Official Review: A Different Breed by Mary Rowell

[bluemel4]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Different Breed" by Mary Rowell.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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A Different Breed: Book 1 the beginning by Mary Rowell is the first book in a trilogy. It is a science fiction novel that includes historical elements. Kate grows up in Savannah, Georgia in the 19th century and is shaped by her parents’ strong avocation for the civil rights of slaves and women. Kate becomes a strong woman, determine to end unfair treatment and suffering of minorities. She is confronted with the reality of a new kind of minority- Vampires. She quickly learns that they are not the stuff of legend, but a result of a genetic mutation. When Kate is captured and held hostage by Dracula, she becomes a test subject for experimentation that turns her into something between a vampire and a human. With the aid of other vampires she escapes from Dracula. Kate takes on the task of building a Utopia where vampires can live in peace and without the need of more dominant vampires controlling them. Somewhere this minority can be free.

Rowell tries hard to differentiate the book by making her vampires a result of a genetic mutation. The problem is the book veers too far from traditional vampires. Without the internal struggle of what they have become or dealing with being dangerous predators, the vampires feel like they could be any minority group. They need to eat food, do not have supernatural strength, are easily killed, and are not made from blood exchange. Aside from their long life spans and disproving popular myth and legend, there is very little in this book that is related to vampires.

The story itself slips into passive voice frequently and makes the action scenes dull. The majority of the book feels like a detailed outline without descriptive scenes and a large amount of passages are summarized or rushed. The story is further bogged down with too many character back stories and unnecessary side trips. The science used is common place, but Rowell decides to go into detail about simple concepts while glossing over something controversial like vivisection. The novel is told in first person and yet, there are few moments that allow for a real connection to Kate or any of the tertiary characters. The story lacks personalized details that make a character stand out and become fully realized. For example, facial expressions, clothing details, inner thoughts, and hand gestures are used infrequently. As a result the majority of the characters are difficult to imagine.

The novel does highlight how personal decisions and connections influence others. There is evidence backing every decision that Kate makes. The ripple effect determines how Kate reacts and interacts in the world. However, there is hardly any mention of the time she spent being held captive or her new found abilities. There are fascinating historical details and when active voice is used the story is successful. Major themes are good deeds are rewarded, suffering does not define you, giving back to the community, and use of creativity instead of violence to get your way.

I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. There needs to be more character development, detailed events, and use of active voice. The history is interesting and the Rowell novel shines in the beginning, but ultimately loses its way with lengthy and mundane non-vampire stops. I recommend this book for readers interested in 19th century history and readers that enjoy a medical trivia.

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A Different Breed
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[zeldas_lullaby]

Great review! I think you provided an awful lot of useful feedback for the author!

[gali]

Great review indeed!

[bluemel4]

Thank you Zelda and gali!

[bookowlie]

What an insightful review! I like how you gave detailed reasons why the book didn't live up to your expectations. Good constructive criticism.

[erasmus]

A very detailed constructive criticism. The premise seems to be really interesting. However, I think that by downplaying the vampiric side of things after making her vampires a product of genetic mutation, the author has definitely lost points. I haven't read this book, but it sounds as though what makes this book really interesting is that Kate is not just fighting for the rights of slaves and women, but also fighting for minority vampires. It would kind of fall flat if a reader went in expecting vampires (who require blood as sustenance at the very least) and end up reading about people who live slightly longer than humans. I know I would be disappointed. I'm not saying that just because they're not more vampire-like, they're not important enough to fight for, but just... Vampires. I'd like to read something like that. In any case, really brilliant review!

[bluemel4]

Thank you @erasmus

The vampires did require blood, but not much. They needed to feed once or twice a week with only a small amount of blood.

Thank you @bookowlie I was sad to read a vampire book, (my personal favorite kind) and find very little to do with vampires.

[Tanaya]

I've been over the vampire thing for a while but always end up coming back to it every now and again. The summary of the book really caught my interest. I'm digging the premise. Your criticism was super constructive, and those issues would definitely bother me too. Great review!

[bluemel4]

Thank you Tanaya! The book had a lot of potential.

[bookowlie]

Thank you @erasmus

The vampires did require blood, but not much. They needed to feed once or twice a week with only a small amount of blood.

Thank you @bookowlie I was sad to read a vampire book, (my personal favorite kind) and find very little to do with vampires.

Hopefully, you will enjoy the next vampire book you read. I don't care for vampire stories, but it is a popular subject in books.

[bluemel4]

@bookowlie

Thank you! I have been a vampire fan since I was 13. I already have a vampire book on my to-read list.

[Jesska6029]

This is a very balanced review! I think you have very valid criticism in this review. Nicely written!

[bluemel4]

Thank you! @Jesska6029

I tried hard to be constructive and fair.

[PashaRu]

Thanks for a well-written review. I was, honestly, rolling my eyes before I even finished the first paragraph. Yet another attempt at some variation on the tired vampire theme. Your review is honest and balanced, and let's hope the author can take this as constructive criticism and improve her writing.

[bluemel4]

Thank you PashaRu. I think the story has promise. I hope the author does continue to write and improve as well.