Alex Foulkes

I always avoid saying much with sequels because I like to avoid spoilers. This novel is book two; book one was Rules for Vampires. which was a former Lone Star novel.

Like the first book, this novel is super cute. Our two main characters are back and are still friends even though ghosts and vampires are supposed to be enemies. The ghosts put Leo on trial for the Orphanmaster's murder. Among the many problems are that vampires cannot go into the ghostly realm, as they are not ghosts, but more importantly, the trial is the same night as the Blood Moon Banquet, which is being held in Leo's home. The Blood Moon Banquet, held once a year, gathers vampires and their families together for meetings and social time. Leo's mum will be very displeased if Leo isn't there; afterall, Leo represents the continuing perfect list of family members who successfully draw blood on their 100th birthday (see previous book). Leo feels that she can quickly end the trial and get to the banquet on time. At least, that's the plan.

In the ghost realm, we meet Minna's parents, a couple of ghosts who help Leo get to the trial, and Judge Harker. Minna, as courageous as ever, seeks to defend Leo, explaining that the Orphanmaster was evil. Minna has grown in her ghostly abilities and doesn't cower to anyone. Leo, deferential as always, politely asks to begin the trials. There will be three trials Leo must overcome. Meanwhile, back at the castle, Leo's physical body attends the banquet to some amusing moments. It's here where we also meet other vampires and kids around Leo's age.

It's here I will stop. The main "villain" met here is Judge Harker. The ghosts don't really know what to do because Leo isn't an evil vampire despite her very scary and evil mother. See how Minna and Leo overcome this new challenge and have some fun along the way!… (meer)

This novel is a 2023 Lone Star selection.

Leo (short for Eleonora) has reached her 111th birthday--it's time to kill a human. She sets out from the castle to find a human; the orphanage should be an easy place to find someone, and no one will miss an orphan! Her scary mother, Lady Sieglinde, will be VERY displeased if Leo doesn't complete her task; Leo is obviously under a great deal of stress. It must be this one night. Arriving at the orphanage, Leo spies a light and a window. Knocking on the glass, she commands--with her powerful vampire will--the young girl to open the window and invite her in. It's a vampire rule--she can't enter without being invited. Minna, the orphan, tries to keep Leo quiet. Right when she is ready to bite into Minna, Leo discovers they are not alone. The headmaster has awakened and knows that Leo is a vampire. He has no fear. They fight, accidentally starting a fire. Leo escapes. She has failed. Her mother will be VERY angry; Leo may not live her undead life much longer.

Returning to the castle, Leo feels secrecy is the best option. She appreciates the huge banquet her nanny--I mean, her butler--has put together to celebrate her first kill, but she just needs to go to bed. The problems arise when she wakes up. She discovers that the fire killed the headmaster and Minna. Minna possesses just as much forceful will as a ghost that she had as a human. She explains that her death is Leo's fault; Leo owes her. The headmaster will only get stronger, and they have to stop him from being a powerful ghost. This endeavour will put Leo in a bad place. Vampires don't like ghosts and should talk to them. Leo's older sister, an absolute nightmare, will tell on Leo and/or make her unlife miserable. Her mother would throw an absolute fit and might shorten Leo's undead life. Her dad is oblivious. Despite all of these problems, Leo decides she is obligated to help. The rest of the novel involves trying to get rid of the headmaster's ghost before the 7th moon when he'll be at his strongest. Leo exudes caring towards others, unlike her sister and mother. Minna knows what she wants and will use whatever force she can to accomplish her tasks. She fears little and bravely (and bullishly) pushes people to do what needs to be done.

I love the odd friendship between these characters who are supposed to be enemies. The extremes of the characters makes the novel fun as well. Leo's dad is the absent-minded professor type. The mom is the evil type. The sister is the evil sister (who may also like her sister?). The nanny/butler is a clutz. The spider is rather whiny and fearful. It's really a fun novel with an eyebrow raising ending.… (meer)

A little horror, a little gore, adventure, tons of humor, and imagination pure make this into a read to get lost in and wish it continued without an end.

Leo is a vampire, and it's her Birthnight. To allow her to pass into full-fledged, vampire adulthood, she needs to go on her Hunt and kill her first human. But things don't go as planned. Not at all. Instead, she ends up with ghosts, a powerful evil force, an impossible quest, and a whole ton of unforeseeable happen-chances.

This is a fun novel from start to finish. The beginning already starts a bit mysterious, not making it totally clear what Leo is and letting her life slide in comparison with that of a normal 'human' girl. Which is clever in so far that it lets the reader build up a familiarity with her before her 'monsterly' side takes over. And she can be monsterly. There is a touch of horror and things can get tense and gruesome-ish. This isn't roses and whimsical twirls, but still, with added quirky moments such as talking spiders and flying objects and things just not going as planned, there's enough humor built in to keep it at the middle grade level. And definitely enough surprises and challenges to keep the reader glued to the pages.

The plot moves right along with tons of difficult moments, unsure relationships, high tension scenes, and deadly stakes....in both senses of the word. The family weave is difficult, to say the least. And yet, there is an odd sense of bonding, although wholesome would never be the correct word. Friendship also takes rocky forms, and there's the problem of not always meeting parental expectations. But Leo stays true to herself, which is an odd balance in itself, and creates a character to root for from beginning to end.

I can only hope there will be a book two to see what Leo might be up against next. I received an ARC and recommend it for darker adventure lovers.… (meer)