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story_sanctuary's review
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. There are things I really liked and things that weren't for me.
First, I loved the author's lore about vampires. It felt fresh (even though some elements were familiar) and different, especially with the caterpillars and bloodsucking butterflies. I liked that was never totally sure what to make of Padraic. He's like the Phantom of the Opera-- somehow tragic and very dangerous, yet maybe there's some good in him? Maybe? He kept me hoping but also terrified me.
I'm a fan of sister books, so the relationship between Aja and Fiona drew me to this book. I liked that their relationship was so complex, and that Fiona kept secrets Aja couldn't have imagined. Aja was a harder character for me to identify with. She was angry and suspicious, and lots of times she had reason to be. Sometimes she was quick to forgive things that seemed like they should have been a bigger deal. Other times she held on to things that didn't seem fair. Ultimately, her love for her sister was a thing that I could totally identify with, and that helped pull me into her story.
If you're looking for a fresh but also classic vampire story, check this one out.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.
First, I loved the author's lore about vampires. It felt fresh (even though some elements were familiar) and different, especially with the caterpillars and bloodsucking butterflies. I liked that was never totally sure what to make of Padraic. He's like the Phantom of the Opera-- somehow tragic and very dangerous, yet maybe there's some good in him? Maybe? He kept me hoping but also terrified me.
I'm a fan of sister books, so the relationship between Aja and Fiona drew me to this book. I liked that their relationship was so complex, and that Fiona kept secrets Aja couldn't have imagined. Aja was a harder character for me to identify with. She was angry and suspicious, and lots of times she had reason to be. Sometimes she was quick to forgive things that seemed like they should have been a bigger deal. Other times she held on to things that didn't seem fair. Ultimately, her love for her sister was a thing that I could totally identify with, and that helped pull me into her story.
If you're looking for a fresh but also classic vampire story, check this one out.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.
sunbearbeam's review
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
4.0
reading_w_dee's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Another great book to start out spooky season!
This gothic-horror was a creepy young adult vampire story. The whole story is told with a mist, a heavy fog washing over you as you try to sort out what type of vampires these are. I love when you just don't know if they are good or bad… How is it going to swing? What are they going to do?
The moths were quite creepy, just like the cover, and I may never thinking about them in the same light again… This was such a great story between the mystique, darkness and a feeling of a spell cast over the whole story really drew me in.
This gothic-horror was a creepy young adult vampire story. The whole story is told with a mist, a heavy fog washing over you as you try to sort out what type of vampires these are. I love when you just don't know if they are good or bad… How is it going to swing? What are they going to do?
The moths were quite creepy, just like the cover, and I may never thinking about them in the same light again… This was such a great story between the mystique, darkness and a feeling of a spell cast over the whole story really drew me in.
taliwa's review against another edition
interesting plot but the author just isn't a great story teller. really hard to actually get invested in the story
dylaurora's review
4.0
I am honestly torn, and still reeling from the end of this. The pacing was a bit confusing for me, but it also added an element of foreboding atmosphere. I didn't fully buy into some of the relationships, but I found myself unable to stop reading too. Overall an enjoyable horror read.
alexamp4's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly everything a YA gothic vampire novel should be. I love the caterpillars I love the attention to detail. Not afraid to be scary and gross. Doesn’t feel obnoxiously modern but still makes the general era clear. Using vampires to like enhance the themes of the story instead of just using them to be vampires. Like truly amazing!! Perfect amount of YA, Sarah Dessen level life lessons still available but trusts the reader enough to understand the message without spelling it out too much. Spelling it out the perfect amount for a YA novel.
alindstadtcorbo's review
5.0
Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars
WOW— I cannot believe this was Catherine Yu’s DEBUT! I will 100% be looking out for more from her in the future, because it takes a lot for me to become as riveted as I did in so little time when it comes to horror. I am a tough critic in the genre. Cindy Kay was freaking flawless & fantastic as the audiobook narrator, as always, & I enjoyed every second of this book!
It truly was an absolutely horrifying, thrilling, gothic romp that screamed of 1990’s vampire horror, and it was absolutely riveting from moment one for me, even if the MC was initially pretty unlikable, but i’m pretty sure that was the point! There were times I was truly (delightfully) disgusted by the body horror, and what more are you looking for from that part of the genre? Haha.
Ultimately, there was wonderful, readable prose, character growth, thrills, chills, and a near flawless, flowing, plot that had me vividly picturing the vamps Darla, & Drusilla, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (which if ykyk, just look them up otherwise
WOW— I cannot believe this was Catherine Yu’s DEBUT! I will 100% be looking out for more from her in the future, because it takes a lot for me to become as riveted as I did in so little time when it comes to horror. I am a tough critic in the genre. Cindy Kay was freaking flawless & fantastic as the audiobook narrator, as always, & I enjoyed every second of this book!
It truly was an absolutely horrifying, thrilling, gothic romp that screamed of 1990’s vampire horror, and it was absolutely riveting from moment one for me, even if the MC was initially pretty unlikable, but i’m pretty sure that was the point! There were times I was truly (delightfully) disgusted by the body horror, and what more are you looking for from that part of the genre? Haha.
Ultimately, there was wonderful, readable prose, character growth, thrills, chills, and a near flawless, flowing, plot that had me vividly picturing the vamps Darla, & Drusilla, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (which if ykyk, just look them up otherwise
hellotherefromlaura's review
3.0
Aja is tired of what she perceives as a boring life. When her older sister, Fiona, goes missing after her 17th birthday Aja encounters the vampire she believes has taken her. She agrees to go with him to attempt to save her sister. As Aja tries to save Fiona she meets pain, terror and heartbreak.
If you are looking for horror this is it. Parts of the story strongly reminded me of Dracula and the movie Van Helsing with a more modern twist. The story has a little bit more gore than I prefer but it definitely checks off the creepy box. The book moves at a slower pace for the first half of the book and then picks up. The narrator is engaging and does a great job telling the story.
Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for the ARC of this audiobook. This audiobook was received in exchange for an honest review.
If you are looking for horror this is it. Parts of the story strongly reminded me of Dracula and the movie Van Helsing with a more modern twist. The story has a little bit more gore than I prefer but it definitely checks off the creepy box. The book moves at a slower pace for the first half of the book and then picks up. The narrator is engaging and does a great job telling the story.
Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for the ARC of this audiobook. This audiobook was received in exchange for an honest review.