BOOK REVIEW: Out Of The Frying Pan And Into The Fire

(Originally published 2010, Mass Market Paperback 440 pages)

Mr. Del Toro's and Mr. Hogan's second book in their vampire trilogy guides are heroes from a bad situation to even worse. While the first novel, The Strain, was scarier than this sequel, I believe it has to do with the reader becoming inured to legions of vampires attacking people. There are some scary moments, but not anywhere near the level as the first book. Also, the ease in which the protagonists kill hordes of the bloodsuckers without the good guys receiving even one scratch has the same feel as a Star Wars film where bullets are flying all over the friggin' place but never seem to hit the heroes. The Strain went into deep detail about how being bitten and transformed into a vampire evolved. The Fall is more of an action/adventure work. But, mercy, what a fun ride. There are plenty of exciting twists and turns in the story. Some details from the first book are answered and new mysteries arise that will only be revealed in the third installment. This is not a stand-alone work and it is necessary to read the first book to grasp what the hell is going on. I found it to be an enjoyable, easy read and look forward to diving into the last novel The Night Eternal. At this point, it doesn't matter if the concluding book is scary or not. I am very curious as to how or IF the authors resolve this whole mess in a satisfactory manner. 

(Meyers - A few years ago, I started writing, under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse, short reviews at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review #320)