THE CHRONICLES OF VLADIMIR TOD
By HEATHER BREWER
THIS FIVE-PART INSTALLMENT IS A GREAT YOUNG ADULT VAMPIRE SERIES. THE READER, WHO MAY START OFF AS A TRUE EIGHTH GRADER, WILL FEEL THROUGH THE STEPS WITH THE CHARACTERS, YET NOT FEEL AS IF THEY HAVE OUTGROWN THE SERIES BECAUSE THEY ARE GETTING OLDER.
THE SERIES STARTS WITH 8TH GRADE BITES, WHICH COULD NOT BE A BETTER TITLE TO CATCH THE KID'S EYE WHO LOVES VAMPIRE BOOKS. IT IS WRITTEN DIRECTLY TOWARD AN EIGHTH GRADE MENTALITY WITHOUT TALKING DOWN TO THE READER. BREWER CREATES A BALANCE BETWEEN WRITING RIVETING MATERIAL FOR YOUNG ADULTS AND NOT BEING TOO CAREFUL SO AS NOT TO BORE THE READER.
THE NEXT INSTALLMENT IS 9TH GRADE SLAYS, TO WHICH THE READER HAS GROWN A BIT AND NEEDS MORE THRILL AND BREWER DELIVERS. SHE ADDS A FEW MORE CHARACTERS AND DRIVES THE STORY TO NEW HEIGHTS.
FOR HER THIRD CHAPTER IN THE LIFE OF VLADIMIR TOD, 10TH GRADE BLEEDS COMPOUNDS THE CHARACTERS AND PUSHES THE READER TO A NEW LEVEL. BREWER UNDERSTANDS THAT BY THE TIME THE READER PICKS UP THE NEW BOOK, THEY NEED MORE ACTIVITY WITHIN THE BINDING AND SHE DELIVERS.
11TH GRADE BURNS BEGINS TO PULL THE CONTINUOUS STORY EVEN FURTHER INTO THE DARKNESS THAT TOD’S LIFE WAS BUILT ON. THIS GIVES LITTLE TO WHAT IS IN STORE FOR VLADIMIR TOD IN THE NEXT INSTALLMENT. TOD RECONNECTS WITH FRIENDS LOST IN THE TRAGEDY BETWEEN VAMPIRE AND SLAYER.
THE FINAL INVESTMENT IN THE CHRONICLES, 12TH GRADE KILLS, REUNITES VLADIMIR WITH HIS FATHER. IF THE READER DOES NOT OVERLOOK THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION, WHICH IS PRINTED ON EVERY BOOK RELEASED IN THE SERIES, ABOUT THE AUTHOR THEY WILL BE PREPARED FOR WHATS TO COME.
