The Book of Joby by Mark Ferrari
And so when he is grown to manhood, Joby's once luminous love of life seems altogether lost, and Lucifer's victory assured. What hope remains lies hidden in the beauty, warmth, and innocence of a forgotten seaside village whose odd inhabitants seem to defy the modern world's most inflexible assumptions, and in the hearts of Joby's long lost youthful love and her emotionally wounded son. But the ravenous forces of destruction that follow Joby into this concealed paradise plan to use these same things to bring him and his world to ruin. As the final struggle unfolds, one question occupies every mind in heaven and in hell. Which will prove stronger, love or rage?
Candace's commentary: "In the running for my favorite book of all time, this is a fantastic epic fantasy in the traditions of Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia, but takes place in our modern world. Adult fantasy, I would not recommend this book for younger children, unless very mature in their understanding of loss, grief, and betrayal. It is the most difficult book I have ever set out to read because of all the raw emotions Joby is inflicted to live through. I have never wanted a character to succeed so much in my long career of reading. Overall, this is the greatest story of faith and hope that I have ever read, and those splashes of the Arthurian legends make just that much better."
Tiffany
Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
When the Mayflower set sail in 1620, it carried on board the men and women who would shape America: Miles Standish; John Alden; Constance Hopkins. But some among the Pilgrims were not pure of heart; they were not escaping religious persecution. Indeed, they were not even human. They were vampires.The vampires assimilated quickly into the New World. Rising to levels of enormous power, wealth, and influence, they were the celebrated blue bloods of American society.
The Blue Bloods vowed that their immortal status would remain a closely guarded secret. And they kept that secret for centuries. But now, in New York City, the secret is seeping out. Schuyler Van Alen is a sophomore at a prestigious private school. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes instead of the Prada and pearls worn by her classmates, and she lives with her reclusive grandmother in a dilapated mansion. Schuyler is a loner...and happy that way. Suddenly, when she turns fifteen, there is a visible mosaic of blue veins on her arm. She starts to crave raw food and she is having flashbacks to ancient times. Then a popular girl from her school is found dead... drained of all her blood. Schuyler doesn't know what to think, but she wants to find out the secrets the Blue Bloods are keeping. But is she herself in danger?
Tiffany's commentary: "To say that Blue Bloods is like Twilight meets Gossip Girl would be somewhat of a lie. Sure, you've got the high society New York prep kids who think they run everything, add in some vampires and its like Gossip Girl meets Twilight. But there's more to the story. There always is. Melissa de la Cruz takes the mythology to a whole new level. Initially the vampires are souls that exist beyond the mortal shell. The turning age is when the vampires first start remembering their past lives. What's even better is that Melissa takes it one step further, The Vampires Original souls? Angels. Cast down to the mortal world, not hell, when they followed Lucifer. In simple terms, Biblically- inspired angel and demon stuff. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has a fascination with vampires."
Mina
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.
Mina's commentary: "If you thought the roller-coaster ride on Sailor Moon, with Usagi and Mamo, was bad? Check out the ride we get with Jessica Packwood and a daring exchange student from Romania, Lucius Vladescu. She wanted senior year to be, well anything but what fate gives her. From the start, Jessica wants nothing to do with Lucius, she finds him repulsive. But that doesn’t stop Lucius from trying to seduce her. Instead he pretends to date Jessica’s long time enemy, Faith Crosse. While falling for Lucius, she also develops more of her true self… her vampyre princess self. With the help of her uncle, Jessica learns the truth about the night Lucius “died”. Heart pounding, Jessica is on her way to Romania to save her destine husband from destroying their home. Sacrificing herself for the one she loves.. does she save him or does everything turn out horribly wrong? Read to find out the ending! I like this book because it left me guessing “what’s going to happen next?” It also left me screaming inside, begging for something more. I recommend, that if you want a sexy vampyre, Lucius Vladescu is the one. Also, this is one roller-coaster relationship you’ll enjoy. I am sure you’ll love this book as much as I do!"
