Blood Orange Soda

"A Standout paranormal YA novel." Kirkus Reviews

A surprisingly Affecting vampire story.

Larranaga’s debut YA novel focuses on high school freshman Darius Hunter, who lives in a world where vampires live among normal humans. Young vampires like Darius are kept on a government-mandated medication that prevents them from becoming fully undead until they’re 18. He’s smart, sensitive and all-too human”"a struggling outsider who’s just trying to fit in, find a girlfriend and escape the attention of football bully Bao Wang. It’s his humanity that often keeps him from his hopes and dreams, so Darius’ “cool uncle” Jack, a vampire, introduces him to a substance called Blood Orange Soda. This strange analog of steroids can speed Darius’ maturation into his full vampire state, but it can’t guarantee that he’ll avoid disrupting the lives of his mother and sister, win the love of Angel Martin or successfully face up to Bao. It also doesn’t make him immune to heartbreak and loss.

The author takes familiar themes of YA fiction”"vampires and teen romance”"and treats them with a surprising empathy and respect that gives them real weight. The novel notably pays attention to modern teenage obsessions, such as Facebook and iPads, and the changing popular culture. Its greatest strengths are its relatable characters, who are brought to life by Larranaga’s involving prose style. Darius moves beyond mere believability to seem truly real; no matter how fantastical or commonplace his situation is, readers will likely accept Darius from Page 1”"and keep turning the pages. The book aims to launch a series of novels, and as happy as that might be for the author’s career, it seems a shame to dilute such a natural and strong story by making it a mere unit in a series.

˃˃˃ "Funny, poignant, and honest, the book is well written and engaging.” ForeWord Reviews

Darius is just like many teenage boys: he is going to school, attempting a social life, and dealing with bullies and first loves. He is different, too, as he is Goth, meaning he has the potential to become a vampire if he stops taking pills called “Reds” that suppress his craving for blood. After discussing the situation with his uncle and sick mother, he stops taking the pills and begins drinking the illegal Blood Orange Soda to accelerate his transformation into a vampire, so he will be able to stand up to a bully.

Larranaga has crafted a quality book with believable characters, even if some of them are vampires. He has created a realistic setting in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where the current world knows about vampires, and there are even laws regarding their behavior, such as the illegality of biting for blood. The author has a wry sense of humor, seen in his portrayal of Darius, the dark clothes- and metal-wearing goth, who says things like, “Security at Stearns County High is tighter than a choke collar, and I should know because sometimes I wear one.” He uses humor to keep the book upbeat in what could be a dark, depressing novel, with the main character’s mother suffering from illness.

Blood Orange Soda is honest and poignant, using vampires as another type of clique and making an affecting statement when Darius’s best friend, Weezer, who is unsure if he wants to become a vampire like the rest of his family, says, “Once you’re a Vampire, you’ll always be different. You’ll always be an outsider.” Darius also makes good use of the fact that, “People put you into boxes and categories.”

The characters’ relationships are believable, with the goofy but musically talented best friend, the “normal” (non-goth) girl who is just a friend (or is she?), and the new girlfriend. Larranaga successfully crafts interactions that realistically portray high school students.

There are wonderful descriptions throughout the book, one of the best being Darius’s initial encounter with Bao, the bully: “Flat on my back along the 20-yard line, I’m looking up