Vivian Vande Velde

Vivian Vande Velde, produced an excellent Vampire story without the usual clichés found in many YA books. Kerry is a likeable character who is willing to go through great lengths to save her family, with the help of Ethan. Ethan isn't the nice friendly vampire (found in certain YA Vampire series), he's cunning, ruthless and untrustworthy, but shades of humanity peek out when you least expect it.
Perhaps what I like most about Companions of the Night is the fact that Ethan doesn't reveal show more all, which means that all questions aren't answered, though at times annoying, that's also the way that life works. Not all questions are answered. Therefore, he remains a mystery throughout the book. It would have been great if Velde would have made Companion of the Night into a series, so that readers could further explore the world of Brockport, New York, however that’s not the case.
I recommend this book to all fans of the Vampire genre. Companions of the Night is a journey worth taking, if only for one night. show less

If Howard had known the old hag was a witch, he never would have taunted her. But he did, and she did what witches do--cursed him--and now he's a goose, which to tell you the truth, is not as serene and peaceful as it might look from the shore. People try to kill geese, for crying out loud, and the other geese are none too nice to newcomers. Howard is desperate to become a human again so he can show that old witch a thing or two.
But the only way to break the curse is to do three good show more deeds--and how can you help others when you've got webbed feet, wings for hands, and can't say anything but " Honk "? show less

A fun spoof of medieval fantasy and gaming, about a girl who gets trapped in a "total immersion" virtual reality game--she's a peasant who inherits the throne of a kingdom, but the other royal siblins want her dead, as does the barbarian king, and she has to make all sorts of decisions and fight for her life, literally: if she doesn't win the game, it'll fry her brain and she'll be dead in *real* life! very silly but fun. I loved the "Groundhog Day" aspect, where she makes the wrong choice show more and 'dies' in the game, having to start all over again with the same scenario. There are clever jokes about being anachronistic in medieval times, and the heroine Giannine is spunky and has a droll sense of humor which I liked. show less

A well crafted, humorous, tongue in cheek, unique spin of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin. There are six variations on the theme of this goblin like character who helps the miller's daughter spin straw to gold.

Some of the tales are so funny that I laughed out loud. All are creative and witty.