Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Vampires, zombies, and werewolves seem to be dominating young adult literature, but Patrick Jones has created another life form with enough similarities to make it popular, but enough uniqueness to possibly make it a far more disturbing read. Enter THE TEAR COLLECTOR.
News reports around Flint, Michigan, have been filled with reports of young boys disappearing, taken right off the street, from playgrounds and backyards. Even more mysterious is their return several days later, terrorized but alive.
Someone paying close attention to these news reports is Cassandra Gray. She has an idea who, or rather what, might be responsible, but it is her duty to protect and serve the family that might be involved. Cass has been given the task of collecting the sadness and sorrow of humans in the form of their tears and bringing it back to a small circle of those dependent on her for their survival. Not vampires dependent on the blood of their victims, but another non-human form that draws energy found in the tears of its victims.
Cass has always accepted her role willingly. She has become the trusted friend of many in order to offer her shoulder during times of crisis. In Lapeer High School the drama of everyday life provides tears aplenty. But Cass's family responsibility is becoming clouded by the sudden death of her best friend and the appearance of a boy who has her feeling things she never has before.
THE TEAR COLLECTOR by Patrick Jones adds a new dimension to the current trend in YA lit. With the use of sorrow and tears, he has chosen a direction I found more believable than the vampire/zombie fare of recent years. Set in a high school where emotions run amok on the best of days, having tears represent the life-sustaining power required for this alternate life form seems more realistic than glistening fangs and dripping blood.
Although this novel breaks from Jones's traditional genre, it reads well and will break open a whole new audience for his work.
Vampires, zombies, and werewolves seem to be dominating young adult literature, but Patrick Jones has created another life form with enough similarities to make it popular, but enough uniqueness to possibly make it a far more disturbing read. Enter THE TEAR COLLECTOR.
News reports around Flint, Michigan, have been filled with reports of young boys disappearing, taken right off the street, from playgrounds and backyards. Even more mysterious is their return several days later, terrorized but alive.
Someone paying close attention to these news reports is Cassandra Gray. She has an idea who, or rather what, might be responsible, but it is her duty to protect and serve the family that might be involved. Cass has been given the task of collecting the sadness and sorrow of humans in the form of their tears and bringing it back to a small circle of those dependent on her for their survival. Not vampires dependent on the blood of their victims, but another non-human form that draws energy found in the tears of its victims.
Cass has always accepted her role willingly. She has become the trusted friend of many in order to offer her shoulder during times of crisis. In Lapeer High School the drama of everyday life provides tears aplenty. But Cass's family responsibility is becoming clouded by the sudden death of her best friend and the appearance of a boy who has her feeling things she never has before.
THE TEAR COLLECTOR by Patrick Jones adds a new dimension to the current trend in YA lit. With the use of sorrow and tears, he has chosen a direction I found more believable than the vampire/zombie fare of recent years. Set in a high school where emotions run amok on the best of days, having tears represent the life-sustaining power required for this alternate life form seems more realistic than glistening fangs and dripping blood.
Although this novel breaks from Jones's traditional genre, it reads well and will break open a whole new audience for his work.
Thoughts: This book was pretty much amazing. I am a huge fan of vampires and I was really intrigued to read this book for the simple reason its a different take on being different. This story is about a girl named Cassie who feeds off others pain and fears. She feds off tears instead of blood. She comes from a group called the "family." She is always there for everyone and it helps her survive since she needs tears to survive. I liked the whole aspect of this book. She has never known love. She has boyfriends but she never gets serious about them, though they do fall in love with her. But that all changes when she meets Scott. She falls in love and wants out of her way of living. She wants happiness and a future. Vampire books all seem to be the same anymore (which yes, I still do enjoy) but this was just cool in it's own way.
Overall: Awesome, a definite read for anyone who is already a fan of Patrick Jones and anyone who likes vampire/paranormal books! If there is one book you must read this year, it is The Tear Collector!!!! Run NOT WALK over to amazon and buy it right now!!!
Overall: Awesome, a definite read for anyone who is already a fan of Patrick Jones and anyone who likes vampire/paranormal books! If there is one book you must read this year, it is The Tear Collector!!!! Run NOT WALK over to amazon and buy it right now!!!
