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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
mysterious
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
This was so GOOD literally everything i could ask for. Black vampire lesbians? I AM SEATED!! I loved the plot it was interesting n fun to follow with, our main characters Elise n Layla are everything to me i loved them sm ðŸ˜ðŸ©· i loved Elise’s character n how she dealt with her trauma was just so. I want to protect her from the world istg. The romance was AMAZING I WAS OBSESSED like omg they were insane. Layla n Elise were just too good i was giggling kicking my feet reading them. Dont even get me started on the vampire feeding scene THEYRE SO CRAZY I LOVE THEM SO MUCHðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜.
With that being said i think the writing could’ve been delivered better, not that it was bad, but at certain points were a a major plot was happening it felt like we were not really delving deep into what was going on instead just getting a surface idea of it and then straight moving on to the next thing. Like i would’ve loved if we went a bit deeper with the writing when exploring the plot. Second, i also really would’ve liked if the side characters were more fleshed out as the main characters were. Like Sterling, Jamie, and Valeriya, they wouldve been more interesting i feel like if we got more depth to them as characters on their own rather than just characters to support the mcs plot arc.
Overall i think this was a pretty decent and fun book and i would totally recommend !
With that being said i think the writing could’ve been delivered better, not that it was bad, but at certain points were a a major plot was happening it felt like we were not really delving deep into what was going on instead just getting a surface idea of it and then straight moving on to the next thing. Like i would’ve loved if we went a bit deeper with the writing when exploring the plot. Second, i also really would’ve liked if the side characters were more fleshed out as the main characters were. Like Sterling, Jamie, and Valeriya, they wouldve been more interesting i feel like if we got more depth to them as characters on their own rather than just characters to support the mcs plot arc.
Overall i think this was a pretty decent and fun book and i would totally recommend !
The plot wasn’t very good. The enemies to lovers was barely there and solved instantly
I accepted that the plot of this book was going to make no sense about 50 pages in, and after that I had a good time reading this! While I have some critiques about the writing style/structure (like the book being divided into "acts" that seem to have no correlation to what is actually going on in the story, and how half the time chapters would just suddenly end in the middle of a scene), I didn't really get too hung up on these minor flaws because this is a debut YA novel and I tend to be more generous with those. And the complex and interesting relationship between Layla and Elise and the unique and thought-provoking use of vampires as social & racial commentary was definitely enough to keep me engaged despite those issues!
However, this book really flies off the handle at the 80% mark, with the pacing becoming incredibly rushed and the weak plot starting to collapse under its own weight. Pair this with the pretty sparse writing style and I genuinely could not understand anything that happened at the climax of this book. I had to go back and reread it and even then it just... makes no sense. This book needed at least another round of editing, maybe two, to iron out all these plot holes and more evenly distribute the plot so characters don't just have to explain their part in the plot in huge monologues at the end, to fix the structural issues, and to clean up some lingering awkward phrasing/grammar mistakes.
I still would be interested in reading the sequel because I do like these characters and I think all of my criticisms are things that can be improved with time and more editing!
However, this book really flies off the handle at the 80% mark, with the pacing becoming incredibly rushed and the weak plot starting to collapse under its own weight. Pair this with the pretty sparse writing style and I genuinely could not understand anything that happened at the climax of this book. I had to go back and reread it and even then it just... makes no sense. This book needed at least another round of editing, maybe two, to iron out all these plot holes and more evenly distribute the plot so characters don't just have to explain their part in the plot in huge monologues at the end, to fix the structural issues, and to clean up some lingering awkward phrasing/grammar mistakes.
I still would be interested in reading the sequel because I do like these characters and I think all of my criticisms are things that can be improved with time and more editing!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.75 out of 5 stars: I loved the themes, setting, and intrigue of this book, and it truly felt like what I interpret to be Enemies to more. That being said, the pace killed me, and it's not the books fault more so mine, I don't think my brain isn't feeling slow paced reads at all this year. I did like the mystery and intrigue of it all.
emotional
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I LOVED THIS BOOK!! The cast of characters are lovely and you find yourself both rooting for them and also cringing when they make mistakes. They also have a unique universe of vampires while also have black main leads!!!! Everything starts to really pick up towards the ends and it seems a little rushed, but it also sets things up for the sequel (which comes out August of next year). Overall I can’t wait to see more of her work!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood
adventurous
mysterious
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
this book was an surprising five star read. I just devoured this book. and it gave me five stars feeling from the start. it took me a little bit longer to read but that made me enjoy it even more. this book is fantasy and we follow two female characters that have history with each other, but we see from the start that they feel something for each other. further that it being a fantasy book it has vampires and historical fiction. the vibes were amazing and it reminded me of the shadow hunters series.
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely adored the concept of this book. If it has queer vampires, I'm automatically on board. Add 1920s Harlem and I'm even MORE on board. This book was such a fun read despite not feeling quite fleshed out as much as it could be.
I think what disappointed me the most was the pacing. Some parts were very slow and dragged on, and other parts were very quick, so much so that I felt like I missed important information. Avoiding spoilers, the end was VERY sudden and felt so rushed. I felt like it jumped from scene to scene drastically in the last 10% of the book, and I was left confused enough to re-read portions to understand what had happened.
All this being said, I am quite enchanted with the love/hate relationship between Elise and Layla. I found them to be wonderful characters with a lot of depth, especially as they grapple with mental health issues, familial issues, racism, sexism, classism, and loss. I look forward to seeing where the sequel takes them and their relationship.
Publication date: 6 August 2024
I absolutely adored the concept of this book. If it has queer vampires, I'm automatically on board. Add 1920s Harlem and I'm even MORE on board. This book was such a fun read despite not feeling quite fleshed out as much as it could be.
I think what disappointed me the most was the pacing. Some parts were very slow and dragged on, and other parts were very quick, so much so that I felt like I missed important information. Avoiding spoilers, the end was VERY sudden and felt so rushed. I felt like it jumped from scene to scene drastically in the last 10% of the book, and I was left confused enough to re-read portions to understand what had happened.
All this being said, I am quite enchanted with the love/hate relationship between Elise and Layla. I found them to be wonderful characters with a lot of depth, especially as they grapple with mental health issues, familial issues, racism, sexism, classism, and loss. I look forward to seeing where the sequel takes them and their relationship.
Publication date: 6 August 2024