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rorikae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Poppy wakes up one night with her world changed. She has been ferreted away from her home in London and transformed into a vampire. Roisin, the vampire who saved Poppy, tends to her as she continues the agonizing process of learning how to control her urges for blood. As the two women spend more time together, Poppy begins to fall for Roisin. But Roisin's sire is out in the world, ready to toy with her again and putting the possibility of a peaceful life in jeopardy. They will have to leave their quiet life behind to find a chance at a longer life together.
Breger has created two incredibly fallible vampire characters that it is hard not to completely fall for. The story starts out quite slow, picking up pace toward the end, but the quiet moments felt just as profound as those with more action. I came to care deeply for Poppy and Roisin, especially as both explore their pasts and faults. At its heart, this is a story about learning to be cared for, making deep friendships, and fighting for a life where one can be happy. Breger's writing is dense and lush in a way that felt perfectly suited to a decadent vampire novel. I am excited to see what they write next because it's clear how much care and time they put into this story.
Graphic: Gore, Grief, Violence, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Animal death, Blood, Murder, Torture, Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
lovesit1892's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is emotional and heartfelt while simultaneously being lighthearted and humorous. The two main characters, Poppy and Roisin, go through many growing pains together, but the dialogue between them is so endearing that you almost forget the trials and tribulations they face.
I also enjoyed the relationships and friendships outside of the main relationship, there was such a refreshing sense of positivity and found family among the cast of characters. Each character has their own unique personality, but the way they interact with one another and accept each other, flaws and all, is realistic of an actual family unit. The genuine representation of sexualities, gender queerness, and fluidity was another highlight of this book.
The intimate scenes between the characters were actually intimate and sexy, so I struggle to call them simply "spicy" or "smutty," but they are definitely swoon-worthy. They're very well written and feel like accurate portrayals of queer sex and love. I think Breger did a fantastic job of weaving in more modern narratives involving polyamory, consent, BDSM, praise kinks, etc., while still writing in a historically accurate voice.
Overall, I loved this book and I can't recommend it enough to those who enjoy vampires, and especially sapphic vampires.
Graphic: Blood, Gaslighting, Gore, Death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, and Panic attacks/disorders
hexedmaiden's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, and Gore
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Fatphobia, and Sexual assault
nobeliumreads's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Fatphobia, and Sexual assault
pvrting's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Emotional abuse, and Gore
Minor: Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts