Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

I love the cover and anything that has to do with vampires. While in this universe they are called “reapers” it is pretty much the same thing. I also love a good slow burn friends to enemies to lovers. This book was a lot bigger than I thought it would be but it was still very easy to get through.

The background of Harlem during the roaring 20s was a cool concept. You get race politics as well as politics between Reapers and Humans. We also see the wealthy families be able to bring in alcohol and use the gangsters in the city during Prohibition. Elise Saint comes from one of the most well off families in the city whose major operation is getting rid of Reapers. Layla is Elise’s childhood best friend who lost her family and her humanity one night at the hands of the Saint family.

Sterling was my favorite character (biracial bonding) until near the end of the book because what was that? I really hope he comes to his senses in the 2nd book. I also didn’t expect to like Jamie as much as I did from his intro but I started having a soft spot for him. He is obviously a really sweet guy who’s just a bit prickly.

The romance was slooooow but obvious from the beginning. Seeing them dance around each other was maddening but worth it for the finale. I really want to see more of them in the next book. I also want to see more of Elise’s sister and mother because there’s so many questions that need to be answered with them as well as her Father. What could come next is a mystery that I’m excited to see unfold!

DNF at 44%. The 3-star rating reflects my reading experience up till the point I DNF'd. Had a great premise, but the writing wasn't for me!

There's a lot going on in this book- systemic racism, vampires, love.. it's just way too much. And it was still slow!

The world building was not detailed enough. The investigation was boring, and the girls' pasts with each other was built up with only a little pay off. Setting a fantasy romance during in 1920's Harlem is just too big of a task to take on. I didn't care for Layla or Elise somehow. It felt repetitive. And it felt like a chore to read.

Unfortunately, this book was not my favorite - the premise is really fantastic but Elise was not my favorite main character - she was weak which is fine however she would do anything for her father and the family "business" but he berates her every time she talks to him - she rarely stands up for herself and ultimately it was frustrating.

I will say I did like Layla a lot - she is a reaper (vampire) who is more morally grey and could be seen in some regards as one of the villains of this story however her story arc was much more enjoyable than Elise's.

The romance was nothing special - it was promoted as enemies to lovers which it was in some regard but they didn't stay enemies for long. This could be because of their shared past but based on how it is described they should hate each other more than just sarcastic digs.

I will read book 2 however because I really need to see the Saint Patriach taken down - he was awful and I need Elise to fight back against him more than she did in this book

3.5 ⭐️

I was so excited to read this book, set during the Roaring 20’s right after The Great War. It’s a lesbian, vampire romance between a reaper (aka a vampire) and a reaper hunter whose family has become rich on the empire of hunting. They were childhood friends, who became enemies when Layla became a reaper. And one thing I did absolutely love about this book was these two and their interactions. There was so much tension, hatred, longing, and sadness between Layla and Elsie as they were pared together to solve a murder.

What I struggled with was the pacing, to me, it just couldn’t keep and hold my attention. When I wasn’t reading this book, I wasn’t dying to pick it up. That is something I judge my books by, and while it’s subjective so is a rating. On another point though, the prologue was phenomenal and was written perfectly to make me want to read a book from the first page!

If you’re looking for vampire/vampire hunter lesbian romance, go check out this book!

Thank you for NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. This book wasn't terrible, but it was rather boring. The premise was promising—childhood friends turned enemies, with one as a vampire reaper and the other as an heiress protecting humans, coming together to solve a murder mystery. Unfortunately, the execution was lacking.

The plot barely felt like a mystery; the investigation dragged on with little urgency. The characters, Elise and Layla, were ineffective and seemed indifferent. The "big reveal" about the villains was predictable from the start, making the storyline a bore.

Layla was a tolerable character, but Elise was frustratingly oblivious and privileged. Their romance felt forced and unconvincing, lacking the tension or buildup needed to make it believable. The side characters were forgettable, and the setting didn't add anything special.

All of this said, I can see how others might enjoy the book, especially since it features African-American lesbian characters in a vampire story. Perhaps the author will improve in future works.

The first book in a decadent fantasy duology set in Jazz Age Harlem, where at night the dance halls come to life—and death waits in the dark.

It's 1926 and reapers, the once-human vampires with a terrifying affliction, are on the rise in New York. But the Saint family's thriving reaper-hunting enterprise holds reign over the city, giving them more power than even the organized criminals who run the nightclubs. Eighteen year-old Elise Saint, home after five years in Paris, is the reluctant heir to the empire. Only one thing weighs heavier on Elise's mind than her family obligations: the knowledge that the Harlem reapers want her dead.

Layla Quinn is a young reaper haunted by her past. Though reapers have existed in America for three centuries, created by New World atrocities and cruel experiments, Layla became one just five years ago. The night she was turned, she lost her parents, the protection of the Saints, and her humanity, and she'll never forget how Elise Saint betrayed her.

But some reapers are inexplicably turning part human again, leaving a wake of mysterious and brutal killings. When Layla is framed for one of these attacks, the Saint patriarch offers her a deal she can't refuse: to work with Elise to investigate how these murders might be linked to shocking rumors of a reaper cure. Once close friends, now bitter enemies, Elise and Layla explore the city's underworld, confronting their intense feelings for one another and uncovering the sinister truths about a growing threat to reapers and humans alike.

My Take:
Slated for release on August 6, 2024, "This Ravenous Fate" marks an impressive debut for Dennings. It delivers on its promise, leaving readers craving more. Here are several reasons to make it your next read:
- Vampires are currently trending, with AMC's "Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire," and Tigest Dirma's forthcoming "Immortal Dark," both showcasing Black vampires in innovative ways.
- The transition from friends to enemies to reluctant allies is a compelling dynamic: it compels characters to challenge their beliefs, revisit cherished memories, and confront their current selves before deciding on a path forward once secrets are unveiled.
- The mystery is captivating, set against the backdrop of New York during the Harlem Renaissance, honoring history while contributing to the narrative.
- It features sapphic romantic undertones.
- It's an excellent choice for a group reading experience.

This book has a lot of great ideas, just failed to hold my attention. Maybe could've benefited from a tighter plot and shorter page count? Tamika Katon-Donegal does make for great listening though.

Elise and Layla team up to solve a serious of violent murders in Jazz Age Harlem. This is a challenge because they used to be friends but became enemies when Layla turned into a reaper (similar to a vampire). They must overcome their past and confront some brutal truths before the truth is uncovered.

This Ravenous Fate follows childhood friends to enemies, Elise and Layla, as they team up to solve a string of murders in 1920's Harlem. I definitely recommend this for readers who love angst, sapphic pining, and vampires.

Featuring an all black cast, Dennings covers themes like family, friendship, and racism. Layla is a Reaper (this world's word for vampire), and Elise is the heir to an empire that hunts Reapers. When bodies start turning up, they must work together despite their animosity in order to solve the crimes. I really enjoyed these characters, and found myself particularly attached to Elise. The characters were very strong, and I really enjoyed seeing them bloom on the page.

This book introduces topics like prohibition and political power. Although I am not usually a fan of political intrigue, it was incorporated into the story where it wasn't the central plot, and was developed with excellent emotional pull and mystery that it kept me engaged.

The atmosphere? Phenomenal. It is grim, bloody, and sometimes a little gory. There is a masquerade ball, lavish parties, an abandoned hotel that serves as the Reapers' layer, who doesn't love those?

This is an excellent debut, and I am excited to see Hayley Dennings' career grow.

DNF'd at 46%

I’m sad to say that from the very first chapter, I was overwhelmingly bored. The prologue hooked me with promise, but as soon as the first chapter began, I felt as though I was cast adrift in a sea of mediocrity.

The book is plagued with typos, poor sentence structure, and clunky dialogue that make it a chore to read. The characters are flat and lack any real depth, and the chemistry between them is nonexistent. The “Friends to Enemies to Lovers” trope fell flat. The worldbuilding is minimal and underdeveloped, leaving the plot feeling disjointed and poorly paced. It’s as if the manuscript was sent out to ARC readers straight from the first draft stage without any significant revisions. The relationship between Elise and Layla lacked any believable chemistry. Their arguments seemed forced, merely to set up a relationship that never felt genuine. Their transition from animosity to romantic tension was unconvincing and poorly executed.

The mystery-solving aspect was another letdown. Elise and Laura’s attempts at solving the mystery were dull and directionless, making the book feel like it was going nowhere. This lack of engaging content made it hard for me to stay invested.

Thank you for the ARC

The entire story just felt overall bland. The plot had such potential but I feel like it failed to deliver on what it teased at. The characters for slightly unlikeable, there were no twists that I didn't see coming, and unfortunately there was nothing to distinguish this book from others that I've read.

This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings had several interesting story elements. Best childhood friends who lose each other because one ends up a vampire (aka reaper) and the other is from a family that kills them (aka saints).
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Their journey back to each other revolves around murders, a possible cure for being a vamp/reaper, and lots of family drama. I liked the mobster roaring 20s world that this is set in.
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Overall I enjoyed this unique world.
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Thank you for the eArc through NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire

This is a beautiful story of friends turned enemies who are forced to work together when one of them is accused of murder. This story is fast paced. Layla and Elise are both two strong characters who jump off the page at the reader through out this story. I will say that there are parts of the mystery that lag a bit and bring the story down, but the lows are outweighed by the highs. I am glad that this book is the first in a series as I am interested to see what happens to both young ladies beyond this story.
Thank you so much to Sourcebook Fire and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

I thought it was interesting and it had my attention. I liked Layla as a character, but found other characters to be meh.

This book needs to BLOW UP! The characters are engaging and easy to like, a great mix of history and fantasy, and such ease the authors adds in racial tensions of the Jazz age era. When a character remarks, “we’re allowed to perform there, but not be allowed to be in the club” was so poignant and poetic, I really hope they leave that line in.

I can summarize this book as a young adult sapphic reverse DayBreakers. If you have not seen Ethan Hawke’s vampire movie DayBreakers, it is brilliant, but skip it for now. A lot of the ending reminded me of that movie.

Told in dual narratives, we have Elise back from her musical career in France for her family, almost like the top crime family in charge, for anniversary celebrations and to celebrate the naming of a new progeny. Second narrative is of Layla, a “reaper” or another term for vampire, but also former friend of Elise and the mystery of their dark past slowly reveals. Part horror, part crime and detective story with a romance story not quite believable, and 100% predictable young adult novel.

Even though the story is set in the Jazz Age, It has a modern tone and language to it, so keep that in mind if the inaccuracies are something you will fixate on. Even with its predictability, the character developments and intrigue kept the page turning. The ending does drag a bit tying up loose ends. This is obviously first in a series/duology, so I’m excited to see where this goes.

Lesbians. Vampires. The Roaring 20s. Need I say more?

This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings was a fun read! I don’t think it will leave much of an impression on me, but I had a good time. I think this would be a good filler read, especially as it is a quick one.

Story wise, I feel like this book didn’t do anything very unique. It reminded me a lot of “Our Violent Ends” by Chloe Gong. It was also a little slow. I took about a month break in the middle of this book because I didn’t necessarily find myself compelled to pick it up. However, getting the audio ARC helped me a lot. It was easy to pick up after the break, and after some progress I found myself looking forward to reading it again. The narrator of the audiobook did a really good job!

Throughout the book I was eagerly anticipating seeing what would happen with the main couple. I also was intrigued to see where the plot would go.

If you love lesbians and vampires you should totally give this a shot! (and why wouldn’t you!)

Will update with social media links closer to when the book publishes.

4.5

in jazz age harlem, reapers, once-human vampires, are on the rise. luckily for the saint family, this helps their reaper-hunting business, giving them even more power. elise saint is returning home after five years in paris as the business’s reluctant heir. layla quinn is a young reaper haunted by her past. the night she was turned five years ago is also the night she lost her parents and the saints’ protection. when layla is framed for a reaper attack, she works with elise to investigate the murders and how they might be linked to a reaper cure.

i have been waiting to read this book for soooo long, and it was well worth the wait! i always love the “monster x monster hunter” trope, and i thought it played out well in this book. there was the perfect amount of angst and tension between these two! the plot was also interesting, and i like how hayley dennings put her own spin on vampires.

2.5/5 stars. DNFed at 56% and skimmed the rest.

This Ravenous Fate is a Sapphic YA Historical Fantasy that switches between the perspectives of Layla, a reaper (vamp) and Elise, the heir to a reaper hunter empire. Sounds amazing right? Eh

I, along with many other reviewers, was so excited to dive into this book. But it just didn’t deliver. I was originally going to try to push through and finish it, until I read other reviews and found that it didn’t get better.

I found the murder mystery plot to be boring, the Worldbuilding to not be well described, and the relationship between the main characters to be lacking.

The plot is slow. The first 25% sets up what the synopsis already told us, the next 25% (and possibly more) was Elise and Layla meeting every few days to search for a murderer. But this was not an exciting adventure- it was a boring few paragraphs about everything going wrong and the two of them sucking at their jobs.

This is a childhood friends, to enemies, to lovers- but there aren’t sufficient flashbacks to show their previous friendship, or even why they became enemies. Because this isn’t established, the dynamic was off putting, and also made it difficult to understand when they started to develop feeling for each other.

Elise is also pretty unlikable. I understand that unlikable narrators are some peoples jams, but she wasn’t marketed this way.

As for the worldbuilding, we’re kinda just told that this takes place in 1920s New York, but the setting isn’t really built upon. There’s a few aspects of the book that rely on prohibition, but I had a really difficult time imagining the world. The characters felt as if they were taken from 2024 and put into the 1920s.

I am truly confused by the higher reviews. I wish I could’ve loved this! I just feel like we read completely different books.

I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I love the Harlem Renaissance and I love vampires, but the two together and you just can’t lose!

Ok ok, I wasn’t blown away by this novel but it was a good read! The plot and story details were great, I think the execution could have been better. I’m looking forward to book 2.

This Ravenous Fate is a sapphic vampire book (called Reapers) set in the 1920's Harlem Renaissance featuring a Black cast. Elise is the daughter of the Saints, the family who has discovered weaponry to kill the Reapers, and Layla, Elise's former best friend turned Reaper and mortal enemy. They are put together to solve the mystery of a Reaper murder, where there is a Reaper boy who Layla swears was responsible, but he died a human.

The genius of this story is how the author used vampires as an allegory for the division in the Black community. You can be a Black person who is respected by the white community by knowing your place and providing a service. Not equal but in a place of authority. (The Saints/Elise) Or you can not accept that as good enough, and exist outside of that society for something better. (The Reapers/Layla).

"That was exactly how white people controlled minority groups; by making themselves out to be graceful saviors everyone was lucky to have. But there was nothing lucky about being forced to assimilate just for a chance of being given rights that you already deserved in the first place."

With the banter between Elise and Layla, the dark and beautiful 1920's glamour of the world, the politics, and the mystery, this would have easily been a five star read for me. But as an avid fantasy reader, I didn't fall in love with this as a vampire story. The Reapers were missing a lot of the qualities that made them dark and seductive, and the rules of the world and the arrangement between the Reapers and humans were unclear. I think if you go into this expecting your typical vamp story, you won't love it. But if you go into it as a historic, sapphic, mystery, you'll totally get it.