Reviewed by Mrs. Foley
From Destiny Library record, "Cal Thompson is a carrier of a parasite that causes vampirism, and must hunt down all of the girlfriends he has unknowingly infected."

Not as good as the Twilight series, but very intriguing. I wouldn't be be surprised if this book and its sequel, The Last Days, were made into movies. I've seen on a website that there may be someone working on a screenplay, but no definite plans yet. Westerfeld alternates chapters about the storyline with chapters on actual parasites, etc. in our world. Some of them are very yucky, but teens would probably LOVE to read about them!

Review from Kirkus Review starred (August 1, 2005)
Both medical thriller and science fiction, this fast-paced, captivating modern vampire story is enriched with biology and history. Nineteen-year-old Cal is a hunter. He works for the Night Watch, New York City's clandestine organization to capture "peeps," "parasite positive" people infected with an ancient disease that causes vampirism. They're cannibalistic, violent and wildly strong. Cal tracks his line of contagion: an ex-girlfriend, whom he unwittingly infected, and then his progenitor, the girl who gave it to him. Yes, Cal has the parasite, but he's a carrier rather than a full-blown peep. Forced into secrecy and celibacy but possessing peep-like superhuman senses and strength, Cal simmers with adrenaline. He succeeds at his job in the dank, oppressive urban undergrounds, but he discloses secrets to an unauthorized, uninfected girl his age who becomes inextricably involved. Conspiracy issues arise; the parasite's centuries-long history holds a profound revelation. Westerfeld intersperses relevant chapters on how various real-life parasites operate in nature. Entrancing throughout-but squeamish readers beware. (afterword, bibliography) (Science fiction. YA) ( )

A great book from Westerfeld, about Vampires and there scientific orgins. A great read for vampire or not vampire obsessed! ( )

I've been working on this book for weeks. In fact, it was the first book I got out of the Swanton Library after moving here at the end of July, and needless to say, while reading this book I've also managed to finish Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Wings, as well as start Evermore, Maximum Ride, and well, you get the idea. It took a while to get into.

So, why did it take so long to finally reach that point where I couldn't put the book down?

1. Every even chapter in the book is non-fiction talks about parasites. Parasites? Yep. Mealworms, lice, tapeworms. They infect your blood, your eyes, your brain, your imune system. And all of it was true. As Scott Westerfeld says many times, "Ew. Yuck. Repeat."

Okay, in case that wasn't enough for me to stop reading, why else did I sluff off instead of read?

2. The book is sci-fi, not fantasy. Like Uglies, this book has no "magic" in it whatsoever. Everything is scientifically based. Even the giant worms. That can get a little boring to me sometimes. Especially when the book's theme is explaining vampirism through scientific theories. Yawn. Sleep. Repeat.

But, you protest, I DID read this book! In fact, I finished it about 5 minutes ago. So, here's my review:

Peeps was written by one of my very favorite authors, Scott Westerfeld. The first half of the book was slow in my opinion. Too much about parasites and vampire history (in a scientific way) and too little about the cute girl, Lace(y), who pops into our narrator's life as he tries to discover what happened to the girl who infected him. I read on and off for a while, enjoying the parasite talk (while imagining all the conversation's Scott had with his poor wife about the subject the year he wrote it), but hating the science.

However, once Cal tells Lacey what the heck is going on, things get interesting and I couldn't put the book down at all. Yes, I ate dinner while reading about mealworms. Fun times. But it was amazing! All the parasite talk fit in perfectly with the story so that by the end, huge worms from the underground made perfect sense and only aided in making the story BETTER! Yes, better!

I can't tell you what happens to Lace (although, even just from reading this review, you're probably guessing it's a) she's infected and becomes a cannabalistic vampire, b) she runs to New Jersey to escape and lives happily ever after or c) she gets eaten by a giant tapeworm).

I know this review is a bit basic, especially since I had to keep mentioning the parasites all the time (did I tell you there are giant worms in this book?), but remember: the book was highly fascinating, finally giving us a logical reason for Vampires and making them believable. (And no, in this book, becoming a Vampire does NOT mean you sparkle. Sorry!) It was funny (laughed out loud many times, as the narrator has my sarcastic sense of humor). It was romantic (despite all the raw meat eating going on). It was interesting (did I mention the giant worms?). And it was really really good.

So, thank you Scott, for writing yet another thoroughly enjoyable sci-fi adventure to blow my hatred of the genre right out of the water again. Even if it did include giant worms. ( )

This is a novel that has a surprising twist at the end that I did not see coming. The author mixes in factual tidbits of parasite knowledge in every other chapter. These help move the story along. Vampirism is changed in this exciting book. It is a disease that can be passed from person to person. I highly recommend. ( )

I was pretty impressed by this story. The first book I’ve read by Scott Westerfeld. I had actually seen this book on display at the bookstore a few times but was actually put off by its title (all I could think of was what a horrible book it would be if the title was some irritating form of teen slang – ugh). I saw it in the library, though, and due to its popularity at least took the time to read the back of the book, which intrigued me enough to take it out. I’m glad I did. While there were parts of it that were predictable and boring due to being what you’d expect of it as a teen novel, for the most part the book was interesting and unique. I loved seeing an *actual* original vampire novel and not the same worn-out stories that are passed off as original in this market.

Cal is a vampire hunter, but not in the way you would expect. In his world, vampires are not the supernatural creatures we’ve come to expect. They’re victims of a terrible parasite that flip their world upside down and make them crave human flesh. Whilst the original laws of vampirism don’t apply to them – Cal is quick to remind us that these are not truly undead, bloodthirsty creatures that turn into bats & mists – some explanation for how those ideas were formed are offered. As the parasite takes over their body, the parasite positives – or peeps, as Cal and the rest of the people in his vampire-hunting organizations calls them – reject everything they loved from their old life and take to the underworld, gathering protective broods of rats, which, in turn, serve the parasite by protecting it and working to spread the parasite to the rest of the world. Cal is infected, but is simply a carrier – in a bit of a Blade-esque twist, he has the powers of the peeps but very few of their weaknesses. He works with other carriers to control the peeps, after he finds out he was infected and has thus unknowingly passed on the parasite to some of his girlfriends. It becomes his responsibility to hunt them down. But there is something else going on in New York City. Something ancient and evil rising up from below the sewers and tunnels. Something more dangerous than vampires. ( )

Readers Annotation:
Call contracts an STD that causes vampirism. Unlike the many other people infected he doesn’t become a mindless cannibal. He takes on an assignment working with the Night Watch to hunt down all of his ex-girlfriends who are now positive and get them help to control the disease.
Plot Summary:
Cal is a carrier for a parasite, one that makes you a vampire or Peep (Parasite Positive). He hasn't turned into an unmanageable eater of humans like most of the people who get the disease, and is able to manage his disease with only a few strange side effects; he's always hungry for meat, and constantly hungry for sex. The parasite is spread through saliva and other bodily fluids as an STD, so Cal can’t give into romance. Cal works with the Night Watch to help contain the vampire problem and he tracks down his old girlfriends to get them the medication they need to be almost sane. When he begins tracking the person who gave him the disease he is led through a foul underworld of carrier rats, unusually rational peeps, and evidence of an ancient monster underground. During his investigation he becomes closer to Lace, the journalism student who lives in the building he is searching under. She isn't infected, and even for a journalism student she is not too cautious, preferring to find out the whole story instead of keeping herself safe.
Evaluation:
I really liked the interesting twist this vampire book had for how it is contracted as an STD. It had a good message to teens about sexually transmitted diseases intermingled with a traditional vampire mystery. Interspersed throughout the story are accurate and revolting descriptions of actual parasites which provide a rich backdrop for the character setting. The book is really graphic about the parasites and therefore not recommended for a reader with a faint stomach.
Reason Included: I love Scott Westerfelds Uglies, Pretties, Specials series.
Ages:16+/Interests: Science Fiction, Vampires, Romance, Mystery.
Authors Website: http://www.scottwesterfeld.com/author... ( )

Very interesting take on the vampire theme. Vampirism is a parasite that spreads from person to person. Cal, who is infected, is a carrier. He harbors the parasite without the symptons. Cal must find those he has infected and the one that infected him. I enjoyed the story, it moved along. I recommend to teens and adults. The only thing I had to get past was the female character's use of the word "dude" at the end of every sentence. ( )

While most vampire stories have a certain fantastical element, basing themselves on the vampire legends in various cultures, Peeps takes a different tack. It is not so much a horror story as a science fiction story, and quite a good one at that.

During a one night stand, Cal Thompson was infected by a parasite that, in most people, causes vampirism. He is one of the rare few who carry the disease without experiencing the worst of the symptoms (cannibalism, hatred of what was once loved, aversion to light, and fraternizing with hordes of rats). Recruited by the Night Watch, a secret city department that deals with "parasite positives" (or "peeps"), Cal is trying to hunt down anyone he may have infected -- namely, his ex-girlfriends. While doing so, he discovers there is something even more deadly than vampires lurking under New York City.

Every other chapter is a short vignette of a real parasite, lending depth and authenticity to the "science" of the peep parasite. Although not truly a horror story, this book is not for the squeamish, as there are many detailed descriptions of parasitic infections throughout the animal kingdom.

Althought I am not much into horror fiction, I was drawn into this book by the plausible science and the voice of narrator Cal. With a little willing suspension of disbelief, the book is quite realistic -- and quite compelling.

Review by Ms. DuVall

Peeps is about a young man who has become infected with a disease that causes its victims to become violent, light sensitive, strong and craving raw meat. Sure, you can call it vampirism, but it's not quite what you think of from Bram Stoker and the movies.

Interspersed with Cal's adventures, we get snippets of information about parasitology - the study of parasites and their effects. I know that sounds weird, but I loved how it grounded this dark fantasy in the real world. Truth is stranger than fiction and all that.

http://archthinking.blogspot.com/2009...

Before Peeps, I had never read any of Scott Westerfeld’s novels. After Peeps, I am eager to get my hands on as many as possible. This is a dark, original, snappy new spin on everybody’s favourite night-stalking enigma: the vampire. Westerfeld has a new explanation for every vampire myth, from cruciphobia to fondness of bats and rats. By the end of this novel, readers will be experts on a whole new species of twisted, powerful creature – the peep. It is not the fictional information, however, that gives this novel its most engrossing edge.

Every second chapter of Peeps is devoted entirely to parasites. Not fictional parasites – but real parasites that exist in our own world and could threaten us at any time. This book is most definitely not for the squeamish – Westerfeld unveils hundreds of facts about numerous deadly parasites, from Plasmodium to Toxoplasma, including their methods of taking over their hosts, their breeding patterns, and why our planet’s ecosystems would be lost without them. Cal’s succinct, conversational narration guides readers through the ups and downs of the parasite world so charismatically that there is not a single boring sentence in the book. The real advantage of all this information, however, is that it blurs the line between fact and fiction, giving readers the eerie, menacing feeling that the events of Peeps could easily take place in real life.

Were it not for the ending, Peeps would easily be on my ‘Top 10 Favourite Books’ list. Despite nearly 300 pages of riveting, rat-infested brilliance, Westerfeld still manages to pull off the worst ending in the history of fiction. It almost makes this brilliant novel worth setting aside – or perhaps it should have a sticker on the front saying ‘Warning – do not read more than 290 pages’. Without spoiling the plot too much, it is virtually impossible to explain why the ending is so appalling – suffice to say that the word ‘anticlimax’ was invented to describe the last pages of this book.

If you are willing to forgive the dismal finale, however, Peeps is still a highly recommended read. Steel yourself for a world of dank, subterranean horrors, and dive in. ( )

This was a very interesting book choice for me. I had some difficulty getting into the story -- not a big Sci Fi fan, plus Westerfeld spent a lot of time describing parasites and what they do to humans and animals. Kind of freaked me out. Plus at the end, he made a point of saying that everything he had described regarding parasites is true. Makes me not want to eat or drink or breathe the air. I have to admit though, I found myself enjoying the story the more I read. It was a fun take on an old topic with some mystery, horror, and romance thrown in. ( )

A VERY good book - I would recommend it, but I wouldn't back you into a corner trying to get you to read it. ( )

Great book. I could not put it down. Weterfeild is an amazing author. ( )

Yet another new take on vampires - this time its very "scientific." Vampirism is caused by a parasite that is spread much like an STD, which may just be a convenient excuse to insert lots of teenage sexual tension into the book, but was somewhat interesting. Westerfeld's books are weird for me - a lot of the time I think they could be so much better executed than they are - plot pacing, character development, general writing style, etc. - but in certain respects I find them very intriguing and I almost always want to read more of them. ( )

If you want to think this is an average vampire book, you're very wrong. I've never read anything like it, which makes it a GREAT book. It also teaches you about a few different parasites. With that said, you might be thinking that this is a disgusting book. Well, I thought that at first too. Then realized that it was very interesting. I don't want to gross you out though. But, the story is interesting, as well as the characters. A great and fast read. I would recommend it to anyone who can deal with reading graphic details about parasites. ( )

Cal Thompson is a carrier of a parasite that causes vampirism, and must hunt down all of the girlfriends he has unknowingly infected (or did he?). ( )

Vampirism as disease.
Dark, action-packed series - more Buffy than Twilight. ( )

Grade: 9th and Up

Kearsten says: Cal Thompson is parasite positive, or a peep for short, but he’s unusual in that instead of going crazy in a vampire seeming way, as most peeps do, he’s maintained his sanity, and so must hunt down the women he’s infected (it passes through saliva, so a kiss is enough), and the one who infected him. But soon, he’ll realize that something is going very wrong… Good fun, with a very interesting twist on the vampire genre. It also has a lot of info on parasites, which is gross, fascinating, and completely true (except for the vampire parasite). The author includes a bibliography at the end for those interested in reading more about parasites and their necessity in the world. ( )

All, in all an excellent read, your skin will crawl and your blood will race, and the next time your cat looks oddly at you, you may just shudder a little!

Most entertaining.

Read and comment on my full review at:
http://www.bartsbookshelf.co.uk/2009/... ( )

Cal Thompson is parasite positive, or a peep for short, but he’s unusual in that instead of going crazy in a vampire seeming way, as most peeps do, he’s maintained his sanity, and so must hunt down the women he’s infected (it passes through saliva, so a kiss is enough), and the one who infected him. But soon, he’ll realize that something is going very wrong… Good fun, with a very interesting twist on the vampire genre. It also has a lot of info on parasites, which is gross, fascinating, and completely true (except for the vampire parasite). The author includes a bibliography at the end for those interested in reading more about parasites and their necessity in the world. ( )

This wasn't a horrible book but it's not one I would choose to read again. It definitely has a different take on vampires in that vampires are not just creatures that live to drink blood and kill. Instead they are infected by a parasite for a very specific reason to help man kind. The book was extremely hard for me to get into and it wasn't until about the last 75 pages or so that I got sucked in. Then the ending was a disappointment because it is book 1 in the series. I doubt I will pick up book 2 unless I have a dry spell in books to read. Definitely did not grab me the way the Uglies story line did.

See my other reviews here: http://debbiesworld.wordpress.com ( )

This is a thrilling first in an exciting series. Get caught up in this exhilerating book. This book is interesting, romantic, frighting, unpleasant, thrilling and captavating .Caution : this book is not for the faint hearted. ( )

Moving to New York City to go to school has been quite an eye-opener and life-chaging exprience for Cal, who soon after his arrival becomes infected with a parasite that causes vampirism when he loses his virginity in a one-night stand. Fortunately for Cal he does not develop a full-blown case of the disease. However, as a carrier he has infected others and must learn to control his physical desires. Working for the Night Watch, a super-secret municipal agency responsible for tracking others who have been infected, Cal looks for Morgan, the girl who infected him. Along the way he meets Lace, a journalism student, eager for her first big story. Together they discover that Morgan is the least of their worries. Horrors, long dormant, threaten the City. Will Cal be able to use his superhuman powers resulting from his infection to save New York?
The setting combined with a plot made plausable by mixing fantasy with real-life science, along with a somewhat irreverant main character, makes this a fascinating teen read. ( )

If you are a germaphobe don't read this book.
From the author's website (perfect quick booktalk!):
"Some days you wake up, and you just have to write a vampire novel.I know, I know, there is no shortage of vampire novels already out there. If you search Amazon for "vampire" you get 2,616 books to choose from. There are opera-loving vampires, horny vampires, southern vampires, emotional vampires, bondage-loving vampires, and (of course) Canadian vampires who solve crimes.

Maybe there are too many vampire novels, I thought. But that was part of the challenge, to see if I could do something that felt new and interesting, while still being full of bitey goodness. (Unsurprising confession: I am a Buffy fan.) So the book had to be original, but also icky, scary, funny, tragic, and (ahem) not sucky.

Besides getting a new take on the sunlight-impaired, my other big concern was that my vampires should actually make some sense as far as science goes. So I started doing some vampire research, reading a bunch of books about rats, parasites, bites and stings, and biology.

After consuming all there was to know on these subjects, I came up with the four important features that any vampire novel (of mine) had to include:

natural selection,
sexual attraction,
parasitic infection,
and Elvis memorabilia.

Okay, I can't tell you much more without giving the whole thing away. But I'm very happy with the results. And the cover is certainly cool." ( )