Vampire Weekend: A Novel by Mike Chen

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

Being a vampire is far from glamorous...but it can be pretty punk rock.

Everything you've heard about vampires is a lie. They can't fly. No murders allowed (the community hates that). And turning into a bat? Completely ridiculous. In fact, vampire life is really just a lot of blood bags and night jobs. For Louise Chao, it's also lonely, since she swore off family ages ago.

At least she's gone to decades of punk rock shows. And if she can join a band of her own (while keeping her...situation under wraps), maybe she'll finally feel like she belongs, too.

Then a long-lost teenage relative shows up at her door. Whether it's Ian's love of music or his bad attitude, for the first time in ages, Louise feels a connection.

But as Ian uncovers Louise's true identity, things get dangerous--especially when he asks her for the ultimate favor. One that goes beyond just family...one that might just change everything vampires know about life and death forever.

my thoughts:

Love, love, loved this family-centric tome about vampires. In Mike Chen's latest novel, Vampire Weekend, we get punk rock music lover, Louise Chao, who happens to be a vampire. She LOVES concerts, wants to join a band, drinks blood from blood bags, works nights, and is pretty lonely. Yep, she's all alone since she fled from her family ages ago. Except, now, a long lost nephew has shown up and her life has grown complicated. First, there's a blood shortage, so she's had to join an app. Second, a vampire seems to have taken an interest in Louise. Third, her nephew has figured out her BIG secret - vampirism. Fourth, he wants a HUGE favor. And, that is all I will write about this fun and engaging story.  Just know that the writing is engaging and entertaining; the characters are intriguing; and the story itself will have you hooked right from the start - family drama is always a MUST-READ. 

Make sure to check out Vampire Weekend - you are going to fall in LOVE with this book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

We Could Be Heroes:A Novel by Mike Chen

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

An emotional adventure about two misfits who have extraordinary powers, but have forgotten who they were before. The vigilante and the villain must team up to stop a mad scientist who threatens the city, while trying to figure out who they really are.

Jamie woke up two years ago in an empty apartment with no memory and only a few clues to who he might be, and also with the power to read other people's memories. In the meantime, he's become the Mind Robber, holding up banks for quick cash. Similarly, Zoe is searching for her past, and using her new extraordinary abilities of speed and strength...to deliver fast food. And occasionally beat up bad guys, if she feels like it.

When the two meet in a memory-loss support group, they realize they are each other's best chance at discovering what happened to them. The quest will take them deep into a medical conspiracy that is threatening to spill out and wreak havoc on their city, and maybe the country. As the two get past their respective barriers, they'll realize that their friendship is the thing that gives them the greatest power.

my thoughts:

We Could Be Heroes by Mike Chen is a terrific story to get lost in on a chilly winter day. It's funny, engaging, and unputdownable. I absolutely LOVED every minute I spent with this book. What a treat!

Jamie and Zoe are both members of a memory-loss support group.  Apparently, they both have superhero powers, but have no clue why.  So, in order to find out what happened to them, they decide to join forces.  Of course, seeing as Jamie's been using his powers for theft and Zoe's been using her's to keep the streets clear of bad guys, the two aren't exactly on the same page when it comes morals. Regardless, they need answers and they know that together they can find them. Then again, the more they dig, they may just want to turn back and away from what they will find. Yikes!

Chen has written a terrific story chock full of cinematic action-packed scenes and characters that you can't help but befriend. The story itself is fascinating, funny, and has dark twists and turns that will keep you wanting more. I would happily recommend We Could Be Heroes to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will LOVE this book!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!