Teens Read and Write

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
by Beth Fantaskey
pub: Feb 2009
368 pages

Synopsis:

The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

Yes, another vampire book and I picked it up. Can't fight that addiction. This time that was a good thing.

This is a really fun vampire tale. Jessica is a likeable character who is lucky enough to garner the attentions of the luscious Lucius. He comes waltzing in (of course he can dance) and all he's missing is the gallant steed. I mean this guy is so hot and suave that the only unbelievable part of this book is why Jessica doesn't swoon and fall at his feet from the get-go.

Yes, she is this analytical girl who sees things in black and white and doesn't believe in myths like vampires, but this guy is gorgeous and aced the Advanced Seduction course. He is every girl's fantasy of tall, dark, handsome and charming. Yeah, he's a bit arrogant but he's a prince and doesn't that come with the territory? But he learns to appreciate Jessica's down to earth attitude, independent spirit and generous heart which only makes us adore him more.

The point of view shifts from Jessica's to Lucius, but the author does something interesting by giving us Lucius' point of view through his personal letters to his uncle, and I think it works well. Their differing perspectives on the same scenarios is often humorous.

This story is a fun romp to ride along on, with good characterization as well as twists and turns to keep the reader turning pages. Of course, danger lurks, romance is threatened, the fate of the world lies in these two young lives, and Jessica doesn't realize what she's got until it's gone, at which point she must swallow her pride and fight for it.

Ah, yes, young love and vampire romance. This one delivers a good yarn for us vamp-aholics!