The Deathless Girls

This book is absolutely gorgeous, and I'm not just talking about the cover but also about the design/layout of the book itself. The story on the other hand was a little disappointing to be honest. It will still a good read but I just know that I will quickly forget about this book. The thing is that it took about 200 pages to get to the journey, then another 70 or so to take that journey, which didn't consist of much actually, and then the climax and conclusion occurred in like 30 pages. I felt like the end was way too rushed and could have entailed so much more. Also I felt like the end was a little too abrupt. It was only on page 304 that I found out that this story was an imagining of Dracula's bride. But the thing is, strigoi were only introduced somewhere around page 200 and vampires weren't introduced until the last chapters. In fact, I was convinced that this world did not even hold magic or supernatural creatures so by introducing this theme so late it felt like a genre switch which seemed rather odd to me. All in all I found the book to be rather unsatisfying.

This was nothing that I expected, not really how anyone pitched it to me at all till the last 10%.  I did really love the story itself, the take on Dracula was refreshing tbf but I just think maybe the pacing was a little off? Like we spent 80% of the book somewhere else, 15% actually learning about the strigoi and the dragon then maybe 5% was what I expected. Idk it felt like I wanted just more from it, so much more! Thé Aftermath chapter should have been like 40% of the book, I wanted to know what happened after more than what happened during the story! It was more of a build up to an event, a little of the event and then over.  Still 4* though because it was just really beautifully told and I had a lot of fun reading it today

the ending truly infuriated me.

A sad yet beautiful story.

Interesting concept with pretty prose, but the whole thing was very under developed and therefore not satisfying. Also the way the book is pitched is not exactly accurate. Also the lesbians don’t end up together so fuck that

I totally loved it, but what the heck? The ending was really disappointing

GIVE ME ALL THE BRIDES OF DRACULA RETELLINGS PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!!!! Ultimately this was really atmospheric, the prose was beautiful, and the characters were easy to root for. I do feel my read was slightly impacted by my expectations of more VAMPIRE ACTION, as they appear towards the end and only very briefly, and given I was reading right now for vampire inspiration it was a bit of a letdown. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this and it definitely lived up to its stunning cover! Content Warnings: Death, Slavery, Racism, Violence, Off Page Instances of Sexual Assault.

4.5 This was really good! Like a combination of Girls of Paper and Fire, The Bear and the Nightingale and of course Dracula. Well written, an enticing plot and a great romance.

The story held me from the very start, but man was that ending disappointing. All that build up for such a lackluster finish.

Haunting, lyrical and heartbreaking.

** spoiler alert ** The hardcover of this book is completely stunning, I’m tempted to buy it even though I thought this book was a 3.5 but the lovely publishers sent me a proof in exchange for a honest review Here’s what I loved Really well researched Eastern European traveller facts. Yesssss. I have never been so excited as when texting my friend stuff about how her history is my history. Love the complete normalisation of the LGBTQ characters, it wasn’t hugely plot central that she was queer, she just was I really like the concept, even though it’s been done before I’m always here for vamps Here’s what I didn’t love I WANTED MORE OF THEM EATING THE BAD BOYS I wanted Kizzy to change Mina secretly so they could be gay for all time together and rule as 3 lady queens and banish Dracula (to England obvs) because he’s evil and then after they only eat rapists and murders. And because it’s European history there would be so much food. Why wasn’t there more of the bear? I need bear answers I just felt like this could have been a series books of epic feminist greatness that rewrote the back story of a story we all know. Like disjoint the patriarch not like oh we tried. But actually women are still giving up stuff they love. Men are still bullying them and tricking them and Lil had a huge character turn around and then was like “okay kizzy, I’ll just stick with you” no mate you should have been like yeah kizzy but then let’s eat his head.... It was good but I feel like it missed the mark

3.5 stars I had very high expectations for this book entirely due to the cover... which is a poor way to go into a book, I know. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting and I found a few minor issues with the pacing and some character connections, but overall it was solid. I will say that I enjoyed the fable-like quality at the very end, and the last five pages or so had the biggest impact by far.

This book had been on my radar for a little while but having only released last month and with it being the month/season for spooky and creepy reads, now was the time. I adore Dracula, but almost zero time is given to his brides, they are a fleeting mention so when I learned of a story of theirs, I was intrigued. It's important, I feel, to mention that we are about 2/3rd's of the way through before we come across anything close to a vampire, though there are mentions of the Dragon. So if you are looking for a vampire tale this is probably not for you. This is, however, their story, their history, and I love that time was spent showing us the journey and how they came to be vampires, how it was the events of one fateful night, and of family bonds and unknown strength that led them to the decision to become monsters in the eyes of the people around them. Lil developed wonderfully, though initially I worried that she wouldn't, and I really appreciated her recognising that inaction is just as bad as the terrible things others do. That standing back and allowing it to happen makes you just as guilty. And I wholeheartedly adored her developing relationship with Mira :) Kizzy is who you feel you should place your bets on despite the fact that she is not our narrator. She is strong, defiant, and unafraid of the hard decisions, of doing what is right even if it means sacrificing herself, and ultimately, it leads her to the power that she wanted. If you are wanting a vampire tale, maybe give this a miss, I feel you will be disappointed, but if you want an origin story, a tale of bravery, and love, and determination, then definitely pick this up!

I just love Kiran and her lyrical writing.

This YA retelling of the story of the brides of Dracula is beautiful and haunting. Twins Lil and Kizzy are torn from their Traveller community and forced to work for an evil lord. Their love for each other and their resolve is tested when they are forced to make an impossible choice.