Alex Van Helsing: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson
“Fourteen-year-old Alex has no idea that he’s descended from the world’s most famous vampire hunter, but that changes fast when he arrives at Glenarvon Academy and confronts two vampires in his first three days. Turns out Glenarvon isn’t the only school near Lake Geneva. Hidden deep underground lies an ancient university for vampires called the Scholomance. And the deadly vampire clan lord known as Icemaker? You might say he’s a visiting professor.
When two of Alex’s friends are kidnapped by Icemaker, it’s up to Alex to infiltrate the Scholomance and get them back—alive. Assisted by the Polidorium, a top-secret vampire-hunting organization with buried ties to the Van Helsings, Alex dodges zombies, bullets, and lots—and lots—of fangs on his way to thwarting Icemaker’s plans and fulfilling his family destiny.”
Why am I reviewing a teen vampire novel you ask? Any book with a title like this is bound to get my attention. That is not to say that I didn’t have any doubts when the author contacted me and asked me if I would be interested in reviewing his book. He was right up front with me and said it was a young adult novel.
Now about the book, I genuinely liked it. I loved how Jason wove Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein into his Van Helsing & vampire lore in the book. It was very original and added a lot to the depth of the story.
The characters I though were quite realistic and enjoyable. The story was fast paced and action filled with a little bit of everything for everyone; hero’s, secret society’s, zombies, cool weapons, teachers who aren’t at all what they appear to be and of course vampires…real vampires. Not these whiny ass, lovestruck, wimpy vampires that seem to rise from everywhere these days (pun intended).
Jason’s vampires want to drink blood, kill humans and take over the world as any good vampire should do, in other words my kind of vampires. Vampires you can really sink your teeth into (again pun intended). Now, are these Lumley’s vampires, no, but what are; Anne Rice’s, God no (and that’s a good thing) and I won’t even bother mentioning the current craze but you no doubt get my drift.
Jason also left a few threads untied which I am sure will get cleared up in the coming books as this is going to be a series.
I usually don’t read young adult fiction, especially young adult vampire fiction but decided to take a chance and try this one and I am glad I did. I will be looking forward to the following books in the series.
No matter your age, if you are a Monster Kid I think you will enjoy this original take on the Van Helsing and vampire legends and highly recommend you give it a shot.
Seriously, how clueless and silly can it get! yes it’s a step above twilight, the Mad Monster party is a step above twilight and rightly so. But back to point, a vampire univeristy, icemaker, a secret organization related to the van helsings….not very original. The japanese animie series hellsing and the british live action show demons seem to have been mined for this tale.
Awesome book! Thanks for the review!