3.5 stars. I truly desired to rate this book as a four-star read. Believe me, I made every effort to like it more than I actually did. If that makes any sense. I was overly excited to commence reading this, and I was eager to love it. However, during the first (more than) half of the book, I felt as if I was merely forcing myself to read it. I continuously found myself thinking about other books that I would rather be reading. Oh, I was extremely disappointed, wondering, "Why don't I like this??" It is an early Robert McCammon novel, a horror one at that. I initiated reading it the day before Halloween, and it is an "epic." It should have been precisely what I was interested in, right?

So, I delved deeper into my thoughts and realized the reason why I constantly had the dreaded thought of DNF (Did Not Finish). In the first two-thirds of the book, an excessive number of characters were introduced. I had no clue as to who was actually supposed to be the lead, who was the supporting character, and who was merely an extra that would be killed off later. Then, around 300 or 400 pages in, we encounter another character. And then, closer to the end, yet another character is introduced. I didn't feel as if I had spent sufficient time with Palatazin, or Wes, or Father Silvera, or Solange. They would have their 3-5 page chapter, and then it was on to someone else, then someone else, and so on. And you wouldn't return to them until 20-30 pages later.

There did come a point where I felt the book improved. I suppose once McCammon started weeding out the less relevant characters and focused on the better cast, and you began to perceive the value in the remaining characters, the story started to become more thrilling.

And then, the sandstorm occurred. Once that began, I felt that the book from that point forward could have effortlessly been a 5-star action/horror.

This was my first encounter with a Robert McCammon book, and I must say, I truly thought it was outstanding.

The story is set in the 80s and features bloodthirsty vampires that are capable of instilling intense fear and dread. These vampires have a desire to finally emerge from the shadows and take over the world, starting with Los Angeles.

I'm not necessarily a die-hard vampire fan, and I only rarely have a craving for a story about them. However, I can safely assert that if you have an affinity for classic vampire tales like Dracula or Salem's Lot, then there's a good chance you'll enjoy this one as well.

McCammon's writing style is engaging and vivid, painting a terrifying picture of a world on the brink of being overrun by these undead creatures. The characters are well-developed, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

If you're looking for a thrilling horror novel with a unique take on vampires, then this is definitely one to check out.

I’m not usually a fan of vampire stories. However, being a big fan of McCammon, I decided to give this one a try.

After reading it, I must admit that I’m still not a huge enthusiast of vampire books. Nevertheless, this particular one was well-written.

It contains all the classic elements: a priest, several stakes, and an abundance of fangs. I can’t claim that there was anything overly spectacular about it.

But if vampire tales are to your liking, this blood-sucker book is among the better ones that I have come across. For me, it gets three stars.

However, if you are a die-hard fan of vampire stories, you will most likely rate it much higher!

McCammon has managed to create a story that adheres to the traditional vampire lore while still adding his own unique touch.

The characters are well-developed, and the plot keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Even though it didn’t completely convert me into a vampire story lover, I can appreciate the quality of the writing and the effort that went into creating this book.

Overall, it’s a decent read for those who enjoy the vampire genre.

This is an excellent story that has the power to keep you turning the pages well into the night.

Robert R. McCammon is a master storyteller who always delivers the goods. His ability to create a sense of horror and suspense is truly remarkable.

For any horror fan, this book is an absolute must-read. It will take you on a thrilling journey filled with unexpected twists and turns.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging from start to finish. You'll find yourself completely immersed in the story, unable to put it down.

Whether you're a die-hard horror enthusiast or just looking for a good scare, this book is sure to satisfy. So don't hesitate, pick up a copy and prepare to be scared out of your wits!

This was truly Old School!

We had the fabulous vampires from the 80’s, not those sparkly ones we see nowadays. They were the real deal, feared and menacing.

And of course, there was the classic combination of crushed garlic and holy water, which were the go-to weapons against these bloodsuckers.

To top it off, there was a priest involved, adding an element of religious significance and perhaps a glimmer of hope in the battle against the vampires.

The plot was simple yet engaging - Vampires Will Rule the World!!!! It was a thrilling concept that kept you on the edge of your seat throughout the story.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable read, although it did feel a bit long at times. But that was part of the charm, as it allowed for a more in-depth exploration of the vampire world and the characters within it.

Whether you’re a fan of classic horror or just looking for a good read, this one is definitely worth checking out.

This is truly epic horror, a genre that seems to have become less common these days.

In 1981, Los Angeles, the so-called "land of eternal youth," holds a dark secret. As McCammon vividly describes in his afterward, "just off the Sunset Strip there is a dark basement where men do terrible things."

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. It is precisely the kind of book that deepens my passion for the horror genre. McCammon weaves together a diverse cast of characters, both heroic and villainous, and subjects them to a harrowing ordeal. The vampires in this story are as malevolent as one would expect, and the early 1980s setting is masterfully brought to life.

With its pulpy, colorful, and exaggerated style, this novel embodies everything that horror should be. It is truly excellent and a must-read for any horror enthusiast.

I didn't think I would like this book as much as I did! Omg, it was truly awesome!

It's like a swan song but with vampires added to the mix. The story had me completely hooked from the very beginning. The characters were so vivid and well-developed that I felt like I was right there with them, experiencing all their adventures and emotions.

The author's writing style was engaging and descriptive, painting a vivid picture in my mind of the vampire world. I couldn't put the book down and found myself reading late into the night.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good vampire story or just a great read in general. It's definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time.

Saved one of the best for last.

I have read all of McCammon's novels. Some more than once. This is the last one I had to read and I finally got to it.

"They Thirst" is certainly one of his best. It is a very, very cool vampire novel. I reckon it stands right up next to Steven King's "Salem's Lot" as the best in the genre.

In fact, I think McCammon is the only writer who does horror on the level of King. He is just a fantastic writer. His ability to create an atmosphere of dread and keep the reader on the edge of their seat is truly remarkable.

The characters in "They Thirst" are well-developed and the story is engaging from start to finish. If you are a fan of vampire novels or horror in general, then you must read this book.

McCammon's writing style is unique and his attention to detail is second to none. He has a way of making the impossible seem possible and the supernatural seem real.

I cannot recommend "They Thirst" highly enough. It is a must-read for any horror fan.

Classic 80s horror novel, "They Thirst" is truly a remarkable piece of work.

Despite being a hefty 700 pages long, the story flows with such energy and pace that it never once feels slow or dragged. It presents a more traditional take on vampires, delving into the age-old theme of good versus evil, with fangs and stakes at the forefront rather than portraying them as broken-hearted, misunderstood creatures of the night.

Robert McCammon is an outstanding writer. His name rightfully belongs in the same league as Stephen King and Dean Koontz, as an accessible horror author whose books have found a place on every reader's shelves. Another of his novels, "Boy's Life", is one of my all-time favorites. It's a captivating story that takes the reader on an unforgettable journey. And "Gone South" is also a book that I rate very highly.

Overall, these books by McCammon offer great "junk food for the brain" reading, providing entertainment and excitement in equal measure. They are a must-read for any horror enthusiast.

I possess the audiobook format, which features a superb performance by Ray Porter, one of my favorite narrators.

The writing style is truly enjoyable, and the story is told from the perspectives of many characters, which is a unique and engaging approach. Everything ties together beautifully towards the ending, creating a sense of satisfaction.

Moreover, it becomes clear why this story has to take place in Los Angeles. The city's atmosphere and characteristics add an extra layer of authenticity to the narrative.

As numerous reviewers have pointed out, this follows the "old school" vampire format, similar to that in Bram Stoker's Dracula, which is yet another great book, especially in audiobook format.

For hardcore vampire fans, this is definitely a must-read. It offers a classic vampire experience with a modern twist, making it a captivating and thrilling read.

Whether you're a long-time fan of the genre or new to it, this book is sure to satisfy your craving for all things vampire.

It is truly amazing. I simply cannot put into words how well-written this piece is and how difficult it was for me to pause while reading/listening. The story is so engaging and captivating that it keeps pulling you in. The only thing that managed to make this already outstanding experience even better was the amazing narration by Ray Porter. His voice brought the characters and the story to life in the most vivid way. I have already made up my mind that I will be listening to this many more times. It's just that good. Wow. I can't wait to explore the story further and discover new details and nuances with each subsequent listen. It's like a whole new world that I get to immerse myself in every time.

Robert McCammon is without a doubt one of the maestros of horror.

This audio book, although long in duration, was anything but dull. Thanks to the combined efforts of the author and the narrator, and given that the book is set in Los Angeles, I could vividly envision every single thing that was happening in my mind. I found myself listening for hours on end without a break.

I would rate it 4.5 stars. The reason for this is that I felt there were numerous minor characters that one had to keep track of throughout the story. And when listening to an audio book as opposed to reading it, this can be a bit of a nuisance. However, aside from this small drawback, the audio book was rather excellent. It managed to hold my attention and keep me on the edge of my seat with its thrilling and spine-chilling narrative.

Overall, I would highly recommend this audio book to any horror enthusiast or anyone looking for a captivating listen.