Marianne Mancusi

Still reeling from having lost her chance to become a vampire, sixteen-year-old Rayne learns that she is destined to be the new Vampire Slayer and must go undercover to stop a maniacal member of the undead who seeks vengeance and power by spreading a fatal blood disease.

Stake That!

Briar's Reviews

Mari Mancusi's 2nd novel in the Blood Coven Vampire series is an excellent read.

I fell in love with this series when I was much, much younger than I am now (aka high school era), but rereading this series has made me fall in love with Mari all over again. And with the introduction of Once Upon a Vampire into this series (kind of...it's in the same universe, so it's the same series, I geuss?) I had to go back and reread to get a feel of these books again (and just because I love them. I can't help it!).

This book is full of sassy, snarky teenage angst with a splash of vampires, blood and comedy. It may be labelled YA, but it's a great read for anyone who doesn't want something that is going to make your brain explode. It's an easy read with a fast yet simple plot and it's absolutely delightful. I was hooked when I first read them, and I'm hooked reading them yet again. Mari has a great style and tone in her writing that makes it really easy to read her books, fall in love with the characters and stay interested.

I find these stories have an easy to follow plot and it's well thought out. It doesn't get boring since it keeps moving as a fast yet leisurely pace. They are thoroughly enjoyable at any age, and don't require any advanced theorizing. This book follows Rayne's story, and it's a wonderful read and continuation of this series. It's a definite recommendation from me!!

Keep in mind - this series is narrated by sassy, silly teenagers who over exaggerate life's problems (like any other teenager, let's be honest guys. I thought the world was going to end in high school too when everything didn't go perfect!). So, you've been warned!! It's not a serious adult novel, it's a fun YA novel that adults can read and enjoy as well.

Overall, this series is fun! I really hope Mari continues on writing more books within this universe because it's nice reading something light-hearted and sweet!

Five out of five stars.

Jessica Nottingham

If you haven't had an opportunity to read my review of Boys That Bite, please click here and go take a look. It will give you some insight into the utter fangirl that I've now become for Mari Mancusi's writing. Oh yes, I'm smitten. Or as Mari would probably say once bitten, always smitten? Something like that :).

To reiterate what I've said before, what I love about The Blood Coven books is just how much fun they are to read! Sunny and Rayne are hilariously snarky characters, and they possess the ability to ooze snarky humor while still being completely serious. The cast of additional characters that surrounds them grows a bit larger in this book, and I fell in love with each and every one of them. In fact, I do believe that I have a new crush. Dark, brooding and sexy vampire with an accent? Yes please! Where do I sign up for one of those?

In all seriousness though, the plots of these books are pure deliciousness. Sunny and Rayne's adventures are quick moving and well thought out. The pop culture references are in this book are plentiful but not obnoxious. However what I love most of all is just how well Mari Mancusi sticks to the lore of the bloodsuckers I love so very much. Taking cues from the Whedonverse and beyond, she makes her vampires come alive and I appreciate it!

This particular book is written from Rayne's point of view, and it is unique in that we read about her adventures through her blog entries. For those of you who haven't read the first book yet, yes, Rayne does blog. Her blog is hilarious too! I throughly enjoyed reading both her witty entires, as well as the comments at the end of everything chapter. The undercurrent of side stories within the comments was hilarious and well placed. Have I mentioned that I love this book?

I'm rambling now, so I'll stop. Suffice it to say that this book series has me hooked! I've already finished the third one (review to come soon) and have the rest on my wishlist at the library and on my Christmas list. This is a series that I like to call my "guilty pleasure" and I'm not ashamed to admit it. LOVE!