Book Description

"Softly he brushed my cheek, then held my face between his marble hands. 'Be very still,' he whispered, as if I wasn't already frozen. Slowly, never moving his eyes from mine, he leaned toward me. Then abruptly, but very gently, he rested his cold cheek against the hollow at the base of my throat." As Shakespeare knew, love burns high when thwarted by obstacles. In Twilight, an exquisite fantasy by Stephenie Meyer, readers discover a pair of lovers who are supremely star-crossed. Bella adores beautiful Edward, and he returns her love. But Edward is having a hard time controlling the blood lust she arouses in him, because--he's a vampire. At any moment, the intensity of their passion could drive him to kill her, and he agonizes over the danger. But, Bella would rather be dead than part from Edward, so she risks her life to stay near him, and the novel burns with the erotic tension of their dangerous and necessarily chaste relationship.Meyer has achieved quite a feat by making this scenario completely human and believable. She begins with a familiar YA premise (the new kid in school), and lulls us into thinking this will be just another realistic young adult novel. Bella has come to the small town of Forks on the gloomy Olympic Peninsula to be with her father. At school, she wonders about a group of five remarkably beautiful teens, who sit together in the cafeteria but never eat. As she grows to know, and then love, Edward, she learns their secret. They are all rescued vampires, part of a family headed by saintly Carlisle, who has inspired them to renounce human prey. For Edward's sake they welcome Bella, but when a roving group of tracker vampires fixates on her, the family is drawn into a desperate pursuit to protect the fragile human in their midst.The precision and delicacy of Meyer's writing lifts this wonderful novel beyond the limitations of the horror genre to a place among the best of YA fiction.(Ages 12 and up) --Patty Campbell 10 Second Interview: A Few Words with Stephenie Meyer Q: Were you a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Angel? What are you watching now that those shows are off the air? A: I have never seen an entire episode of Buffy or Angel. While I was writing Twilight, I let my older sister read along chapter by chapter. She's a huge Buffy fan and she kept trying to get me to watch, but I was afraid it would mess up my vision of the vampire world so I never did. I don't have a ton of time for TV, and my kids get rowdy when I have on "mommy shows," but I do have a secret fondness for reality shows (the good ones, at least in my opinion). I always TiVo Survivor, The Amazing Race, and America's Next Top Model. Q: What inspired you to write Twilight? Is this the beginning of a series? Why write for teens? A: Twilight was inspired by a very vivid dream, which is fairly faithfully transcribed as chapter thirteen of the book. There are sequels on the way--I'm hard at work editing book two (tentatively titled New Moon) right now, and book three is waiting in line for its turn. I didn't mean to write for teens--I didn't mean to write for anyone but myself, so I had an audience of one twenty-nine year old (and later one thirty-one year old when my sister started reading). I think the reason that I ended up with a book for teens is because high school is such a compelling time period--it gives you some of your worst scars and some of your most exhilarating memories. It's a fascinating place: old enough to feel truly adult, old enough to make decisions that affect the rest of your life, old enough to fall in love, yet, at the same time too young (in most cases) to be free to make a lot of those decisions without someone else's approval. There's a lot of scope for a novel in that. Q: What is your favorite vampire story? Fave vampire movie? A: I guess my favorite vampire story would be The Vampire Lestat, by Anne Rice, simply because it's one of the only ones I've ever read. I keep meaning to pick up Bram Stoker's Dracula, because I get asked this question so often and I should probably start with the classics, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Again, I'm afraid to read other vampire books now, for fear of finding things either too similar, or too different from my own vampire world. Ack! I can't even answer the movie question. I can't remember ever seeing a single vampire movie, outside of clips from Bela Lugosi movies on TV. I don't like true horror movies--my favorite scary movies are all Hitchcock's. Q: What other young adult authors do you read? A: My favorite young adult author is L.M. Montgomery I also enjoyJ.K. Rowling (but who doesn't?), and Ann Brashares. As a teen, I skipped straight to adult books (lots of sci-fi and Jane Austen), so I'm rediscovering the world of teen literature now. Stephenie Meyer's List of Books You Should Read Anne of Green GablesRomeo and JulietDragonflightTo Kill a Mockingbird The Princess BrideSee more recommendations from Stephenie Meyer Amazon.com's Significant SevenStephenie Meyer graciously agreed to answer the questions we like to ask every author: the Amazon.com Significant Seven. Q: What book has had the most significant impact on your life?A: The book with the most significant impact on my life is The Book of Mormon. The book with the most significant impact on my life as a writer is probably Speaker for the Dead, by Orson Scott Card, with Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier coming in as a close second.Q: You are stranded on a desert island with only one book, one CD, and one DVD--what are they?A: The CD is easy: Absolution by Muse, hands down. It's harder to give myself just one movie, but the one I watch most frequently is Sense and Sensibility--the one with the screenplay by Emma Thompson. One book is impossible. I'd have to have Pride and Prejudice, but I couldn't live without something by Orson Scott Card and a nice, thick Maeve Binchy, too.Q: What is the worst lie you've ever told?A: My lies are all very, very boring: "No, you really look great in hot pink!" "My children only watch one hour of TV a day." "I didn't eat the last Swiss Cake Roll--it must have been one of the kids." That's the best I've got.Q: Describe the perfect writing environment.A: It's late at night and the house is silent, but I'm still (miraculously) full of energy. I have my headphones in and I'm listened to a mix of Muse, Coldplay, Travis, My Chemical Romance, and The All-American Rejects. Beside me is a fabulous, and yet mysteriously low in calorie, cheesecake....Q: If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?A: I'd like it to say that I really tried at the important things.I was never perfect at any of them, but I honestly tried to be a great mom, a loving wife, a good daughter, and a true friend. Under that, I'd want a list of my favorite Simpsons quotes.Q: Who is the one person living or dead that you would like to have dinner with?A: I'd love to have a chance to talk to Orson Scott Card--I have a million questions for him. Mostly things like, "How do you come up with this stuff?!" But, if he wasn't available, I'd settle for Matthew Bellamy (lead singer of Muse).Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?A: I'd want something offensive, rather than defensive. Like shooting fireballs from my hands. That way, you're really open to going either way--hero or villain. I like to have choices.

Customer Reviews:

"Twlight".......2007-10-18

I know the book is for young teens, my daughter got a copy from the library, I was curious to read it myself, so when I read one page I was hooked, it's as if I was pulled into the story myself, watching on the sidelines. I'm a middle aged woman and I loved this book, I have all three books now and waiting for more, Bella does things that you want to scream about, but keep in mind she is a teenager, and some girls can't handle attention from the opposite sex, which can make some girls do crazy things, so please keep a open mind and just enjoy the fantasy.(It is fiction after all) "Edward" I just love him and I don't mind being reminded of those golden eyes, it makes me week in the stomach to imagine him, the others are nice to imagine as well, the story takes me back to when I was a teen. I really hope new readers enjoy the characters and story line. :)

Twilight.... such a good read!.......2007-10-18

I couldn't put this book down and ordered the other two in the series before I had finished it. Such a silly premise... vampires?... but the suspense was amazing and the characters were terrific. A great read!

Thoroughly Entertaining!.......2007-10-18

It has been a while since I have read something that was so entertaining and refreshing and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it is very well written and the characters are nicely fleshed out. Bella and Edward are such likeable characters that I was disappointed when I finally finished this book. Luckily I have two more to devour now. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for something entertaining and thrilling.

Great Book! Can't wait to read the second!.......2007-10-17

My mother, who is a fifth grade teacher, gave this for me to read. At first, I was questioning why my mother was even reading it, but once I got past the first chapter, I could see why! This book is just not for young adults-it's for everyone who loves vampires and the like. READ IT!

Quite honestly..........2007-10-17

...this the best book I've read in YEARS. My 22 yr old daughter was talking and talking about this book. So, finally, I decided to read it myself. Now keep in mind I'm 49 and no fan of science fiction.

But this book, this book keep me enthralled throughout. You'll fall in love with the characters Bella & Edward.

Take my advice, get all 3 books now and save yourself the trip back to the bookstore.

Average customer rating: Trademark humor but lacking some sense... *SOME SPOILERS* Courtesy of Teens Read Too Enjoyable read Vampy fun! Stellar!

The Good Ghouls' Guide to Getting Even Julie Kenner Manufacturer: Berkley Trade ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Spine-Chilling Horror | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Fiction | Girls & Women | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books Horror | Teens | Subjects | Books Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books General | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books Being a Teen | Social Issues | Teens | Subjects | Books Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books General | Literature | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Spine-Chilling Horror | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Fiction | Girls & Women | People & Places | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Horror | Teens | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books General | Literature & Fiction | Teens | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Being a Teen | Social Issues | Teens | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Similar Items: Demons Are Forever: Confessions of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom (Book 3) Good Ghouls Do The Prada Paradox Damsel Under Stress: A Novel (Katie Chandler Series, Book 3) California Demon: The Secret Life of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom ASIN: 0425213919

Book Description

The bestselling author of Carpe Demon takes a bite out of high school in this bloodsucking blast.

Elizabeth Frasier's ticked off. Her junior year of high school was going just fine. But thanks to a bunch of jerkwad vampire jocks, she ended up undead, and with a thirst that a thousand Diet Cokes couldn't quench. Now she's out for blood-and revenge. And she knows exactly what to do...Elizabeth's read Salem's Lot. Separate the good vamps from the bad and wipe out the crowd that did her in. On top of that, she's got to figure out how to be mortal again-unless universities start accepting dead girls.

Customer Reviews:

Trademark humor but lacking some sense... *SOME SPOILERS*.......2007-07-30

Julie Kenner's brand of humor is clear throughout the book, and she's got teenage angst and dialogue down pat (which is true of her soccer mom demon hunter series as well). Which would seem to make this a shoo-in for at least 4 stars. On the other, though many parts of this book made me laugh, others didn't make sense to me.

**SOME SPOILERS BELOW**

For example, even though the teen protagonist, Beth, herself admits she wasn't quite thinking when she got suckered by Stephen Mills and his pals, there are many instances when she seemed incredibly stupid. All the signs were there that things weren't what they seemed to be when the Queen Bitches invited her to join their squad, but those were discarded. And what bad guy (or good guy for that matter) wouldn't have a product tested before use, esp if it meant a gruesome death if the product didn't work? That is, blind faith probably wouldn't happen. That should have occurred to Beth early on... why would she think that Stephen would use the cream without having someone else test it... which would have been bad news for Beth. Then, when Nelson was unconscious in the gym, that would've been a good time to take care of him, but the thought never occurred to her and she was left with a witness who disappeared. There are several instances of commonsensical things like that that just slipped.

Someone also needs to do some fact-checking. Regardless of whether Beth's dad is a doctor or not, and whether or not Beth has a part-time job in a hospital lab, all blood products in a hospital blood bank are tightly regulated. There's a chronic blood shortage in the USA and elsewhere, each unit of blood is labeled and entered into a database, and whenever the units are removed from the blood bank, they have to be signed out with various forms. Maybe 1 unit of blood (unlikely, but let's be generous; maybe the blood is unusable for whatever reason) could be given out for a student project but several? A dozen?

A "routine" operation can require 6 units of blood or more. Think of how many units would be needed for a trauma patient or a major surgery. No hospital can spare so many units for non-patient care, much less a purported project. Questions would definitely be asked.

Regarding vampires and college. NYU was mentioned. Well, like so many universities, NYU does offer night classes. While it's not the way many students would like to attend college, the opportunity is there. I admit I don't know what reasonable excuse a student like Beth who's going to graduate high school (as opposed to a working adult or one with family) could give for wanting to attend night class rather than regular day classes, but I'm surprised that that option isn't even raised.

There were also loose ends that may have been deliberately left out and might be addressed in the sequel, one of which involved college boys Kevin and his brother. Who are they really and how did they know what was going on at Beth's school and the club where Beth first meets him? The same with Clayton and his grandfather. How did they know about vampires, etc?

**SOME SPOILERS ABOVE**

Things such as the above made what should have been an easy, fun read less smooth than they could have been. I'll be checking out the sequel, Good Ghouls Do, from the library.

See MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi's Jennifer Scales series as an example of humorous young adult books that work (Jennifer Scales and the Ancient Furnace (A Jennifer Scales Novel, Book 1), Jennifer Scales and the Messenger of Light, and The Silver Moon Elm).

My recommendations for other great young adult books (albeit they're darker tales) are Holly Black's A Modern Faerie Tale series (Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale, Ironside, and Valiant), Herbie Brennan's The Faerie Wars Chronicles (Faerie Wars, The Purple Emperor, Ruler of the Realm, and the upcoming Faerie Lord), Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampires series (Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires, Book 1), The Dead Girls' Dance, and the forthcoming Midnight Alley), and Gena Showalter's Teen Alien Huntress series (Red Handed (Teen Alien Huntress), Blacklisted).

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-07-03

Beth Fasier should have noticed all the signs that were around her. She should have trusted her gut that something was wrong, but instead she just ignored it.

Beginning her junior year, Beth had everything she had worked for. From the possibility of being valedictorian of her class to getting closer to being able to go to school at NYU. But if only Beth hadn't worked so hard, then maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't be where she is today.

It all began when Beth decided to try out for the drill team, only to make her activities seem well-rounded. Unfortunately, Beth didn't make it since Tamara, a very popular cheerleader, told the coach to not let Beth on the team. Tamara had a different motive -- she wanted Beth to be on the cheerleader squad. Right then Beth should have known that something was wrong, but instead, when hearing that hottie Stephen Wills was going to be at one of the cheer practices, Beth knew she had to go. After all, it is Stephen Wills.

Turns out Stephen had asked Tamara to put Beth on the team, since he's had his eye on her for awhile. Of course, Beth was flattered, and when Stephen asked her out on a date Beth just couldn't say no. But when the most popular guy asks someone like Beth out on a date, she should have known that something was just not right.

It was too late for Beth, though, since on her date, Stephen bites Beth -- making her a fellow member of the undead.

Beth's life is over as she knows it, until her academic enemy, Clayton, tell hers that there is a possible chance for her to turn back into her usual self. But can Beth muster up the strength to actually do it?

Known for her books on the paranormal, Julie Kenner puts her own twist on what seems to be a hot topic in most teen novels, vampires. THE GOOD GHOULS' GUIDE TO GETTING EVEN may seem like another typical vampire story, but as the book gets going, readers will begin to notice that this novel is different from the rest of the pack. Fans of the undead will not be disappointed in Julie Kenner's new novel. Be sure to watch out for the sequel, Good Ghouls Do, which releases in October.

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

Enjoyable read.......2007-05-13

I would have given this a 5 for entertainment value alone, but I actually bought it thinking my pre-teen could read it, and I was wrong. Aside from a few 4 letter words (probably less than her 5th grade classmates say in the course of a day) there was sexual content. Not much, but it was there, in the form of fondling and some saucey dialogue.
Now, I enjoyed it and I am 32, but - it will sit on the shelf for like 7 years before I let my 10 year old read it. I don't want her thinking of how good it might feel to have a guy fondle her breast just yet...
Aside from not being clear on the actual age group it is recommended for, my only complaint it I can't stand to see the word schlep which finds its way into every Julie Kenner book I read. However, that is just a personal thing, doesn't affect the quality of the book.
It's good, just read it before you decide to let your child read it.

Vampy fun!.......2007-04-14

I'm a fan of Julie Kenner's books, so I was happy when I saw she wrote a teen book.
I wasn't the least bit disappointed in this book, considering it's target is the teen audience and I'm an adult. I think all teens and even adults will enjoy reading this fun and cute tale of a geeky and unpopular girl named Beth turning into a vampire on her 16th birthday. I cant wait for the sequel!

My recommendations along with this:
Braced2Bite, Fangs 4 Freaks and Dating4Demons all by Serena Robar
Boys That Bite and Stake That! by Mari Mancusi

Stellar!.......2007-04-03

Elizabeth "Beth" Frasier has a totally dysfunctional family. Her mother is a lawyer. Her father is a doctor. You would think having successful, well-to-do parents is a GOOD thing. On the contrary, it means they have ZERO time for her. Before they got divorced six months ago, all Beth's parents did was fight and their grumpiness was hard to deal with. Now, the parents are still the exact same way. The only difference is that they live in separate places. However, their indifference toward Beth comes in handy on her sixteenth birthday though. (Yes, Beth's dad forgot all about her Sweet Sixteenth birthday! As for Beth's mom, she simply had her secretary order a gift certificate to a book store and then ending up giving it to Beth a day late!) But this means that neither parent even noticed that Beth never came home that night ... or that Beth had become a vampire!

Beth has a major crush on Stephen Wills, the high school's star football player. So Beth is thrilled when Stephen suddenly seems to take interest in her. Beth never expects Stephen to kill her or turn her into a vampire! But Stephen has a task that only Beth can do. After all, Beth is smart! She's valedictorian. But all Beth wants is revenge against Stephen and the "popular girls" who lured her into Stephen's clutches.

Beth's best friend, Jenny, is on her side. So is Clayton, after he failed to stake her. According to Clayton, Beth can get her life back if she kills her "Creator" (A.K.A. her Master). Problem is that a vampire cant' stake their Master. And once Beth drinks from a living person, she `s doomed for eternity. Should that happen, Clayton and his grandpa would be gunning for her again. Worse, college aged vampire hunters are in the immediate area. What's an undead girl supposed to do?

***** I have not had this much fun with a teen book in a looong time! Beth is not only smart, but she is witty and filled with sass! Her friends are the same, but Beth just has it all in spades! The story is go great that I did not want it to end. So I am thrilled to find that there will be a second novel in this series. Don't worry, this book will NOT leave you hanging. It is fun watching Beth and her friends get even with Stephen and the cheerleaders, as well as, against the various other popular kids who got her turned into a vampire. But the author, Julie Kenner, is a Master at story telling! Again, the ending does not leave you hanging, but it does set up a problem that will obviously have to be handled in a part two. "Buffy" and "Firefly", move over! There is a new show in town. STELLAR! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Average customer rating: Fun start to a new series Good start to the series... Eh High Stakes: A Tale of Vegas Vampires Fantastic!

High Stakes (Vegas Vampires, Book 1) Erin McCarthy Manufacturer: Berkley Sensation ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Vampires | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | Subjects | Books General | Romance | Subjects | Books General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books Vampires | Romance | Subjects | Books Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Look Inside Romance Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Similar Items: Bit the Jackpot (Vegas Vampires, Book 2) Bled Dry (Vegas Vampires, Book 3) You Don't Know Jack Dead End Dating: A Novel of Vampire Love Tall, Dark & Dead (Garnet Lacey, Book 1) ASIN: 0425210138

Book Description

From the USA Today bestselling author, a vampire-meets-girl story set in the city that never sleeps-except during daylight.

He's a bloodsucking freak of nature. But, unlike other politicians, Ethan Carrick is actually a nice guy. Not to mention a very hot, wealthy, casino-owning vampire. It's an election year for vampires, which means he'll first have to escape his opponent's hit men. Then he'll have to find a suitable First Lady, preferably here in Vegas.

Brittany Baldizzi fits the bill. She's smart, pretty- and sweeter than a glass of diabetic O-Negative. But her protective sister Alexis steps in with a message for Ethan: Bite me. It's then that he realizes it's the sexy, no-nonsense Alexis who raises his stake. And as much as she denies it, Alexis wouldn't mind a romp in the coffin with him. But can a mere mortal, even one who risks her life for him, make a centuries-old, womanizing vampire feel something entirely new?

Customer Reviews:

Fun start to a new series.......2007-10-09

Erin McCarthy has started off a new, fun series that is somewhat imaginative, unrealistic, but packed with lots of romance. I'm not a huge fan of her books, even though I keep buying them, lol.

Alexis, the main character, she packs a lot of punch for a little lady, and her lines are quite funny at times. She's very physical, and brash, which just adds to the humor. She's the kind of female hero that you like to see these days, stands up for herself and always puts her foot down when she thinks it's right.

Good start to the series..........2007-07-02

What happens when you mix vampires and politics?

Ethan Carrick wants to be re-elected as president of the Vampire Nation. His campaign manager is pushing him to reform his wild ways by settling down with a suitable politician's partner. Brittany Baldizzi seems like the perfect match, except for one tiny problem... Brittany's sweetness bores Ethan while Alexis, her sister, has him captivated by her feistiness. Is there hope for love between Ethan and Alexis?

HIGH STAKES is a hilarious take on vampires and politics. After all, you have to laugh at the image of a vampire focusing on exit polls! Erin McCarthy infuses humor throughout this sassy but intriguing tale that is sure to make the reader laugh out loud on more than one occasion.

The relationship between Ethan and Alexis is a joy to watch as it develops. From their first meeting, sparks fly between these two very hard-headed characters. I love Alexis' attitude of never giving up. She can be a bit volatile at times, but that only enhances the strength of her character. Erin McCarthy does an excellent job at keeping Alexis likeable, however, as her insecurities over her height and figure soften her almost brash personality.

HIGH STAKES is a real pleasure to read. Erin McCarthy has written a quick, fun book that is perfect for days when you want a good dose of humor. One caution, however, as several threads are left hanging and unresolved. Readers who want all of the details tied up at the end may feel a bit disconcerted as the book is obviously a set up for the future sequels. Quite a few secondary characters are introduced who will apparently play more significant, maybe even starring, roles in later books. However, HIGH STAKES is an excellent start to the series.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Eh.......2007-04-08

I wasn't aware this book was part of a series when I bought it, so it's possible that some of my complaints are dealt with in later books. The story is basically a long introduction to the main characters of the series. There are at least four events/situations/problems that remain unsolved by the end of the book. For people who get frustrated by books with a constant stream of characters, this book has eight POVs. Thankfully, the author's constant POV switches are dominated by only four of the characters.
The story is pretty bland and has been done before. Conflicting Vampire politics, instant attraction between Vamp and human, 'Us against the world' stance of Vamp and human and doing the unthinkable due to sudden violence/drama. Oh, I forgot to mention that most of the Vampires seem to be a bit forgetful. One moment they have a certain talent, but it's gone in the next or apparently only works when it's not needed.
I'm giving the story 3 stars because it did have some humorous moments and I only paid a few dollars for it. Definitely not worth paying full price for.

High Stakes: A Tale of Vegas Vampires.......2007-01-18

I thought is was a funny and interesting book to read. The writer keep you interested in the book.

Fantastic!.......2006-11-04

I love Erin McCarthy. Even if you don't like Vampire Fiction, you will like this book.
It has Erin's typical laugh out loud humor. Fun and intriguing characters that make this book a real page turner. I didn't want to set it down.
Ethan is a vampire seeking Vampire public office. He feels he needs a wife to seal the deal.
He sets his sights on his Dentist, Brittany. She's the stereotypical girl next door. He takes her to his hotel/casino for a few days to woo her.
When Brittany's sister Alexis gets wind of whats going on she charges in ready to get her sister back.
Ethan has already begun to think Brittany is to straight for his tastes.
Brittany knows what he is and is there to save the vampires from damnation.
Alexis thinks everyone has lost their minds.
This is a fun, funny story that leaves you hanging and wanting more, as it is the first in a series of 3 so far. I am looking forward to all of them.

Average customer rating: A must have for the true Buffy fan... Cute, Clever, but Not Worth the Money Nice pics, shame about the text If you like Buffy (and I know you do), just get this Very Good

The Sunnydale High Yearbook Buffy The Vampire Slayer Christopher Golden , and Nancy Holder Manufacturer: Simon Spotlight Entertainment ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Television & Radio | Performing Arts | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Popular Culture | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Spine-Chilling Horror | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Holder, Nancy | ( H ) | Authors, A-Z | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books Contemporary | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books | Adventure | Alternate History | Anthologies | General | Graphic Novels | High Tech | History & Criticism | Series | Short Stories | Space Opera Horror | Teens | Subjects | Books Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Series | Teens | Subjects | Books General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Similar Items: The Watcher's Guide, Volume 1 (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) The Watcher's Guide, Volume 2 (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) The Watcher's Guide, Volume 3 (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Slayer: A Totally Awesome Collection of Buffy Trivia The Monster Book ASIN: 067103541X

Book Description

It's senior year for Buffy Summers and her friends. And that means homecoming, senior prom, finals, graduation -- all the usual evil doings guaranteed to make the Chosen One long for recess.

Slayer duties caused Buffy to miss picking up her Yearbook, so Willow took it for her and enlisted the help of Xander, 0z, Cordelia, Giles, and Angel to make it truly special. Filled with personal notes, candid photos, and in-jokes about Slayerfest, Halloween, substitute teachers, the principal who was eaten, Ascension, etc. -- Buffy's Yearbook is part school publication, part memory book.

Written by the authors of the bestselling The Watcher's Guide, this keepsake volume is packed with key references to the show and characters, 32 full-color pages of fan-favorite moments, and Graduation photos!

Customer Reviews:

A must have for the true Buffy fan..........2006-05-04

This is a must have for the true slayer fans. There are several groups pictures of the gang, including Angel, Cordelia & Giles. There are even "autographs" by some of the quirky regulars such as Jonathan, Larry etc., which I thought was really cool. There are even several color photos & many fun facts. A very nice edition to any Buffy collection! Eat Stake!

Cute, Clever, but Not Worth the Money.......2005-10-03

I was thrilled to find this at a thrift shop for 75 cents. For that price, I'm completely satisfied, of course! It's well-produced, has some funny text (Cordelia's poem is great), and is an amusing coffee-table item. However, I was disappointed with the number of pages that were obviously there just to fulfill the "typical yearbook" role (sports teams, clubs, etc.) that had nothing to do with any of the central characters of the series, and weren't even funny. Those wastes of pages could have been filled with just about anything related to the show and I'd have been happy. The senior "quotes" were pretty worthless... what a wasted opportunity for some hilarity! But the signatures from the characters, Buffy's mom's note on behalf of MOO, etc. are certainly in the spirit of the show and will amuse fans. In short, I wouldn't pay full price for this, but I'm still glad I read it.

Nice pics, shame about the text.......2005-04-13

Okay, I'm outing myself right now: I'm a huge fan of Buffy! (Especially the musical episode, which I could happily watch every day for the rest of my life.) But this yearbook just didn't cut it for me.

Now, don't get me wrong, I didn't hate this. The concept was brilliant, the presentation was striking and the pictures were very nice. But the text just didn't thrill me. I thought it would be funnier. But as I waded through all the endless pages of stuff about how the various school sports teams and clubs went during the school year, looking for references to the characters featured in the Buffy series, or at least looking for punchlines, I was sadly disappointed. This book was basically just a set of boring stats and commentary about people I don't know or give a damn about. There were no cool 'in jokes' or anecdotes or anything I didn't already know about the show. This added nothing to my Buffy experience. A few of the comments in the margins of the pages were alright, but not laugh out loud funny. Oz's comments were really the only saving grace, but they were few and far between.

Buffy was a very well written show--hard-hitting and poignant and funny, offering wonderful social commentary. Therefore, I naturally expected any books about the show to be the same. But this just wasn't up to that standard.

Look, if you're a diehard Buffy fan, then you might want to pick this up--if you can still get hold of it, that is--and take a look at it just for curiosity's sake. But if not, don't be too disappointed that it's no longer in print. It's just better that way.

If you like Buffy (and I know you do), just get this.......2003-08-31

Really funny and witty with a lot of "inside" jokes for BtVS fans. The inside is just like a regular high school yearbook for any school...that was built on a hell mouth and had a mortality rate nearly matching its graduation rate. Great color pictures (HS Cordy, need I say more?) and quotes from the 3 best seasons (IMHO) of the late great BtVS. Thank God it lives on in FX reruns about 16 times a day and the DVDs are very reasonably priced.

Very Good.......2003-08-01

I just bought this for my son , he and I are big buffy fans, I found it quite good and you can tell they put alot of work in to it!

Average customer rating: Courtesy of Teens Read Too Enroll In Vlad Dracul Li-Hsin's book review Morgan's Review of Vampire High Cindy's book review

Vampire High Douglas Rees Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf ProductGroup: Book Binding: Mass Market Paperback Teens | Subjects | Books | Audiobooks | Authors, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Health, Mind & Body | History & Historical Fiction | Horror | Literature & Fiction | Manga | Mysteries | Reference | Religion & Spirituality | School & Sports | Science & Technology | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Series | Social Issues General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books General | Literature | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Similar Items: Private Peaceful (After Words) Elsewhere Day of Tears The Schwa was Here Chicken Boy ASIN: 044023834X Release Date: 2005-08-09

Book Description

It doesn’t take long for Cody Elliot to realize that his new high school is a little different. The other students are supernaturally strong, don’t like the sunlight, and are always placing orders at the local blood bank. When his new friend shows him his fangs, Cody doesn’t need any more clues—these kids are vampires! As Cody struggles to fit into this secretive community, he disrupts centuries of human-vampire segregation, with some serious—and some seriously funny—consequences.

In sharp, humorous, and insightful prose, Douglas Rees creates a world of vampires where the real issue for humans is not the fear of being bitten, but the need to get along.


From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-09-07

Cody Elliot has just moved to Massachusetts from California. He hates his new town of New Sodom and is proud of his report card full of F's (even in homeroom). His dad, not so proud. Cody gets sent to a new school, Vlad Dracul.

It doesn't take long for Cody to realize that something is different about his fellow students. They wear sunglasses inside, they are strangely silent, and seem to be super-smart. After he sees someone's fangs he realizes the obvious- his classmates are vampires.

Most people would be creeped out by this, but not Cody. As it turns out, going to school with vampires is pretty sweet. Cody doesn't have to do much of anything. He gets free A's, a free ride through college, a free ride through life basically. All he has to do is get in the pool and pretend to play water polo once and a while.

It's when Cody decides to try to get real grades, make some friends, and actually try to win a game of water polo that things start to get messy. Vampires don't like messy very much. For Cody, life is about to get really interesting.

This book was really good, very hard to put down. It had a great plot and is full of mystery. I would suggest it to anyone who is a fan of vampires.

Reviewed by: Michaela Pallante aka "Mickey"

Enroll In Vlad Dracul.......2007-03-13

Cody Elliots's family has recently moved from Southern California to Massachusetts. Cody is not happy about the situation and has been acting out by being a bad student. As a result his father has decided to send him to a tough private school. Of the two, he chooses Vlad Dracul. Cody is immediately accepted and enrolled on the school's water polo team. On his first day Cody is accompanied to class by a very large dog and that is one of the least strange things about the day. All of the students seem very dedicated to their work. They are almost all very tall, pale and tend to wear sunglasses. The guys on the water polo team are just the opposite. Then after school, Cody intervenes to help a fellow student who is being bullied. Cody finds himself over his head in a fight but is saved when a beautiful girl scratches his cheek and claims him. From then on things are even weirder.

The after-school altercation has given Cody a new status. He quickly makes friends with the guy he helped and the girl who helped him. He then finds out the truth of the school. Almost the entire student body and faculty are actually vampires. A few non-vampires are admitted in order to field a water polo team and meet the State's requirements. Cody is not so happy with this even though it could mean a free ride for the rest of his life. Now all he has to figure out is how to buck the system and be treated normally and not like a dumb mortal. But this quest leads to more trouble and even further developments. But Cody remains stubborn and eventually succeeds in various ways.

I really enjoyed this book. It was much different from what might be expected from reading the back. Vampires are a gimmick and not the main push of the story. Instead, this is a tale of the meeting of cultures and how a member of one can be accepted by the other. Having read this I am definitely going to keep an eye out for more from this author. Check it out.

Li-Hsin's book review.......2006-12-04

This great book is called Vampire High, it is written by Douglas Rees. In Massachusetts, Cody Elliot was getting low grades and bad behavior. His dad moved him to a new high school. This new school, Vlad Dracul is weird and different. The students in this school were tall, quiet, smart, black haired, and always wore sunglasses. Also the principal had an intelligent dog that could understand human words.
Slowly, Cody discovered that this was a vampire school! In an accident, Cody became good friends with two vampire students, Justin and Ileana. Justin was one of the few students in the school that had brown hair and seemed really short. Ileana was a beautiful girl whose dad is Cody's dad's workmate.
You know vampires were afraid of water, so they needed some humans to play water polo which the state required. Cody didn't have to do any of his assignments, but got all straight A's. No homework, no tests, no practice in water polo, rich furniture. Cody loved this school! But afterwards Cody felt that he wanted to do his works, which gave him more self-esteem. Teachers were surprised by the next day when he turned in his papers. Cody even gave his blood to Justin. Doing many nice things for people disappointed people at the school. In this way, Cody started to change Vlad Dracul.
My favorite part in Vampire High is when Cody got out in the middle of Ileana's birthday party, and donated his blood to Justin to strengthen him. Then they could go to the party together. My reason is that Cody didn't think about himself but cared about other people, too. If someone told me to donate blood, I wouldn't do it.
I give Vampire High book four stars out of a possible five on the rating scale. I like this story because as I read it, I actually felt like one of the characters. The author made me identify with their personalities. For example, I could understand how Cody felt and wanted to change the school for the better. I would recommend this book for others to read.

Morgan's Review of Vampire High.......2006-11-23

I read a fantastic book called Vampire High by Douglas Rees. It is a fantasy book set in the present day.

It all began with Cody coming home with strait F's. He'd even got an F in homeroom and Gym! His parents decide that he's gone too far. So his father sets off to find him a new school. Before I read, which school he was going to go to, questions rolled through my head like: What school is he going to go to? What would it be like? Will he like it? The school he was going to was VLAD DRACUL MAGNET SCHOOL. I thought it was kind of weird because the DRACUL almost sounded like Dracula! When he got there it had chandeliers and rugs. It looked like somebody's house.

The main characters are Cody, Justin, and Alaina. Cody is a troubled kid who does not get good grades as you can see from above. Justin is a vampire who is really smart, makes good decisions and works in the school library. Finally, Alaina is a European vampire who does not speak English well. They become Cody's friends.

I loved the whole book. I could picture the whole school inside because there were so many details. One example is: that I could picture the cafeteria very well in my imagination.

I definitely recommend this book to anybody who likes fantasy or books written in first person. The first person is Cody. Cody did a great job explaining what was happening to him. The part that I remember he explained fantastically, was when he had to deal with his parents about his bad report card. Just like Cody I had to deal with a bad report card, although I did not get all F's.

Cindy's book review.......2006-11-21

I read a wonderful book titled Vampire High by Douglas Rees. I rated it five stars. It is a fantasy book set in the present time. The main setting in this book is at a fictional school named Vlad Dracul.
This book was about a boy named Cody who failed everything in his school in Massachusetts which made his parents upset. They sent him to Vlad Dracul since they heard that every student that went there got really smart. But it turns out that Cody's classmates are vampires. The vampire turned out to be super strong and super smart. So Cody couldn't manage get what the teacher was saying. Since vampires can't touch water, the school needs to find some humans to play Water Polo. If they don't play Water Polo, the school would close down. The principal promised Cody that if he participates in Water Polo, then he would get straight A's in every subject. But when he decides to make some friends with vampires and try out for real grades, he changes Vlad Dracul forever.
The main characters in this story were Cody, Justin, and Ileana. I would say Cody is a brave person because he have saved Justin from bullies and saving him from not ever going into the water since he is a vampire. I admired Cody the most because he wouldn't let the teachers give him an A just for playing Water Polo. Justin is Ileana's best friend. When Cody was almost beaten up by Gadje (another word for human beings used my Jenti's which is another word for vampires), Justin came to help Cody using his Jenti powers to get rid of them. Ileana is a becoming a queen. She's rich and very polite. Even though she is a queen and she has to marry her cousin Gregor, but she wanted to marry someone that she loved. She won't marry Gregor even though everyone expects her to. I would say Ileana is a girl who follows her own thoughts instead of other people thoughts, which made me admire her too.
The main problem of the book occurs when Cody arrived to Vlad Dracul which changed everything around the school. For instance, he donated blood to Justin and he been invited to Ileana's party which is unexpected since no Gadje have ever been invited. Also, Ileana wouldn't marry Gregor which people think that it is Cody's fault.
My favorite part of this book was when Justin went into the water after Cody have convinced him that he was different from everyone else so that maybe he can actually swim in water. This was my favorite part because it was surprising since vampires can't touch water or else they turn into salt. It was also my favorite part because when Justin went down into the water Cody thought that he melted which got me nervous. However he came out of the water screaming "YIPPEEE" which calmed me and very surprised that he can touch water.
I really liked this book because the author was really descriptive about the setting, which made me get a picture in my mind. It helped me to see what the school and students looked like. I would recommend it to my sister because she loves fantasy books more than I do, and I think that she would love this book too.

Average customer rating: Awesome Quick Read! Humor and irony abound in a very different kind of vampire story teens will relish beguiling chick lit serio-comic vampire novel Courtesy of Teens Read Too You'll Want to Take a Bite Out of This Book!

Braced2Bite Serena Robar Manufacturer: Berkley Trade ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Spine-Chilling Horror | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Fiction | Girls & Women | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Being a Teen | Social Issues | Teens | Subjects | Books Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books General | Literature | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Spine-Chilling Horror | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Fiction | Girls & Women | People & Places | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Being a Teen | Social Issues | Teens | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Similar Items: Fangs 4 Freaks Dating4Demons Boys that Bite High School Bites: The Lucy Chronicles Stake That! ASIN: 0425209768

Book Description

Colby Blanchard is the popular cheerleader with the grades, the hunky boyfriend, and the homecoming crown in the bag. Then things go bad-like turning-into-a-vampire bad. And complicating things is the fact that her orthodontist father has removed her canine teeth to give her a perfect smile, so she can't even do the vampire thing properly. Luckily, he's fitting her with some new headgear so she can feed. (So now she's not just a vampire but a dork.)

This lighthearted debut will have Buffy fans of all ages laughing and shuddering as Colby battles the Vampire Council, resists her attraction to a fellow vamp, and hunts down the rogue bloodsucker who got her in this mess in the first place-all while trying to snag a date for homecoming.

Customer Reviews:

Awesome Quick Read!.......2006-11-11

What a great find! Definately acceptable for your pre-teen to teen daughters! I read the book before passing it on and read it in just a day and a half!

Kudos to Serena Robar on her first book

Humor and irony abound in a very different kind of vampire story teens will relish.......2006-06-13

Colby Blanchard seems your normal American teen: a cheerleader, Daddy's girl: but she's also a vampire. When she has to defend her eternal life in front of a Vampire Council which doesn't care for half-vampires, trouble results - not to mention her romance for Thomas, a hottie Vampire Investigator. Humor and irony abound in a very different kind of vampire story teens will relish.

beguiling chick lit serio-comic vampire novel.......2006-06-07

Colby Blanched is the typical sixteen year old, interested in boys, clothing and staying head cheerleader. Her normal life comes to a screeching halt when she is attacked by a man and left in a ravine. When she wakes up, she returns home to learn she has been missing for forty-eight hours. When she smells blood on her mother's hand, she starts drinking it until she is full. Tests by her aunt prove she is a vampire as she has no pulse or heartbeat.

The Vampire Tribunal comes over to serve her with a summons because she is not a vampire but a half-breed Undead because she is too many generations removed to be a full Vampire. Undead have different abilities then vampires and the tribunal looks at them as abominations that must be destroyed. She has to appear before them and make a case that she should not be destroyed but she doesn't have a clue how she is going to manage it.

Aimed at the young adult market BRACED 2 BITE will also be thoroughly enjoyed by adults who like chick lit serio-comic vampire novels. Since her incisors were removed when Colby wore braces her father makes her a mechanical contraption to take their place and some of the funniest bites in the book take place around them. The heroine is strong willed and willing to fight against the injustice of the Vampire Council in their deadly dealings with the undead. Readers will be happy to know that this is just the beginning of a charming, beguiling and totally entertaining new series.

Harriet Klausner

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2006-05-24

As soon as I began reading BRACED2BITE by new author Serena Robar, I was immediately reminded of another one of my favorite vampire series--the Undead series by MaryJanice Davidson. Both authors have a smart-mouthed heroine, an annoying yet total hottie vampire hero, and a set of circumstances that makes you throw everything you ever thought was true about vampires right out the window. And believe me when I say that this comparison is not a bad thing! Ms. Robar has managed to pen a fun, exciting vampire story that will have you reading long into the night--and the comparison to MJD is nothing but outright flattery.

Sixteen-year old Colby Blanchard is the typical blond-haired, blue-eyed cheerleader. She's also very intelligent, has plans to get hunky Aidan Reynolds to ask her to the Homecoming dance, and, while she's at it, will finalize plans for her upcoming seventeenth birthday party. What Colby didn't plan on, or enter into her BlackBerry, was getting knocked out by the Eastside Attacker on the way home from a football game. Where, she might add, Aidan the slimeball went off with Allison to an after-game party.

When Colby comes to and returns home, she's very surprised to learn she's been missing for nearly forty-eight hours. Even more surprising, though, is drinking her mother's blood and healing her wound when she cuts herself with a knife. Oddly enough, although frightened, it's not until her Great-Aunt Chloe points out the puncture wounds on her neck that Colby realizes something weirder than a nighttime attack has happened to her. Colby is now a vampire, with the pale, pasty skin, yellowish eyes, and thirst for blood to prove it.

Her family seems to take the change in their daughter relatively in stride--Aunt Chloe even had to stake a few vampires years ago during the War when she was a nurse. Her father rushes to help in the only way he knows how (he's an orthodontist) and makes her a hideous headgear apparatus so she can feed, since her canine teeth were removed years ago. So not only is she a freak vampire, she's a mutant freak vampire.

To add insult to injury, two vampires come a-calling, informing Colby that she's been summoned to make an appearance to the Tribunal for, and get this, being Undead without a license. The fact that Thomas, the cute, helpful vampire, wants to help her make her case before the Tribunal is one thing. The fact that he's asked to be her Executioner if the Tribunal rejects her plea for a license is quite another.

BRACED2BITE is a fun, hilarious read. All of the characters are well-rounded, and the fast-paced dialogue makes the book a delight to read. If you like vampire stories with a dash of romance and a whole bunch of humor, this is definitely the book for you. And thankfully, the next book in the series, Fangs 4 Freaks, is already scheduled for release in November 2006.

You'll Want to Take a Bite Out of This Book!.......2006-05-24

Colby Blanchard's life changes in a blink of an eye. On the way home from a high school football game, Colby is attacked becomes something that she never thought possible - a vampire. Or rather, a Half-Blood. But because she's not a pure blood vampire, the others in the Undead community are out for some blood - her blood! It's Colby's chance to kick butt and get the guy.

This novel is phenomenal and I devoured it in a matter of hours. Laugh out loud funny and deliciously addicting.

Average customer rating:

The Vampires of Malibu High Chris, Bunch Manufacturer: Wilder Publications ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Dark Fantasy | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books Vampires | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books Bunch, Chris | ( B ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Similar Items: White Night (The Dresden Files, Book 9) ASIN: 0977304051

Book Description

The Vampires of Malibu High is the first collection of Chris Bunch's short fiction. We've gathered the very best of his stories published in magazines such as Absolute Magnitude, Fantastic Stories, Dreams of Decadence, and Realms of Fantasy. Each story is a polished gem waiting to satisfy Bunch's legion of readers. Bunch is best known as a novelist, but these science fiction, fantasy, and horror short stories demonstrate Bunch's mastery of the short form.

Average customer rating: Fun vampire read converted Amazing book, a must read for all Vampire fans! I can't wait for the next one Fantastic book

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites Heather Brewer Manufacturer: Dutton Juvenile ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books School | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Being a Teen | Social Issues | Teens | Subjects | Books Similar Items: Eclipse (Twilight, Book 3) Vampire Island Vampire Academy New Moon (Twilight, Book 2) Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) ASIN: 0525478116 Release Date: 2007-08-16

Book Description

Junior high really sucks for thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod. Bullies harass him, the principal is dogging him, and the girl he likes prefers his best friend. Oh, and Vlad has a secret: his mother was human, but his father was a vampire. With no idea of the extent of his powers, Vlad struggles daily with his blood cravings and his enlarged fangs. When a substitute teacher begins to question him a little too closely, Vlad worries that his cover is about to be blown. But then he faces a much bigger problem: he's being hunted by a vampire killer.

Customer Reviews:

Fun vampire read.......2007-10-01

Vladimir Tod is not like his fellow eighth graders. His idea of a snack consists of bagged blood a la CapriSun style and dipping chocolate chip cookies into blood.

Vlad is a teenage vampire. But unlike the usual stereotype vampires, he can go out in the sun(as long as he wears sunscreen).

But he's also like so many boys his age in that he's crushing on Meredith, who might have the hots for his best friend Henry and he hates being called on in class.

Add a missing teacher, a substitute teacher who's idea of an assignment deals with supernatural beings(hey, I wish I had him as my eighth grade teacher!), and the mystery surrounding his parents deaths. Vlad finds an old journal that might give him hints on his parents death. But he needs to watch out for his new teacher Mr. Otis Otis as he feels he might know more than he's letting on. But who can Vlad trust? And who will believe him? He needs to find answers soon or else he might end up like his parents...dead.

Heather Brewer does a great job showing the reader a thirteen-year-old boy who happens to be a vampire. I love how she doesn't fall back on the old cliches and stereotypes--these vampires can go out in the sun. And the whole idea of the blood bags gives a whole new meaning to snack time. This is a fun, fast-paced read that is sure to please most teens. I can't wait to read the sequel.

converted.......2007-09-11

I'm not into vampire books, but Heather Brewer's sympathetic and funny vampire drew me into his world. And what a world it is -- filled with a sinister teacher who may know Vlad's secret, a guardian who works at the hospital (so convenient), vampire-hunters and killers, bullies and best friends. The story has just the right touch of horror. Can't wait for Ninth Grade Sucks.

Amazing book, a must read for all Vampire fans!.......2007-09-01

this book is so funny I and interesting, the character development so good that I read it in less than 3 hours. (couldn't stop reading). It's about a 14 year old boy who is half human, half vampire, and in junior high. He tries to fit in with the other kids but has to hide blood pills in normal food and where suntan lotion during the day.

He finds that he isn't alone in the world, but that other vamps don't seem to like his existence much.

Sorta a vampire Harry Potter. Check it out.

I can't wait for the next one.......2007-08-27

"The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod" is the first work by Heather Brewer. I gotta' tell you up front that I would not even normally buy this book because it's not my type of thing. First, it's squarely in the soft side of the young adult category, though that's not a deal breaker. Secondly, horror books aren't my thing, even soft horror and that is invariably a deal breaker. But, the cover icon was so stunningly subversive I picked up the book and read the back cover blurb. I bought it. Boy was a I glad I did. Vlad, the protagonist vampire, is engaging and interesting. You will feel for him and enjoy going along for the ride as his friendship with his best friend Henry is tested. You'll squirm as he tries to get together with his crush, but like all eighth-graders, it's not so easy to ask out a girl on a date. And you will feel the angst (gently) as you read through it. This is not a work of art because (A) the adults except for his Aunt Nelly are very thinly drawn and you just have no real sense about them, especially the villains and (B) the writer is in a huge hurry to get where she's going that she leaves out a little too much detail and I wish she'd taken her time because I really did want to read more. The ending was very compressed. You will like this book - you'll probably wish you were friends with Vlad. Her website indicates this is first in a series, and I will read the rest for sure. Check this one out.

Fantastic book.......2007-08-22

I think I have another favorite series to add to my collection because The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites is fantastic. I cannot wait to read book 2 to see what Vlad and his crew are going to be doing for next year.

I am not going to compare this book to the Harry Potter series because they have different stories, characters and adventures, but I can say it is on the same level as The Harry Potter series, Otherland series, and His Dark Materials series.

If you have read any of the books I just listed, then you will definitely like this book

Average customer rating: Charming heroine and fun friends make up for the thin characterizations Hihgh SChool Bites: The Lucy Chronicles Courtesy of Teens Read Too Homework, Homecoming...and Garlic Perfume charming paranormal chick lit satire for young teens

High School Bites: The Lucy Chronicles Liza Conrad Manufacturer: NAL Trade ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Teens | Subjects | Books | Audiobooks | Authors, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Health, Mind & Body | History & Historical Fiction | Horror | Literature & Fiction | Manga | Mysteries | Reference | Religion & Spirituality | School & Sports | Science & Technology | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Series | Social Issues Spine-Chilling Horror | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books School | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books School | Issues | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Spine-Chilling Horror | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Similar Items: Braced2Bite Fangs 4 Freaks Boys that Bite Dating4Demons Circus of the Darned ASIN: 0451217527

Book Description

Lucy Hellenberg is not your typical Pacific Cedar High student. Because in between hanging out with her friends, hating her hair and her math teacher, and trying to decide whether she should dump her on-again off-again boyfriend, she has to deal with a father who refuses to go outside and a house that bears way too much resemblance to the set of The Munsters.

And that's not all. Lucy has just discovered that she's a descendent of the lovely Lucy in Bram Stoker's Dracula-and that vampires really do exist (right here at Pacific Cedar High!). Now, she has to accessorize her homecoming dress with a necklace of garlic and learn how to drive while driving away vampires-without becoming their next victim.

Customer Reviews:

Charming heroine and fun friends make up for the thin characterizations.......2007-02-08

High School Bites is a short, easy read about Lucy Hellenberg and her destiny to eradicate Dracula. Lucy Hellenberg is a sixteen year old teenager with a hot sometime boyfriend in Vic Irving. She, unlike other teen heroines, is not full of high school angst. She lives a pretty happy and normal life and has two very good friends, Mina and Mark. Sure, her father hasn't left the house since her mother died, but he loves her and she can live with his idiosyncracies such as the need for 12 locks on the door.

The problem is that when Lucy turned 16 she came into her power as a vampire killer. She's not any vampire killer, though, she is a direct descendant from Lucy in Bram Stoker's Dracula. What is worse is that Dracula, Henry Irving, has followed the previous generations of Lucys to Seattle. This sets up an epic battle between teen Lucy and teen Dracula and his vampire minions; not to mention that her prom date might be one of those said minions.

The characters are bright, fun and engaging. Lucy is an engaging character and it was nice to read a teen book with a heroine who was relateively issue free. The story moved quickly and kept me interested unti the end. The trouble I had with the book is that the plot moved almost too quickly and the character developments were very thin. Everyone who Lucy shares her story with believes her immediately, her friends and the adults around her. Further, there is an insertion of a character toward the end of the book which was not only convenient for Lucy as the vampire slayer but also as a girl. There could have been more depth and layering to the characters, particularly regarding Lucy's legacy. Being the one to eradicate Seattle of vampires at the age of 16 is enough to make even the most normal teen react a bit adversely.

In the end, most everything is tied up fairly neatly with even a hint of romance for Lucy's formerly hermitic father. B-

Hihgh SChool Bites: The Lucy Chronicles.......2006-04-19

I know your head is going, another Clique book? Well, acutally this book is way better! Involves typical high school romance, but there's a catch....romance with a vampire! It's unbelievable delicious book! Really worth reading it!

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2006-04-17

Lucy Hellenberg lives a somewhat a-typical high school life. Her sixteenth birthday is approaching, but she's not too concerned with it. What bothers her is her father's inability to leave their house, a place that bears a strong resemblance to the one the Munsters of television fame lived in. She worries about whether or not Vic, her sometime-boyfriend, will ask her to the Homecoming Dance. She wonders if she'll ever survive algebra with a teacher like Mrs. Ruthen, otherwise known around Pacific Cedar High as Mrs. Ruthless.

To top it all off, her English teacher, Mr. Dobbs, has stared a unit on Bram Stoker's Dracula. Which might have been only mildly interesting (hey, it sure beat Beowulf or Shakespeare!) except for the very, very, very weird coincidences between Dracula and Lucy's own life. Like the fact that two of the main characters of the book are Lucy and Mina, and that Lucy's best friend just so happens to be named Mina. Like the fact that Henry Irving, an actor managed my Stoker back in the late 1800's, shares the same last name as Lucy's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Vic. Like that fact that, on her sixteenth birthday, Lucy's father presents her a journal passed down through her mother's family that lets her in on the little secret that Lucy is now destined to fight Dracula, the most powerful vampire of all.

Of course Lucy assumes her dad has went off the deep end, until she starts reading the journal and reads about her lineage. Suddenly, she can see vampires--real, live, blood-sucking vampires--everywhere she goes. And she knows it's up to her--along with the help of Mina, Mr. Dobbs, her father, her other best friend Mark, a cat named Professor V., a godfather who makes garlic perfume, and a boy named Christopher with a pet wolf named Kayla--to stop Dracula before he kills them all.

HIGH SCHOOL BITES is a great book! Full of action-adventure, interesting vampire trivia, and main characters that will have you rooting for them, I definitely hope there's another book in The Lucy Chronicles!

Homework, Homecoming...and Garlic Perfume .......2006-02-05

Lucy Hellenberg soon realizes there really is no such thing as coincidence. There's a good reason she's named Lucy (as was her mother, her grandmother, her great-grandmother and so on), and that her best friend's name is Mina, and that her father is practically a hermit. Not to mention, her sometime boyfriend Vic's last name being Irving...

On her sixteenth birthday, Lucy finds out that she comes from a long line of strong women named Lucy - starting with the one that inspired the character of Lucy in Bram Stoker's Dracula. But the real Lucy Barrows didn't succumb to Dracula's (Henry Irving's his real name and he was an actor) spell like the one in the book. She ran away and the famed vampire has been chasing her and her descendants ever after.

Armed with her new knowledge, a diary left behind by her ancestors, and some garlic-enhanced perfume, Lucy sets out to do battle with the vampires that want to mess up her life. She'd like to get rid of them once and for all. I mean, for heaven's sake, isn't high school bad enough as it is? Now she's got to worry about carrying holy water around and she's already prone to forgetting her Algebra book.

Liza Conrad's story is a fast read with lots of action and historical tidbits thrown in for good measure. Some things don't make a lot of sense - like Lucy's sudden super powers (where'd she get those?) and Mr. Dobbs (their English teacher and a descendant of Bram Stoker - another coincidence) being able to find them easily whenever trouble breaks out, no matter where they are. But readers will easily overlook those kinds of details in favor of the fun and thrills contained within. Hey, we've even got a Professor Van Helsing appearing - as a cat!

Recommended for readers aged 12 and up, especially girls who like strong role models to look up to and humor to get them through it. And stay tuned, this is a series, so more of Lucy's exciting adventures will be coming.

--Kimberly Pauley, the YA Books Goddess, yabookscentral.com

charming paranormal chick lit satire for young teens.......2006-01-24

It started in high school student in English class when the teacher discussed Transylvania, Drac, etc. and now not long afterward Pacific Heights High School sophomore Lucy Hallenberg wears a cross, uses garlic perfume and avoids Seattle malls. On her sixteenth birthday, Lucy learns that all her female ancestors dating back to Bram Stoker are named after Lucy Barrows who rejected Dracula's spell; that is actor Henry Irving allegedly playing the role. Now real vamps want to destroy the "Lucys" by wrecking the life of the current one though she needs little help having devastated the dance.

Lucy must deal with the local vampire population like her mom, grandmom, great-grandma and all the other Lucys before her, but first she needs to pass the Ruthless math class and learn to drive in case she needs a fast getaway. Her dad is no help as he is a hermit (just ask the principal) while her two best friends Mark and Mina agree she is Marilyn living with the Munsters so why worry about vampires. Still she knows what she must do, but it is difficult to remember to pack holy water and an algebra book when your boyfriend's surname is Irving.

This is a charming paranormal chick lit satire of Buffy starring a wonderful protagonist struggling to be sixteen, make it through high school, and save the local world at the same time. Lucy is delightful as the latest superheroine in her line while the support cast also descendents from the Stoker age augment the fun. Though some escapades occur from seemingly out of nowhere causing disruption, younger teens will appreciate the amusing action-packed THE LUCY CHRONICLES: HIGH SCHOOL BITES.

Harriet Klausner

Books:

1. On the Wing: To the Edge of the Earth with the Peregrine Falcon
2. One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey
3. Peach Girl: Change of Heart, Vol. 1
4. Peach Girl: Change of Heart, Vol. 1
5. Prom Nights from Hell
6. Quantum-Touch: The Power to Heal (Third Edition)
7. Rough Weather Seamanship for Sail and Power : Design, Gear, and Tactics for Coastal and Offshore Waters
8. Second Chance: Three Presidents and the Crisis of American Superpower
9. Simple Gifts : Four Heartwarming Christmas Stories : Just Curious / Miracles / Change of Heart / Double Exposure
10. Sisters

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