2007-2009 -- 7.0 / 10
Vampire Kisses Blood Relatives is a manga adaptation of a set of novels. I first heard of it in elementary school, via AMVs. The only way I could find to read it back then is the parts people uploaded on YouTube (the panel-by-panel ones LOL). However, in today's day and age, someone has uploaded the whole thing onto a manga site, and I took it upon myself to read it (Skye Sweetnam playing in the background, to add to that mid-late 00s vibe…)
Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives has an awkward start. Honestly, If I picked this up with no knowledge, I’d be a little confused, in the same way anyone reading Tsubasa Chronicles with very little knowledge of the series it draws on would be (I’ve been that person too, even though I read parts of CSS beforehand lol). There’s no ease into the plot really, the book just kind of throws you in– “Here’s this girl and her vampire boyfriend.” I think it definitely gets easier the more you sink your fangs into it, but it was such an abrupt start I was a little surprised. However, on that same note, I think it must be nice for pre-existing fans of the novels because it’s a whole new storyline from those… Which, if I read the novels (I have not), I would probably prefer to be honest.
The story is covered over 3 books/15 chapters, so it’s a pretty quick read (~1 day or so). It involves Alexander, local vampire, finding out his cousin, Claude, and his friends have come to town with some not-so-innocent plans.. Claude is a half-vampire unlike Alexander, and is seeking to get his hands on vials of blood to turn him and his fellow half-vampire friends into real vampires. Alexander thinks his cousin doesn’t deserve this due to his impulsivity and bad temper, and it’s up to him and our lead girl Raven to stop him.
The plot moves at a decent enough pace I’d say. Some things feel sudden, especially in the last book, but overall it’s fine, especially if you’re bracing for it. It’s not a super deep read or anything and it ends on a note that works well enough. Raven and Alexander are always very touchy-feely, and it actually doesn’t really bother me. I like how they’re written and they make a cute coupling. I also like Raven’s friend, Becky, and her very normal boyfriend Matt seems nice too. I think for the most part the side characters you can warm to well enough. The one that felt more out of nowhere was Trevor’s inclusion. It’s not that I hated his inclusion per se, but it also felt out of left field when you have no prior reference point in the series and he comes out of nowhere to be like “LOL RAVEN YOU SUCK”. Also, the introduction page for book 2 spoils Kat and Alexander’s past… which kind of subdues that whole reveal when it happens in-book.
To me, the star attraction is the art– particularly in the first and second book. I learned that the artist behind it is Rem– who’s more well known now for Devil’s Candy (and Soulless– a book I haven’t read but have had in my collection for years now–). To me, this felt like a crazy revelation and it floored me. Their attention to style and detail is phenomenal; I really think their style for this is one of my favorites of all time. Which, that being the case it is kind of sad that the 3rd book has a totally different artist. That’s nothing against their work– they did fine. Sadly, I think anyone against Rem’s style for the first 2 would fall flat, and it was a bit strange to see the huge difference between the books.
All in all– it’s a fun read! Honestly, if you like cheesy, cute, 00s vampire romance media, give it a shot. It won’t take long and it’s just a nice time.
3:03pm .. .. // 04.12.2025