Reviews

Queer Vampires.... sign me tf up.

Honestly wrapped in miscommunication tropes and a fun little mystery, I actually really enjoyed this book. It feels like the first one I was able to truly dive into for like a week. But uhm. Hell yes. Read this.

evallabbe's review

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adventurous hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

nikitaspoke's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted reflective

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

4.0

I enjoyed this book. I disagreed with some other reviews; the parts multiple people found unrealistic were quite true to the experience of a late-bloomer lesbian. On the other hand, I agree that for a book that calls out a lack of diversity over and over, it sure was a very white book.

It was cute, I liked the concept, and I felt like the things that drove me up a wall about the main characters were realistic.

ethannku's review

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Edit July 22: Originally 5 stars, but due to the controversy surrounding this book I have removed my rating. My original review from February is below.

Thank you PenguinTeen for an eARC of this book! All opinions are my own.

(As someone who is lowkey OBSESSED with vampires, this book has to be my favorite take on them yet.)

It's been decades since CFaD, a blood-borne disease in humans that is fatal to vampires, has ravaged vampire populations and made it near impossible for vampires to feed on humans. But thanks to Hema, a blood substitute created by CasTech, vampires have managed to stay alive (or well... undead). Until the Black Foundation can find a cure for CFaD, vampires are reliant on Hema.

Katherine Finn, or Kat, is a Youngblood, meaning she is a vampire born from vampires, no human turning necessary. When she is given the opportunity to attend Harcote Academy, a school specifically for Youngbloods, she is elated. By contrast, Taylor Sanger, who has attended Harcote Academy for three years, is less than joyful at Kat's arrival. The two quickly become entangled in a decades old conspiracy that threatens all of Vampiredom.

Although that seems like a lot of lore and new terms, this book does an amazing job at explaining the current state of vampires in a natural way. The world-building is spectacularly well done, and made me wish, as I often do, that vampires were real. The plot of this book was also amazingly developed, with Kat and Taylor having clear voices and motivations for their actions, and of course, having beautiful chemistry and a sweeter romance. Kat's journey of self-discovery was really refreshing to see, and I related to her in more ways than one (cough the comphet relationship cough). The main "mystery" of the book was also really engaging, and I read through several of my classes because of how interested I was in the story.

In short, if you like vampires, sapphic enemies-to-lovers romances, neat mysteries, and moving characters, I *highly* recommend this book. This book ties with the Shadowhunter series for my favorite representation of vampires in modern media.