Description
A mesmerizing blend of Gothic thriller and modern coming-of-age novel, The Night Wanderer is unlike any other vampire story.
Nothing ever happens on the Otter Lake reservation. But when 16-year-old Tiffany discovers her father is renting out her room, she’s deeply upset. Sure, their guest is polite and keeps to himself, but he’s also a little creepy.
Little do Tiffany, her father, or even her astute Granny Ruth suspect the truth. The mysterious Pierre L’Errant is actually a vampire, returning to his tribal home after centuries spent in Europe. But Tiffany has other things on her mind: her new boyfriend is acting weird, disputes with her father are escalating, and her estranged mother is starting a new life with somebody else.
Fed up and heartsick, Tiffany threatens drastic measures and flees into the bush. There, in the midnight woods, a chilling encounter with L’Errant changes everything . . . for both of them.
Awards
- Joint winner, Books of the Year List, Quill & Quire 2008
- Commended, Book of the Year Award, Honorable Mention, Foreword Reviews 2008
- Joint winner, Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre 2008
- Short-listed, Children’s Book of the Year, Ânskohk Aboriginal Book Awards 2008
- Short-listed, Sunburst Awards 2008
- Short-listed, Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award 2008
- Short-listed, Arthur Ellis Award 2008
- Short-listed, Stellar Book Award 2008
- Nominated, Snow Willow Award 2008
Reviews
“Offers food for thought as well as frights. Taylor sensitively works several important themes (redemption, coming of age, ties that bind) into his treatment of discussion-worthy issues (prejudice, bullying, suicide). His representation of life on a small reserve is authoritative, his Anishinabe vocabulary is authentic, and his refreshingly smart humour runs liberally through the book. Hats off to Annick Press for approaching a writer of Taylor’s stature to write a novel for young teens. The Night Wanderer is a quality offering.”
- Quill & Quire,*starred review, 07/07
“Thoughtful and descriptive writing will keep the reader engaged from cover to end.”
- New Tribe, 10/07
“Teens who devour vampire fiction will enjoy this unusual slant on the oft-told legend.”
- VOYA, 04/08
“Refreshingly creative.”
- Canadian Literature, 10/08
“[A] unique multicultural selection.”
- Allison’s Book Bag, 06/12/15