Vampire Kisses

A lively and spooktacular supernatural YA with a touch of romance (but not that sappy insta-love). Raven is strong, smart, and lots of fun with a fantastic sense of humor. I appreciate so much about her: how she values friendships, the healthy (and authentic) relationship with her reformed-hippy parents, her indignation at being stuck in Dullsville, and of course her dramatic crush on the sexy new boy in town. We read this as a group read in Fireside and we all loved it! We immediately borrowed the next book (hoopla has the audio, and they are short listens with great narration). This first book in an 8 book series is a strong invitation into a world that resembles our own, with the typical challenges of high school life, and then adds show more in just the right amount of intrigue. show less

This was the start of my goth phase and a lovely place to begin. Raven (where my name came from) is quite likable, and the featured Vampire is equally a sweetheart. It's the usual "human worse than monster" story, only the kind with drama a teenager would latch onto, but a fun, easy-to-digest read.

As far back as she can remember, Raven Madison has been obsessed with vampires. In kindergarten, her teacher asked the class what they wanted to be when they grew up. When it was Raven’s turn, she swooned, “a vampire”. Living in the town she aptly describes as “Dullsville” is not easy for someone like Raven- being that she is the only goth-girl with a love of horror movies and black lipstick. On top of that, her once cool ex-hippie parents dramatically changed after the birth of her little brother, a boy Raven endearingly nicknames “Nerd Boy”. She has no real friends, except for Becky, a timid farm girl from the wrong side of the tracks.

Everything changes when the Sterling family moves into the creepy, abandoned mansion on show more top of Benson Hill. The whole town begins talking about them, and their son Alexander in particular. It’s said Alexander hangs out in cemetaries and never goes out in daylight. Raven dreams that Alexander is a real vampire and her ticket out of Dullsville.

Raven’s feisty wit and sharp tongue really made me enjoy this book. It is definitely geared to the pre-teen set, but no less enjoyable for adults. The writing really began to have more meaning for me when Raven began to understand her family better, and realized that being a vampire might not be as important as being accepted and loved for who she really is. I think this is a good start to a new series and will appeal to fans who want a good vampire story without the gore. show less

I can tell you this right now, if I hadn't have been listening to the audiobook this would have been a "did not finish".

It was tolerable up until Raven met Alexander, after that point I worried about my face because I was cringing so much I didn't want it to freeze that way! It was love at first sight badly done. What could Alexander possibly see in the very immature Raven who constantly showed herself up to be unintelligent, and without grace and decorum next to the very cultured and almost stoic Alexander. Her obsession with him and his supposed vampire-state was beyond irritating, she barely knew him and she was breaking into his home and touching his stuff, can I say stalker?

Alexander's only reason for liking her is the likelihood show more that she will accept him for who he is, which brings me to what he is. Malicious rumours about Alexander and his family are spread about town, the word is they're vampires (queue the spooky music). Hints about them being such are laid on thick but then the rumours are retracted and Raven is back to thinking old Alex is human after all, until the very end when he had no reflection! Then Alex all of a sudden up and disappears for Raven's sake, whatever that means. I felt nothing at this, I'd all ready decided this was basically crap. It sort of reminded me of those tongue-in-cheek teeny bopperish American TV shows for children like That's So Raven. (I swear that just popped in my head, no pun intended!)

None of the characters were properly developed, Raven's upbeat goth, rebellious and whiny attitude grated on my nerves. Just because I like reading vampire fiction doesn't mean I'm as obsessed with Dracula, old vampire movies and everything black as Raven is. She was waaay over the top. We don't see much of Alexander and know little-to-nothing about him except that he was home-schooled, his parents travel a lot and is most likely a vampire.

As for character progression Raven had one (and perhaps her only) serious thought at the end about not wanting to become a vampire so she wouldn't have to leave her family, Matt decided to stop being a doormat and well, Trevor loses all his power to dominate, bully and generally get whatever he wants. I secretly believe he was obsessed and possibly even a little bit in love with Raven, we all want what we can't have, right?

On the positive side, and there is a positive side (I know you wouldn't think so reading this), the writing despite the clichéd teen-lingo was actually pretty good, it was simple, engaging and free-flowing with a few very comedic (read "big grin") moments.

If you're going to read this book I highly recommend the audiobook, the narrator Devon Sorvari did an excellent job of making this "readable". show less

Though it is technically written/promoted for a teenage audience, Vampire Kisses is a great, light read for anyone who enjoys a book filled with wit and humor, mystery and romance, and of course, the much beloved vampire plot. In short, if you loved Twilight, you will probably enjoy Vampire Kisses , I have to say that I personally still hold Twilight as number one, and probably always will. But that's just me. :)

Though Vampire Kisses can be a bit 'immature' at times *That is how one reviewer put it, though I would never call it that. It's too harsh for a book that, over all, is still a good read!* reminding you that it is told by a teenager for a teenager. But that's the fun thing about VK-- its not always heavy and complicated, but show more instead it's a lighter, fluffy read. The author, Ellen Schreiber, meant for the story to come out more laugh- out- loud than deep-in-thought-must-save-the-world kind of plots. It's a quick read, really quick. In fact, I finished this book in under 5 hours.

Raven is an interesting character, to say the least. She's never felt like she fits in, and practically from birth she's been obsessed with vampires and all things Gothic related. Her biggest goal in life? To meet a vampire and get turned into one. So when she meets this dark, mysterious Gothic boy that just moved into the deserted Mansion on the hill, it seems like fate is finally making her dream come true. But can she make it work when everyone in town, including her friends and family at first, are still against her and her weird ways? I don't want to spoil anything, so you'll have to read it yourself. But warning-- the ending is a big cliff hanger, and you will want to have the next books at hand because as soon as you finish VK, you will need to find out what happens next!

I think my favorite part in the book, besides some of the melt-into-a-puddle-on-the-floor quotes that Alexander says to Raven, is when Raven decides to screw with her nemisis, Trevor, one of the most popular boys in her school. I was laughing through the whole thing! It makes more sense, and you'll laugh more, if you read it yourself, so I won't say too much about it other than this: Underwear on a locker. Are you scratching your head, trying to figure out what this scene could be? I'll bet you are, but I'm not saying any more about it!

4.5/5 STARS! For a charming and witty vampire romance, Vampire Kisses is the perfect option! show less

I haven't laughed so hard and so long in months. Raven is easy to like. I loved when she had to go to school for the first time and after the first day she was upset to find out it wasn't a one day, one time thing. I wanted to hate Trevor but I couldn't. A lot of the best scenes are the confrontations between Raven and Trevor.

Personally, I really liked this book. I was willing to overlook its faults because it was a such a fun, light hearted read. Very enjoyable if you're looking for a cute, quick, easy to read vampire romance. While it has been fitted with a new cover and displayed on shelves with twilight and its many rip offs, it wasn't intended as that kind of book. To appreciate it, you have to realize that it is partly comic, not meant to be taken as a dead(pardon the pun) serious story. In some moments, it is almost a spoof. One thing I must add,however, is that Raven is such a classic mall goth its almost embarrassing. Any true goth would be disgusted at her choice in dress and music. Thats not to say I didn't like her, or her vampire boyfriend. In show more fact I found them very funny, likable characters. show less