Model (Model), Vol. 2

Jae, a young Korean artist, goes to live with Michael, a vampire, in the mansion that he shares with his mysterious servant, Eva, and Ken, a young man who is attracted to Jae and who may be Michael's son.

Grade 8 Up–This second book in the series has great appeal to those with very specific tastes, and not much to those without. A tale of vampire romance, it is primarily shoujo (for girls and women) and populated with bishounen (pretty boys). In the first volume, Jae, a young art student, meets the elegant, androgynous vampire Michael. He has agreed to pose for her on two conditions. One, that she lives with him in his gothic mansion, and two, that she allows him a taste of her blood. In this follow-up volume, Jae's interest in Michael (both romantic and otherwise) extends to his equally androgynous but arrogant son, Ken. Further complicating the love/hate relationship that forms between Jae and the enigmatic Ken is Eva, the cold housekeeper. Also on hand is a chic new guest (with some secrets of her own) who reveals Eva's own mysterious past. Secret histories and gothic passions are the mainstay of Model, and the characters, with their elongated bodies, brooding eyes, and flowing hair, are the quintessence of supernatural romanticism. Some readers may view the world of Model as clichéd and built on style rather than substance, but fans of gothic literature, especially Anne Rice's works, will find themselves right at home.–Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Libraries, Ontario, Canada
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