Jessica's in 4H, never been kissed, and, oh yeah - she just found out she's a vampire. And not just a backwoods Pennsylvania variety vampire ... but a vampire princess, complete with arranged marriage to extremely handsome, stuck-up, and selfish Romanian vampire clan prince.
So I have a confession. I never really jumped on the vampire crazy-bus (stretch-hearse?) when it came roaring through a few years back. I didn't much like vampire tales going in, and I liked them even less after my brief time dabbling in the sub-genre. One huge exception for me however, was the Parasol Protectorate series--which if you've been following me long, you know I adore and can't wait for the YA series to be released in 2013!!
But now folks, I'm proud to announce, I have discovered another exception to my no-vampires policy! Like the the Parasol Protectorate, Beth Fantaskey's Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side takes at once a more humorous - and arguably also darker - look at the vampire world.
And I loved it.
This book had me giggling constantly. And the best part? The author wanted me to.
Cause don't get me wrong, I've laughed at pretty much every vampire book I've read, but I don't think I was supposed to.
In Jessica's Guide, we open on everyday life for smart, slightly geeky/slightly horsey Jessica Packwood who quickly crosses paths with the debonair and ridiculously obvious vampire Lucius Vladescu. She stabs him in the foot with a pitchfork, he comes to live in the spare apartment at her vegan parents' house and enrolls in her school. Hilarity ensues. As it progresses the book takes a more serious turn, and there are things I question about Jessica's decisions, but all in all it was a very satisfying read - funny, and with more substance than many of the vampire tales I've read.
I know I'm really late to the party on this one, but after hearing so many great things, I finally picked it up (I'm so glad I did!) And with so many reviews for the sequel (Jessica Rules the Dark Side) bouncing around the interwebs these days, I figured there might still be folks out there like me who might interested in hearing about book one!
Books like Jessica's Guide: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, Rampant by Diana Peterfreund, Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare, The Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger
Want more book suggestions? See my other Book Recommendations.
Need some more convincing? Check out the reviews of Jessica's Guide at The Feminist Fairy Tale Reviews or The Girl in the Cafe
So I have a confession. I never really jumped on the vampire crazy-bus (stretch-hearse?) when it came roaring through a few years back. I didn't much like vampire tales going in, and I liked them even less after my brief time dabbling in the sub-genre. One huge exception for me however, was the Parasol Protectorate series--which if you've been following me long, you know I adore and can't wait for the YA series to be released in 2013!!
But now folks, I'm proud to announce, I have discovered another exception to my no-vampires policy! Like the the Parasol Protectorate, Beth Fantaskey's Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side takes at once a more humorous - and arguably also darker - look at the vampire world.
And I loved it.
This book had me giggling constantly. And the best part? The author wanted me to.
Cause don't get me wrong, I've laughed at pretty much every vampire book I've read, but I don't think I was supposed to.
In Jessica's Guide, we open on everyday life for smart, slightly geeky/slightly horsey Jessica Packwood who quickly crosses paths with the debonair and ridiculously obvious vampire Lucius Vladescu. She stabs him in the foot with a pitchfork, he comes to live in the spare apartment at her vegan parents' house and enrolls in her school. Hilarity ensues. As it progresses the book takes a more serious turn, and there are things I question about Jessica's decisions, but all in all it was a very satisfying read - funny, and with more substance than many of the vampire tales I've read.
I know I'm really late to the party on this one, but after hearing so many great things, I finally picked it up (I'm so glad I did!) And with so many reviews for the sequel (Jessica Rules the Dark Side) bouncing around the interwebs these days, I figured there might still be folks out there like me who might interested in hearing about book one!
Books like Jessica's Guide: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, Rampant by Diana Peterfreund, Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare, The Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger
Want more book suggestions? See my other Book Recommendations.
I've seen this one around but for some reason it never piqued my interest. Now I'll have to pick it up. I love funny stories and the title is really cool.
ReplyDeleteI read Beth's JEKYL and HYDE and enjoyed it (didn't love it)... I've always seen this on shelves but never picked it up. After your review though, I'm definitely going to check it out - I love funny books about smart/geeky girls :)
ReplyDeleteIt's SO good to hear there are vampires books out there you're supposed to laugh at! This sounds like a breath of fresh air.
ReplyDeleteA funny vampire book? - now that I could sink my teeth into . . .oh, I'm terrible at humor, but I tried.
ReplyDeleteBTW - I have an award for you at my blog today!
Great post! And like Tyrean above me, I've nominated you for an award - the Versatile Blogger x
ReplyDelete