The Vampire Stalker by Allison van Diepen

Format: Paperback
Pages: 250
Published: 3rd Nov 2011 
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: YA Paranormal
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Description:

What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction.

Review:
I have been looking into buying this book for a while but I kept putting it off just because my TBR is kinda insane. However, out shopping I found it super cheap and decided to pick it up. Now I am wishing I just left it and got it from the library.

The Vampire Stalker is a a teenage girl, Amy who is obsessed with Alexander Banks, a boy from a book.She knows he is just a fantasy. However, one night her world is turned upside when she actually meets Alexander. And realising he is real she helps him out by track down Vigo, the bad vampire from the books, Otherworld series. Amy soon starts to fall in love with Alexander and is forced to accept that he may have to leave her soon.

The premise for this book has the potiental to be amazing. I mean, come on, who hasn’t been in love with a book from a book? And secretly wishes they were real? I know I have on many occassions lol. However, the book just seems to fall flat.

The characters, I jus couldn’t really connect with. Especially Amy, which is a shame because in therory I should I have like her, she is cute and fun and of course is a big reader. But at times I found her character quite immature. There was also no character development for Amy she was the same all the through. However, I did like Alexander and I think the book would have been better having his POV.

TVS was a very quick read though. I read it in  a few hours. The plot itself isn’t fast paced, it’s actually quite boring. It does get a bit more exciting near the end of the book. However, it was predictable! I knew exactly what was going to happen. There was no twists or turns to the plot. No explosive action scene. Even the romance in the book isn’t really all that.

Although, I did like hearing about the world that Alexander lived in. It was interesting. I also really like that idea of parallel dimensions and how the author of the Otherworld Series had visions and that how she wrote the books. It would have been great to read more about her.

Overall though, The Vampire Stalker is a very light read if you want just a filler and give your brain a rest from heavier books. It’s a short and quick read. And I am sure many people will love this book. Sadly, I wasn’t one of them.


Rate: 2/5

5

Distract My Hunger by X. Williamson

Pages: 122
Published: January 31st 2011
Publisher: Palibrio
Genre: YA Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Description:

Sometimes who we are is deeply hidden within our genes... A spellbinding story about discovering one's own nature, and how it can be completely different from what you expected. Can our essence have more to it than simple, plain humanity? Do we really know who we are deep down to the core? Iris is a regular teen; she loves parties and wants to fall in love but something dark and unexpected lurks within her veins... She discovers she was born a vampire and is just waking up to her true self. Life's complexity, well kept secrets and a thrilling twist in Iris's seek for her true nature. If you thought you knew everything about vampires, you are up for a surprise... Nothing you ever believed about them will ever stay the same...

Review:

I had seen this floating around the web for a while. I had added to my wishlist because I love vampires and it sounded really interesting. So I was super excited when the author asked to to review a eboo copy. Of course I said yes and I wasn't disappointed.

Distract My Hunger, is a short story with only 122 pages. You'd think that with not alot of pages you wouldnt have full story. Well this is packed with excitement. Its a real page turner from start to finish.

The story follow Iris as she is telling us about her life. I loved how the author has did this. Usually when I read a book that is the main character telling us their life there will be a big chuck of the past then come back into the present. However here, it like talking to friend. Iris start her story and sometime she rambles onto to another topic and then back to the first point. It not confusing though. I do this when I am talking to friends I start one topic then go onto another then back again. And I think this is the reason why I really liked Iris. It was like she was sitting infront me telling her story. Also Iris, really is a great character. She comes to terms with the fact the she has just found out the she was born a vampire very quickly. Even though it does sometimes mean she has tough decisions to make she doesn't shy away from them even though she may want to.

Distract My Hunger is X. Williamson debut novel. When reading it I actually forgot that this was a debut novel. It was beautifully written with the style of someone who has been writing for year. She has crafted a story that makes you feel like you are there along with the characters.

My only negative was I felt there wasn't enough interaction between the characters. I can read a book alot quick when characters are in conversation with each other alot. Apart from that though it was wonderful and I highly recommend it to any vampire lover.

Rate: 4/5

X. Williamson: Goodreads

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Laney (The Broohaven Vampires #1) by Joann I. Martin Sowles

Pages: 296 pages
Published: October 30th 2010
Publisher: Brookehaven Publishing
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal

Description:

What would you give to be with the one you love?

Would you give it all, including your life?

In a small college town in Northern California, Laney Alexander leads a regular, uneventful life–that is, until the charming and alluring Oliver Knight enters her world. Who is this gorgeous and mysterious stranger? Or, rather, what is he?

As Laney’s sophomore year of college begins, so does an unbelievable adventure–including a love she didn’t know she longed for. She soon learns that Oliver is not ordinary, nor is the rest of his family, including a sister who openly hates her and a brother who will stop at nothing for revenge. As she fights for her life, and Oliver’s love, Laney discovers that the fictional world of vampires isn’t so fictional after all. Nobody is safe, especially Laney, Oliver’s most important priority, and he will stop at nothing to protect her. With her mortality at risk, and a commitment revealed that she, without a doubt, knows she wants, Laney’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn…

Review:
As soon as I started reading this I found it really hard to put down. It is an amazing book that kept me guessing as to what would happen next. The two main characters are Laney and Oliver and I found myself clicking with them right away. Laney reminds me of myself at 18. And reading her story reminded me of that first love feeling when she meets Oliver, who is absolutely gorgeous. Oliver is very interesting and his story and his familys story will leave you wanting more.

Laney is Joann I. Martin Sowles debut novel and first in The Brookehaven Vampire Series. Reading I honestly wouldnt have thought it was her first novel and was written perfectly. She has managed to interwine many twists and turns throughout the novel that will keep the reader ingrossed in the story.

This is a great tale full of great twists, romance and some great humour and a few embarrassing moments for the characters that I found myself laughing out loud at. I recommend this to anyone who loves vampires.

Thank you Joann for this chance to read this fantastic tale before its offical released date and I am now waiting (not so) patiently for the next installment to find out what happens next. Laney is one of my favourite books now.

Rate: 5/5

Joann's Website: brookehavenvampires.com

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