Sucks to Be Me: The All-True Confessions of Mina Hamilton, Teen Vampire (maybe) (Sucks to Be Me #1)

Reader reviewed by J. Mitchell

Well, now that the Sucks to Be Me Launch Party is over, and I've had a chance to read the book, I'll have to say, my only regret is that it had to end... Who would have known that a vampire story doesn't have to be scary?

Yes, Sucks to Be Me is a vampire story, but nothing like you've ever read before... so throw all your old notions and pre-conceived ideas about vampires out the window because that's not what you'll find in Kim's new book. What you will find is a barrel of fun... vampire style. Kim started with a list of the myths and legends about Vampires, tossed away the obvious ones, and had some fun with the rest. For instance, What if you could choose to be a vampire or not? Do Vampires have a code of ethics?

Mina Hamilton is a typical teen with a best friend and all the usual worries about hot boys, prom night, and keeping secrets. Humans aren't supposed to know about vampires, but Mina has known about her parents for many years, and now she needs to make the choice. The only thing is, she can't tell her best friend about any of the strange things happening... and those things get stranger by the minute.

Mirrorstone has done an awesome job in producing this novel. The cute litte vampire bat on the back cover, the pages of Mina's notes and lists that she writes while she's trying to make her life-changing decision, those Myth versus Truth snippets at the head of each chapter, all add to the appeal of this book, while Mina's sweet voice and personality captivate the reader and make you want to know how it all turns out in the end. Well, you'll just have to read the book.

Recommended for readers age 12 and up who are in search of adventure and a little something different for their reading enjoyment.

Reader reviewed by Lianne

The other day I was in the bookstore and I saw a cover that looked pretty amazing, so I went over a looked through the book. Little did I know, I would end up becoming obsessed with this book! Sucks to be Me is such a awesome book to read on a day when everything is going wrong. If you thought you had problems then wait until you read this great book. Mina is pretty much your normal teen, she has her best friend Serena, the cute guy, Nathan who she is crushing on and just on little abnormality, her parents and Uncle Mortie are vampires. Now that the vampire council has found out that she exists she has to make probably one of the biggest decisions of her life, if she wants to become a vampire or not. At first Mina, thinks that she's made her decision, vampire life isn't for her. But, then after a few things that occur, like the cute guy in vampire class, some things she really didn't know about vampire life and a seemingly sweet vampire teacher. Mina begins to question her decision weather it right or wrong and what if she makes the wrong decision?
I think that this book was very well written. It had such a great storyline and a set of great charactors. Mina had a strong independant voice that made the story even better!
"Reprinted here with author's permission"

Reader reviewed by Faithey

At last a teen related vampire novel!
This book Entertains as well as relates the teen reader and gives funny facts on vampires from minas view. Actually, the book brings up some intresting points. If you suck blood, will you get blood related deseases? What will you say to your neighbor when they are growing older than you and you don't look a day over 20?
This and many more humorous points wait for you in this book!

Reader reviewed by c-alexis

Despite the fact that there wasn't much of a real climax or anything in the story, I liked it overall. I love Kimberly Pauley's idea of vampire- drinking a vampire's blood, the information sessions, and the jobs that go along with it. I thought that the little journal entries that Mina wrote were cute and a good portrayal of a teenage girl trying to make a decision to make a big decision in her life. I can understand that need to write things downt o make sense of things. The little Myth/Truth blob at the beginning of each chapter was also well-done. They were each so funny and cute that it made me looking forward to each new beginning chapter. I just felt that some of the characters were not that well-developed or finished their story right. Though I understand that Mina thinks of Serena as her sister, and would love her. I found it unrealistic that she would let go of her feelings for Nathan in a second and even go an extra step to make things happen between Nathan and Serena. Also, I would have liked a better ending to Aubrey and Raven, both who just disappear without much explanation. Perhaps Pauley wishes to write a sequel? Anyways, the book was good. But some of the characters just felt a little under-developed. But I love the train of thought and story.

Reprinted here with author's permission.

Reader reviewed by Samantha

This was one of the best vampire teen books i have read. I loved that all throughout the book the author made refreneses to lots of that (that i know).

What was really amaszing was how the author was able to do first person in present tense. That shocked me. I haven't seen ANYONE able to do that.

Loved the book most of all, me liky George.

Reader reviewed by VampireB

For a vampire fan, I personally love this book! Very fun energetic, and a fast paced weekend read. I couldn't put it down untill I finished though.

Mina is a wonderful charicter and full of spirit and devotion. And she does prove a wonderful point, not all hot boys are worth it when love is right in front of you.

I would deffently recomend this book for all, vampire lover or not!

Reader reviewed by Bookluver-Carol

So, you think your life sucks? Try being Mina Hamilton. Her parents are vampires, which would sound cool if they werent so bo-ring and parent-like. And now Mina has to decide whether or not she wants to be one too&in a month. As if high school wasnt bad enough, now shes got to go to vampire classes with a bunch of freaks who actually want to drink blood (Gross! As if sushi wasnt bad enough.). And she cant even tell her best friend about any of it, not with a bunch of red-tape-loving vampire bureaucrats breathing down her neck. Hows a girl supposed to find a prom date and get through school with all this blood-sucking drama going on?


You are sucked into this book from page one. Mina's voice is original, funny and truly engaging. She felt real and seemed like a teenage girl you might know.The little facts and truth about some vampire myths over each chapter were pure genius and each myth had something to do with that chapter. The book made you laugh a lot and the spin added to this vampire book was great. Pauley writes like an experienced author and I had trouble believing that this was her debut novel. The plot was great and fun to read. This was a fast read that had you laughing at every page. The romance, humor,normal teenage problems, and vampires incorporated into this book makes Sucks to be Me a perfect summer read that everyone should read.

Reader reviewed by MonieG

Minas always known that her parents were vampires. What she didnt know was that
The Northwest Regional Vampire Council didnt know about her until an unexpected visitor reported a non-vampire living in their household. Since the council states that
no human is allowed to know that vampires really exist, Mina now only has 5 weeks to decide if she wants to follow in her parents footsteps by becoming a vampire or have
her entire lifes memory erased.

In order to help Mina with her decision, The Northwest Regional Vampire Council has scheduled Mina for a 5-week introductory course where she will learn all about the vampire lifestyle. Along with Mina we learn about the vampire lifestyle and the truth about some of the more popular vampire myths (yes, vampires can go out in the sun, they just have to slather on the sunscreen and wear really dark glasses).

So now not only is Mina faced with the biggest decision of her life she still has to pass French, pick 1 guy out of 3 hunks interested in her, find a prom dress and keep the whole vampire secret from her best friend Serena.

Pauleys writing is full of humor and wit with a new take on the vampire phenomenon. The writing perfectly captures the teenage voice. She made me feel like I was right back in high school again. Im eagerly awaiting the sequel shes now writing. Both YA and Adult readers will love this story.

Reader reviewed by Taylor

Thsi book is about a teenage girl mina. Her parents are blood thirsty vampires who will live forever and will drink blood. Mina has to make a descision if she wants to become one to or not. But which will she choose her best friend Serna or her family? you'll find out in this well written funny book about mina hamilton teenage vampire maybe.

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

At the end of Mina Hamiltons junior year in high school, she is faced with the biggest decision of her life: whether or not to become a vampire. To make it worse, the only guidance she has comes from her slightly crazy uncle Mortie and a vampire class taught by good old Grandma Wolfington (okay, her real name is Ms. Riley) that Mina is forced to take. And just because she is named after a character from Bram Stokers Dracula doesnt make this enormous decision any easier.

This novel opens with an allusion to Stephenie Meyer, queen of all vampire novels, so I knew that Sucks to Be Me would be a fantastic read, which it was. Sucks to Be Me was a truly witty and original debut novel that I completely enjoyed. It was filled with many laugh-out-loud funny moments from the beginning to end and very rarely was repetitive. In a way, Kimberly Pauleys funny writing reminded me of Shakespeares comedies, because they both used comedy to mask important themes. I also really liked how each chapter started out with a myth and fact of vampires, especially because Mina usually inserted a sarcastic comment. Minas character is very lovable, and it was fun to read along as Mina dealt with her confusion regarding the vampire and boy issues in her life.

Anyone who is looking for a lighthearted and witty read should definitely check out Sucks to be Me in September when it hits shelves. I was very impressed with Kimberly Pauleys debut novel, and I hope she plans to turn Sucks to Be Me into a series or at least write another fantastic and witty novel in the near future.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com