DNF Reviews: Don't Breathe A Word by Jennifer McMahon + The Postmortal by Drew Magary

Title: Don't Breathe A Word

Author: Jennifer McMahon

Genre: Adult, dystopian

Publication date: May 2011

Published by: Harper Paperbacks

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

On a soft summer night in Vermont, 12-year-old Lisa went into the woods behind her house and never came out again. Before she disappeared, she told her little brother, Sam, about a door that led to a magical place where she would meet the King of the Fairies and become his queen.

Fifteen years later, Phoebe is in love with Sam, a practical, sensible man who doesn't fear the dark and doesn't have bad dreams - who, in fact, helps Phoebe ignore her own. But suddenly the couple is faced with a series of eerie, unexplained occurrences that challenge Sam's hardheaded, realistic view of the world. As they question their reality, a terrible promise Sam made years ago is revealed - a promise that could destroy them all.

My rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
So I read the prologue, but didn't really capture my attention =/ It was really hard for me to get into it... so I just stopped. I couldn’t even tell you what this was about. IDK if I'll pick this book up again to finish it...

DNF Review: Fools Crow by James Welch

Title: Fools Crow

Author: James Welch

Genre: Adult, historical

Publication date: November 1987

Published by: Penguin Books

Source: School book

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Synopsis:

Set in Montana shortly after the Civil War, this novel tells of White Man's Dog (later known as Fools Crow so called after he killed the chief of the Crows during a raid), a young Blackfeet Indian on the verge of manhood, and his band, known as the Lone Eaters. The invasion of white society threatens to change their traditional way of life, and they must choose to fight or assimilate.

The story is a powerful portrait of a fading way of life. The story culminates with the historic Marias Massacre of 1870, in which the U.S. Cavalry mistakenly killed a friendly band of Blackfeet, consisting mostly of non-combatants.

My rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
My first DNF review! Let's get to it...

So I had to read this for my myth and symbolism class... and what it had to do with what we were talking about, I have no idea.

Review: Forget Me by K.A. Harrington

Title: Forget Me

Author: Kim Harrington (as K.A. Harrington)

Genre: YA, mystery

Publication date: August 2014

Published by: Putnam Juvenile

Source: Library book

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Synopsis:

On the three-month anniversary of her boyfriend Flynn’s death, Morgan uploads her only photo of him to FriendShare to get some closure—but she’s shocked when the facial recognition software suggests she tag him as "Evan Murphy." She’s never heard of Evan, but a quick search tells her that he lives in a nearby town and looks exactly like Flynn. Only this boy is very much alive.

Digging through layers of secrets and lies, Morgan is left questioning everything she thought she knew about her boyfriend, her town, and even her parents' involvement in this massive web of lies.

My rating: ★★★★★
So this little book is written by Kim Harrington under the pen name K.A. Harrington. It's a bit different than her other books in that it is a more contemporary with no supernatural components. And if you know me at all, you know I don't read contemporaries, like, at all. These realistic-type books are just to every-day-life for me! I need a little paranormal stuff in my life! However, because I read and loved every other of Kim's books and I just happened to be in the mood to read something specifically by her (and this was the only YA book by her that I had left to read and I actually love mysteries), I knew I had to read Forget Me! And after having read it, I will pretty much read anything by Kim Harrington and under any pen name! She is amazing! *Forget Me* is amazing!

Review: Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

Title: Strange Angels

Series: Strange Angels #1

Author: Lili St. Crow

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: May 2009

Published by: Razorbill

Source: Owned paperback

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Synopsis:

Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called “the touch.” (Comes in handy when you’re traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.)

Then her dad turns up dead—but still walking—and Dru knows she’s next. Even worse, she’s got two guys hungry for her affections, and they’re not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever—or whoever— is hunting her?

My rating: ★★★☆☆

My father went way-out wack after my mom died and now he travels around hunting things that go bump in the night... --Dru

Basically this:



But now Dru's dad is also dead... err, undead.




Does this sound familiar to anyone else?? It's basically Supernatural, in book form! I was shocked to see so many similarities between the show and this book. It was crazy!

Review: Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby

Title: Zombie Queen of Newbury High

Author: Amanda Ashby

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: March 2009

Published by: Speak - Penguin Group (USA)

Source: Own Paperback

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Synopsis:

Quiet, unpopular, non-cheerleading Mia is blissfully happy. She is dating super hot football god Rob, and he actually likes her and asked her to prom! Enter Samantha,cheerleading goddess and miss popularity? who starts making a move for Rob. With prom in a few days, Mia needs to act fast. So she turns to her best friend, Candice, and decides to do a love spell on Rob. Unfortunately, she ends up inflicting a zombie virus onto her whole class, making herself their leader! At first she is flattered that everyone is treating her like a queen. But then zombie hunter hottie Chase explains they are actually fattening her up, because in a few days, Mia will be the first course in their new diet. She?s sure she and Chase can figure something out, but she suggests that no one wear white to prom, because things could get very messy.

My rating: ★★★★★
Mia is super stoked that she is going to prom with the popular and handsome Rob... until equally popular and self-proclaimed future prom queen Samantha sets her heart on stealing Rob for her self. Mia really likes this guy and will do anything to keep Rob's attention... Even do a love spell on him. Except said love spell doesn't do what its title claims, and instead them the whole senior class into zombies! How you get zombies from a love spell, I have no idea. But it's more ridiculous than it sounds, lol.

Review: Blood Forever (Blood Coven Vampire #8) by Mari Mancusi

Title: Blood Forever

Series: Blood Coven Vampire #8

Previous books in this series: Boys that Bite (#1) | Stake That! (#2) | Girls that Growl (#3) | Bad Blood (#4) | Night School (#5) | Blood Ties (#6) | Soul Bound (#7)

Author: Mari Manucusi

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: September 2012

Published by: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated

Source: Borrowed

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Synopsis:

After making a deal with the devil, Rayne and Sunny have been given the chance to go back in time—preventing that fateful night when Sunny was bitten by Magnus from ever happening. But Sunny finds she doesn’t want to live without Magnus by her side and Rayne secretly wishes that vampire Jareth was back in her arms.

To reclaim their lives, Sunny and Rayne team up to figure out a way to change history for the better. But if the twins can’t get the boys on their side, history may spiral out of control—destroying not only the Blood Coven, but quite possibly the entire human race...

My rating: ★★★★☆
Oh my gods! I cannot believe this series is over! It's SO sad, especially since I absolutely loved it! It was such a fun series! And, as always, I loved the characters... Magnus and Sunny, Jareth and Rayne... I'm going to miss them! *sobs*

Review: Blood Ties (Blood Coven Vampire #6) by Mari Mancusi

Title: Blood Ties

Series: Blood Coven Vampire #6

Previous books in this series: Boys that Bite (#1) | Stake That! (#2) | Girls that Growl (#3) | Bad Blood (#4) | Night School (#5)

Author: Mari Mancusi

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: August 2011

Published by: Berkley Trade

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis:

The final battle is brewing between Vampires and Slayers. But for Sunny McDonald, the true war is being fought over her heart.

Though now officially back in the arms of her vampire boyfriend Magnus, Sunny finds she still can't forget the gentle mortal Jayden who once saved her life. And when the darkness threatens to steal his humanity, Sunny finds herself with a choice. Stay true to Magnus and the Blood Coven or defy them in a desperate attempt to save Jayden’s soul.

Meanwhile, the Blood Coven is gearing up for its toughest fight yet--going head to head with a splinter group of Slayer Inc who's regrouping in Tokyo, Japan, still determined to take over the world. In dark blood bars and hidden temples, it'll be Vampires vs. Slayers in a showdown that could cost Sunny not only her heart...but also her very life.

My rating: ★★★★★
In Blood Ties, Jayden's mortality is in danger. You remember him? Super sweet guy from Vegas who saved Sunny's life?? Well, now it's Sunny's turn to help Jayden. If they only knew this was the least of their problems. You see, evil fairy-vampire slayers threaten to rise and take over the world! Okay, that might be a slightly bit dramatic on my part, but you get what I'm saying ;) So it's up to the McDonald sisters and their vampire BFs to stop them and their evil plans.

Review: Night School (Blood Coven Vampire #5) by Mari Mancusi

Title: Night School

Series: Blood Coven Vampire #5

Previous books in this series: Boys that Bite (#1) | Stake That! (#2) | Girls that Growl (#3) | Bad Blood (#4)

Author: Mari Mancusi

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: January 2011

Published by: Berkley Trade

Source: Borrowed from the public library

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Synopsis:

Vampires, Slayers and…FAIRIES? Sunny and Rayne McDonald are about to get SCHOOLED.

After their parents’ shocking revelation about their fae heritage and an attack on their lives, the McDonald twins find themselves on the run—forced to hide out at Riverdale Academy , a boarding school for vampire slayers, deep in the Swiss Alps. With no cells, no internet, and no way to contact their vampire boyfriends—the twins are on their own.

Being a vampire stuck in a school full of slayers isn’t easy. Especially with no blood substitute stocked on campus. Soon Rayne finds herself succumbing to her bloodlust and losing control—especially around the arrogant, but devastatingly handsome Corbin Billingsworth the Third—who isn’t sure whether he wants to kiss her…or kill her.

But when Sunny starts acting strange, Rayne realizes Riverdale Academy may be hiding some deadly secrets of its own—leading to a showdown in Fairyland that may cost the twins their lives.

My rating: ★★★★☆
After the fairy attack at the apartment, the twins are sent to a slayer school where they will be "safe." Right, like Rayne, a VAMPIRE could be safe in a school where they train kids to KILL vampires. Rayne will be in soooo much trouble if someone finds out she's, you know, a vamp.

Review: Bad Blood (Blood Coven Vampire #4) by Mari Mancusi

Title: Bad Blood

Series: Blood Coven Vampire #4

Previous books in this series: Boys that Bite (#1) | Stake That! (#2) | Girls that Growl (#3)

Author: Mari Mancusi

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: January 2010

Published by: Berkley Trade

Source: Borrowed from the public library

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Synopsis:

Sunny McDonald is in the ultimate forbidden relationship. Her boyfriend Magnus is a vampire, and the leader of the Blood Coven. And when the Coven decides that Magnus needs a mate to be his co-ruler, Sunny's humanity puts her out of the running. The Coven's chosen candidate is Jane Johnson, a magna cum laude graduate of Oxford University who just happens to look like a vampiric supermodel.

Sunny is suspicious of a Rhodes Scholar who can't answer the most basic poli-sci questions, but Magnus brushes it off as petty jealousy. Still, when the Blood Coven goes to Las Vegas for a vampire convention, Sunny and her twin sister Rayne secretly tag along. And Sunny's not going home before she learns the truth about Jane. Because not everything stays in Vegas-especially bad blood.

My rating: ★★★★★
These twins...they barely get out of one problem when they're already getting sucked into the next! Bad cases of mistaken identity seem to be a theme in this series.

Review: Girls That Growl (Blood Coven Vampire #3) by Mari Mancusi

Title: Girls That Growl

Series: Blood Coven Vampire #3

Previous books in this series: Boys that Bite (#1) | Stake That! (#2)

Author: Mari Mancusi

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: October 2007

Published by: Berkley Trade

Source: Borrowed from the public library

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Synopsis:

Rayne McDonald thought getting into the Blood Coven was the hard part. But now there's a new breed of trouble in town...and the former slayer and her vampire boyfriend may be the only ones who can stop it.

Now that she's an official vampire and full-fledged member of The Blood Coven, Rayne assumes her vampire slaying days are over. Sure, she doesn't have any vampire powers, thanks to a mutated blood virus, but she and Jareth can go out in the sun, which is a pretty good trade-off.

But just when Rayne's starting to enjoy her afterlife, she's contacted by Slayer Inc once again. It seems that a member of her high school's football team has disappeared—and the powers-that-be think the cheerleaders had something to do with it. Now Rayne has to infiltrate the squad before the cheerleaders have a chance to sink their teeth into someone else...

My rating: ★★★★★
Oh this Rayne...I don't think she'll ever stop surprising me: First a vampire slayer, and now a vampire?? A vampire vampire slayer? She's got quite a few titles there, now doesn't she?

Review: Stake That (Blood Coven Vampire #2) by Mari Mancusi

Title: Stake That

Series: Blood Coven Vampire #2

Previous book in this series: Boys that Bite

Author: Mari Mancusi

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: December 2006

Published by: Berkley Trade

Source: Borrowed from the public library

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Synopsis:

Two sisters—as different as the sun and the rain. For one, getting into the Blood Cover is to die for, but it seems destiny has something else in mind...
 
Rayne McDonald had it all figured out. Get turned into a vampire, become the mate of the Blood Coven leader, and live the high-life for all eternity. Too bad the head vamp took a bite out of her twin sister by mistake. Now, not only is Rayne still not a vampire, but she learns she's a slayer instead—destined to destroy vamps gone bad.
 
After being recruited by a secret organization, Rayne is given her first mission: infiltrate a seedy bar downtown and expose its vampire owner, Maverick, for purposely spreading a nasty blood virus. Luckily the Blood Coven sends some help—in the form of sexy vampire Jareth. Will vampire and slayer be able to settle their differences and work together to bring down the evil Maverick? Or will they find their own hearts on the line?

My rating: ★★★★★

Oh. My. Gods. Rayne, the goth girl who has always wanted to be a vampire turns out to be a vampire slayer! Seriously! I was in such a shock in the last book that I seriously could not think straight! I mean, a slayer?! But its not all bad, I guess, since Rayne gets to kill only the badies.

Review: Boys that Bite (Blood Coven Vampire #1) by Mari Mancusi

Title: Boys that Bite

Series: Blood Coven Vampire #1

Author: Mari Mancusi

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: April 2006

Published by: Berkley Trade

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis:

Two sisters—as different as the sun and the rain. For one, getting into the Blood Coven is to die for. But for the other, getting out could be lethal...

When Sunny McDonald gets dragged to Club Fang by her twin sister Rayne, she doesn't expect to find anything besides a bunch of Goth kids playing at being vampires. But when some guy mistakes Sunny for her dark-side-loving sister and bites her on the neck, she finds out that his fangs are real—and deadly.

Now, Sunny has less than a week to figure out how to reverse the bite, or else she's going to end up as the perpetually undead. And not only will she be a vampire, she'll also be bonded to Magnus—the bloodsucker who bit her—forever. And forever is a really long time...

My rating: ★★★★★
Identical twins Sunny and Rayne McDonald couldn’t be more different: while Rayne would give her life (literally) to join the vampires in the Blood Coven, Sunny wants out…NOW! It all started with a bad case of mistaken identity. Rayne persuades Sunny to come with her to a nightclub known as Club Fang (very appropriate). Here, a vampire (Magnus) bites the wrong twin, beginning the process of vampirism. From here, Sunny has less than a week to reverse the process, and the only one who is able to help her with this is none other than Magnus, the very vampire that bit her!

Review: Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3) by Richelle Mead

Title: Shadow Kiss

Series: Vampire Academy #3

Previous books in this series: Vampire Academy (#1) | Frostbite (#2)

Author: Richelle Mead

Genre: YA, paranormal romance

Publication date: November 2008

Published by: Razorbill

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis:

Is Rose's fate to kill the person she loves most? It's springtime at St. Vladimir's Academy, and Rose Hathaway is this close to graduation. Since Mason's death, Rose hasn't been feeling quite right. She has dark flashbacks in the middle of practice, can't concentrate in class, and has terrifying dreams about Lissa. But Rose has an even "bigger" secret . . . .She's in love with Dimitri. And this time, it's way more than a crush. Then Strigoi target the academy in the deadliest attack in Moroi history, and Dimitri is taken. Rose must protect Lissa at all costs, but keeping her best friend safe could mean losing Dimitri forever...

My rating: ★★★★★
Rose cant be with Dimitri, and her best friend Mason, who also loved her, died (I miss him!) Things cant possibly get any worse...only they do.

Review: Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) by Richelle Mead

Title: Frostbite

Series: Vampire Academy #2

Previous book in this series: Vampire Academy

Author: Richelle Mead

Genre: YA, paranormal romance

Publication date: April 2008

Published by: Razorbill

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis:

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose...

It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks... This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price...

My rating: ★★★★☆
After a Strigoi attack (which Rose and Dimitri witnessed the aftermath of), the school goes under extreme lock down with extreme security. I know, its extreme! lol. The school is packed with guardians...including Rose's famous mother O.O Yeah, that was as interesting as it sounds, lol. I know they don't get along...but whoa! Anyway, to keep students extra safe, they decided to go to a ski resort place for winter break. If they only knew what would happen...

Review: The Angel of Death (Forensic Mystery #2) by Alane Ferguson

Title: The Angel of Death

Series: Forensic Mystery #2

Previous book in this series: The Christopher Killer

Author: Alane Ferguson

Genre: YA, mystery thriller

Publication date: February 2008

Published by: Puffin

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis:

As assistant to her father, the county coroner of Silverton, Colorado, Cameryn Mahoney has seen more gore than the average seventeen-yearold. But even Cameryn is shocked when Kyle O'Neil, the most popular guy in school, discovers the gruesome corpse of their English teacher murdered in his own bed. Kyle is drawn to Cameryn, who wonders if she can trust him with the secret she can't tell her father—that her vanished mother is back in her life. As her relationship with Kyle speeds into romance, Cameryn struggles to unravel her teacher's bizarre death—but is she too preoccupied to identify the killer in time?

My rating: ★★★★★
First of all, can I just say: I knew it!! I knew who the killer was this whole time!! Ha! But I wont tell who it is 'cause I'm cool like that ;) or evil...depends how you look at it :P Or maybe I'll be so tempted to mention something that I'll have to throw in some spoilers...who knows?  ;)

Review: The Christopher Killer (Forensic Mystery #1) by Alane Ferguson

Title: The Christopher Killer

Series: Forensic Mystery #1

Author: Alane Ferguson

Genre: YA, mystery thriller

Publication date: February 2008

Published by: Puffin

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis:

As the daughter of a Colorado County coroner, seventeen-yearold Cameryn Mahoney is no stranger to death. in fact, she’s always been fascinated by the science of it. so she’s thrilled to finally get some hands-on experience in forensics working as her father’s assistant. but Cammie is in for more than she bargained for when the second case that she attends turns out to be someone she knows—the latest victim of a serial killer known as the Christopher Killer. And if dealing with that isn’t hard enough, Cammie soon realizes that if she’s not careful, she might wind up as the killer’s next victim...

My rating: ★★★★★
The genres I usually read are paranormal/fantasy, and this book is not that. But right away it became one of my favorites! If I didn't mention it before (and I'm sure I have) I am going into the medical field; I also watched a lot of medical shows, one of my favorites being Dr. G Medical Examiner. So yeah, this one caught my attention, and it did not disappoint! I absolutely loved it!!

Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Title: Matched

Series: Matched #1

Author: Ally Condie

Genre: YA, dystopian, sci-fi, romance

Publication date: November 2010

Published by: Dutton Juvenile

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis:

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

My rating: ★★★★☆
This is actually one of the first dystopian books I have read; my very first one being The Giver…but that was long ago so I barely remember, lol.

This takes place sometime in the future, but instead of telling you about I’ll just give you some quotes that will pretty much sum up their society:

Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Title: Vampire Academy

Series: Vampire Academy #1

Prequel story: Sunshine

Author: Richelle Mead

Genre: YA, paranormal romance

Publication date: August 2007

Published by: Razorbill

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis:

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

My rating: ★★★★☆
I’m not a big fan of vampire books, so I usually tend to stay away from them. And I know I sound like a hypocrite ‘cause I used to be a huge Twilight freak (don’t worry, that phase of my life has passed :P lol). But the fact that vampires drink human blood is what bothers me the most. And since the Cullen’s in Twilight were “vegetarians” and only drank animal blood, I was okay with that. Now let’s get one thing straight, it’s not that blood grosses me out or bothers me; I’m going into the medical field, so I obviously have to be okay around blood. In fact, I have seen a real life open heart surgery and a C-section (and by the way, both were totally awesome and an amazing experience), so no, blood is not a problem for me. I just don’t like that vampires need human blood to survive. *shivers* But that’s just my opinion :)