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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
While I couldn’t personally connect with the characters on a deeper level, I enjoyed learning about them, who they are, their relationship with the other. I would have loved to learnt more about what their friendship was like before the incident occurred. I look forward to the next instalment to see what comes next for Elise and Layla.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wanted to love this book - what is there not to love about a book set in Harlem, staring vampires and Black lesbians? The themes surrounding classism, power, empire, and racism also seemed promising, but to me, this book would’ve benefitted from another round of editing. Pacing was off, and characterizations at the end left me feeling bewildered. It felt rushed - how did Layla and Elise go from completely hating each other to working together and loving each other without even discussing the betrayal between them? I also felt that the themes were heavy handed at times - more telling than showing in the book. And I’m still confused about Elise’s mother and Sterling as characters!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've been dreading this review because this is one of the few times where not only do I not know how to rate it, but I also don't know how I feel about this novel. "This Ravenous Fate" follows two different girls, Layla and Elise. Elise was a promising pianist in France, wanting nothing but the appoval of her father, Tobias Saint, a man who created a way to eliminate the creatures and keep innocents safe. While Layla, the ex best friend of Elise is now condemned to the darkness. All because of Eloise. The beginning of this novel immersive, I latched on to it, ready for the ride.
The lore behind vampires in this novel was very well thought out, as it parrallels reality. Human test subjects that have been prodded and prodded, and in this universe, it resulted in the blood hungry creatures.
The prose in this novel was absolutely beautiful. It was flowery and lusious, making me. I remember that Elise described her relationship with her father as a "gentle violence" and it reminded me of Lana del Rey's song, Ultraviolence.
I just want to give a quick shoutout to Layla, I think in this whole cast she stuck out the most to me as the one person with the most morals, and out the actions behind her words. A special shoutout to Jamie too, I loved the dynamic between the two, and Jamie's son.
I think that the characterization of Sterling, especially towards the end was... confusing to say the least. I don't want to trudge too deeply into spoiler territory but what happens at the end of the book didn't make any sense for his character.
With all the positive things I've said about this book, I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't really like it. The prose was amazing, I love the premise, but the overall execution fell slightly flat. If I had to I think it was something either with the pacing or the character development that makes me hesitant to say that I really liked this book, even though in theory it would have been a high 4 star read.
Anyway, I am committed to finishing off this series, as I am curious to see how it will end.
The lore behind vampires in this novel was very well thought out, as it parrallels reality. Human test subjects that have been prodded and prodded, and in this universe, it resulted in the blood hungry creatures.
The prose in this novel was absolutely beautiful. It was flowery and lusious, making me. I remember that Elise described her relationship with her father as a "gentle violence" and it reminded me of Lana del Rey's song, Ultraviolence.
I just want to give a quick shoutout to Layla, I think in this whole cast she stuck out the most to me as the one person with the most morals, and out the actions behind her words. A special shoutout to Jamie too, I loved the dynamic between the two, and Jamie's son.
I think that the characterization of Sterling, especially towards the end was... confusing to say the least. I don't want to trudge too deeply into spoiler territory but what happens at the end of the book didn't make any sense for his character.
With all the positive things I've said about this book, I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't really like it. The prose was amazing, I love the premise, but the overall execution fell slightly flat. If I had to I think it was something either with the pacing or the character development that makes me hesitant to say that I really liked this book, even though in theory it would have been a high 4 star read.
Anyway, I am committed to finishing off this series, as I am curious to see how it will end.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this book was TOO long.
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
the big twist of who was the big bad made absolutely no sense to me and made the plot feel redundant and made it all seem to be for nobody's benefit. the twist made the entire book feel pointless and felt insulting as a reader. why waste our time
challenging
dark
mysterious
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:
Yes