American Vampire - July 2011

36. American Vampire (Vol. 1)- Stephen King & Scott Snyder, Illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque

200 Pages, Borrowed from Local Library

This is the first graphic novel of our list and a very enjoyable read.

It is a book of two stories, one by King, the other by Snyder.

Both stories were entertaining, showing a fresh take on vampires.

One has a girl who is attacked by vampires and left for dead. She's found by another vampire who bites her and turns her into an "American Vampire"; a vampire with teeth, claws and no problems with the sun!

The second story follows Skinner Sweet, the original American Vampire.

For once, the artwork perfectly complements the tale. I know art is a personal thing, but when it comes to graphic novels sometimes it can take away from the storyline...that is not the case here. I would have Rafael Albuquerque do all illustrations for Stephen Kings works from now on...and re do The Dark Tower comicbooks too.

If you're a fan of vampires, and NOT the lame-ass Twilight versions of them, then this book is one to chase down.

It's the first in a series so there plenty more to look forward to.

I give American Vampires 5 "Pearl Jones" out of 5.

Blockade Billy - March 2011

17. Blockade Billy - Stephen King

132 pages, Borrowed from Mobile Library (I'm sorry I didn't take a picture while I was there, having used it I have decided I'd like to live in a Mobile Library!)

I borrowed 2 Stephen King books at the same time, "Full Dark, No Stars" and "Blockade Billy".

I have previously shared my thoughts on the first book (Great) and now I move onto the second (Not so good)

Maybe it was the baseball theme (Baseball is not big in Ireland, the closest thing we have is Rounders but that's not really popular as a national sport either) or maybe it was just the story but either way I thought it was a below par effort.

It isn't a large book and there's two stories; "Blockade Billy" and "Morality" so I guess it's worth the short time it takes to read.

"Morality" was better than "Blockade Billy" and had a real Twilight Zone feel about it too which was enjoyable.

All in all, it's worth a read if you're a fan of Kings but only if you're a fast reader!

I give this 3 "Spring-loaded Razor Blades" out of 5...2 for Morality, 1 for Blockade Billy.

Full Dark, No Stars - March 2011

16. Full Dark, No Stars - Stephen King

352 pages, Borrowed from Mobile Library, A small bus packed all around with books on wooden shelves, with a really strong smell of books too...heaven!

I'm a big Stephen King fan, or as the man himself likes to say a "Constant Reader". I started with "The Eyes of the Dragon" when I was 12 and followed that with "IT" the summer I turned 13.

I've been through the highs (The Stand, Misery, the Talisman etc.) and the lows (Dolores Claiborne, Rose Madder, Gerald's Game) but still remained faithful.

He's had an upsurge in quality again since "From a Buick 8" and Full Dark, No Stars is another example of that upswing.

The book consists of 4 novellas, all very dark stories, all with a touch of Edgar Allen Poe about them. Light on laughs but heavy on atmosphere and a sense of danger for the characters in each story.

King is great at the long novel and the short story and here that expertise shines through. Each story is long enough to satisfy yet short enough to keep you interested.

All in all if you're a fan of King or just like tales with a dark side then Full Dark, No Stars will be right up your alley.

I give this 5 "Good Marriages" out of 5