Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore
Title: Bloodsucking Fiends (Love Story #1)
Author: Christopher Moore
Publisher: Simon and Schuster 1995
Genre: Vampires
Pages: 290
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Vampires; Support Your Local Library; A to Z Titles: B
Jody never asked to become a vampire. But when she wakes up under an alley Dumpster with a badly burned arm, an aching back, superhuman strength, and a distinctly Nosferatuan thirst, she realizes the decision has been made for her. Making the transition from the nine-to-five grind to an eternity of nocturnal prowlings is going to take some doing, however, and that's where C. Thomas Flood fits in. A would-be Kerouac from Incontinence, Indiana, Tommy (to his friends) is biding his time night-clerking and frozen-turkey bowling in a San Francisco Safeway. But all that changes when a beautiful undead redhead walks through the door...and proceeds to rock Tommy's life -- and afterlife -- in ways he never thought possible.
Funny story: I started reading a vampire book by Christopher Moore entitled You Suck. About 50 pages into it, I realized that it was a sequel. The characters kept referring to people and events that I should already know. Well I didn't know them because I hadn't read the book. Thankfully I had checked the first book out from the library. So 50 pages into the sequel, I put it down and picked up the first book.
After reading some pretty serious books (The Monsters of Templeton and A Girls Guide to Vampires) it was refreshing to read a light, funny vampire book. The main character, Jody, gets turned into a vampire, but is left alone to navigate this new condition. Hilarity and awkward situations abound. I imagine that it would be weird to one day wake up a vampire, not knowing what you can and can not do, what special powers you have, what kills you, etc. Of course Jody's first mission is to find a minion (because who doesn't want a minion?). Enter C. Thomas Flood, Jody's new minion and boyfriend (mortal of course). The relationship between the two seemed very real, complete with stupid arguments and plenty of awkward moments.
The plot consisted of colorful side characters, an ancient vampire playing a game of cat and mouse, and plenty of highjinks. I won't give away any spoilers, but you know there's a sorta cliffhanger at the end, because I accidentally started reading the sequel. A must read for lovers of funny vampire stories.
Now off to restart You Suck. I have high hopes for the sequel, please don't disappoint me.
Love Story