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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this review copy of Reluctant Immortals by Gwendolyn Kiste.
I went into this book fairly blind. In fact, I mostly read it for the trippy cover art. However, once I discovered the plot was inspired by the untold stories of Lucy Westnera and Bertha Mason, the women wronged in Dracula and Jane Eyre, respectively, I was so excited! Add on the late 60s California setting and this really should have been my perfect book. But unfortunately, it didn’t quite do it for me. I wanted a lot more background on our heroines, and not the background we would have gotten from Dracula, Jane Eyre, or even Wide Sargasso Sea. I did love the setting though, and the attention to detail. Kiste did an excellent job setting the scene; everything had a Dark Shadows vibe and I would love to see this book adapted to a movie — I think it would really shine visually!
Overall, I feel like Reluctant Immortals tells a really interesting and engaging story, but it just wasn’t my thing. However, this is likely a matter of personal preference. I think it’s worth a read if you’re a fan of gothic literature.
I went into this book fairly blind. In fact, I mostly read it for the trippy cover art. However, once I discovered the plot was inspired by the untold stories of Lucy Westnera and Bertha Mason, the women wronged in Dracula and Jane Eyre, respectively, I was so excited! Add on the late 60s California setting and this really should have been my perfect book. But unfortunately, it didn’t quite do it for me. I wanted a lot more background on our heroines, and not the background we would have gotten from Dracula, Jane Eyre, or even Wide Sargasso Sea. I did love the setting though, and the attention to detail. Kiste did an excellent job setting the scene; everything had a Dark Shadows vibe and I would love to see this book adapted to a movie — I think it would really shine visually!
Overall, I feel like Reluctant Immortals tells a really interesting and engaging story, but it just wasn’t my thing. However, this is likely a matter of personal preference. I think it’s worth a read if you’re a fan of gothic literature.
“There are no Hollywood endings, not even in Hollywood, and that’s the way it should be…. Maybe we’ll prove that just because you come from a monster, it doesn’t make you one.”
What a lovely weird little novel. I didn’t know I needed a Dracula & Jane Eyre requel set to the backdrop of California in the late 60s. This book felt like I was watching a movie at a drive in on a hot summer night. A book that reclaims the narrative of two women lost to literary and cinematic history. This book is worth your time especially if you support women’s wrongs. I will say the book left me wanting a bit more from the characters and story but I would still recommend it, 3.5/5✨
What a lovely weird little novel. I didn’t know I needed a Dracula & Jane Eyre requel set to the backdrop of California in the late 60s. This book felt like I was watching a movie at a drive in on a hot summer night. A book that reclaims the narrative of two women lost to literary and cinematic history. This book is worth your time especially if you support women’s wrongs. I will say the book left me wanting a bit more from the characters and story but I would still recommend it, 3.5/5✨
I liked the concept of this Book, but ultimately I wanted everything about it to be more. More emotion, more rage, more fear, more horror. Although there were quite a few great lines to keep, it ultimately ended up meandering too much and leaving too many plot holes. The whole book was a back and forth field trip; they get caught, they escape, repeat. I also would have liked it to be dual POV to get more of Bees side.
Not my favorite, but I sort of liked it by the end. I feel like maybe I should read Dracula after this. I think I was missing some context.
Maybe I also just didn't enjoy the audiobook voice as much considering the book takes place in the 70s - the voice sounded to modern, so I had a hard time visualizing everything.
Maybe I also just didn't enjoy the audiobook voice as much considering the book takes place in the 70s - the voice sounded to modern, so I had a hard time visualizing everything.
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was written extremely well. I never wanted to put the book down. But it left me yearning for more…kind of wandering around. Maybe that was intentional, to reflect their life.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love the idea but took me ages to finish because I didn’t feel invested in any of the characters. I wouldn’t compare this to mexican gothic at ALL lol
This book was so fun! Dracula and Jane Eyre fanfiction with a Once Upon A Time in Hollywood vibe, this was an easy read that really put you in the settings! I wouldn’t consider it horror, but a great thriller with a minor sapphic romance (fans of Jane Eyre may not enjoy the romance but I’ve never read that book and love lesbians so,,,). This novel does a great job reflecting on the way coercion and secrets can impact trauma, and how you can live your life thinking you have no choice when your options were there all along.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. Two immortal women oft treated as literary afterthoughts bumming around mid-60s California and trying to break the cycles of their creepy exes' abuse (difficult, because they are ALSO immortal).
I got this book in a giveaway and was excited because it sounded like a real hoot. And it was! Better than that, though, because it is surprisingly full of pathos, more than I was expecting. The main characters are deeply sad and traumatized, and their journey to self-actualization, or whatever you want to call it, is really satisfying and cathartic. The whole thing got a little heavy-handed at times, and as an English major (who wrote my thesis on Jane Eyre), I don't agree with all the characterizations, but neither of those things really bothered me, as the book was still very enjoyable. The premise of this book is nuts, and I love that. I've already got some people lined up to borrow my copy.