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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Quick, good read! I read it in one sitting--no stops--and it was a fantastic way to pass an afternoon. This book was written in the 1990s and still holds up, and in light of the Twilight phenomenon I think this book is doubly interesting. Now here is a far more realistic version of what would happen if you fell in love with a vampire...although frankly, perhaps putting the words vampire and realistic in the same sentence is slightly ridiculous. All in all, thoroughly enjoyable and engaging quick read, with good characters that I actually cared about and, ironically, a refreshing take on the vampire genre.
Queen Hahn kills it once again for me. If you're up for something that starts pulpy and starts to go truly disturbing, this is for you.
I've read this twice now: once when i was the victim's age, and now as an adult and let me tell you, its two different experiences. Cynda (victim) is 14. Her little brother Todd (a second victim) is around 7. The vampire is alluded to be much older, but says he is in his late 30s. The connotations are appalling.
Mrs. Hahn has all her usual trademarks here, with her teenager spouting poetry and lovely evocative imagery. She gives such an accurate description of the flightiness of teenage crushes and attraction, as well as depictions of anxiety and depression that it hurt to read some places, having been in similar situations myself.
This is very much a "vampires as a euphemism for sexual assault" story, which while unoriginal, is so well executed i find it hard to make any complaint. It has so much sensitivity for the victim drawing on themes of victim blaming, the way child groomers isolate their victims, and the lies they spin to keep bringing them back in.
I will say: this is a "good for her!" story towards the end.
I've read this twice now: once when i was the victim's age, and now as an adult and let me tell you, its two different experiences. Cynda (victim) is 14. Her little brother Todd (a second victim) is around 7. The vampire is alluded to be much older, but says he is in his late 30s. The connotations are appalling.
Mrs. Hahn has all her usual trademarks here, with her teenager spouting poetry and lovely evocative imagery. She gives such an accurate description of the flightiness of teenage crushes and attraction, as well as depictions of anxiety and depression that it hurt to read some places, having been in similar situations myself.
This is very much a "vampires as a euphemism for sexual assault" story, which while unoriginal, is so well executed i find it hard to make any complaint. It has so much sensitivity for the victim drawing on themes of victim blaming, the way child groomers isolate their victims, and the lies they spin to keep bringing them back in.
I will say: this is a "good for her!" story towards the end.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It has been over 16 years sense I last read this one but it was sutch an enjoyable reread. Still a great vampire YA novel and way better than twilight ;)
The emotions and feelings the main character feels is relatable in the writing and so is the plot. Sometimes the novel becomes quite spooky in how evil and dark the story could turn out.
Look for me by moonlight by Mary Downing Hahn get a 8.2/10 stars.
The emotions and feelings the main character feels is relatable in the writing and so is the plot. Sometimes the novel becomes quite spooky in how evil and dark the story could turn out.
Look for me by moonlight by Mary Downing Hahn get a 8.2/10 stars.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Like all the other reviews, I read this book in middle school, either right before or during my Twilight obsession. As I just finished a Twilight reread, I thought of this book and decided to pick it up again.
While, yes, Cynda can be a little whiny, compared to what I went through reading Twilight with a similar narrator, it felt much more reasonable in this story. I wish there had been a little more character development for her, maybe a moment that she truly felt she could stand on her own, because I honestly felt for her. Her reasons for being a melodramatic teenager are a lot better than Bella Swan’s, for example.
I also think the parallels to child abuse and this story are extremely important. It was pretty overt at times, but those emotions and thoughts that Cynda and Todd struggled with made me want to cry. It also stands out because I read this when I was younger than Cynda, and I was truly terrified. It’s stuck with me all this time and really stands out as a unique book from my childhood.
I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys vampire horror, not romance as a few may have mentioned. Vincent is sinister and the “romance” between him and Cynda is brief. It’s definitely middle grade writing, but the story is interesting if someone wants to stick with it.
While, yes, Cynda can be a little whiny, compared to what I went through reading Twilight with a similar narrator, it felt much more reasonable in this story. I wish there had been a little more character development for her, maybe a moment that she truly felt she could stand on her own, because I honestly felt for her. Her reasons for being a melodramatic teenager are a lot better than Bella Swan’s, for example.
I also think the parallels to child abuse and this story are extremely important. It was pretty overt at times, but those emotions and thoughts that Cynda and Todd struggled with made me want to cry. It also stands out because I read this when I was younger than Cynda, and I was truly terrified. It’s stuck with me all this time and really stands out as a unique book from my childhood.
I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys vampire horror, not romance as a few may have mentioned. Vincent is sinister and the “romance” between him and Cynda is brief. It’s definitely middle grade writing, but the story is interesting if someone wants to stick with it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I *so* adore Mary Downing Hahn... I was thrilled to see this book appeared to be based on The Highwayman... it is and it isn’t. Mostly isn’t. It was nothing that I had expected or hoped for, but a lovely little read anyway... I would have loved something with more of the moody, dark despair of the old Noyes poem though...