NIGHT ROAD

by A.M. Jenkins

Another in the rash of vampire novels which have come out since Twilight, Night Road takes a darker, more traditional view of vampires, called hemes (for hemevores). Most of the action in this story takes place during the night, because in this version, sunlight is devastatingly harmful to hemes, and they are meticulous in protecting themselves from it. Cole, a 170-year old heme, has become solitary and introverted, protecting himself from memories and relationships too painful to deal with. When Johnny calls Cole back to the Building, a haven for other hemes in an urban area, he knows something is up. Johnny wants Cole and Sandor to take Gordon,"the accident" , a new heme, on the road, to teach him everything he needs to know about his new life. It's been a long time since Cole has spent this much time with other people. His overwhelming sense of responsibility toward Gordon causes him to remember and share memories that he has stuffed for a long time. It also causes him neglect his own needs so that Gordon has his needs met, leading to a terrifying near catastrophe. This road trip certainly prepares Gordon for the life he is destined to live for eons, but Cole comes away changed for the better as well.

An interesting take on the vampire world, but I found it hard to really connect to this story or these characters. However, it is certain to appeal to YA readers who like dark, melancholy tales.

--reviewed by Dail Sams