This book had a really slow start for me. It took me a while to warm up to our narrator's (Sol) voice and the author's writing style. What initially felt like a very disjointed narrative about our trans-vampire-archivist quickly turned into a unique storytelling opportunity. While no two trans experiences are ever identical, this was an interesting take on coping with chronic illnesses (vampirism), gender exploration and affirmation (a plotline with Sol's eventual love interest), and how society engages with and views media and storytelling beyond the grave (Sol's perspective of archival work is absolutely beautiful). 

Riddled with nerdy pop culture references (AO3 exists! Obsessions with TV shows that are similar to ones we're familiar with!), angst, longing, and a representation of transness that hasn't crossed my path until now - this book was a strange delight. I had a few qualms, but they mostly center on the fact that the relationship between our MC and their love interest is, at times, very unhealthy. It was also difficult to not interpret some of the commentary surrounding trans people and lesbians as lesbophobic. For the most part, however, I saw hope in the queer joy that I find to be unique in queer love. It's definitely possible that some of the problematic comments surrounding the queer experiences in this story are a reflection of the author's lived experiences as a trans person - he could very easily be inviting readers to consider internal biases and society's expectations surrounding the queer experience.

This was recommended by a friend who thought I would enjoy it since the MC is an archivist (and I, myself, am a librarian), but I have come to appreciate this book for more than just its library-relevant and -adjacent references.