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rorikae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
'A Long Time Dead' by Samara Breger is a slow, lush vampire story about two women falling in love and attempting to build a life together.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Grief, Violence, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Animal death, Blood, Murder, Torture, Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
queenkath32's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Animal death, Death, and Blood
lovesit1892's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Did I just find my new favorite book!? I think so! I consider myself a connoisseur of sapphic vampire books and this is easily the best one I've ever read.
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.
I found Poppy to be so adorable and lovable; her sarcastic, candid personality really balances out Roisin, who, while very sweet and caring, can be frustratingly stubborn and self-critical at times. The way they grow together is a true portrayal of two people (or vampires!) learning and choosing to love one another despite the difficulties.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
fromthefoxhole's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Many thanks to Netgalley, Samara Berger, and Bywater Books for the ARC!
Upon waking one morning, Poppy finds herself in a strange place, thirsty for something she cannot name, and with a distinct chill to her skin. Here she meets Roisin, who explains that they are both vampires. When prompted, Poppy cannot remember the exact circumstances surrounding her being turned, aside from hazy memories of a tall, imposing woman named Cane. Roisin is unsurprised, as Cane is her sire - the same vampire that turned her some centuries ago.
Roisin is filled with rage and the desire to go after Cane, but places this on hold in order to help Poppy adjust to her new not-quite-life. As she teaches her, Poppy works to control both her bloodlust and her overwhelming attraction to Roisin.
As the years to by, will either of them manage to succeed in their plans?
--
I feel like my words will fall short of how much I loved this book. I grew up on Twilight and the Vampire Diaries, hiding under the covers with a book light to read Frankenstein and Dracula past my bedtime. A Long Time Dead honored all of this and more. It's a lush, sweeping, gothic love affair spanning decades, filled with dramatics, horror, and romance - all the things that define the genre. It felt like it could have been written for me.
Poppy, our FMC, is the definition of a 20 year old, brash, unrefined, and forceful with her convictions. This is slightly tempered by the hard life that she has led, but she is stubborn and gluttonous and, above all, she is clever enough to turn her circumstances in a way that suits her. This directly opposes Roisin, her counterpart, a guilt-riddled vampire who has lived centuries denying herself and her baser instincts (damn Catholics).
The two could not be more different, which makes their relationship all the more exasperating and rewarding in equal measure.
I will admit that sometimes Poppy's brattish behavior grated on me, but there is value in remembering that she is stuck at 20. Roisin similarly frustrates me with her need to atone for perceived sins, but I can empathize as well.
All in all, I had a wonderful time reading A Long Time Dead, and will likely read it again!
Upon waking one morning, Poppy finds herself in a strange place, thirsty for something she cannot name, and with a distinct chill to her skin. Here she meets Roisin, who explains that they are both vampires. When prompted, Poppy cannot remember the exact circumstances surrounding her being turned, aside from hazy memories of a tall, imposing woman named Cane. Roisin is unsurprised, as Cane is her sire - the same vampire that turned her some centuries ago.
Roisin is filled with rage and the desire to go after Cane, but places this on hold in order to help Poppy adjust to her new not-quite-life. As she teaches her, Poppy works to control both her bloodlust and her overwhelming attraction to Roisin.
As the years to by, will either of them manage to succeed in their plans?
--
I feel like my words will fall short of how much I loved this book. I grew up on Twilight and the Vampire Diaries, hiding under the covers with a book light to read Frankenstein and Dracula past my bedtime. A Long Time Dead honored all of this and more. It's a lush, sweeping, gothic love affair spanning decades, filled with dramatics, horror, and romance - all the things that define the genre. It felt like it could have been written for me.
Poppy, our FMC, is the definition of a 20 year old, brash, unrefined, and forceful with her convictions. This is slightly tempered by the hard life that she has led, but she is stubborn and gluttonous and, above all, she is clever enough to turn her circumstances in a way that suits her. This directly opposes Roisin, her counterpart, a guilt-riddled vampire who has lived centuries denying herself and her baser instincts (damn Catholics).
The two could not be more different, which makes their relationship all the more exasperating and rewarding in equal measure.
I will admit that sometimes Poppy's brattish behavior grated on me, but there is value in remembering that she is stuck at 20. Roisin similarly frustrates me with her need to atone for perceived sins, but I can empathize as well.
All in all, I had a wonderful time reading A Long Time Dead, and will likely read it again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Animal death, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Cursing, and Grief
Moderate: Gaslighting, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual assault, War, and Classism
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