Honey Blood

Gr 9 Up—Hinata Sorazono is one of the only girls around who isn't fascinated by vampire stories. But then several vampire-related things happen at the same time that begin to change her mind. Numerous local girls are attacked and suffer an alarming amount of blood loss, and Hinata's new neighbor, Junya, turns out to be the author of an extremely popular vampire romance novel. Junya's behavior towards Hinata should set off numerous alarm bells even without the "is he or isn't he really a vampire?" element, but the romantic tensions between them grow just the same. The story manages to be sexy and chaste at the same time—Hinata and Junya spend a lot of time sharing deep meaningful looks and holding each other close, but the biggest debate is over whether or not they should kiss. Mitsuki's art reflects this strange balance; the front cover image is of Hinata and Junya embracing while wearing traditional kimonos, but the image featured on the back cover is of Hinata draped across Junya's lap in a highly suggestive way. Most of the characters' chemistry is reflected in their shining eyes and stylishly tousled hair, but as their relationship intensifies the imagery expands to include spilled and spattered blood, as well. This story is romantic, dramatic, and simply fun.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library