The Synopsis
This Ravenous Fate (Sourcebooks Fire, August 6, 2024) by Haley Dennings is the first book in a lush Sapphic vampire duology set against the backdrop of Jazz Age Harlem, where desire simmers beneath the surface, and death prowls the night.
It’s 1926, and reapers—once-human vampires cursed by a horrifying affliction—are stalking the streets of New York. The Saint family’s powerful reaper-hunting empire dominates the city, eclipsing even the criminal syndicates that run Harlem’s glitzy nightclubs. Eighteen-year-old Elise Saint has returned from Paris, burdened with the weight of her family’s legacy. But as the reluctant heir, there’s more than duty on her mind—there’s the looming danger that Harlem’s reapers are out for her blood.
Layla Quinn, a reaper forced to confront her darkest truths, was once Elise’s closest friend. Turned into a reaper five years ago after a betrayal that cost her everything—her parents, her humanity, and Elise’s loyalty—Layla has been living in the shadows, trying to survive the horrors of her new existence. Her transformation is just one of many born into America’s brutally racist history, a legacy of exploitation and experimentation that still haunts her.
Some reapers strive to retain and regain their lost humanity, while others give into their violent cravings and a series of savage, unexplained murders have the city on edge. When Layla is wrongfully accused of one such killing, the Saint patriarch offers her an unthinkable deal: partner with Elise to uncover the truth behind the rumors of a reaper cure. As they delve deeper into the Harlem’s dangerous underworld, the unresolved passion between them resurfaces, even as their history threatens to tear them apart. Together, they must navigate a world where love, revenge, and redemption are all on the line—while an ominous new threat looms over both reapers and humans alike.
Jazz Age Harlem, with its vintage glamor pulses with life—and death—in this intoxicating tale of betrayal, queer love, and the search for salvation.
This Ravenous Fate Book Review: What I liked about it
- I loved being in 1920s Harlem.
- How Denning kept the novel within the appropriate realm of YA titles, steamy but not smutty.
- As an historical fiction writer who has two paranormal titles, I loved the surreal, supernatural aspects of the novel and thought they were well done.
- Visiting the Cotton Club and the Savoy was a real treat.
- Being a fan of classic Lit and the Harlem Renaissance, I could sense Dennings influence and love for Zora Neale Hurston, Nella Larsen, Toni Morrison, Langston Hughes and others.
- The hints of jazz that were peppered throughout the narrative.
- Dennings didn’t shy away from the gore and carnage of being a vampire, nor the sometimes ugly seediness of craving human blood.
- I loved how the cover art looked a bit like a womb. Am I the only one seeing this?
Favorite Quotes from This Ravenous Fate
“The aching sadness that rushed through her at the sight of her childhood bedroom was followed by a quick burst of fury. Fury at the person that made her afraid of a space that was supposed to be sacred to her.”
“She wanted to feel something other than responsibility, she wanted to act without the worry of whether she was being perfect.”
“It’s easy to do anything when you love someone. Even if it’s the hardest choice you’ve ever made.”
“Humanity was the one thing Layla wished she had.”
“You tried to rip my heart from my chest, but you’ve already had my heart; it’s always been yours—”
What I Wanted More of from This Ravenous Fate
- More upfront acknowledgement of Elise’s sexual preference. It was written like a reveal, but that seemed a little disingenuous.
- A little more romance and sexual tension. It certainly picked up towards the end, but the relationship could have been even better with furtive looks and fiery feelings before they got over their “dislike” for each other.
- I could have spent a lot more time in the jazz clubs. I love this era, the glamour, music, and dance.
- Having interviewed Frankie Manning and Norma Miller who danced in the Savoy, more description of the dancing, especially the Charleston, Black Bottom, and other dance trends would have been the bees knees for me.
- More historical accuracy to the vintage fashion. I was thrown off by so many zippers in the women’s dresses. (Most would have had snap or buttons hidden in a placket).
- Even though it was a woman-centric story, I would have loved more description of the men’s fashions, too.
- The story could have used a little more exploration and explanation of the reaper gangs, the deal with the Saints, the local gangsters, and overall world-building.
- Having researched 1940s slang for the Jitterbug Dress trilogy and 1920s slang for The Flapper Affair, Dennings would not have gone amiss adding in era-fun slang, especially with the Cotton Club performers, Layla, and gangster types!
Overall
For a first novel, Dennings (I read her first draft was written during NaNoWriMo), did an admirable job of embracing the horror and romance tropes without making them tedious. She struck a very nice balance and drew a wonderful parallel to the oppression and racism in Harlem at the time with the vampires and the non-vampires. She also did a great job illuminating that most white people were NOT in Harlem to help people of color, they were there to exploit. She never become too heavy-handed and the moral imperative always fit the narrative. This is a wonderful horror romance read to add to your spooky season reading list! Of course, my readers who like that vintage vibe coupled with the mild horror and supernatural, paranormal elements will easily sink into this story. If you’ve read The Flapper Affair or Ghostoria, I know you will love The Ravenous Fate.
Vintage Enthusiast Rating
Fashion: ♥♥♥♥
Music: ♥♥♥
Dance: ♥♥♥
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Do you like historical horror paranormal stories? Have you read any other of books set in Harlem with a vampire vibe? What did you think of the cover? Did it feel vintage horror enough for you? Did my The Ravenous Fate vintage book review inspire you to read it?
Tam Francis is a writer, blogger, swing dance teacher, avid vintage collector, and seamstress. She shares her love of this genre through her novels, blog, and short stories. She enjoys hearing from you, sharing ideas, forging friendships, and exchanging guest blogs. For all the Girl in the Jitterbug Dress news, give-aways, events, and excitement, make sure to join her list and like her FB page! Join my list ~ Facebook page