rebicon 's review for:

The Last Vampire by Romina Garber

4.0

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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I really enjoyed this story and thought it was pretty cute. Lorena and her best friend Salma are attending school at a grand manor after humiliating Lore’s mom by being rebellious. Regardless, her mom is still able to secure their spots. 

 

It being an old manor, parts of the building are under construction and remodeling. Lore, Salma, and their new friends (roommate Tiffany, stablemates Zach and Trevor) decide to explore their very first night at one of the sectioned off spaces, despite knowing there’s a curfew. They find what looks to be an old library with 3 portraits, and… a coffin…  which moves. All of them trying to run, Lore gets caught and discovers that there was a boy in that coffin and it’s William. Our 200+ years, nineteen year old, vampire. Of course, having clearly been starved for hundreds of years he tries to drink her blood; to which she attacks back and gets away. Learning that he’s now out of his element and doesn’t know the world today, he tries to kill Lore, now that she knows what he is, and discover why history has been rewritten- no vampires. 

 

Tiffany I have not really been a fan of the whole time. She started off not that great, then you think she might improve, but no. She continues to make Lou a target regardless of what Lore or Salma says. 

 

Lore’s mom does seem to be nice in a way, but I know some of what Lore is going through there. The relationship between kids and their parents will always seem to be a tough one to navigate and each one will be a little different, because we’re all different people with different beliefs, thoughts, wants, and needs. I’m glad that Lore started to voice more of her opinion to herself, her mom, and Salma. 

 

Also, an important note- social media and people online in general can be absolutely ruthless. They’ll say things they would never have the audacity to say to your face because they get to hide behind a screen and fake accounts. Her mom being an influencer, fine. But, not giving a teenager grace, even if things are true, people need to reevaluate their lives. Especially, since things online of course are not always true. I’m happy this book actually addresses things like this so maybe people can talk about it. However, I don’t agree using children for gain like her mom did. I’m glad she listened to her wishes when it came time, but horrible what Lore had to do in the end. 

 

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.