Good but....

This is a great story but the continued use of a certain word made me uncomfortable. Apart from that it was a great tale of good against evil.

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Happy with what I listened too and was exactly what I was looking for

Really happy overall with the book as a whole. Didn’t really know what to expect when I started (but I came here because I just finished all of A Song of Ice and Fire and like GRRM’s storytelling).

It takes Vampires and their typical mythology in a different direction and I enjoy that.

I really enjoyed Ron Donachie’s narration of the story.

One negative for me is how racist the book is at parts (particularly at the beginning), I understand that it is set during a very bad time period in the US (before the Civil War) but still, I don’t like unnecessary and excessive use of the derogatory terms.

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1 person found this helpful

I very good vampire story

I have to say that the first 75% of this book is simply brilliant, the characters, storyline, ideas, the suspense & mystery, the world Martin creates. However, the last 25% was average to poor; I was disappointed with the ending. It was as if the writer had got bored with the book and just wanted to end it quickly. Shame, had the later chapters lived up to the writing in the first, this could have been one of my all-time faviourite vampire books. Still worth a read!

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Fevre Dream; Excellent!

Would you listen to Fevre Dream again? Why?

I read quite a lot of books. There are very few books that i read/ listen to, more than once. Fevre Dream is one that I will read and re-read; its that good. There are so many layers to this story. The historical setting, and morality of that time, is perfect for the choices facing the two lead characters throughout the story; it allows us to see the difficult changes both men are striving for within their own cultures, mirroring the abolition issue thats in the background of the mississippi river life, as the fevre dream journeys to New Orleans.

What did you like best about this story?

The main theme i got running through this story was 'Choice'. Abner and Joshua, from different sides of the fence, have to continually search themselves for what's 'right' in each situation they come across and not just what their peers would do. As Joshua's plan is revealed, there are all new trust issues that need to be dealt with. Abner and Joshua each play the part of a representative for each race with their views and ideals, and a great friendship is the result.
The friendship between the two is the best part of this story. Friendship out of adversity has been done many times before, but I don't think its been done quite like this. The cost of the friendship to each character, is great, yet even over many years hiatus, each remains loyal to the other.

What about Ron Donachie’s performance did you like?

The vocal performance of Ron Donachie is excellent here. He gives real weight to Abner Marsh as the tough steamboat captain, and the slow southern drawl of Julien really gives a sinister fell to the character. Every role is read expertly.

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

The epilogue is one of the saddest i've ever read. Not just for the main characters of the story, but for the steamboat trade of the mississippi, also.

Any additional comments?

There are few really original takes on the vampire genre. Not since Anne Rice's first vampire chronicle have i read such a good vampire story, however, this story is great because of its human side.
Well worth a listen

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4 people found this helpful

Great!

A refreshing great story in what I thought was a predicable genre. I would highly recommend this story.

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Incredible characters brought to life by outstanding narration

An refreshing take on the classic vampire story with extremely compelling and likeable characters. Donachie’s narration is another highlight and really makes the characters feel whole. I found the story enjoyable but I personally think it might have benefitted from a little cutting down towards the end as it goes a little bit back and forth. However this doesn’t detract from the story itself, which I thoroughly enjoyed

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predictable but good

what can I say? I enjoyed listening to this veryuch. The setting was original enough to keep the Vampire stuff kinda interesting, even if the steamboats weren't. though the main characters passion for his boats was great enough that even I started caring slightly for his steamer. which is really just down to the writing and the narrator doing a great job.
My only problem was that it was predictable, and I found myself knowing how things would go whenever something exciting happened. This didn't take away from the story, just took some of the thrill away for me.

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Well damn

First book ived bothered to stop and rate at the end. This was a damned good story damn it, going to dive straight into it again.
Cant reccomend enough!

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Every bit as exotic as Westeros

Fevre Dream dates from a long time before Game of Thrones, yet many of the hallmarks of Martin's later writing are present. An alien (to me, in Northern England!) world painted so vividly you could be there, a cast of imperfect and believable characters, and of course sumptious descriptions of lavish meals.

Fevre Dream is a tale of the Old South, of steamboats and vampires. The principal character is the Mississippi herself, but the boats and the captain and the vampires are all unforgettable too. The narration is of the kind that gets out of the way and lets the story speak, and that's what I like. There's nothing here not to like.

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2 people found this helpful

Loved it

I have never read a George R R Martin book, but was hooked on Game of Thrones. This book is set in an entirely different universe, but the characters are every bit as engaging. I love vampire stories and this whole new take on them as a different race was refeshing. Last but not least the setting on the mighty Mississippi with the glorious steemboats and all the colourful characters sailing the river was so wonderfully vivid. Kudos also to the narrator who brought it all to life with the his fantastic performance.

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