This first in a new series has a very attractive cover, which is sure to appeal to fans of books, such as “Witch Wars.” It has twenty short chapters, is just over 200 pages long and is packed with black and white illustrations. As such it will appeal to confident readers, who are ready to embark on slightly longer books.
The front of the book has a double page map of Nocturnia, the City in the Kingdom of the Dark, complete with Nocturnia Palace, the Fang Mansion, Rickety Residences, Catacome Academy and various creepy looking places. Amelia lives in the Fang Mansion with her father, Count Drake the Third, her mother, Countess Frivoleeta, her pet pumpkin, Squashy, and the rest of her household.
Countess Frivoleeta is planning the annual Barbaric Ball, THE annual event in Nocturnia. Amelia finds the ball boring – she wants to study Pumpkinology and help poorly pumpkins when she grows up. However, her mother thinks that she needs to learn vampires etiquette. Count Drake had fallen out with King Vladimir, but now he announces he will come to the ball, and will bring his son, Prince Tangine. When the spoilt prices kidnaps Squashy, it is up to Amelia to rescue her beloved pet pumpkin.
This is a fun story, out just in time for Halloween. It is very funny, with wonderful illustrations and brilliantly quirky characters. You can forget all the rumours about vampires not having reflections, as Amelia’s mother just loves hers! Best of all, there is going to be another book in the series out next year, “Amelia Fang and the Unicorn Lords.”