A plane lands at JFK, and all aboard have died quietly in those few minutes between clearance to land and actually landing. Four actually are left alive, which only puzzles the CDC investigators more. But then the dead disappear from the morgue, and the survivors start exhibiting some startling symptoms. Fortunately, a Holocaust survivor knows what is happening – a Vampire has arrived in New York, and if they don’t act quickly, the infection will spread quickly and NYC will be lost. I really loved this book, especially the viral nature of the vampire infection, how it spreads, and the physiological changes of those infected. It ends with a lot left to be said, so I’m off to read Book 2!
21. The Fall by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, 308 pages, Horror, 2010 (The Strain Trilogy, Book 2).
The rogue Vampire has taken over New York City, and while our heroes try to stop its spread, the virus is winning. Even the Old World Vampires try to combat this contagion, enlisting gangbangers to fight along side. But it is too insidious, and the world may fall to this threat. Fast-paced transition to the final encounter – looking forward to the 3rd book!
22. The Night Eternal by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, 371 pages, Horror, 2011 (The Strain Trilogy, Book 3).
It’s been 2 years since the Master and his vampires took over the world. Nuclear winter limits the sunlight they see, making it even easier for the vampires to keep control. The ancient book on vampires still remains a mystery to our protagonists, the key to the Master’s origin point, key to his destruction. Humans provide support services and those who don’t have a place in this new society are bled to feed the vampire scourge without adding too many to their brood. I liked the way society broke and was reformed in this cataclysmic event, but I think the results of nuclear bombs and meltdowns of nuclear power plants were understated as to environmental impact and survivability of those just outside the blast radius. I’m enjoying what they are doing for the television series this summer on FX.
