Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Dark Harvest Books (1991), Hardcover
Description
A vampire turns Los Angeles into a city of the dead in this novel by the New York Times-bestselling and Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Swan Song. The Kronsteen castle, a gothic monstrosity, looms over Los Angeles. Built during Hollywood's golden age for a long-dead screen idol with a taste for the macabre, it stands as a decaying reminder of the past. Since the owner's murder, no living thing has ever again taken up residence. But it isn't abandoned. Prince Conrad Vulkan, Hungarian master of the vampires, as old as the centuries, calls it home. His plan is to replace all humankind with his kind. And he's starting with the psychotic dregs of society in the City of Angels. The number of victims is growing night after night, and so is Vulkan's legion of the dead. As a glittering city bleeds into a necropolis, a band of vampire hunters takes action: an avenging young boy who saw his parents devoured; a television star whose lover has an affinity for the supernatural; a dying priest chosen by God to defend the world; a female reporter investigating a rash of cemetery desecrations; and LAPD homicide detective Andy Palatazin, an immigrant who survived a vampire attack in his native Hungary when he was child and has been hunting evil across the globe for decades. Palatazin knows that to stop the Prince of Darkness, one must invade his nest. He knows it's also a suicide mission. But it's the only way to save the city--and the world--from vampire domination. "Suspenseful, exciting, and visceral," They Thirst is one of the earliest novels by the versatile author of such masterpieces as Boy's Life, The Wolf's Hour, and the Matthew Corbett series (Kirkus Reviews). … (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member TobinElliott
So this is the first book that McCammon was confident enough to not have pulled. And it's his first "epic" novel, that is, one with a very large cast and a reasonably complex pacing to it.
Does it work? Yeah, most of the time, it's an excellent ride. There's occasionally some apparent waffling on
Unfortunately, he telegraphs the ending a bit too much with a slightly cartoonish over-confident vampire leader. If I could change anything, it would be to have toned that down a touch.
But overall, kudos to McCammon for using LA as his stage. Yes, he still has his Renfield and his Van Helsing and his Mina Harker, but the setting is so contemporary that he's able to disguise them fairly well.
Overall, this felt like one of those big, fat, fun late-70s, early-80s horror novels that just aren't created anymore...not even by guys that used to write them, like McCammon and King and Masterton. And that's just a shame, because these are just awesome to read.
Not a perfect vampire novel (that honour is a tie between 'SALEM'S LOT by King and THE LIGHT AT THE END by Skipp and Spector), but it's a fun ride, nonetheless.
Does it work? Yeah, most of the time, it's an excellent ride. There's occasionally some apparent waffling on
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the part of McCammon to get some supernatural stuff in there. Spirits. Ghosts. Mediums. Don't really know if it's needed, because his vampires were very well done. And bonus points for the line, "I fang-fucked her all night." And, as usual, McCammon plays to his strengths--creating varied, engaging characters.Unfortunately, he telegraphs the ending a bit too much with a slightly cartoonish over-confident vampire leader. If I could change anything, it would be to have toned that down a touch.
But overall, kudos to McCammon for using LA as his stage. Yes, he still has his Renfield and his Van Helsing and his Mina Harker, but the setting is so contemporary that he's able to disguise them fairly well.
Overall, this felt like one of those big, fat, fun late-70s, early-80s horror novels that just aren't created anymore...not even by guys that used to write them, like McCammon and King and Masterton. And that's just a shame, because these are just awesome to read.
Not a perfect vampire novel (that honour is a tie between 'SALEM'S LOT by King and THE LIGHT AT THE END by Skipp and Spector), but it's a fun ride, nonetheless.
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LibraryThing member bcquinnsmom
Quite possibly the best vampire story I have ever read, and I have read a lot in my time. ShadowPi, I cannot thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to read this book. Somehow I know that no matter which vampire story I read after this one, it's not going to measure up! Now that I've
The story begins in Hungary, where a boy's father has gone off on a dangerous mission. He tells the son to take care of his mother in case anything happens to him. But shortly after he leaves, he returns, and he has changed. The mother runs off with the boy and heads for sanctuary. Years later, that boy (Andre Palatazin) is now a police detective in Los Angeles, his mother now dead. One morning he is awakened by what appears to be his mother, sitting in her favorite rocking chair. From that day on, things are not the same for him, or for that matter, anyone in LA. It starts out on a small scale...people are disappearing, animals begin to act strange...and suddenly vampires begin to appear in masses throughout the city. Total domination of the human race is the goal of their Master. Remembering his own experience as a boy, Andre knows he must somehow stop this plan from being carried out.
Okay, I know this sounds cheesy and melodramatic, but once you start this book you will not stop. It is one of the most exciting vampire stories I've ever read. I recommend it to anyone who calls him or herself a horror aficionado.
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finished I want to send this book to someone else to enjoy, but I have to find a copy of my own for my permanent collection. Sadly, I got absolutely nothing done today because I spent all of my time reading. But it was certainly worth it.The story begins in Hungary, where a boy's father has gone off on a dangerous mission. He tells the son to take care of his mother in case anything happens to him. But shortly after he leaves, he returns, and he has changed. The mother runs off with the boy and heads for sanctuary. Years later, that boy (Andre Palatazin) is now a police detective in Los Angeles, his mother now dead. One morning he is awakened by what appears to be his mother, sitting in her favorite rocking chair. From that day on, things are not the same for him, or for that matter, anyone in LA. It starts out on a small scale...people are disappearing, animals begin to act strange...and suddenly vampires begin to appear in masses throughout the city. Total domination of the human race is the goal of their Master. Remembering his own experience as a boy, Andre knows he must somehow stop this plan from being carried out.
Okay, I know this sounds cheesy and melodramatic, but once you start this book you will not stop. It is one of the most exciting vampire stories I've ever read. I recommend it to anyone who calls him or herself a horror aficionado.
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LibraryThing member readerray
This is the BEST!! vampire book I've read in a long time. Maybe just a little to realistic.
LibraryThing member sistahmoe
This is by far and away the scariest book I have ever read. There is a part in an apartment building that actually gave me goosebumps. For anyone out there looking for a truly scary and well written vampire book then check this one out.
LibraryThing member NKSCF
In a world full of godforsaken Twilight books, it's really great to see that someone understood what vampires stood for several years ago. I would love to see McCammon would try this again now and bring the genre back to where it's supposed to be.
In Los Angeles, a prince from the Balkans has
I absolutely loved this book and it is highly recommended, especially for those who enjoy reading about vampires that don't angst for no reason at all and a wonderful horror story.
In Los Angeles, a prince from the Balkans has
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acquired a castle that overlooks the entire city, while several other characters, including a man who survived a vampire attack years before find their destinies over the course of a few days. The ending features a fantastic finish that will be appropriately morbidly funny to anyone with knowledge of the geographical terrors that fill the state of California.I absolutely loved this book and it is highly recommended, especially for those who enjoy reading about vampires that don't angst for no reason at all and a wonderful horror story.
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LibraryThing member avhacker
wow!!!!!!!!! this book was amazing!!!!!! i don;t know why he has the book not to be published any more ebcause it is extrodinary. this book is about the tough creepy vampires who wake up at night and suck your blood. needless to say i had nightmares! and i loved it!great book all around definatley
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recommend it. Show Less
LibraryThing member ChelleBearss
A true vampire book where the vampires are evil creatures bent on taking over the world. They don't sparkle and they don't want to fall in love with you; you are their dinner.
Mysterious disappearances, murders and grave robbing are only the beginning. The Master has a plan to take over the world,
How do you stop a vampire attack when no one believes in them?
Mysterious disappearances, murders and grave robbing are only the beginning. The Master has a plan to take over the world,
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city by city, starting with Los Angeles. How do you stop a vampire attack when no one believes in them?
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LibraryThing member BookNookRetreat7
Ancient Evil!
I am not giving my normal backstory so just laying out my thoughts as this tome of a vampire book has quite a few characters that are involved within the story, but I will set out two main characters with thoughts.
Character Thoughts:
Two main characters are:
Prince Conrad Vulcan - Master
Andrew "Andy" Palatazin is a homicide detective for the LAPD - there have been a rash of killings that seems to be the work of a serial killer and as he tries to make sense of what is going on with the killings, he is thrown for a loop when he finds out that some cemeteries are missing coffins and then he has an inkling that "something" might be leading him to Kronsteen castle as an ancient evil is no doubt lurking there.
Book Thoughts:
This was my first time reading this author, Robert McCammon. Not sure why I haven't stepped into him long before now, but he was recommended by a few of my Goodreads friends who have given his work high praises, so I decided to step into his work to see those high praises. :)
Writing style was great and I was drawn right away into the storyline. I am always looking for some type of vampire book that has the "old school" vampires within and this book really took me in that direction.
This book was a slow start with introductions of all the characters that lie within so it took awhile for anything to get going with the master vampire character which led to the first half of the book being a struggle with slow pacing, but there was quite a bit of intrigue and suspense as well which was wrapped up with the serial killings and the detective.
Normally I like my books where something happens within the first few chapters, but there was definitely a "dread" feeling right away as I could feel that something eventually was about to explode with vampire action and the last half of the book was total vampire carnage! Giving this book five "Fatal Fangs stars!
I am not giving my normal backstory so just laying out my thoughts as this tome of a vampire book has quite a few characters that are involved within the story, but I will set out two main characters with thoughts.
Character Thoughts:
Two main characters are:
Prince Conrad Vulcan - Master
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Vampire of Kronsteen castle. Vulcan wants to take over the city of Los Angeles making the whole city under his rule and eventually to encompass the whole state as he takes in more territory. He wants to show that he is king of the vampires and he will do whatever it takes to see that accomplished.Andrew "Andy" Palatazin is a homicide detective for the LAPD - there have been a rash of killings that seems to be the work of a serial killer and as he tries to make sense of what is going on with the killings, he is thrown for a loop when he finds out that some cemeteries are missing coffins and then he has an inkling that "something" might be leading him to Kronsteen castle as an ancient evil is no doubt lurking there.
Book Thoughts:
This was my first time reading this author, Robert McCammon. Not sure why I haven't stepped into him long before now, but he was recommended by a few of my Goodreads friends who have given his work high praises, so I decided to step into his work to see those high praises. :)
Writing style was great and I was drawn right away into the storyline. I am always looking for some type of vampire book that has the "old school" vampires within and this book really took me in that direction.
This book was a slow start with introductions of all the characters that lie within so it took awhile for anything to get going with the master vampire character which led to the first half of the book being a struggle with slow pacing, but there was quite a bit of intrigue and suspense as well which was wrapped up with the serial killings and the detective.
Normally I like my books where something happens within the first few chapters, but there was definitely a "dread" feeling right away as I could feel that something eventually was about to explode with vampire action and the last half of the book was total vampire carnage! Giving this book five "Fatal Fangs stars!
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LibraryThing member Jfranklin592262
Fangfully delightful!! This is one of my favorite vampire stories....and I love vampire stories!! I've read them all, from Kings " Salem's lot", another favorite, to Meyers " Twilight"
This is old school, terrifying vampires done right!
This is old school, terrifying vampires done right!
Original publication date
1981
Physical description
8.9 inches
ISBN
0913165603 / 9780913165607