Like any good Goth girl, Raven wants a dreamy boyfriend who looks good in black velvet and is a little dangerous. At the outset of this graphic-novel spin-off from the Vampire Kisses series, Raven has gotten her wish exander Sterling, teen vampire hottie. Then Alexander's cousin blows into town with an axe to grind. Fans of the original will like this change of pace, but it's harder to care about the characters here because the main relationship has developed before the book begins. The spot-on art catches the sweet tone of the text, though, and it showcases plenty of detailed Goth outfits. Give this to readers who don't want the brooding, violence, or intense sensuality of many vamp tales.

Gr 7 Up-Schreiber's "Vampire Kisses" prose series gets a manga-style treatment and the new look fits it like a long black glove. Raven is a cute Goth girl who just happens to have a vampire for a boyfriend. And what a guy Alexander is; he's described as "handsome," "elusive," "kind," "gentle," "sensitive," "soulful," "hot," and "dreamy," not to mention "broodingly quiet and mysterious." That kind of over-the-top romanticism will turn off some, but will be devoured with relish, and maybe a little ketchup, by teens who like their horror more sweet than scary. The plot, such as it is, follows Raven's troubles when Alexander's evil cousin Claude and his gang of Goth fashion plates show up in town and start causing trouble. The rampant stereotypes may actually work in the story's favor, as its brief length and visual focus do not leave much time for character development. Despite the book's flaws, the stylized artwork is an excellent match for this vampire-lite romance.-Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.