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Vampire Hunting and Other Foolish Endeavors #1
Fangs for Nothing
Grab some garlic and start sharpening your mother's wooden spoons because there are vampires living in the most unlikely of places.
I’ve always wanted to meet a vampire. Not to stake some poor bloodsucker as he sleeps in his coffin or have some sexy vampiress bite me on the neck, but just to see a creature so rare and infamous. What can I say? Some people want to sail to Easter Island, others want to fling themselves out of an airplane, I want to shake hands with a vampire. Well, maybe I should prioritize getting a girlfriend first, but a vampire sighting is pretty high up on the list. Trust me, a lot of kids my age dream about it. Like my two best friends, Rini and Xander. We spent half the summer searching the most notorious cities in the United States for the undead, but so far, no luck.
That’s why it came as a total shock to discover a living, breathing vampire in our hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. (Okay, so he’s more undead and not breathing, but you get the picture.) At first we were kind of excited, but then pretty freaked because it turns out our new fanged friend has a hold on the city's teenage population and a specific thirst for their blood. Which, in a word—bites.
I’ve always wanted to meet a vampire. Not to stake some poor bloodsucker as he sleeps in his coffin or have some sexy vampiress bite me on the neck, but just to see a creature so rare and infamous. What can I say? Some people want to sail to Easter Island, others want to fling themselves out of an airplane, I want to shake hands with a vampire. Well, maybe I should prioritize getting a girlfriend first, but a vampire sighting is pretty high up on the list. Trust me, a lot of kids my age dream about it. Like my two best friends, Rini and Xander. We spent half the summer searching the most notorious cities in the United States for the undead, but so far, no luck.
That’s why it came as a total shock to discover a living, breathing vampire in our hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. (Okay, so he’s more undead and not breathing, but you get the picture.) At first we were kind of excited, but then pretty freaked because it turns out our new fanged friend has a hold on the city's teenage population and a specific thirst for their blood. Which, in a word—bites.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2011
7 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 28, 2022
Fangs for Nothing is a story about a group of kids who like to go vampire hunting! Well, not in the Buffy sense necessarily. More like hunting for vampires just to see if they exist. The main character, Sherbie, is a boy who’s just your average looking, loser-feeling teenager. But things for him and his friends are about to flip upside down when the very thing that they’re hunting for finds them.
This was a cute story and with a friend named Xander and several Buffy references, it was fun to see the damage a group of kids could do trying to put together their very own Scooby gang. I think I was expecting more humor from it based on some reviews I read, and while there was some, it wasn’t necessarily the full-out vampire story parody that I was expecting.
I did like the friendships between the group of kids and I really liked Xander. Despite being this extremely good looking guy, he didn’t seem like the typical shallow person you would expect him to be. I liked Sherbie too, but he was a bit too insecure at times.
Which brings me to the thing that bugged me most about this book and that was the extreme insecurities of most of the teenagers in this world. I can see that the message going on here was to portray that kids shouldn’t be so insecure and should love themselves for who they are. But it got to be a bit tiring to read about. I know I was insecure as a teenager just like anyone else, but being that I’m twenty-five now, I’m kind of over most of that so I couldn’t relate to that as much as a teen reading this would be able to. Like with how Rini was acting near the end was more annoying than anything to me personally.
But despite that, I can see that the overall message here was revolving around that so I can’t fault it too much, especially since it is a young adult book. Not many stories these days actually have a message, so I can’t help but appreciate that this one did — and a good message at that!
Overall this was cute and entertaining. I loved that Cedar Point as mentioned because I’m from Michigan and I definitely have been to Cedar Point many-a-times. I liked that there was a moral to the story as well. So if you like young adult urban fantasy that’s starring a guy instead of your typical chick heroine, then you’ll probably like this one.
This was a cute story and with a friend named Xander and several Buffy references, it was fun to see the damage a group of kids could do trying to put together their very own Scooby gang. I think I was expecting more humor from it based on some reviews I read, and while there was some, it wasn’t necessarily the full-out vampire story parody that I was expecting.
I did like the friendships between the group of kids and I really liked Xander. Despite being this extremely good looking guy, he didn’t seem like the typical shallow person you would expect him to be. I liked Sherbie too, but he was a bit too insecure at times.
Which brings me to the thing that bugged me most about this book and that was the extreme insecurities of most of the teenagers in this world. I can see that the message going on here was to portray that kids shouldn’t be so insecure and should love themselves for who they are. But it got to be a bit tiring to read about. I know I was insecure as a teenager just like anyone else, but being that I’m twenty-five now, I’m kind of over most of that so I couldn’t relate to that as much as a teen reading this would be able to. Like with how Rini was acting near the end was more annoying than anything to me personally.
But despite that, I can see that the overall message here was revolving around that so I can’t fault it too much, especially since it is a young adult book. Not many stories these days actually have a message, so I can’t help but appreciate that this one did — and a good message at that!
Overall this was cute and entertaining. I loved that Cedar Point as mentioned because I’m from Michigan and I definitely have been to Cedar Point many-a-times. I liked that there was a moral to the story as well. So if you like young adult urban fantasy that’s starring a guy instead of your typical chick heroine, then you’ll probably like this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2011
There is definitely no shortage of YA vampire novels these days and after awhile it seems that one vamp story just sorta runs into the next, which is why Adrianne Ambrose’s Fangs for Nothing was such a delightful surprise. Fangs for Nothing is one of the most fun, original, smart YA vampire books that I have read in a long time. This book is delightfully tongue in cheek sarcastic, well written, and full of impossible to not like characters.
Herbert, better known as Sherbie, and is best friends Rini and Xander are on an interesting mission: to find vampires…or at least just one vampire. They have spent the better part of their summer traveling around the USA in search of vampires in what they assume are the most likely places to find them (New Orleans, San Fransico), so you can imagine their surprise when they discover a vampire right in their hometown Cleveland. But the trio soon discovers that vampires aren’t really as cool and sensational as pop culture as made them out to be…in fact they kind of suck, and not in the Dracula sense (although they do that too). The group of friends must deal with the new Cleveland Sucker while also dealing with the suckiness that comes with being a teenager.
Ambrose has taken our culture’s fascination with vampires and has both paid homage to it and lightheartedly made fun of it, and the end result is a witty page turner with a captivating and enticing story.
I read this book in one sitting, simply because I just couldn’t stop reading. The story is neither super fast paced or slow, it has a nice flow and never drags. I didn’t find myself bored once, which is rare for me when it comes to vampire novels. Ambrose’s particular spin on vampire lore/myth is refreshing. I won’t spoil anything for you, but I found the main vampire ‘s (Vincent) abilities and specific hold over Cleveland’s teenagers to be original and intriguing. But what I really liked is that underneath the cheeky sarcasm and fun fantastical elements, there exist a real powerful look at our culture and the lives of teenagers. Yet, at the same time I really enjoyed the fact that this book, and Ambrose, don’t seem to take themselves too seriously.
The characters in this book are great! They’re funny, smart, different, relatable, and easy to like. The main character Sherbie is one of those guys that girls may not notice right away, but once they get to know him they can’t believe they never bothered paying attention to him sooner. Sherbie isn’t cool in the traditional sense-he’s a little awkward, insecure, and totally clueless in the way most teenage guys are- and he couldn’t care less. He’s everything poser hipsters want to be, without actually being a poser hipster. His best friend Xander is rich, gorgeous, and has perfected his charm and he knows it. He can come across a bit arrogant at times, but he’s really a good guy and a great friend with a good heart. Rini is a tough chick, who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, but her insecurities make her very realistic. All in all, the three friends make for a quirky, fun and amusing trio. And I really appreciate how organic and natural Ambrose’s characters come across in their dialogue, actions, and thoughts. Not once while reading did I stop and think “A teenager would never say that or real teenagers don’t act like that”.
I must mention Sherbie’s grandma briefly, because I found her incredibly funny and realistic. She was so much like my own grandma that I found myself laughing out loud and nodding my head everytime Sherbie described her or complained about her.
I have to talk about romance because all good vampire novels have romance right? Well, Fangs for Nothing is no exception, except it kind of is in the way that there is no intense, fated, “We’re meant to be cause we’re soulmates, I’ve only know you for a week but I’m completely in love with you and you’re my whole world now” kind of romance. Instead there’s very realistic, relatable, hot, actually enjoyable to see unfold teenage romance in the form of new love and unexpected, yet formed from a natural progression kind of love. Basically, the romance in this book is well written, enticing, and actually believable.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Overall, I really liked this book and thought it was pretty awesome. It was original and a refreshing reprieve from other similar fantasy/paranormal YA books. Ambrose writes with a witty, smart, fun confidence that definitely comes through throughout the novel. The characters are well developed and relatable, and the story itself is fun and captivating. If you are looking for a different, fun and clever paranormal book then this is definitely the book for you.
Read the original review and many more at Word Spelunking
Herbert, better known as Sherbie, and is best friends Rini and Xander are on an interesting mission: to find vampires…or at least just one vampire. They have spent the better part of their summer traveling around the USA in search of vampires in what they assume are the most likely places to find them (New Orleans, San Fransico), so you can imagine their surprise when they discover a vampire right in their hometown Cleveland. But the trio soon discovers that vampires aren’t really as cool and sensational as pop culture as made them out to be…in fact they kind of suck, and not in the Dracula sense (although they do that too). The group of friends must deal with the new Cleveland Sucker while also dealing with the suckiness that comes with being a teenager.
Ambrose has taken our culture’s fascination with vampires and has both paid homage to it and lightheartedly made fun of it, and the end result is a witty page turner with a captivating and enticing story.
I read this book in one sitting, simply because I just couldn’t stop reading. The story is neither super fast paced or slow, it has a nice flow and never drags. I didn’t find myself bored once, which is rare for me when it comes to vampire novels. Ambrose’s particular spin on vampire lore/myth is refreshing. I won’t spoil anything for you, but I found the main vampire ‘s (Vincent) abilities and specific hold over Cleveland’s teenagers to be original and intriguing. But what I really liked is that underneath the cheeky sarcasm and fun fantastical elements, there exist a real powerful look at our culture and the lives of teenagers. Yet, at the same time I really enjoyed the fact that this book, and Ambrose, don’t seem to take themselves too seriously.
The characters in this book are great! They’re funny, smart, different, relatable, and easy to like. The main character Sherbie is one of those guys that girls may not notice right away, but once they get to know him they can’t believe they never bothered paying attention to him sooner. Sherbie isn’t cool in the traditional sense-he’s a little awkward, insecure, and totally clueless in the way most teenage guys are- and he couldn’t care less. He’s everything poser hipsters want to be, without actually being a poser hipster. His best friend Xander is rich, gorgeous, and has perfected his charm and he knows it. He can come across a bit arrogant at times, but he’s really a good guy and a great friend with a good heart. Rini is a tough chick, who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, but her insecurities make her very realistic. All in all, the three friends make for a quirky, fun and amusing trio. And I really appreciate how organic and natural Ambrose’s characters come across in their dialogue, actions, and thoughts. Not once while reading did I stop and think “A teenager would never say that or real teenagers don’t act like that”.
I must mention Sherbie’s grandma briefly, because I found her incredibly funny and realistic. She was so much like my own grandma that I found myself laughing out loud and nodding my head everytime Sherbie described her or complained about her.
I have to talk about romance because all good vampire novels have romance right? Well, Fangs for Nothing is no exception, except it kind of is in the way that there is no intense, fated, “We’re meant to be cause we’re soulmates, I’ve only know you for a week but I’m completely in love with you and you’re my whole world now” kind of romance. Instead there’s very realistic, relatable, hot, actually enjoyable to see unfold teenage romance in the form of new love and unexpected, yet formed from a natural progression kind of love. Basically, the romance in this book is well written, enticing, and actually believable.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Overall, I really liked this book and thought it was pretty awesome. It was original and a refreshing reprieve from other similar fantasy/paranormal YA books. Ambrose writes with a witty, smart, fun confidence that definitely comes through throughout the novel. The characters are well developed and relatable, and the story itself is fun and captivating. If you are looking for a different, fun and clever paranormal book then this is definitely the book for you.
Read the original review and many more at Word Spelunking
January 23, 2016
Author
Adrianne Ambrose
contacted me on Twitter after becoming a new follower and I followed her back and re-tweeted a link she had posted about a giveaway for the book. One thing led to another and Adrianne Amazon Kindle gifted me a review copy of
Fangs for Nothing
and let's just say I have some new best friends in Sherbie, Xander and Rini!
I am in love with YA when it is done with a sense of tongue-in-cheek humor and does not short change it's teenage characters... Fangs for Nothing rocked and rolled along from the first page with just the right mix of teen angst, drama, silliness at times and one heck of a wonderful cast of main characters made up of Sherbie/Herbert Lehmer, Xander/Alexander and Rini/Irene all of whom have been friends forever... The three teens start out in San Francisco where they have been looking for vampires, not finding any they are on the way home and kind of bummed that the trip was a bust...
In a twist of events that take place a bit further on into the story the group of friends find out all their past Vampire hunting road trips were really not necessary as they have their very own Vampire residing in Cleveland...
There is a lot going on even before the teens find themselves a real Vampire, Sherbie is convinced that no girl will ever find him interesting as long as they have his uber hot friend Xander to choose from instead... Xander is unaware that Sherbie in any way feels inferior to him because of his looks and money. Rini is the best girl bud of both boys and yearns for it to be more between her and Xander but does not act on this for reasons they are both keeping from Sherbie... Enter into the mix "Violet Girl" who shows up again and again and is apparently stalking Sherbie to get a chance to meet Xander, or so he thinks anyway... Then to add more fun to the teen drama we add in another girl who chats up Sherbie online after she see him in line at the airport and his friend slips her his email address... Sherbie is convinced there is no way Lana can be interested in him either as in the past girls have made overtures to him with the end result being they wanted an introduction to Xander...
All this is interwoven amongst the day to day lives of the three teens, the boring job that Sherbie and Rini work at together as well as the interaction between Sherbie and Xander and Sherbie's Grandma who is also smitten with his best friend. Add to this the sudden apparent rash of teen Suicides and you have a mystery mixed in as well... Taken as a whole the stories mesh and flow together smoothly, once the Vampire is introduced into the mix things heat up and become even more of a roller coaster ride to what is sure to be a disaster in the making...
I am sad that the last page was turned because this was one of those books that was just so much fun to immerse myself in for a few hours that I was enjoying it too much to say goodbye to the characters... Perhaps someday I will get to revisit the gang and catch up on their lives and adventures, I hope!
I am in love with YA when it is done with a sense of tongue-in-cheek humor and does not short change it's teenage characters... Fangs for Nothing rocked and rolled along from the first page with just the right mix of teen angst, drama, silliness at times and one heck of a wonderful cast of main characters made up of Sherbie/Herbert Lehmer, Xander/Alexander and Rini/Irene all of whom have been friends forever... The three teens start out in San Francisco where they have been looking for vampires, not finding any they are on the way home and kind of bummed that the trip was a bust...
In a twist of events that take place a bit further on into the story the group of friends find out all their past Vampire hunting road trips were really not necessary as they have their very own Vampire residing in Cleveland...
There is a lot going on even before the teens find themselves a real Vampire, Sherbie is convinced that no girl will ever find him interesting as long as they have his uber hot friend Xander to choose from instead... Xander is unaware that Sherbie in any way feels inferior to him because of his looks and money. Rini is the best girl bud of both boys and yearns for it to be more between her and Xander but does not act on this for reasons they are both keeping from Sherbie... Enter into the mix "Violet Girl" who shows up again and again and is apparently stalking Sherbie to get a chance to meet Xander, or so he thinks anyway... Then to add more fun to the teen drama we add in another girl who chats up Sherbie online after she see him in line at the airport and his friend slips her his email address... Sherbie is convinced there is no way Lana can be interested in him either as in the past girls have made overtures to him with the end result being they wanted an introduction to Xander...
All this is interwoven amongst the day to day lives of the three teens, the boring job that Sherbie and Rini work at together as well as the interaction between Sherbie and Xander and Sherbie's Grandma who is also smitten with his best friend. Add to this the sudden apparent rash of teen Suicides and you have a mystery mixed in as well... Taken as a whole the stories mesh and flow together smoothly, once the Vampire is introduced into the mix things heat up and become even more of a roller coaster ride to what is sure to be a disaster in the making...
I am sad that the last page was turned because this was one of those books that was just so much fun to immerse myself in for a few hours that I was enjoying it too much to say goodbye to the characters... Perhaps someday I will get to revisit the gang and catch up on their lives and adventures, I hope!
I have to disclose that this book was a Kindle review copy submitted to me by the author for an honest review and that there is no other compensation from her or the publisher except for the review copy and my reading pleasure and enjoyment of the characters depicted in the story.
January 11, 2017
Good book, Odd torle
When I finally read this book I enjoyed the story, just keep reading it starts slow. I thought the variation on standard Vampire books was done well.
Interesting story, interesting characters, interesting insights into the minds of the teen. So, 'fangs' for that.
When I finally read this book I enjoyed the story, just keep reading it starts slow. I thought the variation on standard Vampire books was done well.
Interesting story, interesting characters, interesting insights into the minds of the teen. So, 'fangs' for that.
September 23, 2011
My Thoughts: ( I give this book 4 Stars )
Let me first start out by saying this book was given to me by the author Adrianne Ambrose for my honest review and I was not sure if I would like the book because I am more used to reading vampire books where the vampire falls in love with the heroine. Fangs for Nothing was not one bit like that and it was refreshing and very fun to read from a male POV. The book starts out where Herbie (a very insecure guy) and his friends Xander and Rini are going to different cities and states around the US looking for proof that Vampires do in fact exist. With no such luck they head home back to there normal lives only to find out one night at a party that there is a Vampire living in there home city all along. So they finally get to see a Vampire in which they were in search for but soon they will find out more than they bargained for. The Vampire, Vincent has been offering trades to the young teens in Cleveland, Ohio which Vincent calls "The Chosen". Herbie and his friends find this out and soon fall within Vincent's charms and start to consider his trade. But would you trade a few pints of your blood to be beautiful and loved? You soon find out that Vincent's offer was to good to past up, and one of Herbie's friends is now in trouble. This Vampire needs to be stopped, young teens are turning up dead and this being blamed as a suicide. Well Herbie knows better and is willing to sharpen some wooden spoons, buy tons of garlic and steal some holy water all to save his friend, and in hopes to rid his city of this evil.
I found this book to be such a fun, humorous, light read. The story-line was exciting, and very enjoyable. At one point in the middle of the book I could not stop laughing. I literally had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. Adrianne gives the reader of her book a fun mystery with great laughs along the way. I am so happy that I was able to read such a great book and found myself really enjoying the light-heartiness of the story-line. Herbie was such a lively character to read about and bring this book a entertaining and unique hero. I would recommend Fangs For Nothing to any age group, it would be a great little read for tween's. On a different note, the only reason I gave the book 4 stars and not the full 5 stars is because I did notices a few spelling errors along the way and a few sentences were a little off which made it a little harder to read. Other than that I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing more work from the Author, Adrianne Ambrose.
Let me first start out by saying this book was given to me by the author Adrianne Ambrose for my honest review and I was not sure if I would like the book because I am more used to reading vampire books where the vampire falls in love with the heroine. Fangs for Nothing was not one bit like that and it was refreshing and very fun to read from a male POV. The book starts out where Herbie (a very insecure guy) and his friends Xander and Rini are going to different cities and states around the US looking for proof that Vampires do in fact exist. With no such luck they head home back to there normal lives only to find out one night at a party that there is a Vampire living in there home city all along. So they finally get to see a Vampire in which they were in search for but soon they will find out more than they bargained for. The Vampire, Vincent has been offering trades to the young teens in Cleveland, Ohio which Vincent calls "The Chosen". Herbie and his friends find this out and soon fall within Vincent's charms and start to consider his trade. But would you trade a few pints of your blood to be beautiful and loved? You soon find out that Vincent's offer was to good to past up, and one of Herbie's friends is now in trouble. This Vampire needs to be stopped, young teens are turning up dead and this being blamed as a suicide. Well Herbie knows better and is willing to sharpen some wooden spoons, buy tons of garlic and steal some holy water all to save his friend, and in hopes to rid his city of this evil.
I found this book to be such a fun, humorous, light read. The story-line was exciting, and very enjoyable. At one point in the middle of the book I could not stop laughing. I literally had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. Adrianne gives the reader of her book a fun mystery with great laughs along the way. I am so happy that I was able to read such a great book and found myself really enjoying the light-heartiness of the story-line. Herbie was such a lively character to read about and bring this book a entertaining and unique hero. I would recommend Fangs For Nothing to any age group, it would be a great little read for tween's. On a different note, the only reason I gave the book 4 stars and not the full 5 stars is because I did notices a few spelling errors along the way and a few sentences were a little off which made it a little harder to read. Other than that I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing more work from the Author, Adrianne Ambrose.
August 15, 2011
Posted on Book Chelle.
I have looked for a book with comedic content for a while. With all the different books that I have read, there was a common sadness lurking within the pages. With Adrianne Ambrose’s Fangs for Nothing, I found the opposite.
Herbert “Sherbie” Lehmer has one purpose when he and his friends travel the continent. Hunt for vampires. Alongside with Alexander, “Xander.” and Irene, “Rini,” the three of them scour the different states in hopes of encountering their first vampire.
Fangs for Nothing starts in San Francisco, with Sherbie following clues and strange people to a place rumored to hold vampires. Turns out that it is a club for vampire wannabes and posers. With a disappointed outcome, Sherbie, Xander, and Rini head back to Cleveland only with memories of disgusting smells and unpleasant memories.
Ambrose further brings the characters in an unexpected turn of events that further allows the reader to get to know the three main characters. Sherbie was raised by his grandma, who is constantly secluded to her barka lounger and is a terror in the supermarket. Xander is a wealthy son of absent parents and generously share his riches with his best friends. Rini is “one of the guys,” but is as girly as vampire hunters can get. With this trio of characters, they find themselves amidst a cult of vampires and those who want to become one of them. Do they really have what it takes to take them down? Or will they succumb to the crowd and want to sign a contract of their own?
The witty banter between Sherbie, Xander, and Rini makes for great reading. The comedic punchlines and timing is something for a great cult television show. Ambrose does a great job of inserting comic relief in situations that would otherwise be terrifying. They’re young and scouring the world for vampires? They’re lurking through dark alleys off a hunch from a stranger? No thanks.
I enjoyed the characters and who they were. I enjoyed the plot, although, I wish that the plot came earlier in the story. I felt like most of the book developed the characters themselves and not unraveling the premise of the story. To me, the supporting characters felt like they took center stage, at times, and took the focus away from the main characters.
Fangs for Nothing was an enjoyable, fun, and quick read. I would recommend this to everyone who is looking for a comedy with a bit.
I have looked for a book with comedic content for a while. With all the different books that I have read, there was a common sadness lurking within the pages. With Adrianne Ambrose’s Fangs for Nothing, I found the opposite.
Herbert “Sherbie” Lehmer has one purpose when he and his friends travel the continent. Hunt for vampires. Alongside with Alexander, “Xander.” and Irene, “Rini,” the three of them scour the different states in hopes of encountering their first vampire.
Fangs for Nothing starts in San Francisco, with Sherbie following clues and strange people to a place rumored to hold vampires. Turns out that it is a club for vampire wannabes and posers. With a disappointed outcome, Sherbie, Xander, and Rini head back to Cleveland only with memories of disgusting smells and unpleasant memories.
Ambrose further brings the characters in an unexpected turn of events that further allows the reader to get to know the three main characters. Sherbie was raised by his grandma, who is constantly secluded to her barka lounger and is a terror in the supermarket. Xander is a wealthy son of absent parents and generously share his riches with his best friends. Rini is “one of the guys,” but is as girly as vampire hunters can get. With this trio of characters, they find themselves amidst a cult of vampires and those who want to become one of them. Do they really have what it takes to take them down? Or will they succumb to the crowd and want to sign a contract of their own?
The witty banter between Sherbie, Xander, and Rini makes for great reading. The comedic punchlines and timing is something for a great cult television show. Ambrose does a great job of inserting comic relief in situations that would otherwise be terrifying. They’re young and scouring the world for vampires? They’re lurking through dark alleys off a hunch from a stranger? No thanks.
I enjoyed the characters and who they were. I enjoyed the plot, although, I wish that the plot came earlier in the story. I felt like most of the book developed the characters themselves and not unraveling the premise of the story. To me, the supporting characters felt like they took center stage, at times, and took the focus away from the main characters.
Fangs for Nothing was an enjoyable, fun, and quick read. I would recommend this to everyone who is looking for a comedy with a bit.
October 29, 2011
I sat down to read a bit of Fangs for Nothing and finished the whole book in one sitting! It is a fun and very entertaining book for all fans of ya, especially those interested in paranormal reads. I can't wait to read more by this addicting author.
Herbert, or Sherbie the main character, is what I'd normally call the best friend; nothing special but there for comedic relief and a well-rounded secondary character. He seems to ride on the coattails of his buddy Xander (who is while incredibly hot, rich, modest, and sweet as well). Surprisingly though, even with his character flaws and low self esteem, Sherbie was a great lead character very relate-able and interesting to follow, he leads the show.
Along with these Sherbie and Xander there is Rini, a shy and cat-like girl who seemed to have worse self-image issues than Sherbie. Rini is a snarky girl and an admirable part of the story, she definitely makes everything more complicated with her quest for happiness, as I'd call it. My favorite character in the book is Sherbie's grandma, she's a firecracker. I kept waiting for her to know more than she led on, read the book and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about!
As anyone can tell Fangs for Nothing is not lacking amazing characters, and it also has a fascinating story as well. One that kept me hooked and flipping pages faster than my hands could move. Sometimes when I sit down to read a vampire book I find myself rolling my eyes or yawning, not this time.
The story Adrianne Ambrose weaves of these three, very different, friends is one of vampire searching and acceptance (not just from others). Many people can relate with one or all three well developed characters. While I'd consider it a paranormal or supernatural comedy it also has so much more to be found in the pages like romance, thrills, and mystery. With a wonderful set of personalities and an addicting premise this book flows neatly from passage to passage as they search for vampires, finding one closer to home than they ever imagined. I enjoyed this book and consumed the pages quickly, a great read.
I would compare this story to Rachel Caine's Morganville series. It's a refreshing take on the vampire category and makes you laugh out loud along the way. I recommend it to everyone!!
Herbert, or Sherbie the main character, is what I'd normally call the best friend; nothing special but there for comedic relief and a well-rounded secondary character. He seems to ride on the coattails of his buddy Xander (who is while incredibly hot, rich, modest, and sweet as well). Surprisingly though, even with his character flaws and low self esteem, Sherbie was a great lead character very relate-able and interesting to follow, he leads the show.
Along with these Sherbie and Xander there is Rini, a shy and cat-like girl who seemed to have worse self-image issues than Sherbie. Rini is a snarky girl and an admirable part of the story, she definitely makes everything more complicated with her quest for happiness, as I'd call it. My favorite character in the book is Sherbie's grandma, she's a firecracker. I kept waiting for her to know more than she led on, read the book and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about!
As anyone can tell Fangs for Nothing is not lacking amazing characters, and it also has a fascinating story as well. One that kept me hooked and flipping pages faster than my hands could move. Sometimes when I sit down to read a vampire book I find myself rolling my eyes or yawning, not this time.
The story Adrianne Ambrose weaves of these three, very different, friends is one of vampire searching and acceptance (not just from others). Many people can relate with one or all three well developed characters. While I'd consider it a paranormal or supernatural comedy it also has so much more to be found in the pages like romance, thrills, and mystery. With a wonderful set of personalities and an addicting premise this book flows neatly from passage to passage as they search for vampires, finding one closer to home than they ever imagined. I enjoyed this book and consumed the pages quickly, a great read.
I would compare this story to Rachel Caine's Morganville series. It's a refreshing take on the vampire category and makes you laugh out loud along the way. I recommend it to everyone!!
September 22, 2011
Read my full review on Paromanasy
This book is an action-packed, teen-drama loving, fun-filled adventure of a read that is refreshingly unique and completely unputdownable.
The story revolves around Sherbie and his friends. They have been trying to find a real-life vampire, using Xander's families money to travel in search of a Fanger. Little do they know that there is one right in their hometown. When teens start dying and others who were once average looking classmates turn supermodel beautiful overnight, things start going awry. The team discovers that a vampire is behind it and soon their paranormal fantasy turns into a nightmare. With kids dying, friends succumbing to the whims of the vampire - they must fight to protect their town, their friends and themselves before they lose it all. Can they stop the vampire before it's too late or will they lost it all...including their lives?
This book is the first book I read by Adrienne Ambrose, but it will not be my last. She is able to combine action and humor, love and danger, all with the normal teen drama that we have all experienced before. Sherbie is such a relatable character with insecurities and a completely nieve in the way of the opposite sex. Of course with a super hottie friend like Xander, it is hard to stand out from the crowd. The supporting characters, Xander and Rini, instantly became my friends also. Xander is gorgeous, but is almost willingly blind to it - how refreshing! Rini is more like the female Sherbie, who is a bit insecure in her looks, but makes up for it with intelligence and strong views. The array of characters will make you feel like you have a whole new set of friends.
All in all, this is a must read book for every urban fantasy YA lover!
This book is an action-packed, teen-drama loving, fun-filled adventure of a read that is refreshingly unique and completely unputdownable.
The story revolves around Sherbie and his friends. They have been trying to find a real-life vampire, using Xander's families money to travel in search of a Fanger. Little do they know that there is one right in their hometown. When teens start dying and others who were once average looking classmates turn supermodel beautiful overnight, things start going awry. The team discovers that a vampire is behind it and soon their paranormal fantasy turns into a nightmare. With kids dying, friends succumbing to the whims of the vampire - they must fight to protect their town, their friends and themselves before they lose it all. Can they stop the vampire before it's too late or will they lost it all...including their lives?
This book is the first book I read by Adrienne Ambrose, but it will not be my last. She is able to combine action and humor, love and danger, all with the normal teen drama that we have all experienced before. Sherbie is such a relatable character with insecurities and a completely nieve in the way of the opposite sex. Of course with a super hottie friend like Xander, it is hard to stand out from the crowd. The supporting characters, Xander and Rini, instantly became my friends also. Xander is gorgeous, but is almost willingly blind to it - how refreshing! Rini is more like the female Sherbie, who is a bit insecure in her looks, but makes up for it with intelligence and strong views. The array of characters will make you feel like you have a whole new set of friends.
All in all, this is a must read book for every urban fantasy YA lover!
November 23, 2011
What will teenagers do with large imaginations and too much time and disposable income on their hands? Look for vampires. In a growing craze where everyone seems to be interested in vampires, whether it is to find one, praise them, or hate them, Herbert, Xander, and Rini have decided it is their goal to find a vampire.
Herbert, the protagonist and voice of the story, finds himself entangled in vampire troubles and girl troubles, both for what would seem to be the first time. He clumsily works his way through this story, giving voice to the side story that is Xander and Rini’s relationship. Herbert is not all together likeable but he is completely real as a character. He gets angry with his friends and becomes obstinate while never pretending to be what he’s not.
The story itself has its weak points, mostly being a reiteration of a few points while it glosses over a few others. However it can be forgiven for it’s a quick story that mostly focuses on the plot, subplot, and characters rather than trying too hard to give background on everything. The weakest point is that the three best friends never stopped to consider what they would do when they actually meet a vampire. I am not even sure if it is a weakness of plot or if it was a weakness of character, but as they are teenagers I was more likely to simply blame the characters for being just that.
It was easy to forget this was a self-published novel and to just enjoy the ride. The debate on self-publishing has been more and more prominent lately as more people have decided it is the way to go. This book is a good example of the good that can come out of self-publishing. Recommended for anyone looking for a quick, easy read or anyone still enjoying the gloss of teenage hormones.
Herbert, the protagonist and voice of the story, finds himself entangled in vampire troubles and girl troubles, both for what would seem to be the first time. He clumsily works his way through this story, giving voice to the side story that is Xander and Rini’s relationship. Herbert is not all together likeable but he is completely real as a character. He gets angry with his friends and becomes obstinate while never pretending to be what he’s not.
The story itself has its weak points, mostly being a reiteration of a few points while it glosses over a few others. However it can be forgiven for it’s a quick story that mostly focuses on the plot, subplot, and characters rather than trying too hard to give background on everything. The weakest point is that the three best friends never stopped to consider what they would do when they actually meet a vampire. I am not even sure if it is a weakness of plot or if it was a weakness of character, but as they are teenagers I was more likely to simply blame the characters for being just that.
It was easy to forget this was a self-published novel and to just enjoy the ride. The debate on self-publishing has been more and more prominent lately as more people have decided it is the way to go. This book is a good example of the good that can come out of self-publishing. Recommended for anyone looking for a quick, easy read or anyone still enjoying the gloss of teenage hormones.
October 12, 2011
Three best friends Sherbie, Xander, and Rini are vampire hunters! I know what you're thinking, but not that kind of hunters! They hunt vampires not for the sake of killing them, but because they literally and actually like to see one! It was just for fun for the three of them. It all started as a joke and then they became obsessed in finding one. With Xander's father's credit card, they were able to travel just to see a real, live vampire. The characters are great and refreshing. You don't usually meet three funny characters all at the same time, and they're so fun to read about. They have different personalities that completely compensate each other and thus making them more effective and real. You'll miss your friends and gangs in high school and all the funny and ridiculous things you did together!
This book is rare. Rare and funny! It was actually hilarious! It's like watching a comedy sitcom on TV to make yourself entertained. I admit that it was a little slow for me at the beginning and I was looking for a bit of romance in the air. But past halfway across the book I literally found myself laughing! It's not the typical vampire story--it's unique with a funny vampire who wears apron and uses vacuum to clean the house! Xander and Sherbie are so enjoyable to read, the humor are awesome! It was a fast and a light read, blended with action, suspense, humor and a bit of love story that you'll surely enjoy.
If you want something new and refreshing, a fun read without getting cheesy, try to read this book. It made me laugh out loud and it was a great feeling! I enjoyed this book more than I could have imagined. Be sure to check it out. You'll be surprised, as I was!
This book is rare. Rare and funny! It was actually hilarious! It's like watching a comedy sitcom on TV to make yourself entertained. I admit that it was a little slow for me at the beginning and I was looking for a bit of romance in the air. But past halfway across the book I literally found myself laughing! It's not the typical vampire story--it's unique with a funny vampire who wears apron and uses vacuum to clean the house! Xander and Sherbie are so enjoyable to read, the humor are awesome! It was a fast and a light read, blended with action, suspense, humor and a bit of love story that you'll surely enjoy.
If you want something new and refreshing, a fun read without getting cheesy, try to read this book. It made me laugh out loud and it was a great feeling! I enjoyed this book more than I could have imagined. Be sure to check it out. You'll be surprised, as I was!
August 7, 2011
Fangs for Nothing surprised me in all the best ways! Adrianne Ambrose wove a tale that was fun, full of adventure, and had a healthy dollop of teen angst.
I was pleasantly surprised that Sherbie, the protagonist was male. I also loved that he was the self-proclaimed side kick to Xander, the cool guy.
The friendship between Sherbie, Xander, and Rini was really well portrayed. It is not easy to let a reader into the intricacies of a teenage friendship, especially a trio of two boys and one girl. Through snappy dialogue and vivid descriptions, I felt like I really got how important the friendship was to all the characters.
The minor characters, particularly Sherbie's grandmother added zest and life to the story. Grandma Lehmur was one tough cookie with an obvious soft spot for her grandson. I was left wondering about their back story though. Where were Sherbie's parents? Why was it just Sherbie and Grandma living together?
The vampires that Sherbie, Xander, and Rini were so interested in finding ended up being much less glamorous than one might hope. Being involved with the vampires was downright dangerous. Becoming a vampire wasn't even a viable option. The manipulative, ugly nature of Short Vincent was an excellent counter-point to the romantic, dashing vampire that is so popular right now.
I enjoyed reading Fangs for Nothing - it was a quick, fun read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys vampire fiction, and to all my friends who enjoy well written YA fiction.
I was pleasantly surprised that Sherbie, the protagonist was male. I also loved that he was the self-proclaimed side kick to Xander, the cool guy.
The friendship between Sherbie, Xander, and Rini was really well portrayed. It is not easy to let a reader into the intricacies of a teenage friendship, especially a trio of two boys and one girl. Through snappy dialogue and vivid descriptions, I felt like I really got how important the friendship was to all the characters.
The minor characters, particularly Sherbie's grandmother added zest and life to the story. Grandma Lehmur was one tough cookie with an obvious soft spot for her grandson. I was left wondering about their back story though. Where were Sherbie's parents? Why was it just Sherbie and Grandma living together?
The vampires that Sherbie, Xander, and Rini were so interested in finding ended up being much less glamorous than one might hope. Being involved with the vampires was downright dangerous. Becoming a vampire wasn't even a viable option. The manipulative, ugly nature of Short Vincent was an excellent counter-point to the romantic, dashing vampire that is so popular right now.
I enjoyed reading Fangs for Nothing - it was a quick, fun read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys vampire fiction, and to all my friends who enjoy well written YA fiction.
August 18, 2011
This wasn’t the typical vampire story. for one, nobody was falling madly in love with a vampire, and the main character was a guy. That alone kept me reading.
The ending, which made me smile because it was just so different from other vampire books, was the best part of all. At the beginning, though, I had my doubts about the book. The writing felt a bit off, because sometimes there would be sudden digressions about things that didn’t need to be there, and there were a few errors, but the story more than made up for it.
I personally liked this book so much more than I thought I would. I mean, any book with vampires in it is a complete no-no for me. I know, it’s really biased of me- but hey, I enjoyed THIS book. Of course, that’s probably because vampires were in a negative light for once, and that made all the difference.
I loved Herbert. He was a little blind at times about things staring him in the face, but I found him completely likeable and definitely a great protagonist. Xander was okay, I guess, and Rini made me roll my eyes with HER blindness. Lana, Maureen/Violet, the rest of the characters were surprisingly well-rounded, but it was Grandma who was, hands down, the most real character apart from Herbert.
I very much enjoyed this book, because it’s for those people who wonder why a girl would fall so deeply in love with a vampire who’s about to kill her half the time anyway.
The ending, which made me smile because it was just so different from other vampire books, was the best part of all. At the beginning, though, I had my doubts about the book. The writing felt a bit off, because sometimes there would be sudden digressions about things that didn’t need to be there, and there were a few errors, but the story more than made up for it.
I personally liked this book so much more than I thought I would. I mean, any book with vampires in it is a complete no-no for me. I know, it’s really biased of me- but hey, I enjoyed THIS book. Of course, that’s probably because vampires were in a negative light for once, and that made all the difference.
I loved Herbert. He was a little blind at times about things staring him in the face, but I found him completely likeable and definitely a great protagonist. Xander was okay, I guess, and Rini made me roll my eyes with HER blindness. Lana, Maureen/Violet, the rest of the characters were surprisingly well-rounded, but it was Grandma who was, hands down, the most real character apart from Herbert.
I very much enjoyed this book, because it’s for those people who wonder why a girl would fall so deeply in love with a vampire who’s about to kill her half the time anyway.
November 30, 2012
Where do I start? First, I loved that this featured a quirky, slightly geeky and insecure teen BOY as the main character in this fun YA paranormal read! The story is told through Sherbie's engaging and witty POV. (Imagine the chance to be inside the brain of a teen male!)
We have Herbert, yep, that's his name, aka 'Sherbie' along with his best friends, Xander, the chick magnet who seems totally oblivious to his hotness and Rini, the insecure, plain girl who has a secret crush on Xander. Together they are on a quest to meet a real vampire, because they are totally convinced vampires exist! It seems they're right, because now the vampires have targeted 'less than perfect' teens in the Cleveland area with promises of popularity, good looks, pretty much anything they want!
Sherbie and the gang are now on a mission to stop the vampires from overtaking their town and their peers in this funny, fast-paced and completely entertaining read! Through all the twists and turns, there's even a good message hidden in here for EVERYONE-if its too good to be true, it probably isn't...be happy with who you are.
You are going to love the characters, from Sherbie's grandma to Short Vincent, the vampire! I did! This is pure, light entertainment at its best! Five Stars for Fun Reading!
We have Herbert, yep, that's his name, aka 'Sherbie' along with his best friends, Xander, the chick magnet who seems totally oblivious to his hotness and Rini, the insecure, plain girl who has a secret crush on Xander. Together they are on a quest to meet a real vampire, because they are totally convinced vampires exist! It seems they're right, because now the vampires have targeted 'less than perfect' teens in the Cleveland area with promises of popularity, good looks, pretty much anything they want!
Sherbie and the gang are now on a mission to stop the vampires from overtaking their town and their peers in this funny, fast-paced and completely entertaining read! Through all the twists and turns, there's even a good message hidden in here for EVERYONE-if its too good to be true, it probably isn't...be happy with who you are.
You are going to love the characters, from Sherbie's grandma to Short Vincent, the vampire! I did! This is pure, light entertainment at its best! Five Stars for Fun Reading!
October 10, 2011
Wow. This book was amazing! I found Fangs for Nothing to be the ideal YA novel. If you're looking for a book with adventure, mystery, friendship and romance than this is definitely it. I loved the storyline, I read the book in one sitting. With the vampire craze going on it's interesting to see it shown in a different light. I mean c'mon I know Herbert aka Sherbie is definitely not the first person to go looking for real vampires! Adrianne Ambrose does a fantastic job with Fangs for Nothing and I mean FANTASTIC! The characters within the novel were extremely likeable, I admire Sherbie, although he's a little insecure with girls, he does has hero like qualities. I also loved the dialogue between characters because it kept me laughing the whole way through. The author does a great job showing the different dynamic levels of the relationship between Sherbie, Rini and Xander. There wasn't a thing about this book I didn't like. Adrianne Ambrose is obviously a talented author and story teller. Fangs for Nothing is definitely an adventure-comedy that you want to be a part of. I look forward to reading more of Adrianne Ambrose's works and I highly recommend this novel to YA readers!
November 23, 2011
Fangs for Nothing is probably the funniest vampire novel that I have ever read. There were so many times that I laughed out loud and may have had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard (thankfully no one was in the lunch room with me). Fangs for Nothing starts with Sherbie, Xander and Rini in search for vampires but they come up empty handed and head back home from San Francisco. Sherbie and Xander’s friendship made me die of laughter they are always making fun of each other. Xander decides he needs to be “cool” around the ladies and with Sherbie in so much denial that I girl may actually like him instead of just friends. This creates tons of humor because being a girl I could read all the signs Maureen and Lana were sending Sherbie but he was too blind to see it which left me laughing at him. Rini’s character was the typically girl who has a crush on the hot best friend and thinks he doesn’t like her like that and falls into the world of vampires with Maureen.
Fangs for Nothing is a great read for vampire fans looking for a good laugh.
Fangs for Nothing is a great read for vampire fans looking for a good laugh.
November 10, 2011
My thoughts:
I liked this book, it was good and it was different from other books I´ve read. This was a funny read. It was cool to read a book from a boy´s perspective and how he thinks. This is not a romantic book in any way so if want romance you should not read this book. Though there is a girl, the romance is not the focus in this book. This book is all about the strange Vampire under the bridge and about friendship and the insecurities of being a teen. Because even boys have them about girls and looks and stuff like that. It was a nice book that I enjoyed reading. Sometimes you really do need to get out of your comfort zone. You might get surprised at what you find between the covers. i would not say go out and buy it right now but it is definitively an enjoyable read.
I liked this book, it was good and it was different from other books I´ve read. This was a funny read. It was cool to read a book from a boy´s perspective and how he thinks. This is not a romantic book in any way so if want romance you should not read this book. Though there is a girl, the romance is not the focus in this book. This book is all about the strange Vampire under the bridge and about friendship and the insecurities of being a teen. Because even boys have them about girls and looks and stuff like that. It was a nice book that I enjoyed reading. Sometimes you really do need to get out of your comfort zone. You might get surprised at what you find between the covers. i would not say go out and buy it right now but it is definitively an enjoyable read.
August 5, 2013
For being a free book, I *really* enjoyed this one.
Picture a premise like Lost Boys, add a dash of Monster Hunters and a pinch of legitimate teenage lingo - boom. You got Fangs for Nothing.
I think what I liked about this is that it was familiar to stories I knew but totally different tale and take on the vampire lore. I liked the main character, I liked his friends, and I liked the ending.
The only reason I didn't rate this a full five stars is that I felt the climax with the vampires was a little bit of a let down and not epic enough. I was like 'that's it? oh, okay then'.
It's still a really, really fun book! I can't wait to see what this author has in-store for the Labyrinth prequel book that's supposed to come out soon. :)
Picture a premise like Lost Boys, add a dash of Monster Hunters and a pinch of legitimate teenage lingo - boom. You got Fangs for Nothing.
I think what I liked about this is that it was familiar to stories I knew but totally different tale and take on the vampire lore. I liked the main character, I liked his friends, and I liked the ending.
The only reason I didn't rate this a full five stars is that I felt the climax with the vampires was a little bit of a let down and not epic enough. I was like 'that's it? oh, okay then'.
It's still a really, really fun book! I can't wait to see what this author has in-store for the Labyrinth prequel book that's supposed to come out soon. :)
August 31, 2011
I really enjoyed this book, it had me hooked from the very first chapter. I loved that it was from a guy's perspective rather than the traditional girl's mind. It gives you a good look inside Sherbie (the narrator)'s mind and makes you fall in love with him.
It's not your traditional vampire book either, it is very imaginative and what you would think vampires to really act like if you were to ever meet one.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a change of scene and enjoys something different from the many vampire romance books that are currently popular. You'll definitely fall in love with Sherbie :)
It's not your traditional vampire book either, it is very imaginative and what you would think vampires to really act like if you were to ever meet one.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a change of scene and enjoys something different from the many vampire romance books that are currently popular. You'll definitely fall in love with Sherbie :)
August 26, 2011
Even though i didn't like parts about the ending i did find the story as a whole to be really good. I found myself glued to the story, just wanting to see what was going to happen next. I was worried that the comedy was going to be cheesy, but it ended up being pretty funny and i enjoyed it. It wasn't one big sitcom, it was just normal teenage fun. I would recommend this to anyone who is into vampires and wants a different change in pace than the typical female narrated, girl falls in love with vampire, happy ending babble that i usually love =]
November 6, 2012
I have to say I really enjoyed this book. I am a huge Twilight fan but have been discouraged by a lot of the vampire books I have read recently, so many follow the same Twilight formula...Not this book. The idea was original and the story flowed nicely. Because the storyline was enjoyable and kept my attention I was able to overlook the minor editing errors. I think the writer did a great job with this book. I look forward to reading more of her work.
July 28, 2011
Anyone who loves YA novels will most definately enjoy Fangs for Nothing! Completely original storyline and different take on vampires - I was hooked from start to finish. I really enjoyed the friendship between Sherbie, Xander and Rini!! Looking forward to Adrianne Ambrose's next 'work of art' :)
August 18, 2011
This was a fun YA reading adventure with enjoyable secondary characters. I loved the friendship between the characters and how differently they evolved.
Please note, I won this e-book in a contest.
Please note, I won this e-book in a contest.
January 15, 2012
An enjoyable teen novella. The characters are interesting and quirky.
The reason I only give it 3 starts, is that I would have loved for the book to be fleshed out.
I do hope that Adrianne Ambrose will write a whole series of these or at least use Sherbie and Xander in another tale or two.
The reason I only give it 3 starts, is that I would have loved for the book to be fleshed out.
I do hope that Adrianne Ambrose will write a whole series of these or at least use Sherbie and Xander in another tale or two.
September 5, 2011
Check out my blog for review:
http://fiveflavorsofbooks.blogspot.co...
http://fiveflavorsofbooks.blogspot.co...
January 20, 2015
Silly
I found this book very silly and was less than entertained. Maybe great for a teenager though. Writing style was good.
I found this book very silly and was less than entertained. Maybe great for a teenager though. Writing style was good.
September 20, 2015
Very unique
I was very impressed with the story and characters. This book was recommended to me and I'm glad I read it.
I was very impressed with the story and characters. This book was recommended to me and I'm glad I read it.
September 24, 2011
Review coming soon!
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