The Night Eternal TV Tie-in Edition (The Strain Trilogy, Book 3) - Perfect for Horror Fans & Vampire Fiction Lovers - Great for Reading at Night or Halloween Parties

The Strain Trilogy is the culmination of talent from two brilliant creators and a benchmark for the future of both vampire and horror fiction. Between the characterization skills of author Chuck Hogan and the visionary direction of Hollywood director Guillermo Del Toro; the Strain Trilogy has managed to preserve and redefine the image of fiction's most renowned and feared predator of our nightmares. They set out to redefine the vampire mythos in their own personal image and have succeeded with flying colors, and clearly the third act is their finest hour for they've easily crafted the best book in the trilogy. It's a book that does so many different things and does them all so superbly well; combining intense non-stop action, emotionally-gripping drama, tantalizing horror and a healthy dash of dystopian fiction. The Night Eternal does all of these things phenomenally, becoming the defining vampire novel for a generation.While the trilogy is truly an incredible work of art in its own right, it is not without its own flaws and shortcomings. The second book in the trilogy, The Fall, was a bit of misfire in my opinion. It was a solid book all-around, yet it failed to reach the same stellar level of quality as the other novels in the series. It lacked the same sense of dread as the other books; the atmosphere was solid yet not at the same level of immersion, and the plot didn't truly go anywhere until the final act. Fortunately, The Night Eternal picks up the slack of the second book; the incredibly dark and somber atmosphere is back tenfold. Like the other books, this isn't a novel for the weak-hearted. It's very dark and emotionally fatiguing if not even more so than its predecessors. The reason the atmosphere is so poignant in this final chapter is because it's the culmination of all the fear and anxiety which Hogan and Del Toro have been masterfully accumulating in the previous books. It's reached a point where the reader just has to stop and stare at the horrific situation the characters have found themselves in. How can they win let alone survive such a hopeless situation? This is undoubtedly humanity's darkest hour and you will feel that same sense of dreadful anxiety on every page.A large part of why these books have been so successful is due to the superb characterization by Chuck Hogan. This was a character-driven story, focusing on real people and real problems that effect who they are and how they cope with their existence; a conundrum made all the more complicated when the world is completely ravaged by the living dead. Ephraim Goodweather is easily the highlight of the book, personifying a character that is both tragic and believably relatable. Since the conclusion of The Fall, two years have passed, leaving Ephraim in a weakened state both physically and mentally. Carrying on the seemingly hopeless fight against the Master's vampire horde has taken its toll on the good doctor; he'll make the reader constantly question the state of both his loyalty to his companions and his sanity as the story plays out. It makes us ponder the age-old question of how far you'd go to save someone you love and the price you're willing to pay. It's incredibly powerful stuff that Hogan illustrates profoundly well. While others don't reach the same level of emotional investment as Eph, they still manage to elicit a great deal of sympathy from the reader while creating a very compelling group dynamic within the characters' inner circle. Everyone has lost someone in the vampire apocalypse, whether it be family, close friends or a mentor. Unfortunately, the only character that didn't manage to reach this same level of emotional gravitas was Gus. He's an incredibly unlikable character that I never once cared for and I highly doubt anyone else will. I mention this because there was a clear attempt at making the reader care about this character, a commendable albeit unsuccessful attempt.The most unique and controversial aspect within The Strain Trilogy is Guillermo Del Toro's unique take on the vampire mythos, to which I cannot praise enough. The brilliant mind behind Pam's Labyrinth and Pacific Rim has managed to not only redefine the look of vampires, but also restore the fear and mystery of the character. Let's face it, how many times have we read books about vampires and known exactly what to expect? This is the most original and compelling take on the vampire mythos I've ever seen; combining genuinely convincing scientific theories to sell the reader on the plausibility of such creatures existing while still including a sense of mysticism from more fantastical elements. I won't spoil who or what the source of vampirism is, but take my word for it, it creates a true sense of awe towards the Master and his vampiric horde. Too simply put it, they are pure evil incarnate, the kind of stuff that sends shivers down your spine; making the reader wonder if the Master can truly be killed at all, for it has existed for longer than any of them can even comprehend.At its very core, The Night Eternal is a story about hope; about bearing the torch and never giving up in the face of insurmountable odds. It's one thing for a piece of fiction to emotionally invest me within its story and characters; yet it's another one entirely to make me consider everything and everyone I care for in my life. Yet personal experiences aside, the book combines several different genres together in such a seamless manner that you could argue it redefines them into one superb amalgam of entertainment. It's a must-read book from an incredible duo and a very fitting conclusion to the trilogy.