monica_r_jae's review against another edition
3.0
I like Joss. I like that he's conflicted about killing vampires even if he still can't see past the indoctrination that all vampires are evil or are incapable of good. I like how his character has evolved since the events depicted in the first book.
This is definitely rightly designated as a Young Adult book. The writing and detailing of Joss' thought processes, as well as the plot, are well suited to 12 to 18 year olds. It's not a complicated book but I did like it for what it is. And I do believe the strong resurgence of Young Adult fiction over the past few years is very important, crucial even, to literature as a whole. Now the "no, duh" caveat - what I consider 3 star for YA books is going to mean something different for my ratings of other books because I wouldn't put these on par with an Anne Rice novel or a Stephen King thriller, etc., that I liked but may have found slightly wanting. Although with AR and SK, finding them wanting is very rarely the case.
This is definitely rightly designated as a Young Adult book. The writing and detailing of Joss' thought processes, as well as the plot, are well suited to 12 to 18 year olds. It's not a complicated book but I did like it for what it is. And I do believe the strong resurgence of Young Adult fiction over the past few years is very important, crucial even, to literature as a whole. Now the "no, duh" caveat - what I consider 3 star for YA books is going to mean something different for my ratings of other books because I wouldn't put these on par with an Anne Rice novel or a Stephen King thriller, etc., that I liked but may have found slightly wanting. Although with AR and SK, finding them wanting is very rarely the case.
lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition
4.0
I was so excited to get this ARC, and it came from the author herself! When I emailed and asked if there was anything she'd be willing to do to help me celebrate my 3rd Blogoversary, she emailed back saying that she was sending me something in the mail, and this was what I got!! The awesomeness of the author aside, I really enjoyed this book.
To read the rest of my review go HERE.
To read the rest of my review go HERE.
housedesignerking's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This second book in the Slayer Chronicles was totally smashing! I loved reading new bits of information, however brief, about Vlad, Otis & Nelly; but I won't divulge what they are. I'm still amazed at the new characters being mingled in with some character's we were introduced to in the Chronicles of Vlad Tod.
I am pretty sure now that Heather Brewer is my favourite author now (but to tell the truth, I've known that since the first time I read the Vlad Tod series.)
I am pretty sure now that Heather Brewer is my favourite author now (but to tell the truth, I've known that since the first time I read the Vlad Tod series.)
dvester's review against another edition
3.0
I’m just not sure how I feel about this one. I was disappointed that it completely skipped over his year with Vlad. I know if you read the Vlad books you’d already know but I guess I was wanting it from Joss’s point of view. And I really thought he had a lot of kills under his belt before going to see Vlad, he did but they were accidents. I thought he was this badass vampire slayer but reading this I actually had to remind myself that he’s 14 and he should be scared.
I did love that Dorian has another role in this book, more than just two pages this time. And I grew to like the character Morgan.
Joss doesn’t become this badass slayer until the middle of the book when he finally has a kill, a real kill. It’s pretty cool that he was able to kill four vampires on his own. It does make me want to read the next book in the series, I’m hoping to see how the Slayer Society really thinks of him.
I did love that Dorian has another role in this book, more than just two pages this time. And I grew to like the character Morgan.
Joss doesn’t become this badass slayer until the middle of the book when he finally has a kill, a real kill. It’s pretty cool that he was able to kill four vampires on his own. It does make me want to read the next book in the series, I’m hoping to see how the Slayer Society really thinks of him.
elvenavari's review against another edition
4.0
I love really watching Joss grow into the man he will be. I'm very curious to learn how all his close relationships with vampires will shape events in the future.
mollymortensen's review against another edition
3.0
Well this one was better than the last. (Not that that's saying much.) But it wasn't nearly as depressing or boring. I read it in a day. (Though I was sick so I didn't have much else to do.)
There were numerous small inconsistencies throughout. The one that stands out is, Joss kicks vampires in the balls several times, then he's facing off against a vampire and wonders if such a move would work. So, while they didn't effect the story, they were still annoying.
The second definitely feels like a side story. There's plenty of action, but all of the important stuff happened off page. (This takes place the summer after Joss met Vlad. So while you didn't need to read the Vlad books before the first slayer, you need to read book two of Vlad before this. It's recounted, but I'd still feel like I missed something.)
There were numerous small inconsistencies throughout. The one that stands out is, Joss kicks vampires in the balls several times, then he's facing off against a vampire and wonders if such a move would work. So, while they didn't effect the story, they were still annoying.
The second definitely feels like a side story. There's plenty of action, but all of the important stuff happened off page. (This takes place the summer after Joss met Vlad. So while you didn't need to read the Vlad books before the first slayer, you need to read book two of Vlad before this. It's recounted, but I'd still feel like I missed something.)
randyribay's review against another edition
3.0
joss's moral conundrums are too repetitive for my tastes.
ravenousbookeater's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so good. Although, I wish they would give him a girlfriend. Although, I feel he's gay because of Vlad.