Review: The Vampire Stalker by Alison Van Diepen

The Vampire Stalker
Author: Alison Van Diepen
Publication: Point (June 1, 2011)


Description: What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction.


My Thoughts: I very much liked the concept of this book. The idea that the fictional character you have a monster sized crush on could come to life is wish fulfillment for all avid readers. Amy is a very typical young adult fangirl. She even writes fanfic about her favorite characters. She is also the responsible older sister to Chrissy who has taken the occasion of their parents divorce to start hanging out with an older crowd and being angry and defiant all the time. Amy and Chrissy live with their hard-working mother. Amy resents her more or less absentee dad. 


One evening while walking in the park, she is attacked. She is also rescued and is very surprised to discover that her rescuer is Alexander Banks - a literary vampire hunter come to life. At first, Amy doesn't think he is real but is soon convinced. Alexander is chasing Vigo who is his vampire enemy from Otherworld Chicago. Amy is determined to help Alexander find Vigo.


I liked the relationship of Amy and Alexander. I was a little bit less enthralled with the explanation offered by the school librarian - Mrs. P. - that what happened was "literary physics." Not many librarians come to their jobs with a background in Physics. 


It was interesting when Alexander, Mrs. P. and Amy go to talk to the very famous author of the Otherworld books. I'm sure that like many authors of popular series Elizabeth Howard was not surprised to see characters dressed to match characters from her book. Naturally, she had a hard time believing that Alexander was real. 


I liked the action in this story as Amy and Alexander try to track down Vigo. I also liked that we saw some everyday school activities for Amy too. This was an entertaining story that will resonate with all readers who wish that the characters from the books they read could be real.


Favorite Quote:

"I'm not afraid of death, Amy. I think there's peace beyond. If there's such darkness here, it stands to reason that there must be light there. Aunt Helen always talked about the spirit world like it was as real as the physical world. She thought my family would be there waiting for me." He turned to me. "But if I die without killing Vigo, what purpose would my life have had?"

I bought this book from Amazon. You can get yours their too.