The Silver Kiss

By: Annette Klause

Narrated by: Ali Ahn

In The Silver Kiss—Annette Curtis Klause’s critically acclaimed debut novel—life’s tough for 16-year-old Zoe Sutcliff. Her mom is dying, her dad is growing distant, and her best friend is moving. Sorting out her thoughts one night, Zoe sees a man lurking about. Taken aback at first, she finds herself drawn to the handsome stranger who seems to sense what’s in her heart. As the two exchange life stories, he makes a startling revelation. He’s a vampire bent on slaying a ruthless fiend—and he needs Zoe for more than just a blooddraining kiss.

©1990 Annette Curtis Klause (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“A mesmerizing first novel … with lyrical writing.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

"Strangely persuasive...at once a grisly and graphic tale of monstrous death and a sweet and compelling story of love." ( Entertainment Weekly)

A great young adult read!

I read this as a teen and now again @ 40. Not the same feeling but it is a great book and still lets me dream in the world of vampires. This is a good story about a lonely girl and a lonely vampire boy that seems to need each other and help them through difficult times.

Interesting, subtle, romantic & holistically emotional

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I’m not much of a reader but I kept being enthralled by the story. The short length (to me) helped. I liked the characters & I felt the performer’s voices made them feel even realer to me. I liked how the author described what happened to the characters, what they did & how they felt. Depicting their thought processes appealed to this old “over-thinker.” In my view, older kids & adults can enjoy it. It depicts romance & relationships & I like how it shows them. I think any relationship can add to or replace something in life. But it’s still up to the character to choose & the process may be frightening, wonderful, uncertain, deceitful, sensual, truthful; many things…The author showed showed several facets relationships are based on. I thought the short stories she added later (this edition has ‘em; 2009 was the year I believe they were both finally in) were definitely necessary. I liked it more than I thought I would.

Slow but intriguing..

Starts off very slowly and not enough energy at first, but author completely regains attention to the story and its characters

Sad but sweet

I fell in love with the two main characters and laughed, cried and got angry with them as the story progressed. Beautifully written and narrated!
And yes, I would surrender my neck to Simon too!!!

loved it

I remembered reading many many years ago and thought I'd give it a listen, don't regret a single second!

An old favorite

I read this book in Jr. High and loved it. So when it randomly popped in my head one day I immediately downloaded it on Audible. I remembered all over agin why Jr. High me loved this book and it brought back memories. This one will always be an old favorite.

A cat named Grimalkin

I liked the book, and the narrator did a nice job. I especially liked Simon???s voice, with the cute English accent. But the subject matter of the mom dying of cancer wasn???t what I was looking for. I don???t mind a bleak, dark, brooding vampire novel, especially with all the light fluffy ones out there. But this was a little too melodramatic for me. It was just to close to home, but I should have known better. If only there was a little more romance and a little less time at the hospital, or Zoe waiting for the ???call???! The romance was sweet, and the writing style is beautifully done almost gothic at times. The two short stories included; The summer of love, and The Christmas cat helped in bring more insight into Simon and Zoe??? and I loved the cat???s name Grimalkin.

I am surprised that The Silver Kiss is not as popular as a lot of YA books out there. It should be.

Favorite book

I have read this book every year from 7th grade to 12th grade. I absolutely love this book. Just the right amount of romance

Interesting treatment of death

I enjoyed the contrast between her mother's terminal illness and her vampire boyfriend's cursed immortality. However, that said, I thought it was depressing and somewhat painful to listen to. I was kind of glad when it was over.

Well Written

I really enjoyed this YA vampire book. The author handled the issues of families dealing with terminal illness well. It’s also great that we got to listen to a short essay of the author’s thought process when she made this book. I don’t wanna give too much away but I genuinely enjoyed the protagonist she was well written and flawed, she felt like an actual teenager.