Wow wow wow. This is my MOST anticipated read of the year and I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of it. As always Schwab’s way with words is just incredible. I was to read this over and over until I get my full copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing this sneak peek ALC for an honest review.

I need the rest of this audiobook RIGHT NOW! I had access to a sneak peek (the first 12 chapters) of the audiobook and I really shouldn’t have done that because now I’m dying to know the rest of the story!

I have seen quite a few reviews say the beginning of this book is slow, and I have to disagree. It could be a difference in having the performance of the narrators or just a difference in personal reading opinion/experience, but I was immediately interested in every storyline.

There are 3 different narrators with distinct performances, which makes it easy to follow the three main characters throughout their respective time periods.

I will definitely be finishing the rest of this audiobook after its publishing date and will return for a full review!

This was a good sneak peak!!! Enough chapters to start getting attached to the characters and now I can’t wait to read the rest once it officially releases! We meet three main characters, separated across time and space, but who knows where it will go from here…I’ve enjoyed V E Schwab’s other books, especially the Shades of Magic series, and I have a good feeling about this one! This book will be published in less than a month and I will be counting down the days.

I have been excited for this book since I heard V.E Schwab wrote a full length sapphic vampire book, and this sample has made me even more obsessed. It’s so engrossing I haven’t even noticed the time passing as I listened because every character drew me into her head and made me want to know more about them.

I loved the narration and how each timeline had its own unique voice. I think if I had more time to experience this story I would enjoy it more. The differing timelines made it hard to connect with each story as deeply as I would have liked this early on in the book.

I can already tell I’m going to LOVE this book. I need the full thing now! The narration is top tier

The sample leaves the reader gasping for more as it really solidly introduces the three women that we are following throughout their lives. I particularly enjoyed the way that Schwab has woven imagery of roses, roots, and soil throughout the narrative.

I can't wait to read more!

I received an audiobook sampler for the first 12 chapters from Netgalley. The audiobook was so good! I listen at 1.5x. I believe there are 3 narrators as there are 3 main characters in different time periods. I highly recommend the audiobook!

Well! This was only a preview from NetGalley.
I think I needed more of the book to get fully invested, but what I did get to read was okay.
The plot was well structured, and the pace was great.
Characters were well developed from what I got to read.
I was starting to connect to the story when it ended, of course.
The story is of 3 female lesbian vampires.
Spain, Boston, and London settings.
There was chase, games, yearning, thirst, and chaotic emotions.
I can't say where this goes, but I am sure it gets crazy!
Thank you to NetGalley for the preview.
Happy Reading!

I love toxic lesbian vampires.
This is not only my new favorite VE Schwab book, but now one of my favorite books ever. How do I even express my love for this??? I feel like words can’t do it justice. I just loved it…plain and simple as that. Her writing made me feel like I was there with the characters. I felt their rage their love, their grief, I felt it all.

The back and forth with the characters and the timelines was captivating and the toxicity of the women had me on the edge of my seat but I also felt bad???

Anyways BURY THIS BOOK WITH ME (hehe)

I need the whole book now. Nice little nibble that gets you Jonesing for the rest of the story. But I will try to be patient until I will be able to read the rest of the book.

I enjoyed this snippet of VE’s highly anticipated standalone. Each narrator embodied each character perfectly and I am eager for the rest of the story. The distinctness of the accents and personalities shined with each chapter.

Another literary masterpiece by VE Schwab. The way she composes her stories in this book it was more of a musical piece than just a book. I’m looking forward to reading a physical copy and compare it with the audiobook, to see if it conveys the same feelings.
Even tho the different timelines were very well written but had me confused at times. But again this could have been just because of reading it in audio form. Yes, it is a fantasy book but the struggle of the characters were so well portrayed that it felt like real life. Even lesbian Vampires have issues.
Overall a passionate portrayal of life, death and everything in between

I have a month left until this releases and I’m not sure what I’m going to be doing with myself until then. The first 12 chapters are extremely promising, the writing gorgeous as always, the narrators breathtaking. I’m sure this will be a five star read for me.

Only sharing this part of the book was cruel because now I need more immediately!! The audio is so immersive and the narrators perfectly encapsulate the girls I’ve met so far! The mood of each voice and expression of emotion is so immersive!! I forget I’m listening to a book and not the woman’s inner monologues. The writing and atmosphere shine through!! This is my first experience with Schwab, but it certainly will not be the last!! I’m in love with everything about Maria- she is resilient, calculated, and bold. Everything I love in a female protagonist. The modern edge to Alice is so intriguing, and her experience with Lottie cannot be over yet!! I need more right now!! I cannot wait for the books full release. I will definitely be continuing the audio, it’s fantastic!!!

Many thanks to the Macmillan Audio, Netgalley, and the author for providing this amazing sneak peak of the first 12 chapters!

When I saw that Julia Whelan was one of the three narrators, I already knew it was going to be incredible. She, Marisa Calin, and Katie Leung all did a phenomenal job bringing the characters to life. While still early in the story, I can already tell this is going to be an incredible journey, especially with Schwab’s engaging writing and how the story is being told. I can’t wait to see how these storylines intertwine, and I will now continue to not-so-patiently wait for the full release of this!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing access to the audiobook sneak peek (covering the first 12 chapters) via NetGalley!

The audiobook features a full cast, with three narrators each voicing one of the main female characters:
• Julia Whelan as María, a young girl living in 1532 Santo Domingo de la Calzada
• Marisa Calin as Charlotte, a woman navigating life in 1827 London
• Katie Leung as Alice, a college student in 2019 Boston

All three narrators deliver phenomenal performances that truly bring their characters to life. The sneak peek primarily showcases Julia Whelan, who voices seven of the twelve available chapters. Her graceful Spanish accent and emotional nuance capture María’s complexity beautifully—fitting for a character who I’ve seen described as the most layered and polarizing of the trio.

Katie Leung narrates four of the chapters, blending strength and vulnerability through a Scottish accent that feels both authentic and accessible. Marisa Calin voices only one of the chapters, but her presence leaves a strong impression.

While it’s too early to fully evaluate the story, the first 15% promises a rich, multi-layered journey. One thing is certain: the audiobook enhances the storytelling, and if I continue with the full novel, it will absolutely be through the audio edition.

I have no idea whats going on and im so excited! I love the three timelines style plot and the narrators are fantastic. I can't wait to get the opportunity to read the full book! This is simply amazing. I am totally anc completely hooked from the beginning. I think my favorite character so far is Alice.

This starts a little gothic style for me for one of the timelines, and a modern day style for the other. I’m really excited to see how they intertwine, but reading each timeline separately has already proven to be a lot of fun. Quotable, sassy ladies, and twisted plotlines already! Can’t wait to read (or listen) to the rest.

such a short teaser is so cruel!! V.E. Schwab so deftly is able to weave three timelines together, and I shouldn't expect anything else. From this sneak peak I was able to distinguish the distinct voices, and am already invested in all three women. I have so many questions, and now the wait for this book feels endless, while I had been so patient before. So excited to finish reading this in June!