I listened to the audio arc of this book and it was a quick listen. I finished listening to this all in one sitting and was very engrossed. It was a unique take on classic vampires, but in this story, they're turned back into mortals and have to face the nightmare of going to high school.
Charlie and her brother, Reg, have been vampires for a long time, but after they make a mistake, they're punished by being turned back into mortals and sent to live in a place called Nowhere, Iowa. They both begin to find friends and enjoy some of what being human brings with being in the sunlight and tasting food. But even though they find themselves enjoying some of the experience of being human, they don't forget their former life as a vampire and still want to return to being vampires again. They try to get someone to help them to appeal the decision and talk with the Elders to get them to give them another chance at being vampires again. When they finally get the chance to. speak with the Elders, the Elders are willing to give them another chance at being immortal again if Charlie and Reg agree to some terms, which will only involve a betrayal of their new friends and the new town they've started to grow attached to as well. The ending is some of what I expected, but it also was a bit different.
If you like paranormal stories, vampires, and such then you'll love this one. It's a great listen. I can't comment as to the narrator as it was a voice galley. Make sure to put this one on your list, get it, listen to it and read it when it comes out this next week.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harper Audio for letting me listen and review this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I'm giving this one 3.5 stars because I enjoyed it as a whole but I'm not sure about parts of it.
It was not what I was expecting. It kept throwing curve balls at me from beginning to end that made me go from liking it to disliking. Even the author didn't seem sure at times if they were writing a serious story about the importance of living life versus an immortal life or a somewhat vapid teenage story. Events happen fast and furious when it matters but take forever to get to those points.
I guess it didn't help that I never made up my mind about how I felt about Charlie. I get that the point is that she's stuck as a teenager for 100 years and thus didn't mature properly, but it makes her unlikeable. She does have a redemption arc that leads to an unexpected ending, but it's kind of hard to really get into a story when you don't particularly care about the person telling you the story.
In the end, I think this one ended up being too much flash and not enough bang for me. I do however see some good points in it and would suggest it to someone looking for a light and witty story about teenage vampires.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the refreshing read!

I love all things vampire, but I have to admit that sometimes YA for *me* just feels a little too YA. Sadly this book falls into that category. I will for sure rec it to people and I'm glad that I had to chance to listen to it, since it always helps me as a bookseller to find it's audience. This one would be for the younger end of the YA readers I think. I also think that while it was great as an audiobook this one might hit better for me as an actual book. Def fun and I'm always happy to have more vampires on the shelves.

As an avid reader of vampire books this one intrigued me since it wasn’t something that I usually read. It was a vampire coming of age story like no other. I never thought I would read a book where vampires could be changed into mortal even as a punishment. The greatest nightmare for any vampire is high school but I couldn’t imagine being a vampire turned mortal that is then forced to go to school especially after a century of immortality. I thought hormone shock is difficult for regular teens but this would be a cultural and personal shock. The siblings have the chance to become immortal again but at the sacrifice of their new friendships. This book while to me was a slow burn of a story was still light hearted and interesting. The end with the idea of what true immortality could be really got me in the feels especially for someone obsessed with vampires. The chapters were short even in audiobook form. Overall a good read, I might be a wee bit out of the demographic reading age but would be a book that I would recommend for a teen looking to read a vampire book that’s more suited to them. I could have done without the references to them being old but I suppose at that age we all thought anyone over 30 was old. There is an action scene that drew me back in at the end and it wrapped up with the potential of a series. This was a fresh vampire book to me and I really quite enjoyed.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

First off, I love this cover.

Take this review from someone who isn’t a big fan of fantasy or sci-fi novel. I enjoyed this book a lot and I think that comes from the contemporary setting and premise. It was entertaining to see them adjust to human things like acne and high school.

I loved the sibling banter between Charlie and Reg. Their characters were very opposite from Charlie’s superiority complex and Reg’s more refined and classy personality. And with that, it was fun and thought-provoking to see them discuss and debate immortality versus mortality. I would’ve liked glimpses of the lives prior to turning, but I think the point of not having much information adds to debate on both ends.

I won’t be mad if this was a series, especially with Reg’s ending (no spoilers). I’d love to read more with potentially werewolves and other beings from Lange!

I really wanted to enjoy this. I love vampires and this had such a strong and fun premise but there was just no follow through. I was so bored the whole time. I wanted the book to be over from the jump. There was just nothing unique here.
If you want a fun vampire book check out Youngblood or House of Night because this just sadly isn't it.

I don't read a lot of vampire books but this one looks funny, so I thought I'd give it a chance.

But sadly, this one just wasn't for me. I found the MC's insuferably annoying. I couldn't get over the fact that they were "so old" because they were vampires, and yet there were so many basic things in life they just didn't understand. I thought a couple of spots were cute but overall, I just couldn't connect and enjoy the story. I wish I'd loved it. Just not for me.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Usually teen vampire books are about characters who want to become a vampire to be with their crush, but this flips that and centers around two vampire siblings who are changed back to mortals. It was a fun change and made me laugh when the main characters thought they were so above "mortals" and their ways, but then they slowly fell into the same thoughts as time went on.

I enjoyed watching Charlie and Reg learn how to be modern teenagers and navigate high school. Charlie is a bit mean, but she feels adrift and has a hard time when Reg seems to fit in so easily. I liked the sibling's romances and thought they were cute without being too much or overwhelming the story. I also thought Sal, the vampire hunter who takes them in, was pretty funny and had some good life lessons to impart.

The ending did not go the way I thought and I was a little disappointed. It wasn't a bad ending, just seemed a bit strange based on the character's previous actions and thoughts. It works well as a standalone, but I would definitely read a sequel with more of Charlie and Reg.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. Thank you to Harper Audio and NetGalley for the copy.

Are you looking for a teenage vampire coming of age story turned on its head? Look no further than Erin Jade Lange's Mere Mortals. This is a YA story about what happens when a perpetual teenage vampire who is over a century years old turns into a human again. Needless to say it is a slight adjustment.

Charlie and Reggie are exactly what you expect from people who have lived hundreds of years around the world. One is super cultured with an expansive education that has a hard time fitting in with modern society (Edward Cullen), while the other feels superior to the human race and wishes to be turned again (Rosalie). However what is unique about this story is that it doesn't take itself too serious in the vampire lore. Ironically as I compare it to Twilight, it too compares itself to the pop culture phenomenon and acknowledges its differences.

I liked the little bit of lore we received but wish we would have explored more. Although I know the story was less about the blood, bone, starlight and elder crews, I would have liked to have gained a little bit more insight to the creative world that Erin created. I also liked learning about the ancient ones and wonder if there are more out there. Also I found the healing powers and their origin unique.

Special thanks to NetGalley for allowing early access to Mere Mortals in exchange for a fair review.

After making a terrible mistake, two “young” vampires go from mortal to immortal. As a part of their punishment, they are banished for acting out to a town called ‘Nowhere’ to live with a former vampire slayer and learn to live as humans again.

Here’s what you can expect from Mere Mortals:

• YA storytelling
• Coming of age-esque storyline as the two vampires mature as humans
• Fun twist on the typical vampire trope
• Clean romance
• Great character development
• Medium paced

Overall, I really liked the book. It’s unlike anything else I’ve read before. Although the middle of the book was a bit slower in pace, I really enjoyed the ending, and appreciated the growth of the characters.

**thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Audio for an audiobook version of Mere Mortals to listen to in advance in exchange for my honest review**

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for an audiobook version of this book to listen to in advance in exchange for an honest review.

A fun YA vampiric story about 2 "young" vampires who break the rules and are forced to live again. A fun story to listen/read about these vampires as they learn how to act like humans again and a surprising but fulfilling ending.
Recommended for fans of alternative vampire stories, YA , Fantasy and feel good stories with fashion sense.
This audio was a quick listen which I enjoyed over a weekend, it moved along and didn't drag on into some teen love affair.
A new kind of modern vampire story!

I take my vampire lit very seriously. That said, I read a lot of it. I also write vampire fiction so I want to start by saying writing a book can be long and difficult. I understand the journey, and the excitement of completing a novel.

However, I have only been able to make it through a few chapters so far. By Chapter 3, we still don't know why Charlie and Reg are in trouble.

Are there other vampires in their world other than their elders? Friends? Family? Where are they? Is it an island in the U.K.? Somewhere cold or maybe tropical? There is no setting given other than a white picket fence. Is there a town nearby? Will they see other humans? Are the vampires done with them forever? Can they appeal?

Some backstory and description could have carried the story a bit more. The repeated text ("throat") is annoying. I think the word was used three times just in the first chapter and for two characters. It adds nothing to the atmosphere or dialogue and just kind of falls to trope-like the constant use of wands for wizards.

Also, why is throat clearing not needed for their kind? A simple line about not producing phlegm might help. And why does Charlie keep feeling sensations only in her throat?

Why would a hunter oversee two vampires? What vampire council would agree to that? Were they afraid of these two? Are they still technically vampires and he might have to end them? Did they need someone neutral?

The story sounds like someone got the elevator pitch for a concept and ran with it. By Chapter 4, I still didn't really care about the characters and couldn't envision the location.

For example, is it a small white cottage? Are there lots of windows? Is the additional tolerance to sunlight nice? Is there ocean nearby? What will be their view every morning? Does a two-lane road run along the property? Have they seen any cars or neighbors yet? Did they arrive at night? How did they get there? Were they "snapped" or "bounced" there? Did they "jump" there? Fly? Drive? Was it an immediate sentencing? Will life before be described?

With the quality of dialogue, this story needed more hook than it had.

Is Reg able to stuff his face because he is already mortal? Are they being fed because they are in a type of prison and have to be provided for? What basics will they receive?

Did they commit a human crime? It sounds like they possibly betrayed, plotted against, or killed another vampire for it to be that severe. Does that vampire get to be there if alive? Are they dead? Did they feed illegally on someone?

The writing style is not an easy read. It doesn't really flow. I have read light vampire romance novels and pulp fiction, but this has a lot of plot holes.

I asked someone else to listen so I will add their perspective just in case I was the wrong demographic.

Update: I asked someone (male) to listen to the first chapter. Their quick review was that it sounded like the vampire gaming equivalent of RPG short-fiction for a story players were already playing and knew backstory for. He would have given it 2 1/2-stars. Since I would give it a 1-star rating, I combined the ratings and gave it 2-stars.

I have to say it was a fun YA fantasy, and a new take on the vampire tropes. The middle was a bit slow, however I really liked the book and it is worth the read overall.

We are following two young vampires who have made a dreadful mistake which causes them to suffer the ultimate punishment of being forced into mortality again. They will be forced to be human. Thrown back into humanity again after a thousand years, in a small town, with a strange guardian. They immediately begin to appeal their case, while trying to fit in. Learning things that they never knew, about their history, their guardian, the town, and themselves.

This is a really cool take on the vampire trope in that when vampires "act out" they can be turned back again. I really liked that. This being YA, and set in high school, there are definitely some of the young kid moments so if that isn't your 'cup of tea' per say, then it wouldn't be for you. I did enjoy the antics. The middle stretched a bit much for me, but the end was very satisfying.

3.5/3.75 out 5 Stars

Mere Mortals is an interesting and refreshing take on the classic Vampire story. I was looking forward to reading a YA story that wasn't about newly turned vampires and one that has main characters who were centuries old. Mere Mortals tells the story of the siblings, Charlie and Reg, who were turned back into mortals as punishment for an unforgivable act. The lore and storyline were intriguing and I did enjoy it. However, the main character is probably my least favorite element in the story which is unfortunate since the story is told from her perspective. There were also some holes in the lore which made the development of the characters or lack thereof a bit frustrating. Still, I know there are a lot of younger readers who might enjoy this book and I'm glad I read it if only for Sal and Lina's story.

This was a fun teen journey of do gooder teen vamps

Two teen vamps are being punished 'quite unfairly' according to them
It must be because the other vampires are jealous and they are young

Thrown into mortal life
need to prove that they should be changed back to vampires
But will love with humans change their minds

Cute story and a different take on the Vampire YA genre. 100+ year old teenage vampire siblings are turned back into mortals by the elders as a punishment but retain all their vampire memories. Now, they are forced to relearn what it means to be mortal again, all while navigating high school again. I enjoyed reading this story and I feel like it does fill a hole in the Vampire genre that many fans will enjoy reading.

This book was fine. Nothing wrong with it at all. It fills that vampire niche that is fun and many teens are looking for. It was not extraordinary or a must read but if you have a student who is looking for a fun vampire book, this is it.

I really liked the story of Charlie and Reg when they have been turned mortal after a century as vampires. Learning to live as humans and have emotion is a struggle at first but they quickly fall in love with those around them. I really liked the character development that was shown in the novel.

So funny! Vampires turned to mere mortals teens stuck in the middle of nowhere to go back to high school! Well-developed characters, fantastic plot and turns! Read this and let the funny begin!

When I was working on my undergrad, I had to take a philosophy class for my major. Every time I offered an insight in class, my professor would say, “That’s a good start, but go deeper.” I felt like saying the same thing as I read Mere Mortals.

I understood I was reading a paranormal story geared for teens, but for some reason I was expecting more than I got. More conflict between the former vampires and their new mortal world. More struggles with trying to fit in. More battles with their former vampire peers. More of everything. Instead, two-thirds of the book was mostly just a teen romance with an angry, angsty yet popular former vampire playing the leading role. It was entertaining, but not as great as it could have been.

That being said, I know several teens who will enjoy the story just as it is. Also, others will probably not expect as much as I did and be thoroughly satisfied.

Thanks NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#MereMortals #NetGalley