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Book Reviews of Secret Vampire (Night World, Bk 1)

Secret Vampire (Night World, Bk 1)
Secret Vampire - Night World, Bk 1
Author: L. J. Smith
ISBN-13: 9780671551339
ISBN-10: 0671551337
Publication Date: 6/1/1996
Pages: 228
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 74

4 stars, based on 74 ratings
Publisher: Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

9 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

ratama avatar reviewed Secret Vampire (Night World, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book was GREAT!

I got sucked right into this book.
What I love about Vampire books are the different ways people view Vampires. Smith's version is pretty good. The way they can age if they were "born" a Vamp was very interesting. The sunlight only taking away their Vampire abilities, and not killing them was very interesting as well.

It's a great Romeo and Juliet sort of book. One that gets you really sucked into their relationship.

Though I loved being able to experience the "change" with Poppy, it wasn't like I would have thought. It seems too easy, non-painful, and too fast. Though that is just me.

I still adored this book and cannot wait to read the next one. It's gotten me hooked and I cannot wait to find out what happens next!
jaguerns avatar reviewed Secret Vampire (Night World, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A friend recommended this book and I immediately requested it from Paperbackswap.com.

Interesting story. On the very first day of summer vacation, 16-year-old Poppy was told she was going to die. And die painfully. She had an incurable cancer. But James, her very best friend in the world could save Poppy. First, he has to break a few rules, like telling her that he wasn't an average teenager, but a vampire, a member of the Night World. Then he wants to turn her into a vampire. While it will save her life, it will mean giving up her family.

A very typical teenage romance, sprinkled with supernatural beings. Some pieces of dialogue seem to make no sense whatsoever but other than that, it was a pretty typical story; an easy read. I like the aspects of it well enough that I plan on reading the second book.
GeniusJen avatar reviewed Secret Vampire (Night World, Bk 1) on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

Poppy North is a typical sixteen-year old--she gets through school by being smarter than her teachers; likes to irritate her straight-laced twin brother, Phil; listens to New Age and techno music; has a secret crush on her best friend, James; and wakes up on the first morning of summer vacation before her senior year of high-school with nothing more paramount on her mind than what she can do with an entire summer spent with James.

Until the pain in her abdomen, which has steadily been increasing, working its way around to her back, keeping her awake at night, and causing her to lose weight, sends her to the doctor. Who then sends her to the hospital for tests. Where doctors then inform her that she has pancreatic cancer--the kind that will kill you within three weeks to three months.

Poppy, of course, isn't ready to die. Watching the reaction of her family--twin brother Phil, her mother, and step-father Cliff--only brings the truth closer to home. Poppy is going to die, there's nothing anyone can do about it, and it's going to be painful.

Except there is someone who can do something about it. James Rasmussen, her best friend from El Camino High School, her secret crush, a boy who now tells her something impossible--he's a lamia, a boy who was born a vampire, a member of the Night World, and he can change Poppy into a vampire to avoid certain death.

Of course Poppy doesn't believe him at first, but then what choice does she have? There's always been something different about James, and now she knows exactly what the difference is. So she agrees to become a vampire, knowing she'll have to leave her family behind, but knowing it's the only way to avoid certain death.

What follows is a fast-moving, interesting story about Poppy's immersion into becoming a vampire, the toll it takes on her brother, Phil, who finds out what they're doing, and the danger it puts James in. Because there are only two rules of the Night World: Never let the humans know it exists, and never fall in love with one of them. James has broken both of those rules.

What a great start to the Night World series! Towards the end of the book we meet some other interesting characters, which I'm guessing will play major roles in future books, so I can't wait to get started on the next read.
daedelys avatar reviewed Secret Vampire (Night World, Bk 1) on + 1218 more book reviews
The story started out a little immature and I wasn't sure if I really wanted to continue with the story, but after a couple of chapters got much better. The character's aren't that well-developed, but since it's only a young adult story, I doubt the target audience would really notice. It's a nice, easy read that turned out to be worth finishing. I even preferred these lead characters to those in "Twilight" just because they don't whine all the time about how awful they perceive their lives to be.
reviewed Secret Vampire (Night World, Bk 1) on
Interesting take on the Vampire world. Fast teen read.

From the Publisher, Simon & Schuster

Prince of Darkness

The pain was something Poppy couldn't ignore. The diagnosis was death. There was no hope -- until James appeared in the darkened hospital room. James, her best friend and secret love, the handsomest boy in El Camino High. But this was a James she didn't know, menacing yet irresistible as he offered Poppy the gift of eternal life. Only he could open the door to the Night World, and spirit her into its lonely, secret universe. One dizzying kiss and she can see into his soul. She finds that he has always loved her. They're soulmates -- but can she follow him into death and beyond? It's a desperate choice, and Poppy's time is running out...
bardgirl avatar reviewed Secret Vampire (Night World, Bk 1) on
At long last I'll be able to read all nine books because by the time I discovered this series I wasn't able to find all of them at the library. Now they are out in threes so you should have no problem finding it including at the library. As you can see by the title there are vampires in the book. The Night World is made up of supernatural beings like vampires and witches.

James is a vampire and yes he's the secret since it is a big no no to tell a human about the Night World along with falling in love with one. Poppy is all set to enjoy the summer when she gets the bad news that she's dying. Since he can't bear to see her die James decides to risk it all for love which is so sweet. With the help of her twin brother Phillip James is able to turn Poppy. Oh and by the way James is a lamia which is a born vampire which means he can stop aging when he choose. Talk about handy. Who wouldn't want to be able to do that. They can also create vampires but there is risk involved.

So if you enjoy vampire series you should put this on the list and hey there's no need to go back since this would be the first. Find out what happens? Will cousin Ash cause trouble for James who is hiding a seriously big secret. You'll just have to read it for yourself. Don't worry this is a fast read so there's no need to fear the book. Okay when the three are together it might look overwhelming but just tackle the one book at a time and you're sure to enjoy it. You really should get over that book phobia.
barbsis avatar reviewed Secret Vampire (Night World, Bk 1) on + 1076 more book reviews
This was surprisingly enjoyable considering it is only 228 pages long. Poppy is a typical seventeen year old girl until she finds out she is going to be dead within a few months. Her life will change forever that summer. Both the hero and heroine are likeable and following their adventures will be fun but definitely won't tax the brain. Even with vampires, werewolves and witches, this is light, fluffy and a quick read.
DevilishAngel avatar reviewed Secret Vampire (Night World, Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
Finished this book in two days! Cute story, sad, funny and sweet. I enjoyed this book because it made me laugh and it was a fast read. Headed for the second book and hopefully it's just as good.
reviewed Secret Vampire (Night World, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
The First book in the Night World Series.

I was so in love with The Night World Series during Middle school. But, seeing as I haven't read them SINCE that time and I need shelf space, away they go!