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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident
I couldn’t rate this anything other than 5 stars! I was drawn in from start to finish. It’s got found family, vampires and other paranormals, bisexuality, horror, romance, mystery! And it’s so well paced that I was never bored. Can’t wait for the group’s next adventure.
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
"Come tomorrow, 'Ezra' wouldn't exist anymore." - Ezra
Being on the run keeps one constantly on the move and going through identities like Band-Aids. Only that way of "living" is getting old and tiresome. Ezra wants to be able to finally just settle down somewhere and be safe. Wishing to actually make possible lifelong connections and more, but he knows he cannot have such a fairytale. Not when his family is the way it is. . .
Everything changes during a fighting match within a bar. Meeting the mysterious and very attractive Killian sets off a series of events that Ezra could have never imagined! The supernatural world really does exist, and Ezra just so happens to be caught up in the middle of it all after Killian saves him. But their time together may be cut short as Ezra's family continues to hunt him down! There's also something sinister haunting Ezra and his bloodline that's growing tired of waiting. . .
"I'm a big girl. I'm not afraid of vampires." - Mari
This debut novel was fantastic! I am a sucker for vampires, especially when they are done correctly. I had been following the author on social media and was excited that I had time in my schedule to read! Was not disappointed by this book at all! Check out the author's socials because they have commissioned artwork done of their characters and they are very yummy! Sometime in the near future I need to get prints of the two MMCs!
Ezra survived a nightmare of a "family", but they refuse to let him just walk away. Being hunted keeps him on his toes and constantly moving around. Making sure to not get too close to anyone or set up roots anywhere. But one can only handle so much of that lifestyle before they break. Ezra's reaching his point but no where's safe for him and keeping people at a distance helps keep them clear of things.
All of that changes when he's matched with Killian! Ezra's instantly drawn to the man and cannot help the feelings of attraction as they build within him. Little does he know that Killian's not a human. . . His fate is sealed the moment Killian saves Ezra, having to make a snap decision. Ezra's stunned to discover a whole new world that had been right under his nose!
I absolutely loved the take on vampires and some of the things they can and cannot do. I also really appreciated all the science behind being a vampire! This may be a little bit of a spoiler, but the characters go into details as to why a vampire can bite into a major artery and the blood doesn't just spew out. There's also a vampire who's a scientist through and through who has answers for a lot of questions.
I enjoyed getting to read Ezra's arc as he stumbled around trying to understand what it meant to be a vampire. Along with him declaring he was tired of running. What it meant to truly settle down and make connections with people. Of course, our boy has a way to go because of the mistrust his family instilled into him. When you come from a physically or mentally abusive household it's hard to break the habits or recognize the ones that had been formed so you could survive.
I loved all of the characters of this book! I wasn't able to predict a lot of outcomes which was a pleasant surprise. I was so caught up in the fast-paced story and a baby vampire learning how to be a vampire. There are so many intricacies of this narrative I thoroughly enjoyed! Two of my favorite characters would have to be Mari and Piper! You will have to read the book to understand why I love them so much!
This story deals with vampires so of course there's blood, fangs, and biting! Ezra isn't exactly a clean eater and things get everywhere. There's mention of past abuse and things the MC had to deal with as he grew up. Mental and physical abuse, manipulation, and feelings of anxiety and guilt. Language is present in the book along with fight scenes that have gore. This is a horror-based genre, but the scenes were not gut wrenching they were tastefully done and well written. One of the MMCs copes with things by drinking a lot, he also suffers from nightmares and feelings of someone always watching him.
The romance in the book is a slow burn! Ezra's broken and believes that he isn't worthy of love or deserving of it. He's had to construct walls around his heart to protect himself and Ezra believes that even Killian, who has all the time in the world, wouldn't be patient enough with him. The most we get in this read is passionate kissing! I just want them both to be happy! The dual POVs helps to really showcase the mutual hesitation and pinning for one another!
This book ends with a cliffhanger of the gentler nature. There's clearly going to be more to the story, and I really cannot wait for the next book! So many unanswered questions and little subplots going on. The author did an amazing job, and I cannot wait to read more of their work. Love the writing style and the depth of the characters!
Enjoy the LGBTQ slow burn romance with vampires, werewolves, and found family! Don't forget to give the author some stars!
shutupandbookup.com
Being on the run keeps one constantly on the move and going through identities like Band-Aids. Only that way of "living" is getting old and tiresome. Ezra wants to be able to finally just settle down somewhere and be safe. Wishing to actually make possible lifelong connections and more, but he knows he cannot have such a fairytale. Not when his family is the way it is. . .
Everything changes during a fighting match within a bar. Meeting the mysterious and very attractive Killian sets off a series of events that Ezra could have never imagined! The supernatural world really does exist, and Ezra just so happens to be caught up in the middle of it all after Killian saves him. But their time together may be cut short as Ezra's family continues to hunt him down! There's also something sinister haunting Ezra and his bloodline that's growing tired of waiting. . .
"I'm a big girl. I'm not afraid of vampires." - Mari
This debut novel was fantastic! I am a sucker for vampires, especially when they are done correctly. I had been following the author on social media and was excited that I had time in my schedule to read! Was not disappointed by this book at all! Check out the author's socials because they have commissioned artwork done of their characters and they are very yummy! Sometime in the near future I need to get prints of the two MMCs!
Ezra survived a nightmare of a "family", but they refuse to let him just walk away. Being hunted keeps him on his toes and constantly moving around. Making sure to not get too close to anyone or set up roots anywhere. But one can only handle so much of that lifestyle before they break. Ezra's reaching his point but no where's safe for him and keeping people at a distance helps keep them clear of things.
All of that changes when he's matched with Killian! Ezra's instantly drawn to the man and cannot help the feelings of attraction as they build within him. Little does he know that Killian's not a human. . . His fate is sealed the moment Killian saves Ezra, having to make a snap decision. Ezra's stunned to discover a whole new world that had been right under his nose!
I absolutely loved the take on vampires and some of the things they can and cannot do. I also really appreciated all the science behind being a vampire! This may be a little bit of a spoiler, but the characters go into details as to why a vampire can bite into a major artery and the blood doesn't just spew out. There's also a vampire who's a scientist through and through who has answers for a lot of questions.
I enjoyed getting to read Ezra's arc as he stumbled around trying to understand what it meant to be a vampire. Along with him declaring he was tired of running. What it meant to truly settle down and make connections with people. Of course, our boy has a way to go because of the mistrust his family instilled into him. When you come from a physically or mentally abusive household it's hard to break the habits or recognize the ones that had been formed so you could survive.
I loved all of the characters of this book! I wasn't able to predict a lot of outcomes which was a pleasant surprise. I was so caught up in the fast-paced story and a baby vampire learning how to be a vampire. There are so many intricacies of this narrative I thoroughly enjoyed! Two of my favorite characters would have to be Mari and Piper! You will have to read the book to understand why I love them so much!
This story deals with vampires so of course there's blood, fangs, and biting! Ezra isn't exactly a clean eater and things get everywhere. There's mention of past abuse and things the MC had to deal with as he grew up. Mental and physical abuse, manipulation, and feelings of anxiety and guilt. Language is present in the book along with fight scenes that have gore. This is a horror-based genre, but the scenes were not gut wrenching they were tastefully done and well written. One of the MMCs copes with things by drinking a lot, he also suffers from nightmares and feelings of someone always watching him.
The romance in the book is a slow burn! Ezra's broken and believes that he isn't worthy of love or deserving of it. He's had to construct walls around his heart to protect himself and Ezra believes that even Killian, who has all the time in the world, wouldn't be patient enough with him. The most we get in this read is passionate kissing! I just want them both to be happy! The dual POVs helps to really showcase the mutual hesitation and pinning for one another!
This book ends with a cliffhanger of the gentler nature. There's clearly going to be more to the story, and I really cannot wait for the next book! So many unanswered questions and little subplots going on. The author did an amazing job, and I cannot wait to read more of their work. Love the writing style and the depth of the characters!
Enjoy the LGBTQ slow burn romance with vampires, werewolves, and found family! Don't forget to give the author some stars!
shutupandbookup.com
Neutral 2.5 rounded up. Take my rating with a grain of salt as I don't think I'm the right audience for this one.
Too much of this book hinges on people not being able to communicate. There was a lot of stuff I would have just edited out of this one to make it shorter, it suffers from trying to set up relationships that I assume will bear fruit in future installments of the series but which as of right now just seem like bloat.
Too much of this book hinges on people not being able to communicate. There was a lot of stuff I would have just edited out of this one to make it shorter, it suffers from trying to set up relationships that I assume will bear fruit in future installments of the series but which as of right now just seem like bloat.
4/5 Stars!
Cutting Your Teeth was gripping right from the beginning. We follow Ezra, a man running from his past and right into whatever gets his blood pumping just long enough to feel alive. When he happens upon Killian, a smart-mouthed fighter with more than a little bloodlust and a surprisingly soft heart, his already topsy-turvy lifestyle gets thrown into even more chaos.
Listen. Listen. Listen. We know I'm ridiculous for the found family trope. I love it so much it hurts, and this book totally hits on those feels in the best way. The romance was lovely and angsty and hot in turn and I definitely loved that, but the genuine connections between the characters really made this story for me. I've been dying for an urban paranormal story that didn't immediately rely on smut or overused tropes (not that those are bad things in themselves). This was the perfect scratch to that itch.
Killian and Ezra were beautiful and so sad in parts, I think that the foundation for them is still just being laid out and I really would love to read more about them and this universe. There is a lot more going on than meets the eye here and I'd love to delve even further into Killian, Marigold, and Ezra's backgrounds. Which, YAY, because this is the first of a series! If the other books hit these marks just as well I'll be in line for them asap.
*My thanks to Netgalley and the author for gifting me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Cutting Your Teeth was gripping right from the beginning. We follow Ezra, a man running from his past and right into whatever gets his blood pumping just long enough to feel alive. When he happens upon Killian, a smart-mouthed fighter with more than a little bloodlust and a surprisingly soft heart, his already topsy-turvy lifestyle gets thrown into even more chaos.
Listen. Listen. Listen. We know I'm ridiculous for the found family trope. I love it so much it hurts, and this book totally hits on those feels in the best way. The romance was lovely and angsty and hot in turn and I definitely loved that, but the genuine connections between the characters really made this story for me. I've been dying for an urban paranormal story that didn't immediately rely on smut or overused tropes (not that those are bad things in themselves). This was the perfect scratch to that itch.
Killian and Ezra were beautiful and so sad in parts, I think that the foundation for them is still just being laid out and I really would love to read more about them and this universe. There is a lot more going on than meets the eye here and I'd love to delve even further into Killian, Marigold, and Ezra's backgrounds. Which, YAY, because this is the first of a series! If the other books hit these marks just as well I'll be in line for them asap.
*My thanks to Netgalley and the author for gifting me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I was given the opportunity to read this arc through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I’d like to thank the author as well as NetGalley for letting me have this opportunity.
First off I need to preface this review by saying I went in completely blind. I instantly was drawn in by the cover as well as the title “cutting your teeth”. Honestly I hadn’t heard this kind of a title in such a long time, that just gets my attention instantly! I had not realised going into this that this would be about vampires, but it did not disappoint. This was an amazing first book in the series and I am excited to see what will happen next.
I’d like to touch upon the beautifully written characters, who I adored ever so much. Even though I did find at times the writing style was slower than I would have liked. I also did find that the connection between Killian and Ezra didn’t really come across as a connection up until the end of the book. But for me that was just one small thing, I did really enjoy the mood of the book rather than it more as the spark between them.
I also would like to add while it was so good and I thoroughly enjoyed it I wouldn’t have classed this book as a “horror” as it’s tagged and more of a “fantasy”. There were darker themes but not to the point of horror that I am used to from the likes of Stephen king and Joe hill. But regardless it was still a good book to sink my teeth into…get it? Cutting your teeth.
Overall I have this book a 3.5 stars as I think it is a good start into the series and I am really looking forward to the universe that will be expanded upon. I think it was a good foundation for characters as well as the world in which it is set place. I think this book is worth a read if you enjoy a fantasy story with a romance plot. I also think the characters were likeable and I could feel connected to them in a way.
First off I need to preface this review by saying I went in completely blind. I instantly was drawn in by the cover as well as the title “cutting your teeth”. Honestly I hadn’t heard this kind of a title in such a long time, that just gets my attention instantly! I had not realised going into this that this would be about vampires, but it did not disappoint. This was an amazing first book in the series and I am excited to see what will happen next.
I’d like to touch upon the beautifully written characters, who I adored ever so much. Even though I did find at times the writing style was slower than I would have liked. I also did find that the connection between Killian and Ezra didn’t really come across as a connection up until the end of the book. But for me that was just one small thing, I did really enjoy the mood of the book rather than it more as the spark between them.
I also would like to add while it was so good and I thoroughly enjoyed it I wouldn’t have classed this book as a “horror” as it’s tagged and more of a “fantasy”. There were darker themes but not to the point of horror that I am used to from the likes of Stephen king and Joe hill. But regardless it was still a good book to sink my teeth into…get it? Cutting your teeth.
Overall I have this book a 3.5 stars as I think it is a good start into the series and I am really looking forward to the universe that will be expanded upon. I think it was a good foundation for characters as well as the world in which it is set place. I think this book is worth a read if you enjoy a fantasy story with a romance plot. I also think the characters were likeable and I could feel connected to them in a way.