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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Set during the Civil War, this book immediately gave me Jasper Cullen vibes and not in a good way. Jerusalem is a saint fighting for the union; but she's also an escaped slave. How was a saint kept as a slave? I could never quite get a handle on how she became one other than she was one; whereas becoming a vampire was more direct. Also, if you get turned into a saint than why didn't Jerusalem turn her dying brother into a saint and instead asked for him to become a vampire?
Overall the idea behind the story was good, but the characters were a bit one dimensional and difficult to connect with. As a person, Jerusalem made sense with her anger and impulsiveness but her relationship with Alexei didn't make any sense from start to finish. I just couldn't get into this book.
Thank you Wednesday Books for a gifted copy.
Overall the idea behind the story was good, but the characters were a bit one dimensional and difficult to connect with. As a person, Jerusalem made sense with her anger and impulsiveness but her relationship with Alexei didn't make any sense from start to finish. I just couldn't get into this book.
Thank you Wednesday Books for a gifted copy.
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
2.5, rounded up. I would have enjoyed this far more if Lauren Blackwood had expanded the lore (Civil War-era America with Sasquatches, werewolves, vampires, and some category of fighter called "saints"? Sign me up!) and gotten rid of the romance. Insta-love is already a pet peeve of mine, but the way Alexei unequivocally adores her immediately with no explanation annoyed me--especially with the way Jerusalem treats him. (If I had to read one more anachronistic use of "dumbass" I would have thrown my Kindle across the room.)
2.5, rounded up. I would have enjoyed this far more if Lauren Blackwood had expanded the lore (Civil War-era America with Sasquatches, werewolves, vampires, and some category of fighter called "saints"? Sign me up!) and gotten rid of the romance. Insta-love is already a pet peeve of mine, but the way Alexei unequivocally adores her immediately with no explanation annoyed me--especially with the way Jerusalem treats him. (If I had to read one more anachronistic use of "dumbass" I would have thrown my Kindle across the room.)
Nope. This ain't it. This story had so much potential. I really enjoyed the premise; Slavery and civil war but if vampires et al exist? (PS. I loved the sasquatch, that was cool). Unfortunately this did not hit for me. First; for a novel set during the civil war there is a lot of modern and foul language that I would never expect and really took me out of the story. The amount of times the FMC says "dumbass", its just so unbelievable. Next the FMC was honestly so insufferable, partially because of the language she used, but also, sorry she's not smart. We are told she is intelligent but she continues to make irrational decisions over and over again, and putting herself and her friends in danger She is also literally abusive? Lets segue into the romance... Alexei is actually a great character. Why he is in love with J I do not understand. She repeatedly verbally (and physically) abuses him - How can you go from literally attempting to kill him to kissing in the same paragraph? Like what?? Maybe some people are into it but to me its just unrealistic. Next to the abuse, my biggest pet peeve would be the amount of times that their height difference is pointed out. You do not need to remind readers that the FMC is so smol and tiny and little and the the MMC is a "giant" in every chapter. We get it. Please move on.
I did listen to the audiobook of this novel which is read by 2 narrators, I didn't love the female narrator, I felt like her tone was not enjoyable or how I would read it. I also think this may have partially been due to the language used. The male narrator was definitely better and I would listen to more audiobooks by him.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Spoiler
and also getting the more redeeming characters killed. I actually liked Odessa until she very uncharacteristically sent herself and her friends to their deaths.I did listen to the audiobook of this novel which is read by 2 narrators, I didn't love the female narrator, I felt like her tone was not enjoyable or how I would read it. I also think this may have partially been due to the language used. The male narrator was definitely better and I would listen to more audiobooks by him.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The description of the book made me want to read this so very badly. Sadly, I didn't enjoy The Dangerous Ones. I was unable to suspend my disbelief for many reasons. First, the language was not at all consistent with the setting. No matter how rebellious, Jerusalem would not have been using modern language. Secondly, if the vampires in the story were as old as they said, their language would have also been much different, especially Alexei's as he came from Russia not long ago. I think a lot more research needed to have been done to make this work as a historical fantasy set in 1863, especially considering the fact that a woman who had just been freed from slavery would have had as many dangers to navigate from human society as from vampires and werewolves.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Jerusalem is many things; a former slave, a fighter in the Union army, a Saint - a human imbued with superhuman physical abilities, but she has only one goal, and that is revenge. Her quest to kill the vampire who murdered her family brings her into the path of Alexei, a vampire with a dark and troubled past who is eager to prove his loyalty to her and the Union. The threat of what they face grows ever more daunting, and Jerusalem and Alexei will need each other if they want to survive.
I liked Jerusalem a lot as a main character. She was complicated as a heroine: prickly and tough, but brave and vulnerable. Her quest for vengeance and inherent mistrust of others made her point of view a unique and interesting experience. The romance was well balanced with the action, and it was a very dialogue-heavy read. The issues of race and PTSD were handled well in my opinion, and I thought the use of civil war era America as the setting was a nice change of pace from other recent paranormal romances.
The story was a little difficult to follow at times, as it jumped around the past as a way to contextualize the present, and switched between Alexei and Jerusalem’s POV a bit too frequently. There were some instances of modern slang in the dialogue breaking my immersion. There are times when this doesn’t bother me as a reader, but it was a bit jarring as modern slang wasn’t consistently used throughout the book so it seemed out of place when it did appear. In general though, the setting of this book was extremely fun, the action was gripping, and the romance was sweet. Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.
3.5/5 (rounded up) Sorrow, pain, joy, and vampires.
I liked Jerusalem a lot as a main character. She was complicated as a heroine: prickly and tough, but brave and vulnerable. Her quest for vengeance and inherent mistrust of others made her point of view a unique and interesting experience. The romance was well balanced with the action, and it was a very dialogue-heavy read. The issues of race and PTSD were handled well in my opinion, and I thought the use of civil war era America as the setting was a nice change of pace from other recent paranormal romances.
The story was a little difficult to follow at times, as it jumped around the past as a way to contextualize the present, and switched between Alexei and Jerusalem’s POV a bit too frequently. There were some instances of modern slang in the dialogue breaking my immersion. There are times when this doesn’t bother me as a reader, but it was a bit jarring as modern slang wasn’t consistently used throughout the book so it seemed out of place when it did appear. In general though, the setting of this book was extremely fun, the action was gripping, and the romance was sweet. Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.
3.5/5 (rounded up) Sorrow, pain, joy, and vampires.
dark
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Jerusalem has escaped from a plantation after seeing her family killed and decided to join the union and fight alongside a vampire. Not a fan of Vampires (Due to some being slave owners) and quick to act on emotions makes this a difficult partnership for Jerusalem.
This is my 3rd novel by L Blackwood and I’ve enjoyed all 3. I’ve read mixed reviews on the novel and can agree with some of the feedback. This biggest issue is that the books takes place during the civil was era but the language and slang are more modern. If you can get past that, it’s a great book.
This is my 3rd novel by L Blackwood and I’ve enjoyed all 3. I’ve read mixed reviews on the novel and can agree with some of the feedback. This biggest issue is that the books takes place during the civil was era but the language and slang are more modern. If you can get past that, it’s a great book.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
I love a vamp & demi-god YA romance. Anything that gives Buffy vibes is my jam.
Taking place in the civil war era gives the author (Blackwood) a chance to share more of a meaningful story. The FMC, Jersualem, has escaped from slavery and is seeking revenge (She's the demi-god and hater of vampires!). OFC she is being trained for the war by a vampire. This book was amazing in some chapters which made it worth the read, especially the last 1/3rd. I listened to the audio and while different narrators for the multiple POVs was a plus, the chapters still needed to be broken down more on the audio, some have the two povs mixed into a single very long audio chapter. It took me awhile to get into it on audio, I almost gave up and ultimately and glad I did not.
Taking place in the civil war era gives the author (Blackwood) a chance to share more of a meaningful story. The FMC, Jersualem, has escaped from slavery and is seeking revenge (She's the demi-god and hater of vampires!). OFC she is being trained for the war by a vampire. This book was amazing in some chapters which made it worth the read, especially the last 1/3rd. I listened to the audio and while different narrators for the multiple POVs was a plus, the chapters still needed to be broken down more on the audio, some have the two povs mixed into a single very long audio chapter. It took me awhile to get into it on audio, I almost gave up and ultimately and glad I did not.