Book Details
Written by
Genre
More details
See more book reviews

The Reformed Vampire Support Group (by Catherine Jinks)

common sense media says

Humorous vampire story takes aim at the vampire craze.

parents & educators say
See all 4 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there's some violence here, though not as much as you might expect in a vampire story, but there's also more swearing than you might expect.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: The vampires attempt to avoid harming humans by breeding guinea pigs for blood, even though it makes them sick. On the negative side, a reference to buying black people in the old days because their "blood is meaty."
Positive role models: The vampires mostly sacrifice their own well-being to avoid infecting other humans, and several bad people have a change of heart.
Violence: Guinea pigs are bred to be bloodily killed by vampires. A vampire is shot but doesn't die, werewolves are forced to fight to the death for the entertainment of an audience, a vampire is killed by a stake through the heart, two men attempt to murder several others, a vampire bites a human.
Sex: One kiss, a reference to a streetwalker, another to a penis-shaped birthday cake.
Language: Plenty of swearing, including "s--t," "bitch," "bastard," "dick,", "prick," and some religiously themed swearing.
Consumerism: MP3 player, car, sunglasses brands.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Smoking and drinking beer and gin. A reference to junkies and alcoholics. A drunk driver is killed, teens drink and get drunk.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Reformed Vampire Support Group

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the current popularity of vampire stories, and the differing views of them. Why do you think they are so popular right now? Do they reflect something in our culture?
  • What do you think of this portrayal of them? Is it funny, or does it take the fun away?
  • Do some vampire stories make you wish you knew, or even were, a vampire? What about this one?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Nina, a vampire who is stuck at age 15, belongs to a group of vampires who support each other in avoiding sucking the blood of humans, breeding guinea pigs as a poor substitute. But when one of their number is killed by a vampire slayer and they try to track him down, they accidentally cross paths with a murderous father/son team who kidnap werewolves and force them to fight to the death.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Had enough of vampires yet? No? Well, this book should do the trick. It doesn't just demystify them -- it makes them pathetic and revolting. These vampires have no super powers, and they certainly aren't sexy. Perpetually weak, miserable, and pale, they spend most of their time vomiting and hiding from the world, and, when they get together, bickering. And then vomiting some more. They do get to live forever, but never has eternal life seemed so unappealing -- it's like living forever with a neverending, really rotten flu. In this view, vampirism is a disease from which one never recovers -- ever.

While this is occasionally amusing, and allows the author to riff on everything from self-help groups to fanboys, it does not make for relatable characters. After awhile the story does get going, and there are some exciting moments amid all the puking. Some kids, especially those who don't like the vampire craze, will find this hilarious. But if you're a vampire lover, or just someone who doesn't enjoy reading about characters who are perpetually sick and whiny, pass this one by.

From the Book:
It's funny; I hate so much about my life. I hate the cramps, and the nausea, and the boredom, and the listlessness. I hate surviving on guinea pigs, and not being able to get a decent haircut. But that night, when it came to choosing between life and death, I didn't hesitate. Not for one second.

I didn't want to end up as a pile of ashes on a bedroom floor.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Catherine Jinks
Publisher: Harcourt Brace
Publication date: April 1, 2009
Number of pages: 362
Hardcover price: $17.00
Read Aloud: 13
Read Alone: 13
This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

Review It

 

Review The Reformed Vampire Support Group

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

Tomato-Face
adult
12
 
More Whiny Vampires
While they are not perfect, they are so whiny. And why they are trying to break the stereotype, I find it a little hypocritical how the main character is the authoress of a book on the cliched version of Vampires. But this also includes animal fighting, since werewolves are technically animals.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (8) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (13)
Potter view
teen, 15 years old
13
 
Respect
We always thought that vampires are just sucking blood creatures but not. They have tried to protect both themselves and others. We humans should also do the same by treating others with respect too. When others are treated with respect they will too in turn respect you.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (11) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (8)
OncomingStorm
teen, 15 years old
11
 
Perct for tweens, teens, and about anyone else.
I completely loved this book! It was funny, interesting, and gave an entirely new twist to vampires in general. Nina is, in my opinion, a good role model, wanting to help others. While it is true that there's more swear words that you might expect, I read this at age twelve without having any problem with it.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (7) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (9)
kiarra101
kid, 11 years old
 
this book sucked
this sucks the middle was great but at the end it just sucked
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (6) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (6)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you read The Reformed Vampire Support Group?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already read it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

More vampires
For kids who love vampires and humor
Browse more books
External sites
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines