An Older, Wiser Vlad

Eleventh Grade Burns:  The Chronicles of Vlad Tod by Heather Brewer

Paranormal

If you haven't read this series before, don't start here.  These books must be read in order!  In this 4th installment of the series, Vlad is in the 11th grade.  While most boys his age are looking forward to dating and driving, Vlad is withdrawing more and more from those around him.  The other books were filled with adventure and humor and some terror, but this feels mostly filled with despair.  Vlad, and this book, are much more somber and serious as the curse draws to a close.

Vlad has lost so much already--hi parents have died, his circle of friends and family have whittled down to just a few and he was forced to break up with the love of his life.  How many more things can he afford to let go of?  To make matters worse, his es-best friend and arch enemy is back and thirsting for vengeance and hooks up with Vlad's ex-girlfriend.  The only person he can count on, Uncle Otis, is on trial and might be sentenced to death.

And yet, Vlad's biggest problem seems to be the new vampire on the block, a youth named Dorian who gets exactly what he wants.  Unfortunately, the thing he most wants is a big bite of Vlad!

This series just gets better and better--more thrilling, more mysterious, more deadly.  It is climbing to that ultimate climax and last book.  Gulp!  I have so many hopes for Vlad--mostly that his story continues and he goes to college!  I just don't want it to end.