What do you think?
Rate this book
Dr. Greta Helsing #3.5
Bitter Waters
A witty, charming standalone novella starring Greta Helsing, doctor to the undead, who must get to the bottom of a mystery involving a newly turned child vampire. A barrow-wight shows up on Greta and Varney’s doorstep one night with 11-year-old Lucy Ashton who’s been newly—and forcefully—bitten and turned. Who did this to her, and why? With the help of her vampiric friends, Greta is determined to find out.Dr. Greta Helsing NovelsStrange Practice Dreadful Company Grave Importance
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2024
78 people are currently reading
1141 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
Read
August 21, 2024A delightful novella in this highly enjoyable urban fantasy series, dropping in on monster doctor Greta Helsing, and her found family of emotional-disaster vampires. Don't start here but it's a lovely snack waiting for THE NEXT BOOK NOBODY TOLD ME WAS HAPPENING I am so disappointed in you all oh my *god*.
(If you haven't read this series, its' a proper warm hug with a thoroughly sensible accomplished heroine, understated romance, lots of queerness, entertaining monsters, occasional apocalypse, and no tolerance for edgelords and jerks. Fair warning, the first book is decidedly less polished than the rest.)
(If you haven't read this series, its' a proper warm hug with a thoroughly sensible accomplished heroine, understated romance, lots of queerness, entertaining monsters, occasional apocalypse, and no tolerance for edgelords and jerks. Fair warning, the first book is decidedly less polished than the rest.)
April 29, 2024
Best read if you're familiar with the other Greta Helsing books (it is no burden to make yourself familiar with the Greta Helsing books, so, you know, do that); also, although the story here does stand alone, it's clearly a lead-in to future developments in Vivian Shaw's universe. Soft cliffhanger, let's say. This is not a complaint.
A mere 4 stars because although Shaw has been at pains to set up Lucy's history and personality so as to make it plausible that, at 10 years old, she adapts quickly and happily to her new un-life as a vampire -- well, it's just not that plausible. Which raises entertaining questions of what qualifies as "realism" in a fantasy about vampires, werewolves, and barrow wights, etc. But analogies can be made to any human experience that entails being wrenched out of one's familiar life and into another from which one can never return. Even if that familiar life has, like Lucy's human life, little to recommend it, familiarity counts for a lot.
It's also interesting to consider what makes capital punishment acceptable in fantasy universes when most readers of books like Shaw's are likely to object to it in our own. Something to contemplate another time.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC.
A mere 4 stars because although Shaw has been at pains to set up Lucy's history and personality so as to make it plausible that, at 10 years old, she adapts quickly and happily to her new un-life as a vampire -- well, it's just not that plausible. Which raises entertaining questions of what qualifies as "realism" in a fantasy about vampires, werewolves, and barrow wights, etc. But analogies can be made to any human experience that entails being wrenched out of one's familiar life and into another from which one can never return. Even if that familiar life has, like Lucy's human life, little to recommend it, familiarity counts for a lot.
It's also interesting to consider what makes capital punishment acceptable in fantasy universes when most readers of books like Shaw's are likely to object to it in our own. Something to contemplate another time.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC.
July 7, 2024
We return to the delightful world author Vivian Shaw has created of compassionate Doctor Greta Helding, and the various intriguing and mostly considerate otherworldly beings of vampires, mummies, ghouls, angels, and many others.
Greta and Varney are at his country manor, relaxing with his ward Emily, another vampire, when a barrow-wight named Sigyn arrives, bearing a ten-year-old girl, who has been forcibly transformed into a vampire.
This terrible incident brings Ruthven and Grisaille to Varney’s estate as the four attempt to acclimatize the young vampire, while also figure out who the perpetrator is, and inform Dracula.
Vivian Shaw brings back the wonderfully calm and soothing presences of Greta and Ruthven, who must deal with a horrific situation, but do so with their customary kindness and compassion, which is a large part of why I greatly enjoy the Greta Helsing series. The supernatural characters, though normally seen as ‘monsters’ in other stories (including their real world narratives), are full of generosity and surprising gentleness. The girl at the centre of this novella is surprisingly resilient, curious, and loves reading, which makes her immediately interesting.
With the widening of the circle of beings Greta calls friends, I hope the author returns again to this world. The ending, while satisfying, hinted at possible future problems for Greta and her friends. If this hint is expanded on, I know I’ll read it!
Thank you to Netgalley and to Orbit Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Greta and Varney are at his country manor, relaxing with his ward Emily, another vampire, when a barrow-wight named Sigyn arrives, bearing a ten-year-old girl, who has been forcibly transformed into a vampire.
This terrible incident brings Ruthven and Grisaille to Varney’s estate as the four attempt to acclimatize the young vampire, while also figure out who the perpetrator is, and inform Dracula.
Vivian Shaw brings back the wonderfully calm and soothing presences of Greta and Ruthven, who must deal with a horrific situation, but do so with their customary kindness and compassion, which is a large part of why I greatly enjoy the Greta Helsing series. The supernatural characters, though normally seen as ‘monsters’ in other stories (including their real world narratives), are full of generosity and surprising gentleness. The girl at the centre of this novella is surprisingly resilient, curious, and loves reading, which makes her immediately interesting.
With the widening of the circle of beings Greta calls friends, I hope the author returns again to this world. The ending, while satisfying, hinted at possible future problems for Greta and her friends. If this hint is expanded on, I know I’ll read it!
Thank you to Netgalley and to Orbit Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
April 23, 2024
A short visit back to London and Greta Van Helsing's world. All our favorites are back (besides Greta we have Varney, Ruthven, Grisaille, and more) plus some fun new characters (especially a grumpy old barrow wight) and a cameo from Dracula himself. So what happens? One night, Varney and Greta are surprised by a young barrow wight knocking on their door with a child who was just turned into a vampire. The rest of the book involves a little bit of tracking down the perpetrator but mostly turns into a custody decision for the new little vamp. Honestly, this is just a nice little novella featuring decent characters trying to do the right thing, which is basically my favorite book genre.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.
November 21, 2024
This was the best feel-good horror I’ve ever read! Not to take anything away from the above statement, but I must admit that I don’t read much of that genre, I don’t even know if it’s very common. I’m afraid I haven’t read the classic vampire literature, which would have been useful when reading this book, but I think Vivian Shaw does an excellent job helping along ignoramuses like me. I loved it.
July 16, 2024
I unintentionally jumped into a mid-series novella and yet it was easy to immerse myself in the world, curious about what I missed but not entirely at a loss. I look forward to getting into the rest
June 29, 2024
Очень забавно после двух сезонов "Интервью с вампиром" читать зефирную версию обращения ребенка в вампира)
Read
June 17, 2024Thank you to Orbit Books for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Bitter Waters will be available on June 25th.
I’ve greatly enjoyed the other Dr. Greta Helsing books, so of course I was excited to jump back into the fun (and, yes, charming) world of Dr. Greta Helsing. Bitter Waters is a fun aside in an entertaining series.
Greta is a doctor of the most unusual variety: she caters to the supernatural. However, in this installment she’s left her practice behind to go visit the country on a much-needed break. Her job follows her, though, when a barrow-wight brings an unconscious soon-to-be vampire girl to her door. I need to pause right there to point out one of the smaller additions to this series that I love so much: the supernatural creatures don’t start and end with vampires. Seeing a barrow-wight casually saunter to the main character’s front door is fabulous!
The novella is meant to focus on discovering who turned such a young girl (something that just shouldn’t be done, according to the characters in the book), but the author skillfully sneaks in gobs of character development and backstory, fleshing out characters already introduced in the series. I adore good character development, so I was already satisfied. But, not only that, but the elusive Dracula himself pops up.
While this is billed as a standalone, I think that you really should read the other books in order to become invested in this. There are only three, so it’s an easy (and fun) assignment. It might be a little odd to say that a book involving vampires is cute, but there’s really no other description: Bitter Waters is a cute addition to a genuinely fun series.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
I’ve greatly enjoyed the other Dr. Greta Helsing books, so of course I was excited to jump back into the fun (and, yes, charming) world of Dr. Greta Helsing. Bitter Waters is a fun aside in an entertaining series.
Greta is a doctor of the most unusual variety: she caters to the supernatural. However, in this installment she’s left her practice behind to go visit the country on a much-needed break. Her job follows her, though, when a barrow-wight brings an unconscious soon-to-be vampire girl to her door. I need to pause right there to point out one of the smaller additions to this series that I love so much: the supernatural creatures don’t start and end with vampires. Seeing a barrow-wight casually saunter to the main character’s front door is fabulous!
The novella is meant to focus on discovering who turned such a young girl (something that just shouldn’t be done, according to the characters in the book), but the author skillfully sneaks in gobs of character development and backstory, fleshing out characters already introduced in the series. I adore good character development, so I was already satisfied. But, not only that, but the elusive Dracula himself pops up.
While this is billed as a standalone, I think that you really should read the other books in order to become invested in this. There are only three, so it’s an easy (and fun) assignment. It might be a little odd to say that a book involving vampires is cute, but there’s really no other description: Bitter Waters is a cute addition to a genuinely fun series.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
June 26, 2024
Devoured the same day it was released... this was a wonderful gathering of the friends and introduction to the Wights. Please don't let this be the last of the stories 💗
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
Love Vivian Shaw and her Dr. Greta Helsing series on a doctor for the supernaturals. I didn’t entirely expect more after the last book. Nor did I expect Bitter Waters to have Dracula in it. And so well written too.
About the Book: A child is forcefully turned into a vampire, then, the only silver lining in the situation, brought to Dr. Gret a Helsing. Now, her and her flock of vampires, among whom is Greta’s spouse, Varney, must figure out who committed such atrocity. The culprit must be stopped and brought to justice. At the same time, the child needs help, right now, and in the future too. The young vampires need to be taught. Let alone little kids who will never get to grow old. A situation that calls for the big guns to be deployed. A finely tuned nose of a werewolf and… Voivode Dracula himself.
“You look like you’re about to happen to somebody.” – Winter
My Opinion: To claim it was a delight to read would be an understatement. Our friendly vampires are all furious, and rightly so, it’s unthinkable to turn a child, deny them the right to grow up like this. Naturally they’re ready to do whatever it takes to help, and unravel this mystery, have the culprits pay. Enter the werewolf, and voivode Dracula, who insists to go by this title, specifically, something I could really appreciate, as I do enjoy the warlord, tangled in myth. Where the werewolf Winter acts as a tracker, voivode acts as everything else: resources, plans, judge, jury, aid, everything. He literally enters the scene larger than life, curious, overwhelming, and insisting on some digital literacy from all these younger vampires.
“I am not particularly good at not knowing things, Doctor.” – Dracula
Like a gentle giant, apologizing for unbridled power he can barely contain, voivode solves, essentially, everything. Whilst Greta does her best to conduct this little flock of vampires, making sure no one panics, freaks out, or does something stupid. And still finds time to satisfy voivode’s natural curiosity. Shaw is a very skilled author, and this is a wonderful series on vampires, other supernaturals, mythological beings, with their kind doctor.
A 5 out of 5, so glad this is just a half book that gets us ready for the main course that’ll be the fourth book.
About the Book: A child is forcefully turned into a vampire, then, the only silver lining in the situation, brought to Dr. Gret a Helsing. Now, her and her flock of vampires, among whom is Greta’s spouse, Varney, must figure out who committed such atrocity. The culprit must be stopped and brought to justice. At the same time, the child needs help, right now, and in the future too. The young vampires need to be taught. Let alone little kids who will never get to grow old. A situation that calls for the big guns to be deployed. A finely tuned nose of a werewolf and… Voivode Dracula himself.
“You look like you’re about to happen to somebody.” – Winter
My Opinion: To claim it was a delight to read would be an understatement. Our friendly vampires are all furious, and rightly so, it’s unthinkable to turn a child, deny them the right to grow up like this. Naturally they’re ready to do whatever it takes to help, and unravel this mystery, have the culprits pay. Enter the werewolf, and voivode Dracula, who insists to go by this title, specifically, something I could really appreciate, as I do enjoy the warlord, tangled in myth. Where the werewolf Winter acts as a tracker, voivode acts as everything else: resources, plans, judge, jury, aid, everything. He literally enters the scene larger than life, curious, overwhelming, and insisting on some digital literacy from all these younger vampires.
“I am not particularly good at not knowing things, Doctor.” – Dracula
Like a gentle giant, apologizing for unbridled power he can barely contain, voivode solves, essentially, everything. Whilst Greta does her best to conduct this little flock of vampires, making sure no one panics, freaks out, or does something stupid. And still finds time to satisfy voivode’s natural curiosity. Shaw is a very skilled author, and this is a wonderful series on vampires, other supernaturals, mythological beings, with their kind doctor.
A 5 out of 5, so glad this is just a half book that gets us ready for the main course that’ll be the fourth book.
December 13, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ Rounded Up
But McKenna, you say, it took you nearly a month to read this tiny book! Yes, it did, but only because I had surgery so chill.
The lovable Van Helsquad (new name just dropped) returns to solve the mystery of a child-turned-vampire. With compelling characters, new monsters, and a wise child, Bitter Waters is a great addition to the series.
But McKenna, you say, it took you nearly a month to read this tiny book! Yes, it did, but only because I had surgery so chill.
The lovable Van Helsquad (new name just dropped) returns to solve the mystery of a child-turned-vampire. With compelling characters, new monsters, and a wise child, Bitter Waters is a great addition to the series.
September 19, 2025
This was a super short one-off novella but I’m so invested in the characters and their relationships (and love the world’s spooky coziness) that it was a perfect palate cleanser to some of the denser literary works I’m reading.
September 19, 2024
More please
Is it unfair to say that this is my favorite Dr. Greta Helsing novel?
The whole trilogy (and more!) is absolutely worth the read, and I do dip into it several times a year to reread my favorite bits. But Bitter Waters is a small story in the universe that is just as rich as the rest of the series. It's a chocolate mousse after a 3 course meal - you can always make room for more, and sometimes it's the best bite of the whole damn evening.
I would read so many of these penny dreadfuls, y'all.
Is it unfair to say that this is my favorite Dr. Greta Helsing novel?
The whole trilogy (and more!) is absolutely worth the read, and I do dip into it several times a year to reread my favorite bits. But Bitter Waters is a small story in the universe that is just as rich as the rest of the series. It's a chocolate mousse after a 3 course meal - you can always make room for more, and sometimes it's the best bite of the whole damn evening.
I would read so many of these penny dreadfuls, y'all.
July 7, 2024
A more cozy affair than the previous books in this urban fantasy series. Still a welcome return to these characters though and hopefully an indication that there will be more of Greta and co. to follow
June 25, 2024
3.75/5⭐️
thank you to netgalley and orbit for this arc in exchange for my review, and happy publication day!
bitter waters is a sequel novella to the dr. greta helsing series. in this instalment, our doctor greets a barrow-wight on her doorstep carrying a newly-turned 11 year old vampire. this sets off our story, as dr. helsing and her friends set off to find out who would do such a terrible thing to a child, and to help lucy transition into a new life of vampirism.
this book was so much fun! i wish that i had done a bit more research before requesting the arc as i have not read the rest of the series (though i now plan to!) but this can function as a standalone if need be. i loved that the characters are all pulled from classic vampire literature! dracula was presented so differently here than in other retellings of his story and he was definitely my favourite character.
my criticisms of this book mostly centre around the writing itself. i felt like the prose in this was a bit too flowery and ended up coming across as just difficult to read in some places (i was reading the same paragraph several times to figure out what it was actually trying to say) and this took away from some of my enjoyment.
overall a great read and i look forward to the rest of the series!
thank you to netgalley and orbit for this arc in exchange for my review, and happy publication day!
bitter waters is a sequel novella to the dr. greta helsing series. in this instalment, our doctor greets a barrow-wight on her doorstep carrying a newly-turned 11 year old vampire. this sets off our story, as dr. helsing and her friends set off to find out who would do such a terrible thing to a child, and to help lucy transition into a new life of vampirism.
this book was so much fun! i wish that i had done a bit more research before requesting the arc as i have not read the rest of the series (though i now plan to!) but this can function as a standalone if need be. i loved that the characters are all pulled from classic vampire literature! dracula was presented so differently here than in other retellings of his story and he was definitely my favourite character.
my criticisms of this book mostly centre around the writing itself. i felt like the prose in this was a bit too flowery and ended up coming across as just difficult to read in some places (i was reading the same paragraph several times to figure out what it was actually trying to say) and this took away from some of my enjoyment.
overall a great read and i look forward to the rest of the series!
August 27, 2024
3.5-4
Needed after watching season 2 of interview with the vampire. As always cozy and feel good.
Needed after watching season 2 of interview with the vampire. As always cozy and feel good.
May 10, 2024
This is a short novella in the Dr. Greta Helsing world about a young child who is turned into a vampire and the resulting attempt to help her adjust and find a home. The characters are the real reason to read this novella so I would not recommend it to anyone who has not read the first three books. They are great and I recommend them for anyone who likes slightly quirky urban fantasy with a lot of vampires and good character development. Unlike the previous three books, this was a more “cozy” book with most of the action occurring off page. However, that worked is such a short book with the focus on the welfare of the child. Also, it seemed to promise more Greta Helsing in the future, which always makes me happy. I wanted a slightly different ending as I was less emotionally invested in the new characters but that may be personal preference. Altogether a lovely short book with some favorite characters and a sweet ending.
April 25, 2025
Turning someone into a vampire without their consent is unforgivable. Turning a ten-year-old child? Horrific. When a wight finds a newly created vampire child, she knows exactly who to bring her to: Dr Greta Helsing and Sir Francis Varney and their friends Ruthven and Grisaille. But they need help finding the awful vamp who turned Lucy, and they call on one of the most powerful vampires of all, Count Dracula. And maybe, just maybe, Lucy can find a family.
Bitter Waters is a delightful bridge novella, taking us from what felt like a conclusion in Grave Importance to setting up a new portion of the series. The short novella arc had all the right plot points to keep the story moving without having to dwell on a much larger mystery. Vlad Dracula and his countess were perfect, and I love the tentative relationships everyone is able to forge with them. Lucy asking to bring them breakfast in bed? An absolute delight.
Bitter Waters is a delightful bridge novella, taking us from what felt like a conclusion in Grave Importance to setting up a new portion of the series. The short novella arc had all the right plot points to keep the story moving without having to dwell on a much larger mystery. Vlad Dracula and his countess were perfect, and I love the tentative relationships everyone is able to forge with them. Lucy asking to bring them breakfast in bed? An absolute delight.
November 17, 2024
Gift card | Like no time had passed | Oh, I had missed these characters, and I'm so excited for book 4 this spring (though the publisher is calling that the series "conclusion", so bittersweet. I had previously assumed 3 would be the end, so how can I complain about getting two more?). Definitely not the place to start the series, you need the background of the previous books. A bit rushed in a few places, bits where the plot seemed to be getting in the way of reviving characters for the reader, and so actual story was dropped to a secondary or tertiary position. But it was always the characters I loved most, and their abiding kindness. Exactly what we need at the present time.
July 18, 2024
Thrilled to see that Ms. Shaw is going forward with this series (I had assumed that it was going to remain a trilogy so this novella is a happy surprise)! It was nice to catch up with Greta and the usual suspects and also meet some surprise guests! Highly recommend you begin with the first book of the series, Strange Practice. While this novella can stand alone, it is best appreciated with the backstory/world building established in the previous books. Can be enjoyed both in written form or in Audiobook format (the narrator is PERFECT!).
October 31, 2025
Actually just a SUPER cute and cozy modern vampire story. Sad to find out it was 3.5 in this series I didn’t know existed after I already started it. But I still enjoyed it quite a bit! And I definitely wanna dive into this series eventually!
Just the idea of Dracula adopting a girl vampire in the modern day is just adorable
Just the idea of Dracula adopting a girl vampire in the modern day is just adorable
November 12, 2024
This was a fun audio book - I was wondering when more was coming of this series and was glad to see this novella. It was a good story too that begins with a child being attacked and turned into a vampire, which is sad, but then it ends up with a happy ending, so it was fun.
October 30, 2024
Absolutely devoured this, not ready to talk about the fact the next book is the final book. This is one of my favorite fantasy worlds ever.
June 16, 2025
Very cute. Nice to have a short story to help get me back into the world before I read book #4
September 24, 2025
delightful (as I expected at this point). so glad I made it past the unevenness in the first book because this is shaping up to be a favorite series. sweet and cozy urban fantasy
November 30, 2025
Love the Helsing novels! They are funny, cute, smart, and engaging. Looking forward to the next one!
September 13, 2024
It got me though a flight. This is not a plot-driven story like the previous books though. It is more Becky Chambers-style where the light plot exists primarily to help characters connect with each other and process new emotions. I do enjoy these characters though.
September 8, 2025
Bitter Waters by Vivian Shaw
While still enjoyable, Bitter Waters has been my least favorite of the series so far.
I did like the cosy tone of the story. I am a fan of the gentler side of fantasy, especially slice of life, just as much as I enjoy grimdark, and there were plenty of pleasant and comforting moments here. Greta and her found family remain wonderful to spend time with, and I always appreciate their presence.
Where this book fell short for me was in the plot. It never seemed to build much momentum. The story moved along, but without urgency or weight, and when I reached the conclusion it felt anticlimactic. I had been expecting a twist or turn that never arrived, which left me feeling slightly underwhelmed.
I also found it difficult to connect with Lucy. In a book that leans heavily on character, I need to feel a sense of vulnerability or struggle to really invest. Lucy felt almost too cheerful, too well-adjusted, and too ready to accept every new challenge without hesitation. This made her seem less real to me, and I could not connect to her in the way I needed to for the story to fully work.
In the end, *Bitter Waters* was still a nice and wishful read, but it did not reach the level of the earlier books for me. It had cosy charm, but lacked the spark and emotional pull that would have made it a favorite.
While still enjoyable, Bitter Waters has been my least favorite of the series so far.
I did like the cosy tone of the story. I am a fan of the gentler side of fantasy, especially slice of life, just as much as I enjoy grimdark, and there were plenty of pleasant and comforting moments here. Greta and her found family remain wonderful to spend time with, and I always appreciate their presence.
Where this book fell short for me was in the plot. It never seemed to build much momentum. The story moved along, but without urgency or weight, and when I reached the conclusion it felt anticlimactic. I had been expecting a twist or turn that never arrived, which left me feeling slightly underwhelmed.
I also found it difficult to connect with Lucy. In a book that leans heavily on character, I need to feel a sense of vulnerability or struggle to really invest. Lucy felt almost too cheerful, too well-adjusted, and too ready to accept every new challenge without hesitation. This made her seem less real to me, and I could not connect to her in the way I needed to for the story to fully work.
In the end, *Bitter Waters* was still a nice and wishful read, but it did not reach the level of the earlier books for me. It had cosy charm, but lacked the spark and emotional pull that would have made it a favorite.
June 8, 2024
Bitter Waters is named from its epitaph, a quote from Dracula by Abraham Van Helsing (the many times great grandfather of the main character, Dr. Greta Van Helsing). “We must pass through the bitter waters to reach the sweet.” And this novella certainly does. Within the urban fantasy setting, Dr. Greta Helsing is a doctor to the supernatural.
Currently on vacation away from her London practice and residing with her husband in the countryside, Greta’s break is interrupted by a local barrow-wight bringing an unconscious young girl to their estate. She has been turned into a vampire and abandoned. Greta, her husband ( Sir Francis Varney), and their friends (a couple— Edmund Ruthven and Grisaille) work to figure out what happened to the girl and find her a home.
This novella is a wonderful short read, though is not made to be read separately from the earlier three Dr. Greta Van Helsing novels. the central conflict is engaging but low stakes perfect for middle grade readers or older readers who want a more relaxing fantasy mystery.
The book comes out June 26th, 2024, and thank you to Hachette Book Group for the ARC.
Currently on vacation away from her London practice and residing with her husband in the countryside, Greta’s break is interrupted by a local barrow-wight bringing an unconscious young girl to their estate. She has been turned into a vampire and abandoned. Greta, her husband ( Sir Francis Varney), and their friends (a couple— Edmund Ruthven and Grisaille) work to figure out what happened to the girl and find her a home.
This novella is a wonderful short read, though is not made to be read separately from the earlier three Dr. Greta Van Helsing novels. the central conflict is engaging but low stakes perfect for middle grade readers or older readers who want a more relaxing fantasy mystery.
The book comes out June 26th, 2024, and thank you to Hachette Book Group for the ARC.
December 17, 2024
Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for this ARC
Bitter Waters is an excellent novella for anyone who is a longtime fan of the vampire genre, making an abundance of references to different classic vampires.
After a small girl is found recently turned, Greta Helsing and her family of famous vampires must investigate who would turn such a young girl, all while trying to help Lucy to navigate her new life as a vampire.
Overall the book was very sweet and I loved the various interactions between the characters. That being said, as someone who has not read any of the rest of the Greta Helsing novels, I did feel quite lost at times despite this being listed as a standalone.
So, while I did enjoy the book and still recommend it, I feel I would have enjoyed it more had I read the rest of the series
Bitter Waters is an excellent novella for anyone who is a longtime fan of the vampire genre, making an abundance of references to different classic vampires.
After a small girl is found recently turned, Greta Helsing and her family of famous vampires must investigate who would turn such a young girl, all while trying to help Lucy to navigate her new life as a vampire.
Overall the book was very sweet and I loved the various interactions between the characters. That being said, as someone who has not read any of the rest of the Greta Helsing novels, I did feel quite lost at times despite this being listed as a standalone.
So, while I did enjoy the book and still recommend it, I feel I would have enjoyed it more had I read the rest of the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews