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The Uninvited
A YA paranormal fantasy about vampires in the Paris underground, where a young woman's bohemian dream turns into a chilling nightmare. Now her survival hinges on bringing to light the city's darkest and deepest secrets.
When 17-year-old Tosh Reeves moves from Portland, Oregon to Paris, it’s a dream come to life. The city embraces her with its street-life, iconic architecture, and infinite gustatory delights. There’s even a charming expat boy, Nick, who introduces her to sights tourists never see.
From medieval catacombs to the viciously competitive street art scene, Tosh’s immersion in Paris makes her feel wholly alive in a way she’s never before experienced. She belongs.
But when a series of brutal vampiric attacks creeps closer to her new circle of bohemian friends, Tosh will confront the darker side of her beloved Paris, and learn how deeply monsters can strike at a young woman’s power and heart.
When 17-year-old Tosh Reeves moves from Portland, Oregon to Paris, it’s a dream come to life. The city embraces her with its street-life, iconic architecture, and infinite gustatory delights. There’s even a charming expat boy, Nick, who introduces her to sights tourists never see.
From medieval catacombs to the viciously competitive street art scene, Tosh’s immersion in Paris makes her feel wholly alive in a way she’s never before experienced. She belongs.
But when a series of brutal vampiric attacks creeps closer to her new circle of bohemian friends, Tosh will confront the darker side of her beloved Paris, and learn how deeply monsters can strike at a young woman’s power and heart.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2025
14 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Banks
1 book7 followersNancy Banks has washed buses, worked as a graphic designer and art director, and co-owned a bookstore. She lived in France for several years and still regrets that she never finished her Epic Pastry Quest. She lives in Denver with her husband and their dog. The Uninvited is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
November 19, 2025
This young adult novel was just an okay read for me. It was not a bad one at all, it just was not that great to me. This fantasy book is set in Paris and involves vampires! It started off extremely slow for me and did not pick up until about 60% in. I feel like it was more of a long build up, before the story really began. Towards the ending, it was more of a fast paced read and then it seemed to end abruptly. I really found the protagonist of the story likable. It definitely had an atmospheric feel to it.
I am always a sucker for vampire books and movies. If I don’t read it or watch it, I feel like I am missing out! While the twist in the book was predictable, I feel that it had a clever plot. I do hope that a second book comes out, so some of the things can get resolved. It didn’t have a resolved ending to me. This is an easy to read book and is under 300 pages long. If you are a vampire reader, I suggest trying this one out! This book did remind me of the Vampire Academy books, due to the young adult vampire dynamics and plots. Be sure to check the content warnings. Overall, I give this a 2.5 star rating.
Just because this book wasn’t necessarily for me, you might absolutely love it! There are high ratings and praise for this book! Please do not let it deter you from giving this book a chance.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Nancy Banks and Random House Children's Books / Delacorte Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is expected to be published on December 16, 2025!
I am always a sucker for vampire books and movies. If I don’t read it or watch it, I feel like I am missing out! While the twist in the book was predictable, I feel that it had a clever plot. I do hope that a second book comes out, so some of the things can get resolved. It didn’t have a resolved ending to me. This is an easy to read book and is under 300 pages long. If you are a vampire reader, I suggest trying this one out! This book did remind me of the Vampire Academy books, due to the young adult vampire dynamics and plots. Be sure to check the content warnings. Overall, I give this a 2.5 star rating.
Just because this book wasn’t necessarily for me, you might absolutely love it! There are high ratings and praise for this book! Please do not let it deter you from giving this book a chance.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Nancy Banks and Random House Children's Books / Delacorte Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is expected to be published on December 16, 2025!
December 15, 2025
‘the uninvited’ is a YA paranormal vampire story set in paris that explores the topics of female empowerment vs stiflement and belonging, especially during the pivotal years of a young woman’s life.
while there were certain parts of this story that were really well done, the overall plot felt just ok to me. I enjoyed reading about our main character tosh navigating a new life in paris, meeting friends and finding a place for herself in this new city, but it was hard to stay fully engaged when the main plot of the story didn’t happen until the halfway point. for being marketed as a vampire book, I excepted a lot more action and was shocked that nothing really happened until the 50% mark. and since it took us so long to get to what felt like the true beginning of the story, the subsequent conflicts and resolution felt rushed, especially since the book is less than 300 pages.
despite the main vampire plot feeling lackluster, I think the underlying messages about belonging and female empowerment were really important and well done. if I read this story as a teenager, I think it would have helped me a lot with feeling less alone in a very tumultuous time of a girl’s life.
thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children’s Books/Delacorte Press, and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
while there were certain parts of this story that were really well done, the overall plot felt just ok to me. I enjoyed reading about our main character tosh navigating a new life in paris, meeting friends and finding a place for herself in this new city, but it was hard to stay fully engaged when the main plot of the story didn’t happen until the halfway point. for being marketed as a vampire book, I excepted a lot more action and was shocked that nothing really happened until the 50% mark. and since it took us so long to get to what felt like the true beginning of the story, the subsequent conflicts and resolution felt rushed, especially since the book is less than 300 pages.
despite the main vampire plot feeling lackluster, I think the underlying messages about belonging and female empowerment were really important and well done. if I read this story as a teenager, I think it would have helped me a lot with feeling less alone in a very tumultuous time of a girl’s life.
thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children’s Books/Delacorte Press, and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2025
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.
This is YA at its best. I read the whole book in a day, it was that enjoyable. The characters feel like real people, not cardboard cut outs. There’s action, mystery, humor, and romance. Oh, and also vampires.
Tosh is a believable and well-rounded main character, not the shrinking violet type who’s waiting for a guy to rescue her featured in a lot of YA novels. She’s smart, without being pigeonholed as a nerd in need of saving by the cool kids. She’s vulnerable without being helpless, even at the lowest points in her story. Her boyfriend, Nick, is a lovable goof, but he’s never mean with his jokes. He respects Tosh and the other girls in their friend group. He doesn’t get mad or have a tantrum when Tosh calls out his blind spots Noor is a great BFF, she and Tosh bring out the best in each other, even when they’re terrified. They build each other up, instead of tearing each other down for dumb reasons. And Madame Dupuy, Tosh’s housekeeper in Paris, might be my favorite character. I would read a whole prequel series about her and her family
I really hope there are more books featuring these characters in the future!
You should absolutely pre-order your copy from your favorite bookstore today!
This is YA at its best. I read the whole book in a day, it was that enjoyable. The characters feel like real people, not cardboard cut outs. There’s action, mystery, humor, and romance. Oh, and also vampires.
Tosh is a believable and well-rounded main character, not the shrinking violet type who’s waiting for a guy to rescue her featured in a lot of YA novels. She’s smart, without being pigeonholed as a nerd in need of saving by the cool kids. She’s vulnerable without being helpless, even at the lowest points in her story. Her boyfriend, Nick, is a lovable goof, but he’s never mean with his jokes. He respects Tosh and the other girls in their friend group. He doesn’t get mad or have a tantrum when Tosh calls out his blind spots Noor is a great BFF, she and Tosh bring out the best in each other, even when they’re terrified. They build each other up, instead of tearing each other down for dumb reasons. And Madame Dupuy, Tosh’s housekeeper in Paris, might be my favorite character. I would read a whole prequel series about her and her family
I really hope there are more books featuring these characters in the future!
You should absolutely pre-order your copy from your favorite bookstore today!
December 7, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up for Goodreads
The Uninvited is a captivating young adult novel - I couldn't put it down! We follow Tosh from Portland, Oregon to Paris, France where she meets new friends, immerses herself in their world, and has to come to terms with the possibility that vampires may be real.
I loved the feminist messaging, the rhetoric against victim blaming and cultivating a culture where predators can thrive. I loved the genuine apologies, the healthy communication, and self advocacy. There were also some great one-liners throughout.
I will say, though, there were things I wished were different. While trying to get the point across, some of the monologuing comes across more preachy than conversational. We also don't learn our MCs name for a couple chapters. She becomes close to someone through her adventures in Paris and while their interactions are on the romantic side, we learn they're boyfriend/girlfriend randomly in a paragraph where Tosh refers to boyfriend/girlfriend in a sentence in her head. Usually it's more obvious when teens start dating, in my experience. I also don't think 12 weeks are necessary for the storyline as the "present" week falls in the Epilogue, but I do enjoy this timeline breakdown concept in the story. The timeline in the catas was also challenging to grasp. What felt like a few hours on-page was actually three days? Last thing that felt strange - someone literally *expired* and two characters just start painting right after. Weird.
If you're looking for a ya vampire novel with a type of HEA, a strong MFC, diverse characters, and some found family definitely give The Uninvited a read!
Please do check the TWs/CWs, though, as some topics covered in the story could be challenging for some readers. You know you best.
The Uninvited is a captivating young adult novel - I couldn't put it down! We follow Tosh from Portland, Oregon to Paris, France where she meets new friends, immerses herself in their world, and has to come to terms with the possibility that vampires may be real.
I loved the feminist messaging, the rhetoric against victim blaming and cultivating a culture where predators can thrive. I loved the genuine apologies, the healthy communication, and self advocacy. There were also some great one-liners throughout.
I will say, though, there were things I wished were different. While trying to get the point across, some of the monologuing comes across more preachy than conversational. We also don't learn our MCs name for a couple chapters. She becomes close to someone through her adventures in Paris and while their interactions are on the romantic side, we learn they're boyfriend/girlfriend randomly in a paragraph where Tosh refers to boyfriend/girlfriend in a sentence in her head. Usually it's more obvious when teens start dating, in my experience. I also don't think 12 weeks are necessary for the storyline as the "present" week falls in the Epilogue, but I do enjoy this timeline breakdown concept in the story. The timeline in the catas was also challenging to grasp. What felt like a few hours on-page was actually three days? Last thing that felt strange - someone literally *expired* and two characters just start painting right after. Weird.
If you're looking for a ya vampire novel with a type of HEA, a strong MFC, diverse characters, and some found family definitely give The Uninvited a read!
Please do check the TWs/CWs, though, as some topics covered in the story could be challenging for some readers. You know you best.
October 8, 2025
The Uninvited follows Tosh as she moves from Portland to Paris. It’s more incredible than she imagined. She finds new friends, iconic architecture, and delicious delights. There’s also a cute boy, Nick, who shows her around. But when a series of “vampire” attacks flood the city, Tosh comes face to face with the dark side of Paris.
This was a fun YA paranormal story. I loved the setting, especially when they were in the catacombs. There’s something so eerie and terrifying about the Parisian catacombs and I’m obsessed with stories are set there. I thought the author did a great job at creating very atmospheric scenes. I found it a little slow at times and I wanted more of the vampire element, but I think this will be a big hit for teens.
I quite enjoyed Tosh. She’s a very entertaining main character who makes relatively good decisions. I really enjoyed the friend group, especially Noor and Nick! He’s such a sweetheart. I also loved Madame Dupuy. She was a great character in the story.
Overall, if you love paranormal stories set in Paris featuring vampires, I’d definitely recommend checking this out!
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc!
This was a fun YA paranormal story. I loved the setting, especially when they were in the catacombs. There’s something so eerie and terrifying about the Parisian catacombs and I’m obsessed with stories are set there. I thought the author did a great job at creating very atmospheric scenes. I found it a little slow at times and I wanted more of the vampire element, but I think this will be a big hit for teens.
I quite enjoyed Tosh. She’s a very entertaining main character who makes relatively good decisions. I really enjoyed the friend group, especially Noor and Nick! He’s such a sweetheart. I also loved Madame Dupuy. She was a great character in the story.
Overall, if you love paranormal stories set in Paris featuring vampires, I’d definitely recommend checking this out!
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc!
December 8, 2025
3.5 Stars, rounded up
This is a really refreshing take on vampires in a market flooded with Byronic heroes rather than, you know, actual monsters. Did I think the messaging was a little heavy-handed at times? Yes. But overall, this is a very solid read. It even made me miss Paris, which is saying something since I hate Paris.
Anyway, there's a lot of good here, but I'm saving all of that for my full review, available this Friday at my link text
This is a really refreshing take on vampires in a market flooded with Byronic heroes rather than, you know, actual monsters. Did I think the messaging was a little heavy-handed at times? Yes. But overall, this is a very solid read. It even made me miss Paris, which is saying something since I hate Paris.
Anyway, there's a lot of good here, but I'm saving all of that for my full review, available this Friday at my link text
June 3, 2025
**ARC**
The Uninvited has everything: pigeons, pastries, female friendship, a journey drenched in blood, but most importantly, a strong message. Banks transformed a supernatural predator into a relatable narrative around issues that plague non-vampires every day. We cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can choose what to do with our pain. It was poignant, but never hit me over the head with the point she was making. Reading this felt like a mashup of the best parts of Buffy rolled up in a pain au chocolat, and tied with a bow. I have to go plan my own epic pastry quest now!
The Uninvited has everything: pigeons, pastries, female friendship, a journey drenched in blood, but most importantly, a strong message. Banks transformed a supernatural predator into a relatable narrative around issues that plague non-vampires every day. We cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can choose what to do with our pain. It was poignant, but never hit me over the head with the point she was making. Reading this felt like a mashup of the best parts of Buffy rolled up in a pain au chocolat, and tied with a bow. I have to go plan my own epic pastry quest now!
August 4, 2025
I loved this feminist rendition of the vampire novel - so many twists and turns and great story telling. Who actually wants to be bitten by a vampire!? No one, that's who. The protagonist's story is of fighting back in creative and gruesome ways against the vampire attacking the residents of Paris. I loved all the details of her getting to know the city - its art and architecture, and the street art! - as well as French culture. For example, of course Madame D, house keeper and nanny extraordinaire, accessorized with a scarf to head out into the night!
Get ready for a page turner.
Get ready for a page turner.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Children's Book for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Any time a book is about vampires, I automatically want to read it. This book especially caught my eye because it takes place in Paris AND they go underground in the catacombs. I'm also obsessed with any book that goes into the Paris catacombs! Additionally, I was really interested in this book because of the author's note at the beginning mentioning that she was trying to go against the typical teenage vampire storyline where "stalking," being possessive and being detached (broody) was romantic. I was REALLY all in after that.
However, I had an uneven reading experience with this book. I felt like the messages the author wanted to tell were the main guiding force of the book and the book suffered a little bit for it. I felt like part of this book was a fun, romcom-type escapist story where the main character was having fun, romantic moments going to the tourists places around Paris. There was also a subplot about art: who gets to make art, what the art means and representation in art. Both of these were very well done and very interesting. However, the part that felt the least well done (or least connected to the other parts of the story) to me was the vampire aspects. That's the part that felt more like an add on. So, for me, the genre and mood/tone of the story felt a bit discombobulated and less cohesive which impacted my enjoyment of the story.
Things I liked:
-I really did like our main character overall. I liked spending time with her.
-I loved some of the side characters. Her love interest's little sister was a fun addition! I would have liked to see even more scenes with her. I liked the female bond between her and Noor and OF COURSE, I LOVED her nanny/house keeper. She was a really amazing, strong mentor/mother figure for her. She was a very present parental figure (which is often lacking in YA books) and showed she cared with boundaries, yet when the main character got into trouble, she was there without judgement. She was pretty stellar and every teenager deserves someone like her in his/her corner.
-I loved the light-hearted, romantic moments around Paris. Probably my favorite moments of the the whole story. I think I would have enjoyed this story more if it DIDN'T have vampires (I can't believe I'm saying that). If this was a contemporary story about overcoming a bad situation in the past, and finding a place she belonged with a new found family, it might have been a 5 star read for me. There was a lot of heart in her discovering herself and her place.
Things I struggled with:
-Basically all the vampire parts/elements. They felt incongruous with the tone and the rest of the story.
-The villain is very obvious from page #1. I also prefer villains to be more well-rounded/complex. There should be some layers to them. This villain was just evil with no layers. It's just not how I prefer my villains. In fact, after reading the author's note about subverting the tropes of romantic dangerous vampires, I expected the villain to be really compelling. For him to ALMOST trick her into that old, familiar trap, but for her to resist him, despite his charms and appeal, in order to see who/what he truly was. Since that didn't happen, it did feel like a let down. The main character also defeated the villain too easily for me as well.
-I was very unsatisfied with the ending. More details below in the spoiler section. Just know that when I turned the last page I was like, "That was it? That's the ending?" Things were not fully resolved and some things were still unanswered. It did not feel like a satisfying end.
-The messages and themes were too clearly stated. The reader is practically hit over the head with them in many places, especially when there are long conversations with the exact messages the author wants the reader to get spelled out fully. It was a bit much.
Spoiler section (Don't read below if you want to avoid spoilers):
-I was pretty upset by the ending mostly. I understand that the author was trying to do something different with this book. I think the fact that her boyfriend broke up with her and wouldn't speak to her (after seeing her kill as a vampire) was a different choice (on purpose). But it wasn't satisfying. The whole message that she pushed pretty hard in this book was not to punish victims. Yet, here we are with the boyfriend punishing her for something that in a way wasn't her fault. She was assaulted by a vampire that the boyfriend introduced her to and then as a vampire, did what vampires do. I get that she was trying to say that sometimes people do horrible things and they can't just fix it, but I felt like there should have been some sort of a more clear resolution/path forward with her boyfriend. I would not have been as upset by this if the majority of the book didn't feel like a full on romance. So much page time was spent building up their relationship and romance. So, the ending felt like it took a hard right from the tone the rest of the book established. I liked her friendship with Noor and the fact that they helped each other in the end, but that also felt like it came out of nowhere. To end the book on a "girl power" friendship ending didn't feel like it matched the rest of the book either. If it was a friendship book, maybe we didn't need the romance at all. Maybe it could just be friends and focused more on her friendship with Noor as the focus. All in all, I think this book didn't quite know what it wanted to be and that is why it was hard for me to read. I think it should have picked one lane: love story, friendship story OR vampire story. To me, they didn't all blend.
Any time a book is about vampires, I automatically want to read it. This book especially caught my eye because it takes place in Paris AND they go underground in the catacombs. I'm also obsessed with any book that goes into the Paris catacombs! Additionally, I was really interested in this book because of the author's note at the beginning mentioning that she was trying to go against the typical teenage vampire storyline where "stalking," being possessive and being detached (broody) was romantic. I was REALLY all in after that.
However, I had an uneven reading experience with this book. I felt like the messages the author wanted to tell were the main guiding force of the book and the book suffered a little bit for it. I felt like part of this book was a fun, romcom-type escapist story where the main character was having fun, romantic moments going to the tourists places around Paris. There was also a subplot about art: who gets to make art, what the art means and representation in art. Both of these were very well done and very interesting. However, the part that felt the least well done (or least connected to the other parts of the story) to me was the vampire aspects. That's the part that felt more like an add on. So, for me, the genre and mood/tone of the story felt a bit discombobulated and less cohesive which impacted my enjoyment of the story.
Things I liked:
-I really did like our main character overall. I liked spending time with her.
-I loved some of the side characters. Her love interest's little sister was a fun addition! I would have liked to see even more scenes with her. I liked the female bond between her and Noor and OF COURSE, I LOVED her nanny/house keeper. She was a really amazing, strong mentor/mother figure for her. She was a very present parental figure (which is often lacking in YA books) and showed she cared with boundaries, yet when the main character got into trouble, she was there without judgement. She was pretty stellar and every teenager deserves someone like her in his/her corner.
-I loved the light-hearted, romantic moments around Paris. Probably my favorite moments of the the whole story. I think I would have enjoyed this story more if it DIDN'T have vampires (I can't believe I'm saying that). If this was a contemporary story about overcoming a bad situation in the past, and finding a place she belonged with a new found family, it might have been a 5 star read for me. There was a lot of heart in her discovering herself and her place.
Things I struggled with:
-Basically all the vampire parts/elements. They felt incongruous with the tone and the rest of the story.
-The villain is very obvious from page #1. I also prefer villains to be more well-rounded/complex. There should be some layers to them. This villain was just evil with no layers. It's just not how I prefer my villains. In fact, after reading the author's note about subverting the tropes of romantic dangerous vampires, I expected the villain to be really compelling. For him to ALMOST trick her into that old, familiar trap, but for her to resist him, despite his charms and appeal, in order to see who/what he truly was. Since that didn't happen, it did feel like a let down. The main character also defeated the villain too easily for me as well.
-I was very unsatisfied with the ending. More details below in the spoiler section. Just know that when I turned the last page I was like, "That was it? That's the ending?" Things were not fully resolved and some things were still unanswered. It did not feel like a satisfying end.
-The messages and themes were too clearly stated. The reader is practically hit over the head with them in many places, especially when there are long conversations with the exact messages the author wants the reader to get spelled out fully. It was a bit much.
Spoiler section (Don't read below if you want to avoid spoilers):
-I was pretty upset by the ending mostly. I understand that the author was trying to do something different with this book. I think the fact that her boyfriend broke up with her and wouldn't speak to her (after seeing her kill as a vampire) was a different choice (on purpose). But it wasn't satisfying. The whole message that she pushed pretty hard in this book was not to punish victims. Yet, here we are with the boyfriend punishing her for something that in a way wasn't her fault. She was assaulted by a vampire that the boyfriend introduced her to and then as a vampire, did what vampires do. I get that she was trying to say that sometimes people do horrible things and they can't just fix it, but I felt like there should have been some sort of a more clear resolution/path forward with her boyfriend. I would not have been as upset by this if the majority of the book didn't feel like a full on romance. So much page time was spent building up their relationship and romance. So, the ending felt like it took a hard right from the tone the rest of the book established. I liked her friendship with Noor and the fact that they helped each other in the end, but that also felt like it came out of nowhere. To end the book on a "girl power" friendship ending didn't feel like it matched the rest of the book either. If it was a friendship book, maybe we didn't need the romance at all. Maybe it could just be friends and focused more on her friendship with Noor as the focus. All in all, I think this book didn't quite know what it wanted to be and that is why it was hard for me to read. I think it should have picked one lane: love story, friendship story OR vampire story. To me, they didn't all blend.
December 20, 2025
“You can say, ‘That’s not okay,’ when you hear someone say creepy things. You can say, ‘I believe you,’ when someone tells you what happened to them. You can make it a little less easy for predators to exist. You can keep doing it even if it feels awkward. You can set an example so that other people feel empowered to do it, too.”
When seventeen-year-old Tosh Reeves and her father pack up their lives and make the big move from Portland, Oregon to Paris, France, it’s her dream come true. When Tosh meets Nick, he introduces her to the art, lights, and architecture that Paris has to offer, and Tosh begins to finally see a place she can call home. As the two begin their sweet romance and Tosh meets Nick’s friends, everything seems to be going perfectly—that is, until whispers of violent attacks on young women start spreading in the streets, triggering Tosh’s memories of her past in Portland. Once she discovers that there are vampires in Paris and the enemy is much closer than she thought, everything changes. Tosh’s whole world collapses as she enters a war with evil and experiences a loss of power when targeted by a vampire. Tempted by corrupt forces, Tosh must navigate Paris’ vampire underground and save herself from the darkness surrounding her.
I originally assumed this would be a vampire romance, but I was so wrong. This story incorporates themes of empowerment in a fresh and clever manner. Upon beginning the story, I was annoyed with Tosh because of her touristy romanticization of Paris. However, I grew to admire her character as I slowly learned more about her past in Portland and why Paris was so important to her. The story acts as an allegory for sexual assault and autonomy, which was intelligently woven into the plot. I thought back to a blog I wrote recently regarding the supernatural, where I discussed vampires and their frequent lack of consent, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that be represented in this story. This isn’t the typical ‘girl falls in love with vampire’ story, but instead it’s ‘girl vs. vampire,’ and explores Tosh’s sexual assault, her desire for control, and belonging, which I admired. There are many messages entwined in the novel; some of my personal favorites explored the idea of the abused becoming the abuser, and depression growing from a loss of control due to sexual violence. I also loved the tropes of fledgling vampirism, especially the dumpster dive scene. There is beautiful prose scattered throughout the novel, and an artistic, lovable, and intellectual friend group that blossomed as they joined together to fight against vampire violence. I especially liked Tosh’s newfound Parisian friend Noor, who deals with issues like racism and artistic identity.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Delacorte Press for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
When seventeen-year-old Tosh Reeves and her father pack up their lives and make the big move from Portland, Oregon to Paris, France, it’s her dream come true. When Tosh meets Nick, he introduces her to the art, lights, and architecture that Paris has to offer, and Tosh begins to finally see a place she can call home. As the two begin their sweet romance and Tosh meets Nick’s friends, everything seems to be going perfectly—that is, until whispers of violent attacks on young women start spreading in the streets, triggering Tosh’s memories of her past in Portland. Once she discovers that there are vampires in Paris and the enemy is much closer than she thought, everything changes. Tosh’s whole world collapses as she enters a war with evil and experiences a loss of power when targeted by a vampire. Tempted by corrupt forces, Tosh must navigate Paris’ vampire underground and save herself from the darkness surrounding her.
I originally assumed this would be a vampire romance, but I was so wrong. This story incorporates themes of empowerment in a fresh and clever manner. Upon beginning the story, I was annoyed with Tosh because of her touristy romanticization of Paris. However, I grew to admire her character as I slowly learned more about her past in Portland and why Paris was so important to her. The story acts as an allegory for sexual assault and autonomy, which was intelligently woven into the plot. I thought back to a blog I wrote recently regarding the supernatural, where I discussed vampires and their frequent lack of consent, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that be represented in this story. This isn’t the typical ‘girl falls in love with vampire’ story, but instead it’s ‘girl vs. vampire,’ and explores Tosh’s sexual assault, her desire for control, and belonging, which I admired. There are many messages entwined in the novel; some of my personal favorites explored the idea of the abused becoming the abuser, and depression growing from a loss of control due to sexual violence. I also loved the tropes of fledgling vampirism, especially the dumpster dive scene. There is beautiful prose scattered throughout the novel, and an artistic, lovable, and intellectual friend group that blossomed as they joined together to fight against vampire violence. I especially liked Tosh’s newfound Parisian friend Noor, who deals with issues like racism and artistic identity.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Delacorte Press for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Uninvited by Nancy Banks is a brief, fast-paced read that may appeal to readers looking for a suspenseful story with supernatural elements. However, those hoping for a deeply atmospheric, Paris-centered vampire tale may find the novel’s sense of place a bit limited. While iconic locations such as patisseries, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and the catacombs appear throughout the narrative, the book doesn’t fully immerse the reader in Parisian culture. Still, the setting provides an engaging backdrop for the story that unfolds.
The novel follows Tosh, who has recently moved to Paris with her father after a traumatic experience involving a friend back home. Her trauma shapes much of her worldview and continues to affect her actions as the plot develops. Shortly after arriving, she meets Nick, who quickly brings her into his social circle and introduces her to street art and the underground catacombs. But beneath the charm of the city lies something far more dangerous, a rumored “vampire” who targets women.
At times, the story’s pacing can feel a bit chaotic, though this energy also contributes to the book’s momentum. I did struggle with the romantic subplot. Given Tosh’s recent trauma, her sudden relationship with Nick felt abrupt, and I found it difficult to fully believe in its progression. The structure of the book, told through a countdown to present events, did not feel true to the passage of time. I felt that the timeframe was much longer than just a few weeks in places, while other times it felt like just a few days she’d been in Paris.
While the plot itself is compelling, the ending felt underdeveloped. The climax is said to unfold over three days, but the narrative’s pacing makes it feel much shorter, and additional detail or action could have made the resolution more impactful. One element that I couldn’t wrap my head around was the decision to start a fire within the catacombs; given the poor ventilation, it’s hard to imagine the characters escaping without severe consequences from smoke inhalation.
Finally, the novel grapples with themes of victim blaming and the heightened vigilance required of women navigating public spaces. Tosh frequently voices frustration over these realities, yet the story doesn’t fully resolve or deepen these conversations. This may be an intentional choice, suggesting that these issues persist regardless of individual protest, but it left me unsure whether the theme had reached its intended conclusion.
Overall, The Uninvited offers an intriguing premise and an engaging pace. Readers seeking a quick supernatural thriller may enjoy it, though those looking for richer character development or a more immersive depiction of Paris might find it lacking.
The novel follows Tosh, who has recently moved to Paris with her father after a traumatic experience involving a friend back home. Her trauma shapes much of her worldview and continues to affect her actions as the plot develops. Shortly after arriving, she meets Nick, who quickly brings her into his social circle and introduces her to street art and the underground catacombs. But beneath the charm of the city lies something far more dangerous, a rumored “vampire” who targets women.
At times, the story’s pacing can feel a bit chaotic, though this energy also contributes to the book’s momentum. I did struggle with the romantic subplot. Given Tosh’s recent trauma, her sudden relationship with Nick felt abrupt, and I found it difficult to fully believe in its progression. The structure of the book, told through a countdown to present events, did not feel true to the passage of time. I felt that the timeframe was much longer than just a few weeks in places, while other times it felt like just a few days she’d been in Paris.
While the plot itself is compelling, the ending felt underdeveloped. The climax is said to unfold over three days, but the narrative’s pacing makes it feel much shorter, and additional detail or action could have made the resolution more impactful. One element that I couldn’t wrap my head around was the decision to start a fire within the catacombs; given the poor ventilation, it’s hard to imagine the characters escaping without severe consequences from smoke inhalation.
Finally, the novel grapples with themes of victim blaming and the heightened vigilance required of women navigating public spaces. Tosh frequently voices frustration over these realities, yet the story doesn’t fully resolve or deepen these conversations. This may be an intentional choice, suggesting that these issues persist regardless of individual protest, but it left me unsure whether the theme had reached its intended conclusion.
Overall, The Uninvited offers an intriguing premise and an engaging pace. Readers seeking a quick supernatural thriller may enjoy it, though those looking for richer character development or a more immersive depiction of Paris might find it lacking.
November 12, 2025
3⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Uninvited. The Uninvited by Nancy Banks is a dark, atmospheric YA read set against the backdrop of Paris. The story follows Tosh Reeves, a seventeen-year-old trying to find her place in a new city, only to discover that something sinister is lurking beneath its beautiful surface. I really enjoyed the premise and the Paris setting—it’s rich, moody, and perfect for the story’s tone. Banks writes with a cinematic touch, and her descriptions bring both the romance and the danger of Paris to life. Tosh is a likable protagonist, and the story captures the energy and curiosity of young adulthood well.
The first half of the story sets up Tosh’s story and adventures as well as the set up for the main problem in the story which is the vampire attacks. But for me the pacing was a bit slow up until the main incident where the story began to pick up. That being said I would have liked it to match the same pace and the first half because the second half felt rushed. I would have liked more action and interaction between the vampire and Tosh during the second half especially because it was like attack, your a monster leave me alone, and then I’m going to kill you. I would have liked to see more of a dynamic between them too. I also would have liked to see the vampire as well.
One thing that saddened me was that the ending there was no resolve between her and the love interest and for me it left on a cliffhanger so maybe there will be a second book that shows them maybe fixing and communicating about the things that happened. Hopefully 🤷♀️. It also made me mad how the father kept blaming her for what happened, yes she shouldn’t have went out by herself with the circumstances but also he blamed her friends, blamed her, and it just frustrated me because he silenced her. How was anyone supposed to know. Someone with that mentality, I would honestly want to punch them in the face.
Overall, I think it’s a great book for young adults how are just getting into mystery/thrillers, especially because it not the average vampire you see and fall in love with. It’s a hunter who doesn’t care about those around him and only wants power.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Uninvited. The Uninvited by Nancy Banks is a dark, atmospheric YA read set against the backdrop of Paris. The story follows Tosh Reeves, a seventeen-year-old trying to find her place in a new city, only to discover that something sinister is lurking beneath its beautiful surface. I really enjoyed the premise and the Paris setting—it’s rich, moody, and perfect for the story’s tone. Banks writes with a cinematic touch, and her descriptions bring both the romance and the danger of Paris to life. Tosh is a likable protagonist, and the story captures the energy and curiosity of young adulthood well.
The first half of the story sets up Tosh’s story and adventures as well as the set up for the main problem in the story which is the vampire attacks. But for me the pacing was a bit slow up until the main incident where the story began to pick up. That being said I would have liked it to match the same pace and the first half because the second half felt rushed. I would have liked more action and interaction between the vampire and Tosh during the second half especially because it was like attack, your a monster leave me alone, and then I’m going to kill you. I would have liked to see more of a dynamic between them too. I also would have liked to see the vampire as well.
One thing that saddened me was that the ending there was no resolve between her and the love interest and for me it left on a cliffhanger so maybe there will be a second book that shows them maybe fixing and communicating about the things that happened. Hopefully 🤷♀️. It also made me mad how the father kept blaming her for what happened, yes she shouldn’t have went out by herself with the circumstances but also he blamed her friends, blamed her, and it just frustrated me because he silenced her. How was anyone supposed to know. Someone with that mentality, I would honestly want to punch them in the face.
Overall, I think it’s a great book for young adults how are just getting into mystery/thrillers, especially because it not the average vampire you see and fall in love with. It’s a hunter who doesn’t care about those around him and only wants power.
September 9, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Nancy Banks’ “The Uninvited” is YA at its best; this is a smart, funny, feminist twist on the vampire novel that manages to be both a page-turning supernatural thriller and a poignant exploration of survival, friendship, and resilience.
At the heart of the story is Tosh, a sharp, vulnerable, and refreshingly capable heroine who refuses to play the helpless damsel role so common in YA. Alongside her best friend Noor, lovable goofball boyfriend Nick, and the unforgettable Madame Dupuy—a Parisian housekeeper with a secret legacy of vampire hunters—Tosh is thrust into a bloody, pulse-pounding fight against the predators haunting the streets of Paris. Instead of relying on easy tropes, Banks gives us characters who feel real: friends who lift each other up, relationships that don’t hinge on petty misunderstandings, and a romance that recognizes both tenderness and boundaries, even when tested by the horrors of vampirism.
What makes “The Uninvited” stand out is how it transforms its supernatural premise into something deeply relatable. The vampires may be monsters, but the themes like bodily autonomy, trauma, and the choice to fight back mirror struggles women face every day. Banks balances the darker elements with humor, Parisian charm, and moments of sweetness (yes, even involving pastries and pigeons), creating a story that feels as empowering as it is entertaining.
Fast-paced, richly atmospheric, and brimming with twists, The Uninvited calls to mind the spirit of Buffy the Vampire Slayer—if Buffy had been raised among Parisian art, street murals, and croissants. It’s a story about rage, resilience, and the unbreakable power of female friendship, all wrapped in blood, wit, and heart.
Whether you’re here for the action, the Parisian vibes, or the feminist bite, this is a YA vampire story that deserves to sink its teeth into your TBR.
Nancy Banks’ “The Uninvited” is YA at its best; this is a smart, funny, feminist twist on the vampire novel that manages to be both a page-turning supernatural thriller and a poignant exploration of survival, friendship, and resilience.
At the heart of the story is Tosh, a sharp, vulnerable, and refreshingly capable heroine who refuses to play the helpless damsel role so common in YA. Alongside her best friend Noor, lovable goofball boyfriend Nick, and the unforgettable Madame Dupuy—a Parisian housekeeper with a secret legacy of vampire hunters—Tosh is thrust into a bloody, pulse-pounding fight against the predators haunting the streets of Paris. Instead of relying on easy tropes, Banks gives us characters who feel real: friends who lift each other up, relationships that don’t hinge on petty misunderstandings, and a romance that recognizes both tenderness and boundaries, even when tested by the horrors of vampirism.
What makes “The Uninvited” stand out is how it transforms its supernatural premise into something deeply relatable. The vampires may be monsters, but the themes like bodily autonomy, trauma, and the choice to fight back mirror struggles women face every day. Banks balances the darker elements with humor, Parisian charm, and moments of sweetness (yes, even involving pastries and pigeons), creating a story that feels as empowering as it is entertaining.
Fast-paced, richly atmospheric, and brimming with twists, The Uninvited calls to mind the spirit of Buffy the Vampire Slayer—if Buffy had been raised among Parisian art, street murals, and croissants. It’s a story about rage, resilience, and the unbreakable power of female friendship, all wrapped in blood, wit, and heart.
Whether you’re here for the action, the Parisian vibes, or the feminist bite, this is a YA vampire story that deserves to sink its teeth into your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a fun, refreshing book. I loved that it wasn’t the typical vampire story, and Nancy Banks made Paris feel alive—almost like a character itself. Tosh, the main character, is both relatable and fierce, especially in the way she learns to stand up for herself. I also loved the way her friendships, in both Paris and Portland, developed. It felt like being a secret member of the friend group, quietly cheering them on.
This is a YA novel that’s also a great fit for adult readers who enjoy vampire fiction and Paris-set stories. Tosh and her father move to Paris for his job, and she enrolls in a French high school, taking a summer class to improve her French before becoming a full-time student. She meets her first friends in her building, and her friend group grows from there. The overall mood is fun and adventurous, with Paris exploration, an epic pastry quest, and even a trip through the catacombs.
Tosh and her friends felt like real people, not just characters on the page. I found myself wondering what they were up to even after the story ended, which is always a sign that I’ve really connected with a book. The Paris setting felt immersive and educational in the best way—I learned a lot about the city and the catacombs, and it made the story feel vivid and grounded. I also really appreciated the fresh vampire angle, especially seeing a YA main character who stands up to a vampire and actually wins.
Overall, this was a fun, engaging read that left me wanting more. This is Nancy Banks’s debut novel, and it’s a strong one—I’m excited to see what she writes next.
I’d recommend this book to YA readers and anyone who enjoys strong female lead characters. Readers who love Paris will also find a lot to enjoy here. I would absolutely read more by Nancy Banks and would happily return to this world.
I received this book as a complimentary author copy for my unbiased review.
This is a YA novel that’s also a great fit for adult readers who enjoy vampire fiction and Paris-set stories. Tosh and her father move to Paris for his job, and she enrolls in a French high school, taking a summer class to improve her French before becoming a full-time student. She meets her first friends in her building, and her friend group grows from there. The overall mood is fun and adventurous, with Paris exploration, an epic pastry quest, and even a trip through the catacombs.
Tosh and her friends felt like real people, not just characters on the page. I found myself wondering what they were up to even after the story ended, which is always a sign that I’ve really connected with a book. The Paris setting felt immersive and educational in the best way—I learned a lot about the city and the catacombs, and it made the story feel vivid and grounded. I also really appreciated the fresh vampire angle, especially seeing a YA main character who stands up to a vampire and actually wins.
Overall, this was a fun, engaging read that left me wanting more. This is Nancy Banks’s debut novel, and it’s a strong one—I’m excited to see what she writes next.
I’d recommend this book to YA readers and anyone who enjoys strong female lead characters. Readers who love Paris will also find a lot to enjoy here. I would absolutely read more by Nancy Banks and would happily return to this world.
I received this book as a complimentary author copy for my unbiased review.
December 8, 2025
Thank you NetGalley & Delacorte Press for the opportunity to ARC read this in exchange for my honest review.
What to expect:
🌟 PARIS!
🌟 Found family
🌟 Female empowerment
🌟 Feminist vampire story
🌟 Diverse characters
🌟 Strong female main character
This is an incredibly unique vampire story, definitely not what I was expecting. I am so used to reading books about “sexy” vampires, that this was a fresher perspective showcasing them as predators and nothing else. This story has a much deeper message revolving around consent and taking control of your life and your circumstances when something happens to you that make you feel helpless and powerless. It’s a really strong message intertwined into the fantastical element of vampires, which I enjoyed.
The characters were diverse and dynamic, with a fun found family aspect involved. Tosh, our main character, is enjoyable and I rooted for her throughout the whole book. Nick, her boyfriend, is such a sweetheart and I loved their sweet relationship. Her friendship with Noor, however, was the best part for me. I loved seeing how they helped each other embrace their fears, in both their personal lives as well as in the midst of all of the vampire attacks.
My only complaint is the ending. I felt that it all happened too fast and I didn’t feel exceptionally satisfied with the ending. I would have enjoyed this being maybe a couple chapters longer so the climax could be expanded on a bit. I am also curious if there will be more books with these characters, because some of it felt open-ended where it could definitely happen. I would be interested in that!
Overall, I really enjoyed this! If you’re looking for a quick read that has vampires, strong relationships, and a solid social message, I definitely recommend you pick this up!
What to expect:
🌟 PARIS!
🌟 Found family
🌟 Female empowerment
🌟 Feminist vampire story
🌟 Diverse characters
🌟 Strong female main character
This is an incredibly unique vampire story, definitely not what I was expecting. I am so used to reading books about “sexy” vampires, that this was a fresher perspective showcasing them as predators and nothing else. This story has a much deeper message revolving around consent and taking control of your life and your circumstances when something happens to you that make you feel helpless and powerless. It’s a really strong message intertwined into the fantastical element of vampires, which I enjoyed.
The characters were diverse and dynamic, with a fun found family aspect involved. Tosh, our main character, is enjoyable and I rooted for her throughout the whole book. Nick, her boyfriend, is such a sweetheart and I loved their sweet relationship. Her friendship with Noor, however, was the best part for me. I loved seeing how they helped each other embrace their fears, in both their personal lives as well as in the midst of all of the vampire attacks.
My only complaint is the ending. I felt that it all happened too fast and I didn’t feel exceptionally satisfied with the ending. I would have enjoyed this being maybe a couple chapters longer so the climax could be expanded on a bit. I am also curious if there will be more books with these characters, because some of it felt open-ended where it could definitely happen. I would be interested in that!
Overall, I really enjoyed this! If you’re looking for a quick read that has vampires, strong relationships, and a solid social message, I definitely recommend you pick this up!
December 16, 2025
🎧📖𝒜𝐿𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌📖🎧
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒰𝓃𝒾𝓃𝓋𝒾𝓉𝑒𝒹 ʙʏ ɴᴀɴᴄʏ ʙᴀɴᴋs
𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🥀🥀🥀 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻 ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴏsᴇs
✨ 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝓀✨
ᴡʜᴇɴ sᴇᴠᴇɴᴛᴇᴇɴ-ʏᴇᴀʀ-ᴏʟᴅ ᴛᴏsʜ ʀᴇᴇᴠᴇs ᴍᴏᴠᴇs ᴛᴏ ᴘᴀʀɪs ᴄʜᴀsɪɴɢ ᴀ ʙᴏʜᴇᴍɪᴀɴ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ, sʜᴇ’s sᴡᴇᴘᴛ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄɪᴛʏ’s ʜɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅ—ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀᴇs sᴛᴀʟᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀᴛᴀᴄᴏᴍʙs ᴀɴᴅ sᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ-ᴀʀᴛ sʜᴀᴅᴏᴡs—ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇʀ sᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴀʟ ᴅᴇᴘᴇɴᴅs ᴏɴ ᴜɴᴄᴏᴠᴇʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋᴇsᴛ sᴇᴄʀᴇᴛs ʟᴜʀᴋɪɴɢ ʙᴇɴᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄɪᴛʏ ᴏғ ʟɪɢʜᴛ.
𝑅𝑒𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓉𝑒: ᴅᴇᴄᴇᴍʙᴇʀ 𝟷𝟼, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟻
𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:
ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀʜ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ ғᴏʀ ɢɪꜰᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜɪs ᴀʟᴄ!
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒰𝓃𝒾𝓃𝓋𝒾𝓉𝑒𝒹 ɪs ᴀ ᴛᴇɴsᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴛᴍᴏsᴘʜᴇʀɪᴄ ʏᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴀɴᴏʀᴍᴀʟ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ғᴏʟʟᴏᴡs 𝟷𝟽-ʏᴇᴀʀ-ᴏʟᴅ ᴛᴏsʜ ʀᴇᴇᴠᴇs ᴀs sʜᴇ ᴍᴏᴠᴇs ᴛᴏ ᴘᴀʀɪs, ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛᴏ ᴅɪsᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄɪᴛʏ’s ᴄʜᴀʀᴍ ᴍᴀsᴋs ᴅᴇᴀᴅʟʏ ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀᴇs ʟᴜʀᴋɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ sʜᴀᴅᴏᴡs. ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛᴏʀ ᴄᴀʀʟᴏᴛᴛᴀ ʙʀᴇɴᴛᴀɴ ʙʀɪɴɢs ᴛᴏsʜ’s ᴄᴜʀɪᴏsɪᴛʏ, ғᴇᴀʀ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴇᴛᴇʀᴍɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴠɪᴠɪᴅʟʏ ᴛᴏ ʟɪғᴇ, ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ɪᴍᴍᴇʀsɪᴠᴇ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪʀsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ.
ʙᴇʏᴏɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ sᴜʀғᴀᴄᴇ-ʟᴇᴠᴇʟ ᴛʜʀɪʟʟs ᴏғ ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀɪᴄ sᴜsᴘᴇɴsᴇ, ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴄᴀɴ ʙᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴀs ᴀ ᴍᴇᴛᴀᴘʜᴏʀ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏs ʏᴏᴜɴɢ ᴡᴏᴍᴇɴ ᴀɴᴅ ɢɪʀʟs ᴀʀᴇ ᴏғᴛᴇɴ sɪʟᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ ᴏʀ ᴄᴏɴᴛʀᴏʟʟᴇᴅ—ᴛᴏsʜ’s sᴛʀᴜɢɢʟᴇ ᴀɢᴀɪɴsᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʜɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ᴘʀᴇᴅᴀᴛᴏʀs ᴍɪʀʀᴏʀs ᴀ ғɪɢʜᴛ ғᴏʀ ᴀɢᴇɴᴄʏ, ᴠᴏɪᴄᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ sᴇʟғ-ᴅᴇᴛᴇʀᴍɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ғᴀᴄᴇ ᴏғ ᴏᴘᴘʀᴇssɪᴠᴇ ғᴏʀᴄᴇs. ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴄɪɴɢ ɪs ᴅᴇʟɪʙᴇʀᴀᴛᴇ ᴀᴛ ғɪʀsᴛ, ᴀʟʟᴏᴡɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴇɴsɪᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ʙᴜɪʟᴅ ʙᴇғᴏʀᴇ ᴘʟᴜɴɢɪɴɢ ɪɴᴛᴏ ɢʀɪᴘᴘɪɴɢ ᴇɴᴄᴏᴜɴᴛᴇʀs ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ sᴜᴘᴇʀɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴀʟ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀʀɪsɪᴀɴ sᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ᴀᴅᴅs ᴀ ʟᴀʏᴇʀ ᴏғ ɢᴏᴛʜɪᴄ ᴀʟʟᴜʀᴇ. ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇɢɪɴɴɪɴɢ sʟᴏᴡᴇʀ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴜʟᴛɪᴍᴀᴛᴇʟʏ ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀs ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴇʟʟɪɴɢ ᴍɪx ᴏғ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ, ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ-ᴏғ-ᴀɢᴇ ᴇᴍᴘᴏᴡᴇʀᴍᴇɴᴛ.
🎙️𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃: ᴄᴀʀʟʏᴏᴛᴛᴀ ʙʀᴇɴᴛᴀɴ
ᴄᴀʀʟʏᴏᴛᴛᴀ ʙʀᴇɴᴛᴀɴ ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀs ᴀ ᴄʟᴇᴀʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇɴɢᴀɢɪɴɢ ᴘᴇʀғᴏʀᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʙʀɪɴɢs ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʏᴏᴜᴛʜғᴜʟ ᴇɴᴇʀɢʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴇɴsɪᴏɴ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ. ʜᴇʀ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛᴇɴᴅs ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴛʜᴇ sʜɪғᴛɪɴɢ ᴛᴏɴᴇ—ғʀᴏᴍ ʟɪɢʜᴛʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴇᴅ ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏғ ᴘᴀʀɪsɪᴀɴ ʟɪғᴇ ᴛᴏ sᴜsᴘᴇɴsᴇғᴜʟ ᴇɴᴄᴏᴜɴᴛᴇʀs ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄɪᴛʏ’s ᴅᴀʀᴋᴇʀ ᴄᴏʀɴᴇʀs.
𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈 & 𝐸𝓁𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈:
🩸ʏᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴀɴᴏʀᴍᴀʟ
🩸ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀᴇs x ᴄᴀᴛᴀᴄᴏᴍʙs
🩸ғɪsʜ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ ᴡᴀᴛᴇʀ/ɴᴇᴡ ᴄɪᴛʏ
🩸ʟɪɢʜᴛ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴛɪᴄ ᴛᴇɴsɪᴏɴ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ᴄʜᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ ʟᴏᴄᴀʟ
🩸ᴜʀʙᴀɴ sᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ x ᴘᴀʀɪs’ sᴛʀᴇᴇᴛs, ʟᴀɴᴅᴍᴀʀᴋs, & ᴀʀᴛ
🩸ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ ᴏғ ᴀɢᴇ
𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉:
ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ, 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒰𝓃𝒾𝓃𝓋𝒾𝓉𝑒𝒹 ɪs ᴀ sᴀᴛɪsғʏɪɴɢ ʏᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴀɴᴏʀᴍᴀʟ ʟɪsᴛᴇɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʙᴀʟᴀɴᴄᴇs sᴜsᴘᴇɴsᴇ, ғᴇᴍɪɴɪsᴛ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀᴛᴏɴᴇs, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇɴɢᴀɢɪɴɢ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ.
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎
ʙᴏᴏᴋsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ: @ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇ
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒰𝓃𝒾𝓃𝓋𝒾𝓉𝑒𝒹 ʙʏ ɴᴀɴᴄʏ ʙᴀɴᴋs
𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🥀🥀🥀 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻 ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴏsᴇs
✨ 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝓀✨
ᴡʜᴇɴ sᴇᴠᴇɴᴛᴇᴇɴ-ʏᴇᴀʀ-ᴏʟᴅ ᴛᴏsʜ ʀᴇᴇᴠᴇs ᴍᴏᴠᴇs ᴛᴏ ᴘᴀʀɪs ᴄʜᴀsɪɴɢ ᴀ ʙᴏʜᴇᴍɪᴀɴ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ, sʜᴇ’s sᴡᴇᴘᴛ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄɪᴛʏ’s ʜɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅ—ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀᴇs sᴛᴀʟᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀᴛᴀᴄᴏᴍʙs ᴀɴᴅ sᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ-ᴀʀᴛ sʜᴀᴅᴏᴡs—ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇʀ sᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴀʟ ᴅᴇᴘᴇɴᴅs ᴏɴ ᴜɴᴄᴏᴠᴇʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋᴇsᴛ sᴇᴄʀᴇᴛs ʟᴜʀᴋɪɴɢ ʙᴇɴᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄɪᴛʏ ᴏғ ʟɪɢʜᴛ.
𝑅𝑒𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓉𝑒: ᴅᴇᴄᴇᴍʙᴇʀ 𝟷𝟼, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟻
𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:
ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀʜ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ ғᴏʀ ɢɪꜰᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜɪs ᴀʟᴄ!
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒰𝓃𝒾𝓃𝓋𝒾𝓉𝑒𝒹 ɪs ᴀ ᴛᴇɴsᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴛᴍᴏsᴘʜᴇʀɪᴄ ʏᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴀɴᴏʀᴍᴀʟ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ғᴏʟʟᴏᴡs 𝟷𝟽-ʏᴇᴀʀ-ᴏʟᴅ ᴛᴏsʜ ʀᴇᴇᴠᴇs ᴀs sʜᴇ ᴍᴏᴠᴇs ᴛᴏ ᴘᴀʀɪs, ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛᴏ ᴅɪsᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄɪᴛʏ’s ᴄʜᴀʀᴍ ᴍᴀsᴋs ᴅᴇᴀᴅʟʏ ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀᴇs ʟᴜʀᴋɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ sʜᴀᴅᴏᴡs. ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛᴏʀ ᴄᴀʀʟᴏᴛᴛᴀ ʙʀᴇɴᴛᴀɴ ʙʀɪɴɢs ᴛᴏsʜ’s ᴄᴜʀɪᴏsɪᴛʏ, ғᴇᴀʀ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴇᴛᴇʀᴍɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴠɪᴠɪᴅʟʏ ᴛᴏ ʟɪғᴇ, ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ɪᴍᴍᴇʀsɪᴠᴇ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪʀsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ.
ʙᴇʏᴏɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ sᴜʀғᴀᴄᴇ-ʟᴇᴠᴇʟ ᴛʜʀɪʟʟs ᴏғ ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀɪᴄ sᴜsᴘᴇɴsᴇ, ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴄᴀɴ ʙᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴀs ᴀ ᴍᴇᴛᴀᴘʜᴏʀ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏs ʏᴏᴜɴɢ ᴡᴏᴍᴇɴ ᴀɴᴅ ɢɪʀʟs ᴀʀᴇ ᴏғᴛᴇɴ sɪʟᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ ᴏʀ ᴄᴏɴᴛʀᴏʟʟᴇᴅ—ᴛᴏsʜ’s sᴛʀᴜɢɢʟᴇ ᴀɢᴀɪɴsᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʜɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ᴘʀᴇᴅᴀᴛᴏʀs ᴍɪʀʀᴏʀs ᴀ ғɪɢʜᴛ ғᴏʀ ᴀɢᴇɴᴄʏ, ᴠᴏɪᴄᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ sᴇʟғ-ᴅᴇᴛᴇʀᴍɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ғᴀᴄᴇ ᴏғ ᴏᴘᴘʀᴇssɪᴠᴇ ғᴏʀᴄᴇs. ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴄɪɴɢ ɪs ᴅᴇʟɪʙᴇʀᴀᴛᴇ ᴀᴛ ғɪʀsᴛ, ᴀʟʟᴏᴡɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴇɴsɪᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ʙᴜɪʟᴅ ʙᴇғᴏʀᴇ ᴘʟᴜɴɢɪɴɢ ɪɴᴛᴏ ɢʀɪᴘᴘɪɴɢ ᴇɴᴄᴏᴜɴᴛᴇʀs ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ sᴜᴘᴇʀɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴀʟ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀʀɪsɪᴀɴ sᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ᴀᴅᴅs ᴀ ʟᴀʏᴇʀ ᴏғ ɢᴏᴛʜɪᴄ ᴀʟʟᴜʀᴇ. ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇɢɪɴɴɪɴɢ sʟᴏᴡᴇʀ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴜʟᴛɪᴍᴀᴛᴇʟʏ ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀs ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴇʟʟɪɴɢ ᴍɪx ᴏғ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ, ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ-ᴏғ-ᴀɢᴇ ᴇᴍᴘᴏᴡᴇʀᴍᴇɴᴛ.
🎙️𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃: ᴄᴀʀʟʏᴏᴛᴛᴀ ʙʀᴇɴᴛᴀɴ
ᴄᴀʀʟʏᴏᴛᴛᴀ ʙʀᴇɴᴛᴀɴ ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀs ᴀ ᴄʟᴇᴀʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇɴɢᴀɢɪɴɢ ᴘᴇʀғᴏʀᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʙʀɪɴɢs ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʏᴏᴜᴛʜғᴜʟ ᴇɴᴇʀɢʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴇɴsɪᴏɴ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ. ʜᴇʀ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛᴇɴᴅs ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴛʜᴇ sʜɪғᴛɪɴɢ ᴛᴏɴᴇ—ғʀᴏᴍ ʟɪɢʜᴛʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴇᴅ ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏғ ᴘᴀʀɪsɪᴀɴ ʟɪғᴇ ᴛᴏ sᴜsᴘᴇɴsᴇғᴜʟ ᴇɴᴄᴏᴜɴᴛᴇʀs ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄɪᴛʏ’s ᴅᴀʀᴋᴇʀ ᴄᴏʀɴᴇʀs.
𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈 & 𝐸𝓁𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈:
🩸ʏᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴀɴᴏʀᴍᴀʟ
🩸ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀᴇs x ᴄᴀᴛᴀᴄᴏᴍʙs
🩸ғɪsʜ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ ᴡᴀᴛᴇʀ/ɴᴇᴡ ᴄɪᴛʏ
🩸ʟɪɢʜᴛ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴛɪᴄ ᴛᴇɴsɪᴏɴ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ᴄʜᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ ʟᴏᴄᴀʟ
🩸ᴜʀʙᴀɴ sᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ x ᴘᴀʀɪs’ sᴛʀᴇᴇᴛs, ʟᴀɴᴅᴍᴀʀᴋs, & ᴀʀᴛ
🩸ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ ᴏғ ᴀɢᴇ
𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉:
ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ, 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒰𝓃𝒾𝓃𝓋𝒾𝓉𝑒𝒹 ɪs ᴀ sᴀᴛɪsғʏɪɴɢ ʏᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴀɴᴏʀᴍᴀʟ ʟɪsᴛᴇɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʙᴀʟᴀɴᴄᴇs sᴜsᴘᴇɴsᴇ, ғᴇᴍɪɴɪsᴛ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀᴛᴏɴᴇs, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇɴɢᴀɢɪɴɢ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ.
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎
ʙᴏᴏᴋsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ: @ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇ
September 11, 2025
Well I read that in one sitting!
This is a refreshing and unsettling take on vampire fiction that leans into the horror and unease of the genre rather than the romance. I appreciated how Banks stripped vampires of their glamour and made them terrifying again: predators, stalkers, and decidedly unsexy.
At its core, this book is about rage specifically feminine rage. And how systems of power continue to undermine autonomy under the guise of safety. The metaphor of being turned into a vampire as a loss of bodily autonomy was striking. Banks uses this lens to examine the way women are often told that the only way to protect them from harm is to further restrict their choices and silence their voices. It’s a sharp and thoughtful commentary that lingers.
While some of the dialogue felt slightly stunted or juvenile, it’s important to remember this is a YA novel, and those choices align with the intended audience. The story still delivers emotional weight and nuance, tackling serious issues with care and compassion while maintaining accessibility for younger readers.
What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed this book. I went in cautiously, unsure what to expect, but came out both moved and impressed. The Uninvited is a powerful read that I would recommend to women wanting to channel their inner rage, to men hoping to better understand the constant vulnerabilities of living in a woman’s skin, and to anyone who craves a vampire story that refuses to romanticize its monsters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Nancy Banks, NetGalley, and Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a refreshing and unsettling take on vampire fiction that leans into the horror and unease of the genre rather than the romance. I appreciated how Banks stripped vampires of their glamour and made them terrifying again: predators, stalkers, and decidedly unsexy.
At its core, this book is about rage specifically feminine rage. And how systems of power continue to undermine autonomy under the guise of safety. The metaphor of being turned into a vampire as a loss of bodily autonomy was striking. Banks uses this lens to examine the way women are often told that the only way to protect them from harm is to further restrict their choices and silence their voices. It’s a sharp and thoughtful commentary that lingers.
While some of the dialogue felt slightly stunted or juvenile, it’s important to remember this is a YA novel, and those choices align with the intended audience. The story still delivers emotional weight and nuance, tackling serious issues with care and compassion while maintaining accessibility for younger readers.
What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed this book. I went in cautiously, unsure what to expect, but came out both moved and impressed. The Uninvited is a powerful read that I would recommend to women wanting to channel their inner rage, to men hoping to better understand the constant vulnerabilities of living in a woman’s skin, and to anyone who craves a vampire story that refuses to romanticize its monsters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Nancy Banks, NetGalley, and Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2025
When Tosh moves to Paris with her father, she can’t wait to start a new life in the City of Light. She meets Nick, a cute neighbor, and his chic, artistic friends. Between trips to the Eiffel Tower and every pâtisserie in town, Tosh starts to feel at home. But a predator is lurking in the Paris night, attacking young women. Some say he’s a vampire. When Tosh becomes the latest victim, she learns the truth about the vampire of Paris.
Author Nancy Banks clearly has an affinity for Paris and a deep admiration of its architecture and various art forms. Her descriptions of these aspects truly shine and add depth to the characters’ connections. The blooming relationship between Tosh and Nick is sweet, and the friends feel well-rounded and intriguing.
The major plot points – especially the vampiric aspects – were unsatisfyingly obvious and almost telegraphed to the reader. I kept waiting for twists that never came. It was slow going until around the midpoint where the book picked up and switched from being exposition heavy to more plot driven. The issue for me was that The Uninvited wants to be a book that explores a young woman’s place in her world through a supernatural lens. But in trying to be both, it let the story down. The references to Tosh’s past sexual assault were handled with care, but the messages she learned was directly stated many times throughout the story. As a reader, it felt clunky to have these revelations sometimes spoken directly through character dialogue.
Thank you to Random House Children’s Books and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.
Author Nancy Banks clearly has an affinity for Paris and a deep admiration of its architecture and various art forms. Her descriptions of these aspects truly shine and add depth to the characters’ connections. The blooming relationship between Tosh and Nick is sweet, and the friends feel well-rounded and intriguing.
The major plot points – especially the vampiric aspects – were unsatisfyingly obvious and almost telegraphed to the reader. I kept waiting for twists that never came. It was slow going until around the midpoint where the book picked up and switched from being exposition heavy to more plot driven. The issue for me was that The Uninvited wants to be a book that explores a young woman’s place in her world through a supernatural lens. But in trying to be both, it let the story down. The references to Tosh’s past sexual assault were handled with care, but the messages she learned was directly stated many times throughout the story. As a reader, it felt clunky to have these revelations sometimes spoken directly through character dialogue.
Thank you to Random House Children’s Books and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A compelling YA vampire story with strong feminist messaging, found family, and a confident FMC
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review of the book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars
The Uninvited was a captivating YA vampire novel that kept me turning pages. Following Tosh from Portland to Paris, watching her immerse herself in a new world and grapple with the possibility that vampires might be real, was genuinely compelling. I loved the feminist messaging throughout—especially the clear rejection of victim-blaming and the emphasis on accountability, healthy communication, and self-advocacy. There were also some really strong one-liners that stood out.
That said, there were a few things that kept this from being a 5-star read for me. At times, the messaging felt more preachy than conversational, and the pacing and timeline were occasionally confusing. Some relationship developments—like when a romantic connection suddenly became labeled as “boyfriend/girlfriend”—felt abrupt rather than naturally built. There were also a few moments where emotional beats didn’t quite land the way I expected, especially following major events.
Overall, though, this was an engaging and thoughtful read with a strong main character, diverse cast, found family vibes, and a satisfying YA-style HEA. I’d definitely recommend it to readers looking for a modern vampire story with substance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review of the book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars
The Uninvited was a captivating YA vampire novel that kept me turning pages. Following Tosh from Portland to Paris, watching her immerse herself in a new world and grapple with the possibility that vampires might be real, was genuinely compelling. I loved the feminist messaging throughout—especially the clear rejection of victim-blaming and the emphasis on accountability, healthy communication, and self-advocacy. There were also some really strong one-liners that stood out.
That said, there were a few things that kept this from being a 5-star read for me. At times, the messaging felt more preachy than conversational, and the pacing and timeline were occasionally confusing. Some relationship developments—like when a romantic connection suddenly became labeled as “boyfriend/girlfriend”—felt abrupt rather than naturally built. There were also a few moments where emotional beats didn’t quite land the way I expected, especially following major events.
Overall, though, this was an engaging and thoughtful read with a strong main character, diverse cast, found family vibes, and a satisfying YA-style HEA. I’d definitely recommend it to readers looking for a modern vampire story with substance.
December 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Let me get the best aspect of the book out of the way: I absolutely adore the message of this book. Too often, we have seen predators prey on women throughout media. Vampires play a huge role when it comes to stalking and hunting women. So, reading this book where the FMC is stalked and harassed but takes back her own power is a powerful message that girls need to hear--especially now.
That being said, this book follows Tosh Reeves as she moves from Oregon to France. Specifically, she moves to Paris. She meets an expat-boy, Nick, who helps her navigate the artistic streets while seeing touristy locations. She explores the catacombs and the competitive street-art scene, meanwhile there is a series of vampiric attacks that are upsetting the streets.
As she mingles with Nick and his friend group, the vampiric attacks quickly surround her and her friends, causing Tosh to lose her voice as her father decides to lock her up in their new apartment.
I already mentioned the part that I love about this book: its message. However, the execution of that message is what fell apart for me. The book moves way too fast and the characters feel one dimensional for me to carefully analize what is going on and who are these people in relation to the main character. The bigger plot and the overall message is clear, but I think immersing the readers fully in the story could also be beneficial and spread some light on the impact that these crimes on women and those in their circles.
That being said, for a debut book it was pretty solid. I liked the story itself and the details of the setting were elaborate. As someone who speaks French and learned a lot about France, my only complaint is: where is the French-speaking? I understand it is an international city, but not that much. Adding this little detail would've helped develop an already existing setting and brought readers who have never been to Paris, there.
Overall, this book is good. In fact, I think teenagers would like this book and find it relatable. So, I'm giving it three stars.
Let me get the best aspect of the book out of the way: I absolutely adore the message of this book. Too often, we have seen predators prey on women throughout media. Vampires play a huge role when it comes to stalking and hunting women. So, reading this book where the FMC is stalked and harassed but takes back her own power is a powerful message that girls need to hear--especially now.
That being said, this book follows Tosh Reeves as she moves from Oregon to France. Specifically, she moves to Paris. She meets an expat-boy, Nick, who helps her navigate the artistic streets while seeing touristy locations. She explores the catacombs and the competitive street-art scene, meanwhile there is a series of vampiric attacks that are upsetting the streets.
As she mingles with Nick and his friend group, the vampiric attacks quickly surround her and her friends, causing Tosh to lose her voice as her father decides to lock her up in their new apartment.
I already mentioned the part that I love about this book: its message. However, the execution of that message is what fell apart for me. The book moves way too fast and the characters feel one dimensional for me to carefully analize what is going on and who are these people in relation to the main character. The bigger plot and the overall message is clear, but I think immersing the readers fully in the story could also be beneficial and spread some light on the impact that these crimes on women and those in their circles.
That being said, for a debut book it was pretty solid. I liked the story itself and the details of the setting were elaborate. As someone who speaks French and learned a lot about France, my only complaint is: where is the French-speaking? I understand it is an international city, but not that much. Adding this little detail would've helped develop an already existing setting and brought readers who have never been to Paris, there.
Overall, this book is good. In fact, I think teenagers would like this book and find it relatable. So, I'm giving it three stars.
December 9, 2025
This is an odd book. I think I understand where it is going Tosh goes to France due to her father’s job. It doesn’t hurt though that she is also trying to run away from a past encounter with a friend at her old school. In Paris she finds he perfect friends and even a young man who helps introduce her to the real Paris. During this time though Paris is being haunted by a vampire who is stalking the streets and attacking people. Many people don’t know what to believe. Is this a real vampire or just someone who is putting on an act in order to get attention. Tosh isn’t all that concerned about the attacks until they strike close to home. Then her world is flipped upside down.
I feel like for such a short book there is a lot of build up to then rush through the rest of the book. Once the main problem is resolved though the book goes back to its much slower pace. I don’t honestly know how I feel about it. I think I just might be indifferent. The book was neither good nor bad. I think it needs to find the right audience. But I do love a good vampire book, this one was just kind of okay not outstanding like others I have read.
Thank you to Random House Children’s Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
I feel like for such a short book there is a lot of build up to then rush through the rest of the book. Once the main problem is resolved though the book goes back to its much slower pace. I don’t honestly know how I feel about it. I think I just might be indifferent. The book was neither good nor bad. I think it needs to find the right audience. But I do love a good vampire book, this one was just kind of okay not outstanding like others I have read.
Thank you to Random House Children’s Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
November 24, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's Books, and Nancy Banks for the ARC.
I’m loving this take on vampires. Do I enjoy the sexy vampire that everyone wants to be/be with? Yes. Do I also love when vampires are portrayed as evil monsters? Hell yes. These vampires are not suave, they’re irredeemable, and they are not the good guys. Tosh is a badass taking on a new city - country! - and trying to make new friends, all while navigating the dangers of Paris with a vampire on the loose. And all that while juggling high school and a less-than-stellar understanding of French.
This story took me on a whirlwind of emotions, and I found myself falling in love with so many characters. Tosh is fierce, Nick is precious - though not as much as Sophie - and doing his best. Noor is as much as badass as Tosh, and I’m so proud of both girls. Madame Dupuy was a great maternal figure for Tosh, and Le Bec was a douche of epic proportions from the moment he stepped onto the page.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was fresh and fun and meaningful. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read it early, and definitely recommend other’s check it out.
I’m loving this take on vampires. Do I enjoy the sexy vampire that everyone wants to be/be with? Yes. Do I also love when vampires are portrayed as evil monsters? Hell yes. These vampires are not suave, they’re irredeemable, and they are not the good guys. Tosh is a badass taking on a new city - country! - and trying to make new friends, all while navigating the dangers of Paris with a vampire on the loose. And all that while juggling high school and a less-than-stellar understanding of French.
This story took me on a whirlwind of emotions, and I found myself falling in love with so many characters. Tosh is fierce, Nick is precious - though not as much as Sophie - and doing his best. Noor is as much as badass as Tosh, and I’m so proud of both girls. Madame Dupuy was a great maternal figure for Tosh, and Le Bec was a douche of epic proportions from the moment he stepped onto the page.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was fresh and fun and meaningful. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read it early, and definitely recommend other’s check it out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
3.75 stars rounded up ✨
The cover of this book is what immediately drew me in, but the promise of vampires sealed the deal!! Vampires will always have me in a chokehold 🙂↕️
This definitely reads more YA, so if you’re going in expecting something darker or more intense, this might not be your book. That doesn’t make it bad at all but a lot of people tend to have higher expectations and forget the target demographic lol.
I really did enjoy this, especially the deeper meaning behind it all (Vampires not being romanticized, the feminist rendition, struggles women face, victim blaming, etc).
I enjoyed Tosh and her best friends relationship, it showed the true power of female companionship. I did not enjoy her boyfriend Nick tho. There were some parts that made me cringe as an elder Gen Z (I hate that I’m even categorized as Gen Z lol I’m 1997, let me be a millennial pleaseeeee)
I think you’ll enjoy sinking your teeth in The Uninvited 🧛🏾♀️ if you enjoy YA vampire novels with a bit of dark humor, Paris vibes and friendship. It reminds me a bit of Vampire Academy 🌙
3.75 stars rounded up ✨
The cover of this book is what immediately drew me in, but the promise of vampires sealed the deal!! Vampires will always have me in a chokehold 🙂↕️
This definitely reads more YA, so if you’re going in expecting something darker or more intense, this might not be your book. That doesn’t make it bad at all but a lot of people tend to have higher expectations and forget the target demographic lol.
I really did enjoy this, especially the deeper meaning behind it all (Vampires not being romanticized, the feminist rendition, struggles women face, victim blaming, etc).
I enjoyed Tosh and her best friends relationship, it showed the true power of female companionship. I did not enjoy her boyfriend Nick tho. There were some parts that made me cringe as an elder Gen Z (I hate that I’m even categorized as Gen Z lol I’m 1997, let me be a millennial pleaseeeee)
I think you’ll enjoy sinking your teeth in The Uninvited 🧛🏾♀️ if you enjoy YA vampire novels with a bit of dark humor, Paris vibes and friendship. It reminds me a bit of Vampire Academy 🌙
September 15, 2025
Paris and vampires, what more is there to say?
Truly this was an entertaining YA read, full of descriptive details. I definitely want to go on an Epic Pastry Quest!
I thought Tosh was a wonderful FMC - smart, driven, friendly, insightful, responsible. Nick and his friends, minus Le Bec, were also well put together teens. Madame Depuy is a bit of a mystery but likable.
The book does do a bit of time jumping, but is still easy to follow along. Pacing was spot on: not too slow or fast. All the talk of pastries really did make me hungry though!
Gorgeous cover that suits the book quite well.
On a more serious note, I think the author did a wonderful job of having Tosh try to advocate for herself. There felt like some victim blaming going on, and although her dad did have the best of intentions, silencing Tosh wasn't the best choice. I liked that she sought help.
Thank you Random House Children's Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Truly this was an entertaining YA read, full of descriptive details. I definitely want to go on an Epic Pastry Quest!
I thought Tosh was a wonderful FMC - smart, driven, friendly, insightful, responsible. Nick and his friends, minus Le Bec, were also well put together teens. Madame Depuy is a bit of a mystery but likable.
The book does do a bit of time jumping, but is still easy to follow along. Pacing was spot on: not too slow or fast. All the talk of pastries really did make me hungry though!
Gorgeous cover that suits the book quite well.
On a more serious note, I think the author did a wonderful job of having Tosh try to advocate for herself. There felt like some victim blaming going on, and although her dad did have the best of intentions, silencing Tosh wasn't the best choice. I liked that she sought help.
Thank you Random House Children's Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
September 26, 2025
A YA paranormal fantasy about vampires in the Paris underground, where a young woman's bohemian dream turns into a chilling nightmare. Now her survival hinges on bringing to light the city's darkest and deepest secrets.
When 17-year-old Tosh Reeves moves from Portland, Oregon to Paris, it’s a dream come to life. The city embraces her with its street-life, iconic architecture, and infinite gustatory delights. There’s even a charming expat boy, Nick, who introduces her to sights tourists never see.
From medieval catacombs to the viciously competitive street art scene, Tosh’s immersion in Paris makes her feel wholly alive in a way she’s never before experienced. She belongs.
But when a series of brutal vampiric attacks creeps closer to her new circle of bohemian friends, Tosh will confront the darker side of her beloved Paris, and learn how deeply monsters can strike at a young woman’s power and heart.
This one was so good! Coming dec it’s definitely worth the wait
Thank you to NETGALLEY for this one
When 17-year-old Tosh Reeves moves from Portland, Oregon to Paris, it’s a dream come to life. The city embraces her with its street-life, iconic architecture, and infinite gustatory delights. There’s even a charming expat boy, Nick, who introduces her to sights tourists never see.
From medieval catacombs to the viciously competitive street art scene, Tosh’s immersion in Paris makes her feel wholly alive in a way she’s never before experienced. She belongs.
But when a series of brutal vampiric attacks creeps closer to her new circle of bohemian friends, Tosh will confront the darker side of her beloved Paris, and learn how deeply monsters can strike at a young woman’s power and heart.
This one was so good! Coming dec it’s definitely worth the wait
Thank you to NETGALLEY for this one
December 4, 2025
Thank you @prhaudio for the gifted ALC of The Uninvited by Nancy Banks ( @bankswrites )
🎤 Narrated by Carlotta Brentan
🗓 Release date: December 16th
📚 YA paranormal fantasy (vampires)
"I'm going to have to talk to an actual French person and I can barely remember how to speak English!" -Tosh
Review:
From Portland to Paris...
This was such an adventurous book. I absolutely loved it! Tosh Reeves was an excellent main character and I felt like she was so wise and headstrong (in a good way! 😄)
She and her friends exploring Paris while there are suspected vampire attacks in the city was unnerving but also fun. The danger and suspense, combined with fearless characters made for an awesome story.
The narration by Carlotta Brentan was fabulous. She did an amazing job with the accents... my mind was blown!
Also, everyone needs a Madame Dupuy in their lives. She was the housekeeper for Tosh and her dad, but she was really so much more. Madame Dupuy was kind and caring, and an absolute gem in this book. ❤️
🎤 Narrated by Carlotta Brentan
🗓 Release date: December 16th
📚 YA paranormal fantasy (vampires)
"I'm going to have to talk to an actual French person and I can barely remember how to speak English!" -Tosh
Review:
From Portland to Paris...
This was such an adventurous book. I absolutely loved it! Tosh Reeves was an excellent main character and I felt like she was so wise and headstrong (in a good way! 😄)
She and her friends exploring Paris while there are suspected vampire attacks in the city was unnerving but also fun. The danger and suspense, combined with fearless characters made for an awesome story.
The narration by Carlotta Brentan was fabulous. She did an amazing job with the accents... my mind was blown!
Also, everyone needs a Madame Dupuy in their lives. She was the housekeeper for Tosh and her dad, but she was really so much more. Madame Dupuy was kind and caring, and an absolute gem in this book. ❤️
October 2, 2025
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Vampires as pure horror and violence. A book I would have hungrily devoured as a teenager.
Evocative setting description, Banks writes like she has plucked a city out of the real world and placed it onto the page.
This is a story about being a young woman in a woman hating world, and what it feels like to have your power and your voice stripped away. This is a story about the healing and protective powers of friendship, community, and solidarity.
This story is about what happens when you are sick and tired of being powerless, and how intoxicating and scary violence is. It is about what violence takes away from you, and how hard it can be to get those things back- if you ever do.
The book was a bit slow to start and the relationship between Nick and Tosh seemed shallow and I wasn't super invested in it at first.
But overall, it's a book I'm glad I got to read
Vampires as pure horror and violence. A book I would have hungrily devoured as a teenager.
Evocative setting description, Banks writes like she has plucked a city out of the real world and placed it onto the page.
This is a story about being a young woman in a woman hating world, and what it feels like to have your power and your voice stripped away. This is a story about the healing and protective powers of friendship, community, and solidarity.
This story is about what happens when you are sick and tired of being powerless, and how intoxicating and scary violence is. It is about what violence takes away from you, and how hard it can be to get those things back- if you ever do.
The book was a bit slow to start and the relationship between Nick and Tosh seemed shallow and I wasn't super invested in it at first.
But overall, it's a book I'm glad I got to read
October 13, 2025
If this doesn't scream YA I'm not sure what will and it's perfect! Uninvited was a thrilling, blood-seeking adventure through the streets and catacombs of Paris.
A brief synopsis: (no spoilers)
Our main character, Tosh, has relocated to Paris with her single dad for work and she is left in the care of nanny. After a long flight from the states, Tosh meets Nick and his kid sister. They immediately hit things off and Tosh is welcomed into the friend group. Things get weird when there are reports of gruesome attacks on females in particular. Attacks that might qualify as barbaric and unbelievable. Tosh is warned to take precautions when exploring the city, especially after dark. The vampire theories are unfortunately real and Tosh, along with her friends are determined to bring an end to the upending chaos in their beloved city.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I haven't read a vampire book in a while and found it refreshing for the YA audience. I would highly recommend for preteen/teen girls or boys looking for a clean fantasy adventure. The story itself was engaging and there was some great character development and growth from start to finish.
A brief synopsis: (no spoilers)
Our main character, Tosh, has relocated to Paris with her single dad for work and she is left in the care of nanny. After a long flight from the states, Tosh meets Nick and his kid sister. They immediately hit things off and Tosh is welcomed into the friend group. Things get weird when there are reports of gruesome attacks on females in particular. Attacks that might qualify as barbaric and unbelievable. Tosh is warned to take precautions when exploring the city, especially after dark. The vampire theories are unfortunately real and Tosh, along with her friends are determined to bring an end to the upending chaos in their beloved city.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I haven't read a vampire book in a while and found it refreshing for the YA audience. I would highly recommend for preteen/teen girls or boys looking for a clean fantasy adventure. The story itself was engaging and there was some great character development and growth from start to finish.
November 30, 2025
3.75 stars
What 17 year old wouldn’t like getting to explore Paris with their cute neighbor and his cool friends? Tosh moves to Paris to be with her Dad. She meets her handsome neighbor Nick who gets to help her learn about her new city. Tosh is having a great time taste testing new pastries, searching for street art, exploring the catacombs, and making new friends. Unfortunately a wicked vampire threatens to take that all away from her.
I really liked the perspective of this vampire tale as it portrays the victims not as helpless damsels in distress but as powerful women who can stand up against people/vampires to keep them down. I also really liked the character of Madame Dupuy and I will keep the shoe trick in mind for the future.
Thank you Nancy Banks and Delacorte Press for providing this ARC via NetGalley. Comments and opinions above are my own.
#TheUninvited #NetGalley
What 17 year old wouldn’t like getting to explore Paris with their cute neighbor and his cool friends? Tosh moves to Paris to be with her Dad. She meets her handsome neighbor Nick who gets to help her learn about her new city. Tosh is having a great time taste testing new pastries, searching for street art, exploring the catacombs, and making new friends. Unfortunately a wicked vampire threatens to take that all away from her.
I really liked the perspective of this vampire tale as it portrays the victims not as helpless damsels in distress but as powerful women who can stand up against people/vampires to keep them down. I also really liked the character of Madame Dupuy and I will keep the shoe trick in mind for the future.
Thank you Nancy Banks and Delacorte Press for providing this ARC via NetGalley. Comments and opinions above are my own.
#TheUninvited #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ — 3.5 stars
The Uninvited is a moody, atmospheric YA paranormal that totally nails its sense of place. The Paris underground setting catacombs, street art corners, and all the gritty little side streets, feels vivid and fresh, and I really enjoyed following Tosh as she tries to carve out her bohemian dream abroad. The mix of art, friendship, and creeping supernatural danger kept me turning the pages.
That said, the story sometimes feels a bit uneven, especially in pacing, and I wished a few character moments had been explored more deeply. Still, the concept is fun, the vibes are great, and the vampire elements add a nice, eerie twist without getting too gory.
Overall: atmospheric, and enjoyable. perfect if you like YA fantasy with a dark, artsy edge.
shoutout to the author Nancy and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
The Uninvited is a moody, atmospheric YA paranormal that totally nails its sense of place. The Paris underground setting catacombs, street art corners, and all the gritty little side streets, feels vivid and fresh, and I really enjoyed following Tosh as she tries to carve out her bohemian dream abroad. The mix of art, friendship, and creeping supernatural danger kept me turning the pages.
That said, the story sometimes feels a bit uneven, especially in pacing, and I wished a few character moments had been explored more deeply. Still, the concept is fun, the vibes are great, and the vampire elements add a nice, eerie twist without getting too gory.
Overall: atmospheric, and enjoyable. perfect if you like YA fantasy with a dark, artsy edge.
shoutout to the author Nancy and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
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