Vampire Crush

December 13, 2010
Robinson's debut is a snappy, romantic tale in which even vampires have to deal with high school drama. Junior Sophie McGee is focused on becoming editor-in-chief of the school paper and thinks writing fluff pieces on new students like Vlad Smithson is a waste of time. Finding out that all the new kids know each other, her investigative reporter instincts are tickled, and she's compelled to snoop. Complications start when James, her old next-door nemesis/best friend, returns to town and is somehow connected to the creepy new kids. Things turn downright dangerous after Sophie is attacked and uncovers Vlad's real reason for moving to town. James tries to protect her, but he's not exactly the boy she remembers, and dealing with their mutual attraction is hard since it appears that they're going to end up on opposite sides. Robinson keeps things light through Sophie's sense of humor, and danger and excitement push the story forward. Lively twists and unusual characters add fun to what is ultimately a love story, but many unresolved questions indicate a sequel may lie ahead. Ages 12–up.

November 15, 2010

Sophie's a loner, and all she really cares about is making editor-in-chief of the school paper. Her first assignment for the year includes interviewing the new kids, who are distinctly odd. Her popular, pretty, clued-in stepsister Caroline falls hard for Vlad, one of the newbies, and complications ensue: Vlad and three of the other new students all turn out to be vampires (surprise!), as does James, the boy who used to live next door and has suddenly returned. Sophie doesn't immediately suspect this, but when she does, the comedy ratchets up a notch. Death, fangs, romance and all kinds of convoluted revised vampire lore are all packed in, but with a vampire-lite tone it hews to entertainment rather than angst. Sophie's voice is smart, sassy and full of humorous asides—"They're vampires, or at least under a number of severe delusions"—and her distinctive take makes this a smoothly enjoyable ride to its happy(ish) ending. Sure to be popular with readers weary of the heavy-handed purple prose that typically (over)stuffs the genre. (Paranormal. YA)

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March 1, 2011

Gr 8 Up-Unlike her popular and beautiful stepsister Caroline, Sophie McGee enjoys being on the sidelines. She is a watcher, not a player, and her greatest dream is to become the editor in chief of the school newspaper at Thomas Jefferson High. Her first assignment is to interview some new students, but as Sophie begins to question them, her investigative senses immediately go on full alert. They are unwilling to talk, extremely evasive, and mysterious, and, most disturbing, they all know one another. Then James, Sophie's former neighbor whom she had a love/hate relationship with, is secretly back and is connected to the new arrivals, too. Danger follows Sophie as she discovers that these students are actually vampires on a quest to find the key to an ancient forgotten prophecy. As things intensify, her life hangs in the balance. Robinson's debut novel is full of action, adventure, and suspense, with some romance as well. Sophie is a great character and has a witty style with which readers can easily identify. The fast-moving plot deals with issues like teen angst, facing your fears, and being true to yourself all rolled up with evil vampires and some serious fight scenes. An entertaining and satisfying read.-Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2010
Grades 7-10 Sophie is a budding journalist, hoping to be chosen editor in chief of the school newspaper. Though she is assigned fluff pieces like profiling the new students, Sophie would rather write edgy investigative news stories. When it becomes apparent that theres something weird, even cultlike, about the new students she is supposed to interview, Sophie digs deeper. She discovers that the new transfers, led by the immediately popular Vlad, are really vampires. The clan has moved to town to find a mysterious girl with a star-shaped birthmark, rumored to belong to an ancient and desired vampire bloodline. Clearly, Sophie cannot write about what she has discovered (who would believe her?), yet she must stop Vlad. After she calls upon her childhood neighbor, James, the two attempt to defeat the vamps. Sophie is smart, funny, and determined, and her narration adds humor and wit to the story. The quirky supporting cast is pretty much what youd expect in a teen vampire tale. An original and entertaining entry to the genre that wont disappoint.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)