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accidentalmuse's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It's been a long time since I've read a YA paranormal romance, I used to be obsessed with them when I was a teenager. I was worried I wouldn't be able to enjoy this book, that the secondary school setting would feel to juvenile now that I'm in my twenties, but this book pleasantly surprised me.
Right from chapter one, I was happy. Finally we have a vampire who doesn't want to spend their eternal life in high school. I have eternally been frustrated by vampires who go to school - like you're hundreds of years old, why are you surrounding yourself by teenagers? I'm only 23 and I feel like I have nothing in common with teenagers, surely a vampire, with the mind of an adult, would get so bored and frustrated with teenage problems.
Speaking of mental age, I found the author's take on vampires to be interesting - they remain 'stuck' at the age they were turned. So, a 17-year-old, whose brain didn't finish development, will constantly remain as a 17 year old emotionally. I thought that was pretty cool.
I liked both of our main characters, I felt like they were fully developed, and most of their actions felt true to character. The only time emotions felt a little unnatural were after the fight between Claire and Elise. Claire felt too quick to put the blame on herself, when her anger was justified. That was slightly annoying, but nothing too detracting.
The story was also surprisingly gripping, and hinted to a larger world I would like to learn more about. The romance was sweet, but definitely not an element I cared about deeply.
Right from chapter one, I was happy. Finally we have a vampire who doesn't want to spend their eternal life in high school. I have eternally been frustrated by vampires who go to school - like you're hundreds of years old, why are you surrounding yourself by teenagers? I'm only 23 and I feel like I have nothing in common with teenagers, surely a vampire, with the mind of an adult, would get so bored and frustrated with teenage problems.
Speaking of mental age, I found the author's take on vampires to be interesting - they remain 'stuck' at the age they were turned. So, a 17-year-old, whose brain didn't finish development, will constantly remain as a 17 year old emotionally. I thought that was pretty cool.
I liked both of our main characters, I felt like they were fully developed, and most of their actions felt true to character.
The story was also surprisingly gripping, and hinted to a larger world I would like to learn more about. The romance was sweet, but definitely not an element I cared about deeply.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
tita_loves_literature's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I rly rly liked the start but then it got a bit predictable and some of the plot felt like it was just rushed and very convenient. I rly liked dark claire at the start and then she just got a bit like, weak and emotional lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Grief, Violence, Car accident, and Blood
arminam's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Lesbophobia
shector1's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Car accident and Violence
Minor: Abandonment
lottsofplots's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Violence
jazdono's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
This book gave a novel and unique take to the familiar world of vampirism. In terms of world building, the new aspects of the paranormal world were seamlessly built into the existing lore. I do wish we saw a bit more of that world, but with the plot, it made for the narrative to be fairly limited in that regard.
In terms of plot, it started out at a great speed. It grabbed my attention and drew me in without feeling like a textbook on the author’s world building and lore (like so many YA fantasy books do). It got kind of drawn out in the middle, like the author wasn’t sure where to take the story. Once she found her footing, though it took off at a good pace again!
Most importantly, I’m a sucker for gay fantasy books. This book is definitely a slow burn, and it drove me crazy (in the most positive way). The ending of the plot (both the story overall and especially the romance) felt hastily wrapped up and didn’t leave me with a sense of closure. It feels like it was left open for a sequel without the author being confident that she would actually write one, so the ending gave a weird mix of “open to continue” and “giving closure”.
In terms of plot, it started out at a great speed. It grabbed my attention and drew me in without feeling like a textbook on the author’s world building and lore (like so many YA fantasy books do). It got kind of drawn out in the middle, like the author wasn’t sure where to take the story. Once she found her footing, though it took off at a good pace again!
Most importantly, I’m a sucker for gay fantasy books. This book is definitely a slow burn, and it drove me crazy (in the most positive way). The ending of the plot (both the story overall and especially the romance) felt hastily wrapped up and didn’t leave me with a sense of closure. It feels like it was left open for a sequel without the author being confident that she would actually write one, so the ending gave a weird mix of “open to continue” and “giving closure”.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
It took me a minute to get through this book but I really enjoyed it! Although the ending had a bit of a weird vibe for me and I’m curious if there will be a book 2. Maybe an origin story for WYN? Oh and I really loved the themes of consent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Car accident, Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Gore
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, and Vomit
werewolvesnotswearwolves's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Car accident
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Torture, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
amabel_xo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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
Just an amazing book overall. Plot twists that i didn’t see coming but welcomed and the ending is just perfect. Somewhat sad but it just works . It leaves possibility for a sequel (which i will sell my soul for) but also a satisfying ending if left as a stand-alone .
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Violence, Grief, Death, and Murder