This is the next big book, a la Lightning Thief and Ranger’s Apprentice. Vladimir is an 8th grade vampire searching for more information about his vampire dad and human mom.Very much alive
- Â This book has a crazy mix of humor and suspense. One minute an ancient evil is stalking a jogger, the next Vladimir is delivering one-liners. His guardian greets him one morning with, “Morning, sunshine.” and he replies, “Morning, sulfuric acid.” (Because of the whole ‘dissolve in light’ thing vampires do.)Â
- Vlad still deals with 8th grade struggles of fitting in, but now has more complications added – “…which just goes to prove that parents and guardians don’t care if they’re sending you to face bloodthirsty monsters, so long as you get a B in English” (Brewer 134).
- Vlad’s substitute teacher is a vampire hunter and presents some funny situations, including the fact that the sub shows up dressed in a top hat and spectacles and no one makes a comment.
- Vlad refuses to hunt humans. The author then has to get creative.
 The UndeadÂ
- Â Squeamish readers may be turned off by the blood-filled Twinkies.
- Some of the “Well, vampires are cool and have invented stuff!” may put the book too far towards a comic mood – like vampires inventing PlayStation.
- If you are tired of “Son, you are the chosen one and who you think is your ally is really your enemy and enemy a friend” plotlines, you may need to give this one some time.
Not only are vampire books becoming more popular, this book would stand on its own, even if it wasn’t trendy to fear sunlight.Â
