annabelle's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
I loved this version of vampires and the setting. It has a good spooky autumn vibe. But tbh it could have been spookier...
The pacing was quite slow for most of the book until things came to a head about 75% in and then it's very fast. While I predicted parts of the ending, I still enjoyed how the story wrapped up. The last 20% was so good and had me on the edge of my seat.
I wasn't really sold on the relationships between characters and wish we spent more time diving deep into the various relationships and thier power dynamics, especially between blood maids. Ultimately this and the abrupt pacing change is why this didn't fully hit 4 stars for me. I definitely recommend this if you like slow and eerie gothic stories.
The pacing was quite slow for most of the book until things came to a head about 75% in and then it's very fast. While I predicted parts of the ending, I still enjoyed how the story wrapped up. The last 20% was so good and had me on the edge of my seat.
I wasn't really sold on the relationships between characters and wish we spent more time diving deep into the various relationships and thier power dynamics, especially between blood maids. Ultimately this and the abrupt pacing change is why this didn't fully hit 4 stars for me. I definitely recommend this if you like slow and eerie gothic stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Body horror
gellyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
So, I really enjoyed the protagonist and I found most of the story pretty entertaining and I was drawn in. However, the horror felt really meh to me and I really didn't believe the love story at all I just wanted to care more for the characters than I did? This felt too fake old-timey, Dickensian for me, and I just struggled to connect with it. Although, this was a weird version of vampries that I also really have mixed feelings about. Like, I like the class dynamics, but why can't they actually bite? Why is the blood powers not clear? Why is it only the north?
Spoiler
I know the point to a certain extent is that she may or may not genuinely care for the MC, but then even when they have her beg for her to leave, I genuinely felt like she didn't try very hard. Like. I just didn't buy this romance at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, Slavery, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
cecetomas's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was everything gothic and gory and delusionally romantic. It can feel like this book doesn't have a plot, especially compared to other fantasy novels that might focus on quests or wars but I really enjoyed the eerie nature of this book and just following the girls around until the twist is revealed at the end. I do think that some of the romantic details could have been flushed out better, especially when it comes to Lisavet's emotions, to have better continuity for the story as a whole. The imagery was haunting and creepy- just the way I like it. Definitely a good October read for anyone into gothic sapphic bloodlust.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness
debhawkins's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Death, Murder, Chronic illness, and Gore
Minor: Sexual content
keen's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Drug use and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Child abuse
zghutcheson01's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug use, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Cursing
lovesit1892's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I enjoyed this book, it was mysterious enough to hold my attention, but the writing and plot felt quite basic and young. Given the subject matter, I think it could have been written a bit grittier; if we're already on the topic of creepy, blood-drinking royals, then we might as well take it all the way there. Also, more explanation of the North and the South and the history of why these people consumed blood was just glossed over and farfetched. Just make them actual vampires!?
The relationships feel immature and rushed. I feel like the dynamics between the characters could have been explored more, to make the suddenly deep development seem more realistic.
If you're looking for sapphic vampires (which I always am!) it's a slightly different take on the trope and an easy, casual read.
The relationships feel immature and rushed. I feel like the dynamics between the characters could have been explored more, to make the suddenly deep development seem more realistic.
If you're looking for sapphic vampires (which I always am!) it's a slightly different take on the trope and an easy, casual read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Torture, and Death
Minor: Sexual content and Confinement
wordsofclover's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Marion is tired. Tired of her industrial city of Prane, pumping out smog into the dirty streets, and especially tired of working as a maid for hardly any money and returning to the slums every night. So when Marion spots a notice looking for Bloodmaid, despite the views of friends and families that she is selling herself, she takes the opportunity to escape the drudgery of her life. When Marion arrives in the House of Hunger, she is immediately initiated into the political hierarchy of Bloodmaids and finds herself vying for the top spot, and the love of her mistress Lisavet.
I really love Alexis Henderson's writing and this book definitely sealed it for me. This is vampy and horrifying in all the right ways, with a perfect level of blood, violence combined with just the right amounts of sexiness.
The world Marion lives in what very much feels like a post Civil-War era US, separated into North and South with both areas divided on behaviour and views. There's not a lot of world building but just enough that we learn about the bigger differences between North and South, and how much it takes for someone to be able to travel between them.
I went into this blood initially believing that it was about some kind of vampiric creature using bloodmaids - but the truth that it (appears) to be normal people is almost even more horrifying. As is the reality that this world Marion lives in is run by blood in almost every matter - including the train which is run on 'blood fuel'. A lot of Marion's experience in the House of Hunger has a hazy, almost dream like quality as she is taken in with the wealth, the food and the comfort while almost daily being bled in payment.
I don't think there was a huge amount in this book that really shocked me - you can kind of figure out what must be happening and what kind of dark secrets the house is holding. I did like the showdown and it all the right amount of tension to keep me gripped.
I really love Alexis Henderson's writing and this book definitely sealed it for me. This is vampy and horrifying in all the right ways, with a perfect level of blood, violence combined with just the right amounts of sexiness.
The world Marion lives in what very much feels like a post Civil-War era US, separated into North and South with both areas divided on behaviour and views. There's not a lot of world building but just enough that we learn about the bigger differences between North and South, and how much it takes for someone to be able to travel between them.
I went into this blood initially believing that it was about some kind of vampiric creature using bloodmaids - but the truth that it (appears) to be normal people is almost even more horrifying. As is the reality that this world Marion lives in is run by blood in almost every matter - including the train which is run on 'blood fuel'. A lot of Marion's experience in the House of Hunger has a hazy, almost dream like quality as she is taken in with the wealth, the food and the comfort while almost daily being bled in payment.
I don't think there was a huge amount in this book that really shocked me - you can kind of figure out what must be happening and what kind of dark secrets the house is holding. I did like the showdown and it all the right amount of tension to keep me gripped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence
bookycnidaria's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Addiction, Blood, Gaslighting, Murder, Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Classism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, and Toxic relationship
cassmreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Drug use, Blood, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gore, and Death