smokedshelves's reviews
483 reviews

thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

ashley, i know you tend to lurk in reviewer spaces so either a. look away for your own well-being or b. take this as constructive criticism and not as hate. because it’s not hate. i want you to know that this review i’m writing is because i see that you can write a unique concept. i just think there’s improvement to be had. and i want to see that improvement happen.

let’s start from the beginning. of when i first attempted to read this book, way back in february (or possibly march) of this year. i was so lost. the intro to this book, the lack of world building made it so confusing for me. it took me two chapters before my brain was absolutely swimming. i couldn’t keep going without completely losing all chance of understanding the plot. it’s really unfortunate to know that i’m not the only one who was so lost during the first 10-15% of the story. the concept of magikalis and wolves and kindred were barely explained before we are exposed to the vampiria, the inciting event. i had to soft dnf the book until i was in a better space to try again.

upon my second reading, i was still confused by everything but i was determined to stick it out. and while yes, i think most of it is explained in enough detail during the next quarter or so of the book, it definitely makes it hard to be invested in this world at the start. is there still a ton of questions i have at the end of the story now about their clan? yeah, absolutely. i do wish we had a bit more insight into their governing structure, the bureau and whatnot. but, let’s put that aside for now.

let’s talk about the vampiria. about how it drew the line far too close to blood libel. now i personally believe that davis did not do this intentionally. but i think it shows the absolute importance of having sensitivity readers, especially in vampire stories. for those unfamiliar, blood libel is an anti-semetic and false belief held in the past that jewish people killed christians for blood magic and rituals. the issue with stories that use vampires or blood-related magic is that it can fall into this category when certain characteristics are seen. the main things being, a sense of other-ism or dehumanization and an isolation of this group of people. as a jewish reader, it’s the first thing i look for in these kind of stories. and unfortunately it stood out to me like a bright light. we almost never saw vampiria spoken about in a positive (or even neutral) manor, only ever in relation to killing and lusting over magikalis blood. also, there are literally treaties and laws enforced to keep the group separated.

i know most readers will not pick up on this. and i know most authors barely even know about blood libel and the dangers of it. but, as i said, i’m fine-tuned to pick this up. and it would be remiss of me not to mention that i was highly on alert the whole story for this. for any aspiring authors, i beg of you to get a jewish reader to review your story when including vampires and/or blood magic. unfortunately, it makes it really difficult for me to review the bulk of the story, when that’s what it all revolves around.

i really do have a ton more i want to say about everything i read, but i want to spare us all the time. for now, i just want to add the fact that there were two harry potter references. i will always note this, especially in recently written books. it’s far beyond time that we stop.

thank you to forever (grand central publishing) and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

i think it would be remiss of me if i didn’t start by saying levi is a FAR more patient human than i am. for the multiple times he came out as demi and every. single. person. asked how it’s possible when he likes sex. i— listen, i understand (and have essentially experienced myself) that this is the reality for many aces that have and/or like sex. i just deeply wish as least one person responded even slightly more positively than to immediately question his identity. i just know if that was me, i would not have been so nice about it the 3rd or 4th time in a row. so, i repeat. levi is a much more patient human than i.

okay, onto the actual romance between levi and hannah. i know we’re following the current time where they’re still freshly reclaiming carrigans. and that we periodically flash back to different points in their relationship, from as early as young childhood. i can see what helena was intending. to show us how they came together in the beginning and eventually split. i just personally do not totally believe that their relationship issues were resolved well enough by the end. to me, personally, their chemistry just wasn’t there? and i don’t know how i can explain it.

they spend most of the book both being like we love each other a lot but we have this pile high of concerns and i don’t think we can fix what’s broke. but by the end with one grand gesture and a plan, it’s all fixed. and i truly hope that it *is* enough for them. i guess with lots of work they can get somewhere where it’s healthy and true for them. but i just wasn’t totally feeling it where we end off. here’s to hoping.

i am, however, still very much looking forward to tara’s story (and maybe hopefully cole’s too). she’s an underrated fave of mine and i’m very excited to see what her happy ending entails.

bisexual (possibly demisexual) FMC x lesbian FMC... a sapphic holiday romance with disability rep too!! you know i had to.

-1 for the (two) harry potter references in a book written in 2020/2021. we know better y’all.