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Book Reviews of Vesper:

Vesper:
Vesper
Author: Jeff Sampson
ISBN-13: 9780061992766
ISBN-10: 0061992763
Publication Date: 1/25/2011
Pages: 304
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 8

3.9 stars, based on 8 ratings
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

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

ophelia99 avatar reviewed Vesper: on + 2527 more book reviews
I got an advanced reading copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program. This is the first book in the Deviants trilogy by Jeff Sampson. I wasn't sure what to expect when I read this book, but I ended up liking it a lot. It was a great read with some interesting plot twists and some interesting ideas. Some of the concepts in this book are loosely related to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

The night that Emily Cook dies weird things start happening to Emily Webb. Emily Webb is a self-pronounced geek who prefers her books and her movies to any outside company but one night that all changes. One night she changes into Nighttime Emily and sneaks out of her window and is running around town like a crazy woman. This change becomes a nightly occurring leaving Daytime Emily confused and upset as Nighttime Emily slowly erodes Daytime Emily's relationships with her parents and friends. Then things get weirded, Daytime Emily changes past Nighttime Emily into something other. The thing is this is happening to other teens as well and on top of this there is a serial killer out there shooting teens in the head. Could it all be tied together? Can Emily figure out what is going on before Nighttime Emily either destroys Daytime Emily's life or is hunted and shot down by the killer?

I was surprised about how much I liked this book. It was incredibly engaging and very easy to read. Emily Webb is a very realistic and likable character. The book is told from Emily's point of view but is broken up by interview bits taken at some lab where Emily is being held. These interview clips give a glimpse into Emily's future and add mystery as she relates her story as her first week as a Deviant.

I really enjoyed the plot pace of this book, it starts out a bit slow and slowly builds tension...then the action comes at you non-stop. I liked the ideas behind that book too, how Emily's personality changes but she is still Emily at the same time.

The only complaint I really have is that the side characters suffered from being underdeveloped. Hopefully we will see more development in that area in the first book.

The story ties up well but really leaves you wanting to know more about the Deviants and what they are up to. As a reader I really want to see the scope of the story broadened, it was pretty narrow in this book told strictly from Emily's point of view.

Overall and excellent book. Creative and well-written and very engaging. Emily was a very real character going through some crazy stuff, there is a lot of suspense and mystery that really keeps you hooked. I am excited to read the next book in the series and see what happens with all of these Deviant characters. This was one of the better young adult urban fantasy novels I have read in a while.
reviewed Vesper: on + 32 more book reviews
After reading so many good reviews of Vesper, I had to buy a copy to add to my ongoing collection of YA books. One would easily come to the conclusion that after reading so many were or vampire books that they tend to all begin to sound the same; basically, boy meets girl and they fall in love. Usually doing so is a no-no in some way. Sampson gives rise to a new breed of were in "Vesper." Forget everything you know about the were community and be prepared to be amazed.

The characters are delightful, exciting, and, above all, adventurous. The plot is twisty like you wouldn't believe, which kept me totally immersed in the plot line. Vesper is a superb paranormal read that is totally exciting to read. I highly recommend you grab a copy and get lost in Sampson's were-world like you never have before.

Havoc is to be the second book in the Deviants series should be available around January 2012.