Eternal by Kristi Cook - ADVISABLE

Cook, Kristi Eternal, 408 pgs.  Simon Pulse, 2013.  $16.99  Content: Language: R (48 swears; 3 F); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13. 

In this third and final book in the Haven trilogy, Violet and Aiden are separated since Aiden was found guilty by the vampire tribunal for harming humans.  Aiden is being tormented in a prison in Paris and Violet is trying desperately to find him and to help clear him of his actions.  Aiden and Violet are joined by their friends from Winterhaven as they fight against evil vampires and search for a cure for vampirism for Aiden.  

This is an action packed ending to the trilogy and although there are many characters to remember, the author does a great job making the minor characters distinct.  This is a satisfying ending to an exciting vampire love story.  The few F words make it rated R which is sad because it’s perfect for middle school readers, but decide depending on your own library.  

HS-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead - ESSENTIAL

Mead, Richelle The Indigo Spell, 401 p. Razorbill (Penguin), 2013.  $19.  Language: PG (15 swears).  

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist.  She has GOT to stay away from Adrian, the handsome vampire who tugs at her heart.  She also needs to find out what is the real story behind her own people – the secrets are just too much.  She is walking a dangerous tightrope – and the people she thinks may be able to help may instead have their own reasons to be using her.  

Really not much that I need to tell you about the third book in the Bloodlines series.  Sydney is just as compelling in her own series.  And it is a great way to continue the story without focusing on the same characters.  

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

The Big Book of Vampires by Denise Despeyroux - ADVISABLE

Despeyroux, Denise The Big Book of Vampires, illustrated by Fernando Falcone.  108 p. Tundra Books, 2011, $17.95.  Violence: PG (minimally bloody except in illustration, death mentioned many times); Mature Content: G; Language: G. 

 Desperoux recounts 13 stories of legends about vampires from all over the world, with the stories mostly from the 1800’s.  The tellings are fairly simple, with minimal detail, but still well done.  The illustrations are the highlight of this particular book.  Falcone’s work feels like a riveting twist of Disney meets Tim Burton.  There is blood and there are dripping puncture wounds in many of the illustrations; that’s why I don’t really recommend this for most elementary schools, unles you already have a horror/vampire collection.  Middle school students are fascinated by the macabre and this will fit well with many collections.  

EL – OPTIONAL; MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Vanquished by Nancy Holder and Debiie Viguie - ADVISABLE

Holder, Nancy and Debbie Viguie  Vanquished, 462 pgs.  Simon Pulse, 2012.  $16.99 Content: Language: PG-13 (63 swears; 14 God); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13. 

In this third and final book in the Crusade trilogy, the vampire war with the humans is finally coming to a head.  Team Salamancan, after some upsetting setbacks, has gathered their forces and weapons and they are preparing for war.  The vampire kingdom, after breaking apart the vampire nations, is also preparing to annihilate any humans who will not submit to them.  As the two sides face off, the main characters Jenn and her partner, a good vampire, Antonio, are unsure of where their relationship stands.  The other team members also face interesting relationship changes.  All of them hope they can preserve the human world against the growing evil. 

This is a fun series that has lots of action, romance and adventure.  The characters are relatable and I found myself cheering for Team Salamancan.  The violence seemed almost rated R because the battle scenes were quite gruesome and descriptive and the hybrid vampire/werewolves seemed grotesque.  Overall, it was a fun series to read. 

HS-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Mirage by Kristi Cook - ADVISABLE

Cook, Kristi  Mirage Simon Pulse, 2012.  $16.99  374 pages  Content:  Language: R (40 swears;  4 “F” words); Sexual Content:  PG-13; Violence: PG).  

In this second book of the Haven series, Violet is with her friends and vampire boyfriend back at the boarding school Winterhaven for her senior year.   Violet’s vampire boyfriend, Aiden, is trying to find a cure for vampirism and Violet is learning more about her role as a vampire slayer.  With the help of friends, Violet and Aiden are determined to beat the odds of history and be together.  However, Aiden’s experiments with different serums to reverse his vampire blood cause him to act in violent ways without his knowledge.  Violet has to be able to stop him without hurting him.  

I liked the characters in this book.  Even though there are a lot of minor characters, the author does a great job developing them.  The conflict in the novel is unique which makes the storyline interesting.  The main character is strong and smart and she doesn’t wait around for others to save her, she takes action to help the people she cares about.  Fun series and I will read the next book in the series.  

HS-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Beware the Ninja Weenies: and other Warped and Creepy Tales by David Lubar –NOT RECOMMENDED

Lubar, David Beware the Ninja Weenies: and other Warped and Creepy Tales 192 pgs. Starscape, 2012. $11.67.  (Rating: PG)

A series of short creepy stories. Most of them end in some macabre or twisted way. For example, a bully gets his just desserts when his victim comes up with a twisted plot to get revenge. After being forced to buy and give him soda after soda, the boy gives the bully his extra sticky old Caramel/toffee –which sticks his mouth closed. On the next ride they go on –it fizzes up and has no place to go. Ends up pretty violent.

I hated this book. I don’t mind a few twilight zone endings but most of this was gross, stupid, or just plain horrifying. Well, I know that sounds like the perfect recipe for students –but this book didn’t have heart. Part of what makes stories really scary and creepy is bonding a bit with the characters first. These stories don’t provide that and are not well written -just cold and angular. See the Deadtime Stories series if you want some better supernatural and/or scary stories.

ELEMENTARY–NOT RECOMMENDED Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Team Human by Justine Larbalestier - OPTIONAL

Larbalestier, Justine and Sarah Rees Brennan  Team Human  HarperCollins, 2012.  $17.99  344 pages.  Content: Language: PG-13 (14 swears); Sexual Content: PG; Violence: PG.  

Mel lives in a town shared by vampires and humans, and when a vampire enrolls at her high school, Mel’s best friend Cathy falls for the vampire, Francis.  Mel does everything she can to protect Cathy from  Francis, but when Francis asks Cathy to become a vampire, Mel has to kick up her efforts.   When she follows Cathy to Francis’ house to protect Cathy, she meets a boy named Kit who has been raised by Francis and his family of vampires.  Everything Mel has believed about vampires is challenged and she has to battle some of her earlier prejudices so that she doesn’t lose both Kit and Cathy.  Another subplot to this book involves Mel’s other friend, Anna, whose doctor father has left his family for a vampire client that he was counseling.  Anna knows that her mother is hiding something about his disappearance, but it takes Mel and Kit’s investigating to figure out the mystery.  

This story is interesting with a good plot.  The minor characters are enjoyable, but the world created didn’t feel very believable.  

MS, HS-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.