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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
This tells the story of Gabriel de Leon through two timelines: when he was 15-16 in a coming of age story and when he is 32 after the glory days as a vampire slayer are over.
The world-building was good, drawing inspiration from the Testaments and creating a cult of vampire slayers.
The story is dark, gritty, violent and fit for an adult reader who understands the pain of losing your belief, your purpose and many of your friends.
The narrative style wasn’t my favourite. I’m all for two timelines and jumping from one to the other but I wasn’t a fan of the storytelling through conversation, a nod to Interview with a Vampire.
With a bunch of teenage boys stuck together, there’s a lot of bullying and foul language, especially “yo mama, yo sister” profanities but I wasn’t on board with the adult teachers making such vile insults about these kids’ mothers.
The mysoginistic beliefs and derogatory terms continue throughout the book… I understand that the setting is medieval and maybe it was a choice for the sake of accuracy. However, I wasn’t a fan of the MC sharing into these beliefs.
Nearly all the graphic, sexual scenes were in the first timeline, when they were all teens. Either keep the characters at that age to maximise the effect of their tragic fate and take out the sex scenes, or age them up and write sex scenes that are appropriate for your readers. Or don’t market the book for adults because I don’t know what adult wants to read a graphic scene between two 16 year olds. Or what 16 year old girl would say “pray to me on your knees”.
The world-building was good, drawing inspiration from the Testaments and creating a cult of vampire slayers.
The story is dark, gritty, violent and fit for an adult reader who understands the pain of losing your belief, your purpose and many of your friends.
The narrative style wasn’t my favourite. I’m all for two timelines and jumping from one to the other but I wasn’t a fan of the storytelling through conversation, a nod to Interview with a Vampire.
With a bunch of teenage boys stuck together, there’s a lot of bullying and foul language, especially “yo mama, yo sister” profanities but I wasn’t on board with the adult teachers making such vile insults about these kids’ mothers.
The mysoginistic beliefs and derogatory terms continue throughout the book… I understand that the setting is medieval and maybe it was a choice for the sake of accuracy. However, I wasn’t a fan of the MC sharing into these beliefs.
Nearly all the graphic, sexual scenes were in the first timeline, when they were all teens. Either keep the characters at that age to maximise the effect of their tragic fate and take out the sex scenes, or age them up and write sex scenes that are appropriate for your readers. Or don’t market the book for adults because I don’t know what adult wants to read a graphic scene between two 16 year olds. Or what 16 year old girl would say “pray to me on your knees”.
Lost interest in reading overall a pretty cool book, I’m planning on starting it again in the future!
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
I have mixed feelings - the story is really interesting and the way it’s described - by a main character from a cell in prison - really unique and intriguing. I like the vampire+religion combo! However, I didn’t like the writing style - it was vulgar and misogynistic for no reason. The humour was quite poor too. Very similar to “Inkwizytor” by Jacek Piekara. The tempo was lost in the middle, but the book picked it up towards the end and I couldn’t put it down
5.0/5.0
Stellar story. Gabriel started off unlikable and slowly became someone you could relate to and by the end of it I was definitely on his team no matter what. Kristoff put together a great story built on the foundation of this dark world, through the eyes of someone that can see the good and the bad of both sides and I find that endearing. The only thing that really bothered me was the way that the ancien speak. It was not fun to read, and it took me out of and otherwise excellent book. Will definitely be picking up the next entry. One of my favorite of the year for sure and a new favorite.
Stellar story. Gabriel started off unlikable and slowly became someone you could relate to and by the end of it I was definitely on his team no matter what. Kristoff put together a great story built on the foundation of this dark world, through the eyes of someone that can see the good and the bad of both sides and I find that endearing. The only thing that really bothered me was the way that the ancien speak. It was not fun to read, and it took me out of and otherwise excellent book. Will definitely be picking up the next entry. One of my favorite of the year for sure and a new favorite.
Damn. I don’t often read fun things like this so it was some nice brain Candy. However. I did go to the doorbell factory and everyone knew Gabriel de Leon as a very notable ding-dong. Really is a bastard and he proclaims that many a time so at least he’s self aware.
I feel like if you’re satiating your need for blood by drinking from your non-vampire wife in order to remain Not a Vampire yourself, it’s a cop out but perhaps that is narrow minded of me.
He also named his sword “Lionclaw” and I just can’t get behind that one.
I feel like if you’re satiating your need for blood by drinking from your non-vampire wife in order to remain Not a Vampire yourself, it’s a cop out but perhaps that is narrow minded of me.
He also named his sword “Lionclaw” and I just can’t get behind that one.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
idk why i just remembered to dnf this but yeah horribly boring book the strange edginess + the strange sexualiazation of that one vampire chic bored the hell out of me idk. It wasnt very good and makes me annoyed cause I anticipated this book being rlly good.
it makes me so sad cuz i rlly love vampire content but theyre always done so damn poorly Im starting to think its a curse.... Maybe in Oct ill do a little halloween challenge where i read a bunch of vampire books to hopefully find a favorite. (also this is like my 5th dnf of the year help)
it makes me so sad cuz i rlly love vampire content but theyre always done so damn poorly Im starting to think its a curse.... Maybe in Oct ill do a little halloween challenge where i read a bunch of vampire books to hopefully find a favorite. (also this is like my 5th dnf of the year help)