Vampires Never Get Old: Tales With Fresh Bite edited by Zoraida Cordova and Natalie C. Parker | Book Review

Vampires Never Get Old: Tales With Fresh Bite edited by Zoraida Cordova and Natalie C. Parker features different stories taking on pieces of mythology and lore that surround vampires. I thought this was a cool way to try out different authors who I haven’t really read before. Also, I loved that this book featured characters and authors with different marginalizations. This was a decent read at one short story per day and perfect for spooky season.

Vampires Never Get Old: Tales With Fresh Bite edited by Zoraida Cordova and Natalie C. Parker features different stories taking on pieces of mythology and lore that surround vampires.

Seven Nights For Dying by Tessa Gratton

The first story in Vampires Never Get Old is from Tessa Gratton — Seven Nights For Dying. This story is about a teenage girl who has seven nights to contemplate if she would like to be made into a vampire. Her mother has passed away when she was 17. It also is about the anger of teenage girls. Oh and there is a trans man in this story. It was an okay short story, but nothing really mind blowing or amazing. The pace was quick.

The Boys From Blood River by Rebecca Roanhorse

The Boys From Blood River by Rebecca Roanhorse follows Lukas who is kind of a misfit. He is Gay and Native and living in a small Texas town. One day he happens to accidentally call up the Blood River Boys which are a mysterious group of vampires. He has the opportunity to join them but that would require a big sacrifice. This story was long — 30 pages — but wow. When we talk about short stories as a way to try different authors, this made me want to read more from Roanhorse. I really felt a sense of place and characters while reading this.

Senior Year Sucks by Julie Murphy

I will read ANYTHING Julie Murphy puts out. Senior Year Sucks proves this. It is a short story about a Fat girl who is a cheerleader, actually cheer captain. She’s also a slayer. On a ride home from a football game, there is an accident ahead with the spirit bus and well, it turns out there’s a passenger who is a vampire who is pretty attractive. This story was fun and well paced and had me wanting more.

The Boy And The Bell by Heidi Heilig

This story is set I think in the Victorian era. The Boy And The Bell by Heidi Heilig is about what happens when a boy is at a graveyard getting cadavers for medical school when he hears a bell ring, indicating someone has been buried alive. Turns out, that person is a wealthy man who might also be a vampire. This story was okay. Kind of slow and hard to get into.

A Guidebook For The Newly Sired Desi Vampire by Samira Ahmed

Samira Ahmed’s story in Vampires Never DieA Guidebook For The Newly Sired Desi Vampire is fun, sort of. It is not really a story but absolutely written as a fictional guidebook with an app incorporated. It is humorous.  I thought this was well paced and had such interesting concepts and commentary. It also takes on the theme of colonialism as well — an interesting twist on vampirism.

In Kind by Kayla Whaley

This story, In Kind, was brutal. I mean, good that it was. It is about a girl, Grace, who is “mercy” killed by her father due to her disabilities, but she is turned into a vampire and saved by Seanan, who is also a vampire. It’s a stark look at the value placed on the lives of disabled people and definitely left me a lot to chew on. Very thought provoking work.

Vampires Never Say Die by Zoraida Cordova and Natalie C. Parker

Vampires Never Say Die co-written by Zoraida Cordova and Natalie C. Parker feature dual point of views. There is the point of view of Theolinda, a teenage girl throwing a party for her instagram friend. There is also the point of view of Brittany who is pretty much queen of the vampires in NYC and Theolinda’s internet friend. The story examines predator and prey — also image. It was an engaging read.

Bestiary by Laura Ruby

Laura Ruby’s Bestiary is a futuristic story about a world in which water is so expensive to pay for. It is kind of dystopian. The story follows a girl who is a vampire and works at a zoo. She hangs out with the dangerous animals after hours. This story was creepy and interesting and had me wanting more.

Mirrors, Windows & Selfies by Mark Oshiro

Mirrors, Windows & Selfies by Mark Oshiro is about a boy who is posting his story on a site like Tumblr. He is the child of vampires. He’s been told that he is the only one and would be in danger if anyone found out about his existence. The boy chafes against this. One day he learns he actually is not alone… and so must make a choice. Much better execution of the concept than Renesmee.

The House Of Black Sapphires by Dhonielle Clayton

I really think Dhonielle Clayton has such a gift with imagery. The House Of Black Sapphires features a family of Black Eternals relocating back to New Orleans for the first time in 400 years. They have an apothecary that they run in each place they live. The story features Bea who is looking for her great love. She may end up falling for her mortal enemy — when it comes to a kiss wagered over a game. This story was good and I wanted to keep reading more about Bea and her unique family. I hope Clayton returns to this concept/story someday for more.

First Kill by VE Schwab

I actually read this short story AFTER watching the show on Netflix. First Kill by VE Schwab is about a vampire, Juliette, and a slayer, Calliope. Both have yet to have their first… kill that is. Turns out, both are crushing on each other, but also prepared to make that First Kill. The story switches points of view. Having seen the show, it adds in a whole lot more. At this point, given the show was canceled, I hope Schwab expands this into a book, just because I want to finish the story and know what happens.


@aprilbooksandwine

Weekly reading wrap up Books Discussed: As Seen On TV by Meredith Schorr The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling Clown In A Cornfield by Adam Cesare Vampires Never Get Old edited by Zoraida Cordova and Natalie C Parker #booktokover30 #momsofbooktok #over30booktok #DidYouYawn #librarylover #librarybooks

♬ TikTok YouTube bright background music(872898) – MINA HOSHINO

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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.