Okay, sapphic vampires was not something I knew I needed, BUT I DID. I had so much fun with this one! The concept immediately hooked me: a vampire hunter going undercover at a vampire university? Sounds like a good time to me. 

It’s the first year humans are allowed in, and Rebecca, our hunter turned student, is on a mission to track down a deadly book that could wipe out vampires. What follows is an entertaining, well paced mix of dark academia, forbidden romance, and political vampire drama.

The world building was super compelling without ever feeling overwhelming, and I flew through the book in just a couple sittings. It’s bingeable in the best way. I loved how sharp and cinematic everything felt, from the ancient school halls to the magical societies hiding secrets behind every turn. I could see this turning into a movie or a show because it reminded me of like a queer version of Twilight and I think it would do really well on screen. 

And the tension between Rebecca and Aliz? Whew. I could feel it leap off the page. You get that classic enemies to something much more dynamic, and it’s executed so well. Their chemistry is undeniable, and watching their relationship shift was easily one of my favorite parts of the story.

Whether you’re a dark academia fan, a lover of queer vampire romances, or just in the mood for a story with teeth (literally and figuratively), this is definitely worth checking out. I’m already impatient for book two.

Thanks to NetGalley, Annie Summerlee, and Del Rey for the eARC of this book.