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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
emotional
fast-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
As excited as I was for this book (lesbian vampires!!!) I really struggled to actually like it. About halfway through the book, the plot started to lose its way, and the two main characters became increasingly on-again off-again to the point where it felt like all they did was disagree fight make up and then repeat. There were multiple times where I thought okay, this is it, they’re finally on the same page—only for one of them to randomly betray the other. This went literally until the last chapter of the book. This may just be another entry in me reading a YA book when I really should know better, as I couldn’t get past my irritation of the main characters choices enough to enjoy anything else. Besides that, setting was interesting, though I wish vampirism (or reaperhood) had more consequences (what do you mean a child-turned-vampire will continue to age until their 20s. that’s no fun).
This story features an innovative take on vampires, which are called Reapers in this story. Layla and Elise used to be best friends until Layla becomes a Reaper. She blames Elise for what happened and wants Elise dead. Meanwhile, Elise is doing all she can she protect her little sister as her older sister did when she sacrificed her life for Elise. When Layla is accused of killing two people, she has to work with Elise on solving a peculiar aspect of those murders. One of the people killed used to be a Reaper, but his body was human went he died. Layla and Elise have to figure things out in order for Layla to stay out of jail and for Elise to protect her sister. The TENSION between these two was so thick I felt it in my soul. And when the enemies FINALLY become lovers….phew it was hot. I loved every aspect of this book and highly recommend.
dark
mysterious
tense
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 was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I mean, Black queer vampires in Jazz Age NYC—what's not to like? Unfortunately, despite the fact that This Ravenous Fate had a lot of potential and certain elements that were really interesting, I didn't particularly enjoy the reading experience 😭 I think this book desperately needed another round of editing. I actually enjoyed the writing itself, but the flow of the plot, the relationships between characters, and the dialogue were all quite clunky. Like, I would find myself being confused from one paragraph to another because a large issue hadn't been discussed, or a character was saying something that just didn't seem to fit the scene. It really took me out of the story, and I had a hard time rooting for Elise and Layla's relationship, or even for Elise and Layla as individual characters. I think with a solid editing team, Hayley Dennings could release some wonderful books, so I will definitely try out another one of her reads in the future! Just not any more in the This Ravenous Fate universe...
dark
tense
dark
emotional
tense
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:
Complicated
(3.75) happy halloweekend!! i have been looking forward to reading this one for a long time since i saw it was about black sapphic vampires!! i loved it!!! the relationship dynamics of the characters worked well, especially in the discussions of the intersections of race and class and how some might not benefit or benefit from one or the other. along with this, there are also interesting discussions and allegories of blackness and queerness that i enjoyed seeing.
i got lost in the action scenes sometimes, but that also could’ve completely been my fault. but, i do think certain key plot points regarding josi and stephen for instance, could’ve been developed more. also, for me, the book felt almost too cliche at times in a way that distracted me, but i think that’s just a more “me thing.”
i adored the thread of elise’s and layla’s past, i almost craved more (and i think this is intentional and i love it). the ongoing thread of elise’s relationship with her dad was so palpable.
ofc, have to shout out, three cheers for black sapphics. i love us. and i am glad that now we have this.
forgot to mention i appreciated the ocd rep!! done in an incredibly authentic way that felt real to life but also added to elise. i find that to be important.
i got lost in the action scenes sometimes, but that also could’ve completely been my fault. but, i do think certain key plot points regarding josi and stephen for instance, could’ve been developed more. also, for me, the book felt almost too cliche at times in a way that distracted me, but i think that’s just a more “me thing.”
i adored the thread of elise’s and layla’s past, i almost craved more (and i think this is intentional and i love it). the ongoing thread of elise’s relationship with her dad was so palpable.
ofc, have to shout out, three cheers for black sapphics. i love us. and i am glad that now we have this.
forgot to mention i appreciated the ocd rep!! done in an incredibly authentic way that felt real to life but also added to elise. i find that to be important.
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
this was a Rollercoaster. i really enjoyed the first 40% percent when i was just listening to the audiobook, then i bought the hardcover bc i wanted to support hayley, her channel was/is one of my favorites. unfortunately i feel like reading the physical book along with listening highlighted for me some of the clunky writing, and weak points in both plot and characters. i know this was supposed to be a slow burn but i just feel like the transition wasn’t as smooth as i wanted it to be, and bc so much page length was dedicated to that, the whole mystery component kinda fell off to the wayside? i mean i will say it was still compelling enough for me to read, and it was a fast read (different from fast paced! i think pacing also struggled a bit). that being said, these two lines are going to live in my head rent free:
“if you have never felt better than you do now, then i like where we are.”
“you deserve a happy ending”
😭😭😭
“if you have never felt better than you do now, then i like where we are.”
“you deserve a happy ending”
😭😭😭
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
It’s okay I just think it’s more for a slightly younger audience than me
Excellent concept and vibes, subpar execution of plot and character development.
Interested to see where book two takes us, despite not loving the execution. I think there’s room for improvement here.
Interested to see where book two takes us, despite not loving the execution. I think there’s room for improvement here.