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Ethics of the Undead
Lured with scholarships to a charter school in Idaho’s Sawtooth Wilderness, four normal teens find themselves trapped in a school for vampires. Drawn from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, the scholarship kids’ faith, friendship and love are tested in this fast-paced, witty adventure.
Sixteen year-old Kathy finds herself on the kill list of a Shoshone vampire who teaches Ethics for Bloodsuckers. Her pal Lionel is terrorized by his music teacher, an 18th century violinist who worked as a Mafia hit man so he could play at his victims’ funerals. With the entire student body thirsting for snacks, keeping the warmbloods alive presents a challenge for several quirky but ethical vampires. And when Kathy and Lionel are put on trial for murder in a vampire court, there are only three escape, die trying, or join the undead.
This novel will delight all readers of fantasy adventure who thirst for humor in the vein of Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse novels. Indeed, Clarion review says “Urban fantasy meet eccentric comedy in this unique and caustically witty conflict between vampire and human ethics.”
Sixteen year-old Kathy finds herself on the kill list of a Shoshone vampire who teaches Ethics for Bloodsuckers. Her pal Lionel is terrorized by his music teacher, an 18th century violinist who worked as a Mafia hit man so he could play at his victims’ funerals. With the entire student body thirsting for snacks, keeping the warmbloods alive presents a challenge for several quirky but ethical vampires. And when Kathy and Lionel are put on trial for murder in a vampire court, there are only three escape, die trying, or join the undead.
This novel will delight all readers of fantasy adventure who thirst for humor in the vein of Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse novels. Indeed, Clarion review says “Urban fantasy meet eccentric comedy in this unique and caustically witty conflict between vampire and human ethics.”
414 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2013
2 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Loren Schechter
6 books4 followersLoren Schechter, an author of page-turners, written with keen perception and humor, is a retired psychiatrist who loves to write fiction.
Read more: http://lorenschechterbooks.com/bi/
Read more: http://lorenschechterbooks.com/bi/
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 24, 2014
It was ok. There were too many characters. It was hard to remember all the names especially the teachers' first and last name, and which subjects they teach. I had to use the character list several times. Also, I think some of the characters can be combined or removed completely, like Penny.
The order was interesting, definitively different. However, I think I would like it more if the trial was the first part then everything just goes in order.
Received a free copy through Goodreads First Read.
The order was interesting, definitively different. However, I think I would like it more if the trial was the first part then everything just goes in order.
Received a free copy through Goodreads First Read.
January 15, 2015
Ethics of the Undead takes vampires to a whole new level. Sure, they are still blood sucking murderous monsters, but they also have feelings and ethical dilemmas they must work through. Vampires that discuss ethics, really? I was skeptical too. This novel is full of comedic banter worthy of outward chuckles, where it lacks is in clarity and substance.
Welcome to the wilderness of Idaho, home of the new, and first of its kind ever, charter school for bloodsuckers and humans. Yes. You heard that correctly. The purposely obscure and tucked away vampire high school is short on funds and has opted to open its doors to mortals as a way to gain federal money. Desperation at its finest. This plan is initiated with the procurement of four culturally diverse warm-blooded students in need of scholarships. Upon their arrival, the facade crumbles leaving the students locked up, shaken and fearing for their lives. The headmaster’s promises of safety until the federal review is completed do little to qualm their unease as the teens are thrown into a school where they are not only the weakest, but the tastiest too. The students struggle to integrate into the school while plotting an escape, one that becomes all too necessary when two of them are accused of homicide.
The slant this novel takes is as much refreshing as it is entertaining. The ethical conflicts faced by the vampires and human teens are shown to cross species and are issues teens may plausibly grapple with. This gives the main characters a genuine voice. Unfortunately time that could have been spent developing said characters further is spent on nonessential characters. The prologue list of characters is discouraging, there are simply too many. Delivery is also problematic. The pace is languid with developments unbelievable many times over, even for a fiction novel. Nothing adds up. The jumps forward and backward did not help the story’s teetering structure. The story simply could not support the premise.
If there is one thing I can truly applaud, it is the wit within these pages. Witticism is right on point. There were certainly many, many laughs. Sadly, the length of this read, the sluggish pace, and the lack of plausibility within the fantasy schema outweighed my desire to like this book.
*** This book was received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
June 2, 2015
The description of Ethics of the Undead is intriguing. The absurdity of the conflict between vampire and human ethics has great comic potential. Accustomed to formulaic vampire novels, I looked forward to a nonstandard and humorous approach. Sadly the novel did not live up to my expectations. There were definitely parts that were funny (who wouldn't enjoy reading about a Jewish vampire who has NASCAR aspirations), but the overall story fell flat. The novel was not humorous enough to be considered comic, and it wasn't serious enough to be considered horror.
It was very difficult to become emotionally involved with the central characters, partly because of the abrupt shifts between the past and present. I could not detect the logic behind where the divisions were placed. As I was reading, I felt like I was going in circles. The vampires have all the resources and Kathy, Hector, Lionel and Soo have little hope of escaping. The only reason that they survive as long as they do is because some of the staff intervene. Frustrated, I finally reached the point where I thought to myself, “Stop waffling about and eat them already. You haven't had any issues about eating anyone else.”
The novel reminded me of the fable of the frog and the scorpion. The scorpion wants to cross the water, so he asks the frog to take him. The frog says, “No, you will sting me and I will die”. The scorpion protests saying, “I won't sting you, because I would die as well”. The frog reluctantly agrees to carry the scorpion. Halfway across, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog cries out, “Why oh why did you do that. Now we will both die!” The scorpion replies, “It is simply my nature.” The vampires need the human students to show diversity in order to get federal funding – no diversity, no funding. Like the scorpion, the vampires of Ethics of the Undead have a difficult time stopping themselves from indulging in their nature.
Ethics of the Undead has potential, and it does have funny parts. It may appeal more to a younger audience who have an easier time relating to teens. I would not recommend this novel to someone looking for a comic fantasy or a more serious vampire novel.
I received a copy of Ethics of the Undead from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
It was very difficult to become emotionally involved with the central characters, partly because of the abrupt shifts between the past and present. I could not detect the logic behind where the divisions were placed. As I was reading, I felt like I was going in circles. The vampires have all the resources and Kathy, Hector, Lionel and Soo have little hope of escaping. The only reason that they survive as long as they do is because some of the staff intervene. Frustrated, I finally reached the point where I thought to myself, “Stop waffling about and eat them already. You haven't had any issues about eating anyone else.”
The novel reminded me of the fable of the frog and the scorpion. The scorpion wants to cross the water, so he asks the frog to take him. The frog says, “No, you will sting me and I will die”. The scorpion protests saying, “I won't sting you, because I would die as well”. The frog reluctantly agrees to carry the scorpion. Halfway across, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog cries out, “Why oh why did you do that. Now we will both die!” The scorpion replies, “It is simply my nature.” The vampires need the human students to show diversity in order to get federal funding – no diversity, no funding. Like the scorpion, the vampires of Ethics of the Undead have a difficult time stopping themselves from indulging in their nature.
Ethics of the Undead has potential, and it does have funny parts. It may appeal more to a younger audience who have an easier time relating to teens. I would not recommend this novel to someone looking for a comic fantasy or a more serious vampire novel.
I received a copy of Ethics of the Undead from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
September 1, 2015
(I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review)
First, I want to say I do not like the cover at all. I honestly think it should be redone to try and attract more readers.
Having said that, the story is actually much better than the cover, so, do not judge a book by its cover.
Before the story even begins, we were given a list of characters and it was impossible to remember who was who. I found myself having to reference the characters list throughout the story.
The story itself was not bad. We were given the background on the 4 students travelling to the vampire school. They of course didn't know that it was a vampire school, instead they thought it was just a wilderness school.
Once there, they were made to remove their coats and shoes, without a chance to get them back again. They were immediately made known of the fact that they were among vampires by the driver who brought them there. They knew they couldn't escape and had to oblige to whatever the school wanted from them.
It was revealed that the school has applied for a grant and an inspection was coming up which meant they needed to show some diversity and this is where these 4 students come in.
Around halfway through the book, we see a jump into the future but it wasn't immediately clear that has happened. It mentioned 2 of the 4 students being held for murder and were in a trial. The vampires then kidnapped a coach full of gymnasts students to act as jury.
After this, the story jumped back again to before the supposed murder. It was slightly confusing with the story jumping back and forth, but I did manage to figure it out in the end.
With the help from 2 vampires, 2 of the students and 1 gymnast student managed to escape while the trial was in recess. They found the nearest Ranger for help who turned them to the FBI.
In the end, the FBI with the help of 1 of the student (Kathy) managed to negotiate with the vampires to free the rest of the gymnasts students. Kathy decided she would return to the vampire school to finish off the trial and try to rescue the remaining 2 students from her group.
First, I want to say I do not like the cover at all. I honestly think it should be redone to try and attract more readers.
Having said that, the story is actually much better than the cover, so, do not judge a book by its cover.
Before the story even begins, we were given a list of characters and it was impossible to remember who was who. I found myself having to reference the characters list throughout the story.
The story itself was not bad. We were given the background on the 4 students travelling to the vampire school. They of course didn't know that it was a vampire school, instead they thought it was just a wilderness school.
Once there, they were made to remove their coats and shoes, without a chance to get them back again. They were immediately made known of the fact that they were among vampires by the driver who brought them there. They knew they couldn't escape and had to oblige to whatever the school wanted from them.
It was revealed that the school has applied for a grant and an inspection was coming up which meant they needed to show some diversity and this is where these 4 students come in.
Around halfway through the book, we see a jump into the future but it wasn't immediately clear that has happened. It mentioned 2 of the 4 students being held for murder and were in a trial. The vampires then kidnapped a coach full of gymnasts students to act as jury.
After this, the story jumped back again to before the supposed murder. It was slightly confusing with the story jumping back and forth, but I did manage to figure it out in the end.
With the help from 2 vampires, 2 of the students and 1 gymnast student managed to escape while the trial was in recess. They found the nearest Ranger for help who turned them to the FBI.
In the end, the FBI with the help of 1 of the student (Kathy) managed to negotiate with the vampires to free the rest of the gymnasts students. Kathy decided she would return to the vampire school to finish off the trial and try to rescue the remaining 2 students from her group.
January 24, 2015
Ethics of the Undead by Loren Schechter is a young adult paranormal romance/mystery book. Four students are getting scholarships to Idaho's Sawtooth Wilderness School. Kathy, Hector, Soo, and Lionel are off to their new school but they have no idea that they might never leave the school alive. The school is actually run for and by vampires. The school needs to show that they have a diverse student population (Soo is Korean, Lionel is African-American, and Hector is Latino). Kathy was recruited for revenge.
The new students arrive at the school and quickly find out that everyone is a vampire and that they are not allowed to leave. The book than jumps to a trial where Kathy and Hector are on trial for killing Conrad, a vampire student who was in love with Kathy. The book jumps back and forth between the trial and the events leading up to the trial. After reading through the whole book (and it was long) it ends without resolving all the issues.
This book sounded great, but it was only mediocre. It was way, way too long and to many characters. I think if the book was edited and rewritten, it could be very good. I will give it 2.5 stars out of 5. Happy Reading!
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The new students arrive at the school and quickly find out that everyone is a vampire and that they are not allowed to leave. The book than jumps to a trial where Kathy and Hector are on trial for killing Conrad, a vampire student who was in love with Kathy. The book jumps back and forth between the trial and the events leading up to the trial. After reading through the whole book (and it was long) it ends without resolving all the issues.
This book sounded great, but it was only mediocre. It was way, way too long and to many characters. I think if the book was edited and rewritten, it could be very good. I will give it 2.5 stars out of 5. Happy Reading!
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2017
The book has a list of characters at the beginning and I found myself referencing it frequently, there are so many character introduced to readers; too many I think, it makes it difficult to read when you are having to keep up with so many people. We are introduced to the central character who are students enrolled in a school run and controlled by vampires; the students are human and they have no idea that their new school is filled by with the undead. At times the writing is sardonic, amusing with elements of horror and suspense. The main problem I had with the book is that is too long, has too many characters and at the end of the story all the issues aren’t resolved and I felt like I had spent hours reading and most of it was a waste of time.
I do think that the story has a lot of potential; that with the right editors, some judicious chopping of both content and characters and making it flow more smoothly, especially when moving between the past and present it could be something that I would really enjoy.
2.75/5 STARS**I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**
I do think that the story has a lot of potential; that with the right editors, some judicious chopping of both content and characters and making it flow more smoothly, especially when moving between the past and present it could be something that I would really enjoy.
2.75/5 STARS**I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**
April 3, 2015
The idea of the book is good, but I think that is not well executed. It was hard to follow the story for a couple of things, there are too many characters with long names, and each one is extremely complex, the going back and forward makes it so hard to read, I found myself jumping a couple of pages just to get to the end.
*I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange from an Honest Review*
*I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange from an Honest Review*
unrated-unfinished
December 5, 2014Finding myself not quite able to suspend my disbelief for this one.
December 31, 2015
review to come
May 1, 2019
Very different book. Hat if you were a human forced to go to a vampire school? The premise reminds me of the anime, Rosario + vampire. I was attracted to the book by the mention of Charlaine Harris and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I stayed for the story and because I just had to see what would happen next!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews