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A review by snarkymotherreader
Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend by Katie MacAlister
5.0
Confessions of a Vampire’s Girlfriend by Katie MacAlister (writing as Katie Maxwell) is an anthology featuring two young adult novels in the Dark Ones series: Got Fangs? and Circus of the Darned. These books are the “before” to Katie’s newest release, In the Company of Vampires.
Got Fangs? (4/5)
Fran is a psychometrist – she can see things when she touches people and objects. In the normal world, she feels like a freak. That all changes when she moves to Europe with her mom and travels with a troupe of psychics, magicians, and mediums. Meeting the handsome Benedikt furthers her journey into being a normal teenager—he’s not only taller than Fran, which isn’t a small feat, but he basically worships the ground she walks on. So what if he survives on blood and claims Fran is his Beloved. And so what if Fran’s definition of “normal” is slowly morphing to include the existence of vampires and eternal love. For once in her life, Fran isn’t the odd woman out.
Reading a young adult version of Katie’s normally hot-and-heavy writing wasn’t as strange as I’d feared. The focus was more on Fran dealing with her abilities and finding her place in the world and Ben’s life without worrying about when she was going to make hot monkey love. I think the underlying message about women and girls who aren’t “classically” beautiful deserving love and happiness is admirable. Adding in a little variety to the stick-thin figures in fiction, especially young adult fiction, isn’t only needed, it’s appreciated.
The scene at the end of Got Fangs? about made me bawl my eyes out. It’s almost the only action scene in the entire book, so don’t expect back-to-back fight scenes. The book focuses more on character development, leading into the events of Circus of the Darned.
Circus of the Darned (5/5)
Viking ghosts, vengeful Norse gods, and one steamy shower scene comprise my love for Circus of the Darned. Where Got Fangs? introduced us to Fran and Ben’s world, Circus of the Darned threw us right into the middle of it. Fran deals with the hardships of dating a Dark One and realizes the possibilities inherent in her psychometry. The feel of Circus of the Darned is much more grown-up than Got Fangs? It isn’t an all-out adult book but it’s teetering on the edge.
Had In the Company of Vampires not been released, I would probably not be as happy with the ending of Circus of the Darned. There’s so much going on—Fran has to find a way to send back the Viking ghosts, discover what secrets Ben is hiding from her, and who is stealing money from the GothFaire—and not all of it gets resolved. I mean, it’s satisfactory in as much as Fran and Ben resolve their immediate conflicts, but there are still so many unanswered questions! I suggest buying In the Company of Vampires as the same time as this anthology. You’ll want to crack it open as soon as you’re done!
Got Fangs? (4/5)
Fran is a psychometrist – she can see things when she touches people and objects. In the normal world, she feels like a freak. That all changes when she moves to Europe with her mom and travels with a troupe of psychics, magicians, and mediums. Meeting the handsome Benedikt furthers her journey into being a normal teenager—he’s not only taller than Fran, which isn’t a small feat, but he basically worships the ground she walks on. So what if he survives on blood and claims Fran is his Beloved. And so what if Fran’s definition of “normal” is slowly morphing to include the existence of vampires and eternal love. For once in her life, Fran isn’t the odd woman out.
Reading a young adult version of Katie’s normally hot-and-heavy writing wasn’t as strange as I’d feared. The focus was more on Fran dealing with her abilities and finding her place in the world and Ben’s life without worrying about when she was going to make hot monkey love. I think the underlying message about women and girls who aren’t “classically” beautiful deserving love and happiness is admirable. Adding in a little variety to the stick-thin figures in fiction, especially young adult fiction, isn’t only needed, it’s appreciated.
The scene at the end of Got Fangs? about made me bawl my eyes out. It’s almost the only action scene in the entire book, so don’t expect back-to-back fight scenes. The book focuses more on character development, leading into the events of Circus of the Darned.
Circus of the Darned (5/5)
Viking ghosts, vengeful Norse gods, and one steamy shower scene comprise my love for Circus of the Darned. Where Got Fangs? introduced us to Fran and Ben’s world, Circus of the Darned threw us right into the middle of it. Fran deals with the hardships of dating a Dark One and realizes the possibilities inherent in her psychometry. The feel of Circus of the Darned is much more grown-up than Got Fangs? It isn’t an all-out adult book but it’s teetering on the edge.
Had In the Company of Vampires not been released, I would probably not be as happy with the ending of Circus of the Darned. There’s so much going on—Fran has to find a way to send back the Viking ghosts, discover what secrets Ben is hiding from her, and who is stealing money from the GothFaire—and not all of it gets resolved. I mean, it’s satisfactory in as much as Fran and Ben resolve their immediate conflicts, but there are still so many unanswered questions! I suggest buying In the Company of Vampires as the same time as this anthology. You’ll want to crack it open as soon as you’re done!