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Stake Sauce #2
Arc 2: Everybody's Missing (Somebody)
Act 2, In Which: Our friends, some old and some new, must awaken a powerful, centuries-old magical force - before an old enemy gets there first...
Life for Jude is finally getting back to normal - or as normal as it gets when your new boyfriend has fangs, your old maybe-boyfriend isn't dead after all (and has even bigger fangs), and everyone's scrambling to adjust their lives accordingly.
There's enough to worry about without evil, ancient vampires closing in, preparing dark rituals, and threatening to undo everything Jude, Pixie, and their loved ones have built together. But as they've all seen, normal doesn't tend to last for long. And it's hard to shake the feeling that something's missing.
But then, it seems like everybody's missing somebody.
Life for Jude is finally getting back to normal - or as normal as it gets when your new boyfriend has fangs, your old maybe-boyfriend isn't dead after all (and has even bigger fangs), and everyone's scrambling to adjust their lives accordingly.
There's enough to worry about without evil, ancient vampires closing in, preparing dark rituals, and threatening to undo everything Jude, Pixie, and their loved ones have built together. But as they've all seen, normal doesn't tend to last for long. And it's hard to shake the feeling that something's missing.
But then, it seems like everybody's missing somebody.
240 pages, ebook
First published October 31, 2020
2 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
RoAnna Sylver
26 books271 followersRoAnna Sylver is passionate about stories that give hope, healing and even fun for LGBT, disabled and other marginalized people, and thinks we need a lot more. Aside from writing oddly optimistic dystopia and vampire books, RoAnna is a blogger, artist, and singer.
RoAnna lives with family near Portland, OR, and probably spends too much time playing videogames. The next adventure RoAnna would like is a nap in a pile of bunnies.
RoAnna lives with family near Portland, OR, and probably spends too much time playing videogames. The next adventure RoAnna would like is a nap in a pile of bunnies.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 1, 2020
Stake Sauce Arc 2 is a brilliant piece of work that will both chill you to the bone and make you smile. Rarely do I find a sequel that’s actually better than the original, but this one here changed the game for me. With a stunning cast of queer characters and a truly evil villain, this book has it all. Do yourself a favor and sink your teeth into this amazing series!
listed
October 1, 2020"Rep within includes: Polyamorous M/M, queerplatonic F/F, gray-ace and aro-spec MC, gay and bisexual dudes, lesbian and aroace ladies, physically disabled MC, trans MC, neurodivergent/mentally ill (autistic, PTSD, depression) MC, multiple fat love interests, nonbinary major characters"
November 7, 2020
I love RoAnna Sylver's writing and characters so much!
I loved this book even more than the first one. We got to see more of Felix, and more of Felix, Jasper and Jude sort-of-maybe together. The exploration of the characters' relationships, their grief and trauma and mental health and how that influences their interactions, it's just *clenches fist* so good.
Jude has a special place in my heart for being a light in the dark before I even knew he was so much like me. I read book 1 when I had little idea that I was autistic, trans and aroace, but I loved Jude a little too much back then anyway and reading book 2 made it all make sense haha. I love him So Much and he's only one of the characters I would take a bullet for in this book. Like, genuinely, this has one of my favourite casts of characters ever. I love them all.
I am also officially a Sanguine fan now, and I don't know how I'm going to wait for another book to get more of all the characters, but especially him. I love him. Someone give him hugs, please.
I loved this book even more than the first one. We got to see more of Felix, and more of Felix, Jasper and Jude sort-of-maybe together. The exploration of the characters' relationships, their grief and trauma and mental health and how that influences their interactions, it's just *clenches fist* so good.
Jude has a special place in my heart for being a light in the dark before I even knew he was so much like me. I read book 1 when I had little idea that I was autistic, trans and aroace, but I loved Jude a little too much back then anyway and reading book 2 made it all make sense haha. I love him So Much and he's only one of the characters I would take a bullet for in this book. Like, genuinely, this has one of my favourite casts of characters ever. I love them all.
I am also officially a Sanguine fan now, and I don't know how I'm going to wait for another book to get more of all the characters, but especially him. I love him. Someone give him hugs, please.
September 26, 2020
Writing this review is one of the hardest things I've ever done because every time I try to come up with actual WORDS about how much I love this book my brain dissolves into a pile of happy screaming.
I LOVED the first book, it had amazing characters, a fun and fast paced story, and a hell of a sweet romance. For how much I loved book 1? Everybody's Missing (Somebody) is EVEN BETTER. I was given an early copy of this book and it has been the highlight of my year for reading - highlight of my year for most things actually.
Picking up with Jude and Pixie again was like coming back to a comfortable chair to sink into, warm and soft, even though their relationship goes through some ups and downs in this one. Their love for each other really provides a central and strong thread for the book, because even when they hit the down points, it's NEVER in question that they love each other. The central conflict of their emotional plotline centers around very realistic miscommunications and conflicting expectations, most brought on by their mutual history of trauma, and it's a fundamentally... kind plot. The narrative is so sweetly sympathetic and understanding of both of them, in a way that can be hard to find, and it's not about which of them is right or wrong but about finding their balance together.
Along with this wonderful continuing thread, we also get deeper into several other couples - one new, and two old but new all at the same time - and they're all treated with the same level of warmth and intensity as the continuing Jude/Pixie. What makes this even better is one of them is textually queerplatonic! Seeing a QP relationship treated with all the same care as the romantic relationships will never NOT warm my heart, especially since this one is central to the overarching plot in a way that I usually only see with romantic relationships.
We also, along with the new view of the relationships, get four new and amazing characters that will tear your heart out. My favorite of these was absolutely Sanguine, who we are introduced to right off and who I want to wrap in blankets, forever.
This is a rambly review but I can't even begin to put together something more coherent through the happy thoughts on this. Queer autistic love is still the secret ingredient, and I couldn't love it more.
I LOVED the first book, it had amazing characters, a fun and fast paced story, and a hell of a sweet romance. For how much I loved book 1? Everybody's Missing (Somebody) is EVEN BETTER. I was given an early copy of this book and it has been the highlight of my year for reading - highlight of my year for most things actually.
Picking up with Jude and Pixie again was like coming back to a comfortable chair to sink into, warm and soft, even though their relationship goes through some ups and downs in this one. Their love for each other really provides a central and strong thread for the book, because even when they hit the down points, it's NEVER in question that they love each other. The central conflict of their emotional plotline centers around very realistic miscommunications and conflicting expectations, most brought on by their mutual history of trauma, and it's a fundamentally... kind plot. The narrative is so sweetly sympathetic and understanding of both of them, in a way that can be hard to find, and it's not about which of them is right or wrong but about finding their balance together.
Along with this wonderful continuing thread, we also get deeper into several other couples - one new, and two old but new all at the same time - and they're all treated with the same level of warmth and intensity as the continuing Jude/Pixie. What makes this even better is one of them is textually queerplatonic! Seeing a QP relationship treated with all the same care as the romantic relationships will never NOT warm my heart, especially since this one is central to the overarching plot in a way that I usually only see with romantic relationships.
We also, along with the new view of the relationships, get four new and amazing characters that will tear your heart out. My favorite of these was absolutely Sanguine, who we are introduced to right off and who I want to wrap in blankets, forever.
This is a rambly review but I can't even begin to put together something more coherent through the happy thoughts on this. Queer autistic love is still the secret ingredient, and I couldn't love it more.
January 20, 2021
This story was truly an escape I needed. I adored the first book in this series and this one was a wonderful read as well. The character growth for everyone felt spot on and the introduction of new characters seemed like they were finally where they were meant to be.
I truly can’t wait to see where things go next!
I truly can’t wait to see where things go next!
Want to read
June 16, 2020I'm not saying it's a 5 (five) star read, but when you know you know
November 1, 2020
What I Think: Warning: This is a long a.. review because … feelings. This tale finally taught me to stop having eyes bigger than my belly. I signed up for this tour at the last minute, thinking it would be a breeze to read through and review. I didn’t expect the hold it would have on me. Nor did I expect that I would be too hungover to review immediately. Then, I didn’t realise that I would run out of time and have to put up the review to Arc Two before Arc One, which was downright agonising. Why all this drama? First, I freaking love the drama-type intro to the characters. It had me cracking up at the first page of the tale which created an insta bond that revved me up on enough positivity to carry me through whatever tears the tale brings. Wicked Gold has me shaking in my boots and wondering if my fam are ready, for something wicked, their way comes. (Forgive me. I couldn’t help it. The opening scene all but asked for it). Nails and Maestro are finally free of that bastard vamire who I won’t dignify by calling its name. They deserve this freedom they’ve got and I sighed in relief as they seemed to breathe for the first time in forever. This Authoress created her own breed of vampires in a way that I’ve never seen them before, and kept giving them more and more humane emotions, finally explaining the reason behind the coffin beds and, oh, it’s the sweetest reason. If you thought the first tale was dramatic, then you need to read the entry into the Arc Two. Suspense, fear, horror, confusion create a lethal cocktail to the senses. Coming face to face with this full QUILTBAG had the one reaction I didn’t see coming: certain things making so much sense. I’ve never felt blatant desire in my life. I can’t have casual sex because it makes my skin feel wrong. I don’t even get attracted to anyone until I’ve known them for quite some time, and even then, it’s always a mental attraction never physical as much as I wish it was so. But nope, I’m not touching that particular bag yet. I’m just accepting that it’s okay to be demisexual and lesbian. I’m so not ready to find out I might be grey anything. We shall return to the tale which did not have me thinking I need a cute, chubby battress of my own who’s willing to wait for me to get to that point. Due to all the events that occurred in Arc 1 (review coming soon), everytime Eva, Jude, Jasper and Felix interact, I’m close to tears. Everytime Jude interacts with his punk, I’m close to tears. I want to tear up the world that felt it was okay to mess with them so much. I want to attack anyone that even looks at any of my babies wrong. Who thought I could fall in love with an entire group of people? And no, it doesn’t mean what you think it does. I’m focusing on this tale and not self psychoanalysis. Even though I found out four years ago that my fashion sense leans more into afro punk fashion, I still have no idea what the culture itself means, talk more of punk and this led to me stopping my reading to do more research just so I could build the right image in my head. It’s bad enough that I see so much of Jude in myself but he began giving me serious anxiety as he tries to keep things he’s seen to himself, while desperate to protect Pixie and his found family. As Pixie learns to be more vulnerable, and Jasper draws strength from Jude, while Felix keeps asking his loved ones not to give up on him, it was a hard battle with the waterworks. Really, how can something so funny be so terrifying? Or something so terrifying still be funny? Most of all, how does a tale with to much ssadness, horror, trauma and pain be so bloody positive? As we try to figure out how Sanguine fits into all of this, it’s scary how easily the world becomes a deadly thing to youths who have no one. This tale was full of surprises. From characters I didn’t expect to know anything, to those I didn’t expect to have such amazing back stories, to those who aren’t yet sure of who they are. How Sanguine stays sane in the living nightmare he calls a life is testament to a stubborn and strong inner will. I’m so curious to find out why he even allows this even as my anxiety grows over the coming showdown. I’m crossing all crossable limbs in the hopes that all my loved ones come out of this with complete limbs and their lives, no matter how messy it may be now. I’m drowning in love, pain, fear, relationships and every stupid, messy thing that’s beautiful in it’s natural state as I watch another amazing couple fall in love. I’m beginning to think the universe is conspiring against me. Just when I’ve hung up my dream of ever finding love, certain that I’ll be forever on the sidelines, I get so many tales that site love in every shade, color and form, sparking that stupid hope that I want to yank out of me because sometimes it hurts to even hope. The way the gang suddenly acclimatizes to all the supernatural stuff, in the wriest and driest of ways, gives one so much hope even as I can’t help barking out a laugh or scoffing. As act five approached, I was too tense to keep still, too worried to not be worried. This tale worked me up so much, twisting and driving me crazy and yet, I still can’t stop reading. By the time things begin so speed up, I almost scream but I pop a coffin nail and keep on going. My throat feels raw from all the internalised emotions this tale has been putting me through as everyone is truly missing someone. It even has my favorite, sexiest thing ever, seen with a body positivity that is so refreshing. It’s sweet to see others who think the way I do. It’s wonderful to know that it’s okay to like my women thick and chunky, soft all over and curvy and meltable and… I’m stopping myself before I start drooling. Its amazing to have confirmation that its never how long but how well because when you find love you just know. But even that does not prepare me for the acceptance and the different ways to love and date that really has me throwing out even more boxes and labels. Especially, as I had to do a lot of research to figure out what all the sexuality spectrum terms mean and learning so much. I didn’t get only one love story, I got 3 in all and it drowned me even as it satiated me. I fought against the waterworks at every point but lost the battle when Eva survived her horrors. The best part? Not only do my people come out tops, some of them even gaining new abilities, but with everything going on, I didn’t even take note of Jude’s disability. Then, just when I thought it was over and I could breath, a blast from the past of my favorite witch ressurrects and is aided by the unlikeliest of people. I sat in shock, looking at my ereader, then went back and read that closing scene again before finally letting go. Something tells me Arc 3 is going to put me through the ringer!
Verdict: A comfort keeper of a tale that will teach you all over again that love not only has no boundaries, it creates its own language!
Verdict: A comfort keeper of a tale that will teach you all over again that love not only has no boundaries, it creates its own language!
August 19, 2022
Cross-posted from my blog where there's more information on where I got my copy and links and everything.
This was a lot of fun and I had a blast reading it. For one thing, I am super ready for spooky season (Editing Laina: I wrote this in, like, August) and the spooky vibes are great in this! In addition to the vampire plot, this one is a lot heavier on the magic elements. It’s just super fun, really.
I’ll tell you a little secret. The other day, I really felt like playing Among Us (don’t judge me) and I didn’t have any pressing deadlines, so I spent the afternoon playing it. You know what Among Us also has? A decent amount of waiting time, in lobbies/if you die and stuff. So I also spent a good chunk of the afternoon reading this on my kindle. And I read 30% of it in that afternoon! A surprisingly effective way to squeeze in some reading, and also a sign of how well written this book is. I never once got lost, or forgot what was going on.
If you’re struggling with a reading slump, I think this would be a great series to get into. It’s really easy to read, and I mean that in the best possible way. I was in a bit of a slump, but I’d pick this up and read a part of a chapter, or a chapter, and it was comfortable and easy and helped me want to read more. Truly, that’s a talent.
As usual, the representation is great. It’s so nice, as a queer person, to read a genre book where people have fluid identities, or identities they’re questioning, and for that to be explored in a thoughful, meaningful way where that’s important to the book and the characters… but also there’s a vampire story and the plot is about that, not identity. It’s so much more normalizing, especially as someone who really gets sick of contemporary books.
Big recommendation here from me!
Representation: Indie authors are great – I’m just stealing this off RoAnna’s twitter. Jude is disabled, an amputee with PTSD, autistic, trans, and grey aroace. Pixie is fat and queer and he also turns into a pink bat which delights me. There’s also polyamory rep, and a queerplatonic relationship, along with a lot of other queer side characters. It’s super ace and aro friendly, especially. There are also multiple fat characters, which is really nice.
Content notes: I also don’t have to write this myself. RoAnna includes a list of content notes in the beginning of the book. So, those are: Vampire violence/blood drinking, missing persons, memory loss, stress related (unintentional and non-romanticized) weight loss, on-page murder; light on gore, big on dramatic horror imagery, textbook, recognized abuser behaviour from the villain on-page, both physical and emotional/mental, unhealthy (non-romanticized) vampire/human familiar dynamics, references to past and current/ongoing abuse, including sexual, assault, kidnapping, attempted human sacrifice, references to a near-death experience, family dysfunction, PTSD, grief and abuse processing, neurodivergent brains dealing with trauma, depression, brief suicidal ideation, sustained injury (concussion), one sexually charged scene – not non-con or threatening, but does have (addressed) boundary/mental health problems.
That’s really long because RoAnna is thorough, but I wouldn’t say you need to worry about this book being really intense. It’s along the lines of something like Buffy. RoAnna’s just a very thoughtful person – I don’t think most vampire books would warn for blood-drinking, for instance, and it’s not gory or anything. Obviously you know your triggers best, but I thought that was worth pointing out.
This was a lot of fun and I had a blast reading it. For one thing, I am super ready for spooky season (Editing Laina: I wrote this in, like, August) and the spooky vibes are great in this! In addition to the vampire plot, this one is a lot heavier on the magic elements. It’s just super fun, really.
I’ll tell you a little secret. The other day, I really felt like playing Among Us (don’t judge me) and I didn’t have any pressing deadlines, so I spent the afternoon playing it. You know what Among Us also has? A decent amount of waiting time, in lobbies/if you die and stuff. So I also spent a good chunk of the afternoon reading this on my kindle. And I read 30% of it in that afternoon! A surprisingly effective way to squeeze in some reading, and also a sign of how well written this book is. I never once got lost, or forgot what was going on.
If you’re struggling with a reading slump, I think this would be a great series to get into. It’s really easy to read, and I mean that in the best possible way. I was in a bit of a slump, but I’d pick this up and read a part of a chapter, or a chapter, and it was comfortable and easy and helped me want to read more. Truly, that’s a talent.
As usual, the representation is great. It’s so nice, as a queer person, to read a genre book where people have fluid identities, or identities they’re questioning, and for that to be explored in a thoughful, meaningful way where that’s important to the book and the characters… but also there’s a vampire story and the plot is about that, not identity. It’s so much more normalizing, especially as someone who really gets sick of contemporary books.
Big recommendation here from me!
Representation: Indie authors are great – I’m just stealing this off RoAnna’s twitter. Jude is disabled, an amputee with PTSD, autistic, trans, and grey aroace. Pixie is fat and queer and he also turns into a pink bat which delights me. There’s also polyamory rep, and a queerplatonic relationship, along with a lot of other queer side characters. It’s super ace and aro friendly, especially. There are also multiple fat characters, which is really nice.
Content notes: I also don’t have to write this myself. RoAnna includes a list of content notes in the beginning of the book. So, those are: Vampire violence/blood drinking, missing persons, memory loss, stress related (unintentional and non-romanticized) weight loss, on-page murder; light on gore, big on dramatic horror imagery, textbook, recognized abuser behaviour from the villain on-page, both physical and emotional/mental, unhealthy (non-romanticized) vampire/human familiar dynamics, references to past and current/ongoing abuse, including sexual, assault, kidnapping, attempted human sacrifice, references to a near-death experience, family dysfunction, PTSD, grief and abuse processing, neurodivergent brains dealing with trauma, depression, brief suicidal ideation, sustained injury (concussion), one sexually charged scene – not non-con or threatening, but does have (addressed) boundary/mental health problems.
That’s really long because RoAnna is thorough, but I wouldn’t say you need to worry about this book being really intense. It’s along the lines of something like Buffy. RoAnna’s just a very thoughtful person – I don’t think most vampire books would warn for blood-drinking, for instance, and it’s not gory or anything. Obviously you know your triggers best, but I thought that was worth pointing out.
November 1, 2020
This is book 2 in the series and should be read in the series order for maximum enjoyment.
We get to see Jude and Pixie's relationship evolve in this book.
They are adorable together and it was fun to follow up on how things progressed in their relationship since book 1.
What I especially liked about this series is the wide spectrum of gender representation we get to see.
This book really has it all and so much more.
Rarely do I find myself liking a sequel more than first book especially with the same character couples, but I absolutely adored this one.
The world building was engaging and compelling and the characters were fun and enjoyable to read.
If you liked book 1 in this series you will love this sequel.
It's a spectacular spooky read with amazing characters and all the gender representation you can imagine.
We get to see Jude and Pixie's relationship evolve in this book.
They are adorable together and it was fun to follow up on how things progressed in their relationship since book 1.
What I especially liked about this series is the wide spectrum of gender representation we get to see.
This book really has it all and so much more.
Rarely do I find myself liking a sequel more than first book especially with the same character couples, but I absolutely adored this one.
The world building was engaging and compelling and the characters were fun and enjoyable to read.
If you liked book 1 in this series you will love this sequel.
It's a spectacular spooky read with amazing characters and all the gender representation you can imagine.
October 11, 2020
I received an ARC of this as part of the beta-reading team. A fantastic and worthy sequel to the excellent Book 1. Sylver has always had an excellent grasp of what makes a character live and breathe, and I was genuinely glad to see all the familiar faces from Book 1 again - you want to spend more time with them! - while also being delighted to meet some very important new faces that have me hanging out for Book 3. There's enough tension to keep you turning those pages, and enough spooky to make it count, but enough heart and soul to leave you smiling at the end. Plus more LGBTQIA+, multi-ethnic, neurodiverse, and fat-positive rep than you can shake a stake at. Highly recommended.
January 17, 2021
I'm quite lucky I read book 1 at a point in time when book 2 was already out and I could just go on to read the next one. But now I'll have to wait for the next part. RIP to me.
If you liked book 1, you'll probably like book 2, but I want to mention that it deals with trauma even more than the first one, in my opinion, so proceed with caution.
I like how this sequel gave a lot of characters from book 1 more time to shine, especially Eva, while at the same juggling newly introduced characters.
Also, I feel very galaxy brain for deducing one of the plot twists. Or maybe RoAnna has a galaxy brain because they put the clue for it in there, you decide.
If you liked book 1, you'll probably like book 2, but I want to mention that it deals with trauma even more than the first one, in my opinion, so proceed with caution.
I like how this sequel gave a lot of characters from book 1 more time to shine, especially Eva, while at the same juggling newly introduced characters.
Also, I feel very galaxy brain for deducing one of the plot twists. Or maybe RoAnna has a galaxy brain because they put the clue for it in there, you decide.
May 6, 2021
Cuuuuuute. One thing I love about Sylver's books is that even when the characters are being put through the wringer (both emotionally and physically in a lot of cases!), I feel safe and trust that eventually the story will bring those characters the care, love, warmth, and recovery space they deserve.
Also Pixie is adorable and just about kills me. His fatness is so lovingly and lusciously described.
Jude annoys and frustrates me as a narrator but I sorta still grudgingly like him. And I do really appreciate his trouble with change and with finding words, but having to make himself speak anyway. That portrayal of autism is really validating and relatable.
Also Pixie is adorable and just about kills me. His fatness is so lovingly and lusciously described.
Jude annoys and frustrates me as a narrator but I sorta still grudgingly like him. And I do really appreciate his trouble with change and with finding words, but having to make himself speak anyway. That portrayal of autism is really validating and relatable.
July 15, 2021
I loved Book 1 and the “Bite Sized Stories” collection, so it was LOVELY to see these characters again! Something about being able to relate to a main point-of-view character who is also autistic and transmasc is so rewarding and makes me feel so Seen and so comfortable!
RoAnna writes with so much clear love for these characters, and every interaction as they build each other up makes me feel so warm! Every day i am thinkin of Pixie 🥺
Excited for the next book!!
RoAnna writes with so much clear love for these characters, and every interaction as they build each other up makes me feel so warm! Every day i am thinkin of Pixie 🥺
Excited for the next book!!
October 26, 2020
Sweetest, most heartwarming queer vampire story ever! Proper review to come soon
December 6, 2020
Turns out right now was the exact right time for this book about trauma and healing and vampires. Now to wait (im)patiently for arc 3!
March 21, 2021
Sometimes you just gotta save the day (or night?) with the power of friendship and love.
June 12, 2022
It's a really good sequel. I hope there will be a third book in this series as the story feels unfinished.
December 30, 2020
If this ends up being the last book I read in 2020 I’ll say I ended on a high note. This book is enjoyable from start to finish, giving us more of the characters we fell in love with in book 1 and some new characters that really wiggle their way into your heart. If you want some queer vampires and the folks who love them, check this out.
January 23, 2024
Got to read this early as a Patreon supporter, and I liked it a lot, even more than the first one! (Especially because we got more Felix, including a Felix POV chapter! I love Felix)
April 2021 edit: read it again, still loved it a lot!
April 2021 edit: read it again, still loved it a lot!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews