I know - Martin could do much better!

And I wonder what else he would have created if he hadn't wasted years writing scripts for endless and senseless Hollywood serials. At the very least, he would have finished "A Song of Ice and Fire", perhaps...

"Throne of Blades" is a book about vampires, nothing special. Both the story and the characters seemed hazy to me. Only the image of Captain Marsh saves the situation to some extent.

I read it, but it will never be my favorite, like the adventures of Tuffy or the world of Westeros.

I was truly astonished by the extent to which I relished this captivating tale set on the Mississippi River during the late 1800s, featuring steamboats and vampires.

The story was replete with an abundance of historical details, painting a vivid and immersive picture of the era. The descriptions of the time and place were so vivid that it felt as if I had been transported back to that bygone era.

The horror element was present, yet it was never overemphasized or gratuitous. It added just the right amount of spine-tingling excitement to the narrative without detracting from the overall charm and allure of the story.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written historical horror tale that combines elements of adventure, mystery, and the supernatural. It is a truly engaging and entertaining read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

Fevre Dream is not simply a vampire book. It transcends the typical vampire genre and offers so much more.

At the beginning, the pacing might seem a bit slow, but as the story progresses, around the middle, it really catches fire and becomes truly engaging.

The ending is precisely on-point, tying up all the loose ends in a satisfying way.

Every single word that the writer has included in Fevre Dream is incredibly powerful. It's impossible to ignore or simply skim through them.

Now, I wholeheartedly believe the statement made by Margaret Atwood which declares, “A word after a word after a word is power.”

This book is a prime example of how the right words, carefully chosen and artfully arranged, can have a profound impact on the reader.

It's a captivating read that earns a solid 4.5 Stars.

I had no idea just how much I truly needed George R.R. Martin's steamboat vampires in my life. This book was simply a source of pure fun. It wasn't profound in a way that would change one's life, nor did it make me break down in tears or completely blow my mind. However, it is an incredibly entertaining story that is set within a brilliantly realized historical milieu. It is filled to the brim with captivating characters and a consistent stream of suspenseful scenes. I often find myself forgetting just how masterful Martin is at spinning a really good yarn, and I really shouldn't.

In 1857, along the Mississippi River, Abner Marsh, a down-on-his-luck steamboat captain, is contacted by a mysterious man named Joshua York. York presents Marsh with a business proposition: he will buy a half-interest in Marsh's firm, enabling Marsh to build and operate the steamboat of his dreams. The catch is that York must be named co-captain and allowed to use the boat for his own purposes. His own, very strange purposes.
Marsh, having recently lost most of his fleet, is in no position to refuse. With the glorious new ship, the Fevre Dream, he envisions captaining the fastest steamboat on the Mississippi. So what if York is a little eccentric, only leaving his cabin at night, insisting on long stopovers in odd places, and frequently returning with blood spattering his immaculate suit?
But if you think you can predict where this story is headed, think again. The story has a few tricks up its sleeve. Even though it may be a bit predictable at times, it remains constantly entertaining. Marsh and York are both such deeply charming characters, and the story unfolds at a perfect pace - sometimes slow and luxurious like a river cruise, sometimes fast and thrilling like the steamboat race Marsh is so desperate to win.
I'm torn between giving this book a 3 or 4-star rating. I usually reserve 4-star status for books that inspire strong emotions or introduce me to some really exciting new ideas. This book, on the other hand, is just a good story well-told. So, I'll give it a 3.5-star rating, but I do highly recommend it.

A beautifully written tale unfolds, presenting the most unlikely union. The atmosphere on the river/steamboat is breathtakingly real, as if one can almost step onto the deck and feel the gentle breeze. There isn't really much to say about this novel that other reviewers haven't already said. However, I'll simply add that I found myself staying up and reading nearly the entire novel in a single night. Such was the captivating power of this story that it was incredibly hard to put down. The characters are well-developed, and their emotions and struggles are palpable. The plot weaves a web of mystery and romance that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

Highly recommended! This novel is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story filled with heart and soul. It will transport you to another time and place, and leave you with a sense of wonder and satisfaction. Don't miss out on this wonderful literary gem.

Featuring one of the most interesting heroes in all of the books I've had the pleasure to read, Abner Marsh is truly a remarkable character. The story is set in a fantastic setting that immediately grabs your attention and draws you in. And let's not forget about the steamboat, which is described in such detail that it makes you want to go back in time and experience a great race yourself. The author has done an excellent job of creating a vivid and engaging world that you won't want to leave. This was a wonderful read from start to finish, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good adventure story. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or just looking for a great read, this book is sure to satisfy.

So, I've been reading this book somewhat sporadically as it had become my workout book. (Yes, that means I workout somewhat sporadically - sue me.)

Anyway, last night I found myself in a situation where I didn't know what new book to start, and I really wanted to get this one off my plate. Since I only had 20% left, I just went ahead and finished it.

But this was not a "OMG, this book is SO good I HAVE to find out what happens!" kind of experience. No, it was more like an "Ugh, I can't believe I'm still reading this book, and I'm tired of looking at it" sort of thing.

Honestly, if I were to go strictly by Goodreads' definition of stars, I should probably give it a 1-star because, frankly, I didn't like it. However, I tend to reserve 1-stars for the absolute worst of the worst. So, really, I guess this is more like a 1 1/2 which gets bumped up to 2 stars.

It's not that the book was bad per se, but it just never managed to capture my interest. In fact, I think Ala captured the sentiment quite well, so I'm just going to crib off him. (Here's his full review: It's not a bad tale, really. Just felt very slow and leisurely at times. And it was quite long-winded and verbose. The characters were interesting for the most part, but I found most of them to be kind of clichéd and flat, not just the villains.

The take Martin is going for here is one I would have enjoyed had it been done differently. Sadly, there's just no real substance here. No snappy dialogue or suspenseful moments. No surprises or memorability. Nothing to really excite and entrap the mind and soul.

It's just an okay story, lazily meandering its way down the River of Meh to its berth at the port of Are-We-There-Yet? An okay read that just didn't click with me.

Also, a lot of the characters kept acting in really stupid ways that just kept pissing me off. For instance, York's over-confidence in being able to control Julian despite all the warnings, and Mike running at a man who throws knives in a fight. There were other really stupid happenings as well.

So, yeah... I first picked up this book because a bunch of people I know were reading it, and I wanted to judge whether GRRM's writing style was something I might get into, since I'm told time and time again that I really have to read ASOIAF.

Of course, these same people now tell me that GRRM's writing is much better in ASOIAF than it is here, and I can't really compare the two. So, this entire process was a futile endeavor and not even a particularly enjoyable one. FML.

4.2/5
How quickly this book came to an end... just like other books. :\\")
While reading this book, sometimes I would progress chapter by chapter so fast that it would slip out of my hands. And sometimes it was slow, and I had to force myself to be able to continue..... Overall, the story had a lot of twists and turns, so this book had to be read with patience and perseverance.

It’s not the vampires that truly captured my heart; it’s the river. Ever since I first delved into Mark Twain’s Life On the Mississippi, I’ve been entranced by riverboats, their era, and their lore. This is precisely how this book hooked me. George R.R. Martin has an uncanny talent for constructing fascinating worlds that I long to inhabit, and his recreation of the antebellum world of riverboat culture in Fevre Dream is no exception.

Because I was so enamored with the riverboat world, during my initial reading of Fevre Dream, I mistakenly believed that I had discovered a modern vampire story that I adored. (By “modern,” I mean the type of vampire tale where the vampires can be more than mere monsters, similar to those in the works of Anne Rice or Stephenie Meyer.) Fevre Dream presents a unique vampire lore that accommodates both “White Hat” and “Black Hat” vampires. I was so completely under the spell of the book during my first reading that I simply went along with it. However, now, upon rereading it a dozen years later, my perspective has changed. Joshua York, the story’s “good” vampire, with his arrogance and naivete (an unfortunate combination), just didn’t work for me this time around, at least not after he entered into active conflict with the Big Bad vamp. And once I started to question him, my suspension of disbelief regarding the entire vampire lore backstory began to crumble.

But you know what? The book is redeemed by both its captivating riverboat setting and its true hero, riverboat Captain Abner Marsh. Marsh is a down-on-his-luck riverboater, rough, unattractive, and prone to using profanity, yet he is principled – the kind of character that Mark Twain would delight in telling stories about. He despises slavery but can’t stand abolitionists because they are overly zealous Bible-thumpers. He talks loudly, eats heartily, boasts and blusters, and upon hearing Lord Byron’s poetry read for the first time, he concedes that there might be something to it, but it’s no “Buffalo Gals.” Fevre Dream is truly his story – the vampires are merely an interesting插曲 in his life. Because of him, I’m willing to overlook the tragic vampire nonsense and not only embrace the story but also recommend it as a great read.

I truly relished this piece. It carried a distinct Bram Stoker Dracula ambiance, perhaps to a slightly excessive degree. However, the writing was completely captivating. It vividly felt as if it was set in the 1800s, aboard a steamboat traversing the Mississippi River.

Just like the comparison to the other author, Mark Twain, there were undeniably racist undertones. But then again, such was the nature of that era. I found the comparison of slaves to vampires to be an intriguing concept.

I adored our hero, Abner Marsh, and his partner and dearest friend, the vampire Julian York. Similar to others, I did wish there had been a touch more vampire action. But no spoilers here! I wholeheartedly recommend this work.

It offers a unique blend of historical setting, engaging characters, and an interesting premise that is sure to draw readers in and keep them hooked from start to finish.

Whether you're a fan of vampire lore or simply enjoy a well-written story with a touch of the supernatural, this piece has something to offer.

And finally, a book about vampires (almost) in which the author has presented the revolution with these stories of teen vampires

An Incredible Book!

This is not just an ordinary book; it is an absolute masterpiece that takes you on an unforgettable journey.

From the moment you open its pages, you are greeted with a world of vivid imagination and captivating storytelling.

The author's words seem to dance off the page, painting a vivid picture in your mind's eye.

Each character is brought to life with such detail and authenticity that you can't help but become emotionally invested in their lives.

The plot twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat and eager to turn the next page.

Whether you're a fan of adventure, romance, or mystery, this book has something for everyone.

It is a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it, leaving you with a sense of wonder and a desire to explore more of the author's works.

Incredible doesn't even begin to describe this book. It is a true literary gem that should be on every book lover's shelf.