I really wanted to love this one. I was looking forward to an enemies to lovers, vampire queer romance that’s received mostly positive reviews on NetGalley, but if this hadn’t been an ARC (making me feel obligated to finish it) I probably would have DNF’ed it at 20%.

It seemed that for every positive thing I liked about this book there were two or three things I disliked. The 1920s New York setting with jazz clubs and vampires running amok in the city made for a really interesting atmosphere. However, I felt that the writing focused a little too much on the racial disparities in the beginning chapters and then the story line contradicted what was just written about those characters’ hardships. The narrator went on and on about how unfairly the minorities were treated, but then when the double minority character was found at the scene of a crime they decided to let her work with the main character to prove her innocence? If the system was as unfair as they let on, this person would have been executed without a trial and not allowed a chance to investigate and run around unguarded in the city where she could possibly commit her crimes again. It just didn’t make a lot of sense.

I wanted to like the characters, but they seemed one dimensional and incapable of having a conversation that didn’t end in screaming, hating the other person, or running off. Even the big love declaration somehow resulted in miscommunication or downright mistreatment of one other. I really hated how these characters spoke to and treated each other, and overall refusal to consider each others’ arguments.

I think this story had massive potential and I’d love to read more historical fiction vampire fantasies, but I think this was just poorly executed.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for providing this ebook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is such a fresh take on a vampire story. I knew that this was sapphic after following the author prior to her being picked up but i loved the pacing and the way the story developed. As I was reading this I felt myself being consumed by the book and I love that effect. My brain loved the w ay Hayley writes. I look forward to seeing what she writes next.. I thinking writing this story in the 1920 Harlem was such a. Great choice to make.

YA, Harlem in the 1920s, Black, sapphic, vampires, someone trying to find a cure, but are they really or is something more sinister at hand? Elise and Layla are just *chefs kiss* I loved the evolution of their relationship from the beginning to the end of the story and loved seeing how they came back from everything that happened in the past. Tobias Saint, ooh I’m going to love hating him.

A perfect blend of politics and vampire elements. The discussions of race as the backdrop of this book also elevated it up above many vampire books of its kind. I did find Elise and Layla's back-and-forth fighting to be friends to fighting again a bit tiresome but that does come with the territory of enemies to lovers.

A thrilling blend of urban fantasy and mystery set in Jazz Age Harlem. Despite some slow pacing, the intricate plot, vivid world-building, and well-developed characters, particularly the complex relationship between Layla and Elise, make it compelling. The novel skillfully combines historical fiction, paranormal intrigue, and romantic tension, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption. Highly recommended for fans of historical fantasy with romance and suspense.

I really thought this debut was quite amazing. The story was really engaging and refreshing. I love vampire books and have been missing them dearly so this definitely brought back my love for them. The tension between Elise and Layla was perfection I love it. The cast of characters was so much fun. Even if I loathed some of them… but overall had a really fun time reading! The mystery elements were great and I loved the dynamics between the characters. The reaper lore was super fascinating and I’m very curious to see where this story will lead next.
I will say parts of this book did take me longer to get through simply cause even though it is historical fantasy it does talk on some real racial topics and history that you know really got me in my feelings. And I personally found that acts 3 & 4 had much faster pacing and engagement while reading. But I do think Dennings just did such an amazing job, not only writing a really amazing debut but talking about racial trauma and harm against Black communities. So just read with care 💕
Thank you Sourcebooks for the arc!

Reapers have been around for centuries. In the early 1900s Layla Quinn and Elise Saint become friends at an early age. At the age of 12/13, a tragic incident happened and they are no longer friends. Layla Quinn has been turned into a Reaper and Elise Saint’s family makes money off of products that kill Reapers. After 5 years apart, Layla and Elise are brought together in a strange way to figure out who is responsible for the poison that is killing Reapers. Along the way, Elise learns the truth about who her father really is.

Fun, sapphic vampire story set in 1920s Harlem. Great tension between the two Black MCs. I loved the middle of this book so much, the murder mystery was well done and the reluctant rivals plot had me hooked. Unfortunately I felt it took a while to get going and the end cliffhanger felt out of place. I wished it was a standalone, the story felt finished. Overall though, a great setting, great characters, and a fun enemies to lovers story.

Set in the evocative and dangerous 1920s New York, "This Ravenous Fate" by Hayley Dennings paints a vivid picture of a city overrun by reapers—once-human vampires plagued by a horrifying affliction. The Saint family, led by the patriarch and his reluctant heir, Elise Saint, maintains a strong grip on the city's reaper-hunting business, often overshadowing even the most notorious criminals. Elise's return from Paris is marred by the knowledge that the Harlem reapers are out for her blood, a conflict that adds depth to her character and propels the narrative forward.

The novel's most compelling dynamic is the tension between Elise and Layla Quinn, a reaper with a tragic past and a deep-seated grudge against Elise. Their forced alliance to investigate a series of brutal killings and rumors of a potential reaper cure drives the story, offering a blend of mystery and emotional intensity. However, the book's pacing and the somewhat predictable plot twists slightly dampen the overall impact. While "This Ravenous Fate" excels in its atmospheric setting and complex character relationships, it falls short of delivering a fully satisfying and cohesive narrative, making it an intriguing but ultimately middling read.

I was wanting to read sapphic vampires and this delivered! It was so good and fun to read. I really enjoyed the setting of this being in Jazz Age Harlem as it makes it a little glitzy and I loved having a fancy event. The vibes were excellent, and the plot paired so well with the romance. I love a complicated past childhood friendship where they are on opposite sides of the coin and have to work together and think it worked perfectly in this fantasy settings with the reapers and trying to figure out what was going on. I think this was a great debut and I am super excited to read the sequel!

Thank you so much to Hayley Dennings for putting this up on Netgalley’s Read Now for a couple of days so that I RAN to snag it!
This book is just wow. Dennings’ writing style is so beautiful in craft, and her rendition of vampires - reapers - was fun and interesting! The racial commentary in this required reading also, done so blatantly but thoughtfully. My favourite character shifted dramatically (positively, well…you’ll see ;)) within the first half to the second half, and that doesn’t happen often! I’m very much looking forward to the next one!!

This is a book that fell short of its great set up. The setting and premise is great. The worldbuilding was good but simple enough that it didn't take too much deep thinking. I think that this book could have served to be a bit shorter. I know that obviously it is setting up for the second part in the duology, but it didn't keep me interested enough that I am excited for the second part. Love the vibes. Execution waivers.

This new sapphic vampire fantasy set in Jazz Age Harlem was full of darkness and glamour that made it an immersive read. The world building was accessible, and the tension between humans and the 'infected reapers' or vampires was palatable. Our main heroines, Elise and Layla were childhood friends ripped apart after a reaper attack that killed Elise's sister and turned Layla into a reaper herself. A new sinister threat is ripping through the city that brings the women back together in an attempt to keep their families safe. I really bought into the true 'enemies' nature of this romance plot, and enjoyed the mystery of the novel. The Cotton Club, rival gangs and vampire clans, and evil men trying to use science to influence political aims were exciting themes. However, the plot was rambling in places where I would lose interest. The ending felt rushed, and while I think some YA/NA readers will be excited to continue this series, I do not think I will be picking up the next book.

i thought i would love this book based on everything i heard about it and all the advertisement but the pacing was just too slow for me to actually enjoy it. it’s a good story in theory but it just wasn’t executed well.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc!

Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC. While the concept of sapphic vampires in the Jazz Age, I couldn't find the actual story interesting. The pacing was just too slow for me to get invested.

I was very excited for this book, but all the glitz, glamour, mystery and dangerous seductions that were hinted at, fell flat. This is one of those three tropes in a raincoat parading as a fully fleshed out novel. There is much promise in the writing, but I feel as if this is yet another book let down by the editor.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 18%. I like the concept of this, but I failed to get invested. Neither main character interested me, and I didn’t feel the chemistry between them.

DNF at 33%

I'm so disappointed to be DNF'ing this book but it just wasn't doing it for me. I adore the premise of the Jazz age vampires, black FMCs, sapphic friends to enemies to lovers romance. I thought this story had a lot of potential. Especially when the prologue also seemed to be leaning towards the reapers being the creation of some medical experimentation which is a premise that unfortunately has its roots in reality. So many aspects of our sordid racial history in this country were laid out to be explored but unfortunately I just feel like the execution fell flat.

I wanted to know why Layla blamed the Saints for her reaper hood but it felt like that fact kept being dangled in our face and not delivered. The main plot action involving the reaper who wasn't a reaper and the murder that Layla and Elise were forced to team up together to solve also seemed to drag itself out. The inner monologues of Elise and Layla seemed very repetitive. I'm not really sure how many more times the same thing could be said without actually advancing the story. If the cyclical nature of their thoughts had been lessened and if the plot had moved forward at a better pace, I think this would have been a much more captivating story.

I like where Hayley's head was at. I like where I think she wanted to take this story. I just didn't like the way it worked out in actuality. I may come back at a later date and attempt to give this another go. But as of right now, I'm going to put this one to rest.

The trope marketing was so on-point with this one. Sapphic black vampires in the 1920s Harlem? Yes. Dagger to the throat scenes? Yes. Childhood friends to enemies to lovers…? Maybe, we’ll see how the story goes in the sequel (which I will definitely be looking out for!).

This is a solid debut. Elise Saint is the heir to the Saint Empire, one that prides itself in reaper-hunting, while Layla Quinn is a reaper betrayed by Elise Saint. Elise and Layla were once childhood friends but are now on opposite sides of a war who must work together to investigate a series of murders.

The vibes are indeed dark and beautiful, as promised. I do have to say, though: the story was predictable to me. The ending as well left me confused because where did all that come from? I know it was to set up for the next book, but there was little to no buildup towards those major plot events at the end. Nevertheless, I had a good time, I was entertained, and I enjoyed reading it. The writing completely hooked me in and that’s all that matters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC! :>

I remember when the author first posted about this book on TikTok and I was so stoked to read it. This was definitely worth the wait.