I devoured this just as quickly as Montoya's debut! Lalo and Carolina's sizzling romance is one that'll be sure to please!

This book was fantastic! Entertaining, witty, swoony & action packed. Angela is effortlessly comedic with her characters & story. The way she used Mesoamérican lore for her vampire origins & the originality in naming them sedientos & sanguijuelos is noteworthy. This is how you take a tale as old as time and make it your own. Carolina is fierce & strong, no damsel in distress here. As for Lalo, he is the worst vampire in the world but with a heart of gold. I adore Lalo he is what I’m coining a “Pan Dulce MMC”, sweet, tender, loving and caring. 100% a LOVER not a FIGHTER. I highly recommend!

I have a confession to make... I judged the book by its cover. The cover is pretty dang cool.

The book was very enjoyable! I loved the dynamic of a vampire and a vampire hunter. Carolina and Lalo were delightful characters!!

Sadly, young adult is becoming very unpredictable for me. The older young-adult is still amazing, but the younger young-adult is just not hitting like it used to. I'm getting old I fear. Petition to make them two separate genres, because the range is CRAZY, but whatev. This book slightly fell into the younger part of young-adult. For that reason it didn't completely hit its mark for me, BUT I think it's a magical and interesting book for a younger young-adult reader or any readers who enjoy that age range!

Came for the cover, stayed for the beating heart of this story. Carolina and Lalo are the perfect subversion of the vampire hunter x vampire pairing, and I loved the Latinx lore embedded in the world building. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to teens and young adults alike. And thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s for allowing me to read and review this ARC.

Holy moly lore galore! There is nothing I appreciate more in fantasy/paranormal stories than complete world-building and extensive lore/mythos. A Cruel Thirst incorporates both Catholic/Western and Aztec belief systems to form a rich setting and magic system.
I especially appreciated the use of Nahuatl in flashbacks on the origin of vampires juxtaposed to the use of Spanish in Lalo and Carolina's timeline.
The romance in this book will have your stomach doing somersaults because the steam and swoon factors are
HIGH in this book. Lalo and Carolina's chemistry is electric and they have TOP class banter. I loved how Carolina finds an ally in Lalo in fighting patriarchal norms and how they both find solace in each other for their grief, despite being enemies.
Angela Montoya has truly raised the bar for my definition of YA historical romance and her talent for fantasy and adventure is incredible!
1 highly, HIGHLY recommend A Cruel Thirst to fans of vampire romance and to those who enjoy equal portions of romance, history, and adventure.

Lalo a recently turned vampire looking to avenge his family and Carolina a vampire hunter who has been brought up to detest vampires. Both must work together and put their differences aside to get rid of their common enemy. My favorite part of this book has to be Lalo the book loving vampire who stayed true to himself no matter how difficult the situation was. I also loved how the characters were latinos! It feels so great to read about characters with similar names to you. It made me feel seen. The only thing I wished was that the characters had more depth. Also this book is geared towards a younger audience so keep that in mind as you read. Overall, I enjoyed it. Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

4.75 stars
Oh boy I loved every second of this book and flew through it so quickly. I think this is the first arc that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the way through.

This was definitely more character driven than plot driven and that’s totally okay. But I’ve always been one to like a little more plot with my romance so I think if we had been given a little more on the vampire lore and history of the Fuentes family it would’ve been a five star read for me.

Carolina and Lalo have my heart. Their banter was so fun to read and I’m a complete sucker for a vampire x vampire hunter pairing so this was a treat to read.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

First off books about vampires!!! Yes I’m there for it!!! And a Latinx vampire story. WOW a combo I didn’t know I needed to read. Just those points make me love this book. The action and the romance was great. A typical story of a Latin dad trying to protect his daughter. The daughter who wants to be seen by her dad and family. May she accomplish her goal and not let romance get in the way, or will the romance help reach her goal.

A Cruel Thirst Review 5 stars/ 5 stars

Release date: 12/17/24

Wow Angela Montoya. This book was phenomenal!!!

I was hooked from the very beginning. I loved everything about this story from the Vampiros to the enemies to lovers romance. This was such an interesting,unputdownable, and unique story! I’ve wanted a vampire hunter x vampire story for the longest time and this was perfect. I never wanted the book to end but when it did I was so happy with how satisfying the ending felt.

Carolina and Lalo hold a special place in my heart ❤️ I loved how strong and persistent Carolina was and how she believed in herself so much. I also loved Lalo and seeing him grow as a character and the love he Carries. The banter between the two characters is also top tier

This story has:
✨banter
✨enemies to lovers and knife to throat trope
✨only one ✨horse✨ trope
✨secrets
✨fake engagement

I can’t recommend this enough! I loved it ❤️ thank you so much netgalley and randomhousekids for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I had high hopes for this book but I felt a bit let down. I was excited because the cover made the book look interesting. The summary had me so interested and the fact the author was Latina, amazing. The book started off strong but 40% in I felt like the story wasn't advancing. The characters lacked depth and I didn't care for them. I will admit that the banter was good but that was the only positive thing I can say. I skimmed the last 20% because I wanted it to be over and I lost interest.

3.75⭐️
What a FUN book!! Vampire/Vampire Hunter books always get me and this was done so well! The characters were well written and developed, the enemies to lovers ATE, and the adventure was there. I really enjoyed the way Lalo and Carolina were thrown together in their mission and the banter back and forth that they had. You could feel the yearning between these two on almost every page and it was so entertaining!! The action scenes were perfectly balanced with the character driven scenes, which I appreciated. The cover art for this is absolutely stunning and I can’t wait to get a physical copy to display on my shelves!! If you love vampires, adventures, yearning, and romance then this is a book for you!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up.

What an absolutely ADORABLE take on the vampire lore. Both main characters are fantastic, the fiends to lovers trope is splendidly handled, and I had such a fun and sweet time reading this book.

This was a lot of fun! The passion! The action! The myth-buildling supported the plot in a really interesting way. I loved the enemies-to-lovers elements of Lalo and Carolina's relationship. A home-run for me.

This was just what I wanted in a book! I love vampire/vampire hunter romances and this one was great. I would highly recommend this book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Random House, and Joy Revolution for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This 432-page book comes out on 12/17/2024, and is described as “equal parts spicy, heart-stirring, and bloody hilarious.”

Eduardo “Lalo” Villalobos watched his parents get killed by a vampire and has spent all of his time since studying and researching the hellish breed in an attempt to slay them all in revenge. But, when he finally confronts the vampire queen responsible, he is turned instead.

Meanwhile, Carolina Fuentes is the daughter of a long line of vampire hunters and she’s trying to convince her family to let her join their ranks. They tell her it’s too dangerous.

She and Lalo are thrown together in a sexy fake dating, slow burn romance as they team up to take down the original vampire. Featuring a unique take on vampires (Mesoamerican lore) and witty banter, this book takes you by the hand and leads you on an adventure.

This book is dedicated to “wild-hearted daughters: May you continue to give the world hell.” 5/5 Stars!



The review on gmpotter.com will be live at 9:20 am 10/27/24, and the YouTube review will be live on 10/27/24 at noon Central Time

YA Fantasy, enemies-to-lovers romance between a headstrong (want-to-be) vampire huntress and a bookish fledgling vampire, inspired by Mexican lore.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.

I love the cover art so much. It was really entertaining! I enjoyed the romance bits, oh the yearning in the writing.

Some of the Spanglish felt more forced, as if for the sake of being varied and nothing else. “Señor”, “el cielo”, “abuelo”, “pendejo”? Super valid! Some words carry a strength or feeling that cannot be translated. 100% get it! Some are a part of how we think in Spanish, mushing layers of semantics. It’s always curious to see how someone else’s brain processes Spanish/English. This one didn’t land that well with me, but I’m sure other readers might enjoy it, and even find themselves in these pages.

Overall, this was a lot of fun. I loved Lalo and Carolina: their inner dialogues, character quirks, and playful banter.

**Full Review to be posted to Instagram (linked in bio) and Goodreads (linked in bio and below) 12/01/24 or slightly later depending on if that is too soon for the publisher**

"Because if he could see her, see the truest and most private parts of her, and love her still, then that love was something worth facing a thousand monsters for. "

Angela Montoya did an incredible job of spinning a brilliant and captivating world. She took the vampires we know and love and truly made them her own. The vampiros in this book may share similar traits with the usual vampire myth, but they're still unique. Here, vampires burn up in the hot Spanish sun, but they also absorb the thoughts and memories of their victims, carrying a piece of each one for eternity,

Carolina was spunky and bold to Lalo's softhearted nerdiness, something I can appreciate due to female leads so often being forced into the softer role in fantasy romance. Although their differences caused them to butt heads, they still worked in harmony, like cats and dogs, or vampire and huntress.

Family is one of the most important details of this story, and the loyalty both protagonists had towards their loved ones was exceptionally well done! I definitely cried towards the end. All in all, this was a fantastic standalone! A vibrant world, settings, and characters, all combined together to create a very vivid picture as I was reading it. Thank you to Netgalley and Joy Revolution, and I look forward to seeing what Angela Montoya comes up with next!

A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya is a gripping romance/fantasy novel that is rife with tension between its two strong female leads, Lalo, a recently converted vampiro who is anxious to break free from his curse, and Carolina, a vicious vampire huntress. With the promise of adventure, intrigue, and a seductive forbidden romance, Montoya's fast-paced novel captivates readers against the backdrop of a pueblo rife with peril.

This novel's focus on character dynamics is what sets it apart. Carolina is resolute in her quest to shape her own future, defying the expectations of her family and the evil beings that pose a threat to her community. Lalo, on the other hand, is locked in a conflict within himself between the vicious monster he is becoming into and the humanity he wants to return to. A fascinating and emotional adventure unfolds as their odd alliance develops, forcing both characters to overcome their innate distrust of one another.

The book's pacing perfectly blends action-packed sequences with more reflective ones, giving readers a chance to explore the desires, anxieties, and motivations of the characters. The conflict between duty and love, loyalty, and identity are all deftly woven into Montoya's story, which elevates it above the realm of vampire fiction. The tension and energy that charge Carolina and Lalo's connection make their interactions electrifying without giving away too much too quickly.

Readers will be gripped by A Cruel Thirst's captivating love fantasy, which is full of surprises and turns. For those who enjoy paranormal adventures, this narrative offers a compelling and immersive experience that will captivate readers regardless of their preference for strong action or a slow-burning romance.

Thank you Angela & Random House for bestowing the ARC into my possession! I can’t wait for this to come out in December🩷 the characters and storyline were entertaining/engaging to read/easy to connect to. Shed some tears for the ending because I was so happy for everyone’s conclusion 🥹

A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya is a lush and evocative fantasy novel that plunges readers into a world of intrigue, dark magic, and forbidden desires. One of the novel’s strengths lies in its complex characters, each driven by their own desires, fears, and motivations. The protagonist, in particular, stands out with their internal struggles, making them deeply relatable despite the fantastical setting.
The magic system in A Cruel Thirst is intricately developed, adding layers to the plot as the protagonist grapples with forces beyond their control. The world-building is immersive, filled with intricate political dynamics, magical lore, and haunting landscapes that pull the reader further into the story’s atmosphere. Though some readers may find the pacing a bit uneven at times, especially with the slower buildup in the beginning, the payoff is worth it as the stakes rise dramatically toward the end. The novel explores themes of power, sacrifice, and the consequences of ambition, leaving readers with much to think about.
Overall, A Cruel Thirst is a captivating read for fans of dark fantasy who appreciate rich world-building, morally complex characters, and an emotionally charged narrative.