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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
fast-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:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Vampires, Harlem Renaissance, Lady Loving, turf wars and so much more is in this book!
It’s also all wrapped up on a mystery, and I was pleasantly surprised to be so hooked to the characters and their fates.
Elise -the human- was most frustrating to read because she was trying to figure out what she stood for and believed without the influence of her father and the family “legacy” that she asked for. I don’t really like coming-of-age stores for that reason, but switching between Elise and Layla per chapter, made Elise tolerable LOL
Layla -the reaper/vampire- needs love and hugs and I just felt so much sympathy for her! She would also say a LOT of the truth, even when it wasn’t pretty, like educating folks on the historical medical traumas black people endured. She saw the truth and refused to be silent, therefore being my favorite character in This Ravenous Fate.
Additionally, this book did a great job describing someone with anxiety and what a panic attack can feel like. While this was 1926, the descriptions and emotions that Elise felt, were a solid depiction of what we call anxiety today. And I LOVED that Layla was her solid object!
I’m looking forward to the second book, and I think Haley Dennings did a great job infusing the black experience, while balancing romance and mystery. The vampires sound so realistic, and I could imagine reapers existing. Highly recommend this read!
It’s also all wrapped up on a mystery, and I was pleasantly surprised to be so hooked to the characters and their fates.
Elise -the human- was most frustrating to read because she was trying to figure out what she stood for and believed without the influence of her father and the family “legacy” that she asked for. I don’t really like coming-of-age stores for that reason, but switching between Elise and Layla per chapter, made Elise tolerable LOL
Layla -the reaper/vampire- needs love and hugs and I just felt so much sympathy for her! She would also say a LOT of the truth, even when it wasn’t pretty, like educating folks on the historical medical traumas black people endured. She saw the truth and refused to be silent, therefore being my favorite character in This Ravenous Fate.
Additionally, this book did a great job describing someone with anxiety and what a panic attack can feel like. While this was 1926, the descriptions and emotions that Elise felt, were a solid depiction of what we call anxiety today.
I’m looking forward to the second book, and I think Haley Dennings did a great job infusing the black experience, while balancing romance and mystery. The vampires sound so realistic, and I could imagine reapers existing. Highly recommend this read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, Classism
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Vampires in Harlem in the roaring 20’s ? I loved the concept, and I was excited to read this one. At its heart, this book was a supernatural suspense. The mystery, the twist and the turns all felt like a good noir crime drama. Overall, it was a solid story, though at times, the historical context didn’t feel as immersive as I would have liked.
The vampires were interesting, but what really made Denning’s work shine was the exquisite, multifaceted characters. The main characters were top-tier, their relationship and their circumstances were complicated and messy in the best way.
Based on the ending I hope there is a sequel, and soon! I feel like Dennings is just getting started and book 2 is going to kick it up a notch. I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.
Thank you to Sourcebooks, Netgalley and the author for a complimentary copy of this ebook. I am leaving a voluntary review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolutely nothing happens. It's a waste of time. The characters are okay, the plot is non-existent, and the action scenes don't feel justified to take place. It literally feels like the author just moves these characters around and puts them in weird/dangerous situations just for the fun of it and never to push the plot. I read nearly 8 hours worth and they didn't even establish the main plot and mystery until hour 5!!
challenging
dark
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