Jessica Rules the Dark Side

January 1, 2012

Gr 8 Up-In this sequel to Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side (Harcourt, 2009), Fantaskey weaves a darker story dealing with deception, betrayal, treachery, and deceit, all overcome by friendship, perseverance, loyalty, and love. Jessica Packwood fulfills her destiny of returning to Romania, claiming her title as a Dragomir Princess and marrying her vampire love, Lucius Vladescu. Their marriage ends an age-old feud, and for the first time there is the possibility of peace between rival clans. Unfortunately, not all of the vampire royals support this marriage or the upcoming call for confidence that will acknowledge the pair as their king and queen. Lucius, a born leader, has been raised for his future role, but Jessica doubts she can live up to his expectations. Then the unthinkable occurs-Lucius is accused of the murder of a powerful clan member and imprisoned. Distraught and alone in a country where she doesn't know the language or customs, Jessica turns to her best friend, Mindy Sue, for support. With help from mysterious Raniero, she takes action to bring a killer to justice and save the one person she loves. Jessica's inability to cope and her lack of self-confidence are disappointing and seem to make the story drag. Readers will applaud cunning Mindy along with doomed Raniero for adding depth to the plot and shaking things up. A good read but not as satisfying as the first volume.-Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2011

This disappointing sequel to Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side (2009) finds Jessica (a.k.a. Antanasia) trying to find her place as wife, princess and vampire in the drafty halls of an ancient castle in Romania.

Attempting to fill her birth-mother's vampire shoes, Jessica does her best to stand at her husband's side as he attempts to bring peace and cell phones to the vampire world. Vivid hallucinations, a violent death and her husband's imprisonment leave Jessica isolated in a country where she does not understand the language, the customs or whom to trust. Desperate, she calls on her shoe-loving friend, Mindy Sue. Mindy's arrival triggers a visit from her ex-boyfriend, Raniero, a vampire with the laid-back attitude of a surfer but a dark and possibly violent past. Fantaskey's lackluster story suffers from a wooden romance, weak characters and a mystery that is anything but mysterious. Jessica's obtuseness and lack of initiative render her ineffective as the main character. However, spunky Mindy's passionate-yet-tragic love for Raniero keeps the story from being a total bust. Readers hoping for a paranormal romance full of intrigue and passion will be seriously disappointed.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

January 1, 2012
Grades 8-12 While Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side (2009) was a lighthearted vampire rom com, this sequel focuses more on action. Eighteen-year-old Jess Packwood, n'e vampire princess Antanasia Dragomir, is now living in Romania with her husband, Lucius. They try to bring new ways to the vampire court, but when Lucius is accused of murdering his rival, Jess is left to navigate vampire politics with the aid of his surfer vampire cousin and her best friend, Mindy. The feminist element from the first book is missing here, but Fantaskey's grasp of teen obsessions and realistic dialogue will keep readers satisfied.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2012
In this sequel ([cf2]Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side[cf1]), Jess and Lucius, newlywed couple and vampire royalty, are trying to help their old-world ancestors acclimate and unite their warring families. When Lucius is imprisoned, Jess calls on her few allies for support. Fans of the first book may eat it up, but otherwise there isn't much to sink your teeth into.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)