Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC! I am very grateful and happy to explore everything this author will write in the future as well!

High school is meant for studying, socializing, and band practice, not fighting vampires, but one night changed everything for Raven. Despite the challenges, attending a slayer academy has its perks, such as learning about vampires and crafting weapons. However, everything changes when Raven encounters the vampire prince and realize there may be more to him than meets the eye. The threat of an ancient evil forces a vampire and a slayer to join forces, putting not just her revenge, but the world itself at stake.

I really enjoy the concept of this novel - black girl vampire slayer? Hell yes! We need more books like this in the world, please. However, the plot, characters and world building left this novel feeling lackluster at times. I did overall enjoy the novel, hence my 3 star review, I'm just not sure I'd continue with the series. I would still recommend this to others though, just so they can check it out and see if this is their kind of book.

The world building was confusing at some points and I found myself having to go back and reread certain parts to understand fully what was going on. The main character, Raven, was a bit annoying at times but other times I found myself liking her so it was a bit inconsistent. The love story was also a bit insta-love for me, which isn't exactly my cup of tea. and I didn't really feel the connection between the two.

I'd still recommend this book for others to check out if they want to read about a black girl vampire slayer. They may love it more than I did!

Thank you to Entangled Teen and Netgalley for and eARC of this novel. All thoughts and opinions contained within this review are my own.

When highschooler Raven loses her friends to a vampire attack, she finds out that she herself is a vampire slayer, and gets swept up into Slayer Society. Like lots of teenagers, Raven has a strong sense of justice, and is determined to seek vengeance for her lost friends. But she has a lot to learn.

I really enjoy the way that this YA novel truly felt like it was written for young people. Raven strikes me as a realistic high schooler, and through her actions and the way she speaks. I really enjoyed her personality, and the way she truly goes through a coming of age arc on the page. The magic system in this world, and the overall worldbuilding, also feels very strong! I love urban fantasy, and this really leaned into that genre, while still feeling unique. A really fun read overall!

I have a vast appetite for black vampire books, all the better when the MC gets to date a hot vampire prince who is also black. I loved seeing the MC go through her journey and grow confident in her ability to kick ass. This book delivered on many fronts and fell short on others. I grew frustrated with the pacing, and some of the trust that was put into the MC by her superiors felt unwarranted for the circumstances they were put in. Most of all, I wish that this book was pushed into the New Adult category. The book began with a super cinematic, Drumline-esque performance by her High School marching band (I've never read anything like it, I was so entranced) but after that, the issues she faced felt like they could have just as easily applied to a college student or recent graduate. And if we were going to include underage drinking and sex in the plot, I feel like we should just take it to the New Adult. Overall, it was a cool read, and I hope to see more from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of Sign of the Slayer by Sharina Harris

Very nostalgic read for me as gave me that Buffy feeling!

I enjoyed the voice of the MC, and the story as a whole was its own thing, even though we've seen vampires done so many times before.

Pretty good! I enjoyed it. Nice take on the vampire slayer scenario. I liked the heroine and the vampire prince. They did well together. Kinda gave me a buffy and angel vibe and I was here for it. Definitely want to read more by this author.

Quick Summary: A slayer adventure with attitude and spunk

My Review: Sign of the Slayer by Sharina Harris is an insanely thrilling paranormal novel. It features a fierce new slayer warrior by the name of Raven.

About the Book: A teenager with a history of “anger issues,” a love for high school band, and an atypical upbringing is blown away by her upgraded status in her new world experience. Vampires, monsters, and slayers, oh my! And did I forget to mention an unlikely tag team, fated mate situation?

My Final Say: Why is this not a Netflix series right now?! This book hit so hard, out of the gate. I loved the premise, the excitement, the plot twists, the characters, the word play…it was all good.

Other: I loved the shout outs and hidden praise, related to HBCUs. (You know!) I also jived with the band life vibe. (Much respect “til the day I die.” Don’t worry about it; my fellow band geeks get that reference. 🙌)

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: T
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Status/Level: ✨

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Teen), and to NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to review this brilliant title. I look forward to reading more from this writer.

Sign of the Slayer was fun! It was an easy read, well written and catchy. It was also nostalgic for all of us who grew up watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sign of the Slayer was definitely it's own story but it was fun to be brought back to the heyday of vampire culture.

As a Buffy fan, this one did not live up to the hap. I think it's because a lot times when something has vampires in this generation atomically compares it to buffy because of the vampires. With out actually knowing what Buffy was about. And it end up being nothing like Buffy.

DNF at 61%
I felt like it dragged in places. I just lost interest at the time but plan on picking up where I left off again

Amazing debut. Reminds me of L. A. Banks' Vampire Huntress Legends. Sharina crafts a story that is engaging and well plotted. This is unique in the fact that the voice is one that is not often heard in this genre. I'm interested to see what happens in book two.

Sign of the Slayer is a sunning novel by Sharina Harris. The rowel building was pretty solid and the characters quite interesting. I hope to be able to read ore from this author as this book was really fun to read. I definitely recommend!

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. When I first saw the cover I almost passed it by thinking it was another book in the Buffyverse. I gave off Buffy vibes but the worldbuilding and Raven had me glad that I did not judge a book by the cover otherwise I would not have read this wonderful book. Raven has a lot of attitude and discovers things about herself she did not know was there. She is thrown into the Slayer Society because she is a slayer and she discovers this after her bus on the way back from a football game is attacked. Then there is Khamari. He changes her mind on a few things. I enjoyed this much more than I first thought that I would.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this arc. This story reminded me a lot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The main character is funny and witty.

Felt it was a mix of some hyped books and I'm ok with that. Had fun reading it. Loved the setting and the writing. Would have loved it if had a faster pace. But that's personal... I think I'm into fast pace books now cause I don't have much time to read.

Will recommend to those who want Vampire Academy vibes.

Thank you to Hear Our Voices Tours and the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions contained within are my own.

As we enter the time for cooler temperatures and pumpkin everything, I always get in the mood for spooky reads. So, when I saw the tour sign up for Sign of the Slayer, a YA paranormal romance feature vampires and the slayers who fall for them, I jumped on board! I’m glad I did because this book turned out to be a rollercoaster ride of both action and emotions. Buckle up while I share my review and some of my favorite quotes!

Sign of the Slayer follows a young woman named Raven. She’s a band geek with a haunted past and is just trying to navigate life. That’s until the night her band’s bus is attacked and everyone but Raven is brutally murdered by vampires. She quickly learns that not only are the supernatural bloodsuckers real, but that she is a vampire slayer. Whisked away from the life she knew and the people she loved, life only gets more complicated when the mysterious Khamari, a vampire prince, enters her life.

“I cannot read your mind. No, I cannot see your memories, but I see your soul. One foot in the human world, and the other in the vampire.”

Now I may have mentioned before that I’m not the biggest fan of vampire fiction, but, recently I’ve found myself more open to books featuring the fanged fiends. I’m glad I gave this one a shot because learning about the vampire world, its politics and magic, was one of the most fascinating aspects of the novel! And the other side of that coin is equally enthralling. Harris does an excellent job of fleshing out this world and taking the reader for a ride they won’t soon forget.

“Yet you’re here. You and your… friends. The people who come here are looking for danger. They’re looking to get burned.”

“What about you?”

I swallow, looking straight in her eyes.

“Right now, I’m burning.”

And, if you’re looking for the “romance” part of “paranormal romance”, this book will deliver. I will say, it was a little insta-lovey on both sides, not one of my favorite tropes, but I still found myself rooting for Raven and Khamari. The romance tends to take a backseat to the action, which was fine for me, but he has enough of a presence to really capture your heart. I just want them to be happppyyyy!

“Of course the chosen one is a mediocre white man.”

I have to say, though, I think my favorite aspect of this book is none other than our main character, Raven. She’s sarcastic to a fault and I love every bit of it! I love her snarkiness, her drive, and her brains. She’s the whole package though there were a few moments when I couldn’t help but think “Girl, what is you doin…” Hey, she’d be kind of boring if she was perfect, right?

Overall, this was an excellent read that had me on the edge of my seat! Though I feel it may have been a touch longer than it needed to be, I still enjoyed my experience. I look forward to reading more from this author!

"I cannot read your mind. No, I cannot see your memories, but I see your soul. One foot in the human world, and the other in the vampire."

TW: violence, blood, death, injuries/wounds, and alcohol use

Band geeks, Vampires, Vampire slayers, enemies to lovers romance, sexy princes, badass characters, action packed, dual points of view (Raven and Khamari) and Paranormal vampire Romance.

This story follows Raven who is in a member of her high school band. Raven's band bus is attacked by Vampires after coming home from a football game. This night Raven realizes that she has strength and power that she never knew she had. Also this is the night her world as she thought she knew it changes forever. She is thrusted into the world of training to be a vampire slayer. Raven is hot-headed, impatient, and roiling with anger at the deaths of her loved ones. She's trying to adjust to her new life in the American slayer society. I love the banter between Raven and Kharami. I wished their relationship progressed more. I really enjoyed the world building.

The author is trying so hard to be relevant and feminist that she forgot craft an interesting plot or any characters that I don't want to stake through the heart immediately.

Calling all Buffy the Vampire Slayer devotees and YA vampire aficionados! If you're all about thrilling action, nostalgic vibes, and a sprinkle of '90s/00s nostalgia, this book is your new obsession. It's tailor-made for the YA crowd, oozing with old-school vibes and references that'll have fellow readers from our generation grinning from ear to ear.

I dont usually enjoy books geared toward YA - this one felt VERY gen Z, but i enjoyed it nevertheless.

Sign of the Slayer is for the Buffy, Vampire Diaries, and Full Metal Alchemist teenagers out there. This is <b>not</b> an adult, and going in looking for spice only to tank the review not finding it is not it. This is a YA, with modern slang to help bridge that gap to urban fantasy and make it more accessible to anyone that might pick it up off the shelf. The magic system is easily accessible and not too complicated.

While Sign of the Slayer took a bit to find its feet, the action soon kicks in and the story takes hold. The main FMC feels like she embraces the essence of being the role model that Buffy was for Millennials and the story brings so many references and humor from pop culture that might not land with young audiences, but were a thrill for me, an adult geek. Raven wants nothing more than revenge and vengeance against vampires, but finds herself in an enemies to lovers romance.

Though I annotate and was able to flip back and forth, I think that a terms index would have been incredibly helpful for those that don't. The slayers and vampires each have their own terms, and I would find myself a little lost on what words meant if it wasn't something familiar from general vampire lore.

I am excited for book two, as a lot of questions weren't answered in this one.