Oliver Nocturne: The Demon Hunter by Kevin Emerson

Scholastic2009
ISBN: 978-0545058049
Format: Fiction
Rating: excellent
Grade: 4th Grade – 6th grade
CurriculumFramework: English
Genre: Horror
Oliver Nocturne is not your typical thirteen year old. He lives underground with his parents and older brother Bane, goes to school at night, and just happens to be a vampire. Even then, he’s no ordinary vampire either. No, a weighty prophecy lies on his young shoulders for he was created purposefully to open up a mystical gate which will allow all vampires to ascend to a higher level of being. Unfortunately this will also wipe out the entire human race, including some of Oliver’s friends. “The Demon Hunter” is the fourth book in this great series for younger readers who are not quite ready for books like the Cirque Du Freak series. Throughout these books Oliver is portrayed as being extremely loyal to his non-vampire friends even when it doesn’t make him exactly popular with the rest of the vampire community. In each book, he finds out a little more about his background and what is expected of him in the future. In this particular entry, Oliver discovers that his brother Bane, who can possess the body of a jaguar, may be behind the killings of some humans. Although they have never been close, Oliver is determined to discover the truth, and hopefully save his brother. I cannot recommend these books highly enough. There aren’t many straight horror books out there for this younger age and while these books have plenty of the “ick” factor in them, (you do not want to know what young vampires eat) the themes of loyalty, courage, and love are prevalent throughout them. This book and the rest of the series would be perfect for any public or school library collection.
Reviewer: Kim Barker
LibraryCity: PIL/Dan
Reviewdate: 5/27/09