The Radleys: Review and ARC Giveaway

by:  Matt Haig
published by:  Free Press
US Publish date:  December 28, 2010

From Goodreads:  Meet the Radleys


Peter, Helen and their teenage children, Clara and Rowan, live in an English town. They are an everyday family, averagely dysfunctional, averagely content. But as their children have yet to find out, the Radleys have a devastating secret


From one of Britain’s finest young novelists comes a razor-sharp unpicking of adulthood and family life. In this moving, thrilling and extraordinary portrait of one unusual family, The Radleys asks what we grow into when we grow up, and explores what we gain – and lose – when we deny our appetites.

I've seen this referred to as a YA book in several places, however I did not feel like it was at all.  In checking out Matt Haig's website apparently there are two versions of this book.  There's a UK adult version and a UK YA version.  I read the adult version.  I don't know what the differences are so I can't comment on that, but the book I read was definitely not a YA book despite the fact that two of the main characters are teenagers.

Yes, it is ANOTHER vampire novel. And yes, it's another novel about vampires trying to pass themselves off as normal humans.  It had a few little Twilighty moments, but overall it had a unique feel to it.   I think Matt Haig manage to pull off what few have lately, a truly interesting new vampire book in an Edward Cullen world. 

Two of my favorite lines:  "Harper is actually Stuart Harper, but his first name fell off him in tenth grade, somewhere on the rugby field."  "This sex is as disappointing for Lorna as it so often is - a short, straightforward journey from A to B when she could really do with running through a bit of the alphabet."

If you want my ARC leave a comment below with a valid email address and I'll randomly pick a winner on 11/17.    This one is open to US addresses only.  (Sorry international people! Shipping is expensive)