Artemis Fowl by way of Charles Addams?This was the first impression I got of the main character, Svetlana, as I was introduced to her and her world. She's got a little bit of the super-genius "holier than thou" attitude but she also has a slightly dark twist to her humor. I felt she'd be right at home as a cousin of the Addams Family.The author introduces a new take on vampires and supernatural creatures which I found interesting and refreshing. I don't want to give away much about the mythos in the book because I hope other readers will enjoy the discovery of it as much as I did as Svetlana learns it.I look forward to Sveltana encountering more things that go bump in the night. It'd be interesting to see her evolve as she gets older. Self-named and self-proclaimed, Svetlana Grimm is a charming and clever girl who believes she is a vampire. Consequently, she can only eat red things...or white, because white is neutral. What makes Lewis Harris' "A Taste for Red" stand out is that the funny parts come out of Svetlans's compulsions and idiosyncrasies, rather than merely out of snarkiness. The story begins on Svetlana's first day in public school after having been home-schooled her entire life. At first, it's hard to tell if she really is a vampire or if her behavior is a result of her insecurities about being at school - either way...VERY FUNNY. Her superior intelligence, a result of the home-schooling shows in her everyday observations, such as when her father wipes his brow (glandular problems). This is a wonderful book for young readers, featuring a funny, inquisitive, and ultimately courageous girl.
