Review: My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxandra Harvey

Genre: Supernatural

Synopsis:

The Drakes are rather different to your usual neighbors. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solnge, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen. Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped Lucy and Solange's brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more that just friends with Nicholas. But hot does one go about dating a vampire? Meanwhile, Solange finds an unlikely ally in Kieran, a vampire slayer on the hunt for his father's killer.

Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed My Love Lies Bleeding. This is a fast read that will keep you laughing and will leave you feeling good when you reach the end. The characters are endearing, the plot moves quickly, and there is a balance of adventure, suspense, and romance.

While I wouldn't say the plot is original, it is the epitome of the teen vampire romance. Think Twilight but with vampires who actually drink human blood. I liked that there were different types of vampires that represent a variety of mythologies from across the world. Though many of the plot twists were predictable, the plot kept moving.

Despite My Love Lies Bleeding (aka Hearts at Stake) being very entertaining, be warned that there is tons of corny moments, fluff to the extreme, and nothing special that sets it apart from YA vampire romances. I really enjoyed it, but I'm not sure that a few months from now I will remember it. This is a novel that one curls up and reads in one sitting.

Rating: 4 out of 5 owls

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Review: The Vampire Underground by Brian Rowe

Genre: Supernatural

Synopsis:

Sixteen year-old Brin Skar hates everything to do with being scared, so she isn't happy when she discovers that her junior year Film class at Grisly High is devoted to the horror genre. Worse, the first assignment for the students is to create their very own horror movies.

Brin and five classmates travel to Bodie Ghost Town in California to shoot their creepy film, but they soon find themselves fighting a real terrifying threat when a clan of mean, ruthless vampires emerge from beneath the surface and start attacking the group. The teens, headed by Brin and the egotistical director Anaya Frost, have no help from the outside and become outnumbered by the bloodsuckers a hundred to one.

But when Brin meets Paul, a helpful and smoldering vampire outcast who's had enough of his shameful life, she discovers he may be the only key to their survival.

Review:

This book is just weird.

I was excited at the premise that the vampires would be the "true to legend" type and would be vicious bloodsucking machines. And that is indeed what they are. There are scary images and horror scenes--Rowe definitely accomplished that. However, the humor was not convincing and made the scary vampires look silly and ridiculous. There was a game show of horror where the vampires behaved as if they were on the price is right. This completely killed the intense image they had portrayed mere chapters before.

Original--perhaps. Entertaining--not so much. I enjoyed the references to the cult classics and the shift from the happy and sparkly Cullen vampires. The fear was realistic and not all of the characters make it out of the town. There are some redeeming qualities, but I don't feel the need to continue the series.



Rating: 3 out of 5 owls



Review: Savor by Megan Duncan

Genre: Supernatural | Vampires

Synopsis:

When Claire Miller turned eighteen all she wanted to do was celebrate her birthday, but after a night on the town with her best friend she awakes to a visitor she never expected. The rulers of her region, a vampire royal family, have chosen her to be turned as their new heir and vampire princess. in a world fueled by the power of blood, Claire quickly discovers the vampire royal family is not what they seem and that she has secrets in her past she never knew existed. 

Review:

This is a page turner for sure. Megan Duncan has created a world run by warring vampires. Claire has her world and everything she has ever known turned upside down overnight. Talk about a happy birthday.

Robin, who reminds me of that spunky optimistic friend that every girl has, acts as Claire's rock in this new environment. Ana and Luka are clearly the antagonists--I mean, c'mon, Claire takes the throne from them. I'd be angry too. Dmitry and Arrick are wonderful. Sexy hunks of man flesh. I love a drool-worthy love interest and she gave me two.

I was a little disappointed that Claire's new 'parents' did not put forth more effort to get to know her before acting like they just had nothing but unconditional love for her. I didn't buy it. Claire kept having the feeling that she was being used, but her longing for parents who loved her clouded her judgment. In the end she was right. 

What I loved: Claire gets the (second) shock of her life when she realizes that she doesn't actually know who she is. The ending really is terrific. Congrats to Megan for keeping her audience on their toes. The big ending made all the fake cliches make sense and it added a whole new dimension to the drama. Loved it.

Oh, and the cover is gorgeous. Enough said.

Rating: 4 out of 5 owls

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Review: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Genre: Supernatural | Vampires

Synopsis:

The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

Review:

Okay, I'll admit, the title threw me off. It seems a tad cliche. Honestly, I wasn't going to download this novel, until I read a great review for it--go figure. Despite that, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading it. This novel is an easy read and can be knocked out in a day or two. The story didn't pick up until about half-way through, then I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed watching Jessica slowly fall in love over the course of the school year. Lucius is, of course, my favorite character. He experiences the most drastic character development. In a sense, he is the one that must sacrifice the most for what he wants. The light-hearted, carefree attitude of the American teen culture is like a drug for Lucius. He can't resist. He is tormented by his responsibilities as a vampire prince, as well as his longing for freedom. His reluctant relationship with Jessica is highlighted by the love triangle--or rather quadrangle--with two humans at school. Perhaps the aspect that I loved the most are the letters that  Lucius writes to his uncle. They are both amusing and disturbing. Beth Fantaskey has intrigued me and I will definitely read the sequel Jessica Rules the Dark Side. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 owls

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