Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Bite Me (Demon Underground #1)

by Parker Blue (Goodreads Author)

3.75 of 5 stars 3.75 · rating details · 1,655 ratings · 289 reviews

Life after high school is tough enough without having to go 15 rounds with your inner demon. Val Shapiro is just your ordinary, part-demon, teenaged vampire hunter with a Texas drawl. And a pet hellhound named Fang. Soon enough she finds herself deep in the underbelly of the city, discovering the secrets of the Demon Underground and fighting to save those she loves. Whethe...more

Paperback, 229 pages

Published October 1st 2008 by Bell Bridge Books (first published September 30th 2008)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Best Teen Vampire Fiction

71st out of 343 books — 3,356 voters

Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright

Gothy Book Covers

95th out of 326 books — 449 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Apr 05, 2011 Kat Kennedy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: kat-s-book-reviews, the-great-shelf-of-meh

Hi! My name is Val and I'm a kickarse Vampire hunter with a heart of gold. I protect the people I love even though they often hurt me.

Buffy

Excuse the terribly hideous picture, I haven't put my lip gloss on yet!

My nickname against the Vamps is The Slayer. I work for the police. My partner is an honourable, nice guy (kind of like he was corn fed in Iowa or something) who struggles with my supernatural side.

Riley

He also resembles the only love interest in Buffy that people universally agree should have died...more

48 likes · like · see review

Oct 20, 2011 ☆Jessie☆ (Ageless Pages Reviews) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: supernatural-fiction, series-ongoing, netgalley-arc, reviewed, 2011-reviews, 2011-reads, arc, what-up-anthropomorphization

Read This Review & More Like It On My Blog!

Straight off the top, I have to disagree with my little blurb copy and pasted above. I don't agree that this is a novel that "spans the gap between young-adult and adult fiction" - I think this is a solid but not spectacular series opener for a definitely young-adult series. Bite Me more than delivers on the rest of the promise hinted at above: it is edgy, it is fun, and Val and Fang are a comedic duo with flair and timing. I can understand the appe...more Read This Review & More Like It On My Blog!

Straight off the top, I have to disagree with my little blurb copy and pasted above. I don't agree that this is a novel that "spans the gap between young-adult and adult fiction" - I think this is a solid but not spectacular series opener for a definitely young-adult series. Bite Me more than delivers on the rest of the promise hinted at above: it is edgy, it is fun, and Val and Fang are a comedic duo with flair and timing. I can understand the appeal for older readers - at almost 24 I'm probably at the outset of the target demographic - but this is definitely a young-adult vampire/supernatural novel. Not the most original or ground-breaking, but full of enough verve and unique mythology/lore to keep me more than interested.

Set in San Antonio, Texas (hey, is there anywhere near Morganville, TX? Texas definitely has a bad infestation of vampires...) Bite Me is vampire-slayer Val(entine) Shapiro's starring show. Eighteen years old, part succubus lust demon and a vampire slayer, Val is far from normal but completely real and grounded. Echoing her split nature, Val is a half-Jewish and half-Catholic tumult of drama, danger and humor ("The name's Val, not Buffy. Do I look like a blonde cheerleader with questionable taste in men?") She might come across as trying too hard on occasion, but Val amused me by and large and I definitely bought her persona of tough, funny capable vampirehunter.The lust-demon/part succubus thing is a huge problem in Val's life (even though she's technically only 1/8 succubus): she doesn't feel human, that she belongs or is even loved by her family - common teen issues that make Val intensely relatable for younger audiences. While "Lola" (what Val calls her demon) doubtless gives Val boons (extra speed and strength, accelerated healing) she doesn't come without a hefty price. Val's personal issues with herself and her nature are another strong point for the novel: she consistently struggles to distinguish "demon-Val" and "human-Val" while almost resenting a key part of who she is. The truth about Val she refuses to acknowledge is that she is much more powerful of she works with the Lola part of herself instead of denying her nature and being ashamed by it. She can be either immature or mature (her handling of her mother's rejection was surprisingly mature for YA), but she always presents herself as a real person.

The supporting cast is not as rounded out as it would need to be for a higher rating - and one of the main ones this is only a three star review, instead of a four. Val's younger sister Jen is an important part of the events of Bite Me, so it's too bad she lacks any real characterization. Like her daughter Jen, Val's mom Sharon is also drawn in broad, undetailed strokes. Her substantial (and somewhat overwrought) issues with Val are left clouded and unexplained - making Sharon appear as a cookie-cutter villain rather than a conflicted woman with a uneasy relationship with her daughter. The only really fleshed out supporting characters were that of Val's snarky hellhound/terrier Fang and love-interest/partner Dan. Fang is practically human in personality and actions, but the hellhound with humor and heart nearly stole the show several times. The only one that unequivocally loves Val, Fang is one of the most likeable demons in the book. Dan, Val's partner in SCU, plays a good straight man to Val's loose cannon antics. He's stoic and reserved - almost the archetype for a detective but emerges as a sweet and kind companion to balance Val's more dangerous nature. Lieutenant Ramirez of the SCU also has potential for a character - I can see him easily as a father-figure for the vampire hunter - but he as mostly relegated to the background for much of the novel.

I liked the variety the reader experiences during Val's excursions. Not just vampire hunting, or demon powers, Val has to contend with more mundane issues as well. The style of the novel is definitely geared more towards action than dialog, but I thoroughly enjoyed the well-described fight/sparring scenes. Val believable holds her own, but definitely isn't impervious to a few punches herself. Parker Blue also went and created her own lore/mythology for demons and vampires - and I definitely like the individual flair she placed on the creatures, i.e. "vein of vampires", the shadow demons, etc. The New Blood Movement for vampires (people donate blood, these vamps don't attack and take blood) isn't the most revolutionary idea for supernatural fiction (hello Twilight, and Eat, Slay, Love) but it allows for some interesting power struggles amongst the nightwalkers. Slowly, deliberately parsing out information about Val's world and creatures as the novel progresses provided an excellent way for me to slowly submerse myself in Parker Blue's Bite Me, and leave me clamoring for the next in the series Try Me.
(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Sep 26, 2011 Unabridged Bookshelf rated it 4 of 5 stars

Val Shapiro is a vampire slayer with a unique gift in the form of Lola. Lola being what Val likes to use to refer to her demon side. Val Shapiro is teenager trying to learn to deal with her inner succubus, making it hard to connect with anyone. The opening of the books jumps right into the action with Val fighting with a vampire. Val uses the hunting and killing of vampires to quench the thirst of the lust demon part of her. This avoids the need to use her powers to seduce men and have Lola feed...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 26, 2011 Wendy Darling rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: pn-demons, pn-vampires, heroines-butt-kicking, pnr-urban-fantasy, pn-succubus, young-adult, hilarious, read-2011, ebook-egalley, training-schools-supernaturals, action-packed

3.5 stars Val Shapiro is a part-demon vampire slayer. And she has a snarky dog named Fang who thinks at her in all caps.

Bite Me, the first book in the Underground series, surprised me with its butt-kicking heroine, deadpan humor, and an interesting set-up. I really liked Val and Fang, whose relationship is the most compelling one in the book. There are also some great fight scenes and some intriguing secondary characters, including Shade, Micah, Ramirez, and Tessa, and the whole thing is well-w...more

6 likes · like · see review

Sep 26, 2012 Aliaa El-Nashar rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley

I had requested this book from NetGalley for two reasons. One, the cover was amazing. Two, I loved the title. Sure, the synopsis was good, but it was mainly the other two that had me interested in reading some more about it.

Val Shapiro has a tough life. She hunts vampires, she's home-schooled and has no friends, her parents prefer her younger sister to her... oh and she's part demon. To satisfy her inner succubus, Val needs to hunt a vampire every now and then, which happens to help calm down sa...more I had requested this book from NetGalley for two reasons. One, the cover was amazing. Two, I loved the title. Sure, the synopsis was good, but it was mainly the other two that had me interested in reading some more about it.

Val Shapiro has a tough life. She hunts vampires, she's home-schooled and has no friends, her parents prefer her younger sister to her... oh and she's part demon. To satisfy her inner succubus, Val needs to hunt a vampire every now and then, which happens to help calm down said demon - Lola. One day whilst she's out on the usual hunt, killing a vampire and whatnot, he sister hides in the backseat and tags along. Not only that, but she's caught, by a cop trying to dispose of the body. To make matters worse, her parents are sick of her sister wanting to tag along in her lifestyle that they fire her from her job, and kick her out of the house... on her birthday. As she thinks life has sunk to a new low, with no family anymore, she wonders around and comes across a special dog, Fang. She then calls the cop who'd caught her asking for a job and he delivers, in addition to that he finds her a place to stay. Life was looking up! That is, until she goes out to investigate a ring of vampires haunting the area and killing innocents, only to find that every vampire out there knows who she is, and that she is a vampire slayer - a courtesy of her sister's stupidity. On the bright side, she realizes she's not the only half-demon out there, and there might be ways to co-exist with Lola without harming innocents.

I have been in a very vampire-ish mood lately. I am not sure why, but I really have been into the whole theme, from series, to movies and books. So this book fit right into my mood quite well. I quite loved the fact that there were two mythical creatures here and not just one. And a part demon dog? I liked it. I enjoy everyone's particular take on vampires, and Parker's was a bit conventional, but the added demon part to the mix made it unique.

Val was the typical stubborn and independent heroine, always up for a fight and rushes to situations she surprisingly manages quite well. I actually liked her, and didn't find her annoying like most lead women characters who think they can do everything and don't ask for help then end up in ridiculous scrapes. Dan was an okay partner I guess, though the dynamics between Fang and Val were more hilarious and in-sync. Shade is one character I'd love to know more about, and Micah too, as well as Gwen for some reason. I am still wary of Alejandro, and seriously hate Val's mother. I am hoping at some point there's an explanation for how pathetic she is! That and Jen as well, she's one of the stupidest younger sibling characters I've read of. One that doesn't think straight before getting herself into so much trouble - not to mention her sister alongside her. But I guess it all fits into the story.

Parker's writing is quite good, funny at times, serious and emotional at others. It's a quick read and I absolutely enjoyed it!

Rating: 4.5/5(less)

1 like · like · see review

Oct 22, 2011 Claudette rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-fantasy-scifi, series, first-in-series, arc-galley, young-adult, read-in-2011

Bite Me was an engaging, tough not very original, read. I have to admit that after the first quarter of the book, which was pretty rushed and introduced me to the witty (and big-headed) half-demoness Val, I was hooked to the point I finished the book in one day and immediately attacked the second installment in the Demon Underground series.

Although Val's family situation seemed absurd to me, I enjoyed following her first steps in her "adult life" and I really like both her involvement with the S...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 17, 2011 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Those who like paranormal, urban fantasy

Bite Me is about Val Shapiro, a seemingly normal teenage girl. As the book opens, Val takes down a nasty vampire. I loved how the book opened with an action sequence. You can get a real “feel” for the character. I felt like I knew Val right away, and I liked her. Val is part-demon, succubus, to be precise. Succubi thrive on lust, and Val feeds that part of herself, aptly named Lola, by taking down vampires. Even though Val is a kick-butt vampire slayer, she also has a vulnerable side. She has al...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 09, 2011 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

So this story begins with a girl kicking butt over a vampire and she can do so because she is part succubus. Then things go sour as her mom and stepfather kick her out. She loses her home family job and security right off the bat. Then she contacts a man she met after killing a vamp who gets her an interview and her world really spins out of her comfort zone. She goes from controlling her demon and having a family to having a pet dog who is part hellhound and meeting a possible cousin to getting...more

like · see review

Mar 30, 2013 Kate Bond rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm trying the sequel to this now, because I really, really WANT to like this series. I just...don't, quite.

Val gets kicked out of her house on her 18th birthday (for being 1/8 succubus, which is 100% her crazy mother's fault because she's the one who fucked a demon, but I think there may be more going on with her mom than we've been told so far) and immediately walks into a job as a San Antonio police officer. So that's problem number one. She did not have to attend cop school. She did not, ap...more I'm trying the sequel to this now, because I really, really WANT to like this series. I just...don't, quite.

Val gets kicked out of her house on her 18th birthday (for being 1/8 succubus, which is 100% her crazy mother's fault because she's the one who fucked a demon, but I think there may be more going on with her mom than we've been told so far) and immediately walks into a job as a San Antonio police officer. So that's problem number one. She did not have to attend cop school. She did not, apparently, receive a badge or weapon. She is being unleashed on the Texas streets, as a detective, apparently, because she is part demon and good at killing vampires. Hoo boy. So she and her Boy Wonder partner, Dan (don't get me started on this guy), are basically the worst cops ever. They show up to question people and don't identify themselves as police officers first. The attack AND KILL vampires without identifying themselves as police officers. They sneak onto private property without probable cause or search warrants, and then when they DO have a good reason to go somewhere they're not allowed (an informant tells them a missing child is on the property), they ask for a search warrant and are turned down--and when Val goes anyway, there are ZERO consequences. She doesn't even get reprimanded. She breaks into a private citizen's house and kills a person and NOTHING HAPPENS TO HER.

This is really annoying throughout the novel, and it's so easily remedied--just make Val work for a PRIVATE organization, like, say, the Demon Underground--you know, the organization the series is NAMED FOR. Grrr.

And the Buffy thing. Yikes. Don't have everyone call your character The Slayer. Don't invite that comparison. And early in the book, Val quips(?), "The name's Val, not Buffy. Do I look like a blond cheerleader with questionable taste in men?"

Hmmmm. Ok. So. Let's be clear: this novel, and the characters contained therein, is/are nowhere near as empathetic, interesting, nuanced, or witty as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a property that has impacted EVERY aspect of pop culture because it was so incredibly brilliant, and even the tiniest of throwaway side characters are nuanced and fresh-feeling. Furthermore, don't talk to me about questionable taste in men. Dan makes Riley, Buffy's did of a Season Four love interest, look like Rhett Fucking Butler. Dan pouts like a motherfucker when he finds out Val is part demon. He's a judgmental tool belt.

Which leads me to my bigger issue, which is maybe just as much on the editors (and beta readers, I guess) as the author: everyone is either really good or really evil. Blue spends A LOT of time explaining everyone's feelings and how everyone means well and they're all doing their best, and a person has to be EVIL for anyone to get mad at them and it's just exhausting. It made me dislike every single character. Had Val stood up to Dan when he was a jerk and admitted--even to herself in her first person narrating head--that he was being uncool, I'd have liked him as a love interest. Look, my husband is a kind, handsome, very intelligent man who makes a shitton of money, and that means that he is also an obnoxious, judgmental pain in the ass. He drives me fucking crazy. And I love him. And I love arguing with him. It's all wonderful. Relationships NEED that, and fictional relationships need it especially. Conflict makes things interesting and REAL.

Natural conflict and gray areas also set up better mysteries--the bad guy here is super-obvious almost the instant he/she is introduced, even before we know there is going to be a big bad guy--because it allows for the idea that seemingly good people can do bad things. If only bad people do bad things, you have no mystery, and also that's why I'm suspicious of Val's mom's meanness--homegirl's blood relations can't be terrible in this series (Val also has a real Dawn of an annoying little sister).

Oh, and there's a really cute dog, but the way he speaks is a pet peeve for me: all caps directly into people's minds, Terry Pratchett's Death-style. But this dog isn't as funny or lovable as Pratchett's character(s? I guess the Death from Good Omens is different from that of Discworkd, since Good Omens occurs on Earth?), so it's just kind of a bummer. Jay Kristoff does this in Stormdancer, too, and it's why I haven't been able to finish that book.

I don't know whether I'd recommend this. I guess if you read as much as I do. And maybe for middle grade kids (I read Gone with the Wind for the first time when I was nine; kids can handle a lot--and anyway, this thing is pretty PG). But I'm gonna read the sequel, so.

(less)

1 like · like · see review

Dec 18, 2012 Kirsten Lenius rated it 3 of 5 stars

This story is the beginning of the Demon Underground series. Set in San Antonio, Texas, it features Valentine Shapiro, a young woman just turning 18 who hunts vampires to take the edge off the yearnings she has aquired because 1/8th of her heritage comes from a demon, giving her some of the powers of a succubus.

Her home life and youth are difficult and when she starts manifesting powers, her mother finds it more and more difficult to deal with the reminders of Val's father, a quarter incubus who...more

like · see review

Jan 30, 2012 Jennifer Moody rated it 5 of 5 stars

Review for Bite me by Parker Blue
I was so excited to get this book to read. I mean come on the tittle was Bite Me you knew it would be good. I started this book and automatically fell in love with it. It only took me 3 days to read this book, thats how much I loved it.
Val Sharpio is only 18 year old half human half demon who hunts vampires. On her birthday, her 18th birthday her parents kicked her out for being a bad influence on her younger half sister as well as putting her family in danger ac...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 20, 2012 Chapter by Chapter rated it 4 of 5 stars

Everything about Bite Me was honestly just great and while I came across it by accident, it's actually one of my favorite ebooks to date. In short it's about a teenage vampire hunter/ half- demoness named Val. What's not to love? While I did think that the start felt a bit rushed into introducing all of the great and original characters (and the wise-cracking hell hound Fang), the rest of the novel kept up at a mysterious and great pace. I was constantly trying to figure out what happens next, e...more Everything about Bite Me was honestly just great and while I came across it by accident, it's actually one of my favorite ebooks to date. In short it's about a teenage vampire hunter/ half- demoness named Val. What's not to love? While I did think that the start felt a bit rushed into introducing all of the great and original characters (and the wise-cracking hell hound Fang), the rest of the novel kept up at a mysterious and great pace. I was constantly trying to figure out what happens next, even if my predictions (that were a bit wild) were wrong- I would be gaven something better than I expected. I could even almost feel like author Parker Blue had a writing style that made me think of one of my favorite authors Richelle Mead.

One of the many great things about Bite Me was the way Val acted, she was honestly more mature than most characters in YA and considering her home situation and fighting her inner demon Lola her maturity made the novel both relaxing and all the more realistic (despite the fact that she ends up working for the police at the age of eighteen).

I wish I could say that I was in love with Dan who is Val's partner and love interest, there was just something about him that made him come off as a jerk. I couldn't help but dislike him, even though he did help Val a lot in the story and was described as a nice and handsome guy. And the brother of Val's roommate.

I did love Val when she was in her demon persona that she named Lola (though I did feel at times like she thought of herself as somebody with multiple personalities) because all of her abilities were very original and still stayed in line with the traditional abilities that the Succubus are known for. Plus her being a vampire hunter had me comparing her to Buffy the Vampire Slayer (true story). With her butt-kicking skills, personality and her adorable hell hound I couldn't find anything wrong with Val. Well maybe one thing... The only issue I had with Bite Me was that there were hardly any descriptions towards any characters except for most of the secondary ones (like Shade, Micah, Gwen, etc.). Though when it came down to Val's family members, some of the other cops and even the main character herself I had to stretch my imagination and put faces on characters that I couldn't exactly see.

But still with an original plot like this, the conflict between vampires and the demon world being clearly and easily expressed, I did feel like I was learning about Lola (or Val's demon side) as the story continued and progressed. Learning about the demon side of Val was also one of the fun and more well described parts of the story, especially when she learns from Micah via the Demon Underground.

I would recommend this to people who want a YA novel with a strong female character in a supernatural novel that will leave you both guessing and intrigued long after the novel is done. You'll be begging for the sequel (I know I was).(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jan 06, 2012 Misty Baker rated it 4 of 5 stars

With the exception of the “classics” I haven’t been all that thrilled with my free Amazon finds. The majority of them are in need of a diligent editor and if their writing isn’t the problem, 9 times out of 10 the plot is, however… the one thing I DO think they are great for is finding new “series reads.” (Yes.. I know… I shouldn’t be starting anymore series) A few times a month you can find a starter novel (by an established author) up for grabs for 0 denaro. The purpose of these finds are obvio...more With the exception of the “classics” I haven’t been all that thrilled with my free Amazon finds. The majority of them are in need of a diligent editor and if their writing isn’t the problem, 9 times out of 10 the plot is, however… the one thing I DO think they are great for is finding new “series reads.” (Yes.. I know… I shouldn’t be starting anymore series) A few times a month you can find a starter novel (by an established author) up for grabs for 0 denaro. The purpose of these finds are obvious, get 1 free buy the next 5 when you’re sucked in. The problem only arises when you miss the 24 hours they are up for grabs.

Last week I was lucky enough nab “Bite Me” (Book 1 in the Demon Underground series.) by Parker Blue, and while I was expecting no more than a fluffy little vampire piece I was so please with it that I have already purchased book #2 (mission accomplished you evil publishing geniuses!)

Val isn’t like most girls her age…she’s a demon. No… not the green scaly kind more the raging hormones succubus kind, but her inner demon (who she has lovingly named Lola) is the least of her problems. After her bratty 16 year old sister decides to follow her out of the house one night Val’s parents have finally had enough. They cut her off and kick her out. So what exactly is a 18 year old vampire hunting demon girl supposed to do with no place to go and no money? Well… she goes to the police, that’s where. Hoping her (and her hell-hound Fang’s) slayer skills could be of service she makes a play to join the force and take control of her life, but when her sister disappears again and turns up at a local blood bank Val decides that tough love is the only answer. Will her sister ever snap back into reality? Where are all these rogue vampires coming from, and more importantly can she keep the cork on Lola?

Parker Blue opened up a whole new door in the “vampire vs. demon” debate making (for once) the demons the good guys and the vampires the bad (who would have thunk it.) AND she did all of this while skirting the line between YA and Adult paranormal. The plot (thankfully) moved along at a nice steady pace, dueling between action and suspense (the who done it) and to add icing to the cake she had a few (very artfully crafted) angst scenes thrown into the loop. (Hello!!! she is a lust demon for Christ sake.) The development of her characters was very nicely executed (and to be honest) done in one of the most unique ways I’ve read in a while. (Through conversations with her hell-hound.)

There’s not a whole heck of a lot of negative I can spout about this book, with the exception of the ending. It felt short and cut off… like at the last second she decided to make this a book 1, but thankfully that little problem will be resolved with the quick access to book 2. (which came out in March.) Would I have purchased this book if I had only ever seen it at the $9.99 price? Who knows… but I’m here to tell you that if you are a vampire lover I think it’s worth your time.

There were charming vampires in black cloaks, evil ex’s, see through demons, a mind reading mutt, a clueless mother, and 1 girl that hates being called Buffy but loves doing the job.

Happy reading my fellow SCU and remember: Just because you THINK your dog is asleep… doesn’t mean he is. Think about it.(less)

like · see review

Sep 15, 2011 Rhonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked it. It was a little different from other vampire books.
Valentine who goes by Val is part demon who feeds off of Lust. Val has never let her though so to keep her demon self Lola she hunts vampires.
val kills a vampire an all of a sudden her young sister is their. Jen had hid in the back seat of their father Rick's car. Val yells at her sister than makes her help pick up the body and put in the trunk. After they get body in car before they leave a policeman asks what they are doing and run...more I liked it. It was a little different from other vampire books.
Valentine who goes by Val is part demon who feeds off of Lust. Val has never let her though so to keep her demon self Lola she hunts vampires.
val kills a vampire an all of a sudden her young sister is their. Jen had hid in the back seat of their father Rick's car. Val yells at her sister than makes her help pick up the body and put in the trunk. After they get body in car before they leave a policeman asks what they are doing and runs make on the car. Then asks to see whats in the trunk? Val does not know how to answer they can't take off he knows their address and names. Val asks,"What do you think is in the trunk?" and surprised answers she gets is vampire.
Turns out the city knows about them and has special department for handling them. Finally she takes her sister home and mom's yells at her. Asks her to leave their home, leave job at family book store. Stay away from her sister. Val just turned 18 she hops on her motorcycle and goes to a park. Meets a dog who can talk to her a small fluffy dog who is part demon too. Fang is dogs name. I really like Fang.
Val eventually calls the cop she met and tells him that maybe she can help them. That she was 18 and kicked out of house. He calls her back in an hour and she goes to Police station. The other cops laugh at her so she takes the bigest one and fights him. Wins.
Her new boss knows what she is and makes Dan her new partner.
Their first assignment is to find out if this new group of vampires that was meeting and starting blood banks were on the level or dangerous. Mean while Jen is asking everyone she meets if they know Val and shows picture so they all know she is the one killing vampires. Then Jen is missing.
For a new series I do like it. The characters all have faults some good and bad. I hate the mother of val and Jen. Like the stepfather to Val. Lots of secondary characters that interact together. Lots of storylines I can see.
I was given this book in exchange for honest review. I also receieved the next two books in the series so I will read them next.(less)

like · see review

Sep 06, 2011 Madame X rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-urban-fantasy, vampires, ya-or-teen-protagonist

I started out really enthusiastic about BITE ME, but finished it on the tepid side. Why? Because the book, too, starts out interesting and fresh, not always believable (Val phones up a special crimes police division, her interview is a sparring match, and she starts work the same day as the phone call? And she's eighteen? Hmmm...), but full of emotion. I was totally rooting for Val during the opening chapters and when she's kicked out of her house...but at some point, maybe a third of the way th...more I started out really enthusiastic about BITE ME, but finished it on the tepid side. Why? Because the book, too, starts out interesting and fresh, not always believable (Val phones up a special crimes police division, her interview is a sparring match, and she starts work the same day as the phone call? And she's eighteen? Hmmm...), but full of emotion. I was totally rooting for Val during the opening chapters and when she's kicked out of her house...but at some point, maybe a third of the way through, maybe half, Parker Blue gets so focused on chugging on towards the conclusion, plugging from plot point to plot point, that she forgets about fleshing out the characters or making their interactions sparkle.

I had the biggest problem with Dan. He's Val's partner and love interest, but he's flat as cardboard. We know that he's a handsome, knight-in-shining armor type but I never got a real feel for him. He reacts predictably, according to the needs of the moment. Just like Micah is like a vending machine for helpful advice and Gwen the roommate is a near non-entity.

The whole vampire plot is problematic. So there's an uptick in murders caused by vampires and Val is trying to find out who's responsible. The easiest target is a group of vampires who are open about their nature and preach peace. Val and Dan are kind of lazy investigators; when random loner vampires group up to attack civilians, Val and Dan don't know what to do, so instead of gumshoeing about they keep harassing these peaceful vampires at their blood banks.

This is especially bad since Val's biggest struggle, as a character, is her deep-seated need for acceptance. Val has suffered all her life because she's one-eighth succubus and the people that know about her demon ancestry - her family - treat her badly as a result. Yet when the vampires protest that they're not all evil, Val has a really hard time accepting the idea.

What makes Val's prejudice against vampires even weirder is that when Val meets other demons she's ultra tolerant and always assumes the best. What makes vampires different? Who knows?

BITE ME is also pretty short on description. I had a really clear vision of Fang, the dog, who is an adorable and winning little beast, but everything else is vague and grey in my mind. I couldn't really tell you what Dan looked like, or what Micah looked like, or even Val herself.

I was all set to give this a four-star review but having read through to the end, I'm dropping my rating to a three. I got the first three books bundled together from netgalley, though, so I might read the second just to check for improvement. (less)

1 like · like · see review

Aug 05, 2011 Lynnea rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: demon, law-enforcement-spy-theif, paranormal, romance, vampire, arc

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the idea of a part human-part demon girl slaying vampires. Along the way she meets up with Fang. He is a cute dog (that happens to be part hellhound) with the best personality. Some of his comments, yes he can talk but only to Val, were so hilarious and had me laughing out loud. Because of Val's talent at slaying vampires she joins up with a special police unit and is partnered up with Dan. Val and Dan make a great team on the job but are also pretty compatibl...more

like · see review

Jun 12, 2011 Cyp rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, 2011-reads, 4-star, urban-fantasy, vampire

Quick gloss of the book: Half-lust-demon Valentine Shapiro hadnt had a perfect life- her mom was wary of her hell spawn of a daughter, her father died when she was five, she was led to think she was the only one of her kind on earth making her feel so goddamn alone for the better part of her life, not being able to have a proper relationship because of the demon within her that always came out to play when she gets close to someone physically and then it would suck on a person's energy till they...more Quick gloss of the book: Half-lust-demon Valentine Shapiro hadnt had a perfect life- her mom was wary of her hell spawn of a daughter, her father died when she was five, she was led to think she was the only one of her kind on earth making her feel so goddamn alone for the better part of her life, not being able to have a proper relationship because of the demon within her that always came out to play when she gets close to someone physically and then it would suck on a person's energy till they're half dead, or dead. List continues but i think you get the idea: her life sucked. And now, on her eighteenth birthday, her mom disowned her and she's left to find her accomodations and a new job(it's getting worse even now..shocking isnt it. Her life=hellhole) Feeling depressed, she went to the beach and met her half-hellhound dog and subsequently got a job as a detective in the San Antonio's Special Crime Unit through a new found friend, Officer Dan Sullivan. Vampires cause trouble, she tries to solve it, but her annoying brat of a sister got involved in the whole business and now, Val's family is screwing with her emotional life by treating her like trash cause somehow, they thought EVERY stupid problem on their doorstep was Val's fault(okay maybe it's just her mom. Her BIRTH mom at that:/). But surprisingly, she doesnt cry or break down very often, only when things really accumulated into such a mountain of hurt in her that..yeah so she cried a few countable tear drops and that's the end of her whinny side.

I wouldnt consider this a fiver(five star book in my terminology dictionary), but somehow, i was completely engrossed in the book i hadnt realised it was 4 in the morning last night as i was reading this book. It's that good, it sucks you into a world of dark demons but not too cringe-worthy cliche that would have immediately turned people off.

Val is a headstrong and courageous girl, full of compassion and wit, and definitely have a fully human heart. She sticks up and looks after her family even tho they dont deserve it, she continues to love the man who was a jerk after finding out about her demon side, and she's just so selfless it's hard to not like her. But not too much as to be unrealistic. She has imperfections and flaws, but that only makes her all the more real and alive.

Dan is a noble, heroic soul, but he can be a jerk sometimes. I cant believe he insulted Val after she just spilt all her secrets out for him, laid herself bare and he just spit in her face. And although his real reasons for doing that was because he was scared for his incontrollable reactions for a girl who was still so young, it made me even angrier that he broke her heart to soothe his own screwed up emotions. But he made up for it in the end so im happy with them. And he isnt bad, not at all other than that incident. Rather, he was kinda sweet at times, and very man:)

Hmm..the baddies in this book werent really bad..very cliche type, nothing special..The only cool part about them was how Val found them out. Tho it was kinda too easy and convenient how she did it, like BAM! you, you and you, GUILTYYYY! And 'click!' you're under arrest. Y'know? it's just... Very anti climatic.

Tho there wasnt much danger and suspense, no real climax, i still did enjoy this book. There must be something wrong with me this days.. I dont know. It was a simple enough read, relaxing and captivating. It's a commendable vampire-demon-succubus addition for the young adult section. A great start to a series with lots of potential. If you're looking for a soft, not gruesome or something that doesnt induce strong intense emotions book, but one that is interesting enough that warrants a one-sitting reading, this is it:)(less)

like · see review

Apr 23, 2011 Sandra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: net-galley-harlequin, young-adult, demonic-stuff, urban-fantasy, vampy-stuff

I was debating between 3 and 4 stars. When I think of other books I gave 4 stars to, I feel like a lot of them may have been slightly better written, or had better world-building or character development... but I can't help it, something about this just grabbed me. None of the characters are perfect, they have real faults but work to be good people. And no one was inherently 'evil-villain', which to me always makes a book more realistic and relateable. The real world doesn't tend to be black and...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 14, 2011 Bree rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: galley-grab

breesabookworm.com

I was able to get all three copies of the Demon Underground series through Netgalley as a package deal, Bite Me, Try Me, and Fang Me. So, basically I'm reviewing the series thus far. I believe it is an on going series, but I have yet to read the third, so I don't know for sure if there is a finale. I highly doubt it.

Anywho, Bite Me is the first book in the series, which was written by Parker Blue. It's written in first person and in a way that makes it move quickly.

Val Shapiro...more

like · see review

Apr 12, 2011 Oz rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley-arcs

This was part of a Free Advanced Copy from Net Galley.

This will be a short review as I just didn't get into the book, this is mainly due to the writing style. For me the story was predictable. The protagonist Val Shapiro is typical teen nothing about her stood as memorable. This is o.k. for a childrens book. I found problems with the text and writing style, mainly I felt it was a bit jumpy, sentences could have been shortened or unnecessary words taken out. It needs punch at times and for me it...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 03, 2011 Avery rated it 5 of 5 stars

I found Val to probably be one of the most mature 18 year old characters I have ever read before. In fact, I think that if someone were to read this book not knowing that she was 18 they would assume that she was in her twenties or early thirties (what does this mean? Well it means that y'all out there who like adult PNR and UF but don't really like YA PNR and UF will really enjoy this book and probably even forget that it is a YA book!). Also, her demon abilities were quite unique in my opinion...more

like · see review

Mar 31, 2011 Sarah Maddaford rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, can-be-read-alone, demons, fantasy, first-in-series, modern, mythology-misc, romance, supernatural, vampire, young-adult

Although it was an overall enjoyable, quick read, I had a couple issues with this book. Why do recent strong evil fighting girls feel the need to reference Buffy? It wouldn't be a crime to mention the connection only once and leave it at that, but we keep hearing the title Slayer and really 40 isn't high enough to justify continued harping on it. Also, how old is Dan supposed to be again? Is he a detective or a beat cop? Maybe he should feel uncomfortable with his feelings for Val, who just turn...more

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 24, 2011 Vasya rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-paranormal

Val and Dan - whew, what to say about them. They really make a cute couple, and their personalities really are compatible.

But, their persona are not the ones what I would have put in their situation.

They are cute, they have problems, they deal with them, but the whole paranormal aspect of their lives just seem surreal. I would put them in a young-adult novel, with a little bit less action and more make-outs. They just seem so young for this type of book that I sometimes really got the feeling th...more

like · see review

Mar 22, 2011 Trisha Wolfe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Val is a mix between Buffy and Anita Blake, so is the book. I really thought I wasn’t going to enjoy this as much as I did, based on that fact alone. I love Buffy, and no one for me can compare. Anita, meh, not so much—but Val is a pretty cool girl. She has her own sarcastic, tough-girl swagger and I really like how she handles herself. The description above is pretty accurate, this is not a YA. It’s a crossover and leans more toward Adult Fantasy, but regardless, I found many things I enjoyed t...more

like · see review

Mar 21, 2011 Kristen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: demons, vamps

GENRE: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
BOOK THEME: Vampires, Demons
SERIES: Demon Underground #1
RECEIVED: Copy from Hachette Books Group
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
DATE POSTED ON BLOG: March 21st

QUICK THOUGHTS:
Val Shapiro isn’t your ordinary eighteen-year-old girl; she’s a half demon who hunts down vampires. One night while hunting an annoying vampire, Val gets caught in the act by a special unit team who knows about the vampire population. Along with her awesome pet hellhound she works along...more GENRE: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
BOOK THEME: Vampires, Demons
SERIES: Demon Underground #1
RECEIVED: Copy from Hachette Books Group
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
DATE POSTED ON BLOG: March 21st

QUICK THOUGHTS:
Val Shapiro isn’t your ordinary eighteen-year-old girl; she’s a half demon who hunts down vampires. One night while hunting an annoying vampire, Val gets caught in the act by a special unit team who knows about the vampire population. Along with her awesome pet hellhound she works along side a vey good looking detective to fight vampires, figure out how to control her inner demon, and resisting her attraction with her new partner.

REVIEW:
Val is a tough motorcycle riding 18 year old who has one hell of a birthday, not only is she caught in the act of killing a vampire by cops, but her half sister tagged along secretly and got her in trouble with their parents, which get her kicked out of her own home and fired from her job all in one night,. Luckily the cops that caught her are a special unit that specializes in tracking down vampires and they need Val’s skills to help them stop the vampire craze. She is partnered up with the very handsome Detective Dan Sullivan. The only hard part about being partnered up with a handsome detective is controlling the urge from her demon half. You see her demon half is a succubus, a lust demon and she is very much attracted to Sullivan.
Val is such a great character, I really liked her strength and no matter how harshly her mother is towards her she defends and protects her family. Her mother and stepfather know of Val’s demon half but treat her as if she is not their child. You really hate her mother through out the book because of how cruel she is to Val, like it was Val fault for being born half demon.

My favorite character has to be Fang, Val’s trusty pet hellhound partner that she can communicate with. I loved his bubbly personality and how much he cares and protects Val. He also added to the humor of the story giving its darker sides and light happier aspect.
Dan Sullivan the smoking hot detective wasn’t your normal badass guy. He’s still learning about the vampire world and Val helps him along the way, He’s a really good cop and sticks up for Val a lot especially against her mother.

The plot is fantastic, with the good and bad about the vampire world and while along the way the reader learns about Val’s demon side and the underground world that demons exist in. This is the first book in the series so you get a great first look into Val’s world and learn along with her,

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel, suiting for any age. It has some violence, but none that would be too scary for any reader. I would recommend to fans that like Cynthia Hand, Richelle Mead, or PC Cast.
(less)

like · see review

May 12, 2010 karen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: unfinished, kindle

Got about two chapters into Parker Blue's "Bite Me," got bored, wandered away, came back to scroll through it, decided it wasn't worth it, got rid of it, the end.

Longcat version: I picked this book up because it was free for the Kindle app I had just installed on my netbook. I am happy about the ease of scrolling through the book to decide if it was worth the time I'd invest in reading it; after the first two chapters I was wondering if it would get better. I voted "no" after the scroll-through...more

1 like · like · see review

May 01, 2010 April rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is one of those kick-ass vampire slaying heroine books, and I honestly wasn't expecting to like it much. Most books in this genre have protagonists that don't make sense to me, and I always end up not really liking the heroine much because the motivations seem forced and her personality unrealistic; she tends to be super attractive to everyone around her, even though she gives everyone such a bad attitude. I never get that.

But I ended up really liking the heroine in this novel. The circumst...more This is one of those kick-ass vampire slaying heroine books, and I honestly wasn't expecting to like it much. Most books in this genre have protagonists that don't make sense to me, and I always end up not really liking the heroine much because the motivations seem forced and her personality unrealistic; she tends to be super attractive to everyone around her, even though she gives everyone such a bad attitude. I never get that.

But I ended up really liking the heroine in this novel. The circumstances that lead to her fighting vampires make the most sense that I've ever seen in the genre. She's part demon and so has to feed its cravings—if not sexually, then physically by doing some vampire slaying. She's not out to wreak revenge or carry out some vendetta; she's just letting off some steam so she doesn't end up sucking the life out of some poor innocent.

And she has a family—so unlike other heroines in the genre; she's not a total loner. Her being part demon isolates her somewhat because it can be hard for her to relate to others, but she has people who care about her and about whom she cares.

Granted, they end up causing her to move out because she has a younger half-sister determined to get herself into trouble trying to be like Val (the heroine), but it provides a good back story, a good reason for her to be alone. So already, as she moves into the stereotype of a vampire slayer—loner, kick ass, etc.—her reasons make so much more sense and are just better than in other books.

Anyway, she somehow finds her way to becoming part of a special police force that fights vampires, and she ends up living with her police partner's sister. There's a big conflict to do with a nest of bad vampires that they need to identify, find, and deal with, but throughout it all I just really got to like the characters. I even like Val's hellhound Fang.

And while I got the impression that this is only the very start of a series, with there being great potential in the tension between her and her partner and further troubles with the vampire community, I didn't feel like I was left hanging at the end of the book. It was a pretty good arc with a nice resolution to a conflict—just with plenty of small open-ended things to entice you to read the next books.

I did end up wanting to read more about the characters and seeing where they'd end up, so I probably will.

Downloaded April 14, 2010. Finished reading April 18, 2010.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Apr 29, 2010 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-ya

My Review of Bite Me by Parker Blue (Kindle Version)

Through this tale we follow Val Shapiro, a part demon who slays vampires, overcome many life altering obstacles.

After being kicked out of the family home – the only people she could ever trust and be herself with – on her 18th birthday no less, she must struggle with her inner demon – a succubus, named Lola – find a place to live, earn a living, become accepted for who and what she is and try to keep the family, that threw her to the kerb, fro...more

like · see review

Nov 09, 2009 Irisheyz77 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, arc

When I first picked up Bite Me by Parker Blue I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Would it be another run of the mill vampire story? Or would there be something new in it? My very first impression wasn't a good one when in the first chapter I was jarred out of the false reality of the book when the main character, Val, gave her name to a vampire she was trying to kill. A vampire who didn't know her and yet immediately jumped to the fact that her name was Valentine. Now I don't know about you...more When I first picked up Bite Me by Parker Blue I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Would it be another run of the mill vampire story? Or would there be something new in it? My very first impression wasn't a good one when in the first chapter I was jarred out of the false reality of the book when the main character, Val, gave her name to a vampire she was trying to kill. A vampire who didn't know her and yet immediately jumped to the fact that her name was Valentine. Now I don't know about you but my first thought when hearing the name Val isn't Valentine. But I shook that off, I shouldn't focus on such a minor detail I should just let the story come. And come it did. I whizzed through this book in about a day. I loved the world that Parker has created.

The main character isn't a know it all teenager with special skills who is near perfect and is able to save the world in a single bound. Val is older then in most young adult books, she's 18 and was home schooled because she harbors an inner demon, literally. This sets her apart from other people her age as well as her family. And it doesn't help that on her 18th birthday she finds herself without a job, without a home and without a family to help her figure things out. She is lost and clueless and that just makes her so very real. Val's half sister is also a character to like...well, one that you like to dislike because she's a real teen. She's a 16 year old girl who thinks she knows everything and like most little sisters she is annoying and gets into trouble. But the character that makes this book is Fang. He tends to steal the scene and add a dose of comedy in with all the life drama and vampire slaying.

As I've said I love the world that Blue has created, but this is a first book in a series by a new author so its flawed. There were several times when random scenes would knock me out of the false reality and make me go huh? Forcing me to reread passages in order to try and figure out if I missed something or if an event/statement really did just come out of nowhere. But it wasn't so flawed that I was turned off. In fact I am really excited for the second book, Try Me, to come out. Though very sad that it won't be until February!!

For a peak at the cover to Try Me check out my blog tickettoanywhere.blogspot.com/2009/11...(less)

like · see review

Dec 19, 2010 Christi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-kindle-books, 2010-ya-books, 100-in-2010

I loved the characters in this book. Val part succubus/ but mostly human is killing Vampires to feed/satisfy the lust Demon in her. Her kid half sister (and all human) stows away in the back of her car on a hunt one night and that's her mothers last draw. Hoping that kicking Val out of the house is the only way to keep her all human daughter safe. Things spiral out of control when her sister goes looking for her. With no where to go Val takes a job with the police department in the SCU. A specia...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (4)

Genres

Young Adult

105 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

95 users

Paranormal > Vampires

86 users

Fantasy > Urban Fantasy

71 users

Paranormal > Demons

45 users

Fantasy

41 users

Romance

24 users

Fantasy > Supernatural

15 users

Fantasy > Magic

13 users

Romance > Paranormal Romance

12 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Moonstone
by Marilee Brothers
Soul Catcher
by Leigh Bridger
Blood Faerie
by India Drummond
Beautiful Sins: Leigha Lowery
by Jennifer Hampton
Gemini Moon
by Elysa Hendricks

About Parker Blue

Who is Parker Blue? Well, I live in Colorado Springs with my dog, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Val's part-hellhound mutt, Fang.

I hate writing bios so that's all you're gonna get. Okay, okay. Instead of more boring bio stuff, how about some of my likes and dislikes?

Stuff I love, in no particular order:

- The color red—a bright, orange-red just makes me happy.
- Shiny things. I must have been...more

More about Parker Blue...

Books by Parker Blue

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Bite Me

3 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Bite Me

“What are you?” he demanded. “A slayer?" I rolled my eyes. “The name's Val, not Buffy. Do I look like a blond cheerleader with questionable taste in men?” — 74 people liked it

“As we headed out toward the parking lot, Dan said "Why don't we take the truck? It's less conspicuous."

He had a point. With Fang sitting on the back of my motorcycle in his goggles we were more likely to draw attention than divert it.

YEAH, THAT'S 'CAUSE I'M SMOKIN'!” — 11 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Bite Me
avg rating	preview: Bite Me Goodreads rating: 3.75 (1655 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5058029-bite-me?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348340748l/5058029.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5058029-bite-me?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Bite Me by Parker Blue[/url]

Bite Me (Demon Underground #1)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website