"From my Cold Undead Hand" by Marie Marshall
is a short, fast-paced YA novel. The story sprang forth from the writer's (totally not cold or undead) hand as a result of a challenge set to her by yours truly. We were commenting on the "Twilight" series (who doesn't) and both of us were convinced each could write something faster, pithier, something with more gusto than the epic teen/vampire romance series.The result of this challenge is this story.
Better hold on, crawl in under the blankets and put the Kindle light on. Don't read it while you're alone.
The story is set a few decades in the future, with the protagonist a young girl in high school who does martial arts and knows how to "dock" a vampire. Her feisty warfare is backed by a "cell" of vampire hunters, and opposed by other young people who seem to be more of the "Twilight" persuasion, idolizing the vampires.
But Chevonne Kusnetsov has more than vampires to fight. Teenage mood swings, uncertainty about friendships and a very remote relationship to her mother give an ominous background to the plot. Throughout the book she is in fact discovering herself and her own family's history, as well as having to get behind what the vampires are planning. They are organized, far too organized to be mere mindless predators...
You readers, safely under your blankets reading with the Kindle light on - be afraid. Be very afraid.
For those of you who loved the "Everywhen Angels": This one is even better, and the best news is that there may be sequels.
Well done, Marie!
(Reviewed by gipsika)
