5 comments about The Mediator #3: Reunion.

1. It was in really good condition. I'm happy that now I have the whole series and finally got to read all of them.



2. I looooove these books they were very entertaining and fun it was also action packed.It also had a different romance than any other book i have read.it was impossible to get bored with these books because of all the events happening.I would consider this book for anyone.All six books were great i absolutly loooved the ending of the six book.I found these books to be the perfect lenght.I can honestly say i was hooked to these books i couldnt let it go for even a minute.These books also had sad moments but also had many happy moments.For me this was an awesome written book!!!



3. Smart, clever, witty, intresting; these are just a few words describing Suze's exciting mystery known as the RLS Angels, four successful teenagers who were murdered although the killer set it up to look accidental. Then theres Micheal. The one who crashed into the car the sent the RLS Angels plummeting off a mountian side to the untimley death. His sister in is a coma from falling into a pool drunk at one of the RLS Angel's parties. Everyone gave up hope on her ever awakining. There is Micheals motive but did he really kill four people. And is he the one who attempted to kill Suze's family? A real thrill, a must read series for all teens!



4. Such an awsome book the whole series is great everyone who loves romance action all in one should read!



5. I really enjoyed reading this book. It has lots of great details. When Susannah found out about this murder, she just had to investigate it. With the help of Father Dom and Jesse she finally got the killer but was put into hospital. It would help if you read the first two books or else you will get really confused with all the names and places. This book has lots of twists and turns and will keep you reading. You won't want to put it down!

5 comments about The Demonata #2: Demon Thief: Book 2 in The Demonata series.

1. This book was SOO good. It had a lot of action, a lot of cliffhangers, and a great, fast-paced story. A beautiful and imaginative way to introduce Kernel Fleck.



2. Wow, after reading the amazing "Lord Loss" I thought 'no way is Darren Shan going to be able to top with with his next book' - but he did!! This book was even better than the first! Despite the fact that this was not about Grubbs this time, which I was dissappointed with, this is still a brilliant book, and as ususal with a Darren Shan book it was so good I read it in one day. I doesn't even matter that it is a different set of charcters because, Kernal is a really likeable character, too.
   
   Fantastic book, extremely suspecefull and imaginative (and gory!). The perfect sequel (or is it a prequel?) to "Lord Loss".



3. I was prepared for another book about Grubbs. This book is about Kernel, a lonely boy, who sees lights no one else sees, and who's been bald his entire life. The odd thing about this book, it starts off with Kernel only, and then he puts the lights together and disappears. When he comes back not remembering a thing, he has a little brother. What is confusing is that if this brother has been there the whole time why do Kernel's parents run away in the night with the boys? Remember the title of the book is Demon Thief.
   
   About mid book you'll meet a younger Dervish, when he was a punk rocker. This is when I realize this book happened before Grubbs' story. Like the first book, this is filled with blood, guts, and gore. I can honestly say I didn't get sick. I did spend most of this book wondering where this book was going, how did it relate to the first book, and then wondering what the climax was going to be in the end. I must say I was surprised at the ending and to discover who the Demon Thief is.



4. 
   DEMON THIEF is the second book of the Demonata series. In this next installment, Cornelius "Kernel" Fleck has always been able to see floating shapes of lights. These pieces of light are geometrical shapes that he can touch and move with his hands. This ability labeled him a freak at school. He was never able to friends.
   
   One night he starts connecting the pieces of light, forming a doorway. When he wakes up in the morning, he finds himself with his new found baby brother, Art. Strange and scary things start to happen and a demon steals Art. Kernel joins up with a group of people who follow the demon thief in order to capture it. As he gets closer, he learns about the lights and Art...more than he ever wanted to know.
   
   In my opinion, this book was just as good as the first. The next book in this series is SLAWTER. I can't wait to read it!



5. This is probably the most creative book Shan was written. That said, I'm afraid he doesn't have his usual handle of plot to keep up with the awesome and crazy ideas. Great stuff, great horror, disgusting macabre, but there simply isn't much to hold this particular book together.

5 comments about Mediator #5: Haunted.

1. i really enjoyed reading this book! Meg Cabot is a complete genius the way she wrote it. Everything just flows into place and you have to keep glancing down at the page number because you really dont want it to end! I really adore books and think every book is great but when i read this one it went above the great meter! Im so excited about getting the next one... its hard not to!



2. I first came across this series on audio book when I was looking for something light for an overnight drive. I was unemployed at the time, so I picked it up at the local library. I didn't realize the title I had picked up was the first in a series, but I enjoyed it so much that I immediately searched out the remaining titles at the library when I returned home and *devoured* them. That was almost 2 years ago, and these books still stick in my mind enough that I have slowly been purchasing the entire series to own now that I am getting back on my feet financially. While the situations in this book get a little ridiculous, the strength of the relationships between the characters keeps me connected to the story and coming back for more.



3. Paul's back Father Dom is still is around but the real question is what happens after that kiss with Jesse. Well not anymore read the book and you'll find out what you should with Jimmy Choo's. So many things happened you just won't know what to expect next



4. Haunted, by Meg Cabot, is just one book in a series chronicling Susannah Simon's multitudes of adventures. From the beginning, Susannah seems just like any average high school girl. Unlike ordinary school girls, Susannah is a mediator, a liason between the living world and the dead. Her job is to help the ghosts still on earth reach their final resting place. One ghost, Jesse, is still stuck on earth, and Susannah just happens to be in love with him. To make things complicated, Paul, a fellow mediator, shows up one day at school. Paul, contary to his seemingly innocent looks, has tried to kill Susannah and trap Jesse in an alternate world. Susannah now has many thoughts on her mind. First, what is Paul doing at her high school? Secondly, does Jesse possibly love her too? The only downside to the book is that it is slightly predictable. Other than that, it is a well written book.



5. In 'Haunted', Paul Slater from book #4 makes a reappearance and Suze is even more certain of the fact that her first impression of him was wrong. Paul is a mediator and seems to know more about the gift than Suze does. At first, Suze is disgusted by Paul and wants nothing to do with him but as time goes on, she finds herself wanting to know more about their shared gift.
   
   At the same time, Suze's feelings for Jesse grow stronger. She remembers the prophesy of her having only one love, made by the psychic she saw while she was still living in New York. Jesse seems to be who she truly loves. Throughout the book Suze is torn because she loves Jesse but he doesn't seem to feel the same way and she knows that they couldn't possibly have any kind of future together. Paul however, does seem to have feelings for her and he's alive. Paul claims to be able to send Jesse on to his next life for good but agrees not to, as long as Suze will go out with him.
   
   As the book goes on, Suze sees that she cannot trust Paul. Paul tries to get Suze to realize that she will not have a future with Jesse and will stop at nothing to send Jesse away forever.
   
   I really enjoyed this book. It was an exciting, fast paced book and I could not put it down. The book ends with a cliffhanger that makes me wish the book had gone on a little longer.
   
   There were a couple of things I didn't like about the book. For one, I really wanted to know more about Jesse's history. What are the details of his death? Also, Paul didn't reveal a whole lot about his and Suze's shared gift. I'm guessing that this will be covered in the next book.
   Overall, I really liked 'Haunted'. This book ties with the 4th book 'Darkest Hour' for my favorite book out of the Mediator Series.

5 comments about Darkest Hour (The Mediator, Book 4).

1. I am 35 years old and I can not get enough of these books. I wish she would expand this series. I just love all the characters so much!



2. I read these books a few years ago from the library, When a friend picked them up at a bookstore recently, I decided to flip through them again. It wasn't long before I had to buy my own set and re-read them.
   
   Darkest Hour is my favorite in the series as it introduces some interesting new characters and serves as a pivotal turning point in Susannah's relationship with Jesse. The storyline is very intriguing, and humorous, as always. There is plenty to keep the pages turning.
   
   I recommend this series for any girl who likes her love stories a little more unconventional and less Disney. =D



3. THIS WAS THE BEST OF THE FIRST 4 BOOKS!! Seriously, my favorite!! From the beginning to the end is amazing and very surprising. I didn't want to stop reading. Im a girl of 13 years old and I seriously recomend the series to grade 7 to up.



4. I love the whole series and I recommend it for anyone ages 11 and up. Meg Cabot is my favorite author and this book WOW'd me more than any other book I've read by her! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED



5. My daughter got me hooked on this series and I was surprised at the great writing.

5 comments about The Burning (The Fear Street Saga #3).

1. I am 24 years old and I still love Fear Street. I read this saga over 10 years ago and I started thinking about it a few months ago for some reason. I looked in book stores but it was order only, so I didn't bother. Finally my husband told me to go on Amazon and order it. After all, we would be going to the beach for Labor Day weekend and I don't like going into the water, so reading material is a must.
   
   I'm almost done with the first book, and I love it. I feel like a teen again.



2. 
   
   
   I was reading The Burning by R.L. Stine. This book was a pretty good book; out of ten I would give this book a high eight. I liked this book because of all mystery and horror combined.
   
   In this book it is told by Nora Goode, who is married to one of the Fears. In this book it is about how this guy Simon Fear goes to this party and falls in love with Angelica Goode. But Angelica has two guys that are really wealthy and smart and handsome. So Simon kills both of them and marries Angelica. Then bad luck comes back to Simon. He kills his own daughter. Now Daniel has to go for Simon's birthday.
   and mystery. They would like this because it is all mystery and horror. So read this book
   A person who would like this is a person who likes horror



3. I didn't like the ending because it could have been a better, but if he did a different ending then there wouldn't be any Fear Street books. I did like it from the beginning up to the end. I only liked the beginning because it had the mystery to it and I didn't want to put it down. I like it when I can't put it down because then it keeps me hooked. When I'm hooked the book doesn't get boring that easily
   The story is about a boy named Simon who tried to forget about and stop the family curse. But then, it finally caught up to him. It is about Simon's grandson named Daniel. Daniel didn't know about his family curse until he got to his grandparents. He fell in love with Nora Goode before he knew about the curse and he thought that if they got married it would end the curse. Will the marriage and their true love end the curse? What will happen to them in the end?
   If you didn't read The Betrayal and The Secret then you will not understand the book that well. If you like mystery, love, and not wanting to put the book down then you may like this book most of it or all of it. This book will help you understand why bad things happen to people who live on Fear Street in the Fear Street books. There is dying in this book and if you like that in a book then you may just like this book.



4. This is the 3rd book in the series. It's about a girl name Nora & a boy name Daniel want to stop the curse of the family. They think that the only way to end it forever is to get married. This book actually need 10 stars because it was better than the other 2.



5. The Burning is one of the sagas set in days of old explaining the curse that possesses Fear Street.it is an interesting read but it involves much death and is not a cheery book by any means.So I am wondering if it is really worth it.There isn't really a positive aspect or moral to it.Except, perhaps, that the Fear family's own evil is what eventually destroyed them.

5 comments about Bad Girls Don't Die.

1. Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender is one of those light reading horror books that you can't put down and just enjoy! The plot seemed interesting enough--Alexis thought she lived a normal dysfunctional life, but when and argument results in sisterly bonding, Alexis begins to realize her life is creeping from dysfunctional to dangerous. Soon, her little sister Kasey isn't acting like herself. Her eyes are changing, she can't remember some things, and she has constant mood swings.
   
   I read through this book without many expectations, and ended up going on a fun thrill ride! Did any of this book really scare me? I can't say it really did. But did it thrill me? Absolutely. In terms of writing, Ms. Alender certainly has room to improve but it fits this type of book. The characters are somewhat believable even though the author depends a lot on stereotypes, and there isn't that much character development.
   
   The ending felt somewhat rushed but it didn't overly detract from the overall book. Some people are complaining that this book isn't very original, but when you read a lot of the mystery genre, scarcely anything IS truly "original." So, overall, this book gets a solid B+ or 4 out of 5 stars for me. If you're looking for something that'll really scare you, pick up one of Stephen King's works because this isn't for you. But if you're looking for a quick thrill, then I would recommend this book.
   
   Final Grade: B+/B
   4 out of 5 stars.
   
   Other recommended books similar to this are: Sleepless by Thomas Fahy, Dark Secrets 1 and Dark Secrets 2 by Elizabeth Chandler.



2. This may be a bit harsh for a book intended to be only light reading, but everything about it was so painfully predictable that I feel like I have to issue a warning. I think that my biggest problem with "Bad Girls Don't Die" were the characters, which I thought were underdeveloped and very unlikeable. The main character is your typical woefully ostracized high school outcast who is probably so unpopular because throughout the book, she is consistently rude to everyone who makes even the most meager attempt to be nice to her, including the love interest (who she repeatedly tells to shove off, but ends up with for the sake of contingency anyway). My recommendation is that if you're in the mood for a ghost story, look elsewhere. There's nothing new to be found here, and there are hundreds of very similar titles out there that do it so much better.



3. This book was fabulous! The writing was superb and the characters were so engaging! Alexis was just such a perfect character, even her imperfections were perfect! I loved every single page, no...every single word of the fantastic novel! Katie Alender is a great great talent, and a really sweet person as well! I wrote an e-mail telling her how much I enjoyed her book and she actually replied to me! I was so surpised and excited! I was really touched that she took time out to write to a fan! I'm so ready for book 2 to come out!



4. I usually avoid any kinds of scary novels, but this is one of my favorite books I've read this year. Great characters, great scenery, great story. I loved it! This book is listed for young adults/teens, but definitely should not be limited to them.



5. After hearing such great things about this novel, I had to find out for myself just what the hype was all about. I was not disappointed in the least. While I often find fantasy/paranormal novels to be suspenseful, it's rare that I'm actually creeped out by one. Alender does a great job here of piling on the scary while keeping the book PG enough for the YA genre. In my opinion, this is mostly due to the scary Children of the Corn-quality of the story.
   
   I don't know about you but, whether in film or books, I always find the most chilling stories to be those about evil and/or possessed kids. I remember being thoroughly freaked-out by Macaulay Culkin in The Good Son. The ghost-harboring Kasey is right up there with the best on my "Creepiest Horror Kids" list.
   
   That's not all there is to this captivating book though. Alexis is pitch-perfect as the brooding, snarky, outcast of a heroine. Her defensiveness is excellently balanced by her insecurities and loneliness, making her a relateable and realistic teenage protagonist. Though Alexis begins the novel having a strained relationship with her parents and no true friends to speak of, Alender does not leave her to handle her resident psycho ghost alone. We get to see Alexis grow and learn as she takes on her supernatural challenge while discovering an unlikely ally in a previously despised cheerleader classmate and an even more unlikely preppy love interest.
   
   In the end, I found myself hating that it was over and that I had to part with such an interesting heroine. Katie recently announced that Hyperion has decided to turn the novel into a series! I'm looking forward to what she has in store - I'm sure I'll enjoy the next installment even if it's only half as good as this one.

5 comments about A Summer to Die.

1. As "A Summer to Die" was one of my favorite books when I was younger, I decided to purchase and reread it. The book tells a realistic story of a young girl's relationship with her family, particularly emphasizing true-to-life feelings of sibling jealousy, rivalry, guilt, and ultimately, love. A tender, beautifully heartbreaking story, this tale will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.



2. The problem is that Molly (Meg the main characters sister) is always having bloody noses that never seem to stop & they don't know what it is. One of the main events is that Meg's parents are treating Molly like she is some kind of experiment, by saying stuff like '' How many blood tests should we take. Which bottle should we use to hold her sample.'' medicine).
   The solution is that Molly's family takes her to the doctors. They say she has a rare cancer & she is going to die this summer so they need to take blood samples if there is any chance of keeping her alive.
   
   
   '' I loved this book because the way Meg fought for her sister. There were no parts I disliked about it. I think the writer did a great job!''



3. I would recommend this book to all Middle Schoolers. It's sad but definitely worth reading. The characters and their relationships are really touching and realistic.



4. I would screen this book before letting your younger children read it for two reasons. One; I remember reading this book as a young teen in Jr. High and it really depressed me. As others have mentioned, I didn't find a lot of resolution at the end. So be warned that it's a very emotional book with a troubling topic which was really complicated by her family's lack of communication. Two; I remember Meg witnessing a home birth so if you don't want to deal with that topic I wouldn't recommend this book as there are others out there that deal with cancer and/or sibling rivalry. I can't remember how much detail there was about the birth, but it was graphic enough that I remember it happening and thinking "oh...my". I had already had sex ed and witnessed a birth on video. Most Jr. high and teen girls would handle it okay, but it might be an eye opener for anyone younger than that.



5. Lowis Lowry has a few special qualities to her work, having read most her work which could qualify for adults. This books opens with two sisters in a spat, drawing a line across their shared bedroom with chalk. That side yours, this side mine.. But as you can imagine from the name of the book, such differences fall to the way side.

5 comments about The Darkangel (The Darkangel Trilogy).

1. When I started reading The Darkangel, I wasn't sure I would like it. After all, it was told in such a melodramatic way as to read like the fantasy of a teenage girl. When I found out, however, that the book was published when the writer, Meredith Ann Pierce, was only 23, I understood a little bit better why I was getting that impression.
   
   Though the book has its flaws, the story soon swept me up into in heady mix of folkloric and fairytale elements, set within a sci-fi framework of a planet colonized by a people called the Ancients many moons ago. I won't go into the details of a synopsis--others before me have done that, and quite well--but I will say that this is one of the most unique books I've read, weaving together disparate and seemingly incompatible story ingredients into a compelling dark fantasy. I'm just a bit disappointed that I came late to the party and didn't discover this series until now.



2. I very much enjoyed this book--stayed up all night reading it in fact! It was a good dark fantasy (I think that's fun). I can't wait to get to the other books in the series.



3. This is the first book in the Darkangel Trilogy by Meredith Ann Pierce. This was an excellent book, very fairy tale like in the telling and an interesting, somewhat traditional, take on vampirism.
   
   Aeriel's friend is taken away by a vampire to become his bride. Aeriel is determined to find her friend and take her back home. When the vampire comes to take her she finds herself in a castle where only a gnome-like mage, gargoyles, and the wraiths of the vamp's wives are her company. Aeriel must find what she needs to do to free the wraiths from the vampire's clutches. Her quest will take her on a magical and fantastical journey.
   
   The writing for this book is a bit dated but good. At times the writing is incredibly descriptive. The story is very fairy tale like, slow-moving at times with lots of deliberate description. There isn't a ton of action here. The pacing is variable; at times the story moves forward at a very deliberate pace then all of the sudden months have gone by. This story is not for people who are really into high action or fighting scenes. If you are into fairy tales then this is the story for you; that is the best description for this book....classic fairy tale style.
   
   Overall this is a beautiful story and very gothic. It is also a fairly short book; takes maybe a couple hours to read. Appropriate for young adult readers or maybe even younger readers who don't scare easily. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series :-)



4. This book was odd. It wasn't historical fiction, though some things had a parallel to our history. It was definitely a fantasy book, with lots of different magical elements.
   
   Some things I had a hard time picturing. It mostly came up in the sequel, but some people had different color skins. I'm not talking white/black/tan either. That was just random for me.
   
   I started this series for the romance. But so far it just seems so much more about the action. That's not me. Action and me is bad, with a few exceptions.
   
   I wouldn't stay with this series because it's not giving me the romance I want, but I'm hoping the romance appears in the third book and it'll be less of a disappointment.



5. I first came across this book years ago; before all this vampire genre came about. I was in elementary school in the 80's and this was a book I came across in the young-adult section of our local library. I read it and loved the story. I checked it out at least 4 more times that I remember. As a young reader I was captivated by the story.

5 comments about Companions of the Night.

1. I really loved this book, but only give it 4 stars because of the ending. The book was great and kept building up and then about 4 pages to the end the author must have decided she was bored with the book, because it didn't have an ending suitable for the writing style of this book . The ending was as if there was going to be a book 2, but since that never happened, the ending (for lack of better words) sucked.



2. This little book is small enough to spin on my finger, but starts out as intense as lightning. I'm just picturing it lighting up like a bunch of fireflies in my delicate fingers and buzzing away into the night. So, if you buy it, hold on tight.
   
   Yes, if you like teen vampire novels, Companions of the Night is totally worth reading. It is more of an adventure than a romance. So, if you're looking for an Edward Cullen/Bella Swan romance like in Twilight, look elsewhere. There was the tension of a budding romance and a dramatic ending, but it's not hot, hot, hot like you might hope. I do prefer more of an intense, star-crossed-lovers romance over a solve-the-mystery sort which is what the book eventually became for the most part.
   
   I started out reading this little book at night in the gardens near my house. I sat on a charming little bench amidst a bed of flowers. It was late and nobody else was around, so I lit torches for a lovely, warm ambiance to offset the expected terror and thrilling chill I felt being alone in the night. I found myself immediately engaged in the story with the exciting kidnapping scenes just several pages into the book. Ethan Bryne was a fascinating, enigmatic character that kept me interested. Late into the night, I set off quite an uproar causing the neighborhood dogs to bark up a fit in chain reaction when I lost sight of my surroundings and yelled out, "Gag me with a pitch fork" at the top of my lungs. Oops! I just get so grossed out when vampires burn up in the sunlight. Overall, I enjoyed the vampire lore, the horror, the supernatural creativity, and the romance/intrigue the novel offered. Hope you like it too!



3. What is it with supernatural YA novels about vampires that make me want to bash my head against the wall repeatedly? Is it just me? Because I have not found one YA vampire novel that was just plain okay. It doesn't even have to be great, just bearable. Unfortunately for me, Companions of the Night wasn't even that. I think I may have to say that it was more unbearable than Twilight...
   
   The novel starts out great. I'm sitting in my favorite comfty sofa chair with a Coke bottle on the left side and Twizzlers on the right. Clearly, I am in my element. I'm hunkering down and while I'm reading, I'm excited to get to the plot. I keep reading thinking "Okay, surely, the plot's coming soon. It's just taking a while". More pages... "I'm sure it'll be here any minute." "It's still not here?!!! Well, I can't give up now, I only have about 120 pages to go. Might as well just finish it." "Plot! There you are! Oh, how I missed you!" "The end??? That was the plot...okay..." Yep, that was basically my thought process throughout the whole novel, in regards to the plot. It just took to damn long to get going and when it finally did get going it was just "okay". For something that took so long to actually happen, it should've been "BAM! Amazing!"
   
   Now, the main character, Kerry...just plain annoying and aggravating. I think she may have been more annoying than Bella of Twilight (I THINK, I'm not so sure since Bella was all types of annoying and just full of suckage). It's just that she kept doing extremely stupid things and having even more extremely stupid thoughts. I actually rolled my eyes thinking "Oh my God! Can she really just stop thinking at least for a little while?" Okay, correct me if I'm wrong, but if a guy (I don't care how hot he is) tries to (EXTREMELY MILD SPOILER HERE) kill you, then wouldn't any sane person just not like him, let alone wuv him? Unless, of course, they have Stockholm syndrome, but I really don't think that's where the author wanted to go with this. Apparently, a sane protagonist is too much to ask for in a vampire YA novel...
   
   Twilight had something going for it...it was a page-turner. The feminist in me hated that book to bits and pieces, but my God, I could just not put it down. It was like a trainwreck in that you really couldn't look away. Plus, it had Jacob and Alice and those were the only two characters I like (not enough to enjoy the first two books or even attempt to start the last two books, but they didn't make me want to claw my eyes out the way everyone else in that novel did). Companions of the Night was BORING. I only kept flipping the pages because I thought it would get better and by the time I realized it wouldn't, I had read most of it. And there was not one redeeming character in this book to make me reading it seem worth it. Nope, not a one.
   
   I have to say, I rarely hand out one star ratings because I feel guilty and if I can't find anything redeeming in a book, I just drop it cause life's too short. But this one was a really short read, so, I finished it. The good thing about this was that it was library read so I didn't waste any money on it. But still, I could've spent my time reading something sooo much better...



4. I feel as if I can't sing the praises of this small little jewel enough! This is the novel Twilight should have been, tried to be and yet never could quite aspire to and it seems such a shame that it's all but fallen by the way side.
   
   The novel centers around 16 year old Kerry who is, against her will, dragged into a fight between a local group of self professed vampire hunters and a boy they beat bloody one night. Later on Kerry finds out that the boy, Ethan, actually is a vampire but not until her family has been kidnapped as a ransom for Ethan's return and the two find themselves thrust together by fate for a longer encounter than they originally bargained for.
   
   This books greatest charm other than it's beautifully written plot is how deftly Ms Velde handles the characters. It's so easy to picture Kerry as your every day teen caught up in something way beyond her control. Unlike most female characters in vampire novels she's not an overly sullen teenager nor is she called to action by hormones rather than logic. Ethan arouses her, intrigues her and yet she never looses sight of what he is despite the fact that she finds herself falling deeply in love with him as the story progresses. Case in point at one part in the novel my breath was slightly taken away when she finds herself pressed against Ethan in a rather intimate way and he whispers in her ear that he promises to be gentle with her and instead of swooning at the romance of it all she calmly asks him if that means that he won't harm her or if he just means that when he does kill her he'll make sure she doesn't suffer.
   
   Ouch.
   
   I'd like to see the female leads in today's teen/vampire novels face their relationships with their supernatural paramores with that kind of bravado.
   
   Ethan is also a breath of fresh air. For a main vampire character he is remarkably emo free and incredibly well suited to the tasks at hand. We really get a feeling in the interactions between him and Kerry that he could be very comfortable playing the part of an older lover to a rather ingenious teen age girl. Here we have not some good looking, emotionally stunted hunky who acts as old as he looks, but rather a true adult trapped inside a young man's body.
   
   I could go on and on about this book and never truly run out of things to say. This should have been the book that brought the teen vampire romance back into being but for now I'll just have to content myself with the knowledge that I have been blessed enough just to have this little gem in my possession. So stop debating and buy this book already, I promise you it will be the best money you'll spend on a vampire book all year.



5. "When Ian came into Kerry's room to ask for a favor, it never occurred to her that her four-year-old brother could ask her to do something that might get her killed."
   
   Ever since her mother gave up on family life and headed to Florida with a younger man, the one thing 16-year-old Kerry Nowicki absolutely cannot bear is to see her little brother cry. Which explains how she ends up driving to the 24 hour laundromat even though it is getting on for midnight and she only has a learner's permit. A simple favor for her brother - retrieve the beloved stuffed Koala Bear he left there earlier in the evening - and now Kerry's life is spiraling out of control.
   
   First, there are the three men who burst into the laundry dragging the bloodied and beaten young college student, Ethan Bryne. Obviously `grade-A-crazies,' Kerry privately decides after they tell her that Ethan is a vampire. They plan on torturing him until he tells them where they can find others of his kind, then videotaping him as the next morning's sunlight destroys him. All Kerry has to do, they tell her, is sit and watch. Right. Then things really get bad.
   
   If you've never read a book by Vivian Vande Velde, you're in for a treat. This is `can't wait to turn the page' storytelling at its finest.

5 comments about The Afterlife.

1. I teach high school English, and try to read as many y.a. novels as possible, so I can recommend books to students. I always recommend Buried Onions and Living Up The Streets. Both are a big hit among students, especially Buried Onions. However, The Afterlife, for the most part, bored me. My biggest issue with the novel is that I was never sure what Chuy's goal was. For a while he seems to want to stop his Uncle from avenging his death, but he seems to drop this issue for a good part of the novel as he finds himself falling in love. In the end, he has no impact on all on his Uncle's decision. Overrall, he's a good kid, who is loved by his family and has few amends to make up for before leaving this world. The one part I did find interesting was the story of these two kids falling in love, from very different backgrounds, but finding a common understanding in death. Otherwise, I found it to be a cliche story about someone killed way too early in life coming to terms with his own death.



2. I was really bored with *Afterlife*, despite the fact I was really looking forward to my first read of Gary Soto's.
   
   Chuy tries to impress a girl at school. However, his attempt is not appreciated by another boy and is stabbed to death.
   
   Throughout the remainder of the book, he, as a ghost, hovers around his loved ones to see them grieve for him and soon recognizes that he was loved by everyone.
   
   At the same time, he soon meets a troubled girl, who is also a ghost. He soon realizes that he has fallen in love with her.
   
   That's just about it, which is probably why it's such a short book. There's not much substance in it, conflicts and whatnots.
   
   Nah, don't waste your time with this book.



3. I read this novel while studying Latino authors for a multicultural project. To begin with, this novel was the first one I read by Gary Soto and I really enjoyed it. The novel kept my attention and upon reflection I can see how Soto's love of poetry influences his writing.The Afterlife vivid imagery places the reader in the setting. The reader can almost expereince the smells and the sounds of the city. I believe the story started off strong but the conclusion of the novel is weak. Questions are left unanswered. Some of Soto's other works such as his short stories in Baseball in April offer stronger resolution and are more satisfying. Still, I recommend The Afterlife for young adult readers. The themes of friendship, compassion and romance will keep young readers interested in the outcome.



4. Although I find _The Afterlife_ to be a somewhat mediocre (if unique) book, I have had several students in my classes read this and respond with much enthusiasm. It is important to keep in mind that adults are not the target audience here, and there is something that really grabs the interest of male adolescent readers, at least those in my classes who have read this book.
   
   As a teacher of often reluctant readers, I am always keeping my eyes open for interesting new books, not just from lists of recommended reading, but by seeking input from my students as well. This is how I was first introduced to _The Afterlife_ by Gary Soto. One of my students read the book and began to recommend it to others. After reading _The Afterlife_, many students have responded that it is one of the best, if not the best book they have ever read.
   
   Several students read the book, then I decided it was time to read it for myself. I was disappointed. However, after reflecting, I could see the appeal for my students. In order to attempt to define the appeal, I need to explain the basic plot.
   
   The main character, Chuy, a young Latino, is stabbed and killed after complimenting another teenager's yellow shoes. His spirit leaves his body, and his spirit slowly begins to pass into the next world. However, he is still able to move around and observe his world without being seen. Along the way, he meets a young lady who has also left her body and become a spirit.
   
   If all of this sounds fantastic, it is, but although it can be unusual, Soto never lets his book become sensational.
   
   I believe the reason this novel holds the interest of my students is that it focuses on one of the deepest desires of teenagers: the desire to stand back and analyze their world without the world looking back at them, the desire to do good things without considering "image" or the disapproval of their peers, the desire to establish a relationship with a member of the opposite sex without the discomfort of their own body always getting in the way. In fact, although Chuy seems like a good guy before his death, he is better able to define his world, does some of his kindest acts, and forms more meaningful relationships after.
   
   By the time we are adults, most of us have established a certain balance in our lives. It only stands to reason that a book like _The Afterlife_ appeals less to adults than those who are in the midst of a time in their lives that can seem very unbalanced at times. I give this book four stars based on the average between the three it would receive from me and the five it would receive from my students if they were writing this review.



5. "The Afterlife" by Gary Soto was a facinating, well written book. Chuy was murderd in Club Estrella. A man in yellow shoes who shares the same name as Chuy murders Chuy after a comment"I like your shoes" Chuy said. Then the man in yellow shoes just starts stabbinhg Chuy three times to his xchest and back. Chuy shares with us the experience he had being a ghost. He met a girl that was also a ghost and fell in love with her. Then he satrted to meet other ghost and try to comfort them about being a gohst which he thought was fun. H liked the idea of walking through people and buildings and making people feel his cold presence. He found it fun being a gohst and finds out his body is vanishing away. I loved this book sand recommend it for everyone.