Cirrus@Austlit

Taking a scientific approach to vampirism in this New York-based novel, Westerfierld draws parallels between vampires and parasites, noting that not all parasites are bad for you... (Jason Nahrung, 'Vampires in the Sunburnt Country,' 2007, p.57).

'Right after Cal Thompson moves from Texas to New York for college, he loses his virginity and become infected with the parasite that causes vampirism. Fortunately, Cal is "partly immune," so while he is parasite-positive, or a peep, he only experiences some effects, such as night vision. The 19-year-old works for Night Watch, the city's ancient peep-hunting organization. As Cal begins to track Morgan, the woman who infected him after a drunken one-night stand, he stumbles upon a mystery that eventually makes him question the very organization for which he works. He also finds a love interest in the strong-willed journalism student now living in Morgan's old building, but because of the disease he cannot act on his feelings' (Barbes and Noble website).