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The Taste of Blood: ReVAMPed Edition
After an encounter with her nineteen-year-old boyfriend at an underground party, Genesis Hudson—a naive thirteen-year-old girl—believes she has become a vampire. A thirst for human blood quickly manifests within her, intensifying with each passing day. She feels sick without it, nauseated and starved. Aubrey Horne, Genesis’ best friend, knows she is mentally unwell, but she needs time to find a way to save her from herself. So, with an abundance of reluctance, she agrees to help her find blood.
But during their search, she discovers a side of Genesis she had never seen before...
How far can two girls go to find blood? Can Aubrey save Genesis before it’s too late? Or has Genesis really become a vampire?
Jon Athan, the author of Our Dead Author’s Enhanced Edition and Are Your Parents Home?, presents a tense, disturbing coming-of-age novel about friendship, obsession, and identity.
This 2026 ReVAMPed Edition has been re-written, re-edited, and extended. It is the definitive ‘The Taste of Blood’ experience.
This novel contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
But during their search, she discovers a side of Genesis she had never seen before...
How far can two girls go to find blood? Can Aubrey save Genesis before it’s too late? Or has Genesis really become a vampire?
Jon Athan, the author of Our Dead Author’s Enhanced Edition and Are Your Parents Home?, presents a tense, disturbing coming-of-age novel about friendship, obsession, and identity.
This 2026 ReVAMPed Edition has been re-written, re-edited, and extended. It is the definitive ‘The Taste of Blood’ experience.
This novel contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 5, 2026
WARNING: there's some light spoilers and references to plot points throughout the review.
I had mixed feelings towards The Taste of Blood. Complicated feelings that might be a little difficult to parse through, I probably wouldn't bother reviewing it out of laziness if I didn't have a lofty goal of reviewing all these Jon Athan books.
The Taste of Blood is Jon Athan's take on the vampire story. That sort of already sets me against it because I don't think I've read a vampire horror story I've truly loved. Even something like 'Salem's Lot is one of King's lesser novels to me, for example. I can do vampires in fantasy, but in horror it never seems to fit for me. So the fact I found this at all interesting is something to give Jon Athan credit for. I'd attribute this most to the "vampire" aspect being non-traditionally, somewhat not supernaturally, applied in the story. We meet 13 year old Genesis who is being groomed actively by a 19 year old Bryce. One of his tactics when grooming young girls is to manipulate them into thinking he's turned them into vampires. Things, of course, get out of control.
With this title and Athan's usual over the top violence and gore, I was going into this expecting something extremely graphic and bloody, and it's really not. Yes there's biting, there's a graphic description of a mutilated penis towards the end, there is a bit of that Athan thing but this is one of the first times his work hasn't made me cringe from the on-page pain the character's endure. It's still disturbing in it's portrayal of real world horror. The statutory rape scene at the front of the book especially and those throughout, and the grooming of Genesis by Bryce is well depicted, there's some bullying, descriptions of teen suicide and self harm. It forms one of Athan's bleakest stories that I've read so far. The character writing is well done and these harder topics are well integrated into the story. There's not, to me, a lot of shock for shock's sake horror to it, it felt very real and sad. Admittedly, the Genesis at the front of the book reminded me of friends I had in high school who wound up in similar situations, this stuff happens all the time and I think Jon Athan handles it well.
The set up for The Taste of Blood is great. We meet Genesis's concerned friend Aubrey who becomes rather entangled in this vampirism scheme. I liked Aubrey a lot too and felt the tensions that arise between Genesis and herself are paced well and steadily. There's a lot of poor decision making and flawed logic which I'm willing to forgive as these girls are thirteen and way in over their heads. I just found that after the fight between Aubrey and Genesis this book became something I was just not that into. Maybe it's not the book Athan wanted to write, but I was thinking we were on a path where Genesis's further descent into vampirism and then Bryce's mid book betrayal of her would lead to Genesis going after Bryce instead. He runs off page never to return. That just isn't satisfying and doesn't cut it for me as so much of The Taste of Blood covers his grooming of Genesis and that storyline never eventuates into anything to me. The good vs evil feeling between Aubrey and Genesis wasn't interesting to me, I didn't like where either character arc ends up, and Athan's usual shock ending here felt sort of cheap for a book that is otherwise this bleak. It felt a bit more like a joke that was tonally out of sorts with the rest of the book. A bit of a mess of a final act, but I did enjoy a lot of what Athan does here and I still think it's rather worth the read, just not my favourite in his collection.
I had mixed feelings towards The Taste of Blood. Complicated feelings that might be a little difficult to parse through, I probably wouldn't bother reviewing it out of laziness if I didn't have a lofty goal of reviewing all these Jon Athan books.
The Taste of Blood is Jon Athan's take on the vampire story. That sort of already sets me against it because I don't think I've read a vampire horror story I've truly loved. Even something like 'Salem's Lot is one of King's lesser novels to me, for example. I can do vampires in fantasy, but in horror it never seems to fit for me. So the fact I found this at all interesting is something to give Jon Athan credit for. I'd attribute this most to the "vampire" aspect being non-traditionally, somewhat not supernaturally, applied in the story. We meet 13 year old Genesis who is being groomed actively by a 19 year old Bryce. One of his tactics when grooming young girls is to manipulate them into thinking he's turned them into vampires. Things, of course, get out of control.
With this title and Athan's usual over the top violence and gore, I was going into this expecting something extremely graphic and bloody, and it's really not. Yes there's biting, there's a graphic description of a mutilated penis towards the end, there is a bit of that Athan thing but this is one of the first times his work hasn't made me cringe from the on-page pain the character's endure. It's still disturbing in it's portrayal of real world horror. The statutory rape scene at the front of the book especially and those throughout, and the grooming of Genesis by Bryce is well depicted, there's some bullying, descriptions of teen suicide and self harm. It forms one of Athan's bleakest stories that I've read so far. The character writing is well done and these harder topics are well integrated into the story. There's not, to me, a lot of shock for shock's sake horror to it, it felt very real and sad. Admittedly, the Genesis at the front of the book reminded me of friends I had in high school who wound up in similar situations, this stuff happens all the time and I think Jon Athan handles it well.
The set up for The Taste of Blood is great. We meet Genesis's concerned friend Aubrey who becomes rather entangled in this vampirism scheme. I liked Aubrey a lot too and felt the tensions that arise between Genesis and herself are paced well and steadily. There's a lot of poor decision making and flawed logic which I'm willing to forgive as these girls are thirteen and way in over their heads. I just found that after the fight between Aubrey and Genesis this book became something I was just not that into. Maybe it's not the book Athan wanted to write, but I was thinking we were on a path where Genesis's further descent into vampirism and then Bryce's mid book betrayal of her would lead to Genesis going after Bryce instead. He runs off page never to return. That just isn't satisfying and doesn't cut it for me as so much of The Taste of Blood covers his grooming of Genesis and that storyline never eventuates into anything to me. The good vs evil feeling between Aubrey and Genesis wasn't interesting to me, I didn't like where either character arc ends up, and Athan's usual shock ending here felt sort of cheap for a book that is otherwise this bleak. It felt a bit more like a joke that was tonally out of sorts with the rest of the book. A bit of a mess of a final act, but I did enjoy a lot of what Athan does here and I still think it's rather worth the read, just not my favourite in his collection.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story was a real change up from Athan's usual writing. I didnt realize until the authors note how wildly similar the main characters are in this and Our Dead Girlfriend. I kept expecting some of the scenes to become much more gruesome than they were, but I liked the implication if what was happening versus his usual details. I very much agree with Athan's assessment that this story is horror "lite ". I'm nit sure how i feel about the twist. I feel like I should have seen it but didnt and then, well, was there another twist to offer? it just made me think. I really liked this story. it was easy to get through and it focused on a lot of real life issues, without all the gritty deets some readers dont always love.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Taste of Blood was not one of my favourites by Athan. Sure, it checked all the boxes for gore, trauma, and craziness, but it didn't give me the cohesive feeling I was looking for.
There seems to be a lot of things going on at once, but let's start with the first: the predator. We've got a 19-year old dirt bag who is actively preying on a 13-year old girl, everyone around her knows that this is happening and what he's done, but everyone is just alright with it and doesn't try to do anything to resolve this situation? Where are all the mandated reporters? Did none of the kids go home after school and tell their parents?
Then said dirt bag convinces this girl that now she's a vampire and she immediately goes off the rails in full on belief. She quickly spirals and completely loses her mind, unable to separate reality from fiction, and no one thinks that she needs some serious help? Again, where are all the mandated reporters at the school? Or the parents of the other kids or people who watched the videos online of the bullying and weird claims this girl was making?
All of this is compounded by Genesis' "fixer" best friend, Aubrey. Aubrey knows they'll what is happening isn't right, knows she needs to tell someone responsible, then doesn't do anything but dig herself in deeper because she can absolutely fix things no problem! Add in one very explosive public fight, making up with a bully, and a good bit of gore and we have a climax for the ages.
This one was hard for me. Maybe that means it did its job, maybe not, but it just didn't work for me. I was left feeling deflated, like all the wind had been let out of my sails, after that epilogue and the conclusion of Aubrey's (and Genesis') story.
There seems to be a lot of things going on at once, but let's start with the first: the predator. We've got a 19-year old dirt bag who is actively preying on a 13-year old girl, everyone around her knows that this is happening and what he's done, but everyone is just alright with it and doesn't try to do anything to resolve this situation? Where are all the mandated reporters? Did none of the kids go home after school and tell their parents?
Then said dirt bag convinces this girl that now she's a vampire and she immediately goes off the rails in full on belief. She quickly spirals and completely loses her mind, unable to separate reality from fiction, and no one thinks that she needs some serious help? Again, where are all the mandated reporters at the school? Or the parents of the other kids or people who watched the videos online of the bullying and weird claims this girl was making?
All of this is compounded by Genesis' "fixer" best friend, Aubrey. Aubrey knows they'll what is happening isn't right, knows she needs to tell someone responsible, then doesn't do anything but dig herself in deeper because she can absolutely fix things no problem! Add in one very explosive public fight, making up with a bully, and a good bit of gore and we have a climax for the ages.
This one was hard for me. Maybe that means it did its job, maybe not, but it just didn't work for me. I was left feeling deflated, like all the wind had been let out of my sails, after that epilogue and the conclusion of Aubrey's (and Genesis') story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
So I never read the first addition of this book, so it's hard for me to provide any comparison to that point... However, I loved this story and think it was clever to list it as the "reVAMPed" addition.... well played sir, well played.
The Taste of Blood is a coming of age horror story about a teenager who has been groomed and sexually exploited by a college student and led to believe that she is a vampire. It doesn't take long for our FMC to loop her closest ( and only ) friend into the madness and from there things just get progressively worse.
I've read a good handful of books from Athan and as far as gore goes I found this to be not as graphic, please don't be mistaken there are definitely moments that you won't soon be able to forget though. The thing that hits me the hardest with this particular story was the focus around mental health and child predators.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
The Taste of Blood is a coming of age horror story about a teenager who has been groomed and sexually exploited by a college student and led to believe that she is a vampire. It doesn't take long for our FMC to loop her closest ( and only ) friend into the madness and from there things just get progressively worse.
I've read a good handful of books from Athan and as far as gore goes I found this to be not as graphic, please don't be mistaken there are definitely moments that you won't soon be able to forget though. The thing that hits me the hardest with this particular story was the focus around mental health and child predators.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 13, 2026
The Taste Of Blood 🩸: REVAMPED edition, out 26th Feb
So firstly I am absolutely privileged to be part of Athan’s street team, he is one of my ultimate favs & to get sent his books to read & review is honestly a dream come true for me! Secondly, he never ever fails, this one had me HOOKED!!
Genesis isn’t like other children in school, at the age of 13 she only has one friend Aubrey & only has one ambition…that is to be a vampire!
When she meets Bryce she thinks she’s hit the jackpot, he agrees to turn her into a vampire as long as she gives him her virginity in return. (Bryce is a pos dirt bag that I was hoping would get brutally crushed at some point) 😤
It’s not long before Genesis truly believes she is a vampire, she needs human blood but is struggling on how to get it. She turns to Aubrey for help, if they can just get her enough blood to see her over she will never ask for anything else.
But when is enough, enough? Aubrey can see how bad Genesis’s mental health must be but how can she stop her?
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 another unreal read!! I’m not always into vampire stories but this had me in a chokehold, I read it in 2 sittings by the pool & was totally focused, dnd mode on!
I was so torn with Genesis in this! She is clearly struggling with her mental health & at only 13 she’s sucked into the delusions BUT the lengths she went to & the way she treat poor Aubrey had me wanting to shake her so bad!
And the ending! I was like 😱 flipping the page back & forth for more! Whyyyy!! Honestly it was incredible! If you have read this before then it’s definitely time for a re-read with the revamped edition.
Releasing 26th Feb, check those triggers! Thank you again Jonny for allowing me to be part of this 🤎
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
So firstly I am absolutely privileged to be part of Athan’s street team, he is one of my ultimate favs & to get sent his books to read & review is honestly a dream come true for me! Secondly, he never ever fails, this one had me HOOKED!!
Genesis isn’t like other children in school, at the age of 13 she only has one friend Aubrey & only has one ambition…that is to be a vampire!
When she meets Bryce she thinks she’s hit the jackpot, he agrees to turn her into a vampire as long as she gives him her virginity in return. (Bryce is a pos dirt bag that I was hoping would get brutally crushed at some point) 😤
It’s not long before Genesis truly believes she is a vampire, she needs human blood but is struggling on how to get it. She turns to Aubrey for help, if they can just get her enough blood to see her over she will never ask for anything else.
But when is enough, enough? Aubrey can see how bad Genesis’s mental health must be but how can she stop her?
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 another unreal read!! I’m not always into vampire stories but this had me in a chokehold, I read it in 2 sittings by the pool & was totally focused, dnd mode on!
I was so torn with Genesis in this! She is clearly struggling with her mental health & at only 13 she’s sucked into the delusions BUT the lengths she went to & the way she treat poor Aubrey had me wanting to shake her so bad!
And the ending! I was like 😱 flipping the page back & forth for more! Whyyyy!! Honestly it was incredible! If you have read this before then it’s definitely time for a re-read with the revamped edition.
Releasing 26th Feb, check those triggers! Thank you again Jonny for allowing me to be part of this 🤎
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 17, 2025
“I’M A VAMPIRE “
Meet Genesis a young 13 year old naïve girl who is consistently bullied at school and trying to find her place to fit in. When she meets a 19-year-old college student online….She quickly decides to meet up with him at a private party when all is said and done, he has convinced Genesis that she is now a vampire. And Genesis is HUNGRY !
Aubrey is Genesis’s best and only friend and she is going to help Genesis feed, but at what cost ?
I have read so many novels from Athan and I have to say that this somehow has managed to jump up into my top book from him . This book scared the hell out of me as most of his stories do because this one I could truly see happening. Check your triggers. This one is not for everyone.
Meet Genesis a young 13 year old naïve girl who is consistently bullied at school and trying to find her place to fit in. When she meets a 19-year-old college student online….She quickly decides to meet up with him at a private party when all is said and done, he has convinced Genesis that she is now a vampire. And Genesis is HUNGRY !
Aubrey is Genesis’s best and only friend and she is going to help Genesis feed, but at what cost ?
I have read so many novels from Athan and I have to say that this somehow has managed to jump up into my top book from him . This book scared the hell out of me as most of his stories do because this one I could truly see happening. Check your triggers. This one is not for everyone.
December 4, 2025
Normally I’m a bit apprehensive about vampire stories, I find they are either really good or a bit boring. This one however is a really good one! If there’s one thing Jon Athan can do it’s pull you into the story and make it 100% believable! This one’s got it all, vampires, love, predators, friendships, bullies and whole load of gore!
November 21, 2025
I got this book in exchange for my honest review
I SCREAMED 🤯 Jon Athan you absolute madman Thirteen-year-old Genesis falls for Bryce a nineteen-year-old “vampire” who lies and lies and convinces her that drinking his blood will make her one of him she falls she drags her terrified best friend Aubrey into a nightmare darker grosser more chaotic and insane every page punches you in the gut then again and again Jon’s writing is so vivid you can smell the blood taste the panic feel the terror crawling under your skin.. I am SCREAMING I am SHOOK I can’t breathe I can’t stop reading it it’s horrifying brilliant everything 5/5 stars no debate mark your calendar 2/26/26 clear your schedule prepare to have your mind heart soul shredded and feel like you just expirenced a fever dream.
I SCREAMED 🤯 Jon Athan you absolute madman Thirteen-year-old Genesis falls for Bryce a nineteen-year-old “vampire” who lies and lies and convinces her that drinking his blood will make her one of him she falls she drags her terrified best friend Aubrey into a nightmare darker grosser more chaotic and insane every page punches you in the gut then again and again Jon’s writing is so vivid you can smell the blood taste the panic feel the terror crawling under your skin.. I am SCREAMING I am SHOOK I can’t breathe I can’t stop reading it it’s horrifying brilliant everything 5/5 stars no debate mark your calendar 2/26/26 clear your schedule prepare to have your mind heart soul shredded and feel like you just expirenced a fever dream.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2026
Wow just wow
This book was a fun one to read, I had to take my time because I didn’t want to finish this one too quickly due to the story.
I loved Genesis and Aubrey both amazing characters. I really felt sorry for Genesis through the whole story just reading about her spiral into madness of her own delusions.
Aubrey felt like a realistic approach to her friend’s delusions for her age. It was also nice to have more of realistic approach to school life with childhood in this book.
The pacing, the story telling, the details and the grittiness was amazing
5/5 for this story. Another Jon Athan that didn’t let me down. It’s always amazing to have a good story from beginning to end.
This book was a fun one to read, I had to take my time because I didn’t want to finish this one too quickly due to the story.
I loved Genesis and Aubrey both amazing characters. I really felt sorry for Genesis through the whole story just reading about her spiral into madness of her own delusions.
Aubrey felt like a realistic approach to her friend’s delusions for her age. It was also nice to have more of realistic approach to school life with childhood in this book.
The pacing, the story telling, the details and the grittiness was amazing
5/5 for this story. Another Jon Athan that didn’t let me down. It’s always amazing to have a good story from beginning to end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Admittedly, I don’t always love vampire books but this took things to an entirely different vampire vibe. As usual, Athan takes a taboo subject (someone obsessed with being a vampire, though that it affects their mental health) and turns it into a delicious and brutal story.
13 year old Genesis has somehow gotten involved with an older grooming POS dude, Bryce. In order to string A CHILD along he uses different lies and manipulations and naive Genesis now thinks she is a vampire and has a worsening and sickening desire for human blood.
Genesis has a best friend, Aubrey. Sweet and loyal and often bullied Aubrey. Genesis confides in her about her new vampirism and although Aubrey is incredibly concerned, she wants to try and be there for Genesis and doesn’t really think her taste for blood will go too far.
Aubrey is so, so wrong. Genesis is convinced she needs blood and is on a downward spiral, she’s getting desperate and her mental health is taking a turn for the worse. How far will Aubrey go to help Genesis? And if she stops helping her, how does she know she will be safe? Things. Get. Messy.
I highly enjoyed this book although parts of it were just maddening! Genesis is such a little asshole but she’s also 13 so I want to believe she is just troubled. But let’s just say any sympathy I had for her dissolves as the story progresses. Aubrey is sweet as pie and anyone would be lucky to have her friendship, unfortunately when it’s a demented wannabe bloodsucker, Aubrey is not going to get the same love back she gives out. Mild spoiler coming in this next like but I sure would have loved for Bryce to have a significantly violent ending. Also, the tampon! Really??!! I gagged. Thanks, Jon. 🤭 And lastly, the very last paragraph and line of the book.. didn’t see that coming!! Loved it!
Thank you to Jon Athan and Carrie for letting me be part of the Street Team. Every time I receive an ARC, I squeal in excitement and feel so honored to be a part of the group. I received this ARC for free in exchange for an honest review. Hope you all sink your teeth in this ReVAMPed edition! Happy reading! 📖🩸
13 year old Genesis has somehow gotten involved with an older grooming POS dude, Bryce. In order to string A CHILD along he uses different lies and manipulations and naive Genesis now thinks she is a vampire and has a worsening and sickening desire for human blood.
Genesis has a best friend, Aubrey. Sweet and loyal and often bullied Aubrey. Genesis confides in her about her new vampirism and although Aubrey is incredibly concerned, she wants to try and be there for Genesis and doesn’t really think her taste for blood will go too far.
Aubrey is so, so wrong. Genesis is convinced she needs blood and is on a downward spiral, she’s getting desperate and her mental health is taking a turn for the worse. How far will Aubrey go to help Genesis? And if she stops helping her, how does she know she will be safe? Things. Get. Messy.
I highly enjoyed this book although parts of it were just maddening! Genesis is such a little asshole but she’s also 13 so I want to believe she is just troubled. But let’s just say any sympathy I had for her dissolves as the story progresses. Aubrey is sweet as pie and anyone would be lucky to have her friendship, unfortunately when it’s a demented wannabe bloodsucker, Aubrey is not going to get the same love back she gives out. Mild spoiler coming in this next like but I sure would have loved for Bryce to have a significantly violent ending. Also, the tampon! Really??!! I gagged. Thanks, Jon. 🤭 And lastly, the very last paragraph and line of the book.. didn’t see that coming!! Loved it!
Thank you to Jon Athan and Carrie for letting me be part of the Street Team. Every time I receive an ARC, I squeal in excitement and feel so honored to be a part of the group. I received this ARC for free in exchange for an honest review. Hope you all sink your teeth in this ReVAMPed edition! Happy reading! 📖🩸
Review of advance copy received from Author
A ReVamp of Jon Athan's 2019 novel, The Taste of Blood, features a teenager girl named Genesis who believes she's a vampire after an encounter with her college aged boyfriend, Bryce. Her best friend, Aubrey, becomes increasingly disturbed as Genesis' blood lust unravels. The two girls are entangled in a bloody and gruesome spiral that will soon come to the surface.
I'm aware I'm an Athan fan boy. He's my favorite author of all time and a huge inspiration. I've read over half his books and I mean it when I say this edition of The Taste for Blood is one of his best. I'll admit this book is not a page-to-page gore fest or gets as unsettling as some of his other books, but the character writing and storytelling kept me on edge.
Aubrey becomes the main focus as she worries about Genesis' mental health. I thought she would be nothing but a side character, but I was surprised at how much I sympathized and rooted for her. Getting attached to any Athan character is a dangerous thing. Her friendship with Genesis felt very authentic as they were seen as loners who come together to find solace in one another. But Genesis is a lot more reckless than Aubrey. She's dating a college aged man named Bryce who manipulates her and gaslights her into believing she's a vampire so he can sleep with her. He's only the most hateable and remorseless character in the book.
This is a slower and more character focused novel that is more coming-of-age, than straight up splatterpunk. It reminds me of a lot of Athan's Our Dead Girlfriend, even if it's not a upsetting. Don't get me wrong, there are some visceral and straight up nasty sections in here, but it's not a long torture scene turned into a book. I love how Athan writes his characters and slowly lets their derangment simmers until it reaches to the boiling point. I truly could not put this down. I was able to get it done in two reading sessions. The last few chapters were some of the most intense scenes I've ever read. And the ending left me with a gut-punch that knocked the air out of me but wanting more. Truly amazing, check it out.
I'm aware I'm an Athan fan boy. He's my favorite author of all time and a huge inspiration. I've read over half his books and I mean it when I say this edition of The Taste for Blood is one of his best. I'll admit this book is not a page-to-page gore fest or gets as unsettling as some of his other books, but the character writing and storytelling kept me on edge.
Aubrey becomes the main focus as she worries about Genesis' mental health. I thought she would be nothing but a side character, but I was surprised at how much I sympathized and rooted for her. Getting attached to any Athan character is a dangerous thing. Her friendship with Genesis felt very authentic as they were seen as loners who come together to find solace in one another. But Genesis is a lot more reckless than Aubrey. She's dating a college aged man named Bryce who manipulates her and gaslights her into believing she's a vampire so he can sleep with her. He's only the most hateable and remorseless character in the book.
This is a slower and more character focused novel that is more coming-of-age, than straight up splatterpunk. It reminds me of a lot of Athan's Our Dead Girlfriend, even if it's not a upsetting. Don't get me wrong, there are some visceral and straight up nasty sections in here, but it's not a long torture scene turned into a book. I love how Athan writes his characters and slowly lets their derangment simmers until it reaches to the boiling point. I truly could not put this down. I was able to get it done in two reading sessions. The last few chapters were some of the most intense scenes I've ever read. And the ending left me with a gut-punch that knocked the air out of me but wanting more. Truly amazing, check it out.
November 30, 2025
"𝑴𝒐𝒎, 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒎𝒆! 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆! 𝑰'𝒎 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆...𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆, 𝑴𝒐𝒎."
𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏, 𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒑𝒚 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒆. 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅.
An earlier release that I missed, it's now been 'revamped' with a fresh edit and some bonus scenes. This, in many ways, was a stark departure from his other work. While the same brutality is still there, there was a haunting destruction of innocence in this one that lingered long after the story was done.
Genesis Hudson is a naive thirteen-year-old girl who believes she has become a vampire after an encounter with her nineteen-year-old boyfriend at an underground party. She deludes herself into feeling a thirst for human blood manifesting within her that grows more intense with each passing day. She shuns food, claiming she feels sick without what she really needs, which is blood. Aubrey Horne, Genesis’ best friend, knows her friend is mentally unwell, but she is desperate to help her. Reluctantly, she agrees to help her find blood. It will be the worst mistake of her young life.
What set this novel apart for me is not just its brutality, but the way the author anchors that brutality in raw, uncomfortable humanity. The story moves with a grim inevitability that makes it impossible to look away. The pacing is razor-tight, his atmosphere claustrophobic, yet beneath all of that, there’s a surprising emotional resonance. I think the horror hits so hard because it comes from visceral fear. We've all seen the true crime stories of how vicious young teens can be, and I couldn't help but think of young Shanda Sharer. If you're not familiar with her story, look her up.
Even though you'll want to look away at times, the tension builds steadily and the payoff lands with devastating force, all without ever feeling gratuitous for its own sake. This is a story that will wound your psyche and stay with you long after the final chapter. Many thanks to the author for the early copy. This new edition will publish February 26, 2026.
𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏, 𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒑𝒚 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒆. 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅.
An earlier release that I missed, it's now been 'revamped' with a fresh edit and some bonus scenes. This, in many ways, was a stark departure from his other work. While the same brutality is still there, there was a haunting destruction of innocence in this one that lingered long after the story was done.
Genesis Hudson is a naive thirteen-year-old girl who believes she has become a vampire after an encounter with her nineteen-year-old boyfriend at an underground party. She deludes herself into feeling a thirst for human blood manifesting within her that grows more intense with each passing day. She shuns food, claiming she feels sick without what she really needs, which is blood. Aubrey Horne, Genesis’ best friend, knows her friend is mentally unwell, but she is desperate to help her. Reluctantly, she agrees to help her find blood. It will be the worst mistake of her young life.
What set this novel apart for me is not just its brutality, but the way the author anchors that brutality in raw, uncomfortable humanity. The story moves with a grim inevitability that makes it impossible to look away. The pacing is razor-tight, his atmosphere claustrophobic, yet beneath all of that, there’s a surprising emotional resonance. I think the horror hits so hard because it comes from visceral fear. We've all seen the true crime stories of how vicious young teens can be, and I couldn't help but think of young Shanda Sharer. If you're not familiar with her story, look her up.
Even though you'll want to look away at times, the tension builds steadily and the payoff lands with devastating force, all without ever feeling gratuitous for its own sake. This is a story that will wound your psyche and stay with you long after the final chapter. Many thanks to the author for the early copy. This new edition will publish February 26, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🩸are a fan of extreme horror
🧛♀️ love stories about vampires
😵💫 were a gullible 13 year old once upon a time
🤫 are good at keeping secrets
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
After an encounter with her nineteen-year-old boyfriend at an underground party, Genesis Hudson—a naive thirteen-year-old girl—believes she has become a vampire. A thirst for human blood quickly manifests within her, intensifying with each passing day. She feels sick without it, nauseated and starved. Aubrey Horne, Genesis’ best friend, knows she is mentally unwell, but she needs time to find a way to save her from herself. So, with an abundance of reluctance, she agrees to help her find blood.
But during their search, she discovers a side of Genesis she had never seen before...
How far can two girls go to find blood? Can Aubrey save Genesis before it’s too late? Or has Genesis really become a vampire?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
Wow, this was a rough one! As a former 13 year old girl, I really sympathized with Genesis, though I’d like to believe that I was never so naive as her (hopefully). She meets a 19 year old groomer online who convinces her he’s a vampire with the power to change her in exchange for her virginity. After not eating for a day, she starts feeling ill and believes it must be because she has truly become a vampire. Doing everything in her power to find blood, even cornering a poor girl in the bathroom who’s on her period, Genesis doubles down on the idea that she needs human blood to survive. Aubrey, her best friend, but also a spineless 13 year old, agrees to help her and things just get darker from there. I never read the first version of this story, but this was dark, demented and a little bit sad as it explores themes of mental illness. Highly recommend!
🩸are a fan of extreme horror
🧛♀️ love stories about vampires
😵💫 were a gullible 13 year old once upon a time
🤫 are good at keeping secrets
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
After an encounter with her nineteen-year-old boyfriend at an underground party, Genesis Hudson—a naive thirteen-year-old girl—believes she has become a vampire. A thirst for human blood quickly manifests within her, intensifying with each passing day. She feels sick without it, nauseated and starved. Aubrey Horne, Genesis’ best friend, knows she is mentally unwell, but she needs time to find a way to save her from herself. So, with an abundance of reluctance, she agrees to help her find blood.
But during their search, she discovers a side of Genesis she had never seen before...
How far can two girls go to find blood? Can Aubrey save Genesis before it’s too late? Or has Genesis really become a vampire?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
Wow, this was a rough one! As a former 13 year old girl, I really sympathized with Genesis, though I’d like to believe that I was never so naive as her (hopefully). She meets a 19 year old groomer online who convinces her he’s a vampire with the power to change her in exchange for her virginity. After not eating for a day, she starts feeling ill and believes it must be because she has truly become a vampire. Doing everything in her power to find blood, even cornering a poor girl in the bathroom who’s on her period, Genesis doubles down on the idea that she needs human blood to survive. Aubrey, her best friend, but also a spineless 13 year old, agrees to help her and things just get darker from there. I never read the first version of this story, but this was dark, demented and a little bit sad as it explores themes of mental illness. Highly recommend!
January 24, 2026
This story has you following around a girl named, Genesis. A very troubled and mentally ill teen that is consistently bullied and manipulated.
We find out that Genesis is seeing an older boy, Bryce, he is in college, he convinces her that he is a vampire and the only way to turn her into one just like him if she were to drink his blood and 'copulate' with him. This is his sick way of getting a 13 year old girl to have intercourse with him. He has definitely been grooming her. But, if you know Athan's writing you will know that he throws in grooming from time to time because it is done so much all over the world.
Anyway, now Genesis is convinced that she is a vampire and can’t wait to tell her best friend, Aubrey. Aubrey is also a young teen that is constantly bullied in school but we later find out that the only reason she is bullied is because she associates herself with Genesis. Aubrey is very skeptical of Genesis being a “vampire” and tries to convince her friend that its not real. But, Genesis is really playing the part and whole-heartedly believes that she is. Now, she has to find a way to get blood because normal human food just turns her off.
We now enter the quest to find a good supply of blood. Now, she has to enlist her best friend to help her lure the school bully to the woods. This is where Aubrey realizes that her friend is just too far gone and there is nothing she can do to save her.
I think that giving this book a chance will really put all of this together, I tried not to give too much away. There is just so much more detail and backstory. I recommend giving it a read if you want to dig deeper into Genesis’s life.
We find out that Genesis is seeing an older boy, Bryce, he is in college, he convinces her that he is a vampire and the only way to turn her into one just like him if she were to drink his blood and 'copulate' with him. This is his sick way of getting a 13 year old girl to have intercourse with him. He has definitely been grooming her. But, if you know Athan's writing you will know that he throws in grooming from time to time because it is done so much all over the world.
Anyway, now Genesis is convinced that she is a vampire and can’t wait to tell her best friend, Aubrey. Aubrey is also a young teen that is constantly bullied in school but we later find out that the only reason she is bullied is because she associates herself with Genesis. Aubrey is very skeptical of Genesis being a “vampire” and tries to convince her friend that its not real. But, Genesis is really playing the part and whole-heartedly believes that she is. Now, she has to find a way to get blood because normal human food just turns her off.
We now enter the quest to find a good supply of blood. Now, she has to enlist her best friend to help her lure the school bully to the woods. This is where Aubrey realizes that her friend is just too far gone and there is nothing she can do to save her.
I think that giving this book a chance will really put all of this together, I tried not to give too much away. There is just so much more detail and backstory. I recommend giving it a read if you want to dig deeper into Genesis’s life.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Although "The Taste of Blood" has never been among my favorite Jon Athan books (and it still isn't), the "ReVAMPed Edition" worked wonders on the original, deepening the characterization and enhancing the violent scenes. However, I still feel the book is trying to do too much at the same time, and the plot often lost focus for me.The story has huge potential: a 13-year-old girl believes she's a vampire and starts acting like it, at the same time going through life in school, where she's bullied, and being neglected at home by her caring but far too self-centered parents. So we already have the themes of bullying, parent neglect, and deeply disturbing mental issues.
The book gets even more complicated though by throwing in a groomer, a child predator whose idea of luring children is vampirism; and there's also the girl's best friend, who soon becomes a main character herself - morally conflicted and smart enough to know what's happening but a total mess as far as taking action is concerned. The plot spins several ways at once, trying to resolve the tension between the two girls, coming up with several cringe-worthy situations, absurd scenes, and an explosive ending - with a punchline epilogue I found a bit forced and didn't really like.
The book's strength lies in the uncompromising, unapologetic and totally bleak way in which it deals with its (many) premises: you get inventive and detailed killings, plenty of revolting brutality, and truly chilling depictions of mental decline.
The book gets even more complicated though by throwing in a groomer, a child predator whose idea of luring children is vampirism; and there's also the girl's best friend, who soon becomes a main character herself - morally conflicted and smart enough to know what's happening but a total mess as far as taking action is concerned. The plot spins several ways at once, trying to resolve the tension between the two girls, coming up with several cringe-worthy situations, absurd scenes, and an explosive ending - with a punchline epilogue I found a bit forced and didn't really like.
The book's strength lies in the uncompromising, unapologetic and totally bleak way in which it deals with its (many) premises: you get inventive and detailed killings, plenty of revolting brutality, and truly chilling depictions of mental decline.
Review of advance copy received from Author
At the center of this novel is a young girl who becomes convinced she is a vampire, a belief that slowly bleeds into every part of her life. What makes this disturbing isn’t just the violence or the bloodshed, but how convincingly her psychological unraveling is portrayed. Her world is already hostile, shaped by bullying and neglectful parents. That isolation becomes fertile ground for delusion, manipulation, and escalating harm.
As the story expands, it introduces multiple threads that complicate the narrative. There’s a predatory adult who uses vampirism as a tool to groom and control, and a the girls BFF who sees enough of the truth to be terrified, yet lacks the strength or clarity to intervene. These competing perspectives create constant tension, even when the plot feels deliberately chaotic. At times, it almost feels like the book is daring the reader to keep up as it barrels toward its conclusion.
This edition leans hard into Athan’s strengths. The violence is graphic and inventive, but it always serves a larger purpose. The real horror comes from watching moral boundaries collapse and mental health deteriorate in slow, irreversible ways. Even when scenes become uncomfortable or extreme, they feel intentional rather than gratuitous.
While it may not be the most brutal entry in Athan’s catalog, it’s one of his most emotionally bleak. The Taste of Blood: ReVAMPed Edition is a dark, unsettling read that brings something twisted and psychologically heavy to vampire fiction.
As the story expands, it introduces multiple threads that complicate the narrative. There’s a predatory adult who uses vampirism as a tool to groom and control, and a the girls BFF who sees enough of the truth to be terrified, yet lacks the strength or clarity to intervene. These competing perspectives create constant tension, even when the plot feels deliberately chaotic. At times, it almost feels like the book is daring the reader to keep up as it barrels toward its conclusion.
This edition leans hard into Athan’s strengths. The violence is graphic and inventive, but it always serves a larger purpose. The real horror comes from watching moral boundaries collapse and mental health deteriorate in slow, irreversible ways. Even when scenes become uncomfortable or extreme, they feel intentional rather than gratuitous.
While it may not be the most brutal entry in Athan’s catalog, it’s one of his most emotionally bleak. The Taste of Blood: ReVAMPed Edition is a dark, unsettling read that brings something twisted and psychologically heavy to vampire fiction.
December 7, 2025
A vampire novel unlike anything you’ve ever read before
Jon Athan has done it again revising what was already a great book and I’m all for the changes made having an opposing dynamic really works well between Genesis (our vampire) and her best friend Aubrey,
We start the story at a party and unfortunately a very realistic abuse of power and predatory behaviour is displayed I really think Jon always is able to tap in to the psyche of the observer really well and shares a voice of what people think.
After these events Bryce convinces Genesis she’s a vampire and the hunt for blood is on
Now I don’t like to give away spoilers but what I can say is the ways of acquiring blood range in grossness this book is not for the average horror fan it is as Jon says Extreme(lite) it’s palatable it’s not as dark or gruesome as his other books it’s an entry level into splatterpunk but honestly if this was my first foray into the genre I would be very happy to read more.
Jon really knows how to tell a story and that is honestly what keeps me coming back for more yes the content is disturbing on occasion but everything about this story is quite believable you can imagine something like this happening and the ending was shocking what a revelation get a copy to read as soon as you can you won’t be disappointed
I received an ARC of this book from the Author but my thoughts and opinions are my own
Jon Athan has done it again revising what was already a great book and I’m all for the changes made having an opposing dynamic really works well between Genesis (our vampire) and her best friend Aubrey,
We start the story at a party and unfortunately a very realistic abuse of power and predatory behaviour is displayed I really think Jon always is able to tap in to the psyche of the observer really well and shares a voice of what people think.
After these events Bryce convinces Genesis she’s a vampire and the hunt for blood is on
Now I don’t like to give away spoilers but what I can say is the ways of acquiring blood range in grossness this book is not for the average horror fan it is as Jon says Extreme(lite) it’s palatable it’s not as dark or gruesome as his other books it’s an entry level into splatterpunk but honestly if this was my first foray into the genre I would be very happy to read more.
Jon really knows how to tell a story and that is honestly what keeps me coming back for more yes the content is disturbing on occasion but everything about this story is quite believable you can imagine something like this happening and the ending was shocking what a revelation get a copy to read as soon as you can you won’t be disappointed
I received an ARC of this book from the Author but my thoughts and opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from Author
4/5 🍒
Genesis is a 13 year old girl who thinks she is grown and is ready to experience things in life not meant for girls her age. She’s been chatting up a 19 year old predator named Bryce online and the book begins with her meeting him at a party.
After their first night together Genesis is a changed teenager. She begins having cravings and wholeheartedly believes she’s a baby vampire.
Audrey is Genesis’s friend. She cares about her wellbeing and is fully aware that Genesis was groomed by Bryce, but as much as she tries to open Genesis’s eyes they remain shut as she truly believes in her pretend reality.
As the book progresses we see a struggle between the friends. Audrey just wants to help keep Genesis safe and Genesis wants blood in whatever way she can get it.
Things go left for everyone as Genesis’s taste for blood gets so strong she can’t hold herself back and the people around her are going to pay the price.
This book has some very scary and very real undertones to it. The amount of young teens who are groomed on online forums is so scary. The amount of unchecked bullying that occurs in school and the fact that mental health and illnesses are ignored for the most part in America. This book was good and Jon Athan always delivers.
Genesis is a 13 year old girl who thinks she is grown and is ready to experience things in life not meant for girls her age. She’s been chatting up a 19 year old predator named Bryce online and the book begins with her meeting him at a party.
After their first night together Genesis is a changed teenager. She begins having cravings and wholeheartedly believes she’s a baby vampire.
Audrey is Genesis’s friend. She cares about her wellbeing and is fully aware that Genesis was groomed by Bryce, but as much as she tries to open Genesis’s eyes they remain shut as she truly believes in her pretend reality.
As the book progresses we see a struggle between the friends. Audrey just wants to help keep Genesis safe and Genesis wants blood in whatever way she can get it.
Things go left for everyone as Genesis’s taste for blood gets so strong she can’t hold herself back and the people around her are going to pay the price.
This book has some very scary and very real undertones to it. The amount of young teens who are groomed on online forums is so scary. The amount of unchecked bullying that occurs in school and the fact that mental health and illnesses are ignored for the most part in America. This book was good and Jon Athan always delivers.
November 19, 2025
I just finished this incredible arc from Jonny Athan
Lured to a college party by a manipulative nineteen-year-old, thirteen-year-old Genesis is drawn to Bryce—a predatory boy who preys on her loneliness and curiosity. Spinning an elaborate lie, he convinces her that he is a vampire, claiming that by “sharing blood” and being “intimate” with him, he can transform her into one too.
Naïve, eager to belong, and too young to understand the danger she’s in, Genesis believes him.
When she returns to school, she confides in her best friend, Aubrey, insisting that she has begun to change—physically, mentally, and hungering for things she doesn’t understand. Convinced she now needs human blood to survive, Genesis spirals into a disturbing, delusional state.
Aubrey, terrified and desperate to help her friend, tries to keep Genesis grounded while also attempting to supply what Genesis thinks she needs—an impossible task that drags both girls into increasingly grim and chaotic territory.
This coming-of-age horror story doesn’t flinch from its gore or the emotional brutality of growing up too fast under the weight of trauma and manipulation.
Lured to a college party by a manipulative nineteen-year-old, thirteen-year-old Genesis is drawn to Bryce—a predatory boy who preys on her loneliness and curiosity. Spinning an elaborate lie, he convinces her that he is a vampire, claiming that by “sharing blood” and being “intimate” with him, he can transform her into one too.
Naïve, eager to belong, and too young to understand the danger she’s in, Genesis believes him.
When she returns to school, she confides in her best friend, Aubrey, insisting that she has begun to change—physically, mentally, and hungering for things she doesn’t understand. Convinced she now needs human blood to survive, Genesis spirals into a disturbing, delusional state.
Aubrey, terrified and desperate to help her friend, tries to keep Genesis grounded while also attempting to supply what Genesis thinks she needs—an impossible task that drags both girls into increasingly grim and chaotic territory.
This coming-of-age horror story doesn’t flinch from its gore or the emotional brutality of growing up too fast under the weight of trauma and manipulation.
November 25, 2025
I just finished an ARC of Jon Athan's re-release of The Taste of Blood. It's a story of two best-friends whose relationship grows increasingly strained after one of them believes she has been turned into a vampire. Genesis convinces Aubrey to help her get blood through various means. One thing leads to another and soon Aubrey finds herself an assessory to murder. As Genesis' behavior becomes more unhinged, Aubrey becomes less and less comfortable around her. It's obvious Genesis is growing more unstable by the day. One day, after a field trip, and after several days of missed school by Genesis, Aubrey fears for her family after she calls each of them but no one answers. What follows is a tragedy. But all her family survives, as does Aubrey. But, there's some bad news. Heartbreaking news that will change her family's lives forever.
December 8, 2025
We meet Genesis a young 13-year-old shy and naive girl who gets bullied a lot at school and doesn't have much friends. As many teenagers her age, she decides to find friends online and well stumbles on this 19-year-old college freshman name Bryce. She quickly decides to meet him in person at an underground party that will forever changer her life. After meeting Bryce (her now boyfriend), he was able to convinced her that she was a vampire. From there, the story gets brutal...
For me, this book is the right one for someone who wants to dipped their toes into extreme/splatterpunk horror. Don't get me wrong, Jon still packs a punch with brutality and grossness but at a lesser extreme (or I've become desensitized from all the extreme plots I read). This is not your average vampire story but definitely worth a read and must have in your collection.
For me, this book is the right one for someone who wants to dipped their toes into extreme/splatterpunk horror. Don't get me wrong, Jon still packs a punch with brutality and grossness but at a lesser extreme (or I've become desensitized from all the extreme plots I read). This is not your average vampire story but definitely worth a read and must have in your collection.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review: The Taste of Blood: ReVAMPed edition by Jon Athan
I was incredibly stoked to have the chance to read this version before the release!
I read the original years ago when it came out, and I have to say that this version held my attention far better.
Jon Athan really doesn't disappoint when it comes to unique and interesting storylines. The Taste of Blood highlights yet again that the real monsters are indeed human.
A cautionary tale about the dangers of grooming and extreme example of Renfield's caused by blind faith and trust of a predator, The Taste of Blood follows a 13 year old girl named Genesis and and her best friend as Genesis commits heinous acts under the belief that she has been turned into a vampire by her 19 year old boyfriend.
This whole story is vile in the best way, and the ending gives you a gut punch of reality.
4/5 stars, I will probably read again
I was incredibly stoked to have the chance to read this version before the release!
I read the original years ago when it came out, and I have to say that this version held my attention far better.
Jon Athan really doesn't disappoint when it comes to unique and interesting storylines. The Taste of Blood highlights yet again that the real monsters are indeed human.
A cautionary tale about the dangers of grooming and extreme example of Renfield's caused by blind faith and trust of a predator, The Taste of Blood follows a 13 year old girl named Genesis and and her best friend as Genesis commits heinous acts under the belief that she has been turned into a vampire by her 19 year old boyfriend.
This whole story is vile in the best way, and the ending gives you a gut punch of reality.
4/5 stars, I will probably read again
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I just have one question…what the fuck did I just read? This book was a wild ride; to say the least. It was sick, twisted, brutal, all of the above. I will say some parts were hard to get through due to the content.
This one was by far Athan’s most brutal book that I’ve read. Although Athan never misses with the description and gore; this one was just something else.
The storyline was well written, and I was biting my nails throughout the entire book. I’m not typically drawn to vampire books, but I binged this one in less than 2 days and loved every minute of it.
If you decide to go into this one, it is HEAVY. It goes into a lot of triggering content, and it does not stop until the book is over with.
Thank you for the ARC Athan!
This one was by far Athan’s most brutal book that I’ve read. Although Athan never misses with the description and gore; this one was just something else.
The storyline was well written, and I was biting my nails throughout the entire book. I’m not typically drawn to vampire books, but I binged this one in less than 2 days and loved every minute of it.
If you decide to go into this one, it is HEAVY. It goes into a lot of triggering content, and it does not stop until the book is over with.
Thank you for the ARC Athan!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another great and gory story from the amazing Jon Athan! The Taste of Blood: ReVamped Edition improves and adds some extra shine to what was already a great story! Personally, I find vampire stories are usually boring, but not with this one. Jon Athan is a great storyteller and provides everything a reader like me wants in a book. This story follows Genesis who believes she is a vampire. What do all vampires want? Blood. Now, Genesis must figure out where to go to quinch this thirst and how far she’s willing to go to get it! I highly recommend this one! I’m beyond honored to be part of Jon Athan’s street team and was provided an ARC by the author. Make sure to pick up your copy today!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A dark and different take on a vampire story. Vampires aren’t usually my favorite trope, but this one was extremely unique and well done.
It’s not as brutal as Athan’s other books, but it’s still very disturbing. The story follows a teenage girl with declining mental health who meets a predator online. Her school friend wants to try and help her but things go downhill fast. It’s grim, emotional, and heavy throughout. I felt sympathy for Genesis even when she made terrible choices.
If Athan’s books feel too extreme for you but you’re interested in getting into the extreme/splatterpunk genre, this is a good place to start!
It’s not as brutal as Athan’s other books, but it’s still very disturbing. The story follows a teenage girl with declining mental health who meets a predator online. Her school friend wants to try and help her but things go downhill fast. It’s grim, emotional, and heavy throughout. I felt sympathy for Genesis even when she made terrible choices.
If Athan’s books feel too extreme for you but you’re interested in getting into the extreme/splatterpunk genre, this is a good place to start!
March 4, 2026
Loved it!
I absolutely loved this read and was engrossed from the start. Every chapter shortly attention and took me on a roller coaster of emotions with anger and sorrow. Two young lonely friends brought together in friendship. One has a crept into the darkness as the other tries to help her friend. A dark as that hit A the worst boundaries in life and shows just how easy things can escalate from true evil beginnings. A highlighted tale of the evil intent of others on our most vulnerable and how they work. A macabre story, bloody and twisted. Recommended!!
I absolutely loved this read and was engrossed from the start. Every chapter shortly attention and took me on a roller coaster of emotions with anger and sorrow. Two young lonely friends brought together in friendship. One has a crept into the darkness as the other tries to help her friend. A dark as that hit A the worst boundaries in life and shows just how easy things can escalate from true evil beginnings. A highlighted tale of the evil intent of others on our most vulnerable and how they work. A macabre story, bloody and twisted. Recommended!!
March 11, 2026
After being preyed on by a 19 year old predator, 13 year old Genesis believes she is a vampire and develops a raste for blood.
This is definitely one of the 'softer' books by Jon Athan I read so far. Make no mistake, it's still bloody and definitely gory at times, but I feel like the focus is more on the psychological side of things.
Early on in the book, I felt really sad for Genesis. However, as the story unfolds, it gets harder and harder to empathize with her.
It was a quick and easy read, and I really enjoyed it
This is definitely one of the 'softer' books by Jon Athan I read so far. Make no mistake, it's still bloody and definitely gory at times, but I feel like the focus is more on the psychological side of things.
Early on in the book, I felt really sad for Genesis. However, as the story unfolds, it gets harder and harder to empathize with her.
It was a quick and easy read, and I really enjoyed it
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is one of those books that makes you stop and think. Just how far would someone go that’s made to believe something they’re told online. What they’re told when they meetup with said online person. We essentially read the unraveling of a young teenage girl as she creates a nightmare around her. But to her, it’s all real. This book was full of Jon Athan horror, gore, jaw dropping scenes, you name it. This is definitely a must read.
January 24, 2026
Once again, Jon Athan delivers! This one was pretty cringey. That being said, I saw a lot of myself in our FMC 😅(🤦♀️). I also have a teen daughter and was getting so mad thinking about how even as scary as this is, it could very well happen in our world 😭. This was disgusting and gory.. everything I want my extreme horror to be! I give it 4.25 ⭐️. It was a fast read (don’t go by my dates read.. I tend to read many books at a time haha). Jon Athan is a must-read for any extreme horror lover!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Taste of Blood by Jon Athan
🌟🌟🌟.75
This was BRUTAL! Probably one of the most brutal Athan novels I have read. The premise was different and fun. I appreciated the way that he tried to bring awareness to child predators and the dangers of online dating.
I do feel that it was important for the MC to be a middle schooler as it is the best way for this to be believable.
Thank you for the ARC!
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