I've read a lot of Katie's adult Dark Ones books, so it was strange reading one for teens. That said, I liked it. I felt like it was a little superficial, like it just skimmed the surface. I wanted to know more about Fran, Ben, and all the other characters. Plus the whole Ben is 312 and Fran is 16 thing is a little weird if you think about it. ( )

A cutesy vampire story. Not particularly amazing but cute enough. A good, quick read for people to like vampire stories. ( )

I got this book because I had previously read the Aisling Grey book by Katie MacAlister and was curious about her young adult books. Katie Maxwell is the name Katie MacAlister uses for her young adult books. This book is the first book in the Goth series. There is one other book after this one called "Circus of the Darned". I actually really liked this book it was a cute, fun and fluffy little read.

Francesca is just your average sixteen year old, except for a couple small facts. First she can read people and objects by touching them with her bare skin (history and what they are thinking). Second she is stuck traveling with the GothFaire through Europe with her mother who is a bonafide witch. More than anything she just wants to be a normal girl. That is until she gets run over by a motorcycle driven by Benedikt (Ben) Czerny. Ben is a Dark One (vampire) and tells Fran that she is his Beloved and destined to bring light into his life. Well, that is all and good, but first things first. Someone is stealing money from the GothFaire; can Fran figure out who it is before the Faire has to shut down for good? How is she going to deal with this Ben guy claiming that they are eternally linked?

This book was a lot of fun. For being such a slim novel it packs a lot of story. Maxwell introduces some interesting beliefs about vampirism (it is linked to male descendants) and also hints at some more interesting plot points (such as the horse, Tesla) that weren't fully addressed in this book.

The plot clips along at a quick place. Fran is a funny and endearing character that is a lot of fun to read about. Ben is a great character too. All the supporting characters are well-crafted and fun. I really enjoyed the book. Keep in mind this is meant to be a light read. It is amusing and cute, predictable but lovable. A nice, quick diversion from heavier topics. The dialogue gets a little over-the-top silly at times, but I found it charming rather than annoying. This is one of those books where even the evil guys aren't all that evil.

This is a very short book. At under 200 pages it only takes 2-3 hours to read, but it is fun. If you are looking for something light-hearted and fun I would recommend this. I am excited to read the next book "Circus of the Darned" and am curious to find out if Maxwell is planning any more books with these fun characters! ( )

Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

Francesca (Fran) is currently touring Germany with a Goth Faire, courtesy of her mother, who is a witch. After her father had what she kindly refers to as a midlife crisis, Fran was sent to stay with her mom--who is finally living her dream, living with people who are just like herself, seeing the world, and having fun. Unfortunately, the Faire has caused Fran to feel like even more of a freak than she did back home--not only is she six feet tall with dark hair and pale skin, but she's been cursed (blessed?) with the ability to read thoughts and feelings in other people just by touching them.

After buying a horse on a spur-of-the-moment trip away from the Faire grounds, her mother ropes her into a mission--Fran can keep the horse if she gets a job with the Faire to pay for his feed and vet bills, and if she helps the Faire owners, Absinthe and Peter, find out who's been stealing from the nightly take. She sets off to become an apprentice of Imogen, who reads palms and runes, as her job, and embarks on a Nancy Drew-ish mission to casually touch each individual who's had access to the safe.

During all of this she runs into (literally), Benedickt Czerny, who is Imogen's brother and who also happens to be a Moravian Dark One--a vampire. Added to that, Ben informs Fran that she's his Beloved, the one woman destined to redeem his soul. As she's reeling with all this implies, her investigation leads her to think that evil is in the camp, that someone has not only been stealing money but is planning on killing Ben.

As Fran and Ben begin a relationship, Fran begins to see that she's not a freak and an outsider, but someone who just might have more in common with the people of the Faire than she ever thought.

Katie Maxwell has written a funny and entertaining vampire story that's perfect for all ages. The mystery into the thefts and who wants to harm Ben is perfectly woven, and the last chapter definitely leaves it open for more stories starring the Dark One and his Beloved. An overall excellent read! ( )

I love this book. The whole freak show thing going on and Fran thinking she is a freak ( )