![Children of the Night (Unabridged) [Unabridged Fiction]](/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Children of the Night (Unabridged) [Unabridged Fiction]
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3.4 • 8 Ratings
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- $25.99
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- $25.99
Publisher Description
In a desolate orphanage in what remains of post-Communist Romania, a desperately ill infant is given the wrong blood transfusion - and flourishes when he's supposed to die. The discovery of his unique immune system may hold the key to the long-awaited cure for cancer and AIDS.
For a dedicated American doctor, he promises the medical breakthrough of a lifetime, as well as a very special love she's never been able to find. But he also conceals a shockingly intimate link to a clan of vampires and their legendary leader - the fiend the world calls Vlad Dracula, who, for centuries, has triumphed over countless rival tyrants, including death itself.
Customer Reviews
Not one of Simmons' best, in my opinion.
“Children of the Night” was originally published in 1992 and won a 1993 Locus Award for best horror/dark fantasy novel. I didn’t find the book especially horrifying or fantastical, although it IS dark, for the most part. I should say that I’m not interested in vampire stories - I listened to this book because I like Dan Simmons a lot. He’s a great writer and casts his works in a uniquely twisted mold. In this case, he’s done research into the life and times of the real, historical Dracula, mixed in a little real medical science and wrapped it up in a “what if...” fantasy framework. I would say he’s somewhat successful, but the book seemed more like an adventure/thriller to me - one of those ones where the hero goes through something like an iron man marathon in his street clothes, with merderers chasing him and he not only finishes in first place, but looks better than you do after a good nights sleep.
I hate to criticize narrators, I’m grateful for people who want to, and can, do oral interpretation. They’re part of the audiobook experience, but half of my problem with “Children of the NIght” was the narrator. He’ has a nice voice and is articulate, handles both Romanian language phrases and one passage of completely absurd medical jargon that may as well be Romanian - but I think he may be better suited to comedy or non-fiction. At least 2 of his character voices did more damage to the story than good.
Still, I would say that if you like vampire stories that are more “reality” based and sans overwrought adolescent emo - you may like this book in content at least.
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