Perfect dark academia vampire read for fall!

This book captured my attention in a way that it hasn't been in a long while. The premise was very appealing, and I found myself easily swept away into the story. Jonathan and Dacian were magnetic! I felt the pull between them, and I couldn't help but feel drawn into their world and their story. I wanted more of them and their love story! Jonathan's character arc was beautifully written, and Dacian captured my heart from the first time he was on the page.

Like I said I wanted more of their love story! It felt so short at times and almost rushed in a sense. I will say the pacing at times was a little off-kilter, but not too bad. The writing at times also felt more modern than the timeframe of which the story was occurring which did impact the flow and connectivity throughout the book.

Overall, I couldn't put this one done! I didn't want it to end, and I wish there was going to be a sequel because I would read it in a heartbeat. 100% would recommend to anyone looking for an amazing fall vampire read.

I would like to give a huge thanks to the author, the publisher, and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

Rating: 4.7/5

A nice blend of bookish academia with a vampire mystery? This book managed to balance these two topics really well and was an engaging read.
As a library science student myself, I was really pleased by the tidbits and facts about book conservation, even though it's not the main thing I study. But it's close enough to make me feel excited and I was really happy that the author managed to put so many interesting facts about old manuscripts and old prints into the story while not making it feel like infodumping. It was also clear that Jonathan had really passion for the subject and that's something I always like about characters. Jonathan himself was also interesting. His past, desires and overall personality made his point of view so engaging!
I really loved how he fell for Dacian, too. I sometimes struggle with books when the romance is not completely developed, but I can say that I enjoyed this one a lot. Their chemistry, especially Jonathan's feelings surrounding his fear and desire, felt nicely written and the progress of the romance was great too.
The mystery was a bit predictable in some places, but in the end really surprised me with the final gory action.
Overall I really enjoyed this book!

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

Vampires are so back - and this one feels like a classic of the genre. The atmosphere in this is perfect for the season, and it being a queer story only made me more hyped to pick this one up!

I liked a lot of this; we follow Jonathan as he deals with the suicide of his boyfriend, as he struggles to be treated as an equal to his fellow students; and most importantly, as a mysterious new guy comes into his life.
Now, I’ll be honest; I didn’t love that the vampire love interest was his teacher. I wish maybe Jonathan had been a teachers assistant instead of the student?

Overall the writing was very smooth, the plot felt straightforward but well constructed - I just wish the love story was a little bit more well developed; given a little more time to breathe and grow.

It’s a perfect read for the season, almost enough to make me want to reread twilight!

This book was hard for me because there were things I really loved and things that just missed the mark for me. For start, I loved the vampire lore and the fact that Damian did seem genuinely scary. It was hard for Jonathan and the reader to tell what was his scary vamp mind powers and compulsion and what was all Jonathan. The history and the idea was really cool- the concept was what kept me reading. Unfortunately the first half of the book dragged a bit for me, and I felt like there was a bit too much monologue moralizing- themes and concepts that could have been exhibited instead of ranted or really just blatantly stated by Jonathan who seemed to vacillate between extremely self aware/introspective and the confused traumatized boy he seemed to be at other times. I had fun though and it wasn't enough to stop me from reading the whole thing. I'd probably rate it like 3.5 stars if I could. Good but not great, better for an audience that's just not me I guess.

3.5 Stars ✨

This book was really hard to rate. Honestly, I loved the gothic vibe—it had that perfect mix of dark aesthetics and supernatural feels that just hits differently. But let's chat about some things that left me a little... 🤔

First off, I hated the first half of the book. I think the MMCs only interacted like three times in the first 50%, which made the book really boring for me. I LOVE a good slow burn, but this was not it.

And then there's Dacian. In the beginning, he was super mysterious, but maybe a bit too much? Yeah, we got to know him later, but it was a bit too late for me; I was already disconnected from his character by then.

Now, let’s talk about the mystery. It was VERY predictable. I figured it out the moment I realized there was a mystery to solve. I wanted some twists that kept me guessing, but it was pretty straightforward.

Despite these quirks, I have to say the writing had some serious potential. However, I did catch a lot of telling instead of showing, which kinda pulled me out of the story. It would’ve been nice to feel the emotions and tension more organically, you know?

In the end, though, I still enjoyed the journey, and I think if you’re into a mix of mystery and gothic romance, this one’s worth a shot!

An enjoyable book, the dark academia, gloomy vampire theme was well worth reading for, but I felt like I didn't connect to the MMCs very well. I was very excited for the promised age gap, student x teacher, vampire romance and it did deliver.

I wish we had a bit more fleshing out for Dacian, there are a few little plot holes, and I also wish that Jonathan had a bit more personality. I will definitely read more from Kit Vincent, I just felt that overall this one fell a bit flat for me.

Jonathan Evergreen is a talented sophomore at a prestigious, isolated college in Vermont, who dreams of a career in book conservation. But Jonathan’s life isn’t as rosy as it may appear. Disowned by his family after they caught him with another boy, he struggles to overcome heartbreak and support himself through his studies. To make matters worse, his advisor and the only ally in the institution run by old money and family connections mysteriously vanishes, and a new enigmatic professor, Dacian Bathory, takes his place.

A great modern take on a classic. Would love to read more .
Well worth it .

So this book is perfect and I love everything about it. Love Immortal is a love letter to centuries of vampire lore from Byron to Stoker to Rice and beyond. It’s a love letter to old books, to literature, to stories, to preservation of the indomitable human spirit. And like all good vampire books, it’s a love letter to being unapologetically queer.
The story itself takes place in a university in a remote part of Vermont in the 80s (be still my heart) and follows a student, Jonathan, as he pursues an education and career in the preservation of human stories, while trying to make a new life for himself after a traumatic past. When the new professor, Dacian Bathory, is mysterious, handsome, and can quote ancient poetry it really only logically follows he’s gotta be a vampire, right? What follows is a dark academia mystery: discussing the classism and prejudice prevalent in those institutions, while Jonathan, Dacian, and Jonathan’s kickass BFF Fiona try to figure out who’s responsible for recent murders on campus and track down a stolen book. Along the way is a beautiful, poignant love story between Jonathan and Dacian which is incredibly swoon worthy and angsty in all the right places. The story is intimate in the most surprising ways, and things told through dreams and Jonathan’s thoughts will remind you so strongly of the classic vampire stories, it scratches that classic itch while also giving you a new hero and storyline.
Vampires, literature about vampires, and history behind the legends, has been a special interest of mine since I was a very young child and because of that I’ll be the first to admit I’m pretty picky about which books regarding vampires I actually like. This one I love. I feel like it pays proper homage to the stories this lore is built on (don’t even get me started on how Stoker used the vampire lore to be a horrible person and badly researched the late great Vlad. That’s another post.) while offering something new and bringing what’s often subtext to text. Jonathan is relatable and strong yet soft, and Dacian is the perfect balance of supernatural creature and loving partner with a scarred past himself. The setting is delicious and palpable, the story heart wrenching and hopeful. This is a wonderful story, and a beautiful book.

“That no matter how much I try to resist, I’m unable to keep myself from you? That the instant our eyes met in the theater, I saw our connection? Your heart called out to me, all ten thousand broken shards of it. How could I not answer when suddenly, in a room full of people, I could hear only you?”

I’m not really a big fan of vampire books, but that cover and the fact that it’s spooky season made me want to read this.

The beginning was a little slow for me, there were a lot of unnecessary info dumps, and not a lot of interaction between Dacian and Jonathan. This is a very slow burn story since most of the interactions are through classes and dreams.

The story was well written if a little slow in some parts but about 40% in it picked up and I was very entertained.

Jonathan’s and Dacian’s pasts are both very sad and the give a glimpse into why both of them are as guarded as they are.

I did really enjoy this story and I definitely recommend it for those who enjoy slow burn 🔥 and books that are centered around the love for literature.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for this Arc!

I am absolutely destroyed and can’t stop crying now that I’ve finished my arc of Love Immortal by Kit Vincent. This was an easy 5 stars!

It’s perfect. There’s so much nuance and complexity and underlying messages amidst this breathtaking m/m vampire romance, with an alternative 1980s, academic, Vermont-in-the-fall setting.

I actually dragged this one out because I didn’t want it to be over (and also because I added so many highlights and notes 😅).

Not only is Jonathan and Dacian’s story painfully beautiful, but Love Immortal also highlights deeper issues like book banning and queer erasure in history/literature. I am just obsessed with this book, and I refuse to shut up about it!

Kit is an autobuy author, forever and always. I had been anxiously awaiting this book’s release since they announced it, and it did not disappoint!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kit Vincent for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book is everything I want from a dark academia vampire book. I was hooked from the very beginning! I loved the moody atmosphere of a college campus in Vermont and I think it was the perfect backdrop to this story. It's been a while since I've read a book that's pulled me in so much that I felt like I was really sitting their with the characters. I felt like I was deep in the library stacks with Dacian and Jonathan reading The Raven or sitting in on a Gothic Lit lecture. I'm craving more of this story. I think the author left the door open for a sequel and I would be first in line to read that! Overall, I highly recommend adding this to your fall TBR! It's a fantastic spooky season read!

It’s no secret at all that I adore all things Vampire! This book was so good - a gothic nightmare set in the 1980’s at a secluded college in Vermont… missing people, nightmarish shadows, and a mysterious literature professor. I loved it!

Jonathan Evergreen is a student at the prestigious Camden University. He’s run away from his previous life after being forcibly outed and losing his boyfriend, the same one that haunts his nightmares. He’s studying to be a book conservationist, but when he finds his favourite professor has left he’s concerned his studies will be affected… until he meets new teacher, Dacian Bathory.

Dacian is ethereally beautiful and immediately steals Jonathan’s attention. But in the first class, he seems to hate Jonathan… but that doesn’t last for long and soon Dacian is a recurring feature in Jonathan’s dreams.

But students are going missing and Jonathan’s dreams are becoming increasingly more disturbing. Will Jonathan figure out what is going on before the whole University descends into madness?

This book draws on traditional gothic storytelling, with mystery and madness, but with a fun 1980’s setting! I loved Jonathan and Dacian and the interlinking of a very famous gothic story… IYKYK!!

Read Love Immortal for:
✨ Vampires!!
✨ Gothic storytelling traditions
✨ Professor x Student
✨ Age gap (because vampires, duh!)
✨ Isolated college setting
✨ Historical 1980’s setting
✨ Descent into madness
✨ Shedding light on a famous vampire

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kit Vincent for an ARC of this amazing book! It’s available 22nd October 2024 🦇

this was fantastic!! gay vampires, dark academia and murder ... what more could you possibly want in a good book?

this book was near impossible to put down! i immediately knew i would love it the moment i finished the prologue.

i loved jonathans character development and his friendship with fiona the most. and the way kit vincent slowly revealed plot details that had me shocked! some moments were truly jaw dropping!

I wanted so terribly to love this book, but it fell short of every expectation.

Love Immortal is my first book from this author and, though I know they've published another quite popular title, it will be my last. The writing feels juvenile, deeply reminiscent of the fanfiction stories I would publish online when I was in my pre-teens. Characters are rarely deeper than their outward presentation, and any foreshadowing is more of a glaring announcement, rather than a well-done hint.

Admittedly, the plot is phenomenal. My issues with Love Immortal lie purely within the execution. This book relies quite heavily on the telling, not showing, and made no effort to mystify you enough to draw the reader in.

Vampires, academia, and an 80s vibe, this book reminded me why I've always loved gothic romance.

There are so many things I love here. The book follows the slow, mystical buildup of the supernatural but it's set on a college campus in the late 1980s so it's never overwhelming. Beautiful genre conventions with a modern air.
To explore the theme more, we get to read a little about gothic classics like Ann Radcliffe's Udolpho and Poe's The Raven, and that's just like candy to little nerdy me.

The character of Dacian is exquisite. He's dark, mysterious, and powerful, like any gothic vampire, but he's also gentle, and kind, and good. He felt like a perfect love interest for this book.

We could say that most things with these gothic themes have been done but I'd beg to disagree. Kit Vincent clearly understood the assignment and did a wonderful job. His execution alone is incredibly immersive and full of monumentally large feelings. (I will always be a fan of huge feelings.) Add to that the sheer weight of quotable lines, I'd argue that this book is more than worth reading.
(Just ask my friends who had to put up with me bombarding them with quotes out of the blue...)

Thank you to the author for trusting me with a free advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Going into this book, I did not initially think I would like it, but Kit's engaging writing won me over. Excuse me, Dacian Bathory was too dark and mysterious to ignore. I found it enduring that he was super learned (could recite books from memory) but was pretty much a novice when it came to 20th century convivences like driving. He was so enduring about it, so I could definitely forgive him (I would forgive Dacian Bathory anything). I loved Jonathan's interactions with Dacian. Their interactions were full of longing to be understood and a need for companionship in a world that had so persecuted them both. I also liked Fiona, Jonathan's only friend and sympathetic ear at Camden. Also a total badass. Like Jonathan, I hated the legacies, just a bunch of spoiled rich kids who trampled over others. It was no surprise that after learning what lengths they were willing to climb to for immortality, I hated them even more. Their gruesome fates were entirely justified. While Love Immortal doesn't add anything new to the vampire genre, it doesn't really need to. It was a satisfying read, very atmospheric and and a nice nod to Bram Stoker's most famous novel. It's a solid five stars from me.

I’m a sucker for anything vampire/academia/80s related hehe. This turned out to be slightly different to what I was expecting but I enjoyed it nonetheless!!!

5/5 stars.. love immortal is a timeless, heart wrenching story

Love immortal is a breathtakingly beautiful story that en captures the very real themes of love, loss, resilience and hope.
Despite being set in the 1980s this book sheds light on the struggles of
LGBT people and their relationships today. The author touches on the anguish one feels when people turn away from you because of how you are. It speaks on the loss of those you love in death, in turning their backs, and in lashing out or not doing the right thing. Those themes will touch many other lgbt people who may see some of their past within the main characters of this book. It shows that times haven’t changed all that much in some areas, in some families despite the decades. Beyond the supernatural elements of vampires and magic it explores raw humanity. The life lessons and message of the book wring true despite it being a work of fiction. It speaks on the importance of sharing ones truth, and never letting it be silenced or forgotten. Like me I suspect this book will haunt you, heal you and inspire you to embrace your own story.

Did I mention gay vampire? Loosely a Dracula retelling? Teacher/student? Book nerds? Do I really need to say more?

I really enjoyed this book, I was looking for a paranormal autumn aesthetic read and that’s exactly what I got. I absolutely loved the writing style, which makes me so excited to pick more things by this author. It read fast but at the same time the writing was delightfully atmospheric and descriptive.

I did have a couple of issues with the plot though. Mostly it was some twists/ reveals that although made the story more interesting, I didn’t completely jibe with. It was a little too far fetched and made it kind of silly. I’m not sure it was supposed to be funny but it kind of was, especially the action scenes; I felt like I was watching a cartoon in my head.

However that being said, I still had a really good time reading this. The atmosphere was great and I really felt for the main character. As a whole it was definitely worth the read and I think a lot of people are going to absolutely love this book. And other than a few storyline choices I didn’t feel were necessary, or were a little overdone, this was the perfect autumn read.

3.5⭐️

3.75 stars rounded up

perfect for autumn reading and if you’re in the mood to be very lightly scared 🍂

Jonathan never expected the perfect fall semester after losing the only boy he had ever loved but he never expected this.

with increasing violence on campus, paralyzing nightmares and an obsession with his gothic literature professor, Jonathon worries that the darkness occurring on campus might not be natural

Finding himself caught in the middle of all this strangeness, there is no clear way out and he fears that if he truly trusts his professor he will risk losing more than just his life

this book can become a little monotonous in some parts but overall I found myself so intrigued by the characters and the setting absolutely drew me in (does me being a vermonter have anything to do with it … guilty)

it’s giving paranormal romance but make it dark academia, a little bit scary, queer, and set in Vermont during the fall


CW: homophobia, on page mentions of suicide, violence, tad bit of gore