I'm not overly fond of vampires. I grew tired of them a long time ago.

However, on occasion, I come across something like this that reminds me that vampires, like any other trope, can be executed well with a fresh perspective or idea, preventing it from being just another tiresome rehash of Dracula.

In this instance, the author's blend of vampire legend with genetics, AIDS, and its potential as a cure for cancer (which does bother me a bit, as cancer is not a single disease and biology is far more complex than that. There likely won't be a single cure, but rather a plethora of tools that can be more or less effective against various types. But I digress.) is handled gracefully, with copious amounts of detailed technical jargon that is sufficient to seem plausible for the purposes of the story.

I do appreciate an author who makes an effort to make their take on the world seem real. This book isn't truly horror. Any actual horror is confined to Vlad Tepes' reminiscences of his glorious brutalities in the past. Everything in the present is more of a thriller, filled with intrigue, betrayal, and the navigation of a corrupt post-communist society, etc. Simmons' use of language is a step above the typical pot-boiler thriller, with abundant descriptions and detailed insights into the characters.

The ending became a little unbelievable, especially in one particular passage, but it's nothing like the typically absurd action sequences that Hollywood regularly churns out. Definitely worth my time.

An interesting and fresh take on the vampire mythos awaits in this story. Simmons endeavors to marry legend with science, aiming to craft a more plausible explanation for the origin and evolution of vampires. While I did find myself missing some of the more traditional traits present in classic vampiric tales, Simmons' excellent description of the beautiful yet dark and troubled post-Ceausescu Romania is truly captivating. It is highly atmospheric and sets an ominous tone that significantly elevates the story. This unique blend of elements makes it a story that is certainly worth a read.

"Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!" Bram Stoker's words from Dracula add an air of mystery and allure to the concept of vampires. Simmons' work builds on this rich literary tradition, taking readers on a journey through a world where the line between legend and science blurs.

The detailed portrayal of Romania not only serves as a backdrop but also becomes an integral part of the narrative, enhancing the overall mood and atmosphere. It makes the story come alive in a way that few others can. Whether you are a fan of vampire lore or simply enjoy a well-written and engaging story, this one is sure to satisfy.

Another book that initially showed great potential but ultimately turned out to be extremely outlandish and boring towards the end.

This particular one delves into the Dracula family and the reason behind their blood sucking.

During my undergraduate days, my Biochem professor mentioned the Dracula family of Transylvania while teaching us about Porphyrias, a rare group of inherited Heme disorders. In this condition, there is photosensitivity, red teeth, hirsuitism, and the affected people avoid sunlight, cover themselves with black capes, and travel only after sundown, thus being mistakenly thought of as vampires. Here, I read a novel that suggests an imaginary yet plausible mechanism for their blood sucking.

Kate, a hematologist at the CDC, is drawn into the controversial affairs in Romania when she is mysteriously appointed to work in a hospital there. Luke, a friendly medical student, assists her a great deal. Kate sees a dying infant there, is somehow drawn to him, adopts him, and takes him to her native US. Soon, problems arise, and Kate, the child, and her close friends are threatened and harmed. She then has to illegally enter Romania again to uncover the mystery behind the adopted child.

From this point on, the book deteriorated.

This book is presented from two viewpoints.

1. The reminiscences of Vlad Tepes (possibly the oldest "human" alive). I loved his tale much more than...

2. The doings of Kate and company, narrated in the third person - the entire second half of which was boring.

The ending was too bizarre.

The things I liked in this book were the various medical theories and Vlad's narrative.

The reason I chose this book was for a buddy read with Manju.

Whom would I recommend it to? If anyone is interested in learning about the theory proposed behind the blood sucking and longevity of the so-called vampires, they are welcome to read this book. The first half really deserves 3.5 to 4 stars.

Will I continue with the series? Probably yes, just to satisfy my curiosity, but most likely, no.

The children of the night are starving the belly of an entire country: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/d...

The skill with which Simons resurrects the main hero from "Dracula" by Bram Stoker and transports him to the end of the 20th century as an all-powerful millionaire and leader of a secret vampire community, captivating Romania to its needs, is amazing. With devilish ingenuity, he constructs a scientific explanation for the vampire's thirst for blood and extracts from it smiling possibilities that would transform modern medicine. Exactly this temptation drives the American Kate Neumann, but even stronger in her is the maternal instinct that draws her to a Romanian village with a mysterious immune disease.

Publisher "East-West"

http://knigolandia.info/book-review/d...

I don't really have a penchant for vampire stories. Most of them are cheesy, lacking in originality and overly trite. However, if one is compelled to read a vampire novel, then Children of the Night stands out as an excellent choice. My initial intention was simply to discover what became of one of the characters from the equally outstanding Summer of Night. It was a pleasant surprise to see that Mike O'Rourke grows up and leads a life that is not only interesting but also filled with adventure and danger. This is just one of the many great aspects of this book. There are numerous others, making it an all-around awesome read.

Even without delving into the introduction (which I'll discuss later), it's evident how much research, thought, and attention to detail went into its creation. The book skillfully weaves together the horrors of post-Ceaușescu Romania with those of Vlad Dracula (the real one, not the Bram Stoker version). It's difficult to determine which was more intense, as there is no horror quite like that of a country that has fallen, been torn apart, and damaged beyond repair, forcing its people to live in inhuman and degrading conditions that those fortunate enough to live in a civilized world can barely fathom. The author's take on vampirism is one of the most original and ingenious I've ever encountered, although he gets extremely technical about it, which could be seen as a minor flaw. Another possible drawback might be the fact that the main characters seem to develop near-superhuman powers as they approach the absolutely cinematic summertime blockbuster ending. But it all works, and it works extremely well, even if all the loose ends are neatly tied up in the end. It's an absolutely great read.

Let's say a few words about the introduction. As with Summer of Night, I highly recommend reading it after finishing the book. It is very informative and serves better as an afterword. It's truly impressive that the author had the courage to visit Romania at that time. It also showcases his considerable talent as a sketch artist. However, the introduction tends to extensively and perhaps unnecessarily quote the novel itself. Additionally, it mentions the movie script for the book... What happened? This book would make a truly terrific movie. Does anyone know?

This is a great edition with excellent cover art, a must-have for any collector. Highly recommended.

Review to come.

This simple statement holds a certain amount of anticipation. It implies that a detailed assessment or evaluation is即将到来.

Maybe it's a review of a product, a service, a book, or a movie.

People often look forward to reviews to gain insights and make informed decisions.

A well-written review can provide valuable information about the pros and cons, the quality, and the overall experience.

It can help others determine whether something is worth their time, money, or attention.

So, as we wait for the review to come, we can only imagine what it will entail and how it will impact our perception.

Will it be positive and highly recommended? Or will it point out areas for improvement?

Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure - the review will bring some form of clarity and understanding.

By Dan Simmons' standards, this is a very subpar effort.

It's not that it's terrible, but rather that the character work completely falls apart in the second half.

One can say whatever they want about puritanical moral standards, but at least they prevent otherwise skilled authors from shoehorning in cringe-inducing, erotic subplots.

The story starts off with promise, with interesting characters and a captivating premise.

However, as it progresses, the author seems to lose focus and the characters become one-dimensional and unlikable.

The addition of the erotic subplot feels forced and detracts from the overall narrative.

It's a shame, really, because with a bit more care and attention to detail, this could have been a great book.

As it stands, it's just another mediocre effort in a sea of forgettable novels.

Hopefully, the author will learn from this experience and produce something better in the future.

Gorsza od Terroru i Pieśni bogini Kali, lepsza od Letniej nocy. It holds a rather high level. The first part would have received a five plus from me. However, the second part slowed down significantly and the most interesting aspects, those scientific ones, quieted down. Nevertheless, Simmons created the best vampire I have ever read about - whose existence is in a way logical and natural. It's not a fanged corpse in a cape. Simmons truly impressed me with this idea and its execution. The research is wonderful and the work is excellent.

This book takes the concept of a vampire and turns it on its head. Instead of the traditional, somewhat cliched portrayal, Simmons presents a vampire that is both believable and fascinating. The scientific elements add an extra layer of depth and make the story more than just a simple horror tale.

Although the pacing in the second part could have been better, the overall quality of the writing and the unique concept more than make up for it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh take on the vampire genre.

Dobro, pa da počnem.

I have read most of Dan Simmons' books, and not necessarily in the order in which he wrote and published them. Perhaps because of that, my ratings might be a bit more colorful than usual.

Regarding this book, I can't decide what grade I would give it. Whether it's three or maybe two and a half stars? Since I can't decide, I'll leave it unrated.

Dan Simmons is a very talented author, and his works often explore deep and complex themes. However, this particular book didn't quite resonate with me as much as some of his others.

The story had its moments, but I found myself losing interest at times. The characters were well-developed, but I didn't feel a strong connection to them.

Overall, while I can appreciate the effort that went into writing this book, it just didn't meet my expectations. Maybe it's because I had such high hopes for it, or maybe it's just not the right book for me at this time.

It's clear that Simmons has a penchant for presenting himself as the smartest person in the room. This trait is almost an occupational hazard for older white men, and in his case, it seems to have worsened, especially after that rather embarrassing Dhimmitude episode on his blog. However, in this particular work, he is mostly restrained. The story unfolds with only a few extended essays and a handful of conversations that are unfortunately couched in unreadable scientific jargon.

That being said, this book is far from perfect. It could have been improved if, for example, a third of it was trimmed down. Nevertheless, it still manages to be a diverting read.

I believe Simmons had grander plans for this book. It begins with a woman doctor who is trying to save the neglected orphans in post-Communist Romania, who are crammed into horrid institutions. This is his topical hook. He was fascinated by the journalistic descriptions of these awful examples of Communist modernity and even visited Romania himself, as he explains in the foreword. He attempts to infuse the book with a sense of authenticity from his trip. However, the problem with this start, at least for me, is that the actual situation was so horrifying that it hardly needed to be incorporated into the vampire tradition. But that's exactly what he does.

Simmons's real goal is to create a scientifically plausible vampire, a concept that horror writers have been playing with since Matheson's I Am Legend in the early 1950s. I'm sure he did his research, and perhaps the science in this book was plausible for the early 1990s. But as it reads, it might just seem like gobbledygook. (And of course, science has advanced significantly since the book was first published.) The result is that there is a secret clan of vampires, dating back to the original Dracula, who have the ability to regenerate their bodies by feeding on blood.

As it turns out, the woman doctor (I can't remember her name) adopts one of the orphans, who just so happens to be an heir to the vampiric tradition. He is then stolen by the vampires, and the doctor, along with a noble priest (a grown-up character from Simmons's excellent Summer of Nights and rather too-cute-for-its-own-good A Winter Haunting), has to rescue him. They are assisted by her Romanian assistant, who conveniently has a connection to the vampiric legends, although his loyalty remains unclear.

There is a final confrontation, and the assistant ends up serving as a kind of Deus ex Machina, allowing for the resolution of the story. However, there are some loose ends. In particular, the doctor believes that the boy is the key to curing AIDS and cancer. Since she retrieves him and presumably they live in our world, shouldn't there be cures?

There is also an attempt at a twist ending. Part of the story is told from the perspective of the original Dracula, who, after centuries, is ready to die. He relates the story of those centuries in interpolated chapters. It turns out that he was the one sponsoring the Romanian assistant, who had vowed to defeat the vampires, in the hope that he would develop an artificial blood that could help the vampires. And, of course, the orphan is also crucial to that research, so even in defeat, Dracula wins.

This brings up the final point that recurs in much of Simmons's fiction that I've read and is prominent here: a conspiratorial theory of history. In this book, as in his other vampire novel, Carrion Comfort, a secret cabal of vampires are influential, albeit secretive, movers and shakers throughout history. Knowing who is really in charge is yet another way of being the smartest guy in the room.

Well great! Now I believe in vampires!

Thanks, Dan.

Simmons presents all the evidence in a masterful way. He not only makes it seem plausible but also convinces the reader that it is 100% true. The way he combines science with the historical accounts of the real Dracula is truly remarkable. In the first 60 pages, he creates an atmosphere of a sooty gothic Romania with creepy diseased children, all craving your blood. This vivid image will stay in my mind for a long time.

However, the story does get a bit bogged down in details. There were entire pages that I had to skim through because the jargon was too technical for me. It wouldn't have been a problem if it didn't disrupt the flow of the story, but unfortunately, it did slow things down.

Moreover, I couldn't help but notice an oddly spiteful attitude that Simmons has towards Eastern Europe, especially Romania. It reads like the most scathing review on TripAdvisor that I've ever seen. He describes the people as ugly, the atmosphere as ugly, and complains about the dirt and the gypsies trying to rip you off. He even mentions that people want to impale you. I've always wanted to go to Romania as it looks absolutely beautiful, but now I might have to skip it because of all the vampires.

This is my first experience with Simmons, but it definitely won't be my last.

Horror

The horror in which the most terrifying was the author's preface regarding what was really happening in Romania... The story itself was rather uneven for me. Three-quarters of it was, in my opinion, interesting, and then the part began which was supposed to be filled with action but was actually one big lull before the finale. The finale was supposed to be exciting but was an action scene bordering on kitsch. However, the last chapter, in my eyes, beautifully concluded the story and left a good impression. It seems to me that Simmons has a slight problem with pacing, although there are books where this is even more palpable than in "The Children...".

Overall, despite its flaws, "The Children..." still managed to hold my attention and keep me engaged throughout most of the reading. The author's vivid descriptions and ability to create a sense of atmosphere were definitely strengths. While the pacing issues did detract from the overall experience to some extent, they didn't completely overshadow the good aspects of the story. I would still recommend this book to fans of the horror genre, as it has its moments of genuine fright and intrigue.

Perhaps Simmons could work on improving the pacing in his future works to create a more seamless and engaging reading experience. But for now, "The Children..." remains a worthy addition to the horror literature canon.