A Cruel Thirst was such a fun read! The characters are beautifully flawed and deeply human, ane banter is top-notch! The chemistry between the leads was palpable, and I absolutely loved their dynamic. I could not get enough of Lalo--the cinnamon roll vampire who doesn't want to be a vampire. He's perfect and should be protected at all costs!!!

I was lucky enough to also receive a copy of the book as well and I've had so much fun reading this. One thing about me I love vampire books! My love of vampires goes way back to the late 80's. This book was so much fun to read and I can't wait to recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling book that captivates them. I hope to read more by this author and even better if there are more vampires from her in the future!

This was a fun YA paranormal novel. A vampire hunter and vampire end up having to work together to accomplish a common goal. I ate this up and enjoyed the banter between the two characters. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by this author.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise sounded interesting. Overall the concept was good, but I found the book either a little too long or difficult to stay engaged as I read this in multiple sittings. I either found the main characters lacking a little dimension and I did not care too much about the villain.

Thank you for the complimentary ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

“𝙷𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔? 𝙸𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚙𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚜 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛.”

This was such a fresh and unique take on a vampire story!
The world-building was steeped in Mexican culture and mythology, offering fascinating and original explanations for the classic traits of vampirism we know so well—like why they can’t be in the sun, why they need to be invited in, their need for human blood, and their extraordinary speed and strength. I loved how these familiar elements were reimagined through a cultural lens, making the story feel fresh and compelling.

The writing was beautifully engaging, with many memorable lines that I found myself highlighting. I also appreciated the epistolary elements woven between the chapters—they added depth and complemented the story perfectly. The balance of romance, plot, and action was well done!!

The story offers plenty to enjoy: a slow-burn forbidden romance, family secrets, action, fake engagement, vampires, and dual POVs.

Instead of the archetypal brooding, badass, centuries-old vampire, we have a clumsy, newly turned 19-year-old vampire with a heart of gold. Lalo was sensitive, sweet, shy, and utterly terrible at being a vampire. His aversion to his new reality made him both endearing and charming. Honestly, his character was a breath of fresh air.

Carolina, on the other hand, was a powerhouse. Fierce, feisty, passionate, and bold, she knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it.

I absolutely LOVED Lalo and Carolina! Carolina and Lalo were polar opposites in many ways, but their dynamic worked wonderfully. The humor and banter between them were delightful, and they were undeniably adorable together. However, I did find myself wanting a bit more from the romance.

Overall, this was amazing! I can't wait to read more from this author!

Title: A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya
Genre: YA Romantasy
Pub Date: December 17, 2024

🩸 Vampire x Vampire Huntress
❤️‍🔥 Enemies to Lovers
🩸 Fake Engagement
❤️‍🔥 LGBTQ+ Rep
🩸 Forced Proximity
❤️‍🔥 Dual POV
🩸 Cinnamon Roll MMC

💭 A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya is a great blend of fantasy and romance. Lalo, our sweet cinnamon roll MMC vampire, and Carolina, our fierce and sassy heroine, are an adorable pair. The location is unique and the world-building is evocative and beautiful. The story is slow at times, but there are some fun twists and turns. Overall, a fun and quick romantasy!

**Rating: 3.5/5**

“You are despicable.” “No, I am capable. Most men can’t differentiate the two.”

”Think of taxes, he said to himself. Think of math equations. Of anything but Carolina touching you.”

I couldn’t pick a quote so y’all get two!
🗡️
The humor in this book is delightful, I found myself grinning so much throughout it! The mythology and culture within is rich, family bonds are explored and made, and tropes are used and subverted in a perfect way!
🗡️
This book used some of the traditional vampire tropes while also being unique and surprising me a lot! I especially loved Lalo’s character and how he seemed to be the complete opposite of vampire standards, for this book specifically and vampire lit in general! He is clumsy, awkward, and painfully shy, but these traits remain while he also gains the enhanced senses and abilities of a vampire.
🗡️
Carolina was such a girlboss! She is strong and witty and more than willing to stand up for herself, even to those whose opinions matter most to her. I loved that while being such a mighty character, she also is able to admit to her faults and take accountability for her actions. Angela Montoya’s dedication was a perfect representation of Carolina;
“For wild-hearted daughters: May you continue to give the world hell.”
🗡️
Thank you JOYREVOLUTION and ANGELAMONTOYA for the ARC! 💕

“A Cruel Thirst” by Angela Montoya is a captivating blend of romance, action, and rich cultural lore that breathes fresh life into vampire mythology. Set in 19th-century Mexico, the novel follows Lalo Villalobos, a newly turned vampire on a quest to reverse his curse, and Carolina Fuentes, a determined vampire huntress eager to prove her worth. Their paths intertwine in an unexpected alliance, leading to a narrative filled with tension, humor, and heartfelt moments.

Montoya’s storytelling is both vivid and engaging, seamlessly weaving Mexican folklore into the fabric of the plot. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with Lalo’s introspective nature complementing Carolina’s fiery determination. Their chemistry is palpable, enhanced by witty banter and the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, which is executed with finesse.

The novel’s pacing keeps readers on the edge of their seats, balancing action-packed sequences with moments of introspection and character development. The incorporation of a fake engagement adds an extra layer of intrigue and charm to the story.

“A Cruel Thirst” is a standout addition to the young adult fantasy genre, offering a fresh perspective on vampire lore enriched by Latinx culture. It’s a must-read for fans of paranormal romance and those seeking a story that is both entertaining and culturally immersive.

As one reviewer aptly put it, “I am absolutely in LOVE with this book! If you like vampires, Spanish vibes, enemies to lovers, a stabby FMC, fake dating, and banter… this one is for you!” 

Another reader noted, “Montoya breathes fresh life into the vampire-and-vampire-hunter trope with a vivid world beautifully woven with Latinx lore and a romance both searing and tender.” 

Overall, “A Cruel Thirst” is a compelling and enchanting read that will leave readers eagerly anticipating Angela Montoya’s future works.

Thank you to the publishers for this early copy review
3.75/5 rounded up.
I really enjoyed this book the world felt fresh and interesting and did a good job of immersing the reader. The book shines the most in the romance between the fmc and the mmc. The two leads were likable and I found myself routing for them. My favorite pov was Lalo's because of his introverted personality and his internal struggle with the monster he has become. Overall,I would recommend this to anyone looking for a standolone YA fantasy romance.

In the context of this book being for a YA audience - it delivers. I imagine a younger audience will appreciate this. But I'm always hopeful that a YA book can pull and appeal to a variety of audiences based off the strategic use of language and dialouge. As it stands, some of said dialogue was a little cheesy which caused the romance to fall flat but entertaining all the same. Hoping to see more vampire novels add the sensuality and angst back into the stories regardless of a YA, NA, or A audience - I think thats what makes some of the other popular vampy novel so addicting; everything is sensual. If you give this a shot - and you should - what I'm saying may make more sense.

A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya is a wonderful YA fantasy.
An enchanting and action-packed adventure that had me hooked from the very first page. This fun and lighthearted read was phenomenal and I loved every minute of it!
I thought the magic system was interesting and I liked how the relationship between the two main characters grew. It's a fun read and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a nice fantasy romance with some Vampires, ancient evil, and forbidden romance.

This book was incredible! I truly have no words! Angela has a way to just make you lose yourself in the story and the romance. I couldn't put the Kindle down. Lina and Lalo even sound good together! Agh. I'm obsessed. What a great book with vampires.

Listen. I loved Montoya's debut novel, but this follow up really shows that Montoya spent time perfecting the craft. The new lore about vampires is my absolute favorite part of this, connecting the undead to a god of the underworld is genius and really adds something new to the vampire trope. I was swooning for the romance between Lalo, the recently turned vampire, and Carolina, the huntress. Just the whole "she's scary but enticing" thing by Lalo had me kicking my feet. Everything about this novel had me blowing through it to reach the end and see if Lalo and Carolina had a happy ending. I'm excited for Montoya's next book!

From the sweet romance to the incredible banter, sense of family, and hint of mystery, A Cruel Thirst was a thrilling adventure that kept me on my toes as a newly turned vampire and vampire huntress unexpectedly join forces and work together to defeat their common enemy.

I always love a story with vampires and add a dash of romance with great tension and banter, and I’m instantly intrigued. Right away, I adored the character of Lalo. He’s tenderhearted and endearing, and you can’t help but want to cheer him on in his quest. And when he crosses paths with Carolina, sparks FLEW. This story was a great combination of fantasy, romance, and heart.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Carolina is a vampire huntress. Lalo is a newly turned vampiro. They must work together to hunt down a common enemy, vampiros, while falling in love along the way.

A Cruel Thirst started off with a bang and the more I got into the story, the more invested I became in Carolina and Lalo’s relationship. I love a good banter between characters! The name calling is hilarious. Lalo is the monster but calling Carolina, a demon and other names had me laughing! I also enjoyed the Mexican lore and the history that was incorporated through out the story.

Overall, this was a light and fun read. This book put a smile on my face. I am looking forward to reading more from this author!

I loved this even more than this author’s debut!!! From a purely technical standpoint, the cause and effect progression of every scene was executed so beautifully and it resulted in a really enticing and fast-paced narrative that I literally couldn’t put down (I’m writing this review at midnight after just finishing the book).

So, so good! <3

She's a vampire hunter who wants nothing more than to get rid of them and he's the newly turned vampire who wants nothing to do with being a vampire but looking for a way to get revenge against the vampire who not only turned him but killed his family... when their path's cross an unlikely alliance begins (and they're pretending to be engaged) and an even unlikelier romance begins to bloom. Carolina Fuentes is from a family of vampire hunters and is determined to be one herself... except all her father is concerned about is getting her married, especially to someone he picks and someone who will take the dagger from her hands. Determined to prove that she is capable, Carolina is determined to find a vampire to kill... except the handsome vampire she runs into is nothing like what she expects. Cue, Lalo Villalobos, someone who was turned into a vampire and is determined to get rid of the curse. When he meets Carolina he can't help but be attracted to her despite the fact that she could drive a dagger through his heart at any second. Carolina and Lalo share a common enemy and decide to work together to find the vampire and wipe it out... but that means they'll have to find a way to trick her family into thinking he is her fiance... yet they've begun to fall for one another despite their differences. Can Lalo and Carolina cure Lalo and stop the vampires before it's too late and can their romance actually survive? This was such a fun vampire romance read, I loved the dynamic between Lalo and Carolina. I adored the romance that builds and how Carolina is the tougher one while Lalo is the softer one. The vampire storyline was really fun and absolutely one i would recommend for anyone looking for a unique vampy read with romance!

Release Date: December 17,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's | Joy Revolution for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to Random House Children's for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I love a good vampire book, I really do, but this one's pacing just took me out of the story completely. I really tried to root for the characters, even stay engaged with the plot, but I just felt like something was off and not in the eery and spooky way, I still can't put my finger on it to be honest, but it was like the characters and the plot and just all the circumstances were taking turns being incredibly flat.

i am so sorry to say i did not enjoy this as much as i expeceted to. this could be the slump talking as well, as personal matters have really burned me out but i was struggling to connect with our main characters. while i fully knew this was a YA going in, i will admit it read young for the language and the dialogue took me out of the story occassionally. i will save my review for netgalley and will not be posting a public one. thank you for the arc!

Carolina Fuentes has spent her life trying to prove to her father that she is a capable woman made for more than marriage. She wants to hunt with the rest of the men in her family. When her Abuelo ends up killed by a Sediento she becomes even more determined to prove her worth.

Lalo Villalobos watched his parents being murdered by a Vampire but when he goes to the authorities he is laughed at and mocked. He knows what he saw and will find justice for his parents. in his hunt for that justicehe comes face to face with Maricella the woman who killed his parents and now will kill and turn him. After his worst nightmare comes to life he takes his sister Fernanda and flees to a town where he believes the first vampiro was made. If he can destroy the first vampiro then he can ri the world of this curse. He doesn't expect to find himself in a confusing and twisted lie with Carolina Fuentes the daughter of the towns best known vampiro hunters.

Thrown together against all odds Lalo and Carolina realize they are of more use to eachother alive and strike an uncertain deal to help one another find as much as they can about the first vampiro to be made.

You have to be careful digging into the past because sometimes you dig things up that turn everything you have ever known on its head. We all have secrets, things we would rather have left in the dark but sometimes you have to bring it to the light of day even if it could ruin all that you hold dear.


#ACruelThirst by #AngelaMontoya is a great novel that I strongly recommened those of you who enjoy books about vmapires to give a chance. I don't even care for vampires but I loved this book.

I want to thank #Netgalley for the chance to read #ACruelThirst by #AngelaMontoya in return for a fair and honest review.