Rating: 
Summary: Too Good to be True...
Review: It may seem a strange concept at first. Who would have thought that a book about vampires on the Mississippi would be so magical?
Let me assure you, that this is better than Dracula and Tom Sawyer combined.This is without a doubt the greatest vampire novel ever written.
For years we have had to endure Anne Rice's take on vampires, and not that she is bad, but Mr. Martin gives us what we really want to read. There are no frilly vampires in this book that whine and complain as in Mrs. Rice's books. Instead we have a little bit of horror, a dash of history, and quite possibly the most memorable ending line that I have ever read. There is a quote from "If You Could Read my Mind" (a song by Gordon Lightfoot) that aptly applies to this book.
It goes: "...You won't read that book again because the ending is just to hard to take..." ...and it truly was. I seldom cry at the conclusion of a story, but no matter how many times I read this masterpiece, the tears continue to swell...
Read this book. You will never forget it, and you will compare all other vampire tales to it, and you will find them sorely lacking... Thank You Mr. Martin.
Rating:
Summary: Memorable
Review: It's been a very long time since I took the time to write a book review. I decided to offer this one because of many of the comments already made. The novel is exactly as people have said: It sticks with you. I read it at least ten years ago, then my copy vanished. That's bizarre, for me, seeing as I have almost every book I have purchased since I was in grade school.
And yet I remember it clearly. Clear enough to be researching it once again, looking for another copy and some info on the author.
It's a page turner. One of those books "you can't put down". The kind that causes you to yell at people to go away if they interrupt you. The characters become people you know, and the ending is as haunting as any I have read. It's an ending that comes too soon and leaves you wanting more. I hope that the author is indeed working on a follow-up. It's a story that definitely deserves it.
One of the best vampire novels ever written, and light-years ahead of anything Rice has done on her best day.
Rating:
Summary: terrific!
Review: Its written very clearly. I just dont know if i should feel sorry for the "nightpeople" or the "catle". Its a fantastic book and i recommend it to anyone who loves horror books
Rating: 
Summary: Not Really Up My Alley
Review: Martin is my favorite author, but Fevre Dream wasn't really up my alley. I figured that since I loved Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire, a similar novel by George would have to be at least as good. Maybe I just had my hopes up too high for this one. It was still decent, but I couldn't help but feel that Interview just had it outclassed on so many levels. My main problem with this book, was the same problem I had with Dying of the Light... the pacing. It was just very slow. Maybe I'm just a shallow reader who needs more action in his literature. The Song of Ice and Fire novels, Tuf Voyaging, Armageddon Rag, and almost all of his short stories were simply outstanding, so I'm having a little trouble putting my finger on any other reasons why I didn't like this book. However, as you can tell by its rating, it certainly has it's fans here, so I'll end off just by saying that if you didn't care for Dying of the Light, you probably won't care for this one either, and visa versa. Its out of print in the US, so just get it from the library if you must read it, then buy it only if you liked it.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best vampire novel I've ever read.
Review: My husband and I had already read and enjoyed Fevre Dream before the Rice books became the craze. George R. R. Martin's book is, by far, much more enjoyable. It's a shame his book is out of print and so hard to find. Maybe it should be reissued with a different and easier name.
Rating:
Summary: Fevre Dream is the story of two dreams...
Review: One man's dream is nothing special, he just wants money to keep his business, his steamboat company, alive. Captain Marsh also wanted a grand and FAST steamboat like none made before.
Josh York also had his own dream, a very special dream. To carry it out he had to have a steamboat and he had the money to build it. All he needed to make it happen was Captain Marsh's help and skill.
Together they would help each other with their dreams. But sometimes dreams can become nightmares. What happens when Marsh finds out that York's dreams are not that of a human?
What happens when he finds out that York is a vampire?
The book is superior to many other vampire books. Good plot, great characters that you care about (or end up disliking), a interesting spin on vampires as a race and wonderfully detailed.
A must for any vampire library OR any library. Not just a good vampire story, but a good story. Fiction at its best.
Rating:
Summary: A Fabulous Book!
Review: One of the best quest/adventure novels I have ever read,
a work of genius! Scour your used book stores; I buy every
copy I can find and give them to people. Plan to be up late
reading this one!
Rating:
Summary: Southern vampire tale richly backlit by the Steamer trade
Review: Taking place in 1857, this story is about Abner Marsh, who is owner of the Fevre River Packet Company, and once held a profitable steamboat business upon the Mississippi River. But one foul winter and a freezing river crippled his fleet and left him with nothing but his reputation as a formidable captain, and honest tradesman, and the ugliest man on the river. He is down to one lowly boat that travels only on the Illinois, and that one fading fast, when he is approached by Joshua York, a pale, enigmatic businessman who makes an offer of partnership with Abner. York makes an offer far above what the Fevre River Packet Company is worth, but tells Abner that it is because of his desire to own and operate a real steamboat, and be captain though Abner would run the daily functions and pilot the boat. With Abner's experience and York's money, they come to an agreement to build the finest steamboat on the Mississippi, The Fevre Dream. Crewed with the best, she sets out from New Albany towards New Orleans, stopping first in St. Louis. Abner had not batted much of an eyelash when York first mentioned that he and his "guests" would be traveling up and down the river with him, his lust for owning a large, luxurious steamer that could beat The Eclipse's speed driving away the warning from York that he could be a bit...peculiar. For York is a vampire, and is on a quest of his own. He has developed a drink that staves off the Vampire's hunger for flesh, and has a dream of turning his people away from the killing of humans. But working against him is Damon Julian, and his pack of hungry followers, who believe that the old ways are the good ways. Also with Julian is Sour Billy Tipton, their human servant who assists them in acquiring what they need and protecting them. Little by little, things begin to unravel, and by the time Julian and Sour Billy join up with Joshua York on The Fevre Dream, Abner has come to realize his dream of running the biggest and fastest steamer on the Mississippi was nothing more than a dream, and that his desires had blinded him to the reality of York's mission. This is a unique vampire story, appropriate for both vampire purists and vampire modernists; actually staging a battle between the two factions. Should vampires want to mingle amongst the human population, or should they retain their status as feeders and monsters? By taking this approach and placing it in the 1850's South amid the lively steamboat trade up and down the Mississippi River, Martin has created a creepy and exceptional tale of languid horror in a lush backdrop. This is a not to be missed novel whether you love vampire books or creepy southern tales. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous
Review: There's nothing like overkill, but I have to join the other readers--Fevre Dream was a lot of fun and has many merits. I'm not a huge fan of vampire tales, but this book is so much more than that and about as far away from Anne Rice as one can get. (Incidently, I loved the first two in her series, but her style is very different. Whereas her books are homoerotic fantasy, Martin chose a much more realistic pathology for his "night people," who have more in common with us "cattle" than they care to admit.) Martin does such a sensational job of rendering the 1850s river trade that you can nearly feel the spray from the steamship paddles as you turn the pages. His characterizations are complete, and I was amused to find that the author looks exactly as I pictured Cap'n Abner Marsh, though I wouldn't go so far as to call him the "ugliest man" alive. Marsh is the kind of guy that you'd want on your side, and York has the kind of sketchy faith in his abilities that can drive you to distraction, even if you can relate. Sour Billy and Damon Julian are about as evil as you can get; their presence in a scene is almost a guarantee that your hair will stand on end. I very much liked how Martin raised social issues without letting them dominate the story. In addition to some truly horrific scenes, the best thing about this book is it's never predictable. Big fun. It is a great shame that it's out of print.
Rating:
Summary: you MUST read this book!
Review: This book made me cry! Martin is such a good author that it is impossible to come up with enough superlatives to describe him! I first became a fan when I read his science fiction which ranks amongst the best from any writer. When I first picked up Fevre Dream I was a bit sceptical because it was not science fiction. I only started it because it was written by Martin. I'm so glad I did! He proved that he can write beautiful, moving , poignant , believable stories, no matter what genre he tries his hand at. Forget labels and preconcieved ideas! Just do yourself a favour and read anything you can from this man, but DON'T miss Fevre Dream.
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