3.5
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"Right, because I want to be the scene in the horror movie where you run back to the car, flooded with relief that I'm at the wheel, until you put your hand on my shoulder and I fall over, and you scream, but I can't hear because I'm dead, and the monster is already behind you and I can't warn you because, again, I'm already dead."
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Let me start off this review with the plain and simple facts of:
#1. I have never read or watched anything in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe
#2. This novel is actually SO funny- like WOW Cillian can you be my best friend?
#3. Nina is legit me trying to get my life together and failing miserably
I didn't know what to expect walking into this novel. I originally planned on staying clear from it because I had never seen anything in the Buffy-verse (is that name a thing?) before, but when I was asked to review an early copy, I couldn't say no. It just suddenly called to me.
I feel my review is for all the people who have not seen anything in this world.
Kiersten does a great job, in my opinion, of laying out the groundwork for the world while also not allowing it to feel too info-dumpy. I gained the knowledge without being bored out of my mind, and I soon came to understand the world almost immediately, which I appreciated. I was worried about getting confused in this world before reading, but that fear was dissolved pretty quick.
My favorite character was hands down Cillian. Boy, this son was FUNNY. He's the human comedic relief in an otherwise intense supernatural world, and I LIVED for it. A decent number of my tabs are specifically for him, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
The first third of the novel moved a little slow for me, but the rest of the novel had great pacing and suspense. There were a lot questions getting answering and being asked, and they came organically.
I found the emotions Nina had towards Buffy to be a little clumsy and childish too, and I sadly can't say more than that because spoilers.
Besides Cillian another favorite part of the novel was the relationship between Nina and Artemis. Their role as twins and the reputations thrown on them really added some deep thought to the book. It was a realistic interpretation of how siblings act around each other, and it just reminded me of my own bond with my brother throughout the good and bad moments. I will always adore reading siblings relationships.
ANDDDD the romantic relationship Nina had didn't take over the novel at all. Wow. Focusing on the sibling relationship rather than Nina's denial in crushing was extremely refreshing.
I never thought I'd read another vampire novel, and I pushed that stigma on this world. Now I've definitely rethought that, and I may be bingeing a certain TV show over the next few weeks. The BTVS universe is much more than vampires.
P.S. This book has MAJOR spoilers for the BTVS universe because it takes place after!!!
P.P.S There is some GREAT LQBTQ+ representation in this novel, and I'm only realizing now that I didn't pay much attention to the looks of the character.. so.. my mind is blanking in terms of racial rep.
Thank you Simon Pulse for sending me an ARC to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.