Kisses from Hell
Short story collections are notoriously uneven, and the newest title in this collection series (following, most recently, 2009’s Vacations from Hell) is no exception. The vampire love/lust stories from Kristin Cast, Alyson Noël, Kelley Armstrong, Richelle Mead, and Francesca Lia Block vary wildly in length and quality and range from ho-hum predictability (Mead) and unsuccessful free verse (Cast) to delightful campiness (Armstrong and Noël) and thoughtful lyricism (Block). There are some graphic scenes and mature language, but the attractive cover art and large print make this a natural for less-advanced readers who are still enjoying the vampire craze. Grades 9-12. --Debbie Carton--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.