Prom nights from hell by Meg Cabot et al

HarperCollins, 2009. ISBN 9780007319893
(Ages 14+) A collection of five entertaining short stories by authors who enjoy a following by those who like the vampire, paranormal and horror genre, Prom nights from hell will engage readers who have enjoyed the Twilight series. Just having Meg Cabot and Stephenie Meyer's name on the front cover is enough to bring the readers in.
The exterminator's daughter by Meg Cabot centres around Mary, a vampire killer's daughter, who is out for revenge because vampires have taken her mother. She spots that Sebastian is a vampire and has lured her best friend Lila to the prom. Determined to kill him, she comes armed with a crossbow but events get in the way. A fun take on trying to kill a vampire.
The most scary story for me is The corsage by Lauren Myracle which stars Frankie who desperately wants Will to take her to the prom. After visiting a clairvoyant who gives her a corsage capable of granting wishes, Frankie makes the mistake of not thinking through what she really wants with disastrous results.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kiss and tell by Michelle Jaffe for its Supergirl like main character, Miranda Kiss, and the humour in the dialogue, although there were some slightly risque comments.
Hell on Earth by Stephenie Meyer has an interesting take on demons and angels with a gorgeous hero who is the child of an angel. Madison and the dim reaper by Kim Harrison is a fascinating glimpse into a case of the living dead, but was too complex to fit well into the short story genre.
Girls will enjoy the idea of a prom night gone bad and will enjoy the angst of the main characters as they worry about having a partner for the night and finding true love amidst horror and mayhem.
Pat Pledger