The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer

This series is growing on me. I liked the second one better than the first.

Vlad is starting 9th grade as the story opens up. He has the same two bullies picking on him as when he was in 8th grade. He still has a crush on Meredith and seems to get tongue tied when she is around.

Henry seems to have accepted the fact that he is Vlad's "drudge". Vlad tries not to read his friends mind or to manipulate him to do things, but sometimes he feels that he has to. Henry's cousin comes to stay with him for the year and Vlad and Joss become good friends. It seems that they become closer because Henry has become so popular at school. Still they are not close enough for Vlad to tell Joss his secret.

Otis takes Vlad to Siberia to meet an old friend of his fathers. Vikas tries to teach Vlad how to read minds better and to manipulate people to do what he wants. Vlad also learns about the prophecy of the Pravus. About a half vampire half human that comes to take over the human population. Vikas believes that Vlad is the Pravus. The only problem is that one of the things to prove that it is true is that the vampire/human has to die.

Trailed by a nosy nerd on the school newspaper, and by a vampire slayer Vlad's secret and life are in danger.

I found Ninth Grade Slays to be more exciting than the first book and am looking forward to reading Tenth Grade Bleeds.