Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

The first book from the 69 Club was Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith, which was added to the list because Chudzie wanted to read something light and funny, before diving head first into the heavier stuff, quite understandable considering the books on the list. The novel is a 2010 mashup novel, which was released in March 2010.

Vampire Hunter combines the history of Abraham Lincoln with vampires. Yes, you read that correctly - vampires. The novel is actually quite historically accurate, as Grahame-Smith fills in the holes and gaps of uncertainty of Lincoln's life with vampires. For example, Lincoln's mother died when he was still a young boy (around 8 years old) from a unknown disease, which the author credits as being poisoned with vampire blood. (According to the novel, by drinking the blood of a vampire you die a horrific death similar to milk poisoning). Other historical tie-ins consisted of slaves being used a food supply for vampires, the death of Willie Lincoln credited to an attack by vampires, and the entire history of the lost colony of Roanoke being caused by the discovery of a vampire among the colonists (who consequently kills everyone in the colony).

I discovered the book while Christmas shopping for Rachel's father, who is a huge fan of President Lincoln. While we were shopping on Amazon for Christmas ideas, I came across the book and thought it was perfect for him, with the only hesitation that the historical parts wouldn't be accurate. Like a giddy school girl, he loved his present after opening it and I'm pretty sure had the book read days after receiving it. When it was released in paperback this past April, I bought it with some extra birthday money from Target. It was well worth the cost of the book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone, whether they are a fan of Abraham Lincoln or vampires. Grahame-Smith clearly went the distance to create a plausible melding of vampire mayham and history. The story is well researched and like I've said several times already, the history was on target. As a an avid history lover and horror reader, I really enjoyed this work and I look forward to see what the next project that Seth Grahame-Smith is going to come up with (hopefully he'll continue the saga as hinted to in the novel).