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Monday, April 12, 2010

Book Review: Peeps

Title: Peeps
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Published: 2006

In Westerfeld's latest smart, urbane fantasy, parasite positives, or "peeps," are maniacal cannibals that cause illness. College freshman Cal was lucky: he contracted the sexually transmitted disease during a one-night stand, but it never developed into its full-blown form. Now he works for an underground bureau in Manhattan that tracks down peeps. Apart from the cravings for rare meat and enforced celibacy (turning lovers into monsters is "not an uplifting thing"), life is okay--until a hip, cute journalism student intensifies Cal's yearnings for companionship. Complicating matters are indications that peeps have an urgent evolutionary purpose. . .

My Review: In Peeps, Westerfeld creates a brand new kind of vampires.
Vampyrism is a disease spread by parasites, and you get infected through body fluids. Most people who are infected become vampires; wild, inhuman and deadly creatures. But some end up like Cal, a carrier who has the virus and infects others - but doesn't turn into a vampire himself. The parasite also infects creatures who feast on the leftovers of the "Peeps" (Parasite Positives), so hoards of bats and rats are likely to follow every step they take.

This book is definitely not for the easily disgusted! In every even numbered chapter of this book Cal acquaints us in the world of parasitology - stories about real-world biological parasites, where they live, how they spread and how they affect us. If you're interested in biology, parasites and diseases you will love these chapters! But if you rather not know about parasites that lives in your stomach or eats their way into your legs, I suggest that you skip these chapters. Truth be told, I skipped a few chapters, they were a bit to icky even for me!

If you like Westerfeld's writing or want a different take on vampyrism, I suggest that you pick this book up. It's quite a quick, interesting and adventure-filled book, suitable for both male and female readers.

Rating: 3 of 5

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6 kommentarer:

Nina said...

Sounds awesome, very different!
Love the sound of a new sort of a vampires. I haven't read any books by this author, but I do have the Uglies series on my tbr list. I think I am going to try those one first.. :)

Heather R. Holden said...

I love Peeps--heck, I love all of Scott Westerfeld's books! You should definitely read the sequel, The Last Days. (It has different POV characters, but it takes place in the same world and is just as smart and fun!)

brizmus said...

I totally saw a movie that had the exact same kind of vampire.
I don't think I'm the easily disgusted (unless wads of hair or blueberries are involved), and I'm thinking I defo want to check this out!

Lola said...

Wow, this is the first review I've read of this one! Sounds rather interesting and detailed! I'll definitely have to check it out! :)

Trollololol said...

I'm a Scott Westerfeld fan, and Peeps is my favourite book by him - but I really love the science-y side of things. =D

Bere said...

Wow! This book really sounds interesting. And different from anything I have ever read before. I haven't read anything by Scott Westerfeld yet, but I'm sure this one is worth a try. Def going to check it out. Fantastic review, Sara! =)