(4) YA Stephen moves to uber-rural Michigan, where his increasingly sinister new friends believe in the local legend of the "Winged Ones," monsters who periodically demand human sacrifice. Brewer effectively mines the gray area between supernatural and psychological explanations for each strange occurrence, but the stereotypical depiction of rural residents as either ignorant bigots or psychopathic nonconformists mars the narrative.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) YA Slayer Chronicles series. Joss's assignment from the Slayer Society: track down and kill the vampire responsible for suspicious deaths in his hometown. His mission is complicated, however, by his cousin Henry's extended visit and by his family's grief over his sister's death. Joss's moral quandaries become redundant, but, like the previous books, this quick, satisfying read is full of action and plot twists.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(3) YA Legacy of Tril series. Born a Healer, destined to guard the life of a single warrior, Kaya is determined to learn fighting as well as healing. Her training catalyzes a romance with taciturn fighting instructor Darius and discovery of an enemy within the academy. The complex world is thoughtfully delineated with room for further exploration, and Kaya is an appealingly tough and independent-minded heroine.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) YA Slayer Chronicles series. Joss gets the chance to prove himself when the Slayer Society elects him leader in a mission to kill a rogue murderous vampire terrorizing Manhattan. But with Joss's loyalty under question and his lingering guilt from his sister's murder, the task is difficult--made more so with the discovery of additional killers. Although action-packed and mostly engaging, this second volume grows redundant.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(3) YA Slayer Chronicles series. After a vampire kills Joss's sister, his mysterious uncle invites him to join the Slayer Society. When extenuating circumstances require Joss's training to begin years earlier than planned, he is pushed to his physical, mental, and emotional limits in preparation for a life of violence and bloodshed. Intriguing characters and an eleventh-hour twist create an entertaining origins story for the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod character.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(4) YA Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series. Joss the slayer is back--and he wants Vlad dead. But Vlad is sixteen, full of angst, and doesn't care because he's had to break up with his girlfriend, Meredith. Not much has changed thematically in this fourth installment, making the book seem a little redundant at times, but the action is fast and the ending packs a killer punch.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) YA Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series. This series ender intertwines death threats against Vlad with battles between humans and vampires with "taco Tuesdays" and girlfriend drama. Employing short, repetitive sentences for dramatic emphasis, Brewer reveals Vlad to be "human. And a vampire. And the Pravus" (of prophecy). Fans will appreciate this climactic volume in the histrionic high school vampire series.

Reviewer: Tori Funkhouser

(4) YA Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series. Half-vampire Vlad has a lot on his plate: he's hungry all the time (and not for food), he feels unworthy of his new girlfriend, his uncle (who's also his advisor and protector) is leaving, and a baddie vampire is coming to town. Though some of the humor falls flat, overall there's a witty balance between high school mundanities and paranormal action.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) YA Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series. Think high school is tough? Try being in high school and a vampire at the same time. This second book chronicling the exploits of Vladimir Tod (half-human, half-vampire, all neurosis) is a little better developed than the first, replete with fast-paced action and teen angst with enough romance and gore to keep readers of varying interests occupied.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess