Team Human

Starred review from May 28, 2012
Larbalestier (Liar) and Brennan (the Demon’s Lexicon trilogy) affectionately poke fun at vampire tropes and, in the process, create a memorable story about love, prejudice, and the lengths to which people will go in service of both. High school
senior Mel Duan is not impressed when a 150-year old vampire (who looks like a teenager and talks like a 19th-century poet) enrolls in her school. Sure, New Whitby, Maine, is known for its large vampire population, but the vamps and humans keep to their own. Mel finds Francis merely annoying until her best friend Cathy falls for him and
decides to become a vampire herself, at which point Mel shifts into full-blown protective mode. This smart and entertaining novel—part Nancy Drew with vampires, part thoughtful and provocative story about assumptions—fully blooms in the second half. Themes of honest friendship and freedom of choice mix with zombies, accidental romance,
a diverse and complex cast, and sharply funny dialogue to create a thoroughly
enjoyable read with a core of unexpected depth. Ages 13–up. Agents: (for Larbalestier) Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary Management; (for Brennan) Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary Agency.

November 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-When Mel's best friend, Cathy, begins to fall in love with a centuries-old vampire who starts attending their high school, Mel does everything she can to prevent them from becoming a couple. Afraid of losing Cathy forever, and forced to face her own prejudices against vampires, she begins an adventure that results in mystery and romance. The story is set in a town famous for being founded by vampires escaping persecution; the cast of characters deals with typical teen issues while also living in a world with vampires and zombies. What really happened to their friend's dad, a vampire psychologist said to have run off with a patient? What does it mean to be human when you've been raised in a community of vampires? Is the chance of becoming a zombie worth the risk in order to follow your dreams and heart? Larbalestier and Brennan have created a witty story of friendship that takes place in a realistic fantasy world in which people can choose to become vampires as long as they follow the official government protocol. Not your typical vampire novel, this entry into the genre has a poignancy that is rare, coupled with a dry humor that is truly laugh-out-loud funny.Sharon McKellar, Oakland Public Library, CA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.