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sam_riccio's review
4.0
I think the idea that Jinks has for vampires is very unique, we all see the same narrative for them whenever we read our favorite fiction books and thats part of the appeal, but having them be mostly human like with the addition of vampirism being a disease that's passed around is fun.
If I had to point out what I didn't like about this it would be that they all talked about the same thing way too much, which is something that older people do in my experience, and it happened to feel like a rushed ending but if you're telling the story though someone whose already lived it I suppose that it would all feel very clustered.
It was worth the read, i wouldn't put this in a Young Adults section and more a New Adult book because it contains cursing, and the topics are easy to follow but at my time of reading this I'm 23, I don't think anyone younger than 16 would find the chitchat in this very entertaining.
If I had to point out what I didn't like about this it would be that they all talked about the same thing way too much, which is something that older people do in my experience, and it happened to feel like a rushed ending but if you're telling the story though someone whose already lived it I suppose that it would all feel very clustered.
It was worth the read, i wouldn't put this in a Young Adults section and more a New Adult book because it contains cursing, and the topics are easy to follow but at my time of reading this I'm 23, I don't think anyone younger than 16 would find the chitchat in this very entertaining.
kimble73's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
peapod_boston's review against another edition
3.0
I've always said that I wouldn't try to write a vampire book unless I had an original take. I think Catherine Jinks has found the last one.
Her vampires are sad, pathetic creatures. Living on guinea pig blood and herbal supplements to keep from feeding on humans, they are shriveled, wrinkled, weak, sickly--frankly malnourished--specimens. They meet every week for a support group to keep from giving in to the desire for blood, and Nina, the protagonist, makes money writing books that are (1) a total fantasy trip for her and (2) pointed parodies of paranormal romance.
Then real-life danger comes around when one of their number is staked. Now, Nina and her friends must rise above their sad little lives and figure out what it means to be a vampire.
Besides the malnourished part, Jinks has a few interesting takes on how vampirism works. But most of all, she has a host of amusing, eccentric characters thrown into a situation that takes a turn for the worse (or at least more complicated) every 5 pages. The last third of the books rolls forward in a "how are they going to get out of this ... oh, wait, it just got worse" rhythym that keeps it fun and sparking. I would love to see Pixar take a crack at this one, as the cover art perfectly fits their style and the tone of the book.
The style is workaday, but doesn't detract from the story--about what I would expect from a young adult book. An enjoyable, short ride for anyone who has been hearing too much about TWILIGHT these days.
Her vampires are sad, pathetic creatures. Living on guinea pig blood and herbal supplements to keep from feeding on humans, they are shriveled, wrinkled, weak, sickly--frankly malnourished--specimens. They meet every week for a support group to keep from giving in to the desire for blood, and Nina, the protagonist, makes money writing books that are (1) a total fantasy trip for her and (2) pointed parodies of paranormal romance.
Then real-life danger comes around when one of their number is staked. Now, Nina and her friends must rise above their sad little lives and figure out what it means to be a vampire.
Besides the malnourished part, Jinks has a few interesting takes on how vampirism works. But most of all, she has a host of amusing, eccentric characters thrown into a situation that takes a turn for the worse (or at least more complicated) every 5 pages. The last third of the books rolls forward in a "how are they going to get out of this ... oh, wait, it just got worse" rhythym that keeps it fun and sparking. I would love to see Pixar take a crack at this one, as the cover art perfectly fits their style and the tone of the book.
The style is workaday, but doesn't detract from the story--about what I would expect from a young adult book. An enjoyable, short ride for anyone who has been hearing too much about TWILIGHT these days.
catladylover94's review against another edition
3.0
though I liked the characters, it was really boring, but it was funny in some places, so I read it all the way through
ultraspy's review against another edition
2.0
Disclaimer: This review is not without bias!
This is a pretty funny book and the characters are brilliant. The struggle I had with the book was all the whingeing. There was a whole lot of "poor us" which I found incredibly annoying since one of my greatest gifts of all time happens to be whining. So, I understood the characters, but too well BUT it was almost as annoying as my own whingeing!
This is a pretty funny book and the characters are brilliant. The struggle I had with the book was all the whingeing. There was a whole lot of "poor us" which I found incredibly annoying since one of my greatest gifts of all time happens to be whining. So, I understood the characters, but too well BUT it was almost as annoying as my own whingeing!
solalari's review against another edition
I just can't. I like the crazy bloodthirsty vamps. This book... is just pathetic.
I quit.
I quit.
direton1's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0