Here’s hoping the profoundly unkind depiction of vamplit fans (Nora's "vannabe" readers are bedecked in "outdated frills"...
A 17-year-old author of vampire pulp finds herself starring in real-life vampire pulp.
Since the first adventure of vampire hunter Scarlet Stain went bestseller, Nora's been living the dream. Far from the trailer park where she grew up with her single mother, Nora's at boarding school in Beverly Hills, surrounded by the high school glitterati. Roommate and BFF Abby's a B-movie actress, and luscious best boy pal Wyatt's a model. A book signing heats up when a smoldering, chocolate-eyed stranger appears among the blathering goth fans; seductive Reece Rothchild attempts to beguile her with his vampiric wiles, though Nora displays sensible distaste. But alas, Reece is an evil vampire, and he'll happily use Abby and Wyatt as weapons. The friends are more props than believable characters (readers’ introduction to Abby focuses on her "long, coltish legs” and “the bottom of her perfect butt poking out from under her nightshirt" followed by an honest-to-goodness dorm-room pillow fight—perhaps the B-movies are coming true just like the vampire pulp). Still, the rapid-paced prose (one-sentence paragraphs abound) moves fans of the undead quickly though this thin but entertaining offering.
Here’s hoping the profoundly unkind depiction of vamplit fans (Nora's "vannabe" readers are bedecked in "outdated frills" and give themselves names like Countess Cruella) won't insult the very readers who might enjoy the gory vamp silliness . (Horror. 13-17)Pub Date: Feb. 9, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-942546-38-2
Page Count: 238
Publisher: Medallion Press
Review Posted Online: Nov. 24, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2015
The Phantom of the Opera served as inspiration, but this wouldn’t last on Broadway.
Stephanie and her family move into an old mansion rumored to have been put under a curse after a turn-of-the-20th-century rich boy meddled with an Egyptian mummy.
After her young sister complains about strange events, high school student Stephanie befriends Lucas, a geeky, good-looking boy, and meets the other members of SPOoKy, the Scientific Paranormal Organization of Kentucky: Charlotte, Wes, and Patrick. Stephanie learns the history of her new home from Lucas, who attracts her romantic attention, but the usually levelheaded girl is soon drawn to Erik, the handsome phantom who first comes to her in dreams. The story is told in chapters narrated by Stephanie, Lucas, and Zedok, whose identity is initially a source of confusion to Stephanie. Zedok appears wearing different masks, “personified slivers” of his soul, representing states of mind such as Wrath, Madness, and Valor. Meanwhile, until gifted singer Stephanie came along and he could write songs for her, Erik’s dreams were thwarted; he wanted to be a composer but his family expected him to become a doctor. In the gothic horror tradition, Erik’s full background and connection with Zedok are slowly revealed. Romantic dream sequences are lush and swoon-y, but the long, drawn-out battle to end the curse, aided by a celebrity clairvoyant, is tedious, and the constant introduction of Erik’s different personae is confusing. Most characters default to White; Patrick is Black.
The Phantom of the Opera served as inspiration, but this wouldn’t last on Broadway. (Horror. 13-16)Pub Date: Aug. 17, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-11604-3
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2021
Though this debut feels unevenly paced, the writing is strong, and the author shows promise.
When an ancient evil descends on her city, one girl considers the sacrifices required to thwart it.
The city of Vaiwyn is alive; the streets are its veins, and its heart beats like a clock. Mina Strauss’ family has a long history of protecting both the sentient city and its inhabitants. The city’s five Vesper Bells were forged by the Lost Alchemist generations ago to hold back a great evil—if a bell tolled 13 times, that evil would be revived. A Strauss stands guard at each bell, cutting the clappers that grow back every night. Mina inherited her bell earlier than anticipated when her beloved father died of the Talus Pox. Now she contends with the weight of that responsibility—and her cold, distant mother’s persistent disapproval. Mina finds solace with Max, the boy she’s slowly been falling in love with, and she’s with him the night her bell tolls 13 times and unleashes terror upon Vaiwyn. Mina is desperate to save the people she loves from imminent destruction, but there’s more to Vaiwyn’s history—and her own—than she knows. Despite strong prose, the exposition-heavy beginning and a few overly telegraphed plot twists hamper the narrative’s pacing. Still, readers will likely be drawn to the original concept, complicated family dynamics, and well-articulated depth of demisexual Mina’s developing relationship with Max. Most characters read white.
Though this debut feels unevenly paced, the writing is strong, and the author shows promise. (content warnings) (Fantasy. 13-17)Pub Date: March 11, 2025
ISBN: 9781250322807
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
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