Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins

Dear Vampa by Ross Collins
Illustrated by Ross Collins
Katherine Tegan Books
Published in 2009
ISBN 9780061355349
32 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardback)
Barnes & Noble (Hardback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



Ease of Reading Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5

It's hard to find good neighbors. Though, when the Pires get the Wolfsons as new neighbors, they discover they are as different as day and night. They think the Wolfsons have strange rituals --- staying up all day, liking sunshine, and other non-nocturnal activities. What does this Vampire family do in response to this new neighbor problem?

Who doesn't have problems with new neighbors or neighbors in general? This book puts a new twist and outlook on neighbor problems by using vampires and what appears to be humans. Though, you will find out later that these humans are more than they appear to be. ;) The plot might seem very simple, but it really is very cute and a little bit funny --- it actually made me smile a couple of times.

You can also see/read the text pretty easily, but it gets a little bit hard to see/read when it is against a black background with little white lines on the black. And the type of font they used for the book matches the vampire/supernatural theme of the book very well, which I liked a lot. However, I just wish they made the font a little bigger or made it in bold to make it even more easier to see/read. The illustrations of the book are also very well done and cute.

Overall, I like the book very much, except the font could have used a little work. However, it is still a good read despite that, and I like the twist and supernatural use of the classic neighbor problem since it made the story a lot cuter than if it was just ordinary people. :)

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Ross Collins
Goodreads: Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins
Library Thing: Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins
KinderScares: Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins
Maw Books: Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins

Hunted by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

THE HOUSE OF NIGHT SERIES BOOK 05

Hunted by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

St. Martin's Griffin

Published in 2009

ISBN 9780312379827

323 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Ebook)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

3 out of 5



After Kalona, Neferet's consort, appears from underneath the Earth, Neferet, Kalona, and Kalona's sons start destroying the House of Night. However, Zoey and the gang escapes their destruction by going underground to the tunnels, where the red fledglings live. Now, Zoey and the gang must come up with a plan to prevent the world from becoming a violent and chaotic one, but that stops when Zoey gets injured and must go back to the House of Night. There she has to fight with Neferet more head-on than she would like, and not only that, are the red fledglings really as civilized as they appear? And will Zoey be able to bring Stark away from Neferet's sinister side? What will they do when the evil has hidden among them?

I actually finished this book faster than the others because my computer died. x_x The motherboard went ka-plooey, so I was able to read until Black Friday, which was today, in order to get a new computer. :) Anyways, isn't it amazing what you get done with when computers (mostly the Internet) are down? ;) Oh, there might be some spoilers below. :X

Hunted starts off almost immediately where Untamed left off --- Zoey and the gang are now in the tunnels with the kind of civilized version of the red fledglings, waiting for Kalona and Neferet's invasion to calm down or at least wait until they have a plan on how to deal with the new threat. However, when Zoey gets injured, she has to fight more head on than she would like.

All right, let's start with the things I didn't like about this book. One, the authors keep on describing the same characters with almost the exact same words as the other books. I know it is good to remind readers on what the characters look like, but don't do it in every single book, unless they somehow changed their appearance between the last book and the beginning of book they are going to read. Two, can't Zoey ever NOT have a boyfriend or boyfriends in a book? Even in Untamed, Zoey wasn't without a boy/boyfriend for long since she became attached to Stark. She even went as far as calling him her "soul mate". What the hell is wrong with having one boyfriend throughout the series? Or even having no boyfriend? Do those two authors really think that teenagers are all like that --- always needing a boyfriend/love? Three, it is getting very predictable and is almost like all the other books I have read.

Now for the things I liked about the book. One, all the new descriptions and the use of so many of them. :D Two, the development of Aphrodite and how much she has changed (attitude wise). Out of all the characters, I think the authors did a better job at making Aphrodite develop as a character than almost all the others. Three, there was a lot more supernatural, but there was still some drama in there. UGH! Four, using Cherokee legends in a creative way.

One last bit of interesting information. Erik's name is spelled wrong in the summary. Oh, and also, on one of the pages (247), it says that Darius would be pleased about the vocabulary words she has been using. Isn't it Damien who is the vocabulary nerd, or did I miss something?

Anyways, overall the book is good for a quick read, but it is getting a little tiresome since it is becoming a little bit predictable. :X Just a warning, there is a gay character in the book, and they talk about sex, kissing, and things like that a couple of times.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

P.C. and Kristin Cast
House of Night Series
Goodreads: Hunted by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Library Thing: Hunted by P.C. and Kristin Cast
She Loves Books: Hunted by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Quick & Dirty Book Reviews: Hunted by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Untamed by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

THE HOUSE OF NIGHT SERIES BOOK 04

Untamed by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

St. Martin's Griffin

Published in 2008

ISBN 9780312596309

338 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Ebook)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5




Zoey's problems have just recently blew up in her face, so now she has to deal with the consequences of her actions. Her friends all hate her, she no longer has any boyfriends, Neferet has declared war on the humans, and now Aphrodite has a vision that Zoey's death will bring violence, hatred, and darkness to the world. Zoey knows what she has to do, but how can she do it when even her friends don't want to listen to her? Also, how will she be able stop Neferet's new plans of destroying the world they all know?

Okay, it has been over a year since I have read the last book of this series, so I kind of had to reread all three of the books I have already read. Why? So I can remember how the series was liked --- I don't have that good of an memory, people.

Anyways, in the fourth book of the House of Night series, things are heating up for Zoey and it all blows up in her face in this book. *SIGHS* This book is starting to be like all the other supernatural young adult books I have read. Yeah, I'm starting to go, "When will this freaking series ends, the high school drama is getting on my freaking nerves!" Though, there is a little bit more supernatural in this book than the last one, but not as much as I would like it to be. There are a couple of things that annoy me in this book. First, all the drama, I know you need action, but can't the authors think of a better way of getting action and attention the, "Booo hooo, my friends don't like me, but I need them in order to save the world," is a little unbelieving. I also hate the bossy attitude of Zoey's, the "I'm going to be their high priestess, so they have to listen to me," is a little *BARF*. I like that kind of attitude (kind of) in the male characters, but in females, I find it bitchy. ^^; Yes, I'm vain.

Things I like in this book is how Aphrodite is turning out --- nicer, but still uses her attitude as comic relief, almost like Erin, Shaunee, Damien, and Jack. I also like Darius and how he can appreciate Aphrodite. :) Yes, I like the other characters more Zoey. Let's see, what else do I like. Hmmm... Oh, I also like how the authors are starting to merge Cherokee legends into the book. Also, the descriptions are done very well. In this series, descriptions are a little bit better than most other series. :D

After you skip over the high school drama, this book is pretty good, but the page amount for this book is pretty all right. If there were a little bit less high school drama, I would most likely like this series better. Also, Zoey is definitely annoying in this book. *SIGHS* I wish the book was more centered around her friends than Zoey and her growing powers and how she will be a priestess. Other than the high school drama and Zoey's attitude, this book is great for a quick read. Though, it is kind of turning a little boring with all of the high school drama. ^^ Just a warning, there is a gay character in the book, and they talk about sex, kissing, and things like that a couple of times.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

P.C. and Kristin Cast
House of Night Series
Goodreads: Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Library Thing: Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Shide Vicious Reviews: Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Insatiable by Meg Cabot

INSATIABLE SERIES BOOK 01

Insatiable by Meg Cabot

William Morrow (Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers)

Published in 2010

ISBN 9780061735066

454 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

3 out of 5



Meena Harper writes the dialogue for the popular drama, Insatiable, but when her bosses tell her that the drama she writes for will change to something she hates, vampires, she goes crazy. Although Meena is not unfamiliar with supernatural things, since she can tell how people will die, she still doesn't like it. Though, even with her small ability to tell a small part of the future, she still has problems with her love life because of her so-called "gift". However, that is, until she meets Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince from Romania. They both feel in love at first sight, but is Meena in love with him or with the fact she can't see his death? Also, does Lucien have any dark secrets that he is keeping from Meena?

A vampire romance book. Oh, goody, but don't worry it is kind of different from most vampire romance books out there.

Another vampire romance book, is it me, or are these vampire romance novels getting tiresome? In most of these novels, the women are wimpy and fall head over heels with the vampire. This book isn't any different in that aspect, in fact, it is worse in that area. Several times while reading how Meena reacted to Lucien, I wanted to go into the book and smack her several times. Not only is Meena's personality similar to other books featuring supernatural things, but so were the rest of the characters of the book. *SIGH* They were too stereotypical for me to really enjoy the characters. I kind of wish she ended up with Wulf, instead of no one.

Also, although the details are kind of okay, the book isn't really that enjoyable. Well, except the short parts of comedy that are in the book, which was kind of made the book a little bit more enjoyable. However, despite the fact I really didn't like the book, the ending is unexpected for a vampire romance novel. Anyways, I don't suggest reading if you don't like the stereotypical characters in supernatural books.

*SIGHS* Such disappointment. I like her young adult series The Mediator, but this book was kind of URGH.

I rated it a 3 star because of the funny parts and the unexpected ending. >.>"

Oh, I forgot to mention why it has the smut label. There isn't detailed sex scenes, like most vampire romance books, however, there are scenes leading up to sexual intercourse. The actual sex parts are not mentioned, only the parts where it leads up to sex. >.<

I just looked up information about this book, and apparently, there will be a sequel in July 2011 named Overbite. *URGH*

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Meg Cabot
Goodreads: Insatiable by Meg Cabot
Library Thing: Insatiable by Meg Cabot
Stiletto Storytime: Review: Insatiable by Meg Cabot
All the Books I Can Read: Insatiable by Meg Cabot
Words, Words, Words: Insatiable by Meg Cabot

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

Love Bites by Ellen Schreiber

VAMPIRE KISSES SERIES BOOK 07

Love Bites by Ellen Schreiber

Katherine Tegen Books (Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers)

Published in 2010

ISBN 9780061689420

181 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



After Alexander's parents finally leave for Romania, another person connected to his past comes to stay at the mansion. Sebastian, Alexander's best friend, arrives at Alexander's mansion with luggage since he will be staying there for awhile. At first, Raven isn't exactly thrilled at another intrusion in their romantic moments. However, when she starts to learn things about Alexander through him, she warms up to him. Then when Sebastian falls for a mortal in Dullsville, Raven starts to wonder if that girl will be the first to get bitten.

Another supernatural/vampire book. I just finished reading this book. ;)

This book, for young adults, is actually quite good — it’s even better than Twilight‘s sparkling vampires in the sun. Even though it doesn’t have the creativeness of changing vampires into something else besides the stereotype vampires, it has enough description, lovely-doveyness, and plot that will not leave you disappointed. ;D I know I have said that for the past couple of books for this series, but it is still true even in the seventh book of the series. :D

Like the previous books, the plot becomes more exciting and develops the characters and events that will lead to what will happen with Alexander and Raven. It’s kind of like Twilight — since the main girl character (the mortal) is trying to get the vampire guy to change her into vampire, but he doesn’t want to. Another thing that is similar to Twilight is that Raven is pushing Alexander to make her into a vampire, just like how Bella pushed Edward to make her into a vampire. Though, those are pretty much the only things similar to Twilight. The rest of the Vampire Kisses series is original with the main lead character having spunk and courage, which most vampire books won’t give to their main girl characters.

The thing I like with the books now is that she introduces new characters to create a new air around the main characters. Reading about Sebastian and how he interacts with Alexander, makes you wonder what else is the author hiding about Alexander. I hope the author will keep on introducing new characters from Alexander's life, so that he doesn't become even more mysterious.

The ending of the seventh book was a little unexpected. Though, it was still good, in a way. The ending could have been more explained, but I guess the author is saving most of the "good" stuff for the next book. The eighth book is suppose to be the last one, but who knows if the publishers ask her to write more to the series. Though, I am kind of hoping the series won't end with Raven becoming a vampire. I'm hoping that the author will do something unexpected and pair her up with Trevor, or, leaving Raven mortal for a vampire Alexander, or even, finding a way to make Alexander mortal. :)

Other than that my feelings have change only a little bit from when I read the first book in this series, but it is still pretty good. And, it’s better than Twilight’s cheesy sparkling-in-the-sun vampires. So, I’ll stop wasting your time and just say, “Go read the series.”

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Ellen Schreiber
Goodreads: Love Bites by Ellen Schreiber
Library Thing: Love Bites by Ellen Schreiber
Edifying and Edgy: Love Bites by Ellen Schreiber
My Only Vice: Love Bites by Ellen Schreiber
Bookish: Love Bites by Ellen Schreiber

Royal Blood by Ellen Schreiber

VAMPIRE KISSES SERIES BOOK 06

Royal Blood by Ellen Schreiber
Katherine Tegen Books (Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers)
Published in 2009
ISBN 9780061288876
195 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.
I OWN A SINGLE COPY.
BOUGHT THROUGH AMAZON.COM.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



Alexander's and Raven's late, romantic nights are coming to an end, and not just because summer is almost over. When a mysterious letter shows up at the mansion, they discover that his parents are coming to town. Excited at the prospect of finally meeting Alexander parents, Raven waits for the moment she will finally get to meet them. But the problem now is the whole town has seen them before seen them before her, his girlfriend! Why hasn't Alexander introduced Raven to them? Does he want to hide something from her? Or, hide something from his parents? When Raven finally does meet Alexander's parents, she finds out something that might stop their relationship? Will their love be able to grow after this event or...?

Another supernatural/vampire book. I read this book a long time ago, and I was just now able to recheck it out from the library again. :( So, here is the review. ;) I should have the seventh book of this series up soon, too. :D

This book, for young adults, is actually quite good — it’s even better than Twilight‘s sparkling vampires in the sun. Even though it doesn’t have the creativeness of changing vampires into something else besides the stereotype vampires, it has enough description, lovely-doveyness, and plot that will not leave you disappointed. ;D I know I have said that for the past couple of books for this series, but it is still true even in the sixth book of this series. Though, Raven pushing Alexander to change her into a vampire just so she's not different from him and his family is making her almost like Bella. >.>

Like the previous books, the plot becomes more exciting and develops the characters and events that will lead to what will happen with Alexander and Raven. It’s kind of like Twilight — since the main girl character (the mortal) is trying to get the vampire guy to change her into vampire, but he doesn’t want to. Another thing that is similar to Twilight is that Raven is pushing Alexander to make her into a vampire, just like how Bella pushed Edward to make her into a vampire. Though, those are pretty much the only things similar to Twilight. The rest of the Vampire Kisses series is original with the main lead character having spunk and courage, which most vampire books won’t give to their main girl characters.

The thing I like with the books now is that she introduces new characters to create a new air around the main characters. Reading about Alexander's parents and how they are like brings Alexander in a new kind of light. I hope the author will keep on introducing new characters from Alexander's life, so that he doesn't become even more mysterious. Also, I am kind of hoping the series won't end with Raven becoming a vampire. I'm hoping that the author will do something unexpected and pair her up with Trevor, or, leaving Raven mortal for a vampire Alexander, or even, finding a way to make Alexander mortal. :)

Other than that my feelings have change only a little bit from when I read the first book in this series, but it is still pretty good. And, it’s better than Twilight’s cheesy sparkling-in-the-sun vampires. So, I’ll stop wasting your time and just say, “Go read the series."

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Ellen Schreiber
Goodreads: Royal Blood by Ellen Schreiber
Library Thing: Royal Blood by Ellen Schreiber
Karin's Book Nook: Royal Blood by Ellen Schreiber
Bookish: Royal Blood by Ellen Schreiber