THE STRAIN (Guillermo del Toro & Chuck Hogan) - August 16/09

This first part in a trilogy is certainly an entertaining read from start to finish, but it's impossible to overlook the feeling that - most likely - the entire trilogy could've been condensed into one book. It's consequently not surprising to note that the events in the novel are overdescribed to an almost absurd extent, and there are also plenty of absolutely superfluous sequences and interludes spread throughout (ie everyone watching the eclipse). It's also worth noting that the authors never explain just how the vampire is able to take out an entire plane's worth of victims INSTANTANEOUSLY. (And then he can't take out three vampire killers?? Really?) Still, an entertaining enough effort that will hopefully improve as the series progresses. *** out of ****