Book Review: The Radleys

I first picked up 'The Radleys' after seeing and hearing it talked about on the TV Book Club programme. Of course, they gave a lot of the story away as they were discussing the book, but I thought it still might be an interesting read.

When I heard them mention the word 'Vampires', I just had to roll my eyes. Would it be your typical romanticised version of a vampire world, much like Twilight, or would it be a more interesting take on the myth?

Luckily, it turned out to be quite an interesting and sometimes humorous story about a family of vampires, (The Radleys) trying desperately to keep their vampy alter-ego's a secret. The story follows each character as they battle to suppress their inhuman urges, but what makes it even more interesting, is the fact that we follow both of the Radley children as they discover this disturbing secret about themselves.

To compare this book to Twilight was inevitable really, but it's so far from being anything like it. It's quite refreshing to read a book about vampires that is from a bit of a different view point and it's made even more exciting by the introduction of rebel vampire, Will, who has a dark past and a bit of a history with the mother of the family. Suddenly this normal family who often keep themselves to themselves, turns into one of the most interesting in their sleepy little village...just, no-one knows it.

The Radleys did get a little tedious at some points but towards the end, I literally couldn't put it down and ended up reading it until about 1am. The last ten chapters or so are really where this book gets exciting and the Radley family suddenly strip themselves of their 'normal' life and live up to quite a violent Vampire stereotype, and I loved it!

I'd certainly recommend this book to everyone, whether you're a fan of Vampire stories or not, particularly if you're not as it'll open your eyes and I guarantee you'll enjoy it!