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Reviews tagging 'Death'
Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite by Natalie C. Parker, Zoraida Córdova
25 reviews
inkdrinkers's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I. Love. Vampires.
If you know me, you know I devour vampire media like a blood-starved monster. I will read just about anything to do with them, or variations of the myth. I've owned this collection for a while and wanted to pick it up finally because of the First Kill adaption!
Since this is a collection, I have a breakdown below of my thoughts on each short story! Overall though, I really enjoyed each story for what they offered and the different angles they approached vampirism. To be fair, I wanted to give this a five star for the four stories I love, but I can't justify it since I really didn't like a couple.
Seven Nights For Dying by Tessa Gratton: 3 stars
This story had an interesting approach on the turning myth! It takes place over seven days and the two vampires luring the main character to immortality are sexy and interesting. I was annoyed by the main character's slightly childish approach to everything, which docked a couple stars.
The Boys from Blood River by Rebecca Roanhorse: 5 stars
Oh. My. God. I love the Lost Boys and this story is inspired by it! I really loved the legend and folklore aspect woven into the Boys' backstory. Without giving too much away, it was chilling and the perfect promise of more at the end.
Senior Year Sucks by Julie Murphy: 5 stars
I didn't expect to like this one as much as I did! It gave me serious Buffy vibes, with a touch of something forbidden and dangerous. I would read a whole novel about the two main characters and the town Julie Murphy created, she always nails the southern atmosphere.
The Boy and the Bell by Heidi Heilig: 2 stars
I wish I liked this one more. With it being set historically and on a main character who is trans, it sounded really promising. I thought the plot was flimsy for my tastes and the characters were a little wooden.
A Guidebook for the Newly Sired Desi Vampire by Samira Ahmed: 3 stars
This one had a more light hearted and funny approach. I liked the tongue in cheek writing and the cultural approach to vampirism! It was a really nice "revenge is okay sometimes" and accept yourself message.
In Kind by Kayla Whaley: 2 stars
I'll admit, I keep forgetting what this one is about and having to look back at my copy. It's like The Boy and the Bell - the premise is good and I wanted to like it more, but the characters fell flat. I will say, the newspaper articles were really well done and my favorite parts.
Vampires Never Say Die by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker: 4 stars
I really liked this one by the editors! The two characters were interesting, the premise was funny but entertaining, and the end promised happiness eventually for everyone involved.
Bestiary by Laura Ruby: 2 stars
I struggled with this one. The main character was a little too early 2000s emo for me and the zoo aspect was bizarre. It was an interesting setting for a vampire to work but more information needed to be fleshed out. It almost felt post-apocalyptic, but there was no concrete way for me to tell. (Other than the environmentalism aspect)
Mirrors, Windows, and Selfies by Mark Oshiro: 3 stars
I opened this one really expecting to dislike it because of the formatting. As I got into it, the blog posts grew on me, but it still really detracted from the story. I liked the end and the premise, but I know I would have loved the story more had it not been told like tumblr posts.
The House of the Black Sapphires by Dhonielle Clayton: 5 stars
This blew me out of the water. I'm a HUGE fan of Kalynn Bayron's "This Poison Heart" and this was like a condensed short story version. I loved the magical world, the building of tension, and the end right on the breathless climax. I'll be rereading this one.
First Kill by V.E. Schwab: 5 stars
This wholeheartedly deserved its own TV Show and they better not screw it up. I LOVED this, Schwab never misses. I don't think it's possible for her to ever misstep. The backstory of Calliope and her family is fascinating, it was the Vampire Diaries meets Supernatural and wonderful in every way.
If you know me, you know I devour vampire media like a blood-starved monster. I will read just about anything to do with them, or variations of the myth. I've owned this collection for a while and wanted to pick it up finally because of the First Kill adaption!
Since this is a collection, I have a breakdown below of my thoughts on each short story! Overall though, I really enjoyed each story for what they offered and the different angles they approached vampirism. To be fair, I wanted to give this a five star for the four stories I love, but I can't justify it since I really didn't like a couple.
Seven Nights For Dying by Tessa Gratton: 3 stars
This story had an interesting approach on the turning myth! It takes place over seven days and the two vampires luring the main character to immortality are sexy and interesting. I was annoyed by the main character's slightly childish approach to everything, which docked a couple stars.
The Boys from Blood River by Rebecca Roanhorse: 5 stars
Oh. My. God. I love the Lost Boys and this story is inspired by it! I really loved the legend and folklore aspect woven into the Boys' backstory. Without giving too much away, it was chilling and the perfect promise of more at the end.
Senior Year Sucks by Julie Murphy: 5 stars
I didn't expect to like this one as much as I did! It gave me serious Buffy vibes, with a touch of something forbidden and dangerous. I would read a whole novel about the two main characters and the town Julie Murphy created, she always nails the southern atmosphere.
The Boy and the Bell by Heidi Heilig: 2 stars
I wish I liked this one more. With it being set historically and on a main character who is trans, it sounded really promising. I thought the plot was flimsy for my tastes and the characters were a little wooden.
A Guidebook for the Newly Sired Desi Vampire by Samira Ahmed: 3 stars
This one had a more light hearted and funny approach. I liked the tongue in cheek writing and the cultural approach to vampirism! It was a really nice "revenge is okay sometimes" and accept yourself message.
In Kind by Kayla Whaley: 2 stars
I'll admit, I keep forgetting what this one is about and having to look back at my copy. It's like The Boy and the Bell - the premise is good and I wanted to like it more, but the characters fell flat. I will say, the newspaper articles were really well done and my favorite parts.
Vampires Never Say Die by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker: 4 stars
I really liked this one by the editors! The two characters were interesting, the premise was funny but entertaining, and the end promised happiness eventually for everyone involved.
Bestiary by Laura Ruby: 2 stars
I struggled with this one. The main character was a little too early 2000s emo for me and the zoo aspect was bizarre. It was an interesting setting for a vampire to work but more information needed to be fleshed out. It almost felt post-apocalyptic, but there was no concrete way for me to tell. (Other than the environmentalism aspect)
Mirrors, Windows, and Selfies by Mark Oshiro: 3 stars
I opened this one really expecting to dislike it because of the formatting. As I got into it, the blog posts grew on me, but it still really detracted from the story. I liked the end and the premise, but I know I would have loved the story more had it not been told like tumblr posts.
The House of the Black Sapphires by Dhonielle Clayton: 5 stars
This blew me out of the water. I'm a HUGE fan of Kalynn Bayron's "This Poison Heart" and this was like a condensed short story version. I loved the magical world, the building of tension, and the end right on the breathless climax. I'll be rereading this one.
First Kill by V.E. Schwab: 5 stars
This wholeheartedly deserved its own TV Show and they better not screw it up. I LOVED this, Schwab never misses. I don't think it's possible for her to ever misstep. The backstory of Calliope and her family is fascinating, it was the Vampire Diaries meets Supernatural and wonderful in every way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Colonisation
All your common triggers for vampires. The Boy and the Bell features a main character who is Trans and they are often referred to with the wrong pronouns and misgendered. Relationship lines are blurry in some stories with characters being teens and in relationships with hundred year old vampires. Death of a child is a child turned vampire. Abuse is inflicted on a main character as his parents isolate him.annamorgan27's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Gore, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
caitlin_doggos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, Murder, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
fictionaladventures's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
<b>"Seven Nights for Dying" by Tessa Gratton: ⭐️ (read February 15, 2022)</b>
About a girl debating whether to become a vampire. I didn’t like this at all! Why was it so sexual?? And it made me uncomfy that vampires were more demonic in this one.
<b>"The Boys From Blood River" by Rebecca Roanhorse: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (read February 15, 2022)</b>
About a boy who’s bullied for being Native and gay who has the opportunity to become a vampire. This was really good! I was interested the whole way through.
<b>"Senior Year Sucks" by Julie Murphy: ⭐️⭐️.5 (read February 16, 2022)</b>
About a fat cheerleader vampire slayer! This was good but kinda cheesy too.
<b>"The Boy andthe Bell" by Heidi Heilig: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (read February 16, 2022)</b>
About a trans boy who meets a vampire during his attempt to dig up a body for medical research. This was awesome! Heidi’s writing is amazing!
<b>"A Guidebook for the Newly Sired Desi Vampire" by Samira Ahmed: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (read February 16, 2022)</b>
Exactly what the title says it is, lol. This was really funny! It went on a little long though.
<b>"In Kind" by Kayla Whaley: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (read February 16, 2022)</b>
About a girl who lives in a wheelchair whose father tries to “mercy kill” her. This one was great! I was definitely hooked.
<b>"Vampires Never Say Die" by Zoraida Córdova & Natalie C. Parker: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (read February 16, 2022)</b>
About two girls, one a vampire and one a human, who are friends online. I thought it was sweet that this one was about friendship, but otherwise found it fairly unmemorable.
<b>"Bestiary" by Laura Ruby: ⭐️⭐️ (read February 16, 2022)</b>
About a vampire who works at a zoo. This was just kind of boring to me?
<b>"Mirrors, Windows & Selfies" by Mark Oshiro: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (read February 16, 2022)</b>
A blog from a boy who was born a vampire and lives in the middle of nowhere with his parents. This was great! The blog format served the story well and it was very fast-paced.
<b>"The House of Black Sapphires" by Dhonielle Clayton: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (read February 17, 2022)</b>
About a Black family of vampires. The mythology of this one was super cool! Definitely not your typical vampire story. I definitely enjoyed it.
<b>"First Kill" by V.E. Schwab: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (read February 17, 2022)</b>
To summarize this one would be to spoil it, so I won’t! But of course the Schwab story would be my favorite! This was so good! I loved it!
About a girl debating whether to become a vampire. I didn’t like this at all! Why was it so sexual?? And it made me uncomfy that vampires were more demonic in this one.
<b>"The Boys From Blood River" by Rebecca Roanhorse: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (read February 15, 2022)</b>
About a boy who’s bullied for being Native and gay who has the opportunity to become a vampire. This was really good! I was interested the whole way through.
<b>"Senior Year Sucks" by Julie Murphy: ⭐️⭐️.5 (read February 16, 2022)</b>
About a fat cheerleader vampire slayer! This was good but kinda cheesy too.
<b>"The Boy andthe Bell" by Heidi Heilig: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (read February 16, 2022)</b>
About a trans boy who meets a vampire during his attempt to dig up a body for medical research. This was awesome! Heidi’s writing is amazing!
<b>"A Guidebook for the Newly Sired Desi Vampire" by Samira Ahmed: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (read February 16, 2022)</b>
Exactly what the title says it is, lol. This was really funny! It went on a little long though.
<b>"In Kind" by Kayla Whaley: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (read February 16, 2022)</b>
About a girl who lives in a wheelchair whose father tries to “mercy kill” her. This one was great! I was definitely hooked.
<b>"Vampires Never Say Die" by Zoraida Córdova & Natalie C. Parker: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (read February 16, 2022)</b>
About two girls, one a vampire and one a human, who are friends online. I thought it was sweet that this one was about friendship, but otherwise found it fairly unmemorable.
<b>"Bestiary" by Laura Ruby: ⭐️⭐️ (read February 16, 2022)</b>
About a vampire who works at a zoo. This was just kind of boring to me?
<b>"Mirrors, Windows & Selfies" by Mark Oshiro: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (read February 16, 2022)</b>
A blog from a boy who was born a vampire and lives in the middle of nowhere with his parents. This was great! The blog format served the story well and it was very fast-paced.
<b>"The House of Black Sapphires" by Dhonielle Clayton: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (read February 17, 2022)</b>
About a Black family of vampires. The mythology of this one was super cool! Definitely not your typical vampire story. I definitely enjoyed it.
<b>"First Kill" by V.E. Schwab: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (read February 17, 2022)</b>
To summarize this one would be to spoil it, so I won’t! But of course the Schwab story would be my favorite! This was so good! I loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
stormywolf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
My library has been a bit hit-or-miss with the Vampire Book Club's selections, but I was able to find this one for December. Admittedly, I wasn't in the best mental space to read books surrounding death and immortality, having lost my grandmother earlier this year and having that wound reopened with our cat's death (cancer) just after reading the first story. But after a bit of time (and some Christmas movies & music) I was excited to dive back in and experience some new takes on one of my favorite paranormal creatures.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, a fine anthology filled with some of the best vampires I've encountered. There was a huge variety, not only of genders, sexualities, and skins, but of vampiric powers, weaknesses, settings, and societies. If I had to pick my favorites, I'd probably stick with the peppier school-based-fare of Senior Year Sucks and First Kill, but I also found a lot to love in the more sombre stories of Seven Nights for Dying and The Boy and the Bell, not to mention the vivid world-building packed into The House of Black Sapphires. Needless to say, I definitely have a few authors to add to my watchlist. So if you have a hankering for some unique YA takes on old blood-sucking favorites, or if you're seeking a quick nibble to break up longer reads (or to break back into reading at all!), then I'd definitely recommend this anthology.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, a fine anthology filled with some of the best vampires I've encountered. There was a huge variety, not only of genders, sexualities, and skins, but of vampiric powers, weaknesses, settings, and societies. If I had to pick my favorites, I'd probably stick with the peppier school-based-fare of Senior Year Sucks and First Kill, but I also found a lot to love in the more sombre stories of Seven Nights for Dying and The Boy and the Bell, not to mention the vivid world-building packed into The House of Black Sapphires. Needless to say, I definitely have a few authors to add to my watchlist. So if you have a hankering for some unique YA takes on old blood-sucking favorites, or if you're seeking a quick nibble to break up longer reads (or to break back into reading at all!), then I'd definitely recommend this anthology.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Cannibalism, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Chronic illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Cannibalism only in the sense that vampires used to be human and feed off of humans.readerette's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you dislike open endings, this is not the story collection for you. I don't know if I liked the "reflection questions" added after each story, but mostly because they make the preceding story feel less like something to live in and more like an academic or therapeutic exercise. Not a bad thing (often stories do that for me anyway), but I'm not sure most readers really need to be prompted to think of how a piece of fiction might connect to real life.
Some really cool takes on creatures of the night, and engrossing characters and plotlines.
Some really cool takes on creatures of the night, and engrossing characters and plotlines.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Violence, and Death of parent
yeojinqueen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
individual ranks are as follows
seven nights for dying: 3/5
the boys from blood river: 5/5
senior year sucks: 5/5
the boy and the bell: 3/5
a guidedbook for the newly sired desi vampire: 4/5 (this one is a interesting format and unique story)
in kind: 5/5 (again one of the more interesting stories in here)
vampires never say die: 4/5
bestiary: 4/5
mirrors, windows, and selfies: 5/5
the house of black sapphires: 5/5 (in my opinion the most interesting story in the book)
first kill: 4/5
great stories over all. i believe that senior year sucks, in kind, and the house of black sapphires are the best stories in the book and also the ones i would most want to see turned into a full book
seven nights for dying: 3/5
the boys from blood river: 5/5
senior year sucks: 5/5
the boy and the bell: 3/5
a guidedbook for the newly sired desi vampire: 4/5 (this one is a interesting format and unique story)
in kind: 5/5 (again one of the more interesting stories in here)
vampires never say die: 4/5
bestiary: 4/5
mirrors, windows, and selfies: 5/5
the house of black sapphires: 5/5 (in my opinion the most interesting story in the book)
first kill: 4/5
great stories over all. i believe that senior year sucks, in kind, and the house of black sapphires are the best stories in the book and also the ones i would most want to see turned into a full book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Gore, Transphobia, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Outing, and Alcohol
lennie_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Blood, and Murder
house_of_hannah's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Since this is a collection of short stories I will add a small summary of each one along with my rating. The average of all of the ratings is where the 3.25 came from.
- Seven Nights For Dying by Tessa Gratton: About a teenage girl who is turned into a vampire over the course of 7 nights. She can stop at any time before the 7th night, so it goes through her thought process into becoming an immortal creature. 4 stars
- The Boys From Blood River by Rebecca Roanhorse: About a gay teenage boy who is severely bullied by the jocks of his small town. He sees his savior in the legend of the Blood River Boys who are summoned if you dare to play their song. 4 Stars
- Senior Year Sucks by Julie Murphy - About a vampire slayer who is captain of the cheerleading squad. On a bus home from an away game they pick up fellow students whose bus got a flat. She immediately senses a vampire in their midsts who turns out to be a high school student just like her. 2 stars. Weird insta-love implications, and just not really interesting.
- The Boy & the Bell by Heidi Heilig: A trans student of medicine digs up the recently dead to be able to study anatomy at University. One evening he hears the bell chime of a recently buried teen, indicating that the boy had been buried alive. 4 stars
- A Guidebook for the Newly Sired Desi Vampire by Samira Ahmed: An app that apparently pops up onto your phone if you are turned into a vampire. It reads like old people trying to be cool. I could not finish it, DNF
- In Kind by Kayla Whaley: A father attempts to kill his 17 year old disabled daughter with a morphine overdose. Instead a vampire turns her to save her life. 3 Stars.
- Vampires Never Say Die by Zoraida Cordova & Natalie C. Parker: Brittany & Theolinda are best friends on Instagram, but have never met face to face. Theo puts together a surprise birthday party for Brittany to finally meet, but when she realizes that all of the people showing up are vampires there may be more than just her friendship in danger. 3 Stars
- Bestiary by Laura Ruby: Recently turned Jude works at the zoo where she can talk to animals. She freely goes into the enclosures with no worries. A water crisis threatens the well-being of the animals, as Jude deals with a thirst of her own. 4 ½ stars.
- Mirrors, Windows & Selfies by Mark Oshiro: Cisco is a young vampire who lives in isolation with his parents. All his life his parents have told him it’s for his protection as vampires are not supposed to have children. When Cisco starts a blog about his life he soon discovers that he might not actually be alone. 4 Stars
- The House of Black Sapphires by Dhonielle Clayton: A vampire family of 8 returns to their roots in New Orleans. Here there lies an underground city with 5 wards that house immortals. This is the first time the 6 sisters have seen this place, and they don’t understand why their mother ever left. Just exactly what secrets is she hiding? 4 ½ stars. The setting of this one is fantastic, and I would LOVE to see it made into an actual novel.
- First Kill by V.E. Schwab: A teenage vampire and slayer end up having a crush on each other. When they are dared to spend 60 seconds in a closet together at a party will they come out alive or in love? 3 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Confinement
wardenred's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I confess I've been going through a terrible reading slump lately. This book of short stories has been a big help with that: whenever I felt like reading at all, I could just grab it and read another story. My relationship to short stories in general is complicated—I don't always like them, even when they're objectively well-written, because I'm more of an "epic sprawling story" kind of reader—but I always have a higher chance of liking one when it deals with one of my favorite topics, and vampires happen to be at least in the top-5 of my favorite things to read about. I can't help it; it's an obsession I never got over. I got through my teenage years watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, reading Anne Rice and Laurel Hamilton, and playing Vampire: the Masquerade with my friends. I still play VtM with my friends a lot. Vampires really never get old.
The thing about anthologies that makes it hard rating them is that any of the stories contained in the book can be hit or miss. This one contained a lot more hits than misses for me. The book is full of fresh, fun takes on the vampire myth. I was delighted by the sheer amount of diversity here. Most of the main characters were somewhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, and there were other types of representation, too. A lot of the authors didn't shy away from choosing big, complicated topics to explore through the lens of undead bloodsuckers, be it something as expansive as colonialism or as claustrophobically private as the darkness that may be found in the relationships between disabled people and their caregivers.
The thing about anthologies that makes it hard rating them is that any of the stories contained in the book can be hit or miss. This one contained a lot more hits than misses for me. The book is full of fresh, fun takes on the vampire myth. I was delighted by the sheer amount of diversity here. Most of the main characters were somewhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, and there were other types of representation, too. A lot of the authors didn't shy away from choosing big, complicated topics to explore through the lens of undead bloodsuckers, be it something as expansive as colonialism or as claustrophobically private as the darkness that may be found in the relationships between disabled people and their caregivers.
The stories that stood out for me in particular were:
- Seven Nights for Dying by Tessa Gratton: I've always been fascinated by fiction that deals with the transition from human to mythical monsters, and this story does a great job out of exploring it.
- The Boys from Blood River by Rebecca Roanhorse: This was like watching a great horror movie in my head.
- The Boy and the Bell by Heidi Heilig: I'm highly likely to enjoy anything that is set in Victorian times, deals with class differences, and has a trans MC, if it's well-written. This one was really well-written.
- Bestiary by Laura Ruby: The prose here was viscerally vivid, to the point that it almost made me want to stop reading sometimes because I was seriously feeling everything in the story and a lot of it wasn't pleasant. Definitely an author I now want to read more of!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Sexism, and Transphobia