Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Jocelyn Pearce for TeensReadToo.com
Lucy Szabo is diabetic, and that's led her to think up some interesting theories about vampires. Lucy believes that vampire legends were inspired by dying diabetics--the uncontrollable thirst, the deathlike appearance.
When Lucy gets involved with an interesting crowd--including a "real" vampire, a cute boy from school, and a bunch of burnout Goths--she starts to lose control of her life. She's sneaking out at night, her grades are plummeting rapidly, and she passes out at school because of an insulin reaction. Lucy's life is falling apart, and only she can pull the pieces back together again.
SWEETBLOOD is definitely an interesting novel, and very original. It's interesting in terms of Lucy's theories and in terms of how vampire legends started, but also just as a personal story, as the story of Lucy's life. There are good, intriguing characters throughout the novel, it's quite well-written, and very much worth reading.
Lucy Szabo is diabetic, and that's led her to think up some interesting theories about vampires. Lucy believes that vampire legends were inspired by dying diabetics--the uncontrollable thirst, the deathlike appearance.
When Lucy gets involved with an interesting crowd--including a "real" vampire, a cute boy from school, and a bunch of burnout Goths--she starts to lose control of her life. She's sneaking out at night, her grades are plummeting rapidly, and she passes out at school because of an insulin reaction. Lucy's life is falling apart, and only she can pull the pieces back together again.
SWEETBLOOD is definitely an interesting novel, and very original. It's interesting in terms of Lucy's theories and in terms of how vampire legends started, but also just as a personal story, as the story of Lucy's life. There are good, intriguing characters throughout the novel, it's quite well-written, and very much worth reading.
One of my former 7th graders has diabetes (and claimed to hate all books) so I grabbed this one thinking she might like it. I read it before giving it to her and loved it myself. What I really liked about it was that in many way it was a 'typical' teen book. Lucy's parents drive her crazy, school is a pain, boys take turns between being wonderful and jerks, and life can really suck. On top of all of this Lucy has diabetes and has to add dealing with blood sugar levels to everything else.
This book got passed around to many students and they all really liked it, especially when Lucy hooks up with her older man. They could relate to her making stupid decisions and then being furious when her parents punish her for them.
And my kiddo who "hates" to read? She thought it was great because "it wasn't a diabetes book, it was a book about a mom who makes her kid insane, just like all moms do to their daughters."
This book got passed around to many students and they all really liked it, especially when Lucy hooks up with her older man. They could relate to her making stupid decisions and then being furious when her parents punish her for them.
And my kiddo who "hates" to read? She thought it was great because "it wasn't a diabetes book, it was a book about a mom who makes her kid insane, just like all moms do to their daughters."
Both my 15 yr old daughter and I read this and LOVED it. Lucy's take on vampires was really an eye-opener. Also, my daughter is a sort of goth not really accepted teen ager. This book really spoke to her.
I would recommend it to all teen age girls.
I would recommend it to all teen age girls.
Great book!! Lucy belives she may be a vampire, not exactly fantasy but a great book about finding yourself!
