I've read alot of vampire novels...really. I thought I had read it all, but apparently not. The Radleys is a vampire novel unlike any I have read. It's satirical, yet relative to different phases of a normal average everyday human.
The Radleys, Peter and Helen and their two teenagers, Rowan and Clara appear to be human. They live in a regular neighborhood and the only thing that looks "off" is the fact that Rowan's bedroom light is usually on all night and there are no animals of any sort near the house. Peter is a general doctor and Helen spends her days with her book clubs and painting. The teens go to school just like any normal teenagers.
What's different about the Radley's though, is the fact that they are vampires and they abstain from drinking blood. Peter is going through a mid-life crisis, Helen can't get through the day without her Ibrupropen, Clara thinks herself a vegan and Rowan spends his time reading classic poetry. But when Clara thirsts for more than soy milk at a party and eats someone, all bets are off.
The Radleys call in an uncle, Uncle Will, who can use his knack to lure the police away from Clara. But Uncle Will drinks blood, from the source and from the bottle. He does not abstain and the teenagers find it calling to them. But will they abstain like their parents have raised them or will the pressure get to them?
Amusing, entertaining, and refreshing, you will either love or hate The Radleys. Several issues are touched upon as well as between every chapter, a verse from the Abstainer's handbook, which I found pretty delightful. Somewhat predictable, yet again, told from a unique perspective not seen on the general market. I thoroughly enjoyed myself!
The Radleys, Peter and Helen and their two teenagers, Rowan and Clara appear to be human. They live in a regular neighborhood and the only thing that looks "off" is the fact that Rowan's bedroom light is usually on all night and there are no animals of any sort near the house. Peter is a general doctor and Helen spends her days with her book clubs and painting. The teens go to school just like any normal teenagers.
What's different about the Radley's though, is the fact that they are vampires and they abstain from drinking blood. Peter is going through a mid-life crisis, Helen can't get through the day without her Ibrupropen, Clara thinks herself a vegan and Rowan spends his time reading classic poetry. But when Clara thirsts for more than soy milk at a party and eats someone, all bets are off.
The Radleys call in an uncle, Uncle Will, who can use his knack to lure the police away from Clara. But Uncle Will drinks blood, from the source and from the bottle. He does not abstain and the teenagers find it calling to them. But will they abstain like their parents have raised them or will the pressure get to them?
Amusing, entertaining, and refreshing, you will either love or hate The Radleys. Several issues are touched upon as well as between every chapter, a verse from the Abstainer's handbook, which I found pretty delightful. Somewhat predictable, yet again, told from a unique perspective not seen on the general market. I thoroughly enjoyed myself!
I recently read and reviewed this book as well. I really enjoyed it a lot! It was very different than other vampire books but I think very well done with those differences. I'm pretty sure that I read somewhere that there may be more books in the future about the Radleys as well :-)
ReplyDeleteI liked this one! I thought the family interaction was great; very typical, in spite of the 'vampire' thing, and it was often 'tongue-in-cheek' funny!
ReplyDeleteI've heard mostly good things about this one. I'm so intrigued by it - I really want to pick it up.
ReplyDeleteI love vampire books so I think I'll give this one a go!
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