sj-- so far something happened right off the bat but now there's build up to trying to figure out what is going on. I like the main character, but in ways it seems that it's more of a second novel in a series because information is coming in bits and pieces. Also it seems that vampires and werewolves are known to the general public but there are stil things that are going on that are secret and I'm a bit fuzzy on what the line is. Maybe because I'm reading it haphazard.

But over all it's good. And the cover picture reminds me of JZ a bit which is one reason I picked up the book.

What did you mean...

No contradiction. Vampires and Werewolves started out as myth, legend and fantasy. But trying to put a scientific spin on them is not new as in 20th or 21st century. The attempt to fit them into a scientific viewpoint goes back to the 19th century. Even Van Helsing was supposed to be a scientists. It is just that the objective phenomenon he observed included the Eurachrist sealing tombs against the return of the unhallowed walking dead, and crucifixes repelling vampires.

As to your other point: I think you make an important observation as to the "feel" of the story. Nonetheless, vampire as virus caused when associated with most of the traditional vampire powers is patter. It is Eureka level science "science fiction" or worse. I concede that a lot of SF has such awful science that it is science fiction only in the sense of story telling style and not in the sense of being actually plausible science. I think because of the mythic and horror roots of the concept t it raises my eyebrows more when attempts are made to explain vampires and werewolves scientifically. I either want them left as straight fantasy or if done as science fiction then find some way to make them plausible. (And yeah the former is a lot easier than latter.)

Of course I guess the explanation could always be. "I've figured it out! I know exactly how the vampire virus works, and why it confers such amazing powers. It is just a matter of Arrgh gurgle ...."

Vampires and Werewolves started out as myth, legend and fantasy. But trying to put a scientific spin on them is not new as in 20th or 21st century

But it is new in relation to the age of the myths. And it's gotten more scientific as time goes on. Not exclusively, but in instances.

I have to admit I can't think of any attempts to handle werewolves scientifically, perhaps because of the more massive physical transformation involved.

Theoretically Sanctuary attempts to do so, but there are all sorts of physics-defying feats there that are handwaved away as being due to weird genetics.

I guess the creatures in the Underworld movies are supposed to be non-supernatural as well, but again exactly where do the shapeshifting genes get the extra 70kg or so of mass that are added on by the transformations? Are Lycans really like giant hairy ballons that are hollow inside?

Completely independently of this conversation, Todd put on the first full-length zombie movie tonight. Although it's set in Haiti, the zombie-master is Bela Lugosi (yay, rah, cultural appropriation). The zombie in question (or, at least the main one) isn't actually dead. Rather, Bela can put the "life" back into her--or, at least, the minor bad guy would like him to. More updates are the movie continues. I don't need to spoiler-font a movie from the 30s, right?

Definitely "control" as the primary verb, rather than "infect", and, yeah, they're primarily used as labor drones, rather than flesh-eating whatever.

eta: Yes, you can indeed revive a zombie by throwing Bela Lugosi off a cliff. In case you were wondering.

I just caught up on the End of Time discussion. I really liked all the endings and especially Jack in the cantina. I didn't see it as the doctor helping Jack pull. I though it was 10 saying, "look, I found an Alonso!" and it seemed like Midshipman Frame could really use a Jack right about then.

I didn't see it as the doctor helping Jack pull.

I saw it as more matchmaking than pulling. But I got the (completely unspoiled) feeling that Alonso would be part of any next season of Torchwood.

Oh, that would be lovely, Fred. I like the actor.

I saw it as more matchmaking than pulling.

definitely. And also, the Doctor telling Jack to move on. It was kind of sad to see Jack in a bar drinking and not scoping out the potential.

But I got the (completely unspoiled) feeling that Alonso would be part of any next season of Torchwood.

I would love that, but he's still on Being Human, isn't he?

I would love that, but he's still on Being Human, isn't he?

We have short TV seasons. He could do both.