Alex Van Helsing: Voice of the Undead, by Jason Henderson
Alex Van Helsing is the descendant of the legendary vampire slayer himself. Only fourteen, Alex attends school full time and works for the Polidorium tracking and taking down vampires. After an attack, Alex has to deal with the outcome of a fire at the boarding school, and being forced to move in to the neighboring girls’ school. Meanwhile, the vampire Elle is back, and wants revenge. And the Polidorium discovers that a powerful vampire named Ultravox is coming to town, with his own deadly agenda.
Alex Van Helsing carries on his ancestor’s legacy in a new fashion with high tech gadgets, talented friends, and an uncanny ability to sense the undead around him. Henderson’s characters are vivid and intriguing. After the events in the previous novel, Alex’s friends now know about the vampire situation. And a developing relationship between two of them leads to some jealousy. While Elle is fairly straight-forward and bent on revenge, Ultravox is a unique villain with a dangerous ability.
As the complex story unfolds, the intensity increases. Fast-paced and action-packed, this sequel is completely engaging. There are plenty of surprises and twists leading to a climactic and dramatic ending. A few mysteries still linger that will leave readers wanting more. Full of mystery, adventure, and teenage angst, this fantasy series for young adults is exceptional.