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American Ghoul
A wildly entertaining debut from Michelle McGill-Vargas, American Ghoul deftly combines horror and social commentary—with a dash of a buddy comedy—in an innovative twist on the vampire genre.
You can’t kill someone already dead.
That’s what Lavinia keeps telling her jailer after—allegedly—killing her mistress, Simone Arceaneau. But how could Simone be dead when she was taking callers just a few minutes before? And why was her house always so dark?
Lavinia, a recently freed slave, met Simone, a recently undead vampire, on a plantation in post-Civil War Georgia. With nothing remaining for either woman in the South, the two form a fast friendship and head north. However, Lavinia quickly learns that teaming up with this white woman may be more than she bargained for.
Simone is reckless and impulsive—which would’ve been bad enough on its own, but when combined with her particular diet Lavinia finds herself in way over her head. As she is forced to repeatedly compromise her morals and struggle to make lasting human connections, Lavinia begins to wonder if is she truly free or if has she merely exchanged one form of enslavement for another. As bodies pile up in the small Indiana town they’ve settled in, people start to take a second look at the two newcomers, and Simone and Lavinia’s relationship is stretched to its breaking point...
You can’t kill someone already dead.
That’s what Lavinia keeps telling her jailer after—allegedly—killing her mistress, Simone Arceaneau. But how could Simone be dead when she was taking callers just a few minutes before? And why was her house always so dark?
Lavinia, a recently freed slave, met Simone, a recently undead vampire, on a plantation in post-Civil War Georgia. With nothing remaining for either woman in the South, the two form a fast friendship and head north. However, Lavinia quickly learns that teaming up with this white woman may be more than she bargained for.
Simone is reckless and impulsive—which would’ve been bad enough on its own, but when combined with her particular diet Lavinia finds herself in way over her head. As she is forced to repeatedly compromise her morals and struggle to make lasting human connections, Lavinia begins to wonder if is she truly free or if has she merely exchanged one form of enslavement for another. As bodies pile up in the small Indiana town they’ve settled in, people start to take a second look at the two newcomers, and Simone and Lavinia’s relationship is stretched to its breaking point...
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2024
28 people are currently reading
7405 people want to read
About the author
Michelle McGill-Vargas
3 books45 followersMICHELLE MCGILL-VARGAS writes speculative historical fiction, short stories, and flash
fiction. Her work has appeared in Splickety Magazine, the Copperfield Review, and Typehouse Literary Magazine. She is a member of the Highland Writers Group, Valparaiso Writers Group, has served as vice president of the Indiana Writers’ Consortium, and is currently on the board of Midwest Writers and the Historical Novel Society. She currently resides in the Midwest with her husband and fur babies. American Ghoul is her first novel.
fiction. Her work has appeared in Splickety Magazine, the Copperfield Review, and Typehouse Literary Magazine. She is a member of the Highland Writers Group, Valparaiso Writers Group, has served as vice president of the Indiana Writers’ Consortium, and is currently on the board of Midwest Writers and the Historical Novel Society. She currently resides in the Midwest with her husband and fur babies. American Ghoul is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 23, 2024
The nitty-gritty: A highly entertaining debut, American Ghoul excels with standout characters and unexpected humor.
You can’t tell from the rather serious cover, but American Ghoul is extremely funny and much more lighthearted than I expected. This is due mostly to the pitch perfect voice of the main character Lavinia, a recently freed slave who finds herself in a very unusual predicament. Michelle McGill-Vargas mixes historical fiction and vampires in a completely unique way, and I highly recommend this impressive debut.
American Ghoul takes place in Georgia not long after the end of the Civil War. When the story opens, we meet Lavinia, a Black woman who has just been arrested for murdering her white companion Simon Arceneau. Lavinia is in jail and is telling the story of how she came to be there to the arresting constable, a man named Martin. Little by little, Lavinia’s unorthodox story unfolds, as she explains to Martin how she met Simone, how she discovered Simone was a vampire, and how Lavinia became a “ghoul” after being bitten by Simone. Simone convinces Lavinia to leave town with her, hoping she will help Simone find food and protect her during the day when she sleeps.
Lavinia is eager to start fresh. She’s been working for a plantation owner, and while not technically a slave anymore—the story takes place several years after the Emancipation Proclamation—she longs to break the chains of her service. And so she agrees to Simone’s proposition, although she soon finds out she has her hands full with Simone, a childlike vampire with a terrible blood lust who can’t control herself. Lavinia steps in to make sure Simone is only “eating” bad people and manages their day-to-day lives, as they make their way towards Chicago, a mythical place where Lavinia is convinced she will finally be free.
But the longer they are together, the more bodies start to pile up in their wake. Lavinia does her best to hide Simone’s kills, but two women traveling alone—one white and one Black—tend to attract attention, and it isn’t long before various people they meet along the way start to suspect they might be responsible for the recent murders popping up in the area.
American Ghoul reads like a buddy comedy at times, and I can honestly say I’ve never read a buddy comedy involving a former slave and a vampire, so props to the author for coming up with such an audacious idea. Right away, Lavinia’s voice shines through and takes control of the story. Lavinia is outspoken and bossy, which it turns out are good qualities to have when you’re trying to manage a ravenous vampire. She’s also searching for human connections, and because Simone is a vampire, she can’t fulfill those needs for Lavinia. Lavinia goes out of her way to meet new people, like the attractive fisherman King Jones who could be a possible love interest, or the Wiltshires, a couple who live in a big, beautiful house and own a saloon. She isn’t above going after opportunities that will better her position, and it turns out she’s very good at getting her way.
Simone is also a well done character. Before she was turned, she was vapid and pampered, and now that she’s a vampire, she vapid and deadly. Simone might not be the sharpest tool in the toolbox, but when it comes to eating people, she knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. I liked that Simone doesn’t really think things through, after all, that’s what Lavinia is there for. Simone simply chooses a victim and attacks, with no thought to the aftermath. One of my favorite things about Simone’s selection process was that she insists that different nationalities taste different. So she’s always on the lookout for something exotic (Romanians) as opposed to something bland (the English). But as interesting as these two characters are on their own, it’s their interactions with each other that make this book so good. Simone and Lavinia are opposites in every way, which makes their dialogue laugh-out-loud funny.
And because of the setting and time period, the story deals with racism and how it affects Lavinia. She was born into slavery but now finds herself a free woman. Still, the attitudes towards Blacks haven’t changed at all, and Lavinia is still treated poorly wherever she goes. The author makes sure her message comes across loud and clear, but she does it with a light touch, which I appreciated. And now that Lavinia finds herself practically shackled to a vampire, she wonders whether she’s actually free at all, or if she's traded one form of slavery for another. In addition to the action and humor, there’s a lot of food for thought.
Simone’s killings are suitably violent and bloody, and Lavinia has to clean up the mess each time, which includes doing something with the bodies. I did struggle a little with the mechanics of how one becomes a vampire, versus how one becomes a ghoul. Lavinia is a ghoul, which means she has some of the benefits of being a vampire—she doesn’t need to sleep or eat—but she doesn’t crave blood, and she has a psychic connection with Simone. During the story, some of Simone’s kills come back as vamps and some don’t, which was confusing at times.
Still, this was such a fast-paced, fun story. I also think it would make a fantastic Netflix movie, since the characters are so vividly drawn. Michelle McGill-Vargas is a writer to watch, and I look forward to her next book.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
You can’t tell from the rather serious cover, but American Ghoul is extremely funny and much more lighthearted than I expected. This is due mostly to the pitch perfect voice of the main character Lavinia, a recently freed slave who finds herself in a very unusual predicament. Michelle McGill-Vargas mixes historical fiction and vampires in a completely unique way, and I highly recommend this impressive debut.
American Ghoul takes place in Georgia not long after the end of the Civil War. When the story opens, we meet Lavinia, a Black woman who has just been arrested for murdering her white companion Simon Arceneau. Lavinia is in jail and is telling the story of how she came to be there to the arresting constable, a man named Martin. Little by little, Lavinia’s unorthodox story unfolds, as she explains to Martin how she met Simone, how she discovered Simone was a vampire, and how Lavinia became a “ghoul” after being bitten by Simone. Simone convinces Lavinia to leave town with her, hoping she will help Simone find food and protect her during the day when she sleeps.
Lavinia is eager to start fresh. She’s been working for a plantation owner, and while not technically a slave anymore—the story takes place several years after the Emancipation Proclamation—she longs to break the chains of her service. And so she agrees to Simone’s proposition, although she soon finds out she has her hands full with Simone, a childlike vampire with a terrible blood lust who can’t control herself. Lavinia steps in to make sure Simone is only “eating” bad people and manages their day-to-day lives, as they make their way towards Chicago, a mythical place where Lavinia is convinced she will finally be free.
But the longer they are together, the more bodies start to pile up in their wake. Lavinia does her best to hide Simone’s kills, but two women traveling alone—one white and one Black—tend to attract attention, and it isn’t long before various people they meet along the way start to suspect they might be responsible for the recent murders popping up in the area.
American Ghoul reads like a buddy comedy at times, and I can honestly say I’ve never read a buddy comedy involving a former slave and a vampire, so props to the author for coming up with such an audacious idea. Right away, Lavinia’s voice shines through and takes control of the story. Lavinia is outspoken and bossy, which it turns out are good qualities to have when you’re trying to manage a ravenous vampire. She’s also searching for human connections, and because Simone is a vampire, she can’t fulfill those needs for Lavinia. Lavinia goes out of her way to meet new people, like the attractive fisherman King Jones who could be a possible love interest, or the Wiltshires, a couple who live in a big, beautiful house and own a saloon. She isn’t above going after opportunities that will better her position, and it turns out she’s very good at getting her way.
Simone is also a well done character. Before she was turned, she was vapid and pampered, and now that she’s a vampire, she vapid and deadly. Simone might not be the sharpest tool in the toolbox, but when it comes to eating people, she knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. I liked that Simone doesn’t really think things through, after all, that’s what Lavinia is there for. Simone simply chooses a victim and attacks, with no thought to the aftermath. One of my favorite things about Simone’s selection process was that she insists that different nationalities taste different. So she’s always on the lookout for something exotic (Romanians) as opposed to something bland (the English). But as interesting as these two characters are on their own, it’s their interactions with each other that make this book so good. Simone and Lavinia are opposites in every way, which makes their dialogue laugh-out-loud funny.
And because of the setting and time period, the story deals with racism and how it affects Lavinia. She was born into slavery but now finds herself a free woman. Still, the attitudes towards Blacks haven’t changed at all, and Lavinia is still treated poorly wherever she goes. The author makes sure her message comes across loud and clear, but she does it with a light touch, which I appreciated. And now that Lavinia finds herself practically shackled to a vampire, she wonders whether she’s actually free at all, or if she's traded one form of slavery for another. In addition to the action and humor, there’s a lot of food for thought.
Simone’s killings are suitably violent and bloody, and Lavinia has to clean up the mess each time, which includes doing something with the bodies. I did struggle a little with the mechanics of how one becomes a vampire, versus how one becomes a ghoul. Lavinia is a ghoul, which means she has some of the benefits of being a vampire—she doesn’t need to sleep or eat—but she doesn’t crave blood, and she has a psychic connection with Simone. During the story, some of Simone’s kills come back as vamps and some don’t, which was confusing at times.
Still, this was such a fast-paced, fun story. I also think it would make a fantastic Netflix movie, since the characters are so vividly drawn. Michelle McGill-Vargas is a writer to watch, and I look forward to her next book.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
October 12, 2024
I was intrigued by the title and cover, and had not heard of this title before seeing it at the library. I enjoyed the story, writing, and pacing, but it wasn't anything to write home about.
July 28, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for granting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Oh my gosh, this was so good. Totally gripping, genuinely hard to put down. The vampirism is interesting and clever, the writing is extremely engaging, the protagonist is loveable and fascinating, and I really have only good things to say about it. 10/10, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a good fun vampire novel.
Oh my gosh, this was so good. Totally gripping, genuinely hard to put down. The vampirism is interesting and clever, the writing is extremely engaging, the protagonist is loveable and fascinating, and I really have only good things to say about it. 10/10, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a good fun vampire novel.
August 13, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC!
I automatically give points to any author that sets their horror novel in Indiana, especially in a historical setting, so this was off to a great start. I do feel there could have been more exploration of why Simone's complex feelings for Lavinia, especially in the beginning before they had any ties to one another, but overall this was a weird and fun read.
I automatically give points to any author that sets their horror novel in Indiana, especially in a historical setting, so this was off to a great start. I do feel there could have been more exploration of why Simone's complex feelings for Lavinia, especially in the beginning before they had any ties to one another, but overall this was a weird and fun read.
October 23, 2024
Set in the aftermath of the American Civil War, American Ghoul is a fresh take on the American vampire genre, exploring the meanings of "freedom," with consumption; race; guilty/responsibility; truth/lies and whose story is heard as prominent narrative themes.
Lavinia is barely surviving as a servant in a plantation brothel when she has a chance encounter with a recently resurrected vampire, Simone. The novel unfolds events as the pairs journeys west on a quest for freedom, slowly teasing out how Lavinia becomes a transitory being -- emancipated, but not free ;not quite human, but not vampire; and without a permanent place, community, or identity of her own -- and imprisoned, accused of murdering Simone.
The narrative voice and plot took me in from the first line. At times, the pacing was a bit slow and redundant, and I wanted more from the ending, but, on the whole, this was an intriguing and enjoyable American horror novel.
Lavinia is barely surviving as a servant in a plantation brothel when she has a chance encounter with a recently resurrected vampire, Simone. The novel unfolds events as the pairs journeys west on a quest for freedom, slowly teasing out how Lavinia becomes a transitory being -- emancipated, but not free ;not quite human, but not vampire; and without a permanent place, community, or identity of her own -- and imprisoned, accused of murdering Simone.
The narrative voice and plot took me in from the first line. At times, the pacing was a bit slow and redundant, and I wanted more from the ending, but, on the whole, this was an intriguing and enjoyable American horror novel.
May 1, 2024
I absolutely loved this story about a ghoul and her vampire! A refreshing take on the genre!
I just reviewed American Ghoul by Michelle McGill- Vargas. #AmericanGhoul #NetGalley
I just reviewed American Ghoul by Michelle McGill- Vargas. #AmericanGhoul #NetGalley
September 2, 2024
I can’t kill somebody who’s already dead.
I was hooked from the first sentence, and once I finished the first chapter I couldn’t stop reading until I finished this book. American Ghoul is the jail time confession and explanation of our main character Lavinia, and what actually happened that led her to imprisonment - and her innocence of the crime of which she is accused.
Lavinia, a recently freed slave, winds up leaving the plantation she was working on when she meets Simone - a white teenager with a violent taste for blood. When the two form a connection that cannot be broken, Lavinia travels with Simone to feed her gruesome appetite - but doing so forces her to make choices she would have never done before. However, Simone refuses to be cautious about her newfound diet and slowly throughout the pages of this book places a target on Lavinia’s back. Lavinia must grapple with whether Simone truly sees her as a friend or equal - or if she is lying to force Lavinia to do what she wants.
Taking place in post-Civil War America, this book tackles the ongoing presence of racism within the country after Emancipation, as well as the distinct ways this intersects with Lavinia being forced to help her (mistress or friend?), hunt people - and not be caught doing so. As this book goes on, we live with Lavinia as she tries to do her best to still have a “normal” human life - and how Simone will do anything in her power to prevent that.
I really liked how the relationship between Simone and Lavinia was written. It was complex and not simply black and white. We want to believe the best in Simone, especially considering the trust and respect she gives to Lavinia, despite their difference in stations. However, as the rapport slowly breaks down between the two and Simone slowly stops becoming Lavinia’s top priority, we see how fragile the bond between these two truly is.
This book is split between two distinct timelines - Lavinia’s recollection of the events we are taken on, and her talking to her jailer Martin as she tries to convince him of her story. This format of storytelling reminded me of Laura Purcell’s The Corset/The Poison Thread and The Silent Companions, and I think anyone who loved those books would love this one just as much.
Any fan of horror and historical fiction would be remiss to not pick up this book, as it will hook you from the first page and won’t let you go until Lavinia has finally recounted her entire story. I wasn’t sure how this book would end, and I must say I loved how it did. As the story progressed, my idea of how exactly a happy ending for Lavinia would end was constantly changing - and yet, I still never anticipated how this book would end.
Filled with vampires, bloodshed, and retribution, American Ghoul allows our main character to go from freedom only in name - to true freedom and control over her own life and choices.
With such a strong debut, I cannot wait to see where this author goes next.
A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Blackstone Publishing for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was hooked from the first sentence, and once I finished the first chapter I couldn’t stop reading until I finished this book. American Ghoul is the jail time confession and explanation of our main character Lavinia, and what actually happened that led her to imprisonment - and her innocence of the crime of which she is accused.
Lavinia, a recently freed slave, winds up leaving the plantation she was working on when she meets Simone - a white teenager with a violent taste for blood. When the two form a connection that cannot be broken, Lavinia travels with Simone to feed her gruesome appetite - but doing so forces her to make choices she would have never done before. However, Simone refuses to be cautious about her newfound diet and slowly throughout the pages of this book places a target on Lavinia’s back. Lavinia must grapple with whether Simone truly sees her as a friend or equal - or if she is lying to force Lavinia to do what she wants.
Taking place in post-Civil War America, this book tackles the ongoing presence of racism within the country after Emancipation, as well as the distinct ways this intersects with Lavinia being forced to help her (mistress or friend?), hunt people - and not be caught doing so. As this book goes on, we live with Lavinia as she tries to do her best to still have a “normal” human life - and how Simone will do anything in her power to prevent that.
I really liked how the relationship between Simone and Lavinia was written. It was complex and not simply black and white. We want to believe the best in Simone, especially considering the trust and respect she gives to Lavinia, despite their difference in stations. However, as the rapport slowly breaks down between the two and Simone slowly stops becoming Lavinia’s top priority, we see how fragile the bond between these two truly is.
This book is split between two distinct timelines - Lavinia’s recollection of the events we are taken on, and her talking to her jailer Martin as she tries to convince him of her story. This format of storytelling reminded me of Laura Purcell’s The Corset/The Poison Thread and The Silent Companions, and I think anyone who loved those books would love this one just as much.
Any fan of horror and historical fiction would be remiss to not pick up this book, as it will hook you from the first page and won’t let you go until Lavinia has finally recounted her entire story. I wasn’t sure how this book would end, and I must say I loved how it did. As the story progressed, my idea of how exactly a happy ending for Lavinia would end was constantly changing - and yet, I still never anticipated how this book would end.
Filled with vampires, bloodshed, and retribution, American Ghoul allows our main character to go from freedom only in name - to true freedom and control over her own life and choices.
With such a strong debut, I cannot wait to see where this author goes next.
A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Blackstone Publishing for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2025
Jailed for allegedly killing Simone Arceaneau, Lavinia repeatedly tells her jailer she can’t be guilty because you can’t kill someone who is already dead. She proceeds to share her whole story, starting from the beginning. A short time ago, Lavinia, a recently freed slave, was still living on a plantation in post-Civil War Georgia and working for her former mistress as a barmaid. Then Simone, a young white woman, shows up, stinking, looking terrible, and nearly burning to ash when a beam of sunlight hits her skin. Because she’s a vampire. A reckless and impulsive vampire who hitches her wagon to Lavinia and leaves her no choice but to flee Georgia and head north as a team, pretending Lavinia works for Simone. It starts off feeling like an adventure but the pair soon become dependent on each other and then resentful. As Simone’s body count of victims adds up and suspicion mounts in the Indiana community where they’ve landed, Lavinia begins to wonder if she really is or ever will be truly free.
—
This is an interesting twist on the vampire genre - part historical fiction, part horror, part dark buddy comedy (??) of errors. Both Lavinia and Simone both lie in the most ridiculous ways, all the time, with the predicted consequences. It felt kind of like those junk metal sculptures that should be ugly but they’re kind of endearing and you can’t look away. If nothing else, it was a really entertaining way to start the reading year! There’s body horror because it’s a vampire book but that doesn’t bother me in the vampire genre specifically.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 (??)
—
This is an interesting twist on the vampire genre - part historical fiction, part horror, part dark buddy comedy (??) of errors. Both Lavinia and Simone both lie in the most ridiculous ways, all the time, with the predicted consequences. It felt kind of like those junk metal sculptures that should be ugly but they’re kind of endearing and you can’t look away. If nothing else, it was a really entertaining way to start the reading year! There’s body horror because it’s a vampire book but that doesn’t bother me in the vampire genre specifically.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 (??)
September 25, 2024
Credit to Michelle McGill-Vargas for a truly original vampire novel premise in this intriguing and thoughtful debut.
As a former slave and a vampire join up and head north in the aftermath of the Civil War, this is at once a horror novel, a buddy comedy, and a thought-provoking read about how sometimes the true predators aren’t the ones with fangs.
It’s a great idea for a story that was mostly successful in the execution. Lavinia is an outstanding protagonist, and though Simone is a bit disappointingly one-dimensional, most of the secondary characters are also richly developed.
There are some holes in the story that probably needed to be cleaned up and I didn’t love the ending, but on the whole it’s a fun read that makes you laugh but doesn’t lack for substance.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
As a former slave and a vampire join up and head north in the aftermath of the Civil War, this is at once a horror novel, a buddy comedy, and a thought-provoking read about how sometimes the true predators aren’t the ones with fangs.
It’s a great idea for a story that was mostly successful in the execution. Lavinia is an outstanding protagonist, and though Simone is a bit disappointingly one-dimensional, most of the secondary characters are also richly developed.
There are some holes in the story that probably needed to be cleaned up and I didn’t love the ending, but on the whole it’s a fun read that makes you laugh but doesn’t lack for substance.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
December 9, 2024
I have no idea what made me start reading/listening to vampire stories, but here we are! This one was so entertaining because the narrator is sarcastic and sharp but also so very human, and so is her vampire companion. My only gripe is that it BETTER be the beginning of a series or I'm going to be really mad about the ending.
unfinished
April 25, 2025Meh
January 30, 2025
I'm really torn on three and four stars but gave four because it's faults are not as detrimental or embarrassing as some other three star booksfor me. I think the biggest problem with this book is the pacing (which makes portions of it quite boring) and secondly that I found it a bit hard to feel for Livinia by the end... But she doesn't think much of herself either so it seems she might be experiencing actual change by the true end. I thought the ending was fun and the loose ends feel realistic. But the book as a whole is very refreshing and the writing voice was enjoyable.
October 1, 2024
I was super excited for this debut novel with vampires. And then it just fell flat for me. I was bored and didn’t connect with the story at all. If you enjoy vampire stories you could still check it out, but be aware it’s more a story about a lady and her experience with a vampire. Idk….I’m ok with being in the minority with this one.
June 9, 2025
I don't like being afraid. Vampires and werewolves give me nightmares. I came across American Ghoul in the course of meeting other writers at a recent conference. I set aside my usual hesitation because I liked the author. I often skip parts of a book I don't like, long sex scenes, long descriptions of bus stops or playgrounds, long vivid scenes of violence. And I've found those things don't add to the story enough that I miss any of the overall plot. It's one reason I like hard sci-fi the best. Anyhoo, I digress.
I couldn't put this down, and I read every word.
The protagonist is a young black woman stuck with her former owner after the civil war. She's pragmatic about her situation, but if it were up to her, she would head north to true freedom. She doesn't see how that's possible though and resigns herself to her situation. Then one fateful night a door opens, a chance for her to escape. That her chance is in the form of a young vampire doesn't deter her, in part, I think, because she's never heard of such a thing. However, she recognizes that the creature she follows is unusual and dangerous, so she doesn't enter the relationship blind.
Her new life spirals out of control as she becomes physically, emotionally, and psychically connected to her 'friend'.
While I found some of her justifications for the awful things she did concerning, I still rooted for her. I've never read a protagonist whose choices and lifestyle were so impossible for me to identify with and I still wanted to see her get what she wanted and needed. Sometimes I felt her in the room with me telling her side of the story.
I'm not sure that she gets what she wants in the end, I'd like to think so. (Maybe there's a sequel). This story is a masterclass in descriptive writing and I had some old bad dreams after reading it, another testament of how well it's written.
There are a number of reviews here for this book and I agree with most of them. They go deeper into some of the social issues that form the undercurrent of the plot. I do disagree with a couple of reviews complaining that the vampire wasn't as thoroughly fleshed out. I don't think there was more to her than the author gave us and if she were to have more depth, it wouldn't have been authentic to her behavior.
I highly recommend Ms. McGill-Vargas' book. It's a good read no matter your favorite genre but will be especially enjoyable to anyone who loves vampires and history.
I couldn't put this down, and I read every word.
The protagonist is a young black woman stuck with her former owner after the civil war. She's pragmatic about her situation, but if it were up to her, she would head north to true freedom. She doesn't see how that's possible though and resigns herself to her situation. Then one fateful night a door opens, a chance for her to escape. That her chance is in the form of a young vampire doesn't deter her, in part, I think, because she's never heard of such a thing. However, she recognizes that the creature she follows is unusual and dangerous, so she doesn't enter the relationship blind.
Her new life spirals out of control as she becomes physically, emotionally, and psychically connected to her 'friend'.
While I found some of her justifications for the awful things she did concerning, I still rooted for her. I've never read a protagonist whose choices and lifestyle were so impossible for me to identify with and I still wanted to see her get what she wanted and needed. Sometimes I felt her in the room with me telling her side of the story.
I'm not sure that she gets what she wants in the end, I'd like to think so. (Maybe there's a sequel). This story is a masterclass in descriptive writing and I had some old bad dreams after reading it, another testament of how well it's written.
There are a number of reviews here for this book and I agree with most of them. They go deeper into some of the social issues that form the undercurrent of the plot. I do disagree with a couple of reviews complaining that the vampire wasn't as thoroughly fleshed out. I don't think there was more to her than the author gave us and if she were to have more depth, it wouldn't have been authentic to her behavior.
I highly recommend Ms. McGill-Vargas' book. It's a good read no matter your favorite genre but will be especially enjoyable to anyone who loves vampires and history.
May 2, 2025
4.5?
I started reading this a week before I saw Sinners (on opening weekend, cannot wait to see it again) and I’ve since been seeing it rec’d for those who liked that iconic masterpiece and… honestly, I see that! This follows Lavinia, a recently freed Black woman, in post-civil war Georgia as she meets and tags along with a white vampire girl on a whirlwind of a story.
The protagonist continuously explores what freedom means to her and questions just how free she is in her new circumstances. This is largely related to her relationship with Simone, the vampire girl. She essentially becomes her servant, but in return gets some of the perks of being a vampire without the drawbacks (aka she's still alive). I really enjoyed exploring their dynamic, it was funny and wholesome at times but clearly one-sided many others. Just when I thought I made my mind up about it, things got more complex. You get to watch the story trickle on, the story webs get more complicated, and see the protagonist's frustration slowly grow.
Again, it’s a rollercoaster, from murderous vampires to lies to humorous moments. I loved seeing the different relationships form, all in search of trust and understanding. A couple of the vampire mechanics were a bit unclear but it didn’t cause too much trouble. It’s a frame narrative, so we’re getting this story from a jail cell and I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I realize I’m a fan of that structure so that was great. Enjoyed seeing it all shake out.
Vampires and historical fiction just go together, this was no exception. It reminded me of a few other iconic works, and I really appreciated it!
I started reading this a week before I saw Sinners (on opening weekend, cannot wait to see it again) and I’ve since been seeing it rec’d for those who liked that iconic masterpiece and… honestly, I see that! This follows Lavinia, a recently freed Black woman, in post-civil war Georgia as she meets and tags along with a white vampire girl on a whirlwind of a story.
The protagonist continuously explores what freedom means to her and questions just how free she is in her new circumstances. This is largely related to her relationship with Simone, the vampire girl. She essentially becomes her servant, but in return gets some of the perks of being a vampire without the drawbacks (aka she's still alive). I really enjoyed exploring their dynamic, it was funny and wholesome at times but clearly one-sided many others. Just when I thought I made my mind up about it, things got more complex. You get to watch the story trickle on, the story webs get more complicated, and see the protagonist's frustration slowly grow.
Again, it’s a rollercoaster, from murderous vampires to lies to humorous moments. I loved seeing the different relationships form, all in search of trust and understanding. A couple of the vampire mechanics were a bit unclear but it didn’t cause too much trouble. It’s a frame narrative, so we’re getting this story from a jail cell and I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I realize I’m a fan of that structure so that was great. Enjoyed seeing it all shake out.
Vampires and historical fiction just go together, this was no exception. It reminded me of a few other iconic works, and I really appreciated it!
September 29, 2025
This is another book to add to the list of books that give Sinners(the film) vibes. This story takes place post slavery. Though slavery was over black people were working for small wages and still beneath their white counter parts. The FMC Lavinia is a black woman who works in a brotherl. Lavinia pretty much over sees the operations and makes sure that no man gets too handsy with the ladies. One day Lavinia is checking the rooms and finds a white woman who seems to be off. She’s extremely pale and has an accent as if she’s from Germany. She won’t go into the light and her skin is extremely cold. Lavinia as never encountered someone like this and this encounter will change Lavinia’s life forever. This post slavery story has vampires, death, loneliness, and journey spilling from its pages. Lavinia will take on being a familiar of a vampire while trying to live a somewhat normal life…. Spoiler Lavinia is going to have a hard time navigating this new “ life” and “friendship”. ….oh yeah there is a bit of a cliff hanger.
September 6, 2024
American Ghoul is a unique vampire story set in the the years immediately after the end of the American Civil War. Lavinia, recently emancipated, finds herself tied to Simone, a mercurial and immature vampire. They travel from Georgia to Indiana, while Lavinia tries to keep Simone under control while planning their immediate future and attempting to fit in with the local community.
The theme of the book is the standout here: as a Black woman, Lavinia is burdened with the emotional, mental, and physical labor of taking care of Simone; her boundaries and desires are frequently ignored. I just wish the story were a little more cohesive. There are many threads, some of which are introduced late in the narrative, and not all are given the attention they deserve. The ending is mostly dissatisfying, and it makes me wonder if this is the first entry in a planned series?
Thank you, Blackstone and Netgalley, for an advance ebook in exchange for a fair review.
The theme of the book is the standout here: as a Black woman, Lavinia is burdened with the emotional, mental, and physical labor of taking care of Simone; her boundaries and desires are frequently ignored. I just wish the story were a little more cohesive. There are many threads, some of which are introduced late in the narrative, and not all are given the attention they deserve. The ending is mostly dissatisfying, and it makes me wonder if this is the first entry in a planned series?
Thank you, Blackstone and Netgalley, for an advance ebook in exchange for a fair review.
October 16, 2024
As a recently freed slave in the 1865 South, Lavinia is saddled with enough worries about her future when she makes the mistake of showing kindness to Simone, a beautiful vampire in distress. From there, their relationship morphs through a series of complex events that define an uneven and often contentious connection. Torn between her desire to flex her still somewhat limited newfound freedom and awareness of the world with her loyalty and genuine feelings to Simone, she relates her troubled narrative to a jailor as she awaits execution the following day. The historic details included also added to the sense of urgency and anxiety which constantly plagued Lavinia, increasing the constant tenuous state of fear surrounding her.
Although there were some moments of repetition and stagnation in plot movement, overall, Lavinia's voice proved authentic to me, providing a read that was original, satisfying, and thought-provoking.
Although there were some moments of repetition and stagnation in plot movement, overall, Lavinia's voice proved authentic to me, providing a read that was original, satisfying, and thought-provoking.
December 18, 2024
"'My name is Lavinia.'
I had nothing but my name, and she wouldn't even give me that. Her death rattle was the shackles of slavery, falling off me."
I requested this on a whim from Blackstone, and I'm so glad I did because it deserves so much more praise than it's getting!
The Civil War has recently ended, slaves have been freed in many places, but not much has changed. Lavinia is a freed slave who is working as a housekeeper in a bar/brothel. One day she begins taking care of a sickly-looking young woman she finds in the bar--only to discover that the woman, Simone, is a vampire. Simone and Lavinia then set off on a series of adventures as they head out of the South and North to Chicago.
The story is told by Lavinia as she recounts her adventures from her jail cell and let me tell you, this was so much fun. It was funny and thrilling and Lavinia is a strong female MC, which I absolutely love. This reminded me a little of Dread Nation, another book I loved, and I really hope McGill-Vargas continues Lavinia's adventure because I wasn't quite ready to let her go.
I had nothing but my name, and she wouldn't even give me that. Her death rattle was the shackles of slavery, falling off me."
I requested this on a whim from Blackstone, and I'm so glad I did because it deserves so much more praise than it's getting!
The Civil War has recently ended, slaves have been freed in many places, but not much has changed. Lavinia is a freed slave who is working as a housekeeper in a bar/brothel. One day she begins taking care of a sickly-looking young woman she finds in the bar--only to discover that the woman, Simone, is a vampire. Simone and Lavinia then set off on a series of adventures as they head out of the South and North to Chicago.
The story is told by Lavinia as she recounts her adventures from her jail cell and let me tell you, this was so much fun. It was funny and thrilling and Lavinia is a strong female MC, which I absolutely love. This reminded me a little of Dread Nation, another book I loved, and I really hope McGill-Vargas continues Lavinia's adventure because I wasn't quite ready to let her go.
September 30, 2024
You don't have to be a fan of vampire fiction to really enjoy this book. Michelle McGill-Vargas hit upon an excellent story that balances girl-team fun and all its trepidations with an imaginative plot, all steeped in Northwest Indiana history. The main character, Lavinia, is an ex-slave, too afraid to move off the plantation/bordello because her knowledge of the world is so weak. She meets an 18-year-old spoiled female vampire, and together, they set off on a course northward to settle near Lake Michigan. Through multiple trials, Lavinia learns and grows as she controls the feeding and managing of her vampire friend Simone while staying out of the path of the law. The book was so good that I read it twice, picking up on nuances the second time around.
February 11, 2025
***.5
Another Black History Month read, but since "reality" is being a bit of a dick right now, I chose this relatively lighthearted reconstruction era vampire story. Yes, it's about a recently freed slave facing imminent execution by a lynch mob, but the easygoing tone and slapstick violence keeps things entertaining and not too depressing.
It doesn't pack the punch of books like Lovecraft Country, but doesn't shy away from the challenges of the time. And here we are 150 years later still grappling with many of the same issues.
Another Black History Month read, but since "reality" is being a bit of a dick right now, I chose this relatively lighthearted reconstruction era vampire story. Yes, it's about a recently freed slave facing imminent execution by a lynch mob, but the easygoing tone and slapstick violence keeps things entertaining and not too depressing.
It doesn't pack the punch of books like Lovecraft Country, but doesn't shy away from the challenges of the time. And here we are 150 years later still grappling with many of the same issues.
November 26, 2024
Lavinia is a black woman sentenced to hang for the murder of a white woman named Simone, who according to Lavinia was a vampire and turned her into a ghoul. She spends the night telling her story to Martin, a white man who is tasked with making sure the mob doesn't get to her first. He doesn't believe her but is intrigued enough to listen to her story.
There were times when reading this exhausted me but I'm glad I finished it. This book is a nice blend of comedy and horror, mainly because Simone is such an incompetent vampire and Lavinia has to ensure she doesn't get them caught and killed. I would recommend this to readers who like historical novels, vampires and horror mixed comedy.
There were times when reading this exhausted me but I'm glad I finished it. This book is a nice blend of comedy and horror, mainly because Simone is such an incompetent vampire and Lavinia has to ensure she doesn't get them caught and killed. I would recommend this to readers who like historical novels, vampires and horror mixed comedy.
January 19, 2025
Hard choices often generate unintended consequences and Lavinia's choices create collateral damage for herself and others. Is she a reliable narrator of her journey? Maybe or maybe not. A mash-up of The 1619 Project meets Interview with the Vampire and a supernatural Thelma and Louise. Sly levity makes the heavy themes less crushing. Insightful sociopolitical observations track a continuum from the racist, sexist, classist past to the real-life present. Racial slurs of the time included.
[printing note: My borrowed library hardcover copy had the last pages of chapters 35 & 36 switched.]
https://blerdybingereader.blogspot.co...
[printing note: My borrowed library hardcover copy had the last pages of chapters 35 & 36 switched.]
https://blerdybingereader.blogspot.co...
September 8, 2024
An interesting and complex exploration if vampires were around after the Civil War.
Freed woman Lavinia is stuck on her plantation until vampire Simone comes along and throws her off the track her life was taking. Simone unintentionally makes Lavinia her ghoul - a human with extra abilities who can help her survive - and they make their way north. Lavinia feels like she owes Simone and has to deal with how that conflicts with her morals.
The end was not what I expected, and there’s so much tension in the last third I had to stay up and finish it.
Freed woman Lavinia is stuck on her plantation until vampire Simone comes along and throws her off the track her life was taking. Simone unintentionally makes Lavinia her ghoul - a human with extra abilities who can help her survive - and they make their way north. Lavinia feels like she owes Simone and has to deal with how that conflicts with her morals.
The end was not what I expected, and there’s so much tension in the last third I had to stay up and finish it.
January 20, 2025
A very interesting and strange story. I liked this story because it explored the freedom of slaves that had been freed in the south after the war. It showed that many who didn't leave stayed and worked. This book really did show the fear of moving on and not finding something better. The relationship that Lavinia and Simone form was a study in manipulation. I enjoyed the chaos of this book, but ultimately I was so sad that Lavinia had to always pay the price for Simone. Also the ending caught me off guard.
January 27, 2025
I thought this novel was a really well-done historical horror with a comedic aspect that worked well and that the protagonist was one who had a lot of heart, gumption, but also humour. The premise was really interesting to me, and this novel more than delivers on that. If you are looking for some lighter fare in this category -- albeit, don't get me wrong, there's a lot of great action and the violence can get gory at times -- I heartily recommend "American Ghoul" and am anxious to see what the author will come out with next.
February 6, 2025
LOVED IT!
A penetrating story of slavery, sacrifice, and finally, redemption. Told by the only ghoul who could tell it, Lavinia fights her way to freedom in a post civil war America—meeting a few vampires along the way.
This book held me captive with its poetic prose, told via blood, gore, and social commentary, zeroing in on racism and sexism. What it means to be a Black woman who’s free, but not really free; what it means to be a woman who has choices, but not really. What it means to trust. What it means to be human.
Do yourself a favor and grab this one. You won’t be disappointed.
A penetrating story of slavery, sacrifice, and finally, redemption. Told by the only ghoul who could tell it, Lavinia fights her way to freedom in a post civil war America—meeting a few vampires along the way.
This book held me captive with its poetic prose, told via blood, gore, and social commentary, zeroing in on racism and sexism. What it means to be a Black woman who’s free, but not really free; what it means to be a woman who has choices, but not really. What it means to trust. What it means to be human.
Do yourself a favor and grab this one. You won’t be disappointed.
August 14, 2025
This book is a unique twist on a vampire story. Lavinia is a freed slave who becomes the assistant/ghoul to Simone. This book does an excellent job of showing how a mix of respect, gratitude, and being trapped by society can create some unhealthy codependent relationships. There are times the characters have to make some dumb choices to make the plot more forward, but for the most part this is an enjoyable story with characters who are relatable and engaging. Lavinia's sarcastic humor and realistic nature make this a ton of fun.
February 24, 2025
This was such an interesting take on vampires. Our protagonist, Lavinia, is a former slave who accidentally stumbles upon Simone, a sick looking young woman in the saloon where she works. After taking care of her for the day, Lavinia gets the surprise of her life after finding Simone sucking the blood out of a regular. Some negotiating later, the two plan to make their way to Chicago. Lavinia has lots of trouble keeping her vampire charge from ravaging the countryside and it causes some hijinks and issues along the way.
I really liked Lavinia as a main character. I also really liked the set up for the story as Lavinia tells us her story from behind bars.
I really liked Lavinia as a main character. I also really liked the set up for the story as Lavinia tells us her story from behind bars.
June 13, 2025
I don't usually read vampire/ horror stores. American Ghoul was an exception. Yes, there was blood and gore but there were bits of humor in the story, too. Told after the Civil War the book deals with racism, freedom, trust and friendship. And, who shall you have for dinner tonight? This novel from Ms. McGill-Vargas held my attention from the opening sentence to the last. Not your average vampire/horror story but that's why I liked it.
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