Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

    Spooky Boooo-ks!

    Halloween is right around the corner and what better way to channel the spirit of Halloween than by reading some supernatural books? Vampires, werewolves and ghosts, oh my!

    First off, I want to introduce “The Mortal Instruments” series by Cassandra Clare. Clare is a talented author who is gifted in writing suspenseful, plot-driven books filled with constantly evolving characters. Throughout this series, multiple characters who live in a world filled with vampires, werewolves, warlocks, faeries, angels and demons are constantly thrown into dangerous, complex and bizarre situations. Most mundanes (regular humans) never see the dark side of their world and must be protected from murderous demons by the angel blade-wielding Shadowhunters. The world is easy to dive into, and the hilarious characters will make your favorites list. After reading this six book series, you will jump at every shadow, convinced that it is a creepy crawly that came to play. And if six books are not enough, check out the prequel trilogy, “The Infernal Devices,” set in 1800s London.

    Another monster-filled series is “Strange Angels” by Lili St. Crow. The story follows Dru, a psychic 16-year-old girl, who hunts down monsters with her father. Unfortunately, her father is turned into a zombie, and Dru is on her own. Her mission is to find out who turned her dad and make him pay. This book is filled with tons of monster lore and covers everything from “dhamphirs” to “svetocha.” If you are looking for a tough, smart main character shrouded in the supernatural, then this series is definitely the right read for you.

    “Vampire Academy” by Richelle Mead contains an interesting take on vampires, which is what makes this book so good! Like Dru from the “Strange Angels” series, Rose, the main character of Vampire Academy, is independent and more than willing to take on anyone, or anything, for the people she loves. Rose attends St. Vladamir’s Academy, a school for dhamphirs (half human, half vampire) and Moroi (vampires who were born, not made). The academy is like a Hogwarts for vampires where the Moroi practice their specific magic (fire, wind, earth or water) and the dhamphirs, like Rose, train to become guardians. Guardians are in short supply and are needed to protect the Moroi from the Strigoi (evil vampires who especially enjoy the blood of Moroi). This book is fascinating and sets up an intricate plot that is followed throughout the rest of the series.

    Still looking for more books to read this Halloween after reading this blog? There is always “Twilight” by Stephanie Meyer! I hope you have a ghoulish Halloween filled with many monsters and scares! Thank you for reading and remember not to knock it ‘til you read it!

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