3.5⭐ ( )

I've had Jessica's Guide sitting on my shelf for about a year now, maybe even longer.  The concept appealed to me at first, but then I lost interest and shelved it for a while (all those vampire YA's, just...over-saturated feeling).  I recently picked it back up again because I want to read Fantaskey's upcoming novel Jekel Loves Hyde, so I figured I should get a handle on her writing tone.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  It had what sounded like the hallmarks of clichedom--dark, brooding alpha male vampire, kind of useless but secretly powerful girl, dippy friend, witchy popular girl--but Fantaskey wrote them in a wholly entertaining way.  Lucius was definitely vying for creeper of the year with much of his behavior towards and for Jessica, but admittedly he was raised in a ruthless manner and taught that women are given respect by males--but men still get all the respect from everyone.  His arrogance was almost charming since for all his bluster he didn't push Jessica too far.

Jessica, who spent a small portion of the book insufferably wishy-washy about how she liked Jake but was lusting hardcore for Lucius, wised up.  His attempts to convince her of both his vampireness and her true heritage, and her attempts to rationalize weird inhuman behavior, are kind of amusing.  Later, when her mom makes some rather pointed remarks about Jessica's 'rational' heroes, I thought it was deserved and well played.  Her parents clearly supported Lucius, but they both retained a realistic expectation--they were not going to force her if she was truly against the match.

I would have liked to know more about her vampire family and have spent less time on her rejecting everything Lucius was.  The end also, when Jessica comes into her own and teaches Lucius a lesson, could have been fleshed out a little more as well.  While it does tie up practically all the loose ends, some of the character relationships and consequences were ignored for the sake of the climax of the story.  Reading the first chapter of the Sequel Story (who's title I can't type here as its a pretty big spoiler for this book)  some of those issues are resolved however.

This was definitely a darker read then I originally expected.  Somewhere along the way I got the idea that this is meant as a parody of the Twilight and Twilight-like novels.  Honestly Fantaskey's writing reminded me of L.J. Smith's, during the Night World series, with its mixture of dark comedy, harsh realities and rough courtship shenanigans. ( )

The three stars are for the the first half of this story which is actually both fun and funny. Jessica's responses to the discovery of her future marriage to Lucius Vladescu is actually a joy to listen to (mostly disbelief and denial). Most of Lucius' letters home are kind of humorous. However, once they both start accepting the seriousness of what is going on between them (feelings, responses, etc.) the story gets to be quite, well, serious.

2-1/2 stars for the second half of the story for edging right into the melodramatic end of the spectrum. I think the second half of this story really could have used some leveling of humor, even as the plot gets darker. Jessica goes from being an interesting spunky teenager to whiny-emo (princess) girl - the "I know he loves me and our love will save us" sort of writing which drives me up the wall. This is why I haven't gotten the courage to read Twilight yet...

Lucius is an interesting young man with character. He's not had a good time of it, thanks to his uncles, but he still strives to be better than the men who raised him.

Jessica's uncle Dorin is a sweetheart. I hope he makes more appearances in the future. ( )

Jessica Packwood is looking forward to her senior year with her best friend Mindy and competing on the Math team. However, the first day begins on an ominous note, when a tall stranger emerges from the early morning gloom and calls her by her birth name—Antanasia. Her college professor mom and yoga instructor/organic farmer dad adopted her from Romania when they were there on a research trip and that is all she knows of her origins. Until the stranger, Lucius Vladescu tells her they are betrothed because of a pact made between the Dragomirs and the Vladescus, and her parents finally tell her the story of her vampire princess origins. Lucius has come to the States to fulfill the pact but Jessica, the rational mathlete who believes in science not myths, was having none of it. This engaging first novel has a main character that is smart, funny and likeable; her internal dialogue is hysterical and the repartee with Lucius in the beginning of the book is delightful. Lucius finds Jessica wanting in the vampire princess department and gives her a copy of A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health and Emotions, which she promptly deposits under her bed. The novel, however, becomes darker about midway, when Lucius becomes interested in the stereotypically witchy and scheming cheerleader and Jessica realizes, maybe too late, that she is falling for him. Even though it is another vampire novel, it is clever, well-written, sexy, and exciting. Publisher’s Weekly starred. ( )

I read this quickly. It wasn't the typical vamp book, and so was a fun read read. I didn't want to go to my meeting; I wanted to stay home and finish the book! ( )