09-01-09 / The Tear Collector

Fans of urban fantasy should prepare for a new kind of vampire - one that feeds off of tears instead of blood. Descended from an ancient line of creatures that gain their energy from human tears, Cassandra Gray depends on human sorrow to live. Her job as a grief counselor at the hospital provides the perfect cover to keep this secret safe, and any time a friend needs a shoulder to cry on, she is there. Only Cass has grown tired of living a lie and wants to live like a human, especially now that she has found someone worth fighting for.

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Journal Reviews

SchooL Library Journal “Beautiful and popular Cassandra is always available for anyone in need of a peer counselor at school, a volunteer in the hospital, or a sympathetic ear at church. She is ready to console and comfort those with a multitude of problems, from broken hearts to the death of a family member. But she doesn’t do these things to be nice; she does them because her life depends on it. Cassandra has descended from a long line of grief vampires who need tears instead of blood to survive. She is expected to collect tears and produce the next generation for her family’s survival, but recently Cassandra has become disillusioned with her life. She has made meaningful friendships, has allowed herself to feel, and, most importantly, has fallen in love. Jones presents a compelling story that redefines the term “vampire.” Cassandra is a complex character who readers will identify with as she struggles to understand who she really is, where her loyalties lie, and how to take control of her own destiny. Those looking for a new spin on the vampire story should find this one satisfying.

Booklist: "I need these human tears in order to survive." Cassandra Gray is descended from a long line of vampirelike creatures that feed on human suffering. It is Cass's job to bring the tears she collects (from those she helps in her work as a volunteer grief counselor or from miserable school friends) to the family matriarch. It is also Cassandra's duty to follow her family's wishes by mating with her evil cousin to produce an heir. But when a friend at school commits suicide, Cass begins to rethink family duty and loyalty. Then she falls in love with Scott and realizes she wants more than anything to be human. Though there is nothing too surprising in this fantasy, set in Michigan, Jones delivers an interesting twist on the popular vampire genre, and readers will be caught up in Cass's difficult dilemma of choosing between love or family."

Kirkus : "Most supernatural romances match an everyday young woman with a dangerous and Byronic magical boy. In this twist on the vampire tale, our heroine is the vampire, and it is a completely normal boy-next-door type who isthe object of her love. Popular Cassandra is the youngest in a long line of grief vampires, dependent on human tears to live. Her first responsibility is to collect tears for her family, and as an obedient daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter, she is always available to her friends with a shoulder to cry on. Whether it is weeping from high-school drama or from broken hearts, Cassandra is always there to console --and to make sure there is always a reason to cry. When Cassandra falls in love, she tries to break free of her family obligations, but they might be too strong. Though the story construction can be awkward -- a schoolful of stereotyped teens mumbles constantly, while Cassandra's antagonist is too evil for belief this reworking of supernatural romance will surely please fans of the genre."

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New blog review (12/03/2009) - Dark Faerie Tales	More reviews	The Tear Collector on myspace
Buy at your local bookstore or online Amazon	BN.com	In store or online Borders