by Seth Grahame-Smith
Series: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter #2
Narrator: MacLeod Andrews
Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins
Genres: Historical Fiction, Paranormal
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5
New York Times bestselling author Seth Grahame-Smith returns with the follow-up to Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter -a sweeping, alternate history of 20th Century America as seen through the eyes of vampire Henry Sturges.THE LAST AMERICAN VAMPIRE. In Reconstruction-era America, vampire Henry Sturges is searching for renewed purpose in the wake of his friend Abraham Lincoln's shocking death. It will be an expansive journey that will first send him to England for an unexpected encounter with Jack the Ripper, then to New York City for the birth of a new American century, the dawn of the electric era of Tesla and Edison, and the blazing disaster of the 1937 Hindenburg crash. Along the way, Henry goes on the road in a Kerouac-influenced trip as Seth Grahame-Smith ingeniously weaves vampire history through Russia's October Revolution, the First and Second World Wars, and the JFK assassination. Expansive in scope and serious in execution, THE LAST AMERICAN VAMPIRE is sure to appeal to the passionate readers who made Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter a runaway success.
The Last American Vampire by Seth Grahame-Smith is a follow up to his wildly successful Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter novel. I chose to listen as soon as I saw MacLeod Andrews was narrating. This was a riveting alternate travel through history and my travels with Henry Sturges were absolutely delightful.
Five reasons to grab your earbuds and listen to The Last American Vampire
- I love history and Grahame-Smith weaves vampires into some of the biggest events in history from the folks who disappeared at Roanoke to JFK’s assassination. He takes us to London, with Jack the Ripper and introduces us to Tesla, Edison and Mark Twain. It was riveting from his re-telling of the Hindenburg crash to visiting Teddy Roosevelt in the White House.
- The tale is relayed through Henry Sturges the Vampire who hunted with Abe Lincoln. We get a full account of his life as a vampire and his patronage to America. Henry is a likable character and quite noble for a vampire. His friendships, interactions and the path he blazed had me spellbound.
- While Grahame-Smith twists our history to include vampire involvement he did so in such a way that it felt realistic, even dare I say plausible. I love when the lines of reality and fiction blur and he does so seamlessly. Think of this as a memoir of Sturges life with twists, turns, loss and love. At 400 pages/15 hours of audio both my husband and I were never bored. It was broken up into events and stories with an overall threat that kept us both engaged.
- MacLeod Andrews narrates and he has quickly become one of my favorite narrators. From voices to his tone, he adds another level of enjoyment to listening that heightens my reading experience. We came across many characters and I was amazed at his ability to give them each voice and accentuate their personalities through pitch.
- Grahame-Smith’s imagination, writing style and ability to tell a tall tale made the Last American Vampire a story I will long remember. I became attached to the characters and caught up in the overall plot.
My hubby and I listened to the complete disc set as we traveled for vacation and both of us enjoyed Grahame-Smith’s retelling of American history in the Last American Vampire.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary
Plausible, even? Now, that’s saying something. Definitely sounds like a fun read.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..he keeps to the facts and then weaves in plausible vampire involvement.
Karen Blue
I really enjoyed this book, I am glad you did too! I didn’t read the first book, but maybe one day I will. I found this to be a good stand-alone anyways. The narrator is great, i listened to the sound bite. I need it to be faster though, my mind wanders at that speed. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
They work well as standalone which was cool, I hope you go back though. You can adjust the speed of the narration. For me it depends on the narrator some I speed up, others i keep at lowest setting
Red Iza
I might read it, but I won’t do it soon – I read his Pride, prejudice and zombie and DNF it, found it rather funny but not enthralling 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I haven’t tried that book, but did love Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
Bookworm Brandee
I read Grahame-Smith’s Pride & Prejudice & Zombies and admit to enjoying it. 🙂 I’d always wanted to pick up Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter but just hadn’t taken the time. You’ve given me many reasons to pick it up and this one as well. I love alternate histories and I think adding vampires into the mix is great. I like your idea of approaching this as a memoir. 🙂 Great review, Kimba! I’m glad you and your husband enjoyed it!
kimbacaffeinate
I haven’t tried P&P Zombies yet Brandee.
Benish
Paranormal & history? Now, that’s something different in fiction. Thank you for sharing.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes he takes actually events and weaves paranormal elements into it
Liza Barrett
This looks really good! I hadn’t realized there’d been a sequel. And it honestly hadn’t occurred to me to try the audio version of these books. I may give that a go in the near future! Thanks for sharing 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh you must try Andrews on audio..he rocks as a narrator. I look for books with him narrating..LOL
Terri
The first book was oddly enjoyable, so definitely going to give this one a read! Thanks for the heads up, as I had no idea there was a sequel!
kimbacaffeinate
Right…and yet I like-y.
Paij Slater
Sounds fantastic 🙂 Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
It was fun Paij..thanks so much
Sharon
I have the first book and I need to get onto it I think! Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, enjoy Sharon
Erin O'Riordan
I wanted to like this book. I just wish Seth Grahame-Smith wasn’t so reflexively sexist
kimbacaffeinate
I didn’t grasp that from his work but understand when books strike a nerve. Thanks Erin
Erin O'Riordan
It’s a pattern I’ve been noticing in his work: the female character tends to be some kind of evil creature who’s violently killed off when the male protagonist’s storyline requires her to be. I really liked ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,’ but ever since then it’s been too much prejudice and too little pride for Grahame Smith’s female characters.
Angela Adams
During my last visit to the bookstore, I picked this book up from the display. Just the few pages I skimmed hinted at it being an awesome read. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
He really is a masterful storyteller.
Angie
Glad to hear that this book was great!!! I like how he twists history. It’s so cool actually. I enjoyed the Lincoln novel a lot so I know I would like one too.
kimbacaffeinate
I do too Angie..and that little twist makes it cool
Braine
I hope they turn this into a movie too! I loved the first one & the premise of this sounds really good
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah this would be an awesome movie!
Lanie
How did I not know about this book O.O! I loved the first one and the movie was so cool.
kimbacaffeinate
My hubby watched the movie so he quickly got into this one.
Heidi
I have been long wanting to listen to this series. Now that I know that McLeod is narrating this one, I am more than eager. I hope to try it soon.
kimbacaffeinate
Right..he does narration so well. I have switched to audio for some of series just because he is narrating..LOL
Katherine
I had seen the cover (and thought it pretty awesome) but didn’t realize this was connected with Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter or that there was so much history woven into the story. That intrigues me where a regular vampire book wouldn’t. I’ll have to look for this – especially in audio.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, and while the are part of a series either will work as a standalone.
Lauren
Glad to hear you and your husband enjoyed this! It’s always hard to find audiobooks that the BF wants to listen to in the car with me, so we’ll have to try this! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah…we nee high body count..lol
Brandi Breathes Books
Hmm, I haven’t heard much about this one, but the blend of HF and paranormal sounds interesting
kimbacaffeinate
It was, thanks Brandi
Sophia Rose
I’ve had his books on the radar, but haven’t quite got around to them. The blend of history and vampire existence was what caught my eye too.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy it Sophia it was such fun
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
I just checked this out from the library 🙂 Really looking forward to it!
kimbacaffeinate
Squee..enjoy Felicia
Candace
I never had an urge to read these books. I suppose I just assumed they were horror. Are they not as ‘horror’ish’ as I’d thought? I don’t know, I’m kind of intrigued and curious now!
kimbacaffeinate
It is really fun..I hope you try it.
Ramona
I want to listen to this right NOW! It’s got history and vampires – I mean, it doesn’t get any better than this. Not to mention, a great narrator, which is so important for an audiobook… Thanks, Kimba, for introducing me to another book, which I’ve no doubt I’ll end up loving completely. You’re awesome 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Right..it was such fun. I love just about anything Andrews narrates.
Debbie Haupt
Wow Kim, I have heard of this author and now after reading your review I’m really inclined to pick up this book and maybe his earlier one too. I also love alternate history and you can’t get more alternate than seeing the American experience through the eyes of a Vampire. 🙂 Thanks
kimbacaffeinate
He has quite the imagination and I connected with the characters.
Nick
Well that sure in unique! MacLeod Andrews is a popular name in audiobook narrators! I’m not sure if the book is for me, but I’m glad you enjoyed it so much!
Wonderful review! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Audio is the way to go…its like a movie in your ears!
Stormi
I have the first one on audio and I started it a long time ago but for some reason never finished it..didn’t know there was going to be a second one..now that makes me want to look for my copy and listen..lol.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you begin again, I so enjoyed this one
kindlemom1
I love that both you and your husband listened to think and that you both liked it. I also love the blend of history and paranormal.
Great review Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
I like the blending too, especially since the events are so familiar to us already and then he offers an alternate course of events
Christy
I don’t think I’ve seen this one before but it sounds like one I need to check out!
kimbacaffeinate
Why yes you should 🙂
Silvia
I’m glad you and your husband had such a delightful time with this audiobook (and the trip, of course!). Although I still have to read it, I have the paperback of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter but honestly had no idea there was a sequel out!
kimbacaffeinate
This series is fun and different. I have had a blast with it
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
MacLeod Andrews is pretty much auto-buy for me, no matter what he narrates. He is just brilliant. Besides, I haven’t read a decent truly bloody vampire story in ages. I really want one.
kimbacaffeinate
hehe..agreed he could make a manual on transmissions sound dreamy
Lupdilup
OMG! Kimberly I listened to the first book a long time ago! I had no idea the second book was out, I love this narrator, more than the one in the first book. …On my list it goes 🙂 I’ll be listening soon you can bet !
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I love the narrator too Loupe, even my hubby got into it
blodeuedd
Ha, yes I could read this 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try it, the audio is amazing and perfect for walking:)