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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I read these when I was a kid and I really remember enjoying them-- though I did start these when I was in middle school and I'm now in my mid twenties. I was that nerdy Hot Topic kid with her face always stuck in a book, and this book was right up my alley then. I really remember enjoying reading these books but it's honestly been a while and I have read a lot since then, so I don't really remember a whole lot. But my rating is what 12-13 year old me probably would have rates them. Will I re-read? Maybe. But I don't know if I'll enjoy it the same as I did when I was younger and I honestly want to hold onto the positive feelings associated with that vampire smiley face that brings back fun memories of ignoring my math class on favor of teenage vampire stories.
Don't really remember what happened. I'll have to read it again.
I'm enjoying this vampire story - it isn't cheeky and the romance is minimal and well-done. I read Eight Grade Bites a few years ago because it was on sale at a book festival. Recently, my pubic library had a used book sale (where books are a STEAL!) and we stumbled upon the books for 10th and 11th grade and so we've rekindled our love for Vladimir Tod.
In the 8th grade, Vlad was just learning about his past. His uncle finally enters his life for good instead of only watching from a far, and Vlad begins to develop this skills necessary to be a successful vampire. However, with success, it seems, comes conflict and Vlad is a special kind of vampire - he was born, not made. His father fell in love with a mortal and thus begins the complicated life of Vladimir Tod.
In the 9th grade, Brewer does a great job of capturing the tediousness and monotoness of starting high school equipped with a boring schedule, bad bullies, and cool jocks. The cliches are there, but not over done. I appreciated the mundane approach to high school life - because let's face it - it's dreadfully dull.
Vlad is anything but dull. You see, at the end of the 8th grade, he took out D'ablo in a fight to the death...or did he? Turns out D'ablo is still lurking around and Otis, his uncle, and Henry, his drudge and best friend, are doing their best to keep Vlad safe from the one vampire that wants to test the Pravus theory. The Pravus is a legendary vampire that once on the earth will enslave the human people and make vampires rule the world...a little silly, but a fun theory.
However, rather than look for Vlad himself, D'ablo has hired a slayer. Joss enters the picture as Henry's cousin, and much to Henry's chagrin tries to kill his best friend. Joss has his reasons, and they are valid, for hating vampires. It's just Vlad isn't like everyone else.
I'm looking forward to reading Tenth Grade Bleeds. But I admit, what I might like best about this series is reading it with my son.
In the 8th grade, Vlad was just learning about his past. His uncle finally enters his life for good instead of only watching from a far, and Vlad begins to develop this skills necessary to be a successful vampire. However, with success, it seems, comes conflict and Vlad is a special kind of vampire - he was born, not made. His father fell in love with a mortal and thus begins the complicated life of Vladimir Tod.
In the 9th grade, Brewer does a great job of capturing the tediousness and monotoness of starting high school equipped with a boring schedule, bad bullies, and cool jocks. The cliches are there, but not over done. I appreciated the mundane approach to high school life - because let's face it - it's dreadfully dull.
Vlad is anything but dull. You see, at the end of the 8th grade, he took out D'ablo in a fight to the death...or did he? Turns out D'ablo is still lurking around and Otis, his uncle, and Henry, his drudge and best friend, are doing their best to keep Vlad safe from the one vampire that wants to test the Pravus theory. The Pravus is a legendary vampire that once on the earth will enslave the human people and make vampires rule the world...a little silly, but a fun theory.
However, rather than look for Vlad himself, D'ablo has hired a slayer. Joss enters the picture as Henry's cousin, and much to Henry's chagrin tries to kill his best friend. Joss has his reasons, and they are valid, for hating vampires. It's just Vlad isn't like everyone else.
I'm looking forward to reading Tenth Grade Bleeds. But I admit, what I might like best about this series is reading it with my son.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
5/10. I'm not a fan of when a character clearly needs help but refuses to ask for it. Also, it's clear that Vlad is supposed to be shown as having a pure heart or whatever but the way he reacts at the end is utterly ridiculous. As I said about the last book, it is clear that these are children that act very juvenile and since I am an adult, this really just rubs me the wrong way. I didn't hate it but I didn't like it either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
On page 260, the term commonly used as a reference to be cheated out of something but used as a slur against Romani people, "gyp" or "gypped", is used.
Another Vladimir Tod book has come and gone. I love how this series is not entirely focused on vampires and romance but instead on a teenage boy's ability to survive while being a vampire and trying to be a normal teenager. This book had a couple of twists in it that I didn't quite see coming and I was impressed with that after thinking the first book needed some work. I look forward to starting Tenth Grade Bleeds tomorrow.
Cute story. Some parts are really funny. I was sad, but not surprised with who this books "bad guy" was. I am still not sure how I feel about Uncle Otis. I was surprised with how it was tied to the previous book. I will definitely continue with this series.
Heather Brewer's writing definitely improved in Ninth Grade Slays. This book shows what backstabbing friends are really like. =]
