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.