I enjoyed this audiobook, it was a good mix of some of my favorite genres, Fantasy & historical fiction. I absolutely love Jerusalem, she’s so interesting and strong! I loved that this was set during the civil war. My biggest complaint would be the language, it was too modern for the setting it was supposed to be. Would recommend.

♡ Audiobook & eBook Review ♡
♤ Release May.14 ♤
4.25 🌟
•Duel POV
•Duel Timeline
•Slavery
•Shapeshifter | Vampires
•Romantic Historical with Fantasy
*Trigger Warnings ⚠️
•This story contains depictions of war and slavery, blood and gore, murder, death, physical abuse, hate crimes, racial discrimination, gun violence, and references to sexual abuse.
-
If I judged a book by its cover, it's me because this cover is gorgeous to me! Also, if you enjoyed or loved the movie "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," this book is highly recommended for you!
The premise of this storyline is well done. We have mixed historical romance, fantasy, and vampire! I did feel like the romance subplot of the story fell a little by the wayside. The romance wasn't believable to me.
The narrators did a great job bringing this story alive. I would highly recommend listening to this audiobook.
-
Thank you, Netgalley and MacmillanAudio, for the (ALC) audiobook for my honest review.

Lauren Blackwood just doesn't miss! I've been a fan of hers since her debut, and each book is unique and different. While this book was difficult at times considering the content, it was so beautifully written. In audiobook form with both narrators, I could picture everything so clearly. A must read!

I've enjoyed the other two books I've read by this author, but after nearly 30% this one failed to hook me. As I'm always a vampire fan, I love the concept but just couldn't get into the story. I also have to note that although the setting is 1863 during the Civil War, several phrases used were more modern and took me out of the story. I have no doubt this novel will find an audience, but it just wasn't for me.

I’m happy I listen to this audio despite the reviews! This book was so good, now Ms. Jerusalem Is off the chain lol she didn’t know if she was coming or going! Honestly I would have probably acted the same way 😭 ! Alexei was smitten with my girl tiny , but she wasn’t going down without a fight! I love how this book was in the slave era however the verbiage was a mixture of slang and old fashioned language lol ! I love it so much! This is a must Read ! * Please Read this before you make an opinion, don’t go off the reviews because depending on the topic or person they may not understand the content * I can’t wait to read more from this author ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ almost forgot, Narrators were perfect 🤗🤗🤗 Great job 👏🏾

I would rate this 2.5 ⭐️ but rounded up to 3.
I had a really hard time finishing this book. I was so bored and it got better at the end but I was glad for it to be over with. I would not continue this series. The cover is really pretty though 🥴

I feel like the dialogue and slang didn’t match the Civil War setting. I’m sure some will love the book, it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the arc audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by Lauren Blackwood, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley.

This is a historical fantasy novel with an alternative history twist. What if, during the American Civil War, the Confederate army were led by vampires? What if some humans had developed super human speed and reflexes? That's the basis for this novel, and it fully delivers.
This has epic battle scenes, tragic character backstories, high stakes, solid world building, and a strong and complicated Black formerly enslaved FMC with a sweet but complicated interracial love interest.
This is a slow burn enemies to lovers storyline with a side of trauma and PTSD thrown in. I think the romance is a bit complex for this type of novel and could've used more fleshing out. It does work but is not the smoothest element of this story. This does use modern language, which this novel is dinged for in multiple reviews, but I think it fits a novel of this genre. The concept of a civil war fought by vampires, werewolves, and godlike humans is a fairly modern concept. The language used in the novel matched the concept. Furthermore, this concern with the correct use of 'language' concerning Black authors is, in my experience, usually just dog whistle racism. There's absolutely nothing jarring about the language used in this novel at all.
I read Within These Wicked Walls by this author previously, which I enjoyed but found a bit clunky in places. This was a much more fully developed concept and a much smoother storyline. I look forward to Ms. Blackwood's next novel.

The narrators of The Dangerous Ones are Angel Pean and Jay Ben Markson. I've definitely heard at least one other audiobook narrated by Ms. Pean before. Mr. Markson is new to me as a narrator. I loved the dual narrators for the dual viewpoints. Both of these narrators really succeeded in bringing both Jerusalem and Alexei to life. As well as making them both immediately relatable given their respective backgrounds.

Thank you to Lauren Blackwood, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

I really really really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately I struggled to get through the book from start to finish. I switched to the audiobook which eventually helped me wrap the story, but I do not foresee continuing the series.

It had such a strong opening, and the FMC, Jerusalem, exhibits the strong and spirited heroine characteristics that I love in fantasy books. However, I felt a disconnect between Jerusalem’s modern dialogue despite the 1860’s setting, and was strongly turned off by her verbal and physical abuse of her love interest, Alexi, which ultimately overshadowed the other positive things the writing and plot included.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this arc, and wish I had connected to the story on a deeper level.

Regarding the quality of the narration; both narrators did a phenomenal job embodying their characters, their dialects, and their emotions. In fact, the immersive audiobook performance is what allowed me to complete the story!

"The Dangerous Ones" by Lauren Blackwood is a riveting blend of fantasy, romance, and historical fiction that captivates from start to finish. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, the story follows Jerusalem, a fearless Saint with demigod-like abilities, driven by a thirst for revenge against the vampires who enslaved and murdered her family.

The dynamic between Jerusalem and Alexei, an Ancient Vampire, is both complex and compelling. Despite her deep-seated hatred for vampires, Jerusalem finds herself reluctantly teaming up with Alexei to achieve their common goal of justice. Blackwood masterfully weaves their partnership, fraught with tension and mistrust, into a tale of redemption and unlikely allies.

The novel's exploration of themes such as freedom, equality, and the consequences of war adds depth to the narrative, grounding it in a historical context while still delivering a thrilling supernatural twist. Jerusalem's quest for vengeance becomes intertwined with a larger struggle for societal change, making her journey not only personal but also profoundly meaningful.

What sets "The Dangerous Ones" apart is its unflinching portrayal of the complexities of morality and the sacrifices required for true justice. As Jerusalem and Alexei navigate treacherous alliances and confront their own demons, readers are taken on an exhilarating ride filled with twists and turns.

Blackwood's prose is sharp and evocative, immersing readers in a vividly depicted world where danger lurks at every turn. The pacing is relentless, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the final page.

Overall, "The Dangerous Ones" is a must-read for fans of fantasy and historical fiction alike. With its gripping plot, well-drawn characters, and thought-provoking themes, it's a book that lingers in the mind long after the final chapter. Highly recommended.

This book had potential to be amazing, but it sadly fell really flat.

The writing was pretty choppy and inconsistent, there were a lot of choices I didn't really understand. If you're going to write a historical fantasy set in the civil war, stick with the language from that time. Don't casually throw in modern words and saying here and there, it really took me out of the story whenever that happened. I still don't think I could fully tell you the plot of this book actually is. The plot just didn't feel consistent, I kept getting lost. The best way I can explain it is if they wrote out a whole series but cut pieces from each book and combined them into 1 book. If it weren't for the fact that this was an ARC I probably would have DNF'ed at the 30% mark.

I think my biggest issue with the book was the romance. Where was it?? This was the most one sided romance I think I've ever read and you cannot convince me Jerusalem actually cares at all for Alexei. I understand she has trauma towards Vampires and all but no need to literally constantly verbally putting down, and constantly insulting your friend who has protected you this entire time. On the other side of the coin; Almost every second word was him saying how much he loved her which is fine, but not almost every sentence.

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 just feel really disappointed! Within These Wicked Walls was literally such a good book that I think it made me have too high of expectations for The Dangerous Ones.

thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks for this opportunity, great book, lived the story and quite different. A nice surprise . Voice wise very nice , the narration was very well done and enjoyable.

This was an interesting story. Set back during the Civil War, but with a vampires. Every story has to have a good villain and red mask most definitely was a good villain. She tormented both of our main characters and their families. I struggled with the hatred and prejudice through out the book, but had to keep in mind the Era the book took place.

I really wanted to love this one. The premise sounded right up my alley - Civil War, vampires, a former enslaved woman fighting her previous masters. Unfortunately, I had some issues with this book and audiobook.

While I liked the woman narrator, I really didn't like the male narrator. It was nearly unbearable when he did a voice for the main female character with an affected Southern accent. I've seen this mentioned in other reviews, but I also found some of the slang and language distracting. I wish language from the time had been used. As written, the modern slang and language feel distracting.

This had so much promise. I wish it was for me.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC!

2.5/5
Prrff.. I wanted to like this book so much but in all honesty it was hard to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

The premise? Fabulous! Vampires, romance mixed with historical fiction of the civil war written by a black what’s not to love? Unfortunately it wasn’t the ride I expected or wanted.

First, I blame the editor on this one. Why didn’t they say “hey you’re book takes place in the civil war (and before in time jumps that make a poor transition), you can’t use modern language as your readers won’t be able to stay in the time.”

Or “I know this is a YA book but the prose is disjointed and at time juvenile more fitting for a middle grade reader if not for the content.”

Next it reminded me of Twilight fan fiction. All I could imagine was it being a Jasper novella had things gone differently especially because the romance was so cringy.

I don’t want to beat up on the book as some young folks may love it. I do not suggest the audio book as it brings out the modern language even more and the male narrator is plain boring to listen to.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The Dangerous Ones is a powerful, stunning historical fantasy set in 1863 with vampires and a fantastic FMC.

Lauren Blackwood is one of my favorite authors. Within These Wicked Walls and Wildblood packed a satisfying and powerful punch; The Dangerous Ones was no different. Gosh, I loved this story. The story's romance, action, love, friendship, and fierceness were addictive. I could not get enough. I blushed, laughed, and gasped my way through this story. The Dangerous Ones is a story to devour.

Now that I’ve gushed about the story itself, I will gush about the delightful narrators. They fit the characters and story perfectly. I loved the way they immersed me in the world. Their narration was incredible.

Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC!

Vampires, slaves, civil war era, saints who hunted vampires? Say less. This novel, set in the Civil War era with a slave named Jerusalem who had escaped and was now a vampire hunter with superhuman skills meets a few hundred-year-old vampire. Her goal, besides hunting vampires, is to get her brother back from the plantation they had been on. Alexei happens to have the same intent on getting revenge on the vampire who sired him, who happens to be the same vampire who owns the plantation that Jerusalem was held.
This book was a wild ride of adventures. I loved Jerusalem's point of view because she was very feisty and strong.

Thank you netgalley Wednesday and MacMillan audio for the free e-Arc and alc. My opinions are my own. I really loved this.i am not a romantasy/fantasy gal but this hit all my buttons. This was my first book by the author and won't be my last I will be diving into her backlist asap!! Such a unique and creative book.

4.5/5☆

I hate giving negative reviews, especially for an author whose books I’ve previously loved, but something about this one was just very off for me. It just didn’t mesh well together. The worldbuilding, dialogue, and character relationships just weren’t seamlessly developed enough. The way the characters spoke, behaved and interacted just didn’t fit right with the setting and time-period. The romance had no build-up or development whatsoever. The time jump was jarring and I felt like I was lacking a huge amount of context for the characters and relationships. I had a hard time connecting the historical aspects with the fantastical and how it all was supposed to work together. I was looking forward to this book so much but, sadly, it was not great for me. In her last book, the thematic commentary felt natural, but this one felt like I was being force fed. The vampire aspects were briefly info-dumped. It lacked a lot of necessary depth. I ended up DNFing it around 20% because I felt confused and disconnected from everything. I did like the narrator though, I thought they were a perfect choice to bring the voice of the story to life in a way that felt true to the characters and setting.

Really enjoyed this book! I loved the way that Jerusalem and Alexei’s story came together. The civil war being retold with vampires and saints who essentially hunt them is such a cool concept. I don’t often read books from that time period but this one really worked for me! The narrators for this book both took on their characters so well and I really enjoyed listening to them. Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook!!