Vampiric Vacation

The spooky summer adventures of the Sinister-Winterbottom twins continue in another gothic mystery: can Theo and Alexander solve the secret of the Sanguine Spa in the little Transylvania Mountains? The second book in the new Sinister Summer series by bestselling author Kiersten White, called perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket, Edward Gorey, and Roald Dahl, by Shelf Awareness.

After leaving Fathoms of Fun, the kids are on their way to the next odd summer destination their aunt has chosen for them. This time, they find themselves dropped off at the Sanguine Spa in the "little Transylvania Mountains." There they meet the owners: Mina, her mysterious little sister, Lucy (who is extremely pale, can't go in the sunlight, and has an affinity for hanging upside down from the ceiling), and their intimidating guardian, the Count.

When the Count sends all the children in the spa on a scavenger hunt, the Sinister-Winterbottoms use the excuse to snoop around and discover that this spa may be more than just eerie--it might also hold clues to what happened to their parents. When Wil starts to show vampiric symptoms, the twins resolve to investigate what's really going on at the Sanguine Spa.

The second book in the Sinister Summer series continues the adventures of the Sinister-Winterbottoms and their aunt who never saw a discount vacation destination she didn't love.

Amazon: Check Best Offer

Mystery Adventure Middle Grade

Release date: September 27, 2022

Book Order

Your Rating

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Standard Shelves

Join the Discussion

You can post as a guest or sign in for more features.

Have questions about this book or want to share your thoughts? Join the conversation!

Kiersten White

Kiersten White’s storytelling is a blend of fierce imagination, sharp wit, and deep emotional resonance. Known for her ability to spin complex tales of fantasy, horror, and the supernatural, White has captured the hearts of readers with her distinctly bold, often dark narratives. Her stories are where the boundary between the ordinary and the extraordinary blurs, where readers are invited to dive into worlds filled with magic, monsters, and unforgettable heroines.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Kiersten grew up with a passion for both reading and writing, though she was the kind of person who loved to daydream about new worlds before ever setting them down on paper. From an early age, she found herself enchanted by stories that pushed the limits of what was possible—stories that felt real, even when they were anything but. That love of the fantastical is something that continues to infuse her books, drawing from her own love of adventurous narratives and her curiosity about what lies beneath the surface of reality.

White made her mark with the Paranormalcy series, which quickly established her as a fresh voice in the young adult fantasy world. The series, which blends paranormal creatures with humor and heart, centers around Evie, a fierce yet relatable heroine who works as a monster-hunter and juggles the complexities of relationships, identity, and saving the world. But it’s not just the action-packed plotlines that make White’s work stand out—it’s her ability to delve into the emotional lives of her characters. Whether writing about teen angst or the complexities of friendship, Kiersten brings her characters to life with a depth that’s often missing in genre fiction.

In her later works, including the And I Darken trilogy and The Camelot Betrayal, White shifted to historical fantasy, reimagining history through the lens of the fantastical. With And I Darken, she brings to life a fierce, bold, and sometimes brutal reimagining of Vlad the Impaler’s story, with the main character, Lada, as a strong-willed, complex female lead. Her world-building in this series is rich and immersive, where battles, power struggles, and unflinching survival intersect with themes of gender, power, and self-determination.

White’s ability to tackle such varied genres—paranormal, historical, and mythological—shows her versatility as an author. She blends sharp dialogue, compelling character arcs, and bold ideas, challenging readers to reconsider what they know about the world and about themselves.

Her books have resonated with readers of all ages, particularly young adults, who find in her characters a sense of belonging, a sense of rebellion, and a voice that is unapologetically their own. White’s writing is as sharp and surprising as the twists she weaves into her narratives, making it no surprise that her books have become beloved favorites.

As Kiersten herself puts it, “I want to create books where readers feel both challenged and seen.” And it’s this balance of empathy and challenge that keeps readers coming back to her work, eager to see where her imagination will take them next.

Sinister Summer

Sinister Summer consists of five books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Unrated

⧗ 9.00 / 1

⧗ 8.00 / 1

⧗ 8.00 / 1

⧗ 8.00 / 1

^ Top