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annamickreads's review against another edition
3.0
If there's one thing I can say for this book it's that there were SO many feelings and I felt them all equally. Whew.
This story is about Victoria, who has always enjoyed things about vampires with her Dad, who is dying of pancreatic cancer. In this world, much like the True Blood universe, vampires have revealed themselves to the world as real but have retreated back into hiding. Victoria seeks a vampire to turn her so she can turn her father, heal him, and they can live forever.
However, the first step to becoming immortal is to find a vampire, and do to that, she must fly to New Orleans, where the last known vampire resided. Tagging along is her childhood friend/crush Henry, who is determined to assure Victoria grieving a perfectly natural, healthy process.
I really liked the premise and even though I could predict the ending, there was a lot to love about this book in terms of expressing grief and all the complicated emotions that accompany it. I was extremely annoyed with both main characters for an extended period of time about their behavior, but I tried very hard to remember they're both high school seniors so naturally things would go awry. Victoria's behavior to Henry significantly annoyed me because of her single-minded quest to find a vampire even when Henry was just trying to look out for her, especially because it was a strange city she'd never been to before and she was hell-bent on seeking out a dangerous creature.
That said, I was also annoyed with Henry because I felt like he would push his emotions on her sometimes and let his romantic feelings get in the way of what she likely needed—but either way I knew they'd both make the right choices in the end.
This story is about Victoria, who has always enjoyed things about vampires with her Dad, who is dying of pancreatic cancer. In this world, much like the True Blood universe, vampires have revealed themselves to the world as real but have retreated back into hiding. Victoria seeks a vampire to turn her so she can turn her father, heal him, and they can live forever.
However, the first step to becoming immortal is to find a vampire, and do to that, she must fly to New Orleans, where the last known vampire resided. Tagging along is her childhood friend/crush Henry, who is determined to assure Victoria grieving a perfectly natural, healthy process.
I really liked the premise and even though I could predict the ending, there was a lot to love about this book in terms of expressing grief and all the complicated emotions that accompany it. I was extremely annoyed with both main characters for an extended period of time about their behavior, but I tried very hard to remember they're both high school seniors so naturally things would go awry. Victoria's behavior to Henry significantly annoyed me because of her single-minded quest to find a vampire even when Henry was just trying to look out for her, especially because it was a strange city she'd never been to before and she was hell-bent on seeking out a dangerous creature.
That said, I was also annoyed with Henry because I felt like he would push his emotions on her sometimes and let his romantic feelings get in the way of what she likely needed—but either way I knew they'd both make the right choices in the end.
katie1031's review against another edition
3.0
I had much higher expectations for this book. Besides the obvious things like the main characters hero complex (which I do understand, her dad is dying) which she uses justification for treating her best friend like garbage at every turn by extension. I knew exactly how this book would end in the first 40 pages. The writing itself I enjoyed, I liked the quotes at the beginning and end of each chapter. It was fast paced and easy to get through but there wasn't a single moment of shock or surprise for me. I guessed the plot twist at the beginning but there was something that surprised me right at the end and that twist I liked which bumped this from a 2.5 to a 3
mollywetta's review against another edition
I really thought I would love this! And it is very YA and I highlight recommend it for real, actual teens who like vampires and/or are struggling with a terminally ill parent, and although I have been a real actual teen who loves vampires and has had two terminally ill parents I am somehow not the target audience for this.
rebecca_bluedragonskeep_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
avisparks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
indigoiversen's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not exactly sure what I had been expecting from this book, but it surely wasn't this. It was a fun, interesting read that brought to light a new perspective of vampire culture, media portals of supernatural beings and obsessing over an outcome you fight so hard to get. And then the romance was kinda enticing, I mean falling for a brooding vampire? Sign me the fuck up, but also being torn and falling for your ex-best friend who clearly has feelings for you but reminds you of your dying father, mhm…
Favourite quote: “But he doesn’t break my skin. Instead, he breaks my soul as he reaches for my lips again.”
Favourite quote: “But he doesn’t break my skin. Instead, he breaks my soul as he reaches for my lips again.”
lana_taylor23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Flawed main character; it’s unclear what will happen next. This book is not very predictable— there were some dramatic twists at points. It is full of sorrow and grief but the ending is happy, though that emotion is up for interpretation.
atrailofpages's review against another edition
4.0
I recently finished Vampires, Hearts & Other Dead Things and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
This book follows Victoria who is obsessed with vampires along with her dad and has always wanted to find one with him after some came out and admitted yes, vampires are real! Her father is diagnosed with terminal cancer and can no longer go anywhere. He insists Victoria take the trip they were supposed to take together to New Orleans and instead take a friend. After much reluctance, she decides to go because she’s determined to find a vampire there to save her dad, and she takes(or drags) her estranged best friend Henry with her to help her find a vampire that will save her dad’s life.
This book deals with some heavy subjects, primarily grief and it’s sad to read how Victoria is in such denial that her dad is dying and instead focusing on saving him. She doesn’t even think about herself, just her dad. She doesn’t want to have fun, she just wants to save her dad. So, when she’s sure she has found a vampire, he has her do a series of tests to see if she’s worth turning into a vampire. He needs to see if she truly loves life and wants to live forever. It’s heartbreaking to watch this girl try so hard to love and enjoy life, but also try not to because she doesn’t want to have fun while her dad is sick and dying at home. It feels like betrayal to her. So, it’s about this girl learning to love life again when she’s at the brink of just giving up on everything.
I will say Victoria made me very mad at times and she made choices that I disagree with, especially when she hurt Henry, it just wasn’t fair to him. And kudos to Henry for sticking it out with her! I mean I think he deserves way better, but then again, maybe he’s exactly who Victoria needs in her time of need. Someone who is patient and will stick it out with her no matter what.
This story is heartbreaking, but also beautiful to see that there is hope despite the grief you may be faced with and that it’s okay to be happy, enjoy life, and even find love during grief.
I recommend this book! Especially if you enjoy stories that have a sad side to them like I do
This book follows Victoria who is obsessed with vampires along with her dad and has always wanted to find one with him after some came out and admitted yes, vampires are real! Her father is diagnosed with terminal cancer and can no longer go anywhere. He insists Victoria take the trip they were supposed to take together to New Orleans and instead take a friend. After much reluctance, she decides to go because she’s determined to find a vampire there to save her dad, and she takes(or drags) her estranged best friend Henry with her to help her find a vampire that will save her dad’s life.
This book deals with some heavy subjects, primarily grief and it’s sad to read how Victoria is in such denial that her dad is dying and instead focusing on saving him. She doesn’t even think about herself, just her dad. She doesn’t want to have fun, she just wants to save her dad. So, when she’s sure she has found a vampire, he has her do a series of tests to see if she’s worth turning into a vampire. He needs to see if she truly loves life and wants to live forever. It’s heartbreaking to watch this girl try so hard to love and enjoy life, but also try not to because she doesn’t want to have fun while her dad is sick and dying at home. It feels like betrayal to her. So, it’s about this girl learning to love life again when she’s at the brink of just giving up on everything.
I will say Victoria made me very mad at times and she made choices that I disagree with, especially when she hurt Henry, it just wasn’t fair to him. And kudos to Henry for sticking it out with her! I mean I think he deserves way better, but then again, maybe he’s exactly who Victoria needs in her time of need. Someone who is patient and will stick it out with her no matter what.
This story is heartbreaking, but also beautiful to see that there is hope despite the grief you may be faced with and that it’s okay to be happy, enjoy life, and even find love during grief.
I recommend this book! Especially if you enjoy stories that have a sad side to them like I do
mkoski's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
shimauchiha's review against another edition
3.0
Do not read this if/when:
- You're triggered by or don't want to read about dealing with grief or cancer.
- One of the main reasons you like reading is beautiful writing.
- A pet peeve of yours is when artist characters use colours to describe their emotions.
- You think this will be similar to [b:They Both Die at the End|33385229|They Both Die at the End|Adam Silvera|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1494333138l/33385229._SY75_.jpg|49456196], or even to [b:The Coldest Girl in Coldtown|12813630|The Coldest Girl in Coldtown|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1367312471l/12813630._SY75_.jpg|17962903]
Read this if/when:
- You love vampire stories, more specifically, you'd love a character who loves vampire stories.
- You like to read about a story set in New Orleans.
- You want a book to pass the time, that's neither particularly hard to read, nor will make you extremely invested.
My thoughts:
The idea behind this book is really great. A girl goes to New Orleans to find a real-life vampire to save her dying father. There is so much room for depth in that idea to explore mortality and grief, and why we're so fascinated with vampires as a society. You can see glimmers of those ideas coming through the book, however, it just doesn't have the necessity emotion depth and gravitas to deal with them appropriately.
The writing style, in particular, seemed too juvenile to carry the themes of the story. Some YA tropes were thrown in that really didn't add anything to the book, and as much as I love New Orleans, at times the book read like a tourist list of things to see without capturing the essence of what makes that city so wonderful and magical.
Overall, despite the potential, it was an average YA novel, with a better than average idea that was never really fulfilled. However, to give credit when credit's due, it's still a decent look at grief and something that isn't nearly explored enough in the genre.
- You're triggered by or don't want to read about dealing with grief or cancer.
- One of the main reasons you like reading is beautiful writing.
- A pet peeve of yours is when artist characters use colours to describe their emotions.
- You think this will be similar to [b:They Both Die at the End|33385229|They Both Die at the End|Adam Silvera|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1494333138l/33385229._SY75_.jpg|49456196], or even to [b:The Coldest Girl in Coldtown|12813630|The Coldest Girl in Coldtown|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1367312471l/12813630._SY75_.jpg|17962903]
Read this if/when:
- You love vampire stories, more specifically, you'd love a character who loves vampire stories.
- You like to read about a story set in New Orleans.
- You want a book to pass the time, that's neither particularly hard to read, nor will make you extremely invested.
My thoughts:
The idea behind this book is really great. A girl goes to New Orleans to find a real-life vampire to save her dying father. There is so much room for depth in that idea to explore mortality and grief, and why we're so fascinated with vampires as a society. You can see glimmers of those ideas coming through the book, however, it just doesn't have the necessity emotion depth and gravitas to deal with them appropriately.
The writing style, in particular, seemed too juvenile to carry the themes of the story. Some YA tropes were thrown in that really didn't add anything to the book, and as much as I love New Orleans, at times the book read like a tourist list of things to see without capturing the essence of what makes that city so wonderful and magical.
Overall, despite the potential, it was an average YA novel, with a better than average idea that was never really fulfilled. However, to give credit when credit's due, it's still a decent look at grief and something that isn't nearly explored enough in the genre.