Amanda Hocking (2010)
Genre
Fantasy / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
12 Minutes
Key Themes
See below
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On her 18th birthday, Alice Bonham's Australian vacation turns into a fight for survival against a killer and a child vampire, forcing her to confront life-altering decisions and dangerous attention.
Alice Bonham arrives in Australia for her eighteenth birthday vacation. She feels uneasy, a premonition that something is wrong. Soon after settling in, she discovers a murder has occurred nearby, clouding her trip. The news brings up regrets for Alice, particularly about past choices that had lasting effects. This ominous start sets a tense tone, hinting at dangerous events to come and establishing an immediate threat.
As the murder's unsettling atmosphere continues, rumors spread about a 'child vampire' in the area. This young, supernatural entity is behind the recent death and acts unpredictably, causing widespread panic. Its presence draws attention from various groups, both human and supernatural, who are hunting it, protecting it, or trying to use its unique nature. Alice, despite wanting to stay out of it, gets pulled into the mystery, realizing it connects to the dangers she now faces.
As danger grows, Alice's internal struggle deepens. She is troubled by strong regrets, specifically about choices she sees as 'permanent' and irreversible. These past decisions, at first vague, hint at supernatural involvement or commitments that have changed her life and perhaps her very nature. The current crisis in Australia forces her to face these past actions and their ongoing effects, adding personal anguish to the external threats. Her thoughts suggest a history tied to the supernatural world, making her more than just a tourist caught in unusual events.
Alice's initial observations about the child vampire soon lead to direct, terrifying encounters. She experiences its speed, strength, and chilling demeanor firsthand, confirming its supernatural origins and the huge threat it poses. These are not just sightings but close calls, putting her life in immediate danger and forcing her to acknowledge the supernatural world she has stumbled into. These interactions also begin to show the child vampire's complex nature, hinting it might be more than a mindless monster, perhaps a victim itself, or acting under duress. This ambiguity adds to the tension and mystery.
As Alice looks further into the child vampire's mystery, her own unique nature or past actions start to attract significant 'unwanted attention.' She realizes she is not just an accidental bystander but is being watched and targeted by various powerful supernatural groups, including other vampires, hunters, and possibly magical beings. This attention comes from her connection to the child vampire, her own abilities, or a history she thought she had left behind. She quickly understands her life is in grave danger, not just from the immediate threat of the child vampire, but from those who want to control, capture, or eliminate her for their own reasons.
Facing overwhelming threats, Alice is in a difficult position, forced to consider unlikely alliances. She meets people who claim to want to help her or stop the child vampire, but their motives are often unclear. Alice must use her growing instincts to figure out who to trust, as betrayal could mean her end. These alliances are full of suspicion; each party seems to have a hidden agenda or a past that complicates their current actions. She learns that in the supernatural world, trust is a luxury, and even those who seem to be on her side might have ulterior motives, forcing her to always be on guard.
The escalating crisis in Australia forces Alice to confront and embrace her own supernatural heritage. She begins to show latent abilities or recall forgotten memories that reveal she is not entirely human. These discoveries link directly to the 'permanent choices' she regretted, suggesting she might have been transformed or born with unique powers. Understanding her true nature is vital for survival, as it gives her the means to fight back against those hunting her. This journey of self-discovery is both empowering and terrifying, reshaping her identity and her understanding of her place in the world.
The hunt for the child vampire grows more intense, with multiple groups converging on its location. Alice, now actively involved and using her developing abilities, is at the center of this growing conflict. The child vampire, driven by fear, hunger, or outside manipulation, becomes more desperate and dangerous. Confrontations become more frequent and violent, leading to clashes between hunters, other supernatural beings, and those trying to protect the child. The stakes are higher as the groups clash, each trying to achieve their own goals regarding the powerful, young vampire.
Amidst the chaos and violence, Alice finds a glimmer of hope or an unexpected connection to the child vampire. This might be through a shared past, a sympathetic individual, or her ability to understand or communicate with it. She realizes the child vampire might not be purely evil but could be a victim itself, perhaps controlled or manipulated by a greater, unseen force. This understanding changes her perspective from simply fighting to survive to seeking a way to help or even save the child, adding a moral complexity to her mission and hinting at a deeper truth behind the current events.
The story builds to a climatic confrontation where Alice, now more powerful and self-aware, faces the true antagonist orchestrating the events in Australia. This antagonist is the mastermind behind the child vampire's rampage and the targeting of Alice. During this intense showdown, the full truth about the murder, the child vampire's nature, and Alice's own past 'permanent choices' is finally revealed. Alice must use all her newfound strength and wisdom to protect herself, the child vampire (if she chooses), and potentially others, in a battle that will determine everyone's fate and redefine her future.
After the intense climax, the immediate threat is gone, and a fragile peace returns, at least for now. However, Alice's life is forever changed. She has accepted her supernatural identity, formed new alliances, and faced major challenges. While the specific outcome of the child vampire's fate is important, the aftermath focuses on Alice's personal growth and the new path she must now take. She understands the supernatural world and her place in it better, setting the stage for future adventures and continuing to explore her 'permanent choices' and their ongoing effects.
The Protagonist
Alice transforms from a regretful, somewhat passive individual into a self-aware and powerful supernatural being who embraces her identity and fights for what she believes is right.
The Antagonist/Catalyst
Initially a destructive force, the child vampire's true nature and circumstances are gradually revealed, shifting its perception from pure antagonist to a more complex, potentially sympathetic figure.
The Antagonist
Remains largely hidden, progressively revealed as the true architect of the conflict, culminating in a direct confrontation with Alice.
The Supporting
Introduced as a mysterious informant, his true loyalties and purpose are slowly unveiled, becoming a key, albeit complex, ally for Alice.
The Supporting
Starts as an oblivious friend, potentially becomes aware of the supernatural world through Alice's experiences, or serves as a reminder of Alice's lost 'normal' life.
The Supporting
Acts as a reveal-all character, providing crucial exposition and guidance that helps Alice understand her past and future.
The Supporting
Introduced as a formidable obstacle to Alice's goals, their resolve is tested by the unfolding events, potentially leading to a grudging respect or continued opposition.
This theme explores the impact of past decisions, especially those Alice considers 'permanent.' It looks at regret, the inability to undo certain actions, and how these choices shape one's present and future. Alice's internal struggle with her past, particularly her supernatural commitments, shows how past actions can haunt and define a person, forcing them to face consequences even years later. The story suggests that some decisions fundamentally change one's identity and path, making true escape impossible.
“Every choice carves a path, but some, Alice knew, were etched in stone, sealing a fate she could never truly outrun.”
Alice's journey of self-discovery is central to the story. She starts as a seemingly ordinary young woman but must confront a supernatural heritage and abilities she may have suppressed or been unaware of. This theme explores shedding old ideas of self, embracing one's unique nature (even if it's monstrous or terrifying), and understanding one's place within a larger, hidden world. Her transformation is not just physical but a deep psychological awakening, as she redefines who she is in extraordinary circumstances.
“The girl who arrived in Australia was a ghost of who she was meant to be; the woman who emerged would finally claim her own skin.”
This theme questions what truly makes a monster. The child vampire, at first presented as purely evil, slowly shows layers of complexity, possibly being a victim itself. This challenges Alice and the reader to look past appearances and consider the circumstances, manipulation, or suffering that might drive seemingly monstrous acts. It explores the idea that evil might not always be inherent, and that compassion or understanding can reveal deeper truths about perceived villains, blurring the lines between good and evil, victim and perpetrator.
“Was true monstrosity born, or was it forged by the cruel hands of circumstance?”
In a world of hidden agendas and supernatural factions, trust is vital. Alice constantly navigates a situation where allies are uncertain, and betrayal could happen at any moment. She must learn to tell genuine help from manipulation, often at great personal risk. This theme highlights the difficulty of forming alliances in a dangerous environment, where everyone has their own reasons and a history that might lead them to act against others. It shows how fragile trust is and the devastating impact of betrayal, forcing Alice to rely on her own instincts above all else.
“In this world, trust was a whisper in the dark, easily silenced, often a prelude to a blade.”
Hints of future events or revelations.
Foreshadowing is used extensively to build tension and hint at Alice's supernatural past and the dangers awaiting her. The 'unsettling arrival' and Alice's immediate regrets about 'permanent choices' are early indicators that her vacation is not what it seems. The whispers of the child vampire and the 'unwanted attention' she attracts all subtly point towards the deeper supernatural conflict and her own role within it. This device keeps the reader engaged, creating a sense of impending doom and encouraging speculation about the true nature of Alice and the unfolding events.
An object or character that drives the plot.
The child vampire serves as a central MacGuffin, initially acting as the primary catalyst for the plot. Its existence and actions (the murder, the chaos) directly propel Alice into the supernatural conflict. Various factions are hunting it, protecting it, or seeking to exploit it, making it the focal point around which much of the narrative revolves. While the child vampire is a character with its own agency and development, its role in driving the plot and bringing Alice into contact with the wider supernatural world is characteristic of a MacGuffin, especially in the early and middle stages of the story.
A character's true nature or history is concealed.
Alice's 'permanent choices' and her developing abilities are key elements of a hidden identity or secret past. She starts the story seemingly unaware or in denial of her true nature, which is gradually revealed through flashbacks, encounters, and the manifestation of her powers. This device creates mystery around the protagonist, allowing for a compelling journey of self-discovery. It also explains why she attracts 'unwanted attention' and why she is uniquely positioned to confront the supernatural threats, tying her personal history directly to the overarching plot.
Misleading clues or characters that distract from the true antagonist.
The initial focus on the child vampire as the primary antagonist serves as a red herring. While dangerous, the child vampire is eventually revealed to be either manipulated or a tool for a greater, unseen force. This device misdirects the reader and Alice, building suspense and surprise when the true antagonist is finally unmasked. It allows for the exploration of the child vampire's complexity without immediately revealing the ultimate puppeteer, adding layers to the mystery and making the final confrontation more impactful.
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Amanda Hocking is a prolific author of young adult fantasy and paranormal romance. She gained significant popularity through her self-published "Trylle" series, including "Switched" and "Torn," which were later picked up by a major publisher. Her work is known for its fast-paced plots and relatable characters, resonating with a large readership in the genre.
