this book. I admired the spin that Grahame-Smith put on Lincoln’s historical decisions. For example, this story suggested that the Civil War was not only to end slavery, but also to put a stop to the vampires who were buying slaves in the South for brutal killings (*you know… for dinner*). Pretty gorry… scary stuff! It was a war to not only to kill vampires, but to ensure freedom for all. Abe’s mission was to save the slaves and the countless victims of the secret vampires living amongst the citizens of America. It becomes his mission to eradicate them from our country, one vampire at a time.

Grahame-Smith does a great job weaving a story of fact and fiction. He made it plausible in the way that the story almost made it believable that Lincoln was, in fact, a Vampire Hunter. When an author does that good of a job to make you question those types of preposterous things, you know you’ve got a good novel on your hands.

I do want to share that I’m not a fan of history books. At times, I rushed through certain sections of the book that were more “history-parts.” However, when I focused on the characters, their relationships and their challenges, I enjoyed the book much more.

Another aspect of the novel that I appreciated was when the main vampire shared with Abraham Lincoln what it was like to live thousands of years. It gave me a perspective that I would have never imagined on my own. Think about it… what do you do to keep your life interesting after you’ve mastered everything there is to learn in life? If you speak every language, are well schooled in every topic, seen every inch of the earth, or loved and lost… what do you spend your days doing? These questions almost made me sympathize with the vampire.

The Rating

Attention Vampire Lovers… this book is for you. I would also recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction or American History. Despite the fact that this isn’t my favorite “type” of book, I enjoyed it.

Check out this picture from the book. The skeleton in the circle suggests fangs of a vampire.

FTC Disclosure: This book was provided to me from the publisher. Clicking on the either the photo of the book cover or the link next to the purchase price stated above will bring you to my Amazon Affiliate page. No purchases are necessary.

11 Comments

| Posted in Books Books Books

11 Responses

Sandy

March 17th, 2010 at 3:36 am

I’ve read many a vampire yarn over the years, and my mom, through her interest in our ancestry, is convinced we are related to Lincoln (ha, isn’t everyone?). So I suppose that means I should read this! I have yet to hop on the Zombies and Sea Monsters band wagon though. Maybe I need to live a little!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Maui #2 =-.
bermudaonion (Kathy)

March 17th, 2010 at 5:47 am

I’m glad you enjoyed this, but I really don’t think this is for me.
MARIE BURTON

March 17th, 2010 at 5:53 am

OK so you can read the vampire bits and I’ll read the History ones =)
I am surprised you enjoyed it, I had assumed it was a silly parody thing, obviously I was wrong again. I have a couple of books on Mary Todd Lincoln that I would like to read someday too. I think I’ve learned enough on Abe. And nope Sandy, the legend in our family is that we are related to General Lee(I would say it was a ‘removed’ one if anything); Lincoln is nowhere near the family tree that I can tell. So I find it interesting you may be related to Lincoln!
.-= MARIE BURTON´s last blog ..Book Review: Fireworks over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff =-.
Robin of My Two Blessings

March 17th, 2010 at 6:30 pm

I stumbled across this one the other day and thought about getting. You just helped me make up my mind. A definite yes. Thanks!
.-= Robin of My Two Blessings´s last blog ..the Confessio of St. Patrick =-.
Menagerie

March 17th, 2010 at 6:48 pm

Well, it is definitely FICTION and it’s “out there.” But, you know… if it gets somebody to read it because of the vampire part, then they still walk away with a good deal of true knowledge about Lincoln’s life… if that makes sense. So, you read the history, but have this fun stuff on the side that is obviously fiction. Kinda fun.
Alyce

March 17th, 2010 at 11:38 pm

I like books that give a long-term perspective (like lives that last unusually long) but not in partnership with vampire stories. Which means I end up reading stories like this that are more fantasy or sci-fi. Yours is the first review I’ve read of this book, and I have to admit to being curious as to how the whole Lincoln/vampire hunter thing was handled.
.-= Alyce´s last blog ..Magnolia Wednesdays Winners! =-.
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)

March 18th, 2010 at 9:58 am

I have this book on my shelf for review and hope to get to it soon. I’m glad that you enjoyed it even if it is not your “type” of book.
.-= Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)´s last blog ..Call for Bloggers to Celebrate National Poetry Month in April =-.
Jennifer

March 28th, 2010 at 11:47 pm

I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about the mixing of history and vampires, bu this does sound like an interesting read. I have gotten a lot more into vampire lit lately and I’m a huge American History fan – and President Lincoln was one of my favorite presidents to learn about. There’s definitely a lot of appeal in this book for me, but the mix of Honest Abe and Vampires still makes me a little anxious.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Moved =-.
Book Review: Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter | Tales of a Capricious Reader

May 14th, 2010 at 12:03 pm

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Ziar Neamt

June 20th, 2010 at 3:19 pm

Im no expert, but I consider you just produced a really positive point stage. You of course know what youre talking about, and I can truly get behind that. Thanks for being so upfront and so sincere.
Lilly

September 16th, 2010 at 2:06 am

Awesome recommendation. As a way to show gratitude I will buy it through your aff link!