Crusade

November 8, 2010
In the first of a trilogy, the authors of the Wicked series serve up a mishmash of X-Men and Buffy, layered with Christian symbolism. In a near future in which vampires and humans are in a stalemate over world control, vampire hunter Jenn is insecure, despite being trained as part of a legendary team—a motley assortment of human and supernatural creatures—at the University of Salamanca. In love with Antonio, a self-loathing Catholic vampire and fellow hunter, she is also tormented by reminders of his intrinsic nature. When Jenn is called home to California for a funeral, where she faces parental betrayal and her sister is kidnapped, the other Salamancans go on the trail of an experimental vampire virus, leaving Jenn as a lone hunter while San Francisco is under siege. The authors effectively convey the cross-species tension burgeoning among the other Salamancans, which include a witch, werewolf, priest, and girl with elixir-granted powers. While the book isn't free of clichés, including sophomoric poetry initiating chapters "Though our flesh is pale and cold/ We are beautiful to behold"), the cinematic writing and apocalyptic scenario should find a ready audience. Ages 14–up.

August 1, 2010

This hefty series opener and literary bottom feeder offers a dizzying blend of dystopian teen romance, fangs and fur, the craft, voodoo and assorted religions and political philosophies. After centuries in hiding, vampires have declared themselves and are wrapping up a largely successful world takeover. Youthful vampire-killing teams trained in Salamanca, Spain, oppose them, including one directed by a mysterious Roman Catholic priest. Members include Jenn, a California teen in love with the requisite high-minded vampire struggling with uncontrollable desire for her; Antonio, said vampire; a Nordic werewolf; a mean-spirited Belfast IRA sympathizer, a British magick-worker and a Japanese Ninja/Buddhist. Armed with martial-arts skills and traditional weapons (stakes, holy water) that they pack in checked luggage to avoid confiscation (presumably by the TSA—but never mind; if logic is a concern, this novel is best avoided), our dysfunctional team flies to New Orleans, where a powerful vampire holds Jenn's sister hostage. Yes, it's derivative and violent, but the page-turning action, hordes of sexy vampires and sullen teens qualify this as an end-of-summer beach read for those so inclined. (Paranormal romance. 14 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2010) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

December 1, 2010

Gr 9 Up-Jenn Leitner is part of a group of hunters who are working to keep humanity safe from the Cursed Ones. These vampires are charismatic and living in plain sight. Their leader has even appeared on television to assure the people of the world that they have no interest in killing humans, but are able to sustain themselves with animal blood. Only out-of-control, renegade vampires do those horrible things and give the rest of them a bad name. The United States has called for a truce with the Cursed Ones, but more and more often there are reports of cities under siege and humans being manipulated to do their evil bidding. The political intrigue and global scale of this story are what make it stand out. The vampires take on the role often played by alien races in science fiction. They have invaded and then brainwashed many humans to work with them and defend them with the promise of rich rewards. Jenn's family dynamics also twist what might be a predictable story in a new direction. Her father, having grown up with radical parents, is terrified of rocking the boat and angering the Cursed Ones to the point that he puts family and friends in danger to protect himself. The fighting and plotting scenes are well written and, once hooked, readers will be anxiously waiting for the sequel.-Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2010
Grades 7-11 Holder and Vigui' (authors of the Wicked series) begin another saga, this one following a small, determined band of vampire hunters as they battle the Cursed Ones, vampires who are swiftly assuming worldwide political power. Following the trend of the many vampire and werewolf novels and television series, this opening volume sets the stage for a prolonged fight, with many scene changes (from Spain to Berkeley to New Orleans) and different narrators, though the focus of the story is Jenn Leitner, recent graduate of Spains Salamanca Academy for vampire hunters. Jenns teammates include her boyfriend, Antonio (himself a vampire), Holgar the werewolf, an English white witch, a testy Irish Catholic, their Japanese Buddhist team leader, and their mysterious priest-teacher, whos clearly hiding many secrets himself. Its all about the lightning-swift actiondont look for character development or subtletyas our characters attempt to contain the power of vampire leader Aurora, who has kidnapped Jenns beloved little sister. Expect Wicked, Twilight, and True Blood fans to gulp down this massive tome and grab for the sequel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)