Review: Eighth Grade Bites - Heather Brewer

Vladimir Tod has a secret.

His mother was human, but is father was a vampire . . .

With no idea of the extent of his prowess and no one to teach him, thirteen-year-old Vlad struggles daily with his blood cravings and enlarged fangs.  And when a strange substitute teacher begins to question him a little too closely, Vlad worries that his cover is about to be blown.

But then he realises he has a much bigger problem.  He's being hunted by a vampire killer who is closing in . . . fast!






The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod Series:
Eighth Grade Bites
Ninth Grade Slays
Tenth Grade Bleeds
Eleventh Grade Burns
Twelfth Grade Kills

Visit Heather Brewer's website or the Vlad Tod website for more information

Review:
Vlad Tod is like any other 13 year old boy - he has to try and avoid trouble from the school bullies, he's got a crush on a girl who seems to fancy his best friend and he has to try and keep his need to drink blood a secret.  Yes, Vlad is a vampire!  The only 2 people who are supposed to know his secret is his guardian Nelly and his best friend Henry but when his teacher goes missing the new substitute seems to be asking a few too many questions.  Who is the new teacher and what does he want with Vlad?

I've seen a lot of reviews for Eighth Grade Bites on US blogs so I was looking forward to reading it now it has finally been released in the UK.  It made a great change to read a story written from a male perspective and I think that is one of the things that drew me to the story most, that and the fact that I'm a bit of a vampire addict!  What I liked most were the relationships Vlad has with his guardian Nelly and his best friend Henry.  Nelly may not be a blood relation but she has looked after Vlad since his parents were killed 3 years ago and she goes to great lengths to help him keep his secret.  It is obvious that they both care for each other and it is nice to read a book where the main character actually likes and respects his surrogate mother. 

Vlad and Henry are opposites in a lot of ways with Henry being one of the popular students who all the girls want to date and Vlad being more of a social outcast.  They have been friends for a long time though and it was nice to see that Henry was not afraid to be seen with Vlad and would stick up for his friend.  I've read too many books where the best friend is someone you wouldn't want as a worst enemy so this made a refreshing change.

I did find that the plot was fairly straight forward and predictable but it's a quick and humorous read and one I'd particularly recommend for younger teens of both genders.  I'm curious to see how things develop throughout the series so will definitely be picking up the second book Ninth Grade Slays to see how I get on with it.

Source: Purchased

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