About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is feeling isolated, misunderstood, or is struggling with the pain of a friendship that has turned sour. It speaks directly to the 'outsider' experience through the lens of Vlad Tod, a teenage half-vampire trying to survive high school while literal and figurative monsters hunt him. The story explores the heavy burden of keeping secrets and the resilience required when those you once trusted become your biggest critics. While the setting is supernatural, the emotional core is deeply grounded in the middle school and high school experience. It deals with peer pressure, the fear of exposure, and the complexity of family loyalty. Due to themes of betrayal and some gothic violence, it is best suited for readers aged 12 and up who enjoy dark fantasy but are ultimately looking for a story about finding one's place in a world that feels hostile.
