'Twelfth Grade Kills' Vlad Tod #5 by Heather BREWER

Received from the Publisher

From the BLURB:

It all comes down to this.

Vlad’s running out of time. The Elysian Council has given him weeks to live, and that’s if the Slayer Society doesn’t kill him – along with all the citizens of Bathory – first. Then there’s the issue of Vlad’s father, who may or may not still be alive after all these years, and oh yeah, that tiny little detail in the Pravus prophecy about Vlad enslaving Vampirekind and the human race. So much for college applications.

In this epic finale to Heather Brewer’s heart-stopping Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, dark secrets will be revealed, old friends will become enemies, and warm blood will run cold. Just be careful it isn’t yours.

‘Twelfth Grade Kills’ is the fifth and last book in Heather Brewer’s brilliant young adult urban fantasy series, ‘Vladimir Tod’.

So, this book is Vlad’s swan-song. The final curtain. The beginning of the end. I went into ‘Twelfth’ with giddy trepidation . . . caught between not wanting the series to end, but desperate to know Brewer’s finale. And I've got to say, I was not disappointed. Not at all.

The book hectically picks up where ‘Eleventh Grade Burns’ left off. Vlad is a senior now, but that doesn’t mean that his life has gotten any easier. In fact, many of Vlad’s troubles are just beginning. . .

He may or may not have murdered his friend (and vampire slayer) Joss. Vlad may also be vicariously insane after drinking Dorian’s blood. He’s also trapped between a rock and a hard place between his steady girlfriend, Meredith, and his blood donor (turned crush), Snow. Not to mention the fact that the vampiric Elysian Council want Vlad dead, as do the Slayer Society. And the Slayer’s have raised the stakes (so to speak) in the hunt for Vlad;

Vlad shook his head. It wasn’t possible. Couldn’t be possible. “Can they really do that?”

Joss nodded then, without hesitation. “It’s that they do, Vlad. Slayers are naturally skilled. Enough to take down vampires, and you know what skills vampires possess. Now imagine unsuspecting humans. It’s possible. Believe me.”

Vlad sank down until he was sitting on the porch step.

It had to be him. Him or everyone he’d ever loved.

His insides felt as if they’d been painted black.

And on top of all this, a ghost from Vlad’s past steps back into his life, turning everything upside down and inside out . . .

W-O-W! Heather Brewer has jam-packed this finale with twists, turns, red-herrings and jaw-dropping surprises. The novel really should come with a warning of ‘heavy turbulence ahead’. Never have I read so vicariously – from fist-pumping highs to soul-searing lows. Heather Brewer is really testing Vlad’s mettle in this final book, and putting readers through the ringer with him.

I really want to review this book, sans spoilers. Because, honestly, to give away any of the ‘whodunits’ would be a travesty of epic proportions. Heather Brewer has written a very tightly-packed story and a magnificent character-arc for our beloved Vlad. I will warn that many characters die (even some fan-favourites) and there will be tears at the end . . . and perhaps even tears of frustration for a somewhat precipice ending.

But I was thoroughly satisfied by Brewer’s send-off, mostly because Vlad really comes into his own in ‘Twelfth’. Yes, we’ve read him do some stupid stunts in previous books – but the Vlad of ‘Eighth Grade Bites’ is no more. In his place is a confident young man who is rapidly coming to understand and appreciate his place in the world – he knows the true worth of loyal friends and the price of honesty. For any fans who found themselves squirming in their seats during past books, when Vlad didn’t live up to his full potential, you’ll be happy to know that our boy makes good in his sayonara.

‘Twelfth Grade Kills’ is fangtastic. It’s an action-packed thrill-ride right until the very (jaw-dropping) end. But for all the twists, turns, ups and downs, the main reason I loved this finale so much was Vlad. He made the series for me, this ballsy little misfit who was just trying to find his place in the world. Well, I am happy to say that his swan-song is befittingly glorious.

5/5

'Eleventh Grade Burns' Vlad Tod #4 by Heather BREWER

Received from the Publisher

From the BLURB:

Things are looking dark this year for Vladimir Tod. With Uncle Otis awaiting trial for crimes against vampirekind, Vlad seeks the help of a mysterious and powerful vampire, Dorian. Unfortunately, Dorian has his own agenda and Vlad is about to be the main item on it. Beset on all sides, from former friend and current foe alike, Vlad will have to use all his skill and training just to survive his junior year.

Heather Brewer continues to impress in this, the fourth book of her ‘Vladimir Tod’ YA series.

‘Tenth Grade Bleeds’ concentrated on Vlad’s shifting friendships, particularly with his childhood bestie, Henry. In ‘Eleventh Grade Burns’ Vlad’s focus shifts again to his romantic attachments.
He has been dating his long-standing crush, Meredith, for a while now. But having lost Henry as his drudge Vlad employs a new ‘blood donor’ in the form of a pretty girl called Snow. Meredith doesn’t know about Vlad’s vampirism, but Snow accepts him wholeheartedly. Vlad is suddenly torn between who he wants to be with Meredith, and who he lets himself be with Snow;

Her voice was calm, but hushed. “Does she know that you’re a vampire?”
He shook his head. “No. I haven’t told her. I just don’t know if she could handle it.”
They stood there, so close, for so long that it seemed that time had actually disappeared and the world had completely forgotten them.
“Maybe you need to find that out, Vlad. If you love her, you’ve got to give her a chance to know you. And if she loves you, she’ll love everything about you.” Snow’s voice was soft, but full of meaning. She took a breath and whispered, “The way I do.”

This fourth book is the most romantically inclined, and it comes at a perfect point in the series. Books 1 - 3 of 'Vlad Tod' have been quite male-orientated, though Vlad is an endearing enough character to appeal to both sexes. In 'Eleventh' the romantic plot becomes a focus, with Brewer layering vampire politics with Vlad’s raging hormones. It makes for fantastic reading as Brewer is quite clearly transitioning Vlad into a new phase of adulthood, while also exploring his monster side. The love triangle works to illustrate Vlad’s overarching struggle between his vampiric and human nature – with Meredith and Snow representing Vlad’s fighting halves.

What I love most about these books is the fact that Brewer’s vampires are *vampires*. They don’t sparkle. They aren’t vegetarian. Vlad is earnestly struggling with blood cravings and his predatory nature, all of which is exacerbated by his hormones. Brewer’s vampires are not always nice, and Vlad does occasionally make stupid mistakes that will have you pulling your hair out. But hey, he’s a teenage boy on top of being a vampire, so some leeway for stupidity is granted. I just like the fact that Brewer’s books are ‘Gothic Young Adult’ because of her willingness to explore the crueller, bloodthirsty side of vampirism.

And of course the genius of the ‘Vlad Tod’ series is simply in that this is about a teenage vampire. So Vlad has all the typical dramas and dilemmas – like being without a car and needing to ace his math test. He’s a very down-to-earth teen vamp and I have really enjoyed watching him screw up, come into his own and grow into a young man.

Really looking forward to the final book; ‘Twelfth Grade Kills’. It should be a doozy!

5/5

Box Set - Novemeber 11th 2010

'Tenth Grade Bleeds' Vlad Tod #3 by Heather BREWER

Received from the Publisher

From the BLURB:

It's another awful year at Bathory High for Vladimir Tod. The evil vampire D'Ablo is hunting for a ritual that could steal Vlad's powers. His best friend, Henry, doesn't want to be his drudge anymore and it's getting harder for Vlad to resist feeding on the people around him. With the threat of D'Ablo looming closer and nightmares haunting him each night, Vlad realises that having a normal high school year is the least of his concerns. He needs to act fast, and even his Pravus powers won't save him this time.

This is the third book in Heather Brewer’s Vladimir Tod series. I read the first two books in this series and loved them... and Brewer continues the love in this third instalment.

Vlad is the only born vampire in existence. He had a vampire father and a human mother, both of whom are dead. Now Vlad lives with his aunt and is trying to cope with his vampire/human existence while also dealing with typical teen issues.

Vlad’s high school career got off to a shaky start... and tenth grade looks to be much of the same. Vlad’s vampire uncle and mentor, Otis, is going globe-trotter on his own adventure. Otis intends to keep in touch with Vlad via their mental connection... but once Otis leaves, Vlad only hears silence. He has no idea where Otis is or if he’s safe...

Otis aside, Vlad is also dealing with his complicated friendship with Henry... Henry who Vlad has known since they were boys, and who is Vlad’s ‘drudge’ (think, Renfield). Henry is expressing a desire to be cut-free from his drudge role, and his association with Vlad.

On top of all these problems, Vlad is still dealing with the Vampire council and their meddling.

The tension between Henry and Vlad creates a lot of stress, for Vlad and readers alike. This is a really poignant storyline; Henry’s drudge status aside, this is Brewer exploring a fading childhood friendship. Henry and Vlad have been friends for years. There were times when the relationship felt unbalanced, what with Henry being cool, handsome and popular with the high school ladies... while Vlad was labelled ‘emo’ and struggling with his awkward teenage/vampire phase. But throughout the first two books Brewer made it clear that these two had each other’s backs. Henry knew Vlad’s vampire secret, and Henry was one of Vlad’s few confidantes. They had a great bromance. But in ‘Tenth Grade Bleeds’ things between them are strained and Brewer is touching on a relatable conundrum - when you feel yourself drifting away from your childhood friends.

Henry met his gaze. His words were crisp, cold. “I’m tired of being your slave. I want out.”
Vlad felt as if every ounce of air had been sucked out of his lungs, and he nearly staggered in an effort to catch his breath. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It was like his best friend had been replaced by one of the pod people. He shook his head, confounded. “You...you really don’t want to be my drudge anymore?”

Brewer highlights the friendship strain further when Vlad is welcomed into the goth kids fold at school. Suddenly Vlad is presented with a friendship alternative to Henry – but what will it mean for Vlad to lose his drudge?
This storyline is Brewer at her best. Yes, ‘Vlad Tod’ is a vampire series – but beneath the fantasy veneer Brewer is exploring universal teen issues. That she does so with such mythological aplomb is just one of the reason I love this series.

But of course this is a YA vampire series... so there’s also plenty to sink your fangs into. The vampire council storyline, planted in the first two books, is further explored in ‘Tenth’... and the plot thickens. Not to give anything away, but Vlad is in trouble with the council and there could be a reckoning in store for him. I love the contrast of Vlad’s dramatic vampire-related problems, versus his typical teenage struggles. The wider plot scope reflects Vlad’s inner battle between vampire and teenage boy, and it’s a great exploration and character arc.

But the vampiric plot is more interesting for the finer details Brewer explores. This third book has quite a darker, gothic bent as Vlad starts to exhibit some disturbing vampire behaviour. At some point in this book you start to wonder if you’re reading about a monster in the making... or if Vlad’s humanity will win over his baser vampiric urges. This book definitely delves deeper into Vlad’s psyche and his struggle for normalcy... it’s a fascinating character progression, and I can’t wait to continue on Vlad’s journey.

5/5

Box Set - Novemeber 11th 2010

'Chronicles of Vladimir Tod' series by Heather BREWER

Received from the publisher

'Eighth Grade Bites' book #1
'Ninth Grade Slays' book #2

From the BLURB:

Junior high really sucks for thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod. Bullies harass him, the principal is dogging him, and the girl he likes prefers his best friend. Oh, and Vlad has a secret: his mother was human, but his father was a vampire. With no idea of the extent of his powers, Vlad struggles daily with his blood cravings and his enlarged fangs. When a substitute teacher begins to question him a little too closely, Vlad worries that his cover is about to be blown. But then he faces a much bigger problem: he's being hunted by a vampire killer.

The Vladimir Tod series is currently 4 books deep – with the 5th (and final) book due for US release on September 21 this year. The series starts with Vlad in eighth grade, and concludes with him as a senior in twelfth grade.

Vlad is your typical teenage boy. He has a crush on a girl at school who is way out of his league. He’s maintaining a steady D-average. He gets bullied on a regular basis and called ‘goth boy’ behind his back and to his face. He is your typical teenage boy growing up in the small town of Bathory... except that he’s half vampire.
His mother was human and his father was a vampire. Vlad’s very existence shouldn’t be possible, but he lives to be a contradiction. He would ask his parents about his anomaly birth, but his parents are dead – murdered three years ago in a house fire. He lives off of expired donor blood that his aunt/guardian Nelly steals for him from her nursing job at the hospital. Vlad’s life is actually pretty normal – except for his ability to hover, hatred of garlic and his occasional mind-reading episode (which, after a biting accident when they were eight, extends only to his best friend, Henry).

But Vlad’s normal life is about to come crashing down. The eighth grade English teacher has gone missing, and Mr. Otis is one freaky replacement teacher who seems to know a lot about vampires. Meanwhile, someone is watching Vlad from the shadows and targeting his classmates to gather information about him...

Vlad pressed his lips together and flashed Mr Otis a firm look. “Can I have my journal back now, Mr Otis?”
“But this isn’t your journal, Vladimir, not really.” Mr Otis’s voice softened further, until it was almost a whisper. He caressed the pages of the journal lovingly before handing it to Vlad. “You should be careful what you believe, Mr Tod. The world is full of monsters with friendly faces.”

I love this series! Two books in and I’m already hooked!
‘Vladimir Tod’ does what lots of other vampire YA fiction has failed to do – appeal to young males. I think teenage boys have been largely forgotten in the wake of ‘Twilight’ and the vampire craze – most vamp fiction is written to appeal to teenage girls, especially when most books riff off of the Edward/Bella immortal love story.

‘Vladimir Tod’ is a breath of fresh air when paranormal romance has become the norm for vampire fiction. It’s not just that the series has a male narrator (a rare enough occurrence these days) it’s more the fact that these books are quite creepy and sinister, harking back to a more Gothic vampire exploration that will thrill and delight male readers. There’s violence in these books (nothing gratuitous or inappropriate) but enough to thrill, get your pulse pumping and squirming in your seat as you read the blood dripping off the page. Brilliant! These books are perfect for those younger readers who are intrigued by, but dissatisfied with the current crop of cookie-cutter vamp fiction.

That’s not to say all the violence and dark foreboding won’t appeal to female readers - on the contrary. Vladimir Tod is just the sort of teenage boy with a tough exterior/marshmallow interior, who is so sweetly awkward that girls will fawn over him. He’s unassuming, trying to find his place in the world and reckon his tragic vampire hero with the desire to be an ordinary teen. He will no doubt appeal to a wide female readership... at least, he appealed to me.

Vlad does have a crush on a girl at school, Meredith, but the romance is not a focus for the book. At this stage, with Vlad being in year 8, he doesn’t quite have the nerve to approach the girl of his dreams. The lack of romantic focus is a nice change of pace for the usually lust-heavy vampire genre (thankyou Bella and Edward!), but I imagine Vlad’s romantic status will change as he grows and matures across the books – I’m sure that by ‘Eleventh Grade Burns’ and ‘Twelfth Grade Kills’ he’ll be a bit braver when it comes to the fairer sex. I actually really look forward to reading Vlad’s awkward and slow progress with his hormones; even across two books I enjoyed noticing his changes and lessons learned. Spanning the series across Vlad’s high-school career will give readers a chance to get to know this unique young man, come to care for him and admire his changing world views.

In the second book, ‘Ninth Grade Slays’, Vlad goes on a trip to Siberia where he comes into contact with other vampires. In the second book the vampire mythology is broadened and becomes layered, as Vlad brushes up on his mind-reading abilities and has a chance to observe his own species. I love the fact that the second book is an expansion of the Vladimir Tod world – you definitely get the sense that Heather Brewer has a trajectory for her series, meaning that readers are slowly piecing together the puzzle that is Vladimir Tod. Much is revealed about Vlad and his ‘abilities’ and perhaps even his destiny. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series

I really admire Heather Brewer for writing a series that is darkly complicated, and achieves the tough task of appealing to the male readership of YA. Brewer has reclaimed vampires for the largely forgotten male audience, who have had little else but paranormal romance to meet their gothic vampiric cravings. I loved the first two books of ‘Vladimir Tod’, and will definitely be reading more.

5/5

'Ninth Grade Slays' book TRAILER