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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Late 80s/ Early 90s Prom-murder mystery movie, but replace the prom with the New Orlean’s bar scene and sprinkle vampire lore. It reads a bit campy, but I was here for it. I think this would have been a 5 had a read it at a different time- it was a real departure from what I’ve been reading lately, especially the way the author’s strung their words together.
This was was of my most anticipated reads for 2021. I had it preordered months ago and I do not regret my decision at all. This was so much fun to read! Full of 90’s nostalgia and New Orleans vampire myths, it felt like a 90’s YA version of Season 3 of American Horror Story. I devoured this in less than 24 hours and would happily read again! I loved the horror vibes it gave me and the mystery aspect was thrilling. While a guessed a few minor bits I didn’t guess the main plot twist so that was fun! I would highly recommend this book!
This story follows seventeen year old Mia who is on her way to live with her estranged sister, Libby in New Orleans while attending university after their mother mysteriously disappeared leaving the two of them behind. Mina plans to spend the summer exploring parts of the city and learning about the myths and legends while mending her relationship with her sister. But, soon things take a dark turn when a body is discovered with fang marks on their neck and a fistful of hair suspciously the same as her sisters, Mina takes matters into her own hands.
What a truly fun and enjoyable book! It started off a little slow but it picked up and I was glad it did. As someone who visits New Orleans a lot for family, I was very excited to that this book was set there as it has so much amazing history, legends, and myths. This book is the perfect gothic horror YA with a mixture of mystery, gore, and spooky vibes so check it out you think you'd like it!
What a truly fun and enjoyable book! It started off a little slow but it picked up and I was glad it did. As someone who visits New Orleans a lot for family, I was very excited to that this book was set there as it has so much amazing history, legends, and myths. This book is the perfect gothic horror YA with a mixture of mystery, gore, and spooky vibes so check it out you think you'd like it!
adventurous
mysterious
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:
Yes
Thanks to UCLAN and Amy McCaw for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my opinion of the book.
Check out my full review on the blog: https://readingthroughinfinity.com/2021/04/01/review-mina-and-the-undead/
Something I’ve discovered about my reading tastes over the last year is that I don’t like gory/gruesome horror very much, but I enjoy atmospheric horror. And this book is exactly that; atmosphere in abundance.
There’s definitely some blood and violence (it probably wouldn’t be a vampire book without those things?), but on the whole this story definitely priorities atmosphere over gore and it hits the mark just right for sinister, gothic vibes.
We get some wonderful descriptions of the streets of New Orleans, with gilded balconies and energised crowds. Libby, Lucas, and Jared’s house comes to life as well through Mina’s descriptions of the old, sun-heated wood and bouncy beds.
And perhaps most creepy of all is the Mansion of the Macabre, with its gruesome rooms from different horror film sets. I could picture the rooms and imagine the tour in such brilliantly vivid detail that I just know I’d end up having a jump scare in the very first room.
Mina is an inquisitive, determined main character, who finds herself drawn into the allure and newly present dangers of New Orleans. But, no matter how much the city decides to throw at her, she keeps bouncing back, determined to solve the recent murder and save her friends.
I really enjoyed her and Jared’s developing relationship, but the bond that interested me the most was between Mina and her sister Libby. After their mum abandoned them and Libby moved to university in New Orleans, Libby and Mina’s relationship has become distant and somewhat strained.
They don’t talk as much as they used to, they don’t have the same close connection, and Libby closes up whenever Mina tries to bring up the topic of their mum. As the story progresses, however, Libby and Mina begin to grow closer again as they navigate several ordeals and Libby opens up about why she stopped confiding in her sister.
Their relationship felt really realistic to me, as my sister and I have experienced similar periods of distance after not living together for a while, before having periods of closeness again. I enjoyed how the strength of sibling bonds was depicted in this story and how Mina realised that, despite their differences, she and Libby would do anything for each other.
The plot goes from strength to strength as Mina, Libby, Jared, and Della try to uncover a murder mystery before finding themselves the targets of new attacks. Some of the twists were jaw-droppingly good and I didn’t see them coming at all.
The fast pacing and gripping plot make this story one that’s easy to blaze through in a few short sittings, and the threat and thrill of vampires and danger will have you wondering if everyone’s going to survive to the end.
The myths and vampire lore woven into the story added layers of history and gravity that I really enjoyed, and the tales from decades gone by made me want to look up if they were actually true.
Overall, this was a wonderfully tense, thrilling read with vampires, twists, and a close-knit group of friends willing to do whatever it takes to help each other. The UKYA scene is going to be all the more enriched by this enticing gothic horror novel and I can’t wait to see what Amy McCaw writes next.
Content warnings for violence, (previous) abandonment by a parent, stabbing, exsanguination, murder, blood and gore, kidnapping.
Check out my full review on the blog: https://readingthroughinfinity.com/2021/04/01/review-mina-and-the-undead/
Something I’ve discovered about my reading tastes over the last year is that I don’t like gory/gruesome horror very much, but I enjoy atmospheric horror. And this book is exactly that; atmosphere in abundance.
There’s definitely some blood and violence (it probably wouldn’t be a vampire book without those things?), but on the whole this story definitely priorities atmosphere over gore and it hits the mark just right for sinister, gothic vibes.
We get some wonderful descriptions of the streets of New Orleans, with gilded balconies and energised crowds. Libby, Lucas, and Jared’s house comes to life as well through Mina’s descriptions of the old, sun-heated wood and bouncy beds.
And perhaps most creepy of all is the Mansion of the Macabre, with its gruesome rooms from different horror film sets. I could picture the rooms and imagine the tour in such brilliantly vivid detail that I just know I’d end up having a jump scare in the very first room.
Mina is an inquisitive, determined main character, who finds herself drawn into the allure and newly present dangers of New Orleans. But, no matter how much the city decides to throw at her, she keeps bouncing back, determined to solve the recent murder and save her friends.
I really enjoyed her and Jared’s developing relationship, but the bond that interested me the most was between Mina and her sister Libby. After their mum abandoned them and Libby moved to university in New Orleans, Libby and Mina’s relationship has become distant and somewhat strained.
They don’t talk as much as they used to, they don’t have the same close connection, and Libby closes up whenever Mina tries to bring up the topic of their mum. As the story progresses, however, Libby and Mina begin to grow closer again as they navigate several ordeals and Libby opens up about why she stopped confiding in her sister.
Their relationship felt really realistic to me, as my sister and I have experienced similar periods of distance after not living together for a while, before having periods of closeness again. I enjoyed how the strength of sibling bonds was depicted in this story and how Mina realised that, despite their differences, she and Libby would do anything for each other.
The plot goes from strength to strength as Mina, Libby, Jared, and Della try to uncover a murder mystery before finding themselves the targets of new attacks. Some of the twists were jaw-droppingly good and I didn’t see them coming at all.
The fast pacing and gripping plot make this story one that’s easy to blaze through in a few short sittings, and the threat and thrill of vampires and danger will have you wondering if everyone’s going to survive to the end.
The myths and vampire lore woven into the story added layers of history and gravity that I really enjoyed, and the tales from decades gone by made me want to look up if they were actually true.
Overall, this was a wonderfully tense, thrilling read with vampires, twists, and a close-knit group of friends willing to do whatever it takes to help each other. The UKYA scene is going to be all the more enriched by this enticing gothic horror novel and I can’t wait to see what Amy McCaw writes next.
Content warnings for violence, (previous) abandonment by a parent, stabbing, exsanguination, murder, blood and gore, kidnapping.
This tale of vampires, family, love and revenge in the New Orleans of the mid 1990s was well written, with interesting characters and a good pace. The background plotline of their missing, vampire obsessed mother links well with the main story of murder and vampires. Each of the characters is interesting, even the minor ones, and there are twists and turns aplenty. It all works and it feels left open in such away that there could be a sequel. I personally loved all the 1990s pop references, i don't think it matters if a few aren't recognised by YA readers, most will be known to vampire fiction/film fans and it doesn't affect the story. It has a great feel overall and the feel of old New Orleans works extremely well. A really enjoyable gothic horror for older teens/YA.
My thanks to #NetGalley and UCLan publishers for the ARC in return for an honest review.
My thanks to #NetGalley and UCLan publishers for the ARC in return for an honest review.
This was EXACTLY what I needed right now!! Honestly it hit every point for me, the characters were great, the story was so good, and the references spoke to my heart!
I honestly loved every minute of this book, I haven’t read a book in a good few months and this has absolutely kick-started my love of reading again ahhhh.
I may be biased for adoring this book so much as it IS about my favourite supernatural AND the MC’s are from Yorkshire like me but I had sooooo much fun reading this!! AND DONT GET ME STARTED ON THE RIDE THE LAST 40 OR SO PAGES WAS OMG! AMAZING!
I honestly loved every minute of this book, I haven’t read a book in a good few months and this has absolutely kick-started my love of reading again ahhhh.
I may be biased for adoring this book so much as it IS about my favourite supernatural AND the MC’s are from Yorkshire like me but I had sooooo much fun reading this!! AND DONT GET ME STARTED ON THE RIDE THE LAST 40 OR SO PAGES WAS OMG! AMAZING!
A full review is coming to Bookstacked.com
This book was fine. I enjoyed the theme but the execution was a little weak at times. I just didn't feel connected to any of the characters and the whole plot felt really unrealistic. Obviously, it's about vampires, so there's fantasy involved, but the way the plot progressed -- plot point to plot point -- left the story in need of padding that would have helped me sink into it a little better.
It was interesting to read something of this genre, an attempt at horror. I'm not too familiar with it so I can't comment on how well it does the genre. It reminded me a little of comic horror like Scream Queens, I'm not sure if that was the intention!
This book was fine. I enjoyed the theme but the execution was a little weak at times. I just didn't feel connected to any of the characters and the whole plot felt really unrealistic. Obviously, it's about vampires, so there's fantasy involved, but the way the plot progressed -- plot point to plot point -- left the story in need of padding that would have helped me sink into it a little better.
It was interesting to read something of this genre, an attempt at horror. I'm not too familiar with it so I can't comment on how well it does the genre. It reminded me a little of comic horror like Scream Queens, I'm not sure if that was the intention!
Break out the popcorn and old horror movies! This was such a fun trip through 90s horror nostalgia with a pairing of vampires. To top it all off it's set in the colourful city of New Orleans. This was the funnest vampire story I've read in a long time!
Teenage Mina finds herself in New Orleans with her sister working at a horror novelty mansion where people come to be scared for fun. She ends up finding herself tangled in a murder mystery where a girl is found with puncture wounds in her neck. Mina's holiday ends up being a full blown murder investigation and a deep dive into New Orleans vampire culture.
First of all 90s kids are going to love this one. There's so many references to 90s horror pop culture peppered throughout it and I was loving on it. This is for the kids who grew up with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Jason, Freddy Kruger etc. This will tickle your inner horror child of the 90s.
It's an easy book to read and you'll find yourself flying through the chapters to find out what's going to happen. It's a great one to get you out of a slump or as a filler between more dense reads because it is fun, entertaining and gentle on the brain.
Speaking of easy, the cover art is easy on the eye. It screams retro horror (VHS) vibes. LOVE.
I honestly struggle to think of any issues I had with Mina. This is one of my favourite reads of 2021 and would recommend it to anyone who loves vampires and 90s horror pop culture. Team Mina all the way!!!
Teenage Mina finds herself in New Orleans with her sister working at a horror novelty mansion where people come to be scared for fun. She ends up finding herself tangled in a murder mystery where a girl is found with puncture wounds in her neck. Mina's holiday ends up being a full blown murder investigation and a deep dive into New Orleans vampire culture.
First of all 90s kids are going to love this one. There's so many references to 90s horror pop culture peppered throughout it and I was loving on it. This is for the kids who grew up with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Jason, Freddy Kruger etc. This will tickle your inner horror child of the 90s.
It's an easy book to read and you'll find yourself flying through the chapters to find out what's going to happen. It's a great one to get you out of a slump or as a filler between more dense reads because it is fun, entertaining and gentle on the brain.
Speaking of easy, the cover art is easy on the eye. It screams retro horror (VHS) vibes. LOVE.
I honestly struggle to think of any issues I had with Mina. This is one of my favourite reads of 2021 and would recommend it to anyone who loves vampires and 90s horror pop culture. Team Mina all the way!!!