A very enjoyable book with a lot of character development and interesting plot. Shows a human side to vampires and their ways. Also shows how completely degenerate some people can be. A good read which will keep your interest. ( )

Melanie is in her early 20s, trying to find herself and currently exploring her boyfriend’s goth lifestyle, including his obsession with vampires. Bryan is geeky, but harmless, showing up in false vampire teeth and capes. She has no problem taking whatever drug Bryan or his friend bring along on their nightly excursions exploring the decrepit, and some say haunted, ruins of an old monastery. Melanie is simply wandering through life, taking each moment as it comes.

Then the moment she’s been waiting for, when her life starts to spin out of control and Melanie is faced with events she can’t explain and confronted with a reality that before was simply fantastical fiction.

"Blood and Sunlight" by Jamie Wasserman is a human-turned-vampire love story. It has all the twists, turns and breathless ride of a roller coaster. Colorful characters, attention to detail, and unexpected plot twists make this a very engaging read from the beginning straight through to the end. There is a little character fluctuation and gaps in the narrative, but overall it’s a solid tale. I think of books like this one as a candy bar for the brain, a quick snack that’s delicious, albeit unhealthy, and all pleasure. ( )

I didn't really enjoy this book. I don't like humorous style books and there were a lot of funny comments but i didn't like where it was headed. It being a short story, I went to chapter 4 but still wasn't enjoying it so I am going to pass it off to my husbnad who enjoys that style of book. I have the second one in the series too that he will get a chance to read at and review himself.

Rating it on what I did read I would have to give it a 1/5. If it had been more my style of book it would have probably been a 3... I hope my husband reads and reviews it around the net and on librarything. Very disappointing, was looking forward to these books... ( )

I received this book through Member Giveaway, courtesy of the author. As I read this book, two things in particular struck me.

One, I love the writing. Wasserman has a great way of setting scenes with a poetic yet minimalistic style. Everything is very tight, vivid, and packed with meaning. And clever -- the whole story is framed by a bedtime story told by a father to his little girl. I can't say too much more without giving away crucial parts of the plot, but it was an unexpected yet delightful element. It made for a fabulous opening that instantly appealed to me. Then, later, I had one of those "oh!" moments when the everything you've just read takes on a whole new perspective, and you go back to the beginning to reread things with a fresh eye. As I said, clever. And I appreciate clever.

The second thing about this book -- I don't love the characters. Well, specifically, I don't love the protagonist, Melanie. She has this disaffected youth thing going on that I just don't and didn't care for much. It's not the type of character I gravitate towards, and I always struggle with a story if I can't feel for the characters. Since Melanie is the central thread of this story, my total enjoyment was affected.

Overall, this book strongly put me in mind of a vampiric "Tithe" (by Holly Black). Granted, less ... well, frilly, I guess is the word. Still there's much similarity in tone and character. And both left me feeling the same way -- thoughtful and intrigued yet a little put off by the protagonist. I can only deduce that the book is great but that I'm the wrong audience for it. Which is fine. I'm still quite happy to have been given the opportunity to read it. And now I'm curious about Wasserman's other work, and whether something else by him might be more to my style.

http://booknerdsbrain.blogspot.com/2010/11/blood-and-sunlight-maryland-vampire.h... ( )