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dianapiskor 's review for:
The Dangerous Ones
by Lauren Blackwood
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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:
Complicated
THE DANGEROUS ONES was delightfully entertaining. After a run of reading some only decent books, this stood out for its interesting and engaging story, its characters, and the complex ideas it put forth. This ended up being a favorite of mine, and I think it is well worth the read.
The premise of this book is what makes it so interesting: what if vampires were real, were slavers, and were part of the Civil War and Saints, superhumans, worked to stop them to win the war. This concept made the story interesting and unique, something that is worth the read because it is done well and engages the reader from start to finish.
The characters, and by extension, the ideas the book put forth actually made me think. The story is told through Jerusalem, a Saint and a former slave, and Alexei, a 300 year old vampire. Each character is rich and complex, especially Jerusalem, who is grappling with the traumas that slavery entails and her freedom. Their interactions were great and their inner conflicts and struggles, and how they negotiated that, was well done.
Now, I will say, if you are looking for a methodically researched Civil War book or a complex, world building science fiction novel, this is not it. BUT this book is not trying to be either. There are questions that I had about this world that were left unanswered, and we only get a brief history of it through flashbacks and inner thoughts. And, to some, the modern words may very much drive you crazy. However, if you set your expectations knowing this book is not meant to be expansive (it’s only 368 pages), you’ve got a special story on your hands.
Overall, I definitely think this book is worth the read. It’s interesting, unique, and as a YA novel, the characters and concepts it brings up makes it one you will think about for a long time after.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!