Mina and the Undead by Amy McCaw

One of the things I love the most about being a part of the bookish community on social media is the relationships that I've built with fellow reviewers, publishers and authors over the past few months. They are a source of great joy as I get to talk about one of the things that makes me unbelievably happy, books.

I'm also extremely lucky because it also means that I get the privilege of reading some brilliant stories before they are even released.

Mina and the Undead is one such book. I got talking to the author Amy McCaw over on Twitter, bonding over our love of Buffy and the Vampire Slayer, which I can confirm that if you are a fan, you will adore Mina and her tale.

This in turn led me to being a part of #TeamMina and I'm pretty sure some of you will want to join now too.

New Orleans Fang Fest, 1995.

Mina’s having a summer to die for.

17-year-old Mina, from England, arrives in New Orleans to visit her estranged sister, Libby. After growing up in Whitby, the town that inspired Dracula, Mina loves nothing more than a creepy horror movie. She can't wait to explore the city's darkest secrets - vampire tours, seedy bars, spooky cemeteries, disturbing local myths...

And it gets even better when Mina lands a part-time job at a horror movie mansion and meets Jared, Libby's gorgeous housemate, co-worker and fellow horror enthusiast.

But the perfect summer bliss is broken when, while exploring the mansion, Mina stumbles upon the body of a girl with puncture marks on her neck, clutching a lock of hair that suspiciously resembles Libby's... Someone is replicating New Orleans' most brutal supernatural killings. Mina must discover the truth and prove her sister's innocence before she becomes the victim of another myth. 

I cannot say enough positive things about this novel.

It contains fabulous, fangtastic festivities.

* Vampires

* Love interests

* Family drama

* Gothic gore

If you are a fan of all things horror, I do believe this is the book for you.

The unmissable gothic horror of 2021

Set in New Orleans,  we meet Mina as she arrives in New Orleans to see her sister Libby. This should be a summer of fun but what starts out as blissful time away (many thanks to Libby's housemate Jared) all turns rather horrific as dead bodies seem to be turning up all over the place.

A killer appears to be on the lose, recreating well known murder scenes and unfortunately for Mina, her sister is a suspect.

Mina and the Undead is a fast-paced read.

Summer 95, New Orleans. Mina's having a summer to die for.

Being set in the 90s, I felt a sense of nostalgia. It had Scream vibes about it and with all everything that was happening I couldn't for the life of me work out who the killer was. Unexpected would be what I thought when they were finally revealed.

For me what was refreshing was that although I'd say this is a YA book, it isn't your typical one for the genre. The horror element, along with the case of characters make this a really unique narrative.

Addictive reading.

A killer was turning New Orleans mythology against the people who lived there.

Like other reviews I've read, I'm really hoping that there is a sequel in the pipe line.

I'll say it, I'm a SUCKER for Mina and the Undead.

Buffy wouldn't be sitting back and eating sandwiches if she was in our shoes.

This is a book that I can see translating well on the big screen, this is the next big vampire obsession for a new generation.

Deliciously dark and entertaining from start to finish.