I enjoyed this book. It gave a twist on the Civil War by bringing in the supernatural. I love the badass female main characters and seeing through their eyes how things were. The idea of human rights, skin color, right, and wrong are an undercurrent in this action book.
The narrators worked perfectly for the characters. The only thing I didn't like was the female narrator's pronunciation of "sword."
Overall this was an enjoyable story.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to be a partner and get an early listen of The Dangerous Ones!

Near the end of the Civil War in Pennsylvania, things are out of control. The Confederacy teamed up with Vampires. Jerusalem is a Saint, someone who is more powerful than the average person, and after being enslaved by a vampire and hearing that her family has been murdered, she’s fled to the North and she’s now trying to help Black people gain freedom without having to escape themselves.

Enter Alexei. An ancient Vampire on the side of the Union, who has done nothing but prove he is faithful to Jerusalem and her cause despite her reservations. As the two work together to bring justice to the guilty and freedom to the wronged, they will develop an unlikely alliance that begins to blossom into more against all odds.

I read Lauren Blackwood for the first time last year when I received an ARC of her novel, Wildblood, and I’ve been a fan since. I love her ability to spin a fantastical tale but make it feel real (almost like magical realism but fantastical realism?). I never feel like I’m fully transported to a new world, but yet the world I’m in has elements that I was previously unaware of. It makes the book more relatable and easier for me to lose myself in. I also enjoy that she touches on heavier subjects like race & class, but not in a way that completely detracts from the story. It’s part of the story while still letting the story transport readers, rather than reminding them of how terrible the world we live in actually can be. As someone who reads purely for escapism, I really don’t like the reminders of the outside world (as important as they are to address) but I think Lauren does a great job of touching on those subjects while sticking to the story.

Jerusalem and Alexei were both good characters. I felt more sympathy towards Alexei at times, as he was constantly trying to prove that he wasn’t like the rest of the vampires that Jerusalem had come across and there were moments that I felt like she crossed the line into offensive and rude territory with him, BUT I think he understood the difficulty and what she was warring with and handled it well.

There were some historical inaccuracies, some of which I’ve seen people complain about in reviews, however I tend to let those things slide for two reasons: 1) the book also has fantastical elements in it. It is not a book based in fact, despite it being 2) historical fiction, keyword being fiction.

As for the narration- I thought it was fantastic. I particularly loved Jay Ben Markson’s work.

I thought that the premise for this book was really interesting, and it was what drew me to want to read the book for review. However, the pacing was very stilted, and it was hard to follow at times just how fast or slow the timing was shifting in the book. Additionally, I was a little taken aback by the use of modern vernacular in this book, and was surprised how often modern language was used in a book set in the Civil War Era. I realize that it is also a fantasy novel, but to suspend disbelief through the addition of fantasy elements AND modern language into this period was a little too much. However, I did believe that the characters had a lot of dimension and I enjoyed the multiple perspectives in different chapters. I also thought the cover was well designed and drew the reader in, as well.

So I truly didn't know what to expect from this one. But oh my goodness - this was fantastic!! I could not stop listening to this book. The premise of this is what sold me. The plot kept me engaged the entire time! I will definitely be recommending this one!

This was an interesting book. I like that it takes place during the American Civil War and that the author included the Underground Railroad and historical figures, like General Lee, in the story. I felt for Jerusalem and all of the losses she had faced but I loved how she turned that grief into action and used it to avenge her family and take out some vampires.
Is this going to become a duology? Because I wouldn't say no to another book with Jerusalem and Alexei.

Angel Pean and Jay Ben Markson did a great job narrating this novel. You could easily identify which character was speaking based on the narrators voice which made it easy to keep everyone straight in my brain. Looking forward to listening to more of their work in the future.

Jerusalem ran away from slavery and found out that she was a saint. Camille’s and the civil war…… Jerusalem is hell bent in killing all of the vampires can so she can free her family from them. But strange enough there is an Ancient vampire working with the saints, Alexie. Over the past few years Alexie teaches Jerusalem how to fight and kill vapms. Over time Alexie falls in love with Jerusalem.

Slow burn. Sometimes you just wanted to smack Jerusalem because she was just acting like a spoiled brat.

If Twilight + Queen of the Damned were set in the Civil War…you’d get this awesome novel! There’s vampires, werewolves, war, slavery…and fighting for freedom!

I was able to listen to the audiobook and it was a great performance! The female narrator was a little too breathy, but it fit the character so I listened through it during the first few chapters.

I truly enjoyed this story and wonder if this could be open to a book 2!

The premise of The Dangerous Ones is intriguing one: in the midst of the Civil War, a young Black woman named Jerusalem has spent a year working alongside Ancient Vampire Alexei and their other allies known as “Saints,” against the Confederate Army. Mentioned in the papers as “The Demon Saint,” Jerusalem possess remarkable reflexes and strength akin to a demigod, a powerful spear that she utilizes to dispatch her enemies and a desire for vengeance against the monstrous vampire who enslaved and murdered her family.

Told from the perspectives of Jerusalem and Alexei and shifting between both of their pasts and their presents, The narrations from Angel Pean and Jay Ben Markson are excellent and really give voice to all the characters in the book.

I will admit the last few chapters of the book were good, I just wish that writing was throughout the whole book, because that a lot of pages to read before you get consistency in plot. I imagine some students would enjoy the book, but I just really did not love it and I really wanted to because the premise seemed to be exciting. I just feel really disappointed in the overall novel,

Thank you to NetGalleyfor providing access to this audiobook.

Thanks to Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions below are my own.

This is Twilight meets Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter but not in a good way.

It's angsty and more of a romance than a fantasy action story.

I liked the premise of vampires and magical humans set in the Civil War but it really was just the plot of Twilight.

I said this about Blackwood's last book but she writes angry characters really well. Thes characters are working from a place of rage all the time. If that's your thing, you may enjoy this more than I did.

All that said, the audio performances were great. I liked the two POVs and the performances of each narrator was fabulous.

Loved this twist on a vampire story mixed with the Civil War in the US. Very interesting take and I'm really looking forward to the story continuing

I really loved the premise of this one and felt it could have been amazing. And the cover is a stunner!

However, this one was a miss for me.

One big issue for me was the modern language that was used for something that was supposed to be set in the Civil War. I struggled to follow the plot and got lost.

The later half of the book was better than the early part, and the audio was well done, other than the language that was not appropriate for the time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so intrigued by this story because it combines my favorite things - history and fantasy/romance. This book explores what the Civil War would be like if vampires and other supernatural beings existed.

My main problem, however, was the lack of knowledge of the Civil War itself and modern language/terminology. I don't want to get too deep into it, but the main character, Jerusalem, is a human with supernatural abilities who escaped slavery to fight in the Union Army. I loved the narrator of the audiobook on this one, because it is clear the narrator did some research into the "sound" of a southerner. Despite this, the modern language and blatant problems with the historical context pulled me out of the story time and time again.

I also do not like when.there is an abusive relationship between the two main love interests. I am all about enemies to lovers, and even some roughness, but it needs to be purposeful. Jerusalem will attack Alexi, both physically and verbally, which I cannot get down with.

In all, I liked the idea of the plot, but there needed to be more thorough editing and research. This could have been amazing.

This is a pretty good book. It was a little difficult to get into, some.of the world building was confusing but it got better.

Thanks so much to @macmillan.audio for the gifted review copy of The Dangerous Ones.

As someone who lives in a town that is steeped in Civil War history, I was immediately drawn to this book by its unique premise. It’s described as a romantic history fantasy set during the American Civil War and features vampires as well as people called “Saints” who possess demigod-like powers.

The story follows a young woman named Jerusalem, who is both a Saint and an escaped slave. We learn that she and her family had been enslaved by a vampire and that vampires, who had immensely benefited from slavery, had partnered up with the Confederacy to fight against the North. Jerusalem manages to escape but the vampires murder the rest of her family, so in addition to leading a battalion of Saints to help the Union Army, Jerusalem also has revenge against the vampires on her mind.

All except for one, that is. Alexei is an ancient vampire who has chosen to fight for the Union Army rather than with his fellow vampires. Alexei and Jerusalem are paired together for most of the book, and it’s clear Alexei has feelings for Jerusalem. Their relationship comes across as very complicated though, sometimes Jerusalem seems like she can’t stand Alexei but at other times, it’s like he’s the only one she trusts.

The complexities of their relationship intrigued me, as did the blend of history and fantasy, and I also appreciated how fast paced the story is and that the author addresses big topics like the brutality of war, racism, and slavery. That said, there was one element that pulled me out of the story - the use of modern slang, words I’m pretty certain were not used in the 1860’s. Thankfully it only happens a few times so I was still able to enjoy the story but it was a little jarring each time.

The audiobook is narrated by Jay Ben Markson & Angel Pean who do a wonderful job, especially when it comes to capturing the intricacies of Jerusalem and Alexei’s relationship.

Nope. This ain't it. This story had so much potential. I really enjoyed the premise; Slavery and civil war but if vampires et al exist? (PS. I loved the sasquatch, that was cool). Unfortunately this did not hit for me. First; for a novel set during the civil war there is a lot of modern and foul language that I would never expect and really took me out of the story. The amount of times the FMC says "dumbass", its just so unbelievable. Next the FMC was honestly so insufferable, partially because of the language she used, but also, sorry she's not smart. We are told she is intelligent but she continues to make irrational decisions over and over again, and putting herself and her friends in danger <spoiler>and also getting the more redeeming characters killed. I actually liked Odessa until she very uncharacteristically sent herself and her friends to their deaths.</spoiler> She is also literally abusive? Lets segue into the romance... Alexei is actually a great character. Why he is in love with J I do not understand. She repeatedly verbally (and physically) abuses him - How can you go from literally attempting to kill him to kissing in the same paragraph? Like what?? Maybe some people are into it but to me its just unrealistic. Next to the abuse, my biggest pet peeve would be the amount of times that their height difference is pointed out. You do not need to remind readers that the FMC is so smol and tiny and little and the the MMC is a "giant" in every chapter. We get it. Please move on.
I did listen to the audiobook of this novel which is read by 2 narrators, I didn't love the female narrator, I felt like her tone was not enjoyable or how I would read it. I also think this may have partially been due to the language used. The male narrator was definitely better and I would listen to more audiobooks by him.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Jerusalem is a Saint, a human with superhuman strength and reflexes designed to kill vampires. There is one vampire in particular she needs to kill to avenge the death of her family.

Jerusalem has been fighting against the Confederate army since she escaped slavery with her one goal in mind but she knows that she will need, Alexi to accomplish that goal. He is an ancient vampire who fights with the Union. Everything in her being says that he cannot be the man for her because he is not only a vampire, but a white one as well.

Why I Like It: This historical fantasy novel wonders what the Civil War would be like if vampires fought. The love/hate relationship between Alexi and Jerusalem has some humor in what would otherwise be very tense with the racial and special divide. #gifted

I've found all of Lauren Blackwood's books to be well written and enjoyable reads. This one was no different!

A book where vampires lived among everyone and set during the Civil War era - - what a story this was! It was a creative and brilliant combination that worked so well. Yet it was so very painful and heartbreaking to read many of the parts. The abuse that Jerusalem has lived through at the hands of not just men, but vampires is horrendous. But instead of letting it break her, she is driven by it.

Her family is murdered by vampires and she escapes to the North. While there, she begins training to fight against not just the South but the vampires as well who have sided with them. But Jerusalem isn't just any former slave, she's a Saint - - a human gifted with extraordinary power and abilities. Her gifts help her to fight against vampires when others can't. While she wants nothing more than to annihilate vampires from the planet, she can't help but befriend and ultimately fall for one ancient vampire who is fighting on the side of the North - - Alexei. He's special as he has also been kept against his will and was changed against his will. And he is fine with killing most vampires. His only soft spot seems to be the newly turned that may not have had a choice - - as he can still sympathize with not having control.

This book flowed well. It is told in multiple time lines as you go back in time to when Alexei was initially captured and turned. You also flashback to when Jerusalem's family is killed. There's an undercurrent that runs between Jerusalem and Alexei. It's obvious throughout the book that he loves her but she finds it difficult to acknowledge having feelings for a vampire. Yet, he's not your typical vamp. There are times that Jerusalem finds herself frustrated with him because he can't understand exactly what she's fought against. He can understand some pieces but not all of it. From the exterior, he's a beautiful white male - - how could he understand how an escaped slave feels? He can't understand how it feels for her to walk down the street as not just a woman but a black woman. She's always looked at as something less - - and then people see her small stature and underestimate her. That's when they make a mistake for sure because she is not someone to underestimate. She might be small in stature but she's got a huge heart for battle and those she cares about.

This story was a heartbreaking story of loss and struggle - - but also in survival against all odds and love of family, friends and more.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: I also listened to the audiobook and it was quite good. The narration was spot on and I felt like they really captured the character's different personalities. 4 1/2 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the ebook and the audiobook.

In all honesty, this was one book that I never got into, and it was hard to finish. The plot is basically vampires in the Civil War, the north vs the south, and slaves vs freedom, but the dialog wasn’t appropriate for the time period, which may have helped with my not connecting to the story. This plot is also very reminiscent of The Deathless Divide by Justine Ireland. There was almost zero action (for it being a vampire and war story, one would expect it to be more exciting), no romance, and hints of an abusive relationship with how much Jerusalem would beat up Alexei and how he would forgive her each time. If this hadn’t been an audiobook, I probably wouldn’t have been able to finish it. I’m not sure if it was the lack of action or the monotony of the narrator’s voice, but I wanted to fall asleep every time I hit play on this one.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a very different story about vampires and the Civil War-two topics you don't think would go together. Jerusalem is one of the angriest main characters I have ever come across, but understandably so. I love how feisty she is. I love the tension between her and Alexi. The plot was fast paced. There were several gory scenes.
I will be purchasing this for our library.

Listened at 2.5x narration speed with no issues. Dual narration was fine.

This book just didn't work for me. I liked the historical fiction piece... but the additional of Magic/Superhuman powers + vampires just made it all a bit campy. Beyond that, I struggled with the believability of the historic piece as well. Much of the language struck me as incredibly modern, which then broke me from the listening trance to scoff.

The romance was fine. The family dynamics were the most interesting, so I missed that many of them were just covered with broad strokes. It just wasn't a story that worked for me.

Overall: 2 stars (It was ok)

**Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the free ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.**