Ninth Grade Slays (Vladimir Tod series) by Heather Brewer  

(For the review of the first book in the series, Eighth Grade Bites, click here.)

The series is still fun with a combination of goofy loser action—Is Vlad ever going to get over being shy and get the girl? It’s pretty obvious that Meredith wants him—and some serious lessons on vampire powers and behavior as well as action-packed fighting against those who would like to slay Vlad.

Vlad’s now in high school and his troubles start with the same bullies after him—only now they are catching and beating him on a regular basis. To add to all his problems, a school outcast is figuring out that Vlad is no ordinary guy. And, according to Uncle Otis, a vampire slayer has been contracted to find and kill Vlad. As Vlad must learn to protect himself, he ventures to Siberia with Otis in order to meet Vikas, the vampire teacher who will helps Vlad both read and control thoughts. But does Vlad want to control others’ minds? He’d better if he hopes to survive both the slayer and his enemies on the international vampire council.

Then Vlad might be able to answer the question: is he the Pravus, a vampire born of a human mother, who will rule the vampire world and enslave all humankind?

Quick, campy, but with lots of twists and turns.