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jgintrovertedreader's review
4.0
Alex Van Helsing has heard it thousands of times before. Yes, his last name is really Van Helsing. No, not like that Van Helsing. No, he doesn't kill monsters. To paraphrase his father, that kind of thing doesn't happen. Except when it does.
What a fun, action-packed story! It begins with Alex running toward a scream in the woods and ends on a very brooding scene that feels like a pause. Which isn't to say that this book feels incomplete; for the first in the series, it stands very well on its own. I know more is coming, I have one or two questions, but I'm happy with the way things ended.
Alex is the most fully fleshed-out character and I liked him. He's had some trouble in the past and he's still having trouble in the present but he's doing his best. His whole world has just shifted but he's dealing with it.
The other characters were fun, but they weren't developed all that well. I am curious about Minhi, Mr. Sangster, and Sid. I hope I'll learn more about them in other books.
As an older reader, I appreciated the way the classics like Dracula and the background story to Frankenstein were worked in. For younger readers who might not have been exposed to these books yet, the necessary references were explained well and the unnecessary ones were just bonuses for those in the know. There wasn't really anything new added to the vampire myth, but it was still fun. Kids who haven't read quite so much will probably love this. There were some gadgets that I even thought were very cool, and I'm not into gadgets!
These vampires are not the seductive, tormented vampires that we've seen so much of lately. These guys are baddies through and through. There was nothing too graphic, but it is what it is, so parents of younger children might want to check it out first. I imagine all teens would be fine with it.
I had a lot of fun reading this one and I'll be looking forward to the next in the series. This is one of those hard-to-find books that would be good for teen boys, but the tougher girls will like it too.
What a fun, action-packed story! It begins with Alex running toward a scream in the woods and ends on a very brooding scene that feels like a pause. Which isn't to say that this book feels incomplete; for the first in the series, it stands very well on its own. I know more is coming, I have one or two questions, but I'm happy with the way things ended.
Alex is the most fully fleshed-out character and I liked him. He's had some trouble in the past and he's still having trouble in the present but he's doing his best. His whole world has just shifted but he's dealing with it.
The other characters were fun, but they weren't developed all that well. I am curious about Minhi, Mr. Sangster, and Sid. I hope I'll learn more about them in other books.
As an older reader, I appreciated the way the classics like Dracula and the background story to Frankenstein were worked in. For younger readers who might not have been exposed to these books yet, the necessary references were explained well and the unnecessary ones were just bonuses for those in the know. There wasn't really anything new added to the vampire myth, but it was still fun. Kids who haven't read quite so much will probably love this. There were some gadgets that I even thought were very cool, and I'm not into gadgets!
These vampires are not the seductive, tormented vampires that we've seen so much of lately. These guys are baddies through and through. There was nothing too graphic, but it is what it is, so parents of younger children might want to check it out first. I imagine all teens would be fine with it.
I had a lot of fun reading this one and I'll be looking forward to the next in the series. This is one of those hard-to-find books that would be good for teen boys, but the tougher girls will like it too.
robhood's review
4.0
This book was not very well written, but it is a hoot and a guilty pleasure! A totally fun read!
bexsbookshelves94's review
4.0
This review and more can be found at:
Reading Under the Covers
I actually liked this book from the second I started reading it!
I loved the concept of it was good action packed. Alex Van Helsing is our main character and yes it sounds extremely familiar, that being the last name, and it should. This is one of those books where it is based on legends. That being Abraham Van Helsing and Dracula. Alex Van Helsing is a descendant of Abraham Van Helsing, Vampire Hunter and he has know idea.
I feel like this was a “coming of age book” for the main character where he learns who he truly is and all the weird things that are happening to him are happening for a reason. It isn’t your typical “coming of age book” and that isn’t what I meant! I meant it just had some aspects of that.
The only problem I had was the writing. It felt like it was written for kids and it probably was but that was my only problem.
Alex was a good main character for this book. He fit this book and that is always a good thing, when the author gets their main character right!
The book is action packed, has secrets and lies, action/ combat, oh and Vampires. What more could you want?
Reading Under the Covers
I actually liked this book from the second I started reading it!
I loved the concept of it was good action packed. Alex Van Helsing is our main character and yes it sounds extremely familiar, that being the last name, and it should. This is one of those books where it is based on legends. That being Abraham Van Helsing and Dracula. Alex Van Helsing is a descendant of Abraham Van Helsing, Vampire Hunter and he has know idea.
I feel like this was a “coming of age book” for the main character where he learns who he truly is and all the weird things that are happening to him are happening for a reason. It isn’t your typical “coming of age book” and that isn’t what I meant! I meant it just had some aspects of that.
The only problem I had was the writing. It felt like it was written for kids and it probably was but that was my only problem.
Alex was a good main character for this book. He fit this book and that is always a good thing, when the author gets their main character right!
The book is action packed, has secrets and lies, action/ combat, oh and Vampires. What more could you want?
nssutton's review
Alex Van Helsing - yes those Van Helsings, athough he does not yet know it - is having a hard time transitioning to life at Glenarvon Academy. His roommates are jerks, he's terribly homesick and, oh, there are vampires chasing him around at night. In no time, he learns that his teacher, Mr. Sangster, works for the Polidorium - a top-secret vampire hunting organization that Alex's father once worked with. Suddenly, his family's philanthropic work and focus on survival skills suddenly makes a lot more sense. Will Alex be able to fulfill his family destiny and take on the deadly vampire, Icemaker?
I couldn't tell you. I only made it a little further than the Cybils-requested 50 page requirement.
It's not that the book is bad. I've inherited a school library collection that could do with some updated adventure stories for my middle grade boys and would probably add this to our book request list. And sure, I don't mind reading paragraphs devoted to Alex fiddling with his contacts and being completely ignorant of the fact he is one of those Van Helsings after repeatedly running into things that go bump in the night.
In the end, what made me realize it would never make my shortlist was the villian. Or rather, this exchange with the villian:
They were gone.
Alex fell to his knees.
Sangster reached Alex's side. "Minhi and Paul?"
"Yes," Alex groaned. "What about Sid?"
"He's safe. He's inside." Sangster stepped back, surveyed the wall of ice. "Look!"
Alex rose and staggered back to read the words carved into the icy wall.
WELCOME TO THE COLD.
Really?! You're going to kidnap the girl on the first interaction between good guy and bad guy and all that's all the villian has to say?! Book closed.
I couldn't tell you. I only made it a little further than the Cybils-requested 50 page requirement.
It's not that the book is bad. I've inherited a school library collection that could do with some updated adventure stories for my middle grade boys and would probably add this to our book request list. And sure, I don't mind reading paragraphs devoted to Alex fiddling with his contacts and being completely ignorant of the fact he is one of those Van Helsings after repeatedly running into things that go bump in the night.
In the end, what made me realize it would never make my shortlist was the villian. Or rather, this exchange with the villian:
They were gone.
Alex fell to his knees.
Sangster reached Alex's side. "Minhi and Paul?"
"Yes," Alex groaned. "What about Sid?"
"He's safe. He's inside." Sangster stepped back, surveyed the wall of ice. "Look!"
Alex rose and staggered back to read the words carved into the icy wall.
WELCOME TO THE COLD.
Really?! You're going to kidnap the girl on the first interaction between good guy and bad guy and all that's all the villian has to say?! Book closed.
hgranger's review
4.0
Fun, easy to read tale with fast paced action and a likable protagonist. Enough of a backstory (partially unrevealed) to give the story some body.
rosetyper9's review
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The writing and references are very clever, there are frequent mentions of classic writers and novelists throughout the book and incorporated in the plot, which is to be expected with a name like Van Helsing. The copy that is going around for review has comments from the author in the margins, which is very cool. I loved reading the fun little facts that the author included. There are a lot of references and cultural facts that not everyone, especially young adults might not understand. The plot also moves a bit slow in the beginning and then speeds to hyper-speed the rest of the book, it moves just a tad too fast to for the story line. The idea of the character is great as is Alex, I think he is very cool, I would be his friend.
I like this new thing among authors, whether intentional or not, to include references to some of the world's classics. I think that if teens see some of these books in their modern favorites it will inspire them to give them a try outside the classroom. I just read an article about the impact from the mentioning of Wuthering Heights in Twilight has had on sales of Wuthering Heights. It makes me want to clap and cheer. I hope the trend continues. Pretty good, quick read.
I like this new thing among authors, whether intentional or not, to include references to some of the world's classics. I think that if teens see some of these books in their modern favorites it will inspire them to give them a try outside the classroom. I just read an article about the impact from the mentioning of Wuthering Heights in Twilight has had on sales of Wuthering Heights. It makes me want to clap and cheer. I hope the trend continues. Pretty good, quick read.
bexsbookshelves1's review
4.0
This review and more can be found at:
Reading Under the Covers
I actually liked this book from the second I started reading it!
I loved the concept of it was good action packed. Alex Van Helsing is our main character and yes it sounds extremely familiar, that being the last name, and it should. This is one of those books where it is based on legends. That being Abraham Van Helsing and Dracula. Alex Van Helsing is a descendant of Abraham Van Helsing, Vampire Hunter and he has know idea.
I feel like this was a “coming of age book” for the main character where he learns who he truly is and all the weird things that are happening to him are happening for a reason. It isn’t your typical “coming of age book” and that isn’t what I meant! I meant it just had some aspects of that.
The only problem I had was the writing. It felt like it was written for kids and it probably was but that was my only problem.
Alex was a good main character for this book. He fit this book and that is always a good thing, when the author gets their main character right!
The book is action packed, has secrets and lies, action/ combat, oh and Vampires. What more could you want?
Reading Under the Covers
I actually liked this book from the second I started reading it!
I loved the concept of it was good action packed. Alex Van Helsing is our main character and yes it sounds extremely familiar, that being the last name, and it should. This is one of those books where it is based on legends. That being Abraham Van Helsing and Dracula. Alex Van Helsing is a descendant of Abraham Van Helsing, Vampire Hunter and he has know idea.
I feel like this was a “coming of age book” for the main character where he learns who he truly is and all the weird things that are happening to him are happening for a reason. It isn’t your typical “coming of age book” and that isn’t what I meant! I meant it just had some aspects of that.
The only problem I had was the writing. It felt like it was written for kids and it probably was but that was my only problem.
Alex was a good main character for this book. He fit this book and that is always a good thing, when the author gets their main character right!
The book is action packed, has secrets and lies, action/ combat, oh and Vampires. What more could you want?
orawahbeth's review
3.0
I read this last night, I wanted something not too heavy and figured teen fiction was the way to go. It was a fun read and I look forward to reading the next book.
lughosti's review
1.0
I was not impressed by this book at all. The characters were all basically carbon copies of one another with no defining features to make them unique, the teacher didn't even speak like a teacher, and the author tries to hard to be clever.
The only credit I can give the author is that he clearly knows his stuff about Byron. There are facts in here that many people don't know about and I was impressed by that as a Byron aficionado myself.
Overall, I will most likely not read the next book in the series.
The only credit I can give the author is that he clearly knows his stuff about Byron. There are facts in here that many people don't know about and I was impressed by that as a Byron aficionado myself.
Overall, I will most likely not read the next book in the series.
jbojkov's review
4.0
This is a great book for MS and maybe 5th grade boys who want some adventure and excitement. It's not too scary, nor is there too much blood and gore, but just enough to keep them interested. Great potential for this series!