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Vampire Twins #1
Bloodlines
Struggling to cope with their dark vampire legacy, Anne Marie Montclair grieves over her mother's tragic death, while her twin brother, Paul, is torn between his love for his sister and his hatred toward the father who had abandoned him. Original.
231 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 29, 2008
This is a great book. A set of twins move in with a relative after their Mother is killed. Then they find an odd behaving aunt who jogs at night and family secrets.
This book took me back to a time in middle school when I'd
stay up reading and reading late into the night. I want to continue the series and search out other series/books by this author. It is not often, these days, in my adulthood I find YA novels I like. V C Andrews is about the only YA author I'll auto buy. I am glad to see another I like.
This book took me back to a time in middle school when I'd
stay up reading and reading late into the night. I want to continue the series and search out other series/books by this author. It is not often, these days, in my adulthood I find YA novels I like. V C Andrews is about the only YA author I'll auto buy. I am glad to see another I like.
March 8, 2023
So much nostalgia with this re-read, it was one of my favourite books as a teenager, (actually the whole series was), and still remains a favourite to this day, well over 20 years later. Love it ❤️❤️
December 24, 2025
I restarted this book on Dec 20, 2025 to Dec 23, 2025: “Blood lines” by Janice Harrell is part of the Vampire Twins series. (Nightmares Series!) This was book 1. I read this book when I was a teenager and wanted to read it again. It’s not how I remembered it. But this book series - is how I imagined vampires to be (not like twilight etc.)
“Expect the unexpected..” - this inspired me to write my own stories as a teen.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Ari and Paul Montclair are 16 years old and twins. They live in New Orleans, USA with their mother who’s recently got promoted as an editor of a newspaper. There is a serial killer on the loose, which upsets their mother. (Probably good reason to work for the newspaper, always knowing what’s happening a head of time.) They don’t know their father. He’s always been absent in their lives and they have a distant aunt Gabrielle who lives in Washington DC.
Paul discovers a dead body outside their house, which sets of alarm bells for their mother who starts looking for a new job, wanting to relocate her family.
Meanwhile, the readers are aware of a vampire that’s going round, hunting and killing innocent people. The same vampire had a tarot card reading, but killed that person.
Paul and Ari desperately want to stay local. But bad news comes their way when they hear that their mother died in a car accident?
After their mum dies, they relocate to Washington DC, where they start a new school, make new friends and find their aunt rather strange. It turns out they are a Vampire family.
I always liked the strong bond between the brother and sister. We still haven’t met their father Richard Montclair yet, but he’s around. Bless Paul got beaten up by accident, as someone took him as Richard.
The book ends on a cliff hanger. So you have to continue reading book 2. I think when I was a teenager, I got to book 2, and never found out what happened. Grateful that in 2025, I was able to find all 4 books in the series. This could easily been one novel.
“Expect the unexpected..” - this inspired me to write my own stories as a teen.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Ari and Paul Montclair are 16 years old and twins. They live in New Orleans, USA with their mother who’s recently got promoted as an editor of a newspaper. There is a serial killer on the loose, which upsets their mother. (Probably good reason to work for the newspaper, always knowing what’s happening a head of time.) They don’t know their father. He’s always been absent in their lives and they have a distant aunt Gabrielle who lives in Washington DC.
Paul discovers a dead body outside their house, which sets of alarm bells for their mother who starts looking for a new job, wanting to relocate her family.
Meanwhile, the readers are aware of a vampire that’s going round, hunting and killing innocent people. The same vampire had a tarot card reading, but killed that person.
Paul and Ari desperately want to stay local. But bad news comes their way when they hear that their mother died in a car accident?
After their mum dies, they relocate to Washington DC, where they start a new school, make new friends and find their aunt rather strange. It turns out they are a Vampire family.
I always liked the strong bond between the brother and sister. We still haven’t met their father Richard Montclair yet, but he’s around. Bless Paul got beaten up by accident, as someone took him as Richard.
The book ends on a cliff hanger. So you have to continue reading book 2. I think when I was a teenager, I got to book 2, and never found out what happened. Grateful that in 2025, I was able to find all 4 books in the series. This could easily been one novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2021
Good old fun antics
I originally read this back when I was like 13 (about 1997), borrowed from the library. Never read the others.
How delighted I was when I saw almost all of Harrell's old YAs are now on KU! Now I can finish the series.
Not much of a life changer here folks - its dramatic, its a bit over the top, the writing is more functional than elaborate or flowery. The real heart lies in the twin's dynamics and the reason they're being stalked so persistently.
A lot of fun, and very quick to read.
I originally read this back when I was like 13 (about 1997), borrowed from the library. Never read the others.
How delighted I was when I saw almost all of Harrell's old YAs are now on KU! Now I can finish the series.
Not much of a life changer here folks - its dramatic, its a bit over the top, the writing is more functional than elaborate or flowery. The real heart lies in the twin's dynamics and the reason they're being stalked so persistently.
A lot of fun, and very quick to read.
May 11, 2021
This was a fast paced read but there also isn’t much going on. This is essentially an “ooo vampires” book with an unsure plot and a cliffhanger ending. Admittedly a great read for nostalgia purposes as it was comforting to remember how simple books used to be when compared to modern YA. Not a bad book at all, just simple.
October 26, 2020
3.5 rounded up. Some phrases have aged quite poorly but a solid YA vampire book.
November 7, 2023
When I was 20, I found a copy at some mass paperback sale and devoured this cheesy novel about vampire twins.
March 7, 2020
This was kind of fun. It took me back to my late middle school / early high school days, the style very much reminds me of paranormal books by other authors I was reading back then (Christopher Pike, Lois Duncan, L.J. Smith).
YA of today certainly doesn’t read quite as young feeling as it did twenty-five or thirty years ago, in my opinion. But I would have happily gobbled this up in my teens. As it is, it’s still an engaging read but is also unlike a lot of YA currently being published. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded. The two main characters, sixteen year old twins Anne-Marie (Ari for short) and Paul, are in the dark about a lot of things and you’re getting information filtered through their perspectives. At first, things are weird and creepy but they don’t seem too out of the ordinary. But over time things start adding up. The kids are having weird visions and they don’t know if they’re just dreaming or hallucinating or what and they keep trying to come up with logical explanations for everything they’re seeing and experiencing in their Aunt’s house. I think we, as the reader, are able to perfectly piece together what’s happening for the most part–after all if you’re reading a book about vampires you know the signs of vampires and what to look for. So part of the engagement of the story is the reader being in on the secret and wondering when they’re going to figure things out. Of course, there are still some things that aren’t spelled out for the reader and those little mysteries provide some entertainment as well.
Paul and Ari were okay as characters, although the way this is written we’re kind of kept at a distance from them in some ways. I didn’t really start connecting with either of them much until near the end of the story. I would like to see both of them fleshed out a little more, or have more personality. I think even their aunt had more personality than either of the kids. Also, there’s this bond between the kids that was giving me a weird vibe like maybe they were too close at times, but maybe that’s just a twin thing and wasn’t properly written or maybe I’m reading too much into things. But why are they kind of jealous of each other dating? Ummm….lol.
My only other major complaint is that it ends on a huge cliffhanger! Now I kind of want to find out more about these kids and what happens to them. Are they finally going to meet their mysterious father? Was their mother’s death really an accident? What’s up with all these vampires in the DC area? (As a side note, I just want to say that I knew it, I knew there were vampires in the area–there’s always so much more traffic around here as soon as it gets dark out earlier and that’s the only logical explanation, of course 😉 )
Overall, this was an okay read for what it was, certainly had me entertained at the very least. I’ll probably pick up the next one at some point just to see what happens. 3/5 stars.
YA of today certainly doesn’t read quite as young feeling as it did twenty-five or thirty years ago, in my opinion. But I would have happily gobbled this up in my teens. As it is, it’s still an engaging read but is also unlike a lot of YA currently being published. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded. The two main characters, sixteen year old twins Anne-Marie (Ari for short) and Paul, are in the dark about a lot of things and you’re getting information filtered through their perspectives. At first, things are weird and creepy but they don’t seem too out of the ordinary. But over time things start adding up. The kids are having weird visions and they don’t know if they’re just dreaming or hallucinating or what and they keep trying to come up with logical explanations for everything they’re seeing and experiencing in their Aunt’s house. I think we, as the reader, are able to perfectly piece together what’s happening for the most part–after all if you’re reading a book about vampires you know the signs of vampires and what to look for. So part of the engagement of the story is the reader being in on the secret and wondering when they’re going to figure things out. Of course, there are still some things that aren’t spelled out for the reader and those little mysteries provide some entertainment as well.
Paul and Ari were okay as characters, although the way this is written we’re kind of kept at a distance from them in some ways. I didn’t really start connecting with either of them much until near the end of the story. I would like to see both of them fleshed out a little more, or have more personality. I think even their aunt had more personality than either of the kids. Also, there’s this bond between the kids that was giving me a weird vibe like maybe they were too close at times, but maybe that’s just a twin thing and wasn’t properly written or maybe I’m reading too much into things. But why are they kind of jealous of each other dating? Ummm….lol.
My only other major complaint is that it ends on a huge cliffhanger! Now I kind of want to find out more about these kids and what happens to them. Are they finally going to meet their mysterious father? Was their mother’s death really an accident? What’s up with all these vampires in the DC area? (As a side note, I just want to say that I knew it, I knew there were vampires in the area–there’s always so much more traffic around here as soon as it gets dark out earlier and that’s the only logical explanation, of course 😉 )
Overall, this was an okay read for what it was, certainly had me entertained at the very least. I’ll probably pick up the next one at some point just to see what happens. 3/5 stars.
January 1, 2015
The thrilling story of a sister and brother torn apart by the unthinkable secret that is their destiny.
ANNE MARIE MONTCLAIR: Devastated by her mother's tragic death, she hungers for an escape from her misery. Must Anne Marie abandon her beloved twin brother to find the happiness she craves?
PAUL MONTCLAIR: Haunted by his contempt for the father who abandoned him, he searches for the power to forget his past. When Paul's hatred drives him to betray Anne Marie, can he regain the trust of the only person he truly loves?
My Review
Paul and Anne Marie Montclair are teenage twins living with their mother in New Orleans. The story opens with Paul reading about the latest exploits of the local serial killer in the newspaper. The police have no leads, only completely exsanguinated bodies. When tragedy strikes, Paul and Ari are sent to live with their aunt Gabrielle in Washington, D.C. They soon notice that Aunt Gabrielle has some strange habits - rarely touching her food at dinner, sleeping all day, taking nightly jogs and coming in looking all pink and refreshed. They also begin to have waking visions of vampires and other fanged creatures in their bedrooms. Paul and Ari have no idea what to do to make it stop, but, one way or another, they're going to figure out what's going on.
The reader knows what's going on long before Paul and Ari figure it out for themselves (although the name of the series - "Vampire Twins" - is sort of a glaring hint). Bloodlines contains a lot of set-up for the next books, and as such the blurb on the back cover is somewhat misleading. There's much action at all in this first installment. That's not to say that Bloodlines isn't worth reading, but it's worth a warning.
I loved this series back in middle school. I really started getting into paranormal fiction back then, although that would taper off during high school and not re-emerge until I went away to college. Unfortunately, that was right at the end of the 90's paranormal craze, so the only place that still carried these books was the local used bookstore. When I lost my copy of the Vampire Twins 2, I couldn't find another one anywhere, at least not for an exorbitant price. After finally tracking one down last year, I put off re-reading the series for fear that it wouldn't be as good as I remembered. While it's not exactly groundbreaking, I did enjoy this first book and can't wait to get a chance to run through the rest of them again.
Fans of L.J. Smith's NightWorld series will likely enjoy this series.
The other titles in the Vampire Twins series are: Bloodlust, Bloodchoice, and Blood Reunion.
3.5 stars
http://amandasbooksandmore.blogspot.com/
ANNE MARIE MONTCLAIR: Devastated by her mother's tragic death, she hungers for an escape from her misery. Must Anne Marie abandon her beloved twin brother to find the happiness she craves?
PAUL MONTCLAIR: Haunted by his contempt for the father who abandoned him, he searches for the power to forget his past. When Paul's hatred drives him to betray Anne Marie, can he regain the trust of the only person he truly loves?
My Review
Paul and Anne Marie Montclair are teenage twins living with their mother in New Orleans. The story opens with Paul reading about the latest exploits of the local serial killer in the newspaper. The police have no leads, only completely exsanguinated bodies. When tragedy strikes, Paul and Ari are sent to live with their aunt Gabrielle in Washington, D.C. They soon notice that Aunt Gabrielle has some strange habits - rarely touching her food at dinner, sleeping all day, taking nightly jogs and coming in looking all pink and refreshed. They also begin to have waking visions of vampires and other fanged creatures in their bedrooms. Paul and Ari have no idea what to do to make it stop, but, one way or another, they're going to figure out what's going on.
The reader knows what's going on long before Paul and Ari figure it out for themselves (although the name of the series - "Vampire Twins" - is sort of a glaring hint). Bloodlines contains a lot of set-up for the next books, and as such the blurb on the back cover is somewhat misleading. There's much action at all in this first installment. That's not to say that Bloodlines isn't worth reading, but it's worth a warning.
I loved this series back in middle school. I really started getting into paranormal fiction back then, although that would taper off during high school and not re-emerge until I went away to college. Unfortunately, that was right at the end of the 90's paranormal craze, so the only place that still carried these books was the local used bookstore. When I lost my copy of the Vampire Twins 2, I couldn't find another one anywhere, at least not for an exorbitant price. After finally tracking one down last year, I put off re-reading the series for fear that it wouldn't be as good as I remembered. While it's not exactly groundbreaking, I did enjoy this first book and can't wait to get a chance to run through the rest of them again.
Fans of L.J. Smith's NightWorld series will likely enjoy this series.
The other titles in the Vampire Twins series are: Bloodlust, Bloodchoice, and Blood Reunion.
3.5 stars
http://amandasbooksandmore.blogspot.com/
August 12, 2007
It is a little hard to write a review for this book as I read it over ten years ago, which made me about 11 at the time.
I know I liked the book, because I ended up reading the entire series. But back then I'd read just about every Young Adult vampire series that was out.
I would like to get this book again someday, if I can find a used copy. So I can re-read it and put up a better review, as well as relive my childhood memories.
I'd suggest this book as a good gift for the young vampire novel reader in your life, if you can find a copy (though beware, if they like it then you'll have to find the other three as well).
I know I liked the book, because I ended up reading the entire series. But back then I'd read just about every Young Adult vampire series that was out.
I would like to get this book again someday, if I can find a used copy. So I can re-read it and put up a better review, as well as relive my childhood memories.
I'd suggest this book as a good gift for the young vampire novel reader in your life, if you can find a copy (though beware, if they like it then you'll have to find the other three as well).
October 18, 2016
Harrell is queen of the awkward segue. This series is super fun so far but like all of her books, lose steam and start to run on as a way to try and fill three books. This is even worse here because she added a FOURTH volume. Once again, a rustic retreat cottage is central to the plot...sort of. Since I'm definitely guilty of the same derivative tactic in my own work, maybe I should not have mentioned it. But you will have lots of fun reading about psychopathic vampires and families and twins and stuff.
Read
January 10, 2016I needed a palette cleanser after my attempt at Book of Numbers, and I conveniently happened across this copy of an old favorite. I haven't read this series in 20 years, but it was just as fun as I remembered. Palette cleansed!
November 24, 2008
This was a pretty good series. What I still remember is their weird fangs, though--if they were about to bite someone and got interrupted, the fangs were really long and pointy and got all folded up in their mouths making it hard for them to talk.
April 30, 2009
great book left with a great cliff hanger so u want to read more
July 10, 2012
I read this one many years ago, don't remember anything about it but I know I didn't seek out any of the other books except the 1 at the library.
November 6, 2012
It is a well written vampire series it lets you really connect with the characters and always wanting more a must read for a paranormal lover
January 2, 2019
Such a good story, I can’t wait to read the next one.
March 29, 2013
I read these books as a teen and it remains my fav vampire series.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews