Audiobook Fiction Review: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Posted June 27th, 2012 by in 2012 Read, 4.25 Wine Glasses, Audiobook, Reviews / 31 comments

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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.

Read from June 19 to 21, 2012
Read for Fun!
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
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Felicia S

Blogger at Geeky Bloggers Book Blog
Felicia is just your average gal from Texas that loves Audiobooks and Libraries with a passion! She can wine them, dine them, and love them forever. Her eclectic reading tastes include: Cozy Mysteries, Thrillers, Swoon-Worthy Romance of all kinds, Zombies, Urban Fantasy, Historical Fiction, and the occasional YA read.

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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31 Responses to “Audiobook Fiction Review: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith”

  1. Diayll Sales
    Twitter:

    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

    Reply

  3. DeAnna Schultz
    Twitter:

    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!

    Reply

  4. Jayla
    Twitter:

    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.

    Reply

  5. Kristin Clifton
    Twitter:

    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!!

    Reply

  6. Missie, The Unread Reader
    Twitter:

    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.

    Reply

  7. Mary
    Twitter:

    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.

    Reply

  9. Amy
    Twitter:

    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 ;(

    Reply

  10. Glen

    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.

    Reply

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