Review: The Lesser Dead by Christopher Buehlman
Hopefully this one makes up for my horrible Bird Eater review!
My Thoughts
4 1/2 bumping up to a 5 because that ending surprised the heck out of me!
Joey Peacock may look sixteen but don’t let his youthful looks fool you. He’s a street savvy vampire who has been sucking blood from the femoral arteries of charmed ladies for decades. He has a wicked sense of humor and I truly enjoyed his ugly/funny/scary take on the day to day life and goings-on when one is cursed to live as a vampire.
Joey spends his time feeding his need and sharing stories of his past and he’s pretty hilarious. Things start out rather light-heartedly but eventually take a very sinister turn as he encounters a group of very young vampires and the blood starts to splatter everywhere.
If you like your vampires gritty and bloody read this. You will not be sorry. I don’t want to give away too much and I’m lazy so that’s all I’m going to say.
I listened to the audiobook which is expertly read by the author after reading my friend Char’s fantastical review. How could I not? It was everything she said it would be. Sarcastic, imaginative, gross and so much bloodsucking fun. Honestly, how can you resist a book whose hero is named Joey Peacock?
Christopher Buehlman is quite secretive but you can visit his Goodreads and Twitter pages to see what he's up to.
The Lesser Dead by Christopher Buehlman
Vampire Horror Fiction
Audiobook 9 hours and 40 minutes
Released October 2014
Amazon ♦ Goodreads
Vampire Horror Fiction
Audiobook 9 hours and 40 minutes
Released October 2014
Amazon ♦ Goodreads
The secret is, vampires are real and I am one.
The secret is, I’m stealing from you what is most truly yours and I’m not sorry—
New York City in 1978 is a dirty, dangerous place to live. And die. Joey Peacock knows this as well as anybody—he has spent the last forty years as an adolescent vampire, perfecting the routine he now enjoys: womanizing in punk clubs and discotheques, feeding by night, and sleeping by day with others of his kind in the macabre labyrinth under the city’s sidewalks.
The subways are his playground and his highway, shuttling him throughout Manhattan to bleed the unsuspecting in the Sheep Meadow of Central Park or in the backseats of Checker cabs, or even those in their own apartments who are too hypnotized by sitcoms to notice him opening their windows. It’s almost too easy.
Until one night he sees them hunting on his beloved subway. The children with the merry eyes. Vampires, like him…or not like him. Whatever they are, whatever their appearance means, the undead in the tunnels of Manhattan are not as safe as they once were.
And neither are the rest of us.
The secret is, I’m stealing from you what is most truly yours and I’m not sorry—
New York City in 1978 is a dirty, dangerous place to live. And die. Joey Peacock knows this as well as anybody—he has spent the last forty years as an adolescent vampire, perfecting the routine he now enjoys: womanizing in punk clubs and discotheques, feeding by night, and sleeping by day with others of his kind in the macabre labyrinth under the city’s sidewalks.
The subways are his playground and his highway, shuttling him throughout Manhattan to bleed the unsuspecting in the Sheep Meadow of Central Park or in the backseats of Checker cabs, or even those in their own apartments who are too hypnotized by sitcoms to notice him opening their windows. It’s almost too easy.
Until one night he sees them hunting on his beloved subway. The children with the merry eyes. Vampires, like him…or not like him. Whatever they are, whatever their appearance means, the undead in the tunnels of Manhattan are not as safe as they once were.
And neither are the rest of us.
My Thoughts
4 1/2 bumping up to a 5 because that ending surprised the heck out of me!
Joey Peacock may look sixteen but don’t let his youthful looks fool you. He’s a street savvy vampire who has been sucking blood from the femoral arteries of charmed ladies for decades. He has a wicked sense of humor and I truly enjoyed his ugly/funny/scary take on the day to day life and goings-on when one is cursed to live as a vampire.
“Any vampire that turns a kid under thirteen needs to be taken out sunbathing.”
Joey spends his time feeding his need and sharing stories of his past and he’s pretty hilarious. Things start out rather light-heartedly but eventually take a very sinister turn as he encounters a group of very young vampires and the blood starts to splatter everywhere.
If you like your vampires gritty and bloody read this. You will not be sorry. I don’t want to give away too much and I’m lazy so that’s all I’m going to say.
I listened to the audiobook which is expertly read by the author after reading my friend Char’s fantastical review. How could I not? It was everything she said it would be. Sarcastic, imaginative, gross and so much bloodsucking fun. Honestly, how can you resist a book whose hero is named Joey Peacock?
| My Friend Char Also Highly Recommends This One |
A Bit About the Writer
I really need to pick this one up. I can't say enough good things about The Suicide Motor Club. It's easily one of my favorite books from last year. Glad you enjoyed this one and it's a must for me because I don't like my vampires sparkly!
ReplyDeleteThese certainly weren't sparkly :) Now that's two very trustworthy recommendations for The Suicide Motor Club! I'll have to get to that one soon.
DeleteInteresting! I do love gritty and bloody vampires.
ReplyDeleteFor What It's Worth
And boy are these guys gritty :)
DeleteI definitely prefer gritty& bloody vampires to shiny ones. :D
ReplyDeleteYou'll love these vampires, then!
DeleteI really need to give Christopher Buehlman another try. I didn't enjoy his debut novel (Those Across the River), and I haven't picked up any of his other books. I've seen Charlene rave about them, too.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read that one. I think I'll pick up the motor club book next.
DeleteI have the Suicide Motor Club on my tbr. Not sure about this one-it's not the most exciting sounding blurb in the world!
ReplyDeleteYeah, that blurb didn't call my name either until I read Char's review.
DeleteThis sounds really good! Plus I love a book that kind of surprises you. I will keep this book in mind.
ReplyDeleteIt was a bloody fun. When you're in the mood, give it a go.
Delete