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kevinscorner's review
4.5
The Vanishing is the second book in the queer vampire romance series Lore & Lust. Nearly 200 years ago, most purebred vampires disappeared in what is called the Vanishing. Now, the threat emerges close to home for vampire mates Haru and Nino. With the help of Nino’s brother Giovanni and best friend Cellina, they must unravel the mystery before it returns.
This is still very much a romance book, just with a more prominent external plot than the previous one. There are actually two romances featured this time around—a continuation of Haru and Nino’s and a second chance romance between Giovanni and Cellina. The vanishing plotline was mostly used as the inciting incident and to instigate the inclusion of Giovanni and Cellina, but it was still resolved fairly easily (while not quickly) and the romances remained the focus. But with that addition, The Vanishing was no longer as cosy nor intimate.
I really liked Giovanni, who contrasts so well with the more chill personalities of Haru and Nino. He is strong and masculine but with a hidden depth that he allows to emerge with Cellina. The addition of their love story allowed the book to remain fresh and feel more layered. But of course, Haru and Nino are still the heart of this book. The struggles they go through allowed their love to shine and to work even more on their issues from the past together.
The Vanishing weaves two romances into one book and sprinkles in a bit more suspense to Lore & Lust.
This is still very much a romance book, just with a more prominent external plot than the previous one. There are actually two romances featured this time around—a continuation of Haru and Nino’s and a second chance romance between Giovanni and Cellina. The vanishing plotline was mostly used as the inciting incident and to instigate the inclusion of Giovanni and Cellina, but it was still resolved fairly easily (while not quickly) and the romances remained the focus. But with that addition, The Vanishing was no longer as cosy nor intimate.
I really liked Giovanni, who contrasts so well with the more chill personalities of Haru and Nino. He is strong and masculine but with a hidden depth that he allows to emerge with Cellina. The addition of their love story allowed the book to remain fresh and feel more layered. But of course, Haru and Nino are still the heart of this book. The struggles they go through allowed their love to shine and to work even more on their issues from the past together.
The Vanishing weaves two romances into one book and sprinkles in a bit more suspense to Lore & Lust.
nmcannon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
After side-eyeing but ultimately enjoying Lore and Lust, I was eager to read the rest of the series. And I’m happy to report that The Vanishing polishes what was good in the first book and vastly improves the parts that made me uncomfortable.
After unexpectedly bonding, Nino and Haruka are taking strides to settle into a life together. Those great plans are rudely interrupted when a bigoted pureblood vampire visits and demands a copy of Haruka’s family research. Haruka and Nino refuse. That refusal shakes when Nino begins vanishing before their eyes. It’s time to call the calvary: Nino’s brother Giovanni and best friend Cellina, who will hopefully deal with their sexual tension in time to stage a rescue.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, what adorable romances! Haruka and Nino’s relationship picks up right where the last book left off, and the boys grow so wonderfully together. Cellina and Giovanni’s story follows a more traditional romance novel plot, and it is HOT. The dual plotlines are beautifully structured into five acts, and the climax had me laughing and punching the air. Excellent use of the lore and character. Unusually, each arc is given equal weight and page count, which worked well for the novel and its themes. Nikole’s focus on diversity, multiculturalism, and cultural blending are discussed with more maturity and nuance than the previous book. Elders’ blood purity takes a partial back seat to their cultural role in vampire society, thank goodness. Anti-colonialism messaging makes me smile every time. My one quibble is over the in-universe Lore and Lust book. Its assemblage featured so prominently previously, but in The Vanishing the research project is quietly sidelined and completed off screen. Haruka’s reluctance to publish is at odds with the emphasis on sharing knowledge and culture. Knowledge is power, ignorance kills, and letting people know about their bodies is a universal good.
The Awakening promises to focus on a third couple, and I’m about vibrating to see where this series goes.
My review of Book 1: Lore and Lust: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/4c6ba413-fdb2-4cb6-9062-c1162d57044b
My review of Book 3: The Awakening: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/de544367-cc2e-4ec5-a3f6-ca70b1b6b989
My review of Book 1: Lore and Lust: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/4c6ba413-fdb2-4cb6-9062-c1162d57044b
My review of Book 3: The Awakening: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/de544367-cc2e-4ec5-a3f6-ca70b1b6b989
sofia_santana's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
the_reading_vampire's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
the_alchemy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.5
marseira's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.0
ccty's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
monismmreviews's review against another edition
5.0
I will be reviewing this duology as one continuous story. Book 1, Lore & Lust and this book, Lore & Lust: The Vanishing belong together. Nico and Haru are one of my all time favorite couples, their story is a must read for romance fans (and maybe vampire fans too!).
These books are one of those rare ones where the beauty of the cover matches the content. Haru and Nico are just the loveliest couple you can imagine and the gentleness they show to each other is just beyond amazing. The fact that they are both powerful vampires with unique abilities doesn’t take away from that attractiveness. They live in England but Haruka is the head of his Japanese clan while Nico has an elite place in an Italian vampire family. Yet you wouldn’t know, there isn’t anything stiff or snob about either of these guys. Both are somewhat closed off from their world but when circumstances draw them together, they cannot deny the pull they feel. They become close friends first, their journey was such a lovely way to get to know them. I adored their honesty and I loved how they learned to be open and did not hold anything back. They had so many tender, sensual moments … and eventually a good number of action-packed ones as well in the second book. It has a slightly different tone as their story progressed … but their devotion to each other didn’t change. On the contrary, their relationship just became stronger as they faced off against some pretty great treats. I admired Karla’s unique world-building and all the attributes her vampires had in these stories. She also had a good number of great side characters in both books. This is a lovely couple that will touch your heart, no doubt about it ... don't wait too long to start their story!
These books are one of those rare ones where the beauty of the cover matches the content. Haru and Nico are just the loveliest couple you can imagine and the gentleness they show to each other is just beyond amazing. The fact that they are both powerful vampires with unique abilities doesn’t take away from that attractiveness. They live in England but Haruka is the head of his Japanese clan while Nico has an elite place in an Italian vampire family. Yet you wouldn’t know, there isn’t anything stiff or snob about either of these guys. Both are somewhat closed off from their world but when circumstances draw them together, they cannot deny the pull they feel. They become close friends first, their journey was such a lovely way to get to know them. I adored their honesty and I loved how they learned to be open and did not hold anything back. They had so many tender, sensual moments … and eventually a good number of action-packed ones as well in the second book. It has a slightly different tone as their story progressed … but their devotion to each other didn’t change. On the contrary, their relationship just became stronger as they faced off against some pretty great treats. I admired Karla’s unique world-building and all the attributes her vampires had in these stories. She also had a good number of great side characters in both books. This is a lovely couple that will touch your heart, no doubt about it ... don't wait too long to start their story!