Mina and the Undead

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I honestly loved every minute of this book, I haven’t read a book in a good few months and this has absolutely kick-started my love of reading again ahhhh. I really enjoyed this YA horror which took me back to my 90's teen days when I devoured every teen horror book that came out. Meeting her sister's roommate Jared, it seems like it's going to be your stereotypical boy meets girl tale until you throw in Fang Fest.

Unsurprisingly, she's a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan and has gone to conventions to meet James Marsters more times than she cares to admit. sisters and their friends must do what they can to survive and get to the bottom of who the psychotic serial killer is, before it's too late. Like for instance when Mina learns about Lucas's death, she dwells on her sadness for a sentence max before moving on like nothing had even happened. Family secrets, murder, sisterly relationships and romance all weave together to create a thrilling story with a unique take on vampires that is filled with gore and plot twists. I really enjoyed how this story had actual legends and myths of New Orleans interwoven throughout this very unique tale.But when a body is discovered in the Mansion of the Macabre where Libby is working holding a lock of hair suspiciously like Libby’s and marks on her neck the question is who or what has made those marks?

Fans of YA horror will no doubt be delighted to read such well-rounded characters embroiled in such a blook-soaked story, but I can’t imagine any horror reader, regardless of age, not having a ton of fun reading this book. There isn’t 1 thing I didn’t like in this book with the backdrop of New Orleans and the 90’s and horror references I knew from the first chapter this was a winner. Bronnie is so lovely with the boys and we also felt that having a man enthusing about the books set a great example. I had no idea where the story was going to take us but it is a journey that is memorable and fun to read. While it's not a perfect story, I think if you are in the right head space, it can be a hell of a good time.There are a much wider cast of characters, some of which make a big impact with limited page time (I’m looking at you Della) but it is the location of the story that makes the biggest impression. Your selection was perfect for our children and what really made the difference was your ability to engage with each child, discuss their interests and help them to choose a suitable book based on your extensive knowledge of the books you were selling. Very nicely written and the chapters kept the plot moving forward to come to some exciting moments in the third act. What promises to be a fun visit and a chance for the two to reconnect soon devolves into a murder mystery with a decidedly supernatural bent. After securing a job at her sisters work place; the Mansion of Macabre where her sisters very attractive roommate Jared also works, things are about to take an unexpected turn.

It is such an atmospheric presence throughout, equal parts alluring and dangerous, and I can’t help but feel that the setting plays a major role in how well the book works.With lots of 80s film references and nods to other vampire stories, this is a YA thriller/mystery set in New Orleans. In the end, this might have been popular in 2012 during the vampire YA craze but in 2021 I expected it to bring something new to the vampire genre and it just didn't. You guys were so fab and Dawn was such a lovely presence in the schools - I will absolutely be in touch next time I'm in your neck of the woods. On her first trial day at the Horror Mansion there is an accident that will trigger a series of events that will put Mina in great danger. When a body is discovered with fang marks in their neck and a fist full of hair suspiciously similar to her sisters, Mina ends up on a journey to track down a killer that has a more direct link to her than she thinks.