Fevre Dream (George R.R. Martin)

Excellent book let down by the moments of uncharacteristic stupidity from the main character, which are used to move the plot along.

This is certainly the best vampire novel I can remember reading.

Exceptionally entertaining twist on the vampire mythos. The setting is wonderful as are the characters and plot.

This is the best thing I've read for a long, long time. I didn't think I would like it at first, not being a huge fan of vampire fiction - but it's so much more than that. It's really about two men, friends and business partners, who each constantly have to redefine the parameters of their relationship to the other. That's the soul of Fevre Dream. The detail of the setting and the riverboating life is a bonus - Martin really did his homework here, and it's very convincing as a backdrop. This book got me into his high fantasy writing - the Song of Ice and Fire series - which is also superlative stuff.