How to Seduce a Vampire cover image is courtesy of Anime Castle Books.

Rated “16+ for Young Adult”

Centuries of history unite in the unusual love story, How to Seduce a Vampire, from creator Nimosaku Shimada.  This boys’ love tale also involves vampires and enchanted swords.

On the way to his part-time job, Masatsuna Watanabe stops to help an injured man collapsed on a bridge.  His selfless deed gets him bitten by the vampire, Kureha Mizuo.  Although the bite benefits Mizuo, it doesn’t harm Watanabe.  After Watanabe loses his job, Mizuo offers him a new one at his all-night salon, Jackalope.

Accepting the job plunges Watanabe into a world of demons, demon-killing swords, and shadowy customers, including Mizuo’s mysterious vampire pal, Lon-Yeh.  Watanabe feels danger lurking whenever he is near Mizuo, but he also feels drawn to his beautiful boss.  The two are also tied together by Watanabe’s bloodline, a bond that could destroy Mizuo.

THE LOWDOWN:  There is a line in the back cover copy of How to Seduce a Vampire that asks, “And who on earth needs a shampoo and haircut at midnight?”  I thought the same thing while reading the back cover, but the salon is merely one of this manga’s settings.  How to Seduce a Vampire is a supernatural romance, and in a way, it is like Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series (and yes, I’m a fan.).  Like Twilight, How to Seduce a Vampire focuses on a romance between a human and a vampire and also features supernatural action and intrigue.

The difference, of course, is that this is a boys’ love manga and the lovers are both males.  While there is some sex, the focus is on the romance or the growth of a newly born romance.  Most of this single-volume tale focuses on Watanabe and Mizuo working through the bumps and trials of discovering each other.  There is also some nice period drama that acts as back story.  I wouldn’t call this a great title, but its mix of supernatural romance and historical fiction makes for interesting reading.  In fact, How to Seduce a Vampire is worthy of having a sequel.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers looking for quality vampire romance will find it in How to Seduce a Vampire.

B+

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