The Tear Collector

by Patrick Jones

Fans of urban fantasy should prepare for a new kind of vampire-one that feeds off of tears instead of blood. Descended from an ancient line of creatures that gain their energy from human tears,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080278710X
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Walker Childrens
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.1" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

Review: The Tear Collector

I was excited when I first heard about this book, such a twist on a specific genre that has been essentially the same over time with only minor changes. It was added to my list of must haves and I got my copy shortly after it was released. I read it over a period of three days, it was hard to put down in between work and school because I just wanted to know what came next! Cassandra Gray, the main character, starts off kind of empty. Not in the character's sense, but in her life sense. She needs tears to survive and must do what she can to acquire enough to keep her refreshed and alive. She offers a helping hand at the hospital and at school, all to get enough tears to keep her and her great-grandmother going. She doesn't get to feel emotion, such as love and happiness and it begins to take it's toll on her. When the time comes that she meets Scott, not a jock or a prep but the boy next door, she finally starts realizing that there is more out there then just tears, that there may actually be happiness for her. But what will Cassandra do next, stay with her family and make the next generation, or will she become the one thing that breaks her off from her family completely, a human? Jones does a wonderful job bringing each of the characters to life. You don't always get to feel the emotions that the characters in the book do, but with this one you can. This will be going right to my "favorites" shelf. I can't wait for the next installation, I know it will be one that I will be picking up! Another plus of reading The Tear Collector was getting introduced to a great new author, new to me not to writing. I will be on the lookout for all of Jones' yet to come releases.

Interesting..

I really enjoyed reading this book. The vampire novels that are written now a days express the stereotypical blood sucking vampires. However, Patrick Jones totally took another approach to the definition of a vampire. At first I was a little skeptical since I have a fascination with the whole smooth, sexy approach of a vampire. But, once I got into the story with the main character Cassandra, I fell in love with the new type of urban fantasy. I loved the concept of vampires needing tears instead of blood. It is definitely not gruesome and does not fulfill a sexy, satisfying feel like the stereotypical vampire would experience. It is a more deep, emotional connection that these vampires have to induce with the human in order to receive their energy. So, I thought the idea of vampires having to work their way into getting what they want was awesome. I also feel Cassandra was relateable because most human beings fight turmoil within themselves and seek a way to rebel against the nature that every parent enforces on us. I recommend this book to readers if they are looking for something fresh and new that hasn't been done before.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Vampires, zombies, and werewolves seem to be dominating young adult literature, but Patrick Jones has created another life form with enough similarities to make it popular, but enough uniqueness to possibly make it a far more disturbing read. Enter THE TEAR COLLECTOR. News reports around Flint, Michigan, have been filled with reports of young boys disappearing, taken right off the street, from playgrounds and backyards. Even more mysterious is their return several days later, terrorized but alive. Someone paying close attention to these news reports is Cassandra Gray. She has an idea who, or rather what, might be responsible, but it is her duty to protect and serve the family that might be involved. Cass has been given the task of collecting the sadness and sorrow of humans in the form of their tears and bringing it back to a small circle of those dependent on her for their survival. Not vampires dependent on the blood of their victims, but another non-human form that draws energy found in the tears of its victims. Cass has always accepted her role willingly. She has become the trusted friend of many in order to offer her shoulder during times of crisis. In Lapeer High School the drama of everyday life provides tears aplenty. But Cass's family responsibility is becoming clouded by the sudden death of her best friend and the appearance of a boy who has her feeling things she never has before. THE TEAR COLLECTOR by Patrick Jones adds a new dimension to the current trend in YA lit. With the use of sorrow and tears, he has chosen a direction I found more believable than the vampire/zombie fare of recent years. Set in a high school where emotions run amok on the best of days, having tears represent the life-sustaining power required for this alternate life form seems more realistic than glistening fangs and dripping blood. Although this novel breaks from Jones's traditional genre, it reads well and will break open a whole new audience for his work. Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Emotional Vampires....

Cassandra Gray has always put her family first. With her family legacy at risk she really has no choice...or does she? She's never had a problem getting boys, in fact she's an expert. Breaking up with them has always given her the tears Cassandra needs. Breaking up with her current boyfriend Cody is no different. Things start to change after Cassandra's best friend Robyn dies and she meet's Scott, an odd but intriguing guy at her school. She begins to question her life and the choices being made for her by her family. When her feelings for Scott intensify Cassandra discovers there is a way to change her life...but at what price? I thought this was a pretty good book and I enjoyed the premise of "emotional vampires". Cassandra is an interesting character who is torn between family commitment and the desire to be her own person. A dilemma that is probably familiar to many teens. There is also a mystery that unfolds as you read newspaper articles at the beginning of each chapter that reveal mysterious attacks of people being terrorized in the local area. The climax builds until the attacks hit home and Cassandra must fight to save the people she loves. An untidy ending leaves me hoping for a sequel! Appropriate for 8th grade and up!