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This Fever Called Living : A Horror Novella
Not yet published
Expected 3 Mar 26A dark retelling/mashup of Carmilla and The Fall of the House of Usher.
Palermo, Sicily 1999.
Juliette suffers from a rare illness that keeps her hidden from the sun. Her winter days at Villa Astrid are filled with isolation and gnawing hunger, haunted by fragmented memories of a summer she can't quite piece together.
Then Elenoire arrives.
Mysterious and magnetic, Elenoire captivates Juliette in a way that's both thrilling and terrifying. There's something dangerous about her, something Juliette can't name. She knows she should keep her distance, yet all she can think about is kissing her.
Meanwhile, young women are turning up dead across Palermo. Whispers of a serial killer spread through the city, but Juliette suspects that something darker is at play. Something not entirely human.
Palermo, Sicily 1999.
Juliette suffers from a rare illness that keeps her hidden from the sun. Her winter days at Villa Astrid are filled with isolation and gnawing hunger, haunted by fragmented memories of a summer she can't quite piece together.
Then Elenoire arrives.
Mysterious and magnetic, Elenoire captivates Juliette in a way that's both thrilling and terrifying. There's something dangerous about her, something Juliette can't name. She knows she should keep her distance, yet all she can think about is kissing her.
Meanwhile, young women are turning up dead across Palermo. Whispers of a serial killer spread through the city, but Juliette suspects that something darker is at play. Something not entirely human.
- GenresHorror
103 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 3, 2026
22 people want to read
About the author
Azzurra Nox
25 books199 followersBorn in Catania, Sicily, she has led a nomadic life since birth. She has lived in various European cities and Cuba, and currently resides in the Los Angeles area. Always an avid reader and writer from a young age, she loved entertaining her friends with ghost stories. She loves horror movies, cats, and a good rock show. She dislikes Mondays and chick-flicks. CUT HERE, her debut paranormal urban fantasy was inspired by a nightmare the writer had a few years ago. Some of her favourite authors include Anne Rice, Oscar Wilde, Chuck Palahniuk, and Isabella Santacroce.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3,5 ⭐️
Another arc from NetGalley! Thank you so much. I’ve read Carmilla, but not The Fall of the House of Usher, so I can’t fully judge how the second inspiration was represented. Still, the Carmilla influences were easy to recognize and beautifully woven into the story. It felt like a loving echo rather than a copy, which I really appreciated.
Toward the end, however, the story lost a bit of its tension for me. Everything began to move a little too quickly; proof that short books don’t have to feel rushed. Yet, the final moments managed to restore what was briefly lost.
Overall, this novella was a pleasant and fast-paced read. If you’re looking for a vampire story with sapphic elements and a dark atmosphere, you can read on one sitting, this book might be exactly what you’re searching for.
Another arc from NetGalley! Thank you so much. I’ve read Carmilla, but not The Fall of the House of Usher, so I can’t fully judge how the second inspiration was represented. Still, the Carmilla influences were easy to recognize and beautifully woven into the story. It felt like a loving echo rather than a copy, which I really appreciated.
Toward the end, however, the story lost a bit of its tension for me. Everything began to move a little too quickly; proof that short books don’t have to feel rushed. Yet, the final moments managed to restore what was briefly lost.
Overall, this novella was a pleasant and fast-paced read. If you’re looking for a vampire story with sapphic elements and a dark atmosphere, you can read on one sitting, this book might be exactly what you’re searching for.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I jumped into this without knowing much, but I was thrilled when I clocked the vampirism and the Carmilla-esque aspects of it. I wanted to love this so bad, but this novella left me barely satisfied.
Since this is a novella, we already have quite a short time to spend, and I can’t say it was entirely well used. The pacing is quick and sharp, but it meanders at times, either saying too much or expanding on things that weren’t all necessary for the story.
Instead of fleshing out more of Juliette and her strange relationship with our mysterious woman, the book tries to be everywhere all at once, and it doesn’t connect well. We explore the trauma of losing parents, grief, homophobia, the illness that suddenly strikes Juliette, her lack of memories from last summer, her previous relationship with Lara, the backstory of Elenoire, the friendship (and conflicts) with Liv, the fraternal bond between the twins… It’s just too much, and the end result doesn’t land with full force. Unfortunately, I feel like it compromised both character and plot development.
Besides, there was a lot of repetition done here — not only of phrase structures and metaphors (“the taste of pennies” was really starting to bother me), but also of a word repeated in the same sentence. This left me feeling like the text wasn’t polished or properly edited.
Speaking of narrative choices, there was a bit of a jump between point of views that was quite jarring, especially when our main character, Juliette, was our first person narrator for most chapters. When the author needed, they simply switched the POV’s instead of trying to work it in the already established voice.
To finish my thoughts on the writing itself, the violence and gore were my favourite parts. I feel like the author shines when blood is involved, no questions asked. The grotesque reality of becoming a vampire and the urge to feed from even those you love most is shown in a very powerful way, and I can say it was the most impactful part of the novella for me.
I also liked the ending of this book! I think it was the best way to finish it all, and I also quite enjoyed the daring choice the author took in the final chapters.
Overall, I think this would be a great story if it had more polish and, perhaps, a little shift in focus. I can see the potential in this, and I’d definitely like to read more horror from Nox.
Since this is a novella, we already have quite a short time to spend, and I can’t say it was entirely well used. The pacing is quick and sharp, but it meanders at times, either saying too much or expanding on things that weren’t all necessary for the story.
Instead of fleshing out more of Juliette and her strange relationship with our mysterious woman, the book tries to be everywhere all at once, and it doesn’t connect well. We explore the trauma of losing parents, grief, homophobia, the illness that suddenly strikes Juliette, her lack of memories from last summer, her previous relationship with Lara, the backstory of Elenoire, the friendship (and conflicts) with Liv, the fraternal bond between the twins… It’s just too much, and the end result doesn’t land with full force. Unfortunately, I feel like it compromised both character and plot development.
Besides, there was a lot of repetition done here — not only of phrase structures and metaphors (“the taste of pennies” was really starting to bother me), but also of a word repeated in the same sentence. This left me feeling like the text wasn’t polished or properly edited.
Speaking of narrative choices, there was a bit of a jump between point of views that was quite jarring, especially when our main character, Juliette, was our first person narrator for most chapters. When the author needed, they simply switched the POV’s instead of trying to work it in the already established voice.
To finish my thoughts on the writing itself, the violence and gore were my favourite parts. I feel like the author shines when blood is involved, no questions asked. The grotesque reality of becoming a vampire and the urge to feed from even those you love most is shown in a very powerful way, and I can say it was the most impactful part of the novella for me.
I also liked the ending of this book! I think it was the best way to finish it all, and I also quite enjoyed the daring choice the author took in the final chapters.
Overall, I think this would be a great story if it had more polish and, perhaps, a little shift in focus. I can see the potential in this, and I’d definitely like to read more horror from Nox.
February 15, 2026
** 2.5 stars rounded up **
This Fever Called Living is a gothic novella that reimagines Carmilla and carries the decaying echoes and sibling bonds of The Fall of the House of Usher. Having already read both classics, I was especially excited to see how this reimagining would reinterpret such iconic gothic foundations. The promise of sapphic vampirism and crumbling-house dread intrigued me. Also, the cover art is beautiful and immediately pulled me to the blurb.
Set in Palermo in 1999, Juliette — fragile, sun-starved, and haunted by a half-remembered summer — is a compelling narrator. When Elenoire arrives, their connection pulses with desire and curiosity, and the visceral portrayal of vampiric hunger becomes the novella’s strongest element.
However, the writing style didn’t quite deliver the eerie gothic tension I was hoping for. I wanted to feel more unsettled and genuinely frightened, but the prose leans more introspective than menacing, softening the horror rather than intensifying it. Because of this, and with the limited page count, I also struggled to feel fully connected to the characters. The emotional stakes were clear, but I didn’t always feel them as deeply as I wanted to.
For a novella, the focus felt too scattered. The narrative juggles grief, parental loss, homophobia, illness, memory gaps, past relationships, friendship conflicts, sibling bonds, and Elenoire’s backstory — all within a short page count. Instead of fully developing Juliette’s central relationship and transformation, the story spreads itself thin, which weakens some of the emotional impact. Repetition in phrasing and a few abrupt point-of-view shifts also made the writing feel slightly unpolished.
The moments of violence towards the end added a needed sense of tension. While I appreciated the bold choices in the conclusion of Juliette’s character, the final chapter didn’t entirely feel necessary, as the emotional climax seemed to arrive just before it.
Overall, This Fever Called Living was full of potential. Its atmosphere and visceral horror stand out, but its crowded focus, lack of sustained creepiness, and limited emotional connection kept it from fully delivering on its promise.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This Fever Called Living is a gothic novella that reimagines Carmilla and carries the decaying echoes and sibling bonds of The Fall of the House of Usher. Having already read both classics, I was especially excited to see how this reimagining would reinterpret such iconic gothic foundations. The promise of sapphic vampirism and crumbling-house dread intrigued me. Also, the cover art is beautiful and immediately pulled me to the blurb.
Set in Palermo in 1999, Juliette — fragile, sun-starved, and haunted by a half-remembered summer — is a compelling narrator. When Elenoire arrives, their connection pulses with desire and curiosity, and the visceral portrayal of vampiric hunger becomes the novella’s strongest element.
However, the writing style didn’t quite deliver the eerie gothic tension I was hoping for. I wanted to feel more unsettled and genuinely frightened, but the prose leans more introspective than menacing, softening the horror rather than intensifying it. Because of this, and with the limited page count, I also struggled to feel fully connected to the characters. The emotional stakes were clear, but I didn’t always feel them as deeply as I wanted to.
For a novella, the focus felt too scattered. The narrative juggles grief, parental loss, homophobia, illness, memory gaps, past relationships, friendship conflicts, sibling bonds, and Elenoire’s backstory — all within a short page count. Instead of fully developing Juliette’s central relationship and transformation, the story spreads itself thin, which weakens some of the emotional impact. Repetition in phrasing and a few abrupt point-of-view shifts also made the writing feel slightly unpolished.
The moments of violence towards the end added a needed sense of tension. While I appreciated the bold choices in the conclusion of Juliette’s character, the final chapter didn’t entirely feel necessary, as the emotional climax seemed to arrive just before it.
Overall, This Fever Called Living was full of potential. Its atmosphere and visceral horror stand out, but its crowded focus, lack of sustained creepiness, and limited emotional connection kept it from fully delivering on its promise.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A vampy read with all the painful and tortured vibes. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
I enjoyed this for the most part.
It is mellow and depressing! but exactly in the way that I would expect it to be. I tend to really enjoy a darker, atmospheric vampire theme- and that is basically all that is going on here. So I was able to enjoy that aspect quite a bit.
It is also a very short and quick, at just over 100 pages. An easy single-sitting read.
I personally think the length worked well here. It is very fast-paced, but I think we got all of the necessary background information, and a fair amount of action by the end.
I didn’t really notice any plot holes, nor did I have that feeling of “expecting more” (which I often have with shorter stories).
My single critique is that I really wish this hadn’t been as modern as it was!
The plot was good nonetheless, but I think this kind of story is always best written in the past.
Reading about emails, phone calls and Versace- kind of threw me off a little bit, not going to lie.
It’s not a huge deal in the end, and it doesn’t effect much. I think it just didn’t really match the overall vibe.
In all, I think it’s a nice story.
I’m not picky about vampire books in general- so I was satisfied!
It isn’t my favorite one ever, but given the short amount of time it took me to read it- I would say it was worth it!
Thank you to Netgalley, Twisted Wing Productions and author Azzurra Nox for providing me with the eARC of “This Fever Called Living”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: March 03, 2026
I enjoyed this for the most part.
It is mellow and depressing! but exactly in the way that I would expect it to be. I tend to really enjoy a darker, atmospheric vampire theme- and that is basically all that is going on here. So I was able to enjoy that aspect quite a bit.
It is also a very short and quick, at just over 100 pages. An easy single-sitting read.
I personally think the length worked well here. It is very fast-paced, but I think we got all of the necessary background information, and a fair amount of action by the end.
I didn’t really notice any plot holes, nor did I have that feeling of “expecting more” (which I often have with shorter stories).
My single critique is that I really wish this hadn’t been as modern as it was!
The plot was good nonetheless, but I think this kind of story is always best written in the past.
Reading about emails, phone calls and Versace- kind of threw me off a little bit, not going to lie.
It’s not a huge deal in the end, and it doesn’t effect much. I think it just didn’t really match the overall vibe.
In all, I think it’s a nice story.
I’m not picky about vampire books in general- so I was satisfied!
It isn’t my favorite one ever, but given the short amount of time it took me to read it- I would say it was worth it!
Thank you to Netgalley, Twisted Wing Productions and author Azzurra Nox for providing me with the eARC of “This Fever Called Living”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: March 03, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This short story combines two Gothic classics. As with Poe’s The Fall Of The House Of Usher, this is the tale of two siblings. Jason and Juliette lost their parents and are now living comfortably in a villa in Palermo. Just like Madeline Usher, Juliette has some sort of wasting disease that makes her allergic to the sun and, like Roderick, Jason will do anything to keep her alive. The second classic revisited by this novella is Carmilla, in that it’s about a relationship between two girls who may be vampires. I loved the atmospheric writing, the descriptions of their villa and the seriously creepy passages. Because of Juliette’s illness, she can’t live by day, so they all adapt to life in the dark. The manor is spooky and perfectly well described (that maze… shudder!). The characters are well defined for such a short volume, even if Juliette’s bestie Liv is not completely there (her actions are not consistent, maybe in a longer story she would have been more rounded). Elenoire, the mysterious lodger who is hiding a secret, is compelling. That leaves the plot which, in my opinion, is the weak link. Maybe a full novel would have set up things more completely but, as it is, the twists and turns were too sudden and came out of nowhere. I enjoyed the read but I think that it could have been better.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Twisted Wing Productions.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Twisted Wing Productions.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
this was one of those reads that was purely based off the cover. i have tried numerous times to be a classic girlie but nine times out of ten i'm left bored to death so i have never read Carmilla & i'm only familiar with the Mike Flanagan adaptation of The Fall of The House of Usher, i know i know i'm a disappointment...
since i've never read either original story i can't really speak on accuracy or representation of either one but i can say i enjoyed my time with This Fever Called Living. it's melancholic & at just around 100 pgs it's a quick fast paced read. my favorite thing about it was the atmosphere throughout. it's set in the winter & you can really feel that cold gloomy overcast weather vibe while reading it.
my only issue was the time period, some of the language and dialogue between characters felt historic but then other times it felt too modern with emails, phones etc. i agree with a few of the other reviews that the story could have really benefited from an earlier setting rather than the 1990's. otherwise an enjoyable read...if you're looking for sapphic vampires, gloomy atmosphere & something you can read in a single sitting i would recommend!
3.75 rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
since i've never read either original story i can't really speak on accuracy or representation of either one but i can say i enjoyed my time with This Fever Called Living. it's melancholic & at just around 100 pgs it's a quick fast paced read. my favorite thing about it was the atmosphere throughout. it's set in the winter & you can really feel that cold gloomy overcast weather vibe while reading it.
my only issue was the time period, some of the language and dialogue between characters felt historic but then other times it felt too modern with emails, phones etc. i agree with a few of the other reviews that the story could have really benefited from an earlier setting rather than the 1990's. otherwise an enjoyable read...if you're looking for sapphic vampires, gloomy atmosphere & something you can read in a single sitting i would recommend!
3.75 rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This Fever Called Living — Azzura Nox (eARC) 3.5/5 Stars
Set against an atmospheric Italian backdrop, This Fever Called Living follows a protagonist haunted by a fractured memory she’s never quite been able to piece together. A segment of her past is sealed off from her, unexplained and unreachable, until the arrival of a new presence in her sprawling home begins to stir what was buried. What follows is a slow peeling back of memory, identity, and truth.
The novella format works well here. The tension builds steadily as more is revealed, with an undercurrent of unease that lingers beneath even the quieter moments. There’s a claustrophobic intimacy to the story - both in the setting and in the protagonist’s internal unraveling - that keeps the pages turning. While I wished a few elements had been explored just a bit deeper, the overall experience was compelling and cohesive.
This is a quick, one-sitting read that feels tailor-made for a dark autumn evening. Moody, introspective, and quietly unsettling, it’s a solid addition to the horror novella space.
Set against an atmospheric Italian backdrop, This Fever Called Living follows a protagonist haunted by a fractured memory she’s never quite been able to piece together. A segment of her past is sealed off from her, unexplained and unreachable, until the arrival of a new presence in her sprawling home begins to stir what was buried. What follows is a slow peeling back of memory, identity, and truth.
The novella format works well here. The tension builds steadily as more is revealed, with an undercurrent of unease that lingers beneath even the quieter moments. There’s a claustrophobic intimacy to the story - both in the setting and in the protagonist’s internal unraveling - that keeps the pages turning. While I wished a few elements had been explored just a bit deeper, the overall experience was compelling and cohesive.
This is a quick, one-sitting read that feels tailor-made for a dark autumn evening. Moody, introspective, and quietly unsettling, it’s a solid addition to the horror novella space.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a fun, quick read. I really enjoyed this novella even though I am unfamiliar with Carmilla it was great. Our man character cannot really remember what happened to her last summer, but knows something did. Since then she cannot go out in the sun and things keep changing. I really enjoy the peeling back of the layers and the character gradually understanding what is going on. The end was great and it was a really fun read. This is the first I have read of this author so I will have to have check out more!
One thing to mention, like other reviews have pointed out, I don't know why it was set in the late 1990's. It didn't feel like it really had a 90's vibe, it seemed like it was older (or I assumed more present day when emails were mentioned), and was shocked when I found out it was 1999. Not bad, just not sure why it is set then since it didn't really feel like it and didn't add anything to the story.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
One thing to mention, like other reviews have pointed out, I don't know why it was set in the late 1990's. It didn't feel like it really had a 90's vibe, it seemed like it was older (or I assumed more present day when emails were mentioned), and was shocked when I found out it was 1999. Not bad, just not sure why it is set then since it didn't really feel like it and didn't add anything to the story.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This Fever Called Living is a quick read full of blood, mystery-substances-that-are-probably-blood, and memory loss. Those elements are ones I feel the book did well; Villa Astrid was appropriately atmospheric, and I could definitely feel Juliette's tenuous grasp on reality. Some of the detail in the story (their late mother's perfume, for example) felt unnecessary and included to lengthen a story that would have benefitted from more development of both Juliette and Elenoire (which the internet does confirm is a real name, though I remain suspicious).
Ultimately, this wasn't for me, but wasn't the worst not-for-me I've read, so there's that.
WORTH NOTING:
-- Primarily written in first person, with four third-person limited chapters focusing on side characters.
-- A retelling of Carmella, which I did not read but know the premise of, and The Fall of the House of Usher, which I also did not read though I did watch the very loosely-based Mike Flannagan show
-- Set in the late '90s, a detail that feels mostly useless but was nonetheless included.
Ultimately, this wasn't for me, but wasn't the worst not-for-me I've read, so there's that.
WORTH NOTING:
-- Primarily written in first person, with four third-person limited chapters focusing on side characters.
-- A retelling of Carmella, which I did not read but know the premise of, and The Fall of the House of Usher, which I also did not read though I did watch the very loosely-based Mike Flannagan show
-- Set in the late '90s, a detail that feels mostly useless but was nonetheless included.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
what a book, my friends!
i've never read the original Carmilla, but i did know the gist of the story and i must say this was a really good retelling/reimagining.
i really liked the fmc Juliette, she had a really good character development, specially when she came into full power and rage, i loved her for it.
the plot was plotting, the quotes was quotting, everything was almost perfect.
my only critique is that sometimes i was really confused regarding the time period of the story; the conversations felt like a historical novel, but at the same time they had e-mails, cellphones; i wish the time period was a bit more clearer, but that didn't affect much of the story and the plot and i still loved it. obviously i recommend.
thank you to netgalley, Twisted Wing Productions and author Azzurra Nox for providing me with the eARC of “This Fever Called Living”, in exchange for my honest review!
i've never read the original Carmilla, but i did know the gist of the story and i must say this was a really good retelling/reimagining.
i really liked the fmc Juliette, she had a really good character development, specially when she came into full power and rage, i loved her for it.
the plot was plotting, the quotes was quotting, everything was almost perfect.
my only critique is that sometimes i was really confused regarding the time period of the story; the conversations felt like a historical novel, but at the same time they had e-mails, cellphones; i wish the time period was a bit more clearer, but that didn't affect much of the story and the plot and i still loved it. obviously i recommend.
thank you to netgalley, Twisted Wing Productions and author Azzurra Nox for providing me with the eARC of “This Fever Called Living”, in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I recently finished This Fever Called Living by Azzurra Nox and had mixed feelings about it. The author did a good job at describing the scenery and I really enjoyed imagining what was happening. They also did an amazing job with the characters. I really liked the characters, they kept me interested in the story and did not lack emotional depth despite being such a short story. However the plot twists felt quick which made certain moments feel rushed. Unfortunately the ending left me feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed. I do think if the book would’ve been longer it would’ve helped with this. Overall I enjoyed the atmosphere of this book and the characters personality’s.
Thank you NetGalley, Twisted Wing Productions and the author Azzurra Nox for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you NetGalley, Twisted Wing Productions and the author Azzurra Nox for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really wanted to love This Fever Called Living. The atmosphere is definitely the strongest part. It’s moody, sensual, and has that fever-dream Gothic vibe that I’m usually obsessed with. The sapphic tension was there, and some of the imagery was genuinely beautiful.
I never felt fully grounded in the characters. It’s short, and I think that worked against it. I wanted more depth and more emotional payoff. I wanted to feel wrecked and instead I just felt intrigued. It’s not bad at all, just one of those reads where the vibes were stronger than the impact for me.
3 stars. Pretty, atmospheric, but I wanted it to sink its teeth in a little deeper
I never felt fully grounded in the characters. It’s short, and I think that worked against it. I wanted more depth and more emotional payoff. I wanted to feel wrecked and instead I just felt intrigued. It’s not bad at all, just one of those reads where the vibes were stronger than the impact for me.
3 stars. Pretty, atmospheric, but I wanted it to sink its teeth in a little deeper
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an e arc in exchange for an honest review!
This was a good (although mellow and depressing) carmilla reimagining. For such a short story I really enjoyed Juliette's character, and loved seeing her fully embrace her monstrous side by the end of the book. The only real critique I have is that the time period of the late 1990s felt a bit misplaced and like it should have taken place at an earlier setting. Other than that if you're looking for a short horror read I would recommend!
This was a good (although mellow and depressing) carmilla reimagining. For such a short story I really enjoyed Juliette's character, and loved seeing her fully embrace her monstrous side by the end of the book. The only real critique I have is that the time period of the late 1990s felt a bit misplaced and like it should have taken place at an earlier setting. Other than that if you're looking for a short horror read I would recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy! I am a fan of both Carmilla and the Fall of the House of Usher, so I had high hopes for this novella.
It was easiest to see the parallels to Carmilla in this story, though the more I read the more I could see the Usher vibes. It was short but intriguing, fun and atmospheric. Initially, I forgot that the story took place 1999, because the story felt much older.
I enjoyed the queer themes that were present, as well as the relationship between Juliette and Elenoire and the ever-present mystery that surrounded Elenoire throughout the story.
It was easiest to see the parallels to Carmilla in this story, though the more I read the more I could see the Usher vibes. It was short but intriguing, fun and atmospheric. Initially, I forgot that the story took place 1999, because the story felt much older.
I enjoyed the queer themes that were present, as well as the relationship between Juliette and Elenoire and the ever-present mystery that surrounded Elenoire throughout the story.
February 12, 2026
If you like vampires and lesbians this moody novella would probably be great for you! The setting is idyllic and rich which also makes for a good contrast against the dark plot. It’s a quick read that would be nice for a night in but also kinda left me wishing it was longer. I would’ve loved to see more backstory and known what all the characters were thinking because I really liked the premise and plot!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This Fever Called Living was a pretty atmospheric and gothic book. Takes place in the 1990s, a sapphic retelling of Camilla and The Fall of the House of Usher. I didn't feel like the specific time period of the 1990s served a purpose for the story but cool still, I guess.
I didn't particularly empathize with the characters very much but the book is a decent moody vampire novella worth checking out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Twisted Wing Productions for providing a copy to review.
I didn't particularly empathize with the characters very much but the book is a decent moody vampire novella worth checking out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Twisted Wing Productions for providing a copy to review.
February 11, 2026
The cover is just awesome. That’s what drew me to read it. I love a good vampire story and this one met all my needs. It was dark, gory, mysterious. The FMC Juliette had good character development. Seek no her come into her power at the end and going full on rage to those who had done her wrong was great. Thank you to Netgalley, Twisted Wing Production and Azzurra Nox for this E ARC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A very interesting short read. I loved Juliette. She was a very well developed character. A shocking book worth the read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was interesting, but didn’t land for me. It was a bit slow. I clocked what was going on relatively quickly. I had gone into the story blindly. Still, I was hoping for more.
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