Customer Reviews

Attack of the Vampire Snowmen

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The great thing about zombie authors is their dedication to the genre...just when I think they have reached the limits of the imagination, I stumble upon something that expands zombie fiction into other genres - engulfs them, really. NOM NOM NOM! While other genres add glitter to their monsters, one author has brought the zombie culture to the North Pole...and vampire snowmen -- a little something from various sub-genres of horror, mixed with suspense, without giving the little ones nightmares.

When I realized that I would be reading a story about vampire snowmen and zombie elves, I didn't know whether to laugh or beat myself with my laptop. After carefully noting in the intro that the author LOVES Christmas and the holiday season, I decided to approach this book with the same seriousness I would give to any fantasy tale. Keep in mind, this is young adult fiction, with the goal of appealing to both children and adults...so, not quite as dark as you might expect, and age appropriate for grade school & up. My 5yr old loved it & wants "the guy who made Nightmare Before Christmas (Tim Burton) to make the book into a movie."

There are Light Elves and Dark Elves; the Light Elves make the toys, and are enjoying a well-deserved night off at an enchanted amusement park. Laidenn realizes that they are about to be attacked by vampire snowman. This is where the author's talent for detail starts to show, when Laidenn prepares to fight with bags of salt. As Laidenn tries to make the other elves aware of the impending danger, we learn more about how the light and dark magic work at the North Pole. We also discover that there are actually two different breeds of vampires as well.

I laughed at the description of the horrible things that took place in Santa's workshop, for instance, Barbie heads with Ken bodies! (Not necessarily scary, but kids will understand how troublesome this can be.) Santa defends his workshop with the stealth and swiftness that would make Van Helsing proud. Don't let the fat, jolly appearance fool you - this Santa has the moves of a warrior. He also has command of zombie elves! This is the Santa I want at my house.

I appreciate that Alano doesn't slack off just because he's writing for a younger audience; too often, I read YA fiction that seems like the authors don't think they have to include as much detail. This is a great story for the whole family, especially if you're already fans of the classic monsters: vampires, zombies etc. I know Christmas will never be the same at our house again.

Happily, this is not the only YA tale from this author: check out Hand Puppet Horror.

Attack Of The Vampire Snowmen is a very fun book that is sure to become an instant classic with any horror fan of any age. If you are a fan of R.L. Stine or The Nightmare Before Christmas I strongly recommend picking this book up. Even though it is aimed at younger children, I think that teens and even adults will get just as much, if not more pleasure from this book. This book is also a good buy for children who may not like to read. Benny Alano writes with a fun almost whimiscal style that is sure to hook any reader from the first sentence. And let's face it, when was the last time any of us read a story about Vampire Snowmen? It's nice to see an original story for children that isn't about the standard vampires or werewolves and Mr. Alano's book is suitable for both boys and girls. I can't recommend this book enough. The only complaint I do have is that you need to read it when you are on vacation or have time to devote to a book. Mr. Alano's characters and writing sucks you in and it's damn difficult to put the book down once you start. I am looking forward to many more books from this author.

If you've read Hand Puppet Horror you already know that Mr. Alano writes great kids' books that adults can also enjoy. If not, you should read them both!! In the most original Christmas story I've ever read Mr. Alano introduces readers to Santa Flaws, dark elves, zombies and of course, vampire snowmen. Not scary enough to cause nightmares but absolutely entertaining enough to make children enjoy reading it (and parents too!).

You don't see too many `inventive' Christmas stories anymore - people seem to want to stay with the classic, well tried stories. If you want something that will change your mind about everything Christmas and carry you on a journey of fresh imagination and daring, this is a book you'll enjoy.

Benny Alano takes vampires, zombies, and all things Christmas, throws them into the blender of your mind and produces a delightful concoction that will leave you drooling for more.

In the story, Laidenn, an elf at Santa's workshop, finds out there is a dark side that wants to destroy Christmas - Vampire Elves who sneak in and try to mess up the toy making process; he soon finds out there is more to it than that when they transform into Vampire Snowmen. With Santa's help, he begins training to become a `Dark Elf' so that he can help protect the Christmas he loves.

His training is not yet complete when Santa is kidnaped by the dark side of the Christmas tree, and he has to convince the other, oblivious elves of the danger Santa is in and enlist their help. His finds his biggest allie in Mrs. Claus who shows him how to summon the Undead Elves he needs to make his rescue a success.

When the Undead Elves arrive on the scene, Laidenn is reunited with an old friend who will help him greatly in becoming a `true' Dark Elf and save Christmas as we know it.

Because of originality I have to rate this book at Four Stars. For a Middle Grader it will be an exciting book they'll love and will read again and again!