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christajls's review
4.0
Super fun vampire romp. Never takes itself too seriously and has great characters and twists.
paragraphsandpages's review
4.0
This book would've been 5 stars if it had not been for the ending and the misrepresented idea I had going into this book (this was kinda sold as a paranormal romance and the only way I can see that being true is if this had been a series (meaning there was more potential romance to come) or had there been more space given to it here).
This story is very much a hardcore vampire book, it's got lore, politics, cult, history, etc. It's got so much more depth than some other vampires I've read, and it's in general really well done here. There're explanations for every aspect of vampire existence and co-existence with humans. By the end, we know how they appeared, the politics and hierarchies that govern them, how they generally interact with humans (with some exceptions), the motivations of different factions of vampires, etc. etc. etc. This world had so much depth and I genuinely enjoyed how well built this world was. I can see more stories taking place in this world easily. I also generally liked the plot itself, the mystery behind it, and I don't have any issues there at all!
I also really liked the characters for the entirety of the book. August/Auggie was a great MC, if a bit too horny at times, and I loved the love interests, August's friends, and the other side characters that they meet along the story. I also loved how queer this story was, and we got some really great m/m AND f/f rep in this book. This lead to a story that was overall fun to read, and I loved the jokes August made, his view of the world, and how he accepted/used/etc. his fate as chosen one.
There's literally no reason for this book to be 4 stars except for how frustrated the ending to the romance storylines left me. Honestly, if I were rating this book based on that alone, I'd give it a 2 or a 3. There was so much constant build-up, slow burn, etc., and it just never really went anywhere? The entire book was also so horny, so it was even weirder then that the romance ended with It's all I can seem to remember when I think back on the book now, my frustration and disappointment.
All in all, I did enjoy this, even if that enjoyment was severely impacted by the ending of the romance. I loved (loved!!) everything else, which honestly makes it even more frustrating to be fair. I'll still be giving other books of Roehrig's a chance, but I'm still always going to think of what this could've been.
This story is very much a hardcore vampire book, it's got lore, politics, cult, history, etc. It's got so much more depth than some other vampires I've read, and it's in general really well done here. There're explanations for every aspect of vampire existence and co-existence with humans. By the end, we know how they appeared, the politics and hierarchies that govern them, how they generally interact with humans (with some exceptions), the motivations of different factions of vampires, etc. etc. etc. This world had so much depth and I genuinely enjoyed how well built this world was. I can see more stories taking place in this world easily. I also generally liked the plot itself, the mystery behind it, and I don't have any issues there at all!
I also really liked the characters for the entirety of the book. August/Auggie was a great MC, if a bit too horny at times, and I loved the love interests, August's friends, and the other side characters that they meet along the story. I also loved how queer this story was, and we got some really great m/m AND f/f rep in this book. This lead to a story that was overall fun to read, and I loved the jokes August made, his view of the world, and how he accepted/used/etc. his fate as chosen one.
There's literally no reason for this book to be 4 stars except for how frustrated the ending to the romance storylines left me. Honestly, if I were rating this book based on that alone, I'd give it a 2 or a 3. There was so much constant build-up, slow burn, etc., and it just never really went anywhere? The entire book was also so horny, so it was even weirder then that the romance ended with
Spoiler
one LI just being like 'oh the other LI left without a goodbye? yea that's just how he is. he'll be back at some point' followed by him also just... leaving. All that ended up happening was a few first kisses between each other and a scene where both guys drank August's blood at the same time (which, yes, was insanely horny but also was far from a resolution to the romance). They just make a blood oath, save the world while almost dying, and then that's it for them? The romance just somehow is gone after the blood drinking scene and it was so jarring and frustrating.All in all, I did enjoy this, even if that enjoyment was severely impacted by the ending of the romance. I loved (loved!!) everything else, which honestly makes it even more frustrating to be fair. I'll still be giving other books of Roehrig's a chance, but I'm still always going to think of what this could've been.
rebidstricky00's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
bronwynheeley's review
4.0
3.5 stars
I liked the characters a lot, especially August, Jude and Gunner and for the first quarter the story had me holding onto the book hard. at one point i even need to know how it ended and then more pages went by and it just dragged right up to an action packed ending.
about 150 pages in it just got boring. the same thing happened over and over again but with different groups until I had to talk myself into finishing it. the whole: "oh wait here's another explanation of what we want from the whole thing, and you, and no we don't give a shit about you--your not even really a factor in our minds" had the book dragging, from about the third time it happened, or "Here why we lied/we had to keep it secret." just became redundant and I just stopped caring.
overall I enjoyed it and I'd def pick up something else from this world, hell I'd pick up a sequel. he's got to be what he's meant to be right? but I also wouldn't be disappointed if this was it. I'm satisfied at the end and that's all that really matter.
*my apologies if this barely makes sense, I'm really shit at not spoiling things and making sense while i wanna talk about the spoilers.
I liked the characters a lot, especially August, Jude and Gunner and for the first quarter the story had me holding onto the book hard. at one point i even need to know how it ended and then more pages went by and it just dragged right up to an action packed ending.
about 150 pages in it just got boring. the same thing happened over and over again but with different groups until I had to talk myself into finishing it. the whole: "oh wait here's another explanation of what we want from the whole thing, and you, and no we don't give a shit about you--your not even really a factor in our minds" had the book dragging, from about the third time it happened, or "Here why we lied/we had to keep it secret." just became redundant and I just stopped caring.
overall I enjoyed it and I'd def pick up something else from this world, hell I'd pick up a sequel. he's got to be what he's meant to be right? but I also wouldn't be disappointed if this was it. I'm satisfied at the end and that's all that really matter.
*my apologies if this barely makes sense, I'm really shit at not spoiling things and making sense while i wanna talk about the spoilers.
abrittlebee's review
5.0
I’ve said before that I have a tendency to pick up random novels with interesting titles or covers when I am in between other reads. The Fell of Dark was one such book. What I expected when I read the synopsis was a fairly standard queer YA vampire romance. What I got was a campy horror narrative with some end of the world shenanigans that utterly delighted me.
Roehrig himself describes this novel as “Much like my teen years, this book is gay and filled with monsters...” and I can’t really come up with a better summary than that. Tonally, it reminded me a lot of the 90s/2000s Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series mixed with Jennifer’s Body. I.E. Campy, with a lot of humor and sass alongside some seriously dramatic moments and dark topics.
Pacing wise, I think this novel is extremely successful in maintaining itself throughout, even when August doesn’t have any idea what is going on. Information and action are distributed alternately, so the plot itself never feels like it has any sort of lull. I also like the inclusion of flashbacks from various historical figures. They were interesting asides and I liked how they helped to fill out the lore behind the Corrupter and the various factions. That being said, I thought the glossary at the very beginning was unnecessary, and sort of spoiled some plot points. In my opinion, there weren’t enough characters or factions to warrant an itemized list preceding the actual story. They were easy enough to keep track of and learn about within the narrative alone.
The Fell of Dark was a pleasant surprise and so utterly entertaining I would be remiss not to recommend it. So, I do. Add this to your TBRs for something fun with a little taste of spooky.
Roehrig himself describes this novel as “Much like my teen years, this book is gay and filled with monsters...” and I can’t really come up with a better summary than that. Tonally, it reminded me a lot of the 90s/2000s Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series mixed with Jennifer’s Body. I.E. Campy, with a lot of humor and sass alongside some seriously dramatic moments and dark topics.
Pacing wise, I think this novel is extremely successful in maintaining itself throughout, even when August doesn’t have any idea what is going on. Information and action are distributed alternately, so the plot itself never feels like it has any sort of lull. I also like the inclusion of flashbacks from various historical figures. They were interesting asides and I liked how they helped to fill out the lore behind the Corrupter and the various factions. That being said, I thought the glossary at the very beginning was unnecessary, and sort of spoiled some plot points. In my opinion, there weren’t enough characters or factions to warrant an itemized list preceding the actual story. They were easy enough to keep track of and learn about within the narrative alone.
The Fell of Dark was a pleasant surprise and so utterly entertaining I would be remiss not to recommend it. So, I do. Add this to your TBRs for something fun with a little taste of spooky.
asia_b's review
3.0
A plus for the almost polyamory because is cool. Also, it was nice to read about old fashioned vampires who hate sunlight and crosses and the poor guy being possessed having horny visions lol
midgart's review
4.0
generous 4 stars because ultimately I enjoyed it and found myself hoping for a sequel. However, I really wanted more from this book! I was so excited by a gay vampire story, but I was expecting more out of the romance side of things and was disappointed by the amount there actually was. Feel pretty iffy on the ending, specifically
Spoiler
the implication of the Auggie/Jude/Gunnar relationship. I GET it but I'm just not wild about it, personally.januaryreads's review
3.0
This was… fine. Decidedly YA. Fun enough and a quick read. I cannot get on board with the 400+ year age gap romance thing, though, not when the MC is 16. IT’S WEIRD.
Edit: (Sep 20th update) This book is so completely forgettable that I had to look up what it was about again when I saw it mentioned in a video just now. Knowing full well that I read it recently, I couldn’t tell you a single detail about it except ‘vampires, probably?’
Edit: (Sep 20th update) This book is so completely forgettable that I had to look up what it was about again when I saw it mentioned in a video just now. Knowing full well that I read it recently, I couldn’t tell you a single detail about it except ‘vampires, probably?’
itsnotabear's review
3.0
another "i don't have review thoughts." i enjoyed the beginning and it went fast, but the last maybe third of the book i was just reading to get it over with.
and it irks me when a vampire has been around for 300 years and still finds a mortal 16-year-old attractive. like... dude. don't make me get out the spray bottle idk
and it irks me when a vampire has been around for 300 years and still finds a mortal 16-year-old attractive. like... dude. don't make me get out the spray bottle idk