I really liked this, but I think I’m not exactly the target demographic for it: it’s a small town murder mystery with vampires, but it’s heavily focusI really liked this, but I think I’m not exactly the target demographic for it: it’s a small town murder mystery with vampires, but it’s heavily focused on the police & detective’s POV, which isn’t always a perspective I care to be in. Still, I did really like the main character in this - love that she was a kinda frumpy older gal that didn’t care about being pretty, only about doing her job (and doing it well). The worldbuilding was my favorite part of this, so interesting to think of what our world would be like with vampires being real. The focus on racism within the community was interesting, if a bit heavy handed at times.
These books are going so off the rails, and it's so silly and campy and fun, lol. This one is basically all were-animal interpersonal drama, which is These books are going so off the rails, and it's so silly and campy and fun, lol. This one is basically all were-animal interpersonal drama, which is fine, but didn't need to be as long as it was. The book did make me like Jason as a character more than I did, which was maybe the point - I'm sure with this many men in the picture, they had to do something to make this one stand out (especially since so many of the others are so interesting). This really humanized him! I also do like where things are going with Marmee Noir, and I'm definitely here for more Belle Morte/Anita business okay, I AM WHAT I AM.
I both loved this, and also found it a little difficult to read. I'd classify this as "literary horror", which I think is an important distinction froI both loved this, and also found it a little difficult to read. I'd classify this as "literary horror", which I think is an important distinction from other types of horror. To me, literary horror feels like a contemporary drama, but with a few horror elements that set it apart from other books like that. For NIGHT'S EDGE, that horror twist comes in the form of a disease that sweeps the world, turning many into vampires. I loved the set up for this, loved the backstory about Russia keeping it under wraps since the 90s, loved the way the more fantastical elements here tied into our real world.
The difficulty came in the pacing for me, especially for the first 1/2 of the book. Most of what we experience is split into two timelines: Before, when our MC Mia is a young child and goes through a very bad situation with her mother. And then After, which is more "current day", showing the life Mia leads and her interactions with the people around her.
A lot of the drama and trouble in this comes from the relationship between Mia and her mother, Izzy. I found both of these characters relatable at different times, but also really found myself relating to Mia - I won't go into too much detail, but despite the vampirism, this book is an EXCELLENT look at what having a toxic, abusive mother is like. The reliance on abusive boyfriends, the lack of care in protecting your own child from these men because you're too afraid to be fully alone, the lies, the secrets, the late nights - all of this was so familiar to me that it was a little hard to read, stirring up similar memories of my own.
This is going to be a duology, and I'm excited to read the second book and see how this wraps up. The ending here really got me - I'm sure the next book will deal with a lot of guilt, and I'm excited to read it.
I liked this less than the Deal With A Demon series, but it was still entertaining. I read it as part of my Patreon Book Club & have a whole spoiler-fI liked this less than the Deal With A Demon series, but it was still entertaining. I read it as part of my Patreon Book Club & have a whole spoiler-filled vlog of my (very red-faced & blushing) reactions, lol.
AHHH, I was wondering when we'd start meeting a bunch of random ass were-creatures, and THIS IS WHERE IT BEGINS! There were a few mentions in the prevAHHH, I was wondering when we'd start meeting a bunch of random ass were-creatures, and THIS IS WHERE IT BEGINS! There were a few mentions in the previous 2 books, but this is really where a lot of the more "sideshow" esque vibes start to come off. I love that, in this world canonically, the vampires & werecreatures have decided to turn themselves into entertainment acts of all kinds - circus, stripping, etc. Just bizarre wild fun to see how they mesh those actual things with these kinds of characters -- SHAPESHIFTING MID STRIPTEASE? like!!! it's wild, lmao.
Who knew an undead love story could be so wholesome & adorable?
First, I want to make a note that although this is shelved as a "comic / graphic novel"Who knew an undead love story could be so wholesome & adorable?
First, I want to make a note that although this is shelved as a "comic / graphic novel", it's more like a collection of small snippets you'd find online - little quick, cute comics that don't tell a big central story, but instead offer small glimpses into the world of the vampire and werewolf storytellers themselves, Elsie & Jimmy. I loved these characters, and loved getting to see the sort of troubles and cute moments they'd have dating one another as such different types of people.
A super heartwarming depiction of a relationship people two "monsters", and I found myself laughing out loud at some of the humor in it. The often dark humor adds an edge to the book that keeps it from being sickeningly sweet.
I think my favorite thing about this is that, while it's about two creepy 'creatures' that don't really exist, there are a lot of parallels to be found in your average, everyday relationship between just two boring ol' basic humans. Finding those similarities - among the jokes about sleeping in coffins & changing under the full moon, of course - was a delight.
I read this as a borrowed library copy, but will definitely be grabbing one for my shelves - so cute, highly recommended!...more
I'd forgotten how focused the first several books in this series are on the actual action & gore, WOW. This took me back -- I haven't read most of theI'd forgotten how focused the first several books in this series are on the actual action & gore, WOW. This took me back -- I haven't read most of these since I was a teenager, and revisiting them as an adult has been such a fun experience. I can remember everything about the first time I picked this up, even down to what music was playing on my bedroom radio as I read.
Anita is a bit annoying at times, but she's also really fun to follow - she gets into such wild shit, lol. This one does a lot to set the main characters up, specifically Anita & her coworkers, and Jean-Claude. I'd forgotten that Richard doesn't make an appearance until book 4 or 5, so this was mostly vampire-focused....more
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