Thank you so much to NetGalley and Angela Montoya for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Cruel Thirst coming out December 17, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author! I do really enjoy vampire stories, so I was excited to check this out. I really enjoyed the setting and the Spanish influence in the story. I enjoyed aspects of the story. There were some high stakes. I think I’ve just read a lot of vampire books though. So some of the plot points felt like other stories I’ve read. I would check out other books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys vampire stories!

The book was interesting. Very diverse. A new take on vampires. Couldn’t get enough! Well written and suspenseful.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my early copy of this book go read and review. All thoughts are my own.

This book was a fast pace and easy read. I liked the writing style, it was easy to follow along.

I think the characters were likable, the plot was interesting, and the execution was good. I will say that I did wish for a little bit more world building. I was a little confused in some spots and just needed more detail.

All in all, the book was good and I’d recommend it to any fantasy genre lover!

4 stars!

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Joy Revolution for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars!

TL;DR: A Cruel Thirst was a great romp of a read! This YA historical paranormal romance had engaging characters who were easy to root for and an entertaining action-packed plot that kept me turning the pages. I loved Carolina and Lalo and enjoyed their enemies-to-reluctant partners-to-lovers dynamic so much. Despite recognising certain flaws in the story that would've normally irritated me, the humorous writing and witty banter made this such an enjoyable laugh-out-loud read, that the flaws didn't seem to matter! I would recommend it to those looking for a relatively light-hearted but action-packed story featuring an interesting vampire x vampire hunter dynamic that's heavy on fun, romance, and banter!

This is my first book by Angela Montoya but it won't be my last. I came into this expecting a dark and serious story about vampires in a historical setting but what I got was a humorous, banter-filled story that had me laughing out loud constantly and brims with love for family. Objectively, there were moments when I found myself questioning the inconsistencies in parts of the narrative and I was admittedly disappointed that there was still one major element that was flippantly answered away at the end. However, I was able to look past and accept this for the most part because I came for the vibes, found myself genuinely enjoying the story, and didn't want to spoil the read for myself. I think if you can do the same, you'll enjoy this just as much! This reads like a classic telenovela where character interactions and dialogue are exaggerated, the lust-to-love is instant, and the drama dramas hard. 😂 It was very entertaining!

The plot is pretty straightforward and fairly predictable as more elements come to light. There wasn't a need for a lot of snooping or heavy planning because Lalo, the brilliant nerd that he is, already had years of research tucked under his belt about vampires, their origins, and how to possibly vanquish them. This introduced us to one of the more unique aspects of the story: the Mayan lore about vampires originating from the powerful deity, Tecuani. This was new-to-me lore that I'd not previously read about or seen in fantasy before, so I enjoyed how we got passages from historical texts woven between chapters. I also enjoyed the other passages from one of Lalo and Carolina's favourite writers, a poet who wrote beautiful and achingly romantic lines that just fit their story so well. All of this was great but what made the book for me were the characters and their relationship dynamics.

Carolina Fuentes was a headstrong, sharp-tongued, and fiercely loyal young woman who had a "take no prisoners" attitude when it came to hunting vampires and protecting her family. She wants so badly to prove to her father that she's more than capable of being taken seriously as a vampire hunter alongside the men in her family and I admired that no matter how many times her father shot her down and had no faith in her abilities, she never gave up fighting. She's not fearless but she is incredibly brave and tough! Honestly, she was such a baddie and I admired her fierceness, fighting skills and bravery. I especially loved how she was the "armoured knight" in her fake fiancé-ship with Lalo! I also loved her relationship with her cousin Nena and I'm a bit sad that she didn't continue to play a bigger role in the story. Nena is hilarious though and the way she spoke made the whole thing feel even more like a telenovela! 😂

Opposites certainly attracted between them and in total contrast to her fierceness, Lalo Villalobos was this deathly serious, soft-hearted and socially awkward scholarly young man who loved his books and hated peopling (hard relate). Lalo was adorable! He was such an easy character to empathise with and root for. Much like Carolina has been disregarded because she's a young woman, he has been ignored or labelled a weirdo simply because he's serious, studious and isn't your typical "machismo" male of that period. It was great to see him (very) slowly embrace life and start doing things like dancing and laughing and asserting himself in situations where needed! Similar to Carolina's great relationship with her cousin Nena, Lalo also had a wonderful and complex relationship with his younger sister Fernanda (who was all cheek and sass and it was incredible!). Family is a big theme in this book and it's clear how much he cares for and loves her. There was this one scene involving a letter that made me tear up a little because it was so sweet! 🥹 Honestly, he was such a thoughtful romantic and could be so swoony when he wanted to be. I loved it!

Despite the enmity from the moment they lay eyes on each other there is also a big physical attraction between the two. It was amusing at first to hear them be shocked at how beautiful and handsome the other was while they were fighting for their lives against each other (lol) but if I'm being honest, it got tiring after a while how often their attraction was pushed on the page. Their attraction/romance was also a lot more "telling" when "showing" how they felt and what they saw in each other (instead of simply my gosh, he's handsome) would have been so much more effective. That said, I still enjoyed their dynamic a lot! Their banter was A+ amazing and I often found myself cackling at how good Carolina was at needling Lalo and getting him all worked up for little reasons. 🤣 Their back-and-forth snipping and sniping was so good and I'm so glad that didn't let up the whole way through, even when it came time to the confession of feelings towards the end. It was a little instalove, I'm ngl, but somehow with all the action and the high stakes, it didn't feel like they knew each other for so short a time.

Overall, this was a great romp of a historical paranormal romance. It was definitely not the vampire book I thought we would get but I loved it all the same. It was so entertaining and I loved how much the story and these characters made me laugh. I would recommend it!

A Cruel Thirst by Angel Montoya

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This was a really good YA vampire romance book. It was an easy to read story with humor, romance, family bonds, loss, and acceptance. The chemistry between Carolina and Lalo was amazing. Lalo was turned into a vampire after he tries to avenge his parents death and Carolina is a vampire Hunter. The first time they meet she tries to kill him, but then they decide to work together to get revenge on the vampires. To escape a marriage arranged by her family, she decides to fake date Lalo, which adds to the story. I love the unique take on vampires, and the Mexican lore with gods in the underworld was interesting. If you like vampire reads with fake dating, humor, romance, and action, you will love this!

A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya is a captivating, fast-paced YA fantasy that blends heart-pounding action with emotional depth. I really enjoyed reading this book! I loved the Hispanic mythology and blend of historical fantasy and romantic fantasy book. I love vampire novels that do not take place in our time. Montoya’s writing is atmospheric, immersing readers in a dark yet enchanting world. This book was such a good read!

Can a vampire huntress and a vampire work together for the common good?

Lalo Villalobos made a grave mistake by pursuing the killer of his parents, who turned out to be a vampire. As a result, he has paid the price with his humanity and is now seeking a way to regain his human form. Meanwhile, Carolina Fuentes, the daughter of the mayor of Del Oro, is determined to prove her worth as a vampire hunter. When their paths cross, it becomes a critical decision for both of them—will they choose to work together? What will happen next?
"A Cruel Thirst" is a captivating blend of vampires, Hispanic mythology, action, and romance that pulls you in from the first page. I haven't read a fantasy book in a long time, so this one felt refreshing. The dynamic between Carolina Fuentes, a determined vampire huntress, and Lalo Villalobos, an unwilling vampire, is electric and filled with tension. Their journey from adversaries to allies is well-crafted, and Montoya skillfully explores themes of family, duty, and the struggle between one's desires and societal expectations.

Lalo exuded an air of aloofness, often coming off as detached and indifferent to his surroundings. He carried himself with an undeniable confidence, frequently displaying a tendency to act as if he possessed all the answers, earning him the reputation of a self-proclaimed know-it-all. In contrast, Carolina was a force to be reckoned with, embodying the spirit of a warrior. Her fearless demeanor shone brightly, particularly when confronted with peril, as she boldly faced challenges head-on without a hint of hesitation.

Overall, "A Cruel Thirst" is a beautifully written young adult romantasy that balances dark themes with humor and heart. It's perfect for fans of vampire tales who enjoy a strong dose of romance alongside the action. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling read that will keep you hooked until the last page.
Pub Date: December 17, 2024

Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚

Thank you, @tbrbeyondtours & @netgalley, for sending me an e-copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Angela Montoya delivers a lush and atmospheric journey into the supernatural, seamlessly blending the allure of vampires with Latinx culture and folklore. The narrative centers on Carolina Fuentes, a fiery and determined vampire huntress, and Lalo Villalobos, a bookish and awkward vampire, as they forge an uneasy alliance against a shared enemy.
Carolina’s confident, headstrong nature contrasts sharply with Lalo’s sweet, introspective demeanor, making their partnership as humorous as it is tense. Their dynamic—filled with reluctant camaraderie, romantic tension, and sharp banter—injects humor and warmth into even the most intense moments.
Montoya excels at creating a vibrant, immersive world filled with rich cultural details—from familial bonds and fiestas to food and traditions—expertly interwoven with supernatural elements. Themes of self-discovery, familial obligation, and forbidden love add emotional depth, elevating the story beyond a typical vampire tale.
This is an ideal read for fans of romantasy seeking diverse representation and fresh twists on familiar tropes.

I thought this book was pretty interesting. You have unique dynamics for the main characters and what they are. I really liked how in between some chapters there are little journal or newspaper clippings about the past.
I also thought it was interesting how the vampires could see all your memories when they drained your blood.

Carolina is really fiery. She wants to be a vampire hunter even though her family wants her to just be a submissive pretty girl. She refuses and I loved her for it.

Lalo is turned into a vampire, the thing he hates most. He isn’t like other vampires. He doesn’t want to feed off humans. He’s just a boy who loves books and wants to rid the world of the very thing that he has become.

Their push and pull was fun too. They had great banter and they were both very strong MCs.
The ending felt slightly rushed but overall I enjoyed this one so much.
Recommended if you like YA vampire stories.

I want to extend my gratitude to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to read this book; I truly appreciate the opportunity! To be honest, I found the beginning of the story a bit challenging to engage with and somewhat dull. There wasn't a strong hook to draw me in, which made it hard for me to stay focused and fully invested in the narrative. I also felt that the romantic elements were not fully developed, and the overall pacing seemed off.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but unfortunately, it didn't leave a lasting impression on me, making it unlikely that I would revisit it or recommend it as a bookseller. However, I want to emphasize that just because it didn't resonate with me doesn't mean it won't appeal to others or that the author didn't put in a great effort. Every reader has different tastes, and I believe there are many who might find value in this story.

Enjoyed the dual pov and scholarly journal entries to give me more information about the world in between the story taking shape. Lalo is sweet and Carolina’s ambition is heartwarming. Halfway through I was rooting for them to succeed, not necessarily fall for each other. I wasn’t really feeling any chemistry between them beyond friendship. It was a fun read. Love reading about vampires and learning what the rules of the world are within a new book.

A beautiful cover adorns this young adult novel that has a unique vampire folklore. Carolina is an aspiring vampire huntress from a family that defends their home regularly from sendiento (vampire) attacks. Lalo is reeling after witnessing the murder of his parents by a vampire and the result of his action afterwards.

The story is quick paced, especially so at the end. This novel definitely felt young adult in the relationship between Lina and Lalo - the immediacy of the depth of their feelings was a bit much and their conflict was immature. I liked the way Spanish terms were included and made understandable by context alone. Overall it is a solid story and I look forward to other books from this author.

Thank you Random House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

📖: A Cruel Thirst-a standalone

✍️ By: Angela Montoya-new to me author

📃 Page Count: 401 eBook

🗓️ Publication Date: 12-17-24 | Read 12-7-24

🌎Setting: Los Campos to Del Oro, CA

Genre: YA, Historical, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Tropes: vampires, Mexican lore, forbidden romance, enemies to lovers, fake relationship, LGBTQIA+rep

☝🏾POV: 3rd person, single

⚠️TW: death of parents, murder, a duel, virgin H/h

💭Summary: Lalo is looking for salvation from his vampiric life. He researched them to avenge his parents' death but was turned trying to kill one. Carolina' wants to hunt vampires with her family but her father doesn't want her near danger. He wants her married and moved away from all this, so she goes prowling alone. She meets Lalo and tries to kill him but sees he still has some humanity left. Together they fight the same enemy in hopes of finding a cure from this deadly curse.


🚺Heroine: Carolina "Lina" Fuentes - 18, from a sediento hunting family/ raising cattle, 7 brothers.

🚺Hero: Eduardo "Lalo" Villalobos/ Montez-19, turned vampire who refuses to feed on humans and get their memories. He feeds on animals but goes into bloodlust and attacks humans and other vampires.

🎭Side cast:

• Fernanda-17, Lalo's sister

• Maricela-vampire who turned Lalo

• Tecuani-god to the land of the dead

• Rafael-Carolina's intended per her father

• Nena-Carolina's cousin

•Abuelo/Don Jose Miguel-Carolina's grandfather, the only one who believed in her as a huntress

• Papa/Don Luis Fuentes-Carolina's father, the town mayor

• Alma Rosario Fuentes and her husband Vidal-1st vampires.

🤔My Thoughts: This followed vampiric and Mexican lore that made Carolina and Lalo interesting together as huntress and vampire. I liked the secondary love story and Lalo's sister Fernanda was hilarious bossing around Lalo along with Carolina. It was a bittersweet enemies- to- lovers story.


Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄
🌶️: Spice 2/5 off page
😭: Emotion 4/5
❤️: Couple 5/5
⭐️: Rating 4.5/5

Carolina Fuentes would rather be a vampire hunter than married off and safely away from her village. Lalo Villalobos had been an ordinary man before a vampire turned him. When he travels to Del Oro to find a way to the curse, he bumps into a woman who wants to drive a dagger through his heart. They have a common enemy, however, and decide that working together to end the scourge would be better. And maybe they can even find love.

Vampires in this world were created when a human bargained with Tecuani, a guardian of the land of the dead. As a result, they get his strengths as well as weaknesses, such as the inability to withstand sunlight. Lalo was turned against his will by the very vampire who killed his parents and escaped. He and his sister travel to Del Oro, where Carolina lives with her family. She is determined to prove she's a worthy hunter, even though only her grandfather has been willing to train her. Of course the two challenge each other: Carolina is brash and Fierce, ready to kill him, and Lalo isn't a mindless creature. He listens to her and believes she can fight. He also has ideas to end the scourge of vampires once and for all.

I love the mix of romance tropes we have along with the very real love for family and the lengths characters go for the ones they love. Of course, the two have their "oh no, s/he's hot" moments, adding to the enemies-to-lovers trope, but they truly do understand each other and what matters most. Rafael is stereotyped as an unwanted suitor who has zero interest in Carolina as a person, and we're meant to dislike him. Carolina and Lalo dance around each other at first, then admit their feelings as they take the fight to the source of the vampire infestation and seek to eradicate it. They truly do complement each other, and earn their happiness together.

Look we all reading the favorite trope of vampire/vampire hunter following In love.
Our FMC is a vampire hunter and comes from a whole line of hunters.
Our MMC is the most non stereotypical vampire ; it’s slightly comical.
I enjoyed the banter and honestly loved that we received a completed plot in just one book.

It was a cute YA vampire novel.

Thanks Net gallery for the eARC.

*Actual rating is 4.75 stars*

A Cruel Thirst is a YA historical fantasy set in a fictional 1800’s Mexican town. It centers around the vampire hunter Carolina and the recently turned vampire Lalo. I had no idea what to expect from this book, but it turned out to be one of the most fun and engaging vampire books I have ever read. It was like a romcom with fantasy elements.

I seriously adore the two main characters, both individually and as a couple. They just complement so brilliantly. There’s the stubborn and fierce Carolina determined to prove her worth as a hunter, and the nerdy, clumsy, cinnamon roll Lalo. Their banter is really fun, and their journey from enemies to reluctant partners to something more as they work for a common goal was done so well. Everything just made sense with the characters, and they were able to have character growth without losing what makes them themselves.

This is my first Angela Montoya book, and now I want to read more of her books since I ended A Cruel Thirst with a smile on my face.

This YA fantasy is a perfect medley of historical romance, romcom, and vampire fantasy.

Right from the get-go, I loved Lalo and his good intentions/terrible plan. He is a quintessential scholarly introvert who is ill equipped to vampirism, and his struggles are as commendable as they are relatable. He and stubborn Carolina constantly butt heads, but their aligned goals help them see the heart of each other. Their relationship growth felt natural and sincere.

My favorite part of vampire books is the lore. A Cruel Thirst's lore is clear and makes perfect sense; every quirk of vampirism has a reason, all the way down to the plot resolution.

{𝔸 ℂ𝕣𝕦𝕖𝕝 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕣𝕤𝕥}
by Angela Montoya
|| BOOK TOUR ||
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Length: 432p
Source: ARC - TBR & Beyond, NetGalley, RHC, Joy Revolution
Release Date: December 17, 2024
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I am in LOVE with this book.
The lore.
The history.
The vibrant use of language.
The heavy reliance on family.
A fledgling vampire and a stubborn vampire huntress makes for a fantastic plot.

From start to finish I was immersed in the deeply colorful world of Latin culture. A unique experience in sedientos, or vampires for most of the world. A tale of Gods and love and betrayal and family secrets.

The relationship development between Lalo and Carolina was superb. Lalo is seeking a cure for the death curse to protect his sister and Carolina is seeking the truth of her family’s past. These two butt heads and fall in love over the course of the story and it was so much fun to tag along.

The twists and turns were a bit obvious but exciting nonetheless. I giggled at many parts and swooned at others. The love story is *chefs kiss.*

And that ending was AMAZING. I loved how the story wrapped up and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

{I received a complimentary copy of this book. All reviews are my own.}
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This was truly an incredible and emotional book! From start to finish I was lost in the pages and fell in love with this cast of characters from their very first words. This is a very unique (to me, at least) take on vampires and I really enjoyed this experience! I was almost sad to finish it, but this emotional rollercoaster deserves all the hype! Such an amazing second novel from this author and I now plan to go back and read their first work!

A cruel thirst is a perfect YA fantasy, paranormal read, if your looking for humor, vampires, and mind blowing romance. Angela Montoya can truly write anything and I would eat it like it’s my last meal.

When I say this book is amazing I mean we literally have a vampire and a vampire hunter and that should really be enough to convince you to be completely honest. That being said our fmc (Carolina) and mmc (lalo), have to work together despite their differences to rid of the true monsters lurking in their world.

I was giggling and kicking my feet the entire time I was reading. An absolutely hilarious and beautiful story filled with a badass fmc, Mexican folklore, and swoon worthy romance. DEFINITELY recommending to everyone.