“It was better to be safe than devastated.”

“The Dangerous Ones” by Lauren Blackwood is about the American civil war with vampires and magic. Jerusalem, a saint, only wants revenge and to abolish slavery from both white elite and vampires alike. She is gifted with magical abilities that make her perfect for both. She never thought she might grow to like one until Alexei. Both Jerusalem and Alexei are on the same side of fighting oppression.

This book held a lot of promise for me but ended up just not being my thing. I think the civil war world was on the boring side. Many of the characters’ thoughts and actions were repetitive and got old. My hot take is that the southern accent is a book ick for me because it really messes with my dyslexia. All in all, I would say 3 out of 5 stars, decent but I didn’t love it.

-Multi POV
-Slaves
-Vampires
-Abuse/Torture/Trauma
-Saints
-Magic

Oh, I love this author I want to start by saying that, I find her books unique, and super engrossing. However, this book really just missed the mark for me. I thought that the concept was fascinating, the idea of vampires, as in sleevers during the Civil War, and fighting for the confederate army. That meant that the union army had Saints on their side who were humans with special abilities who were able to fight back. Jerusalem is one of those Saints and Alexis is a vampire with a conscience who has teamed up with the union army to fight slavery and vampires in the south. That part was all super unique and a really interesting concept. Where it missed the mark for me was the repetition of the writing. The number of times that he talked about how much he loved her and how tiny she was and how he wanted to protect her. And how she talked about how big he was, and how his blonde hair and, it really just got to be too much. I like to the characters, and I like their relationship, I was just so tired of hearing the same thing over and over about how they thought about each other. I think that maybe it’s because I don’t read a lot of romance, and maybe that’s how romance books generally are, but wow, I love the concept of the idea behind the book the execution left me wanting.

This book was absolutely incredible! I read it over two days. I loved the fresh take on vampires and setting it during the Civil War was a unique spin. The incorporation of other magical creatures into the story and setting was creative and fresh.

While The Dangerous Ones has some beautiful descriptions and a lush fantasy setting, it just didn't deliver in terms of the story.

The characters and pacing both fell flat, and I was left disappointed. I'm sad, but I'm looking forward to more from the author in the future!

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to netgalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for allowing me to read this book. Due to the ongoing boycott I will not be leaving my full thoughts until the issue has been resloved.

Set during the Civil War, this novel is full of well written characters including vampires, saints, and other supernatural creatures. Jerusalem wants vengeance for those she’s lost, and finds allies in the unlikeliest places. Striking a perfect match between romance and both historical and supernatural fiction, this is a quick, exciting read!

Thank You, NetGalley, for the early copy of The Dangerous Ones by Luren Blackwood. I am currently reading this book. It reminds a black girl Buffy the Vamper Slayer, I can't wait to finish the book

In a world where vampires exist and some humans have special powers that make them Saints, an epic confrontation takes place against the backdrop of the US Civil War. Jerusalem is a Saint and an escaped slave from a plantation run by equally horrible humans and vampires. Alexei is a vampire, but he fights on the side of the Union. They must work together to defeat the South and the vampire that they both have history with.

Vampires in the civil war is a great concept. The author instills this book with her trademark banter between love interests and antagonism that yields to something deeper. Fair warning if you are a historical purist—while the author has clearly done her research, in tone the story owes much more to urban fantasy than historical fiction. Sometimes that annoys me, but as I’ve read her other books, I expected more of that voice from the characters. I think it best to think of THE DANGEROUS ONES as a paranormal/urban fantasy set in the past rather than historical fiction with supernatural elements.

But I mean, Jerusalem fights with a spear. That’s pretty neat.

CWs for lots of language, and slavery and death and blood, and more things that have slipped my mind, but the author has a list on goodreads and her website.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC. The Dangerous Ones comes out May 14, 2024.

I was excited for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood. After the rich settings of Within These Wicked Walls and Wildblood, I knew that I didn’t want to miss this story of hunting vampires during the American Civil War. Once again, the time and place make the novel come alive.
Jerusalem is an escaped slave, now fighting with the Union Army. Though most women aren’t allowed in the ranks, Jerusalem is a Saint, a person with superhuman speed and strength, just what she needs to combat the vampires that thrive as slaveholders in the South. She lives to kill vampires - well, except for the one. Alexei is a self-important Russian vampire, and an ally, who represents everything deadly to Jerusalem. And the scent of her blood threatens his control.
The two form part of a team headed to route out Confederate vampires in Gettysburg. For Jerusalem, it becomes a mission of revenge. For Alexei, it is the inevitable end to centuries of running.
I had a more difficult time getting into this story than in Lauren Blackwood’s previous novels. While nineteenth century America stayed as a setting, the war became a distant part of the story. The plot became second to the romance. This may be right for some, but for me too many pages were filled with Jerusalem and Alexei bickering about the same things.
Four stars to this novel with a lot of great things. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advance read.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood is a YA historical fantasy full of vampires and humans with god-like strengths, battling against one another during the American Civil War.

This story was one-of-a-kind with its unique setting and plot. I also found myself loving the banter between the two love interests. I wouldn’t call them true enemies to lovers because the “enemies” is one-sided. Their dynamic and their relationships with the other characters was one of the highlights of the book.

Overall I gave this book a three star rating because while I loved the world the author created and each character, supporting or otherwise, had really great depth, I struggled with the MC. I think at the end of the day, I was endeared to her struggles and accomplishments, but finished the book questioning whether I liked her as she frustrated me so much. But that’s just a personal preference, I still highly recommend reading this book and what detracted for me I doubt would do so for others.

The description of the book seemed interesting, so I wanted to check the story out. Unfortunately, it is not working for me right now. It is nothing against the story or the author, but I couldn't get into the story/characters. I may try and find a physical copy to add the my library when it is released, though, because I think my readers could like it!

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lauren Blackwood's "The Dangerous Ones" is a riveting blend of historical fantasy and romance set against the tumultuous backdrop of the American Civil War. This novel is a thrilling exploration of vengeance, power, and unlikely alliances, featuring a world where vampires and individuals with demigod-like abilities, known as Saints, coexist in a tension-filled reality.

The protagonist, Jerusalem, is a formidable and complex character. As a Saint with extraordinary abilities, her journey from enslavement to becoming a key figure in the Union army is both empowering and heart-wrenching. Blackwood's portrayal of Jerusalem's thirst for revenge against the vampire who destroyed her family is raw and compelling, making her a standout character in the realm of YA fantasy.

The inclusion of vampires, especially the partnership between Jerusalem and the enigmatic Ancient Vampire Alexei, adds a fascinating layer to the narrative. Their dynamic is charged with tension, evolving from distrust to a deep, albeit complicated, alliance. Blackwood skillfully weaves their individual motivations and histories into the larger conflict, enriching the story's depth.

The novel's setting during the Civil War is an inspired choice, offering a unique perspective on a well-trodden period in history. Blackwood uses this backdrop not just as a setting but as a pivotal element of the plot, incorporating historical elements with supernatural twists to create an immersive and thought-provoking world.

However, the blending of historical and fantastical elements might not appeal to purists of either genre. While the integration is mostly seamless, some readers might find the juxtaposition jarring. Additionally, the pacing can occasionally feel uneven, with some plot points rushed and others lingering.

Content warnings for themes of slavery, war, and violence are necessary, and the book will likely appeal most to readers who enjoy YA fantasy with a historical twist and strong, dynamic characters.

In conclusion, "The Dangerous Ones" by Lauren Blackwood is a bold and imaginative novel that successfully merges historical fiction with fantasy elements. Its compelling characters, rich world-building, and intricate plot make it a standout addition to the YA genre, offering an exciting and emotionally resonant reading experience.

I loved this fantasy book so much! The vampires in this book were just what I wanted to read. The romance was just the right amount. The writing was beautifully done