The Tear CollectorPatrick Jones
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Release Date: September 2009
Publisher: Walker Young Readers
Pages: 272
Fans of urban fantasy should prepare for a new kind of vampire–one that feeds off of tears instead of blood. Descended from an ancient line of creatures that gain their energy from human tears, Cassandra Gray depends on human sorrow to live. Only Cass has grown tired of living this life and wants to live like a human, especially now that she's met someone worth fighting for.
Review:
The premise of this story sounded so different and unique. A vampire that didn't need blood to survive, but rather lived off the tears of humans. I was pretty skeptical at first. I haven't read anything by Patrick Jones before, but could he really pull this off?
The premise of this story sounded so different and unique. A vampire that didn't need blood to survive, but rather lived off the tears of humans. I was pretty skeptical at first. I haven't read anything by Patrick Jones before, but could he really pull this off?
Cassandra was an interesting character but I had real trouble connecting with her. This "vampire" is up to her neck in school drama and family troubles. And while I can certainly relate to her actual problems, I found a lack of emotional depth to her. Her character was a little flat and I simply could not sympathize with her. She basically seeks out emotionally hurt people at school or work and comforts them. She collects their tears and gains strength from them. Then she has to turn around and go home to give those tears to her weak great-grandmother. After that, she's off to do it again. Of course I kind of felt bad for her situation, but I feel there was so much more to be had with her family life. Towards the end of the book the reader meets her cousin and finds out a surprising twist to the story that basically flops at the very end.
Her school life is filled with dramatic stereotypes that really just made me yawn. I didn't feel anything though. The fighting between Cassandra and the other popular girls were petty and while there is nothing wrong with that I just felt it didn't really go anywhere. And then there is Scott. The relationship between Scott and Cassandra was limited at best. Yes, they really liked each other but how I don't really know. Their conversations were limited and if I was basically tired of hearing Cassandra say "Well, what do you mean Scott?"
The story lacked in a lot of different departments which really disappointed me. I didn't go into the story with high expectations because I had never read anything by Patrick Jones. But throughout the entire book I just wanted more. More depth, more description, more real interaction with the characters. I don't think I'd even classify this as a vampire novel. Not that I'm an expert, but I do love me some vampires. Even without the blood, this story was more about family duty - not vampire lore.
All in all, I was disappointed I didn't enjoy the novel. I would like to say I will be giving Patrick Jones another chance because I've read blurbs of his other books and I'm interested in them. But THE TEAR COLLECTOR just wasn't my cup o' tea. Maybe it will be yours though, I have seen a few reviews where the reader absolutely loved the book. Yay for them! I'm glad they found something in it that I couldn't.
So I'm offering my ARC copy up to anyone that wants to give it a go. Maybe you'll feel the same way or maybe you'll find something that you really like in THE TEAR COLLECTOR. Details for the giveaway will be posted shortly =)
18 comments:
It's an intriguing premise. I'll be watching for reviews on it.
I think I'll check this out at the library, if I ever find it there. The premise is interesting (it reminds me a little bit of psychic vampirism), but that alone doesn't make this book a must-have.
I agree with your entire review. There was something missing.
This doesn't sound like my cup of tea where vamps are concerned. I love to read different spins on the vampire legends but this doesn't sound very interesting. Thanks for the honest review.
that's a bummer you didn't like this. i'm still really curious by the whole thing and would love to try it out.
-lauren
I really wanted to read this...I'm curious about why it gets quite a lot of 'bad' reviews...
I like the honesty my friend. I would love to give the book a shot myself and see if I agree with you on any, all, or some points. :)
Ekk!! i really want this book. Patrick is an interesting writer, i like that he has made his own little vampires.
It does sound very different, sorry to hear that it didn't quite make the cut. Great job on your review. :)
Hey, thanks for the thoughtful review, sorry the book didn't work for you but you were honest with being harsh about why.
To answer Reggiewrites about the bad reviews, I'd suggest the answer is in this sentence of Mishel's review: "I found a lack of emotional depth to her. Her character was a little flat and I simply could not sympathize with her." She is a creature without emotional depth because her kind has limited emotions. The crux of the book is the conflict between what she is and what she wants to become. It's not an epic romance, but rather about a character in conflict. If you get that, you get the book, which lots of people do: see tearcollector.com.
Mishel - I'd love another shot, so contact me and I'll send you another one of my books totally free
Interesting spin on vampires, I have to check this book out sometime.
I had planned to purchase this book regardless of the negative review. If I am interested, I don't let another opinion stand in my way. I mean, we can't all love the same book, right? But I am so uncool with the author's "...but you were honest with being harsh about why." I also don't want to read the author's explanation about the book!
Authors really need to back off and allow us our opinions without any interference. To do so turns me off and I no longer want to chat about a book and you know how much I love to chat. ;)
We were just discussing this very topic last Wednesday, I think it was.
It's unfortunate that you didn't love this book. I've actually only read one other review, and the person said pretty much the exact same thing as you.
Still, the concept is so interesting and the cover is so beautiful.
I agree that authors should just allow us our opinions, but at the same time, they do have feelings, and I think that it is cool of them to take an interest in what we have to say.
I know that, as a reader, I sometimes don't like something until I hear an author's reasoning for why it was done that way, and then it makes more sense.
I think it's nice of the author to take time out of their day to explain something like that, especially when someone asks. Which Reggiewrites did.
Thanks for the honest review. I appriciate it. Although one bad review won't stop me from trying the book. But at least I know in advance some for possible weaknesses in the book.
Thanks for the review. I love honest review btw. It saves me the heart ache and time from reading books that just dont meet my standards.
cindyc725 at gmail dot com
I think it's great that you were honest but nice with this review. sounds like an interesting concept though
This really sounds like the type of book I'd like!! Not only does it have a supernatural element, but it has a unique twist that will keep my attention.
This sounds like an original idea for a book, so I'll probably end up reading it. But I hope I find the main character more interesting than you did.
paradoxrevealed (at) aim (dot) com
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