Slayer Chronicles Book 1: First Kill by Heather Brewer

Slayer Chronicles Book 1:  First Kill by Heather Brewer (Dial, 2011)


Summary from publisher:
Joss McMillan's perfect life crashes down the night he witnesses his sister's murder -- at the hands of a vampire.  He then finds out his family's secret heritage.  They are part of the Slayer Society, a group whose mission is to rid the world of vampires.  Joss is their new recruit.  As Joss trains, bent on seeking revenge for his sister, he discovers powers that could make him the youngest, strongest Slayer in history.  But there is a traitor in the Society, one whose identity would shake Joss to the core ... if the traitor doesn't kill him first.

This is one of those fun-to-read-but-not-much-literary-merit books that my seventh grade boys like to pick up.  Honestly, I had fun while reading it.  I never read any of the Vladimir Todd books, but after reading First Kill, I might just pick up one when I get the chance.

Brewer does a nice job of setting up the story.  The reader knows from the very beginning that Joss is the next Slayer in his family, but it's fun to watch Joss figure it out for himself.  Truly, this is a story not about hunting vampires but rather about the journey to self-discovery that every adolescent goes through in the process of growing up.

There were some nice twists and turns in the story, and just when I thought I had things figured out, Brewer through in another completely believable surprise.  This definitely helped to keep my attention focused on the story!  Also, there is no paranormal love triangle.  This might just be a first among vampire books written for teens! :-)

Middle school boys and girls would enjoy this action-packed story about a vampire slayer who needs to figure out just who (and what) he is.