Reviews

How to Defy a Vampire by Alice Winters

redhairedashreads's review against another edition

4.0

 

4 stars - It was really good

After the past two books have been focusing on different couples in the VRC this book returns us to the OG couple, Marcus and Finn. Finn has stumbled across another crime scene and it brings back ghosts from Marcus’ past. While the normal grumpy vampire is closed lipped about his past, this time he has to open up and figure out what these vampires want and how it involves Watson. 

Finn and Marcus have been together for a while now and they have gone through a lot of shit.  Finn and Marcus are my favorite couple in this series and they really just can’t get a break, which they desperately need. After they got rid of Watson they both thought things would finally calm down for Finn but we quickly find out that the past isn’t done with him and he finds himself in danger again. 

This was another suspenseful book with Finn being in danger, the vampire council causing problems, and an evil vampire from the past returning a killing people.  I can’t really say more about what happens in the book without giving too much away, but it was a lot. I couldn’t put the book down once things started popping off and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time, which is always a good sign. 

Overall, this was another action packed and emotional book. I love that we returned to Finn and Marcus, but hope they get a bit of a break in the future because they have had a rough time lately. 

TW: PTSD, kidnapping, death, violence, medical experimentation discussed; 

a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 Stars

Apparently, I was in just the pitch perfect mood because this seriously was so much fun! I missed Finn and Marcus and didn’t even know it. I loved that this book really focused on their dynamic, their internal motivations, and further honed their personalities to great entertaining delight.

Don’t get me wrong. Winters can obvioulsy provide the super silly and ridiculous, but she can also intermix that with a good amount of scary intense horror as well as bring heavy hits of impactful feels.

I do believe that it takes a talented author to swing so broadly between the tropes and the tone of this series and do it consistently and engagingly. I’m duly impressed and have a new appreciation for her stories!

Sorry not sorry.

ayjayy's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

ankysbookbubble's review

5.0

Hilarious

I missed Finn and Marcus. I've probably read the other VRC books five times by now, and they never get old.

How to Defy a Vampire was funny, engaging, and everything I expect from an Alice Winters book.

sickler13's review

adventurous funny mysterious 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

heather_warby's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny 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

4.75

bookpimpfairy's review

5.0

And the madness continues

We are back to Finn and Marcus, where Marcus past comes back to haunt him and the ones he loves. More questions are left unanswered, making us need more from the VRC, and I, for one, can not wait for these to be released.

serenity81's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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? No

4.5

nathanae88's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

book_lady_13's review against another edition

5.0

Another Amazing VRC Adventure!

I just love the VRC books and any story following Finn and Marcus. I am so impressed that these stories keep getting better and I love getting to revisit my other favorite characters (looking at you Claude!). I am also go happy that this series is going to continue, this doesn’t end on a cliff hanger per se but it is obvious there will be a continuation. Highly recommend reading the series in order.