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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
This is an interesting take on the vampire/slayer love story! The idea that a "cure" for being a reaper could be made is unique. To restore everyone to their humanity and not be stuck in a life of blood thirst and immortality would be ideal for those who didn't want to be turned.
This was alot of fun to read! I found some parts a little slower, but what was absolutely the best was the tension between Elise and Layla. I wasn’t expecting to end up liking Jaime so much, and I’m excited to see more of him in the next book.
the ending while abrupt to some- I found perfect. It leaves so much room to start the next book off anywhere. Especially maybe with Layla becoming Clan leader and becoming more comfortable with being a Reaper.
Can’t wait for the next book!
the ending while abrupt to some- I found perfect. It leaves so much room to start the next book off anywhere. Especially maybe with Layla becoming Clan leader and becoming more comfortable with being a Reaper.
Can’t wait for the next book!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Author Hayley Dennings' storytelling is incredible. This Ravenous Fate, written so poetically, so lyrically, will wistfully pull you along through this fantastical world built on top of 1920s Harlem, and then deviously hand you blood-drenched scenes where you're rooting for the one who caused the catastrophe.
Childhood friends to enemies, black queer vampires, a mystery, and a wonderful plot! Dennings' ability to convey the intense longing between characters, vividly portray emotions, acurately depict anxiety and the stress of an overbearing parent, as well as weave real-world issues throughout the story is simply impeccable. This book is exceptional. I pre-ordered it as soon as I finished chapter 2! I received this as an ARC and I'm truly honored I was able to read it ahead of time! I cannot wait to read more books by Hayley Dennings! Oh! And the twist had me pacing my kitchen with my hand over my mouth. The depth of the characters had me in tears and wishing for a book of the character Valeriya's life. I cannot praise this book enough!
Childhood friends to enemies, black queer vampires, a mystery, and a wonderful plot! Dennings' ability to convey the intense longing between characters, vividly portray emotions, acurately depict anxiety and the stress of an overbearing parent, as well as weave real-world issues throughout the story is simply impeccable. This book is exceptional. I pre-ordered it as soon as I finished chapter 2! I received this as an ARC and I'm truly honored I was able to read it ahead of time! I cannot wait to read more books by Hayley Dennings! Oh! And the twist had me pacing my kitchen with my hand over my mouth. The depth of the characters had me in tears and wishing for a book of the character Valeriya's life. I cannot praise this book enough!
I wanted to be able to get into this one, since I'm focusing on spooky books for October. But after reading all of part one, I just can't do it. It's not good. And as much as I hate dnf-ing, I have so many books that have come available from my library holds at once that I'm letting myself put this one away.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
Black lesbian vampires in 1920s New York? I was immediately sold when I first saw one of the author’s posts on Twitter ages ago, I believe when the book deal was first announced.
This YA vampire historical is political, romantic, funny, intense, horrifying, and heartbreaking, all in turns.
I loved the main characters and their friends. They each had nuance and their own goals. I felt kinda bad that my favorite was Jamie, the token white character. But honestly, how could I not love a sarcastic, funny, hard-as-nails gangster who has a massive crush on a lesbian vampire? I was immediately just like “Aw, poor guy! That’s not gonna go well!” He is seriously so precious!
I also adored the vampire Valeria and her intense monologue near the end. So epic!
I had a great time reading this book and will definitely be reading the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Cannibalism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism
1/5 stars DNF @ 35%
I really REALLY wanted to like this book. I’ve been seeing it on various social media platforms, and it was right up my alley. Vampires, sapphic romance, 1920s, jazz era, etc. However, I felt incredibly bored with the plot and could not connect with the two main characters. Their chemistry felt lack luster, and the somewhat sexual tension felt very thrown in randomly. I hope others enjoy this better than I did, but it wasn’t for me.
I really REALLY wanted to like this book. I’ve been seeing it on various social media platforms, and it was right up my alley. Vampires, sapphic romance, 1920s, jazz era, etc. However, I felt incredibly bored with the plot and could not connect with the two main characters. Their chemistry felt lack luster, and the somewhat sexual tension felt very thrown in randomly. I hope others enjoy this better than I did, but it wasn’t for me.
dark
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i think this book was my LAST STRAWWW against author’s promoting their wannabe tropy book on twitter and booktok! i’m tired! will i stop reading them? certainly not! why? obviously, i like being a masochist! 🥹
no, really, i should stop falling for the premises.
black lesbians who hate each other? i was in. vampires? you almost sold me. all happening during the roaring 20s? i was YOURS.
like— it was the perfect representation i needed.
frankly, i don't think this book was really rewritten or corrected between the time it was signed and the time it was published. i have the frank impression that the agent and publishers saw the book's potential (booktok and your trope agenda if i catch u—) and overlooked the amateur aspect: the author writes pretty well, the ideas were pretty good for a debut . . . but the author should have been given time to FINE EVERYTHING. i’m pretty sure that’s because y’all wanted to keep up the hype around the book (again, thanks tiktok and its algorithm because i fell for it!). but honestly, publishers: what the hell have you been doing?
whatever.
honorable mention to the grey cat and cutie josephine, the only characters i truly appreciated, lol. the rest of the side characters? forgettable. the MCs? meh, why not even if their banter quickly got annoying: very repetitive, a snake always bitting its own tail. i liked layla more, i think.
whatever.
i don’t know what else to say. i think this book will be enjoyable for young readers that overlook details and just focus on the dangerous-flirty/stick-in-the-ass type of enemies-to-lovers.
my final note will be 3.25/5. no more, no less.
no, really, i should stop falling for the premises.
black lesbians who hate each other? i was in. vampires? you almost sold me. all happening during the roaring 20s? i was YOURS.
like— it was the perfect representation i needed.
frankly, i don't think this book was really rewritten or corrected between the time it was signed and the time it was published. i have the frank impression that the agent and publishers saw the book's potential (booktok and your trope agenda if i catch u—) and overlooked the amateur aspect: the author writes pretty well, the ideas were pretty good for a debut . . . but the author should have been given time to FINE EVERYTHING. i’m pretty sure that’s because y’all wanted to keep up the hype around the book (again, thanks tiktok and its algorithm because i fell for it!). but honestly, publishers: what the hell have you been doing?
whatever.
honorable mention to the grey cat and cutie josephine, the only characters i truly appreciated, lol. the rest of the side characters? forgettable. the MCs? meh, why not even if their banter quickly got annoying: very repetitive, a snake always bitting its own tail. i liked layla more, i think.
whatever.
i don’t know what else to say. i think this book will be enjoyable for young readers that overlook details and just focus on the dangerous-flirty/stick-in-the-ass type of enemies-to-lovers.
my final note will be 3.25/5. no more, no less.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
I didn't care for the writing, was often confused about what was happening, and was not having a good time.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes