REQUIRED READING

Photo: John Scalzi. Model: Athena, of the Scalzi Agency.Vampires are having a moment. Of course, they've always been cool but there's something oddly relevant about the infectious bloodsuckers these days. Not sure what. It's just a feeling. Scifi.com recently ran a vampire short by "Queen of Cyberpunk," Pat Cadigan. And now, the fabulously talented Scott Westerfeld offers his contribution to the genre.Peeps is the most inventive re-imagining of the vampire legend I've read. Not only does it navigate a creepily wonderful urban landscape but it does so while bringing the full weight of science to bear on its subject. I learned some very cool stuff about parasites. And let me tell you, parasites rule. Read it.