Vesper (novel)
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Vesper is a young adult paranormal novel by Jeff Sampson, published by Balzer +Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books, in January 2011. It is the first book in the Deviants series. The book tells the story of Emily Webb, a self-proclaimed geek who would rather watch sci-fi movies in her bedroom than go out and party. Then one night, she finds herself climbing out her window in a slinky top and high heels. That same night, a classmate, also named Emily, is murdered. This is only the beginning of the weird things that happen to Emily. Between partying like a rock star, trying to find a murderer, and dealing with other—stranger—changes in her appearance, Emily must figure out what forces have created the situation, which identity is her own, and whether she can maintain her friends, family, and safety.
Development
Author Jeff Sampson says he grew up watching shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Alias and wanted to write his own female character who “gets powers, kicks ass, and grows as a complex character to boot." Sampson also says he incorporated his love of sci-fi and “geeky” books and movies into Emily Webb’s character.[1]
The book had several titles in its development, including Wildeside, The Savage Files, The Vesper Files, and The Death and Life of Emily Cooke.[2]
The book
Vesper begins with a transcript of an interrogation. Emily Webb is speaking to a representative from the Vesper Company, a mysterious organization that the reader slowly learns more about throughout the book. In the transcript, Emily is designated as “Vesper 1.”
As the story shifts from interrogation to narration, Emily finds herself in lots of makeup, little clothing, and halfway out of her bedroom window, wanting “to dive into the darkness…get filthy and carefree.” This is quite a departure for Emily, who can usually be found reading a book or watching old horror movies. Emily is snapped out of her trance by a phone call from her best friend, Megan, who informs her that Emily Cooke, a classmate of theirs at Carver Senior High School, was murdered by an unknown assailant.
As Emily’s small town of Skopamish, Washington, tries to cope with this tragedy, Emily tries to cope with nightly transformations, brought on by seizure-like convulsions and resulting in Emily feeling strong, invincible, and sexy. Emily finds herself on the hunt for Emily Cooke’s murderer and for the person who possesses a scent she can’t resist, all while forced to deal with the fallout from the wild antics of her nighttime self.[3]
Characters
Emily Webb
The main character of the book. We learn that she enjoys reading books and watching old sci-fi shows on DVD. She wears oversized clothing because she is uncomfortable with her body. Emily feels she doesn’t fit in a clique at school; instead, she is always hanging out with her best friend, Megan, or staying at home alone. We first meet Emily as she is sneaking out her bedroom window in slinky clothes, but she stops when she learns of Emily Cooke’s death from Megan.
Every night after Emily Cooke’s death, Emily Webb experiences painful convulsions that result in her becoming strong, sexy, invincible, and daring. She calls this state “Nighttime Emily” and begins to suspect she is possessed by the now dead Emily Cooke.
Emily Cooke
Emily Cooke was a classmate of Emily Webb, though the two girls were never friends. In the beginning of the book, Emily Webb finds out that Emily Cooke has been murdered. Emily Cooke was found dead late at night, far from her home, barefoot, and in her pajamas. While she was living, Emily Cooke was popular, pretty, artistic, and from a wealthy family.
Megan Reed
Emily’s best (and only) friend, also known as “Reedy” because of her skinny frame. In junior high, Megan tried to fit in with the popular girls, until Sarah Plainsworth tricked her into showing up for a date the boy would not attend. Now, Megan is bitter toward the popular crowd and wears mostly black clothing.
Dawn Michaels
Emily Webb’s older stepsister. Emily says she looks like a model. Though they get along, Dawn likes to party and dress up, unlike Emily.
Jared Miller
An attractive police deputy who is also the drummer in Lucas’ band. Emily flirts with him when she is acting as “Nighttime Emily.”
Patrick Kelly
The mysterious new student at Carver High. He is quiet and keeps to himself, though Emily can’t help but notice his brooding attractiveness.
F. Savage
The only known name of Emily’s interviewer in the interspersed Vesper Company interrogations.
Mrs. Nguyen
A teacher at Emily’s high school who doubles as a local access talk show host. She wears brightly colored clothes.
Nikki Tate
The head cheerleader at Carver Senior High School. She has red hair and is dating Dalton McKinney, the star quarterback.
Amy Delgado
Another cheerleader, and the most outgoing of three sisters known as the ABC Triplets. She is fiercely protective of her best friend Nikki and is known for her quick temper.
Mai Sato
A big track star at Carver High, and a good friend of Emily Cooke’s.
Lucas Reed
Megan’s older brother. Like her, he is tall and skinny with blonde hair. His rock band, the Bubonic Teutonics, practices in their family’s garage.
Tracie Townsend
Carver High’s perky class president.
Terrance Sedgwick
Known online as “Terrizzle,” he writes on Emily Cooke’s blog after she has died to say that she is much hotter than “fat” Emily Webb.
Mikey Harris
A popular classmate of Emily’s who holds a yearly start of the year party at his family’s mansion.
Spencer Holt
A short, funny guy in Emily’s class. He hangs out with Mikey Harris and his friends as their token comedian.
Dalton McKinney
The seemingly perfect, clean-cut, extremely nice star quarterback at Carver High, he is one of the hottest guys in high school. He is dating Nikki Tate, the head cheerleader.
Reception
“The best kind of page-turner.” –Michael Grant, bestselling author of the Gone series
“Spunky and surprising. I couldn’t wait for night to fall to see what Emily would do next!” –Lauren Kate, bestselling author of Fallen
“Emily is smart, funny, and fierce and just generally kicks ass.” –K.A. Applegate, bestselling author of Animorphs and Remnants
References
- ^ http://thebookscout.blogspot.com/2010/07/introducing-2011-jeff-sampson.html
- ^ http://jeffsampsonbooks.com/?p=326
- ^ Sampson, Jeff. Vesper. New York: Balzer + Bray, 2011.