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tea_at_mole_end's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
Graphic: Gore, Sexism, and Classism
Moderate: War
emilywemily6's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content and Slavery
abby_can_read's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
This was amazing. I loved it. I totally get why this book is popular. I think Canada is an incredibly talented writer.
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Death, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
inky_blooms's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Blood, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Sexual content
rachelunabridged's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny and Grief
Minor: Animal death and Sexual content
acrosstheskyinstars's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really liked the premise of the book, but the plot was a lot different than the story I wanted. The Mexican-American war truly is only a backdrop. It barely matters to the plot in my opinion, which I found a bit disappointing. I liked the two main characters, but the Nena’s parents in particular were hard to understand frequently. Despite the wartime setting, the pacing also felt slow to me. Pick this one up if you really only want a light dose of the historical setting and don’t mind a slow-paced read.
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ashley_mrose530's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed the main characters and especially Nena. She was so quick, smart, and knew exactly what she wanted and how to work the system to get it. I liked that her only flaw was getting the courage to stand up to her parents. It's very realistic especially for the time period she was living in. And Nestor was so sweet and obviously loved her very much from the beginning.
I think the only real issue I had with this book is I thought it would be more high energy and fast-paced than it was. It definitely starts off kind of slow and even the first vampire attack when they were kids was followed up by slower plot points. But it did pick up when they finally went to war a little over half way through. I just wanted expecting a slower start I think, but it was needed to set up the romance plot line.
All in all a really great book and I'm glad I picked it up.
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ktv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Colonisation
Minor: Cursing, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
bkwrm1317's review
- 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
5.0
A unique take on the vampire as beast/creature, rather than human beings turned to vampires as the more common take. The vampires of this novel are used and abused by the Texas Rangers in their pursuit of what is today South Texas/Northern Mexico.
Some minor/general novel arc spoilers below, so read with that in mind:
Nena and Néstor's struggles to overcome their own fear and shame in order to let their love flourish felt extremely real and well-executed by the author. I loved reading their story, as well as Nena's arc of finding her voice, getting out from under the thumb of her emotionally abusive father and manipulative mother, who are more about appearances and keeping up with the Joneses than their eldest daughter's needs or happiness.
Néstor realizing Nena is stronger when he supports her/that with his support she can face down literal monsters and can match him for bravery in that way is such a powerful moment in their character arcs.
I just really loved this one - it's another of those novels that felt like it was written just for me.
Graphic: Violence, War, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Blood, and Gaslighting
latashman's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Gore, and War
Moderate: Classism