Review of Peeps

Readers Annotation:
Call contracts an STD that causes vampirism. Unlike the many other people infected he doesn’t become a mindless cannibal. He takes on an assignment working with the Night Watch to hunt down all of his ex-girlfriends who are now positive and get them help to control the disease. ==== Plot Summary:====

Cal is a carrier for a parasite, one that makes you a vampire or Peep (Parasite Positive). He hasn't turned into an unmanageable eater of humans like most of the people who get the disease, and is able to manage his disease with only a few strange side effects; he's always hungry for meat, and constantly hungry for sex. The parasite is spread through saliva and other bodily fluids as an STD, so Cal can’t give into romance. Cal works with the Night Watch to help contain the vampire problem and he tracks down his old girlfriends to get them the medication they need to be almost sane. When he begins tracking the person who gave him the disease he is led through a foul underworld of carrier rats, unusually rational peeps, and evidence of an ancient monster underground. During his investigation he becomes closer to Lace, the journalism student who lives in the building he is searching under. She isn't infected, and even for a journalism student she is not too cautious, preferring to find out the whole story instead of keeping herself safe. ==== Evaluation:====

I really liked the interesting twist this vampire book had for how it is contracted as an STD. It had a good message to teens about sexually transmitted diseases intermingled with a traditional vampire mystery. Interspersed throughout the story are accurate and revolting descriptions of actual parasites which provide a rich backdrop for the character setting. The book is really graphic about the parasites and therefore not recommended for a reader with a faint stomach. Reason Included: I love Scott Westerfelds Uglies, Pretties, Specials series. Ages:16+/Interests: Science Fiction, Vampires, Romance, Mystery. Authors Website: http://www.scottwesterfeld.com/author...