Review – Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Posted 1 April, 2010 by Danny in / 12 Comments

This book recommendation came to me from an unlikely source: one of my work boys (think Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger from the movie Twins). They are well-accustomed to my reading/stalking habits now, and when I was approached by Danny D. to read Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, I was quite impressed. You may recognize the author. Seth Grahame-Smith has also written Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which is on my “to-read” list. Anyway, the timing was perfect as I had just finished up the Mortal Instruments series, and I was ready to jump into a quick, non-serial book.


The premise of the book is that the author has been presented with the long, lost journals of Abraham Lincoln by a mysterious visitor who always wears sunglasses…even indoors. As the author reads through the journals, he discovers that Lincoln’s mother was murdered by a vampire. And from there Lincoln’s purpose in life becomes obvious: he vows to kill every vampire in America. The author takes you through Lincoln’s early days as a vampire hunter and his entire political career. Think the Civil War was about freeing the slaves and keeping the union together? Think again. Vampires were really behind the whole thing…and there wasn’t anything Lincoln wouldn’t do to get rid of the vampires.

At first I thought this was a really clever book, and I especially enjoyed the pictures that went along with the story. However, upon further reflection there are a couple things that definitely bother me about this book:

  1. The author’s link between slavery and vampires is interesting, but ultimately belittles the seriousness of the subject matter.
  2. The author must have gotten tired of writing the story because he came up with the most unoriginal ending ever. If you are surprised by this ending…I really don’t know what to say, other than I hope you were surprised that he went the super-cheese route.

Final verdict: 3 out of 5 books

If you are up for a quick read that has Abraham Lincoln on the cover instead of a half-naked man, then this is the book for you. Otherwise, may I suggest you check out one of the other reviews on this here bloggity for something a little better.

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12 Responses to “Review – Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith”

  1. Honolulu Girl from T

    I have this book, but my husband is reading it first. But.. I also just bought Hunger Games finally. I know, where have I been.

    Reply »

  2. Honolulu Girl from T

    I have this book, but my husband is reading it first. But.. I also just bought Hunger Games finally. I know, where have I been.

    Reply »

  3. Annie Cristina

    I read and enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but I don't know about this one… The issues that bother you sound like they would bother me, too. But I might page through it in the bookstore to see what I think. Thanks for the review! 🙂

    Reply »

  4. Annie Cristina

    I read and enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but I don't know about this one… The issues that bother you sound like they would bother me, too. But I might page through it in the bookstore to see what I think. Thanks for the review! 🙂

    Reply »

  5. ahz1

    I also read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and enjoyed it a lot. I do have Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter on my to read list and will get to it when it gets to the library. It did not strike me as a "to-buy" book. Good review.

    Reply »

  6. ahz1

    I also read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and enjoyed it a lot. I do have Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter on my to read list and will get to it when it gets to the library. It did not strike me as a "to-buy" book. Good review.

    Reply »

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