“I was dead and alive at the same time. I was a vampire.”
— Raven's initial realization of her transformation.
Archivist's Choice
Kissing Coffins
Ellen Schreiber (2007)
Genre
Fantasy / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
180 min
Key Themes
See below
Track Your Reading
Sign in to track this book
A goth girl's world changes when she falls for a mysterious boy, only to search for him when he vanishes, making her face the dark truths of their love.
Synopsis
Raven, a goth girl in Dullsville, finds her life changed when she meets Alexander Sterling. Their romance grows, but Raven suspects Alexander's secret nature. He reveals he is a vampire from a hidden community. Raven enters his world, facing the thrill and danger of their love. However, their secret is threatened, leading to Alexander's disappearance. Driven by love, Raven leaves Dullsville to find him. She meets allies and enemies, learning more about the vampire world. Raven confronts those responsible for Alexander's disappearance, rescues him, and strengthens their bond. Their love story begins anew, now part of the supernatural.
Reading time
180 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Romantic, Mysterious, Slightly Dark, Adventurous
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy gothic aesthetics, vampire romance, and stories about finding love outside the ordinary.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer complex world-building, high-stakes action, or mature themes in your vampire fiction.
Plot Summary
A New Face in Dullsville
Raven Madison, a goth in the boring town of Dullsville, finds her life changed by the new student, Alexander Sterling. He has pale skin and avoids sunlight, which immediately draws Raven. Unlike other students who avoid her for her style, Alexander seems to understand her. Their shared interest in dark things, especially the old horror movie 'Kissing Coffins,' creates an instant bond. Raven is drawn to his mysterious nature, and Alexander seems equally interested in her unique spirit, starting an unusual romance.
Unusual Dates and Growing Suspicions
Alexander's behavior remains strange. He only attends school at night, avoids daylight, and has cold skin. Their dates are always after dark, often at cemeteries or late-night horror movies at Raven's house. Raven's friend, Becky, and her parents worry about Alexander's oddities, but Raven ignores them, thinking Alexander is just misunderstood. However, Raven starts to suspect something, fueled by her love for vampire movies and Alexander's clear nocturnal life. She wonders if her boyfriend is more than just a goth.
The Big Reveal
One evening, Alexander takes Raven to his secluded, old mansion, which is always dark and cold. Alexander reveals his secret: he is a vampire. He explains that his family, the Sterlings, are an ancient line of vampires living among humans for centuries. Raven is not scared but thrilled, seeing it as the ultimate romantic fantasy. Alexander warns her of the dangers of their relationship, but Raven is not deterred, embracing the dark romance and eager to explore this new part of her life.
A Glimpse into the Vampire World
Alexander introduces Raven to his family, including his older brother, Jagger, and their strict parents. Raven quickly learns that the Sterling family follows old rules, especially about humans. Jagger immediately distrusts Raven, fearing she could expose their secret. He makes it clear he does not approve of Alexander's relationship with a mortal. Raven, despite Jagger's coldness, is fascinated by the Sterling's old customs and their rich, gothic world, strengthening her commitment to Alexander and their bond.
The Threat of Exposure
Jagger's dislike for Raven grows. He tries to separate her and Alexander, fearing Raven will expose their family. He creates problems and makes veiled threats, trying to convince Alexander to end the relationship. Alexander, however, remains loyal to Raven, defending her against his brother. Raven, though intimidated by Jagger, refuses to give up, determined to prove her loyalty to Alexander and his family, even as tension in the Sterling house rises.
Alexander's Disappearance
One night, Alexander disappears without a trace. Raven is heartbroken and confused, getting no explanation from the Sterling family, who are evasive and cold. Jagger seems unconcerned and suggests Alexander has just left her. Refusing to believe Alexander would abandon her, Raven thinks something bad has happened. She suspects Jagger, believing he forced Alexander to leave or took him away to stop their relationship, starting her search for her lost love.
Leaving Dullsville
Driven by love for Alexander and belief that he is in trouble, Raven decides to leave Dullsville and search for him. She gathers clues and uses her knowledge of vampire stories to guide her. Her journey takes her to dark and mysterious places, far from her hometown. She meets strange people and faces challenges, all while navigating the dangerous vampire world Alexander showed her. Raven's determination is strong, fueled by her belief that Alexander needs her help.
Unexpected Allies and Enemies
During her search, Raven meets other supernatural beings, some allies and some threats. She learns more about the politics and dangers within the vampire world, realizing Alexander's disappearance might be part of a larger plot. She narrowly escapes several dangerous situations, using her wits and limited knowledge. The journey tests her courage, forcing her to face her fears and show her strength in a world far more dangerous than she imagined in Dullsville.
The Truth Revealed
Raven eventually finds the truth behind Alexander's disappearance. Jagger, with the help of some traditional elders, had forcibly taken Alexander to an old vampire stronghold. Their goal was to 'cure' Alexander of his affection for a human and strengthen his loyalty to their family's old ways, preventing him from risking their existence. Raven realizes the danger Alexander is in and the power of the forces against their relationship. Her mission changes from finding Alexander to rescuing him from his own family.
Confrontation and Rescue
With her new knowledge and strong will, Raven enters the old vampire stronghold. She confronts Jagger and the elders, challenging their old beliefs and demanding Alexander's release. A tense moment occurs, testing Raven's strong love and loyalty to Alexander. Through her courage and the unexpected help of a sympathetic vampire, Raven rescues Alexander. Their reunion is emotional, strengthening their bond and showing the power of their love against all odds.
A New Beginning
After the rescue, Raven and Alexander return to Dullsville, their relationship deeper and stronger from what they faced. While dangers of the vampire world remain, they are more determined to make their romance work. Alexander, supported by Raven, stands up to his family, asserting his right to choose his own path. Raven, having shown her courage and loyalty, is now more part of Alexander's world, ready to face future challenges, embracing their dark, romantic future together.
Principal Figures
Raven Madison
The Protagonist
Raven transforms from an isolated goth girl dreaming of dark romance to a brave and resourceful individual who actively fights for her love, proving her strength and loyalty.
Alexander Sterling
The Love Interest
Alexander grows from a secretive and somewhat passive character bound by family tradition to someone who actively chooses his own path and defends his love for Raven.
Jagger Sterling
The Antagonist
Jagger remains largely unchanged in his views, acting as a consistent antagonist driven by his family's traditions and fear of exposure.
Becky
The Supporting
Becky remains a supportive friend, offering Raven a connection to her human life.
Mr. and Mrs. Madison
The Supporting
They remain largely static, representing the 'normal' world Raven leaves behind.
Mr. and Mrs. Sterling
The Supporting
They embody the rigid traditions that Alexander must eventually defy.
Themes & Insights
Love Against All Odds
The main theme is the strong, unusual love between Raven, a human goth, and Alexander, a vampire. Their relationship faces many problems, from Raven's human friends and family to Alexander's hostile vampire family. Despite this, Raven's strong loyalty and Alexander's growing courage to defy his family show the strength of their bond. Raven leaving Dullsville to find Alexander shows her commitment to their unique love.
“Maybe love was the only thing that could truly make a person immortal.”
Acceptance and Belonging
Raven, as a goth in Dullsville, always feels like an outsider. Her connection with Alexander gives her a sense of belonging she has never had, as he accepts her unique identity. Alexander finds acceptance for his true self with Raven, as she embraces his vampire nature rather than fearing it. The book explores the wish for a place where one truly belongs, even if that place is within the dark, supernatural world or with an unusual partner. This is clear in Raven's joy at finding someone who understands her love for 'Kissing Coffins' and other dark interests.
“He saw the real me, the me nobody else in Dullsville ever bothered to look for.”
Individuality vs. Tradition
This theme is clear in the conflict between Alexander's wish for a relationship with Raven and his family's old, strict rules. Jagger and the Sterling elders represent centuries of vampire customs, which demand separation from humans and focus on lineage. Alexander's growing love for Raven forces him to choose between upholding these traditions and being himself. Raven, too, shows individuality by not conforming to Dullsville's norms, and then by challenging the vampire world's expectations to be with Alexander.
“Some traditions are meant to be broken, especially when they stand in the way of what's truly important.”
The Allure of the Dark and Mysterious
The novel romanticizes gothic style and the supernatural. Raven is drawn to Alexander because of his dark, mysterious aura and her interest in vampires and horror. Dullsville represents the ordinary, while Alexander and his world offer an escape into a thrilling, dangerous, and romantic reality. The 'Kissing Coffins' movie symbolizes this appeal, with Raven's desire for a love that mirrors the dramatic, dark romances she enjoys. This theme explores how the unknown and forbidden can be very attractive.
“Dullsville was gray, but Alexander was midnight. And midnight was my favorite time.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The 'Kissing Coffins' Movie
A fictional horror movie that mirrors Raven's romantic ideals.
This B-movie serves as a recurring motif and a significant plot device. It's Raven's favorite film, and its melodramatic, dark romance between a human and a vampire directly foreshadows and parallels her own relationship with Alexander. The movie frames Raven's expectations of love and the supernatural, making her more accepting of Alexander's vampirism. It also provides a shared interest that initially bonds Raven and Alexander, and its themes of forbidden love and danger resonate throughout their story, guiding Raven's understanding and acceptance of her extraordinary circumstances.
Dullsville as a Setting
A symbolic, bland town contrasting with the supernatural world.
Dullsville is more than just a location; it's a symbolic representation of the mundane, boring, and conventional world that Raven feels trapped in. Its name directly reflects its nature, emphasizing the contrast with the exciting, dangerous, and romantic world that Alexander introduces her to. This setting highlights Raven's desire for escape and adventure, making the arrival of Alexander even more impactful. It acts as a starting point from which Raven must depart, both physically and metaphorically, to find her true self and her true love, emphasizing the transformative journey she undertakes.
Alexander's Vanishing Act
The catalyst for Raven's journey and character development.
Alexander's sudden and unexplained disappearance serves as the primary inciting incident for the second half of the novel. It transforms Raven from a somewhat passive character, experiencing a new romance, into an active protagonist. This event forces her to leave the safety of Dullsville, confront her fears, and directly engage with the dangerous vampire world. His disappearance is crucial for Raven's character arc, as it tests her loyalty, courage, and resourcefulness, pushing her to prove the depth of her love and her capability to navigate extraordinary circumstances.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Being undead was a lot like being a teenager. You were stuck between two worlds, not quite one, not quite the other.”
— Raven reflecting on the liminal state of both vampirism and adolescence.
“Love, I was learning, was a very messy business. Especially when you were dead.”
— Raven's internal musings on her complicated romantic feelings for Alexander.
“He looked like he'd stepped out of a dream, or maybe a nightmare, depending on your perspective.”
— Raven's first impression of Alexander Sterling.
“I was a creature of the night, but I still had homework.”
— Raven's struggle to balance her new vampire life with mundane high school responsibilities.
“Sometimes, the only way to find yourself is to get a little lost.”
— Raven contemplating her journey of self-discovery amidst her new reality.
“The darkness wasn't always something to be afraid of. Sometimes, it was where you found your true self.”
— Raven embracing her vampire nature and finding strength in it.
“Even vampires had feelings. Deep, complicated, annoying feelings.”
— Raven's internal monologue about the emotional complexities of her new existence.
“He wasn't just handsome; he was dangerous. And that was exactly what made him so irresistible.”
— Raven's attraction to Alexander's mysterious and edgy nature.
“My heart, or what was left of it, beat a frantic rhythm.”
— Raven experiencing strong emotions, despite being undead.
“Being different wasn't a curse; it was a superpower.”
— Raven's evolving perspective on her unique vampire identity.
“The world was full of secrets, and I was finally starting to uncover some of them.”
— Raven's growing awareness of the hidden supernatural world.
“He saw me, truly saw me, for the first time. Not just Raven, but Raven the vampire.”
— Raven's feeling of being understood and accepted by Alexander.
“Forever was a long time to be alone. But with him, forever might just be perfect.”
— Raven considering the implications of eternal life with Alexander.
Quiz
Test Your Knowledge
Ready to see how well you understood this book? Take our interactive quiz with 10 questions.
10
Questions
~5
Minutes
?
Best Score
Key Questions (FAQ)
The story follows Raven, a goth girl from Dullsville, whose life changes after she meets the mysterious and handsome Alexander Sterling. Their burgeoning romance is complicated by Alexander's hidden secret, leading Raven on a dangerous quest to find him when he suddenly disappears.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
