Thanks to Entangled for the eARC. I received this arc after release which is why my review is after release.

This is a very difficult book for me to rate but ultimately I decided to go with a 2 rather than a 3 because I don’t think I would ever willingly recommend this one to anyone. There were too many questions and issues for my taste.

First, let’s get this out of the way… I am too critical of a reader for this book. If you want to shut your brain off for a bit and only take in exactly what this book tells you, then maybe you’ll enjoy it. But I question things. I ask “why?” and “how?” It’s the way I read. So if the author does not give me enough information for me to infer things…. I don’t like the book. 😅 and I’ve read and watched WAY too many dystopians for this book to be worth it for me personally.

This book was a mediocre version of The Last of Us. It takes place 10 years after a vampire / Bloodwalker “virus”? Takes over the world so people turn into either Bloodwalkers (essentially zombies with no cognitive function) or vampires - creatures that need human blood to survive but still have some humanity. We’re never really told how it’s determined whether you get turned into a Bloodwalker or vampire…. Just that “a will to live” helps the process - whatever that means. 😅

One big qualm I had was that it felt like… there’s no continuity of what objects and cool things from the past people had. It seemed like there was a class difference in the Vaile but this was touched upon within five sentences and never mentioned again. Ruby is the adopted daughter of the leader so we never get to see how the “poor” lives. It’s kind of sad in a way, that it’s mentioned but never used. Why not just have a city of mutual respect where everyone gets food and water and cleanliness? 🤷‍♀️ If you’re not using the rich/poor dynamic, why have it? Ruby has a black lacy underwire bra for goodness sake. ☠️ Why any girl would willingly wear that while slaying monsters is beyond me.

I could go on about specific issues I had but it all boils down to what I said - I am too critical to enjoy this. I needed more answers. 🤷‍♀️ There is something near the end that affects only SOME humans and it’s never even explained. 🤪 like what.

There were very small parts of the book that I liked: tiny scenes or lines. But overall, the choices made in the plot overwhelmed those good points for me. And Ruby was too much like Ellie from TLOU for my taste: brash, snarky at dumb times, and she didn’t think before acting. I didn’t like her at all.

So if you haven’t read many dystopians and you won’t ask the “why?” questions, go ahead and read this one. But if you’re a critical reader like I am, steer clear.

4.5 stars - I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of The Ground That Devours Us from the author, NetGalley, and Entangled Teen! 🫶

Did The Ground That Devours Us finish me or did I finish it?! 😱🙊🤯 If you combine horror, young adult, romance, dystopian, and an apocalypse that is The Ground That Devours Us in a nutshell. In other words, it was so wild and crazy in the best possible way and I loved it! 🫶

This story gave me so much nostalgia as I was reading of the late 90s/early 2000s and it got me emotional! 🥹 Ruby is truly such an incredible FMC and she is strong, determined, and always says what’s on her mind. She’s doing everything she can possibly do to protect her sister who got turned into a vampire. This includes making a deal with a vampire with a not-so-great reputation named X to protect her sister! 🧛 I honestly love that even though there is so much doom and despair in the post-apocalypse that there is still is hope. Additionally, the romance is a beautiful slow burn and that banter was so much fun! 🤭

If you love dystopian reads, romance, horror, young adult, vampires, slow burn, and incredible banter, then please be sure to read this because it’s worth the read! 🫶

This I believe will be an excellent read for the YA. The book has just the right of intrigue. Fascination. Imagination for the minds. And action that is shocking. The writer did an excellent job I think. I enjoyed the book.

The Ground that Devours Us is a standalone by Kalla Harris. It’s a young adult, dystopian paranormal story complete with vampires and a side of romance.

Ruby and Ripley are twins, left to fend for themselves when vampires began taking over the world they eventually found their way to a compound safe from the bloodsuckers. Both trained as slayers, a supply mission goes sideways when Ripley is turned into a vampire. Ruby must work with X - the Vampire King so to speak - to keep Ripley safe and the more she works with him the more she begins to question everything she knows.

The Ground that Devours Us is an entertaining and thought provoking read. The plot is unique and keeps you on your toes and the characters have incredible depth. I love how Kalla portrays Ruby’s flaws and biases and that you can feel the distress Ruby goes through in learning a different side of the story. X is a true leader and has so much compassion, while he isn’t always perfect he owns up to his mistakes and is always ready to do better next time. Action packed and filled with twists and turns you won’t see coming I would definitely recommend this to any young adult reader!

Thank you Entangled: Teen for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book. I love a good vampire romance book. The world building was amazing. Also loved the twin sister relationship. Also the cover is so beautiful. The author Kalla Harris did an amazing job bringing the world to life. I could not put this book down. I gave it 5 stars.

Thank you to Kala Harris and Entangled Publishing for this eARC copy for an honest review.

This one was such a fun ride. I’ve been in a reading slump for a few months now and this was just what I needed. I’ve already recommended it to multiple friends.

This is everything I love in a dark dystopian read…. intense, emotional, and impossible to put down. The vampires are genuinely terrifying, and the world feels dangerously real, but what truly stayed with me was the bond between the two sisters. Their relationship is raw, loyal, and heartbreaking in the best way. If you’re into post-apocalyptic survival with deep character connections and high stakes, this one’s for you. Thank you entangled publishing for the arc this is my honest review.

Dystopian Vampires? Sign me up. Not what I usually go for, but Kalla Harris may have very well just changed my mind with The Ground that Devours Us. Set in post-apocalyptic North Carolina after Vampires have taken over, Ruby is sent on an absolute whirlwind of a ride turning her life upside down yet again. Fast paced with tons of action every step of the way, there was never a dull moment. My head was whipping in every direction, and I was completely immersed in this story. I truly did not expect to like this book as much as I did, but I am so happy I took a shot on this one.

Kalla Harris has truly gifted us with this debut novel. It can be so hard to enter this space, however, Kalla has done so with a rich world, amazing characters and fantastic writing. This fresh take on dystopian vampires take over the world was a breath of fresh air, as it truly felt unique in it’s own right. Also a true teen novel that reads well for adults, highly recommend!

Thank you Entangled for the opportunity to read this ARC early!

I had the BEST time reading this book. Vampires? YA dystopian? True enemies to lovers romance? All in a stand-alone novel? Sign me up.

This story takes place in a dystopian world where vampirism is like the plague. So to survive, humans become slayers and make it their mission to eradicate the vampires near their compound. Ruby is a human slayer, trained to be ruthless towards vampires. However, on a mission gone wrong her sister becomes the very thing that she hunts. This leads to her working with the notorious vampire leader, X, to help her sister. Thus sets the scene for an amazing enemies to lovers romance.

The YA dystopian vampire romance was SO FREAKING GOOD. The banter was hilarious, the tension was unbearable, and the friendship that developed along the way was so wholesome. Cannot recommend this book enough!

Read if you like:
YA Dystopian
Vampires
True enemies to lovers romance
Top tier banter
A twist you won’t see coming
Stand-alone story

Thank you Entangled (via Netgalley widget), for gifting me with an eARC. All thoughts expressed are my own.

The Ground That Devours Us had all the things I wanted in a book: Vampires, a ruined world, morally gray love interest and a whole lot of chaos… what more could you want?

The world is dark and dangerous, but the banter and slow burn tension made it such a fun read. There’s something about flirty threats and reluctant alliances that just hits right. Which brings me to my next point, X. Let’s just say he’s the kind of villain you know you shouldn’t root for but can’t help it.

I loved our MFC, Ruby. She was such a bada** being in the Slayer squad with her sister Ripley, who she'd do anything to protect. After a turn of events that I'll leave out because of spoilers, she begins to see the vampires from a different perspective. Maybe they aren't so different from humans after all?

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. Only part of the book I didn't enjoy is that some of the conversation from our characters were a little cringe for me.

it took a bit for me to really get into this book about halfway. I felt the characters were a bit flat to start. They all felt scaractic, and there was history with her and the hunt leader that I would've like to see more of. and X felt too desperate to start. but overall, once I got into the story, it was good. I would definitely add the physical copy to my collection.
spoilers
I did not see X dad being Monroe. I really thought in some twisted way it was going to be Barrnett. there was no spicy, but there was heat I enjoyed. I still dont understand how she went from almost a slayer to so damn clumsy. I live the sister aspect, but let me tell you the mist and her sister that was cruel! I started crying like wtf! but it seems to have been all wrapped up in a neat bow but with some questions that can be answered. I would get the next one if there is one just because I would like to see them all grow more.

I really enjoyed this book. The vampires, the futuristic setting. I will be reading book 2. Well written.

This was an unexpectedly captivating read! Set in a world overtaken by vampires, Ruby and her twin sister Ripley are trained as slayers by Barnett, the leader of a human enclave. After a mission goes wrong, Ripley is turned into a vampire by the notorious X. Desperate to save her, Ruby makes a dangerous deal with X to protect Ripley while she searches for a cure. What follows is a gripping mix of action, betrayal, and morally gray characters. Ruby's emotional journey and complex relationship with X had me hooked from start to finish. The story’s exploration of loyalty, sacrifice, and redemption in a brutal world is beautifully executed, and I look forward to seeing where the story goes next.

The Ground That Devours Us by Kalla Harris was such a refreshing, chaotic twist on both the vampire and dystopian tropes. The world-building immediately grabbed my attention — a post-apocalyptic society run by vampires? I was in.

I really liked the sibling dynamic between the main character and her twin sister Ripley. It gave the story a solid emotional core beneath all the snark, action, and monster-slaying. And X? The vampire boogeyman himself? Total menace with just the right amount of charm to make you question your morals.

The plot moved fast and for the most part, kept me hooked the entire time. A couple of pacing dips here and there, but nothing that pulled me out of the story. The banter, tension, and rule-breaking deals with the enemy made for such a fun, messy ride.

If you’re into dystopian vampire worlds, sibling bonds, morally gray villains, and main characters who absolutely refuse to quit, you’ll want to pick this one up. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on whatever Kalla Harris writes next.

Absolutely in love with this book! Thank you so much for allowing me to read it! Such a different take on the same old fantasy novel. 5 star read for sure!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for an eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

2.5 stars rounded up.

First thing I’ll say about this book is it is very very heavily teen/early YA worded. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. I just don’t think I’m a the full audience for this book. Some titles don’t seem so teen-y or super YA but this one felt very much so.

The second which I believe plays hand in hand with that is the timeline. The timeline seemed jumbled at times and a bit unclear. I still don’t understand how one turns into a vampire or into a blood walker. Maybe I glossed over that part but I don’t think it was really flushed out. The settings would change very quickly from chapter to chapter without much lead in. In my opinion, the book needs more polishing.

I did like how Rip was able to find herself and Ruby had to learn how to accept it. I wish there was more interactions between a lot of the characters as it felt the relationships formed overnight at times.

I think again my lower rating comes from this being a very teen driven novel and I’m not that target audience.

Set in a future dystopian world where vampires are on the loose, twin sister’s Ruby and Ripley, have been training to become professional vampire slayers. During a mission gone wrong Ripley is turned into a vampire and Ruby will sacrifice anything for a chance to cure her sister. Including, making a deal with the head vampire known as X

Ok this was a cute slow burn. And Kalla did a great job at creating this world. While Ruby’s choices were frustrating at times, considering all she had been through I wasn’t surprised. Her singular thinking and laser focus caused her to fail to see details that were right in front of her. But being so caught up in things, that you ignore obvious signs is my specialty so I understood 😅

My girl Ripley just wanted dance and help people and she couldn’t even do that without someone fussing. I know boo I know. They just won’t let you be great 😒

I love a good plot twist and I didn’t see the one towards the end coming at all. Wait! Not me showing off my specialty 😌🤭

The Ground That Devours Us shows us how some people are so far gone, they truly can’t see the harm they are causing and soon become the thing they hate. If you like a great story with silly commentary then check this one out

I loved this dark, dystopian vampire world! The twist on vampirism felt fresh, and the story had just the right mix of danger, banter, and romantic tension to keep me hooked. The bond between the sisters was everything—loyal, fierce, and full of heart, even in a world gone to hell. For such a brutal setting, there’s so much emotion woven in. It was a fast-paced, high-stakes read that had me fully invested. An absolute good time from start to finish Huge thanks to Entangled Publishing for the gifted book.

This is a super engaging YA read. I don't normally vibe with them but this one was really good.

I loved the mix of world building, character development and action. It's a perfect blend which keeps the pace at a perfect tempo. The vampire/vampire slayer concept also had me from GO.

Sometimes the writing in YA books also turns me off but again, this one delivered. I love the author's style and word choice. It definitely kept my attention.

The overall themes of survival at any cost and the family bonds that tie us together are super strong and relatable.

Anyone a fan of vampires, post-apocalyptic worlds, YA, reluctant allies with some romance, will enjoy this book!

Thanks to Entangled Teen for the eARC of this book!

“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.”

I seriously loved this dystopian story about a vampire slayer. I love vampire stories and I thought that the book being set in North Carolina made things even more fun. It’s set a few years from now and half the population have become vampires and the other half are vampire hunters. I loved the relationship between Ruby and Ripley. Both of them are amazing in their own way. The characters were delightfully imperfect and as I learned their backstories, I really felt my heart going out to them. There is so much character development and world building. This story captured my attention from the beginning and I loved all of the twists and turns. The banter between and Ruby was so much fun. This story was such a fun read that I truly hope it becomes a series because I could totally use more time in this world, with these characters. The story reminds me a bit of Feed by Mira Grant, which I love!