October 17, 2012

Review: Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan


Today I welcome my fabulous friend and guest poster Jessie to the blog. Jessie & I met while working together at the library and we became great friends. In addition to guest posting here, she's also my book event/signing travel buddy.


Team Human

Published by HarperTeen July 2012
Source: ARC provided by the publisher

Summary:

Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn't mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she says in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It's up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity!

On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.


Jessie's Thoughts:


Team Human is a fun story about a girl who tries to get her best friend to stop dating a vampire while at the same time solves the mysterious departure of Dr. Saunders. Set in a town that co-exists with vampires but during a period where humans and vampires are for the most part segregated, those who associate with vampires are viewed as outside the norm. Mel doesn’t hate vampires, she just doesn’t get why anyone would want to be one. Vampires for the most part cannot feel emotions and to become a vampire there is a chance you could die or worse … become a zombie.  That is why transitioning into a vampire is closely regulated by the government. When Mel’s best friend tells her that she is considering becoming a vampire to be with her boyfriend forever Mel freaks out. She makes it her mission to either convince her friend of the cons of being a vampire or else uncover a reason for her friend to break-up with her boyfriend.

Larbalestier and Breenan stick to most of the standard vampire ideologies while adding their own twists. Their main character Mel is humorous and stubborn though at times perhaps too simple. On the other hand, Kit who was raised by vampires is a well-flushed out character who makes a great contribution to the book. Team Human is an adventure book with a side of romance. There is no way to escape from this book without some laughs. Overall an entertaining read.    






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