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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
In this we follow the love story of a human and a vampire during the midst of the civil war. The story explores racism, slavery and the overall fight for freedom. I was so excited about the premise of this story and had such high expectations for it. I love a good enemies to lovers story just like the next person but throw in a vampire storyline and I am SOLD. The narration for this story was so captivating and they did a great job at at depicting the emotions behind each character. However, without the narration, the overall story falls a bit flat. It lacked connection between the characters and I really did not feel any emotion for any of the characters. It felt like we as the reader did not get to know them well enough to really form any feelings toward them. The time jumping was a tad confusing as well, and at times I had no idea what was going on. It was a fun listen, and had so much potential but it missed the mark for me.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
We held hands in the dark, a moment of forbidden magic, as I felt her pulse sprint through her fingers, warm and welcoming.
Many thanks to @goodreads for this ARC giveaway!
Despite a great opening hook, an interesting plot, a fast pace, unexpected plot twists, and a great ending, there were many flaws I couldn’t turn a blind eye to. Don’t get me wrong: it was not a dull read! It was compelling and I wanted to know what was going to happen, but I was also tempted to DNF due to many irritants.
❤️ Fast-paced and compelling
❤️ Dual POVs with distinct character voices
❤️ Some unexpected plot twists
❌ Romanticization of an abusive relationship
❌ One-dimensional, reckless, and overly stabby FMC
❌ Modern language in a late 1800s setting
Plot:
Jerusalem was only 17 when she killed her slaver then watched her family get murdered in retaliation. Heartbroken and alone, she flees North to join the war effort and seek vengeance on the slavers—both humans and vampires. But her mentor what she expected. A 300-year-old hormonal teenage vampire, Alexei has been through hell himself. They will train together for a year before leaving on a secret mission to take out the vampires who took everything from them.
For most of the book, we simply follow a bunch of self-centred soldiers obsessed by vengeance. Instead of fighting a war to end slavery, they go rogue to take out specific vamps. The book doesn’t even address that they are deserters. There was a romance subplot, but nothing romantic about it. It was really more of a “one-sided love” thing that turned into an abusive relationship. I couldn’t deal with how this book romanticized verbal and physical abuse.
Characters:
Jerusalem was an awful MC: one-dimensional and contradictory, obsessed by vengeance. She wants to kill her enemies and doesn’t care who gets hurt or killed in the process. Even worse: she enjoys killing! She also keeps complaining about racism, but does the same to white people and vampires alike. I think she actually is the character that says the most racist comments throughout the book. Also, I don’t like how we never saw her heal through her trauma; she was simply full of rage and liked to take it out on her partner, Alexei. He was my favourite character for most of the book (along with Gael) until he turned into Jerusalem’s lap dog.
Writing:
I loved how the author managed to give the two MCs very different voices. It made the mid-chapter POV switches feel natural (and you know how I hate those). Other than that, I thought the writing was okay. However, I was really not a fan of the use of modern language in a late 1800s setting.
Follow me on Instagram: @bibi.reads.writes
Many thanks to @goodreads for this ARC giveaway!
Despite a great opening hook, an interesting plot, a fast pace, unexpected plot twists, and a great ending, there were many flaws I couldn’t turn a blind eye to. Don’t get me wrong: it was not a dull read! It was compelling and I wanted to know what was going to happen, but I was also tempted to DNF due to many irritants.
❤️ Fast-paced and compelling
❤️ Dual POVs with distinct character voices
❤️ Some unexpected plot twists
❌ Romanticization of an abusive relationship
❌ One-dimensional, reckless, and overly stabby FMC
❌ Modern language in a late 1800s setting
Plot:
Jerusalem was only 17 when she killed her slaver then watched her family get murdered in retaliation. Heartbroken and alone, she flees North to join the war effort and seek vengeance on the slavers—both humans and vampires. But her mentor what she expected. A 300-year-old hormonal teenage vampire, Alexei has been through hell himself. They will train together for a year before leaving on a secret mission to take out the vampires who took everything from them.
For most of the book, we simply follow a bunch of self-centred soldiers obsessed by vengeance. Instead of fighting a war to end slavery, they go rogue to take out specific vamps. The book doesn’t even address that they are deserters. There was a romance subplot, but nothing romantic about it. It was really more of a “one-sided love” thing that turned into an abusive relationship. I couldn’t deal with how this book romanticized verbal and physical abuse.
Characters:
Jerusalem was an awful MC: one-dimensional and contradictory, obsessed by vengeance. She wants to kill her enemies and doesn’t care who gets hurt or killed in the process. Even worse: she enjoys killing! She also keeps complaining about racism, but does the same to white people and vampires alike. I think she actually is the character that says the most racist comments throughout the book. Also, I don’t like how we never saw her heal through her trauma; she was simply full of rage and liked to take it out on her partner, Alexei. He was my favourite character for most of the book (along with Gael) until he turned into Jerusalem’s lap dog.
Writing:
I loved how the author managed to give the two MCs very different voices. It made the mid-chapter POV switches feel natural (and you know how I hate those). Other than that, I thought the writing was okay. However, I was really not a fan of the use of modern language in a late 1800s setting.
Follow me on Instagram: @bibi.reads.writes
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
adventurous
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:
Complicated
The idea of this book sounded good but the way the FMC talked didn’t fit the time period and would take you out of the zone.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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:
No
Addictive and sworn-worthy, The Dangerous Ones has one irresistible vampire and a kick-ass warrior as they fight through the civil war.
The Dangerous Ones is perfect for fans of Justine Ireland’s Dread Nation. Instead of zombies, we’ve got Vampires and a steamy romance between one colored warrior woman and a dashing white centuries-old vamp.
Storytelling
I absolutely loved this novel. I could not put it down. Jerusalem is such a fantastic warrior, and the story begins with her running away from the plantation on which she was enslaved.
But instead of running, she stops and kills everyone hunting her, including a vampire. Her mother always told her to find something to be good. It turns out it’s killing vamps.
I loved her tone and narration, just the ferocity behind the storytelling. If I had let myself, I probably would have finished this novel in a day.
It was addictive and so challenging to put down. The pacing was incredible, moving and developing the plot fantastically.
The Dangerous Ones switches POVs sometimes twice in the same chapter to Alexie and then back to Jerusalem. And all without breaking the pace of the novel.
I loved that because we got to see their relationship blossom. He’s so in love with her, and it’s the sweetest thing how protective of her. But she’s not a girl who needs saving or protecting. They respect each other, trust each other, and protect each other. They are a team, and it’s the most wholesome thing in the world.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely loved The Dangerous Ones. It’s unputdownable, fierce, and perfect for anyone who wants a little steamy vampire romance in their storytelling.
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Dangerous Ones
by Lauren Blackwood
YA Paranormal Historical Fiction
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: May 14, 2024
St. Martin's Press
Ages: 16+
Set during the Civil War, Jerusalem escapes to the North after spending her first seventeen years as a slave on a plantation, owned by abusive humans and a single female vampire. Seeking revenge against that vampire who killed her family, she joins the Union army and also finds out she is a Saint. A rare person gifted with strength, reflexes, and endurance; perfect to fight against the vampires who have joined forces with the Confederates.
But one vampire also joined with the North, who does not agree with the other vampires and their abusive way of living.
This was a good story, a quick read. I really liked how the supernatural was incorporated into the Civil War and the Underground Railroad, though I felt as if some details about the Underground were left out. I understand the secrecy of the railroad, but I feel that a little more depth about a few of the characters would've created a more dramatic effect.
As would some backstory about the Saints. There should be a lot of explanations of who, why, how, when, etc about the Saints and how they came to be.
The romantic aspect, I didn't care for the MCs', but their friends' romance was a more 'heartfelt' romance, and I liked that one more.
Another thing that bothered me was the pet names the two MCs had for each other. It got a little confusing at times. Sure I can understand the shortening of names, but some of the 'pet names' he had for her were a tad creepy.
And the title of the book; it sounds ominous but by the end of the book...who?
There is violence and some innuendos so I think it's more suitable for 'mature' 16+ readers.
3 Stars
by Lauren Blackwood
YA Paranormal Historical Fiction
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: May 14, 2024
St. Martin's Press
Ages: 16+
Set during the Civil War, Jerusalem escapes to the North after spending her first seventeen years as a slave on a plantation, owned by abusive humans and a single female vampire. Seeking revenge against that vampire who killed her family, she joins the Union army and also finds out she is a Saint. A rare person gifted with strength, reflexes, and endurance; perfect to fight against the vampires who have joined forces with the Confederates.
But one vampire also joined with the North, who does not agree with the other vampires and their abusive way of living.
This was a good story, a quick read. I really liked how the supernatural was incorporated into the Civil War and the Underground Railroad, though I felt as if some details about the Underground were left out. I understand the secrecy of the railroad, but I feel that a little more depth about a few of the characters would've created a more dramatic effect.
As would some backstory about the Saints. There should be a lot of explanations of who, why, how, when, etc about the Saints and how they came to be.
The romantic aspect, I didn't care for the MCs', but their friends' romance was a more 'heartfelt' romance, and I liked that one more.
Another thing that bothered me was the pet names the two MCs had for each other. It got a little confusing at times. Sure I can understand the shortening of names, but some of the 'pet names' he had for her were a tad creepy.
And the title of the book; it sounds ominous but by the end of the book...who?
There is violence and some innuendos so I think it's more suitable for 'mature' 16+ readers.
3 Stars