Felt it was a mix of some hyped books and I'm ok with that. Had fun reading it. Loved the setting and the writing. Would have loved it if had a faster pace. But that's personal... I think I'm into fast pace books now cause I don't have much time to read.

Will recommend to those who want Vampire Academy vibes.

Thank you to Hear Our Voices Tours and the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions contained within are my own.

As we enter the time for cooler temperatures and pumpkin everything, I always get in the mood for spooky reads. So, when I saw the tour sign up for Sign of the Slayer, a YA paranormal romance feature vampires and the slayers who fall for them, I jumped on board! I’m glad I did because this book turned out to be a rollercoaster ride of both action and emotions. Buckle up while I share my review and some of my favorite quotes!

Sign of the Slayer follows a young woman named Raven. She’s a band geek with a haunted past and is just trying to navigate life. That’s until the night her band’s bus is attacked and everyone but Raven is brutally murdered by vampires. She quickly learns that not only are the supernatural bloodsuckers real, but that she is a vampire slayer. Whisked away from the life she knew and the people she loved, life only gets more complicated when the mysterious Khamari, a vampire prince, enters her life.

“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.”

Now I may have mentioned before that I’m not the biggest fan of vampire fiction, but, recently I’ve found myself more open to books featuring the fanged fiends. I’m glad I gave this one a shot because learning about the vampire world, its politics and magic, was one of the most fascinating aspects of the novel! And the other side of that coin is equally enthralling. Harris does an excellent job of fleshing out this world and taking the reader for a ride they won’t soon forget.

“Yet you’re here. You and your… friends. The people who come here are looking for danger. They’re looking to get burned.”

“What about you?”

I swallow, looking straight in her eyes.

“Right now, I’m burning.”

And, if you’re looking for the “romance” part of “paranormal romance”, this book will deliver. I will say, it was a little insta-lovey on both sides, not one of my favorite tropes, but I still found myself rooting for Raven and Khamari. The romance tends to take a backseat to the action, which was fine for me, but he has enough of a presence to really capture your heart. I just want them to be happppyyyy!

“Of course the chosen one is a mediocre white man.”

I have to say, though, I think my favorite aspect of this book is none other than our main character, Raven. She’s sarcastic to a fault and I love every bit of it! I love her snarkiness, her drive, and her brains. She’s the whole package though there were a few moments when I couldn’t help but think “Girl, what is you doin…” Hey, she’d be kind of boring if she was perfect, right?

Overall, this was an excellent read that had me on the edge of my seat! Though I feel it may have been a touch longer than it needed to be, I still enjoyed my experience. I look forward to reading more from this author!

"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."

TW: violence, blood, death, injuries/wounds, and alcohol use

Band geeks, Vampires, Vampire slayers, enemies to lovers romance, sexy princes, badass characters, action packed, dual points of view (Raven and Khamari) and Paranormal vampire Romance.

This story follows Raven who is in a member of her high school band. Raven's band bus is attacked by Vampires after coming home from a football game. This night Raven realizes that she has strength and power that she never knew she had. Also this is the night her world as she thought she knew it changes forever. She is thrusted into the world of training to be a vampire slayer. Raven is hot-headed, impatient, and roiling with anger at the deaths of her loved ones. She's trying to adjust to her new life in the American slayer society. I love the banter between Raven and Kharami. I wished their relationship progressed more. I really enjoyed the world building.

The author is trying so hard to be relevant and feminist that she forgot craft an interesting plot or any characters that I don't want to stake through the heart immediately.

Calling all Buffy the Vampire Slayer devotees and YA vampire aficionados! If you're all about thrilling action, nostalgic vibes, and a sprinkle of '90s/00s nostalgia, this book is your new obsession. It's tailor-made for the YA crowd, oozing with old-school vibes and references that'll have fellow readers from our generation grinning from ear to ear.

I dont usually enjoy books geared toward YA - this one felt VERY gen Z, but i enjoyed it nevertheless.

Sign of the Slayer is for the Buffy, Vampire Diaries, and Full Metal Alchemist teenagers out there. This is <b>not</b> an adult, and going in looking for spice only to tank the review not finding it is not it. This is a YA, with modern slang to help bridge that gap to urban fantasy and make it more accessible to anyone that might pick it up off the shelf. The magic system is easily accessible and not too complicated.

While Sign of the Slayer took a bit to find its feet, the action soon kicks in and the story takes hold. The main FMC feels like she embraces the essence of being the role model that Buffy was for Millennials and the story brings so many references and humor from pop culture that might not land with young audiences, but were a thrill for me, an adult geek. Raven wants nothing more than revenge and vengeance against vampires, but finds herself in an enemies to lovers romance.

Though I annotate and was able to flip back and forth, I think that a terms index would have been incredibly helpful for those that don't. The slayers and vampires each have their own terms, and I would find myself a little lost on what words meant if it wasn't something familiar from general vampire lore.

I am excited for book two, as a lot of questions weren't answered in this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Im so excited to share this book with all of the Black anime fans I know! Sharina Harris deserves her tens for this!
As a fan of Vampires and Fullmetal Alchemist, this was a perfect blend that has been anticipating a sequel.

I liked the concept of the vampires in this story, their origins, and how the FMC deals with learning that they're not what she's been told about them. The FMC is unique and has personality, but she does fall into the trope of being the "all-powerful" like many YA fantasy books, including training montages and boarding school. Unfortunately, there's a lot that happens in the first few chapters that don't let us connect with the FMC emotionally.

I also didn't like how the romance was written. It wasn't a slow burn as I thought it'd be considering they're enemies, and it lacked the chemistry between the two MCs to have a romance readers would root for. And it didn't seem necessary to have MMC's POV since most of the story is in FMC's POV.

Though it's supposed to be YA, there's swearing/profanity, clubbing, underage drinking, allusions to pornography, blood, and violence that generally isn't in YA (readers as young as twelve are considered YA). This book would've been better as an NA paranormal/urban fantasy. Many pop culture references seemed like they were for the older crowd and not the intended audience.

Thank you to NetGalley/publisher for this eARC.

This gave me the same feeling and love I have for TVD and HP. It did feel a little dragged out on some parts but overall a good read!

"Sign of the Slayer" by Sharina Harris is a captivating read that masterfully blends the elements of dark academia with a thrilling vampire narrative. This book immediately drew me in, reminiscent of the excitement and intrigue found in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but with a unique twist. The blend of a whodunnit mystery and academic setting kept me constantly second-guessing and deeply engaged throughout the story​​.

The world Sharina Harris builds in this novel is rich and layered. I was particularly impressed with how history, mythology, and pop culture were seamlessly woven into the narrative, creating a vivid and immersive experience. The book's ability to mix action, adventure, and suspense was exceptional, and the inclusion of these elements contributed significantly to the overall enjoyment of the story​​.

What stood out to me was the book's exploration of the dark academia genre. Harris's execution of this theme was flawless, bringing a fresh and intriguing perspective to the vampire lore. The detailed world-building, especially in the realm of vampire politics, added depth and complexity to the story. It's not just about the clashes and conflicts; there's also a slow-burn romance that gradually unfolds, adding another layer of depth to the narrative​​​​.

The humor in the book was a delightful surprise. It had moments that were genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, which balanced the darker themes of the story beautifully. The references to movies, along with the sarcasm and geeky humor, added an enjoyable lightness to the narrative, making it an all-around entertaining read​​​​.

"Sign of the Slayer" is a brilliantly crafted novel that will surely appeal to fans of both dark academia and vampire fiction. Sharina Harris has skillfully created a world that is as engaging as it is thrilling, filled with well-developed characters, intriguing plot twists, and a captivating blend of genres. Whether you're a fan of action-packed adventures, complex world-building, or slow-burn romances, this book has something for everyone.

A fun, paranormal romance that readers will devour. The plot, characters, and romance were GREAT. The vampire world was also intriguing and felt really fresh.

I did not read this story past the 16% mark. There was an interesting enough start to the story - I was in my high school's marching band and found the opening well-portrayed. Yet, the subsequent attack and uncovering the world scenes relayed a sense of disconnect I found with the prose.

“Your mind and imagination are your greatest weapons.”

Vampire slayers and sexy princes? What more could you want? I really enjoyed this new paranormal romance book. It's slow paced but has tons of mystery and kept me easily hooked. If you like dark academia, I definitely recommend reading the book.

Solid 2.5. I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I’ve had this review in my drafts for a while now and decided to finally sit down and send it.

The concept and cover of this book were what caught my attention and the execution of it was really good but while this had a very interesting concept with equally interesting characters, the writing style was sadly, not my cup of tea.

I di think this can find a very more apt audience that will fully enjoy the whole experience.

Mm....I wanted something fun and nice, but within 2 pages of this book there were SO many pop culture references and it felt so Gen Z that I was already over it.

Unfortunately, it never won me back over.

If you love buffy the vampire slayer, anything YA and teen vampires, and violence and fun this is for you. This book is written for teens - from the language to the vibes it’s a YA. BUT with some great buddy and old school (lol 90s/00s) vibes and call backs which are so so fun for my generation. I will say there are a few detailed sex scenes which I was surprised about but I don’t necessarily think it makes it NA or adult. I just wish there was a point to include protection as that’s pretty irresponsible imo.

The best parts were the beginning - riveted - and the last 100 pages. The book slows down a bit in the middle with a lot of lore as Raven is figuring out the slayer and vampire worlds. I think it’s a great start and I will for sure continue the series. Also more grandma Lou!!!!

This is a great upper YA vampire fantasy. I liked the teen drama feel to it at 28, but this is perfect for a highschooler or anyone wishing for a pop of dorky teen gothic nostalgia. Certain aspects of growing up just read so well to transcend generations and Sharina Harris really hit the nail on the head there. The book is just so much fun.

It has a distinctly YA feel about it but the characters are full of life and snark and joy. I loved the development of their story and the forbidden romance aspect, the training environment, (I am nothing if not a sucker for a vengeful FMC who comes into their own power in real time. The way Raven learns to embrace the parts of herself she ignored or was ashamed of growing up is so relatable and the added elements of fantasy and alchemy created a rich backdrop for the Slayer Society training ground. In additon, the band geek with a heart of fire vibes were addictive and I found myself kicking my feet and giggling often throughout.

I cannot wait to read more of Sharina Harris' works.

Sign of the Slayer by Sarina Harris was a delightful treat for my vampire starved soul. This work has filled a void left in my heart from the days of Buffy a fulfilled a need I didn't know I had. I desperately crave more by this author and with these characters..

Pros
-pacing
-dialogue
-world building

Actual rating: 3.5 / 5

Thank you to Hear Our Voices for including me in the cover reveal and the book tour. All opinions remain 100% my own.

For my playlist suggestion, check out my IG: Wolfhailstorm

I really enjoyed being thrust into this world with Raven.
I was apprehensive with how the author would marry the lore of vampires and their hierarchy in a modern way, with the ancient Egyptology she started to include about 40% in and I would have loved if we had that influence included earlier on to get more of the lore embedded in.

There were some moments where it was difficult to suspend my disbelief - how our mc managed to become so powerful and engrossed with this new way of life so quickly after her world got turned upside down, bit there were moments that brought me back.

I really enjoyed the romance aspect and the vampire underground lore. I also really enjoyed reading about the battle scenes and how the Slayer Society was organised.

There were so many times when I was shocked by plot twists I didn't see coming and I was eager to see how the story would eventually develop.

I did feel like the plot about Grandma Lou was predictable and it wasn't as neat a hint as I think it could have been.

Although Raven wasn't my favourite mc, I did enjoy being in her head and going through this odd life with her. I also loved that she was learning to navigate her anger, not to be afraid of it, not to let it consume her but let it fuel her in some ways.

I would definitely pick up the sequel.