Hands down my favourite read this year!! This was so much fun! I couldn't put it down!A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya is an exciting and fast-paced adventure that grabs your attention from the first page. The enemies to lovers trope was executed perfectly and the banter was top tier!If you enjoy fantasy with depth and passion, this book is a must-read!An absolute page turner!Angela Montoya is my new auto buy author and can't wait to read her other work!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for letting me read an advance copy!

Overall I think this book is fun, it took me a long time to get into it but once I was in, I was hooked. I am unsure of the complete rating that I would give it, but if you are looking for a fun vampire novel, definitely pick this one up!

This was nonstop a great time! Lalo and Carolina are perfect. This characters reach off of the pages and tell you this story in such a vibrant way. I loved every minute I spent reading this book.

3.75 stars, rounded up | I really enjoyed this book! The characters were super fun, and I thought that the plot was interesting and engaging. As a character driven reader, this was a really easy read for me. Carolina was well developed and had more character development than a lot of other feisty fmcs usually have. Lalo was also a really well written character, and I especially appreciate that he wasn't your stereotypical mmc (the fact that he's a tall nerdy may have also helped his case).
That being said, the writing was kind of simplistic towards the end (compared to the rest of the book), and I feel like certain side characters and plots were a little underdeveloped. There's definitely more plot that other reviews give it credit for, but I do think that this book could have benefited from a little bit more thought.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a fun, fast read!

This book was pitched as “Pride and Predjudice meets Buffy meets The Mask of Zorro” with a vampire x vampire hunter romance, so I was immediately interested. Also, let’s take a moment to appreciate the cover! (I know they say don’t judge a book by its cover, but let’s face it…a pretty cover definitely doesn’t hurt lol 😍).

This was such a fresh take on a vampire story! The world-building is rich with Mexican lore/mythology which felt really unique. It offered such interesting explanations for the classic symptoms of vampirism that we are used to (like why they can’t be in the sun, why they need to be invited into places, why they need to drink human blood, why they are so fast/strong, etc.). I really appreciated this aspect of the story because it felt so original!

The writing was engaging and lovely! I had numerous highlighted lines throughout the book. I also really enjoyed the epistolary elements that were incorporated between the chapters and thought they supplemented the story well. There was a good balance of romance, plot, and action. I will say that the pacing did feel a little off at times with some parts feeling a bit slow and the ending feeling a tad rushed. The book features a slow-burn forbidden romance, family secrets, action, fake engagement, vampires, and is written in dual POV!

I loved how Lalo was such a different MMC than we often encounter in the Romantasy genre. Rather than a 1000 year old vampire who is badass and broody or cocky, we get a clumsy, freshly turned 19 year old vampire with a heart of gold who cannot stand what he has been turned into. He is not a fighter…he is sensitive, innocent, sweet, shy, and bookish. And bless his heart, he made such a bad vampire lol. You couldn’t help but love his charming character. Honestly, he was kind of refreshing as an MMC!

Carolina was a force to be reckoned with. She was a strong FMC who knew what she wanted and went after it! She was fierce, fiesty, passionate, and bold. I enjoyed her character! She and Lalo were such opposites in many ways, but they worked well together. I really enjoyed the humor and banter in this book! Carolina and Lalo were so cute together.

I will say that I wanted a little more from the Romance—I’m having a hard time pinpointing exactly what I wanted more of though. Chemistry? Swooniess? Idk. It just didn’t entirely sweep me away. 🤷‍♀️ Overall though, it was a cute and sweet romance!

(NOTE: In a time where YA books can border on NA territory, I will say that this one felt firmly seated within the YA genre. It felt similar to the maturity level of the Caraval series, for example.)

Thank you to Angela Montoya, Netgalley, and Random House Children’s for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This cover is *stunning*!!! This book was such a pleasant surprise because I loved it from start to finish. I had so much fun reading it, which made the whole experience incredibly enjoyable. I LOVED the MMC and the vampire x vampire hunter vibe (please give me 14 more of these right now!!!). The romance was super cute and definitely deserves some extra points too! Highly recommend

This was so lovely it has me in tears!

Just picture romance, female rage and vampires with a Mexican spark. Doesn't that sound amazing?! It was!!!

From the very beginning I fell involve with the main characters and their dynamics. The book is really easy to read and the storyline is very engaging. The author truly transport you into this slightly dark but beautiful world. Montoya really helps you connect with every character by the way she describes them and immerses you into their thoughts. While I love the romance, I was happily surprised to encounter themes such as found family, vengeance, forgiveness, acceptance, chance vs tradition, and many more. This is definitely a book you do not want to miss if you love vampires, specially the sweet and caring ones.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the eARC!!

A Cruel Thirst is a fantasy novel about a vampire and vampire huntress who team up to conquer a common enemy.

While the premise of this book was interesting, I was not able to really get into the story. However, from what I did read, I found Lalo's point of view to be quite interesting.

Even though this book was not for me, those who enjoy romantasy novels about vampires should definitely check out A Cruel Thirst.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A vampire that sucks at being a vampire and a vampire huntress. The story was very unique. Banter was superb. Laugh out loud comedy. The writing was very fast paced, no lag which made enjoy every scene. So many beautiful quotes in this book!! Character developments for both were great and entertaining. Great introspection and conversation about selfishness vs selflessness, grief and loss, pride, power and weakness of love, family, etc. Standalone that really hit the spot.

The pace is consistent with plenty of action, banter, and awkward situations that made me laugh out loud! I adored Lalo, who is super sweet and bookish, and his interactions with the fierce Carolina were so much fun. It's refreshing to see a vampire romance where the two are the same age instead of hundreds of years older, especially since they are both relatively inexperienced teenagers. This book solidly delivered on the vampire aspect, featuring vampire lore and origins that were new to me, and had so many awesome fights scenes. I also loved the way this book didn't shy away from loss and grief, and the way those themes played into the vampire storyline. I enjoyed this book so much!

Carolina Fuentes has always fought against the gender norms set by her family. She is just as worthy as her brothers and cousins to fight the vampires attracted to her beloved hometown. When she suffers a loss too great to bear, she vows to prove her worth and end all vampires.

Eduardo “Lalo” Villalobos only has his younger sister left in this world. He must do all that he can to protect her. When he foolishly tries to avenge his parents, his usually responsible choices lead him astray. He becomes the very thing that ended his parents. A vampire. When Lalo and Carolina cross paths, will they be able to put aside their differences to save their families and end the existence of vampires for good? Will their burgeoning feelings for each other lead to ruin or redemption?

I loved this book. A vampire x vampire hunter book is something I didn’t know I was missing in my life. I loved Carolina’s strong and tough character. She held the daggers and knew how to use them! Her character arc was beautiful to follow. I could feel her grief through the story. I was glad that she was able to grieve and process through the course of the book. I loved Lalo’s development from timid and bookish to fierce defender. I liked that he never tried to dull Carolina’s shine. Not that she would ever let him. This book included a very sweet love story along with vampire hunting and action. I recommend this book to fantasy fans who are looking for a book with action and a sweet love story.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

i’ve recently been reading a lot more horror/thriller, and this was a great addition to the genre, especially with such a unique twist on vampires.

angela montoya takes a beloved genre (are vampires considered genre? or are they more paranormal🤔) and adds culture and creativity to her novel. i feel most vampire novels never disclose how the first vampire was “born”, but montoya explains how the vampires in her novel were created through mexican gods/religion, specifically the god tecuani, and the grief of loved ones left behind. i also thought it was interesting that montoya explained that when her vampires feed, they don’t necessarily only take the “life blood”, but years, months, and days from their victims.

i also just love a scene between two mcs where they succumb to the feeding… and of course it makes it all the better when the vampire mc clings to their humanity. the angst is real 💗

overall, i enjoyed a cruel thirst and am excited to read what montoya writes next!

Beautifully written. Not your typical vampire and vampire hunter love story. It takes place in a remote town where vampires are the biggest predator in the woods. The town prides itself on its ability to hunt sedientos (vampires). The author does an amazing job describing the beautiful culture and the towns inhabitants. The founding family of the FMC is hiding a centuries old secret that changes everything. The MMC is not your typical love interest. He is unsure of himself, awkward and has a big heart. Not qualities you typically see in a vampire.

4 stars!

first off, the cover is absolutely STUNNING. it was what made me want to pick this book up in the first place.

the whole premise of this book (a vampire and a vampire hunter) was SO good and forbidden romance is one of my favs. i loved the elements of mexican lore, it intrigued me so much. the relationship and chemistry between carolina and lalo was also really interesting, especially with their warring dynamics.

the only thing i had a problem with in this book was some of the dialogue and prose, which seemed unnatural or too YA/juvenile at times. sometimes it writing was more telling than showing, but it got better as the book progressed and could've just been me adapting to angela montoya's writing.

overall, this was a cute book and perfect for the fall/winter seasons, especially if you're a mood reader.

thank you to netgalley and random house children's for providing me this eArc in exchange for an honest review!

I think I’ve confirmed that this author is not for me. Last year I read Sinner’s Isle and was extremely disappointed. Even though I didn’t like that one I like to give authors another chance in case that one just wasn’t for me. This one was a lot better Sinner’s Isle but not by much.
The premise of this story was so interesting and the beginning goes off with a bang. I really enjoyed Lalo’s character and the intro with just him was great! But then we met Carolina and my interest dwindled. I love a strong independent woman but Carolina was aggravating. The only redeeming quality for her was that she realized how annoying she was and tried to correct it by the end.
For a vampire book, not much vampire stuff happens. Once Lalo is turned, he spends the rest of the book trying to find out how to break his curse until he meets Carolina. Cue insta lust—> insta love. I understand attraction, sometimes it’s strong and you think upon meeting them “oh my gosh this person is so hot” and then move on. No, they would not shut up about how good the other person looked or smelled. And that turned into the whole middle chunk of the book. The action only 10% of the ending.
I wish I could’ve loved this book, could’ve overlooked the stuff that annoys me. But I couldn’t, sorry.

I honestly loved this so much. At first I was a little thrown off by the tone at the beginning because it jumps right into the action and it seemed a little over the top, but that's the overall tone of the novel. It screams telenovela in terms of the drama, the action, the comedy, too. Because this book is actually so funny at times. Such a fun read.

The novel follows two points of view: Lalo and Carolina. Lalo is a serious, anxious, and kind of stuck up antisocial scholar who tries to take vengeance against the monsters who murdered his parents and winds up turned into the very monster he hates: a vampire. Carolina is from a small town in the California wilderness who comes from a family of vampire hunters. She is desperate to prove that she can hunt with the men of her family, but a mistake costs her grandfather's life. Lalo's studies about vampires lead him to Carolina's town to try and undo his curse and destroy vampires for good, even though he is one. Carolina realizes that she can kill Lalo to prove herself to her family, but when Lalo reveals his plans, she decides to use him to defeat the monsters for good. Through all of that, hijinks ensue, including a fake engagement, duels for honor, and fiestas. This was such a fun romp, and Lalo and Carolina are perfect brave idiot characters after my own heart.

THIS BOOK HAD ME IN A CHOKEHOLD!!!!! VAMPIRE AND VAMPIRE HUNTER ROMANCE>>>WHAT!!!

Angela did an amazing job of creating this world, making the characters real, and drawing the reader into the world and the conflict. TALK ABOUT FAMILY SECRETS!!! I enjoyed the inner turmoil of the MFC, and how she was strong-willed but still soft enough to love. When she finally gave in to her feelings I was in tears!!

There is so much I want to say about this book but I don't want to leave spoilers...I READ THIS BOOK IN ONE DAY. I tried to put it down and focus on another book but I couldn't.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's | Joy Revolution, and Angela Montoya for the e-ARC of this gripping book. I am volunteering to leave this honest review without coercion.

'A Cruel Thirst' is an exhilarating, action-packed tale that brings together an unlikely duo in the battle against dark forces threatening their families - and the world at large. The story follows Carolina, a fierce, no-nonsense vampire hunter, who has spent her life training to kill vampires in order to protect her small hometown. Her world is turned upside down when a close family member of hers is killed, and she is forced to team up with Lalo, a newly-formed, reluctant vampire who is as unsure of his place in the world as he is terrified of his own new abilities.

What I loved most about this book was the compelling contrast between the two main characters. Carolona is everything you want in a heroine: tough, resourceful, and determined, yet she's not without her vulnerabilities. On the other hand, Lalo offers a fresh take on the vampire mythos, bringing an intriguing blend of innocence and struggle as he tries to come to terms with his new identity, and search for a cure to vampirism. Their dynamic is both entertaining and heartwarming, as their differences create friction but also foster growth and eventual trust.

The plot is evenly paced, with plenty of action, suspense, and unexpected twists. The stakes feel high as the duo faces off against a powerful and sinister group of vampires threatening to unleash chaos on Carolina's village, due to a generational curse. The world-building is slighlty immersive, with a supernatural backdrop that keeps the reader satisfied throughout - although I wish we could have been given more insight into this world.

While the romance element between the two characters is subtle, it's their evolving partnership that provides the emotional depth. The chemistry between them is palpable, and their journey toward mutual respect is one of the book’s strongest points. The supporting characters are interesting as well, particularly the antagonist, whose motivations are slowly revealed in a way that keeps you guessing.

The writing is easy to follow, and the pacing is just right — keeping you hooked without feeling rushed. However, there were a few moments where certain plot points felt predictable, but the strong character development and action scenes more than made up for it.

Overall, 'A Cruel Thirst' is an engaging supernatural adventure with well-drawn characters, high stakes, and plenty of heart. If you’re a fan of sort-of urban fantasy with a strong female lead and an unusual pairing, this book is definitely worth a read.

Even though this was YA I still really enjoyed this book! The lore, history, and culture in this is very unique and something I haven’t read before. I’m always here for vampire stories and I loved that this one acted more like an origin story and historical fiction. Add in a family of vampire hunters and I’m sold! Main characters Lalo and Carolina were very interesting and I loved their relationship throughout the book. I wasn’t sure how the ending was going to go but I’m happy with how it turned out. I’m really hoping to see more from the author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Joy Revolution for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Angela Montoya's A Cruel Thirst is a wonderfully romantic fantasy that follows the story of what happens when a vampire and a vampire huntress have to team up to fight against the monsters of their world. If you want a vampire story that takes inspiration from Mexican lore, and I promise you do (even if you don't know it), you need to rush to add this book to your TBR.

Everything about this story is exactly as fun as it sounds. The main couple has all the tension and chemistry you could ever dream of. When a book is advertised as romantic fantasy, it's only natural to hope for a great love story. The love story in this book is nothing short of incredible. You fall in love with the main characters, and then you watch them fall in love with each other. Everything about it is so natural and so beautiful. Carolina and Lalo are the type of book couple readers won't ever want to stop talking about.

The plot is entertaining and emotional in all the right ways. You'll laugh and gasp and feel all the emotions. This story has every little thing you could want without feeling like it's trying to do too much. It's a complex plot with writing that makes it easy to follow. Montoya's wonderful writing and storytelling abilities shine so bright in this book. This whole story is captivating from beginning to end.

A Cruel Thirst has vampires. It has enemies to lovers. It has all the emotions you could want. It has Mexican lore. It's complex and it's beautiful. You won't want to look away from the pages of this book. It's a story every YA fantasy lover needs to experience.

Review on Goodreads (sophreadingbooks https://www.goodreads.com/sophreadingbooks) expected 12/6/2024
Review on Instagram (sophiesreading https://www.instagram.com/sophiesreading/) expected 12/6/2024