I allowed this one to simmer overnight before I attempted to put this feeling into words.

I am, to be honest, extremely disappointed.

I will start by acknowledging Martin as a great storyteller and amazing at his craft. That being said, Fevre Dream was more of a nightmare--and not in a good way. It was slow, drawn out, and like my last Tinder match, anti-climatic.

*potential spoilers ahead*

Basically it went like this: York teams up with Marsh. Julian meets up with York, takes over. Marsh has serious issues with letting go. York leaves Julian. SIKE! Then 13 years later, York and Marsh team up to take down Julian, for good. All the action happens in the last 50 pages and is largely TOLD by York instead of shown to us.

We have York "the good vampire", Marsh "ugly, fat guy with attachment issues", Julian "the chaotic evil" - also a vampire.

York + Marsh = boring. York + Julian = boring except mame baby.

Ultimately I learned I don't give a flying fart about steamboats or books that use "nigger" as a damn catchphrase.

⭐⭐ for being able to finish it. 0.5⭐ for Sour Billy's little knife.

Afterthought: this story has zero female characters worth a shit. It seems that the entire narrative is dominated by male characters, leaving no room for any strong or interesting female presence. This lack of female representation is a significant flaw in the story, as it limits the depth and variety of the characters and relationships. It would have been nice to see some female characters who could have added another dimension to the plot and the overall story.

"A Game of Thrones" is a highly acclaimed single-volume novel by George R. R. Martin, the creator and author of the world of "A Song of Ice and Fire", which was published in 1982. This novel is in the bloody-historical genre and has some heart-pounding moments in several places. Many of the events that occur are based on the real history of the world.

The pace of the book is fast from the very beginning, and this pace, except for a few sections, is maintained until the end. The characters in the book, like those in Martin's other books, are numerous and each one is unique. And they all have their own logical reasons for their actions, no matter how illogical the things they do may be in this world. Even in this book, several characters have been added to my liking. And as usual, many characters die in this book, so be careful

I am that strange person who hasn't read the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, and that's really true.

No, but in this (as far as I know) there are no steamships and vampires, while in that there are.

This was a truly wonderful read. It was good to finally read a book that doesn't want anything from me, just simply wants to tell a story.

A relatively simple, purified story, with the classic tools of storytelling.

In the late 1800s, we are sailing in the swamps of Louisiana, in the company of mysterious ship captains, competing steamships, and mysterious strangers. There are no big twists, no big secrets, but they are not needed either, because the atmosphere immediately draws you in. Most of the action takes place in a relatively small area and in a relatively short period of time, as is of course the case with horrors. We move forward slowly, at a natural pace, as the river pushes us.... This is not really a horror, of course the blood flows as it should, our hearts race, our limbs fall, but there is no deliberate scaring, somehow everything is clothed in a body with a precise sense of proportion and high aesthetic quality.

In fact, the book is really about very human struggles, about desires, dreams, the struggle with the dark side within us, about who we really are, how we want to live, about who we choose as friends and then how we treat them. But all this is only hidden beneath the surface, there are no big moral questions shoved in our faces, there is only a bubbling story, from the pen of a professional storyteller who not only knows the tricks of the trade but also how to give a soul to the story.

Hmmm, maybe I should still read "A Song of Ice and Fire" too...? :)))

I came to the conclusion that the value of quality genre literature is incalculable, and it connects or fills in in a completely different way than literature or non-fiction.

You shouldn't go into this novel anticipating something similar to A Song of Ice and Fire. In fact, it has a much stronger Interview with the Vampire vibe.

I would argue that it's a more traditional and less intricate story compared to Martin's most renowned work. However, that doesn't mean it's any less captivating or interesting.

I appreciate the kind of vampires this novel portrays. Martin plays with some of the lore and presents a more empathetic view of them, while still maintaining their mysterious aura and the overall threat and horror associated with them. The setting of 19th century Louisiana is not only fitting but also well-utilized. Making steamboats a central element was an interesting and unique choice that I truly relished. The dynamic between Joshua and Abner worked extremely well, and Julian and Billy made for a great set of villains, providing a nice contrast to the protagonists.

It's a book where, from the description, you'll pretty much have an idea of what to expect, and it completely delivers on that front.

7.9/10
Come for the vampires,
stay for the exciting world of steamboat racing?

Every time I opened the book, it was as if a magical portal had transported me back to the mid-19th century. Martin's writing is truly a work of art. If someone were to tell me that this book was actually penned in 1860, I would believe them without a second thought.

The main storyline, of course, revolves around vampires. So, if you have a penchant for all things vampiric, this book is definitely worth a read. I have to admit that I was genuinely on the edge of my seat while reading about the steamboats engaged in a thrilling race, trying to pass each other at maximum speed. Although such speeds might not impress anyone in today's era, by that point in the book, you understand the significance it holds for the captain. You share his anxiety, his passion, and you become completely invested in the outcome.

Overall, I would rate this book a solid 4 stars. It offers a unique blend of vampire lore and the excitement of steamboat racing, creating a captivating and immersive reading experience.

Fevre Dream is an extraordinary novel.

Firstly, it stands out as excellent historical fiction, set among the steamboats that traversed the Mississippi, shuttling between New Orleans and St. Louis in the mid to late 1800s. The vivid descriptions of this era bring the setting to life, allowing readers to envision the bustling river trade and the unique atmosphere of the time.

Secondly, the characters are fascinating, deeply influenced and shaped by their environment and professions. They are complex and multi-dimensional, each with their own dreams, fears, and flaws.

However, the inclusion of vampires in the story is a bit of a mixed bag. While they add an element of mystery and the supernatural, they also feel a bit out of place at times. The way they are portrayed, their tendencies and originations, didn't quite resonate with me.

This was my first encounter with George R. R. Martin's work. Like many others, I've been intrigued by his A Song of Ice and Fire series but deterred by its length and the fact that it's still unfinished. Fevre Dream gave me a taste of Martin's writing style, and while it has its strengths, it also has its weaknesses.

Overall, I'm glad I read Fevre Dream. It's a notable achievement in terms of historical accuracy, and the human characters are engaging. If you're a fan of historic paranormal and horrific fiction, and you prefer the historical aspect over the paranormal and horrific elements, then this book might be worth checking out.

Just be prepared for some jumps in time that might take a bit of getting used to, and a scene that is truly one of the most disliked and horrific I've ever read. But despite its flaws, Fevre Dream is a unique and interesting read that offers a different perspective on the vampire genre.

It is possible that, due to the Game of Thrones book series, you have heard the name of the author #Martin. This book is another one by Martin, a book about pirates. I had heard that with this book, Martin changed the stories of pirates. And indeed, that was the case.

The story is set on a river and is about the captain of a ship and the pirates. Both the positive and negative characters in the story are pirates. And of course, neither of them is our main character and hero. The hero is a fat and ugly old man with a wrinkled face, who is extremely brave. What could be more fascinating than this?

Martin tells another story of pirates and gives another description of their way of life and lifespan. And of course, as usual, he has a strange ability to depict hateful people.

After reading the entire Song of Ice & Fire series and absolutely LOVING it, and then reading Martin's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and adoring that as well, I happened to come across Fevre Dream at a Friends of the Library Sale and just pounced on it!

Martin writes about vampires. NICE!

That's really all I knew about this book going into it, and I want to keep it that way for everyone else.

Basically, this is Martin's masterful character development and story crafting set in New Orleans and along the Mississippi River, complete with steamboats, slavery, and that entire time period. (People who are sensitive to the 'n' word, slavery, and derogatory or demeaning language should consider this a trigger warning.)

We follow several main characters, with Abner March being my favorite. In fact, he reminds me a great deal of George R.R. Martin himself.

There is a whole slew of vampires, some of which are a bit cliché, while others have a rather unique story. So, Martin does introduce something new to the genre, which I think makes this book well worth the time spent reading it. And it wouldn't take anyone much time since it's on the smaller side and reads quite quickly! Overall, I found this to be an entertaining and interesting story that vampire fans should enjoy. However, I docked it one star for the climax/ending. It just felt a little ridiculous. It was like when you're thoroughly enjoying a thrilling movie the whole time, and then it just starts spiraling downward into the realm of the unbelievable. It did that to a certain extent for me towards the ending.

Space descriptions and depictions are so abundant and precise that the reader feels as if he himself is on that ship, steps into the personalities of the story, and feeds on their emotions. A place where the level of anxiety and fear is so high that he wants to

take his eyes off the book, but who can manage to take his gaze away from those eyes?

He looks at himself and sees that he has read eighty percent of the book, but on all these pages, only the events of six months are described, quickly and continuously.

But from here on, the situation changes. The story is about a thirteen-year passage.

Subtle changes occur and it overflows with a sad emotion. Maybe they call it nostalgia, or maybe it's just the grief that has settled in his heart with the passage of years and the loss of people and the familiar world.

Whether the end of the story is good or bad depends on your perspective. What matters is the flow of the river that never stops.

I decided to read this book due to the vampire square for r/fantasy bingo.

It was an okay read for me, probably deserving a 3.5-star rating, but I rounded it up to 4. In true George R.R. Martin fashion, some of the characters were complex and morally ambiguous, not simply good or evil, while others were just completely messed up individuals.

This book was a slow burn. It took quite some time to reach the core of the plot. There were a few twists and turns along the way, but overall, it was a much more straightforward story compared to "A Song of Ice and Fire". In some ways, this made it a relatively quick read, but there were also lulls where not much happened.

If you are sensitive to racial slurs, be forewarned. This book uses language that was prevalent in the 1800s and it is not kind to people of color. Slavery was a prominent theme, and the abuse of slaves was not sugarcoated. It was brutally described at times. I don't necessarily hold it against the author for using that language, but at certain points, it became a bit excessive. There were instances where the "n" word was used far too often when "slave" or "they" could have been used instead.

However, it was an interesting take on vampires. Some of them were striving to better themselves and create a better world for their kind, rather than being solely bloodthirsty killers.

There is a significant amount of talk about steamboats in this book. If you're not interested in steamboats, this part can be a bit dull and uninteresting. I, on the other hand, don't mind as I've liked Mark Twain for a while, and his interest in steamboats has piqued my curiosity as well. But even with that in mind, there were times when I was like "oh my god, just move on already".

The characters were well-developed, and I think I liked Captain Marsh the most. The atmosphere was also very strong, to the extent that I could sometimes feel the heat and humidity of the South. It was dark throughout, with an ever-present undertone of foreboding and horror. This was definitely one of the highlights of the book for me. The writing was solid, as expected from a veteran writer.

If you have an interest in the South during the 1800s, like vampires, and can stomach violence, then this book might be worth checking out.

A book that I hadn't planned to read. I came across it by chance, at a fair, at a very good price and I said to buy it, since: first, I didn't have any other book in my mind that I said I would definitely buy, second, lately I had been dealing with the police and probably I wanted a change.

The book, in fact, then, fell in front of me and I didn't know exactly what to expect since I hadn't read Martin again, but also the back cover doesn't reveal much to you (and that's good in my opinion), so I didn't know exactly what to expect.

Finally, however, I was grateful for the book. It made me search the bibliography of the author, to see which ones have been translated into Greek, to want to read another book of his. So, I think I can give it five stars.

This book is set during the American Civil War era. The trendy "technology" of the time is steamboats. Here enters our dear Captain Abner Marsh, a river man, a lover of boats and sailing, solitary, introverted, and as brave as he is stubborn. In the midst of a severe financial problem and on the verge of bankruptcy, he meets Joshua York, a man of indeterminate age, with white skin and hair, strange nocturnal habits, and enough money to propose becoming partners in a new adventure: the construction of the most luxurious, largest, and unique steamboat on the Mississippi River. Thus, the Fevre Dream is born. However, in the middle of this society, there are dark and bloody secrets that Joshua York hides, and Captain Abner's part of the deal is to turn a blind eye to all these mysteries... until his life and that of his crew are in danger. It's a vampire novel that recovers the best of the genre and shows us these creatures from a new, intriguing, hypnotizing, and wonderful perspective. Such is this novel.

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