Reviews

Spring Harvest by Rektok Ross

theraccoonqueen's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Thank you Netgalley, Rektok, and the publisher for sending me this copy of an eARC to review! I was hooked from the beginning. I’m a sucker for thriller books and vampire books and to mix the two was perfect. The vampire aspect also had a unique twist to it that I’ve never read before and that was so so refreshing! 

Alix is hot, newly single, and ready to have an amazing time at a small town music festival with her friends for spring break. She meets a mysterious hottie who seems weirdly prone to her charms and it unsettles her a bit. After all she’s not used to being rejected. However she is determined to enjoy her break and let loose. But all of that gets put on hold when unspeakable horrors break out. Does she have what it takes to survive?

cortni17's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

🧄🧄🧄 SPRING HARVEST is out today! Best described as Coachella meets “The Vampire Diaries,” the story follows friends at a rural music festival that must fight to survive a vampire siege. If you like fast paced action, alpha male romance, creepy rural settings and, of course, vampires,, then get this book immediately!! "Rektok Ross's 'Spring Harvest' is a gripping addition to the vampire genre that will leave readers thirsting for more. With its richly imagined world and compelling characters, it's a page-turner from start to finish. The intricate plot keeps you guessing until the very end, and when it finally arrives, the conclusion will leave your mouth agape, craving the next installment. Ross masterfully blends elements of suspense, romance, and the supernatural to create a captivating tale that's sure to satisfy fans of vampire literature." #SpringHarvestBook 📖🧄🎡🧛🏻‍♂️🩸

ristretto's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Spring Harvest by Rektok Ross is unapologetically ridiculous and fun with survival horror elements. It’s Coachella meets Salem’s Lot with a sprinkling of Tender is the Flesh. 

Alix and her friends take a road trip to attend the Garlic Groove Music Fest, an alternative to Coachella with less crowds and better indie bands not to mention their famous garlic infused foods. But when they get there the garlic infused concert fare is scarce due to a poor harvest and a sudden freak accident involving a slashed throat sours the mood.

I’m a sucker for a Rektok Ross book because they are always such a good time. This time especially I loved the horror movie nods. The rural location and cannibalistic vibes reminded me of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and elements of the themes explored reminded me a little of Tender is the Flesh. The characters were flawed and fun and I enjoyed following them as they tried to survive what was happening. This is a fast paced read that you won’t want to put down. Perfect for the summer. 

Also I kind of love that there is a semi shared universe in these books and the subtle nod to her other books Ski Weekend and Summer Rental. You don’t need to have read these books as they are all stand alone stories but maybe check them out because they are also really quite fun! It’s wild thinking vampires exist in this same universe and I’m excited for the next book.

If you are looking for a fun read with survival horror vibes in a rural setting, a little romance, and vampires this is a really great time.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

craigmatthews87's review against another edition

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4.0

Spring Harvest focuses on Alix Summerlin, a newly-single, popular fashion student, on her way to the Garlic Groove Music Festival. Accompanied by her sorority sisters Zoe and Jenny, and two frat boys - Zoe's current squeeze Chad, and Alix's ex-boyfriend Logan - she's hoping any awkwardness will evaporate and they can enjoy a weekend of partying. However, they quickly discover that Allium Festival's famous annual harvest has failed, and the usual abundance of garlic in the town isn't there this year. Experienced horror fans just may be able to guess what threat is coming next..

This is a book with some real bite, and it certainly doesn't pull it's punches. Much like with her previous novel Summer Rental, Ross isn't afraid to throw in twists, turns and revelations, and not every character is destined to get out in one piece. Through the fast-paced action scenes or the slower, more contemplative sections, Alix is a character I found myself enjoying spending time with. Seemingly an almost caricature of a shallow Mean Girl-type, you quickly see that she's dealing with a lot of unresolved trauma, and pushes people away to protect herself. I thought she ended up showing real growth through the book, and it's very easy to root for her.

With supernatural elements, a romance plotline and authentic feeling college-aged protagonists, this feels like a novel that would be an ideal bridge for someone looking to progress from YA to more adult books. There's moments of gore and violence, but nothing that feels too full on, and a lot of the story could be classified as a thriller or suspense than outright horror.

A fast-paced and fun read, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone interested in the synopsis, or any fans of Ross's previous work. It gives the vibe of season one Buffy visiting a small-scale Coachella, and that alone will probably let you know if this is the book for you.

aquinn87's review

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adventurous dark 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

zaineylaney's review against another edition

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3.0

“The place looks like some harbinger of evil straight out of a bad horror movie ”
Here are reasons to read the Horror book:

Music Festival - Alix and her friends are going to the Garlic Groove Music Festival
Garlic - everywhere they look there is Garlic everywhere, but they are sad because the famous garlic fries are sold out
Vampires - During one of the concerts, the crowd descends into chaos, and the truth is, it could be Vampires

I have read 2 other books by this author, and I thought this would be the perfect summer read. It was also the beginning of a trend of vampire books I would read this month. While it was a quick read and a fun topic, I had a few issues. First, the main character was so mean, shallow, and vapid, I just could not get behind her and root for her to succeed. Second, I wanted a lot more of the music festival itself to really build to the creepiness of what happens. This would also give us a better way of getting to know the characters better, and feel more deeply for them if or when things happened to them. This is not my favorite book by this author but it might be a campy little summer read for you!
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