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taliaalongi's review
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Minor: Racism
hobbithopeful's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Odd Blood is silly slow burn paranormal romance full of laughs and eccentric characters.
Josephine is a burnt out thirty-something year old, and isn't content working at a bakery. When she runs into someone seemingly dressed as a vampire, she soon realizes he IS actually a vampire. She soon finds herself caught up in a world a she never even knew existed, and working as a Thrall. Well it beats helping racist customers at least...
The vibes of the book really remind me of What We Do in the Shadows. The trope of vampires being very out of touch with modern technology and being overall silly himbos is one that I am unabashedly obsessed with. While there are horror elements, it isn't anything scary scary. (Trust me I am a certified weenie and would never lead you astray!) Most of the horror elements revolve around when the vampires are drinking/eating blood.
The story really shines when it comes to the characters! Eadwulf does so many out of pocket things, and I didn't know whether I wanted to laugh or give a lovingly exasperated sigh. I really like how the Thralls are so gossipy. It definitely feels like how vampire allies would act in real life if they were working for real vampires. There is a certain creature of the feline persuasion that ends up being named Taliesin Jaffe and I got so excited. As a critter I felt so seen!
I really like the depictions of race, and how much Josephine struggles with her identity and not feeling "Asian enough". As someone who is biracial I feel totally seen.
At times it did feel like less of a story and more of an exposition dump. I love lore, but I wish it was done in a more seamless way so that it wasn't just *info info info info info*.
I wish we got to see the characters interact more and have more on page moments. Instead there are several times where we just get little one sentence summaries about how they have been spending time together. This made it difficult to be invested in Josephine and Eadwulf's relationship. Instead of a slow build of them spending time together, we just see them have a few brief moments. For me it felt like Josephine's feelings for him really came out of nowhere, we didn't get that anticipatory build up, or more moments of them being around each other to have that natural chemistry.
There are a lot of threads mentioned in this, but they never get explored which felt like a let down. We never learn about Randy and his vampire, nor do we get more information on how Chase is a bad guy. (Though I know there are more books!) I kind of was waiting to see that Chase would end up to be a cheater, or maybe even a werewolf. I was also surprised that Josephine let her bff walk all over her, and really easily forgave her for ditching her. This is a PSA: getting into a relationship, or marriage is no excuse for ditching your friends for your significant other!
All that being said, I did find it to be a book perfectly suited for spooky season. The moment at the end where Eadwulf says what he says to Josephine had me giggling kicking my feet! How dare the author do that to us!
I would recommend this book, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series! (Don't expect that to be anytime soon, I have to save up a book budget again!)
Josephine is a burnt out thirty-something year old, and isn't content working at a bakery. When she runs into someone seemingly dressed as a vampire, she soon realizes he IS actually a vampire. She soon finds herself caught up in a world a she never even knew existed, and working as a Thrall. Well it beats helping racist customers at least...
The vibes of the book really remind me of What We Do in the Shadows. The trope of vampires being very out of touch with modern technology and being overall silly himbos is one that I am unabashedly obsessed with. While there are horror elements, it isn't anything scary scary. (Trust me I am a certified weenie and would never lead you astray!) Most of the horror elements revolve around when the vampires are drinking/eating blood.
The story really shines when it comes to the characters! Eadwulf does so many out of pocket things, and I didn't know whether I wanted to laugh or give a lovingly exasperated sigh. I really like how the Thralls are so gossipy. It definitely feels like how vampire allies would act in real life if they were working for real vampires. There is a certain creature of the feline persuasion that ends up being named Taliesin Jaffe and I got so excited. As a critter I felt so seen!
I really like the depictions of race, and how much Josephine struggles with her identity and not feeling "Asian enough". As someone who is biracial I feel totally seen.
At times it did feel like less of a story and more of an exposition dump. I love lore, but I wish it was done in a more seamless way so that it wasn't just *info info info info info*.
I wish we got to see the characters interact more and have more on page moments. Instead there are several times where we just get little one sentence summaries about how they have been spending time together. This made it difficult to be invested in Josephine and Eadwulf's relationship. Instead of a slow build of them spending time together, we just see them have a few brief moments. For me it felt like Josephine's feelings for him really came out of nowhere, we didn't get that anticipatory build up, or more moments of them being around each other to have that natural chemistry.
There are a lot of threads mentioned in this, but they never get explored which felt like a let down. We never learn about Randy and his vampire, nor do we get more information on how Chase is a bad guy. (Though I know there are more books!) I kind of was waiting to see that Chase would end up to be a cheater, or maybe even a werewolf. I was also surprised that Josephine let her bff walk all over her, and really easily forgave her for ditching her. This is a PSA: getting into a relationship, or marriage is no excuse for ditching your friends for your significant other!
All that being said, I did find it to be a book perfectly suited for spooky season. The moment at the end where Eadwulf says what he says to Josephine had me giggling kicking my feet! How dare the author do that to us!
I would recommend this book, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series! (Don't expect that to be anytime soon, I have to save up a book budget again!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Murder
Minor: Racism
bittersweetcritiques's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
I am stunned. STUNNED.
I don't remember the last time I genuinely laughed this much during a read.
And then to have such relatable characters, found family, and an unparalleled warmness in my heart every time Eadwulf uttered the phrase "baby bat," -- I'm just completely enthralled with everything this book is.
Odd Blood is the cozy horror I didn't know I needed and you should absolutely read it!
I don't remember the last time I genuinely laughed this much during a read.
And then to have such relatable characters, found family, and an unparalleled warmness in my heart every time Eadwulf uttered the phrase "baby bat," -- I'm just completely enthralled with everything this book is.
Odd Blood is the cozy horror I didn't know I needed and you should absolutely read it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Dementia, and Murder
jazzseeks's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
The funniest and best vampire romance I've ever read. Every single thing about this book was delightful and perfect. Full of comedy and sincere struggles and love. Perfect for demisexual and neurodivergent millennials who are tired of bad bosses and overpriced rent. Every page is fun and interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping
Largely very cute just wanted to add minor warnings for anxiety and mind control.