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Vampire SEALs #1
On the Edge of Humanity
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
Vampires are born, not made.
The gene that creates them lurks in human DNA.
As a foster kid being bounced from home to home, I didn’t give much thought to the fanged members of the population.
Until my twin brother, Sam went missing.
Dragged into the principal’s office at my latest loathsome school, I meet the darkly appealing Webb London...
My world as I know it implodes. Part of a secret Navy SEAL team of natural-born vampires, Webb reveals an evil cartel has abducted Sam to claim an agent in his blood.
But what flows through his veins runs through mine as well.
A dormant gene, if activated, is all it will take to transform me into a vampire. Now, that could be my only hope to save Sam. Time is running out, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. His life, or my humanity?
One way or another, nothing will ever be the same.
On the Edge of Humanity is the first book in The Vampire Navy SEAL series and is the beginning of Jo Mason’s story as she navigates the world of vampires and meets the hot Navy SEAL vampire Webb London. The book is filled with edge-of-your-seat action, intrigue, suspense, and an emerging romance. This is an upper young adult/new adult paranormal, military vampire romance series.
Vampires are born, not made.
The gene that creates them lurks in human DNA.
As a foster kid being bounced from home to home, I didn’t give much thought to the fanged members of the population.
Until my twin brother, Sam went missing.
Dragged into the principal’s office at my latest loathsome school, I meet the darkly appealing Webb London...
My world as I know it implodes. Part of a secret Navy SEAL team of natural-born vampires, Webb reveals an evil cartel has abducted Sam to claim an agent in his blood.
But what flows through his veins runs through mine as well.
A dormant gene, if activated, is all it will take to transform me into a vampire. Now, that could be my only hope to save Sam. Time is running out, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. His life, or my humanity?
One way or another, nothing will ever be the same.
On the Edge of Humanity is the first book in The Vampire Navy SEAL series and is the beginning of Jo Mason’s story as she navigates the world of vampires and meets the hot Navy SEAL vampire Webb London. The book is filled with edge-of-your-seat action, intrigue, suspense, and an emerging romance. This is an upper young adult/new adult paranormal, military vampire romance series.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2012
139 people are currently reading
611 people want to read
About the author
S.B. Alexander
44 books1,019 followersNavy veteran and bestselling author S.B. Alexander writes paranormal, new adult, and young adult romance. Her writing is emotional, angsty, and character-driven, and features hot heroes stealing hearts.
S.B. or Susan as she likes to be called is a navy veteran, former high school teacher, and former corporate sales executive. She’s a lover of sports, especially baseball, although nowadays you can find her on the golf course.
When she’s not writing, she’s a full-time caregiver to her soul mate of twenty-two years who got a bad deal in life when he was diagnosed with ALS. Her motto: “Life is too short to waste. So live every moment like it’s your last.”
S.B. or Susan as she likes to be called is a navy veteran, former high school teacher, and former corporate sales executive. She’s a lover of sports, especially baseball, although nowadays you can find her on the golf course.
When she’s not writing, she’s a full-time caregiver to her soul mate of twenty-two years who got a bad deal in life when he was diagnosed with ALS. Her motto: “Life is too short to waste. So live every moment like it’s your last.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 12, 2013
This story isn't like most of the the vampire teen fiction out there. It's an action-packed debut of teens and vampires, and I found the military aspect intriguing, exciting and original. I loved the relationship between Jo and her brother Sam, and thought this really held the story together as its beating heart. The uneasiness between Jo and her estranged father, as well as her coming to terms with choosing whether or not to become part the vampire world, was also interesting and rounded out the book.
The author handles plot and action well – I found myself very absorbed at times, the pace didn't really flag, and I thought it bridged the transition from teen life to a dark, new world quite naturally – and thankfully balanced this with great touches of teen humour.
There are also enough little plot details that fans of the genre will enjoy and pick up on to wonder about in terms of future books, but I was impressed that this book felt complete enough in itself. I'm certainly interested in hearing happens next!
The author handles plot and action well – I found myself very absorbed at times, the pace didn't really flag, and I thought it bridged the transition from teen life to a dark, new world quite naturally – and thankfully balanced this with great touches of teen humour.
There are also enough little plot details that fans of the genre will enjoy and pick up on to wonder about in terms of future books, but I was impressed that this book felt complete enough in itself. I'm certainly interested in hearing happens next!
March 12, 2013
On the Edge of Humanity is a paranormal young adult fictional that displays all the typical growing pains of being a teenager but with a twist. Alexander brings tons of twists and turns with the many characters involved. The main character, Jo is a growing teen who happens to be a twin. Among normal teen issues such a puberty, she has abandonment issues as well as authority issues. I was surprised and pleasantly happy that Alexander stayed away from the "Woe is Me" stereotypical plot that is normal found with young adult novels. Jo's character evolves in more ways than one.
Alexander does an excellent job in giving the reader real drama, action, and hormones in On the Edge of Humanity. How can you go wrong bring vampires and navy seals together? The plot will never get boring that's for sure. I will definitely be reading Book 2 of these series.
April 21, 2014
I received an ARC copy via Book Blogging in exchange of an honest review.
Jo Mason is a sixteen year old orphan who is constantly pilgriming from foster parents to foster parents until she ends up the worst one of all. They are cruel and in the end she gets put in to hospital where she witnesses something that changes her life. From that moment on she has to flee, to run and while doing so, she discovers secrets of herself, her real family and of the existence of vampires.
Actually the first few pages were great. I thought it was going to be nice to read it. The plot was intriguing, the style was not bad, but on the very last page of the first chapter things started to become awry. Still I though "Okay, no problem, nothing is perfect."I'm such an optimistic. *rolls eyes* Unfortunately, I was wrong.
The story started to take a bend in the direction of illogical, inconsequential and even a teeny tiniely ludicrous. Let me explain this latter. It was probably meant to be simply dramatic, but it was overdone and came out being a bit ridiculous. Here are a few sentences that didn't really work out for me for the above mentioned reason so that you know what I mean:
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD! IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW SOME SENTENCES OF THE BOOK JUMP TO THE END OF THE SPOILER!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Wait." I scurried over to the table, grabbed the cop's card and shoved it into my pocket. I didn't know if I would need it, but if anything, I could contact him later to make sure he was okay."All this while they were escaping from the hospital. If I were her I wouldn't call the cop, who is obliged to take me to back to an orphanage, once I hate to be at foster homes.
"As I admired the sexy curves of the car, my gaze landed on the license plate that read Case-96. I looked up and the blue sign above stated the car belonged to Dr. Leroy Case. I wanted to laugh. To me, Dr. Case didn't look like a Leroy; he looked more like a nervous Nelly." (Still escaping.)
END OF SPOILER
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Apart from these wrongs there were also contradictions, such as it changed every minute whether she liked a certain person or not and what she knew or not. Though it could go with inconsequential, I imagine.
Another thing that didn't work out well for me was the unceasing hatred and shouting and some overused profanity. No, there wasn't too much and it wasn't obscene, nevertheless if I get to hear 'as*hole' once more I run out of this world.
ON THE OTHER HAND, it's too bad because the plot wouldn't have been bad. Nay! It was actually pretty intriguing and suspenseful despite the fact that sometimes I felt that all the stupid vampire myths were stuffed into it.
Jo Mason is a sixteen year old orphan who is constantly pilgriming from foster parents to foster parents until she ends up the worst one of all. They are cruel and in the end she gets put in to hospital where she witnesses something that changes her life. From that moment on she has to flee, to run and while doing so, she discovers secrets of herself, her real family and of the existence of vampires.
Actually the first few pages were great. I thought it was going to be nice to read it. The plot was intriguing, the style was not bad, but on the very last page of the first chapter things started to become awry. Still I though "Okay, no problem, nothing is perfect."
The story started to take a bend in the direction of illogical, inconsequential and even a teeny tiniely ludicrous. Let me explain this latter. It was probably meant to be simply dramatic, but it was overdone and came out being a bit ridiculous. Here are a few sentences that didn't really work out for me for the above mentioned reason so that you know what I mean:
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD! IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW SOME SENTENCES OF THE BOOK JUMP TO THE END OF THE SPOILER!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Wait." I scurried over to the table, grabbed the cop's card and shoved it into my pocket. I didn't know if I would need it, but if anything, I could contact him later to make sure he was okay."
"As I admired the sexy curves of the car, my gaze landed on the license plate that read Case-96. I looked up and the blue sign above stated the car belonged to Dr. Leroy Case. I wanted to laugh. To me, Dr. Case didn't look like a Leroy; he looked more like a nervous Nelly." (Still escaping.)
END OF SPOILER
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Apart from these wrongs there were also contradictions, such as it changed every minute whether she liked a certain person or not and what she knew or not. Though it could go with inconsequential, I imagine.
Another thing that didn't work out well for me was the unceasing hatred and shouting and some overused profanity. No, there wasn't too much and it wasn't obscene, nevertheless if I get to hear 'as*hole' once more I run out of this world.
ON THE OTHER HAND, it's too bad because the plot wouldn't have been bad. Nay! It was actually pretty intriguing and suspenseful despite the fact that sometimes I felt that all the stupid vampire myths were stuffed into it.
March 17, 2014
To be honest, I am usually not into vampire stories. I usually read biographies or realistic fiction, but On the Edge of Humanity was so realistic that it held my attention from beginning to end.
The story takes place in a regular, New England town, which makes the story believable. S.B. Alexander catches the reader's attention with well-rounded characters. Right from the first page, I wanted to know what would happen to Jo and Sam, and even their good friend Ben. The characters were presented as average American teenagers, although Jo and Sam did not have a regular family. We soon learn that they are NOT regular teens.
I would recommend On the Edge of Humanity to people of all ages. It's a great book for readers of all genres, too. Whether you like action, suspense, or biographies, you will love this book.
The story takes place in a regular, New England town, which makes the story believable. S.B. Alexander catches the reader's attention with well-rounded characters. Right from the first page, I wanted to know what would happen to Jo and Sam, and even their good friend Ben. The characters were presented as average American teenagers, although Jo and Sam did not have a regular family. We soon learn that they are NOT regular teens.
I would recommend On the Edge of Humanity to people of all ages. It's a great book for readers of all genres, too. Whether you like action, suspense, or biographies, you will love this book.
May 1, 2014
I've read tons of vampire books over the years, ever since the Anne Rice days. I thought I'd seen every possible configuration of vampire abilities and appearance, but I was wrong. Ms. Alexander added just enough of a unique twist to typical vampire convention to make her story world fresh, without heaping all kinds of unnecessary crazy on top. I don't usually read YA and it was a pleasant surprise to find myself truly engaged and invested in the characters. I will definitely read the next book in this series.
May 23, 2013
I really liked this book and look forward to the second one in the series. There is a second one right? I thought this was a great set up as well as a failed set up as to what will come. I can't wait to learn more about vampire SEALs and what it is they do. I want to know more about Webb and Jo's spark. What will happen to Ben? What will vampire school be like? What powers does Jo and Sam have now? OK, this isn't much of a review, but I liked it enough to question all these things and continue on their adventure.
May 20, 2013
This wasn't the best vampire story I've every read, but it was the most creative. I would have never thought you could combine the military and vampires but S.B. Alexander proved me wrong. I thought there was a good story line, but the story seemed to drag on. I admit to skipping through pages just to get to the point. Overall the story was alright I would've liked a little bit of romance between Jo and Webb.
April 6, 2013
This young adult paranormal read was a great first novel for S.B. Alexander. It was well written, action packed and I found Jo and Sam very likable and relating to them. S.B. did a great job with the vampire-military aspect of the story and I will look forward to her second book coming out soon.
April 8, 2013
Very good read. The author held my attention through the whole story. The only thing that annoys me about suspense is that no one says what their motives are till the end of the story but that's the whole purpose of the book. Anyways can't wait to read the sequel On The Edge of Eternity.
May 23, 2014
I thought it was great! I started reading it and couldn't put it down! I haven't read the second one, on the edge of eternity, and I know the author started writing the third! I cant wait to read them!
May 10, 2013
loved it. hope the story continues Soon!!
May 14, 2023
Our father seemingly abandoned us after our mother died to an aunt who abandoned us to the state. It’s a wonder that we were not separated from all the foster homes we bounced from and to. The last five foster homes were bearable, but this one run by Hilda and Cliff screamed of danger to me. Then one Friday night, my brother Sam was late coming home. I grabbed the corkscrew out of the drawer, just in case, and disappeared into my room. Later, Cliff came in and wanted to do his version of Chester the molester. I was lucky. I’m so small that I was only able to hurt him with the corkscrew, but he was able to scar me with a knife before my brother Sam showed up and knocked him out with a baseball bat. But that was only the beginning of our troubles as Hilda told the cops that Sam tried to kill Cliff. We decided that we were not going to another foster home or be separated, so we ran and come to find out we were being followed. Followed by two sets of people. One group looked like they wore military uniforms, and the other didn’t, but what really freaked me out was it looked like they had fangs!
The physical world-building was done well, while the sociological aspect was built slowly as the story followed the same slow pattern. (The reality rules were revealed slowly, or the story started slow, to put it simply.) The character interaction was done well, if not overdone in spots, and even the extensive background of the protagonists was not enough to compensate for the actions taken.
This story gives us some action and adventure, including romance, fantasy, and vampires. So if you like these genres, then download this story now. I give this story four stars out of five stars.
The physical world-building was done well, while the sociological aspect was built slowly as the story followed the same slow pattern. (The reality rules were revealed slowly, or the story started slow, to put it simply.) The character interaction was done well, if not overdone in spots, and even the extensive background of the protagonists was not enough to compensate for the actions taken.
This story gives us some action and adventure, including romance, fantasy, and vampires. So if you like these genres, then download this story now. I give this story four stars out of five stars.
August 17, 2022
The four stars are for all the people around the MC. She bugged me so much.
So this is my second book by this author and both of the MC were so selfish it almost ruined the books for me. The only thing that made me keep reading was the story line and all the other characters. This author can write the other characters so well. BUT the main one so far has been a selfish, self centered, brat. To me it ruins the book.
I kept reading this one because one I wanted to find out what happened to Sam. And second the name of the book is Jo and Webb’s story. There really was non of them even getting to know each other.
Also, there ended up being more questions then answers in this book. And if I had to read one more time that someone tell them that they would get back to that when a questions was asked. I almost closed the book then and said who care what happens next.
I like the goofy story because I like vampire story’s. But it m not sure if I can follow the MC and how self centered she is.
I mean come one she loved her brother so much it took her way to long to chose to save him.
I could go on I won’t. I don’t want to ruin it for someone else.
So this is my second book by this author and both of the MC were so selfish it almost ruined the books for me. The only thing that made me keep reading was the story line and all the other characters. This author can write the other characters so well. BUT the main one so far has been a selfish, self centered, brat. To me it ruins the book.
I kept reading this one because one I wanted to find out what happened to Sam. And second the name of the book is Jo and Webb’s story. There really was non of them even getting to know each other.
Also, there ended up being more questions then answers in this book. And if I had to read one more time that someone tell them that they would get back to that when a questions was asked. I almost closed the book then and said who care what happens next.
I like the goofy story because I like vampire story’s. But it m not sure if I can follow the MC and how self centered she is.
I mean come one she loved her brother so much it took her way to long to chose to save him.
I could go on I won’t. I don’t want to ruin it for someone else.
August 18, 2024
Placed in foster care after the death of their mother when they were just toddlers, Jo, and her twin brother Sam, now sixteen, find themselves hurled in the supernatural world of an elite Navy Seal Vampire unit established to keep the human world safe and the vampire world in check. Jo and her brother find out that not only are vampires real, but they also can’t be created, because they are born that way! Jo knows this because she and her brother have the vampire gene and will need to decide to remain human or become vampires to protect the human race.
I love this fresh viewpoint on vampire origins and how vampires live and work alongside humans, although the general population is unaware of their existence. The characters are well developed and likeable. I like the military element and am curious how that will evolve. There is some heavy subject matter, a little humor would have helped take the edge off those emotional moments. Overall, a terrific book and I highly recommend it.
I love this fresh viewpoint on vampire origins and how vampires live and work alongside humans, although the general population is unaware of their existence. The characters are well developed and likeable. I like the military element and am curious how that will evolve. There is some heavy subject matter, a little humor would have helped take the edge off those emotional moments. Overall, a terrific book and I highly recommend it.
May 25, 2017
A suspenseful and engaging YA paranormal read.
I enjoyed the unique twist Alexander gave the vampire race
Great job of character and scene building, with plenty of suspense and action -
The three main characters, are pretty spot on for teens - with their quirks and personalities one minute they seem sane and lovable the next you want to strangle them.
I say three because, besides the twins, I also feel their best friend plays a major role in this opening book, I also believe he will be important in the next book and a catalyst for future "hiccups "
My problem with the story -
I was left with 1001 questions and no answers at the end!
Since this is book one in the series and for that reason only,
😉 , I will be patient ... until book 2, then someone better start talking!
I enjoyed the unique twist Alexander gave the vampire race
Great job of character and scene building, with plenty of suspense and action -
The three main characters, are pretty spot on for teens - with their quirks and personalities one minute they seem sane and lovable the next you want to strangle them.
I say three because, besides the twins, I also feel their best friend plays a major role in this opening book, I also believe he will be important in the next book and a catalyst for future "hiccups "
My problem with the story -
I was left with 1001 questions and no answers at the end!
Since this is book one in the series and for that reason only,
😉 , I will be patient ... until book 2, then someone better start talking!
September 21, 2019
It was a fight to finish this book. Jo who is 16yrs old, comes off as incredibly weak personality for a girl who’s been in foster care all her life. Overly dramatic on everything in this book. Everything is thrown at you with no explanation or world building and the SEAL component is basically “do as we command, because!”. This is true for the Webb character, who explains nothing. Same with her Father, who shows up after 14 years knows nothing personal about Jo or her life, but she should be respectful, forgive and follow his every command immediately. Ummm i can’t roll my eyes hard enough at the way her father and the Dr. talk down to Jo, every time they sternly reprimanded her and called her “young lady”, I wanted to flip them the middle finger. It was ridiculous.
August 26, 2021
I couldn’t put this down!! What a unique take on a YA Vampire story!! The Vampire Seals part was really cool too!! Jo Mason is an awesome well-rounded character. Her relationship with her twin brother is everything to her, and saving him is her motivation through this first book in the series. She meets her long lost dad, which is a tricky relationship seeing as they grew up in the foster care system and went through an awful lot. We get to meet Webb (will this be Jo’s love interest?) and his twin sister Kate.
This was non stop edge of your seat suspension and action. I was totally absorbed. Highly recommended, and I’m on to book two!!!
This was non stop edge of your seat suspension and action. I was totally absorbed. Highly recommended, and I’m on to book two!!!
February 15, 2022
After reading the first in the spin-off of this series I was intrigued by the characters and excited that there was more I could read. And there is quite a bit more to read as there are 5 books in this Vampire SEALs series. The main characters in this book are only 16 so quite a bit younger than the characters in books I typically read (YA is not my normal go-to). However, the writing is solid and the story seems to be developing well. I'm looking forward to catching up on Jo's life while I wait for the second in Sam's series.
August 30, 2020
Onward
I like the story it is filled with suspense and thrilling adventure. The characters were really cool and I understood a lot of the turmoil. I can’t wait to read the next book.
I like the story it is filled with suspense and thrilling adventure. The characters were really cool and I understood a lot of the turmoil. I can’t wait to read the next book.
May 20, 2022
Interesting
This was not what I was expecting from a vampire book. The premise is different but the characters are compelling and the book is well written. The pace is good and decent action.
This was not what I was expecting from a vampire book. The premise is different but the characters are compelling and the book is well written. The pace is good and decent action.
September 15, 2018
I liked the overall plot of the book. I how do not care for Jo. To me she is a very whiney and fickle girl. I know she is only 16 but really?! I was finding it hard to want to finish this story with the way that she is.
March 8, 2021
Book 1 is crazy..what Sam and Jo went thru. The action and drama was amazing. I fell in love with the characters and look forward to seeing what happens between Jo and Ben. And Jo and Webb.
Want to read
March 1, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/1/2022)! 🎁
November 4, 2022
Well-written and engaging from the very first page. Love that. I also love the premise behind this series and the variation on vampires employed by the author. Thank you, S.B. Alexander!
September 3, 2024
On the Edge of Humanity
Wow!!! What a gr8 story. I truly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the next. I recommend this read. 5 thumbs up
Wow!!! What a gr8 story. I truly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the next. I recommend this read. 5 thumbs up
June 7, 2025
Read as part of The Vampire SEAL Collection
It eventually gets to SEALs, but it starts with abandoned orphans.
It kept my interest, barely, but pulled itself into a good enough story to jump into the next with many unanswered questions.
It eventually gets to SEALs, but it starts with abandoned orphans.
It kept my interest, barely, but pulled itself into a good enough story to jump into the next with many unanswered questions.
May 3, 2015
I have to be honest. Even though I can't really fault the writing of this book I didn't like it. I lost count of how many aspects of it I just personally didn't like. That's not to say others wouldn't, or that it isn't actually a good book, but I didn't like it. Lets start and I'll explain why.
First off, given the series title, Vampier SEALs, I was expecting at least a little vampire/military badassness. I read the description and knew that wasn't going to be the main focus, but I expected some. There wasn't any. This is a YA book about one scared little girl's attempt come to terms with her situation. Major disappointment right there.
Next, Jo simply didn't DO anything of substance. She asked a lot of ineffectual questions, whined, and vomited a lot. That's about it. The realm of action was left entirely to the males. Even Ben, the token human, feeble as his attempts might have been, came out fighting. Jo just stood around and waited to be told what to do. This extended even as far as her own feelings. As an example, when she showed any anger toward her father he responded as such: "I lost both of you once and I don’t want to screw this up again. I have a chance to get to know my daughter and possibly my son. So call me selfish if you want to, but don’t ever, ever disrespect me again." However, when Sam woke up equally as pissed off at dear old dad he was allowed to have a fist fight with him. People actually stood back and let them hash it out.
Sam was allowed expression and possession of his own emotions. Like a child, Jo was chastised or physically restrained anytime she expressed anything but compliance. This paternalistic infantilization was further enhanced by the constant act of putting a finger under her chin to force her to look up at someone. I think every male character in the book did it to her at least once. Everyone of them apparently has more control over where she looks than she does. I wanted to vomit myself.
I mentioned ineffectual questions. Jo asked questions constantly, good ones too a lot of times. But was almost never answered. Yea, I get it. She was dealing with a top secret organisation so some things would remain secretive, but I got seriously sick of being denied information. Because, of course, as a reader I was left without the information just as often as Jo was. (As a side note, Sam got all of his answers almost without having to ask and Ben seemed to often have things explained to him.) On the flip side, Jo also constantly asked herself questions along the lines of, 'How did my life get here?' There were so many of them I wanted to scream. Add the rhetorical questions, which are of course unanswered, to the ones the SEALs didn't answer and you probably have half the book right there. It didn't leave me feeling particularly satisfied.
Then there is the fact that the book started with an attempted rape. I wasn't yet invested enough in the book to sit comfortably through that. I obviously made it through, but barely. It seemed to be a running theme that Jo attracted creeps and that Sam was constantly having to protect her from them. (Notice the continued helpless theme there?) But Jo somehow managed to hang tenaciously to her "I'm ugly" mantra, even in the face of evidence to the contrary.
So to conclude, I disliked the book. I didn't enjoy it, but those things that irked me so badly are almost all personal preference kind of things. I hate seeing female characters patronised. It almost always rubs me the wrong way. That may not be the case for someone else, so I'll still give the book three stars.
First off, given the series title, Vampier SEALs, I was expecting at least a little vampire/military badassness. I read the description and knew that wasn't going to be the main focus, but I expected some. There wasn't any. This is a YA book about one scared little girl's attempt come to terms with her situation. Major disappointment right there.
Next, Jo simply didn't DO anything of substance. She asked a lot of ineffectual questions, whined, and vomited a lot. That's about it. The realm of action was left entirely to the males. Even Ben, the token human, feeble as his attempts might have been, came out fighting. Jo just stood around and waited to be told what to do. This extended even as far as her own feelings. As an example, when she showed any anger toward her father he responded as such: "I lost both of you once and I don’t want to screw this up again. I have a chance to get to know my daughter and possibly my son. So call me selfish if you want to, but don’t ever, ever disrespect me again." However, when Sam woke up equally as pissed off at dear old dad he was allowed to have a fist fight with him. People actually stood back and let them hash it out.
Sam was allowed expression and possession of his own emotions. Like a child, Jo was chastised or physically restrained anytime she expressed anything but compliance. This paternalistic infantilization was further enhanced by the constant act of putting a finger under her chin to force her to look up at someone. I think every male character in the book did it to her at least once. Everyone of them apparently has more control over where she looks than she does. I wanted to vomit myself.
I mentioned ineffectual questions. Jo asked questions constantly, good ones too a lot of times. But was almost never answered. Yea, I get it. She was dealing with a top secret organisation so some things would remain secretive, but I got seriously sick of being denied information. Because, of course, as a reader I was left without the information just as often as Jo was. (As a side note, Sam got all of his answers almost without having to ask and Ben seemed to often have things explained to him.) On the flip side, Jo also constantly asked herself questions along the lines of, 'How did my life get here?' There were so many of them I wanted to scream. Add the rhetorical questions, which are of course unanswered, to the ones the SEALs didn't answer and you probably have half the book right there. It didn't leave me feeling particularly satisfied.
Then there is the fact that the book started with an attempted rape. I wasn't yet invested enough in the book to sit comfortably through that. I obviously made it through, but barely. It seemed to be a running theme that Jo attracted creeps and that Sam was constantly having to protect her from them. (Notice the continued helpless theme there?) But Jo somehow managed to hang tenaciously to her "I'm ugly" mantra, even in the face of evidence to the contrary.
So to conclude, I disliked the book. I didn't enjoy it, but those things that irked me so badly are almost all personal preference kind of things. I hate seeing female characters patronised. It almost always rubs me the wrong way. That may not be the case for someone else, so I'll still give the book three stars.
February 2, 2021
I have given this book 2 stars as I am unsure about. Although it is a YA novel (and I am long since past being YA) it didn’t read like one. The storyline was different from lots of vamparic fiction and the tension of plot kept the story moving forward at a good pace. So why only 2 stars:
a) Whilst I knew it was the first in a series and there are always going to be uncompleted threads, I was disappointed in the ending which seemed quite abrupt and it didn’t resolve (to my mind) satisfactorily the one of main threads around the disappearance of Jo’s father and why his family line became vampires in the first place
b) I was left unsure about Jo’s character. On the one hand anyone experiencing the revelations and changes she does is bound to be left somewhat dazed and confused and in need of guidance, on the other hand she is also portrayed as feisty and independent so much so that when given the guidance and instruction she so obviously needs she ignores it and gets further into trouble. Is this simply a rebellious teenager rebelling or a stupid person who wants to get into trouble? I couldn’t decide and the writing did not help me resolve this – which I found frustrating
c) Some of the peripheral characters and situations were introduced and resolved or forgotten too quickly to be believable
a. Ben comes to terms with their being vampires in the world too readily
b. The attack on Jo by her foster father and Sam’s attack on him are dismissed by the police after a single conversation (could not stretch to calling it an interview) that could have lasted no more the a couple of minutes
c. The headmaster accepts the presence of SEALs in school as a matter of course and simply allows them to remove pupils from his care with no apparent authority other than them being in the military
On the plus side the actions scenes were well written and engaging.
All in all though I don’t think I will be reading further instalments of the series
a) Whilst I knew it was the first in a series and there are always going to be uncompleted threads, I was disappointed in the ending which seemed quite abrupt and it didn’t resolve (to my mind) satisfactorily the one of main threads around the disappearance of Jo’s father and why his family line became vampires in the first place
b) I was left unsure about Jo’s character. On the one hand anyone experiencing the revelations and changes she does is bound to be left somewhat dazed and confused and in need of guidance, on the other hand she is also portrayed as feisty and independent so much so that when given the guidance and instruction she so obviously needs she ignores it and gets further into trouble. Is this simply a rebellious teenager rebelling or a stupid person who wants to get into trouble? I couldn’t decide and the writing did not help me resolve this – which I found frustrating
c) Some of the peripheral characters and situations were introduced and resolved or forgotten too quickly to be believable
a. Ben comes to terms with their being vampires in the world too readily
b. The attack on Jo by her foster father and Sam’s attack on him are dismissed by the police after a single conversation (could not stretch to calling it an interview) that could have lasted no more the a couple of minutes
c. The headmaster accepts the presence of SEALs in school as a matter of course and simply allows them to remove pupils from his care with no apparent authority other than them being in the military
On the plus side the actions scenes were well written and engaging.
All in all though I don’t think I will be reading further instalments of the series
October 16, 2016
Okay but a bit annoying
The writing was good. I felt the emotions of the characters. What annoyed me was having a heroine that is a winer poor me attitude and a crier at every chapters. The heroine was weak and a but immature. The whole plot was about the heroine not wanting to be a vampire but ended up not having a choice in order to save her brother. The romance was weak. I couldn't stand Ben her brother's buff. he was a jerk to h. There was no romance between the two really. Didn't feel it. I ended up flipping the pages since I got tired of reading the heroine immature behavior. Not crazy about this book. It got tiring reading about how the heroine didn't want to be a vampire. It took a photo of her brother being captivated and bitten up to make her change her mind. One thing that I don't like in a book is when the heroine is poor, a winer, weak, and who cries or get hurt a lot. I still recommend this book if you don't mind having an immature heroine.
The writing was good. I felt the emotions of the characters. What annoyed me was having a heroine that is a winer poor me attitude and a crier at every chapters. The heroine was weak and a but immature. The whole plot was about the heroine not wanting to be a vampire but ended up not having a choice in order to save her brother. The romance was weak. I couldn't stand Ben her brother's buff. he was a jerk to h. There was no romance between the two really. Didn't feel it. I ended up flipping the pages since I got tired of reading the heroine immature behavior. Not crazy about this book. It got tiring reading about how the heroine didn't want to be a vampire. It took a photo of her brother being captivated and bitten up to make her change her mind. One thing that I don't like in a book is when the heroine is poor, a winer, weak, and who cries or get hurt a lot. I still recommend this book if you don't mind having an immature heroine.
March 28, 2013
The book was okay but the thing that really pissed me off was Jo's personality. She always did whatever she was told and was just plain weak and a pushover. It's really annoying me so I'm going to stop at 71% and will probably only finish this book when I'm bored out of my mind.
Props to the author for the vampire history part of it, it reminded me a little of Lynsay Sands Argeneau series with the whole scientific vampire blood antibodies and all that.
Depending on how I'm feeling I may continue this series, but then again probably not.
If you find main characters with no backbone annoying then don't read this book. Since I am easily irritated and judgmental when it comes to weak heroines you might not want to take my word for it.
Check out the book for yourself.
Props to the author for the vampire history part of it, it reminded me a little of Lynsay Sands Argeneau series with the whole scientific vampire blood antibodies and all that.
Depending on how I'm feeling I may continue this series, but then again probably not.
If you find main characters with no backbone annoying then don't read this book. Since I am easily irritated and judgmental when it comes to weak heroines you might not want to take my word for it.
Check out the book for yourself.
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