Title: Jessica’s Guide To Dating On The Dark Side
Author: Beth Fantaskey
Release Date: 2/1/2009
Publisher: Harcourt
Number of pages: 351
Reading Level: Young Adult
Thanks to Beth Fantaskey and International Book Tours for giving me the chance to read and review this book.
Description from Goodreads:
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.
“Just remember, girls: The young male vampire is a predator by nature. Some boys may look at you not only as a romantic interest but as prey…”
Chapter 1, “On the Verge of Adult Vampiredom,” in Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions.
My thoughts:
I knew I was in for a treat when upon opening this book the first thing I read was an excerpt from a self-help book aimed at teen vampires. Not that it should have surprised me. With a title like Jessica’s Guide to Dating On The Dark Side I was expecting fits of giggles and I got them. This book contains hilarious dialogue and snarky one liners. Jessica, our curvy protagonist, is sweet and likeable. I have to applaud Beth Fantaskey for creating a female character that is a size 10 and not a 2. We need more average sized characters in books especially those aimed at teen girls. Lucius is the hottie vampire betrothed to the lovely Jessica. He is clever and witty but also a little dark. I dig guys with a dark side so Lucius was a hit with me. The letters he writes to his uncle with the use of what he refers to as “Americanisms” had me laughing out loud. Things do get a little angsty towards the end but the majority of the book is seriously funny.
Jessica’s Guide to Dating On The Dark Side is a quick and amusing read. I’d definitely check it out if you are a fan of the vamps. There are some situations and language that might not be suitable for younger teens/preteens. I think this one will definitely appeal to adults that enjoy young adult novels. I very much enjoyed the sarcastic banter and the progression of Lucius and Jessica’s relationship. This is a great book that I highly recommend.
Beth Fantaskey on the web.
