Now, the synopsis is a bit misleading. This is actually not a book but a collection of the first four “Peter and the Monsters” serial. This contains four stories, Peter and the Dead Men, Peter and the Vampires, Peter and the Changling, Peter and the Swamp Monster. As with normal serials, each piece is a story into and of itself, but there is a larger overarching story that slowly reveals itself during the course of the serial.

Like ‘Serpent in the Glass’, Peter and the Vampires is young adult fare – but don’t let that detour you. This is my first review of a serial, so bear with me. To make this easier I’m going to write a little mini-review for each story:

Peter and the Dead Men - Story #1- This story introduces the main characters – Peter – who has just been moved by his mother from CA to the small town of Duskerville. They are moving in with Peter’s grandfather, who Peter has never met. Things are not as peaceful as they seem, as Peter finds out when he and the neighbor boy, Dill, find charred dead men wandering Peter’s backyard.

While I didn’t exactly dislike this story, it didn’t really hook me in or make me want to keep reading. In fact, I struggled to finish it. The story does have a good mystery, but at the end left too many things unexplained.

Peter and the Vampires -Story #2- This story starts with Peter falling ill and missing a week of school. The night before he returns, he sees a girl who he knows from the bus, standing in the yard in the middle of the night. The next day he finds out that girl died the week before, the day after Peter fell ill. Other children disappear, and Peter takes it upon himself to stop the vampire menace before its too late.

This is the story that really hooked me. Several parts are laugh out loud funny – like when Dill and Peter go to the church to steal vampire hunting supplies. their interactions with the priests are perfect. The ending is a bit mushy/happy for a vampire story, but it works with the young adult themes and setting.

Peter and the Changling -Story #3 – While hanging out at home, Peter’s mom ropes him and Dill into babysitting Peter’s little sister Beth. Things quickly go wrong when Beth grows fangs and starts munching on the furniture. Peter and Dill must fight off the changling while searching for the truth about what happened to the real Beth.

Anyone who has ever babysat a little terror can relate to this story. The antics of the Changling Beth as she terrorizes Dill and Peter are perfectly over-the-top funny. And you’ll be dying at the end, when Changling Beth meets her nemesis – real Beth!

Peter and the Swamp Monster -Story #4 – Peter and Dill decide to enjoy one of the last nice days of summer by inter-tubing down the river to the lake. Unfortunately, their peaceful day is interrupted by a monster attack. Two kids are taken, with Peter and Dill as the only witnesses. But when the adults don’t believe them, its up to Peter and Dill to save their classmates.

This story was my favorite of the collection. Peter and Dill are outside their element in the forest, and I loved it. I also really liked how Peter and Dill’s interactions have evolved over the course of the stories. This story also sets off how the two characters have grown. Although the overall arc of this story reminds of the Korean monster movie ‘The Host,’ the authors unique take still make this an original and engaging tale. I won’t spoil the ending, but its absolutely hilarious how the boys end up defeating the monster.

Overall Serial Arc - I’m trying to avoid spoilers, but Peter’s Grandfather has some dark secrets – some of which tie into their family. Its hinted that even perhaps Peter is fated to draw dark forces to him, which is why he runs into so many monsters. I’m intrigued to say the least. ( )

When ten-year-old Peter moves into his grandfather’s creepy old mansion in a small town, bad, baaaaad things start to happen.

A family of charred boogeymen who haunt the garden decide they don't like trespassers...

A classmate with a crush comes back from the grave and decides to make Peter her Undead Prince Charming...

A creature from Fairieland changes place with Peter's two-year-old sister, leading to a VERY strange babysitting job...

A prehistoric predator snatches children from the town lake, forcing Peter to literally dive into the belly of the beast...

With his troublemaking neighbor Dill, his grumpy grandfather, and only his courage and wit to guide him, Peter has to survive all these things, plus the Greatest Horror Of All:

Fourth grade.

Volume One includes the following stories:

Peter And The Dead Men (Story #1)
Peter And The Vampires (Story #2)
Peter And The Changeling (Story #3)
Peter And The Swamp Monster (Story #4)

This is my 'FIND" for the year. Stumbled upon this series quite by accident. Wow, so much FUN! I love Peter's Friend DILL. He is a riot. The dialogue rings very true. The stories are SCARY, but filled with humor and heart.
Clearly I will be giving this series my full attention.
Highly Recommended for Kids {Over 10-their is some pretty gory/scary stuff here} and Adults under 85! ( )

I was not sure what to expect by this book so I opened it with an open mind. I was hooked by page 2! Peter and the Vampires is truly a delightful book with lovable young boys as our main characters. Add to that a creepy grandfather, a huge house where strange things happen and a two year old little sister who wears a bathing suit every day OVER her clothes! Dill and our hero Peter find adventures and is some circumstances adventures find them. I loved this book. It was creepy, mysterious and laugh out loud funny. I enjoyed Peter but his buddy Dill was hands down my favorite. When Dill gets scared he "maybe" pees his pants, "just a little" and while most of us would keep that tidbit to ourselves, Dill always tells Peter. The exchanges that follow that are hilarious! I was very curious about the grandfather. He has his own story that unfolds slowly and made me read as fast as I could and turn the pages so I could find out. Dill is scared to death of grandfather and grandfather is none to fond of him either since there was an incident with Dill blowing up some watermelons in the grandfather's garden. The interaction between those two is a lot of fun.My favorite part of the book besides Dill was the vampire schoolgirl with a crush on Peter. I felt sorry for her at times and wanted to kick her butt at other times. There was nothing funny about her to Peter who had to fend her off but since he's such a nice guy really didn't want to hurt her. Good thing he has back-up in Dill and grandfather!Peter and the Vampires is a quick, easy read and truly a lot of fun. I will surely look for the other books in the series and I hope my friend Dill shows up in them too.This is a Young Adult book but trust me, adults will enjoy it just as much, maybe even more. Normally I don't read or enjoy YA but I devoured this and want more! Highly recommended. ( )