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rayne_styx48's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
nesstayls's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Even though this had quite a slow start, once the characters and world were established, the twists and turns really kept me on my toes. The slow reveal to the backstory of the main character was well done. The exploration of religious themes and faith really helped cement the motives of the characters and overarching plot. The action scenes kept me hooked and I will definitely be reading the next book to see how this all turns out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Religious bigotry, and War
Minor: Drug use and Homophobia
dragonheartbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A quick note that the main reason this isn't a five star read is because there's a few times in which Kristoff alternates between character's names and an alternative title for them and it takes a bit to figure out who is who; there are also other places where the pacing moves almost too fast but that also could've been my eyes skipping lines lol
It took me forever to decide to read this book, partly because after my in-depth analysis of Interview the Vampire in college and my dislike of Twilight, I've not been the biggest fan of vampire stories. However, a few books are quickly changing my mind in that not all vampire books are the same (duh)
Kristoff takes you on quite the journey as Gabriel de Leon recounts the story of how he got to where he is. There is a lot of intense fighting, a lot of crude banter, and so much character growth.
What I found most fascinating in this book was the integration of religion into how the Silversaints were supposed to live their lives in addition to the fact that the Silversaints themselves are known as palebloods, or half-vampires.
Honestly, it's hard to explain more without spoiling a lot of the story but if you enjoy dense worldbuilding with a main character whose primary life motto is that it's better to be a bastard than a hero, then give this book a try.
Will I read book two? Yes, because I have questions. So many questions!
It took me forever to decide to read this book, partly because after my in-depth analysis of Interview the Vampire in college and my dislike of Twilight, I've not been the biggest fan of vampire stories. However, a few books are quickly changing my mind in that not all vampire books are the same (duh)
Kristoff takes you on quite the journey as Gabriel de Leon recounts the story of how he got to where he is. There is a lot of intense fighting, a lot of crude banter, and so much character growth.
What I found most fascinating in this book was the integration of religion into how the Silversaints were supposed to live their lives in addition to the fact that the Silversaints themselves are known as palebloods, or half-vampires.
Honestly, it's hard to explain more without spoiling a lot of the story but if you enjoy dense worldbuilding with a main character whose primary life motto is that it's better to be a bastard than a hero, then give this book a try.
Will I read book two? Yes, because I have questions. So many questions!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
lukeslibraryx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
rouyuriko's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. Fantastic book. If you find yourself not loving the main character at first, hang in there. The way everything comes together at the end is wonderful. While covering a very dark world with a lot of hatred stemming from religious zealotry, the themes are well handled and there is a beautiful light in the ending message.
I borrowed this from the library but love it so much I want to buy a copy. The illustrations are also gorgeous! I don't even like vampire stories normally.
I borrowed this from the library but love it so much I want to buy a copy. The illustrations are also gorgeous! I don't even like vampire stories normally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Child death
Minor: Homophobia
thicgrilly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A wonderfully built world and character development which is so immersive that you may hate the author by the end. A brilliant read that still lingers in my thoughts daily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
jyorbin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.75
Loved the world building and the tone of the book. The performance on the audiobook was really good. Great book if you like vampires and vampire hunters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction and Cursing
laur_409's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and War
kal517's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
caspianabound's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I went in pretty blind to this story and woah was I swept up. I admit that I'm a sucker for anything vampire but I've never read anything quite like this. The storytelling was rich and immersive - that paired with the world building was definitely ny favorite part. I enjoyed most of the characters and plot. I will also admit that I saw the ending coming (I won't spoil it for others) but I had a feeling that a particular aspect was going to unfold a specific way, and it did. Other aspects were a surprise, though! Will definitely be continuing this series and seeking more from this author, the writing was just *so* good and atmospheric.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Gore
Minor: Homophobia