A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya has all the excitement of a teen vampire novel that pulled the strings of my love for Twilight, while giving it a refreshing cultural angle charged with Mesoamerican lore. I am glad Latinx teens will have this story to feel themselves seen in exciting and romantic paranormal tales.

Writing this review several months after the fact and based on my very limited memory, this was a freaking blast. Vampire x vampire hunter, enemies to lovers, vampire mythology based in Mexico, A Cruel Thirst just works!!! The cover is stunning. Pick this up!

✨DNF✨

The idea of the book seemed so promising.
Lalo’s story felt almost like Jasper’s backstory, which I liked.
Carolina will become a fascinating character as the story progresses, I’m sure.

I just couldn’t jive with the cadence of the writing. It felt clunky and overly wordy but somehow like it was missing pieces.

I tried to make it happen but I just couldn’t 🙈

This book had some seriously top-tier tropes and an amazing setting, and I was all in at the beginning. The first half of the story had me hooked — everything felt fresh, exciting, and full of potential. But around the 50% mark, things started to lose steam, and it just kind of… fell apart. The relationship development felt rushed and over-the-top. It was like it escalated way too quickly, and I couldn’t fully buy into it. my absolute favorite part of the book was that the mmc is so afraid and freaked out by the fmc that every time she looked at him, he swore his soul fled his body. (that sums up what type of woman I am)

Started off great but for some reason I found myself losing interest. I have not picked it yo in a while but hope to do so in the future. For now it is a soft dnf.

A fun and fast-paced vampire romance with just the right amount of swoon. I enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters and the rich vampire lore woven throughout. Perfect for anyone looking for a quick, entertaining read!

I really enjoy Angela Montoya's writing style. Her stories are easy to get into, have great rep and I swoon at the romances. I also enjoyed this take on a vampire romance. If Angela Montoya writes it, I'll read it!

Thank you so much to Joy Revolution for my ARC!

4/5

I really enjoyed this vampire romance. I loved Lalo and how sweet he is. Carolina’s headstrongness reminded me of myself. The ending was really good. I went in blind to this book, which I love to do. I recommend it.
Thank you to Random House Children’s and NetGalley for the free copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

A swoony romantasy that readers will devour. If you're a fan of the vampire/vampire hunter trope, this was a quick read. I loved the banter, the strong protagonist and the author did a fantastic job with imagery and setting. With culture and lore sprinkled in, A Cruel Thirst has characters and a love story to root for. Thank you to Random House Kids for the arc.

This is my first book from Angela Montoya and it was great reading experience.

I loved vampire lore in this story. I was initially gravitated towards Lalo and him trying to avenge his family but then ends up being turned to the one thing he hates. Then comes Carolina- who comes from family of vampire hunters- eventually they team up. The banter and chemistry between Lalo and Carolina made me enjoy this story.

I'd recommend this book- it was face paced and kept me entertained and wanting to know more.

I rate this book a 4.00

“…you will learn with age that some evil cannot be destroyed. Not without destroying some of the good we’ve built, too.”

This book started off so strong! The cover is absolutely gorgeous and the plot seemed so interesting! I mean, a fledgling vampire and a vampire huntress having to work together? I was super excited. But unfortunately this didn’t hit for me. I didn’t love it the way I thought I would. While I enjoyed Lalo’s character, his and Carolina’s first meeting just felt a little too insta-love for me? And that’s not something I normally mind, but there was something about this romance that didn’t work for me. And if the romance doesn’t work, it removes me from the story. I wish there was more chemistry and build up for these characters. And some parts felt a little corny and cliche. I don’t think this book was bad and am sure many would enjoy it, it was just okay for me.

A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya is a dark and captivating fantasy novel that immerses readers in a world filled with blood, power, and intrigue. With a strong emphasis on vengeance, moral dilemmas, and complex relationships, the story is both intense and emotional, offering a thrilling ride for fans of dark fantasy.

The novel follows a fierce and determined protagonist who is thrust into a world where survival is uncertain, and power plays are ruthless. The central conflict revolves around her quest for justice and revenge, which ultimately leads her to confront not only external enemies but also her own deepest fears and desires. The stakes are high, and the protagonist’s journey is fraught with moral complexities, making it more than just a typical revenge tale.

Montoya’s writing is both gripping and atmospheric, with lush descriptions that bring the world to life. The world-building is rich and intricate, offering a unique and immersive setting that feels both dangerous and exhilarating. From the politics to the magic system, everything in the novel is crafted with attention to detail, drawing readers into a dark and gritty universe where nothing is quite what it seems.

The characters in A Cruel Thirst are multi-dimensional and compelling. The protagonist is strong-willed but also deeply flawed, which makes her both relatable and fascinating. Her internal struggle, as she navigates the moral consequences of her actions, adds emotional depth to the story. The relationships she forms—whether alliances or antagonisms—are complex and often filled with tension, which makes every interaction feel charged and significant.

The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, with moments of heart-pounding action interspersed with quieter, more introspective scenes that allow the characters’ emotional arcs to develop. There are plenty of twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, and Montoya does an excellent job of maintaining suspense and intrigue throughout the narrative.

A Cruel Thirst also explores themes of power, sacrifice, and the cost of seeking revenge. The protagonist’s journey is one of self-discovery as much as it is about fighting external forces. The moral ambiguity of the characters’ actions adds a layer of depth to the story, making it more than just a simple tale of good versus evil.

A Cruel Thirst is a dark and engrossing fantasy novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy complex characters, morally grey storylines, and intense, high-stakes adventure. Angela Montoya has created a compelling world full of danger and intrigue, making this a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and epic quests.

This book was quick, fun, and a cute ya vampire romance. I enjoyed the world, the setting, and the lore of the vampires. Lina and Lalo were a fun and dynamic pair to follow through the book and I was content with the ending! I think it could have been a bit longer and it was definitely a closed door romance, but it was a good story for a quick read with fun vampire lore. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a quick standalone vampire read that is well written and engages its readers.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review! ❤️

A camp vampire romance that knows exactly what it is. While not amazing, I don't think there is anything to complain about with this book either. Just enough for you to swoon at the romance!

This was more of a 2.5 star read for me, but rounded up to a 3. I honestly had to push myself to finish this one, only because I wanted to know how it ended and didn’t want to DNF. I realize now that I could’ve skipped to the ending and I wouldn’t have lost anything in the story.

I didn’t absolutely hate it though, there were some interesting parts and some cute corny moments. But I feel like the writing was just not for me…

Thank you to Random House Children’s for providing me with an eARC for review. All thoughts are my own.

4/5

This book was exactly what I needed and expected. It was fun, fast-paced, and a good read. The vampire origins were well explained and reasonable, even if predictable. I was hoping it would be a quick read and that I would be invested in the love story and I definitely was! I went into it hoping for a campy vampire YA and got what I wanted.

Definitely recommend for anyone hoping to get out of their reading slump or just have a good time with a fun (and clean) vampire romance.

I’m going to keep this short and sweet. :) Do yourself a favor and read this book! It was so much fun and such a rollercoaster. I had the best time reading this book. Lina and Lalo have my whole heart. He’s a vampire and she’s a vampire slayer in the making. What more do you need to know? It was fun, sexy, emotional, thrilling, suspenseful, and so swoony! All the stars ⭐️ Angela I’m going to need your next book asap.

Carolina has always wanted to join her family of vampire hunters if only her father would see her, really see her. She has all the skill and talent, except she is a girl. Lalo is normally very level headed. Whatever made him go after the vampire that murdered his parents, no one will ever know. Now he himself is changing and will do everything he can to stop it. Carolina and Lalo have what is now one of my favorite meet cutes! What if she does try to kill him?! The banter between the two throughout the book is so fun. I adore our side charters, Fernanda and This is a vampire and vampire hunter love story, but it was so different than any I have read. The vampires were different. I loved their story. I was immersed in this story from start to finish. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's | Joy Revolution for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Overall rating: 2.75

Unfortunately, this book didn’t fully do it for me.

I have to give this book its flowers. It has great cultural representation, which I rarely see in fantasy or vampire books. It’s clear Montoya did her research, and it paid off wonderfully.

Loved Lalo’s character (and his sister!). Seeing his internal and external struggles felt raw. Instead of seeing him as a villain, I adored his individuality and emotional complexity.

Despite the positives of the novel, I couldn’t completely get invested. It felt very juvenile, and despite being 400 pages, it felt rushed…and slow? At many points, it felt like the romance became the main plot, while vampirism was pushed towards the back burner. It also felt a bit insta-lovey. I’m still not fully sure how Carolina went from hating vampires to immediately being attracted to and developing feelings for Lalo. Lina also embodies the very popular (and quite annoying) personality of “I’m not like other girls because I’m not girly.” The characters definitely did not act their age (early 20s).

With that being said, however, it is a good novel, just not for me personally. It’s not too graphic or violent, so it could fit into a young audience.

* I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book cemented that vampire media just doesn’t do it for me. I thought the plot was pretty interesting - definitely very creative, the characters were easy to root for, and the setting was very lovely, but I still just feel kind of meh towards this book. I also think the ending was a little too perfect for my tastes. Spoiler alert: not only does everyone live, but all the villains turn out to just be misguided people who are actually virtuous at heart.