Peeps (Peeps, #1) in TWILIGHT HATERS

Oct 17, 2009 PurplyCookie rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: vampire, young-adult, horror, hated-it

In the Peeps world, vampirism is caused by a parasite. Full blown cases ("peeps") exhibit all the vampire symptoms we've come to expect, but you can also be just a carrier and have superhuman powers, which is what our hero Cal is and has. A Texas transplant, lost his virginity–and a lot more–when he first arrived in New York City. He became a parasite-positive, or peep–he prefers not to use the v-word. Now he works for the Night Watch, a secret branch of city government dedicated to tracking oth In the Peeps world, vampirism is caused by a parasite. Full blown cases ("peeps") exhibit all the vampire symptoms we've come to expect, but you can also be just a carrier and have superhuman powers, which is what our hero Cal is and has. A Texas transplant, lost his virginity–and a lot more–when he first arrived in New York City. He became a parasite-positive, or peep–he prefers not to use the v-word. Now he works for the Night Watch, a secret branch of city government dedicated to tracking others of his kind. Unlike the rare natural carriers like Cal, who has acquired night vision, superhuman strength, and a craving for lots of protein, most peeps are insane cannibals lurking in darkness.

But now Cal has found the young woman who infected him–and learns that something worse than peeps is threatening the city, and he is on the front lines. Breezy essays on parasitology feel a bit intrusive, and the plot ultimately spirals into B-movie absurdity. While the book was both exciting and action-packed it was also very disgusting. I think "Peeps" would have been far better off it there was less information about random parasites.

The strange, convoluted plot was punctured by 'essays' about parasites which came off as though he were talking to third graders who find anything creepy or disgusting fascinating. Not that it wasn't interesting, per se, but it wasn't written well. Although some parts of Westerfield's vampires are better because they are a bit more 'scientific', or at least he explains some things and myths with science, most are just foolish. Plus I simply cannot stand the dialogues which starts and ends with the word "dude".

Among the strangeness is the complete reversal of point of views: Cal goes from hunting peeps to advocating them, and in the end, joining them. This transition makes no sense and feels like it was stapled on because the author got lazy.

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Book Details:

Title Peeps
Author Scott Westerfeld
Reviewed By Purplycookie ...more

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