You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mixed feelings here. I enjoyed it, but I wouldn’t say it’s one of my favorites. There were aspects of it and themes that were explored that I loved diving into, but other parts took away from the experience from being a 4 or 5 star review for me.
Things I loved:
Things I loved:
- Enemies to lovers: Kidan and Susenyos were actual enemies and the lovers segment was like “reluctant” love, so I liked that.
- Humanity: this discourse around grief, forgiveness, and humanity were well done and thought provoking.
- Vampires characterization: the sun glows off of the dranic compared to Kidan seeking darkness is a really cool juxtaposition.
Things I didn’t enjoy:
- Kidan’s violent impulses are sooo much, but at least she’s honest about how bad it is, and that when she says she must get rid of all evil, she at least includes herself.
- I’m not a fan of pushing the plot forward by piling one bad decision onto another until it’s so wrapped up that there’s no recovering from it.
- While the romance was true enemies to lovers, Kidan and Susenyos went back and forth on whether or not they trusted each other SO often that it just got too confusing with how hot/cold it was. I don’t think it was terrible because it made sense for the characters, but it took away/distracted from the story.
Quotes that went hard:
- “Even death can’t resist if you keep flirting with it this much.”
DNF. Not the book for me. While I like a little brain work and things not being straightforward, I felt like I was being led blindly in this book. Which suits the MC who seems to just let herself be led blindly by hate-bordering-bigotry of vampires. The magic system is convoluted, which fair it could be, but is presented in a convoluted way. And compounded convolution is just not want I want from a good read.
There was a lot of lack of connection for me to this, like there was for the Academy for Liars, which was a disappointment because I've been looking for a good dark academia between either of these books.
First vampire book for me as well (unless Bunnicula counts?!). Never got on the glitter by day bandwagon and was so here for the Ethiopian/North African aspects (primary reason I wanted to read this book).
Maybe I'll pick it up again sometime.
There was a lot of lack of connection for me to this, like there was for the Academy for Liars, which was a disappointment because I've been looking for a good dark academia between either of these books.
First vampire book for me as well (unless Bunnicula counts?!). Never got on the glitter by day bandwagon and was so here for the Ethiopian/North African aspects (primary reason I wanted to read this book).
Maybe I'll pick it up again sometime.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
This was my first immersive buddy read with my daughter and my first dark academia experience, and I didn’t know what to expect. I just kept seeing dope visuals and reviews on social media. I tiptoed in like, “Okay, so what’s the hype?” Baby. This book didn’t whisper—it snatched me by the collar and dragged me straight into the shadows with no warning. And I went willingly.
This story was haunting. Stunning. Deep. It gave everything—twists that had me gasping, tension so thick I could slice it with a knife, and a mystery laced with culture, grief, power, and Blackness so rich and alive I felt every single word in my chest. I wanted to highlight entire chapters. I wanted to live in the atmosphere this author created.
And don’t even get me started on Kidan and Susenyos. BABY. That wasn’t your cutesy little “oops we don’t get along” situation. No, that was real enemies to lovers. Blood, betrayal, chaos—and somehow still so much tenderness it broke me. Their dynamic was violent, tender, dangerous, sexy. I was locked in.
The characters? Flawless. Layered. Full of soul. The type of cast that stays with you long after you close the book. Every moment felt intentional. Every line, soaked in meaning. And the Blackness? Woven through every page like a spell. Powerful. Rooted. Beautiful.
Let me make this real clear—I’m OBSESSED. OBSESSED. Who wouldn’t be? Black vampires, layered worldbuilding, messy emotions, sharp teeth, and even sharper writing? Yeah. Give this book ALL its flowers. I can't wait for book two!
This story was haunting. Stunning. Deep. It gave everything—twists that had me gasping, tension so thick I could slice it with a knife, and a mystery laced with culture, grief, power, and Blackness so rich and alive I felt every single word in my chest. I wanted to highlight entire chapters. I wanted to live in the atmosphere this author created.
And don’t even get me started on Kidan and Susenyos. BABY. That wasn’t your cutesy little “oops we don’t get along” situation. No, that was real enemies to lovers. Blood, betrayal, chaos—and somehow still so much tenderness it broke me. Their dynamic was violent, tender, dangerous, sexy. I was locked in.
The characters? Flawless. Layered. Full of soul. The type of cast that stays with you long after you close the book. Every moment felt intentional. Every line, soaked in meaning. And the Blackness? Woven through every page like a spell. Powerful. Rooted. Beautiful.
Let me make this real clear—I’m OBSESSED. OBSESSED. Who wouldn’t be? Black vampires, layered worldbuilding, messy emotions, sharp teeth, and even sharper writing? Yeah. Give this book ALL its flowers. I can't wait for book two!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
My second time DNFing this book. I cannot get past how disgustingly unpleasant Susenyos is. I understand Kidan’s rage and disgust and if they had remained enemies or at least just allies it would be one thing. But this is, allegedly, a romance. And I just can’t abide that.