When I was a boy, I delved into Robert McCammon's Swan Song, and I was completely enamored with it. It was like a magical world that opened up before my eyes. About a year ago, I excitedly recommended it to a friend, only to be shocked when he didn't share my enthusiasm. This incident made me start to question everything I believed in and held to be true. Well, perhaps it wasn't that extreme, but it did make me wonder if it was my boyish, preformed mind that latched onto the book rather than any true brilliance on McCammon's part. Then came They Thirst, which only added to my confusion. To be honest, it just wasn't very good.

On the plus side, the story does move along at a brisk pace, and there are some nice action sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat. I also appreciate McCammon's ambition. There is more scope and depth than one might initially expect from a book of this sort. Additionally, McCammon gets points for casting religion in a positive light. In my experience, the more high-brow the literature, the more often the author takes cheap shots at Christianity. But in They Thirst, the Christians are portrayed as the good guys, which is a refreshing change.

However, in the debit column, the characters are disappointingly shallow, shallower than the graves that McCammon's vampires dig up. Even the central players boil down to tired cliches, and I dare you to try and care about any of them. Moreover, the story lacks cohesion. There are no satisfying tie-ins or throwbacks to give the narrative a sense of completeness. It's quite evident that this was an early effort, and unfortunately, it just wasn't much fun to read.

I listened to this one on audio, and the narration was truly outstanding. The story was paced evenly from start to finish, which made it a real pleasure to follow.

Now, it might not be entirely fair to say that the character Palatazin reminded me of the guy in The Strain, but in all honesty, he really did. I understand that They Thirst was written almost 30 years before The Strain, but I just couldn't help making that connection, especially with the heavy accent in the narration.

They Thirst is a great example of an 80's horror romp. The King of Vampires has a diabolical plan to take over the entire city of Los Angeles and then expand his reign to the rest of the world. The characterization in this book is solid, and the plotting is well thought out. It's definitely entertaining and captures the essence of the 80's horror genre. Without a doubt, it's a classic that horror fans should not miss.

Overall, I really enjoyed listening to They Thirst, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good horror story.

When Andy Palatazin was just a boy, he and his mother fled Hungary, escaping evils that he thought were only a dream.

It just so happens that his mother was never crazy, even in her final days, nor was she superstitious. No, because what they escaped in the old country has come to the City of Angels.

I have to admit this wasn't my all-time favorite McCammon book. That title belongs to Swan Song. It also wasn't my least favorite either. That (so far) belongs to Baal.

One thing I have noticed a lot from reviews is the comparison to Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot. But I don't see it. There are vampires and humans. The vampires are trying to suck the blood from humans and turn them into vampires. The humans are trying to survive. However, if you are going to use that as a comparison, then unfortunately you'll have to compare all the novels that follow that particular theme. I found this one more palatable over 'Salem's Lot, but I am also not a huge King fan.

Shocking and unbecoming of a horror fan I know.

There was a web of plots, something McCammon does and generally does well with. There were also interesting characters. They not only had their own stories, but those personal stories carried the plot well. However, there is also a downside to this. That is despite having well-written characters, it felt like it was too much at times. Admittedly, I read this in an electronic format (not my favorite medium) and it did make it harder to take notes, which I like to do with complex stories. Sadly, I couldn't get my hands on a physical copy. It's safe to say if I ever do, my rating may change.

4.5. There were just a couple of things that prevented this from being a full 5.

I truly relished it, perhaps even more than 'Salem's Lot. Growing up, I was completely obsessed with McCammon, King, Straub, and other renowned horror authors from the 80's.

And among them, McCammon is by far the most delightful to revisit. His works have a certain charm and allure that keep drawing me back.

The storylines are engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the atmosphere he creates is truly spine-chilling.

Although there were a few minor flaws in this particular piece, they did not overshadow the overall enjoyment I derived from it.

I would highly recommend McCammon's works to any horror enthusiast looking for a thrilling and captivating read.

Vampires have invaded Los Angeles, and it's an epic battle between good and evil.

It all comes down to a diverse group of characters to save humanity from the terrors of vampiredom. There's a grumpy policeman, a bullied schoolkid, a comedian on the verge of mega stardom, a dying priest, a gutter journalist, a drug dealer, a spiritualist, a man who has lived in the sewers for 20 years, and even a little bit of the Pacific Ocean.

This book is filled with great fun and has few dull moments. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. And the ending is really good, something that Roland Emmerich, known for his epic movies, would be proud of.

It's a thrilling adventure that combines elements of horror, comedy, and drama. The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging. If you're a fan of vampire stories or just looking for a good read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

I had spent quite some time carefully crafting a review. I put in all my thoughts and efforts to make it a comprehensive and useful one.

However, to my great frustration and anger, somehow it just disappeared. I have no idea what happened.

It's really disheartening as all that work seems to have gone to waste. I don't know if it was a technical glitch or something else.

But this experience has really left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm not sure if I should bother writing another review or not.

Maybe I'll wait and see if I can figure out what happened to the first one. But for now, I'm just really annoyed about the whole situation.

I hope that whatever caused the review to disappear can be fixed soon so that others don't have to go through the same frustrating experience.

Although in its time it showed imaginative things, the narrative weighed it down a lot.

Genre. Fantastic narrative.

What it tells us. In the book "Thirst" (original publication: They Thirst, 1981), András is a Hungarian boy from the rural areas of Krajeck who had a supernatural experience that almost cost him his life but survived thanks to his mother. Years later, the boy has grown up and is called Andy Palatazin. Now a police officer in Los Angeles, at this moment he is trying to hunt down a serial killer known as the Cockroach and has visions of his dead mother in which she seems to be trying to warn him of something. And it is that a very ancient evil, thirsty for blood, comes to the city and Andy's life will cross with that of other people who begin to discover the threat that looms over them and the city.

Do you want to know more about this book, without spoilers? Visit:

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I had rather mixed feelings about this one when I initially started it.

I think, in part, this was because my expectations were sky high after reading Swan Song.

I was almost afraid that it wouldn't live up to the standards set by that previous masterpiece.

However, I needn't have worried.

This book truly delivered everything it promised and more.

It was an absolute delight from start to finish.

The story was engaging, the characters were well-developed and the writing was simply superb.

It managed to draw me in and keep me hooked until the very last page.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that the author had created.

It was a wonderful reading experience that I would highly recommend to anyone.

They Thirst is an enthralling vampiric pre-apocalyptic horror story that takes readers on a thrilling adventure.

It follows the exploits of the rook, the bishop, the knight, and the pawn as they strive to save the world from the menacing King. (Trust me, once you read the book, you'll understand exactly what I mean!).

Adding to the chaos and terror, there is a serial killer on the loose, grave robbers causing further mayhem, and a world-ending catastrophic storm looming on the horizon.

The audio book version of They Thirst is truly a masterpiece. The narration is simply amazing, captivating listeners from start to finish.

I was completely engrossed throughout the entire experience. If you're a fan of epic, detailed horror, then I highly recommend giving this audio book a try. It definitely deserves a solid 4.5 stars.

Don't miss out on this spine-chilling and unforgettable tale.

Tonight there were demons in the hearth.

The prose in this novel is truly electrifying. McCammon has an uncanny way of seizing his reader's attention right from the very first sentence. After all, who could ever forget the opening lines of Gone South?

Night had filled up the barrio like black rainwater in a bomb crater, and what stirred in its depths was unnameable.

So, vampires. Before they became the laughing stock of the literary world, they were actually damn scary. Don't believe me? Then read this book.

Scattered in the dirt at the grave's bottom were yellow bones held together by cobwebs of wispy lace.

I must admit that this reminded me of 'Salem's Lot, at least to some extent. While Stephen King's seminal vampire story takes place in a small town, the events here have been expanded to a much larger and more difficult to contain setting, and it's not a pretty sight. An old school vampire infestation in Los Angeles? Yes, count me in!

Sometimes now he thought he could smell blood when he faced west, as if the whole Pacific had turned crimson, and you could wallow in it all you liked until you got drunk with it and fell down and drowned in it.

It's a decidedly spooky novel. The 80s L.A. backdrop is especially effective. There's a wide range of atmosphere that the author can draw from, although he seems to enjoy painting the city mostly as a feverish post-apocalyptic abattoir. McCammon adds an occult twist to his Vampire legend that is devilishly interesting.

The term Gravedigger, repellent only a few minutes before, now chilled her.

It's a rather violent and occasionally grotesque story. McCammon's imagery is vivid, to say the least.

Then suddenly from beyond the closed bedroom door came the sound of frenzied clawing.

Gang wars, the occult, uber-violent biker gangs, vampires, serial killers, conspiracy, disaster movie - all of this is combined in this thrilling tale.

If you enjoy a good and terrifying horror story, and prefer your Vampires evil, this is a must-read.

She thought she'd seen a face as white as gossamer and within it a pair of eyes that shone in the dark like a lowrider's headlights.

However, there is one downside that I have to mention. I'll be careful not to give away any spoilers, as it has to do with the grand finale of the novel. All I'll say is this: Deus Ex Machina.

[He] barely got his mask off before his stomach heaved. After he was finished, his ribs hurt as if Satan himself had kicked them with his cloven hoof.

I really liked the book and was going to give it an easy 5 stars, but I'm deducting a star for the way it was wrapped up. It felt like a cop-out to me. Nevertheless, They Thirst has enough going for it to be easily recommended. McCammon can write horror.

And Evil would shout through a hundred thousand unholy, triumphant throats, Feast! Feast! For the banquet is spread and we are so very hungry…

The short way to put it is, this is McCammons Salems Lot.

However, it has a unique twist as it takes place in the vibrant city of Los Angeles instead of the traditional Salem's Lot setting.

What makes it even more exciting is the presence of Romanian vampires.

Romanian vampires are widely regarded as the best kind, with their rich and mysterious lore.

In this story, the author likely delves deep into the characteristics and powers of these Romanian vampires, creating a thrilling and captivating narrative.

Readers can expect to be drawn into a world of darkness and danger as they follow the events that unfold in McCammons Salems Lot in LA.

The combination of the familiar Salem's Lot concept with the exotic backdrop of LA and the allure of Romanian vampires makes this a must-read for fans of vampire fiction.

Whether you're a die-hard vampire enthusiast or simply looking for a good read, this story is sure to satisfy.

So, grab a copy and prepare to be transported into a world of bloodthirsty vampires and heart-pounding adventure.

I’m filled with a mix of excitement and shock. I’m excited because I chose such an excellent McCammon book to read, and appalled that it took me this long to finally get around to reading one of his works! I’m a huge horror enthusiast, but even I can get distracted by the countless new reads constantly emerging from the talented pens of authors. However, this is 80’s horror, which is one of my favorites, and it didn’t disappoint. The story reads almost like a movie, it’s so vivid, crazy, and picturesque. It begins very chillingly and progresses to a realistic tone, only to remind the reader that normalcy is not the comfort zone here. Sharp teeth and a new breed of terror are taking control. This book was published in the year I was born, so I’m a bit behind, but I finally made it, and I’m eager for more from this gifted author.

They Thirst is a book about a thirst with a mission, to drain and refill every pulsating vein in LA until an army deep and dense rises to serve a new ruler, Vulcan, the ancient evil, the king of Vampires. It sounds fantastical, but set against the realistic backdrop of a real city and its residents, the tale weaves an ebb and flow through the characters, making them feel real. I loved how the city was modern, yet the ancient castle in its midst gave it that old, creepy feel, which enhanced the story even further. Not to mention the weather control and the animal attacks, which were so cleverly written in. We have a group of mortals who find themselves in the path of the destructive force; a priest, a cop, a kid who lost his parents, and a TV star – they all end up on a path that will either lead them to salvation or accelerate them towards the hungry death that has swept through their city, even if no one believed it was real. The background information and writing on each character are fabulous. I bet everyone will have their favorites by the time they finish reading this great story. I loved the vampire theme, which was quite vicious. There wasn’t much romance here, and it would jump from character to character and shift gears, only to attack from another side. I wish all books were this much fun!