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lunep's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Murder, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Classism, Colonisation, Infertility, Racism, Sexual content, Suicide, and Violence
squarebrainhp's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Pandemic/Epidemic, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Minor: Abandonment and Panic attacks/disorders
shindanker's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Death, Blood, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Racism
rightwhrleftme's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Blood, Classism, and Homophobia
bookishvicky's review
4.5
I LOVEDDDD the world and lore and characters of this book. One thing I will say is that it felt very #woke at times for the sake of being progressive, and while I agree a lot of the problematic shit was a bit much, I think it adds a layer to the idea that Vampirdom is a metaphor for the upper class and ignorant, and having Kat go from public school to Harcote is Meant to be jarring, we’re Meant to hate Harcote and the vampires from the bat.
While I wasn’t a fan of Taylor and Kat constantly feuding and just seeming to be straight up conflict drama til the end, I loved Taylor with all my bi heart (and that cover art!!!). I was surprised that this was such a politically charged pandemic story (that did feel a bit rushed at the end, but the twist was easy to figure out as you read) with not as much lesbian vamps as I would have liked given the premise, but everything about it was just so good, I literally couldn’t stop reading. I don’t usually cross my fingers for a sequel, but I’d LOVE to explore more of this world and unique vampire lore.
While I wasn’t a fan of Taylor and Kat constantly feuding and just seeming to be straight up conflict drama til the end, I loved Taylor with all my bi heart (and that cover art!!!). I was surprised that this was such a politically charged pandemic story (that did feel a bit rushed at the end, but the twist was easy to figure out as you read) with not as much lesbian vamps as I would have liked given the premise, but everything about it was just so good, I literally couldn’t stop reading. I don’t usually cross my fingers for a sequel, but I’d LOVE to explore more of this world and unique vampire lore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Death, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Medical content
writingcaia's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
I want to write something addressing the very bad reviews this has gotten.
I feel like so many people felt hurt or shocked by things in the book, and I didn’t. I wondered if there’s something wrong with me, I’m so empathetic and attentive but I’m also white and cisgender, although not straight, still…
To be honest I don’t see how anything in the book is outrageous or offensive, everything seems so straightforward and candid, but I hate that people felt wronged or hurt, and I’m sure there’s validity to it, even if I didn’t feel or see it. It simply wasn’t my experience and I don’t think I’m a bad person or oblivious to other peoples’ struggle because of it.
It actually felt as if the author is super woke and perfectly attuned to the new generation fighting for queer right, POC rights (being white), environmental changes, etc. The difficulties of fitting in at the same time as finding out who you are, felt pretty real, especially since I read a YA lesbian fiction recently with a similar discovery phase. Nothing felt forced at all.
Also, the writing was so very good, the story pretty interesting and captivating, a great take on vampires and their relationship with humans when they can no longer drink from them and have a blood substitute.
A lot of power plays and ugly, colonialist, conservative types among the older vampires which may trigger some, but I found that it is as reasonable as the truth about people 100 years or more ago, and how most rich and moralistic/religion zealots saw the world and shaped it, even today.
There’s queer romance and super sexy vamps. Girls fighting for girls, and oblivious entitled boys (and girls) that redeem themselves.
So, if you are looking for a queer vampire book, a coming of age and sexuality, with romance and murder mystery subplot, and a lot of mean girls and goth vibes this is for you.
But, yes, read the bad reviews too, maybe it might be triggering for you.
The one thing that could have improved the book for me was the finale which I wish hadn’t been so rushed especially since it’d be interesting to find the consequences of what happens at the end.
I feel like so many people felt hurt or shocked by things in the book, and I didn’t. I wondered if there’s something wrong with me, I’m so empathetic and attentive but I’m also white and cisgender, although not straight, still…
To be honest I don’t see how anything in the book is outrageous or offensive, everything seems so straightforward and candid, but I hate that people felt wronged or hurt, and I’m sure there’s validity to it, even if I didn’t feel or see it. It simply wasn’t my experience and I don’t think I’m a bad person or oblivious to other peoples’ struggle because of it.
It actually felt as if the author is super woke and perfectly attuned to the new generation fighting for queer right, POC rights (being white), environmental changes, etc. The difficulties of fitting in at the same time as finding out who you are, felt pretty real, especially since I read a YA lesbian fiction recently with a similar discovery phase. Nothing felt forced at all.
Also, the writing was so very good, the story pretty interesting and captivating, a great take on vampires and their relationship with humans when they can no longer drink from them and have a blood substitute.
A lot of power plays and ugly, colonialist, conservative types among the older vampires which may trigger some, but I found that it is as reasonable as the truth about people 100 years or more ago, and how most rich and moralistic/religion zealots saw the world and shaped it, even today.
There’s queer romance and super sexy vamps. Girls fighting for girls, and oblivious entitled boys (and girls) that redeem themselves.
So, if you are looking for a queer vampire book, a coming of age and sexuality, with romance and murder mystery subplot, and a lot of mean girls and goth vibes this is for you.
But, yes, read the bad reviews too, maybe it might be triggering for you.
The one thing that could have improved the book for me was the finale which I wish hadn’t been so rushed especially since it’d be interesting to find the consequences of what happens at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Bullying, Gaslighting, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Racism
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