I adored this vampire book! Vampires have been incredibly over done in the past decade but this book was refreshing! I really enjoyed the vampires in this book and how well they align with our ideas of vampires.

“Mere Mortals” by: Erin Jade Lange

There are so many vampire stories in the world. Stories of evil and villainy, stores of fantastical love and glitter. There are stories where they are simply people who were turned and have to navigate their new lives and old, parenting, working, and avoiding stakes at all, um, stakes. I’ve never read a vampire tale where the vampires were turned human.

Reginald (Reg) and Charlotte (Charlie) Drake were sentenced to life. Rather than being staked for risking the exposure of the existence of vampires, they are changed to Mere Mortals. Teenaged Mere Mortals. Zits, hair, hormones, and (the horror of all horrors) aging all in Nowhere, Iowa. Ew.

What do they have to do to become vampires again? Why the heck do they have to go to school and meet people? Why did Sal quit slaying and why did Charlie’s beloved Prada not slay the first day? So much to learn before they can turn into vampires again, instead of Mere Mortals.

Ok, now for my opinion. Love it. I love this new take on the vampire trope. Erin Jade Lange not only had an amazing plot line, but she carried it out beautifully. Is there blood? It’s a vampire novel, but it’s not gory. Perfectly appropriate for all age levels. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This books was so fun! I loved the twist on a vampire story where the vamps become human. I really enjoyed Charlie’s snark. She was such a fun character to read.

Main my thing was the ending didn’t seem to follow how the characters acted throughout the book. It seemed a little too much of a 180, personality wise.

This is a whole new look for vampire reads. What happens when two hundred year old vampires are suddenly turned normal and have to go to regular highschool? This is a very fun and light hearted read.

Mere Mortals by Erin Jade Lange, 368 pages. HarperTeen (HarperCollins), 2022. $18. lgbtqia
Language: R (33 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Vampire life is to die for – too bad Charlie and Reg messed up. Their punishment: banishment to mortal life in Nowhere, Iowa. Being mortal is bad enough, but their caretaker has enrolled the siblings in high school too. Charlie is determined to get her vampire life back, even if it kills her.
I love this new take on vampires and vampire slayers – excuse me, vampire healers. The discussions that the various vampires and slayers have about immortality versus being human are thought-provoking, and the war Charlie has within herself about what she really wants is so real. While readers might guess how Charlie’s story will end, her journey is definitely worth the read.
Charlie and Reg are White, Dexter is described as having “tan” skin, and their other friends are implied White. The mature content rating is for innuendo and mentions of sexting. The violence rating is for mentions of vampire feedings and suicide, blood, and use of stakes to kill vampires.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

This book was an absolute delight. There are so few vampire stories where the vampires have to deal with mortality, so I was excited to read this from the get-go. It did not disappoint. Charlie, the protagonist, is a self-centered spoiled child when we first meet her, but the way she was written makes her feel like a relatable character. She is stuck in a bad situation facing the consequences of her mistakes, and as her character grows, she becomes easier to connect with. And her relationship with her brother is beautiful to see. The world building is also wonderful, it adds a new layer to the typical modern vampire story. These vamps (specifically the two main characters), act like people and not like all-powerful beings. Yes, they have heightened senses and immortality, but Charlie frets over what to wear on her first day of school and flashes her fangs at her brother when he annoys her. The one thing I didn't like about the book was a decision one of the characters made at the end, it just didn't feel in line with what we learned about them throughout the course of the book. I won't specify to avoid spoilers, but I do hope that the author chooses to write a companion novella or a sequel to this story so we can see what became of the characters post that moment. There are so many wonderful things about this book, and unfortunately I can't just gush about it for the rest of the day. I will definitely be re-reading this closer to Halloween. I hope you pick up a copy and enjoy it as much as I did.

Two teenage vampires are forced to live as mortals as a punishment for nearly killing a young man. As I am sure you can imagine, this leads to some very unique shenanigans, especially when they enroll at the local high school. Mere Mortals by Erin Jade Lange follows these two new humans throughout their first fall as mere mortals.

Charlie and Reg have been vampires for more than a century, and sure they are technically eternal teenagers, but with all that life experience behind them they believe themselves to have more maturity than most. However, the vampire elders don’t agree, so they jump at the chance to punish Reg and Charlie at their first mistake, and turn them back into mortals. They two siblings are banished to Nowhere, Iowa, where they must live with a vampire hunter and attend the local high school, while they adapt to mortal life. But, Charlie and Reg will not simply accept their punishment, no, they are going to appeal the decision and fight to become vampires again, no matter what it takes.

This was a really unique and fun story to read. Watching Charlie and Reg try to adapt to being mortal, the present time, and living in a small town on top of it, made for lots of funny moments. This was the primary focus of the plot, so while interesting and funny, it was also a bit slow, with very little action until the very end of the novel. This wasn’t a bad thing for me, but may be a bit of a sticking point for readers that are used to more plot heavy Young Adult books.

The story is told from Charlie’s point of view, and her character can come across as very unlikable at times. She is very self centered and conceited, but we are talking about a teenager (and a vampire at that). Even though it makes reading a bit difficult at times, it did allow for a lot of growth to happen with her character, and that made the ending far more satisfying.

Overall, Mere Mortals is something new, and in a very saturated vampire market, that alone makes it worthy of a read. But it is also a lovely story about friendship, family, and the worthiness of small towns.

Super cute book that will make you laugh out loud several times. Super enjoyable and it goes by quickly. Loved it!!

A fun twist on classic vampire tropes, Mere Mortals follows siblings Charlie and Reg as they are forced back into mortality after a feeding gone wrong. Very enjoyable, loved the relationship between the siblings, as well as the relationships Charlie cultivates with Lina, Sal, and the friends she makes in school.

What on the surface seems just like a funny twist on the vampire tale, turns out to be a commentary on humanity, friendship, and family. I really enjoyed visiting this world and reading this take on vampire lore.

3.5/5 stars
What happens when vampires are forced to once again be human, and even worse teenagers? Unfortunately, Charlie and her brother Reg are about to find out. Cast out of the vampire world into rural Iowa, they are way out of their element. As they try to adapt, they are also trying to find a way back into the vampire world.

Overall, I liked this book. I think it lost some points for me because I felt like the character development was very last minute and was surprisingly reversed for some characters. Despite that, it was an interesting spin on the vampire story.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a fresh take on the vampire trope! Instead of becoming immortal and adjusting to the vampire life, two "teenage" vampires are turned human as a punishment for committing a wrongdoing. Charlie and Reg are forced to face their mortality as they navigate human life including, of course, high school. While Charlie thinks she has a handle on teenage humans based on the tv shows she's seen during her immortal life, it is her brother, Reg, who finds it easier to adjust.

There is a chance for them to become vampire again, but it involves betraying the town they've come to love. One of my favorite parts was Charlie continuing to find "the worst part of being human," which continued to change as she experiences new aspects of being human.

I look forward to adding this to my library's collection!

I though this story was really great! I love how Charlie had a change of heart at the end and how Reg was the one wanting to go back! The way Charlie teamed up with Sal at the end! I just really like the story! I would love to be able to see this book adopted into a movie and even a sequel!

I never really thought of what could be a good punishment for breaking vampire rules but turning them to mortals was a great idea. It was a good idea and I enjoyed that this was different from typical Vampire books I've read. Charlie and Reg were interesting characters, as was the rest of the characters in this world. I hope there is a sequel to this book as I really enjoyed reading this.

"I massaged the hand that had pounded the table, wondering at the way it still pulsed with pain—a mocking reminder than actions have consequences. As if I didn’t already know."

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Teen for this eARC. These opinions are my own. This is a interesting take on vampires! Probably not my favorite one but it is nice to get some new ideas surrounding the mythology of vampires! Charlie and Reg were made vampires during there teens and are now being punished with mortality because they did something against the vampire rules! Desperate to find her way back to being a vampire Charlie reaches out to anyone she can think of but as time passes and her and Reg make friends and experience love is being a vampire really the most important thing anymore! I did enjoy both Reg and Charlie, and I felt some Clueless vibes but with vampires! The storyline was good and the transition from immortality to mortality really brought some new perspective to vampire books! I was surprised by the ending, didn’t necessarily see that coming. I would definitely say check this out if your interested on fresh takes about vampires!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this novel. I am rating this book based the stars due to lack of time to leave a full review.

Charlie and Reg have been vampires together for a century, but after an indiscretion the Elders punish them to a life as mortals. Now Charlie and Reg are left to navigate the world as teenagers, filled with high school, dating, friends, party planning, and all in a small town. Eager to return to their immortality they appeal to the Elders to turn them back. After weeks of attempting an appeal, they are finally granted an audience. But over the course of those weeks they've found a friend group, love interests and maybe mortal life isn't so bad after all. When their wish for immortality is granted it comes with a cost, the upheaval of their new friends' lives and the whole town. Is their immortality worth the sacrifice?
This story is so much fun. It is a twist on the typical vampire stories with the loss of immortality. But while the book is fun, it also touches on the important themes of friendship, family, mortality, humanity, and sacrifice. There are so many thought-provoking moments and ideas in the story that get you thinking. You'll find yourself wondering what you would do if you were in Charlie's shoes. I recommend this book for a fun read with some depth.

"It took three thousand years to find him. It will take an eternity to forget him.” ~Lina

It’s been a long while since I’ve read a YA paranormal and this is just the perfect reintroduction to getting back. I was not sure if I was going to enjoy the book but when I started reading this book, I found myself chortling at some of the troubles Charlie was having and can picture how this perfectly coiffed “Vampire Diaries meets Riverdale with a little Twilight” former vampire have the hardest time getting acclimated to her new mortal life. Then there’s Reg, her older “brother” who was going to be the Brandon Walsh, from Beverly Hills, 90210, where Charlie feared he would not know how to stop acting like an old-timer and it was he who was able to get used to their new life and make friends with the kids in school.

They were punished by the Elder Vampires for breaking the golden rule and for that, both Charlie and Reg were stripped of being immortal and made into what they were previously: zit and sweaty teenagers. Normally, when the Elders did that, they also took away the Vampire’s memories but instead, Charlie and Reg were able to retain all their glorious vampiric memories. Was this a punishment or was this an indication that they will be added back into their Immortal lives?

As the dynamic sibling get acclimated, they befriend Poe, a literature-loving person who attends Hope High, and his group of friends, Dex, Sydney, and her twin, Sophie. As they are forced to mingle with the moving snacks on legs, the siblings find themselves enjoying their new lives with their new friends.

A fun read and you find yourself start caring about the siblings and rooting for them, as well. Plus there are a little few other romance connections you root for too but I’ll try not to spoil that for you.

I received an e-audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review, so thank you to NetGalley, Erin Jade Lange, and HarperTeen for this great e-audiobook arc. The book and audiobook will be coming out on September 27, 2022.

I give this book a 3.5/5. I smell a sequel in the works.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. The publication date is September 27, 2022.

Siblings Charlie and Reg have always been vampires, they have been them so long they don’t remember what it is like to be human. However, they were turned when they were teenagers and continue to keep that mentality. Finally, the elders have had enough of their shenanigans and decide to punish them in the worst way imaginable.
They are sent to Nowheresville Iowa and are sentenced to life as humans and what is worse, they must go back to high school. They must navigate through their newfound emotions while figuring out how to deal with the punishment they have been given.

I haven't read many Vampire books, this may actually be the first I finished. The "immortal to mortal" was a nice twist on the vampire story. I really enjoyed all the characters and their development. In a lot of YA I have heard complaints that the characters don't sound like they are teens, and this is one of the novels where that works really well. The plot was very interesting and I liked the worldbuilding for the Vampire society. There was also a slice of life vibe to the story even with all the plot and politics, and I found that very refreshing. The ending surprised me alot and I really enjoyed this book.

What if you did something so heinous, even in the eyes of the Elder Vampires, that you and your brother were forced to become human again? That’s what happens to Charlie and Reg after a bit of a “mess up”, the Elder Seat “rewards” them with being made human again, as opposed to being staked or left out on the sun. What this brings about is a look at how vampires have to adapt to humanity, be able to blend in. This is not easy for 100+ year old teen siblings who are used to the finer things in life, especially Charlie. They are taken in by Sal the Slayer, not your usual every day vampire slayer they learn. As the story progresses, she not only has to learn how to deal with hormonal changes but with human emotion, creating friendships with the local teens, falling in love, navigating the halls of High School. Learning that Nowhere is not just any little old country town. This becomes a “life and death” situation for her and Reg when they discover an “Ancient” is living among the humans in the town of Nowhere and they convince Lina to sponsor them, so they can become immortal once more. Thus begins a heart wrenching decision for the teens: become immortal and betray those who have become your family or stay human and eventually die. I really enjoyed this take on the “vampire legend”. It didn’t disappoint. Lots of laughs and lots of tears, taking a good look around you and realizing not all is what it appears to be.