📖 Overview
Morning McCobb is a teenage vampire who graduates from the International Vampire League with dreams of becoming a superhero. As the first vampire to reveal his identity to humans, he aims to show how modern vampires can peacefully coexist with society by drinking blood substitutes and using their powers for good.
The story follows Morning's journey as he navigates his new public role while developing feelings for Portia Dredful. His mission becomes complicated as he battles his natural vampire instincts and faces challenges from both the human and vampire worlds.
Brian Meehl's novel puts a fresh spin on vampire mythology by exploring themes of identity, acceptance, and the struggle between natural impulses and chosen values. This young adult story examines what it means to be different while trying to find one's place in the world.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this vampire novel as a light, humorous take on the genre. Many note it works as a parody of typical vampire tropes while still telling an engaging story.
Readers appreciated:
- The fresh spin on vampire mythology
- Humor and witty dialogue
- The main character Morning's growth throughout the story
- Creative world-building around "vampire reform"
Common criticisms:
- Plot feels predictable at times
- Some found the humor forced or juvenile
- Romance subplot seen as underdeveloped
- Pacing issues in the middle sections
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.5/5 (500+ ratings)
Amazon: 3.9/5 (30+ reviews)
"A fun twist on vampires that doesn't take itself too seriously" - Goodreads reviewer
"The vampire rehabilitation concept was clever but the story dragged" - Amazon reviewer
"Perfect for younger YA readers who want vampires without the darker elements" - Barnes & Noble reviewer
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Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram A super-powered teen keeps her abilities secret until she decides to use them publicly, leading to consequences in both her personal life and society at large.
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I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez The protagonist navigates between cultural expectations and personal identity while dealing with family pressures and societal assumptions.
The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks A group of vampires attend support meetings to maintain their commitment to non-violence and blood substitutes while solving mysteries in their community.
Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram A super-powered teen keeps her abilities secret until she decides to use them publicly, leading to consequences in both her personal life and society at large.
Renegades by Marissa Meyer A superhuman prodigy joins a group of heroes while questioning the divide between good and evil in a world of extraordinary abilities.
🤔 Interesting facts
🧛♂️ The term "vegan vampire" in the book reflects a growing real-world movement of people finding plant-based alternatives to traditional foods, much like Morning McCobb's blood substitutes.
🦇 Author Brian Meehl was a longtime puppeteer for Jim Henson's Muppets and worked on shows like "Sesame Street" and "Eureeka's Castle" before becoming a novelist.
📚 The International Vampire League in the book parallels real institutions that help regulate professions, showing vampires as an organized society rather than lone creatures of the night.
🎬 The book's publication in 2008 coincided with the peak of vampire media popularity, including "Twilight" and "True Blood," but offered a distinctly comedic take on the genre.
🌟 The character's name "Morning McCobb" is a playful contradiction, as traditional vampires cannot survive in morning light, highlighting the book's fresh approach to vampire mythology.