Dead of Night

June 1, 2012
The second entry in the Youngbloods series continues 15-year-old Cat's romance with Jesse, her forbidden, almost-a-vampire heartthrob. Jesse and his parents have become undead, but Jesse won't become an actual vampire unless he drinks human blood, something he intends never to do. Cat isn't completely human herself. She's a reluctant member of the Van Helsing family of legendary vampire hunters and has special powers, as do her brothers, who act as her strict guardians. Cat's family lives on a horse farm that's struggling to survive, while Cat gets a job cataloguing a collection of occult books. Jesse assists her, and they learn astounding facts about the library's owner. Meanwhile, girls who look like Cat begin to disappear from the town. Viehl smoothly brings readers up-to-date even as she keeps momentum going with this new story. Cat, with her love of horses, rebellious spirit and paranormal ability to control felines, stands out as a spunky heroine. Mystery builds as the missing-girls plot heats up, leading to the exciting climax. An affecting subplot about a difficult horse weaves in as a thread that holds it all together. Paranormal-romance fans can get everything they want here, and others will find an exciting story. Well crafted. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)

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August 1, 2012

Gr 8-10-In this sequel to After Midnight (Flux, 2011), Viehl ramps up the action, suspense, and mystery. Catlyn Youngblood, 15, has spent her whole life moving from place to place with her two brothers, Patrick and Grayson. Recently the family has relocated to Lost Lake, Florida, to work a ranch and raise horses. Their lives are far from normal, though, as the Youngbloods are descendants of the famous Van Helsing family, possessing special powers that allow them to locate and destroy vampires. To complicate matters, Cat has fallen in love with Jesse Raven, an almost vampire, and their families have forbidden their relationship. Patrick attempts to wipe away Cat's memories of Jesse, but as her powers increase, he can no longer control her. She takes a job in town cataloging rare occult books where she secretly meets him. Together she and Jesse learn about the books' owner and the possible threat he poses to their families. At the same time, young girls begin mysteriously to disappear-girls who look very similar to Cat. The many subplots and likable characters, especially the rebellious Cat, make this an enjoyable read. Interesting facts about the Ravens, the Youngbloods, and the town are revealed, but just as many are left unanswered. The cliff-hanger ending will make readers excited about a sequel. A satisfying read for fans of the supernatural.-Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

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