October Chapter book of the month: Fangs, Vampire Spy: Operation Golden Bum by Tom Donvaband - Apply for free copy (CLOSED)

[RachelMumsnet]

Gearing up for Halloween our October book of the month introduces Special Agent Fangs Enigma – the world's greatest vampire spy – and his werewolf sidekick Puppy Brown as they battle society's worst criminal monster minds.

Fangs: Vampire Spy is a new series of comedy horror adventures from the bestselling author of Scream Street, Tom Donbavand and we have copies of Operation Golden Bum to giveaway to 50 lucky mumsnetters.

Apply for a free copy before 10am 8 October and we'll email those who have been selected. Don't forget to come back and post your feedback over the month on this thread.

[Dianec67]

My son loved this book. Thank you for our copy, we will now be looking to read more in the series.

[cather]

Whilst we had never heard of Tom Donbavand before we loved this book and will be looking out for more of his books for stocking fillers. My son is 8 and he thought this book was hilarious. I even managed to get him into bed sooner so that we could read 2 chapters instead of the one we normally read at bedtime.

[babyowl]

Very Austin Powers with bad puns & slapstick monsters & bodily functions. It's great if it gets boys notorious for being disengaged with reading to actually enjoy books. Otherwise, it just seems like more stereotypical gross-superhero-monster-spy lit that specifically caters to boys 6+ these days.

Most of the narrative is from the clever female sidekick though which made the book more interesting for me.

[BigGapMum]

Thanks for the book. I haven't read it yet to my 5 year old DS, as he is too young for it yet, and hasn't even got the attention span to listen to a chapter book.
However I've had a good look at the book, and its seems the sort of book that would appeal to a 7-8 year old child. It's a chapter book with a monochrome drawn picture every 2-3 pages. Looking through the book, both the writing style and the subject of the story would be that which would hold the attention of its reader and I certainly expect DS to enjoy this book when he is a little older.

[missingink]

Hi, thanks for sending (didn't get an email). DD, 6 enjoyed it a lot and said the best bit was where Fangs and Puppy were suspended over the pool of piranhas. Well actually she said the best bit was my voices for the characters - but unfortunately that's not very transferable is it? I actually really enjoyed reading it. All the James Bond references went completely over her head, and I did have to explain why a number of the jokes were jokes - but good fun.

[emmaoftroy]

I received my copy of Fangs, Vampire Spy last week so thank you v. much! I read it to my daughter, who is just below the 7+ age range it's aimed at but has started to enjoy us reading chapter books with her at night and I wanted to try something a bit different. It's a funny book that has a fast plot - there don't seem to be many spare words - and whilst my daughter was laughing at the bits that made her go "yuck", I enjoyed the clever word play and fact that it followed the plot of James Bond (and the like), only with Zombie, Werewolves, and Vampires. I will now be passing along to my friends little girl.

[wheretoyougonow]

Thank you for the book. My 7 year old DS really enjoyed it and as a result my DS 10 read it to. My DS read it on his own which is a good sign and it made a nice change to Beast Quest!
Would be tempted to buy another one.

[missorinoco]

Am reassured by that. I thought he would love it, so was quite baffled.

[Willemdefoeismine]

I sometimes think some of these series of books (I'm not necessarily putting this one in the category) are very formulaic. It's less about a good yarn than creating a quirky style that may or may not appeal.

[LadyEnglefield]

My DTDs (nearly 8) didn't get it either. I thought they might as they love Spy Dogs but the opening chapter put them off.

I've passed it on to a friend with boys aged 8 & 9 and hope that it is more their cup of tea.

Just goes to show.

[Willemdefoeismine]

Missorinoco, it didn't really do it for either DD or me either, so your DS is not alone!

[missorinoco]

Thankyou for the book. DS couldn't get into it, despite trying three times. Strange given the reviews above, but I was very grateful anyway.

[NoWomanNoCry]

Thank you for the book. I had to read this book to my children as they are a bit younger than the intended age. However they really enjoyed it as they have an interest in vampires at the moment! They said it was a very funny book.

[Willemdefoeismine]

DD has just finished reading a Hannah Montana story (yes, I know...) as her school reading book so this is indeed in stark contrast to that.....

Having a DH who is into the Austin Powers' films, I don't think I'm far off the mark in saying that this is a bit of a children's version.... up to and including the 'golden bum'????

It doesn't personally appeal to me but there again I'm not the target audience (although as the one who buys the children's books I do have major book 'pulling/purchasing power!). DD is on the fence about it...but she is undoubtedly a girlie girl (including choice of books) and slapstick spy stories aren't really "her bag, baby" (to quote A.P.!).

I think DS would have enjoyed the book at the same age - it reminds me of the accident prone Diamond brothers in the Anthony Horowitz children's books.

Thank you for book - much appreciated as we do get thro' lots for bedtime stories!

[LLW]

My daugher loved it and read it in one day! She thought it very entertaining

[Dillydollydaydream]

My ds7 has read the book. He really enjoyed it and I will be looking for others in the series :)

Ds said
"I thought the book might be scary because they had vampires in but they're actually very funny and I liked reading the book. I would tell my friends to read the vampire books girls and boys. I am going to read the other books too."

Looks like I'm going to be buying more of the vampire books!

[cornflakegirl]

Thank you for the book. This is DS1's review:

The great disgusto is very faithful in his golden bum [I think he means he uses it a lot] but is totally evil. Fangs is totally smart, with loads of tricks and fully on the good side. I think the best bit was where Fangs and puppy brown went down big ben. I really liked this book and I would give it 5*s.

[amapola]

Thanks for my copy. I didnt know this series or the writer. My son loves the book, he is half way through and said that it is funny and intriguing. Excellent choice for Halloween treat at half term!

[Appleby39]

Thanks so much for the book. Have never heard of this author either so will definitely be on the look-out for more of his material! Son is very excited to start on this book as the theme is right up his street. Have already started reading it myself haahaa

[kristinage]

My son loves it... Thank you so much...

[MRSMONKIE]

My Granddaughter is loving this book "Fangs Vampire Spy" so much we will be looking to buy more in the series......it was a nice surprise when it came through the door.....Thank you so much.

[ctalbot41]

Hi All

I received a copy of Fangs vampire spy at the begining of the week yippee, so glad we were chosen. I have read this with my granddaughter and she was in hysterics over the farts, the names of the charactors and bodily functions it has in the story. This was a good evening story to read as it calmed the day as she looked forward to hearing the next chapters over the last few nights. Highly reccommended and I will be looking to buy some more of the series for Christmas pressies. Thank you. :)

[LilysNana]

I received mine yesterday too. Like a previous poster I hadn't heard of Tom Donvaband either, but his books look like the sort of thing my grand daughter will love. Fast moving and comedy horror really on trend. This looks to me like a stage production/film waiting to happen. We shall see. I'll pass this on to Lily at the weekend and await comments ...

[Elainey1609]

I received this book in post on Wednesday very nice surprise.
I had a quick read if this myself and found it to be very witty, design of the book as a whole is very appealing making it appeal to a larger age range I think.
I'm looking forward to more from this author.
This book will be given to my godson at the weekend who I think will love it.. Right up his street
Thanx mumsnet

[bettybooboo1]

I received mine yesterday and have had a quick read. It looks great. I like the way it is narrated like old style detective stories and the illustrations and design of the book are really appealing.