Sucks To Be Me by Kimberly Pauley - Review

Synopsis via goodreads:

Mina Hamilton's parents want her dead. (Or undead to be precise.) They're vampires, and like it or not, Mina must decide whether to become a vampire herself. But Mina's more interested in hanging out with best friend Serena and trying to catch the eye of the too-hot-for-high-school Nathan Able than in the vampire training classes she's being forced to take. How's a girl supposed to find the perfect prom date and pass third-year French when her mom and dad are breathing down her neck--literally?

Have you ever read a book where you came away going – wow...that was one REALLY fun book? That's how I feel right now, after having just finished Sucks to be Me...It's such a FUN take on the whole "vampire thing." And so original too!

There's been so many vampire books in the past several years...though I know I have only read a handful or so of them, I am happy to report that this one is one of my favorites. It's funny, soo funny! I can't remember the last time a book had me laughing, giggling and chuckling while reading it!

Sucks to be Me also has an amazingly likable cast of characters – from Mina, whom honestly acts exactly how I think most people would put in her situation, I mean really, what would you do if you had to make the decision at 16 to become a vampire, live forever, and loose your friends all at the same time OR choose to stay human and risk losing your family instead, not to mention you kinda have to um, die!?

It's a big decision and why I thought at first that it might get tedious reading about it, but it never did – the quirkiness of the cast of characters kept me very entertained! Though I cant help but wonder what happened to one of the students, in her vampire class – sorry I can't tell you which one!

The story wraps up, and ends in a pretty good place – though like I said, I still have a few questions, so I am excited about the next book coming out Still Sucks To Be Me (it's even one of my Waiting On Wednesday picks). I cant wait to see what Mina is up to now...and it will be nice to pick up a book, I am sure will make me giggle like a giddy school girl!

Oh and can't forget about the romance element, it's...well different! I just LOVE how the author put it all together...and Mina defiantly picks the right guy for her, I can't wait to see where there life takes them as well! (EAK, sequel!)

I also enjoyed the family aspect of this book, many MANY books out there in YA fiction today depict the "family" as almost non existent, abusive or well, just absent. Mina's family is very much involved in her life, leaving her big decisions up to her, but making sure she knows that no matter what path she takes, they will always love and support her – I loved that, I think it was a strong message, that family's though they might not all be perfect, they can really be the most important thing, in your life.

Bottom line – Witty and funny with a great cast of characters make this one a fun book I am so glad I did not miss! I can't wait for Still Sucks To Be Me and really anything else that Kimberly Pauley writes, she's got such a wonderful story telling ability, I for one will be keeping a close eye on her, excitedly awaiting future books! I give Sucks To Be Me a 5 mushrooms!

Sucks To Be Me: The All-True Confessions of Mina Hamilton, Teen Vampire (maybe)
Author: Kimberly Pauley
293 Pages
Published: August 26, 2008
Publisher: Mirrorstone