I had higher expectations for this one...

In the first half of this book, we follow our vampire fmc as she flees Europe and enters 1800's Buenos Aires. We get to understand her back story and what has led her to her final actions. Fast forward to part two, we follow a modern woman that is currently navigating life with her mother that is slowly dying. As you read more of part two, you get to understand how these two woman are connected.

I loved the concept. I wanted to love the first half but something just felt off. As for the second half, I really liked that part more than the first. Which was expected because I loved the prologue, and the prologue is told in the same POV as the second half. Her writing just showed more in the second bit for me. The writing just completely shifted and I loved it (I mean it is another POV). I absolutely loved the talk about death and grief (once again, in the second half) and I feel that it just ended beautifully. I just didn't like that you have to wait until the ending for the build up (writing-wise).

Themes: Vampire, Dual POV, Latine Author, Grief, Gothic LitFic

From the publisher:
Across two different time periods, two women confront fear, loneliness, mortality, and a haunting yearning that will not let them rest. A breakout, genre-blurring novel from one of the most exciting new voices of Latin America’s feminist Gothic.

It is the twilight of Europe’s bloody bacchanals, of murder and feasting without end. In the nineteenth century, a vampire arrives from Europe to the coast of Buenos Aires and, for the second time in her life, watches as villages transform into a cosmopolitan city, one that will soon be ravaged by yellow fever. She must adapt, intermingle with humans, and be discreet.

In present-day Buenos Aires, a woman finds herself at an impasse as she grapples with her mother's terminal illness and her own relationship with motherhood. When she first encounters the vampire in a cemetery, something ignites within the two women—and they cross a threshold from which there’s no turning back.

With echoes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and written in the vein of feminist Gothic writers like Shirley Jackson, Daphne du Maurier, and Carmen Maria Machado, Thirst plays with the boundaries of genre while exploring the limits of female agency, the consuming power of desire, and the fragile vitality of even the most immortal of creatures.

My Thoughts: The first half of the book is the story of the vampire as she remembers it. She is very animalistic in her hunting and consumption. There is nothing really romantic about her at this point even though she has a dalliance with a young man.

The second half of the book takes place in current times. It's told from a young mother's point of view from before she attracts the vampire's attention to the end. Again there seemed to be little romance.Still, they are drawn to each other for whatever reason. Perhaps loneliness is the biggest motivator. I had trouble understanding the decision of the modern woman at the end though there was foreshadowing.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. The prose is lush and descriptive, at times dreamlike. I think the translator did a great job. The theme of death is carried throughout. It's interesting to see the different deaths and the results. If you enjoy vampire stories this makes a good read. Just don't expect a romantic view of vampires.

Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk was published March 5th, 2024 by Dutton.

i received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

A modern horror story translated from the original Spanish, Thirst follows two women as they collide in supernatural ways. I often enjoy historical fiction set in Latin America, and came to this excited for the queer relationship. I think this book came to me at the wrong time, or when I was in the wrong frame of mind, though, as I didn't enjoy it the away I expected. It may be my own fault, having previously read Silvia Moreno Garcia's novels and expecting this to be as accessible and fun. This is likely a good fit for true horror fans, which I am not.

Title: Thirst
Author: Marlina Yuszczuk @marinayuszczuk
Summary: It is the twilight of Europe’s bloody bacchanals, of murder and feasting without end. In the nineteenth century, a vampire arrives from Europe to the coast of Buenos Aires and, for the second time in her life, watches as villages transform into a cosmopolitan city, one that will soon be ravaged by yellow fever. She must adapt, intermingle with humans, and be discreet.
In present-day Buenos Aires, a woman finds herself at an impasse as she grapples with her mother's terminal illness and her own relationship with motherhood. When she first encounters the vampire in a cemetery, something ignites within the two women—and they cross a threshold from which there’s no turning back.
With echoes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and written in the vein of feminist Gothic writers like Shirley Jackson, Daphne du Maurier, and Carmen Maria Machado, Thirst plays with the boundaries of genre while exploring the limits of female agency, the consuming power of desire, and the fragile vitality of even the most immortal of creatures.
Review: This is an electrifying novel that seamlessly weaves together the allure of vampire mythology with a gripping tale of desire and humanity. Yuzsczuk's exquisite prose and masterful storytelling bring to life a world where the supernatural intersects with the depths of human emotion. As the vampire protagonist navigates their insatiable thirst for blood and the complexities of immortal existence, readers are drawn into a captivating exploration of longing, love, and the blurred lines between darkness and light. Each character is intricately crafted, adding layers of intrigue to a plot filled with unexpected twists and heart-pounding suspense. "Thirst" is a literary tour de force that will leave you thirsting for more. (I just couldn’t help that one 🙂) Highly recommended for fans of vampire fiction and those craving a truly unforgettable reading experience. Copy provided by @netgalley in exchange for an honest review. @duttonbooks #Thirst #NetGalley #LGBTQIA #vampires #fiction #queer #booksbooksbooks #queerbookstagram

The first half of this novel was excellent, I loved reading from the point of view of the vampire. Thirst is another great queer vampire novel!

[1.5 Stars]

sorry but this was so dull.
For something pitched as a sapphic vampire love story, there was literally no romance. I wish the characters' backstories had been more interwoven and their interactions had been deeper before the "shocking" ending.
And honestly, this was more of a meditation on human grief than vampirism or relationships.

This book is described as a Sapphic literary vampire novel and I definitely felt that in the first half of the novel. The book is split into 2 different time periods following 2 different main characters which eventually will blend together near the end. The first half of the book I enjoyed the best, the carnal vampire fiction and the character I just enjoyed a lot more, it gave a bit more of what I was looking for and expecting in this novel.

The 2nd half of the book felt a little misplaced, choppy and rushed. It took a bit to get into and then I was going with the flow, until the story blends together. There didn't seem to be any thought or reason as to why the actions were taking place, and I felt like it was really out of character for our vampire.

Overall though I did enjoy this book, and I just wished I had more of the first half, or a novel just more about her back then. It would of been fun to watch her adapt to growing society and how to manage and stay hidden.

This book was *chefs kiss* amazing! Just brilliant! Pure excellence! Just amazing. Will be recommending.

Not usually the genre I’d go for but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it! Definitely recommend for those looking for a scintillating read

Sapphic vampire stories are so underrated and this was gorgeous !
loved the writing so much .
Thank you for the eArc .

(Actual: 3.5⭐) As a lover of translated literature, I was super excited for this book and am grateful to NG and the publisher for the opportunity! This book has all the tells and vibes of a great story in the making: the use of the "sliding doors" trope/writing mechanism; a lush atmospheric historical gothic backdrop in terms of setting; vampires, and sapphic ones at that (+ romance!); and a fair amount of unsettling/horror-forward moments that did succeed in pulling a reaction out of me. That said, while I enjoyed the book well enough for all the aforementioned reasons I listed and then some, I also had a bit of a hard time connecting with the characters and story as a whole. I think the first half of the book is stronger than its back half, the latter of which seemed to lose its steam and meander a bit. I'd still recommend this book out to others though for it's unique style and plot!

The first half of this book was an easy 5 star plus read for me, but it lost me a little in the second half. The last 25% was a struggle to finish. However, I loved the beginning so much that I’ll be happy to give the author another chance. She’s an amazing writer.

The writing style was exquisite! Split into two timelines of the nineteenth century and present day you follow the two fmc, one a vampire and one a human. I absolutely loved the vampire pov and the first half of the book set in the nineteenth century. It was engaging and intriguing. The present day half was still good however it lacked the same oomph and wasn't as tantalizing. The whole thing seemed more "realistic" as far as vampires go. Lonesome, hiding, lustful, gruesome and a certain type of thinking.

Would recommend.

Sadly I really struggled to get this into this book. The premise is exactly what I’d love to read but the writing felt flat and the pace was so slow that it couldn’t keep my interest.

"Thirst" by Marina Yuszczuk is a haunting, visceral journey that blends the Gothic with the deeply personal, exploring the nature of transformation and desire. This novel, rich in queer representation and lush, lyrical prose, deftly navigates themes of fear, loneliness, and mortality through two intertwined stories set in different periods.

In the nineteenth century, a vampire arrives in Buenos Aires, witnessing the city's evolution while grappling with her need for discretion amidst the chaos of yellow fever. In the present day, a woman faces her mother's terminal illness and her ambivalence towards motherhood. Their paths cross in a cemetery, igniting a connection that blurs the lines between life and death.

Yuszczuk's narrative is a slow burn, focusing not so much on overt sapphic elements but rather on the intense, often "unseriously horny" journey of becoming. The protagonist's struggle with her bloodthirst and nocturnal existence adds complexity to her character, making her both relatable and otherworldly.

The dual-time period structure enhances the novel's depth, with each era shedding light on the other. Yuszczuk's writing is reminiscent of feminist Gothic greats like Shirley Jackson and Daphne du Maurier, echoing Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein." Her exploration of female agency and desire's consuming power is compelling and unsettling.

One poignant quote encapsulates the novel’s existential dread: "Finding balance is impossible, though. We're all standing at death's door; someone has to be next in line." This reflects the constant tension between life and death, human and monster that permeates "Thirst."

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review it.

This title was too unbalanced for me. The first part was slow but intriguing enough to keep me reading, but when the POV changed I really lost interest. The contemporary character was not interesting enough to follow through to the end. I wanted to see what had happened to the character from the first half so I finished the (mercifully short) book.

This book was probably written just for me, because it was everything I've ever looked for. I'm so late in posting this review, so if you're looking at these reviews to decide whether or not to read, please take my advice and READ IT! You won't be disappointed.

I wanted to read gothic vampire story with a strong female character. What I did not want to read, especially on a Mother's Day, was matricide... while leaving a son behind... to follow a vampire into a crypt.... without knowing what exactly would happen to you... hoping that you'll come back to that son one day...

A vampire from back in the day managed to run away from dead's death in central Europe and found her way to Argentina. She was walking the streets of Buenos Aires and sampling blood from many clueless folks. When epidemic hit Argentina, she thought her carnage would be better hidden. However, a guy who understood what exactly she was changed everything: he was smart, he knew how to corner her and get her demands. He made sure her photo was taken and she could no longer hide. But our girl was smarter: she hid herself in a crypt and made a deal with the groundkeeper. No one will open this crypt... forever...

Until this other woman showed up. Her mother, who was really sick, handed over a package and a key to her. Not understanding what it meant, the woman started a research expedition. She knew she shouldn't have anything to do with this crypt the documents led her to, but something was calling her name. When she opened the door to the crypt, she wasn't only going to let a monster out but also was going to turn herself into something much more evil

THIRST is a modern Gothic horror novel set between mid-nineteenth century and present-day Buenos Aires, primarily following a vampire named ALMA aka "MARIA". Alma exists on the fringes of society, a spectral figure residing within the Cementerio del Norte. Driven by her thirst for blood, Alma drains her victims in eroticized bursts of violence amidst a severe malaria epidemic. When one of her erstwhile victims forcibly takes her picture after she murders his brother, she will stop at nothing to retrieve the photograph, as if chasing for a measure of her essence which was been stripped away. Many generations will pass before Alma comes into contact with a woman grappling with grief over her mother's terminal illness. Their shared journey encompasses a reckoning with mortality.

I enjoyed the narrative, particularly during the first half of the novel set in the nineteenth century. Alma's journey is cut short as she goes to ground, evading pursuit for the string of vampiric murders she has left in her wake. This propulsive first half clears the stage for a soporific second half. Alma, a character who is largely concerned with self-preservation at any cost, becomes a maudlin and subdued presence upon reawakening. The epic sprawl encompassed by Alma's backstory outweighs the quieter, more personal end to her journey. Overall, I enjoyed the narrative style and I found the story engaging -- though the ending left me wanting more.

~ ARC provided by NetGalley ~

The cover art immediately caught my eye, and I requested based on the cover alone; however, what got me really reading was hearing that it was a sapphic vampire literary fiction. "Thirst" tells the story of a centuries-old vampire moving through Europe and modern day Brazil. It's broken up into two parts--the first being told from the vampire's perspective and the second being told by a modern-day woman in Buenos Aires. I really loved the kind of distanced feel of the first part. Time moves rapidly, because of the agelessness of the vampire, so the jump to modern time can be jarring. However, I think that the story as a whole has a lot of interesting things to say about death and desire. I really appreciated the work as a whole, but because I would have preferred staying in one perspective instead of two, I am going to give this three stars.