Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson

ALEX VAN HELSING SERIES BOOK 01

Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson

Harper Teen (Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers)

Published in 2010

ISBN 9780061950995

249 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



Alex Van Helsing thought he was an ordinary fourteen-year-old, that is, until he arrives at Glenarvon Academy --- an all boys' school near Lake Geneva. He doesn't know that the legends about the famous vampire-hunter Van Helsing is true until he is confronted by two vampires. Now, vampires are coming after him, and the vampire behind all of this is called Icemaker. When Icemaker kidnaps two of his friends, Alex must locate them and rescue them, hopefully, still alive. Normal school subjects will not be the only things he learns, together with the Polidorium, a secret vampire-hunting organization, he learns how to kill vampires and other things. Though, will it be enough before Icemaker's plans fold out?

Hehe~ Surely you knew that another vampire book was in the future review. ;) Hopefully, my summary isn't too bad, I tend to make bad summaries, when the ones on the book cover are good enough. ^^;

This book is the author's first book for young adults, and let's say it's much better than most vampire books for this age-range. Mostly you get this for vampire books (no matter the range): Vampire falls in love with a human. Human and vampire have struggles with their relationship. Human and vampire (usually) find a way to be together. This book is not like that. (Yayness!) Vampire Rising goes back to the original "vampires are evil" motto. I know there are some books like this, but it always has some kind of romance in them. I'm a girl (a 22-year-old one), and I like reading romances, but not all the time.

Anyways, it takes awhile to get used to the way the book is written, but after get over the hump of the first chapter, it gets very interesting. Unlike most young adult (and adult) books I read, this book actually has details of events, scenery/places, characters, etc. I felt more engaged in this book than in most books I read. The characters feel realistic, and the action/suspense is something to look forward to.

Also, something even more interesting, the author ties-in not only Bram Stoker's Dracula, but Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as well. Why is that interesting? Because I have never seen any other vampire book tie in another horror book, and use some of the writings in it as well as use Dracula as clues for vampires and the history behind it.

Now, shoo, go read it. It is a really a great book to read. It's engaging, full of details, full of action/suspense, and it has something for everyone. Except maybe romance, but that's what makes this vampire book good. ;) I read it in all in just one day. xD Now, shoo, go read it. :D

Here's hoping the author doesn't lose the sense of details and action in the second book, like most other authors do when they do series. xD

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Jason Henderson
Alex Van Helsing Series Blog
Goodreads: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson
Library Thing: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson
Book Snare: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson
Reading on the Dark Side: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson