REVIEW:The Vampire Hunters by Pete Johnson

On Marcus's thirteenth birthday his life changed for ever. That's when his parents told him the shocking truth: he's a half-vampire. Any notions that this could be cool went quickly out the window—he's been attacked by an evil vampire bat, had huge cravings for his best friend's blood, and nearly died from eating a pizza (half-vampires aren't great with garlic). Writing his secret blog is the only thing that’s kept him from going completely crazy. As if life couldn't get any more complicated, there have been some vicious attacks in the local woods. Vampire-mad Tallulah (definitely not Marcus's girlfriend) thinks a super-vampire is behind them—and she's desperate to prove it—with a mysterious chain that's supposed to glow red hot when a vampire is close by. Marcus has a horrible feeling the chain's going to turn red-hot any day now.

I knew I was going to like The Vampire Hunters because of loving The Vampire Blog, and I was right! I can't decide which one I like better, they're both brilliant. It was exciting and unpredictable, and of course, filled with the fantastic Marcus's trademark humour! If it wasn't for Marcus constantly cracking jokes, I don't think I would love this series half as much :)


We were introduced to a couple of new characters in this book, most notably Gracie. I really liked Gracie, possibly more than Tallulah! Tallulah is very cool and all, but she is so moody that it gets on my nerves sometimes! She annoyed quite a lot in this book. Gracie is really lovely, funny, and genuine! She's a great friend and it was great for Marcus to have a half-vampire friend that he can really be himself with! She was a brilliant new character, my second favourite  - after Marcus of course! Oh, Marcus. Hilarious as always! I loved him in The Vampire Hunters possibly even more than in The Vampire Blog, because of the way he dealt with things. He is able to make his slightly more than cringeworthy episodes, like his 'blind date' at the cinema, and the couple of times he started to roar uncontrollably, light and funny. He is confident but not arrogant, and was all-round, a well developed and likeable character! 


I have to admit, I did not guess the twist in the end! I should have suspected it, after what happened in The Vampire Blog, but I just didn't think! I like it when books surprise me though, and it was a good shock!


I read The Vampire Hunters in under a day. It is quite short, but also absolutely unputdownable. I raced through it, it was so addictive and I enjoyed every minute of it. I didn't want it to end! I can't recommend this series enough! Read it, then give it to any child you know :) And then let me know, did YOU guess the ending, or am I the only idiot who didn't?! ;)

Rating: 5/5

Source: For Review - a massive thanks to the publisher for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.

Format: Paperback
Pages: 264

Age group: 9+

Official Publication Date: 2nd June 2011
Publisher: Corgi Yearling, an imprint of Random House

Challenges:  British Books Challenge