Reviews

The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron

taylormoore6's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? No

3.5

A solid middle grade horror story about a group of kids facing the reemergence of vampires. I liked this story fine and I enjoyed the friendship between the kids. It’s a bit slow at first, but the second half really picked up and I wanted to know what happened next. 

thequeertoad's review against another edition

adventurous funny tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

bigbeardedbookseller's review against another edition

4.0

A new middle grade horror series from Kalynn Bayron to fill that little gap I felt for horror after reading her wonderful “You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight” last month.

The Vanquishers is the start of a new series of vampire hunting antics set in a world were vampires are allegedly extinct at the hands of a team of vampire hunters called The Vanquishers who all disappeared after the final battle.

We follow a group of friends navigate their way around family and school but with the added twist of something weird starting to happen, dodgy teachers, anxious parents, missing friends, and the usual bullying and growing up to contend with.

Riffing off all the best vampire stories such as The Bad Boys and Buffy, this takes us on a tense and twisted adventure with much much more to come as you’ve probably realised by now vampires have risen.

I really enjoyed this start to a new Middle Grade horror series and so looking forward to book two to see where the story progresses.

phonicallychallenged's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

lessa_riel's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Like if the Scooby gang from Buffy were in Slayer school from being middle graders with some funny moments and a bit of alternate history.
Not sure if I should smile or groan that the guy with all the knowledge is Mr Rupert.

ellemilia's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

brandylyons's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to get to the end of this book and realize it's the first in a series, because I need more of the Squad!! I loved these kids so much, and I love the representation, and I love the families and friendships, and I can't get over how funny Boog's name is lol. I can't wait for the next one!!

imoyn's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

liv_demarco's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

fawning_over_books's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0