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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Objectively, I think this book is very well-executed and well-written. I’m honestly so proud of myself for reading and finishing it, since I am not a big vampire lover and I typically don’t read books this slow-paced.
If you want plot and twists and movement and action, this book is not for you. But if you want morally grey, extremely character driven narrative that leaves you reflecting and confused, this book is for you!!
Overall, I did like this a lot. Not a new fave for me personally, but I know this book is MEANT to be life-changing for many readers and I’m glad Ms. Schwab fed you well 💖🫡
If you want plot and twists and movement and action, this book is not for you. But if you want morally grey, extremely character driven narrative that leaves you reflecting and confused, this book is for you!!
Overall, I did like this a lot. Not a new fave for me personally, but I know this book is MEANT to be life-changing for many readers and I’m glad Ms. Schwab fed you well 💖🫡
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
This book was one of my most anticipated reads this year. I’ve only read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue before this. That was the book that got me back into reading so I was excited to start reading.
In my opinion, the style here feels quite similar as Addie LaRue, lyrical, atmospheric and very much about the characters rather than racing through the plot.
The slow build-up worked beautifully. I loved how the story let me spend time really getting to know the characters and their histories. The shifts in perspective and time added depth, and even though I’m usually not a fan of time jumps, here they were handled so well that they became one of my favorite elements.
"The world will try to make you small. It will tell you to be modest, and meek. But the world is wrong. You should get to feel and love and live as boldly as you want."
One thing I really liked was the theme running through it: women wanting to take control of their own lives in a world dominated by men. It’s about what happens when they’re done being prey and decide to become the predator instead. About what happens when women decide they’re done being hunted and start sharpening their own fangs. ✨️
"Two feral, hungry girls."
Sabine and Maria — how their relationship came together again, and the way it unfolded. The recurring themes running throughout the book. How one escape from life could lead to the start of another, entirely different one. This happened several times in the story, yet each time it felt unique. I honestly wouldn’t have minded if this part, this period, had lasted even longer.
Then Sabine and Lottie — a love that grew out of friendship, born from a shared escape from reality. Lives intertwining in their own turn. I adored not only Sabine and Charlotte, but also the other couples we encountered throughout the book, each with its own essence and unique qualities.
Hector and Renata — the way their relationship worked, how time shaped them, how it grew and took form, but also how it ended.
I loved Alessandro and Matteo — their dynamic, their outlook, their bond. And how this couple welcomed Sabine and once again passed on their wisdom, just like Renata and Hector had done. The dynamic between the three of them was incredible. I loved how they lived in both places it was truly wonderful.
"You are my heartbeat. My feral rose. I laid you down in the midnight soil, I watered you until you bloomed. Its my job to tend to our plot, and prune any weeds that try to grow."
But again Sabine and Charlotte how their relationship took form. The many balls they attended together, the escapes from the lives so many didn’t want, the way their lives unfolded. How things changed after so many years. How hunger for lust transformed into nothing but a hunger for blood. How it feels to slowly lose a loved one before your eyes. How a relationship once so sought after is the thing you desperately try to escape the most. AKA Toxic lesbian vampires! ✨️
The way all of it took shape and carried consequences. I loved Sabine, I hated Sabine, I felt for Sabine, same for Charlotte. It was an emotional rollercoaster. How to turn away from what you loved most.. how to escape. How to go on after turning away from everything you once had.
"That's like asking - why stay inside a house on fire? Easy to say when you are standing on the street, a safe distance from the flames. Harder when you are still inside, convinced you can douse the blaze before it spreads, or rushing room to room, trying to save what you love before it burns"
And then dear Alice — wrong place, wrong time, and it changed her entire life. How she, too, became woven into everything… chef’s kiss. 🤌
That ending though! If you know, you know.
In my opinion, the style here feels quite similar as Addie LaRue, lyrical, atmospheric and very much about the characters rather than racing through the plot.
The slow build-up worked beautifully. I loved how the story let me spend time really getting to know the characters and their histories. The shifts in perspective and time added depth, and even though I’m usually not a fan of time jumps, here they were handled so well that they became one of my favorite elements.
"The world will try to make you small. It will tell you to be modest, and meek. But the world is wrong. You should get to feel and love and live as boldly as you want."
One thing I really liked was the theme running through it: women wanting to take control of their own lives in a world dominated by men. It’s about what happens when they’re done being prey and decide to become the predator instead. About what happens when women decide they’re done being hunted and start sharpening their own fangs. ✨️
"Two feral, hungry girls."
Sabine and Maria — how their relationship came together again, and the way it unfolded. The recurring themes running throughout the book. How one escape from life could lead to the start of another, entirely different one. This happened several times in the story, yet each time it felt unique. I honestly wouldn’t have minded if this part, this period, had lasted even longer.
Then Sabine and Lottie — a love that grew out of friendship, born from a shared escape from reality. Lives intertwining in their own turn. I adored not only Sabine and Charlotte, but also the other couples we encountered throughout the book, each with its own essence and unique qualities.
Hector and Renata — the way their relationship worked, how time shaped them, how it grew and took form, but also how it ended.
I loved Alessandro and Matteo — their dynamic, their outlook, their bond. And how this couple welcomed Sabine and once again passed on their wisdom, just like Renata and Hector had done. The dynamic between the three of them was incredible. I loved how they lived in both places it was truly wonderful.
"You are my heartbeat. My feral rose. I laid you down in the midnight soil, I watered you until you bloomed. Its my job to tend to our plot, and prune any weeds that try to grow."
But again Sabine and Charlotte how their relationship took form. The many balls they attended together, the escapes from the lives so many didn’t want, the way their lives unfolded. How things changed after so many years. How hunger for lust transformed into nothing but a hunger for blood. How it feels to slowly lose a loved one before your eyes. How a relationship once so sought after is the thing you desperately try to escape the most. AKA Toxic lesbian vampires! ✨️
The way all of it took shape and carried consequences. I loved Sabine, I hated Sabine, I felt for Sabine, same for Charlotte. It was an emotional rollercoaster. How to turn away from what you loved most.. how to escape. How to go on after turning away from everything you once had.
"That's like asking - why stay inside a house on fire? Easy to say when you are standing on the street, a safe distance from the flames. Harder when you are still inside, convinced you can douse the blaze before it spreads, or rushing room to room, trying to save what you love before it burns"
And then dear Alice — wrong place, wrong time, and it changed her entire life. How she, too, became woven into everything… chef’s kiss. 🤌
That ending though! If you know, you know.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a solid read. It was a little too long for what the plot ended up being.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My girl was NOT messing around when she said toxic lesbian vampires. Holy shit this book was fantastic. So beautifully written and so captivating!