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mothmania's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Animal death, Alcohol, Death, and Blood
stormywolf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
In a move that probably surprises no one who is familiar with my recent reviews, I first came across this book because of the Vampire Book Club. It was an option in April's vote and, though it didn't win, sounded fun enough for me to snag a copy in anticipation of a future read. I mean, how could I turn down a YA vampire romance book? If it wasn't good, it could at least be hilarious, right?
Unfortunately, though I was intrigued by the setting and entertained by the characters, the final product left me less amused than disappointed.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Still, I can't say I hated my time with this story. It was nice to turn off my brain for a bit and just read a pulpy YA vampire romance. Even if on reflection, there were some red flags in there, and even if the mystery and conclusion (and major cliffhanger) weren't completely satisfying, I did have fun while I was in the weeds.
Overall, this book had some interesting concepts, but could have definitely gained from a couple more passes of revising. It's probably fine for those new to the paranormal romance genre, but familiar readers may find themselves just going through the motions. I'd recommend it to middle grade or YA readers who like vampires or paranormal-tinged forbidden romance, or anyone in the mood for some vampire fluff. I may decide to return to the series just to see what, if anything, develops of this world and its characters, but I won't hold my breath for the next installment.
Unfortunately, though I was intrigued by the setting and entertained by the characters, the final product left me less amused than disappointed.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Still, I can't say I hated my time with this story. It was nice to turn off my brain for a bit and just read a pulpy YA vampire romance. Even if on reflection, there were some red flags in there, and even if the mystery and conclusion (and major cliffhanger) weren't completely satisfying, I did have fun while I was in the weeds.
Overall, this book had some interesting concepts, but could have definitely gained from a couple more passes of revising. It's probably fine for those new to the paranormal romance genre, but familiar readers may find themselves just going through the motions. I'd recommend it to middle grade or YA readers who like vampires or paranormal-tinged forbidden romance, or anyone in the mood for some vampire fluff. I may decide to return to the series just to see what, if anything, develops of this world and its characters, but I won't hold my breath for the next installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death and Injury/Injury detail
holln_14's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Belle Morte ⭐⭐⭐
This is a short ya book that puts us in dual PoV.
Irene aka renie is a teenage girl who arbors vampires. Shes living in a world in which vampires are out in the open. Humans have of course become vampire fanatics aka Vladdicts and try desperately to become "donors". The lady in charge of House Belle Morte helped create this system of vampires and donors living under one roof. Vampires need human blood and donors get to live a lavish lifestyle they normally would not attain in life. This lifestyle comes with many strict rules the main being no access to electronics and the outside world other than letters that are reviewed before being sent out. Renie's sister was a vladdict turned donor, but hasn't been responding to correspondence lately. With no other choices Renie decided to apply to become a donor and go talk to her sister in person. The things at Belle Morte are not as they appear. ...
This was a fun, short read. No this isn't a mystery with many plot turns and twists. There's love and cheesey things in between, but zero spice level. And that felt appropriate for this book. Nothing forced. The cast of characters are fun and easy to read. LGBT pro book. I'm ready for book 2 to come out.
This is a short ya book that puts us in dual PoV.
Irene aka renie is a teenage girl who arbors vampires. Shes living in a world in which vampires are out in the open. Humans have of course become vampire fanatics aka Vladdicts and try desperately to become "donors". The lady in charge of House Belle Morte helped create this system of vampires and donors living under one roof. Vampires need human blood and donors get to live a lavish lifestyle they normally would not attain in life. This lifestyle comes with many strict rules the main being no access to electronics and the outside world other than letters that are reviewed before being sent out. Renie's sister was a vladdict turned donor, but hasn't been responding to correspondence lately. With no other choices Renie decided to apply to become a donor and go talk to her sister in person. The things at Belle Morte are not as they appear. ...
This was a fun, short read. No this isn't a mystery with many plot turns and twists. There's love and cheesey things in between, but zero spice level. And that felt appropriate for this book. Nothing forced. The cast of characters are fun and easy to read. LGBT pro book. I'm ready for book 2 to come out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gore
Moderate: Addiction
makenna_reads's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Torture, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, and Grief
stephaniemcuervo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Blood
Moderate: Violence and Death
Minor: Murder, Animal death, and Sexual assault
yourlocalscrivener's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Death, Animal death, and Sexual harassment
brandilovesbooks's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Cliffhanger ending. Alternating POV. Great for fan of Twilight or Crave.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Violence
bookish_burrow's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you to Wattpad and Netgalley for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be published on April 5th, 2022!
Oh. My. Gosh.
Have you ever read a book that sucks you in so much that when it ends you wish there was more for you to read then you sit there staring at the wall dissociating as you try to wrap your head around what happened? That’s how reading Belle Morte was for me. Now vampire books aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but I can’t ever resist one so this book was right up my alley. If you love forbidden romance, a badass heroine, and hot mysterious vampires that are harboring secrets in their lavish mansion? Then this book just might be the book for you.
This book sucked me in and I felt like I was a pre-teen again on a vampire story binge. I couldn’t put this book down once I picked it up. I’ve never read Higgins a work before but I’m going to keep an eye out for her works now. Her writing was smooth and descriptive and painted such an elegant look into the world of Belle Morte. This story was fast-paced and filled with twists and turns befit with a strong, sarcastic, and sweet heroine. I absolutely LOVED Reine’s dynamic with the rest of the characters and I felt like all the side characters’ personalities and development weren’t forgotten as the story unfolded. I appreciated that the side characters pushed Reine's growth and that connecting with the rest of her group was an important factor in her story. While I wished for a little more of a slow-burn romance in this book, I still felt like it didn’t develop too fast. I’m just a big fan of painfully long slow burns. But this book wasn’t just about romance, I appreciated the themes of morality and grief throughout the story and the question that hung in the air, what lengths would you go to for the ones you love?
While there is a little bit of spice thrown into this book the spice-o-meter is quite low. Though, I was still quite happy with the little bit of spice we did get. Also, I am unsure if this book is standalone or if Higgins planned on this book being the start of a series. The ending of this book has quite a cliffhanger that left me wanting more but I worry about series sometimes so I also am quite content with just pondering over the unanswered questions I have. All that to say, though I know vampire stories might not be everyone's cup of tea, I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Oh. My. Gosh.
Have you ever read a book that sucks you in so much that when it ends you wish there was more for you to read then you sit there staring at the wall dissociating as you try to wrap your head around what happened? That’s how reading Belle Morte was for me. Now vampire books aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but I can’t ever resist one so this book was right up my alley. If you love forbidden romance, a badass heroine, and hot mysterious vampires that are harboring secrets in their lavish mansion? Then this book just might be the book for you.
This book sucked me in and I felt like I was a pre-teen again on a vampire story binge. I couldn’t put this book down once I picked it up. I’ve never read Higgins a work before but I’m going to keep an eye out for her works now. Her writing was smooth and descriptive and painted such an elegant look into the world of Belle Morte. This story was fast-paced and filled with twists and turns befit with a strong, sarcastic, and sweet heroine. I absolutely LOVED Reine’s dynamic with the rest of the characters and I felt like all the side characters’ personalities and development weren’t forgotten as the story unfolded. I appreciated that the side characters pushed Reine's growth and that connecting with the rest of her group was an important factor in her story. While I wished for a little more of a slow-burn romance in this book, I still felt like it didn’t develop too fast. I’m just a big fan of painfully long slow burns. But this book wasn’t just about romance, I appreciated the themes of morality and grief throughout the story and the question that hung in the air, what lengths would you go to for the ones you love?
While there is a little bit of spice thrown into this book the spice-o-meter is quite low. Though, I was still quite happy with the little bit of spice we did get. Also, I am unsure if this book is standalone or if Higgins planned on this book being the start of a series. The ending of this book has quite a cliffhanger that left me wanting more but I worry about series sometimes so I also am quite content with just pondering over the unanswered questions I have. All that to say, though I know vampire stories might not be everyone's cup of tea, I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Violence
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