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Uncle Vampire
Everyone knows vampires don’t really exist—so why are Carolyn and her sister haunted by the same nocturnal visits? Twin sisters Honey and Carolyn have a Uncle Toddy must be a vampire. What else could explain the fact that his nightmarish nocturnal visits are sucking the life out of their family? Honey doesn’t want to talk about it. She’s a popular, pretty cheerleader with the perfect high school life. Why can’t Carolyn pretend it isn’t happening and concentrate on good things, instead of asking questions about what happens when he knocks at her door in the middle of the night? Both girls’ grades are suffering under the strain of keeping their secret, threatening their school activities and plans for the future. Carolyn feels like she’s going crazy, seeing things that no one else can. How can she convince Honey that she’s only trying to stop the vampire from killing them both? Her only option is to force Uncle Toddy into the one place he doesn’t want to the light.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1993
9 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia D. Grant
15 books8 followersCynthia D. Grant is the award-winning author of "Mary Wolf" and "The White Horse." She is a popular American author who writes novels about growing up. Her books appeal to young adults who want to read stories about life in the real world. As Grant commented in an interview with Authors and Artists for Young Adults, "Since 1980 I have published ten books for children and young adults, primarily for the young adult category, which is considered age twelve and up. I don't ever sit down and write 'for' children. I'm an adult; I write what sounds good to me." In her novels, Grant tackles difficult social problems such as alcoholism, child abuse, and homelessness. Grant is not afraid to portray violence and other graphic situations. However, the overall message she conveys is that, no matter what the problem, young adults can survive adolescence. After all, Grant said, "Most of us who write for children or young adults know that they read books not only to be entertained, but to be enlightened and encouraged." Her characters are heroes who triumph over tragedy. They are realistic young people who overcome a variety of obstacles, and stand for the winning qualities of righteousness, maturity, humor, and independence. Grant has received important awards for....for her work, including the PEN/Norma Klein Award in 1991.She lives in the mountains outside Cloverdale, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
July 21, 2012
I'm really surprised the summary at the top of Goodreads lays it all about the sexual abuse...I'm sure the metaphoric descriptions throughout the book would be obvious to an adult, but for me, a sheltered 11 year old reading it in 1995, it was a HUGE plot twist (but not the only plot twist) when it was finally revealed with "He fucks us." (I do think it may have been the first time I'd ever seen the word "fuck" in print as well.)
Obviously it stuck in my memory, for me to remember so well after nearly 20 years.
Obviously it stuck in my memory, for me to remember so well after nearly 20 years.
February 3, 2019
Spoilers - this isn't a "vampire" book.
I grabbed this book from my library during the height of my teenage vampire obsession. So, when I was fourteen or so.
Oh, I knew there weren't actually any vampires in it when I grabbed it. The symbolism of the story felt incredibly heavy-handed to me, even back then. The story itself was okay, but I'm definitely glad that I was mentally prepared to handle a story like that when I read it. I could easily imagine kids picking the book up, thinking that they were getting a vampire story, and being scarred by the actual subject matter of the book.
I do have to admit, though, that my main reason for reading this book was not because I was drawn in by the gripping synopsis.
Like I said, I was really into vampire books then, and my dad's on-again-off-again girlfriend at the time was one of those Christians who think everything is going to corrupt children and damn their souls. Harry Potter? Evil. Lord of the Rings? Evil. Vampires? DEFINITELY evil.
...so...I uh, I grabbed this book to read to use as ammunition against her.
She came into my room one day while I was reading it, ranting and raving about all the vampire books I had lying around. She took a look at the title, scoffed at how far I'd fallen into the evil genre, and started lecturing me about how I thought I wanted to be a vampire because of all the vampire books I was reading.
Spoilers - I did not, nor have I ever wanted, to be a vampire. All that blood...blech.
"Uncle Vampire?" she said. "These books are going to -"
And then I cut her off. I looked her dead in the eyes. And I told her what the book was really about.
She had no response to that, and never said a word about my reading habits again.
So, long story short - your heart was in the right place, book, and I'm sorry for using you as ammunition. You probably deserved better.
I grabbed this book from my library during the height of my teenage vampire obsession. So, when I was fourteen or so.
Oh, I knew there weren't actually any vampires in it when I grabbed it. The symbolism of the story felt incredibly heavy-handed to me, even back then. The story itself was okay, but I'm definitely glad that I was mentally prepared to handle a story like that when I read it. I could easily imagine kids picking the book up, thinking that they were getting a vampire story, and being scarred by the actual subject matter of the book.
I do have to admit, though, that my main reason for reading this book was not because I was drawn in by the gripping synopsis.
Like I said, I was really into vampire books then, and my dad's on-again-off-again girlfriend at the time was one of those Christians who think everything is going to corrupt children and damn their souls. Harry Potter? Evil. Lord of the Rings? Evil. Vampires? DEFINITELY evil.
...so...I uh, I grabbed this book to read to use as ammunition against her.
She came into my room one day while I was reading it, ranting and raving about all the vampire books I had lying around. She took a look at the title, scoffed at how far I'd fallen into the evil genre, and started lecturing me about how I thought I wanted to be a vampire because of all the vampire books I was reading.
Spoilers - I did not, nor have I ever wanted, to be a vampire. All that blood...blech.
"Uncle Vampire?" she said. "These books are going to -"
And then I cut her off. I looked her dead in the eyes. And I told her what the book was really about.
She had no response to that, and never said a word about my reading habits again.
So, long story short - your heart was in the right place, book, and I'm sorry for using you as ammunition. You probably deserved better.
October 23, 2015
Grade: B
Carrie's UNCLE VAMPIRE comes at night and sucks her blood and that of her twin sister Honey. Older sister Maggie escaped to college cross country, brother Richie zones out with drugs, Mama takes to her bed, Papa worries about his failing business giving Uncle Toddie free reign. Carrie can't tell what he's doing, because he says it'll kill her beloved grandmother.
From the get go, we know UNCLE VAMPIRE is metaphoric for sexual abuse, although some younger readers might not realize. The allegory worked quite well. Carrie's fear and powerlessness felt authentic as she tried to get Honey to acknowledge UNCLE VAMPIRE's nightly visits. I felt like I was hiding in the bedroom with Carrie and Honey. I've been in that bedroom and UNCLE VAMPIRE took me right back to being that helpless child/teen. Uncle Toddie was as creepy as he was manipulative and I could see how his phoniness could fool of inattentive parents, although I don't know how a parent could accuse a child who has disclosed sexual abuse to be exaggerating. Yes, it happens, but not believing a child has devastating long term ramifications.
At times I was confused as to whether Carrie was experiencing, dreaming or maybe even hallucinations, but she seemed like a reliable narrator who used symbolism to make sense of the senseless acts perpetrated upon her. Cynthia Grant's writing fell down dramatically in the dialogue department. Both the adults and teens spoke as if they were written on a C grade high school essay. It was so bad I stopped to reread just his silly the sentences sounded.
THEMES: sexual abuse, family, twins, siblings, mental illness
UNCLE VAMPIRE, at a mere 100 pages, is a very quick, dark read that accurately captures the experience of incest.
Carrie's UNCLE VAMPIRE comes at night and sucks her blood and that of her twin sister Honey. Older sister Maggie escaped to college cross country, brother Richie zones out with drugs, Mama takes to her bed, Papa worries about his failing business giving Uncle Toddie free reign. Carrie can't tell what he's doing, because he says it'll kill her beloved grandmother.
From the get go, we know UNCLE VAMPIRE is metaphoric for sexual abuse, although some younger readers might not realize. The allegory worked quite well. Carrie's fear and powerlessness felt authentic as she tried to get Honey to acknowledge UNCLE VAMPIRE's nightly visits. I felt like I was hiding in the bedroom with Carrie and Honey. I've been in that bedroom and UNCLE VAMPIRE took me right back to being that helpless child/teen. Uncle Toddie was as creepy as he was manipulative and I could see how his phoniness could fool of inattentive parents, although I don't know how a parent could accuse a child who has disclosed sexual abuse to be exaggerating. Yes, it happens, but not believing a child has devastating long term ramifications.
At times I was confused as to whether Carrie was experiencing, dreaming or maybe even hallucinations, but she seemed like a reliable narrator who used symbolism to make sense of the senseless acts perpetrated upon her. Cynthia Grant's writing fell down dramatically in the dialogue department. Both the adults and teens spoke as if they were written on a C grade high school essay. It was so bad I stopped to reread just his silly the sentences sounded.
THEMES: sexual abuse, family, twins, siblings, mental illness
UNCLE VAMPIRE, at a mere 100 pages, is a very quick, dark read that accurately captures the experience of incest.
February 21, 2019
while reading this all i could think was, “wow. this is written like middle grade.” until around the end when all the reality started to set in.
ALSO, big twist with Honey!! liked it for a quick read!
ALSO, big twist with Honey!! liked it for a quick read!
September 29, 2015
Carolyn and Honey are twin sisters who live with a dysfunctional family and whose Uncle is secretly a vampire, but is he due to the things he does to them in the dark and can they tell anyone about it? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good but sad book. Definitely check it out. You can find this book at your local library and wherever books are sold.
This was a pretty good but sad book. Definitely check it out. You can find this book at your local library and wherever books are sold.
December 27, 2015
Piango e mi fa male li stomaco. Come può tanto dolore essere rinchiuso in cosí poche pagine?
Una lettura che fa riflettere e rimane nel cuore.
Una lettura che fa riflettere e rimane nel cuore.
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September 26, 2025La prima volta che ho letto questo libro probabilmente ero al primo anno di medie o all'ultimo anno delle elementari; la cosa certa è che ero piccola e avevo preso il libro in biblioteca perché volevo leggere un romanzo sui vampiri.
Spoiler: non è un romanzo sui vampiri.
Non è neanche un romanzo vero e proprio; si tratta più di una raccolta di pensieri, sogni, dissociazioni, gli ingranaggi confusionari del meccanismo di difesa di una ragazzina che sta vivendo una delle cose peggiori che possano succedere a una persona.
Un libro pieno di rabbia e dolore, un libro potente e parecchio disturbante. Non mi sorprendo di avere un alto livello di sopportazione riguardo a certi temi, considerando quello che leggevo da bambina.
Spoiler: non è un romanzo sui vampiri.
Non è neanche un romanzo vero e proprio; si tratta più di una raccolta di pensieri, sogni, dissociazioni, gli ingranaggi confusionari del meccanismo di difesa di una ragazzina che sta vivendo una delle cose peggiori che possano succedere a una persona.
Un libro pieno di rabbia e dolore, un libro potente e parecchio disturbante. Non mi sorprendo di avere un alto livello di sopportazione riguardo a certi temi, considerando quello che leggevo da bambina.
September 9, 2019
Ci sono libri che arrivano nella tua vita così, all'improvviso, e che senza chiederti il permesso ti rubano un pezzetto di cuore. Zio Vampiro è uno di questi libri, che ho da poco finito e amato.
Trovato in una libreria dell'usato per pochi spiccioli, sostava sul mio comodino da anni. La trama mi incuriosiva, il titolo decisamente meno, la copertina sì, ma solo quella della Salani. Questo libro, infatti, era già stato pubblicato nel 1995 dalla Mondadori e grazie ad esso l'autrice ha ricevuto premi e importanti riconoscimenti di pubblico e critica.
Parlarne non è semplice, perché la storia di Carolyn è caotica, spiazzante, non lascia scampo.. e al tempo stesso scorre leggera e fluida, un mix di elementi che mi ha tenuta incollata alle pagine fino all'ultima parola.
Una è la cosa importante: non lasciatevi influenzare dal titolo, perché di vampiri in questa storia non ne troverete. Carolyn è una protagonista forte, sfacciata e coraggiosa, ma alcune situazioni non si possono affrontare da soli e così Carolyn si nasconde nella sua testa, l'unico luogo dove nessuno, nemmeno il suo Zio Vampiro, può trovarla e farle del male. Una testa piena di pensieri e di segreti, che però non può svelare a nessuno.
"Mi chiedo quale sia il tradimento peggiore: mentire o dire la verità?"
Anche quando Carolyn si fa coraggio, quando cerca di dare voce a quella paura che la attanaglia e la tiene prigioniera, ci pensa la sorella Gioia a fermarla, a farla tacere. "La gente potrebbe parlare, la nostra famiglia si vergognerebbe. Mamma non uscirebbe più di casa, papà ci odierebbe. È questo che vuoi?" parole dure, che frenano Carolyn e le fanno tenere la bocca chiusa, nella vana speranza di tenere unita quella famiglia che già da anni è in pezzi e che pur di non guardare in faccia i problemi è disposta a disfarsi lentamente.
Le pagine sono poche, questo è vero, ma questo libricino è un concentrato di emozioni e riflessioni, tocca argomenti tanto delicati quanto paurosi e difficili, ma mantenendo sempre un ritmo narrativo incalzante e facendoci seguire i pensieri sconvolti della protagonista, persa in una dimensione tra sogno e realtà, l'unica dove si sente al sicuro, per quanto al sicuro possa sentirsi con un Vampiro che tutte le notti la cerca e la avvolge nelle sue ali nere.
"Però, se la mente è malata, presto si ammalerà anche il corpo perché non puoi avere l'uno senza l'altra. Per quanto tu faccia, non puoi sfuggire a te stesso. Dovunque tu vada, là ti troverai."
Lo avete capito insomma: Zio Vampiro non è quello che sembra. Se, come me, non lo avevate mai preso in considerazione per via del titolo o della copertina, o se proprio non lo conoscevate, adesso avete un buon motivo per cercarlo: vi lascerà impietriti dalla prima all'ultima pagina, per arrivare allo scioccante e indimenticabile finale. Più di così non posso dire, dovrete scoprire il resto da soli, saltando nel buio insieme a Carolyn.
Trovato in una libreria dell'usato per pochi spiccioli, sostava sul mio comodino da anni. La trama mi incuriosiva, il titolo decisamente meno, la copertina sì, ma solo quella della Salani. Questo libro, infatti, era già stato pubblicato nel 1995 dalla Mondadori e grazie ad esso l'autrice ha ricevuto premi e importanti riconoscimenti di pubblico e critica.
Parlarne non è semplice, perché la storia di Carolyn è caotica, spiazzante, non lascia scampo.. e al tempo stesso scorre leggera e fluida, un mix di elementi che mi ha tenuta incollata alle pagine fino all'ultima parola.
Una è la cosa importante: non lasciatevi influenzare dal titolo, perché di vampiri in questa storia non ne troverete. Carolyn è una protagonista forte, sfacciata e coraggiosa, ma alcune situazioni non si possono affrontare da soli e così Carolyn si nasconde nella sua testa, l'unico luogo dove nessuno, nemmeno il suo Zio Vampiro, può trovarla e farle del male. Una testa piena di pensieri e di segreti, che però non può svelare a nessuno.
"Mi chiedo quale sia il tradimento peggiore: mentire o dire la verità?"
Anche quando Carolyn si fa coraggio, quando cerca di dare voce a quella paura che la attanaglia e la tiene prigioniera, ci pensa la sorella Gioia a fermarla, a farla tacere. "La gente potrebbe parlare, la nostra famiglia si vergognerebbe. Mamma non uscirebbe più di casa, papà ci odierebbe. È questo che vuoi?" parole dure, che frenano Carolyn e le fanno tenere la bocca chiusa, nella vana speranza di tenere unita quella famiglia che già da anni è in pezzi e che pur di non guardare in faccia i problemi è disposta a disfarsi lentamente.
Le pagine sono poche, questo è vero, ma questo libricino è un concentrato di emozioni e riflessioni, tocca argomenti tanto delicati quanto paurosi e difficili, ma mantenendo sempre un ritmo narrativo incalzante e facendoci seguire i pensieri sconvolti della protagonista, persa in una dimensione tra sogno e realtà, l'unica dove si sente al sicuro, per quanto al sicuro possa sentirsi con un Vampiro che tutte le notti la cerca e la avvolge nelle sue ali nere.
"Però, se la mente è malata, presto si ammalerà anche il corpo perché non puoi avere l'uno senza l'altra. Per quanto tu faccia, non puoi sfuggire a te stesso. Dovunque tu vada, là ti troverai."
Lo avete capito insomma: Zio Vampiro non è quello che sembra. Se, come me, non lo avevate mai preso in considerazione per via del titolo o della copertina, o se proprio non lo conoscevate, adesso avete un buon motivo per cercarlo: vi lascerà impietriti dalla prima all'ultima pagina, per arrivare allo scioccante e indimenticabile finale. Più di così non posso dire, dovrete scoprire il resto da soli, saltando nel buio insieme a Carolyn.
December 2, 2018
90's YA fiction at its best - Uncle Vampire tells a story that is both honest and helpful for other teens going through the same issues. Read about this in "Paperback Crush," and I'm so glad I went back and gave it a read. Such an important topic.
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October 25, 2011Oh Lord Almighty, what am I going to say about this book?
It shocked me, which I was really unprepared for because I thought it was kind of, you know, all there in the summary (No, it's not really a vampire book: don't set yourself up for disappointment. Summaries are your friends). But parts of the story really took me by surprise in the best, internal-gasping, what-the-heck-was-that way. Apart from that, it really isn't a very complicated plot.
However, it gets very emotionally complicated. Maybe moreso if, like me, you found yourself relating to Carolyn. We have a lot in common, in the way we think about our families especially. I always appreciate when the complication of a messed up family dynamic come through. I thought it was very well done, and really I'm very glad I read this book for that reason.
That being said, sometimes I wasn't very impressed by the writing. It got a little static at times. I guess it could be a matter of style, but I was quite honestly shocked to discover that Carolyn is in ninth grade. She didn't sound that old to me. This changed a little as it went on, but... there's still something a little unpolished about it. Maybe I'm asking too much. Some of the dream sequences were amazing.
All in all, I was a little disappointed by the writing, but unexpectedly engrossed by the story. It's an easy physical read and a not-so-easy but satisfying emotional one. No star rating for this one.
P.S. - The edition with the eyes on the cover (the one my library gave me) is so enormously creepy that I could not leave it face-up anywhere I could see it. Get a different edition if you can. If anything's going to give me nightmares, it just might be that cover.
It shocked me, which I was really unprepared for because I thought it was kind of, you know, all there in the summary (No, it's not really a vampire book: don't set yourself up for disappointment. Summaries are your friends). But parts of the story really took me by surprise in the best, internal-gasping, what-the-heck-was-that way. Apart from that, it really isn't a very complicated plot.
However, it gets very emotionally complicated. Maybe moreso if, like me, you found yourself relating to Carolyn. We have a lot in common, in the way we think about our families especially. I always appreciate when the complication of a messed up family dynamic come through. I thought it was very well done, and really I'm very glad I read this book for that reason.
That being said, sometimes I wasn't very impressed by the writing. It got a little static at times. I guess it could be a matter of style, but I was quite honestly shocked to discover that Carolyn is in ninth grade. She didn't sound that old to me. This changed a little as it went on, but... there's still something a little unpolished about it. Maybe I'm asking too much. Some of the dream sequences were amazing.
All in all, I was a little disappointed by the writing, but unexpectedly engrossed by the story. It's an easy physical read and a not-so-easy but satisfying emotional one. No star rating for this one.
P.S. - The edition with the eyes on the cover (the one my library gave me) is so enormously creepy that I could not leave it face-up anywhere I could see it. Get a different edition if you can. If anything's going to give me nightmares, it just might be that cover.
February 4, 2024
Quando ho visto un post Instagram di Felicia Kingsley nel quale aveva recuperato su Vinted alcuni degli Junior Gaia Mondadori che aveva letto da adolescente, mi è venuta una nostalgia pazzesca - questo perché ero anche io una bambina/ragazzina a cavallo degli anni '90 e 2000 e adoravo quei libri, ma ne ho sempre avuti e letti pochissimi perché da me era difficile trovarli - persino in biblioteca.
Ma quelli che avevo erano tutte storie da pugno nello stomaco, storie che ancora ricordo e che mi sono rimaste impresse, storie che nascondevano un orrore che le stesse protagoniste non sapevano come metabolizzare e mascheravano come qualcos'altro.
Sono sicura che tutti i bigotti e i benpensanti ora si scandalizzerebbero all'idea di far leggere libri con certi argomenti a bambine appena decenni, ma la verità è che all'epoca mia erano ciò che ti metteva in guardia dalle brutture del mondo - oppure ti facevano riconoscere ciò che avevi in casa o nelle immediate vicinanze e ti facevano sentire capita e compresa.
Sono stati libri formativi e Zio Vampiro non è da meno - qui, dove Carolyn vive una realtà famigliare che può a malapena accettare solo ricorrendo alla fantasia perché nemmeno la sua gemella Gioia vuole riconoscere e dare un nome alla cosa e noi assistiamo quasi impotenti e in trappola come Carolyn mentre a volte Carolyn perde il contatto con la realtà e non distingue più il reale dall'incubo e teme che tutti la giudichino pazza e la facciano rinchiudere.
Questo era uno degli Junior Gaia che non ero riuscita a leggere da adolescente, ma da adulta non ha comunque fatto meno male di quanto avrebbe fatto allora.
Ma quelli che avevo erano tutte storie da pugno nello stomaco, storie che ancora ricordo e che mi sono rimaste impresse, storie che nascondevano un orrore che le stesse protagoniste non sapevano come metabolizzare e mascheravano come qualcos'altro.
Sono sicura che tutti i bigotti e i benpensanti ora si scandalizzerebbero all'idea di far leggere libri con certi argomenti a bambine appena decenni, ma la verità è che all'epoca mia erano ciò che ti metteva in guardia dalle brutture del mondo - oppure ti facevano riconoscere ciò che avevi in casa o nelle immediate vicinanze e ti facevano sentire capita e compresa.
Sono stati libri formativi e Zio Vampiro non è da meno - qui, dove Carolyn vive una realtà famigliare che può a malapena accettare solo ricorrendo alla fantasia perché nemmeno la sua gemella Gioia vuole riconoscere e dare un nome alla cosa e noi assistiamo quasi impotenti e in trappola come Carolyn mentre a volte Carolyn perde il contatto con la realtà e non distingue più il reale dall'incubo e teme che tutti la giudichino pazza e la facciano rinchiudere.
Questo era uno degli Junior Gaia che non ero riuscita a leggere da adolescente, ma da adulta non ha comunque fatto meno male di quanto avrebbe fatto allora.
December 31, 2024
I read this book when I was in elementary school and I never really understood what it was about; I remember that I liked it at the time, with the innocence of the child that I was (I picked it up on a school trip to the town's library).
Now I can't help but ask myself: who could have placed this book (amazing, one of my favourite, as it is) in the children's section? I don't think my parents would have let me read it knowing what it was about.
Anyway, overlooking this, back to the book. After forgetting about it over the years, there still was this title, "Uncle vampire", nagging in the dark recesses of my brain, until I looked it up on Google and bought a copy.
Reading it again broke my heart, but still, in the eyes of the adult I am today, I can't not like this book. It's surreal and real at the same time, it's dark and stark reality.
While reading it for the second time (more like the first, really), I remembered nothing about the twins, who they really are, and maybe that's why it was a shock once again.
The book itself is far from perfect, the writing is simple, but the story makes up for it in my opinion. It's not one of those books you read, finish, put back on your bookshelf and entirely forget about it.
As I couldn't forget its title for fifteen years, I know I won't forget this story for the rest of my life.
Now I can't help but ask myself: who could have placed this book (amazing, one of my favourite, as it is) in the children's section? I don't think my parents would have let me read it knowing what it was about.
Anyway, overlooking this, back to the book. After forgetting about it over the years, there still was this title, "Uncle vampire", nagging in the dark recesses of my brain, until I looked it up on Google and bought a copy.
Reading it again broke my heart, but still, in the eyes of the adult I am today, I can't not like this book. It's surreal and real at the same time, it's dark and stark reality.
While reading it for the second time (more like the first, really), I remembered nothing about the twins, who they really are, and maybe that's why it was a shock once again.
The book itself is far from perfect, the writing is simple, but the story makes up for it in my opinion. It's not one of those books you read, finish, put back on your bookshelf and entirely forget about it.
As I couldn't forget its title for fifteen years, I know I won't forget this story for the rest of my life.
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December 4, 2012Holy spoiler alert in the plot synopsis! Anyways, I just remembered reading this as a younger teen, and I was unprepared for the big twists. Honey's identity was really surprising. I think I may have read this more than once, trying to see exactly how the narrator had "tricked" me. I'm not going to rate it, because I don't think it's appropriate to "like" this kind of story... but it was very affecting and I think it was well-written.
February 24, 2021
This was by far one of the saddest books I have ever read. I was boo-hoo crying during the last few chapters.
Even "Speak" didn't affect me the way this story did, and this book came out long before "Speak"--props to Anderson.
Anyway, definitely not for the faint of heart, but please give it a read--it's a quick one.
You can kind of guess what it's about just by the title (and the cover art), but just when you think you've got the whole story figured out...
Even "Speak" didn't affect me the way this story did, and this book came out long before "Speak"--props to Anderson.
Anyway, definitely not for the faint of heart, but please give it a read--it's a quick one.
You can kind of guess what it's about just by the title (and the cover art), but just when you think you've got the whole story figured out...
July 10, 2018
I guess it's a pretty standard Problem Novel in some aspects and hasn't aged well in a few others but even though I was 99% sure what the truth was about the title character (as I'm sure any modern reader would be), there was a SECOND twist that surprisingly not only didn't suck but was one I genuinely also didn't see coming and holds up under scrutiny. You almost have to read this one twice.
February 5, 2025
This book is about a teen with duel personality after dealing with SA from a family member. The book is riveting and something I feel most if not all teens should read
November 8, 2015
Inizialmente la storiella preso però alla fine con questo fatto del vampiro la storia diventata abbastanza noiosa passaggi interessanti e idea originale ma mi aspettavo di più
July 24, 2025
"La mia terapista dice che vedere mio zio come un vampiro e inventare Gioia erano 'meccanismi di difesa' :mi permettevano fi sopravvivere in una situazione altrimenti insostenibile".
"Spesso i bambini non ricordano l'accaduto. Lo spavento e il dolore e il tradimento sono troppo grandi ; così i bambini sbarrano una porta contro i ricordi e cercano di andare avanti.
Ma i ricordi continuano a bussare alla porta chiusa.
E quel suono li fa impazzire. "
" Nessuno è venuto in mio aiuto. Mi sono salvata da sola. Ho cominciato a guarire. Questo libro è una cicatrice. Cercate di capirmi:non è che mi svegli cantando, però mi sveglio. È un inizio.
Devo mettercela tutta per mantenere il contatto con la realtà, per resistere alla tentazione di fingere, di dire a me stessa che non può essere successo.
Non avrebbe dovuto succedere, ma è successo.
Ho scritto tutto qui, dove chiunque può leggerlo; ho messo le parole sulla pagina per non farle fuggire e devo guardare la verità e affrontarla. Affrontarla Carolyn. Non avere paura. La notte è passata.
È dura sbarazzarsi dei vampiri. Bisogna trascinarli alla luce. "
Citazioni del libro che rendono benissimo l'idea di come spesso viene affrontata una VIOLENZA MINORILE. Libro breve ma molto scorrevole e coinvolgente.
"Spesso i bambini non ricordano l'accaduto. Lo spavento e il dolore e il tradimento sono troppo grandi ; così i bambini sbarrano una porta contro i ricordi e cercano di andare avanti.
Ma i ricordi continuano a bussare alla porta chiusa.
E quel suono li fa impazzire. "
" Nessuno è venuto in mio aiuto. Mi sono salvata da sola. Ho cominciato a guarire. Questo libro è una cicatrice. Cercate di capirmi:non è che mi svegli cantando, però mi sveglio. È un inizio.
Devo mettercela tutta per mantenere il contatto con la realtà, per resistere alla tentazione di fingere, di dire a me stessa che non può essere successo.
Non avrebbe dovuto succedere, ma è successo.
Ho scritto tutto qui, dove chiunque può leggerlo; ho messo le parole sulla pagina per non farle fuggire e devo guardare la verità e affrontarla. Affrontarla Carolyn. Non avere paura. La notte è passata.
È dura sbarazzarsi dei vampiri. Bisogna trascinarli alla luce. "
Citazioni del libro che rendono benissimo l'idea di come spesso viene affrontata una VIOLENZA MINORILE. Libro breve ma molto scorrevole e coinvolgente.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2020
I read this when I was a teen and into thrillers and supernatural stories. This story throws you for a loop and tackles what is still at times a taboo subject. They really shouldn't have given any of the twists away because this is the type of book where you are going on a journey with the main characters and knowing what happens ahead of time takes away from it. I highly recommend this though despite the language especially for book clubs involving teens and adults because this subject needs to be talked about more and victims need to be heard.
October 21, 2024
Zio Vampiro è anche questa una rilettura e ora viene classificato per il libro che è, una metafora di un abo se*ale da parte di un parente, ricordo che però da bambina rimasi colpitissima quando viene spiegato come mai Carolyn riteneva suo zio un vampiro, cosa che adesso da adulta ho riconosciuto subito ma mi è rimasto estremamente impresso nella memoria come il libro precedente della stessa collana (Il Gufo Innamorato) al punto tale da aver voluto rileggerli e mi sono trovata stranamente confortata a sapere già dove andasse a parare la storia
January 16, 2021
I got this book because of John’s (Books of Blood) review on YouTube. I was really excited to get started on this read but besides the ending the rest of the book kind of just drug on. It wasn’t a bad book but it wasn’t as good as I thought it was going to be. But the ending saved it from being a two star read for me. 3 stars. Good but not great.
February 9, 2026
When I added this book to currently reading on here I did get spoilers from people in the reviews about the sexual abuse and the split personality disorder however, even knowing that before getting to the end of the book it was still a major plot twist and really makes you think. I’ve never read a book like this but I will definitely never forget it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2017
Great YA book!
June 30, 2019
loved it
May 4, 2020
Recensione nel video WRAP UP e TBR del 1°Giugno sul canale YouTube GioCateBookswriter 😇
Read
July 1, 2020Read sometime before 1996.
February 17, 2026
hard to rate!
January 25, 2014
So wanted something quick as I contemplate my next reading (will it be something from my personal library as I always seem to neglect books that I compulsively buy/borrow from everywhere or some library treasure in my never ending pile of to-be read books) and while I research and ponder I decided to try this Young Adult novel that boasts a major plot twist and a secret you have to read to the end to find out and it was just as short and straightforward as I hoped..good message but kinda juvenile for me--uh duh it was YA but yup I just had to read it, and now its done..This book follows twins (would it be too much of a spoiler to put the word twins in quotations?) Carolyn and Honey and their family as they entertain and house the unemployed weird night owl father's younger brother Uncle Toddy who has been staying at their house for what seems like a long time...The reclusive, charming and handsome Uncle Toddy seems to have everyone under his spell as he mooches off the family and tries to put on a front of a loving supportive uncle that has Carolyn thinking she's all alone in knowing that he is actually a vampire, sucking all the blood and life out of them all..the father's business is failing, the mother is some kind of sick where she takes pills and is hospitalized from time to time withdrawn in books and herself and the brother is rebelling in school and spending all his time away from the house, and the oldest sister has moved on with college and her life leaving Carolyn and Honey struggling to maintain in school and beyond with their Uncle draining their life force as Carolyn puts it...You get a sense of the twist early on and I think it could have been written better to really surprise the reader with the revelation but overall I see it was written for kids though at times it was confusing with the dream sequences and rambling monologues, not recommended as the best but for the issues it raised I can roll with it..Okay read not great, maybe if I was thirteen again, but I had Sweet Valley High, V.C. Andrews, Louis Sachar, the Babysitters Club to keep my head filled with sweet girl things thankfully never the horror alluded to here, I do feel if you read between the lines you will get what this book is about but no more spoilers......
August 31, 2016
As a child, I probably would have rated this at 4. After re-reading it now as an adult, I would rate it at 2 (only ok). And so to be fair, I took the average between the two and gave it 3 stars.
This book, as you can tell by the previous paragraph, is a re-read for me. It's a fairly easy read, one that I finished in a day, both then and now. I remember really liking it as a child, since the plot twists at the end completely took me by surprise. However, as an adult, it struck me as a bit too simple and not at all the page-turner I remember it being. But then there are enough hints throughout the book for an adult to pick up on at least one of the plot twists, so the ending wouldn't have been as surprising for them.
And I know there are those who are disappointed by the spoiler in the book's synopsis, but it's a practical move as a warning to parents about the mature concepts in the book. I initially read this when I was around 8-years-old, fully expecting vampires, and being shocked at what I found in the end. That was definitely too young of an age to be exposed to such content, in my humble opinion.
This book, as you can tell by the previous paragraph, is a re-read for me. It's a fairly easy read, one that I finished in a day, both then and now. I remember really liking it as a child, since the plot twists at the end completely took me by surprise. However, as an adult, it struck me as a bit too simple and not at all the page-turner I remember it being. But then there are enough hints throughout the book for an adult to pick up on at least one of the plot twists, so the ending wouldn't have been as surprising for them.
And I know there are those who are disappointed by the spoiler in the book's synopsis, but it's a practical move as a warning to parents about the mature concepts in the book. I initially read this when I was around 8-years-old, fully expecting vampires, and being shocked at what I found in the end. That was definitely too young of an age to be exposed to such content, in my humble opinion.
December 16, 2019
As a kid, I just found this book on a shelf somewhere and had no idea what it was actually about. I remember it took me completely by surprise when I finally realized what was happening and once I did, I remember feeling like I'd been lured in on a false pretense; like a sense of betrayal. While I'm not saying that's a fair assessment, that's how I remember feeling at the time. Perhaps I should re-read this.
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