Jenna Levine’s My Roommate Is a Vampire is a captivating vampire story set in a contemporary setting. The book follows the journey of Cassie Greenberg, a struggling artist in search of stability in her life. From the moment she stumbles upon a Craigslist ad for a seemingly perfect roommate, her life takes an unexpected turn filled with mystery, romance, and supernatural elements.
A Challenging Situation
Cassie Greenberg, an aspiring artist with a degree in fine arts, finds herself facing multiple challenges in her life. Despite her best efforts, she cannot find her dream job, and making ends meet becomes increasingly difficult. To add to her troubles, she receives an eviction notice, leaving her desperate for a place to stay.
“It’s all right,” he said, sympathetic. “You have a lot going on. But it’s okay to believe that things can get better.”
—My Roommate Is a Vampire
The Perfect Solution
In her quest to find a new place to call home, Cassie comes across a Craigslist ad for a spacious apartment in one of Chicago’s most beautiful neighborhoods. Despite initial skepticism, the magnificent location turns too strong for her to resist. She decides to visit the place and meets Frederick J. Fitzwilliam, the man offering the apartment.
“Anything that sounds too good to be true usually is.”
— My Roommate Is a Vampire
An Enigmatic Roommate
Cassie has to go out for work for the most part of the day while Frederick, with his peculiar habit of sleeping during the day, has to go away at night due to business commitments. This seems to align perfectly with both of them. The rent is cheap which is good for Cassie. The only condition the apartment owner has is pets won’t be allowed in his house. This suits Cassie perfectly well as she is not a pet owner, nor does she have smoking or any other annoying habits. The apartment itself exudes an ancient charm, and as time flows Cassie feels attracted to the dashing Frederick and his fascinating personality.
Reclusive Communication
As Cassie settles into her new home, Frederick leaves her notes written in beautiful handwriting as a means of communication. These notes become a charming aspect of their relationship and add an old-fashioned touch to their modern-day interactions.
Unveiling the Truth
One day, Cassie returns home mid-day and discovers her fridge filled with blood. This shocking revelation leads Frederick to come clean about his true nature. He reveals that he is a vampire who has awakened from a century-long slumber and seeks Cassie’s help.
Overcoming Obstacles
The book takes readers on a journey filled with fun moments and humorous situations, particularly in the first third. Frederick’s attempts to navigate modern life while maintaining his 1920s demeanor provide great entertainment. However, it is often hard to connect with Cassie’s character as she is not very consistent in her ways.
The Resolution
Although the book offers an enjoyable reading experience, the last part was slightly over the top. When Frederick revealed his true identity the resolution of conflicts between the two main characters seemed to happen swiftly. The author could have elaborated a little more on the vampire history and resolved the conflict not so fast!
The Promise of Future Installments
As a debut writer, Jenna Levine shows great potential for further exploration of the vampire world in sequel books. The unanswered questions about their species and history leave readers craving a deeper reading experience that could be fulfilled in future installments.
Final thoughts
In all, My Roommate Is a Vampire is a delightful book that makes for a perfect read. The unique blend of mystery, romance, and supernatural elements creates an engaging storyline. If you are intrigued by the world of vampires and enjoy a touch of old-fashioned charm in modern times, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Jenna Levine’s My Roommate Is a Vampire.
