The Ground That Devours Us by Kalla Harris
Thank you to Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

From the first line, I knew The Ground That Devours Us was going to hit different. Kalla Harris has delivered a sharp, feral, emotional gut-punch of a YA dystopian vampire story that goes way beyond fangs and fights. It’s about family, identity, betrayal, and survival—but it’s also about challenging the lines we draw between good and evil. And sometimes breaking them altogether.

Ruby Clemmons is eighteen, trained to kill vampires, and on the cusp of earning her Slayer badge when her world shatters. Her twin sister, Ripley—the one person she’s fought to protect since their parents were killed by bloodsuckers—is turned by the most wanted vampire on the planet: X. X, the boogeyman of the Open. The monster parents threaten their kids with. The reason Ruby trained harder, fought longer, and bled more than anyone else.

And now she has to team up with him.

I love a good reluctant alliance, and Harris nails the slow-burn tension between Ruby and X. It’s not romantic right away. It’s not even friendly. It’s hostile, snarky, charged. X calls Ruby “Little Gem” with just enough venom to make it sting, and Ruby would stake him if she weren’t so busy lying to everyone she’s ever trusted. Because she’s sure of one thing: her sister is still in there, and if there’s even a chance to cure her, Ruby will burn the world down to find it.

The vampire lore in this book is clever and layered. Vampires are unalive—retaining their intelligence and some humanity—while Bloodwalkers are brainless, violent feeders. But that line blurs quickly. Ruby was raised by Barnett, the leader of the human compound Vaille, who sees the undead as nothing more than monsters. But the more time she spends with X and the vampires under his care, the more she sees that maybe the real monsters are the ones on her side of the wall.

This is where Harris shines. She doesn’t just give us gore and action (though there’s plenty of that too). She explores what it means to live in a world that’s broken, where the systems that raised you are built on hate, and the people you thought were enemies might just be more human than the ones you call family.

The pacing is excellent—fast, brutal, but with moments of breath. The world-building is immersive without overwhelming. Charlotte, North Carolina is a shell of its former self, with landmarks twisted into vampire strongholds and slayer outposts. The Open is lawless and full of danger. And yet it’s where Ruby learns the most about herself. Her journey from soldier to rebel to something new altogether is so compelling. You want to root for her even when she’s making reckless choices, even when she’s falling apart.

And let’s talk about X. This man—vampire—whatever, is so morally gray it’s hard to get a grip on him at first. He’s killed, he’s dangerous, but he’s also calm, clever, and unexpectedly gentle with Ripley. There’s one scene where Ruby asks why he hasn’t hurt her sister, and he says something like, “Because she’s mine now. And I don’t break what I claim.” Is it creepy? Yeah. Is it effective? Also yeah. Their relationship isn’t sweet—it’s jagged and complicated and keeps you guessing.

There are quotes that gutted me. This one stuck:
“Resilience is survival,” he’d whisper, stroking my hair. “You will learn this, or the world will chew you up and spit you back out.”
It captures the heart of the book. This is a world that devours people—physically, emotionally, spiritually. Ruby survives it, not because she’s special, but because she refuses to break. She adapts. She fights. She chooses love, even when it means betrayal.

The side characters deserve love, too. Ripley is a beam of light in a dark world, even as she wrestles with her new identity. Ginger is loyal and complex. Barnett? Absolutely chilling. He’s what happens when grief curdles into fanaticism. I wouldn’t be mad if Harris gave us a prequel from his point of view—or from X and Marjorie’s past. There’s so much lore and history hinted at that I’m dying to explore.

And the romance? Slow burn. Deliciously slow. Every scene with Ruby and X crackles. The chemistry is undeniable, but Harris doesn’t rush it. She lets it build. Lets them learn each other’s scars. And in the end, it’s not about saving each other—it’s about choosing each other despite everything.

If I had one tiny critique, it’s that I wanted more explanation about how vampires and Bloodwalkers are created. There are hints, but nothing solid. Hopefully, a sequel will explore that more.

Overall, The Ground That Devours Us is a knockout debut. Gritty, bold, and full of heart. If you liked The Last of Us, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or morally complex characters who blur the lines between enemy and ally, you’ll love this book.

Thank you Entangled Publishing for gifting me an e-arc in order to participate in a read along discussion.

Vampire stories are back and they’re here to stay, just like they used to be. I recently read a book that was both equally dark and hopeful. It’s set in a world where the world has ended, and vampires and bloodwalkers roam the earth. Humans are left with the choice of letting go of their humanity and becoming the monsters they claim to be fighting. I couldn’t put it down. I loved the banter and felt like I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Harris didn’t shy away from darker themes, but instead intertwined them with what it means to be a human, showing that you can find hope even in the darkest places. I truly enjoyed the story and would definitely pick up another book by this author again.

The Ground That Devours Us is a fast-paced and engaging YA book that balances action, emotion, and just the right amount of edge. Ruby and Ripley’s bond as sisters is at the heart of the story, and it feels authentic to the sibling experience.

Ruby’s voice is sharp and relatable, and the world Harris builds feels fresh without being overwhelming. It has just enough grit to keep it exciting without going too dark. Perfect for fans of vampire stories with a twist.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Bring back more vampires! I love a vampire book and this one did not disappoint. The story started off slow, but quickly got into action.

Not to be punny, but I absolutely devoured this book.
From the moment Ruby and Ripley enter the scene, I was hooked. Harris builds a vivid and unsettling dystopian world, one that’s so immersive I could practically feel the cracked earth beneath my feet. The atmosphere is haunting, the tension never lets up, and the twists hit hard.
The story unravels in a way that constantly keeps you questioning everything. Who do you trust? What’s real? Can your perspective change? Is the truth even possible in a world built on lies? The betrayal, treachery and villainy come at you fast and sharp, and my heart was racing from beginning to end.
And then there’s X. He’s complicated, soulful, and somehow deeply human despite being a vampire. He’s exactly the kind of morally gray love interest I crave, dangerous and tender, with layers I’m still thinking about long after finishing the book.
This is a gripping, emotionally charged read that blends action, atmosphere, and character-driven suspense in all the right ways. I’ll be thinking about this story for a long time.

‘The world ended ten years ago.

Vampires showed up, took over, and turned the whole planet into their personal all-you-can-drink buffet. The president? Bloodsucker. The government? Bloodsuckers. My social life? Absolutely nonexistent.’

This was a group read courtesy of Entangled Insiders where we were supposed to read 11 chapters a day, starting yesterday and stay a uniformed course…..

But I accidentally read the whole thing. Yesterday. The first day...🥴

I didn’t expect to become so consumed, especially since YA isn’t a genre I would typically shun the world for.

But this book was genuinely such an unexpected delight with a refreshing and unique take on the vampire/enemies to lovers trope.

Well-developed characters, both MC’s and secondary’s who will have you raging one minute, laughing the next & hopeful & smiling soon after that. So yeah, absolutely all the feels. (Bonus: X was gloriously hunky & delectable. Meowwwww..)

Honestly, I just had the best damn time reading this book! It was exactly what I needed at exactly the right time! A thoroughly enjoyable read!

Huge thanks to Entangled Publishing, LLC for this opportunity! I am so grateful and I had so much fun!

I’m unwell. Emotionally, mentally, spiritually….absolutely wrecked. This book reached through my ribcage, sucker-punched my heart, and then had the audacity to whisper “hope” while lighting everything on fire.

The Ground That Devours Us drops you into a vampire-infested dystopia where humanity is barely hanging on inside the compound of Vaille, and slayers are trained like gladiators in the world’s grimiest Hunger Games reboot. Enter Ruby, a messy, sarcastic, battle-scarred teen who is on the verge of becoming a full-fledged vampire hunter, until her final mission goes horrifically sideways. Think: betrayal, bloodbaths, trauma, and one very charming, very murdery vampire who may or may not be marking her like his favorite snack.

The pacing, it’s Knife-sharp. The prose, absolutely brutal and beautiful. The worldbuilding, just enough grit and gore to keep you from feeling safe at any point. I screamed. I sobbed. I cheered. And then I curled into a ball whispering “Ripley deserved better.”

There’s trauma. There’s sisterhood. There’s loss so heavy it chokes you. And yet, at the center of it all is this resilient, angry girl who refuses to break, who drags herself through hell with bloodied knuckles and a sharp tongue, even as everything she loves is torn away.

Also, if you think the vampires in this are sexy… seek help. Immediately. These are the kind of monsters who would rip out your jugular and then monologue about your blood type like it’s fine wine.

Final thoughts: This book is feral. It’s messy and painful and completely unrelenting, and I already know I’ll be rereading it just to relive the pain. Five stars if you like your dystopias bloody, your trauma layered, and your protagonists a little too stabby for their own good.

If you think you are going to sit down and read this little by little…think again The Ground That Devours Us is an addictive, fun, fast paced post apocalyptic vampire read that will have you hooked immediately.

Ten years ago the world ended, vampires and blood walkers becuase the norm and now we have camps. In the came we are reading about we have Ruby and her twin sister RIpley. They are training to be slayers and when they go out on a hunt one day, which is to be their final for their graduation basically…they end up coming into contact with the notorious X. Now Rilpley is has been turned and Ruby has to make a deal with the devil to keep her safe.

I loved the chemistry between Ruby and X right from the beginning. The banter everything about every single meeting was fantastic. I loved Ruby’s loyalty to her sister and that no matter what even though she was changed no matter what she was taught she still felt like she needed to protect Riley. Everything about the side characters too makes me wish there are more b0oks becuase the world was just interesting and I also want to know more about the. It would be cool to see more from Riley as well.
I loved the twists and turns that Kala Harris put into the ending. I found that I was just enjoying the read so much I wasn’t really thinking and enjoying my time with it that I was surprised. For a debut novel it was so well done.
It has been a while since I read a vampire book and don’t reading anything similar to this!
Thank you to Entangled for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I devoured The Ground That Devours Us—no pun intended. This book hit all the right notes for me: vampires, post-apocalyptic survival, dystopian world-building, and intense power dynamics. In this world, vampires aren’t just hiding in the shadows—they’ve taken over. They’re the dominant species now, while humans are the hunted minority. But it’s not so black and white. Sometimes, the humans fight back. Sometimes, they even become the hunters. That constant tension kept me hooked from start to finish.

What really drew me in was the layered relationship between vampires and humans. There’s a fascinating, gritty powerplay at work, but also a surprising exploration of humanity—on both sides. Watching humans begin to recognize the remnants of compassion and complexity in their so-called monsters added emotional depth to the blood-soaked plot. The world is brutal, the stakes are high, and I genuinely can’t wait to see where the story heads next. If you love morally gray characters and dystopian tales that feel both fresh and dangerous, this one’s for you.

This book really surprised me in a good way. I didn’t expect to enjoy a vampire dystopian story so much, but once I started, I couldn’t stop. The world was dark and intense, but also full of emotion. I liked the mix of action, tension, and quiet moments between the characters. Ruby was a strong and interesting main character, and her bond with Ripley felt real. I also really enjoyed the dynamic between Ruby and X, their scenes always had good energy. The writing was easy to follow and the pace kept me hooked. Overall, it was a fun and emotional ride that I would definitely recommend. Thank you so much to the author, Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

This book read like a dystopian book from the 2010s read and I loved it even more because of that. This book brought me back to my childhood dystopian novels. This book follows Ruby a human survivor of the Vampire epidemic and X the vampire leader of the underground vampire community. This follows Ruby and her twin sister Ripley as they deal with the tragic occurrence that is Ripley becoming a vampire on a supply run gone wrong. When Ruby realizes that the only way to keep her sister safe is to team up with X she’s reluctant at first but then the chemistry and sparks starts flying between them as they work together to help both the vampires and the humans while they also fall in love. I really enjoyed reading this book and the nostalgia I got from reading it made me feel like I was reading Percy Jackson, twilight, or hunger games for the first time again. It’s rare to see books these days that feel like they were written during the boom of dystopian novels but this one hit the nail on the head and I would highly recommended this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – The Ground That Devours Us by Kalla Harris

I devoured this book over the weekend, completely unputdownable.

Ruby is a fierce, stubborn, and deeply loyal heroine determined to save her sister, Ripley, no matter the cost. The sacrifices she’s willing to make put her and her best friend in serious danger. She’s layered with strength and self-doubt, which makes her feel all the more human.

X, the vampire leader, might seem like the enemy at first, after all, he did turn Ripley. But as the story unfolds, we see he’s leading with calm, control, and purpose. He’s trying to help his people survive in a hostile world. Teaching them restraint, guiding them with understanding, not fear.

Then there’s Barnett, the man who saves Ruby and Ripley. He’s angry, grieving… because X killed his family. His pain and distrust cloud Ruby’s judgment early on, keeping her from seeing the truth: the vampires aren’t monsters, they’re just trying to survive. In contrast, the humans might be the ones causing the real destruction.

The slow shift in Ruby’s perception, the tension between her and X, and the emotional weight of the story kept me hooked. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I really hope this becomes a series. I’d love to see what’s next for Ripley. Maybe even see her fall in love now that she’s a vampire.

Vampire and haunted house novels are like catnip to me – I can’t resist them. I also liked the sound of main character Ruby’s voice in the description.

I’m pretty familiar with the Charlotte, NC area and with that city being the story setting, I enjoyed the mention of so many places I’ve visited. Twins Ruby and Ripley are taken in as children by Barnett, the founder of the human compound Vaille, after the death of their mother. Under his supervision, they undergo rigid, extensive training for years to become vampire slayers. Ruby is given one more mission before graduating. If she’s successful, she’ll achieve her dream of becoming a full-fledged slayer. Unfortunately the mission has disastrous results – many die and twin sister Ripley is turned into a vampire.

I found Ruby a little prickly and difficult to like at first. She loves her sister dearly, but assumes she knows what’s best for Ripley without taking her feelings into account. Barnett is a father figure to the twins and claims to love them. Disappointing him is unacceptable, and Ruby blindly follows his orders, having complete faith in his plans and actions. Until she meets the notorious X, killer of dozens (hundreds?) of humans. Sure he’s morally gray, but he has a good heart (that still beats) and isn’t the ruthless vampire leader Ruby expects. As a lover of snark, their witty banter was a highlight for me. Over the course of the story X helps her see that Barnett may not be the upstanding person Ruby believed.

With exciting action scenes, a few twists and secrets, and a dash of romance, this novel is a suspenseful read I’d recommend to fans of dark dystopia injected with humorous moments, vamps who retain their humanity, and slow burn enemies to lovers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Ground That Devours Us is not only a fun read but was made for Buffy fans (me). I absolutely loved the twist on “normal” vampirism, it was such an exciting fresh take. The bond between sisters really lit up this dystopian setting and brought it a more human side. I’ve got my fingers crossed for more from this world because it was truly one to get lost in.

The Ground that Devours Us is a dystopian vampire story that couldn’t have been more fun to read. Set in Charlotte a few decades from today, half the humans are now powerful vampires or mindless bloodsuckers, and the others are just hoping to survive. Ruby and her sister Ripley are training to become vampire slayers, and if they are lucky they’ll end the most menacing vamp of all

I had high hopes for this one, but sadly it was only okay in my opinion.
The writing was quick and easy to follow, but the pacing felt a bit off, like everything happened really fast and the reader has to catch up without even really knowing the world and the characters in it.
The romance plot felt very forced and - again - very quick. I couldn´t really root for it.

This was such a fun vampire story with a twist! I absolutely adored the character's relationships and their personalities. The mmc was one of my favorites that I have read in a long time. I feel this book was very well written and definitely a world that could be more explored if Kalla is going to build more to it. The only thing I didn't like was that there was a lot of older references in the book. Since the story takes place later on in the future, no one would understand those references.

It has been a hot minute since the last time I picked up a YA book, but a dark dystopian with vampires?! I was intrigued. Once I started this though? I was immediately pulled in and became invested in these characters and their stories. There was action, humor, emotion and a true enemies to lovers. Also the banter between Ruby and X? Freaking loved it.

Thank you Red Tower/Entangled Group Insiders for the opportunity to read this. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to review it before it came out but please don’t think it wasn’t any less good!

I really enjoyed this story and post-apocalyptic stories/dystopian aren’t really for me. (Usually a little too real sometimes?) However add some vampires and it becomes a little magic.

I very much got a little bit of Last of Us Vibes/I Am Legend but with a lot of humor and witty banter splashed in and maybe a little less I’m about to die every 5 seconds. There was plenty of suspense but it was very well balanced with the character arcs and growth. I adore X and his seriously-non-serious attitude most of the time but still makes time to get the right thing done for his people. Ruby and Rip are the most amazing sisters and I loved seeing them come to terms with what THEY wanted, owning it and going for it. Overall I really liked this and if there is more in the future I will be excited to read it!

I finished the book, though I wasn’t sure I really wanted to. The story got interesting around 60% and then fell flat. There were some interesting concepts, around the vampires powers and way of travel, but the character and world building was lackluster—too many questions left of why or how. I also felt for the main character being so young, there were a lot of millennial references tossed in randomly, which would mean nothing to a current age young adult reading this, leaving zero connection to them and the main character.