Book Review: The Brookehaven Vampires: Laney

Title: The Brookehaven Vampires: Laney

Author: Joann I. Martin Sowles

Pages: 285

Rating: E for Exceeds Expectations

Review: So, everyone knows how I feel about vampires, right? Right? Well, in case you’re one of the few who don’t, let me remind you. When I was younger, I was terrified of vampires. I remember having a coloring book with a playful vampire in it and would freak out and had to rip the page up. My sister would scare me at night dressing as a vampire and I still remember the one movie I saw when I was about five. But then came along four books and a spin-off and they turned these scary and terrifying creatures into somewhat of a joke for me.

The only thing I had against vampires became something so vile, might I say, that I ended up with no weapon against them. My natural friend became a pansy enemy. Instead of melting them, it made them sparkle. Like glitter. Glitter-full vampires. It makes me sad. I mean, don’t get me wrong, there are certain shows I like watching and are my guilty pleasure. And I will go to the theaters to watch some killer vampire movies. But I sort of had this anti-vampire novel thing going on. The trend had to end!

So it was with very cautious steps that I began to read Laney. At first I kind of held it afar, I’m not really into the teenage romance with a vampire, the love of her life type of novel. I’m more of a deep story. But I gave it a chance. I’m glad I actually did.

Laney is about a girl named Delaney or Laney for short, who dorms in college with her best friend Kiera. Unlike certain female characters, this one is actually pretty fun. She’s very perky and outgoing, loves to have fun, and I think it’s safe to say a Cali girl. Right away I clicked not only with her but with everyone and everything in the environment. It’s very similar to where I live so it wasn’t hard getting into the characters shoes. Even if it is a girl. I just created my own shoes. Preferably, Nike’s. High tops.

Joann I. Martin Sowles, or Joann Sowles for short doesn’t waste any time getting to the point. We immediately meet this interesting, non-brooding, normal guy who goes by the name of Oliver Knight. He drives a black car, with tinted windows, wears sunglasses outside, and carries a stainless steel water bottle with him because he is “eco-friendly.” Instantly, Laney feels attracted to Oliver and one might think, “oh no,” but it’s quickly regaining itself when Laney explains how she has no reason to fall for this dude and can’t explain it. So like you, the reader, she is perplexed.

As the story progress’ we find out about the vampires and about their powers. How they drink actual human blood by owning a truck that goes around where people can donate their blood. They use the blood and take some to keep themselves sustained. How newer vampires have a phobia of the sun and think they will melt but, they just have very sensitive eyes and have to wear the sunglasses. How the reason they don’t like garlic is because they have better senses, so the smell is too strong. But what got me interested is that Joann Sowles doesn’t make them to be a different creature all together. She makes them as if they were an upgraded version of humans. They are humans just with different attributes. So you feel close to them and not afraid.

As with every vampire novel, there are good ones and bad ones. There are also in-between ones. Ones that we don’t really know their true alliance or there’s something more to them. The conflict basically revolves around one thing, revenge. The bad vampire wants revenge for what happened. And he will do anything to get it.

Joann Sowles certainly left her mark with this unique novel. She could have left it off with just the vampires but she continued by adding other mythical creatures, like werewolves who transform at the full moon, unicorns and even dragons, whose talons are used by Slayers. Oh yea, I said it, there are vampire Slayers.

All in all, Joann Sowles is an above-average writer. I only say this because I’m afraid of overusing the word awesome. Her writing style is simple yet rich, and her stories and characters are full. There were times where I didn’t like certain characters because they were too over-protecting, hint hint main vampire. But that was left behind as I finished the book and was left by a cliff-hanger that made me want to read more. I certainly can not wait for the sequel. Kudos to Joann Sowles, and let’s hope that she continues to master her writing.