I really wanted to like this book. It took me about 10 chapters to understand what was going on and I actually had to go to my library to get the physical book to read and understand. I did love the narrator’s voice throughout the book. I normally love the whole time frame of the old jazz times but the constant reminder of the time period and the overall depth it was very hard for me to not DNF.

5⭐!!

Thank you RB Media and Netgalley for this audiobook arc!!

This book was delicious. The setting, the tropes, the slow burn ANGST. I really think this might be one of my favorite vampire books I've ever read. I cannot wait for book 2!!

The narrator did such a great job bringing all of these characters to life and their voice really fit the tone of this book. I can't wait to listen to more audiobooks they have narrated.

I quit. I'm SO DISAPPOINTED!!!! This was one of my most anticipated release of the year, I've been following Hayley on YouTube for so long and I've heard her talk about it at length, so yes, I was highly anticipating and just super excited for it. WELL. I just don't want to force myself to read a novel I'm clearly not enjoying, for several reasons: 1) my biggest issue with this was the LACK OF ANY FRICKING DESCRIPTIONS!!! Ma'am, you're allowed to describe buildings, places and their atmosphere, it's not because one single moron on TikTok says she skips anything that's not dialogue that you can't write descriptions for us readers who actually read and enjoy them! I mean it's 1920s NYC, prohibition era, gangs, vampires, this has a specific atmosphere in my mind, the speakeasies, the dark alleyways, meetings in the backrooms of dingy bars for crying out loud. We sometimes were told about the music or the seats, which was nice, but clearly insufficient and that meant I wasn't exactly immersed in the book, I felt I wasn't let in that very secretive world and eventually just didn't care. 2) It doesn't help that I stopped halfway through the book but I found the characters rather shallow, especially Elise, I just didn't seem to be able to fully get a grasp on her as I would a character that actually felt like a real person. 3) I don't know if it's because it's meant to be secretive or what, and the fact that, again, I didn't get to the end but so far, I had questions on reaperhood that seemed pretty basic and should've been answered early on, my main one being: does reaperhood only affect Black people? Or are only Black people affected in this book because of the segregation? And I think I would've liked to have more explanations and a deeper understanding of how much does being Black and reaper coexist in this world, the social implications of it. We are told but I suppose I wanted more on the intersectionality of those identities in this world and just how a society would work with the reapers. 4) I think, at its core, I wanted this book to be adult. It started out conversations on racism and intersectionality that I think were amazing but maybe too shallow for my liking. The themes would've been more fleshed out for my liking and Dennings would've truly been able to lean into that very horrific/ sorry vibe she had going on, plus some more spindles of homoeroticism because I could tell she wanted it to be there but couldn't because of the genre. It seemed like the world building was an afterthought, that ended up still being pretty decent or even good in some aspects, but between the lack of atmosphere and a world that still seemed pretty opaque to me despite our 2 main characters being raised and parts of said world, the immersion factor was absolutely NOT there for me. 5) The writing just wasn't good. When you have a secondary character, who grew up aware of the working of this world, asking questions for the sole benefit of the reader in the following format "reapers feed from humans, is that right?", and yes, it's the clumsiness that comes with your first novel, BUT WHERE WAS THE GODDAMN EDITOR?!? The writing was also telling and not showing me quite often, so that didn't help.
I know a lot of those complaints also come from me not finishing the book but I don't want to force myself when I'm not exactly having an amazing time and feel very disappointed because of how excited I was for this book.
Moral of the story, don't be excited for books.

3.5/5 stars!

This was a pretty good debut! The plot and narration were very engaging! I absolutely loved Layla, however, I wish that we got “more” from her relationship with Elise. I also had an issue with the pacing, as it lagged in the middle for me.

All in all, I’m definitely reading the sequel when it releases.

This book had such a great premise! There are some exciting and fun horror that I enjoyed. The three stars aren't because the story is bad. I found the writing super confusing. I had trouble keeping up with the characters. Who was where? Why? What did I miss? Was I daydreaming? Whatever the cause it was hard for me to follow the thread until the ending. And what an ending it was.
I did enjoy the narrator.

Sapphic vampires in the roaring twenties should have been amazing. Instead this was a little too preachy and a lot too pedestriation. I can see whybothers love it but I didn't care for this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB media for this audio arc.

I want to be upfront and say I DNF this at 17%

I was intrigued by the unique Harlem era jazz setting for this vampire fantasy. However, it was slow placed in the beginning and hard to follow at first. This definitely could be a me problem and not a book problem though. I thought the narrator did an amazing job with the differing voices as well.

⭐️⭐️.5

🩸Sapphic
🎹Vampire X Vampire Hunter
🩸Friends to Enemies to Lovers
🎹Set during the Harlem Renaissance
🩸Female Rage

This was an ALC and E-ARC.

I really really wanted to love this one. I love sapphic romances and then add in vampires I was ready to devour. The build up took a long time. The last 5 percent was the best part of the book as far as action and shock.

The storyline was very predictable. There is a bit at the end that leads up to their being a second book. I don’t really feel any closure for first part of the book.

I think that this book was just not for me but I know a few book besties that would love it.


The narrator did an amazing job! They conveyed all emotions and kept me focused. I would definitely listen to more by this narrator.

I wanted to love this...but I just didn't. I really struggled to get through this.

I must say the book was easy to read and it did touch on important topics. However, it wasn't for me. The pacing was too slow for me and the mystery just didn't captivate me. I didn't connect with any of the characters or the relationships.
But overall, my biggest issue was the plot. I just couldn't get into it and really had to force myself to finish it.
It is really unfortunate because I was looking forward to this...
Needless to say this made me crave a good vampire story.
I would also be open to trying another book by the author, just not in this series.
Also, thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-Arc.

“It’s easy to do anything when you love someone. Even if it’s the hardest choice you’ve ever made.”

I loved the idea of a 1920s vampire fantasy - a la Great Gatsby - but make it sapphic. Sadly, this book was just not for me.

I wanted to love this book. In fact, if I had read it vs listening to it, I may have. The premise of Jazz Age, sapphic vampires in Harlem checks so many boxes for me. The problem was the narration.
I had such a hard time with this book. My problem was that the narrator didn’t differentiate between the females’ voices enough for me. I’m an audiobook girlie & I like to listen at 1.3-1.5x speed. I had to turn down the speed so I could differentiate between Layla, Elsie, and the other characters. Because of this, I struggled getting into the book & casually listening during my commute & errands.
I may give the book another chance in print, but I’d pass on the audio.

I had this ARC in both print and audio, and I will say that even though I enjoyed the story, the narration was very difficult for me. The male voices were so unpleasant and uncomfortable, and the 20s gangster accents felt very overdone.

4.5 stars!!!

I was super excited when I was approved for the ARC of this since it was one of my most anticipated books of the year! And I gotta say, this book did NOT disappoint! I think I'm a true enemies to lovers girl and this book really scratched the itch I had for an incredible fantasy romance. The banter between the love interests had me giggling and kicking my feet, which is everything anyone ever wants from a romance. I loved that the romance was also kind of forbidden, it added high stakes to the characters spending time together. I can't wait to read more in this series, it was so much fun and I always had a hard time putting it down everytime I picked it up to read. The only reason it's lowered 0.5 stars is because I felt like things lagged a little bit in points. I wanted the action and romance to continue faster, so it's definitely more of a me thing than a book thing. I really enjoyed the narrator's voice in this audiobook. I think it really fit the characters well and she did a really great job showing the character's emotions through her tone of voice. I had a little trouble figuring out which characters thoughts we were following at first but I eventually got used to it.

I enjoyed the narrator. She did an amazing job with the different characters. The story vampire wise was great. Romance wise not the best. If that is what you are looking for it was seriously lacking. It did end with me wanting more and looking forward to the next book however.

Wow! Hayley Dennings should be proud, this is a wonderful debut. I flew through this. The narrator did a wonderful job narrating this novel and really bought the story to life. Dennings did a wonderful job transporting readers to 1920 Harlem. The story is unique, gripping, has an intoxicating atmosphere, and features diversity. We follow Layla and Elise who were once friends turned enemies turned complicated as they work together to solve a mystery. This Ravenous Fate is the perfect fall read or listen and is a must read is you are a fan of vampires, specifically sapphic vampires!

Vampires vs the saints. It’s almost like a Romeo and Juliet. Neithe one should be together but they find a way and kindle what was there.

Layla is framed for murders she did not commit and this up to her old friend Elise to prove her innocence. However, Elise Layla because when Layla first turned, she tried to kill Elise. Little by little things do not add up to Elise and she finds the real root to the problem and try’s to fix it even if it kills her.

Friends to enemies to lovers.

In 1926 Harlem, the reapers, vampiric creatures born from medical experiments, stalk the night. The Saint family hunt the reapers, keeping them at bay. 18 year old Elise has returned home after spending 5 years in Paris to reluctantly take over the family business. Layla is a reaper, who was turned 5 years ago. Layla is accused of a reaper attack, and enlists the help of Elise to clear her name.

I was really intrigued by a lesbian vampire x vampire hunter romance. I really wanted to like this, but something about it just didn't work for me. This was quite slow in my opinion, it took me quite awhile to get into it. I think the world building was lacking in this. I liked the childhood-friends-to-enemies-to-reluctant allies-to-lovers aspect, but wish the enemies aspect lasted a little longer. I also wish we got more of a glimpse into their initial friendship before they become enemies. I liked Layla, and thought she was an intriguing character. Her anger and rage was the best part. I loved how she would call Elise out on her bullshit prejudiced views and didn't let her get away with anything. Elise was a little harder for me to like. I think she was complicated, but a bit blind to her privilege.

Really cool vampire origin story couched in the systemic racism of America and the slave trade. Now in the 1920s tensions after the Civil War are high with the added pressure of Reaper violence and discrimination complicating everything. But there’s power there, too. In all this, our FMCs also navigate their own personal betrayals and feelings.

I really loved the atmospheric friction, the slippery secrets, and the cool worlds building. A great start to a compelling series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

I loved the world building in 1920’s, the setting and the intentionality of the book to address bigger topics like race and trauma in a world of vampires and black culture. However, it honestly took me awhile to get into this book...I’m not a big fan of historical fiction in general but I know it was needed for this book. Elise and Layla have a great story and with slayers it should have been a win but I didn’t connect to them like I wanted to. I think that the world building and story got confusing at parts. I will also preface that I listened to the audiobook and while I appreciated the authenticity and voice of the audio talent, I feel like reading the physical or ebook version would have been a better fit for me at least. I will reread and test this theory soon.

Either way, it’s worth a listen and definitely a read. I wanted to give it a 5, but there’s more to the series so I have high hopes for the next installment.

Thanks to #netgalley and #rbmedia for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well the angst and the family drama was on 100, and never really let off the gas.

But the vibes were right. The yearning, the plot, the characters were all really great and made for a really atmospheric read.

I think my only issue is that both Elise and Leila sounded a lot a like (there was only one narrator), and sometimes it was hard to parse whose brain we were in, but other than that, it was really good read and I enjoyed what I think is a great read to start the fall, October vibes.

Thank you to Recorded Books and Netgalley for an audio copy.