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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Just finished “This Ravenous Fate” by Hayley Dennings. Teenage Black Sapphic jazz age vampires in Harlem. SO MUCH DRAMA. The friends to enemies to lovers have such divided loyalties. V toxic family dynamics. Bootleggers! Gangs! Questionable doctors! Corrupt politicians! MANY UNDERHANDED PLOTS. Rather a lot of blood. Like, so much blood. Definitely a vibe.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the early digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I am so disappointed. I heard of this book on tiktok and I love the author's videos, so I immediately requested the arc thinking I would be discovering my new favorite book. I mean, it has all the buzzwords I love. Black sapphic vampires murder mystery set in the 1920s?? Sounds like the perfect recipe for me.
Unfortunately it just did not live up the hype that I built for myself and that the early reviewers on tiktok built up. I wanted to love this one, and I really thought I would.
The first problem I had is with the murder "mystery". Not only was the reveal obvious from the start, but it also just didn't feel like the stakes were there. It seemed like not much investigating was actually happening, and I just didn't feel a sense of urgency to solve it from the characters.
The other problem I had was with the romance. I was so excited for sapphic enemies to lovers, but I just never felt the chemistry between them. It felt forced overall, like the characters did not actually care for each other. A deep connection was mentioned, but I never really felt it if that makes sense.
One thing I loved though was the discussions about race and inequality, and how your social class can carry weight in how people view you as well as your race. I thought the discussions it brought up were very important, and I believe it was done well.
I've seen people both love and dislike this book so don't take my review as gospel - if it sounds good to you, pick it up!!
I am so disappointed. I heard of this book on tiktok and I love the author's videos, so I immediately requested the arc thinking I would be discovering my new favorite book. I mean, it has all the buzzwords I love. Black sapphic vampires murder mystery set in the 1920s?? Sounds like the perfect recipe for me.
Unfortunately it just did not live up the hype that I built for myself and that the early reviewers on tiktok built up. I wanted to love this one, and I really thought I would.
The first problem I had is with the murder "mystery". Not only was the reveal obvious from the start, but it also just didn't feel like the stakes were there. It seemed like not much investigating was actually happening, and I just didn't feel a sense of urgency to solve it from the characters.
The other problem I had was with the romance. I was so excited for sapphic enemies to lovers, but I just never felt the chemistry between them. It felt forced overall, like the characters did not actually care for each other. A deep connection was mentioned, but I never really felt it if that makes sense.
One thing I loved though was the discussions about race and inequality, and how your social class can carry weight in how people view you as well as your race. I thought the discussions it brought up were very important, and I believe it was done well.
I've seen people both love and dislike this book so don't take my review as gospel - if it sounds good to you, pick it up!!
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
ok so ya know those books that make you need to sit in silence for a little bit once you’ve finished them? that is this book. in the best possible way. but also in an incredibly devastating way. i came for the black sapphic vampire, and i stayed for the entire world and story that the author created.
and the ocd representation!!! it was done so well and elise is a BADASS. the compulsions and panic and spiraling all felt so real. there were moments i had to stop reading to regulate my breathing bc i was starting to spiral with her (fellow ocd-havers, take care of yourselves but don’t be scared of this portrayal!)
all in all, this book is a masterpiece.
and the ocd representation!!! it was done so well and elise is a BADASS. the compulsions and panic and spiraling all felt so real. there were moments i had to stop reading to regulate my breathing bc i was starting to spiral with her (fellow ocd-havers, take care of yourselves but don’t be scared of this portrayal!)
all in all, this book is a masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
this book was very long and i wish it was edited a bit better. the premise had me very excited and it had sooo much potential but yeah it was not my favorite. i do wonder how the 2nd one will be