I wanted to love this, as I am a fan of Blackwood's other works, but this one isn't for me. The breaks in dialogue for the time period and the pining was a bit much for me. (I will say I have a background in History, therefor, this is probably why this didn't fully work for me)
There is some great world building, a complex character creation, and the overall idea of an alternate history of vampires openly fighting during the American civil war is great. There are moments of written description and dialogue that are simply magic and reflective of Blackwood's capability as a great author.
I can see readers of fantasy, alternate histories, and general literature enjoying this work.


Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

This is one of those stories that had SO. MUCH. Potential for me. I mean; vampires, vampires in love with human badasses... Human badasses that TOOK OUT VAMPIRES. I wanted to love this so much.
But, unfortunately, even though the characters seemed promising, the vernacular just took me out of the story. It was supposed to take place during the Civil War era. But it reads like a 21-century YA. Honestly, I could see some people LOVING that. And I'm okay with that. Because besides that, the writing was fabulous. I just couldn't get past the first quarter.
Much love to this author--you are talented. I'm just not the intended audience here.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @ 35%.

The story was staged very well. The characters were likable, and the time period of this book was *chef's kiss*. It reminded me heavily of True Blood, and rather enjoyed that aspect.

However, I got bored, fast. The story moved slowly, and I kept wishing for more excitement. The excitement is probably there further along, but if I have to get 35% in and STILL be bored, that's just not for me.

Set during the Civil War, this book immediately gave me Jasper Cullen vibes and not in a good way. Jerusalem is a saint fighting for the union; but she's also an escaped slave. How was a saint kept as a slave? I could never quite get a handle on how she became one other than she was one; whereas becoming a vampire was more direct. Also, if you get turned into a saint than why didn't Jerusalem turn her dying brother into a saint and instead asked for him to become a vampire?

Overall the idea behind the story was good, but the characters were a bit one dimensional and difficult to connect with. As a person, Jerusalem made sense with her anger and impulsiveness but her relationship with Alexei didn't make any sense from start to finish. I just couldn't get into this book.

Thank you Wednesday Books for a gifted copy.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

2.5, rounded up. I would have enjoyed this far more if Lauren Blackwood had expanded the lore (Civil War-era America with Sasquatches, werewolves, vampires, and some category of fighter called "saints"? Sign me up!) and gotten rid of the romance. Insta-love is already a pet peeve of mine, but the way Alexei unequivocally adores her immediately with no explanation annoyed me--especially with the way Jerusalem treats him. (If I had to read one more anachronistic use of "dumbass" I would have thrown my Kindle across the room.)

Nope. This ain't it. This story had so much potential. I really enjoyed the premise; Slavery and civil war but if vampires et al exist? (PS. I loved the sasquatch, that was cool). Unfortunately this did not hit for me. First; for a novel set during the civil war there is a lot of modern and foul language that I would never expect and really took me out of the story. The amount of times the FMC says "dumbass", its just so unbelievable. Next the FMC was honestly so insufferable, partially because of the language she used, but also, sorry she's not smart. We are told she is intelligent but she continues to make irrational decisions over and over again, and putting herself and her friends in danger

Spoiler

and also getting the more redeeming characters killed. I actually liked Odessa until she very uncharacteristically sent herself and her friends to their deaths.

She is also literally abusive? Lets segue into the romance... Alexei is actually a great character. Why he is in love with J I do not understand. She repeatedly verbally (and physically) abuses him - How can you go from literally attempting to kill him to kissing in the same paragraph? Like what?? Maybe some people are into it but to me its just unrealistic. Next to the abuse, my biggest pet peeve would be the amount of times that their height difference is pointed out. You do not need to remind readers that the FMC is so smol and tiny and little and the the MMC is a "giant" in every chapter. We get it. Please move on.
I did listen to the audiobook of this novel which is read by 2 narrators, I didn't love the female narrator, I felt like her tone was not enjoyable or how I would read it. I also think this may have partially been due to the language used. The male narrator was definitely better and I would listen to more audiobooks by him.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for this arc in exchange for an honest review.