Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother’s bedside. She’s been stricken with something the old-timers call “Milk Sickness.”
“My baby boy…” she whispers before dying.
Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother’s fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.
When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, “henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose…” Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.
While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.
Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.
Overall Rating 4.25
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
Movie Review: 1.50 (not part of the overall rating)
Book Review: I really enjoyed Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter! It was a fun twist on a very well-known historic figure. As long as you suspended disbelief, it was easy to imagine this alternate version of the history. Seth Grahame-Smith stayed close to the actual historical timeline, taking a few liberties here and there, and made them work for the story. I found the character of Henry to be compelling and sometimes downright fun! This won’t work for everyone but I think as long you are open-minded about the events I think you will have fun!
Audio Review: This is probably one of the best audiobooks on the market. Narrated by Scott Holst who does a fantastic job with pacing, dialect, and characterization. You could hear him growing the character of Lincoln both in age and maturity. His characterization of the rest of the main characters was spot-on also. I loved his voice for Henry as I felt it was spot-on from the beginning.
Movie Review: I had high hopes for the movie since SGS did the screenplay but the things that made the book fantastic, he left on the cutting room floor. From the playing up of Mary Todd being the love of Lincoln’s life to the complete disregard for his stepmom bringing journal into his life–the movie was just off-base. I am not sure what the point was of changing timelines, historical facts, ect in the movie but it just didn’t work. The actors were fine and cinematography was beautiful but the story fell way short of what it should have been.
Felicia S
During her non-reading time you can find her hanging with her rescue furr children named after book characters: Lizzie a beautiful cattle dog mix (Pound Pup), Cinder a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Pound Pup), and Minerva a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Foster Fail). Gathering with friends and family, attending conventions, watching movies/tv shows, rooting for the 49rs, and crocheting.
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Ahhh, I loved the movie. I thought it was great for what it was. I do however have mixed feelings about the actor who played Abe. Maybe had it been Robert Downey Jr more people would have loved it??? LOLz
I want I want! Gimme …. I am team vampire but team vampire hunter is so sexy with a stake and now axe ^~^
This was such a good book! I highly recommend reading it 🙂
This audio-book on my audible.com wish-list. I can’t wait to pick it up. Wonderful review! I’m really happy you liked it and it makes me consider using one my credits in July. Once Burned by JF is already reserved for one of my credits though. LOL THAT book is an auto-buy-author-series for me. 😉 I’ve been dying in anticipation for it’s release!
JF is an auto buy for me too. I have Once Burned on my kindle waiting to be read. I was to tear into Vlad but I also want to wait so it isn’t over too soon LOL
I really enjoyed this audiobook when I listened to it a couple of weeks back. However, I am very disappointed to see that the movie didn’t hold up – especially since the Seth wrote the screenplay as well! I might check it out once it comes to DVD.
I think I would have done better if it wasn’t so fresh on my mind. My brother loved the movie–said it was a great action flick. I loved the story in the book so I think that was where my disappointment was from…
Thanks for doing the movie review with the book!!! I will avoid the movie (why waste the money there when I can buy 2 books for what I spend at the movies!!) and save my time for the book 🙂 Great, succinct, to the point review! I may even try the audiobook… I’ve never listened to one before!!
The action in the movie was good but compared to the book I was just really disappointed. 🙁
Bum Deal! That journal was the catalyst for everything in the book! Why would it be left out in the movie? I haven’t watched it yet, but I guess now I don’t have to knowing the book is better.
I actually got the audio from my library and really enjoyed it too, though it took some getting used to when it switched to the journal entries.
P.S. I don’t know how to comment on them, but thanks so much for your “supporting other bloggers” posts! You are amazingballs!
I turn off comments on those because they are about y’all! I just decided to start doing that when I ran across events happening 🙂
You know in the beginning I felt the same way about the journal but the more I listened, the more I loved the switch 🙂
This book brought about some serious eye-rolling on my part since it followed the “…and magical creature” trend. Still not sure about it, though it sounds better than I thought.
It is pretty good BUT it does follow the +magical creature type of storytelling. It won’t work for everyone.
I didn’t read this, but Kev and I saw the movie last night. He thought it was the greatest thing ever, I wasn’t impressed.
My brother loved it too! I think it must be a guy thing LOL
Amen on the audiobook. It is awesome. Definitely the route I would go.
I’m so incredibly disappointed about all the bad movie reviews. I had high hopes & was looking forward to it ;(
I was looking forward to it too. I think for those that didn’t read the book, they may enjoy it more. I think my expectations were too high.
I wouldn’t disagree with anything of the review. I wonder how someone would enjoy the movie but hasn’t read/listen to the book?
This audio book was on sale on itunes a few months ago – less than $6. The audio book was cheaper than ebooks! I don’t have audible so this was nice.. (as I don’t have a commute to work, yet) The unabridged version is about 14 hours long and was just what the doctor ordered for a road trip.
My brother loved the movie but didn’t go near the book. I think for me it was an expectation thing since I enjoyed the book so much 🙂
Well thanks Felicia you just solved my problem on what to use my next audible credit on, you are awesome. True Story.
LOL I think you will enjoy it. It was different for a mashup and I think extreamly well done.
Chick! I’ve been hearing AMAZING things about this one!!!!! And I actually think the movie looks super good too… I may have to give this a go! Seriously!
You need to give it a go. I would suggest seeing the movie first and then reading the book. That way they can be enjoyed on their own merits! 🙂
Wow. I love that this includes the movie review.
Sounds like I should grab the audio and wait for the movie to come out on dvd.
It is worth DVD watching as it does have some amazing cinematography 🙂
And I who wanted to see the movie :/
My brother loved the movie! I think you should go see it!
I’ve been on the fence about reading this one. I think I might try it now. I’m sorry to hear about the movie. Wonder if they will bring out an extended edition. Might improve the storyline. 🙂
That would be nice—I am going to have to check out the DVD when it comes out 🙂