Who Would Like This Book:
If you love your vampires scary, ruthless, and evil (no angsty bloodsuckers here!), this book is a pure treat. Set in gloriously gritty 1980s Los Angeles, "They Thirst" combines classic horror vibes with cinematic action and wild, pulse-pounding suspense. McCammon's writing is vivid, often hilarious, and full of clever wordplay that keeps even the most horrifying moments fun. It’s a big, sprawling, ensemble story with shades of classic vampire tales like "Dracula" and "'Salem's Lot," but reimagined on an epic, urban scale. Perfect for horror fans who crave retro chills, campy thrills, and a side of 80s nostalgia.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Those looking for a tightly focused or minimalist story might get lost in the sprawling cast and supernatural chaos. Some readers found the pacing uneven, the plot overwhelming, or the prose a bit too flamboyant for their taste. If you prefer understated writing or struggle with campy horror, the vivid style and over-the-top moments might not appeal to you. Additionally, the book’s length and classic horror violence can be too much if you want a quicker or tamer read.
About:
'They Thirst' by Robert R. McCammon is a horror novel set in Los Angeles, where a police detective named Andre Palatazin finds himself in the midst of a vampire invasion. The vampires, led by a powerful Master, are on a mission to dominate the human race by spreading chaos and fear throughout the city. As the vampires grow in numbers and violence, Andre must confront his past and use his knowledge to stop the impending vampire attack. The book is described as a classic vampire story with a dark and terrifying atmosphere, reminiscent of old-school horror novels.
The plot of 'They Thirst' is filled with suspense, gore, and a sense of impending doom as the vampires unleash their evil plans upon Los Angeles. The writing style is praised for its vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and the ability to balance terror and humor, creating a cinematic experience for the readers. The book captures the essence of a high-budget 1980s horror film, with a well-paced narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book includes high content warnings, featuring graphic violence, horror themes, and depictions of death and sacrifice that may be unsettling to some readers.
From The Publisher:
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).
Ratings (7)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (1) | |
Liked It (2) | |
It Was OK (2) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (41):
Read It (8) | |
Want To Read (20) | |
Not Interested (13) |
2 comment(s)
The ending of this book was just so dumb. It was a Deus ex machina if I ever saw one. Overall the rest of the book was just flat and boring. The characters were all one dimensional including the vampires. The plot was ok but the execution was rather lacking. Read Salem's Lot instead it's much better.
A little bit dated and cheesy but the suspense just works. Shame about that ending though, felt like it stripped all accomplishments from the characters.
What can you read after
They Thirst?
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