Book Review: The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks

The Reformed Vampire Support Group
by Catherine Jinks
Non-series

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-10: 0-547-41166-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-547-41166-8
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $8.99

Review: Thirst, blood, and entertaining would be the words to describe The Reformed Vampire Support Group , written by Catherine Jinks. The main character Nina is mostly at her Mum’s house, but she also goes to some unexpected places during her travel time. However, there is a catch, she can’t get caught in the sunlight.

What would be so awful that would cause Nina not to be able to be in the sunlight? It stems from an event that happened over 30 years ago. Nina is a 15 year old who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now, the priest happened to know what was going on with Nina. He helped her get through the tough times with the help of some creatures who went though the same thing. It happened that the tough times were changing from human to immortality. Even though she went through some difficult times she got through them and is still living with her Mum. It is a misconception that vampires and other mythical creatures are all mighty and powerful. They are not really all powerful. In fact they can do less than humans. Their only strength is to fang people (which means to turn people into vampires). The Reformed Vampire Support Group is supposed to help vampires keep from fanging people, and Nina goes to it nearly every Tuesday. One Tuesday, however, there is a twist. One of her own kind is staked and burned. Now, the vampires have a mystery on their hands. As they work toward a solution, they “run” into trouble and a new friend. What is there trouble, and who is their friend? You may never know unless you read the book.

Someone who loves the Twilight saga would love this book. Even people who don’t typically like fantasy books would still love this book because of the way Catherine Jinks writes it doesn’t even seem like you are reading fantasy! It is so involving and wouldn’t realize it is fantasy because you are not paying attention to the genre; you’re paying attention to the book. This book shouldn’t be left on the book shelves! Mrs. Jinks sets the scene by using vivid words and phrases. For example Mrs. Jinks writes “a stainless steel toilet without a seat, an unmade bed, and a barred gate are all that fill this room.” That is why you should read her book. It will keep you on your toes until you are finished reading it.

Review written by Caitlin (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of The Reformed Vampire Support Group for this review.

Have you read The Reformed Vampire Support Group? How would you rate it?