Scan barcode
saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
Read this book alternating between print and audio formats. Fun experiment - I didn't love the narrator (the Australian accent gets distracting at times, and Nina's wit didn't come across quite as well in her voice as in my head (when I catch my actor-self rephrasing jokes in my head as I'm listening, I know there's an issue). So, since I had a print copy already checked out, I decided to try reading it - and then I fell in love. I then went back and forth, skipping ahead to where I left off in the previous format. SO good.
Australians have a quirkiness that I love in film and print. I read Jinks other book "Evil Genius" and liked it, but didn't love it. Here (rare for a sophomore effort), I think she's come into her own. She reimagines the vampire genre (did you ever think about what a pain it would be to have to avoid all sunlight and miss half the day?) in lovable, approachable ways. Just the right dose of romance, unpredictable plot, sophisticated twists and turns. And a strong primary voice. Love this.
Australians have a quirkiness that I love in film and print. I read Jinks other book "Evil Genius" and liked it, but didn't love it. Here (rare for a sophomore effort), I think she's come into her own. She reimagines the vampire genre (did you ever think about what a pain it would be to have to avoid all sunlight and miss half the day?) in lovable, approachable ways. Just the right dose of romance, unpredictable plot, sophisticated twists and turns. And a strong primary voice. Love this.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
Read this book alternating between print and audio formats. Fun experiment - I didn't love the narrator (the Australian accent gets distracting at times, and Nina's wit didn't come across quite as well in her voice as in my head (when I catch my actor-self rephrasing jokes in my head as I'm listening, I know there's an issue). So, since I had a print copy already checked out, I decided to try reading it - and then I fell in love. I then went back and forth, skipping ahead to where I left off in the previous format. SO good.
Australians have a quirkiness that I love in film and print. I read Jinks other book "Evil Genius" and liked it, but didn't love it. Here (rare for a sophomore effort), I think she's come into her own. She reimagines the vampire genre (did you ever think about what a pain it would be to have to avoid all sunlight and miss half the day?) in lovable, approachable ways. Just the right dose of romance, unpredictable plot, sophisticated twists and turns. And a strong primary voice. Love this.
Australians have a quirkiness that I love in film and print. I read Jinks other book "Evil Genius" and liked it, but didn't love it. Here (rare for a sophomore effort), I think she's come into her own. She reimagines the vampire genre (did you ever think about what a pain it would be to have to avoid all sunlight and miss half the day?) in lovable, approachable ways. Just the right dose of romance, unpredictable plot, sophisticated twists and turns. And a strong primary voice. Love this.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cmheitman's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly I enjoyed this story alot. It was a great break from the heavier drama books I have been reading lately. The story was easy to get into and a good comical relief, but it also had a suspenseful twist that kept you interested and wanting more. I honestly did not think I would like this book as much as I did. I will definitely be recommending it to my students!
claired3lune's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
bluemaiden's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
dereadergal's review against another edition
3.0
A bit of a different twist to the "regular" vampire character and story plot that are normally depicted in recent vampire books, in that these vampires aren't strong blood-sucking killers, but are "reformed" and a bunch of weaklings. I had a bit of a hard time keeping up with who each character was, since thee wee lots of econdary characters, and at times it was a bit of a long winded section of the story that I ended up skimming to get through. However, it did manage to keep my interest 'til the end, and it was mostly entertaining, but I wouldnt encourage anyone to dash out to get the book and read it. Instead maybe if you're a vampy fan like I am, and get the urge one day to read a different take, go ahead and try it.
kandicez's review against another edition
4.0
This book was fun. It wasn't a smashing good time, but absolutely fun. Jinks has a new take on Vampires. Not only are they not indestructibly beautiful, sexy and dangerous, they are positively pitiably weak and the absolute opposite of dangerous.
Jinks' vamps are infected with the vamp virus. This results in their literally puking up their guts and becoming unable to digest anything but blood. They bleed from their bodily orifices if exposed to too bright an artificial light, and many other weakly "issues". These vamps are reformed so don't ingest human blood. Instead they take "supplements" so that the blood if guinea pigs is enough to sustain them. As a result they often feel nauseated, are pretty weak, and all in all a fairly unsatisfied bunch. They meet on Tuesday nights to "support each other" much in the way drunks meet at AA. Sorry, reformed drunks, or alcoholics.
The story is told from the POV of Nina. Nina was 15 when she was given the virus in 1971 and has been living under her mother's protection ever since. Included in the group is a ex-nun, an old biddy, a seedy old guy, a vamp who relishes his disease and so dresses and acts the part, and Dave. Dave is another "teen" who also happens to have been a rocker. There's a bit of a "love" angle there, but it very much takes the back seat to the plot.
The vamps are protected and helped by Father Ramon. He is not a vamp and so, like Nina's mother, can watch over them during the day when they become, literally, dead. These vamps don't just rest, sleep or hide from daylight. They are completely out of commission from dawn until dusk.
The story really begins with the slaying of one of the group and the other members searching for the slayer. Along the way they discover weres and other "bad guys", some of whom become good guys. Like I said, fun stuff!
Jinks' vamps are infected with the vamp virus. This results in their literally puking up their guts and becoming unable to digest anything but blood. They bleed from their bodily orifices if exposed to too bright an artificial light, and many other weakly "issues". These vamps are reformed so don't ingest human blood. Instead they take "supplements" so that the blood if guinea pigs is enough to sustain them. As a result they often feel nauseated, are pretty weak, and all in all a fairly unsatisfied bunch. They meet on Tuesday nights to "support each other" much in the way drunks meet at AA. Sorry, reformed drunks, or alcoholics.
The story is told from the POV of Nina. Nina was 15 when she was given the virus in 1971 and has been living under her mother's protection ever since. Included in the group is a ex-nun, an old biddy, a seedy old guy, a vamp who relishes his disease and so dresses and acts the part, and Dave. Dave is another "teen" who also happens to have been a rocker. There's a bit of a "love" angle there, but it very much takes the back seat to the plot.
The vamps are protected and helped by Father Ramon. He is not a vamp and so, like Nina's mother, can watch over them during the day when they become, literally, dead. These vamps don't just rest, sleep or hide from daylight. They are completely out of commission from dawn until dusk.
The story really begins with the slaying of one of the group and the other members searching for the slayer. Along the way they discover weres and other "bad guys", some of whom become good guys. Like I said, fun stuff!
hoosgracie's review against another edition
3.0
Quite a different take on vampires. In this one 51 year old Nina (she was turned in the early 70s) tells her and her group's story. Vampires in the support group are sickly and not at all the powerful, beautiful vampires elsewhere. Cute concept, but could have used some heavy editing.