Mina and the Undead

Product Information

On her first night in Louisiana, Libby takes Mina to work with her at The Mansion Of The Macabre, a house which puts on an interactive horror movie style show for guests. I really enjoyed how this story had actual legends and myths of New Orleans interwoven throughout this very unique tale. If Amy's not at a book event or reading, she can usually be found scribbling away in her writing room, surrounded by movie memorabilia and an out-of-control signed books collection. After her first performance as a meatlocker victim, Mina goes upstairs to change and find the next actor to pass her costume to, but finds something much more sinister.

The final 60 pages or so were an absolute whirlwind with plot twists that I did not see coming, perfectly setting Amy McCaw up for what I am sure will be an incredible sequel that I need NOW! Ultimately, it didn’t really distract from my enjoyment of the book because I was very much invested in the characters and found I was more concerned about their fates than I was about being surprised by the big reveal of the murderer. When their mother abandoned them, Mina moved in with her auntie while Libby moved to New Orleans on a student visa. I was sent a proof copy and I'll be honest, at first I was unsure how I was going to get on with it as it's not my usual genre but oh my goodness, as soon as I started it, I was hooked!Mina plans to spend the summer exploring all the famous parts of a city known for its myths and legends of vampires and killers, whilst also mending her relationship with her sister. When a body is discovered with fang marks in their neck and a fist full of hair suspiciously similar to her sisters, Mina ends up on a journey to track down a killer that has a more direct link to her than she thinks. From the moment I picked this book up, I knew it was going to take me back to some of the vampire stories of my younger days; figuratively as well as literally. With so many twists and turns I kept trying to guess who the killer was and my guesses were always wrong 🤣 I also loved the New Orleans mythology throughout the book and I’m now wanting to visit and explore the city with its seedy bars and spooky cemeteries! Filled with 90s pop culture and wickedly dark vampire lore, and set in a New Orleans vampire festival, this was an absolute blast!

YA as a genre has evolved so much in the last ten years but this book sadly doesn't reflect all that change. It had a lot going for it: Vampires, New Orleans, the 1990s setting complete with fun pop culture references. I’ve honestly enjoyed it every time and even having learnt the twists after the first read, the plot is strong and you realise the easter egg clues you previously missed.

I honestly loved every minute of this book, I haven’t read a book in a good few months and this has absolutely kick-started my love of reading again ahhhh.

Libby and Mina are very alike, but both react to the events of the book in very different ways, Libby closing up and becoming increasingly unwilling to engage in confrontation, whereas Mina is far more open to talking things out and being proactive. There was just the right amount of choice to suit everyone without being overwhelming and I received comments from parents and staff about the quality of books offered compared to previous sales which have always been based around current crazes and well known celebrity authors.Fans of YA horror will no doubt be delighted to read such well-rounded characters embroiled in such a blook-soaked story, but I can’t imagine any horror reader, regardless of age, not having a ton of fun reading this book. As she delves deeper into the myths and legends of old Orleans, she must face her demons, and those of her family.