Thrall

by Rebecca Mahoney

In Thrall, a young woman looking for a transformative college experience is bitten by a vampire and must team up with his other living victims to hunt him down.

Lucy Easting has at last broken free from her grim home life and is ready to truly live. But her long-awaited new beginning at Rollins University isn’t what she expected. After attending the first campus party of the year, Lucy awakens the next day with a memory block…and two puncture marks on her neck.

She tries to piece together what happened that night, but every lead brings her to another dead end. Until she receives a handwritten note from the campus radio station, inviting her to call. When she does, the host’s soothing voice over the line confirms her worst fear, and the simplest explanation of what’s happening to her: she’s turning into a vampire.

Lucy teams up with the show’s host, who narrowly escaped an attack her sophomore year, and a beautiful archery champion who, while exactly Lucy’s type, is as likely to shoot her as kiss her. They believe their “friend with the cold hands” is responsible for the disappearance of several women in town, and they’ve been tracking him via the airwaves since long before Lucy arrived.

As the vampire’s sway over Lucy grows and his plans become clear, she realizes she must fight for a future of her own, or she may not have any future at all.

Genres: Vampires, Horror, Lesbian

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2026

About the author

NOTE FROM REBECCA: Hey friends, thanks so much for your interest in my books! I'm not planning to be active much on here, so if you have any questions, the best place to reach me is on Twitter at @cafecliche, or by asking a question on my website: https://www.rebeccamahoneybooks.com/c...

Rebecca Mahoney is a young adult and middle grade writer, and the co-creator of audio drama serial The Bridge Podcast. She's a strong believer in the cathartic power of all things fantastical and creepy in children's literature--and she knows firsthand that ghosts, monsters, and the unknown can give you the language you need to understand yourself. She was raised in Windham, New Hampshire, currently resides in Somerville, Massachusetts, and spends her spare time watching horror movies, collecting cloche hats, and cursing sailors at sea. She can be found on Twitter @cafecliche.

Reviews

[Starr ❇✌❇]

New Rebecca Mahoney and it's about vampires and taking down abusers????? HELL YES. HELL YES. HELL YES

[Bookish_Winnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually avoid lengthy chapters, so I was thoroughly engrossed in "Thrall." Despite my preference for shorter books, Rebecca Mahoney's intricate details kept me interested from beginning to end! I was on the tip of my seat, wanting to find out what mysteries were within because of the story's beautifully eerie spookiness. There is a noticeable sense of tension, which is deftly counterbalanced by themes of self-discovery and companionship. I adored how the characters handled their relationships in the face of unanticipated difficulties, each of which allowed them to develop in novel ways. Mahoney tells a story that had me guessing, but despite the excitement of the unknown, it seemed like a cozy embrace of familiarity. "Thrall" is an exciting journey worth embarking on if you enjoy a mix of scary mystery and poignant moments!

Thank you NetGalley and rebecca Mahoney for giving the opportunity for this arc I really enjoyed it!

[carley k ♥︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thrall held my attention largely because the concept is solid. I appreciated that the story treats vampires as a real threat rather than immediately softening them and glossing everything over, as you tend to see in many 'vampire novels', and the ending was effective in making me curious about what comes next.

My main issue was the writing itself. The prose is very straightforward and repetitive, with a heavy focus on recounting events rather than immersing the reader in the world. I wanted more atmosphere, more description, and more time spent inside the characters’ experiences. Without that depth, the relationships feel rushed and the emotional threads remain surface-level.

The cast is also crowded, and not all of the characters feel necessary. The radio show was a clever and original idea, but it wasn’t used to its full potential. It could have added tension and personality to the story, but instead stayed mostly in the background.

Overall, this feels like a promising start that would benefit from further refinement. The ideas are interesting and the direction is clear, but the execution needs more texture and focus. I enjoyed it and I’m interested in seeing where the series goes, but I finished the book wanting more from the writing itself.

- this is my 5th sapphic paranormal read this year, the algorithm is sensing a trend-

Thank you to Netgalley, Rebecca Mahoney, and Hyperion Avenue for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review

[Kristie Kieffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrall is the kind of eerie, atmospheric story that pulls you in from page one and refuses to let go. Rebecca Mahoney blends mystery, supernatural tension, and emotional depth in a way that feels both unsettling and beautifully human. The world is haunting, the stakes feel sharp, and the slow unraveling of truth kept me turning pages long after I meant to stop.

I loved how Mahoney balances the darker, folklore-driven elements with strong character work. The main character’s fear, determination, and vulnerability make the story hit even harder, and the relationships—both the tender ones and the strained ones—add a surprising amount of heart. The twists land well, and the atmosphere is thick enough to almost feel like another character.

If you enjoy supernatural thrillers with moody vibes, mystery, and a touch of horror, this one is absolutely worth reading. It’s immersive, haunting, and full of tension in all the right ways.

[Horror Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It was hard to dwell on much of anything in the face of someone who could quote Nietzsche in glow-in-the-dark lipstick."

A vulnerable girl named Lucy is attacked at a college party. That stranger couldn't possibly be a vampire. Those simply don't exist. Or do they?
This book has absolutely fascinating vampire lore & great world building. The college campus setting feels lived in, and every character matters (I simply need the library vampires spin off). I loved the Buffy-esque friendship group of the quartet of girls (Lucy, Natalie, Athena, and Mila), and I was constantly worried about how well their trap for the vampire would play out. The ending is SO satisfying, definitive & at the same time also leaves room open for more stories.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

[Dinah's Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story hooked me right away with its eerie premise: a girl waking up after a night she can’t remember, strange marks she can’t explain, and a mysterious caller who keeps phoning into her podcast with unsettling, too‑specific comments. The early chapters build a strong sense of unease, and her friends add warmth and grounding as she tries to piece together what really happened.

However, once the mystery begins to unfold, the tension never fully escalates. I was hoping for sharper conflict, deeper emotional stakes, or a darker edge—especially with vampires involved. The setup had real potential, but the story ultimately stayed softer than expected and didn’t deliver the grit or horror I was looking for.

A solid read with an intriguing premise and a great friend group, but one that didn’t quite land the dramatic punch I hoped for.

[Monica Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

***I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley but all opinions are my own.***

I wanted to love this book but the story was just okay. Based on the description, it had a lot of potential as an interesting story that makes the vampires the villains instead of the love interests. However, it seemed to drag in places and really didn’t hold my attention.

I also didn’t really connect with the characters. They all felt pretty flat and it didn’t feel fully fleshed out. Without names, it would have been hard telling one character from another.

Overall, I give this book 3 stars because it wasn’t the worst thing that I’ve ever read and I believe that there is someone out there that could enjoy it more than I did.

[Megan Beech · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chaotic enthralling story about trying to deal with being attacked and bitten by a vampire and accepting the consequences. Now Lucy and a band of other victims must fight back against the one that turned them in a fight to the death.

It's for sure a different take on a vampire story and I found it hard to put down. I can't wait to hear an audiobook version of this as I know it will make the story more immersive! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a gold vampire story as much as I do!

I would love to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.

[Reading Xennial · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! This was a fun and new take on a vampire story. I loved the radioshow aspect of it. That added a little flare. I liked the mystery mixed with supernatural elements. It’s not a deep and brooding vampire book, but it does have a little depth, and the characters are pretty fleshed out. It was mostly well paced, but it did drag a bit in the beginning and some things became repetitive and could’ve been edited out to be a bit shorter. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it for a refreshing new take on a vampire story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for allowing me to read this early. The opinion in this review is my own.

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

This was fun and a very unique take on a vampire story!

Sometimes, you have crazy experiences at college. And sometimes, those experiences are you being turned into a vampire.

I liked the radio show aspect of this, I think that's what made it feel so unique. I found that to be rather engaging, way more than I was expecting that aspect to be.

There was a little bit of everything in this story as well. It was a bit spooky and it had a bit of mystery, friendships, and self discovery.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a young adult book that is an interesting take on an old story but with much more friendship. While it was an interesting and quick read (the chapters were quite short), I did think it didn’t need to be quite as long. The story drags a bit because the same discussions and thoughts are brought up repeatedly. This book is definitely for an older young adult reader and would be fun as a fall / winter read.

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a eARC of this book to read in exchange for my honest review.

[Jade J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was like a 3.75 rounded up. I liked the premise of the plot and how it was delivered, but the book took awhile to catch my attention. I stuck with it and I’m glad that I did, but it wasn’t as attention grabbing for me as I expected.

In Thrall, Lucy is hoping to start fresh away from home and experience all the things she missed out on. Looking for a change of scenario from sunny Florida, she chooses Rollins in the mountains. Rollins has a secret though, and they come with cold hands.

I like that this book actually showcases vampires as creates and doesn’t immediately romanticize them.

[Ali Blackmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book seemed really intriguing, but unfortunately it just wasn't for me. It is still a good book, but it dragged a little too much for me at the beginning and the pace seemed really slow. I also didn't really connect with any of the characters so I wasn't really invested in their story.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

God, I love Rebecca Mahoney books and this one is no different. There is such a quiet wonder to her writing, and it suits a story about a manipulative vampire so well. It's absolutely incredible.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the vibes of Salem's Lot, but with college lesbians. Frightfully good suspense and great introspection on who the monsters really are.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling page-turner that consistently delivers the unexpected. It can be read as an allegory of the experiences we all face when in a new environment, or it can just cloak you in dread, because it does that really well. This is the story of a young woman struggling to defeat obstacles that seem insurmountable, supported by a team that can only help her to a limited degree. Will she win? Can she win?
This review is based on an authorized Advance Reader Copy of the book.