The Fall
The problem with reading book two of a trilogy is that question – do I read it now? Or do I wait until it’s closer to the publication of the third book? When putting in my online request for The Fall, I couldn’t quite remember what had happened in the first book. There was something about vampires and a 747 and the CDC, and something else about other vampires wanting to hunt down these new ones. I had to turn to Wikipedia (!) to jog my memory. I just remember it being quite a thrilling read. And I was hoping that The Fall would be one too.
And it was… kind of. The book was a pretty fast read, after I finally got caught up and recalled exactly who everyone is. There’s definitely more plot development happening, as I guess the second book of a trilogy is meant to do. The Master features a whole lot more in this book (we were introduced to him at the end of The Strain). And we get to see more of the Ancients, the old vampires killing the new vampires. The role of the filthy rich, barely alive Eldritch Palmer is quite interesting. He essentially bankrolls the Master’s project of world domination, in exchange for the promise of eternal life. And Zach’s mother-turned-vampire Kelly is seeking her son. Then there are the good guys: Eph is a murder suspect, Fet explores the underground tunnels, Nora doesn’t seem to really do very much, and we explore a lot more of Setrakian’s history (rightfully so, as he’s been chasing the evil for a while now) and his connection with the Master.
Like the previous book, The Fall was gory, with lots of splattering and worms and that rather gross stinger with which they suck the blood of their prey. And children vampires (I really hate that). But it was far less creepy, and as a result, less memorable than the first. The back story occasionally took a bite out of the pace of the book and there were some odd sections, such as the scenes with the astronaut, that didn’t really add very much to the story (colour perhaps? Or that this vampire domination affects the whole world, including space? Or will there be some kind of link up to the next book? I can hardly tell).
So the second book left me with more questions than answers, but I’m curious enough to see what will happen in the final book.
This is my fifth read for RIP V.
“Left me with more questions than answers”. That’s a theme of a lot of second books I read. I still remember the first one. I didn’t read it that long ago. I am looking forward to the second. But maybe I’ll wait til closer to the release of the third to read it.
Let me know what you think of the book!
I have this book out from the library right now. I haven’t decided to read it or not, though. I might wait and read it afterwards…
I agree with you…definitely left with more questions! I’m enjoying the series so far, but I’m waiting for the final book before I decide how I feel about it overall.
Hi and thanks for stopping by! That’s the thing with trilogies isn’t it? The waiting…!