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nikkicunniff's review against another edition
5.0
Vicki- "I feel like I'm reading your new favorite book!"
Me- immediately picks it up because Vicki is never wrong about such things.
And it's true. I loved this so much! Definitely a unique take on vampires, and the MCs were so respectful and kind and soft i was instantly in love. I need the next one!
Me- immediately picks it up because Vicki is never wrong about such things.
And it's true. I loved this so much! Definitely a unique take on vampires, and the MCs were so respectful and kind and soft i was instantly in love. I need the next one!
cads2425's review against another edition
4.0
"The slow burn, vampire romance you didn't know you need" - oh please I was very aware I needed that
sumaiyaa3sbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
effy's review against another edition
5.0
Haruka is a purebred vampire and with that comes certain expectations in vampire society but he generally lives a life apart from other vampires. Nino is another purebred vampire whose experiences with the vampire aristocracy has left him reluctant to be around other vampires outside of the ones that come into his bar.
I went into this book knowing very little about this book since I saw it listed on a romantasy books recommendation list and was immediately drawn to it because queer and vampires – yes please! I think having very little expectations when it came to this book definitely made for a really enjoyable experience as everything I learnt was a joyful surprise.
The best way that I can describe this book is the world of vampires being “out” like True Blood meets the feeding habits of The Black Dagger Brotherhood with a good sprinkling of regency romance like Bridgerton with the slow-burning yearning and the society functions. This is a book that has a rich lore and is full of absolutely delicious mutual yearning. This is the kind of the book that has the reader kicking their feet like an excited kid because the romance is truly incredible. Oh, oh, oh, and vampire society is queer-normative!
Something that I think Nikole does an incredible job of doing is managing the anachronisms that vampire society exists within. When I first opened this book, it felt as though the story was taking place in maybe Victorian England, however a casual mention of Brexit squarely sets this book in the present day. The contrast between the feeling of the strict rules of society that is a hallmark of an earlier age with a book that is set firmly in the present does a great job of showing the reader that some vampires are set in their ways and the customs and traditions may at times feel out-dated.
I enjoyed that both of our male leads were BIPOC, however I think it is worth noting that the author of this book is not Japanese. Since Nikole is a Black woman, there are a few instances of micro- and macro aggressions within the book that feel as though they come from a place of genuine understanding of being othered for no other reason than the way they look. As a white person, it is not my place or ability to comment on whether I feel as though the representation within this book is good or not. Ultimately, I am going to have cultural blind spots but I did feel as though it was written from a place of love and respect. There was one scene that made me raise my eyebrows and that is when two characters have sex in an onsen; this onsen is completely private and is situated in the courtyard of their home however that feels as though it goes against the rules that usually accompany onsen.
I read the first 28% over the course of a few days and was thoroughly enjoying it but as soon as I picked it up on the next day, I simply could not put it down and read the final 72% in one go. This is a romantasy that is heavily focused on the romance aspect of the story however there is an intriguing fantastical conflict brewing under the surface that I am excited to explore in further books as well hopefully learning more about vampire lore.
As this is a slow-burn romance, expect a lot of hand brushes and yearning thoughts for the majority of this book but there are a few spicy scenes towards the end of the book which still maintain the deeply romantic and beautiful tone of this book.
The following passage in an extract which I think beautifully encapsulates the tone of this book:
He wants to tell [him] he feels the same way – that being with him… talking, laughing and researching with him feels like getting a gift on some special occasion. A birthday or a favorite holiday where plans have been made and anticipation bubbles warmly in your heart. But there are no plans. There are no gifts. It’s just [him]. He is all there is and nothing more is needed.
I am very excited to pick up the rest of the series and read more from Nikole in the future.
cierastorey's review against another edition
5.0
MY NEW FAVORITE SERIES OMG I CANT QUEER VAMPIRES???? YES PLEASE. Their relationship is so sweet and ugh I can’t
lauann717's review against another edition
4.0
Not me finding an actual good Kindle unlimited fantasy romance book 5 minutes after DNFing another KU fantasy romance book. Bye.
Four Words. Slow Burn Vampire Romance.
I haven't had a lot of luck with romance books (especially fantasy ones) but sometimes you find those rare exceptions and it just hits sooo good. This book knew what it was and wasn't ashamed and didn't have cringey characters or weird plots/worldbuilding (also there was a wonderful absence of rape-y scenes that I often find in fantasy romance. So yay!) This is the perfect low-stakes type of book to just sit and finish within a few hours on a rainy day (or if you're like me, during work).
I would also like to highlight that there was an entire chapter discussing research methods!! My little social science brain was jumping for joy and literally just highlighting the whole chapter. Find you a couple that will go out and do accurate field research and discuss sample sizes and the validity of their qualitative factors.
Four Words. Slow Burn Vampire Romance.
I haven't had a lot of luck with romance books (especially fantasy ones) but sometimes you find those rare exceptions and it just hits sooo good. This book knew what it was and wasn't ashamed and didn't have cringey characters or weird plots/worldbuilding (also there was a wonderful absence of rape-y scenes that I often find in fantasy romance. So yay!) This is the perfect low-stakes type of book to just sit and finish within a few hours on a rainy day (or if you're like me, during work).
I would also like to highlight that there was an entire chapter discussing research methods!! My little social science brain was jumping for joy and literally just highlighting the whole chapter. Find you a couple that will go out and do accurate field research and discuss sample sizes and the validity of their qualitative factors.
krisisten's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bookworm_panda's review against another edition
4.0
Lore and Lust is the debut book from this author, and overall I really enjoyed it!
This is a slow-burn vampire romance, and feels a bit like friends to lovers since it's such a slow burn between Haru and Nino. Haruka is a Japanese vampire who has sworn off bonds and romantic relationships after a bad past. Nino is an Italian vampire who has his own past trauma (I adore Nino, okay? Adore him.).
What starts as friendship with Nino helping Haruka turns into a lovely slow burn of a relationship, and I really enjoyed reading about them getting to know each other, becoming familiar and comfortable with each other, before it becoming more. I love that despite their histories they can come together and they just love each other for who they are. There is so much acceptance and consent, it's lovely.
While I really enjoyed the take on vampire lore, their history, the "rules," and world building, I also felt like this was maybe the one thing lacking for me a little bit - maybe there is more world building in the next book? The blurb does state, "exploration of cultures, contemporary society" and I don't know if, with two vampires being the very top of elite society, it really dived into the nitty gritty of these things for me. I would also be super interested to know how throuples/poly relationships work in the vampire world as far as bonded mates go.
Overall, I'm here for the romance, and I really loved Nino and Haru together. Definitely going to pick up the next book in this series - and can we take a second to appreciate the beauty of these covers?! Wow!
I really look forward to seeing how this author grows as her writing develops and continues to strengthen.
This is a slow-burn vampire romance, and feels a bit like friends to lovers since it's such a slow burn between Haru and Nino. Haruka is a Japanese vampire who has sworn off bonds and romantic relationships after a bad past. Nino is an Italian vampire who has his own past trauma (I adore Nino, okay? Adore him.).
What starts as friendship with Nino helping Haruka turns into a lovely slow burn of a relationship, and I really enjoyed reading about them getting to know each other, becoming familiar and comfortable with each other, before it becoming more. I love that despite their histories they can come together and they just love each other for who they are. There is so much acceptance and consent, it's lovely.
While I really enjoyed the take on vampire lore, their history, the "rules," and world building, I also felt like this was maybe the one thing lacking for me a little bit - maybe there is more world building in the next book? The blurb does state, "exploration of cultures, contemporary society" and I don't know if, with two vampires being the very top of elite society, it really dived into the nitty gritty of these things for me. I would also be super interested to know how throuples/poly relationships work in the vampire world as far as bonded mates go.
Overall, I'm here for the romance, and I really loved Nino and Haru together. Definitely going to pick up the next book in this series - and can we take a second to appreciate the beauty of these covers?! Wow!
I really look forward to seeing how this author grows as her writing develops and continues to strengthen.