Very meh...the vampire POV was interesting, but it felt very disjointed combined with the other POV. A story about a vampire doing sexy vampire things, and then some non-vampire lady hijacks the story to tell me about her life that I really don't care about.

GORGEOUS WRITING omg. would read again in paperback just so i could annotate. it’s so atmospheric and dark but also delicate and violent and luscious idk man i really enjoyed this. the narrator’s are pretty detached from their stories through grief and trauma so it’s hard to connect with them but i still throughly enjoyed and would recommend to anyone who’s into prose, vampires, gay subtext, or likes a short book that can easily be devoured.
thank you netgalley for the advanced reader copy!

I had such a fun time reading this. An ambient character study that still manages to have lots going on, Thirst is for vampire lovers more fascinated with the psyche. Divided into two parts - one is a vampire's perspective, and one is a human's - the transition from the violent hunting of an aloof vampire to a sad, divorced mother who is grappling with her own mother's death is... jarring. And while it eventually meanders towards a crossroads where both women meet, I can't say it is as satisfying as I was anticipating. I can't help but wonder, though, on Yuszczuk's intentions for both POVs. While the vampire's is so clearly one of a predator, is that what causes a disconnect between the two parts? Is that intentional?

Regardless, I am so drawn to Yuszszuk's writing and hope she continues to apply her lush writing to more supernatural entities.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

Thirst follows two women during different time periods, both undergoing big changes in their life. The first is newly arrived to Buenos Aires in the 19th century, fleeing for her life, trying to tame her inner beast. The second is a woman living over 100 years later trying to cope with many changes in her life, including her mother's terminal illness.

I really enjoyed Part 1. I liked the tone, it felt kind of airy, like a dance, even though the story was a bit dark. I liked how the MC spoke about her experiences but it felt like we were never getting the full story, so it lended the book a feeling of mystery. The MC for Part 2 had a darker, and more frantic voice. I was waiting for her to do something asinine the entire time. I personally didn't much like Part 2 because of all the talk of death; it was a bit triggering for me, but the book kept me captivated. I liked the flow of it and the bit of mystery surrounding parts of the story like not knowing MCs' names.

This book started out really strong with an engaging premise, and I loved the go this historical vibes. However, I lost interest about halfway when the plot failed to develop. It felt very meandering, and there was almost no character development or unique voice to carry the narrative. This would have made a great short story, but I just couldn’t get excited about it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review. I DNF'ed at 10% of the way through.

Usually my rule is to read 20% of the way through before deciding to DNF but I had absolutely no idea what was going on in this book. It's genuinely so confusing and has so much info-dump it's hard to keep track of it all.

I had higher expectations for this one...

In the first half of this book, we follow our vampire fmc as she flees Europe and enters 1800's Buenos Aires. We get to understand her back story and what has led her to her final actions. Fast forward to part two, we follow a modern woman that is currently navigating life with her mother that is slowly dying. As you read more of part two, you get to understand how these two woman are connected.

I loved the concept. I wanted to love the first half but something just felt off. As for the second half, I really liked that part more than the first. Which was expected because I loved the prologue, and the prologue is told in the same POV as the second half. Her writing just showed more in the second bit for me. The writing just completely shifted and I loved it (I mean it is another POV). I absolutely loved the talk about death and grief (once again, in the second half) and I feel that it just ended beautifully. I just didn't like that you have to wait until the ending for the build up (writing-wise).

Themes: Vampire, Dual POV, Latine Author, Grief, Gothic LitFic

From the publisher:
Across two different time periods, two women confront fear, loneliness, mortality, and a haunting yearning that will not let them rest. A breakout, genre-blurring novel from one of the most exciting new voices of Latin America’s feminist Gothic.

It is the twilight of Europe’s bloody bacchanals, of murder and feasting without end. In the nineteenth century, a vampire arrives from Europe to the coast of Buenos Aires and, for the second time in her life, watches as villages transform into a cosmopolitan city, one that will soon be ravaged by yellow fever. She must adapt, intermingle with humans, and be discreet.

In present-day Buenos Aires, a woman finds herself at an impasse as she grapples with her mother's terminal illness and her own relationship with motherhood. When she first encounters the vampire in a cemetery, something ignites within the two women—and they cross a threshold from which there’s no turning back.

With echoes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and written in the vein of feminist Gothic writers like Shirley Jackson, Daphne du Maurier, and Carmen Maria Machado, Thirst plays with the boundaries of genre while exploring the limits of female agency, the consuming power of desire, and the fragile vitality of even the most immortal of creatures.

My Thoughts: The first half of the book is the story of the vampire as she remembers it. She is very animalistic in her hunting and consumption. There is nothing really romantic about her at this point even though she has a dalliance with a young man.

The second half of the book takes place in current times. It's told from a young mother's point of view from before she attracts the vampire's attention to the end. Again there seemed to be little romance.Still, they are drawn to each other for whatever reason. Perhaps loneliness is the biggest motivator. I had trouble understanding the decision of the modern woman at the end though there was foreshadowing.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. The prose is lush and descriptive, at times dreamlike. I think the translator did a great job. The theme of death is carried throughout. It's interesting to see the different deaths and the results. If you enjoy vampire stories this makes a good read. Just don't expect a romantic view of vampires.

Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk was published March 5th, 2024 by Dutton.

i received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

A modern horror story translated from the original Spanish, Thirst follows two women as they collide in supernatural ways. I often enjoy historical fiction set in Latin America, and came to this excited for the queer relationship. I think this book came to me at the wrong time, or when I was in the wrong frame of mind, though, as I didn't enjoy it the away I expected. It may be my own fault, having previously read Silvia Moreno Garcia's novels and expecting this to be as accessible and fun. This is likely a good fit for true horror fans, which I am not.

Title: Thirst
Author: Marlina Yuszczuk @marinayuszczuk
Summary: It is the twilight of Europe’s bloody bacchanals, of murder and feasting without end. In the nineteenth century, a vampire arrives from Europe to the coast of Buenos Aires and, for the second time in her life, watches as villages transform into a cosmopolitan city, one that will soon be ravaged by yellow fever. She must adapt, intermingle with humans, and be discreet.
In present-day Buenos Aires, a woman finds herself at an impasse as she grapples with her mother's terminal illness and her own relationship with motherhood. When she first encounters the vampire in a cemetery, something ignites within the two women—and they cross a threshold from which there’s no turning back.
With echoes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and written in the vein of feminist Gothic writers like Shirley Jackson, Daphne du Maurier, and Carmen Maria Machado, Thirst plays with the boundaries of genre while exploring the limits of female agency, the consuming power of desire, and the fragile vitality of even the most immortal of creatures.
Review: This is an electrifying novel that seamlessly weaves together the allure of vampire mythology with a gripping tale of desire and humanity. Yuzsczuk's exquisite prose and masterful storytelling bring to life a world where the supernatural intersects with the depths of human emotion. As the vampire protagonist navigates their insatiable thirst for blood and the complexities of immortal existence, readers are drawn into a captivating exploration of longing, love, and the blurred lines between darkness and light. Each character is intricately crafted, adding layers of intrigue to a plot filled with unexpected twists and heart-pounding suspense. "Thirst" is a literary tour de force that will leave you thirsting for more. (I just couldn’t help that one 🙂) Highly recommended for fans of vampire fiction and those craving a truly unforgettable reading experience. Copy provided by @netgalley in exchange for an honest review. @duttonbooks #Thirst #NetGalley #LGBTQIA #vampires #fiction #queer #booksbooksbooks #queerbookstagram

The first half of this novel was excellent, I loved reading from the point of view of the vampire. Thirst is another great queer vampire novel!

[1.5 Stars]

sorry but this was so dull.
For something pitched as a sapphic vampire love story, there was literally no romance. I wish the characters' backstories had been more interwoven and their interactions had been deeper before the "shocking" ending.
And honestly, this was more of a meditation on human grief than vampirism or relationships.

This book is described as a Sapphic literary vampire novel and I definitely felt that in the first half of the novel. The book is split into 2 different time periods following 2 different main characters which eventually will blend together near the end. The first half of the book I enjoyed the best, the carnal vampire fiction and the character I just enjoyed a lot more, it gave a bit more of what I was looking for and expecting in this novel.

The 2nd half of the book felt a little misplaced, choppy and rushed. It took a bit to get into and then I was going with the flow, until the story blends together. There didn't seem to be any thought or reason as to why the actions were taking place, and I felt like it was really out of character for our vampire.

Overall though I did enjoy this book, and I just wished I had more of the first half, or a novel just more about her back then. It would of been fun to watch her adapt to growing society and how to manage and stay hidden.

This book was *chefs kiss* amazing! Just brilliant! Pure excellence! Just amazing. Will be recommending.

Not usually the genre I’d go for but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it! Definitely recommend for those looking for a scintillating read

Sapphic vampire stories are so underrated and this was gorgeous !
loved the writing so much .
Thank you for the eArc .

(Actual: 3.5⭐) As a lover of translated literature, I was super excited for this book and am grateful to NG and the publisher for the opportunity! This book has all the tells and vibes of a great story in the making: the use of the "sliding doors" trope/writing mechanism; a lush atmospheric historical gothic backdrop in terms of setting; vampires, and sapphic ones at that (+ romance!); and a fair amount of unsettling/horror-forward moments that did succeed in pulling a reaction out of me. That said, while I enjoyed the book well enough for all the aforementioned reasons I listed and then some, I also had a bit of a hard time connecting with the characters and story as a whole. I think the first half of the book is stronger than its back half, the latter of which seemed to lose its steam and meander a bit. I'd still recommend this book out to others though for it's unique style and plot!

The first half of this book was an easy 5 star plus read for me, but it lost me a little in the second half. The last 25% was a struggle to finish. However, I loved the beginning so much that I’ll be happy to give the author another chance. She’s an amazing writer.

The writing style was exquisite! Split into two timelines of the nineteenth century and present day you follow the two fmc, one a vampire and one a human. I absolutely loved the vampire pov and the first half of the book set in the nineteenth century. It was engaging and intriguing. The present day half was still good however it lacked the same oomph and wasn't as tantalizing. The whole thing seemed more "realistic" as far as vampires go. Lonesome, hiding, lustful, gruesome and a certain type of thinking.

Would recommend.

Sadly I really struggled to get this into this book. The premise is exactly what I’d love to read but the writing felt flat and the pace was so slow that it couldn’t keep my interest.