Blood Orange Soda

Darius Hunter lives in a world where vampires live among normal humans. Young vampires like Darius are kept on a government-mandated medication that prevents them from becoming fully undead until theyre 18. Hes smart sensitive and all-too human-a struggling outsider whos just trying to fit in find a girlfriend and escape the attention of football bully Bao Wang. Its his humanity that often keeps him from his hopes and dreams so Darius cool uncle Jack a vampire introduces him to a substance called Blood Orange Soda. This strange analog of steroids can speed Darius maturation into his full vampire state but it cant guarantee that hell avoid disrupting the lives of his mother and sister win the love of Angel Martin or successfully face up to Bao. It also doesnt make him immune to heartbreak and loss. The author takes familiar themes of YA fiction-vampires and teen romance-and treats them with a surprising empathy and respect that gives them real weight.