wilhelmina_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I devoured this. However, that is not to say that it was fantastic or even really all that good. I have too much sympathy and love for vampires to ever really enjoy a book about slaying them, but this was just frustrating. No character who isn't a vampire has any empathy for them. Joss is said to feel bad for them, and feel remorse for killing them, but he kills them all the same with little problem. Yeah, I get it, you want revenge for your dead sister, but seriously? Killing every vampire in the world is not a solution to that. I did however love Kat and Sirus so much. Wish this book was about them. All of that said, I'm sure I'll read the next. Eventually.
penalew's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of fun - on a similar level as The Chronicles of Vladimir Todd.
dangermoves's review against another edition
3.0
I recieved an advanced copy of this book a really long time ago from goodreads giveaways. It was pretty good considering its a vampre book and I'm not overly into those. It wasn't anything so outstanding or never heard of before, but it was entertaining enough.
gabbyreadswithtea's review against another edition
4.0
I was sooo glad that there was a book on Joss! I loved the Vladimir Tod Chronicles and i couldn't wait to start this book.
It was a bit depressing and i kinda wished that life wasn't this hard for this kid. but it was. and i am so sorry to say that he has been punished for whatever crime he had committed that Heather Brewer is not telling us about. Because he payed, a lot, even more than i think nessasary. I think his mind was too set on revenge for his little sister "for you, Cecile." Yep, sounds just as depressing a it is. It didn't have the best ending, either. but i loved this book nonetheless and i can not wait for the second one!!!!
It was a bit depressing and i kinda wished that life wasn't this hard for this kid. but it was. and i am so sorry to say that he has been punished for whatever crime he had committed that Heather Brewer is not telling us about. Because he payed, a lot, even more than i think nessasary. I think his mind was too set on revenge for his little sister "for you, Cecile." Yep, sounds just as depressing a it is. It didn't have the best ending, either. but i loved this book nonetheless and i can not wait for the second one!!!!
jaciacarlile's review against another edition
2.0
I did not finish this. The writing was noncommittal-- "No, he would use that pain, tuck it somewhere inside of him until he had the strength to find whatever had killed her and bring it to justice somehow." Really? Somewhere, whatever, somehow. All these words in one sentence to make it seem like this boy, who is supposed to be intellegent, is really just clueless.
Not only that, but this kid who is supposedly really young is the perfect son. Always great with his baby sister, does his chores without asking and without complaint, it can be inferred that he's a great student. I wish there were little boys in the world like this, but it just isn't so.
One of the biggest things that got to me is that he's bullied (in this case, treated like he's undeserving of friendship). Which, many kids experience bullying-- I certainly have!-- but the reason? He's too athletic. That is virtually unheard of in real social hierarchy situations because of the value placed on being good at running, kicking, and throwing. Like hell would these kids exclude him for being able to kick a ball on the roof of the school building, especially with how apologetic he is about it. I can see them hating him in high school if he's entirely full of himself, but most people can overlook that if he's good enough at sports. Which he obviously is, so it brings us back to: unrealistic. He just needed to be a special snowflake to have a special bond with his only friend; it was lazy writing. The only reason I'm giving this two stars is because the premise seemed interesting enough.
Not only that, but this kid who is supposedly really young is the perfect son. Always great with his baby sister, does his chores without asking and without complaint, it can be inferred that he's a great student. I wish there were little boys in the world like this, but it just isn't so.
One of the biggest things that got to me is that he's bullied (in this case, treated like he's undeserving of friendship). Which, many kids experience bullying-- I certainly have!-- but the reason? He's too athletic. That is virtually unheard of in real social hierarchy situations because of the value placed on being good at running, kicking, and throwing. Like hell would these kids exclude him for being able to kick a ball on the roof of the school building, especially with how apologetic he is about it. I can see them hating him in high school if he's entirely full of himself, but most people can overlook that if he's good enough at sports. Which he obviously is, so it brings us back to: unrealistic. He just needed to be a special snowflake to have a special bond with his only friend; it was lazy writing. The only reason I'm giving this two stars is because the premise seemed interesting enough.
lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I have to say that I loved the Vladimir Tod series by [a:Heather Brewer|293603|Heather Brewer|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1257773993p2/293603.jpg]and really enjoyed it! Loved the vampire theme from a different point of view. Loved this world that she created. So I entered into the Slayer Chronicles not quite sure how I'd like it, because I kind of liked the vampires better this time, unlike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where you do root mostly for the slayer. And, I didn't really like Joss that much, which this book was about, because of how he tried to slay Vlad in the other series. But, let me say, this book totally blew my preconceived thoughts on this. You knew from the original series that Joss had become a slayer because of his younger sister Cecile getting killed by a vampire. We learn in this book that Joss's uncle Abraham actually didn't want him to be the one in the family to carry on the slayer tradition, he actually thought Henry, Vlad's best friend/drudge, or Henry's older brother would be better. I guess that is funny to me because I know how they actually are with Vlad. But after reading about Joss's life, I did get to feel that I liked him. And learning that kids were mean to him because he had this almost magical strength and endurance. Then his parents almost treating him invisible after his sister died, you can see why he became the boy we know in the Vlad Tod series. And you really get on his side when you learn about how his uncle treats him when he goes to begin his slayer training, and what that training entails. Wow, although I don't agree with some of the things Joss does with the slayers and his uncle, I can see why he is that way, and the story is so good. You know there is possible a "mole" in the group of slayers, and while you want to suspect Uncle Abraham because of what a jerk he is, there are other possibilities, and each are given in a way that makes you think, and wonder. The twist at the end, I thought was sad, and was another way that I was disappointed in how Joss reacted to his situation. But, as I said, it leads right on to where the story is going to go. Such a great story. Heather Brewer is such a great author, I can't wait to read the next in the Slayer Chronicles.
housedesignerking's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
@heatherbrewer
First, I read all 5 of the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod and now, I've just completed the first book in the spin off series. The Slayer Chronicles is from Vlad's best friend's cousin's perspective. I completely suggest reading the Vlad Tod series first and then reading this book; TSC First Kill. After reading all 5 of the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod novels, what you will find in The Slayer Chronicles: First Kill is an amazing piece of literature that manages to bring in some new characters, but also bringing Joss's start of the story into more light while successfully bringing Joss to where he was in the Vlad Tod series without any contradictions.
I am immensely impressed by the addition of this first book in Joss's perspective. First, I was utterly riveted by original 5 books I've mentioned, and now I found myself unable to put this book down. The last thing I will say is that it takes a great author to be able to pull this off and still keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Or in my case, avoiding time for bed because I couldn't put it down.
Okay I'm geeking out, but in all honesty The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is by far my favourite book series, including it's graphic novel. And now, I include TSC First Kill into this. The only problem is I am awaiting the arrival of The Slayer Chronicles: Second Chance. Which I should be receiving in the post/mail any day now.
My Notes:
March 17, 2013 – page 162
48.21% "I'm still reading atm, but there's a big difference between this and the Vlad Tod series. The Vlad Tod Series wasn't slow paced whereas the spin off about Joss is. That's not a bad thing though. It's actually really fascinating. Where Vlad Tod was a science fiction novel, this one has a smidgen of that but also seems to be more psychological. The slow pace to it surprisingly works well with Joss' side of the story."
First, I read all 5 of the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod and now, I've just completed the first book in the spin off series. The Slayer Chronicles is from Vlad's best friend's cousin's perspective. I completely suggest reading the Vlad Tod series first and then reading this book; TSC First Kill. After reading all 5 of the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod novels, what you will find in The Slayer Chronicles: First Kill is an amazing piece of literature that manages to bring in some new characters, but also bringing Joss's start of the story into more light while successfully bringing Joss to where he was in the Vlad Tod series without any contradictions.
I am immensely impressed by the addition of this first book in Joss's perspective. First, I was utterly riveted by original 5 books I've mentioned, and now I found myself unable to put this book down. The last thing I will say is that it takes a great author to be able to pull this off and still keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Or in my case, avoiding time for bed because I couldn't put it down.
Okay I'm geeking out, but in all honesty The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is by far my favourite book series, including it's graphic novel. And now, I include TSC First Kill into this. The only problem is I am awaiting the arrival of The Slayer Chronicles: Second Chance. Which I should be receiving in the post/mail any day now.
My Notes:
March 17, 2013 – page 162
48.21% "I'm still reading atm, but there's a big difference between this and the Vlad Tod series. The Vlad Tod Series wasn't slow paced whereas the spin off about Joss is. That's not a bad thing though. It's actually really fascinating. Where Vlad Tod was a science fiction novel, this one has a smidgen of that but also seems to be more psychological. The slow pace to it surprisingly works well with Joss' side of the story."
ryanjamesburt's review against another edition
4.0
1) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
2) Genre: Young Adult / Paranormal
3) Synopsis: Joss Macmillan experiences something horrible and with that his life changes. With that change he gets on the path to become a Slayer. The only question is if he has the stuff to become a Slayer.
4) Feelings: This is a partner book to the Vladimir Tod series. I really liked the Vladimir Tod series but was never the biggest fan of Joss Macmillan. So I fought picking this book up for a while. I am glad I did. I liked this book and if I had read it along side of the Vladamir Tod ones I might have liked Joss much better. Or at least understood him.
5) Final recommendation: If you like the Vladamir Tod series i would certainly read this book. If you have never read the Vladamir Tod series you could still read this book and enjoy it. A good read with some interesting plot points to resolve in the future. I will certainly read the next book in this series.
Ryan James Burt
Husband, Father, and Writer
http://ryanjamesburt.wordpress.com/
2) Genre: Young Adult / Paranormal
3) Synopsis: Joss Macmillan experiences something horrible and with that his life changes. With that change he gets on the path to become a Slayer. The only question is if he has the stuff to become a Slayer.
4) Feelings: This is a partner book to the Vladimir Tod series. I really liked the Vladimir Tod series but was never the biggest fan of Joss Macmillan. So I fought picking this book up for a while. I am glad I did. I liked this book and if I had read it along side of the Vladamir Tod ones I might have liked Joss much better. Or at least understood him.
5) Final recommendation: If you like the Vladamir Tod series i would certainly read this book. If you have never read the Vladamir Tod series you could still read this book and enjoy it. A good read with some interesting plot points to resolve in the future. I will certainly read the next book in this series.
Ryan James Burt
Husband, Father, and Writer
http://ryanjamesburt.wordpress.com/
bibliophile_booklover's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book, and can't wait to read the next one. it took me longer to read b/c i'm bias b/c i love the chronicles of vladmir tod onwe b/c i love vlad plain and simple and i sympathized with the vampire more than the slayer. what can i say i'm a vampire chick
book_nut's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad. A little heavy on the "tough love" element, but a nice twist at the end.