Best Friends' Promise

by Issy Waldrom, Mackenzie Sutton

“What are best friends for, after all?”
“Getting us turned into vampires.” Best Friends are forever, are they not? Time spent together, bonds formed, promises made. No matter how fantastical they might seem, how far-fetched. But friendships can change as time takes its toll, and people change. Miyako might be a bit lost in life. She's come out as trans, is studying in the hopes of doing something with her life, and perhaps wishing that things could be different. But Luna is still her best friend, and when she gets invited to go to a concert with her, to see Luna's favourite band and crush, what she doesn't expect is the offer to be turned into a vampire alongside Luna, because she wants her there with her. Of course, there is no way that she was ever going to refuse. Decisions, made on impulse or not, have their consequences. Especially when it means that she's thrown herself into a hidden aspect of society. Sure, she might have the body she'd only been able to dream about, but now she's involved with a wider group of people, has to prove herself to her family, and there is darkness at the edges. And why does she have to have feelings for that one hot vampire who was an absolute bitch to her. Even if she is exactly her type, and perhaps there might be more to it all. A trans, sapphic, new adult vampire romance about the strength of friendship and family, of throwing yourself into something blindly, and of love and all that it comes with.

Genres: Transgender, Vampires, Romance, Lesbian, Fantasy, LGBT, Fiction

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 20, 2023

About the author

I'm a trans woman author from New Zealand, who likes to write queer fantasy/urban fantasy with queer casts and transfemme mc's, usually sapphic. I started writing and posting on the webnovel sites as a hobby in 2019, and it has grown into being a lot more than what I initially thought. Writing is now a passion, as I really want to be able to share the worlds and characters that I have created and love very much. They do, after all, mean a lot to me.

My biggest complete series is Soul Flames, high fantasy with dragons, their riders, and the journey to deal with the evil that has plagued the world. I also have a shifter romance series (Paths for short, featuring dragons! then wolves!, book 2 due out this year), a litrpg book (Esper, with a cute fox), a somewhat heavy urban fantasy (poly, and my only non-sapphic book), and a co-authored vampire series (B&S for an acronym, yes, more is coming!).

Reviews

[Vi · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 15%

I really thought this book was right up my alley. I'm trans, I love sapphic vampires. Win win.

Ultimately, I think this book is just not for me. I didn't expect turning into a vampire to mean you essentially turned into the exact version of yourself you wanted. Most vampire lore has people kind of frozen in time from the moment they turned, so I expected this book to have some difficulties with a trans woman turning and kinda being stuck early in her transition.

That isn't what happens. She gets bit and her body immediately transforms into the version of herself she'd always imagined. I think that scenario is a dream for most (if not all) trans people so.. I get it. But reading it somehow felt invalidating to me. The book just no longer felt like trans representation (And I know a lot of people may not feel that way and that's totally fine). Ultimately, I just realized I'm not a fan of stories that magically solve someone's gender crisis with a snap of their fingers.

So my rating is excluding everything I've just said above because I know this is just a preference thing for me.

Outside of that... the book has some really clunky dialog. None of the characters really even felt real to me because their dialog was often really unnatural. Even if the premise had been more in my wheel house, I wouldn't have been able to finish it for this alone.

Also... her choosing the name 'Miyako' kind of gives me the ick. Again, I only made it 15% in and she barely touches on her family in that time.. but none of the family members that are named have asian names. Her deadname is not an asian name. After her transformation, she describes herself as a typical white girl. They never explicitly say she is NOT asian, but nothing described gives you the impression she is anything but a white girl in (I think?) Australia. Picking an asian name just felt really cringe and culturally appropriating.

If it turns out she is in fact asian and I didn't read far enough to find out, then feel free to ignore this or correct me and I'll edit this review.

[Elena Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book

A wonderfully fresh take on vampire mythos. The story was amazing and fun, and ramped up nicely towards the climax and through it. It was an absolute blast to read.

I very much enjoyed the character of Miyako, and her relationships with her friend, her sister, and the newcomers in her life. Wonderful to see a trans woman in a story like this, of course, and I'd love to read more stories about more of the interesting characters introduced.

Stayed up all night to read this, it was insanely engrossing. Please more from Issy and Mackenzie

[Toya (thereadingchemist) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I just go recommending this book to everyone, please be in mind that there is misgendering, deadnaming, and slurs pertaining to transgendered people in the book. The author is a trans woman, so all of these instances are addressed on page.

I am a lover of all things vampire, and when my kindle recommended this trans, sapphic romance, I couldn't hit the buy button fast enough.

Miyako is a trans woman who wants more to life since coming out as trans. The two joys in her life are Luna (her best friend) and River (her sister). Miyako begrudgingly accompanies Luna to see her favorite band, but she doesn't expect to meet actual vampires who agree to turn both her and Luna. After Miyako is turned, she finds herself in a body that finally reflects the way that she has always felt, a burgeoning crush on a gorgeous vampire who hates her, and other lingering dangerous that she didn't anticipate.

I freaking loved Miyako. Miyako has always been so sure of herself and her identity regardless of what others think of her, including her trash ass parents that deserve to burn in the pits of hell (sorry not sorry). Miyako also will do any and everything to protect those she loves, which includes protecting her sister River from the bigoted and trashy ass parents.

Found family is the central theme of this book. Once you are turned, you are immediately accepted into the coven of Hell's Redemption, they do ANYHTHING for their own including providing a place to live and protection. I loved seeing this, and this is so damn important for queer folks who would otherwise have no support system.

While this book does have several romantic pairings and soulmates is a big theme as well, the intimate scenes are fade to black, which works for this book (in my opinion).

I can't wait for the next book, so I can get more of these amazing characters!

[3DKing · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Best Friends' Promise" by Issy Waldrom and Mackenzie Sutton is a vampire romance centering around Miyako. She is a transwoman in a conservative household fighting for the freedom to be who she is. Her best friend Luna supports her no questions asked. And when Luna tells Miyako at a party, that they both can be turned into vampires Miyako is at her side - no questions asked. This is the beginning of a fantastical journey of growth, even more and deeper friendship, about the mystical and occult, about boundaries, acceptance and love. Sounds a bit much? It's not. Every chapter has something important or interesting happening. Heavy chapters are mellowed by cuddly-snuggle chapters. Action is balanced with adrenalin crashes. And through it all stands a friendship which can only be envied. Luna and Myiako are there for each other like no other.

I can't wait for the sequel.

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story quite a lot. Especially the different powers of the characters were interesting to read about and pretty unique to the genre. This was the second trans-focused book I've read, and the MC's changes really grew on me. It was missing the steamy scenes I'm so used to in vampire sapphic romances, but your mileage may vary.
I'm looking forward to the second installment.

[Courtney Lanning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best Friends’ Promise is a sweet and emotional read about queer vampires. The character arcs are satisfying, the romance pays off, and we’re even treated to some fun action sequences.

Exploring the world of vampires that Issy Waldrom and Mackenzie Sutton created was one of the best parts of this story. From donors to magic gifts, I found myself constantly wanting to know more.

Miyako and Odette make for a great slow-burn romance. Their chemistry, their adorable moments, and their love is pure fun to experience.

I can’t wait for book #2.

[Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it, glad i stumbled upon this book randomly online and managed to import it. Was a great ride and looking forward to more if/when more become available.

[K. Seely · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story well worth a read

This was so well written, I loved every second of it. It was a lovely take on vampires and what they are or can be.

Spoilers:

This wasn’t an easy read for me. How Miyako’s parents acted… that was my parents only worse in a lot of ways and only better in that they never hit me as an adolescent. So reading this brought up memories of the abuse I suffered. Even so, it is a really good story and I highly recommend. I hope to read more of her stories soon and follow Miyako and see how she and her family grow as characters.

[Jess]

I wanted to like this book and was ok with the writing not being super strong, because the story sounded fun, but between a white woman taking a Japanese name (because why? it's not explained and historical precedent here is not good) and the magical body transition, I bounced off it pretty hard. (Some people want magical cures for bodily complaints and I respect that, I just need it handled with more care in order not to feel some kinda way about it--that's just a personal thing though.)

[Alex Dell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully enjoyable book. The characters were well developed and complex, and Miyako and River especially had good character arcs where they really came into their own. I thought the magic and vampire lore was interesting, and the trans content was done well. There were a few plot points that seemed overly cryptic or confusing, but I chalk that up to this being the first of a series, and it never interrupted the flow of the story. Definitely will be reading more from these authors.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this way more than I expected!
I cared for the characters and there was so much to this -vampires, witches, trans, lesbians.....
The story was really well done and I will read more by the author.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it! I am a trans woman and this was the first book I've read with a trans protagonist and it was great being felt seen. Absolutely cant wait for the sequel! Going to now go through her other books

[Lauren Shawcross]

tepidly written, underwhelming, underbaked urban fantasy. on the other hand, trans/rockstar lesbian vampire gfs... five star premise! the execution? well....