The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks, Harcourt, 2009.ISBN: 978-0-15-206609-3
Plot Summary
Female vampires are sexy, sophisticated, and slightly sinister, right? Wrong, dead wrong, as forever fifteen-year-old Nina Harrison would be quick to inform you. Although Nina makes her living writing sensual vampire novels, she knows that being a vampire is less than glamorous. Together with her fellow reformed vampires, her days consist of endless nausea and boredom as she lives off guinea pigs and bitterness. But soon Nina’s life becomes even worse when she discovers Casimir, the vampire that originally bit her, dead with a stake through his heart. While no one in the group mourns Casimir’s death, they fear becoming the murderer’s next victims and losing their old, safe haunts. Still, everyone is afraid to track down the killer as they are used to lethargic lives filled with fear…everyone that is except for Nina. Determined to show the others that a real vampire can be just as fearless as those found in fiction, Nina, her friend (and fellow vampire) Dave, and their mentor, Father Ramon set off on a road trip to find Casimir’s murderer, hoping to convince him that real-life vampires aren’t as powerful or wicked as those found in fiction. But their road trip becomes increasingly harrowing as they stumble upon an evil so great that suddenly being tracked down by a crazed vampire hunter doesn’t seem so bad after all. Together, Nina, Dave, and Father Ramon must seek a solution that will not only save themselves but the lives of non-vampires as well.
Critical Evaluation
In her novel The Reformed Vampire Support Group Jinks creates a witty vampiric tale that is sure to delight readers looking for something beyond the typical paranormal romance. In fact, Jinks manages to paint such a depressing, bleak picture of vampiric life that it is hard not to feel sorry for even the wickedest of vampires. However, it is due to this dismal lifestyle that Nina truly shines. Most readers will be able to relate with Nina’s struggle to make herself known as a valid and helpful part of a group filled with adults. It is not Nina’s bravery or cleverness that ultimately draws readers to her; rather, it is her vulnerability, courage, and resolution that readers will appreciate as Nina seeks to distinguish herself. Despite being a vampire, Nina encounters problems that all teenagers face such as crushes, identity crises, and trust issues which make her physical and emotional journey even more satisfying.
Just as Jinks creates a complex, dynamic character in Nina so too does she expertly craft a winning plotline filled with fight scenes, sinister villains, and danger lurking around every corner. The book’s pacing is masterful, leaving readers simultaneously fascinated by the detailed descriptions of vampiric life and the quick, suspenseful plot. Jinks makes her novel even more appealing by weaving several subplots into her book which include other paranormal elements such as werewolves and gothic motivations as well as a sweet romance. Overall, the book is a pleasure to read and will no doubt have the hearty approval of fans who enjoy paranormal fiction.
Reader’s Annotation
When fifteen-year-old vampire, Nina Harrison, learns that her fellow vampire Casimir has been staked to death it’s up to her to find the killer and save those in her Reformed Vampire Support Group.
About the Author
“Catherine Jinks is the Australian author of more than thirty books for all ages. She has garnered many awards, including the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award (three times), the Victorian Premier’s Award, the Aurealis Award for Science Fiction, the Australian Ibby Award, and the Davitt Award for Crime Fiction. Her work has been published in Australia, New Zealand, Britain, the United States, Germany, Spain, France, Portugal, Poland, Russia, the Czech Republic and Thailand.
Catherine was born in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1963. She grew up in Papua New Guinea, where her father worked as a patrol officer…From 1982 to 1986, Catherine studied at the University of Sydney, graduating with an honours degree in medieval history. She then worked on Westpac Banking Corporation’s staff magazine for approximately seven years. In 1992 she married Peter Dockrill, a Canadian journalist; in 1993 she and her husband left Australia for a brief spell in Nova Scotia, where she began to write full time. They returned to Australia in 1994, and Catherine gave birth to her daughter Hannah in 1997. Since 1998, she and her family have been living in Leura, NSW. She has two brothers, and two pet rats. Like most people in Leura, she has become a slave to her garden, but not to the extent that she’ll buy rooting powder” (Jinks, 2007).
Some of the other titles Jinks has written include The Evil Genius Trilogy, The Pagan Chronicles, Living Hell, and the sequel to The Reformed Vampire Support Group, The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group.
Jinks, C. (2007). About Catherine Jinks. Retrieved from http://www.catherinejinks.com/default.asp?PageID=5&n=About+Catherine+Jinks
Genre
Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Suspense
Tags
Vampires, werewolves, priests, child abuse, neglect, novel writing, postmodern, child slavery, reimagining, chronic illness
Curriculum Ties
This book would be great in a curriculum about re-tellings and postmodern interpretations of staid themes, characterizations, etc. The Reformed Vampire Support Group can also be paired with Dracula or any other classic vampire story.
Booktalk Ideas
--Start the talk by pointing out what vampires can and cannot do according to main character, Nina Harrison.
--Give the talk as a vampire hunter might.
Reading Level/Interest Age
Reading Level: 5th grade
Interest Level: 8th-12th grade (13-18 yrs)
Reading level determined through AR BookFinder:
AR BookFinder (2010). The reformed vampire support group. Retrieved from http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=130004&l=EN&slid=189299664
Challenge Issues
This book could be challenged because it has a few graphic, bloody scenes in it as well as child abuse and slavery. If challenged, librarians should point to positive themes in the books such as the importance of friendship, non-violence, and the idea that everyone can change for the better.
Favorite Quotes
“And though I manage to get by, it’s not as if my books are runaway bestsellers. I mean, it’s not as if I’m Stephenie Meyer, or anything” (p. 74).
Why Was This Included?
I must confess that I decided to include The Reformed Vampire Support Group because it is not stereotypical paranormal fiction. While I wanted to include paranormal fiction in my blog, I wasn’t excited to read paranormal romance. This is not to say that there aren’t good paranormal romances available; I simply wanted to explore different aspects of the sub-genre. I knew of this book through shelving the Teen section at my local library so I decided to pick it up.
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