Books › Fake blood
Fake blood
336 pages
A hilarious, big-hearted romp through the supernatural awkwardness of middle school crushes and trying way too hard to be cool.
What it feels like
Reading this graphic novel feels like flipping through a brightly colored, energetic love letter to middle school awkwardness. The pacing is wonderfully brisk, driven by snappy dialogue and highly expressive, cartoonish art that nails the physical comedy of trying to be cool. It balances a cozy, slightly spooky atmosphere with an overwhelmingly lighthearted and playful tone, making the supernatural elements feel perfectly at home in the everyday chaos of group projects and cafeteria dynamics. The emotional texture is rooted in that universal, cringeworthy desperation of a first crush, but it ultimately softens into a warm, earnest celebration of authenticity. It is an absolute delight for anyone who loves fast, funny stories where the monsters are less scary than the prospect of talking to your crush.
- Mood
- lighthearted
- cozy-spooky
- energetic
- Tone
- playful
- humorous
- earnest
- awkward
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- first crushes · middle school awkwardness · the pressure to reinvent oneself · embracing authenticity
- The writing
- Snappy, conversational dialogue works in tandem with vibrant, expressive illustrations to deliver sharp comedic timing.
- The arc
- The journey shifts from the desperate, cringeworthy lengths we go to for a crush to the warm relief of being liked for who we truly are.
- Who it's for
- Middle-grade readers who devour funny, fast-paced graphic novels about school survival, secret identities, and the clumsy charm of first crushes.
Content notes
- mild cartoon violence
- cringe comedy
About the book
When AJ and Nia are paired up for a group project on Transylvania, it may be AJ s chance to win over Nia s affection by dressing up like the vamp of her dreams. And soon enough he s got more of Nia s attention than he bargained for when he learns she s a slayer.
Description from Open Library.
Books like Fake blood
See why they match
Eighth grade bitesHeather BrewerA delightfully angsty blend of supernatural suspense and the everyday horrors of middle school.
Vampire KissesEllen SchreiberA shadowy, fast-paced manga romance where family feuds and the dangerous temptation of immortality threaten a nocturnal love story.
Making friendsKristen GudsnukA chaotic, colorful, and deeply relatable magical romp through the awkward transitions of middle school.
EvernightClaudia GrayA moody, atmospheric dive into forbidden romance and hidden identities set against the backdrop of a chillingly perfect boarding school.
NightschoolSvetlana ChmakovaA shadowy, energetic plunge into a hidden supernatural academy where magic, mystery, and teenage angst collide.
Tenth Grade BleedsHeather BrewerA supernatural coming-of-age tale where the horrors of high school are eclipsed only by the literal monsters hunting in the shadows.