What do you think?
Lethal Kiss
Not yet published
Expected 20 Oct 26A blood-soaked love story of rage, revenge, and belonging, Taylor Grothe's adult debut is a sapphic horror/romance that's as grotesque as it is beautiful.
Something ravenous lurks below the marble floors of Preston University…
Marcella might be a monster, but she’s careful. After getting hired at Preston University, she intends to lay low and keep her meals discreet.
Trapped in the rat race of academia, all Lacie wants is to make tenure. This will be her year, and nothing is going to stand in her way.
That is, until bodies start dropping.
Marcella swears it isn’t her doing—as if she’d be that sloppy. Whatever’s killing their coworkers is older, and far less restrained. Lacie doesn’t know who to trust, but better the monster you know…
The deeper they dig, the more they’re drawn to each other… and the more something else is drawn to them.
After all, desire has teeth of its own.
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Nightfire
Something ravenous lurks below the marble floors of Preston University…
Marcella might be a monster, but she’s careful. After getting hired at Preston University, she intends to lay low and keep her meals discreet.
Trapped in the rat race of academia, all Lacie wants is to make tenure. This will be her year, and nothing is going to stand in her way.
That is, until bodies start dropping.
Marcella swears it isn’t her doing—as if she’d be that sloppy. Whatever’s killing their coworkers is older, and far less restrained. Lacie doesn’t know who to trust, but better the monster you know…
The deeper they dig, the more they’re drawn to each other… and the more something else is drawn to them.
After all, desire has teeth of its own.
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Nightfire
Audible Audio
Expected publication October 20, 2026
About the author
Taylor Grothe
5 books257 followersTaylor Grothe is a writer of adult and young adult horror, horror romance, and dark fantasy. They hold a nonfiction MFA from Fairfield University, acted as the graduate Assistant Managing Editor of Brevity, and their short works can be found in esteemed publications such as Titan Book’s These Dreaming Spires, Brevity’s craft blog, Haven Speculative, and Shortwave Magazine. They are a scholar of medieval literature and Nordic Saga. Taylor lives with three cats, two kids, and their spouse, in New England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
April 14, 2026
I already can’t wait until fall rolls around so I can reread LK with the perfect atmospheric ambiance!
This is for the lovers of unhinged queer sapphic rage, the monster lovers and the burnt out eldest daughters who were part of the gifted programs in school but feel like they’re teetering on the edge of the universe now.
This is for the lovers of unhinged queer sapphic rage, the monster lovers and the burnt out eldest daughters who were part of the gifted programs in school but feel like they’re teetering on the edge of the universe now.
March 9, 2026
Folklorists, academia, Norse, mythology, secret societies, sapphics, horror romance, this is everything to me
May 12, 2026
"I'm drawn to her and I'm repulsed by her.”
Picture Scarlett Johansson from Under the Skin reimagined in a world of gritty, academic occultism with monsters you’ve only heard about in folk horror. This is a visceral, sapphic, tribute to ruthless, man-eating feminine rage and the crushing weight of academic burnout. I devoured this. Seriously, give me more please.
Picture Scarlett Johansson from Under the Skin reimagined in a world of gritty, academic occultism with monsters you’ve only heard about in folk horror. This is a visceral, sapphic, tribute to ruthless, man-eating feminine rage and the crushing weight of academic burnout. I devoured this. Seriously, give me more please.
April 30, 2026
Thank you netgalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review 🌹
Lethal Kiss by Taylor Grothe is a monstrously seductive, deeply haunting, and romantic new adult horror novel. Our main characters are professors in the classics department. Marcella, the draugr disguised as a human, has the goal of feeding and not getting caught. And then there’s Lacie, the achingly human and autistic woman who fears nothing more than losing her job. And they just became coworkers, competing for tenure. Amidst a dark academia setting, where misogynistic, old white men take charge—something is wrong. Catastrophically so when fellow professors drop dead.
This book is terrifying, jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and incredibly bewitching. The prose and pacing are magnificent. I highlighted approximately 50% of the book, and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy.
While horror is the primary focus of this book, the romance between Lacie and Marcella captured my heart and soul. There is a sinful amount of yearning between the two women. Their romance is driven by lust at first, but it blossoms into something greater. They are the epitome of being truly seen, facades stripped away, and loved regardless. A love based on innate understanding, forgiveness, and adoration despite it all.
“I know how it feels to truly believe that you’re a horrifying, disgusting monster. But you’re no more monster than I am.”
And please don’t misunderstand me, the horror is equally beautiful. Grotesque, gory, and an all-around blood bath, Grothe does not cut corners when it comes to horror. Bloodshed and murder are plentiful in this novel.
I highly recommend this book to the following people:
- Anyone who enjoys rivals to lovers
- Sapphics who grapple with the age-old question, “Do I want to be her or do I want to be with her?”
- Anyone who has religious trauma.
- Fans of Jennifer’s Body.
- Misandrists.
Lethal Kiss by Taylor Grothe is a monstrously seductive, deeply haunting, and romantic new adult horror novel. Our main characters are professors in the classics department. Marcella, the draugr disguised as a human, has the goal of feeding and not getting caught. And then there’s Lacie, the achingly human and autistic woman who fears nothing more than losing her job. And they just became coworkers, competing for tenure. Amidst a dark academia setting, where misogynistic, old white men take charge—something is wrong. Catastrophically so when fellow professors drop dead.
This book is terrifying, jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and incredibly bewitching. The prose and pacing are magnificent. I highlighted approximately 50% of the book, and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy.
While horror is the primary focus of this book, the romance between Lacie and Marcella captured my heart and soul. There is a sinful amount of yearning between the two women. Their romance is driven by lust at first, but it blossoms into something greater. They are the epitome of being truly seen, facades stripped away, and loved regardless. A love based on innate understanding, forgiveness, and adoration despite it all.
“I know how it feels to truly believe that you’re a horrifying, disgusting monster. But you’re no more monster than I am.”
And please don’t misunderstand me, the horror is equally beautiful. Grotesque, gory, and an all-around blood bath, Grothe does not cut corners when it comes to horror. Bloodshed and murder are plentiful in this novel.
I highly recommend this book to the following people:
- Anyone who enjoys rivals to lovers
- Sapphics who grapple with the age-old question, “Do I want to be her or do I want to be with her?”
- Anyone who has religious trauma.
- Fans of Jennifer’s Body.
- Misandrists.
May 24, 2026
“The easiest way to kill a man is by pinching the delicate skin of his throat with your teeth and shucking the tissue like an oyster’s shell.”
When this is how the book starts, you know you’re in for a good time. This was such a fun ride — the murder mystery, the horror, the dark academia, the romance — it was so well done.
“He’s discounted me, and I am all immolation.” This sentence gave me chills. I love it so much. It’s one of those lines that just resonated and I want to paint it on my wall so I can see it all the time.
There is so much of Lacie’s journey that resonated with me. The insecurity, the constant striving to do your best and prove yourself to those higher up, the knowledge that you’re smart but maybe it isn’t enough? And then when Marcella snaps at her. Ugh. I felt that so viscerally. I have felt paralyzed by the fear of not wanting to get in trouble, and it’s stopped me from speaking up even when I really wanted to. It’s something I’ve been working on a lot, so this definitely struck a chord.
I loved how much we got into the action at the end. It was exciting and tense and I was living for it.
Also, shoutout to Bellatrix. I always love a cat companion! Also, the settee from the House of Lords next to the IKEA accent chairs had me giggling.
And now, a few more of my favourite quotes with no context, just because I love them so much:
I’ve always been a hoarder of knowledge. I want to read everything. All of it.
She is beautiful. She is terrible.
I understand the weight of things lost. Everything, even that which feels most permanent, is devoured by the hunger of time. Yes, everything decays. Even me.
Thank you to Taylor Grothe and their street team, as well as Tor Nightfire for the e-arc!
4.5🌟 rounded up for Goodreads
When this is how the book starts, you know you’re in for a good time. This was such a fun ride — the murder mystery, the horror, the dark academia, the romance — it was so well done.
“He’s discounted me, and I am all immolation.” This sentence gave me chills. I love it so much. It’s one of those lines that just resonated and I want to paint it on my wall so I can see it all the time.
There is so much of Lacie’s journey that resonated with me. The insecurity, the constant striving to do your best and prove yourself to those higher up, the knowledge that you’re smart but maybe it isn’t enough? And then when Marcella snaps at her. Ugh. I felt that so viscerally. I have felt paralyzed by the fear of not wanting to get in trouble, and it’s stopped me from speaking up even when I really wanted to. It’s something I’ve been working on a lot, so this definitely struck a chord.
I loved how much we got into the action at the end. It was exciting and tense and I was living for it.
Also, shoutout to Bellatrix. I always love a cat companion! Also, the settee from the House of Lords next to the IKEA accent chairs had me giggling.
And now, a few more of my favourite quotes with no context, just because I love them so much:
I’ve always been a hoarder of knowledge. I want to read everything. All of it.
She is beautiful. She is terrible.
I understand the weight of things lost. Everything, even that which feels most permanent, is devoured by the hunger of time. Yes, everything decays. Even me.
Thank you to Taylor Grothe and their street team, as well as Tor Nightfire for the e-arc!
4.5🌟 rounded up for Goodreads
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If I say this is white feminism / white female rage then what
Full RTC
Full RTC
January 22, 2026
Lethal Kiss is deliciously the kind of book that doesn’t let you go, it dug itself into me and is still buzzing under my skin long after I read it. The eerie undertones left the perfect setting I was craving and I ate this up in one sitting.
The tension, the yearning, the way the relationship burns - I couldn’t get enough.
And let me just say Marcella? I can’t decide if I want to never meet her in a dark alley or follow her to one.
The tension, the yearning, the way the relationship burns - I couldn’t get enough.
And let me just say Marcella? I can’t decide if I want to never meet her in a dark alley or follow her to one.
Want to Read
February 6, 2026Jennifer's Body meets Ninth House??? I AM SEATED.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and Taylor Grothe for the ARC! I'm voluntarily leaving a review, and all thoughts are my own. The fact that I have a physical ARC from the author and an eARC from Netgalley has in no way, shape, or form influenced this review.
4.75 out of 5 stars!
Lethal Kiss is a delightfully bloody romp of story! The main characters are Marcella, a draugr, and Lacie, an assistant professor trying her best. After Marcella is let go from University of Seattle, she is sent to Preston University, where they have a very competitive and unorthodox program for their professors. Meanwhile, Lacie realizes that her work friend, Laurel, has gone missing. Additionally, she is struggling to keep up with the program. While Marcella plans on enjoying herself, achieving tenure, and maybe feeding on a few of her colleagues, she and Lacie are drawn together when they find a murdered body! One in which Marcella was NOT the one responsible.
This story is fun, phenomenal, dark, gory, and campy at the same time! I like the presence of Norse mythology in this story, as it's not a mythology I'm familiar with. I really love the author's usage of these Nordic monsters, especially Marcella. As others have said, there are quite a few comparisons with this story to the movie Jennifer's body! The biggest comparison by far is the killing of boys by a supernatural femme entity. I really enjoyed the fleshing out of the fictional Preston University. While the University is undeniably a high-tier one, there are signs of an underlying rot. Even with this rot, our main characters Marcella and Lacie are still up to the task of solving a mystery and finding justice.
Speaking of the main characters, Marcella and Lacie are wonderful characters who complement each other immensely. Marcella is an icon, and I love her confidence in herself. While some of her confidence is a front, I love that she is sure of herself and decisive in her actions. She also has a secret, softer side that she'll rarely let anyone see. While I don't know if she explicitly has migraines, I wonder if those with chronic migraines can see themselves in her. I love the fact that Marcella is genderfluid, as this is my first time reading a book with a genderfluid MC. I most like that Marcella is able to ultimately be true to herself no matter the cost.
As for Lacie, she is seemingly the opposite of Marcella. She is anxious, autistic, and heavily lacks confidence in herself. She also is reliant on her job, and she is constantly stressed out by the frankly unfair job requirements foisted upon her. However, Lacie has a hidden strength and rage inside herself. Lacie is a very, very resilient person, as I feel like most people, including myself, would either buckle under the pressure and/or quit. Depictions of her autism and anxiety made me feel seen, as someone with both of these diagnoses. I'm sincerely grateful to the author for this representation. While autism and anxiety can be debilitating, those of us who have both have hidden strengths and deserve compassion. In Lacie's case, her knowledge of Norse mythology is invaluable to the investigation, and a little bit of nurturing helps her flourish.
The chemistry between Marcella and Lacie is evident in their first meeting. While the two are initially rivals, their circumstances allow each to find hidden strength and vulnerabilities in the other party. The two do not get along at first, but they learn to give grace to each other and meet each other halfway. I love the fact that it takes time for the characters to warm up to each other. The relationship occurs within two weeks, yet the high-stakes circumstances have a way of making the speed of this relationship feel realistic to me. I'm always a sucker for two characters who see each other, and Marcella and Lacie's relationship is one of my new favorite sapphic ships!
Sociopolitical commentary, specifically critiques about the academic system, are heavily prevalent in this story. While Preston University doesn't exist in real life, the competition of achieving tenure is something I've heard about from my time working in an academic research lab. This competition of achieving tenure is heavily touted by the dean himself. Professors can find themselves heavily favored or set up to fail, with some professors even disappearing. The Classics department is also heavily racist and sexist, with women of color like Therese being looked down upon. The professors openly leer at women and feminine-aligned professors, something that Marcella and Lacie both unfairly put up with.
I have a few nitpicks that keep this book from fully being a 5 star read. A part of me wishes that there were pronunciation guides to the Nordic terms, as I had trouble figuring out how to pronounce these words. I also personally had a bit of an issue with the arc of a side character, Lyle. I'm not entirely sure what his arc accomplished, and I wasn't really satisfied with the way things worked out for him. Even with these nitpicks, I still had a fantastic time with this story!
Lethal Kiss is the perfect read for fall! This story is both for horror fans and romance fans. There's action, tension, suspense, romance, and even some spice. I find the unconventional ending for Marcella and Lacie to be a fulfilling. I even like what I believe is the intentional omission of Marcella and Lacie's last names. This almost signals to me that their first names are what defines them, not their surnames. Lastly, there is an adorable cat named Bellatrix, not named after that one character in that one franchise. Rest assured that Bellatrix remains safe and unharmed.
4.75 out of 5 stars!
Lethal Kiss is a delightfully bloody romp of story! The main characters are Marcella, a draugr, and Lacie, an assistant professor trying her best. After Marcella is let go from University of Seattle, she is sent to Preston University, where they have a very competitive and unorthodox program for their professors. Meanwhile, Lacie realizes that her work friend, Laurel, has gone missing. Additionally, she is struggling to keep up with the program. While Marcella plans on enjoying herself, achieving tenure, and maybe feeding on a few of her colleagues, she and Lacie are drawn together when they find a murdered body! One in which Marcella was NOT the one responsible.
This story is fun, phenomenal, dark, gory, and campy at the same time! I like the presence of Norse mythology in this story, as it's not a mythology I'm familiar with. I really love the author's usage of these Nordic monsters, especially Marcella. As others have said, there are quite a few comparisons with this story to the movie Jennifer's body! The biggest comparison by far is the killing of boys by a supernatural femme entity. I really enjoyed the fleshing out of the fictional Preston University. While the University is undeniably a high-tier one, there are signs of an underlying rot. Even with this rot, our main characters Marcella and Lacie are still up to the task of solving a mystery and finding justice.
Speaking of the main characters, Marcella and Lacie are wonderful characters who complement each other immensely. Marcella is an icon, and I love her confidence in herself. While some of her confidence is a front, I love that she is sure of herself and decisive in her actions. She also has a secret, softer side that she'll rarely let anyone see. While I don't know if she explicitly has migraines, I wonder if those with chronic migraines can see themselves in her. I love the fact that Marcella is genderfluid, as this is my first time reading a book with a genderfluid MC. I most like that Marcella is able to ultimately be true to herself no matter the cost.
As for Lacie, she is seemingly the opposite of Marcella. She is anxious, autistic, and heavily lacks confidence in herself. She also is reliant on her job, and she is constantly stressed out by the frankly unfair job requirements foisted upon her. However, Lacie has a hidden strength and rage inside herself. Lacie is a very, very resilient person, as I feel like most people, including myself, would either buckle under the pressure and/or quit. Depictions of her autism and anxiety made me feel seen, as someone with both of these diagnoses. I'm sincerely grateful to the author for this representation. While autism and anxiety can be debilitating, those of us who have both have hidden strengths and deserve compassion. In Lacie's case, her knowledge of Norse mythology is invaluable to the investigation, and a little bit of nurturing helps her flourish.
The chemistry between Marcella and Lacie is evident in their first meeting. While the two are initially rivals, their circumstances allow each to find hidden strength and vulnerabilities in the other party. The two do not get along at first, but they learn to give grace to each other and meet each other halfway. I love the fact that it takes time for the characters to warm up to each other. The relationship occurs within two weeks, yet the high-stakes circumstances have a way of making the speed of this relationship feel realistic to me. I'm always a sucker for two characters who see each other, and Marcella and Lacie's relationship is one of my new favorite sapphic ships!
Sociopolitical commentary, specifically critiques about the academic system, are heavily prevalent in this story. While Preston University doesn't exist in real life, the competition of achieving tenure is something I've heard about from my time working in an academic research lab. This competition of achieving tenure is heavily touted by the dean himself. Professors can find themselves heavily favored or set up to fail, with some professors even disappearing. The Classics department is also heavily racist and sexist, with women of color like Therese being looked down upon. The professors openly leer at women and feminine-aligned professors, something that Marcella and Lacie both unfairly put up with.
I have a few nitpicks that keep this book from fully being a 5 star read. A part of me wishes that there were pronunciation guides to the Nordic terms, as I had trouble figuring out how to pronounce these words. I also personally had a bit of an issue with the arc of a side character, Lyle. I'm not entirely sure what his arc accomplished, and I wasn't really satisfied with the way things worked out for him. Even with these nitpicks, I still had a fantastic time with this story!
Lethal Kiss is the perfect read for fall! This story is both for horror fans and romance fans. There's action, tension, suspense, romance, and even some spice. I find the unconventional ending for Marcella and Lacie to be a fulfilling. I even like what I believe is the intentional omission of Marcella and Lacie's last names. This almost signals to me that their first names are what defines them, not their surnames. Lastly, there is an adorable cat named Bellatrix, not named after that one character in that one franchise. Rest assured that Bellatrix remains safe and unharmed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
sapphic dark academia with blood and rage and revenge.... YES!!! thank you for the arc!
**I will reread to compare to the final finished version!**
The easiest way to kill a man is by pinching the delicate skin of his throat with your teeth and shucking the tissue like an oyster's shell...
What an opening.
it's sapphic, bloody, and campy.... Jennifer's Body! and i did not enjoy it
I'm sorry... i wanted to love this.. but when it comes to my tastes, camp is very hard to get right
Unfortunately the style wasnt my cup of tea. the camp!
Marcella, Very vain, on brand for what she is, monstrous, falls in line with the competitive aspect... Lacie, awkward, autistic... they had an interesting dynamic, and i loved how Marcella's character developed further into the narrative... though sometimes their POVs blurred with more Marcella type qualities bleeding into Lacie's pov
when it comes to academia i want brains... not social charisma/manipulation... unfortunately there was alot of that, navigating a male dominated academic setting.... weighed down by bureaucracy and syllabi and teaching classes... i wouldve loved more academia focus. the small bits doing research i absolutely LOVED.
while there is some catfighting at the beginning, i do love the parts with girls uplifting girls. the romance didnt work for me, i felt there was too much focus on aesthetics than chemistry. there is a spicy scene. the gender nonconformity was nice.
the camp. there are some comically evil characters in the old white men sort of way. the writing is simple and easy, but it doesnt work for me. outright mentioning "catholic guilt" deprecates the concept.. i think i just prefer more subtlety. but it absolutely achieves all that is bloody and camp!
things i didn't like:
im assuming i received an unedited draft because there were typos. so i do hope these issues are resolved in the final version!
😈 monstrous women
🩸 feminine rage
💃 campy bloody horror
🔪 revenge
♥️ sapphic desire
new word i learned: carrel. a type of desk
**I will reread to compare to the final finished version!**
The easiest way to kill a man is by pinching the delicate skin of his throat with your teeth and shucking the tissue like an oyster's shell...
What an opening.
it's sapphic, bloody, and campy.... Jennifer's Body! and i did not enjoy it
I'm sorry... i wanted to love this.. but when it comes to my tastes, camp is very hard to get right
Unfortunately the style wasnt my cup of tea. the camp!
Marcella, Very vain, on brand for what she is, monstrous, falls in line with the competitive aspect... Lacie, awkward, autistic... they had an interesting dynamic, and i loved how Marcella's character developed further into the narrative... though sometimes their POVs blurred with more Marcella type qualities bleeding into Lacie's pov
when it comes to academia i want brains... not social charisma/manipulation... unfortunately there was alot of that, navigating a male dominated academic setting.... weighed down by bureaucracy and syllabi and teaching classes... i wouldve loved more academia focus. the small bits doing research i absolutely LOVED.
while there is some catfighting at the beginning, i do love the parts with girls uplifting girls. the romance didnt work for me, i felt there was too much focus on aesthetics than chemistry. there is a spicy scene. the gender nonconformity was nice.
the camp. there are some comically evil characters in the old white men sort of way. the writing is simple and easy, but it doesnt work for me. outright mentioning "catholic guilt" deprecates the concept.. i think i just prefer more subtlety. but it absolutely achieves all that is bloody and camp!
things i didn't like:
im assuming i received an unedited draft because there were typos. so i do hope these issues are resolved in the final version!
😈 monstrous women
🩸 feminine rage
💃 campy bloody horror
🔪 revenge
♥️ sapphic desire
new word i learned: carrel. a type of desk
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh this was DELICIOUSLY unhinged. Lethal Kiss gave me exactly what I want from sapphic horror romance: women behaving badly, monsters, blood, rage, yearning, and a romance that absolutely does not require anyone to become less monstrous to deserve love.
Marcella immediately had me because I love a woman who knows she’s a monster and is simply trying to mind her business about it. Pairing her with Lacie, who is fighting her own battle in the absolute nightmare that is academia, worked so well. Their chemistry had teeth, literally and figuratively, and I loved watching their relationship develop alongside the increasingly gruesome mystery at Preston University.
But what really got me was how much heart existed underneath all the gore. This is absolutely grotesque and bloody, but it’s also about belonging, loneliness, rage, and finding someone who sees every ugly, hungry piece of you and wants you anyway. There was something strangely tender about it all that made the horror hit even harder.
Sexy, bloody, queer, weird, romantic, and wonderfully gross. Taylor Grothe understood the assignment. I had an absolute blast with this one.
Marcella immediately had me because I love a woman who knows she’s a monster and is simply trying to mind her business about it. Pairing her with Lacie, who is fighting her own battle in the absolute nightmare that is academia, worked so well. Their chemistry had teeth, literally and figuratively, and I loved watching their relationship develop alongside the increasingly gruesome mystery at Preston University.
But what really got me was how much heart existed underneath all the gore. This is absolutely grotesque and bloody, but it’s also about belonging, loneliness, rage, and finding someone who sees every ugly, hungry piece of you and wants you anyway. There was something strangely tender about it all that made the horror hit even harder.
Sexy, bloody, queer, weird, romantic, and wonderfully gross. Taylor Grothe understood the assignment. I had an absolute blast with this one.
April 16, 2026
Lethal Kiss will destroy you in the most unique way possible and leave you hungry for a unique monster story. Like the description and introduction state – this is not a vampire novel. Absolutely loved to be introduced to Draugr and to feel like I am on a horrifying but very sapphic Skyrim playthrough. Whether you dabble with Nordic literature or not – you will fall in love with Marcella and Lacie. A story written to be unapologetically queer and uniquely horrifying with a new monster to meet. Delicious and eerie!
What is not to like about this narrative honestly? Nothing. The poetic writing will keep you enticed as you immerse yourself into this dark academia setting. The creature is lurking and bodies are dropping. What does this mean for our protagonists and will secrets need to be revealed to stay safe? This will dive to deep corners of fears and being fully yourself. Are there secrets about yourself you wish you could say or wish someone close would secretly discover so that you no longer need to hide it? Then this is the book for you to see what that mindset looks like in real time.
Another strength of Taylor’s is writing such real personalities in their characters. I feel like Marcella is a real person. The dialogue is captivating and it fits within the setting of the book. The chemistry will burn between the context, and Taylor sure knows how to write delightfully sapphic and spicy scenes. This is a must-read horror this year and I promise you that you will not be disappointed.
There was nothing but enjoyable moments throughout this narrative. I cannot wait to re-read this on publication day. Something about draugr and sapphics really works. Great writing and a passion for writing queer horror is what Taylor continues to provide us. What a narrative and I think you will enjoy it. All opinions are my own. Thank you Taylor Groethe, Tor Nightfire, and Netgalley for this advanced digital copy.
For tarot readings, recommendations, and reviews, visit my blog https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
What is not to like about this narrative honestly? Nothing. The poetic writing will keep you enticed as you immerse yourself into this dark academia setting. The creature is lurking and bodies are dropping. What does this mean for our protagonists and will secrets need to be revealed to stay safe? This will dive to deep corners of fears and being fully yourself. Are there secrets about yourself you wish you could say or wish someone close would secretly discover so that you no longer need to hide it? Then this is the book for you to see what that mindset looks like in real time.
Another strength of Taylor’s is writing such real personalities in their characters. I feel like Marcella is a real person. The dialogue is captivating and it fits within the setting of the book. The chemistry will burn between the context, and Taylor sure knows how to write delightfully sapphic and spicy scenes. This is a must-read horror this year and I promise you that you will not be disappointed.
There was nothing but enjoyable moments throughout this narrative. I cannot wait to re-read this on publication day. Something about draugr and sapphics really works. Great writing and a passion for writing queer horror is what Taylor continues to provide us. What a narrative and I think you will enjoy it. All opinions are my own. Thank you Taylor Groethe, Tor Nightfire, and Netgalley for this advanced digital copy.
For tarot readings, recommendations, and reviews, visit my blog https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
May 16, 2026
Taylor Grothe’s adult debut does not disappoint! It is a vicious dark academia horromance that immediately sinks its claws into you and does not let go. Set within the cutthroat halls of Preston University, the story follows Marcella, a carefully restrained monster trying to keep a low profile, and Lacie, a tired assistant professor desperate to survive the brutal race for tenure. Both are up against men who think they’re entitled to everything, be it women or positions of power. When bodies start turning up, the atmosphere shifts from tense to downright feral. Grothe blends murder mystery, grotesque horror, and queer romance. The result is unputdownable and unforgettable! I was hit some twists as well!
The balance between monstrous violence and deep human emotion, is a delight. And the feminine rage is really raging in this one! Beneath all of the blood and rage and sexiness, is a story about loneliness, ambition, identity, and the desperate need to be fully seen by another person. Marcella and Lacie’s relationship is magnetic. It’s feverish, it’s violent and bloody, it’s sexy. I learned about Nordic folklore and will be going down a rabbit hole of research now (thank you Taylor). Fans of dark academia, feminine rage, queer love and horromance that are equal parts gruesome and emotional need to snatch this one up immediately!
Forever thankful to Taylor Grothe for sending a signed and personalized ARC to me. Book goes on sale 10/20/26.
The balance between monstrous violence and deep human emotion, is a delight. And the feminine rage is really raging in this one! Beneath all of the blood and rage and sexiness, is a story about loneliness, ambition, identity, and the desperate need to be fully seen by another person. Marcella and Lacie’s relationship is magnetic. It’s feverish, it’s violent and bloody, it’s sexy. I learned about Nordic folklore and will be going down a rabbit hole of research now (thank you Taylor). Fans of dark academia, feminine rage, queer love and horromance that are equal parts gruesome and emotional need to snatch this one up immediately!
Forever thankful to Taylor Grothe for sending a signed and personalized ARC to me. Book goes on sale 10/20/26.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lethal Kiss is a hungry, wickedly dark tale which will leave you begging for more. Grothe's rich, lyrical prose weaves a tale of revenge, obsession and love. With a murder mystery that kept me guessing at every turn and a seductive sapphic romance, Lethal Kiss is bound to be the next dark academia sensation. Easily one of my top reads of 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well, this was my first "Horrormance" and can I just say "whew!" *fans herself*. The narrators did a fantastic job capturing Marcella's sultry and devious nature and Lacy's demure-until-you-mess-with-me attitude. I was fully immersed in the story and absolutely did not want to put it down for a second. I devoured this audiobook and would have finished it in one day if I didn't have a concert yesterday. I do believe a large portion of my enjoyment was due to the narrators!
As for the book I was amazed at how quickly I was drawn into Lacie and Marcella's lives, frustrations and predicaments. The plot was fast-paced but it never felt rushed, and I learned so much about Icelandic/Nordic monsters within their mythology. The atmosphere was dark and looming, but not oppressive. It helped that while one POV felt crushing weight of pressure to make tenure in the midst of collegues being murdered on a very misogynistic campus, the other POV was a powerful monster not fully worried about being overpowered. I believe this was the first book I've read in a while with the feminine rage theme that actually delivered on feminine rage for more than the last 5% of the book.
I loved the chemistry and complicated romance between Lacie and Marcella as well! Normally ancient monster falls for human trope is not my thing, but the way Grothe developed the character arcs it felt like a fresh take. Plus, there was actual yearning, not just lusty thoughts and spicy scenes. And don't get me wrong, the spicy scenes were SPICY. They just didn't distract from the plot or character developmet which is usually my hangup with spicy books.
Overall, I absolutely adored this book and Taylor Grothe has opened my eyes up to a new-to-me genre: Horrormance!
Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As for the book I was amazed at how quickly I was drawn into Lacie and Marcella's lives, frustrations and predicaments. The plot was fast-paced but it never felt rushed, and I learned so much about Icelandic/Nordic monsters within their mythology. The atmosphere was dark and looming, but not oppressive. It helped that while one POV felt crushing weight of pressure to make tenure in the midst of collegues being murdered on a very misogynistic campus, the other POV was a powerful monster not fully worried about being overpowered. I believe this was the first book I've read in a while with the feminine rage theme that actually delivered on feminine rage for more than the last 5% of the book.
I loved the chemistry and complicated romance between Lacie and Marcella as well! Normally ancient monster falls for human trope is not my thing, but the way Grothe developed the character arcs it felt like a fresh take. Plus, there was actual yearning, not just lusty thoughts and spicy scenes. And don't get me wrong, the spicy scenes were SPICY. They just didn't distract from the plot or character developmet which is usually my hangup with spicy books.
Overall, I absolutely adored this book and Taylor Grothe has opened my eyes up to a new-to-me genre: Horrormance!
Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 12, 2026
4.5 stars <3
Lethal Kiss is a deliciously gothic and sexy, dark academia horrormance. It was dark, gory and full of female rage. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, especially when it was Marcella's point of view. She was my favourite main character of the two, probably due to the fact I too was in love with her.
The use of Nordic monsters was super cool and interesting, especially seen as I haven't read books with monsters quite like these. I enjoyed the academia angle and I thought the lush setting of Preston University really added to the dark academia aesthetic. This book is very easy to enjoy just based on vibes alone, I often struggle with books where I am a little confused at what is actually happening, but the allure of Lethal Kiss is no joke. I was constantly pulled in by the eerie atmosphere, the mystery of it all, the goriness, the slow burning romance and of course the female rage. The theme of the book was vengeance and rightly so, Taylor Grothe wrote female rage exquisitely.
For me, the romance was the best part. The chemistry was sizzling. The witty banter was captivating, along with the nicknames. I constantly felt like Marcella was flirting with me, and I was NOT complaining. Marcella's personality was the backbone of this book and I ate it up, never have I loved a character quite like this before. I'd love to have known more about Marcella's history, as well as Lacie's family and religious trauma. Despite saying I would've like more, I do think Taylor added enough of each to add depth to the story without overloading it, which I appreciated.
I don't normally do .5 stars but I literally only have a very small reason this isn't 5 stars. It’s just that I found the climax of the story to be a little bit disjointed. I wasn't fully clear on Lyle's role in it all and I felt there was too much going on to fully understand it all. On occasion I found it hard to keep track of who was what, who did what and what they were actually trying to achieve. But, for once, it in no way ruined the atmosphere or the story itself like it often does other books.
I very much recommend Lethal Kiss. This is Taylor's second book and their writing has only gotten better. I cannot wait for everything that comes next from them!
Thank you to NetGalley, Taylor Grothe and Tor Nightfire for this ARC copy, all opinions are my own.
Lethal Kiss is a deliciously gothic and sexy, dark academia horrormance. It was dark, gory and full of female rage. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, especially when it was Marcella's point of view. She was my favourite main character of the two, probably due to the fact I too was in love with her.
The use of Nordic monsters was super cool and interesting, especially seen as I haven't read books with monsters quite like these. I enjoyed the academia angle and I thought the lush setting of Preston University really added to the dark academia aesthetic. This book is very easy to enjoy just based on vibes alone, I often struggle with books where I am a little confused at what is actually happening, but the allure of Lethal Kiss is no joke. I was constantly pulled in by the eerie atmosphere, the mystery of it all, the goriness, the slow burning romance and of course the female rage. The theme of the book was vengeance and rightly so, Taylor Grothe wrote female rage exquisitely.
For me, the romance was the best part. The chemistry was sizzling. The witty banter was captivating, along with the nicknames. I constantly felt like Marcella was flirting with me, and I was NOT complaining. Marcella's personality was the backbone of this book and I ate it up, never have I loved a character quite like this before. I'd love to have known more about Marcella's history, as well as Lacie's family and religious trauma. Despite saying I would've like more, I do think Taylor added enough of each to add depth to the story without overloading it, which I appreciated.
I don't normally do .5 stars but I literally only have a very small reason this isn't 5 stars. It’s just that I found the climax of the story to be a little bit disjointed. I wasn't fully clear on Lyle's role in it all and I felt there was too much going on to fully understand it all. On occasion I found it hard to keep track of who was what, who did what and what they were actually trying to achieve. But, for once, it in no way ruined the atmosphere or the story itself like it often does other books.
I very much recommend Lethal Kiss. This is Taylor's second book and their writing has only gotten better. I cannot wait for everything that comes next from them!
Thank you to NetGalley, Taylor Grothe and Tor Nightfire for this ARC copy, all opinions are my own.
September 17, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Not gonna lie, I usually avoid books with any heavy romance plot lines but there was something about Lethal Kiss that just really drew me in; maybe the cover art, maybe the raving reviews, maybe the idea of a sapphic Norse soul sucking type of creature killing people? Sorry, not people… BOYS.🤭
The blurb about this being a Jennifer’s Body meets Ninth House kind of story was SO spot on! A supernatural femme monster killing evil men? Yeah, give me that every day of the week! I didn’t know much about Norse mythology going into this but if all the stories are even a tenth and wild as this, I need to look more into it. There was VIVID gore, insane twists, deeply haunting passages, but also a sweet sapphic romance at the center of it all that is full of a sinful amount of yearning. A little something for everyone, even the most adamant of *strictly* horror kinds of fans (this is a dig at myself)! The prose and pacing were fantastic, every chapter gave me just enough to want more, more, more! There’s also heavy commentary around power dynamics and overall critiques about the academic system (ie: higher education still being seen as a damn boys club full of white men that still taking advantage of their femme colleagues chutzpah to get ahead and using it for their own gain) and how, in this story specifically, Lacie & Marcella have to tolerate in order to figure out wtf is going on at the university.
Overall, if you like rivals to lovers, Norse mythology, Jennifer’s Body, gothic imagery, and misandry all tied up with some gnarly horror elements - this is definitely for you!
The kind of book that buries under your skin and leaves you buzzing long after you’ve put it down.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and the author for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: October 20th, 2026
Not gonna lie, I usually avoid books with any heavy romance plot lines but there was something about Lethal Kiss that just really drew me in; maybe the cover art, maybe the raving reviews, maybe the idea of a sapphic Norse soul sucking type of creature killing people? Sorry, not people… BOYS.🤭
The blurb about this being a Jennifer’s Body meets Ninth House kind of story was SO spot on! A supernatural femme monster killing evil men? Yeah, give me that every day of the week! I didn’t know much about Norse mythology going into this but if all the stories are even a tenth and wild as this, I need to look more into it. There was VIVID gore, insane twists, deeply haunting passages, but also a sweet sapphic romance at the center of it all that is full of a sinful amount of yearning. A little something for everyone, even the most adamant of *strictly* horror kinds of fans (this is a dig at myself)! The prose and pacing were fantastic, every chapter gave me just enough to want more, more, more! There’s also heavy commentary around power dynamics and overall critiques about the academic system (ie: higher education still being seen as a damn boys club full of white men that still taking advantage of their femme colleagues chutzpah to get ahead and using it for their own gain) and how, in this story specifically, Lacie & Marcella have to tolerate in order to figure out wtf is going on at the university.
Overall, if you like rivals to lovers, Norse mythology, Jennifer’s Body, gothic imagery, and misandry all tied up with some gnarly horror elements - this is definitely for you!
The kind of book that buries under your skin and leaves you buzzing long after you’ve put it down.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and the author for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: October 20th, 2026
June 6, 2026
Lethal Kiss was the horrifically hot, gruesomely gory, sapphic love story I’ve been craving. Complete with gothic & dark academia vibes throughout, Taylor Grothe pulled me into this debut adult novel with their alluringly terrifying monster, Marcella. Hitting all the grotesque aspects of monster’s consuming prey and such detailed writing I could visualize Marcella turning into her other self, this easily sits as a top horror romance for me!
“I feel alive for the first time in a year. There’s nothing, and I mean nothing, like killing a boy.”
If Jennifer’s Body meets Ninth House sounds like it’s for you then you must read this! It’s about two FMCs. (One human, one… not human) Marcella is the new hire at Preston University who’s brought into the Classics department where Lacie has been for the last few years as an assistant professor, both studying folklore and Old Norse. As colleagues keep disappearing, Lacie finds her best friends body and decides to work with Marcella to get to the bottom of what’s responsible. It’s clear they’re dealing with creatures she previously thought only belonged in her studies.
Secret societies, bloody killings, and an unlikely love as an undead monster begins to care for someone for the first time in ages. This was such a great read and will be perfect to consume around spooky season when it releases on 10.20!!
~Thank you Tor Nightfire for the gifted eARC, all thoughts within this review are my own~
“I feel alive for the first time in a year. There’s nothing, and I mean nothing, like killing a boy.”
If Jennifer’s Body meets Ninth House sounds like it’s for you then you must read this! It’s about two FMCs. (One human, one… not human) Marcella is the new hire at Preston University who’s brought into the Classics department where Lacie has been for the last few years as an assistant professor, both studying folklore and Old Norse. As colleagues keep disappearing, Lacie finds her best friends body and decides to work with Marcella to get to the bottom of what’s responsible. It’s clear they’re dealing with creatures she previously thought only belonged in her studies.
Secret societies, bloody killings, and an unlikely love as an undead monster begins to care for someone for the first time in ages. This was such a great read and will be perfect to consume around spooky season when it releases on 10.20!!
~Thank you Tor Nightfire for the gifted eARC, all thoughts within this review are my own~
June 13, 2026
Not to pick favorites but this may be the most exciting ARC I’ve been approved for so far. Last year I had the great fortune of winning a copy of Taylor Grothe’s first book, Hollow, from a Goodreads giveaway. I, of course, devoured it and was thrilled when Grothe announced Lethal Kiss! This book was even a factor in encouraging me to sign up for a NetGalley account, though I didn’t dare pin all my book reviewing hopes on being approved. I only thought it would be so cool if I had the chance to read this one a little early.
Grothe sure knows how to paint a horrifying picture. They have an incredible talent for weaving the atmosphere so you almost feel like you are there with Marcella and Lacie, a fly on the wall watching the story unfold. The gore and horror are definitely present but it’s well balanced with humor.
Thank you NetGalley, Tor, and Taylor Grothe for the eARC of Lethal Kiss! I had a lot of fun reading it and I already know I can’t wait for whatever Taylor Grothe does next!
Grothe sure knows how to paint a horrifying picture. They have an incredible talent for weaving the atmosphere so you almost feel like you are there with Marcella and Lacie, a fly on the wall watching the story unfold. The gore and horror are definitely present but it’s well balanced with humor.
Thank you NetGalley, Tor, and Taylor Grothe for the eARC of Lethal Kiss! I had a lot of fun reading it and I already know I can’t wait for whatever Taylor Grothe does next!
September 21, 2026
I have loved diving into the horror romance genre and this book hit the mark! Jennifer's Body meets ninth house!
From the first chapter I was so intrigued by this story. Marcella is a professor who just happens to eat people on occasion. She's lived hundreds of years she finds herself at Preston University. When she meets Laci she's instantly fascinated by her. However, they don't expect to find a fellow professor murdered. Together they investigate to find the culprit. Laci though doesn't realize she's entering the world of monsters.
I was really fascinated by the Nordic folklore in this book. The monsters were really neat and the author created such imagery. It was gorey but also tender. Marcella finds herself caring for Laci. I felt like they had a push and pull dynamic but when they finally gave in it was perfect.
The narrator's were so good with bringing these characters to life. I felt they voiced their personalities perfectly!
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan audio, and tor for the gifted copies.
From the first chapter I was so intrigued by this story. Marcella is a professor who just happens to eat people on occasion. She's lived hundreds of years she finds herself at Preston University. When she meets Laci she's instantly fascinated by her. However, they don't expect to find a fellow professor murdered. Together they investigate to find the culprit. Laci though doesn't realize she's entering the world of monsters.
I was really fascinated by the Nordic folklore in this book. The monsters were really neat and the author created such imagery. It was gorey but also tender. Marcella finds herself caring for Laci. I felt like they had a push and pull dynamic but when they finally gave in it was perfect.
The narrator's were so good with bringing these characters to life. I felt they voiced their personalities perfectly!
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan audio, and tor for the gifted copies.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you enjoy a good mystery with rage and revenge, along with some sapphic sexual tension, then run and pick this is up. I absolutely inhaled this. Marcella as a character is spellbinding. She knows what she wants and doesn't let anything stand in her way. That is until she meets Lacie who is timid and tries to play nice with everyone, even when she is treated unfairly. These two together were perfection and who doesn't love the little added fluffy addition of a cat named Bellatrix.
I did receive this via audiobook and I can not recommend it enough! Jaime Lamchick and Jennifer Pickens did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life. This is perfect for the fall/spooky season, highly recommend!
Thank you to Tor and MacMillan Audio for this arc.
I did receive this via audiobook and I can not recommend it enough! Jaime Lamchick and Jennifer Pickens did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life. This is perfect for the fall/spooky season, highly recommend!
Thank you to Tor and MacMillan Audio for this arc.
July 12, 2026
Taylor Grothe delivers a moving tale full of ache, fear, and romance in this dark, emotional horror.
With a fun and often humorous story akin to Jennifer’s Body, this queer revenge fantasy had me cackling with laughter and beaming at the goriest parts. It also revealed wounds that are still raw, telling a love story full of yearning between two women who have been scorned for being themselves.
I found so much of myself in Lacie and saw a lot of who I strive to be in Marcella. For an author to put their pain and experiences into words and somehow make it feel as though it is MY soul being bared between the pages is a rare thing indeed, and I am grateful for books like these.
Wrought with stunning poetic language, Scandinavian folklore, and the ever-excitable revenge plot, this is a must for every horror fan. Taylor Grothe is a true artist and their words show us how to learn to love even the darkest of ourselves.
With a fun and often humorous story akin to Jennifer’s Body, this queer revenge fantasy had me cackling with laughter and beaming at the goriest parts. It also revealed wounds that are still raw, telling a love story full of yearning between two women who have been scorned for being themselves.
I found so much of myself in Lacie and saw a lot of who I strive to be in Marcella. For an author to put their pain and experiences into words and somehow make it feel as though it is MY soul being bared between the pages is a rare thing indeed, and I am grateful for books like these.
Wrought with stunning poetic language, Scandinavian folklore, and the ever-excitable revenge plot, this is a must for every horror fan. Taylor Grothe is a true artist and their words show us how to learn to love even the darkest of ourselves.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to MacMillan Audio, Tor Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC and ALC.
OMG I loved this one!! Imagine They Never Learn, but with a centuries old badass female vampire.
The dark academia vibes were spot on. The female rage was raging. The romance was hot as hell. No notes. It was great.
OMG I loved this one!! Imagine They Never Learn, but with a centuries old badass female vampire.
The dark academia vibes were spot on. The female rage was raging. The romance was hot as hell. No notes. It was great.
July 22, 2026
Gonna have to wait until my soul is back in my body before I do an ACTUAL review, but my God, this is an INCREDIBLE book!!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4✨️
absolutely a slay. marcella can do whatever she pleases with me
absolutely a slay. marcella can do whatever she pleases with me
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I LOVED this book! It was the kind of story I never knew I needed. I was excited when I got to pick this book back up & thought about when I couldn’t read it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This is one of those books that is going to stay with me long after I’ve read the last pages. A perfect, spooky atmosphere for the dark academic setting that sets its twisted course of male dominance when the characters Marcella and Lacie (the POVs that are showcased in the chapters of this book) are growing angry with the cards that they’re given through their respective fields of study and are willing to fight, tooth and nails ready, for justice when things become bloody.
I truly grew lost in this world and the way rage is highlighted with Marcella and Lacie as characters (with Marcella being open with it right from the start while Lacie has to learn her feelings towards it gradually ((with her at the end accepting it and not willing to let it go))) was written wonderfully and even had me looking inwards at my own feelings towards it.
Lethal Kiss has left its mark with me that I will not forget and deeply appreciate. There is so much power in storytelling and within this book, it truly shines bright.
This is one of those books that is going to stay with me long after I’ve read the last pages. A perfect, spooky atmosphere for the dark academic setting that sets its twisted course of male dominance when the characters Marcella and Lacie (the POVs that are showcased in the chapters of this book) are growing angry with the cards that they’re given through their respective fields of study and are willing to fight, tooth and nails ready, for justice when things become bloody.
I truly grew lost in this world and the way rage is highlighted with Marcella and Lacie as characters (with Marcella being open with it right from the start while Lacie has to learn her feelings towards it gradually ((with her at the end accepting it and not willing to let it go))) was written wonderfully and even had me looking inwards at my own feelings towards it.
Lethal Kiss has left its mark with me that I will not forget and deeply appreciate. There is so much power in storytelling and within this book, it truly shines bright.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Thank you to Goodreads and Tor Nightfire/Macmillan for a free copy of this book. I received an uncorrected and unedited copy of this book so some of my comments toward the book may have changed by the time of official publishing.
- Firstly, I thought the book was very atmospheric and environmentally interesting. I liked the setting in the school and the way it was described, it felt intimate and in close quarters and I think setting the story in winter served it well. I thought it was very cool too that we got to see less common creatures in this book- that was very fun. The writing style flowed well and was quick and easy to read and some of the word choice was just great- I love when I read a book and find words I’ve never seen before, as well I appreciated the author’s note at the beginning of the book. I enjoyed the academia sort of genre and how that was used in this story.
- There is a dinner party chapter early in the book which I enjoyed. I thought it worked really well to characterize the people there and helped further set up Marcella’s abilities. The chapter included some kind of squeamish-y descriptions of the house and I think that worked really well.
There was a description of Marcella cleaning Lacie’s glasses just slightly later that I also really enjoyed- when they were given back a thumbprint was accidentally left on the glass. For me, although a small thing- it added warmth and realness and intimacy to the scene and helped to dichotomize Marcella’s possibly heightened almost unreal egotistical vision of herself to how Lacie was experiencing her- having Marcella be less than perfect.
- Things I have mixed feelings about largely are around the heavy sexualization in the story. I feel like in parts it works well, but in others- not so much. There was a scene during an early dinner party where Marcella engages with another character- the scene was very visceral and intense while it lasted and served the story well, I think many of the scenes in the book have the same sort of feel. That being said I almost feel like the book is oversexualizing itself at times. Graphic-ish language is very frequent both within sex scenes and outside of them. By chapter 4 (50 pages in) there are two sex adjacent scenes. It felt like the frequency of these scenes both helped the story (characterizing Marcella’s pull on others and the academic misogyny) and hurt and deflated the impact the scenes made the more and more often that they happened. I also just personally have a weird relationship with pop culture references as well as descriptions of every outfit a character wears- though I will note that for this story- the latter did suit it well. I know those aren’t bad things as they add context and help the reader visually imagine the scene but they take ME out of reading so I am including them in mixed feelings.
- Things I did not enjoy as much about the general book: It was very fast paced in the beginning, fast into giving pet-nanes, fast to the first important death, fast to small physical intimacies (like hair touching, caresses, etc.), fast to move on from each scene and horror and event, fast for Marcella to make an internal cree she would not harm Lacie. I think a little stillness and silence and build up could have improved this book in some areas. I also thought at times too it was a little unbelievable. The characters’ behavior and dialogue especially was just generally at times unbelievable and otherwise just confusing to me. Everyone was so callus to each other and made strange choices regarding what evidence they hid or how much apathy they presented toward each other. Too- and I’ll preface with I don’t know if it’s like part of Marcella’s abilities to escape people’s notice when she commits crimes or behaves supernaturally but a lot of her extremely suspicious, odd, clearly inhuman, and supernaturally inclined behavior goes unnoticed and does not arise any suspicion. She kills someone in the first chapter in a way I feel there is no way there would not be an investigation- it does not appear as anything other than homicide- which her having just been fired by this person and seen walking into their office- she should be a suspect but is not. It’s set in current day so at least if not people seeing her- a camera should’ve, right? Later in the book the threat of cameras is brought up but brushed off. Another time she does essentially the same thing- devours someone in a car- it is said there is blood and viscera and brain matter all over the car, but somehow… not on her dress and she still looks perfect minus some blood on her face. She also encounters a dead body with Lacie early in the story- Marcella does not let Lacie mourn instead makes her realize this is a supernatural killing, she warns her before they see the body, and easily accepts having seen this, Lacie may have been in shock but scenes later Marcella recounts the event the same way, so why does Lacie not question at this point who Marcella is? Even a ‘she might be crazy, she sounds like a conspiracy theorist’ comment even internally by Lacie if not an outright ‘who the fuck are you’ would make the story feel more believable I think. At another point a character dies gruesomely and is practically decapitated and “dismembered”… it is passed off as a suicide- that is unbelievable. Lacie faces this too- she gets bloody in a scene mid-day and somehow makes down a very tall building, out the front of it, through the quad and all the way back into her room completely unnoticed which again- cameras, college campus with teachers and students… I don’t understand how.
- Lastly, a couple things I imagine will be cleaned up in editing hopefully. There were a couple inconsistencies with reality that I think hurt the readability of this story- for example- they find a week old corpse, Lucie kneels in the blood and when she stands is wet with the mess, the blood would have dried within that time frame realistically- story states there was maggots- so maybe the flesh is wet- I don’t know, but the blood puddle should not have been. Another is in conversation Marcella says something to the effect of “if it was ANOTHER drauger” to Lacie who she has not yet revealed her supernatural nature to- Lacie doesn’t notice. In another the book references Arcane several times- one of these times reads “Let’s watch some TV? I have the newest episode of Arcane ready to go!”- the book in this version is set in December 2025, Arcane’s finale was in November 2024… so either the author maybe changed the year the book was set in, or maybe had blank spot to insert a show and just chose Arcane after the fact, I don’t know. Hopefully this is something that will be fixed in the finalized copy.
Anyway- although I have complained, I did not dislike this book, I thought it was interesting, I felt pulled in and wanted to continue reading. I think it was a fun rompy erotic horror perfect for the Halloween season- I would be, depending on what the finished to print copy looks like, be maybe ready to recommend it to other readers- but in this state I think I’d be more hesitant.
- Firstly, I thought the book was very atmospheric and environmentally interesting. I liked the setting in the school and the way it was described, it felt intimate and in close quarters and I think setting the story in winter served it well. I thought it was very cool too that we got to see less common creatures in this book- that was very fun. The writing style flowed well and was quick and easy to read and some of the word choice was just great- I love when I read a book and find words I’ve never seen before, as well I appreciated the author’s note at the beginning of the book. I enjoyed the academia sort of genre and how that was used in this story.
- There is a dinner party chapter early in the book which I enjoyed. I thought it worked really well to characterize the people there and helped further set up Marcella’s abilities. The chapter included some kind of squeamish-y descriptions of the house and I think that worked really well.
There was a description of Marcella cleaning Lacie’s glasses just slightly later that I also really enjoyed- when they were given back a thumbprint was accidentally left on the glass. For me, although a small thing- it added warmth and realness and intimacy to the scene and helped to dichotomize Marcella’s possibly heightened almost unreal egotistical vision of herself to how Lacie was experiencing her- having Marcella be less than perfect.
- Things I have mixed feelings about largely are around the heavy sexualization in the story. I feel like in parts it works well, but in others- not so much. There was a scene during an early dinner party where Marcella engages with another character- the scene was very visceral and intense while it lasted and served the story well, I think many of the scenes in the book have the same sort of feel. That being said I almost feel like the book is oversexualizing itself at times. Graphic-ish language is very frequent both within sex scenes and outside of them. By chapter 4 (50 pages in) there are two sex adjacent scenes. It felt like the frequency of these scenes both helped the story (characterizing Marcella’s pull on others and the academic misogyny) and hurt and deflated the impact the scenes made the more and more often that they happened. I also just personally have a weird relationship with pop culture references as well as descriptions of every outfit a character wears- though I will note that for this story- the latter did suit it well. I know those aren’t bad things as they add context and help the reader visually imagine the scene but they take ME out of reading so I am including them in mixed feelings.
- Things I did not enjoy as much about the general book: It was very fast paced in the beginning, fast into giving pet-nanes, fast to the first important death, fast to small physical intimacies (like hair touching, caresses, etc.), fast to move on from each scene and horror and event, fast for Marcella to make an internal cree she would not harm Lacie. I think a little stillness and silence and build up could have improved this book in some areas. I also thought at times too it was a little unbelievable. The characters’ behavior and dialogue especially was just generally at times unbelievable and otherwise just confusing to me. Everyone was so callus to each other and made strange choices regarding what evidence they hid or how much apathy they presented toward each other. Too- and I’ll preface with I don’t know if it’s like part of Marcella’s abilities to escape people’s notice when she commits crimes or behaves supernaturally but a lot of her extremely suspicious, odd, clearly inhuman, and supernaturally inclined behavior goes unnoticed and does not arise any suspicion. She kills someone in the first chapter in a way I feel there is no way there would not be an investigation- it does not appear as anything other than homicide- which her having just been fired by this person and seen walking into their office- she should be a suspect but is not. It’s set in current day so at least if not people seeing her- a camera should’ve, right? Later in the book the threat of cameras is brought up but brushed off. Another time she does essentially the same thing- devours someone in a car- it is said there is blood and viscera and brain matter all over the car, but somehow… not on her dress and she still looks perfect minus some blood on her face. She also encounters a dead body with Lacie early in the story- Marcella does not let Lacie mourn instead makes her realize this is a supernatural killing, she warns her before they see the body, and easily accepts having seen this, Lacie may have been in shock but scenes later Marcella recounts the event the same way, so why does Lacie not question at this point who Marcella is? Even a ‘she might be crazy, she sounds like a conspiracy theorist’ comment even internally by Lacie if not an outright ‘who the fuck are you’ would make the story feel more believable I think. At another point a character dies gruesomely and is practically decapitated and “dismembered”… it is passed off as a suicide- that is unbelievable. Lacie faces this too- she gets bloody in a scene mid-day and somehow makes down a very tall building, out the front of it, through the quad and all the way back into her room completely unnoticed which again- cameras, college campus with teachers and students… I don’t understand how.
- Lastly, a couple things I imagine will be cleaned up in editing hopefully. There were a couple inconsistencies with reality that I think hurt the readability of this story- for example- they find a week old corpse, Lucie kneels in the blood and when she stands is wet with the mess, the blood would have dried within that time frame realistically- story states there was maggots- so maybe the flesh is wet- I don’t know, but the blood puddle should not have been. Another is in conversation Marcella says something to the effect of “if it was ANOTHER drauger” to Lacie who she has not yet revealed her supernatural nature to- Lacie doesn’t notice. In another the book references Arcane several times- one of these times reads “Let’s watch some TV? I have the newest episode of Arcane ready to go!”- the book in this version is set in December 2025, Arcane’s finale was in November 2024… so either the author maybe changed the year the book was set in, or maybe had blank spot to insert a show and just chose Arcane after the fact, I don’t know. Hopefully this is something that will be fixed in the finalized copy.
Anyway- although I have complained, I did not dislike this book, I thought it was interesting, I felt pulled in and wanted to continue reading. I think it was a fun rompy erotic horror perfect for the Halloween season- I would be, depending on what the finished to print copy looks like, be maybe ready to recommend it to other readers- but in this state I think I’d be more hesitant.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
⭐⭐⭐⭐¾
I won an advance readers copy of Lethal Kiss from Taylor Grothe & Tor Nightfire. Thank you for the opportunity to read this! All opinions are my own.
Quotes:
"I won't let them take me away from the things I love anymore. … I have finally found a soft home for my heart, one they won't tear away from me. Not again. They've taken and taken and taken, and I finally have a chance to have something only for myself. … I want to make you burn."
🥀
"She's unbound, unhurt. Her perfect face is done up, her lips dark red. … She is beautiful. She is terrible. She's the cause of my death, I know it."
🥀
"'It's funny. I feel more at home in a church than I want to admit. The ritual. The regalia. The comfort of knowing someone is out there, looking down on me with love. But it's not real, is it?'
'But lamb, isn't it? Real, I mean. The monsters. The myth of it. Sure, there may be no all-knowing God protecting your steps. But there's truth here, too. Love, kindness, gentle faith. You think you might not deserve it for leaving, but you do.'"
🥀
""'You're hyperventilating. I'm strong but I don't think I can carry you if you drop to the ground right here and now.' That's not true. I could, but I would look ridiculous and I'm wearing my favorite heels."
🥀
Review:
Lethal Kiss is a uniquely brilliant sapphic horrormance, featuring an undead entity from Norse mythology known as a Draugr and a people-pleasing human.
First, the Draugr — this is such a fascinating monster! Naturally I had to do further research on these because my husband's knowledge came from Skyrim, where they're just portrayed as zombies, and I had no knowledge whatsoever. Draugur are undead and prey on humans, yes, but they're shapeshifters and they're clever. In some legends, they're very similar to vampires in that they can turn their victims into one of them. Grothe, a scholar of medieval fiction and Nordic Saga, pulled ideas from varied sources to create Marcella — a man-eater in every sense of the word.
Marcella has been in acadamia… well, a really long time. When an unexpected move leads her to a college campus where professors are mysteriously disappearing, Marcella wants to just pack up and leave but is drawn to Lacie, her next door neighbor and a people-pleasing assistant professor, for reasons she can't explain.
Lacie. Lacie carries church-kid-turned-queer-woman trauma, and I would do anything for her. She's also a GREAT example of Autistic representation. Her best friend goes missing right when Marcella turns up, so naturally she is mistrusting of the incredibly attractive stranger. But ultimately, the two pair up to solve the case and uncover far more than either one of them expected. About the school and the disappearing professors, but also about themselves and each other.
The romance is real — awkward, steamy, and confusing — and the stakes are high. The ambiance is top tier. The horror is gorey, the sex is spicy, and the existential dread is haunting. And sprinkled throughout is plenty of humor and witty dialogue.
The scenes in the chapel are so devastatingly real and beautiful, I found myself sobbing and blowing up Taylor's DMs (thanks Taylor 😂😭)
Lethal Kiss was a healing experience I didn't know I needed. If you love dark acadamia with feminine rage, evil men being put in their place, secret societies, gothic cathedrals, a frustrating romance and a heart wrenching villain origin story, you have to read this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐¾
Lethal Kiss releases October 20th, just in time for Halloween. Available anywhere books are sold.
I won an advance readers copy of Lethal Kiss from Taylor Grothe & Tor Nightfire. Thank you for the opportunity to read this! All opinions are my own.
Quotes:
"I won't let them take me away from the things I love anymore. … I have finally found a soft home for my heart, one they won't tear away from me. Not again. They've taken and taken and taken, and I finally have a chance to have something only for myself. … I want to make you burn."
🥀
"She's unbound, unhurt. Her perfect face is done up, her lips dark red. … She is beautiful. She is terrible. She's the cause of my death, I know it."
🥀
"'It's funny. I feel more at home in a church than I want to admit. The ritual. The regalia. The comfort of knowing someone is out there, looking down on me with love. But it's not real, is it?'
'But lamb, isn't it? Real, I mean. The monsters. The myth of it. Sure, there may be no all-knowing God protecting your steps. But there's truth here, too. Love, kindness, gentle faith. You think you might not deserve it for leaving, but you do.'"
🥀
""'You're hyperventilating. I'm strong but I don't think I can carry you if you drop to the ground right here and now.' That's not true. I could, but I would look ridiculous and I'm wearing my favorite heels."
🥀
Review:
Lethal Kiss is a uniquely brilliant sapphic horrormance, featuring an undead entity from Norse mythology known as a Draugr and a people-pleasing human.
First, the Draugr — this is such a fascinating monster! Naturally I had to do further research on these because my husband's knowledge came from Skyrim, where they're just portrayed as zombies, and I had no knowledge whatsoever. Draugur are undead and prey on humans, yes, but they're shapeshifters and they're clever. In some legends, they're very similar to vampires in that they can turn their victims into one of them. Grothe, a scholar of medieval fiction and Nordic Saga, pulled ideas from varied sources to create Marcella — a man-eater in every sense of the word.
Marcella has been in acadamia… well, a really long time. When an unexpected move leads her to a college campus where professors are mysteriously disappearing, Marcella wants to just pack up and leave but is drawn to Lacie, her next door neighbor and a people-pleasing assistant professor, for reasons she can't explain.
Lacie. Lacie carries church-kid-turned-queer-woman trauma, and I would do anything for her. She's also a GREAT example of Autistic representation. Her best friend goes missing right when Marcella turns up, so naturally she is mistrusting of the incredibly attractive stranger. But ultimately, the two pair up to solve the case and uncover far more than either one of them expected. About the school and the disappearing professors, but also about themselves and each other.
The romance is real — awkward, steamy, and confusing — and the stakes are high. The ambiance is top tier. The horror is gorey, the sex is spicy, and the existential dread is haunting. And sprinkled throughout is plenty of humor and witty dialogue.
The scenes in the chapel are so devastatingly real and beautiful, I found myself sobbing and blowing up Taylor's DMs (thanks Taylor 😂😭)
Lethal Kiss was a healing experience I didn't know I needed. If you love dark acadamia with feminine rage, evil men being put in their place, secret societies, gothic cathedrals, a frustrating romance and a heart wrenching villain origin story, you have to read this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐¾
Lethal Kiss releases October 20th, just in time for Halloween. Available anywhere books are sold.
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