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Apr182011
YA-11 – GUEST REVIEW: ‘Eighth Grade Bites’ by Heather Brewer
by Jo • Posted in 4 Star Reviews
Title: Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod #1)
Author: Heather Brewer
Publisher: Puffin (UK) | Dutton Children’s Books (US)
Publication Date: May 2010 (UK) | Aug 2007 (US)
Paperback: 192 Pages
Genre: Paranormal
Young Adult
Source: Review Copy
Guest Review by Jo
RATING: 8/10 – Very good, would definitely recommend
GOODREADS SUMMARY:
Junior high really sucks for thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod. Bullies harass him, the principal is dogging him, and the girl he likes prefers his best friend. Oh, and Vlad has a secret: his mother was human, but his father was a vampire. With no idea of the extent of his powers, Vlad struggles daily with his blood cravings and his enlarged fangs. When a substitute teacher begins to question him a little too closely, Vlad worries that his cover is about to be blown. But then he faces a much bigger problem: he’s being hunted by a vampire killer.
REVIEW:
This has been on my to-read list for a while, and it’s such a fun read!
Vlad is a pretty normal teenage boy, doesn’t really like school, has a crush on a girl and he drinks blood. Oh, wait – that last part is not normal…it’s because he is a vampire! Hehe, see? Fun! Only a choice few know Vlad’s vampire secret, and it has to stay that way.
A teacher at Vlad’s school mysteriously disappears, and his substitute is rather nosy and odd. Vlad also has to deal with a stranger possibly knowing his secret, which could end up very deadly.
This book was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed Vlad as the protagonist. The YA world is mostly full of novels from a teenage girl’s prospective, so it was a very refreshing change to hear Vlad’s point of view. He seem rather emo, which I suppose is appropriate for a teenage vampire! I really enjoyed hearing about his troubles with bullies, his crushes and also his thirst for blood and his way of dealing with his vampiric side.
The world created here is also fresh, the writing is very funny and fast paced. The plot is interesting enough, if a bit simple – which I liked, and the suspense of a mysterious stranger is quite creepy. The trips to Vlad’s past was great, and I really respected the way this teenage boy subsequently dealt with these memories.
I’m so glad to read there are sequels, and more in the works.
VERDICT:
A fast paced, thrilling ride into a new Vampire world. My only complaint was I wish it was longer!
This book counts towards the following BCC Reading Challenges:
Book #40 100+ Books In A Year 2011
6 Comments
I when went on my crazed book spree I almost picked this one up but I haven't heard anything on the blogger sphere to jump at it then. I'm glad you liked it! I'll have to try and get it next time!
~Kelsa
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I think I must be one of the people who didn't like this book – it was a real effort to finish it. Maybe I need to try the next one.
Glad you enjoyed!
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This looks fun, I like that he's called Vlad too
Nice review x
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I'm glad you enjoyed this one, Jo – although I'm not sure it's be for me as it sounds like there's too much teenage angst LOL
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Glad to hear you liked it! I have it from the library. I will probably get to it this next weekend.
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I really want to read this series, but was on the fence about it. Now, I'm definitely adding it to my list!
Great review! =D
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