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poseidon9697's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
emilysunflowers's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
vagaybond's review
3.0
There's so much about this that I love. I was braced for the collection of self contained short stories and this time there really was some small overarching plot. There's something relaxing about knowing the plot is not going to be so complicated that it's hard to explain to my partner what I've been reading today. It's a studious vampire accountant who loves his buddies! Who are also a lil unconventional!
I've recently joined a Monster Of The Week role playing group and this is a similar vibe.
Some things I do dislike (which have extreme weight to them)
(spoilers ahead, not censored because they warrant warning)
1. the thing between Sally and Gideon. I get that there's... More To It but... I find what it is extremely repellant and unnecessary. It's essentially grooming only Gideon is in child form too. If Sally were a whole adult in the start, who wasn't growing up beside him that would be one thing. I feel like if a 22-year-old were into some ancient dragon that would be one thing. It's different and unsettling to have Sally grow up beside someone who is always more powerful and has more authority than her. Maybe if Sally were a reincarnation or something even? Or temporarily a young person, who used to be an adult who already made the decisions for this.
I just feel like there's so many ways this could have been written (Sally being, Gideon being her ~betrothed~) that weren't unbelievably off-putting to survivors and the author really just... Had no regard.
Especially that gross title that essentially meant Sally is supposed to be!?!? And like... YOU COULD HAVE EVEN AVOIDED DOING THAT. Even with the same plot point thing! Like you could have .
You didn't need to do it like this Drew Hayes!!
2. Copaganda with the agency. ACAB.
Yeah, it does follow that there'd be some way for supernatural beings to have something like an agency but like... In the form of something like a government or council where people sort through shit. Like a town hall that helps people sort out conflict and find housing or whatever social support. Something that serves, not something like a paramilitary group that in actually canon words benefits from fear.
Each of those things brings it down a full star. If it were not for either of those, this would be five stars. I cannot morally reconcile giving it that many stars.
I've recently joined a Monster Of The Week role playing group and this is a similar vibe.
Some things I do dislike (which have extreme weight to them)
(spoilers ahead, not censored because they warrant warning)
1. the thing between Sally and Gideon. I get that there's... More To It but... I find what it is extremely repellant and unnecessary. It's essentially grooming only Gideon is in child form too. If Sally were a whole adult in the start, who wasn't growing up beside him that would be one thing. I feel like if a 22-year-old were into some ancient dragon that would be one thing. It's different and unsettling to have Sally grow up beside someone who is always more powerful and has more authority than her. Maybe if Sally were a reincarnation or something even? Or temporarily a young person, who used to be an adult who already made the decisions for this.
I just feel like there's so many ways this could have been written (Sally being
Spoiler
some big prophecy beingEspecially that gross title that essentially meant Sally is supposed to be
Spoiler
pregnant with full-blooded dragons eventually??? WHAT THE FUCKSpoiler
made dragons like amphibians who scatter eggs and others fertilize them without actually fuckingYou didn't need to do it like this Drew Hayes!!
2. Copaganda with the agency. ACAB.
Yeah, it does follow that there'd be some way for supernatural beings to have something like an agency but like... In the form of something like a government or council where people sort through shit. Like a town hall that helps people sort out conflict and find housing or whatever social support. Something that serves, not something like a paramilitary group that in actually canon words benefits from fear.
Each of those things brings it down a full star. If it were not for either of those, this would be five stars. I cannot morally reconcile giving it that many stars.
kandicez's review
3.0
I really like Fred and these books are fun, but I am finding it more irksome in this second installment that Hayes feels the need to recap before each new "story." I don't mean each new book, but, literally, each new story. These books are divided into different adventures, and I can only imagine they were published individually first because Hayes gives you the broad outline before each section. I thought I would skip over that, but he introduces it in such a way that if you skip, you miss the beginning details of this new adventure as well.
*sigh*
What I like most about these is that Fred is just a guy who becomes a vampire. I love the paranormal, but in most cases those who become paranormal are already extraordinary in some way. Not so here. Fred is just a sweet, unprepossessing young man. It's only when he becomes a vampire and makes new friends that he comes into his own. He cares deeply, and is loyal beyond all belief. That's the wonder of these little tales. The fact that everyone is special, not just those that pretend to be ordinary!
*sigh*
What I like most about these is that Fred is just a guy who becomes a vampire. I love the paranormal, but in most cases those who become paranormal are already extraordinary in some way. Not so here. Fred is just a sweet, unprepossessing young man. It's only when he becomes a vampire and makes new friends that he comes into his own. He cares deeply, and is loyal beyond all belief. That's the wonder of these little tales. The fact that everyone is special, not just those that pretend to be ordinary!
hoosgracie's review against another edition
4.0
Fred is a really fun and unexpected vampire. I have really enjoyed the series.
marleens's review against another edition
The concept of book one was fun but I think one book of this was enough for me. Not really interested anymore.
kami5's review against another edition
2.0
2.5~ for the entire series. Light characterization with an all-around type of guy as the protagonist makes for an easy read but nothing special. Just another quick book to blaze through.
awesomelyme's review
adventurous
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
4.25
jenn_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.0