Scan barcode
ashley_mrose530's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed the main characters and especially Nena. She was so quick, smart, and knew exactly what she wanted and how to work the system to get it. I liked that her only flaw was getting the courage to stand up to her parents. It's very realistic especially for the time period she was living in. And Nestor was so sweet and obviously loved her very much from the beginning.
I think the only real issue I had with this book is I thought it would be more high energy and fast-paced than it was. It definitely starts off kind of slow and even the first vampire attack when they were kids was followed up by slower plot points. But it did pick up when they finally went to war a little over half way through. I just wanted expecting a slower start I think, but it was needed to set up the romance plot line.
All in all a really great book and I'm glad I picked it up.
Graphic: Classism, Misogyny, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Colonisation
ktv's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Death, Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Physical abuse, and Colonisation
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
dandydoodle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Minor: Animal death, War, Alcoholism, Blood, Colonisation, Death, Grief, and Gun violence
hendrixpants's review
- 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
Graphic: Violence and War
triple_m's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Both of the main characters are so three-dimensional and I genuinely understand both of their perspectives, decisions, and actions.
My heart really ached for these characters but it made the emotional pay off so worth it.
Graphic: War, Misogyny, and Colonisation
Moderate: Gore, Blood, and Gun violence
salemander's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Colonisation, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, War, Body horror, and Violence
carbs666's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.75
My chief complaint with this book was the love story (a shocker from me). There was SO much "will they or won't they" energy going on here it got a bit tired after a while. Additionally, the way that so much of the internal relied on these two just flatly refusing to talk and listen to each other became annoying. (Not to mention how hard it sometimes feels to root for Nena when she's, like, firmly in her 20s and still afraid to upset her parents - I know we've all felt that way but as a reader who wants to see the HEA happen it gets frustrating.)
Graphic: Violence, War, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
ginnydtaylor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Violence, and War
bkwrm1317's review against another edition
- 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
A unique take on the vampire as beast/creature, rather than human beings turned to vampires as the more common take. The vampires of this novel are used and abused by the Texas Rangers in their pursuit of what is today South Texas/Northern Mexico.
Some minor/general novel arc spoilers below, so read with that in mind:
Nena and Néstor's struggles to overcome their own fear and shame in order to let their love flourish felt extremely real and well-executed by the author. I loved reading their story, as well as Nena's arc of finding her voice, getting out from under the thumb of her emotionally abusive father and manipulative mother, who are more about appearances and keeping up with the Joneses than their eldest daughter's needs or happiness.
Néstor realizing Nena is stronger when he supports her/that with his support she can face down literal monsters and can match him for bravery in that way is such a powerful moment in their character arcs.
I just really loved this one - it's another of those novels that felt like it was written just for me.
Graphic: Violence, Classism, and War
Moderate: Blood, Gaslighting, Gore, and Emotional abuse
latashman's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: War, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Classism