I feel so bad, I havent even gotten a chance to START this yet! /sigh

Summer time is just so super busy for me AHHHH..

I also found the culture references a real pain...too cliched for my taste. But overall, I find that I'm enjoying this book. I like Cesca and her roommates and Deke sounds yummy! Cesca seems a little naive but since she's from 1802 and just now catching up with the rest of society, it comes across as genuine.

I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned this, but the next book in the series, Last Vampire Standing comes out May 7, I believe. So, great timing!

Erica wrote: "I keep wanting to imagine this story set in New Orleans and not St Augustine...don't know why but maybe I have been reading too much Kresley Cole lately. :)
"

I've been doing the exact same thing! I haven't read Kresley Cole so I can't use that excuse.

Cesca is very likable in a sweet, innocent, niave little sister kind of way.

As I read the first 10 chapters there were a lot of references to current culture (ie: HGTV, lots of shows/actors). How do you think that will fare in the years to come?

I would worry that it would date the book. In 10 years will HGTV be recognized as a home decorating show??? I don't even think my parents would know what HGTV stands for now. Those kind of references bug me - but beyond that I'm enjoying the story & writting style.

I'm also liking the book so far. I was worried a little at first because the beginning seemed too narrative for my tastes, but once the tour started it got better. I guess I wanted to see more character interaction as opposed to background summary.

I feel the same as Jennifer about the "cut scenes" with Cat and the old man. I get a little fuzzy-headed trying to work those scenes into the world created from Cesca's POV. On the other hand, they do a good job of foreshadowing something larger to come. What is the Void???? And who is Triton now????

I do really REALLY like the character development, though. And the mystery element is good. When the author describes the characters, I can really see all of them in my head. I like the introduction of Saber, and I'm looking forward to seeing where that leads.

Okay, I finished through Chapter 10. Dumm, dumm, dummmmm. *g*.

I'm not sure what people normally talk about in these discussions. One of the things I like about the book is that Haddock manages to create a believable world where vampires are acknowledged and some magic exists without using a lot of exposition to explain it. She just treats it like normal and you get introduced to it as you go along.

She's also managed to make Cesca seem innocent without being unrealistic, ditzy, or shallow. Or bitchy, which is one thing I don't like about some UF out there right now; a lot of the heroines cope by being bitchy.

I like UF because growth in the character is essential. So far, Deke is the one doing the growing (ahem); he finds he doesn't know as much about vampires as he thought he did. He's being forced to see Cesca as a person rather than a creature.

The mystery is good--not too simplistic that its easy to guess. The "cut scenes" with Cat and the old man feel a little weird, like splicing scenes from a Sci-Fi movie into Friends.

So far the book is holding up well to a second reading. I'm really glad the group picked it and I hope you're all liking it.

Oh, and Erica -- I've visited New Orleans more often than St. Augustine, and I can see it being set in NO as well. The towns have a similar feel--St. Augustine is the slightly calmer, more mature cousin of NO. *g*

I agree with you guys about the lively vampire bit. I was actually really anonoyed with the book at first. Too many pop culture/brand name references for my taste but by the end of the first chapter I think I was hooked on the style. Very fresh, at least compared to what I have read. So far I am pleasantly surprised!

I agree..it is nice to read about a more "lively" vampire. I am about a third of the way thru and I just don't want to put it down. I love that it still has me guessing. Don't you just hate when a story (especially a mystery) is so transperant that you have the end figured out just pages in? I keep wanting to imagine this story set in New Orleans and not St Augustine...don't know why but maybe I have been reading too much Kresley Cole lately. :)

I started the book last night; got through the first three chapters. This is my second time through it, and I'm excited the group picked it as the sequel is due out in May. I really love how upbeat and "full of life" (no pun intended) Cesca is. It's a refreshing change from the brooding, world-weary, predator vampire. And "Starbloods" is hilarous! I've visited St. Augustine and really enjoyed it, so that makes it all the more interesting. The first time through this book, I remember devouring it in a day because it was so novel and refreshing. Hope you're all enjoying it, too!

Discussion of Chapters 1-10 in La Vida Vampire by Nancy Haddock

Please avoid spoilers past chapter 10.