An ingenious twist on a beloved genre, this beautifully constructed novel blends humor and horror to show that vampires are not just bloodsucking creatures of the night--they can also be gentle, vegetarian, and wise. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Identity issues involving a child of mixed heritage get a supernatural spin in this affecting coming-of-age tale. Ariella Montero's mother vanished the day she was born, leaving her to the care of her overprotective scientist father, who homeschools her and limits her contact with the outside world. Only when she reaches adolescence does Ari discover that her special diet and insular home life set her apart from her peers. Her father's confession that he was vampirized shortly before marriage, and that Ari can choose whether to be undead like him or mortal like mom, set her off on a road trip that eventually brings her to her mother and into an understanding of tough truths about her family. Hubbard (Walking on Ice) delineates Ari's world of innocent and uncertain adolescence with uncommon poignance and forgoes sensationalism for sensitivity in her depiction of vampirism as one of many emotionally charged challenges Ari faces as a child of estranged parents. She doesn't do much original with the vampire theme, but the novel's open ending suggests inevitable sequels where this may develop further. Author tour. (May) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Ariella Montero is not your typical teen; she knows Latin but has never watched television, and her heroes are not the latest pop idols but Edgar Allen Poe and Jack Kerouac. She's been homeschooled by her father in an old Victorian mansion since her mother disappeared on the day of her birth. The cook finally convinces Ariella's father to let Ariella come home with her to meet her brood, which includes Kathleen, who is Ariella's age. They quickly become good friends, and a whole new world opens up for Ariella as she is exposed to a life beyond books. One night, Kathleen tells Ariella that she is a pagan and invites her along for a role-playing game with her friends. After this encounter with wizards and vampires, Ariella begins to notice some odd things around her home that make her wonder about the true identities of both her parents. As the novel unfolds, Ariella is launched on a journey she will never forget. Hubbard has created a literary mystery that will appeal to the fans of Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale or Elizabeth Kostava's The Historian. Well written and full of intriguing characters, the novel moves apace as the reader becomes engaged in the hunt for the truth about Ariella and her family. Recommended for all public libraries. Robin Nesbitt, Columbus Metro. Lib., OH Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Adult/High School Think of a jigsaw puzzle, Ariella Montero writes in her journal. Even when it isn't assembled, the pieces scattered in the box contain the picture. Ariella is 13 and very sheltered. She is homeschooled by her father, a scientist, and lives in a large Victorian house. Ariella wants to know all about her mother, who disappeared when the girl was born, and about the world and where she fits into it. Through Mrs. McGarrit, the housekeeper, she meets other teens and starts questioning her own lifestyle. Going to the library with Mrs. McGarrit's daughter, Ariella finds the Internet, and the answers to her questions lead her into danger. It seems that the Monteros are vampires. At least Mr. Montero is, and now it is more important than ever to Ariella to find her mother. How she solves the mystery of her family's unhappiness, as well as how to cope with her own feelings and problems, form the plot. This is a solid story of a girl coming of age, wanting her family to be together, and wishing to belong to something. The author doesn't use supernatural elements as a crutch, but instead they enhance an already strong narrative. Dana Cobern-Kullman, Luther Burbank Middle School, Burbank, CA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Ariella Montero comes from a broken home, always a stigma for a teenager trying desperately to fit in. After Ari's mother disappeared on the night she was born, Ari was left in the care of her charismatic but secretive father, an overly protective recluse who, Ari comes to suspect, is a vampire. But wait, it gets worse. After her best friend is viciously murdered, Ari begins to wonder if she might be one, too. The girl's got questions, but Dad doesn't have all the answers, so Ari runs away from home, embarking on a picaresque journey to find her mother, the one person Ari believes holds the key to her true identity. As she hitchhikes her way through the country, Ari discovers much about herself but nearly loses her life in the process. Eschewing the sleep-all-day/prey-all-night school of vampire lore, Hubbard instead creates marginally mainstream characters, ones whose desires and fears, plans and dreams have nothing do to with the thrill of the kill. CarolHaggas. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.