A diverting horror comedy that makes way for an absorbing coming-of-age story.
A young orphan in World War II–era Boston befriends a surprisingly genial vampire in Desmond’s debut middle-grade comedy.
Eddie is perfectly fine with being sent to a cell in the basement of the orphanage where he lives. It’s meant to be a punishment, but he sees it as a nice break from chores. He even has a friend down there: Barty, a bat who eats peanuts that Eddie smuggles down there for him. The 12-year-old boy is shocked, however, when Barty transforms into a vampire named Count Bloodless. The soft-spoken creature of the night fortunately hates the idea of drinking blood, and Eddie’s willing to help him find vegetarian foods, even though he wonders if the count, who has an unfamiliar accent, might be a German spy. Eddie keeps his new fanged pal a secret from everyone at the orphanage, with the notable exceptions of his benevolent history teacher, Sister Kate (who doesn’t believe him), and his charming best pal, Mugsy. But a few of the friends belong to the Order of the Fang—a group that’s dead-set on destroying all vampires. Eddie and Mugsy must keep Count Bloodless safe and, for good measure, well fed. Humor abounds in Desmond’s tale; for example, Eddie, who carries and routinely reads a dictionary, often uses “big words,” except for ones starting with e(since a bully ripped those pages out). The book features abundant nostalgia, as well, including comparisons of Count Bloodless to Bela Lugosi’s depiction of Dracula, and a reference to someone “launching into the jitterbug” at a dance. The endearingly nerdy Eddie’s individual relationships with Mugsy, the count, and Sister Kate are delightful and rewarding, and heartfelt moments take precedence over those that showcase supernatural abilities. For instance, Eddie learns that his parents, whom he doesn’t remember, are alive and vows to reunite with them; meanwhile, potential adoptive caregivers all but ignore the hopeful Mugsy.
A diverting horror comedy that makes way for an absorbing coming-of-age story.Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2023
ISBN: 9781736696781
Page Count: 250
Publisher: Saguaro Books, LLC
Review Posted Online: Oct. 27, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
The success of Mah’s memoirs (Falling Leaves, 1997, for adults and Chinese Cinderella, 1999, for kids) led to her well-received novel Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society (2005) and historical overview China: Land of Dragons and Emperors (2008). Here, she tries to combine them all, blithely and unwisely stepping beyond her literary capabilities. Readers initially meet CC (the character from the previous novel) on what seems to be a mission in World War II China. Chased, she falls and enters a coma. A doctor hypnotizes her, and readers shift to the Song dynasty and CC’s previous life in a star-crossed romance, observing the scene in the famous painting Along the River at the Qing Ming Festival. Both setting and emotional tension rely heavily on cliché and exclamation points. The author abuses dialogue to cram in historical details (a visitor exclaiming “Good tea!” is treated to an encyclopedic definiton of white tea). It is unclear what story she is trying to tell: the romance? the story of the painting? the bookend of CC’s coma, which will be inexplicable to readers unfamiliar with the previous novel? As none succeed, the question may go unanswered. (Fiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: Sept. 14, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-385-73895-8
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: July 29, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Elsie doesn't know what's worse: living in the garage with your mom, grandmother and uncle behind the house that used to be home or having your father abandon you. Then her mother and uncle also leave, supposedly for jobs. Her miserable situation is all because of the Depression, which is affecting families everywhere. Her best friend, Scout, who is going to be a newspaperman, helps her search for her dad. But when Rev. Hampton takes them to see the dance marathon to show how exploitative it is, clues begin to add up. The Canadian setting and dialogue establish context for the terms hoboes, shantytowns and the phrase, "could you spare a dime." Though today’s readers won’t be familiar with the Depression, dance marathons or references to Bing Crosby, cribbage and Eaton’s catalog, the search for family and relationships in tough times rings true. The evocative title refers to the coins thrown at a favored dance couple. Once past the unappealing cover, readers will find an absorbing and perceptive story. (Historical fiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-55469-280-4
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Orca
Review Posted Online: Sept. 15, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
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