Description: A year ago, Cal Thompson was brand new to New York City and more interested in meeting girls than attending freshman biology. Then he spent the night with a mysterious woman named Morgan. Now, biology has become, literally, Cal's life.
Cal was infected by a parasite that has a horrifying effect on its host. When you're a parasite positive, a "peep," you start to hate sunlight. You develop superhuman strength and superhuman senses. You form a strange bond with rats. You crave blood - human blood.
Cal is not a full-blown peep, but a carrier, infected but still sane, still able to control his urges. His tragedy: He can never be with a girl again. Even one kiss could turn her into a peep. Instead, he spends his time and energy working for an underground organization that tracks down peeps in the dark places of the city. But when an investigation throws him together with a beautiful girl named Lace, Cal's resolve to live his life alone is put to the test.
Note: Description from the book jacket.
Review: "Peeps" is an intriguing new take on the vampire myth, turning it from mystic horror story to hard science fiction. Readers will be engrossed - and grossed out, as every other chapter is a look into the life of a different icky virus. The unique premise (hard to find when it comes to vampires) works well; the idea of an underground bureaucracy designed to monitor peeps is almost disturbingly believable. Cal is vampirey enough to be an exciting character, but human enough to be a relatable one, and Lace is a strong character who matches, if not surpasses, Cal in personality. Most of the plot moves at a good pace, but near the end the revelations come a bit too quickly for the reader to get a good grasp on one before the next is there to supercede it. Overall, however, the book is worth the read for the fresh take on the sometimes tired idea. Vampire afficionados and biology nerds alike will love "Peeps."