Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

By: Seth Grahame-Smith

Narrated by: Scott Holst

Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness."

"My baby boy..." she whispers before dying.

Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.

When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.

©2010 Seth Grahame-Smith (P)2010 Hachette Audio

Fact and Fiction Interwove smoothly together

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I got so enmeshed in Abe Lincolns life, I forgot it was a work of fiction

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the ending.............thinking he's still out there watching over us with his ethics and integrity.

What about Scott Holst’s performance did you like?

It was good, nothing memorable to report

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, I was very sorry it was over. Sign of good story is to mourn when it ends.

Fantastic?

Everything I had hoped for and so much more. It was more historically factual than I anticipated.

Moving & Plausible

Where does Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

8 out 10.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?

Lincoln killing his nemesis.

Which character – as performed by Scott Holst – was your favorite?

Lincoln

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Lincoln: Vampire Slayer

Any additional comments?

The beginning and end of the story were moving and kept me awake, thinking about the next plot but it started to become boring towards the end.

Not a Disappointment

A very original premise. I enjoyed the narration and the weaving of historical fact with fiction. Definitely worth the credit.

Entertainment

This was a very good story, it was fun and interesting. The way that the author weaved fact with fiction was done very well. Don't expect an award winner and just sit back and enjoy some fiction. I was disappointed at the end and felt like it wasn't wrapped up to my satisfaction but all-in-all I am glad I listened to it. It will make me watch the movie even after I heard it was awful.

Boring and Boring

Would you be willing to try another one of Scott Holst’s performances?

no. His voice is grating.

Did Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter inspire you to do anything?

inspired me to not read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies....

Any additional comments?

Abraham Lincoln is a person I dislike in the book. He is only angry and vengful. There is otherwise very little substance to him. The story is so far predictable. I just couldn't finish it.

Surprisingly great listen!

What did you love best about Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?

I loved the diary format. It kept the book moving and interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

The historical accuracy of the book bring in other characters that were around Lincoln during his younger years.

What three words best describe Scott Holst’s voice?

Fast paced, exceptional, enjoyable

Any additional comments?

I bought this book as a joke. I wanted to laugh at how crazy the premise was. The opposite happened. I found myself loving it and marveling at how creative and well done it was. Really really good!

A mix of history & vampires

Would you listen to Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter again? Why?

I would...the story really held my attention. The historical details were nicely woven through the novel.

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed the mix of fantasy & reality. It was great to hear true details of one of our country's most celebrated presidents mixed with vampires, a subject that holds so many people's attention. The novel had some very fast paced moments as well as some slower areas that provided great character development not only of the fictionalized Lincoln, but many other people that he met along his quest.

What does Scott Holst bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His strong portrayal of Lincoln was great...his voice conveyed such emotion when Lincoln experienced loss or hardship (which happened quite often.) Being as this is a story told almost exclusively through Lincoln there isn't a lot of need for different character voices, but occasionally when a conversation between Lincoln & his father was conveyed, there wasn't enough of a difference between the 2 voices to easily distinguish them from each other. Overall though he was an amazing narrator & helped this story come to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There are several moments when Lincoln suffered tremendous loss that were described with such emotion that it was easy to feel empathy for Lincoln & all that he endured. (Both real and imagined.)

Good one

I loved this series initially - but now i don't know. Good one. Maybe I just need to take a break and come back to it.

Excellent listen

Would you listen to Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter again? Why?

Yes, I already have!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Abe Lincoln and Henry, of course.

What about Scott Holst’s performance did you like?

Scott has a wonderful voice that really brought the story to life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was hooked the moment the story began.

Any additional comments?

I downloaded a sample of this book on my kindle. Never having time to really read these days I thought audible might be great especially for driving to/from work. This was my first audible book, and it won't be my last.