This is a serviceable and fun young-adult romantasy novel. Following a vampire forced to become human to court a vampire-hunting duke, our main character must also try to uncover the mystery of a missing brother. While there is basically negative historical accuracy to enjoy, Ferraro is good at crafting a plot, world, and conflict. All in all, it's a great bus read for the spooky season.

A Vile Season starts strong with a convincing plot, where a vampire turned mortal enters a competition to win the heart of a Duke's son all in the hope of winning his immortality back. It sounds so good with Lucien our main character trying to court the oldest brother, meanwhile investigating the missing middle brother and falling for the youngest brother at the same time. There is so much happening and I was hooked from the first page.

I enjoyed reading this and it's fast paced, but I wish there was more to the ending. With everything happening, the last few chapters were a little underwhelming. This could have been a five star if the author had given the plot twist and the romance a little more pages. I didn't see the chemistry between Lucien and Maxwell.

I had an absolute wonderful time reading this book!

I have included my full Goodreads review in the attachment below.

I really enjoyed the overall vibe that this book had and would recommend it to any one of my friends. The writing was fantastic, the story was well thought out, and the characters were beautifully developed.

I absolutely loved this book, such a good queer romantasy with Bridgerton vibes. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO DAVID FERRARO!!!

I gotta be honest, the fact that everything all wrapped up into "we're saving the day with the power of friendship" did not sit right with me for a vampire book (I guess I wanted there to be more death). It is one of my favorite tropes though so I'm not THAT upset. I really enjoyed this book and think the comps that were used were very accurate. I really enjoyed Lucien I thought he was really funny and was glad that we got to meet Emmet (It's also funny to me that he shares a name with another vampire in a different novel lol). I think the only critic I really have is that I wish Raven had some karma thrown back at her for what she did ?? But I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and she did say she gave everyone a choice which is better than what Lucien did. So maybe she isn't ALL bad.

OK y'all, what do you get with you pair up a paranormal mystery/thriller with a Bridgerton-esque marriage competition?! A Vile Season has all of the Regency scheming you could want - from the POV of a former vampire tasked with hunting down the secretive group of hunters who ran him out of his home. Which there's certainly some tension and some seriously spooky/dark vibes, there's also tons of banter, a cast of spectacular characters, and an exciting (and ultimately happy) conclusion. The perfect read to finish off your spooky season TBR!

The entire story is told by Lucian, a vampire who is stripped of his undead powers by a vengeful god. It was a ton of fun watching him try to figure out how to be human - at first to further his own selfish purposes and later as a way to endear himself to his new friends. Though his arrogance could be frustrating at times, I loved his sense of humor. Definitely a bit of a villain redeemed story, as Lucian had been molded into a completely uncaring creature, but as he gets to know his human companions, he realizes that he might actually like them.

The romance in this book was really more of a subplot - the focus of the story is on the mystery of finding both the vampire hunters and the duke's younger brother. I did love the way things worked out as Lucian clearly falls for the wrong man. In addition, I always love a story set in a queer normative world, especially when that story is historical(ish).

I know spooky season is almost over, but you really don't want to miss out on this one. It's fun, irreverent, and just a great read. David Ferraro is a new-to-me author, and I'll definitely be checking out more of his stuff! Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours for the opportunity to read this one and the gifted copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for the eARC!

From the moment this book started, I was hooked. David Ferraro has an incredible gripping and gorgeous writing style that I just want to devour, and there was never a moment where I was bored or skimming through passages. I could not put this book down! The way he is able to write such complex characters that just positively JUMP off the page is nothing short of awe-inspiring. I felt like every character had clear motivations, back story, and was thoroughly developed, even the side characters.

I will say, if you are going into this for the Bachelor-esque vibes, you might be a tad disappointed as it focuses much more on the central mystery than the trials to win the duke's hand, in my opinion.

All in all though, I loved this! I would absolutely eat up a sequel if the author ever decided to visit this world again. Count Lucian Cross is a thoroughly endearing character, and I miss him already!

I would like to start by saying thank you to David Ferraro and NetGalley for this ARC.

What a crazy ride! I was honestly waiting for cooler fall weather to start this ARC because I thought it would be perfect and it did not disappoint. Our main character, Lucian, is witty and keeps you engaged and chuckling the entire time.

I originally chose this ARC because the idea of it seemed like the perfect book for spooky season. I ended up falling in love with the characters because it is almost impossible not to. They are cunning, engaging, and above all hilarious at times. I would like to say that Helena gave me Lady Danbury vibes and I loved it.

Overall I enjoyed this book. I only gave it three stars because it was a good book; engaging, funny, and a little insightful. But, it was not mind-altering for me. I hope you’ll give it a try if you’re looking for a fun read this spooky season.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I read this book STRAIGHT through, it was that good!! I literally couldn't put it down. I love the regency era, I love queer romance, and I've been quite taken by vampires lately, so what better than to combine all three? (Plus, that cover is GORGEOUS!)

Ironically, the main character of this vampire story is NOT a vampire during the telling of the tale. Lucian Cross has a simple task: Win the hand of the duke and regain his immortality...as long as he ALSO tracks down the vampire hunters that are thought to be lurking nearby. Sounds easy enough, right?

I was swept away by David's writing from page one. I truly loved seeing all of the characters develop over the course of the book, particularly Lucian himself. I found myself alternating between laughing at the sharp, witty narration and dialogue and shocked at each suspenseful reveal in a beautifully complex plot. This was truly a thrilling delight!

David Ferraro’s A Vile Season is a masterfully woven tale that brilliantly combines gothic horror, romance, and a suspenseful mystery. Count Lucian, a once-immortal vampire, is thrust into the chaotic world of human emotions and social maneuvering after being stripped of his powers by the enigmatic god Vrykolakas. This twist gives the story a compelling edge, as Lucian navigates the treacherous waters of courtship while grappling with his newfound humanity.

The stakes couldn’t be higher: succeed in winning the future duke’s hand, uncover the lurking vampire hunters, and reclaim his immortality—or face eternal torment. Ferraro’s exploration of Lucian’s emotional journey is poignant and relatable, as he grapples with love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. The connection between Lucian and Maxwell, the duke’s younger brother, adds a beautifully nuanced layer to the plot, showcasing the power of unexpected bonds amidst the chaos.

The supporting cast is a highlight, with each character vividly brought to life through rich backstories and distinct personalities. Ferraro excels at crafting witty banter and clever dialogue that keeps the reader engaged and entertained. The humor beautifully balances the darker themes, making for a well-rounded reading experience.

The narrative builds to a thrilling climax, with an action-packed ending that leaves you breathless and eager for more. Ferraro’s storytelling is both immersive and gripping, ensuring that A Vile Season is not just a book to read, but an adventure to experience.

In conclusion, A Vile Season is a captivating blend of horror, humor, and heartfelt emotion, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. Ferraro has created a world that is as enchanting as it is dangerous, and I can’t wait to see where he takes us next.

Book Review

Title: A Vile Season by David Ferraro

Genre: Historical, Romance, Queer

Rating: 4.25 Stars

A Vile Season is the follow up book to Ferraro’s debut, The Alchemy of Moonlight which I adored and its take on the werewolf mythos. Through that book I knew that Ferraro’s character work and romance would be on point as well as changed the mythos around vampires which are featured in this book. This book featured a cool premise where a vampire is turned back into a human to become a spy for the vampire god. This alone was enough to hook me since vampire gods aren’t something you see often, alongside the power to revert a vampire back to their human state. In addition, to this we are looking into a marriage game where both men and women are competing for the Duke’s hand bringing in the queer rep that I loved in his previous book. So, we have a spy mission, a marriage game and a mystery element surrounding one of the Duke’s brothers going missing.

Once again Ferraro’s character work with the two main characters; Lucian and Maxwell is on point but also with his side characters like Zachariah who was one of the most captivating in the entire book, the only downside with his characters is some of the ones I loved the most aren’t that central to the story, so we didn’t get to see much of them. Lucian is a vampire but after almost being murdered by an angry mob, he is visited by an ancient god of their kind who makes him an offer. This offer is to win the hand of the future Duke, Maxwell, and come back stronger than ever. Lucian being the pragmatic person he is takes the deal as either way he is going to survive any way he can which is something I admired about his character.

However, the main issue of the book comes in when Lucian is transformed back into a human. Since he hasn’t been human for a long time, he has forgotten the perks of being human such as the variety of emotions they feel. this means he comes to make friends and fall in love when it wasn’t planned in the beginning. Usually, I don’t judge a book before reading but something you just know you are going to love it and this was the case with A Vile Season much like Alchemy of Moonlight. just like the synopsis claimed this fits perfectly for the spooky season but provides all the drama and romance of a series like Bridgerton with some amazing queer rep and loveable characters. This was honestly a book I flew through devouring it in less than a week which is surprising for me. If you liked Alchemy of Moonlight or Bridgerton then definitely pick this up.

A Bridgeton inspired historical queer romance with vampires. If I somehow haven't gotten your attention yet then let me add that this was FUN.

In order to gain back his immortality Lucien, once vampire now turned human, has been tasked with winning the Duke’s son’s hand in marriage in a competition where he is pitted against many other eligible bachelors and bachelorettes all while finding the vampire hunters plaguing his kind by none other than the vampire god himself. The side characters also feel fully fleshed out with their own relationship drama and personalities.

Truly a whackadoodle plot but I was totally enamored by this book. It takes elements of well known media, the bachelor/bachelorette, Bridgeton and various pieces of vampire media and gives them a new spin.

A Vile Season was such a fun mix of vampires, romance, and a bit of Regency flair.

Lucian Cross, our MMC, is a centuries-old vampire who has been turned back into a human. In order to become a vampire again, he must try to win the heart of a Duke, whose family is the head of a secret vampire-hunting society. Watching him struggle with his newfound mortality was both hilarious and humbling. The way he wrestles with his new found human emotions and empathy, slowly realizing his faults and beginning to care about others, was a fun and unique take on a vampire story.

This was surprisingly cozy and a very fun read. With a cast of interesting characters and some light romance, it kept me hooked. Definitely looking forward to more from this author!

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

I love this cover. Another banger for David. This book was my favorite of his so far. Full of suspense, mystery, romance, and a grey area protagonist you can’t help but love.

Lucian is a feared vampire who enjoys torturing humans for his own amusement. He has no regard for human life or anyone’s life other than himself. When his castle is stormed, he is forced to transform into a human in order to prove himself worthy. Once he successfully marries the future Duke and gets a list of names of the vampire hunters who tried to kill him, he will be able to return to his life as a vampire.

Lucian in the very beginning was a very complicated character. He hated humanity and being a human. He wants his power and vampire life back and doesn’t care about the Duke or his family. As the story progresses, he gets major character development. We see him start to realize his faults and how wrong he was about certain people. He sees how he tortured people and how that hurt them and the pain he’s caused in people’s lives.

The ending of this went in a direction I didn’t expect, and it got so wild. I was like what the heck when the stuff hit the fan. Raven was such a menace and I kind of understand her motives. What she did was messed up, but I get it. Maxwell was so cute throughout the whole book and I knew that he could melt Lucian’s icy heart. This was a very enjoyable book full of characters I liked to see and I’m ready for more books from David!!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. 5 stars and 1 chili pepper for spice I normally don’t read YA due to the low spice content but figured this story sounded good. I was not disappointed! This book had me hanging in the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved Lucien’s character and the 1st person POV actually worked really well. I never felt like I was missing another person’s point of view. Without giving spoilers, I’ll simply say I really enjoyed the unexpected plot twists that happened throughout the entire story. I also loved the ending of the story. Overall though this book was entertaining and very well written. Totally am going to read more from this author in the future.

This book was a fun one. It was perfect for spooky season. Especially if you’re a romance reader and don’t enjoy scary things but want to participate. It is a YA so know that going in. Target audience seemed like middle school to high school. I loved the twists and how the pacing really picked up at the end to drive everything home!

I absolutely loved A Vile Season by David Ferraro! The world he created is rich and immersive, drawing me in from the very first page. The intricate plot and well-developed characters kept me captivated throughout the entire story. Ferraro's writing is both engaging and atmospheric, making this book a truly enjoyable read!

This was a very fun read! I loved the concept of mixing the bachelor and bridgerton but throw in vampires and queerness. Truly an incredible combination of things. I really enjoyed watching the competition progress and see our MC learn more about his competition. I would absolutely love a spinoff of Violetta and Isabel, I was so invested in them the whole book.

Overall, it was very fun and had a lot going for it! I don’t think it was a perfect book by any means but it scratched the spooky itch this month and some new characters to get invested in!

Regency vampires meets The Bachelor in this queer story about a vampire turned human who must court a count in order to be turned back into a vampire... except he is falling for the wrong duke. Count Lucian loves being a vampire but when his sire tells him that he has to court a Duke and win said Duke’s hand in marriage in order to thwart a group of vampire hunters... while being turned back into a human, Lucian knows his hands are going to be full. Lucian will do anything to get turned back into a human but when he begins to live amongst them he begins to feel very human feelings... something he has not felt in so long. He also finds himself embroiled in a mystery to uncover a missing heir with a very handsome and charming duke... that he absolutely should not be falling for. All the while fellow vampires who have had it out for him are also coming for him now that he is vulnerable. Lucian will now have to decide how far he is willing to go to become a vampire again and if he is willing to give up the love that he has begun to feel. To stay a human or to become a vampire again? To stay with the man he’s fallen in love with or give it all up for a chance at immortality?

This was a really fun queer romance! I am always excited to read more queer vampire romances and one with a backdrop of regency era was a really fun read. I loved the dynamic between Lucian and his own familiar, as well as how he adjusts from feeling nothing to feeling everything. We get to see him grow into his feelings and his heart begin to open again. It’s a fun read if you want a vampire romance and with a touch of drama!

𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙴𝙰𝚂𝙴 𝙳𝙰𝚃𝙴: October 8, 2024
𝚁𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝙼𝚈 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂:
Count Lucian Cross is a vampire that’s lived many, many years.
When vampire hunters begin eradicating lots of vampires, Lucian is turned into a mortal by the vampire god, Vrykolakas, and tasked with infiltrating a duke’s marriage games to uncover who the hunters are.
Only Lucian isn’t prepared for being mortal again nor dealing with all the emotions that come with a beating heart.

This is a slower paced, queer, paranormal, somewhat romantic regency novel that honestly has a ridiculous plot that TOTALLY works.
Lucian is just egotistical enough to pull off his ruse and I loved him for that.
He seems a bit TOO confident in the beginning, but watching him navigate mortality after such a long time as a vampire was both hilarious and humbling.

My favorite parts were when Lucian experienced things as a human he forgot about:
Food. Sunlight. Touch.
When even he started admitting he’d lost touch with living after being dead for so long, I knew his redemption arc would be fantastic, and it was.

The romance was on the lighter side but I feel like this is one of those stories where the more times you read it the more you’ll pick up on.
Regardless, I ended up really enjoying this one.

𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠. 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣.