I admit to wanting to read this book because of all the hype, but we all know that does not always work out to be a good thing. As much as I wanted to like this book, I had to give myself permission to move on to something else after investing a week of my time both reading and listening to about 180 pages or 7 discs of 25 of this audio book set. Scott Brick, the narrator is a very good reader, so that was not the issue. I admit that I was enjoying the parts of the story about little Amy, a little white girl who was left at a convent by her mother who was a prostitute. I also liked the mysterious Sister Lacey, the black nun at the convent who was there for Amy, and seemed to have secrets of her own. What I wasn't into was the whole secret government virus project, and what was to follow. I guess a new population of blood thirsty vampires was a bit over the top for me. Maybe I just lack a vivid imagination, but basically I think this just not the type of story I could ever enjoy reading. BTW: I never read The Stand either.
Have you read The Passage
? Did you like it as much as Ti @ Book Chatter or Marie @ Boston Bibliophile? Maybe, you feel more like me, or perhaps, Rhapsody in Books and A Progressive on the Prairie? If you haven't read The Passage yet, do you plan to read it?
I bought this book because of the hype and still plan on trying it, but I am not sure it's really the book for me.
ReplyDeleteI think I've been avoiding this one because of all the hype. Sorry it didn't work for you.
ReplyDeleteOoh it seemed like a whole different style of book until you mentioned the vampires. They don't seem to match up.
ReplyDeleteI had my first DNF this week too, so I think we should be proud that we go so far through the year, without having one.
Diane, I've seen this book everywhere and it has not appealed to me. I know the reviews are mostly fantastic but for some reason I'm not moved to read it. Don't feel badly about the DNF. Not every book is for every reader. I appreciate that you posted your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this one but I am on the fence about it. The length is rather frightening, and I am not sure that it is for me.
ReplyDeleteHuh. I don't know what I thought this book was about, but vampires definitely weren't in there. As for The Stand, my bookmark is still in it, at page 374, but I could only take so much of people oozing and swelling and eating each other. I hope to finish it someday, though, and I thought the opening was fantastic.
ReplyDeleteInteresting review. I'm always interested when people try a book and can't finish it. It's happened to me before many times as well.
ReplyDeleteThis still sounds like a book I'd like to try . . . but maybe I will not be able to finish it either!
Oh, no! I often feel that if a book is really hyped, I need to give myself a long time before reading it so that my expectations aren't too high. I am not sure that this book appeals to me, anyway, but even if I do decide to read it.... I'll wait.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to read about vampires, apocalyptic futures or pandemics. Given that all three are in this one novel... I definitely won't be reading it.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad about not finishing... not all books are for all readers.
I haven't read this book yet and I don't really plan to. I was thinking about it because of the hype but I'm with you, a book with vampires, I'm going to have a hard time getting into it!
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this book (despite the vampires, which are generally not my thing either, at least not in books), so I'm sorry to hear it didn't work for you! Mind you, I was not a fan of The Stand, which for starters was way too long (I also had issues with the story itself). Still, I'm determined to get my hands on this one!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read it yet, but you know not every hyped book works for each of us. Some do, some don't. I suspect I will probably like this, but I'm putting it off for a while. Sorry it work for you, but I'm sure you're on to something more pleasing.
ReplyDeleteThis doesn't sound like my type of book anyway. All they hype also puts me off ... doubt I'll be reading it.
ReplyDeleteI know technically it is a vampire story but not in the traditional sense. Not really. I think this book was a lot of set-up for the rest of the series, so perhaps that is why it dragged a bit for you. I am okay with set-up if I feel it's going somewhere. I was happy by the end.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the fence, too...mostly because of the length!
ReplyDeleteI think that I only had one DNF last year, but it is hard to admit that it's not working for you and give up, isn't it? Good for you for realizing that this one wasn't for you. There are so many books and so little time!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to read this one, but no idea when would that be. The volume alone is scary to me! :P
ReplyDeleteI finished it, but found it really frustrating and disappointing. My review will post tomorrow. =]
ReplyDeleteAwww... sorry this one didn't work for you. I'll be reading this one two weeks later, and I hope I can last the 700 pages.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read it but I have been looking forward to reading it. I don't read paranormal or vampires or any of that stuff, i am a lot more about reality in my reading, but I thought this was one that I could give a try. I am not deterred by your review, but I am a little worried now
ReplyDeleteThe hype is immense but the reviews are also good?
ReplyDeleteSee but I hate when people talk about the "vampires" because it gives vampires a bad name! I think the creatures were more like zombies anyway! :--)
ReplyDeleteYou are the second blogger that I follow who's said that they could not finish this book. I trust both of your judgments so I consider myself saved from attempting. I admit that I was very close to succumbing to all the hype and buying it.
ReplyDeleteI've been on the fence with this one. It definitely isn't the kind of thing I usually read but it was getting such great reviews. I did read that the first 250 pages are the best so if that didn't work for you, it was probably best to give it up.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually quite pleased that you didn't finish this one - it lowers my expectations a bit. I've reserved a copy from the library so hope to get hold of it soon. I'm not convinced that it is for me, but I'm afraid I am drawn to a book with so much hype - I just need to know what everyone is talking about!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this review. I have been tempted by all the hype...but now that you mention vampires it doesn't really sound like my type :-)
ReplyDeleteI so want to read this book and have totally got caught up in all the hype as well. I don't mind vampires (they are not a favorite, but they won't turn me away from a book either) I think I am still going to read this one, though Like Aarti, I may wait a little bit for the hype to die down. Sorry this one wasn't great for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the process of writing my own review of The Passage, and I had the total opposite reaction. I loved the book, even though I don't like vampires either. I didn't even think of them like that though because they lacked all fantasy elements that you would normally associate with vamps. I'm sorry this didn't work for you, but I would encourage anyone here who is intimidated by the length to not let that stop you. I read it in about 20 hours total (about 2 days) and literally could not put it down.
ReplyDeleteI've just recently added this to my wish list because of all the hype, but now you have me thinking I might have a similar reaction. Hmm...
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to see what camp I fall into. And I love your little DNF icon!
ReplyDeleteTi and Home Between the Pages, I was really happy to hear that this book worked for you; I was hoping that the same would happen for me.
ReplyDeleteTo everyone else who plans to read this one, I'm hoping this ends up being one of your best books of 2010 :)
Diane -
ReplyDeleteI have been reading your blog via google reader, and have not been by lately I like the new theme. Nice and bright sand colored, with bird ...perfect :)
I'm sad you did not like this book. Horror is not for everyone. You are the first person I have seen that has ditched this book. Good for you. Life is to short for books you don't enjoy. I have linked your review to mine for a contrary opinion.
Cheers.
Shellie
I just started this book and am enjoying it so far. However, at a handful of pages a day it's going to take forever to finish! Sorry this was a disappointment for you.
ReplyDeleteTi...I was very excited when I read your review for this book, and had high hopes. It just did not work.
ReplyDeleteTo All of you Who plan to read this one PLEASE do not let me, discourage you. You may end up loving the book like so many others.
Charley...Ugh, the oozing, swelling and cannabalism ould have done me in on the Stand; I have a week stomach (especially this week)>>LOL
Shellie....Thanks for the sweet comments and for linking to my review; much appreciated.
Thanks for ALL the comments, as it made for lively discussion indeed.
Kudos to you Diane for being honest and not hesitating to stand out of the crowd. That's what I love about book bloggers and readers in general. We don't all have to love the same books.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane,
ReplyDeleteI loved it, but I love suspense thrillers and conspiracy novels so it's to be expected that I would. I don't know how much you read, but I do know that Amy and Sister Lacey return much later in the book.
I loved The Passage because it was such a meaty book, but if it's not your kind of genre, there's no harm in not finishing it, especially since it's so long!
Alayne - The Crowded Leaf