The Radleys (2010)

17 Orchard Lane, in Bishopthorpe is a quiet, residential spot. Home to the respectable types; doctors and architects. You know that sort of *respectable* English street. But one of the families resident here is keeping a secret. A secret the parents are keeping even from their own teenage children. Clara and her older brother Rowan have always thought of themselves as different from the other kids. Pale, often sick, and often the victims of bullies. But the reason why is about to be revealed to them. Because on a night out Clara is accosted by a boy and her natural instincts take over, instincts that are natural not to humans but to vampires!

Don’t worry, that isn’t a spoiler, it tells you all about the vampire-ness of the book on the back cover.

This isn’t your usual vampire novel. Vampires here aren’t even immortal, they are stronger than humans and live longer, but the oldest reaches maybe 200 years of age. And they have a bargain with the police. Not all police officers know of them of course, those that do are part of the Unnamed Predator Unit, and they ensure that vampires are discreet in their habits. Vampires prefer vampire blood at any rate. Human blood isn’t half the vintage.

This is really a novel about life in suburbia. Repression and keeping up with the Joneses more than blood-soaked tales of vampirism. But don’t let that put you off, it is really good fun. Not laugh out loud, but full of humour and I really enjoyed it. It makes the usual lists of who famous vampires were; Byron, of course but there are others there.

It is a quick read, and I don’t think it’d make it in to many “absolute favourite” lists, but it is a good fun read. Recommended. ( )

A cute idea for a story of a family living in suburbia who happen to be abstaining vampires. Liked the idea of vampire clubs where you could mix with goths & emos, & share your blood or buy a bottle to take away. And famous vampires, including Byron, Jimi Hendrix, Iggy Pop... I was adding to the list: Russel Brand maybe?

If there is a moral to the story, it’s probably that the lover you crave does not necessarily make a good life partner. ( )

I received this book for free as a Good Reads First Read.

This book is not exactly your typical Vampire book. It's all about this completely dysfunctional family of four that just happen to be non-practicing Vampires. The only problem is, the teenage children don't even know that they are Vampires until one very unfortunate night. If you like Vampire books, you will like this book for sure! ( )

Part murder mystery, part analysis of a marriage, part coming-of-age, all vampire... this is a smart look at being a modern-day vampire and the notion of conforming versus freedom. Haig pulls it all together (okay, I admit, I lost some interest with the high action ending) and so this novel appeals to all ages, from teenagers to the middle-aged. Highly recommended. ( )

A local story about a family emerged from the 1950s or 1960s, a family with two children, a boy, and a girl — a small family structure, intimate and ideal by all accounts.

Well, every family has its secrets, and behind every ideal lies a certain dimness, as does the Radley family.

The child is sick and suffers from repeated rashes, and while everything seems reasonable, something is wrong.
The Radley's, a family of celibates living in a world which is not theirs, in an environment of people who recognize the existence of creatures like them, but feel their differences and don't accept being like them.

There is blood in this book, and there is romance yet above all, there is a town awakens to a different reality than expected the day before. ( )