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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
4.5 stars rounded up to 5. This was a strong 5 up until the end when, tbh, it all happened a bit too fast. That's all that lost it a half star
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
I’ve wanted to read this book for such a long time, and recently finally picked it up! This book is a must read for any YA gothic/horror fans, and a perfect summer read. I love the setting of New Orleans, which also crops up in V.E. Schwab’s series City of Ghosts in the last book, Bridge of Souls. My love for that book and series made me want to pick Mina and the Undead even more, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Mina is from Whitby, which was so fun to hear discussed as I’ve visited Whitby a number of times and I could picture it perfectly. New Orleans also makes for such an atmospheric setting, with the horror house being a great summer location for the book. There’s a number of undertones to this book, from romance to mystery, and I really enjoyed finding out what was happening with the killings.
This book is steeped in 80s/90s culture and nostalgia, but younger readers won’t be lost, either. I loved the references to various horror films (The Lost Boys especially!) and felt the same aura as Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires series, a series I have fond memories of.
I really enjoyed Mina as a character and the tension between her and her sister Libby was well-written. I also enjoyed the friendships and relationships explored. I’m really looking forward to seeing where the series goes with the next instalment, Mina and the Slayers, only a couple of weeks away now!
I would also like to say I adore the design of this book cover/design in general – it’s so clever.
★★★★
4 out of 5 stars
-Beth
May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽
Mina is from Whitby, which was so fun to hear discussed as I’ve visited Whitby a number of times and I could picture it perfectly. New Orleans also makes for such an atmospheric setting, with the horror house being a great summer location for the book. There’s a number of undertones to this book, from romance to mystery, and I really enjoyed finding out what was happening with the killings.
This book is steeped in 80s/90s culture and nostalgia, but younger readers won’t be lost, either. I loved the references to various horror films (The Lost Boys especially!) and felt the same aura as Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires series, a series I have fond memories of.
I really enjoyed Mina as a character and the tension between her and her sister Libby was well-written. I also enjoyed the friendships and relationships explored. I’m really looking forward to seeing where the series goes with the next instalment, Mina and the Slayers, only a couple of weeks away now!
I would also like to say I adore the design of this book cover/design in general – it’s so clever.
★★★★
4 out of 5 stars
-Beth
May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽
4 stars. A fun, nonsensical, whirlwind of a book. There’s a few inconsistencies, things that seem unbelievable or don’t make sense, and emotional beats don’t really hit but gosh darnit, this book is so much fun I’m willing to look over it all.
Is it the most high brow, intellectually stimulating read? No, of course not. But if you’re a 90s kid, a lover of nostalgia and a sucker for vampires then BOY do I have the book for you!
The story follows Mina as she visits her sister in New Orleans. The setting is fabulous - I love horror stories set in New Orleans as there’s such rich history. It’s a perfect macabre setting. Mina as a character is a delight and really easy to connect with her. There’s queer rep in this - her sister Libby is a lesbian - and it’s not made into a big deal, she has a girlfriend and it’s just quite lovely.
There’s lots of classic brooding moments in here too (love interest Jared) but it’s done in a light hearted-knowingly-cringe way, so I’m on board with this. I’m fine with Jared dressing up as Lestat from Interview with a Vampire and wearing eyeliner as we’re all on board with the joke. It’s not to be taken super seriously. If you love horror films, this book has approx 120400 references in it, so you’re in luck. Everything is atmospheric, creepy and fun.
Also, the page just fly by. I was in a bit of a reading slump and honestly I couldn’t stop reading this book it really took me out of it. It’s such an engaging read and at just under 300 pages it’s all action, all the time. There’s no filler pages here.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a fun read that has nostalgia, horror references and vampires then this could be your next fave read. Excited to see more from this author.
Is it the most high brow, intellectually stimulating read? No, of course not. But if you’re a 90s kid, a lover of nostalgia and a sucker for vampires then BOY do I have the book for you!
The story follows Mina as she visits her sister in New Orleans. The setting is fabulous - I love horror stories set in New Orleans as there’s such rich history. It’s a perfect macabre setting. Mina as a character is a delight and really easy to connect with her. There’s queer rep in this - her sister Libby is a lesbian - and it’s not made into a big deal, she has a girlfriend and it’s just quite lovely.
There’s lots of classic brooding moments in here too (love interest Jared) but it’s done in a light hearted-knowingly-cringe way, so I’m on board with this. I’m fine with Jared dressing up as Lestat from Interview with a Vampire and wearing eyeliner as we’re all on board with the joke. It’s not to be taken super seriously. If you love horror films, this book has approx 120400 references in it, so you’re in luck. Everything is atmospheric, creepy and fun.
Also, the page just fly by. I was in a bit of a reading slump and honestly I couldn’t stop reading this book it really took me out of it. It’s such an engaging read and at just under 300 pages it’s all action, all the time. There’s no filler pages here.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a fun read that has nostalgia, horror references and vampires then this could be your next fave read. Excited to see more from this author.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Set in the 90s, vampires and supernatural , pop culture, nostalgia, I mean what wasn’t I going to like about this book and the answer is nothing ! I absolutely loved it, I think I saw someone review this and mention point horror and I realised what it reminded me of and why I loved it. Mina and the Undead is a Young Adult Horror & Mystery, (which I may have just covered saying it is very point horror !) I really loved the characters and the complex relationships covered and really well developed by the author, it’s just a really original and creative read, I absolutely loved it
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
This book was so fun! I loved all of the classic vampire / gothic references and the New Orleans setting was super atmospheric. I highly recommend this one!
This was a fun, supernatural murder mystery romp through New Orleans in the 90s. It had all the 90s references you could imagine with some really fun horror mansion/maze scenes that were great to read.
I found the pacing to be all over the place though, especially with the insta love and the sudden murder scenes. It just felt a little messy. There was something happening at every minute and it didn't leave enough time to digest previous and ongoing events.
I struggled to connect with Mina and Libby's past. The relationship struggles they had with each other and their parents felt too surface level for me and I felt like I couldn't gain a strong enough level of empathy.
The vibe made me think of the A City of Ghosts series by Veronica Shwabb so I think if you enjoy those books but are looking for something aimed more for older readers, you could really mesh with this content.
I actually really loved reading this, I couldn't put it down, I did grow to care about all the characters and the plot twists truly shocked me. The only reason it just misses out on 5 stars is that lack of early connection and too much action squeezed in with not enough time for reflection.
Regardless of that, I'm so eager for the sequel!
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
I found the pacing to be all over the place though, especially with the insta love and the sudden murder scenes. It just felt a little messy. There was something happening at every minute and it didn't leave enough time to digest previous and ongoing events.
I struggled to connect with Mina and Libby's past. The relationship struggles they had with each other and their parents felt too surface level for me and I felt like I couldn't gain a strong enough level of empathy.
The vibe made me think of the A City of Ghosts series by Veronica Shwabb so I think if you enjoy those books but are looking for something aimed more for older readers, you could really mesh with this content.
I actually really loved reading this, I couldn't put it down, I did grow to care about all the characters and the plot twists truly shocked me. The only reason it just misses out on 5 stars is that lack of early connection and too much action squeezed in with not enough time for reflection.
Regardless of that, I'm so eager for the sequel!
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén