Book Review

Book Title: Eighth Grade Bites (Vladimir Todd #1)
Book Author: Heather Brewer (now Zac Brewer)

This is a throwback review, since I read this book way back when I was in grade eight (which feels like a lifetime ago). At the time this was one of my favourite books, and it goes me into many more YA novels and into my current reading obsession. I even called one of my cats Meredith (many years later). This book was a great way to get me into reading, and I applaud Zac Brewer for all of his wonderful writing and work, because I wouldn't be here in my reading and writing career without him.


Now onto my review:

Eighth Grade Bites is a great spin on the typical fish out of water story. Vladimir Todd is a vampire, and his life is quite the mystery. Not only does he have to try to survive being a teenager as a vampire, but he has to try to find out where his past comes from. Where are his parents? What happened to them? Why is he a vampire? Why must he hide this secret?

The book is incredibly light hearted and written for the correct audience. It doesn't exactly translate into the adult scene unless you are interested in these types of books (in my opinion). Rereading it, I loved it but my friends who have moved on from the vampire scene did not enjoy it as much. The book is super fun and delightful and I hope more people get into this series.

Every minute of Vlad's story is enjoyable to read. It will keep you on your toes and make you want to continue the story. The plot is well thought out over the series, and the characters are absolutely lovable. Alongside the steady pace, the random twists that occur make this book stand out among the many other vampire books I have read throughout the years. The fact that I can still pick this book up and get a good chuckle out of it proves to me that Zac is a truly incredible author.

Overall, I give this book four out of five stars. Wonderful story!! ( )

El instituto es una pesadilla para Vladimir Tod, un chaval de trece años. Los abusones lo acosan, el director lo vigila de cerca y la chica que le gusta prefiere a su mejor amigo. Ah, y Vlad guarda un secreto. Su madre es humana, pero su padre era un vampiro. Sin la más mínima idea del alcance de sus poderes y sin nadie que lo oriente, Vlad lucha todos los días contra su apetito por la sangre y sus colmillos indiscretos.
Cuando un profesor sustituto comienza a hacerle demasiadas preguntas, Vlad teme que hayan descubierto su tapadera. Sin embargo, pronto se dará cuenta de que tiene un problema mu-cho más grave: le sigue la pista un cazavampiros que se acerca… ¡y rápido!

That was a solid beginning to a series with several books out already. I'm happy to add Heather Brewer to my list of YA authors that I follow. The characters are fun, it amazes me how many people can effectively reinvent the vampire story. I would recommend this right alongside Max Turner's Night Runner as a nice switch from the often swoony female point of view in teen vampire fiction. Not that there's always something wrong with swooning, but it's still nice to get a different perspective. ( )

A light, quick, read. ( )

Vladimir Tod is no ordinary 8th grader. Like most 8th graders, he is trying to negotiate the trials and tribulations of middle school, including a pair of bullies, an unrequited crush, teachers and homework, and oh yeah, the fact that he is a vampire. On top of all this, his English teacher is missing and they get a bizarre new substitute. His mother was human and his father was a vampire but they died in a tragic and mysterious fire when Vlad was 10, therefore he has little guidance to help him navigate life as a vampire. His “aunt” Nell, his parents’ best friend and Vlad’s guardian, does her best to keep his blood lust sated with bags of blood she gets from the hospital where she works as a nurse. Other than his Aunt, his best friend Henry is the only other person who knows he’s a vampire…or so he thinks. Vlad has a million questions after he discovers a journal of his father’s and the mysterious substitute teacher begins asking too many of his own questions. Other mysterious events occur and the plot thickens. Vlad gets some resolution to his questions and these mysteries, but not entirely setting the stage for the next book. This suspenseful first book of a series is sure to please fans of vampire stories even though the main character is only 13. Reviewed by School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus ( )