Rating: Summary: A Good Read -- 3 1/2 Stars! Review: Overall, I'd give The Last Vampire 3 1/2 stars if this was possible in Amazon's rating system. In terms of originality and imagination, The Last Vampire has few equals in this genre, and Miriam Blaylock is a character you won't be likely to forget. Strieber does a very good job in creating a new theory about how and why the human race evolved, and in presenting the lore of the Keepers. On these dimensions, The Last Vampire is worthy of at least a 4 star rating and possibly 5 stars. What brings me to give the book an overall rating of 31/2 stars is the inconsistency in the pace of the plot and in the dialogue. For me, there were some passages where the pace and dialogue were so fast-moving and crisp that I couldn't put the book down. However, there were several times where the opposite was true -- the plot tended to get bogged down and the dialogue was too phony and unrealistic. Also, while the ending was exciting, it was somewhat contrived and a little bit unsatisfying. It seems that Strieber's greater purpose for this ending was to provide for yet another sequel rather than a true "ending" to this story. As you may know, The Last Vampire is a sequel to The Hunger (which was Strieber's second book written in 1981), which, too me, is a classic in this genre. If you haven't read The Hunger, please do so. It's my second favorite vampire-related book; surpassed only by Strieber's first book, The Wolfen. Also, if you plan to read The Last Vampire -- and it is worth reading -- do yourself a favor and read The Hunger first. It will give you a much greater understanding of Miriam Blaylock, as well as to Sarah Roberts, one of the main supporting characters. Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: Strieber returns to the thriller, and returns to form. Review: The Last Vampire begins twenty or so years after the ending of Strieber's cult novel The Hunger (to which TLV is a continuation of) with Miriam Blaylock seeking a mate so she may not lose her last chance to have a child. Instead of finding a mate, she finds a nightmare. Humans, which are considered by all vampires but her to be nothing but mindless cattle upon which to feed, have become aware of their blood drinking Keepers and are now waging a fierce war to kill them off. It seems that, in Asia at least, the humans have been successful. Miriam flees, stopping only long enough to feed, but makes a terrible mistake. A terrible mistake that allows CIA Agent and Vampire Hunter Paul Ward to pick up her trail and the chase is on. Quite a merry chase it turns out to be, from Bangkok to Paris to New York. Strieber reinvents his horror novel to an epic supporting universe and manages to bring back Sarah Roberts, the guilt ridden victim of Miriam's seduction in The Hunger, as well. Most of the novel is an enlongated chase sequence, Strieber showing a welcome dexterity in both characterization and world building while his characters either flee or pursue. There is no shortage of bloodletting and even some nice tongue-in-cheek references to some of Strieber's other works, not to mention a nice twist on the sometimes insane level of Political Correctness in the world. The only downside that readers should be forewarned about is that The Last Vampire does appear to be a chapter in a much larger body of work and it will leave most with a hunger for more. Recommended.
Rating: Summary: Miriam, last of the Vampires Review: The Last Vampire is an admirable sequel to The Hunger, published seven years earlier. The story follows Miriam Blaylock from Tailand to Paris and back to New York where she had intended to visit the once a century Conclaves where the Keepers convene. Mariam is considered quite a rebel in the eyes of other Keepers since she lives her life in the mainstream, flaunts money, technology, and is up to date with all of the latest marvels of modern time. During her visits, something goes seriously wrong and the old Keepers are being killed, removed from the face of the earth. Miriam, now also on the run for her life, return to the sanctity and protection of her New York home, and nightclub.The book retains the style of it's predecessor, The Hunger, of seven years ago. The same colorful writing style, amusing descriptions, and suspense is consistent in both books. Surprising turn of events and an intriguing storyline continue to develop throughout. I read them back to back and could barely tell that there was such a span between the two books. Based on the apparent outcome of the book, I would have liked to have more of a history of the Keepers and how they originated and developed throughout time. Perhaps Mr. Strieber will provide additional books at some later time. If you liked The Hunger, then you should read this sequel.
Rating: Summary: The Return of a Master Review: The Last Vampire is one of the strongest novels I have read in some time. The pacing is terrific, the characters are fascinating and it's all built around a highly imaginative retelling of history that few authors could pull off. But Strieber is a unique and brilliant man, who is sadly neglected because his claims and his ideas are so far out that most people just don't know how to handle them. One day, I think that this man is going to be recognized as one of the great writers and thinkers of our time, but not until people see into the depths of his 'Communion' books and realize what is really there. The Last Vampire is, very simply, one of the four or five best novels in this genre ever written.
Rating: Summary: just the facts Review: The one thing that really bothered me most about this book is the author couldn't keep any of his facts straight. As a sequel, the writer has a responsablity to keep faithful to his original book, Strieber did not do this. The end was also just horrible, just an excuse for another sequel where I'm sure the story background will change once again.
Rating: Summary: Very predictable Review: The title says it all - I got about half way through the book before I had figured out most of the ending. At that point, I read the last 10 pages, confirmed my suspcions and put it down again, never to pick it up. The beginning was fine, even interesting. But once you hit the 5th or 6th chapter, it all goes down hill. The only redeeming quality this book has, actually, is the way the author infuses moments in history and literature with these creatures he writes about. Other wise, don't bother dropping money on this title, or at least wait until it comes out as a mass market paperback.
Rating: Summary: Great vampire novel with a nat wist Review: They self proclaimed themselves the Keepers because they are responsible for the evolutionary advances and population increases of mankind. They look at humanity as prey to eat when the hunger becomes impossible to ignore. Mostly, they hide their identities from their food source because they know that their victims would hunt them down if they knew the truth and death could occur if the assailant knows how to perform the act properly. CIA Agent Paul Ward knows about the Keepers since he realized one of them killed his father. Miriam Blaylock is a unique Keeper who appreciates the modern age conveniences developed by her human counterparts. When Paul and Miriam become aware of one another, they take turns becoming predators and prey until a unique development occurs that shocks everyone in the know. Over a decade ago Whitley Streiber published the “The Hunger” and finally gifts his fans with the sequel, THE LAST VAMPIRE, which holds up well when compared to the classic first tale. Readers understand Miriam and actually empathize with her needs that make her a killer. The obsessed Paul is trapped inside a mental war between his desires and his need for vengeance. Mr. Streiber remains an excellent teller of horror tales and belongs with the elite of the genre. ...
Rating: Summary: An Amazingly Good Vampire Novel Review: This book is a sort-of sequel to Whitley Strieber's the Hunger. I have never read that book,but I'm going to because this one is wonderful. It held me spellbound. There is just no other way to describe it's effect. I love a good read, and this writer really delivers! The only other vampire-related novel I've ever read was Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, and this story towers above it. Strieber takes you on a romp from the Thai jungle to the Paris catacombs to an exclusive and decadent New York club that just has to be there. You fall in love with Miriam Blaylock and Paul Ward and Sarah Roberts in all kinds of ways you would never expect. This has got to be some kind of a classic.
Rating: Summary: Fascinating But Missing Something Review: This book struck a horror into me that none of Anne Rice's novels ever did--they exposed the god-like role vampires played in human life. Strieber's vampires see human beings the way we see chickens and cows and they see copulation with a human as disgusting as we see bestiality. What's even more horrifying is that the reader is led to sympathize with the evil Miriam Blaylock, whether he/she wants to or not. The downfall of this book is that the author often moved too quickly in his descriptions. There wasn't enough information about the vampire's pasts so it leaves the reader quite hungry for backstory. Besides that, I'd give recommend it to a friend because it's not boring and it's extremely creative. -LV
Rating: Summary: Fascinating But Missing Something Review: This book struck a horror into me that none of Anne Rice's novels ever did--they exposed the god-like role vampires played in human life. Strieber's vampires see human beings the way we see chickens and cows and they see copulation with a human as disgusting as we see bestiality. What's even more horrifying is that the reader is led to sympathize with the evil Miriam Blaylock, whether he/she wants to or not. The downfall of this book is that the author often moved too quickly in his descriptions. There wasn't enough information about the vampire's pasts so it leaves the reader quite hungry for backstory. Besides that, I'd give recommend it to a friend because it's not boring and it's extremely creative. -LV
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