Ninth Grade Slays

November 1, 2008
Gr 6-9-Vladimir Tod wants be popular like his friend Henry and cool and carefree like Henry's cousin Joss. He would so enjoy putting bullies Tom and Bill, who have been tormenting him for years, in their place. And, of course, he longs to tell Meredith about his feelings for her. All of this should really be a piece a cake for him. He is, after all, the only vampire "living" in Bathory, and he possesses extraordinary powers. Unfortunately, luck does not seem to run his way. What is working for him is the opportunity to go to Siberia with his Uncle Otis to be trained by Vikas, one of the oldest vampires around. Vikas sharpens Vlad's skills, especially in the area of mind control, and educates him on vampire history, language, and culture. Vlad also learns about the prophecy regarding the Pravus, a powerful vampire born from a human mother who will not only rule over all of vampirekind but also enslave the entire human race. Upon his return to Bathory, he is pursued by a vampire slayer and attacked by another one. Could Vlad, whom readers have come to love, possibly be this evil Pravus? Brewer does an excellent job keeping readers on their toes with an intense plot full of many twists and turns. Her writing style is original, witty, and on target. It has a different intensity than series like Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" (Little, Brown) or Richelle Mead's "Vampire Academy" (Penguin), but teens will eat up this installment and be ready to sink their teeth into the sequel."Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2008
Think high school is tough? Try being in high school and a vampire at the same time. This second book chronicling the exploits of Vladimir Tod (half-human, half-vampire, all neurosis) is a little better developed than the first, replete with fast-paced action and teen angst with enough romance and gore to keep readers of varying interests occupied.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)