Perfect for fans of the Threadneedle series, lose yourself in this brand-new paranormal fantasy. Available to pre-order now! Pepper Montgomery is a mortal woman on a desperate quest to save her dying sister. When a trail of cryptic breadcrumbs leads her to the elusive Night Market – a hidden bazaar where the supernatural thrives – she discovers a world of vampires, ancient relics, and dark bargains.
But the Night Market is not just a place of wonder; it's a battleground for power among the vampire families. As Pepper navigates this treacherous underworld, she finds herself entwined with Laik Hewer, a brooding Enforcer cursed with a monstrous secret of his own.
As tensions rise, Pepper must make a choice that could cost her everything. Will she risk it all to save her sister and the man who has become her closest ally?
Sadly, a huge miss for me. I think the title and description of this book are kind of misleading, to be honest. After seeing the cover and reading the blurb, I was expecting something whimsical and a little weird, like The Night Circus but with vampires. Instead, this is just a pretty typical contemporary urban fantasy with supernatural dudes who happen to be vampires. The titular Midnight Market only really appears at the very beginning of the book – at least in the form one might expect from the book’s description.
I felt like not much happened throughout the novel, and the story became quite repetitive. The characters also had virtually no development, they were pretty much the same people at the end as they were at the beginning. On top of that, there seemed to be a rather forced attempt to convince readers that certain side characters were more important than they actually were and to make us care about them without really giving us a reason to. I’m also not sure why the author decided to make the two protagonists pretend to be siblings rather than, say, fake dating. It felt extremely implausible and also kind of weird, considering they were also love interests.
Overall, I found the book pretty boring. It wasn’t unreadable though, and for the most part I thought I would end up considering it an average, if not particularly memorable, read. But the ending completely lost me. It was so disappointing that it overshadowed pretty much everything else I had to say about this novel. I was expecting some sort of conclusion, or at least a somewhat sensible resolution to the story, but instead, all we got was a cliffhanger that explains practically nothing and leaves us waiting for the sequel. Needless to say, I won’t be reading it.
The two stars are for the audiobook narrator, who did a great job bringing the characters to life and giving them distinct voices. A shame the story itself didn’t give her much to work with.
I read this as an immersive experience coupled with the audiobook which was flawlessly narrated. The book itself is a fast-paced, high-stakes page turner packed with secrets, lies and feuding families, The Night Market had me hooked! With vampires, a hint of witchcraft, a relic heist, witty banter, unexpected plot twists and epic fight scenes, this atmospheric read kept me thoroughly entertained from beginning to end.
The cliffhanger ending leaves plenty of room for a second book, and I would happily dive straight back into this world. Highly recommend to lovers of vampiric lore, dark intrigue and action-packed supernatural fantasy!
Thank you to HQ Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved my time at The Night Market!
It’s quite difficult to rate this book as I’m not able to finish it but I do have quite a bit of feedback.
Firstly, I understand this is an arc, but the formatting was truly awful. It made it very difficult to read. Strange gaps, strange punctuation, POV switches by paragraph with no indication. There was a severe lack of speech tags which at times made it very difficult to follow. I understand not overusing them, but you need an action or something to break up walls of them. Especially if more than two people are present in a room.
It did feel like it hadn’t been edited.
The POV question- I couldn’t tell if this was third, or omni. Some very odd stylistic choices made it hard to follow.
Onto the actual contents. I’m not fan of the name Pepper but that’s personal opinion, but what I am really not a fan of is creating a brother/sister dynamic for what is likely going to be a romantic interest. I would very much like to see that trope left in the 2000s.
The start of the book was good, it did hook me instantly, and the bones of a compelling story are there. But I found I didn’t much care about anyone or anything except the crazy vampire lady - she is great.
The interactions between our fmc and mmc felt a bit wooden and forced at times, dialogue was off.
Unfortunately there was something about this book that felt very off to me in general, I struggled to reach 38% and couldn’t continue.
A market, a monster and a family secret she never knew existed….
I was instantly drawn into this story as soon as I started reading, partly because I’m a sucker for a vampire tale, but mainly due to the skilful writing that has the secret vampire world intertwining through the ordinary everyday world. There is just enough of the real world to blur the lines between fact and fantasy.
The characters quickly became close and personal the further you travel into the story. From Pepper, who is trying to save the only family she has left, to Laik, the broody Enforcer with a monster inside trying to take control, to the gang, Swan, Reese and Duncan, always on hand and great in a fight or for some humorous banter, the very curious Quinn, that quickly becomes one of the favourites, and the ever-professional Viola.
This story builds in intensity and combines great imagery, flair and intrigue, and even though it can be fragmented and jumpy at times, and let’s face it, there is a bit of an elephant in the room because I’m not sure how the vampires aren’t instantly aware that Pepper is human, The Night Market is a vampire story with a difference, and an entertaining one at that.
A relaxed narrative that sometimes has you taking a second to know whose point of view you are reading, seems to work perfectly for this storyline, a storyline that doesn’t quite take the path you might think it will.
I was captivated with the book and knowing how it all turns out, I am expecting there to at least be a book two in the future, which I am thoroughly looking forward to so I can see where the events of The Night Market take us all.
Thank you HQ Books for my fabulous ARC to read and review.
In this paranormal, urban fantasy our main character Pepper is on the search for something to help her sister recover from an illness that means she is likely to die. Her sister being the only person left in her life she seeks desperate measures and through research has found out about the Night Market, a hidden bazar with supernatural oddities that may help her sister recover. She meets, by accident, Laik who is a vampire with a monster inside him he desperately wants to be rid of.
This was a very readable and entertaining book with some great characters. This was also great on audio which I dipped in and out of. I did enjoy it overall but found the beginning a little confusing and in general would have liked to have a bit more world building, though I suppose urban fantasy is mostly set in the real world and some things were revealed as the story went along. I would have like a bit more character background and development also. It sounds like a second book is coming for this. The story was okay though I didn’t find it particularly unique, and the night market only really appears once!
So overall a decent read but lacking a few things for me. I would recommend for fans of urban fantasy and vampire narratives.
The premise of this book is so great and the beginning hooked me quickly! Pepper, our FMC, is on the hunt for the mysterious Night Market, where she hopes to track down a rare magical item to save her dying sister.
Urban fantasy seems like the perfect thing to read at this time of year and I really enjoyed the more gritty, "realistic" take on the vampire world. Especially at the start, I felt like I could really imagine the world in which this is all taking place and the run-in between Pepper and Laik, our MMC, felt well balanced between exciting and dangerous.
As the story progressed, I was sometimes a little confused about their dynamic as it often had a potential enemies-to-lovers vibe, though they were pretending to be brother and sister as part of their plan to retrieve the magical item. So that felt a little odd...
The supporting characters were great, though, and I was particularly intrigued by Quinn as it feels as though she still has a lot of secrets that have not been revealed. I think she was by far the most interesting character and I wish we'd been able to learn a bit more about her.
This had an intriguing premise and the initial set up was mysterious and set the scene well.
The initial time jump after the first chapter did throw me off, but in a way that made me compelled to continue.
However, the POVs were very erratic. I often had to reread paragraphs to comprehend who was saying what.
The pretend sister/brother dynamic the MCs had going on was really weird. Just make them fake date if you want them to have romantic tension - let’s not bring a familial relationship into things 😬
The vampiric aspect was a bit blah (with the exception of the female heir who I ADORED). They were so watered down it felt kind of pointless to even label them as vampires. There was a throwaway line of them not being the mafia - they felt more like gangsters than anything else.
First, i would like to thank NetGalley, HQ, and C. A. Byford for the opportunity to read and review this book early. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
~~~ I originally requested this eARC because the description was interesting, and i really enjoy books with vampires. And this novel did start out well, with Pepper finding the elusive Night Market, on a quest to find a magical item to save her sister. Sadly, i think the beginning was the best part of the book.
When it comes to Pepper, i really don’t think she had any character growth. I was hoping that by the end of the novel, she would come to see that she couldn’t just abandon Laik in favor of her sister, but Pepper stayed consistently selfish, so i didn’t like her character. Also, the point of view continued to change very erratically. It would occur mid page, mid paragraph, or whenever the author felt like, with seemingly no rhyme or reason, and it was very jarring to have no break between those changes.
Now, the vampires: I guess they were present throughout the story, but aside from two or three short scenes, the was not much substance to the vampiric elements i expected. Not much blood sucking, not much fighting—just a little bit of politicking and many threats.
I did like Laik’s character, although i couldn’t tell if the author was trying to set up a subtle romance between him and Pepper or not. There was one brief kiss towards the end of the novel, but these two did also spend the entire book as pretend siblings, so i wasn’t sure if it was supposed to be seen in a romantic way or not.
Overall, i don’t think this book was for me, and i do not plan to continue the series if there will be a next book.
Well I cant recommend this enough!! It isnt marketed as a WELSH urban vampire novel, but thats exactly what it is. It in its core is Welsh culturally, the folklore is 100% Brythonic, the respect is there 20000%. But hes an English author?? Well actually hes from the border lands where most consider themselves equally Welsh & English. And with that in your culturally identity you are more likely to be extemely qualified in culture, language, history, colonial trauma, and our folklore. It's voices like the authors that we need in trad publishing after over a thousand years of our literature & resources being stolen, fetishised and profited from, and modern media using English voices to act out what belongs to us. The fact this is in traditional literature publishing is essential to normalising giving credit where it is due, and allowing us to tell our own stories. Though i do not think the team at HarperCollinsUK are consciously acting out that very same cultural erasure in the failure of the promotional information that it is Welsh, but I do think such an old publishing house will have certain processes and protocols to follow that were created by those who actively added to our erasure whilst making a lot of money whilst doing so. That being said, im aware red dragon song was marketed as Welsh, but with a MASSIVE RED DRAGON as a major part of the story, PR wise, it would be harder to not market it as Welsh. Please do better, as I really appreciate the stories that come from this publishing houses authors.
This is an urban fantasy book that I really enjoyed. A Night Market that is not accessible or easy to find unless you manage to find specific instructions.
Pepper is desperate to get into the market to find and obtain, by any means necessary, a rose that could help her sister battle a life-threatening illness. This rose is guarded and highly sought after. There is an Enforcer called Laik, and there is something that links them, and it's not necessarily what you think. Did I mention that the Night Market is part of another world, an underword, vampires live, and this is what Pepper has stumbled into.
The story of Pepper and how she wants to help her sister by any means necessary, even if that means straying into the world of vampires, there is something that she has that makes her special, and this is what Laik finds interesting.laik is not your average vampire, he has something extra that can become overbearing.
The story weaves the internal battle Laik has and that of Pepper, and how together they hope to have an outcome that suits them both. There is deception and intrigue that keeps the suspense rolling and the pages turning.
If you are a fan of urban fantasy then this is something that might interest you. I enjoyed it and Iwoudl be happy to recommend it.
3 stars for me. It was interesting paranormal fantasy.I liked the world building,it was described well and there's constant bickering,danger and betrayals.There was few things that I'm not fan of,the last fight between enforcer Laik and his opponent,I don't get why he would even atempt to fight someone who best him before.For Families so powerful when betrayed and attacked they hidding instead of fight.I'm in the middle,liked some parts and disliked some,still enjoyable read that keep me reading to find out would Pepper get her sister cure.
Thank you netgalley and HQ for arc,my review is honest and my own.
This really sounded like a magical tale that I'd enjoy, but sadly the writing just didn't work for me. Some leaps of logic, poor descriptions and possible editorial errors made it difficult, and the tone sounded more like that of a children's book. A regretful DNF.
I was kindy sent an early copy of this book by the publisher but the above opinions are entirely my own.
This sounded so interesting and intriguing from its blurb but the writing style and the execution didn't work on me. It was okay at the start, the beginning was the better part actually yet I expected more and I loved anything paranormal and vampires, but I had a difficulty enjoying this as I read along. It looked like it could be loved by many but unfortunately, it wasn't for me.
The idea of a hidden supernatural night market and vampires immediately caught my attention, and I’m so glad I picked this one up. I went in expecting a fairly typical vampire story, but it turned out to be much more interesting than I expected.
It took me a little while to settle into the writing, but once I found my rhythm with it, I really enjoyed the story. I loved the way the supernatural world is hidden within the ordinary one, and the Night Market itself was such an intriguing setting. The world-building slowly reveals more and more, which kept me curious about what was going to happen next. I also liked the way the story builds rather than throwing everything at you straight away, although the pace does pick up quite a bit towards the end.
The characters were a big part of why this worked for me. Pepper has a lot going on beneath the surface, and I really liked seeing how far she was willing to go to save her sister. Laik was much more mysterious, and I enjoyed gradually finding out more about him. Their chemistry was probably one of my favourite things about the book. The banter between them worked really well and made their relationship fun to read. And Quinn! I absolutely loved her. She brought just the right amount of fun to the story.
The writing created a really atmospheric world, and I could easily picture the Night Market and all the strange things happening there. There were plenty of twists and moments that I didn't see coming, and I found myself becoming more invested in the characters as the story went on.
This wasn't quite the vampire story I was expecting. The hidden world and the whole idea of the Night Market made it feel much more original and intriguing.
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy vampires, paranormal fantasy, hidden supernatural worlds, romance, banter and plenty of twists.
Thank you Harlequin books Australia as part of the HQInsiders program for the gifted ARC of The Night Market by C. A. Byford. This review can also be found on my bookstagram.
I'm not going to lie the concept of a supernatural market hidden within our world, is what had me intrigued about this book. Especially as I love the way urban fantasy balances both the real with the mythical.
I found this to be one of those books that takes a different approach to fantasy and vampires. Particularly with it's focus, been taken off lore and myth development. As compared to other vampire books, I read there was not much exploration of the lore around them. However it still held that magical vibe, that continues to draw me into fantasy.
However I did like the way this was more a character driven read. Especially as a lot of this book and it's plot and dynamics, are moved forward by the characters and thier relationships. I particularly liked how it was more than just romantic dynamics, as I loved seeing family dynamics been explored as well.
The writing throughout also allowed for visual elements to be explored, especially as it was descriptive at times and at other times it was more simplistic. Creating for me as a reader a chance to read, a different kind of writing style within the genre. However once I settled into this read I found I enjoyed it, especially with the prespective shifts throughout the narrative.
My favourite aspects of this was the glimpses as a reader that were had into the market, as for me that was my favourite part of the book. It's also the reason why I hope to see more within this world, as I think that there is so much more that can still be explored.
I'm also curious as to see if this is a standalone or if there is going to be a sequel, as I personally found there is room for more to be explored and devloped.
Overall this was a different kind of urban fantasy read, that I'd recommend adding to your TBR. If your into character driven narratives instead, of heavy world buliding for your fantasy fix.
This is a fascinating and atmospheric novel which will draw you in and keep you reading. There is some great imagery, and wonderful turns of phrase, as well as an interesting story. I felt the world building was a little weak, and created minor problems for the story. However, it’s a novel you’ll find very hard to put down.
The narrative style is an offhand, casual sort of style that’s very distinctive. It’s further enhanced by some really original imagery and great descriptions. I very much enjoyed the writing itself.
Story wise, this style can feel a little fragmented at times, but I found it worked well enough for me. A certain amount is inferred rather than spelt out, and there are some jumps in the action, but generally this felt more like keeping things moving than missing important scenes. It wasn’t hard to follow.
The world building is the weakest part of this novel, and because it’s not fully realised, it causes some plot problems. Many readers will wonder, for example, why no vampire appears to notice that Pepper is human. It feels as though some important things have not been worked through by the author and so can’t be conveyed to the reader.
There are some other minor bumps. For instance, late in the novel, a character discusses offence caused around an arranged marriage. It made little sense; if anything preceded it, I totally missed it, and the passage simply doesn’t stand alone. I’m not sure if this is a failure of writing, of worldbuilding, or (to be fair) my reading.
The novel leaves room for a sequel, and most who read this will be happy to see that. I keep thinking of words like “hypnotic” and “mesmerising” for this novel – it’s unusual and effective. Fantasy readers will enjoy this, particularly those who revel in good imagery and unique narrative tones. If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
Pepper Montgomery is desperate. Her sister is gravely ill and she's been given one last chance to find something that might save her. Cryptic clues lead her somewhere she wasn't sure existed: the Night Market.
And what a discovery it is! Hidden behind a fence, the market is filled with vampires, ancient relics, dangerous bargains and families fighting for power. Pepper knows she shouldn't be there, but when the Eternal Rose could be the answer she's looking for, walking away isn't an option.
Her search brings her face-to-face with Laik Hewer, an Enforcer with something monstrous lurking inside him. What starts with Pepper being caught somewhere she shouldn't be quickly develops into an unlikely partnership as they both pursue the Eternal Rose for very different reasons.
I really enjoyed the way the story gradually opened up the world of the Night Market and its characters. There was so much going on behind the scenes, from rival vampire families and their Enforcers to the mystery surrounding Laik and the creature within him. His history was particularly fascinating and added depth to his character.
Pepper was brilliant too. She was determined, resourceful and absolutely relentless when it came to saving her sister... even when she found herself completely out of her depth.
And then there were the Enforcers! Their banter brought some much-needed humour amongst all the bloodshed and chaos, and I loved seeing their relationships develop alongside everything else.
There were plenty of moments where I wasn't sure where the story was heading, and the revelations towards the end certainly gave me something to think about!
If you're looking for a story filled with vampires, hidden worlds and dangerous secrets, The Night Market is definitely one to add to your TBR.
🩸🌙 The Night Market by C.A. Byford 🌙🩸 If you told me there was a hidden supernatural marketplace filled with vampires, dark bargains, ancient relics, family politics, and dangerous secrets… obviously I was going to show up. 😂 This book has such a cool atmosphere. It feels dark, gritty, mysterious, and a little bit decadent, with a supernatural world hiding just beneath the surface of the ordinary one. Pepper's desperation to save her sister gives the story a really strong emotional anchor, and I loved watching her get pulled deeper and deeper into a world she barely understands. The Night Market itself was easily one of my favorite parts—the idea of this secret bazaar where you can find things that absolutely should not exist was SO intriguing. And then there's Laik. 🥵 Brooding vampire Enforcer with a dangerous secret? Yeah… I was listening. 😂 His dynamic with Pepper adds a slow-burn tension to the story that I really enjoyed, especially as the danger around them continues to build. I also really liked that the vampires here feel like actual supernatural predators rather than just pretty people with fangs. There’s a darker, more ruthless edge to their world that made the story feel unpredictable. If you like urban fantasy, vampires, hidden supernatural worlds, morally questionable characters, dark bargains, slow-burn romance, and a mystery that keeps pulling you deeper into the shadows, definitely give this one a try.🖤 Just remember: when someone offers you a deal at the Night Market… you probably shouldn't sign anything. 😏 Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for this ARC. These are 100% my own honest thoughts.
The concept of vampires, bargains, ancient relics and a hidden supernatural bazaar instantly caught my attention and I'm so glad I applied for this ARC because I really enjoyed it!
I did struggle initially to get into the writing style but once I did I couldn't put it down! C.A. Byford has created a wonderfully immersive world that is dark yet whimsical. The story moves at a steady pace however it does speed up towards the end of the book. Filled with complex characters, atmospheric writing and plot twists galore. This would make an amazing TV show!
I adored both of the main characters and my heart absolutely broke for them both for very different reasons. Their connection felt genuine and real, and I'm intrigued as to where the pair will end up. Pepper is quite a complex character and has a lot of emotional depth; this is shown throughout the story. Her dedication to saving her sister leads to a horrific moral dilemma and having to deal with the fallout that comes from her choices. Laik is broody, mysterious and is also a complex character; it's not until you discover his backstory do you realise the extent of his complexities.
I loved Quinn, she was one of the highlights of this book for me! I'm really hoping we get to know a lot more about her in the next book. She made me laugh quite a few times with her antics.
Another highlight was Leroux Tower. The entire place fascinated me, especially the individual floors belonging to the heirs.
I can't wait to step back into this world and will certainly be reading the next book!
Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and C.A. Byford for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you HQBooks and Chris for the opportunity to read and review The Night Market!
This paranormal, urban fantasy was just what I needed to break up my reads! As soon as I heard vampires, I was intrigued.
Starting off strong, this book pulled me right in. Pepper, seeking a place that could solve her worries… finds The Night Market. In attempts to save her sister, Pepper goes to great lengths to obtain a certain relic and in doing so, changes her life for good.
I found myself intrigued throughout the entire book, enjoying the lore of characters, the politics of the vampire systems and how Pepper managed to fit under the radar to get what she needed - but did she really? 👀
Funnily enough, there is no direct romance or spice in this either… so for me to enjoy this so much I was shocked! The characters throughout were interesting enough to keep me going. Quinn was absolutely fantastic and I hope to see more of her!
I did however find myself thinking “hmm I don’t think this would be possible” or “that doesn’t make sense” a few times which was quickly ignored when I was hooked once again on the story. If you’re one to really think deeply about writing and pick apart a story, this may not be for you. If you’re a vibe reader who just loves a good plot? Give this a go!!
Definitely crossing my fingers for a second book, I need to see where this goes! Thanks again for the chance to read this.
From the very first page, the opening of The Night Market hooked me straight away so I was instantly invested. It has a really fun plot that strikes a perfect, delicate balance… it is wonderfully dark yet maintains a fun, fast paced energy. The story is packed with so many unexpected twists and turns that I found myself constantly guessing what would happen next. I’m a fan of vampire fiction and I really appreciated this fresh, unique take on the lore.
The character development is another major highlight of the book. I am a sucker for a good slow-burn romance and the romantic dynamic between P and L completely delivered. Watching their journey unfold was really satisfying. It also helps that Laik is my type of broody MMC! By the time I reached the end, I was completely invested.
If I have one critique, it is that the frequent POV switches did occasionally confuse me, disrupting the flow of the narrative from time to time because it wasn't always clear. Also the text had a few minor editing needs. However, because I read an advanced reader copy, I fully expect that many of these formatting and pacing issues have been polished up in the final publication.
I absolutely loved the concept of this book; it's a fresh take on vampires with an old money/mob family vibe but with a supernatural twist. The plot really pulled me in.
Pepper and Laik are both complex, real characters individually, but I never quite felt a connection between them. Between the fake brother-sister dynamic and the painfully slow burn, I honestly couldn't tell if they're even meant to be a romantic interest going forward.
I enjoyed the way C. A. Byford didn't play it safe with the characters' decisions (no spoilers, but I appreciated it). That being said, a few world-building elements left me confused, like how none of the vampires could tell Pepper was human. Some side characters' actions also didn't quite line up with their established personalities. Nothing major, but enough small mismatches throughout that prevented it from being a 5-star for me.
The pacing was great for most of the book, but the ending felt rushed with too much happening at once. I also wanted more depth on the feud with Horus.
All that said, I'll 100% be picking up the rest of the series and I'm really looking forward to seeing Pepper and Laik's relationship develop.
Well i was so pleasantly suprised by this!!! I’m usually more of a high fantasy/romantasy girl, and this one is urban fantasy, but i’m so glad i took the plunge and read this one because i really enjoyed it!!
This book follows Pepper Montgomery, a woman determined to save her sister, and looking towards the unknown for a solution. She finds herself following a mysterious lead to The night market. Here she finds what she is looking for, but gets caught by a Vampire enforcer with a dark secret of his own…
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I went in mostly blind, having only read the blurb, but i found the premise so intriguing!!! The night market aspect, and the vampires drew me in straight away, and then the plot, the twists, the depth of the characters, and the emotion packed in the story kept be coming back for more!
I had a really fun time reading this, and would definitely recommend for this month! This would make a BRILLIANT spooky read if you are looking for something slightly gruesome, with lots of action, but you will still be able to fall asleep that night ;)
ARC Review: The Night Market by @thegamblersden published by @hqbooks Release date: 1 December 2026 (ebook and audio already out!) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 I love me an urban fantasy and to have one be about vampires set in England *chefs kiss* This book follows a human by the name of Pepper who stumbles across the existence of vampires while she is looking for a legendary relic that will save her dying sister. Along the way she meets vampire enforcer Laik, who has his own demons, quite literally, and the two team up to infiltrate one of the aristocratic vampire families. Pepper is now pretending to be a vampire while looking for this relic and living with Laik. I enjoyed this more human take on vampire mythology while also factoring in warring families that have been around for generations. This book was a good introduction into this world and has set the reader up for what will be coming in book 2 if those revelations in the last quarter were anything to go by. If the above doesn’t sway you, then here is the dedication: “To those familiar with the shape, the sounds and the smell of loss. This book is for you.”
I am a sucker for vampire books and this sounded like my kind of read with the blend of vampires and urban fantasy.
It starts off really well and I was drawn in to this world. The writing flowed well and I was intrigued to meet more characters.
But then it fell a bit flat for me, as the story went on I was hoping for a bit more from it. I think my biggest issue was Pepper, I just couldn't bring myself to like her, she was selfish which made me side eyed her, but there was no character growth for her.
I liked Laik, he was definitely a more interesting character. I know it was mentioned the book was a slow burn romance but I wasn't really feeling any chemistry between them, especially whilst there's a sibling dynamic!
I feel like the story had a good premise, but for me the lack if connection to the character and growth put a bit of a dampener on the execution of the story.
Thank you HQ stories for the copy for my honest review 🫶🏻
If you had one last chance to save your sisters life by searching for The Eternal Rose, which is conveniently for auction at a market run by Vampires, would you take it?
Well Pepper did. Or at least tried to. Then things go wrong. And she ends up being hunted by Laik and the monster inside him. And then joining the Family to try and steal the Rose. And then things go wrong again.
Look, the premise is strong, Vampires living amongst us, having a market, powerful ruling families. You know, normal things. But the actual story itself takes a while to get going. And honestly. Laik gets dressed the wrong way so clearly he is a psychopathic vampire.
But when things pick up and start coming together (around 3/4 of the way through) it does keep you pulled in. And there are more mysterious moments that make you wonder if this will be a series of just an open ended standalone
Thank you HQ for this ARC of Welcome to the Night Market.
A hidden world ruled by blood.
Pepper is not one of them but she needs to access a relic from the Night Market in the hopes of saving her ill sister.
Laik is one of them, an enforcer. He should stop her, instead he chooses a different path.
Considering this book is called Welcome to the Night Market there should have been a lot more action occurring in the Night Market and more explanation of what it was.
The author didn't really introduce the characters and their backgrounds well. It wasnt until almost half way through the book that we started to learn more about the main characters.
The book had a touch of the unexpected and is open to further books in a series.
It’s a very interesting book , the beginning of the book is great and is captivating . The ending is half of a cliffhanger in a good way.
Some definite highlights in this book.
I wanted to give this more stars but was slightly disappointed with the chapters some stages you didn’t know what POV you were reading . The brother and sister act didn’t really make sense at times.
It could have been spaced out better with switching POV Every chapter got a bit boring.
I felt like all the plot twists were right at the end and it could have been spaced out why better. Overall a good book I would like to read the 2nd to see were it goes from there.
The structure and function of this book was very intriguing and interesting. Fantasy; Vampires have their own separate living, space and a human who has now come into the mix for a mission to save her dying sister. I thought the structure to the vampires and back story and especially Laiks foundation was different and interesting to read and learn about. Very interesting learning with the character and exploring this different world while trying to pretend and to get what you want. I was definitely left with lots of feelings and thoughts and want there to be more.