The Dangerous Ones is a historical fantasy full of vampires, romance, and fun characters. Personally, I didn't love this book, but I think some other readers will. I wasn't the biggest fan of the author's writing style, and had some problems with some of the plot points. That being said, I think the book's elements (such as vampires) and romance will make for a fun ride for some other readers! For me it was a very middle of the road read, but that may just be subjective.

the writing is awful. I understand why it is written the way it is and the tone the story has. but I just can't. it seems the entire book is written this way and I am annoyed by it. I do like the story mostly but its just not for me. The actual story has a good start and I would like it a whole lot more but I cannot with this style of writing, Just not for me. Made it about 100 pages or so. I DNF and won't be picking it up again for any reason.

I didn't enjoy the writing style. It felt like I was reading an academic paper. The story sounded interesting but I couldn't get into it.

Normally YA vampires would get me SO excited. But I just could not get into this one. I kept putting it back down to try again later, and each time, it just didn’t hit right, and was a struggle to get through, Nothing blatantly bad about it.. just lacked anything to keep me vested.

DNF at 25-30%
I just can’t bring myself to finish this book. The writing really is hard to get through. The premise of the story seems intriguing but the execution fell apart.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but really couldn't get into it. The concept sounded great and I like the cover. However, I just couldn't get into the story at all, and the narrative fell flat for me.

Amazing book! A great twist on a history known by most! I love when authors take a peice of history and introduce magic, vampires, werewolves, and show a new view of that time but though a fantastical lense! Lauren hits all expectations with her writing and makes a satisfying read and end!

I really loved the premise of this, but it wasn’t as good as I had hoped. I wanted more romance, more back and forth with the characters. Instead, the MMC was the only one that seemed in love.

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for allowing me to receive an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Life got busy and I wasn’t able to reach it within the timeline but I still wanted to give it a chance because the cover was so beautiful.

This book is not my typical cup of tea but I enjoyed some parts of it. I was thrown off by a couple parts as the language was not really civil war like but enjoyed some of the drama. I wished there would have been more background into why Jerusalem trusted Alexei so much considering she’s never trusted any vampires.

2.75/5⭐️

The premise of the book is good but sadly it fell flat for me. It is supposed to be set in the civil war but it had more modern aspects.

I really loved the idea of this book, but the delivery didn’t match. The setting is during The Civil War, and we’re following a FMC named Jerusalem and her MMC named Alexi who is an ancient vampire. We follow Jerusalem as she runs from her former plantation to a Union fort. There we learn that she and a few others are Saints who are abnormally strong and fast humans. Unfortunately, that’s all we know about Saints as we never learn what makes them different, how one becomes a Saint, or the uniqueness of the different Saints. That’s Red Flag 1.

My second big red flag is the fetishization and violence that is happening in this coupling. Jerusalem is hyper-focused on her dislike of Alexi mainly because he’s 1. White and 2. A vampire. His vampire identity becomes a very bad allegory for their racial differences. When she’s over the fact that he’s white, she focuses on him being a vampire just to swing back to his whiteness. This happens for a solid 95% of the book which makes it very annoying. The worst part is that Alexi has only shown himself as a loving and patient man, so you’re more likely to hate Jerusalem for it especially because she’s consistently violent against him. There’s a line where she says she couldn’t imagine herself without him, but she’s bites him all the time and had permanently hurt him with her silver weapon twice now. I understand that he represents all of her trauma personified as a very pretty, very pale white vampire, but it’s also hard for the audience to engage with their love if she’s actively attacking or hiding from him every other page. I try to remember what an 18 year old me would have been like, but I struggle to believe any of her love declarations when they only come in the face of death and never directly to person even as he was facing death.

I’m a hopeless romantic, and I’m always on the side of love. Unfortunately, I didn’t buy their love. It felt toxic and not present. Alexi seemed obsessed with Jerusalem often seen when he referenced her smell. Jerusalem seemed to rely solely on his ability to help her reach her goals, and that felt dangerously close to how Adelaide treated him. After the mid-point, they threw love at each other so much that it felt like a taunt and cheapened the idea. There’s a few times when we see a little insecurity from her that her feelings are only one-sided when in fact she ACTIVELY went out of her way to make sure Alexi never saw hers. Jerusalem’s love only seemed present when she had to defend it to others because they probably saw what I saw, THAT IT WASN’T THERE!! Knowing Alexi’s story made me hurt for him, he had to learn how Zamir played a role in his torture, but I believe Zamir actually loved him like a son. I wish he would’ve flew away with him instead of returning to his toxic and harmful relationship with Jerusalem.

Other nuisances that bothered me, there was a lot of timeline jumping that sometimes distracted from the story from both main characters. I would’ve appreciated more context on Saints instead. We find that they shared a tormentor, but that also felt unearned. Alexi was very vulnerable in this moment, and I appreciate that we saw Jerusalem’s humanity here, but I would’ve appreciated some vulnerability. As someone who loves spice, their scene also felt unearned. I think it was supposed to show that Jerusalem fully trusted Alexi, but it failed for me and Alexi as he didn’t know until she told her brother at the end. The entire chimera/trial plot line was so unneeded. We could’ve connected with the Underground Railroad, learned of the impact, and jumped to the woods without the extra. Lastly, the end all felt rushed and not planned at all where I was actually needing an epilogue to finish the story.

Thank You NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While The Dangerous Ones excels in magical realism and revenge-driven tension, its execution falters in pacing and character depth. The dual POV structure and flashbacks, though intended to build suspense, feel disjointed at times. The modern dialogue occasionally clashes with the historical setting, pulling me out of the world Blackwood so beautifully crafts. That said, the plot kept me turning pages, and Jerusalem’s strength as a protagonist carried the story. If you enjoy fantasy with dark themes and a fast-paced narrative, this book might be worth a read—just be prepared for some structural quirks.

The Dangerous Ones is a gripping YA fantasy that explores themes of power, trust, and survival. The book is set in a world where magic is both revered and feared. This book expertly blends action, romance, and mystery, creating a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The tension between Zora and Kieran (our main characters) adds an emotional depth to the story. Fans of magical realism and intense character-driven plots will find the story both captivating and thought-provoking.

Did you love Twilight, but wish Bella was way more capable? Meet Jerusalem, a badass Saint with a bone to pick against the vampires that ruined her life and destroyed her family. Enter Alexei, an annoyingly good vampire, and a white boy at that. Her every instinct tells her not to trust this boy, but her heart doesn’t listen. We follow their journey, trying to turn the tide of the civil war and vanquish their enemies once and for all. You can’t help but fall for this pair of starcrossed lovers. What are you waiting for, start reading! 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the e-galley of The Dangerous Ones.

When ever there’s a black vampire you can sign me up. I like the world building and how well thought out the characters were. Would definitely recommend this book to others.

The Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood is an absolutely captivating read. Her writing style and world-building are phenomenal—they draw you in completely, making you feel like you’re part of the story. From the very beginning, I felt immersed in the world alongside the main characters, Alexei and Jerusalem, and I couldn't help but get lost in the tension between them.

Initially, I thought for sure Alexei wouldn't make it, given how brutal their relationship seemed. There was so much back and forth between them that I kept expecting something tragic to happen. But as the story unfolded, it became clear that there was more to their dynamic than I first realized. The character development, especially for Jerusalem, was exceptional. I loved watching both of them evolve throughout the book.

Odessa also stood out to me. I adored her for so many reasons, and she added such depth to the story. There were countless moments that had me on the edge of my seat, and more than once, I found myself getting teary-eyed. The emotional weight of this story is real, and I was completely invested in every moment.

Overall, this book kept me hooked from start to finish, and I loved every single page of it. Blackwood has a way of making you feel deeply for the characters, and I can’t wait to see where she takes this world next.

Book Review: A Riveting Tale of Revenge and Redemption
In " The dangerous ones," readers are introduced to the fierce and fearless Jerusalem, a Saint with demigod-like reflexes, endurance, and strength. Her journey is fueled by a singular goal: revenge against the vampires who wreaked havoc on her family. This gripping narrative masterfully intertwines themes of love, justice, and the quest for equality.
Jerusalem's unexpected partnership with the captivating and confident Alexei, an Ancient Vampire, adds a compelling layer to the story. Despite her deep-seated hatred for vampires due to her family's tragic past, Jerusalem finds herself fighting alongside Alexei against the Confederate Army and the vampires who profited from slavery. Over the year of their alliance, Alexei consistently proves his loyalty to the Union and to Jerusalem, challenging her perceptions of what it means to be an enemy.
The novel brilliantly explores the complexities of vengeance, as Jerusalem navigates her feelings and the larger fight for freedom and equality for Black people. Her determination to achieve justice without the need for personal sacrifice makes her character relatable and inspiring.
As they embark on a mission to alter the war's trajectory and confront the vampire responsible for devastating her life, Jerusalem and Alexei's relationship deepens. This tale goes beyond mere romance; it is a powerful commentary on love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of justice.
With its rich narrative and dynamic characters, "One Vampire to Kill. Another to Love" is a captivating read that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s a story that resonates with themes of empowerment and resilience, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a blend of action, historical context, and heartfelt emotion. This book is not just about love and vengeance; it’s a profound exploration of what it means to challenge a god. #netgalley

A very interesting read. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this book. It wasn't really for me, but I am sure that it will be loved by the right audience.

I didn't think I would like this one but I enjoyed this alternative history of the civil war in which it becomes a case of humans against vampires.