It was 2007. Everyone was obsessed with sparkling in the sunlight and the intense melodrama of Forks, Washington. But for a specific group of us—the kids who wore too much eyeliner and spent more time in the back of the library than at pep rallies—there was another story. It was about a lanky, pale kid named Vlad. The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod book series didn't just capitalize on the vampire craze; it felt like it actually understood what it was like to be an outsider.
Vlad wasn't a centuries-old heartthrob. He was a thirteen-year-old kid with social anxiety and a very awkward secret. He was half-human, half-vampire, and basically 100% miserable.
Honestly, the setup is kind of genius. Vlad’s mom was human, and his dad was a vampire. Both died in a suspicious house fire years ago. Now, he’s living in the fictional town of Bathory with his "Aunt" Nelly (a nurse who handily steals blood bags from the hospital so Vlad doesn't have to, you know, murder anyone). He’s just trying to survive the eighth grade without accidentally biting his crush, Meredith, or getting shoved into a locker by the school bullies.
What Actually Happens in the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod?
The series is a five-part journey that follows Vlad through every year of high school. It starts with Eighth Grade Bites and ends, predictably and darkly, with Twelfth Grade Kills. Heather Brewer (who now writes as Zac Brewer) didn't shy away from the grim stuff. While other YA books were busy with romance, Vlad was busy worrying about the Elysian Council—a group of powerful vampires who think his very existence is a crime—and the Slayer Society, who just want him dead.
It's a lot for a teenager.
Between the homework and the bullies, Vlad discovers he’s something called the Pravus. In vampire lore, the Pravus is this legendary figure supposed to enslave both vampires and humans. No pressure, right? By the time we get to Ninth Grade Slays, Vlad is traveling to Siberia to train with an ancient vampire named Vikas. It sounds cool, but mostly it's just cold and terrifying.
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Then things get personal.
In Tenth Grade Bleeds and Eleventh Grade Burns, the stakes (pun intended) get higher. His best friend Henry—who is his "drudge," a human who basically protects and serves a vampire—starts to feel the strain. His former friend Joss turns out to be a literal vampire slayer. It’s messy. It’s dramatic. It’s exactly what being fifteen feels like, minus the fangs.
Why We’re Still Talking About Vlad Tod in 2026
You might wonder why a series from the late 2000s still has a cult following today. It’s because Vlad is relatable in a way most supernatural protagonists aren't. He’s not cool. He’s a "Tiefling Warlock" in a world of "Paladins." Brewer once described Vlad as a total outsider, and that resonates.
The books aren't just about drinking blood; they’re about grief. Vlad is constantly searching for the truth about his parents. He’s lonely. He spends a lot of time in the school belfry just trying to breathe. Even with his powers—telepathy, mind control, super speed—he still feels powerless against the systems around him.
The Real-World Impact
Heather Brewer created a community. They called their fans "Minions." It was a safe space for the "weird kids."
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If you look at the series now, you see the blueprint for a lot of modern "sad boy" paranormal fiction. It paved the way for stories that focused more on the internal trauma of being a monster than the "glamour" of it. Plus, the titles are catchy as heck. Twelfth Grade Kills remains one of the most ominous titles in YA history.
Getting the Order Right
If you’re looking to dive back in or start for the first time, you have to read them in order. The narrative is a straight line through Vlad's adolescence.
- Eighth Grade Bites: The introduction to Bathory and Vlad's secret life.
- Ninth Grade Slays: The Siberia trip and the reveal of the Pravus prophecy.
- Tenth Grade Bleeds: The tension with the Slayer Society reaches a boiling point.
- Eleventh Grade Burns: Vlad’s world starts to fall apart as secrets are exposed.
- Twelfth Grade Kills: The final showdown with the Council and D'Ablo.
There’s also a spin-off series called The Slayer Chronicles which follows Joss’s side of things. It’s worth a read if you want to see just how deep the rabbit hole goes, especially since Joss is a much more complicated character than he first appears.
Is It Worth a Re-Read?
Kinda? Yes. Look, the prose is definitely "young adult" of its era. It’s fast-paced and sometimes a little on the nose. But the emotional core is solid. Vlad’s struggle with his identity—being "half" of two different worlds and not really belonging to either—is a theme that doesn't age.
The mystery of his father, Tomas Tod, and the villainous D'Ablo provides a genuine sense of dread. D'Ablo isn't just a cartoon villain; he’s a manipulator who knows exactly how to push Vlad’s buttons. When Vlad finally has to choose whether to embrace the darkness of the Pravus or stay "human," you actually care.
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Most vampire books today are about "forbidden love." The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is about forbidden existence. That’s a much more interesting hook.
If you're looking for a series that captures the specific, dark aesthetic of the mid-2000s without the cringe of some other contemporaries, this is it. It’s a quick read, but it leaves a mark.
What To Do Next
If you’ve finished the series and have a Vlad-shaped hole in your heart, you should check out the graphic novel adaptations. They capture the "goth" aesthetic perfectly with sharp, moody illustrations. You might also want to look into Zac Brewer’s newer work, like The Cemetery Boys, which carries over that same dark, atmospheric energy. For the die-hards, tracking down a copy of The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod Journal is a must for the extra lore and Vlad’s "favorite band" (The Mopey Teenage Bears) references.
Next Steps:
- Check out the Graphic Novels: If you’ve already read the prose, the visual adaptations by Tony Lee offer a fresh perspective on the town of Bathory.
- Explore The Slayer Chronicles: Read First Kill, Second Chance, and Third Strike to see the conflict from the perspective of the Slayer Society.
- Revisit the Official Wiki: There is a ton of trivia regarding Vlad's Scottish heritage and his blood type (A+) that didn't always make it into the main plot but adds great flavor to the world.