You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-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
There was so much of this that I loooved and for majority of this if you asked me, I would’ve given it a very happy 4 stars… but the ending kind of lost me. The vibes were definitely there, it was just kind of all over the place at times. Especially the last like 1/4, I truly was like wtf is going on right now, everything seemed so chaotic and rushed. I’m still not 100% sure I really understand what happened. I loved so much of this (lesbian vampires duh) that I definitely think I’ll read the second book when it comes out, but I’ll definitely be sad if it ends up being too much of the same thing
Also, I should mention that the way the author tied in the origin of the reapers to black American history was actually genius. I loved the way that was done and would be so fascinated to read more about that in book 2. Something else id love more of in the next one…would be more of the 1920s vibes, because I felt like that was kind of lacking.
Also, I should mention that the way the author tied in the origin of the reapers to black American history was actually genius. I loved the way that was done and would be so fascinated to read more about that in book 2. Something else id love more of in the next one…would be more of the 1920s vibes, because I felt like that was kind of lacking.
I really wanted to love this because the concept is so good, but the writing, pacing, and character development were not there for me. the setting, which was one of the selling points of the novel for me, did not come through, like I was so excited for a harlem renaissance vampire novel, but I think besides maybe the cotton club there was not much actually set in the 20s era, it was just kind of a generic murder mystery vibe. the twist I guessed right after the thalia part. all the characters felt flat and undefined, even our main characters. I kept being so confused about their actions, not knowing why they would do something when it doesn’t align with the scene or their personality the rest of the book established.
I also think in a book that bills itself as partially a romance there should be some setup of why the characters like each other, especially in a friendship to enemies to lovers situation. I think because we don’t really see their friendship, and for a large part of the book we don’t see why they initially started to hate each other, it’s hard to understand the depths of why they love and hate each other. I don’t know if that makes sense, but one of the reasons I like enemies to lovers is the process of realizing you’ve misunderstood someone, or that they misrepresented themselves, or maybe coming to see why you hated them and that it stems from deeper feeling. enemies to lovers is appealing because it’s about someone seeing the worst of you first, and still coming to be able to love you. this book had none of that, and I was constantly confused why they would even be around the other.
I really wanted to like this but it left me feeling frustrated. the plot was sooo engaging at the beginning but as we went on I just kind of read it and had to shrug my shoulders and go “okay then”. I don’t want to be entirely negative, so I will say I love that the book is entirely centered on Black lesbians, and it has a lot of social commentary about segregation and aligning the real world segregation of Black people with the fictional vampiric struggle. I think not loving the book must be a me thing, because I know this is a popular and loved book, but for me personally all the plot and character development was so lacking that it sadly didn’t hit. :(
I also think in a book that bills itself as partially a romance there should be some setup of why the characters like each other, especially in a friendship to enemies to lovers situation. I think because we don’t really see their friendship, and for a large part of the book we don’t see why they initially started to hate each other, it’s hard to understand the depths of why they love and hate each other. I don’t know if that makes sense, but one of the reasons I like enemies to lovers is the process of realizing you’ve misunderstood someone, or that they misrepresented themselves, or maybe coming to see why you hated them and that it stems from deeper feeling. enemies to lovers is appealing because it’s about someone seeing the worst of you first, and still coming to be able to love you. this book had none of that, and I was constantly confused why they would even be around the other.
I really wanted to like this but it left me feeling frustrated. the plot was sooo engaging at the beginning but as we went on I just kind of read it and had to shrug my shoulders and go “okay then”. I don’t want to be entirely negative, so I will say I love that the book is entirely centered on Black lesbians, and it has a lot of social commentary about segregation and aligning the real world segregation of Black people with the fictional vampiric struggle. I think not loving the book must be a me thing, because I know this is a popular and loved book, but for me personally all the plot and character development was so lacking that it sadly didn’t hit. :(
3.5
Overall I enjoyed the idea and the chemistry was insane. Would like to read the sequel.
Overall I enjoyed the idea and the chemistry was insane. Would like to read the sequel.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it exceeded all of my expectations. I loved this book so much that I genuinely don’t know how to write a review that does it justice.
I absolutely fell in love with both main characters, they are so well fleshed-out, seem so relatable and utterly human, you can’t help but root for them. Layla is so angry and bloodthirsty — and has every right to be — and I loved the theme of female rage reflected in her character and her actions throughout the book. Elise is more of an anxious and perfectionist girl that is weight down by all the expectations her parents have for her as the heiress of their family empire.
I loved the sapphic childhood best friends to enemies to lovers romance sub plot between Layla and Elise and how they have so much shared trauma that they can only really open up about with each other.
The representation of mental illness, specifically OCD, anxiety, PTSD and suicidal ideation, was done so well, I loved how the book handled each of these mental illnesses and how accurate the two main characters’ struggles felt.
The world building was so interesting and I thought it was ingenious how the author connected the origin of the “reapers” (the vampires in this world) to Black American history and how the segregation between “reapers” and humans reflected racism in America.
I also really enjoyed the whole mystery plot of this book and am glad it didn’t end on a total cliffhanger. I couldn’t be more excited for book two!!
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it exceeded all of my expectations. I loved this book so much that I genuinely don’t know how to write a review that does it justice.
I absolutely fell in love with both main characters, they are so well fleshed-out, seem so relatable and utterly human, you can’t help but root for them. Layla is so angry and bloodthirsty — and has every right to be — and I loved the theme of female rage reflected in her character and her actions throughout the book. Elise is more of an anxious and perfectionist girl that is weight down by all the expectations her parents have for her as the heiress of their family empire.
I loved the sapphic childhood best friends to enemies to lovers romance sub plot between Layla and Elise and how they have so much shared trauma that they can only really open up about with each other.
The representation of mental illness, specifically OCD, anxiety, PTSD and suicidal ideation, was done so well, I loved how the book handled each of these mental illnesses and how accurate the two main characters’ struggles felt.
The world building was so interesting and I thought it was ingenious how the author connected the origin of the “reapers” (the vampires in this world) to Black American history and how the segregation between “reapers” and humans reflected racism in America.
I also really enjoyed the whole mystery plot of this book and am glad it didn’t end on a total cliffhanger. I couldn’t be more excited for book two!!
dark
mysterious
sad
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
This book started off very very hopeful, and for the most part it was great!! There were some really interesting concepts and the vampires themselves (called reapers in this) are incredibly awesome.
However, I have some gripes. The ending relationship feels unearned. One of them is quite an entitled rich girl who constantly makes terrible decisions that get others hurt and she seems to not acknowledge the harm she has caused. The other one is awesome, badass, and has actual life experience, but for some reason constantly forgives her. The relationship seems to come out of nowhere and even at the very end they're having issues, and the 2nd character I speak of has other relationships that are a million times more shippable.
There are multiple plots and subplots which are really cool, such as evil family members, bad relationships, racism, found family and its destruction, and many more. It's also incredibly queer and focussed heavily on people of colour which I loved!!
Linking to this, however, I wish it felt a bit more historical. For the most part it felt as if it could be modern day but with letters instead of phones and sometimes they referenced a speakeasy.I feel like topics of discrimination were covered a bit, but to a modern extent - when Elise's mother walks in to see Elise and Layla together, she has the smallest reaction ever and a really modern response from the girls . Not necessarily a big thing, but the way it's been described to me I thought it would maybe be a bit more atmospheric in the setting and a bit better at covering discrimination in a historical sense.
Still, it's probably the best romantasy I've read thus far and gives me a lot of hope for the genre, motivating me to read a few more even though I don't typically get along with it!!
I also hope that some unanswered questions and relationship development will be resolved in the next book :]]
A little spoiler section here at the end!! It also annoyed me how every character who didn't frustrate me died. Giana, Shirley, Mei - the three most iconic characters in the whole book. Especially when there was a risk of the MCs dying but they just... didn't. If the other characters couldn't have been saved, then realistically neither could Elise nearer the end. It was like, despite the book trying to tell me otherwise, Layla just didn't really care enough to try and save them.
However, I have some gripes. The ending relationship feels unearned. One of them is quite an entitled rich girl who constantly makes terrible decisions that get others hurt and she seems to not acknowledge the harm she has caused. The other one is awesome, badass, and has actual life experience, but for some reason constantly forgives her. The relationship seems to come out of nowhere and even at the very end they're having issues, and the 2nd character I speak of has other relationships that are a million times more shippable.
There are multiple plots and subplots which are really cool, such as evil family members, bad relationships, racism, found family and its destruction, and many more. It's also incredibly queer and focussed heavily on people of colour which I loved!!
Linking to this, however, I wish it felt a bit more historical. For the most part it felt as if it could be modern day but with letters instead of phones and sometimes they referenced a speakeasy.
Still, it's probably the best romantasy I've read thus far and gives me a lot of hope for the genre, motivating me to read a few more even though I don't typically get along with it!!
I also hope that some unanswered questions and relationship development will be resolved in the next book :]]
dark
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
No