Team Human by Sarah Rees Brennan and Justine Larbalestier

I must apologize for kind of disappearing off the face of blogger this past week.  I've been very busy recently and reading Team Human took much longer than I expected it would.  Luckily, I've had a some giveaways to keep you busy while I was gone!

Winner of the Rift giveaway: Monica Lopez
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The Synopsis:
Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn't mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she says in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It's up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity
On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.
Acclaimed authors Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan team up to create a witty and poignant story of cool vampires, warm friendships, and the changes that test the bonds of love.


My Thoughts:
I don't know if it was because I was busy or the beginning was actually a bit slow, but it took me a while to get into the story.  It could even be a combination of both.  Either way, the beginning half was slow going for me.

Mel is 100% anti-vampire.  Every cell in her body hated even the mention of them.  She's not quite she why other than the fact that they're old and creepy and don't laugh and now one is dating her best friend, Cathy.  I loved the fierce loyalty she had for her friends and she felt as if it were her duty to prevent Cathy from making the gravest mistake of her life. (The pun was intended.)  I loved how set she was in her path to help Cathy see her logic, but I found it annoying at times and it made her look naive, too.  However, what great character isn't without their flaws?  If they don't have them in the first place, how will they ever learn their lesson? 

Kit, our vampire wannabe, was absolutely adorable.  Mel and Anna labeled him as hot somewhere in the book, but I thought he was adorable with his cute quirks and his driving (you'll understand if you read the book).  The only reason why I don't really find him smoking hot is because I didn't get that impression much from Mel and other characters in the book and I feel as if there wasn't enough imagery.  I am not a Team Vampire person, so him being Team Vampire was the only thing that bothered me--but not by much because he's Kit.  He was smart and always smiling and I couldn't wait for him to be on the page because his unwavering happiness and optimism seeped from the book.

There was no action or adventure to this book, but there was detective work and mystery.  Being a huge Monk fan who's read some of the books, I love myself some detective/mystery stuff on occasion.  That being said, I was really glad to read about this mystery that was beautifully spun all the way to the very end.  Along with Mel's witty humor that would actually have me laughing along with the characters and the unraveling mystery, it was what kept me hooked.

Least to say, I almost did a happy dance when I finished the book earlier today.  Surprisingly, even though I was not hooked in the beginning, I became emotionally attached to the characters.  I had a moment.  It wasn't a waterworks moment, but it was a little sprinkler-works moment.  I admit that I did feel ALL THE EMOTIONS.  I'm not ashamed.

If you're looking for a light and entertaining, Team Human is the one.  I wasn't sure what to exactly expect, but I was certainly surprised by the end of the book.  I was happy and sad and confused and upset.  It was also one of the most hilarious reads I've ever read.  Team Human was up there with Croak by Gina Damico on the humor scale, most definitely. 

So, read it, for sure.