by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees BrennanPublisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 352 (Hardcover)
Release Date: July 3, 2012
Amazon | IndieBound | Book Depository
Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn't mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she says in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It's up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity!I did not laugh. It was supposed to be a fun, witty parody, but I did not laugh. I was, if anything, angry. Why did this have to happen with a book that finally had an Asian main character? That's on the cover, even!
On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.
Acclaimed authors Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan team up to create a witty and poignant story of cool vampires, warm friendships, and the changes that test the bonds of love.
In Bloodlines by Richelle Mead, I understood Sydney's racism against vampires. She had been brainwashed from the moment she was born to think that vampires are evil creatures of the night, and if she had a single thought otherwise, off to the Re-education center she goes! When the Alchemists were not around, Sydney has also shown a friendly attitude towards vampires. She inwardly disapproves of her colleagues' extreme reaction towards them. It's guaranteed that she'll realize the Alchemists' beliefs are wrong. Mel is a different story.
I get that Mel doesn't want to lose her friend and all, but I was outraged and appalled by her constant need to antagonize and provoke vampires. She tries her best to pick a fight with Francis, making fun of his name and the way he speaks. The more she insulted Francis and the other vampires, the more I found myself siding with and defending them. (Her comments about the cheerleaders didn't exactly endear her to me, either.) Even as I am writing this, I feel like wanting to punch her in the face for being so horrible. Mel went too far.
I didn't care much for her own romance with Kit. I thought that on some level, Kit was too good for her. There was a part though, that managed to make me sigh: the scene where he called her, just like he promised.
Let's backtrack. The one thing I liked about Mel was her efforts to stop Cathy from making a life-altering decision in such a short time. After maybe a week of a romance with Francis, Cathy had decided to become a vampire. Immediately. Even Francis was surprised. It is evident that Cathy is beyond her years, but I can't stop thinking that she shouldn't have made the decision yet. She knows the dangers, she thought carefully about it (I guess), and she's practically made to be a vampire, but I still wanted her to wait. Cathy's relationship with Mel truly broke my heart. It made Team Human much deeper than the light read I thought it would be. Honestly? It was the only lovable part of the story.
I am so happy to read a review from someone who was just as disappointed in this 'parody' as I was! I didn't like Mel either, and I don't think I ever laughed...
ReplyDeleteGreat review Sydney :)
Welcome to the Not-so-Popular Opinion Club! Surprisingly, even Mel is in it.
DeleteI guess I did kind of understand her, mainly through her friendship with Cathy, but she wouldn't stop getting on my nerves!
I got along with Sarah Rees Brennan's writing in "Unspoken" so I'm shocked that I didn't laugh at least once.
Oh no! This sounds different to what I thought it would be. Like yourself, I guess I was expecting a light and witty read here. I really loved Brennan's Unspoken last year (the humour in that book worked perfectly for me), but I haven't tried ustine Larbalestier's writing before. Hmm... I might give this a go later on but I'll be sure to lower my expectations now. Great review!
ReplyDeleteNever tried Justine Larbalestier's work before "Team Human", but I have read "Unspoken" and tried "The Demon's Lexicon". I had my ups and downs with Sarah Rees Brennan, and now, I'm on the fence. I hope "Untold" will boost things back up again.
DeleteI actually liked this book (and no, that is not because we share the same name :p) Finally someone who dislikes vampires! I'm so sick and tired of all the "OH MY GOSH HE IS GORGEOUS" when they are still bloodsucking people. I thought it was refreshing to see another side and I liked how Mel tried to keep Cathy away from making such a huge decision. I disliked Cathy actually.. Stupid girl. But, despite that, I like your review :)
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.
I didn't like Cathy too. Just grudgingly admitting that she can be wiser in some aspects (book smart but probably not so much street smart). She should have been more careful around Francis, and that goes for all characters in fiction that meet vampires too! Assess the threat instead of the body! Mel's point of view is definitely a welcome change and, despite my feelings for her, I would chose her any day.
DeleteAnd same, I didn't like Sydney because we had the same name, either. :D
I feel you on this. I liked a few parts of this book namely that there was a biracial main character, and a black bisexual best friend. That honestly was the best part because there are not enough books with race in it. Anyway Kit...yeah I..you really did a good job with this review. There wasn't much I liked about this book but there were some parts that were...okay. So glad to read about someone else who didn't LOVE this book. Thank you for posting the review and sorry you didn't like it. Thankfully you are not alone. I honestly don't think I laughed once during this book.
ReplyDeleteHurray for LGBT and PoC characters! They are underrepresented in YA especially, and that needs to change. At the moment, when authors do add them to their stories, most characters are built off of stereotypes/publishers do their best to keep them hidden, thinking they will lower sales. It's amazing to see an Asian character taking the spotlight on the cover and as the MC. Although she is annoying, she's also written as a person and not a stereotype. Hopefully, other authors and publishers will take that as a cue and change the situation.
DeleteWow, I rambled for a bit too long. "Team Human" was, yeah, okay in story. If I wasn't so bothered with Mel's attitude, I might have given it a higher rating. It's good to know the club isn't so lonely as I though it would be.
I really want to read this book, but too bad that it didn't made you laugh & that you didn't ended up loving it. I had high hopes, but now they are very low. Very!
ReplyDelete