Helpful Score: 5
From humorist Christopher Moore comes a supernatural comedy that's as sweet and salty as fresh blood- or so I suppose. Breaking the stereotypical vampire-angst, Moore's characters tackle the more practical questions of vampirehood, such as how do I get my car out of impound or how long can I be kept in deep-freeze?
The story follows newly-turned vampire Jody, and her aspiring-writer minion C. Thomas Flood (aka Tommy, turkey bowler extraordinaire) as they adjust to their respective new lifestyles in San Francisco and try to defeat the murderous unknown vampire who changed Jody.
Populated by a remarkable cast of supporting characters, from Tommy's Magnificent Seven subordinates at the local supermarket to Jody's judgmental, Stanford alum mother, Bloodsucking Fiends is funny, exciting and touching. Moore has a brilliant talent for combining adventure, humor, horror and romance without making any one element seem forced or out of place.
The story follows newly-turned vampire Jody, and her aspiring-writer minion C. Thomas Flood (aka Tommy, turkey bowler extraordinaire) as they adjust to their respective new lifestyles in San Francisco and try to defeat the murderous unknown vampire who changed Jody.
Populated by a remarkable cast of supporting characters, from Tommy's Magnificent Seven subordinates at the local supermarket to Jody's judgmental, Stanford alum mother, Bloodsucking Fiends is funny, exciting and touching. Moore has a brilliant talent for combining adventure, humor, horror and romance without making any one element seem forced or out of place.
Paula D. (eddiandizosmom) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 134 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Does it get any better than this book? I loved it (after the first very confusing chapter) for it's humor and portrayal of REAL, dumb people.
A really funny vampire love story from the twisted mind of Christoper Moore
Scarlett M. (the-red-dame) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Sick of all the sexy, serious modern vampires, I wanted to read about different vampires. Having read Moore's "A Dirty Job," I thought "Bloodsucking Fiends" would be just the book I needed. "A Dirty Job" was hilarious and had my laughing constantly. "Bloodsucking Fiends" didn't. Don't get me wrong, it had its moments, but it didn't live up to "A Dirty Job."
That being said, this is not about super-sexed fanged gods, so it did get that right. There was angst, but it was over groceries and turtles, not over the terrible burden of being a sparkling, immortal Adonis. The book had a light tone, so overall I suppose it's suitably different from most vampire stories these days, but it doesn't come close to the humor of "A Dirty Job"
That being said, this is not about super-sexed fanged gods, so it did get that right. There was angst, but it was over groceries and turtles, not over the terrible burden of being a sparkling, immortal Adonis. The book had a light tone, so overall I suppose it's suitably different from most vampire stories these days, but it doesn't come close to the humor of "A Dirty Job"
Helpful Score: 1
Overall I enjoyed the book and the story line. I thought it was a little tough to get through but then there would be something humorous happening and I would be engrossed in it again. With the popularity of his books I was a little disappointed overall. Since I have another of his books on my TBR list I'll give him another try.
Tammy P. (bookluver-in-sc) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 229 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Very funny Moore book. Jody is turned into a vampire and gets Tommy to help her during the day. Very funny and great read. Love moore's books.
Sara F. (oldiesforyou) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great reading!
Katie V. (katiev) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
One of my FAVORITE books by Christopher Moore. A fun romp through the world of vampires!!!
Erin B. (rubiegirl) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I love this guy! He has a very unique sense of humor!
Michelle L. (keyi) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 46 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
So funny & a great read
Andrea Z. (andi89) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 98 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Fast read. Pretty good. Will read next book about this couple.
Carrie-Ann K. (Kerian) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book was good and it's sequel only gets better. You can read about this book on my book blog.
Althea M. (althea) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 774 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A light and funny vampire novel....
Tommy's a teenager from Indiana, fresh off the bus to the big city, full of dreams of being a great writer... Jody's a twenty-six year old with a dead-end job and a bad relationship. But when a violent and mysterious nighttime attack leaves Jody as a vampire - but with a ton of cash - the first thing she realizes is that she'll need someone who can get around in the daytime to manage her affairs. Impressionable Tommy seems like just the right candidate. But Tommy begins to realize that a disconcerting number of corpses seem to be turning up in the vicinity of his new girlfriend...
Fun, but remarkable for its vivid depiction of its setting, San Francisco - it really made me want to go back and visit the city again!
Tommy's a teenager from Indiana, fresh off the bus to the big city, full of dreams of being a great writer... Jody's a twenty-six year old with a dead-end job and a bad relationship. But when a violent and mysterious nighttime attack leaves Jody as a vampire - but with a ton of cash - the first thing she realizes is that she'll need someone who can get around in the daytime to manage her affairs. Impressionable Tommy seems like just the right candidate. But Tommy begins to realize that a disconcerting number of corpses seem to be turning up in the vicinity of his new girlfriend...
Fun, but remarkable for its vivid depiction of its setting, San Francisco - it really made me want to go back and visit the city again!
Kenneth H. (IntriqKen) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 28 more book reviews
What fun!
Moore's humor is right down my alley. Great story...fun characters...wonderful read.
Moore's humor is right down my alley. Great story...fun characters...wonderful read.
Christopher Moore is hysterical. I have no idea where he thinks up these stories!
Lisa B. (momof3boysandagirl) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 58 more book reviews
Imagine if Twilight had been written by a Frat boy lol, thats the way this book came across to me. I enjoyed it. Funny. Basic guy humor in alot of areas. I plan to read the rest of the series cant wait to see how the story plays out.
This was the first book that I had read by Christopher Moore. I really enjoyed it. I have already ordered the next book of this series titled "You Suck."
Valerie R. (valeriemarie83) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 26 more book reviews
Pretty good book, overall. Parts of it were really funny, which helped get through the parts that seemed boring or that dragged on. But I'm still interested enough to read the follow up book to this one!
Amanda . (cabbitofharuka) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
While I have two friends that highly recommended this book and author to me, when I did finally read it, I admit I was rather disappointed by it. Moore does write decently and his comic timing is well done, but it simply didn't suck (pardon the pun) me in like I wanted or expected it to. Still, a decent read.
Tasula W. (fantasyisbetter) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 113 more book reviews
I like all the Christopher Moore books. This is not my favorite, but still a funny book worth reading.
This was a very good read if you like humorous vampire tales I enjoyed it and would like to read more from Christoper Moore
If you like Moore, then you'll like this book.
Lorien N. (LorienD) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
Loved this book! If you like dark humor, you'll love it, too.
Serena M. (MsMorgie) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 42 more book reviews
IT is an excellent book and a quick read.
Lori C. (theshrone) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 37 more book reviews
An entertaining story!
Kenneth H. (IntriqKen) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 28 more book reviews
Moore's crazy and bizarre Vampire story.
Hayley M. (Zachaustlily) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 227 more book reviews
Loved this story. Fun, fun, fun. Great comedic vampire story.
Melissa G. (mysterym) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 56 more book reviews
You love it or hate it. Too weird for me. other people LVOED IT
Jennifer S. (Rowan) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 44 more book reviews
I loved this book! Very funny.
Great Book! Moore is always fun to read!
Regina (Gr8Smokies) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 98 more book reviews
A funny take on vampires. Jody is ambushed and becomes a vampire, but really needs some help with things that she needs to get done during the day. Enter C. Thomas Flood, a night-time grocery store worker and part-time writer. The two get caught up in a series of murders and to solve them, they will have to rely on a homeless man named the Emperor, his armor wearing dogs, and two detectives.
An entertaining way to pass the time.
An entertaining way to pass the time.
Tanya K. (ForeverDreaming) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
I loved this book. It was my first book by this author and I have now purchased You Suck and Dirty Job. This was a very fun book and kept me interested the whole way through. I really enjoyed the writing style. A must read if you are at all interested in paranormal stories.
Teresa G. (tagray41) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 33 more book reviews
Good Book.
Pretty good as far as Moore goes. A romantic comedy in an undead kinda way.
LJ R. (Bksrmgc) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 43 more book reviews
Classic Christopher Moore -
Entertaining... Funny... Unique sense of humor...Chris Moore's books always put a smile on my face. Can't wait to read the next one of the series!
Vikki C. (vhope00) - , reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 30 more book reviews
This was a funny book, great author. I love vampire stories and this is vampire with a twist. Just a laugh out loud light read. Vikki
H M. (anchovy) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 296 more book reviews
An interesting take on the modern vampire story, although the pace is very soap-opera frenetic and style is choppy. Some parts are very well done, but I wish Moore was more consistent.
A good quick read. You won't walk away from this having found the secret of life, but it's worth a chuckle or two. I liked it enough to read the sequel.
Marge J. (MaplesFlowers) - , reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 95 more book reviews
Very strange...and not as funny as I expected.
Daniel D. (danieljdoughty) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 16 more book reviews
He's brilliant. Read it in a day and it's better than and SSRI I've heard of.
Heather C. (suscrapper) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
I love quirky vampire stories and this one was great. Very witty - right up there with Charlaine Harris' Sookie series. There is also a sequel to this book called "You Suck" by the same author.
Ceylan G. (ceylang) - , reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 112 more book reviews
I love Christopher Moore!! This is my second book by him and I loved it! Great vampire love story.
Carla E. (cekman) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
A little out there - but a good quick read.
Suzanne J. (09suzij) - reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 41 more book reviews
One of Moore's best!
Ronny S. (bibliomatic) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
This was a fun read. Very quick and witty. I am a big fan of Christopher Moore and his orchestra ways.
Keri (TXGrobanite) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 270 more book reviews
Pretty good book though parts of it went off from the story to describe other characters that weren't really involved in the main plot line. Good to read for a quick fix.
Jennifer P. (jenners) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 121 more book reviews
2 Words that describe the book: Vampire comedy
3 Settings where it took place or characters you met:
* Setting: Modern-day San Francisco
* JodyA fledgling vampire who had her new lifestyle thrust upon her with no warning or choice, Jody is trying her best to make sense of her new undead lifestyle. But getting used to a life lived solely at night can make things a little tricky, so Jody needs a minion to do her bidding, which is where...
* C. Thomas Flood comes in. A wannabe writer from Incontinence, Indiana, Tommy is new in town and having a hard time getting adjusted to life in the Big City ... until he meets the new love of his life, a certain undead redhead. Although Jody can be a little tricky and high-maintenance with her vampire lifestyle, Tommy is in love (he thinks). As Jody and Tommy settle into together, things take a turn for the worse when the vampire who created Jody starts causing trouble for them.
4 Things you liked and/or disliked about it:
* I like Christopher Moore. This is the first book of his vampire trilogy (though I accidentally read You Suck first because I didn't realize it was a series). But Moore's vampires aren't brooding, sparkly, or particularly scary. Jody is just like you and me ... except with superhuman strength, a thirst for blood and heightened senses. Moore has fun with the whole vampire thing, which brings me to another thing I liked about the book.
* I liked how Moore has Tommy test various vampire legends and stories on Jody to see what is true or not. Once Tommy finds out Jody's little secret, he cannot resist getting every book on vampires out of the library and checking to see what is true and untrue about vampires. These little experiments include having Tommy sneaking around touching Jody with crucifixes, trying to drown her in a bathtub, having her try to climb walls like Dracula, and rubbing her with garlic while she sleeps. And I liked Moore's shout-out to the Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice.
* I liked how the book is just stuffed with Moore's hilarious throwaway lines. You'll be reading along and then Moore will write something so silly or goofy or unexpected that you just have to laugh out loud. Consider this thought from Jody:
She thought, My closet is starting to look like an ostrich hatchery. I've either got to start throwing out L'eggs eggs or get a tan on my legs and quit wearing nylons.
This cracked me up because I so remember having all those eggs! Do they even make those any more? It has been AGES since I wore pantyhose.
* I disliked the overly serious Reading Group Guide at the back of my book. This is a book that is written to be funny and read for enjoyment. In my opinion, it doesn't cry out for book club discussions or deep thought. Yet there is a Reading Group Guide at the back with discussion questions like this:
Everyone has been exposed to vampire lore, either through books, movies or television. How does Jody's transformation into a vampire differ from how you always thought someone became a vampire? In what ways is it similar?
The books touches upon the idea of euthanasia--the practice of ending the life of a terminally ill person in a painless or minimally painful way in order to limit suffering--in that Elijah Ben Sapir, the vampire who creates Jody, only kills those who are about to die or whose lives are limited in some way. What are your feelings about "mercy killings"? Do vampires have an ethical standard?
Though I would totally want to join a book club that chose to read Bloodsucking Fiends, I can't imagine having a big old serious discussion on vampire lore and euthanasia as a result! But maybe that is just me.
5 Stars or less for your rating?
I'm giving the book 4 stars. I actually liked You Suck a bit better, but you can't go wrong with Moore. He's a fun, irreverent, creative writer whose sense of humor comes through on every page. Even if you don't like vampire books, you can have fun with this one. (You won't be scared, I promise. The only scary thing is how compelled you'll be to read more Christopher Moore.)
3 Settings where it took place or characters you met:
* Setting: Modern-day San Francisco
* JodyA fledgling vampire who had her new lifestyle thrust upon her with no warning or choice, Jody is trying her best to make sense of her new undead lifestyle. But getting used to a life lived solely at night can make things a little tricky, so Jody needs a minion to do her bidding, which is where...
* C. Thomas Flood comes in. A wannabe writer from Incontinence, Indiana, Tommy is new in town and having a hard time getting adjusted to life in the Big City ... until he meets the new love of his life, a certain undead redhead. Although Jody can be a little tricky and high-maintenance with her vampire lifestyle, Tommy is in love (he thinks). As Jody and Tommy settle into together, things take a turn for the worse when the vampire who created Jody starts causing trouble for them.
4 Things you liked and/or disliked about it:
* I like Christopher Moore. This is the first book of his vampire trilogy (though I accidentally read You Suck first because I didn't realize it was a series). But Moore's vampires aren't brooding, sparkly, or particularly scary. Jody is just like you and me ... except with superhuman strength, a thirst for blood and heightened senses. Moore has fun with the whole vampire thing, which brings me to another thing I liked about the book.
* I liked how Moore has Tommy test various vampire legends and stories on Jody to see what is true or not. Once Tommy finds out Jody's little secret, he cannot resist getting every book on vampires out of the library and checking to see what is true and untrue about vampires. These little experiments include having Tommy sneaking around touching Jody with crucifixes, trying to drown her in a bathtub, having her try to climb walls like Dracula, and rubbing her with garlic while she sleeps. And I liked Moore's shout-out to the Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice.
* I liked how the book is just stuffed with Moore's hilarious throwaway lines. You'll be reading along and then Moore will write something so silly or goofy or unexpected that you just have to laugh out loud. Consider this thought from Jody:
She thought, My closet is starting to look like an ostrich hatchery. I've either got to start throwing out L'eggs eggs or get a tan on my legs and quit wearing nylons.
This cracked me up because I so remember having all those eggs! Do they even make those any more? It has been AGES since I wore pantyhose.
* I disliked the overly serious Reading Group Guide at the back of my book. This is a book that is written to be funny and read for enjoyment. In my opinion, it doesn't cry out for book club discussions or deep thought. Yet there is a Reading Group Guide at the back with discussion questions like this:
Everyone has been exposed to vampire lore, either through books, movies or television. How does Jody's transformation into a vampire differ from how you always thought someone became a vampire? In what ways is it similar?
The books touches upon the idea of euthanasia--the practice of ending the life of a terminally ill person in a painless or minimally painful way in order to limit suffering--in that Elijah Ben Sapir, the vampire who creates Jody, only kills those who are about to die or whose lives are limited in some way. What are your feelings about "mercy killings"? Do vampires have an ethical standard?
Though I would totally want to join a book club that chose to read Bloodsucking Fiends, I can't imagine having a big old serious discussion on vampire lore and euthanasia as a result! But maybe that is just me.
5 Stars or less for your rating?
I'm giving the book 4 stars. I actually liked You Suck a bit better, but you can't go wrong with Moore. He's a fun, irreverent, creative writer whose sense of humor comes through on every page. Even if you don't like vampire books, you can have fun with this one. (You won't be scared, I promise. The only scary thing is how compelled you'll be to read more Christopher Moore.)
Janice A. (prncessjs) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 79 more book reviews
A great read, Took me only 2 days!
Carol S. (eatsleepread) reviewed Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1) on + 29 more book reviews
Love Moore's humor, this was a fun read, lots of great characters
I read it in one night; it was entertaining and fun. The ending was a little weak. I especially liked how Jody, the vampire, was still insecure! Even the undead have hangups.
Jody never asked to become a vampire. But when she wakes up under an alley dumpster with a badly burned arm, an aching beck, superhuman strenght, and a distinctly Nosferatuan thirst, she realizes the decision has been made for her.
Making the transition from the nine to five grind to an eternity of nocturnal prowlings is going to take some doing, howerver, and that's where C. Thomas Flood fits in. A would be Kerouac from Incontinence, Indiana, Tommy (to his friends) is biding his time night clerking and frozen turkey bowling in a San Fransico Safeway. But all that changes when a beautiful undead redheads walks through the door....and proceeds to rock Tommy's life, and afterlife, in ways he never imagined possible.
Making the transition from the nine to five grind to an eternity of nocturnal prowlings is going to take some doing, howerver, and that's where C. Thomas Flood fits in. A would be Kerouac from Incontinence, Indiana, Tommy (to his friends) is biding his time night clerking and frozen turkey bowling in a San Fransico Safeway. But all that changes when a beautiful undead redheads walks through the door....and proceeds to rock Tommy's life, and afterlife, in ways he never imagined possible.