Review: Velvet

By Temple West
Available now from Swoon Reads (Macmillan)
Review copy

Swoon Reads has been around for more than a year now, but VELVET is still the first Swoon Reads book I've read.  On the website, you read, rate, and review YA manuscripts uploaded by users.  The best rated and most popular manuscripts get published by Macmillan's Swoon Reads imprint.  It is an innovative approach to publishing, so I'm surprised it took me this long to read one of the books.

VELVET starts when Caitlin Holte gets caught in a freak storm and rescued by an inhuman boy.  Readers soon realize she can't remember the incident, although she does know who saved her: her neighbor, Adrian.  Like her, he's an orphan who moved to the small town of Stony Creek, New York to live with his aunt and uncle.  He's also super hot, of course.  It's a pretty standard YA setup, but I like that Temple West took it in a few unique directions.

First, I loved that Adrian came clean to Caitlin about his vampirism pretty quickly.  He also let's her know that she's in danger from his father, who caused that storm at the beginning of the book.  His father is in a snit and Caitlin just happened to end up in the middle of things.  Adrian still keeps secrets because the vampire government makes him, but he's actually fairly open about what's happening because knowing the danger she's in helps Caitlin stay safe.  It's both logical and refreshing.

Second, I loved how lived-in Stony Creek feels.  Several of the girls Caitlin hangs with have their own romances going on, and school is a fairly important part of Caitlin's life.  As she starts to reconnect to her own life after her mother's death, she realizes that she has a lot to catch up on from those months she was tuning her schoolwork out.

Third, I loved that Caitlin's best friend Trish counsels her to leave Adrian if he isn't making her happy.  Being in love with someone isn't treated as the be-all end-all of relationships in VELVET.  However, that leads me to an aspect I didn't love, which is that Adrian and Caitlin get into fights all the time.  The seed, of course, is that their romance is forbidden.  Vampires aren't allowed to love humans, so his relationship with her is a fake to help him stay close and guard her.  Being a fake girlfriend to the boy she loves hurts Caitlin on top of the fact she's raw with grief and strange nightmares that plague her at night.  I got her emotions, I just got tired of fight, then make up, then fight, then make up.  It was an exceedingly repetitive story beat.

VELVET does end with a great hook for the second book, involving one of my favorite characters in danger.  I definitely want to read the sequel, especially since VELVET was a very quick and relaxing read.  I think I'll also try some of the other books published by the Swoon Reads imprint.  VELVET reflects well on their style.

Review: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

By Holly Black
Available now from Little, Brown BFYR (Hachette)
Review copy
Read my reviews of White Cat, Red Glove, and Geektastic

"…for the contingent out there who sneer at heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman and Captain America, those icons who still, at their core, represent selfless sacrifice for the greater good, and who justify their contempt by saying, oh, it’s so unrealistic, no one would ever be so noble… grow up. Seriously. Cynicism is not maturity, do not mistake the one for the other. If you truly cannot accept a story where someone does the right thing because it’s the right thing to do, that says far more about who you are than these characters." - Greg Rucka

When Tana wakes up in the bathroom after a party, her main worry is embarrassment.  Then she reaches the living room and discovers that everyone else who attended the party is dead, murdered by vampires.  The only other survivor is her ex-boyfriend, tied up in a bedroom with a chained vampire.  It's up to Tana to save herself and the boys before the sun sets.  But what to do then?

I read Jen Ryland's review while I was reading THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN, and I think she has what makes this book so great dead on.  Tana does the right thing because it's the right thing, and it sends her life into utter craziness.  But in the end she's rewarded for her actions, for her determination to save as many people as possible.  The world of THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN is dark and scary, but not grim.  Nobility of spirit can stand against the monster within and without.

Look, I think Tana is just great all around.  She's not the most secure girl - she's done things she was uncomfortable with just to impress a boy - or the cleverest - she's more act first, plan later.  But she's brave, and loyal, and composed to a fault.  And even if I didn't like Tana, I'd be in love with this world.  Of course vampires are celebrities, despite their pesky habit of killing humans.  Of course people blog about it and become minor celebrities in turn.  You cannot accuse Holly Black of being out of step with modern technology.  She combines vampires and cell phones in all the best ways.

The relationships in this novel are also delicious.  Tana still has feelings for her ex, that selfish, silly, sweet boy.  She's drawn to Gavriel, the vampire, who is hot, more than a little crazy, but who listens to her and tries to play by her rules.  Then there are the two traveling companions they come upon, who are clearly doomed, but still worthy of Tana's attempts at protection.

If you've ever enjoyed a vampire story, give THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN a chance.  Black has made the vampire hot again.

Review: The Eternity Cure

Book Two of the Blood of Eden
By Julie Kagawa
Available now from Harlequin Teen
Review copy

I avoided reading THE IMMORTAL RULES, the first book in the Blood of Eden series, for a long time because I wasn't a fan of Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey books.  But people kept saying that they didn't like the Iron Fey books, but they loved THE IMMORTAL RULES.  So I gave it a chance and liked it.

THE ETERNITY CURE picks up where THE IMMORTAL RULES leaves off.  Allie helped Zeke reach safe harbor, but she's not welcome since she's a vampire.  That's okay because she needs to leave to rescue Kanin.  Since he's her maker she can sense that he's in peril and track him down.  She's not the only one of Kanin's children seeking to help him, but that doesn't mean she can trust her brother-by-vampirism Jackal.

I loved how THE ETERNITY CURE built on the first book.  Characters return in different forms - some friendlier than before, some now enemies.  There's also more uncovered about the plague, and why some might not want it cured.  The romance also proceeds apace.  Zeke and Allie can now be open about their relationship, which means its a good time for them to start exploring the practicality of a human/vampire relationship.  For instance, should Allie turn Zeke if he's dying?

The best part of THE ETERNITY CURE might be that there's more Kanin.  Allie's vampire maker is a fascinating figure and an incredibly likeable one.  He's burdened by guilt, but he does his best to bring positive change to the world.  He refuses to not follow his principles, but he's more careful since he realizes just how big the consequences of his actions can be.

This is a great series for vampire fans.  There's lots of action, a touch of forbidden romance, and complicated relationships in a complicated world.  It's good enough to make me consider reading the Iron Fey again to see if I was wrong about those books.  I'm looking forward to the third book, especially after the dramatic events of the ending of THE ETERNITY CURE.

Who wants to guess what the cover of the third book will look like?  I'm happy this one doesn't have a white girl on the cover, since Allie is half-Japanese, but wish they'd put her face on the cover instead of the front flap after the brouhaha about THE IMMORTAL RULES cover.

Review: The Indigo Spell

Book Three of the Bloodlines series
By Richelle Mead
Available now from Razorbill (Penguin)
Review copy
Read my review of THE GOLDEN LILY

I've heard a lot of people say that they don't like the Bloodlines series because of Sydney.  She's not Rose.  She hates vampires.  But I implore anyone who disliked Sydney at first to give her another chance.  No, she hasn't morphed into Rose.  But there's more than one type of leading lady, and I love Sydney's journey.

She's basically a cult member.  She grew up knowing she would be an Alchemist, going to Alchemist church, hanging out with fellow future Alchemists, Alchemist, Alchemist, Alchemist.  Now, she's spent several months in the company of vampires and dhampirs with no other Alchemists in sight.  She's on her own, making her life decisions for the first time, confronted with the fact that the people she's been raised hating are just people.  People she might, in fact, like better than the bigots she was raised with.

And the Alchemists do not tolerate dissent.  Sydney has to decide, like all teenagers, who she's going to be.  Her decision could cut her off from her family, forever.  It could get her killed.  When she discovers Marcus Finch, she discovers that others have left the Alchemists successfully.  She must decide whether she's going to follow the trail created by others or blaze her own.  Even for a rogue Alchemist, falling for a vampire is liberal.

That's right, o people who have loved Sydney from the beginning, in THE INDIGO SPELL she must finally face Adrian's feelings for her and figure out how she feels in return.  Anyone who has been frustrated by Sydney's complete lack of awareness of the romance she is starring in will devour THE INDIGO SPELL.

I know I said Sydney still isn't Rose, but she is definitely becoming more of an action hero.  In one scene, she could be Sydney Bristow rather than Sydney Sage.  She also learns to throw fireballs, which is one of those magic powers that is never not awesome.  It's a good thing she's becoming better at confrontation, because there's a big bad witch come to town.  That's right - an epic romance, potential rebellion, and a mystery.  It's no wonder Sydney's getting tired of being the responsible one.

THE INDIGO SPELL is just as fast paced as its predecessors and just as layered.  Richelle Mead tackles big issues and wraps them up in monsters, but they're still there.  THE INDIGO SPELL is no disappointment and I cannot wait for book four.

I leave you with a quote from Adrian (page 28, ARC): "You're not as much of a lost cause as she was.  I mean, with her, I had to overcome her deep, epic love with a Russian warlord.  You and I just have to overcome hundreds of years' worth of deeply ingrained prejudice and taboo between our two races.  Easy."

Review: Gates of Paradise

Book Nine of the Blue Bloods series
By Melissa de la Cruz
Available now from Hyperion (Disney)
Review copy
Read my reviews of THE VAN ALEN LEGACY and WOLF PACT
Read my interview with Melissa and her guest blog

The Blue Bloods series had a strong premise and a great beginning, but it foundered for awhile.  The series always followed several narrators in each novel, but there were always some plotlines that didn't have the urgency or sizzle of the others.  Even in GATES OF PARADISE, Schuyler Van Alen goes on a side adventure that involves hanging out at a college party.  I mean, it's not like she should be worried about leading the charge against Lucifer and preventing him from invading Heaven or anything.

That being said, I think GATES OF PARADISE was a fitting end to the series and lived up to the promise of BLUE BLOODS.  It finishes answering the questions of Allegra's past (a plotline began in LOST IN TIME, Book 8) and reveals just what happened in Florence.  Mimi Force completes her redemption, and not a moment too soon.  I have longed to never read a point of view from the self-absorbed, bratty Mimi ever again, but she managed to change enough that I no longer wished an unhappy end upon her and was a little afraid that might happen.  And I do recommend that you read the serial WOLF PACT before GATES OF PARADISE because otherwise you'll have no clue what's up with Bliss or who those people with her are.

(But if you haven't read the series in awhile and are curious as to how it ends, you can probably pick up GATES OF PARADISE and figure out what happened in the mean time.  And no, not all of the books in the series are essential reading.)

The final battle does involve a touch of deus ex machina, but I can be more forgiving about that in a series that revolves around fallen angels who are vampires.  It's still an exciting scene that tugs on the heartstrings.  Melissa de la Cruz is determined to make her characters work for their happiness, which is only fitting.  Redemption is hard.

I can't help but feel that the Blue Bloods series might have worked better as an adult series.  It's come a long way from it's Gossip-Girl-with-vampires origins.  Given how many characters get married (or the metaphysical equivalent thereof) and all the past lives giving them knowledge and experience, it hardly feels like Schuyler or her compatriots are actualfax teenagers.  But I can't complain too much.  The series as is is pretty good.  Cruz's mythology is complex and involved and her plot is a delicate, crazy house of cards that somehow managed to hold together.

There are series I've been much sadder to part with.  But I'm happy these characters went out with a fitting end.  Schuyler, Jack Force, Bliss, Oliver Hazard-Perry, Kingsley Martin, Mimi . . . they're a group of teens who started out spoiled New Yorkers and ended up fighting the Biggest Bad of all.  It was quite a ride, and the highs were definitely worth it.

Review: Blue Bloods: The Graphic Novel

Graphic novel adaptation of BLUE BLOODS by Melissa de la Cruz
Adapted by Robert Venditti
Art by Alina Urusov
Cover by Fiona Staples (Read my review of SAGA)
Lettering by Chris Dickey
Available now from Hyperion (Disney)
Review copy
Read my reviews of THE VAN ALEN LEGACY and WOLF PACT
Read my interview with Melissa and her guest blog

With the release of the final book in the Blue Bloods series, GATES OF PARADISE, it's nice that the graphic novel adaptation of the first book is coming out now.  I read it before GATES OF PARADISE to remind myself where Schuyler Van Alen and her friends started, eight books ago.  I think other fans of the series will also find it a pleasant refresher, although I don't know if they'll continue to read the graphic adaptations.

The story is still good.  Young prep school kids are getting murdered.  Others find out that they're actually vampires-cum-fallen-angels and the killer might be one of their ancient enemies, risen again.  It's not as smooth in comic form.  Robert Venditti chose to preserve the dialogue, but not the narration, and Alina Urusov's art can't convey everything the characters are thinking.  It makes for a brisk but shallow book.  I'd definitely forgotten how much actually happened in the first book.  It's a tad overwhelming when condensed.

The real standout in BLUE BLOODS is Urusov's art.  The characters may not be exactly as I pictured them, but each character design is distinctive and lovely.  The backgrounds are extremely impressive and I liked that the color scheme changed to suit each scene's mood.  Sometimes cover painting can feel like false advertising, but Urusov's work lives up to Fiona Staples' terrific cover.

BLUE BLOODS may appeal to comics fans, but I suspect most of the readers will be fans of the series who are eager to see a new interpretation.  BLUE BLOODS: The Graphic Novel is worth picking up for the novelty, but the original version is better.

Come back later this morning for my review of GATES OF PARADISE.

Review: Wolf Pact: Part One

Part One of Four
Companion to the Blue Bloods series
By Melissa de la Cruz
Available now from Disney Hyperion
Review copy
Read my review of THE VAN ALEN LEGACY and my interview with Melissa

WOLF PACT is a serial novel by Melissa de la Cruz exploring the wolves of the Blue Bloods' world and their relationship to Bliss Llewellyn.  The fourth and final part comes out next week on December 4th.  I am only reviewing the first part, which may seem a touch pricey at sixty-ish pages for $1.99.  But in the end that's a whole book for $7.96, which is below market price.  Plus, I think serials are fun and I'm happy major publishers are playing around with the model.

WOLF PACT begins in Hell, where Lawson and his pack escape from their masters before they can be turned into hellhounds.  But their escape comes at a price, and they are pursued by the hounds because they can still be converted as long as they're recaptured before they turn seventeen.  Meanwhile, Bliss and her Aunt Jane search for the wolves in order to ally with them to fight the Silver Bloods.

While WOLF PACT deals with a society that's not explored in the main Blue Bloods continuity, it's not really friendly to new readers.  Since Lawson and the pack are new to Earth, they are briefly caught up on the various factions.  But de la Cruz's world is too involved to be explained so quickly.  I can't be sure since I've read the Blue Bloods novels, but I suspect WOLF PACT will appeal more to fans than newbies.

Now, the Blue Bloods series is one that I once loved, but I've been disappointed by later installments.  I think WOLF PACT gets back to what made the first books more appealing.  There's action, a sense of fate, and what seems to be the set up for a neatly woven plot.  I'm intrigued enough to read Part Two.

Come back later today for a guest blog from Melissa!

Review: The Golden Lily

Book Two of the Bloodlines series
By Richelle Mead
Available now from Razorbill (Penguin)
Review copy

I received BLOODLINES to review, but couldn't review it since I hadn't finished the Vampire Academy series yet.  I don't know about you, but I dislike reading series out of order.  But now I am all caught up and ready to review THE GOLDEN LILY!

If you're a fan of Richelle Mead, then you know what to expect.  There's humor, romance, and plenty of action.  THE GOLDEN LILY may be pretty thick, but it's a fast read.  Mead's world is an intricate one and she sometimes addresses heavy topics, but she always keeps things moving along.

Sydney, an Alchemist, is adjusting to living with a group of Moroi and dhampirs.  The Alchemists are a group of religious humans who clean up after the vampires and protect humanity.  But she's not comfortable adjusting, because it means questioning the truths she grew up with.  She has even more questions about the Alchemist's ways when she discovers a branch group of vampire hunters.

She's also been introduced to the guy of her dreams.  He's sensible, loves cars, and enjoys the pursuit of knowledge.  But Sydney can't help but feel there's a spark missing.  While Sydney may be involved in a love triangle (as much as she would deny it), I love that Mead isn't afraid of complicated geometry.  I'd explain who is in love with who, but you'd be lost unless you're reading the books.  It's a bit of a soap opera, but it feels more realistic that a neat triangle.  (It's also hilarious since everyone thinks Sydney, Jill, Adrian, Eddie, and Angeline are related.)  I'm usually annoyed by love triangles where one of the people is obviously going to lose out, so I'm happy that Mead shows Adrian moving on from Rose and falling in love again.  It's time for him to have an epic romance.

I like that it's hard to define who is good and who is bad.  Sydney seems mature, but she still has a ways to go when it comes to believing in herself and her abilities.  Part of that is deciding who to trust on her own.  Part of it is facing up to her unhealthy eating habits.  In THE GOLDEN LILY, Adrian finally calls Sydney out about what she's doing to herself.  I thought Mead handled the difficult topic well.  I also liked that Sydney decided to take self-defense classes.  It's a very sensible move, but one few characters take, which is - of course - very Sydney.

If you like supernatural drama and hormonal teens fighting for their lives, you'll enjoy the Bloodlines series.  I recommend starting from VAMPIRE ACADEMY, but there's probably enough summary that you could follow along with THE GOLDEN LILY even if you haven't read the previous novels.

Mead will be signing THE GOLDEN LILY in Houston on June 19th.  I hope to make it to that signing, so maybe I'll see you there!

Retro Friday Review: Companions of the Night by Vivian Vande Velde

Retro Friday is a weekly meme hosted at Angieville and focuses on reviewing books from the past. This can be an old favorite, an under-the-radar book you think deserves more attention, something woefully out of print, etc. Everyone is welcome to join in at any time! Angie includes roundups from participating bloggers in her post every week.

Sadly, I've only participated in Retro Friday once.  But that doesn't mean I don't have older books to talk about!  People talk like we're living in an unprecedented age of vampire novels.  But really, the vampire novel never went out of style after it was invented.  The vampire young adult novel, however, is more popular than ever.  Back when I was in junior high those of us who liked vampires had fewer options.   And one of the most popular options was COMPANIONS OF THE NIGHT by Vivian Vande Velde.

I was already familiar with Velde when someone recommended COMPANIONS OF THE NIGHT to me.  I liked her books, ever since I read A WELL-TIMED ENCHANTMENT, since she wrote comedic and clever novels about teens and children in extraordinary situations.   There was also a nice thread of feminism running through her works.  As for COMPANIONS OF THE NIGHT, I know of know better way to sell it than to tell the premise:

COMPANIONS OF THE NIGHT begins with Kerry's late-night quest to retrieve her much younger brother's stuffed bear.  (Anyone who has spent much time with a little kid knows that favored stuffed animals are necessary to get the kid to sleep.)  Thus, Kerry drives herself down to the laundromat, pretty sure it will be closed, but willing to try anyway.  Strangely, it is open but no one is there.

Then the owner and two of his friends return with a bound young man.  They claim that Ethan is a vampire.  Kerry, thoroughly assured that the local laundromat owner is out of his mind, helps Ethan escape.

The next day someone kidnaps Kerry's father and brother, causing her to go to Ethan for help.  Ethan is, of course, a vampire.  And Kerry's about to have the adventure of a lifetime.

Kerry is a terrific heroine.  She's resourceful and brave, and she doesn't put up with vampires mocking her dad's old car.  Ethan is charming bad news and secretive motives.  (Together, they fight crime!  Not really.  But close.)  COMPANIONS OF THE NIGHT is structured like an action movie.  Two very different characters meet, then have to work together for one crazy night.  There's suspense, romance, comedy, and piano.

COMPANIONS OF THE NIGHT is not a complex book and there is no deep mythology.  That might put some vampire fans off.  But it's a shame to miss out on this one.  If only because it's about a girl who repeatedly rescues dudes in distress.

Review: Bad Blood

By Mari Mancusi
Available now from Berkeley Jam
Review copy provided by publisher



Since coincidence makes the world go round, a friend bought me the first three Blood Coven novels as a Christmas present a few weeks before I received BAD BLOOD. I'm happy that the series has been recovered, since the original covers were cute but lacked homogeniety. As for BAD BLOOD itself, I'm glad it focuses on Sunny rather than Rayne.

I'm not gonna lie; Rayne annoys me. I've always been a member of at least one subculture, but I have loyalties to a variety of groups. This usually leads to people claiming I'm not a real "_". And Rayne is one of those people. You've got to fit into her idea of what the subculture is, no deviations. And if you aren't a member, then you're contemptible. (She did get called out for it in GIRLS THAT GROWL, which makes me really happy.)

BAD BLOOD has my favorite book setting: Las Vegas. Sunny's boyfriend Magnus is required to blood a coruler, and Jane Johnson has been chosen. Now they have to go to a vamp convention in Vegas. But Sunny is suspicious of Jane, and takes the opportunity to visit her estranged father and his family. I enjoyed the family story and the mystery, but felt the romance was lacking.

The romance lacking, however, is a trend in the Blood Coven books. It got worse in GIRLS THAT GROWL and BAD BLOOD. The main couples treat each other badly, fight about it, then make up quickly in the end. I have trouble buying it. Instead of being a great love story, it feels like Mari Mancusi is afraid to break the characters up.

Once more, Mancusi ends with a reveal that sets up the next book. And yes, I will keep reading. The books are fun enough, but Mancusi (like almost all authors) has rough edges. Hers just tend to be the rough edges that rub me the wrong way.

Review: Fade Out vs. The Van Alen Legacy

By Rachel Caine
Released Nov 3 by Signet
Review copy provided by publisher
Read my reviews of CARPE CORPUS and LORD OF MISRULE

The Morganville Vampires is not my favorite vampire series, but it's one that holds steady and comes up with something interesting for each book. I expected FADE OUT to be the start of a new arc. Instead, Rachel Caine only teases with what is to come. FADE OUT focuses on a standalone story in addition to snipping a few loose ends. It works very well, as newcomers can pick up FADE OUT from the store without becoming too lost.

Claire's out of sorts because Eve has been cast in A Streetcar Named Desire, and now she's hanging out with her costar Kim. It doesn't help that Kim is clearly into Shane - who admits to Claire that they had a one-night stand. Michael has a shot at fame, but he can never leave Morganville. And Myrnin is more dangerous than ever, which makes me ridiculously excited. (Apparently, I am the kind of person who thinks daffy, mostly friendly characters who ultimately look out for number one and will stab you in the back without blinking are awesome to read about. In real life I avoid people who would betray me.)

The story moves along at a nice clip, which is good since Caine doesn't have many pages to waste. (The short page count always leaves me wanting more, but it does keep the story tight.) Amelie clearly has plans for Claire, and they aren't looking like plans anyone would want to participate in. Caine has always done a good job of keeping the vampires threatening even when they ally with the humans, and she continues in that vein not only with Amelie and Myrnin, but with Michael, who the readers and characters first knew as human.

I liked the breather of a standalone story, but FADE OUT has me ready for the next arc. I hope Caine continues to write books that deliver in and of themselves while contributing to the Morganville Vampire series as a whole.



By Melissa de la Cruz
Released Oct 6 by Disney Hyperion
Review copy provided by publicist

I thought the Blue Bloods series was awesome when I first came out. It was an interesting premise (reincarnation instead of eternal life), played with Christian mythology, and centered around a pun. All bonuses in my book. But while Caine has been dazzling me with her pacing, Melissa de la Cruz is lacking.

Part of the problem is the way she divides the novel between the narrators: Schuyler, Bliss, and Mimi. Each girl gets about five pages before the book zooms off to the next narrator. As soon as I would get into one girl's voice and story, I would be reading a different segment. I got frustrated wanting to know what would happen to someone who I wasn't reading about. Eventually I started reading by skipping and reading one girl's story as a whole, then reading the next. Short chapters are usually a ploy to keep you reading, but it felt like it slowed me down.

What helped even less? I didn't find all three of the stories compelling. Most of the story movement occurs in the last third of the novel. I think the most frustrating part is when everyone goes back to school. Who wants to read about the characters going to school when we could be reading about the battle for the fate of the world?

I'm not saying THE VAN ALEN LEGACY was a complete loss. There were some big developments at the end, and hopefully they'll cause big reactions in MISGUIDED ANGEL. de la Cruz built up some momentum, and now she needs to keep that up. Especially since the series began so promisingly.

Come back tomorrow for a short interview with Melissa de la Cruz.

Contest: Cirque Du Freak

The Vampire's Assistant hits theatres on October 23rd, and I can't wait. (There was a sneak peek for children in my area, which made me madly jealous.) The book series, by Darren Shan, started coming out when I was in fifth grade. I continued reading it through high school since I wanted to know what happened - and the big reveals at the end were definitely surprising. Luckily, my friends shared my taste so they didn't make fun of me for reading a gory kids' series.

The movie stars John C. Reilly as Mr. Crepsley, which I'm still on the fence about. At least the trailer looks funny! The description of the movie is basic, which I find somewhat frustrating.

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, based on the popular series of books by Darren Shan, is a fantasy-adventure about a teenager who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, one teen will vanish from the safety of a boring existence and fulfill his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares.

But if you haven't read the books yet, don't worry! I've got just the prize for two people. It includes a Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant locker mirror and the movie tie-in edition, which includes the first three Cirque Du Freak novels, CIRQUE DU FREAK, THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT, and TUNNEL OF BLOOD.

Do you love to be scared? Then don't miss the terrifying adventure that begins when Darren and his best friend, Steve, get tickets to the CIRQUE DU FREAK, a wonderfully bizarre and creepy freak show. Brace yourself for thrills and chills as the boys witness a parade of grotesque creatures and face their deepest fears by entering the darkest world of the vampire. In the blood-curdling tradition of Anne Rice and Stephen King, CIRQUE DU FREAK will have you shrieking for the next horror show!

Here's the rules to enter:
Live in the US and be older than 13.
Comment below with the title of your favorite horror movie.
Get extra entries by following (two for those who are already following), Twittering (one per person), and voting on the widget below.

Contest ends Oct 21.