Review: Saccharine Valley High Vampires in Paradise by Polly Esther Rayon

Remember Saccharine Valley Twits and Fiends, the hilarious book series that parody's Sweet Valley Twins? Well, Saccharine Valley is back and this time it is taking on Sweet Valley High. Book one, Vampires in Paradise is a satire of what was arguably one of the most bizarre moments in Sweet Valley history. Okay, well, maybe not the most bizarre moment, but the original, Murder in Paradise was certainly a strange moment in the series. Anyway, this version takes the strangeness of the original and adds something extra. Vampires. And, of course, Piper, an original Saccharine Valley character, who is the perpetual villain, the one who is going to teach spoiled twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wastefeld an important lesson. And who fails each time.

This time around we meet Elizabeth and Jessica Wastefeld at age sixteen. The pair are on their way to a beauty retreat, along with Lila and her mother, and Enid and ... well no one else because Enid's mother couldn't make it. Parts of the novel follow the original, with the spa being both delightful and creepy, but with some much needed humour added in. I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. Parts of the novel are also a bit of a take on the teen horror novels that were popular in the same era as Sweet Valley High and it works better for it. I loved the silly, but fitting, ending.

Lots of fun. Recommended.

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