From Bram Stoker’s Dracula to Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles, vampires have long captivated readers worldwide with their blend of horror, romance, and existential intrigue. But what if these blood-thirsty creatures of the night weren’t just lurking in the dark gothic annals of time and myth, but walk among us in modern-day Scotland? Vampeire: The Debutante, by Andrea White, is the first of a trilogy (although published in 2011, the remaining two parts of the trilogy don’t seem to have been written/published), a vampire novel aimed at the young adult readership and is set in modern-day Glasgow.
Vampeire: The Debutante is an exciting gothic tale that brims with terror – a story as sharp as vampires teeth of terror, love and revenge. Starting with the punishment of a vampire, the story keeps readers enthralled until the turn of the very last page.
This story plunges readers into a world of supernatural mystery and romance, set against the atmospheric backdrop of modern-day Scotland. The story follows Layla, a seventeen-year-old girl who is grappling with the loss of her mother, and Regan, a shy American student navigating life in Glasgow.
Meet Layla: after the death of her mother, her world is in turmoil. This sets her off on a journey of self-discovery. She can hear and see things that are impossible and can smell blood from a mile away.
Meet Regan: a shy and lonely American boy. After travelling around Europe, he arrives in Scotland to go to college in Glasgow. He doesn’t have many friends, except for the very strange Irish boys Franky and Kite, who are not quite what they seem.
When Layla and Ragan meet, they fall in love. But this pairing sets of a tale of love, jealousy, and revenge, entwining them with the enigmatic Vamps, Vampires, and the Highlanders – the protectors of Scotland.
Overall, while vampire stories aren’t at the pinnacle of my reading lists, I enjoyed reading this book immensely. It was very engaging and I could not put it down. I thought that it was well written and exciting book of gothic terror with plenty of depth.
Layla’s transformation, as she discovers her heightened senses and uncanny abilities, adds layers of intrigue to the story. While Regan’s interactions with his peculiar friends hint at secrets lurking beneath the surface. And when the two meet, the story really takes off.
The pace of the story is good and it is quite a quick read. It takes hold and grips like superglue on your fingers, or like a vampires fangs buried in the soft flesh of your neck. It is balanced nicely with eerie suspense and romance. The vivid descriptions bring Scotland’s misty landscapes to life, enhancing the novel’s haunting atmosphere.
Andrea White’s Vampeire: The Debutante is a great emotionally-charged, thrilling and absorbing read. If you think you know vampire fiction, think again – this debutante is about to shake up everything you thought you knew.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £8.99 (Paperback)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
