The Reluctant Vampire Queen by Jo Simmons Review

Title: The Reluctant Vampire Queen

Author: Jo Simmons

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Pages: 352

Release Date: 7 July 2022

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Hello fellow book lovers, today I’m back with a review for Jo Simmon’s The Reluctant Vampire Queen, a brilliantly funny Geek Girl meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer style YA that I absolutely couldn’t put down!

Synopsis

Meet Mo Merrydrew - independent young woman, Mini Battenberg fan, president of the debating society - and reluctant vampire queen ...

Fifteen-year-old Mo Merrydrew isn't exactly expecting to be asked to be Vampire Queen of Great Britain when she's cycling home from school one wet Tuesday evening. Apparently, she is 'the Chosen One'. Aside from being uncomfortable with the idea of unelected power (not very democratic), there's the blood drinking to consider (Mo is a vegetarian), and frankly it's just not really the sort of role Mo's looking for (she wants to aim for a real job in politics). But - if you're Vampire Queen, you probably don't have to do PE any more, and when the dreamy Luca, a vampire familiar, turns up, it all suddenly starts to look a bit more appealing ...

Review

If you’ve ever enjoyed Louise Rennison’s Georgia Nicholson books, but wanted a bit more banter, maybe some bats, mini Battenberg’s and an eccentric 600 year old vampire, then this Geek Girl meets Buffy The Vampire Slayer style YA should definitely be added to your TBR.

Honestly all of the characters were endearingly funny I loved Mo, the genuinely reluctant Vampire Queen who definitely prefers schoolwork and exam prep to vampire diplomacy. Her plans were honestly really entertaining to watch, even if they didn’t always go to plan. I liked Luca too who seemed super sweet (and cinnamon-rolly) plus the Diner and Brass Band scenes were amazing!

Bogdan, the eccentric 600 year old vampire that handpicked Mo for Vampire Queendom was also a really entertaining character and I absolutely adored his scenes with Mo. He honestly reminded me of Nandor from What We Do In The Shadows which and despite being a murderous vampire I couldn’t help but root for him a little.

It’s a fast paced, light hearted read that’s brimming with humour, and there’s soo many great moments that readers are bound to chuckle at so, if you love YA Contemporary fantasy, Vampires or books by Holly Smalle I definitely recommend checking this out. It’s soo good!

A huge thank you to Hot Key Books and Netgalley for the e-arc.

About The Author

Jo began her working life as a sub editor on magazines in London and later became a freelance journalist. She started writing for children when her two boys were young and hungry for daft and silly stories to make bedtime more fun.

She lives in Brighton with her family and a small, scruffy dog who leaves hair absolutely everywhere.

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