Customer Reviews

The Time of Feasting

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

'The Time of Feasting' by Mick Ferran was a great vampire novel that did not use the same elements of many other vampire novels. For one thing, it took place in the center of a modern urban city, wheras many (I'm not saying all) take place a few centries ago in some little village. I'm not critisizing the ones that do, though. Ferran included historical background in the novel, which gave it a fantastic effect. The detail and imagery that he used was great. Feran created terrific characters and and plot, and wrote it so well, you didn't want to stop. He kept in mind that the story took place in the city, but gave some of the older characters that same century old feel. All of this and more, and still managed to make this urban vampire tale have a semi-gothic feel. Excellent read!

It is obvious that Farren's work in the film/television industry greatly aided him in creating a plot that was fast-paced and full of action, as well as crisis. The need to feed after a seven-year fast; as well as a upstart vying for the control of a coven of vampires from its thousand-year-old master; as well as two female nosferatu wishing to "bond" with said master--all these events do push the characters toward action. In the midst of this, a defrocked-priest running around with stakes, trying to kill the members of the coven does attest that Farren definitely knows how to turn up the heat on an experience.

Unfortunately, that's about all the book offers. Characters are left flat and underdeveloped (once again like most pulp film and television today). We come away not really knowing whom we should root for or whom we should boo--or even really caring. Unfortunately, Farren missed the basic rule of fiction (in whatever genre or medium): we must care about the characters before we get involved in the plot.

The other true weakness in the book was the u.f.o. origin of vampire on earth. It gives a completely absurd take on what continues to be one of our most interesting and long-lasting folk tales. In the midst of attempting to create a mood of sensuality, history and class, Farren gave the book an Ed Wood twist that doesn't aid it at all, but kept me groaning and rolling my eyes each time it was mentioned.

So, if you're looking for great vampire reading, keep looking. If you need a book to fill some empty days or nights, it's worth that much--if you can get past all the typo's, editorial mistakes and missing words riddled throughout the book.

While I read the book, and honestly tried to enjoy it, I found the story to be poorly written and full of cliches. It wasn't the fresh, new look at vampire fiction I'd been lead to believe it was.

I read this book right in the middle of reading Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and it really is a good book. It is filled with a new group of vampres that have more problems then The Vampire Chronicles. It deals with a blood thirst that they must hide from the mortals of New York City, but when a rogue vampire decides to go against the rules the main body of Vampires has to kill him and get out of New York. Then throw in a drunk priest that thinks he's chosen to kill all evil and you have a great adventure on your hands. The imagrey used was excellent and I would like to see a sequel....

This is the worst vampire book ever written. Not only was it very poorly constructed, it was full of impossible situations, coincidences, and other general baloney. The ending was rushed and smacked of sheer laziness on the part of the writer

The book kept me waiting, for action that did'nt happen. Its an OK book, If you like vampires.

Having read a lot of books - both old and new -- in the vampire genre, I can say that I found this to be strictly middle-of-the-road. It certainly isn't the worst but it's a long way from the top ten.

The story isn't very origional but then again there isn't much origional about vampires anymore. The writing was good; sound and evocative. Unfortunately there was little to no charactor development. You just didn't care one wy or the other about any of them, good guys or bad. Also there were contradictions all over the place. For instance, why could vampires at the Residence get up during the day if necessary, yet Cynara was unable to move at her hotel room? Lots of loose ends, too. Obviously left for the sequel. Hope it's better!

While I was expecting a good book from all the great reviews I instead found a very mediocre book Don't get me wrong it was interesting to read once but it just wasn't anything I hadn't seen done before (or done better) in other vampire books

this is the book for you!

Woah, what a stinker. Poor Mick, it must really hurt knowing you're such a poor author. Graphic, extraneous (and idiotic) descriptions of violence do not a good novel make. But unfortunately, that's the least of the reader's woes. This book contains nothing in the way of character development, plot development or believability. But don't worry, Mick writes with small words so that you won't be distracted by those unimportant ingredients. There are a few moments in "The Time of Feasting" where the author seems to be doing something interesting. Strangely enough, all those spots seem familiar - mainly because they were stolen from other authors, as any fan of Anne Rice or Poppy Z. Brite can tell you.

The main character (such as he is) is the author in a thinly veiled disguise. But please, ignore the man behind the curtain. When Farren takes your hand and tells you that the vampire Renquist (read Farren) is irresistible to women (who fight, wine, and moan over him for no apparent reason) you're supposed to blindly believe it. When Farren carefully explains that, although Renquist spends most of the novel whining, complaining, and being an all around SOB, you're supposed to blithely ignore his actions and realize he's actually the concerned, mature, polished individual Farren wants you to think he is. Although Renquist seems to enjoy torturing, humiliating, and debasing women in particular, and vampires in general, Farren wants you to believe that he's the type of person *everybody* should strive to be. And just wait until the ending - you'll love it! It's actually WORSE than the first 300 pages of the book (if that can be believed.)

Without a doubt, "The Time of Feasting" is quite possibly one of the worst novels I have ever had the misfortune to read.

I gave this novel and its sequels to my mother to read. She liked them so much, that her only comment was that Anne Rice, her favorite vampire author, could not even compare. Buy and read this book.