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Vampires, Hearts, & Other Dead Things
In this “equal parts heartbreaking and joyful” (School Library Journal) debut YA novel that’s The Coldest Girl in Coldtown meets They Both Die at the End, a teen girl takes a trip to New Orleans with her estranged best friend to find a vampire to save her dying father.
Victoria and her dad have shared a love of the undead since the first vampire revealed his existence on live TV. Public fear soon drove the vampires back into hiding, yet Victoria and her father still dream about finding a vampire together. But when her dad is diagnosed with terminal cancer, it’s clear that’s not going to happen. Instead, Victoria vows to find a vampire herself—so that she can become one and then save her father.
Armed with research, speculations, and desperation—and helped by her estranged best friend, Henry—Victoria travels to New Orleans in search of a miracle. There she meets Nicholas, a mysterious young man who might give her what she desires. But first, he needs Victoria to prove she loves life enough to live forever.
She agrees to complete a series of challenges, from scarfing sugar-drenched beignets to singing with a jazz band, all to show she has what it takes to be immortal. But truly living while her father is dying feels like a betrayal. Victoria must figure out how to experience joy and grief at once, trusting all the while that Nicholas will hold up his end of the bargain…because the alternative is too impossible to imagine.
Victoria and her dad have shared a love of the undead since the first vampire revealed his existence on live TV. Public fear soon drove the vampires back into hiding, yet Victoria and her father still dream about finding a vampire together. But when her dad is diagnosed with terminal cancer, it’s clear that’s not going to happen. Instead, Victoria vows to find a vampire herself—so that she can become one and then save her father.
Armed with research, speculations, and desperation—and helped by her estranged best friend, Henry—Victoria travels to New Orleans in search of a miracle. There she meets Nicholas, a mysterious young man who might give her what she desires. But first, he needs Victoria to prove she loves life enough to live forever.
She agrees to complete a series of challenges, from scarfing sugar-drenched beignets to singing with a jazz band, all to show she has what it takes to be immortal. But truly living while her father is dying feels like a betrayal. Victoria must figure out how to experience joy and grief at once, trusting all the while that Nicholas will hold up his end of the bargain…because the alternative is too impossible to imagine.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 24, 2021
153 people are currently reading
10728 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 746 reviews
June 18, 2023
Star Rating: —> 5 Stars
This was just... absolutely incredible. I loved it so, so much! This is definitely a book I will read time and time again. Though it was very, VERY hard for me because the MC is losing her father to cancer & well, so did I. So I was just a BLUBBERING MESS throughout so much of this...
BUT; more importantly it also made me smile, laugh, and feel freakin' jubilant (all the good things). The MC isn't exactly LIKABLE at FIRST... but idk she is a little morally grey which I liked, & I could empathize with her, so I guess I understood the way she was acting, even though she was incredibly selfish. But as the novel goes on she becomes more likable & I loved being a part of her journey of growth. Especially because her & her father share a love for vampires, and so he doesn't want her to miss the trip to New Orleans they planned together to search for proof of their existence just because he didn’t expect to be too sick.
Her family sends her off with her estranged best friend, Henry (which omg their relationship is something else lol but they are so cute!), and not only does she search until she finds a possible vampire, who she is constantly evaluating to see if he actually is or not lol... she is on a MISSION to have one turn her so she can then save her father by turning HIM before he dies.
This rando guy sends her on a quest in New Orleans to complete different tasks to decide whether she is a good vamp candidate... and ahhhh This BOOKKKK ! SO GOOD! If anyone has ever had a very close loved one pass, I feel like you will connect with this book on a deeper level— the way that I did, but it’s also actually a really ADORABLE, FUN, and yes, also sad, YA ‘coming of age’ contemporary dream of a book!
100% recommend!
This was just... absolutely incredible. I loved it so, so much! This is definitely a book I will read time and time again. Though it was very, VERY hard for me because the MC is losing her father to cancer & well, so did I. So I was just a BLUBBERING MESS throughout so much of this...
BUT; more importantly it also made me smile, laugh, and feel freakin' jubilant (all the good things). The MC isn't exactly LIKABLE at FIRST... but idk she is a little morally grey which I liked, & I could empathize with her, so I guess I understood the way she was acting, even though she was incredibly selfish. But as the novel goes on she becomes more likable & I loved being a part of her journey of growth. Especially because her & her father share a love for vampires, and so he doesn't want her to miss the trip to New Orleans they planned together to search for proof of their existence just because he didn’t expect to be too sick.
Her family sends her off with her estranged best friend, Henry (which omg their relationship is something else lol but they are so cute!), and not only does she search until she finds a possible vampire, who she is constantly evaluating to see if he actually is or not lol... she is on a MISSION to have one turn her so she can then save her father by turning HIM before he dies.
This rando guy sends her on a quest in New Orleans to complete different tasks to decide whether she is a good vamp candidate... and ahhhh This BOOKKKK ! SO GOOD! If anyone has ever had a very close loved one pass, I feel like you will connect with this book on a deeper level— the way that I did, but it’s also actually a really ADORABLE, FUN, and yes, also sad, YA ‘coming of age’ contemporary dream of a book!
100% recommend!
September 10, 2021
You can have a heartbeat and still be dead
I didn’t love it as much as I thought I would; oh well.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Want to read
November 23, 2020book: "something-or-another meets They Both Die at the End"
me: *slams want-to-read through the tears*
me: *slams want-to-read through the tears*
Want to read
March 5, 2021My student wrote this book!!!
June 27, 2022
2/5⭐️
Wasted potential 😔
There are two things that I really enjoyed about this book:
-The vampire related quotes at the beginning of each chapter (mostly the vampire diaries and the originals ones)
“I would tell you that it’s okay to have hope… because sometimes that’s all that keeps me going.”
“That’s what family is. It’s the people you’re born to and the people you choose who stand beside you when things get hard.”
-The main message of finding the purpose of life and living it to your fullest. I didn’t expect where the story was going so the last 20% really surprised me. But I wish they would’ve expanded more into this instead of the “game” that I didn’t even care about.
“I’m sorry, but do you know how many silly people come out here looking for vampires, wasting their time trying to find immortality when they should be living their own life to the fullest?”
“Immortality isn’t everything. There’s a difference between living and existing,” he says.
“But you can’t live if you don’t exist.”
The rest of it was just meh. I hated the main character, she was so selfish and naive omg she stressed me out. She would risk other people, even people she “cares” about just to get what she wants? Poor Henry deserves wayyy better than her.
“I’m the hero in this story. I’m the one saving someone. If you can’t deal with that, then get the hell out of my life.”
She actually said this… she has a hero complex.
Summary: I’m disappointed.
“You do have a heartbeat.”
“You can have a heartbeat and still be dead.”
Wasted potential 😔
There are two things that I really enjoyed about this book:
-The vampire related quotes at the beginning of each chapter (mostly the vampire diaries and the originals ones)
“I would tell you that it’s okay to have hope… because sometimes that’s all that keeps me going.”
“That’s what family is. It’s the people you’re born to and the people you choose who stand beside you when things get hard.”
-The main message of finding the purpose of life and living it to your fullest. I didn’t expect where the story was going so the last 20% really surprised me. But I wish they would’ve expanded more into this instead of the “game” that I didn’t even care about.
“I’m sorry, but do you know how many silly people come out here looking for vampires, wasting their time trying to find immortality when they should be living their own life to the fullest?”
“Immortality isn’t everything. There’s a difference between living and existing,” he says.
“But you can’t live if you don’t exist.”
The rest of it was just meh. I hated the main character, she was so selfish and naive omg she stressed me out. She would risk other people, even people she “cares” about just to get what she wants? Poor Henry deserves wayyy better than her.
“I’m the hero in this story. I’m the one saving someone. If you can’t deal with that, then get the hell out of my life.”
She actually said this… she has a hero complex.
Summary: I’m disappointed.
“You do have a heartbeat.”
“You can have a heartbeat and still be dead.”
Want to read
July 21, 2020July 21, 2020: I run so fast towards books with vampires...and other dead things. Is it because I'm a vampire myself? You would never know.
April 22, 2024
This is such a unique book and it makes my spooky little heart so happy!
It’s about a girl who is OBSESSED with vampires. She and her dad always bonded over vampire lore and movies. So when her dad starts to lose his battle with cancer, she decides to go to New Orleans to find a real life vampire to change her so she can save her dad.
Once there, she meets a handsome stranger who promises to change her if she completes a series of tasks that are designed to help her get her spark back.
It’s one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read. I didn’t want to stop reading once I started.
The story is set in New Orleans, it deals a lot with grief and denial, so the general feeling is sad, but hopeful, and it has a great message.
It’s young adult and it has a romantic childhood friends to lovers sub plot.
I could see how this story wouldn’t be for everyone, but I absolutely loved it and I’ll think about it a lot.
It’s unique and emotional, but also fun because of vampires, and the vampire movie and tv show quotes throughout the book, the atmosphere, and the tasks she has to complete.
It’s about a girl who is OBSESSED with vampires. She and her dad always bonded over vampire lore and movies. So when her dad starts to lose his battle with cancer, she decides to go to New Orleans to find a real life vampire to change her so she can save her dad.
Once there, she meets a handsome stranger who promises to change her if she completes a series of tasks that are designed to help her get her spark back.
It’s one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read. I didn’t want to stop reading once I started.
The story is set in New Orleans, it deals a lot with grief and denial, so the general feeling is sad, but hopeful, and it has a great message.
It’s young adult and it has a romantic childhood friends to lovers sub plot.
I could see how this story wouldn’t be for everyone, but I absolutely loved it and I’ll think about it a lot.
It’s unique and emotional, but also fun because of vampires, and the vampire movie and tv show quotes throughout the book, the atmosphere, and the tasks she has to complete.
July 30, 2021
Firstly, I would like to say the biggest thank you to Simon and Schuster for agreeing to send me a NetGalley ARC!! It was a book I’d been really excited about and it did not disappoint!!
This book is the first book in quite a while that has pushed me to think about people and situations outside of the fictional world. It made me think about grief, the people I love and my own dad.
I went into this very excited about the vampire pop culture references, I myself am a big vampire film fan and I was impressed with how many Fuston has managed to get in! I’m glad we got to see so many vampire myths and stereotypes, the seductive qualities they are often presented as having and also the cold-hearted killers that they can be too.
The plot is that Victoria’s dad is dying of cancer. They have always shared a love for vampires and in her desperation and refusal to let him go she agrees to go on the trip they’d planned to New Orleans; but instead of a fun week away... she is looking for a real vampire.
Her best friend Henry who she’s been pulling away from convinces her to let him join her and a vampire she believes can help her sends her on a ‘game’ in order to prove she loves life enough to commit to eternity.
Henry and Victoria are such well-written characters! Their flaws are clear as day but you can’t help feeling for them. You can’t help but admire Victoria’s strength and determination but I was also so moved by her desperation. Yes, she made some risky choices, but can you blame her when her dad’s life hangs in the balance. And Henry, yes he often couldn’t decide whether he wanted to help Victoria or not but you could see how much he cared for her and respected her at the same time.
In fact, the level of respect that both Henry and Nicolas showed for Victoria was admirable. They didn’t always get it right, but I’m convinced they had the right intentions towards her.
I cried multiple times while reading this. And after I finished it I cried for about twenty minutes. The last chapter especially made me emotional towards both the characters and my own dad and the people I love.
The way grief is discussed both for people who have died and for the grief that Victoria is feeling about the loss of time with her dad during his illness is heart-wrenching.
I want to thank you Margie Fuston. This was one of my most anticipated reads and has definitely become a favourite of the year.
This book is the first book in quite a while that has pushed me to think about people and situations outside of the fictional world. It made me think about grief, the people I love and my own dad.
I went into this very excited about the vampire pop culture references, I myself am a big vampire film fan and I was impressed with how many Fuston has managed to get in! I’m glad we got to see so many vampire myths and stereotypes, the seductive qualities they are often presented as having and also the cold-hearted killers that they can be too.
The plot is that Victoria’s dad is dying of cancer. They have always shared a love for vampires and in her desperation and refusal to let him go she agrees to go on the trip they’d planned to New Orleans; but instead of a fun week away... she is looking for a real vampire.
Her best friend Henry who she’s been pulling away from convinces her to let him join her and a vampire she believes can help her sends her on a ‘game’ in order to prove she loves life enough to commit to eternity.
Henry and Victoria are such well-written characters! Their flaws are clear as day but you can’t help feeling for them. You can’t help but admire Victoria’s strength and determination but I was also so moved by her desperation. Yes, she made some risky choices, but can you blame her when her dad’s life hangs in the balance. And Henry, yes he often couldn’t decide whether he wanted to help Victoria or not but you could see how much he cared for her and respected her at the same time.
In fact, the level of respect that both Henry and Nicolas showed for Victoria was admirable. They didn’t always get it right, but I’m convinced they had the right intentions towards her.
I cried multiple times while reading this. And after I finished it I cried for about twenty minutes. The last chapter especially made me emotional towards both the characters and my own dad and the people I love.
The way grief is discussed both for people who have died and for the grief that Victoria is feeling about the loss of time with her dad during his illness is heart-wrenching.
I want to thank you Margie Fuston. This was one of my most anticipated reads and has definitely become a favourite of the year.
November 30, 2022
Okay so…if you want to cry really hard by the end of a book then pick this one. There’s so much grief and sadness and despair…but also so much hope and joy and love just…man this book made me feel a l o t.
It was slow at the start but the premise is really good and it was written so beautifully I loved it.
It took me a bit to get into the book as well but I think that’s because the MC has my name, Victoria, and my interests which weirded me out a lot! There are quotes on each chapter too from some of my favourite movies I never hear anyone talk about! Honestly the pop culture references were some of my favourite parts. Anyway 4*, this book made me really sad.
It was slow at the start but the premise is really good and it was written so beautifully I loved it.
It took me a bit to get into the book as well but I think that’s because the MC has my name, Victoria, and my interests which weirded me out a lot! There are quotes on each chapter too from some of my favourite movies I never hear anyone talk about! Honestly the pop culture references were some of my favourite parts. Anyway 4*, this book made me really sad.
August 31, 2021
This story was hopeful, heartbreaking and often hit a little too close to home, as I lost my mother when I was sixteen after a long illness. I could relate far too much to Victoria's desperation as she sought the one thing that might save her dying father - a vampire.
This plot should sound completely ridiculous, and yet, it really worked. There was always a question of if this was a true contemporary novel or if there was a supernatural creature lurking in the streets of New Orleans, as Victoria and Henry are sent on weird and wonderful tasks.
I have a soft spot for any kind of treasure hunt, and the tasks Nicholas sends Victoria and Henry on lead them to an adventure filled with poetry, new experiences and for Victoria, a conflict as she battles not only her father's limited time but her feelings for both Henry and Nicholas.
The love triangle works really well here, because Victoria is grieving the loss of the time she could have had with her father. Her emotions are all over the place and Henry offers her that familiar stability of someone who has known her her whole life, while Nicholas offers a blank slate where she doesn't have to think about everything that's happening.
Overall, this story took me on an incredibly emotional, poetic journey though New Orleans and left me feeling hopeful for Victoria's future. The ending was a little bit of a surprise but a great one, and the only thing I could want more of is a story from Nicholas's perspective.
This plot should sound completely ridiculous, and yet, it really worked. There was always a question of if this was a true contemporary novel or if there was a supernatural creature lurking in the streets of New Orleans, as Victoria and Henry are sent on weird and wonderful tasks.
I have a soft spot for any kind of treasure hunt, and the tasks Nicholas sends Victoria and Henry on lead them to an adventure filled with poetry, new experiences and for Victoria, a conflict as she battles not only her father's limited time but her feelings for both Henry and Nicholas.
The love triangle works really well here, because Victoria is grieving the loss of the time she could have had with her father. Her emotions are all over the place and Henry offers her that familiar stability of someone who has known her her whole life, while Nicholas offers a blank slate where she doesn't have to think about everything that's happening.
Overall, this story took me on an incredibly emotional, poetic journey though New Orleans and left me feeling hopeful for Victoria's future. The ending was a little bit of a surprise but a great one, and the only thing I could want more of is a story from Nicholas's perspective.
May 31, 2022
This book was simply ok. It started slow. The middle had issues with pacing and world building. The ending provided some redemption which bumped it up from 2 stars to 3. There were a few memorable and powerful quotes. I was hoping for more emotion, passion, and substance. The MC was mildly likable and treated her best friend horribly, repeatedly stomping on him while he crawled back to her every time. Parts of the story were bland and bordering on insufferable. The idea had potential and would have been much better if it had been more complex and written better. The first person POV made the MC seem whiney, selfish and sarcastic. Overall, 3 stars is generous. I probably would have DNFed if I hadn't paid for it.
August 23, 2021
I truly wanted to love this book. Between the plot of vampires and the setting of New Orleans I thought it would be a for sure 5 star read. The only thing keeping this book from being great is the main character herself. Victoria is going through a terrible experience of watching her father become sicker and sicker with cancer. Her behavior and choices in response to this experience makes her a difficult character to relate to or understand. Bluntly, she is unlikeable. I think the writer is fantastic at world building but unfortunately the MC of this book draws away from this.
February 18, 2022
3.75 out of 5 stars.
August 10, 2021
Vampires, Hearts, and Other Dead Things by Margie Fuston
Length: 320 Pages
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
A special thanks to Netgalley and Margaret K. Elderry Books for an ARC of this book!
Trigger Warnings in this book for Cancer and Death of a Loved One
"I cry until I'm so empty it seems like I might float up into the sun and combust if Henry lets go of me. I actually move away from him to see if it will happen.
Nope. I stand still in the sun as he watches me, waiting.
I am empty, but not broken.
Empty things can be filled again."
As an unrepentant lover of anything vampire related, I knew I had to snatch up Margie Fuston's Vampires, Heart, and Other Dead Things, which promised vampire hunting in a place I've always dreamed to visit: New Orleans. And what better place for vampires than New Orleans, with it's buildings -- dating hundred of years back -- its nightlife and of course, Anne Rice. I was really expecting to love this book more, but in the end, I was just okay with it.
Victoria and her Dad are obsessed with vampires and love to rewatch their favorite flicks (Underworld is mentioned several times, which is one of my favorites, too) and debate what real vampires would be like. Can they really not stand garlic, or the sign of the cross? Can they control the weather, like the undead Draugrs of Norse myth? Their love for their beloved stalkers of the night is only solidified when a man goes on television and claims he's a vampire and even stabs himself -- and seemingly heals in the blink of an eye.
It's been years since that fateful moment, and vampires, if they were ever really real, have gone underground after a string of murders are attributed to the one who revealed everything on live TV.
But Victoria has never stopped believing. And it is this belief that is holding her fragile life together when her father runs out of options to beat cancer. They had always planned to go to New Orleans together, but now Victoria takes the opportunity to fly there herself. And, hopefully, find a vampire.
Tagging along is her bestfriend and lifelong crush Henry Nakamura. They had a falling out when he started dating their other bestfriend, Bailey, and have been excommunicado for a year. However, Henry is not going to let that get in the way, and forces himself back into Victoria's life, possibly when she needs him the most.
While there, Victoria finds Nicholas, who is handsome, nocturnal, and powerful, and he wants her to play along in his game. If she can prove to him that she loves life, he might just let her live...forever.
My favorite part of this book was the lush descriptions of New Orleans, in all its gothic beauty. I especially loved the inclusion of a little vampire folklore which I'm familiar with -- the Ursuline Convent which once housed the infamous "Casket Girls" of New Orleans. There were many juicy tidbits of vampire lore sprinkled throughout, and I loved every minute of it.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting with Victoria, who was so hard to empathize with I kept wondering why in God's name Henry wanted to have anything to do with her! She was selfish and treated him like garbage. The poor boy deserved better! While Victoria is going through possibly the most difficult thing a person can go through, she did it with such a lack of regard for anyone else that it set my teeth on edge. I'm also one to bottle up my emotions, but that doesn't stop me from being there for family and my friends.
Overall, I think Vampire, Hearts, and Other Dead Things is a great choice for a vampire aficionado, like myself, and if you can get past the less than loveable protagonist, I think it'll be a fun ride for someone who wishes they could go to New Orleans and find them a real creature of the night. I know this would have been something I really liked as a teen, so if you have any like minded ones, let them know!
For more reviews visit my blog!
Length: 320 Pages
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
A special thanks to Netgalley and Margaret K. Elderry Books for an ARC of this book!
Trigger Warnings in this book for Cancer and Death of a Loved One
"I cry until I'm so empty it seems like I might float up into the sun and combust if Henry lets go of me. I actually move away from him to see if it will happen.
Nope. I stand still in the sun as he watches me, waiting.
I am empty, but not broken.
Empty things can be filled again."
As an unrepentant lover of anything vampire related, I knew I had to snatch up Margie Fuston's Vampires, Heart, and Other Dead Things, which promised vampire hunting in a place I've always dreamed to visit: New Orleans. And what better place for vampires than New Orleans, with it's buildings -- dating hundred of years back -- its nightlife and of course, Anne Rice. I was really expecting to love this book more, but in the end, I was just okay with it.
Victoria and her Dad are obsessed with vampires and love to rewatch their favorite flicks (Underworld is mentioned several times, which is one of my favorites, too) and debate what real vampires would be like. Can they really not stand garlic, or the sign of the cross? Can they control the weather, like the undead Draugrs of Norse myth? Their love for their beloved stalkers of the night is only solidified when a man goes on television and claims he's a vampire and even stabs himself -- and seemingly heals in the blink of an eye.
It's been years since that fateful moment, and vampires, if they were ever really real, have gone underground after a string of murders are attributed to the one who revealed everything on live TV.
But Victoria has never stopped believing. And it is this belief that is holding her fragile life together when her father runs out of options to beat cancer. They had always planned to go to New Orleans together, but now Victoria takes the opportunity to fly there herself. And, hopefully, find a vampire.
Tagging along is her bestfriend and lifelong crush Henry Nakamura. They had a falling out when he started dating their other bestfriend, Bailey, and have been excommunicado for a year. However, Henry is not going to let that get in the way, and forces himself back into Victoria's life, possibly when she needs him the most.
While there, Victoria finds Nicholas, who is handsome, nocturnal, and powerful, and he wants her to play along in his game. If she can prove to him that she loves life, he might just let her live...forever.
My favorite part of this book was the lush descriptions of New Orleans, in all its gothic beauty. I especially loved the inclusion of a little vampire folklore which I'm familiar with -- the Ursuline Convent which once housed the infamous "Casket Girls" of New Orleans. There were many juicy tidbits of vampire lore sprinkled throughout, and I loved every minute of it.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting with Victoria, who was so hard to empathize with I kept wondering why in God's name Henry wanted to have anything to do with her! She was selfish and treated him like garbage. The poor boy deserved better! While Victoria is going through possibly the most difficult thing a person can go through, she did it with such a lack of regard for anyone else that it set my teeth on edge. I'm also one to bottle up my emotions, but that doesn't stop me from being there for family and my friends.
Overall, I think Vampire, Hearts, and Other Dead Things is a great choice for a vampire aficionado, like myself, and if you can get past the less than loveable protagonist, I think it'll be a fun ride for someone who wishes they could go to New Orleans and find them a real creature of the night. I know this would have been something I really liked as a teen, so if you have any like minded ones, let them know!
For more reviews visit my blog!
January 23, 2023
if i write how i felt about this book, i might get jumped
February 20, 2022
Read for MLIS elective
The quotes from various supernatural/vampire media above the chapter titles were a great touch.
Content warning: chronic illness (cancer), blood, death of parent, grief as a theme
The quotes from various supernatural/vampire media above the chapter titles were a great touch.
Content warning: chronic illness (cancer), blood, death of parent, grief as a theme
September 25, 2021
I grew up in Louisiana and have been to New Orleans many times, I love vampire shit, and I still adore YA books even though I'm hardly the correct age bracket. On top of all that, I lost my dad when I was a little older than Victoria, the main character of this book. So you'd think this would be tailor-made for me.
It was not. I didn't think this was well-written and I wasn't engaged by any of the characters. I actually had to force myself to finish it (mostly because I have a reading goal for the year and sometimes these things have to be done).
At the beginning of the book, I wondered if Victoria was neurodivergent because she was OBSESSED with vampires to a creepy degree. As in, everything in her life seemed to revolve around vampires, which in this slightly AU-world are maybe possibly actually real. When she talked about her dad, who has terminal pancreatic cancer, it didn't seem like she knew or liked her dad as a person, but only because they shared this weird interest/obsession. It was very weird and distracting. Ultimately I'm assuming Victoria is neurotypical with a really intense obsession.
The book is about Victoria and her boy-next-door(mat) of a best friend, Henry. Her parents arrange a trip to New Orleans as a way to force Victoria to go on living even as her dad is dying. Victoria only agreed to go so she could find a vampire, get turned, and then turn her dad, ultimately saving his life. I think Victoria is supposed to be a strong, tough heroine who's trying to hide her broken heart, but for the most part she comes across like a huge asshole. She treats Henry like crap throughout the book and he stays around because... he loves her? IDK. It's not clear what qualities Victoria has that make her worth loving but maybe he's a masochist.
As far as the vampire twist, it went pretty much the way I thought it would from the very beginning. I mean, from the first page you can tell that this is NOT the kind of book that's dark enough to have a teenage girl give up her life to save her dying dad. Plus Victoria never seems to be serious about becoming a vampire since she can't stand the sight of blood or the idea of killing people.
This is an interesting idea, and in the hands of a (much) better writer, it could have been really good. Personally I would have preferred a darker take on the story but at the very least, I would prefer something well-written without the overused metaphors, tired language, and boring and unlikable characters.
It was not. I didn't think this was well-written and I wasn't engaged by any of the characters. I actually had to force myself to finish it (mostly because I have a reading goal for the year and sometimes these things have to be done).
At the beginning of the book, I wondered if Victoria was neurodivergent because she was OBSESSED with vampires to a creepy degree. As in, everything in her life seemed to revolve around vampires, which in this slightly AU-world are maybe possibly actually real. When she talked about her dad, who has terminal pancreatic cancer, it didn't seem like she knew or liked her dad as a person, but only because they shared this weird interest/obsession. It was very weird and distracting. Ultimately I'm assuming Victoria is neurotypical with a really intense obsession.
The book is about Victoria and her boy-next-door(mat) of a best friend, Henry. Her parents arrange a trip to New Orleans as a way to force Victoria to go on living even as her dad is dying. Victoria only agreed to go so she could find a vampire, get turned, and then turn her dad, ultimately saving his life. I think Victoria is supposed to be a strong, tough heroine who's trying to hide her broken heart, but for the most part she comes across like a huge asshole. She treats Henry like crap throughout the book and he stays around because... he loves her? IDK. It's not clear what qualities Victoria has that make her worth loving but maybe he's a masochist.
As far as the vampire twist, it went pretty much the way I thought it would from the very beginning. I mean, from the first page you can tell that this is NOT the kind of book that's dark enough to have a teenage girl give up her life to save her dying dad. Plus Victoria never seems to be serious about becoming a vampire since she can't stand the sight of blood or the idea of killing people.
This is an interesting idea, and in the hands of a (much) better writer, it could have been really good. Personally I would have preferred a darker take on the story but at the very least, I would prefer something well-written without the overused metaphors, tired language, and boring and unlikable characters.
September 13, 2021
Huge thanks to Edelweiss and Margaret K. McElderry Books for the arc!
Vampires are back!
Okay, okay, I know they "never went away", but let's be honest, they did. We had a good run back in the Twilight/Vampire Diaries/True Blood years, but I saw a tapering off of the genre. We didn't get many vampire books or movies and we all just sort of moved on. But ever so slowly, vampire books crept back into the light (hahaha), and with books like The Beautiful, Crave, Slayer, and Vampires of Portlandia we having another vampire craze! I recently read two more that you have to read BUT let's focus on this one.
Victoria and her dad have always loved vampires. When real-life vampires decided to show themselves, only to skulk back into the shadows, Victoria decides to travel to NOLA in order to find one to save her dad from dying of terminal cancer. She arrives in the city only to find that her own fears of losing her dad have overshadowed the very real idea of losing herself to this task and that sacrifice comes in many different forms.
If you take away all the emotions, humor, and sadness, you may have a hokey book about a girl on a search for a vampire. But with the layers added in, Margie Fuston creates a heartbreaking and very real portrayal of a girl losing a parent and the visceral desperation in trying anything to change it.
The vampire aspect was cool. Being in a world where they were once believed to be real and knowing they still lurk in the shadows created an atmospheric setting. Let's add New Orleans into the mix and we have perfection. I once visited the city and went a few ghost tours there and I can say without blinking how much history is buried beneath that city and some of it may scare you and some of may sound really cheesy, but overall, NOLA's past is a character in itself and makes for a great setting.
The relationship between Victoria and Henry is strained. Their falling-out some years prior created a tension between them that both sizzled and made me want to reach through the pages and shake their shoulders. YOU LOVE EACH OTHER. JUST SAY IT! AHHHHHH. But we all know it is't that easy. Their journey to save Victoria's dad was also one of realization that love can emerge from grief. Love gives us all hope.
The ending was satisfying, although I would have been fine if one part was handled a bit differently. Overall, I loved the book, so it didn't affect my rating much.
I am utter garbage for this vampire come back and if you are too, this book will make a great addition to your shelf.
INSTAGRAM
Vampires are back!
Okay, okay, I know they "never went away", but let's be honest, they did. We had a good run back in the Twilight/Vampire Diaries/True Blood years, but I saw a tapering off of the genre. We didn't get many vampire books or movies and we all just sort of moved on. But ever so slowly, vampire books crept back into the light (hahaha), and with books like The Beautiful, Crave, Slayer, and Vampires of Portlandia we having another vampire craze! I recently read two more that you have to read BUT let's focus on this one.
Victoria and her dad have always loved vampires. When real-life vampires decided to show themselves, only to skulk back into the shadows, Victoria decides to travel to NOLA in order to find one to save her dad from dying of terminal cancer. She arrives in the city only to find that her own fears of losing her dad have overshadowed the very real idea of losing herself to this task and that sacrifice comes in many different forms.
If you take away all the emotions, humor, and sadness, you may have a hokey book about a girl on a search for a vampire. But with the layers added in, Margie Fuston creates a heartbreaking and very real portrayal of a girl losing a parent and the visceral desperation in trying anything to change it.
The vampire aspect was cool. Being in a world where they were once believed to be real and knowing they still lurk in the shadows created an atmospheric setting. Let's add New Orleans into the mix and we have perfection. I once visited the city and went a few ghost tours there and I can say without blinking how much history is buried beneath that city and some of it may scare you and some of may sound really cheesy, but overall, NOLA's past is a character in itself and makes for a great setting.
The relationship between Victoria and Henry is strained. Their falling-out some years prior created a tension between them that both sizzled and made me want to reach through the pages and shake their shoulders. YOU LOVE EACH OTHER. JUST SAY IT! AHHHHHH. But we all know it is't that easy. Their journey to save Victoria's dad was also one of realization that love can emerge from grief. Love gives us all hope.
The ending was satisfying, although I would have been fine if one part was handled a bit differently. Overall, I loved the book, so it didn't affect my rating much.
I am utter garbage for this vampire come back and if you are too, this book will make a great addition to your shelf.
February 13, 2023
4 ⭐️
This was a really interesting look at a young woman handling grief. I loved the setting and the premise of this book. Big fan of books that explore grief and I think this was such a great way to do it in a YA setting. I think anyone who’s felt immense grief like our main character will be able to relate to how she acted and handled things throughout. Also really loved the vampires 🧛♂️
xx
-Christine
This was a really interesting look at a young woman handling grief. I loved the setting and the premise of this book. Big fan of books that explore grief and I think this was such a great way to do it in a YA setting. I think anyone who’s felt immense grief like our main character will be able to relate to how she acted and handled things throughout. Also really loved the vampires 🧛♂️
xx
-Christine
October 11, 2021
Do not read this if/when:
- You're triggered by or don't want to read about dealing with grief or cancer.
- One of the main reasons you like reading is beautiful writing.
- A pet peeve of yours is when artist characters use colours to describe their emotions.
- You think this will be similar to They Both Die at the End, or even to The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Read this if/when:
- You love vampire stories, more specifically, you'd love a character who loves vampire stories.
- You like to read about a story set in New Orleans.
- You want a book to pass the time, that's neither particularly hard to read, nor will make you extremely invested.
My thoughts:
The idea behind this book is really great. A girl goes to New Orleans to find a real-life vampire to save her dying father. There is so much room for depth in that idea to explore mortality and grief, and why we're so fascinated with vampires as a society. You can see glimmers of those ideas coming through the book, however, it just doesn't have the necessity emotion depth and gravitas to deal with them appropriately.
The writing style, in particular, seemed too juvenile to carry the themes of the story. Some YA tropes were thrown in that really didn't add anything to the book, and as much as I love New Orleans, at times the book read like a tourist list of things to see without capturing the essence of what makes that city so wonderful and magical.
Overall, despite the potential, it was an average YA novel, with a better than average idea that was never really fulfilled. However, to give credit when credit's due, it's still a decent look at grief and something that isn't nearly explored enough in the genre.
- You're triggered by or don't want to read about dealing with grief or cancer.
- One of the main reasons you like reading is beautiful writing.
- A pet peeve of yours is when artist characters use colours to describe their emotions.
- You think this will be similar to They Both Die at the End, or even to The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Read this if/when:
- You love vampire stories, more specifically, you'd love a character who loves vampire stories.
- You like to read about a story set in New Orleans.
- You want a book to pass the time, that's neither particularly hard to read, nor will make you extremely invested.
My thoughts:
The idea behind this book is really great. A girl goes to New Orleans to find a real-life vampire to save her dying father. There is so much room for depth in that idea to explore mortality and grief, and why we're so fascinated with vampires as a society. You can see glimmers of those ideas coming through the book, however, it just doesn't have the necessity emotion depth and gravitas to deal with them appropriately.
The writing style, in particular, seemed too juvenile to carry the themes of the story. Some YA tropes were thrown in that really didn't add anything to the book, and as much as I love New Orleans, at times the book read like a tourist list of things to see without capturing the essence of what makes that city so wonderful and magical.
Overall, despite the potential, it was an average YA novel, with a better than average idea that was never really fulfilled. However, to give credit when credit's due, it's still a decent look at grief and something that isn't nearly explored enough in the genre.
August 17, 2020
Margie Fuston writes emotion so raw and visceral, flipping a page will disorient you because you’ll realize, for a second, that you forgot that vivid feeling lives & breathes in the pages and not in the air around you. It’s just — I’m — GAHHH. It’s so. fucking. good.
This book is exquisite. If it’s not already on your radar, I’m here to yell at you until it is. You need this. Trust me.
This book is exquisite. If it’s not already on your radar, I’m here to yell at you until it is. You need this. Trust me.
July 31, 2022
*3.5 BLOODSUCKING STARS*
“There's a difference between living and existing"
I'm conflicted between giving this 3 or 4 stars, so I'm going with 3.5 for now (GR why u still deny us the half star function).
I looooved the concept, the message and also the writing, but it's our main character I have some issues with.
I love vampires and I will read everything with them in it, and it was a very refreshing take on the concept of processing grief. With Victoria and her dad being obsessed with vampires and her going on a trip to New Orleans to find one to save her father who is terminally ill.
I just disliked Veronica sooo much! She frankly didn't have a lot of character development in my eyes, and grieving your dying father is frankly not a good enough excuse to act so selfish and bitchy all the freaking time. I felt so bad for Henry the entire time, he definitely deserved better!
“There's a difference between living and existing"
I'm conflicted between giving this 3 or 4 stars, so I'm going with 3.5 for now (GR why u still deny us the half star function).
I looooved the concept, the message and also the writing, but it's our main character I have some issues with.
I love vampires and I will read everything with them in it, and it was a very refreshing take on the concept of processing grief. With Victoria and her dad being obsessed with vampires and her going on a trip to New Orleans to find one to save her father who is terminally ill.
I just disliked Veronica sooo much! She frankly didn't have a lot of character development in my eyes, and grieving your dying father is frankly not a good enough excuse to act so selfish and bitchy all the freaking time. I felt so bad for Henry the entire time, he definitely deserved better!
Read
May 14, 2025I’m unfortunately going to have to DNF this book because it’s hitting too close to home in so many areas of my life that it makes me feel uncomfortable in continuing to read it. I do have to say that this book does cover so many of my favorite vampire movies and books and it definitely does have a great premise so I definitely think others might enjoy this book more than I did.
October 8, 2022
2.5⭐️
This one was a lot heavier than I was expecting. Unfortunately I didn’t love it. It talked a lot about grief which I think is super important. I just didn’t really connect with the characters and a lot of plot points felt repetitive.
This one was a lot heavier than I was expecting. Unfortunately I didn’t love it. It talked a lot about grief which I think is super important. I just didn’t really connect with the characters and a lot of plot points felt repetitive.
October 8, 2021
Heads Up: Terminal Cancer
I wanted to love this book, but I struggle-read it instead. The MC is thoroughly unlikeable to the point where I wanted an intervention. Understandably, there are very bad things happening in her life that give her a bit of a pass. I want to meanly say though that she doesn't deserve the full pass that she gets. Even in the end, she is still being a bully. I have no patience for that.
If you have extreme buckets of patience with the MC's bullying and lies, enough to wait for the magic of New Orleans and the promise of vampires, be prepared to buckle yourself in for the "artsy" writing style of using colors to explain emotions in what the author must think is a favorable way. It's not. I would like an intervention for that as well.
Only the New Orleans kept me going. In the end, it almost wasn't enough. I almost gave up. Maybe I would have been happier? I would have at least had the illusion that this was possibly a good read.
I wanted to love this book, but I struggle-read it instead. The MC is thoroughly unlikeable to the point where I wanted an intervention. Understandably, there are very bad things happening in her life that give her a bit of a pass. I want to meanly say though that she doesn't deserve the full pass that she gets. Even in the end, she is still being a bully. I have no patience for that.
If you have extreme buckets of patience with the MC's bullying and lies, enough to wait for the magic of New Orleans and the promise of vampires, be prepared to buckle yourself in for the "artsy" writing style of using colors to explain emotions in what the author must think is a favorable way. It's not. I would like an intervention for that as well.
Only the New Orleans kept me going. In the end, it almost wasn't enough. I almost gave up. Maybe I would have been happier? I would have at least had the illusion that this was possibly a good read.
Want to read
January 19, 2020Gah! I saw The Coldest Girl in Coldtown and
New Orleans
and that’s all that’s needed to make me *squeeeeee* 😱😍
01/18/2020
01/18/2020
October 24, 2024
A captivating blend of magical realism and emotional depth. The story follows Victoria, a determined teen who embarks on a journey to New Orleans with her estranged best friend, Henry, in a desperate attempt to find a vampire and save her terminally ill father.
Fuston masterfully weaves a tale that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Victoria's quest is filled with poignant moments as she navigates her grief and hope, making readers feel deeply connected to her struggle. The challenges set by the enigmatic Nicholas add an intriguing layer to the narrative, pushing Victoria to truly live and appreciate life even as she faces the possibility of losing her father.
The book's strength lies in its rich character development and the emotional resonance of Victoria's journey. The dynamic between Victoria and Henry is particularly compelling, adding depth to the story through their complicated history and evolving relationship.
While the pacing can be slow at times, the overall experience is rewarding. Fuston's debut novel is a beautiful exploration of love, loss, and the lengths we go to for those we care about. Fans of contemporary fantasy and heartfelt stories will find much to enjoy in this unique and touching tale.
Fuston masterfully weaves a tale that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Victoria's quest is filled with poignant moments as she navigates her grief and hope, making readers feel deeply connected to her struggle. The challenges set by the enigmatic Nicholas add an intriguing layer to the narrative, pushing Victoria to truly live and appreciate life even as she faces the possibility of losing her father.
The book's strength lies in its rich character development and the emotional resonance of Victoria's journey. The dynamic between Victoria and Henry is particularly compelling, adding depth to the story through their complicated history and evolving relationship.
While the pacing can be slow at times, the overall experience is rewarding. Fuston's debut novel is a beautiful exploration of love, loss, and the lengths we go to for those we care about. Fans of contemporary fantasy and heartfelt stories will find much to enjoy in this unique and touching tale.
October 11, 2023
Šiaip liūdna knyga, su linksmom akimirkom. Ir įtraukianti, kaip pagrindinė veikėja ieško vampyro, kad ją paverstų ir ji taip išgelbėtų mirštanti tėvą, bet “vampyras” bando ją priversti pamilti gyvenimą iš naujo duodamas jai įvairias užduotis. Tačiau gale knygos kaip išsirutuliavo ta vampyro linija, manęs neįtikino🙈 o ir pagrindinė veikėja šiek tiek erzino su savo požiūriu ir poelgiais, pasirinkimais. Tai šie aspektai ir nuėmė tą ⭐️🙈
July 22, 2022
Ahh this was so sweet, so beautiful and just what I wanted.
June 18, 2023
This was just ok. This was definitely a YA novel but, due to the life and death nature of the story, it has the air of an adult book. The vampire part of it was weak, and felt way too much like an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In fact, the dialogue probably came directly from the show. But the obsession over her dad dying and trying to get a cure was the only part that had merit. She mourns and acts on it for the entire length of the book and Fuston was able to capture real emotion here. But this was also hard after a while to handle. And the sidekick Henry wasn't needed. In fact, it could have been a girl friend. Adding Henry's part only made the story more sad and pathetic. This had potential but didn't reach it.
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