The Tear Collector
by Patrick Jones
Book Summary:
Unknown to her high school friends and co-workers,
Cassandra is a “succubus” an ancient creature similar to a vampire, only living
off human emotions, “tears,” for sustenance.
Cassandra involves herself in high-school drama, switches boyfriends, is
involved in peer counseling, and has a hospital job; all in order to feed off
the abundant feelings close at hand.
She retrieves tears/energy for her family at home, and is not looking forward to a summer family reunion, where she is expected by her clan to mate with her cousin, Alexei, to preserve their species. Cassandra, continually revolted by this ritual, has found a boy she thinks she loves; thus desiring to break the cycle and make changes in her fate.
She retrieves tears/energy for her family at home, and is not looking forward to a summer family reunion, where she is expected by her clan to mate with her cousin, Alexei, to preserve their species. Cassandra, continually revolted by this ritual, has found a boy she thinks she loves; thus desiring to break the cycle and make changes in her fate.
APA Reference:
Jones, P. (2009). The tear collector. Walker & Company.
My Impressions:
As I do not enjoy “vampire” books, I felt the need to make myself
more aware of t his genre of popular fantasy/science fiction. I was impressed with Jones’ parallel-like
story for my first attempt in this style.
The story kept my curiosity piqued in how these issues would
resolve. Interest continued to the end
to find the resolution of the “problem” and beyond to wonder what may come of
the situational set-up for future books in a series. My inquisitiveness gives this new read a
thumbs-up.
Professional Review:
Cassandra’s life is sustained
by human tears, because she and her family are not human—they are a
vampire-like race, thriving on human emotion and the energy given by their
tears. Involved with school and work activities
that provide this sustenance, Cassandra is sickened by the process and the
thought of mating with her wicked cousin, Alexei. Finding she cares for Scott, Cassandra wishes
to break the cycle and become human.
Doyle states, “Jones taps into the popularity of vampire stories by offering this parallel version. His writing is as strong as readers have come to expect, with well-developed characters,” although he fails to insert lighter moments and give a more natural direction to the plot for a less “contrived” feel. This book is recommended for teens, ages 15-18.
Doyle, J. (2009, Dec.). [Review of the book, The Tear Collector by P. Jones]. VOYA. 32(5), 272. Retrieved from http://www.voya.com/.
Library Uses:
This selection could be promoted to teenagers who are perhaps reluctant readers, in order to gain interest in reading. It has the popular “vampire” theme to draw interest and a variety of integrated issues which teenagers deal with, such as a friend’s suicide, abduction, and family responsibility issues. Discussion or problem-solving can extend between readers or groups.
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