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Another YA fantasy set in high school. This reminds me of the manga Vampire Knight. The FMC, a highschooler vampire slayer who met a Vampire Prince that turned her world upside down.

With the threat of an ancient curse, her and the Vampire Prince needs to work together to break it else, all hell breaks loose.

Though certain clichés were observed all throughout, there were still some unique use of action scenes that subtly made my heart jump once in a while

thank you to Entangled Teen Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review ♥️
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first, let me warn y’all right now that this book ends on a cliffhanger.

now that that’s out of the way, let me just say poor Raven was really put through it. she lost her friends after her band was attacked by vampires. she was recruited for a society of vampire slayers almost immediately after losing her friends. and she couldn’t even contact her granny or she’d risk putting her in danger. thankfully, she now has people that she can trust to have her back during all of this. even a vampire 🫢

speaking of vampires, say hello to Khamari. he’s powerful, talented, charming, and literally a vampire prince. he’s also been through quite a bit. he lost his parents and he had a rough upbringing. but now he has his grandpa and his brother. despite him being a vampire, he also has Raven. and they were too freaking cute y’all. well, when she wasn’t pissed at him lol. now he definitely did some things I wasn’t a fan of and he wasn’t my fave at first. but he really did grow on me.

circling back to my girl Raven right quick. she’s different from a lot of the other slayers. she has this darkness (as she calls it) inside of her and man…homegirl can really tear you UP if she lets it out. she’s so powerful, and at such a young age. it’s so much she can do and yet still so much I think she has to learn. especially controlling the darkness…

overall, this was an interesting story and baby the plot twists were plot twisting! if you read this…be mindful of who you trust and who you think have good intentions. oh and be prepared to experience at least 5 different emotions. it’s definitely giving I’ll be reading book 2 cause I’d like to know what happens next 😭

15 Thoughts……..
1. High school/HBCU band vibes from the beginning!
2. Love all the pop-culture references! Blerd Content in full affect!!!
3. This reminds me of a cross between Vampire Huntress Legend Series by LA Banks and Buffy the Vampire Slayer! Very nostalgic!
4. Family/Friend ties are very important to the main character.
5. Things escalate quickly from the start.
6. Raven is literally a magical young black women with secret powers that are even more advanced than her peers.
7. Raven, you in trouble girl, with this vampire?!!!
8. This story veers very close to new adult paranormal.
9. Raven is a funny and relatable character.
10. There is an emphasis on mental health and self care that is apparent throughout the book.
11. The chapter development and magical system is nuance and complex but easy to follow once you get the handle of the plot.
12. There is disability representation in here that is pretty awesome.
13. The action/paranormal scene are very vivid and action-packed. You will be cheering for Raven throughout this book.
14. Raven has an amazing support system at school and also with her love interest, showing the importance of community and friendship.
15. This will be an AWESOME miniseries! There are a few actors/actresses that can really bring this story to life? U can’t seem to narrow down the choices. Put suggestions in comments?
Amazing book and highly recommended. ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Thank you @hearourvoices your for letting me be apart of the cover reveal and book tour!!! #HearOurVoices #HOV #signoftheslayer

I want to express my gratitude to Entangled Teen and @hearourvoicestours for giving me the opportunity to dive into Sign of the Slayer early!

Sign of the Slayer kicks off with a bang as Raven and her bandmates are attacked by vampires. Little did I know that Raven was destined to be a slayer with some jaw-dropping powers that needed mastering at the Slayer Academy. And the enigmatic and hot guy who saves her turns out to be none other than the vampire prince – her sworn enemy. The premise of the story had me hooked from the start.

However, as I delved deeper into the book, my interest took a dip. My main gripe lies with the characters, who unfortunately fell flat for me. It seemed like we were being told about certain relationships rather than witnessing them develop naturally. The romance, in particular, felt forced, lacking the authentic spark of attraction or strong emotions between the characters.

Another aspect that didn't quite hit the mark for me was the dialogue. At times, it felt like a condensed version of the story, failing to provide the depth and complexity needed to fully engage me as a reader. Some of the interactions came across as somewhat juvenile and didn't effectively convey the high stakes of the narrative.

However, despite these setbacks, I can't deny that Sign of the Slayer still managed to deliver on its promise with some impressive plot twists and a captivating history that added depth to the overall story.

I just finished this absolutely thrilling read, and I couldn't resist sharing my thoughts with you all! So, our girl Raven finds out that vampires are real - yep, you heard it right. And here's the kicker, she's a vampire slayer. 😱 Her life takes a wild turn when she's whisked off to a slayer training academy. But all she has on her mind is revenge against the bloodsuckers. Things get complicated when an ancient evil rears its head and she needs to focus on saving the world instead of her vendetta.

This book was a rollercoaster ride! 🎢 Funny, action-packed and filled with lovable characters. Raven is such a relatable protagonist (well, minus the whole vampire slaying thing 😂). The story was so engrossing that I couldn't put it down! And let me tell you, the plot twists were mind-blowing!

But hey, no book is perfect right? There were bits that left me slightly confused - like different types of slayers and vampires? A glossary would've been super helpful! Also, there were some loose ends which I hope get tied up in the sequel.

One particular scene did bother me though. Early on in the book, Raven's best friend Deidre (who's white) expresses her desire to attend an HBCU and Raven applauds her for it. It felt a bit off to me but thankfully no other scenes gave off that vibe.

All in all, this was an amazing read and I'd give it 4/5 stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟 If you're looking for your next adventure packed with magic and vampires - this could be it! Just remember: don't judge a book by its genre - it might surprise you! 😉

I received a free copy of this book via Hear Our Voices Tours and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Raven thought the extent of her worries was her rival for Drum Major in her high school marching band. But one night on the way home from a football game, her bus is attacked by vampires. A mysterious man saves her and the next thing she knows she’s being sent to a slayer academy where she will learn about her latent powers. She wants to take her anger out on every vampire in existence, until she meets the vampire prince and realizes that not only is he attractive, but he seems genuinely nice. When they’re forced to work together to uncover a secret and dangerous plot, Raven realizes that her feelings for him may be much more complicated than she wanted.

This story is told from the dual POVs of Khamari and Raven. While I quite liked Raven’s POV, I found Khamari’s POV to be weak until near the end of the work. It wasn’t necessary for the first half of the book, but by the end provided relevant information for some of the background conflicts that had been going on. That meant that most of his POV near the beginning was him obsessing over Raven, someone he’d met once. I didn’t find this to be compelling.

The book started off quite strong, and I even wrote in my notes during the first part, “This is exactly how I want these books to be.” The plot was compelling and entertaining, I loved the premise, and the protagonist felt quite relatable and genuine. But as the book went on, the characters and the plot became less interesting. One of the things that didn’t work for me was that the protagonist went from having zero clue as to what she was, zero strength, etc. to becoming the absolute best over the course of a couple of chapters. This wasn’t compelling growth and didn’t keep me engaged in her character arc. The extent of her character development was also “snarky and doesn’t take crap,” which grew tiresome over the length of the work.

I also disliked how predictable things were; I can’t mention specifics without giving away “spoilers,” but it was very clear where everything was going as soon as a slight conflict or issue was introduced. This made it where the reveals were bland and didn’t pack any real oomph. Honestly, the longer I read this book the less enchanted I became with it. The worldbuilding was also lacking. It felt like the author had a lot of ideas with plenty of potential, but rather than focusing on a few of them and going in depth, she instead included everything at a surface level.

I wanted to enjoy this one and was disappointed that it didn’t quite work after such a strong start. If you enjoy YA urban fantasy with vampires, an overly strong and angsty female protagonist, and okay romance, then you’ll likely enjoy this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Entangles Publishing for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Actual rating - 2.5/5

This story, for me, lacked punch. Things felt a little to superficial, Raven wasn't a developed enough main character, she sailed through everything too easily and the story progression wasn't paced in a way that was engaging. Khamari felt more real but even he should of been explored more deeply. And frankly the romance felt unnatural, purely because Khamari felt like the only one actually making any effort.. shame..

This was an entertaining story. However, it did take a few chapters to get into the story. I enjoyed the dual POVs. It was really nice to get both perspectives.

Raven and Khamari were good main characters. I think I enjoyed Khamari, a little more than Raven. At times, she was a bit much for me.

The magic system was interesting and well done. It seemed like the magical system should have been complex, but it was explained in a way that made it easy to understand. The story was fast-paced, and almost every page was practically a page-turner. I also enjoyed the pop culture references. Those were fun and cool.

Finding out what Raven was capable of made me proud of her. Her chemistry with Khamari was well-written, and I hope to see more of them and their relationship grow. Personally, I thought the book was too long for a cliffhanger; however, I’m excited to see what happens in book 2.

The book started off great and then it fizzled out for me. There were some good comedic moments in there but what didn’t work for me was the pacing of the story and there were some holes in the plot. I also thought the characters lacked depth.

Thank you to @entangledpublishing and @netgalley for providing this book for an honest review. If you’re a fan of academia and the supernatural then this book is right up your alley. I had no clue what to expect but enjoyed a different take on what a vampire slayer is. Raven is a great FMC who is strong but also is quite vulnerable when it comes to those she loves. Khamari also has that same vulnerability but has lots of secrets that come out through the duration of the book. The second half of the book caught me in a chokehold and threw a couple twists at me I was not expecting. I cannot wait to see what happens next! The only opportunity I found with the book was how the writing transitioned to different events happening, I feel like I wasn’t completely along for the ride. Overall, this book was a solid, fun read. Y’all need to check this one out!

This book provided an exhilarating journey that gripped me from the start. The protagonist, Raven, with her witty humor and unwavering determination, made for a compelling character. The introduction of alchemical magic to combat vampires added depth to the story, and the pacing kept me engaged. Multiple plot twists heightened the excitement, making it a page-turner. This story offered a thrilling, action-packed adventure with humor and is a must-read for fans of dark academia, vampires, and the supernatural. I eagerly anticipate the sequel to see where Raven's journey leads.

I have a love/hate relationship with cliffhangers - mostly I hate them. Especially when I have been completely absorbed into a book, like Sign of the Slayer, and I’m just left with…with…with…the book version of “tune in next week for the exciting conclusion.”

Sign of the Slayer is being described as Full Metal Alchemist meets Vampire Diaries, but as someone who spent their teen years watching Buffy and crushing on Angel, this was the perfect vampire/slayer story.

With fantastic fight scenes, enemies-to-loves vampire romance, and a lot of badass women running the Slayer Society, this is a young adult fantasy that’s an absolute fun read. This one was unputdownable for me, for sure. I will definitely be looking forward to the sequel.

Thank you to Entangled Teen for the review copy!

I am a HUGE Buffy fan so this way right up my alley! I loved all the little intricacies that were created as I read more and more of the story. Little things were connected and came full circle. Texas is a strong female character, but she has vulnerability as well as a tough exterior. The twists were good, and the relationships built were deep and meaningful. I can't wait to see if there is another book and where it will take these characters.....will there be a love triangle in the future? Similar to the Angel/Spike debate?? I'm a diehard Spike fan BTW.

This isn’t usually the type of book I request but I saw a bunch of people talking about it and decided to give it a shot. I’m really happy I did because this book has action right from the start. The MC, Raven, is funny and the story moves at a good pace. I liked the voice of the MC and that is what kept me reading. I also liked how the side characters were well fleshed out and the story kept me in intrigued. It does start to slow down towards the end but I’m looking forward to what’s in store for the next book. I would say this book is a must read if you like action and romance. It was cute, action packed and pretty funny.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the arc.


CW: death

Vampires, slayer school, and secret societies. What else could a person ask for as we enter the Fall and spooky season.

On the worst night of Raven's life, she's ushered into the world of vampires and slayers. As she beings to learn about vampire families and works to plot an escape from a legacy she's tripped and fallen into, Raven begins to learn that she's not like the other Slayer students and regardless of the hate she feels for vampires and what they took from her, they may not be all they appear to be.

Thank you to Entangled Teen and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

Sign of the Slayer is a brand new book focused on a high schooler who becomes a vampire slayer. Raven doesn't know who to trust and loses all ties with her friends and family, as she goes to the school for slayers.

Some of my favorite parts were the awareness of how this book fits within vampire and superhero pop culture. There were tons of Buffy references along with references to the X-Men. I also really enjoyed the chapter titles.

Additionally, I liked seeing the nod to more accurate histories with critiques of colonization and recognition of Egyptian culture and science.

However, the book dragged for me. After a great beginning, it felt quite slow in the middle and too long by about 100 pages. When I reached the ending, it picked up again with some great and surprising twists and turns.

#NetGalleySRC Not my favorite take on Buffy/Teen vampires, but not the worst I’ve ever read. I think I’d enjoy it more if I was a teen today who had no idea about Buffy and other teen vampire series but it was for sure a fun read.

I had very high hopes for Sign of the Slayer... when you tell me it's a cross between full metal alchemist and the vampire diaries I instantly will be hooked, so long as it delivers and unfortunately this did not. The writing style just isn't for me, and feels like it's very childish, even too much so for it's intended audience. This book relies on pop culture references to keep people hooked and they're shoehorned in to a degree that makes them come off very cheesy. If I believed in DNFing books, this would have been one of them.

Sharina Harris's Sign of the Slayer held a lot of potential. Vampires, slayers, the supernatural, and a forbidden romance... As a Buffy fan, I couldn't wait to dive into this story! Unfortunely, this book didn't live up to it's promise and it was a struggle for me from the onset.

Raven's life has never been what one would consider normal, but it's her life and she owns it. That is, until her high school marching band's bus is attacked by vampires and all of her friends are murdered. After being whisked away by a handsome stranger with supernatural powers, Raven's life is turned upside-down and nothing will ever be the same again... Sent to an academy of Slayers and Alchemists, Raven must navigate this new life she was thrust into and her new powers that are somehow stronger than anyone can explain. When a powerful Slayer object goes missing, Raven must work alongside the creatures she hates in order to find answers. Cans she put aside her prejudices in order to complete her mission, or will her anger and resentment doom them all?

Sign of the Slayer was an arduous read for me and I honestly should have DNF'd it when it took me five days just to get to 20%. At the beginning I was intrigued by the Buffy-esque vibes and academia setting. The storyline was a bit all over the place though making it difficult to follow from the start. It felt like the author had a lot of ideas that were never fully developed. I was interested in the academia setting itself, a cool concept of slayers and the scientists behind them, and wished the author had spent more time on world-building there so that we could have delved deeper into it's fundamentals. Readers receive substantial surface level information regarding the sciences behind the Slayer and Alchemist marks and weapons, but when the concepts came into play they didn't stick and made little sense.

The story is told in dual POV's. So while readers are learning all of the intricacies of the Slayers through Raven's eye, their history, and the tenuous truce between them and Vampires, you're thrown into the middle of vampire politics with Khamari's POV. It was a lot to keep track of, especially since all of these plot points were fragmented and not fleshed out. The budding relationship between Raven and Khamari is what ultimately kept me reading despite the insta-love feel to it all; angry FMC meets broody vampire MMC...heck yeah! However the actuality felt forced and I was unable to relate to either of these characters in the end. While Raven began as an entertaining MC with a snarky, take no sh*t attitude, it quickly became redundant and her character lacked any true depth beyond that snark. Her emotions were volatile, which while understandable under the circumstances, caused her to mouth off and make brash decisions. Id didn't see any real growth in her character and I was never certain of her true feelings. She was a walking contradiction for a majority of the story.

Then, there were a number of inconsistencies that took me out of the story often. For instance; the killing of a Royal (Which I believe was a born vampire?) was forbidden on one page, but on the next it was okay if done by the Maximus. Another instance was when the Slayers didn't want the Vampires in the know, but on the next page it was suddenly okay for an entire faction and the Prince to be aware. I had to keep going back to check what I had read. Bottom line, I was unable to connect with the writing and characters in Sign of the Slayer like I had hoped to and I won't be continuing with this series. Which is a shame, because I really wanted to love this book!

✔️ Buffy the Vampire Slayer
✔️ Vampires, Slayers, and the Supernatural
✔️ Young Adult
✔️ Academia
✔️ BIPOC Author
✔️ POC MC's
✔️ Dual POV
✔️ Intsa-Love
✔️ Royal Politics
✔️ Secrets and Scheming

I am so grateful to have received an ARC for this book from NetGalley and Entangled Teen. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it as i thought I would. I DNFed this book 35% through, the first ever book I'ved DNFed. The FMC's writing felt like an adult trying to fit in with a group of teenagers. It felt forced and wasn't realistic to what teenagers actually sound and act like. However, I did enjoy the plot and I think this book likely has a lot of potential. It had an interesting plot line that I wish I could've seen through. I believe my problems with it can be boiled down to personal preference. Again, a huge thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions in this review are mine and mine alone.