I really enjoyed this book! I'm a huge Buffy fan, and this book gave me major Buffy vibe. The writing felt fresh and appropriate for the genre. I appreciated all of the pop culture references. This book definitely kept me engaged and intrigued. I'm definitely reading the next one! Raven/ Texas was a strong and sassy female character, something I really enjoyed. I appreciated that we got to see her struggling to fit in with her new life. Im intrigued by Khamari. The dynamic between the two had so much tension and I want to see how their dynamic progresses. Great diversity and representation! I definitely recommend this book!

Review:

I enjoyed this book. The characters were great, and the story was interesting. I liked the slayer and vampire societies and how they mixed. I thought the historical things woven in were great. It was cool that the Slayers had code names, like how our main girl Raven went by Texas. I enjoyed how the book began with action and got Texas on her journey to who she would become. This book had action, a little romance, betrayal, messy relationships and so much more. The political intrigue was fascinating and sometimes pissed me off as it made a mess, but it made the story enjoyable. I loved it so much! The half-human half-vampire plot was fascinating and I hope to learn more about it and Khamari and his brother. The ending was intense and I cannot wait to see where the story goes next and how it will affect the characters and their world and if they can eventually have peace.

This is truly one amazing book. The story is wildly entertaining. The characters are relatable and realistic. The story caught my attention in the first few pages and soon I couldn't put the book down. There is so much action and unexpected events sprinkled throughout the book.Its a perfect read for high school age kids. I would definitely recommend this story.

This book did not hook me as I was expecting it too. I was unable to complete reading it. I could not connect with the main character which has me struggling to continue reading.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC for review. All thought are my own.

A Dark, Fun, and Engaging Paranormal Adventure – 4 Stars

Sign of the Slayer by Sharina Harris is an exciting start to a dark academia series that had me hooked from the very first page. The mix of supernatural elements, high school drama, and a dash of romance makes for a thrilling and engaging read that keeps you on your toes.

The protagonist, a young slayer-in-training, is thrust into a world far beyond her expectations. High school, for her, was supposed to be about studying and socialising, but instead, she's learning how to fight vampires and wield incredible weapons. I loved the concept of a slayer academy, where students are taught the ins and outs of vampire lore and combat. Harris has created a world that feels fresh and exciting, with enough twists to keep you guessing about what’s really going on behind the scenes.

The chemistry between the protagonist and Khamari, the vampire prince, is one of the highlights of the book. At first, vampires are the enemy, but Khamari is different from the usual bloodthirsty demons. His character is complex and intriguing – reasonable, intelligent, and hiding some deep secrets. The evolving dynamic between him and the protagonist is compelling, especially as their uneasy alliance shifts into something more.

I found the plot to be both fun and cleverly paced. There’s action, mystery, and tension, as the threat from an ancient evil looms larger and larger. Harris does a great job of blending the suspense of fighting supernatural forces with the personal struggles of the characters, and there are enough twists and surprises to keep you thoroughly entertained.

While the world-building and character development were mostly strong, I did feel there were moments where the pacing slowed down a bit, and some aspects of the story could have been fleshed out further. But overall, it’s a thrilling read with a lot of potential, and I’m certainly looking forward to the next book in the series.

Sign of the Slayer is a fantastic blend of adventure, romance, and supernatural intrigue. If you enjoy paranormal stories with a unique twist, this is definitely worth picking up. It’s a strong start to a series, and I’m excited to see where it goes from here. A solid 4 stars for a fun, addictive read!

3/5 Stars

Loved the inspiration but I wanted a little more from this read. I feel like this book was a little chaotic because the author was doing a lot in this book. This book felt very fast paced and lots of things happening at once. I thing Younger me would have absolutely been obsessed with this book. It hits everything I would have loved. I Will also add that I really liked the dual perspectives and some of the twists that were included. Overall it was just okay. I think I went in with too high of expectations.

If you like the vibes of vampire diaries and shadowhunters this is definitely a book you will enjoy. I was immediately invested in learning more about the slayers and felt so connected to the main character as she was dealing with her grief all while having g to trust these new people in this new world. I absolutely loved seeing Raven/ Texas build and develop her relationships. And the ending was so worth it. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I love Vampire Diaries, so I was a bit unsure going into this book, but oh my! Throw in the references and nerdy humor and I"m so down. I'd say it also gives some slight Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes too. Usually I'm not of a fan of "unknown powers/skills only activated in young adulthood", but the author did such a wonderful job that it didn't seem like such a cliche. I was rooting for Raven the entire time because, ya know, high school is rough as it is. Throw in vampires killing your friends and having to go to a slayer school to learn to further kick ass, geez. I'd never complain about my own high school experience again! The plot pacing was fantastic and the characters were great. I highly recommend this one! Thank you Entangled Teen and Netgalley for the ARC opportunity!

I wasn’t expecting to absolutely fall in love with Sign of the Slayer, but I could tell within the first 100 pages that it was going to be nothing short of phenomenal. The character of Raven/Texas is complex, driven, and her humor adds moments of lightness to a sometimes daunting world and storyline. The romance does not overshadow the storyline, and to be honest, I respected that most of the story is told from the perspective of Raven/Texas, with some sprinkling in from Khamari as needed. The fight scenes are action-packed, clear, and made me feel like I could pick up a sword and slay some vamps lol. Also, really LOVED the inclusion of alchemy and ancient Egyptian theology and history that informed the world-building. It was an unexpected facet that really makes this a unique world, and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This starts of slowly but once it gets going you better buckle up because it will take you on one chaotic journey. I really enjoyed the sass and sarcasm, the movie references and the geeky humour riddles throughout this book. If you're a fan of things like Buffy and Underworld I think you'll enjoy this read. It has the quirkiness of Buffy and the darkness of Underworld and of course its full of vampires and an ultimate evil that only the two mortal enemies can defeat. What's not to love?

Thank you for allowing me to read and review the novel sign of the Slayer. If you enjoy Buffy the Vampire Slayer or just books about the paranormal in relation to series like Buffy the Vampire Slayer you will really enjoy this novel. It has a lot of story building elements and hopefully we will see a return with a second novel.

When I tell you the author kept breaking my heart only to give me hope and the break it again, I mean it. The rage of emotions from just Texas' POV had me believing I was feeling it as if I was her.
It was a new take on vampires with some pop culture references that I thouroughly enjoyed. The twists, code names, and world building was amazing.
As someone who loves both Greek and Egyptian Mythology, I geeked out some. Plus I may or may not enjoy any type book with supernatural beings. Texas formerly known as Raven has had a lifetime of trauma which seems like it was fated unfortunately. She doesn't deserve the heartache that seems to neverend.
Not all vampires are evil, not all humans are good. Slayers are juiced up humans, but that doesn't mean they don't make mistakes.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a badass character with some trust issues.

P.S. I can't wait for the next one 😉

A must read Vampire book for all Buffy and Twilight lovers! I love me a strong protagonist and character development!

This book is perfect for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

This book landed at 4 stars for me. It was funny and quite the wild ride! It starts off slow but then takes off and I was hooked. I loved finding out more about the world and the Slayers. I loved the references and there were multiple moments that had me laughing out loud. I thought the chemistry between Raven and Khamari was great and totally had me invested in them and I am such a sucker for people on opposing sides. Raven was a great MC and she was very relatable.

The plot of this book was WILD! It was absolute rollercoaster of twists and turns and reveals. I will say I was a bit confused by all the terms and vampire clans that a glossary would have been helpful. I would definitely suggest including one in the next book as a reference and refresher. I did love the way the writing was able to weave in action and world building into one and still propel the book forward. It was done super well without being overwhelming.

Overall, this is a fun and action-packed read! I recommend it for someone looking for a good time but that is an easier read.

eighteen-year-old raven's world takes a drastic turn when her marching band friends are brutally killed by vampires, revealing her true identity as a vampire slayer. high school was supposed to be about studying, socializing, and marching-band practice, not battling supernatural creatures. after this horrifying night, raven is thrust into the slayer society, driven by a burning desire for vengeance but with a lot to learn. enrolled in a slayer academy, she discovers the real origins of vampires and how to conjure serious weapons out of thin air.

as raven advances in her training and becomes an active field agent, she is partnered with prince khamari to gather intel on a group of disruptive vampires. initially, raven sees vampires as nothing but soul-sucking demons. however, her interactions with khamari challenge this perception. khamari is unlike any vampire she has encountered; he is intelligent, reasonable, and possesses knowledge about raven that could alter her understanding of herself and her mission. despite his outward composure, khamari is hiding significant secrets, even from his own kind. when a formidable ancient evil emerges, so dangerous that a vampire and a slayer must join forces to combat it, raven realizes that her quest for revenge is not the only thing at stake—the fate of the entire world hangs in the balance.

what makes this book stand out is its authentic teenage voice, filled with modern pop culture references and relevant vernacular. despite raven being 18 and her love interest slightly older, the narrative maintains a clear ya focus, avoiding the pitfalls of veering into adult territory. raven herself is a refreshing protagonist—witty, snarky, and brimming with personality, which is often lacking in recent ya fantasy heroines. she manages to be badass without crossing into arrogance, making her a compelling and relatable character.

the magic system and the portrayal of two distinct societies are engaging and well-developed. the story incorporates classic urban fantasy tropes while delivering plenty of action to keep readers hooked. though the book is somewhat lengthy and takes a bit of time to fully immerse into, it rewards patience with a richly woven narrative. the numerous buffy references might not land with all modern teens, but they add a layer of charm for those familiar with the cult classic.

one of the memorable quotes from the book encapsulates its intriguing nature: "i cannot read your mind. no, i cannot see your memories, but i see your soul. one foot in the human world, and the other in the vampire." this line highlights the internal struggle and duality that raven faces throughout her journey.

trigger warnings for this book include violence, blood, death, injuries/wounds, and alcohol use.

thank you to netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Raven is a high school student whose life is turned upside down when her marching band friends are murdered by vampires. Raven learns she is a vampire slayer and is beginning to learn all about her new life and role at Slayer Academy. Everything is going as ok as it can be until she meets the Vampire Prince, Khamari. He doesn’t fit the typical attitude and lifestyle of a Vampire Prince. He’s rational and super smart and he knows a lot about Raven. Raven quickly learns that Khamari is hiding something but she doesn’t how big of a secret. Sign of the Slayer is full of action and suspense and lots of vampires.

Not gonna lie, it was fun! I liked the story and characters, the pop culture references weren't too in your face and annoying and made the characters feel more human, in my eyes. The concept was pretty entertaining, Raven, our MC, was fun and she felt like a teenager without being overly stupid or annoying. 3.5 stars

Sign of the slayer

3.5 ⭐️

This book has such an interesting magic system. Slayers that have powers and don't age. Vampires with powers who can reproduce. It makes for some very cool action scenes with teleporting and nature, etc.

I liked Ravens parts of the book. The slayer academy dynamic was well done, and watching her forge new connections was sweet. You could definitely feel her emotions throughout the book.

Unfortunately, Khamari's POV lost me a little bit. It reduced the pace quite a lot, and it wasn't until the last 30% that I felt like it added to the plot. I'm still not sure how exactly the vampirism works in this world, and I think I should have been able to by now.

The romance between the two was sweet but the few intimate scenes they have involved "plowing" straight in (I wouldn't say its smut but it's no closed door either) and were a tad under developed with no foreplay either emotionally or physically.

Plotwise, this book is a lot of setup for what's to come, I am excited to see where the series goes. I did gasp at some of the plot twists, but some were rather obvious. I sense a potential love triangle, and I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Overall, it is a good first book in a series that has a lot of potential. It's definitely one for fans of buffy and vampire academy.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, Sharina Harris, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

You guys…just wow! I never thought I would be a fan of a vampire book, but I was obsessed with Sign of the Slayer by Sharina Harris.

We meet the sassy, take no mess Raven in high school with her school band at a rival football game when all hell breaks loose. Monsters attack her and her classmates leaving everyone dead but her and this gorgeous man named Khamari. They both fight off these strange beings and he lets her know that those were vampires.

Turns out he’s a prince and Raven has the powers of a slayer. In this book, people are who they seem and trust us broken, lives are lost and love is found. I truly enjoyed a fantasy novel centered around two African American main characters with lingo I completely understood and laughed at a few times. I feel like I could be Raven’s bff!

You have to give this book a shot! It was well written and kept my attention throughout and I’m craving the next one! Thank you Sharina Harris for this one!

This was a fun take on vampire high school romance. It was nice to not have an ancient vamp fall in love with an 18 year old.

After being band bus is attacked by a vampire Raven’s slayer abilities puts a target on her back. She discovers there is a whole world she didn’t know existed of vampires and slayers and that someone is trying to upset the agreement that has stood for centuries. But who is it and what is there goal?!

Def a first book and I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!