Lucy Undying

Lucy Undying
by Kiersten White
 
Book: Stand Alone
Publisher: Del Rey
Pub Date: September 10, 2024
Genre: Adult, Vampires, Horror
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon
 
In this epic and seductive gothic fantasy, a vampire escapes the thrall of Dracula and embarks on her own search for self-discovery and true love.

Her name was written in the pages of someone else's story: Lucy Westenra was one of Dracula's first victims.

But her death was only the beginning. Lucy rose from the grave a vampire, and has spent her immortal life trying to escape from Dracula's clutches--and trying to discover who she really is and what she truly wants.

Her undead life takes an unexpected turn when, in twenty-first-century London, she meets another woman who is also yearning to break free from her past. Iris’s family has built a health empire based on a sinister secret, and they’ll do anything to stay in power.
Lucy has long believed she would never love again. But she finds herself compelled by the charming Iris, while Iris is mesmerized by the confident and glamorous Lucy. But their intense connection and blossoming love is threatened by forces from without. Iris's mother won't let go of her without a fight, and Lucy's past still has fangs: Dracula is on the prowl again.

Lucy Westenra has been a tragically murdered teen, a lonesome adventurer, and a fearsome hunter, but happiness always eluded her. Can she find the strength to destroy Dracula once and for all, or will her heart once again be her undoing?

 
My Review: A retelling of Dracula, a cover that pulls you in and it is written by Kiersten?! Heck yes, count me in!  

I LOVED Lucy.  

Lucy was born a long time ago, just like anyone else. When she was born the second time, you could say nothing was ever the same again.  

When Lucy woke up as a vampire, which did not seem so pleasant to wake in a coffee and an unsatisfied thirst. Worst of all is that Dracula wants her and Lucy will have none of that.  

Lucy is fun, Whitty, speaks her mind and overall, a well-done character.  

Then you have Iris. She is in England and on a mission. Gather everything left to her and get rid of it.  

She is not happy about what is going on and is not shy about it. She is happy her mom is dead (relatable) and cannot wait to be rid of the legacy she left behind. Starting with one of the houses of which is basically worthless inside. No jewelry, nothing of value to sell.  

Until the one room she forced her way in and found a diary belonging to Lucy.  

Overall, I like Iris. There were moments where I was a little annoyed with her. I could relate with some of rants/antics. No Wi-Fi or bars, yikes, bad time when you’re alone in an empty old abandon mansion. No outlets or light switches either?? Sheesh, what year was this house again? Though, it would not be too bad if the house were in a more livable condition. But oh well, the plan is to sell asap anyway.  

When Lucy shows up at the house, the pace picks up more and you become so immersed in the story that it is impossible to put it down.  

Another masterpiece by Kiersten.  

 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Queen of Myth and Monsters

Queen of Myth and Monsters
by Scarlett St. Clair
 
Book: Adrian x Isolde #2 
Publisher: Bloom Books
Pub Date: December 20, 2022
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Vampires
Format: Print
Source: Bought
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon
 
The next book in the epic fantasy series by USA Today bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair.

Isolde, newly coronated queen, has finally found a king worthy of her in the vampire Adrian. But their love for each other has cost Isolde her father and her homeland. With two opposing goddesses playing mortals and vampires like chess pieces against one another, Isolde is uncertain who her allies are in the vampire stronghold of Revekka.

Now, as politics in the Red Palace grow more underhanded and a deadly blood mist threatens all of Cordova, Isolde must trust in the bond she's formed with Adrian, even as she learns troubling information about his complicated past.
 
 
My Review: You quickly jump right in where the first left off and continue on for Isolde and Adrian's story.
 
Isolde can't sleep, she's still reliving what just happened and why her own father would do such a thing. Now her homeland is at stake with him gone. Right now all she wants is to go to the library and research. 
 
Isolde learns more about her past, about Adrian and their life together. While that unfolds, the blood mist will find its way into the castle and things are going to get shaken up now.
 
Everything is in chaos. The people are freaking out over the mist in the castle and worst of all, the body of Ana's lover released it upon them all. Now people are dead, injured and want to know what is happening to stop all of this. 

 
Adrian sents men out to look for the missing witch, checking thebother towns and sending men out to keep an eye on Isolde's old home. 
 
All the while Isolde and her ladies attempt to spell this mist to being binded and hopefully save her people. Sadly, there are those who still hate witchcraft and they were dealt with beatings from the towns people. Isolde will be okau, Ana won't wake just yet and their friend and lady had not been lucky. 
 
Adrian and Isolde still have love and passion through out despite the ups and downs, they will always find a way to make it work. Which will be tested once the news arrives about her homeland. 
 
With the news in hand, Adrian and Isolde make for her homeland where things pick up quickly and you just know everything and anything is about to go down. 
 
With the twists and surprises at just the right moments and the way it ended on just the right cliffhanger. You cant help but impatiently wait for the next book. 
 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪

Unremembered Things

Unremembered Things

by Rachel Tsoumnakos

Book: Stand Alone

Publisher: Mrddin Publishing  Group

Pub Date: May 2013

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Vampires, Romance, Fiction

Format: eBook

Source: Author

Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon   

One woman, two worlds and nothing but UNREMEMBERED THINGS separating them. 

Indiana Shamira has a dark secret that could shatter her very existence and get her killed in the process. Now if only she could remember what it is… 

Life is hard when you have amnesia. Indiana Shamira found that out the hard way when she woke one morning and found her whole life had been erased. Getting up out of bed and slipping her feet into fluffy purple slippers she could only assume were hers; she had the task of having to discover the world around her once more.

When she finds a vampire called Sam hanging from the rafters in her cellar, she knows things are about to get nasty. Not only does Sam know all about her previous life, but he seems intent on seducing her as well. Of course her boyfriend, Kurt, has different ideas – like making her open the portal to hell! 

And then there is the nagging suspicion that Indiana is not entirely human, now she can see ghostly images from the Otherworld. Or could it be from her past life? They include the flickering effigy of Kurt and a redwood forest that conjures up repressed magic. 

Not only will Indiana have to risk everything to keep the door to another dimension closed, she will have to decide whether she is ready to lose her heart to someone who has more secrets than herself. 

Set in the lush Australian bush, UNREMEMBERED THINGS is a fusion of fantasy and forbidden romance

My Review: Well the blurb gave me enough detail to want in. And I'm glad I read it, yup I have another awesome book to talk about. 

Indiana has just woken up. Instead of going with her normal life, she needs to first figure it out. Yeah she kinda woke up with amnesia. Her life is pretty much a blank canvas to her. She does know that she an awesome lady at the salon where she works. At least she has a good place to start at. Who knows, it can brings everything back to her and things will be fine. Sadly it doesn't work out that easily for everyone. 

Indiana will have to fight to put her life back together and figure out just what is going on. But her strength is awesome. She does have good support, which is great when you don't know a thing about your own life. Oh and she may find a door to another dimension. Wait until you read how that effected her.  That world alone was awesome and I can't wait for you all to dive in! Plus I haven't read a book with a vampire in it, in a while and was pleased with how Sam turned out.  

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Vampireville

Vampireville

By Ellen Schreiber

Book: Vampire Kisses #3

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pub Date: July 25 2006 

Genre: Young Adult, Vampires, Romance, Paranormal

Format: Paperback

Source: Bought

Book Links: Goodreads Amazon  

Can Raven stop Dullsville from becoming Vampireville?

For goth-girl Raven, dating her dream boyfriend is complicated, especially because Alexander's secret means they can only meet at night. And now they must be extra wary, with Alexander's archrival, Jagger, creeping around town. Then Jagger's exquisitely pale sister Luna also surfaces--and seems to have her sights on Raven's own longtime nemesis. Raven and Alexander must begin a terrifying hunt for Jagger and Luna's secret hideout. Can they drive them away before Dullsville is eternally threatened by these menaces from the Underworld?

My Review: Jagger's twin sister, Luna has come to town and she is looking for partner for eternity. It seems Luna was the only child that was human. ALexander's family agreed that when they were older, Alexander would turn her. However, Alexander had other plans that did not include Luna. She now has decided to find a human to be hers. That human happens to be Trevor. Raven and Alexander are both trying to stop that from happening. How do you work on convincing that Alexander is Raven's soul mate, and stopping Luna from doing anything to Trevor? Well a lot of hard work for Raven, the guy she hates so much, she must now keep any eye on him to make sure Luna doesn't go biting in the night. It takes time, but Luna is able to give up Trevor and now believes that Alexander is meant for Raven. Luna also knows that one day she will find hers, and have her happy ever after.

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Lord of Misrule

Lord of Misrule
By Rachel Caine

Book: Morganville Vampires #5
Publisher: Signet
Pub Date: Jan 26 2009
Genre: Vampires, Romance, Paranormal, Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Book Links Goodreads   Amazon

In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, the master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil dead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn't the only threat.

Violent black cyclone clouds hover, promising a storm of devastating proportions as student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against elements both natural and unnatural.


My Review: Another good book in the series.  Right now the only safe place is the glass house. There is a war going and people are choosing sides. Humans are going against vampires. . They are scared and know vampires like Amelie and Oliver are even scared of Mr. Bishop. But a storm hits the town and brings it all to a halt and the town must wait another to plan an attack on Bishop. Another good thing about this book is Claire is growing right before our eyes and continues to do so as the books go on.

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Feast of Fools

Feast of Fools
By Rachel Caine

Book: Morganville Vampires #4
Publisher: Signet
Pub Date: June 3 2008
Genre: Vampires, Romance, Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Book Links:  Goodreads   Amazon

In the town of Morganville, vampires and humans live in relative peace. Student Claire Danvers has never been convinced, though, especially with the arrival of Mr. Bishop, an ancient, old-school vampire who cares nothing about harmony. What he wants from the town's living and its dead is unthinkably sinister. It's only at a formal ball, attended by vampires and their human dates, that Claire realizes the elaborately evil trap he's set for Morganville.


My Review: On top of the trouble that is on the way, Claire is deaking with the stress of her parents being in town. She is worried about their safety, but also has to convince them that she isn’t going to move in with them - that she is perfectly capable of staying at the Glass House. Claire still has to work with Myrnin and attend all her classes on top of everything else. The event of the masquerade is here and Claire is in front row. Bishop is there for one reason and will stop at nothing to get what he wants, even if it means declaring war on the humans.

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Midnight Alley

Midnight Alley

by Rachel Caine

Book: Morganville Vampires #3
Publisher: Signet
Pub Date: Oct 7 2007
Genre: Vampires, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult

Format: Paperback

Source: Bought

Book Links: Goodreads   Amazon

When Claire Danvers learnt that her college town was run by vampires, she did what any intelligent, self-preserving student would do: she applied for a transfer and stocked up on garlic. The transfer is no longer an option, but that garlic may come in handy. 

Now Claire has pledged herself to Amelie, the most powerful vampire in town. The protection her contract secures does little to reassure her friends. All of a sudden, people are turning up dead, a stalker resurfaces from Claire’s past, and an ancient bloodsucker extends a chilling invitation for private lessons in his secluded home.

My Review: So Claire signed the paper. How did Shane deal? Well you'll have to read the book. We also meet a new vampire called Myrnin a scholar vampire who will now become Claire's new tutor. (She id not failing) It was Amile who ordered Claire to learn all she can and is introduced to things she never thought possible. Captin Obvious's gang has arrived and Eve's brother also shows up. Things are about to take a turn you won't believe.

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

The Morganville Vampires

The Morganville Vampires Vol. 1-2

by Rachel Caine

Book: Morganville Vampires #1-2

Publisher: New American Library

Pub Date: Nov 3, 2009

Genre: Young Adult

Format: Ppaerback

Source: Bought

Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon

Glass Houses

College freshman Claire Danvers moves off campus and into an old house in the small town of Morganville. Her new roommates have her back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood...

The Dead Girls' Dance

Claire may have a great roommate and a new boyfriend, but when she's invited to the Dead Girls' Dance all hell breaks loose-literally. Because this time, the living and the dead are ready to tear up the night...

My Review: Claire Danvers a 16 year old girl with a tougher life than most. First off she is 16 and a freshman in college, who is getting punched and thrown down stairs on her very first day. She doesn't fit in at the dorms with those other girls and so she is in search of a new place to stay in Morganville. Claire ends up finding the glass house to live in with room mates Shane, Michael and Eve. Claire then realizes there is more to Morganville than meets the eye.

In the second part of the book we learn more about Claire's room mates and about the town that is run by vampires. Trouble is already starting in the book. Claire who cant seem to get away from trouble but is ever loyal to her friends. She must dig into the towns secrets to save Shane. Claire must now Save Shane her now some-what boyfriend. She must do this all while roaming a new town that is run by vampires, some good but mostly bad. Claire has more guts than any human girl. 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Afterlife

Afterlife

by Claudia Gray

Book: Evernight #3

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pub Date: March 8 2011

Genre: Young Adult

Format: Hardcover

Source: Bought

Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon  

It's going to be okay, Lucas, I thought, willing him to hear me past the divide between this world and the next. Wasn't he about to cross that divide to return to me? So maybe we were close enough for him to listen.We're dead, but we can still be together. Nothing matters more than that. We're stronger than death. Now nothing else ever has to come between us. You and I never have to be apart again.

Bianca and Lucas face a terrifying new reality: they have become what they most feared. Lucas is a vampire, and Bianca is a wraith. Together, they've overcome every obstacle life has thrown at them and fought pitched battles against enemies - mortal and otherwise. Now they must face their biggest challenge so far. They must discover if their love is strong enough to survive what comes after life...

My Review: You finally figure out what Bethany is up to and why the humans attend the school.  Bianca has found a way to stay in human form and be there for Lucas. While Lucas is a vampire he continues his struggle to stay the same, not for himself but for Bianca.  Lucas and his mother meet and Bianca reveals her new self to her parents. Vic finally gets to see Maxie the ghost that has been living in his attic. This book leaves alot of questions in the end like what happens with Balthazar? What happens with Vic and his ghost? What about all of Bianca's friends? None the less I do love the ending of this book.“I’ll never die, he said. Before I could protest, Lucas put two fingers on my lips, his smile seemed to fill the room with lights and I realized he was telling a deeper kind of truth then I’d ever known before

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Hourglass

Hourglass

by Claudia Gray

Book: Evernight #3

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pub Date: March 9, 2010

Genre: Young Adult

Format: Hardcover

Source: Author

Book Links: Goodreads Amazon

After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school where they met, Bianca and Lucas take refuge with Black Cross, a fanatical group of vampire hunters. Bianca must hide her supernatural heritage or risk certain death at its hands. But when Black Cross captures her friend—the vampire Balthazar—hiding is no longer an option. Soon Bianca and Lucas are on the run again, pursued not only by Black Cross, but by the powerful leaders of Evernight. Yet no matter how far they travel, Bianca can't escape her destiny. Bianca has always believed their love could survive anything...but can it survive what's to come?

My Review: Bianca and Lucas are together. Lucas takes Bianca with him to Black Cross. While at Black Cross Bianca and Lucas both fight to keep Bianca's secret hidden. Bianca trains along side Black Cross and finds that they have captured Balthazar. Both Lucas and Bianca work to save Balthazar. Once they save Balthazar, Bianca's secret is revealed to Black Cross. So now Lucas and Bianca are on the run from everyone, even Black Cross. But with Balthazar with them they may be able to pull this off without a problem, or so they think. Bianca and Lucas are together in hiding. They live in their friend's basement (Basement of a palace) while they are on vacation. They want to live as normal as possible, so they get jobs. They live their lives somewhat normally while continually hiding from the enemies. The end of the book reveals something you wouldn't believe.

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Stargazer

Stargazer

by Claudia Gray

Book: Evernight #2

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pub Date: March 24 2009

Genre: Vampire, Young Adult

Format: Paperback

Source: Bought

Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon

Evernight Academy: an exclusive boarding school for the most beautiful, dangerous students of all—vampires. Bianca, born to two vampires, has always been told her destiny is to become one of them.

But Bianca fell in love with Lucas—a vampire hunter sworn to destroy her kind. They were torn apart when his true identity was revealed, forcing him to flee the school.

Although they may be separated, Bianca and Lucas will not give each other up. She will risk anything for the chance to see him again, even if it means coming face-to-face with the vampire hunters of Black Cross—or deceiving the powerful vampires of Evernight. Bianca's secrets will force her to live a life of lies.

Yet Bianca isn't the only one keeping secrets. When Evernight is attacked by an evil force that seems to target her, she discovers the truth she thought she knew is only the beginning. 

My Review: Bianca's vampire instincts are getting closer to the surface. She needs more and more blood. Needing more blood is just a sign that Bianca may have to kill someone soon, but she doesn't know if she wants to do that. Things are complicated, Bianca is keeping secrets and so is everyone around her. During the book Bianca goes to Balthazar for some help in getting away from the school. On a trip off campus they run into this troubled vampire. This troubled vampire reveals herself to be Balthazar's sister. Overall this book was better than the first and can only get better. 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Evernight

Evernight

By Claudia Gray

Book: Evernight #1

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pub Date: Feb 10 2009

Genre: Young Adult

Format: Print

Source: Bought 

Book Links: Goodreads Amazon

She's been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy, an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in. 

Then she meets Lucas. He's not the "Evernight type" either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs, and warns Bianca to be careful—even when it comes to caring about him. 

But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.

My Review: First off the way Bianca and Lucas was the best meeting yet. Bianca does not fare well at the beginning. She is only at the school because her parents got jobs there. This is a special school that is open to both vampires and humans, though the humans don't know they are among vampires. Bianca hating being in this boarding school in the middle of nowhere, decides to run away. While running away she runs into Lucas who she instantly falls for. 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪