Vampire Crush

Publishers Weekly

Robinson's debut is a snappy, romantic tale in which even vampires have to deal with high school drama. Junior Sophie McGee is focused on becoming editor-in-chief of the school paper and thinks writing fluff pieces on new students like Vlad Smithson is a waste of time. Finding out that all the new kids know each other, her investigative reporter instincts are tickled, and she's compelled to snoop. Complications start when James, her old next-door nemesis/best friend, returns to town and is somehow connected to the creepy new kids. Things turn downright dangerous after Sophie is attacked and uncovers Vlad's real reason for moving to town. James tries to protect her, but he's not exactly the boy she remembers, and dealing with their mutual attraction is hard since it appears that they're going to end up on opposite sides. Robinson keeps things light through Sophie's sense of humor, and danger and excitement push the story forward. Lively twists and unusual characters add fun to what is ultimately a love story, but many unresolved questions indicate a sequel may lie ahead. Ages 12–up. (Jan.)

Booklist

"Sophie is smart, funny, and determined, and her narration adds humor and wit to the story. An original and entertaining entry to the genre."

Children's Literature - Dana Benge

At the beginning of her junior year in high school, all Sophie McGee can think about is being editor-and-chief of the school's newspaper. But, she is tired of covering the fluff stories Mr. Amado, her advisor, assigns her. So, when an odd new group of students start school, and they all seem to know each other, Sophie begins her investigation. The more facts she uncovers, the weirder things become. Things get even weirder when her long-time friend, James Hallowell, returns to school, and seems to know the new students, but will not give Sophie any information. Besides not explaining how he knows Vlad, Marisabel, Violet, and Neville, James lives alone in his parents' old house across the street from Sophie's family, but does not want anyone to know he is there. When Sophie figures out that the new students are all vampires, she thinks she has lost her mind, until James tells her he is one, too. She does not know if she can still trust him, but she may have no choice when Vlad decides she is the new bride he has been searching for. Robinson has created in Sophie a feisty, brave, heroine who has the all too human flaw of speaking her mind, and occasionally saying things she should not. Sophie's wit and sassy comebacks add realism to her character, but can be a bit distracting after a while. The friendship between James and Sophie is touching, and the portrayal of James's emotional ordeal adds depth to the story without making it too syrupy. Reviewer: Dana Benge

VOYA - Lauri J. Vaughan

Sophie McGee, confident, driven, but not terribly well-liked student journalist, experiences a head-on collision with the vampire world when she is assigned to write stories on a small group of strange new students. Sophie gains a little clarity when childhood friend and neighbor James returns from an out-of-town move three years ago. During his absence, in a weak moment after the loss of his parents, James became a vampire. Sophie learns that his return and his connection to the small bevy of very weird and pale teens is part of his attempt to reverse his condition. Enter Vlad, the obsessive and scary leader of the little colony who seems to be desperately seeking someone for unrevealed nefarious reasons and initially sets his sights on Sophie's sister, Caroline. It is impossible to read a teen vampire novel—especially one that involves chaste attraction in combination with the good vamp/bad vamp set-up—and not compare it to Meyer's Twilight series (Little, Brown). Robinson's tale of Sophie and James and Vlad is no exception, and whatever success this title enjoys is due at least in part to Meyer's audience hoping to recreate their experience. Happily, fans will not be disappointed. Robinson puts her twist on this tale. Sophie possesses a sharp, wry, and unchecked tongue. Robinson also injects humor in her use of language—either Caroline's malapropisms or the awkward attempts of the vampires to fit into the teen world. Unfortunately the humor is sometimes misplaced and slows down the plot—which nowhere has the intensity of Meyer's chase. Robinson also creates a few too many loose plot threads that demand either greater attention or an editor's blue pencil. Still, Robinson's is an admirable first novel, and her ending leaves open the possibility of a more polished sequel. Reviewer: Lauri J. Vaughan

VOYA - Christina Li

Vampire Crush is definitely better than your average paranormal romance novel. Readers can truly empathize with both the mundane and supernatural choices of the flawed but relatable characters. Sophie's wit endears her to the most cynical of readers, but there is a bit too much in the first chapter. The difficult decisions that Sophie and James make could be better described, but their presence puts Vampire Crush above its competitors. Reviewer: Christina Li, Teen Reviewer

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up—Unlike her popular and beautiful stepsister Caroline, Sophie McGee enjoys being on the sidelines. She is a watcher, not a player, and her greatest dream is to become the editor in chief of the school newspaper at Thomas Jefferson High. Her first assignment is to interview some new students, but as Sophie begins to question them, her investigative senses immediately go on full alert. They are unwilling to talk, extremely evasive, and mysterious, and, most disturbing, they all know one another. Then James, Sophie's former neighbor whom she had a love/hate relationship with, is secretly back and is connected to the new arrivals, too. Danger follows Sophie as she discovers that these students are actually vampires on a quest to find the key to an ancient forgotten prophecy. As things intensify, her life hangs in the balance. Robinson's debut novel is full of action, adventure, and suspense, with some romance as well. Sophie is a great character and has a witty style with which readers can easily identify. The fast-moving plot deals with issues like teen angst, facing your fears, and being true to yourself all rolled up with evil vampires and some serious fight scenes. An entertaining and satisfying read.—Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

Kirkus Reviews

Sophie's a loner, and all she really cares about is making editor-in-chief of the school paper. Her first assignment for the year includes interviewing the new kids, who are distinctly odd.Her popular, pretty, clued-in stepsister Caroline falls hard for Vlad, one of the newbies, and complications ensue: Vlad and three of the other new students all turn out to be vampires (surprise!), as does James, the boy who used to live next door and has suddenly returned. Sophie doesn't immediately suspect this, but when she does, the comedy ratchets up a notch. Death, fangs, romance and all kinds of convoluted revised vampire lore are all packed in, but with a vampire-lite tone it hews to entertainment rather than angst. Sophie's voice is smart, sassy and full of humorous asides—"They're vampires, or at least under a number of severe delusions"—and her distinctive take makes this a smoothly enjoyable ride to its happy(ish) ending. Sure to be popular with readers weary of the heavy-handed purple prose that typically (over)stuffs the genre. (Paranormal. YA)