Fast paced and had strong themes of self discovery, usually vampire stories set in high school can be over done (I love anything vampire so I don't mind) but this was great, authentic characters you root for and rich worldbuiling, propulsive plot, really enjoyed!

The problem with most vampire romances set in high schools is the age gap factor. The human is a teen, and the vampire is hundreds of years old, going to high school, dating a teen girl. Just icky. Here, though, (yes, those details are still true) Lenore is in her senior year and is 18. William is 19 and was in death-sleep for hundreds of years, almost the entire time he was a vampire. Also, unlike some of the shows, he doesn't enroll in the school to stalk the girl. He needs to catch up on all the human history he missed.

I don't know that I would compare the book to Pride and Prejudice. What I do know, though, is that it is so much better than Twilight. Light years better. Truly hope there is a sequel!!!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book! My opinions are my own and are freely given.

The Last Vampire by Romina Garber is an absolute triumph—a richly imagined, fast-paced fantasy that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go. Garber blends myth, folklore, and emotional depth into a story that is as fierce as it is heartfelt.

At the center of the novel is a protagonist you can't help but root for—resilient, haunted, and complex. As she unravels the mystery of her past and confronts the truth about her identity, readers are taken on a ride filled with action, betrayal, ancient secrets, and beautifully crafted relationships. Garber’s prose is both lyrical and accessible, and her world-building is as immersive as ever, drawing on a rich tapestry of vampire lore while reinventing it in fresh, surprising ways.

But what sets this novel apart is its emotional resonance. It’s not just a vampire story—it’s about survival, self-discovery, and reclaiming one's power in the face of darkness. Fans of Garber’s Lobizona series will recognize her signature blend of magic and meaning, but The Last Vampire carves out its own unique space in the genre.

It started out so slow and seemed to pause in part that didn’t need extra details, yet the middle end it sped up where the author really needed to add more details and build the storyline. Really could have been a duology to help with building the storyline. Twilight v crave vibes.

This is a fun young adult book. I like the references to Twilight (a bit meta!) I also like how the author incorporated other literary elements and texts into the story. I hope there is a sequel.

I loved the setting and vibes of this book and the banter with the characters was fun. I think there is a lot of potential here but there's quite a bit that gets in the way like with one POV being in first person and another being in third. It made it a very strange and oftentimes confusing reading experience.

This book was just what I needed. I really enjoyed the time spent between its pages. It was like a #TBT to 2010' fantasy books.

This book was such a blast to read! I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I picked it up, but it completely won me over with its mix of gothic vibes, snappy dialogue, and emotional depth.

Lorena was such a relatable and fun narrator — a bit awkward, smart, and absolutely passionate about classic literature (her Jane Austen references had me smiling). And then there’s William, the last vampire, who manages to be dramatic, mysterious, and unintentionally hilarious. Their interactions had the perfect balance of tension, banter, and genuine warmth.

What I really loved was how the story leaned into the weirdness and made it work. It didn’t take itself too seriously, but it still managed to explore grief, loneliness, and identity in a way that felt real. Plus, the writing was sharp and witty without being too over the top — I flew through it!

If you're into paranormal with a bit of heart, humor, and a unique voice, this is definitely one to check out. It feels like a cozy goth novel that hugs you and bites you at the same time.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

Oof I am DNF'ing this at 53%. Something about the writing is not my cup of tea. I know it's YA but it feels far more juvenile. Also the differeing point-of-view switches made it very confusing. Why is Lorena first person and William third? That felt sloppy.

Thank you to Net Gallley for the advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for reading and reviewing.

This one was not for me, y’all. The writing felt weirdly stuck between middle grade and YA, which I can let slide. Maybe it’s just on the younger side of YA, ya know? But labelling this dark academia was a stretch. The characters felt like caricatures of high school freshman stereotypes (blue haired weird girl, the jock, preppy mean girl, the goth best friend, etc.), which ended up robbing them of any actual depth. The way the supposed authority figures acted throughout the story also felt like they existed through the lense of a 15 year old getting dress coded. The backstory for Lorena and Salma felt wildly over dramatized, which definitely had me leaning toward middle grade. I also have no idea at all where the “Pride and Prejudice fans will love this!” comes in. Overall, it was a big miss for me.

I had way too much fun with this one. It’s cheeky, dramatic, brimming with vampire flair, and somehow still manages to capture the quiet yearning of a classic slow-burn romance. The writing has that perfect blend of wit and sincerity. It never takes itself too seriously, but when the emotions hit, they really hit. The romance builds slowly and deliciously, full of tension and stolen moments, all wrapped up in this gothic, eerie school setting that feels like something out of an old, haunted fairytale. There’s just enough mystery and danger to make your heart race, but what really pulled me in was the emotional weight behind William’s dilemma and the way Lorena anchors him to his own humanity. It’s funny and swoony and has such a strong voice. I’m honestly obsessed.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! I gave this a chance as the premise was interesting but perhaps should have considered reviews first—if just does not work.

The concept was captivating, mixing supernatural themes with a modern edge. There were definitely moments of strong atmosphere and exciting action that drew me in, and the world-building introduced some creative and intriguing ideas.

However, the pacing felt uneven — certain scenes rushed by too quickly while others lingered too long. While the main character showed promise, I found it hard to fully connect with them, and some of the emotional moments didn’t quite resonate. A few of the plot twists were easy to see coming, and the supporting characters could have been fleshed out more.

All in all, it was an enjoyable read with some original elements, but it didn’t completely deliver on its potential. It might appeal to paranormal fans, but for me, it didn’t leave a lasting impression.

Thank you for the ARC NetGalley!!

I loved the concept of The Last Vampire, but the pacing of this really killed me enjoyment. It was just a bit too slow for my tastes, and didn't really hold my attention because of that.

The Last Vampire follows Lorena as she and her best friend attend a new boarding school in an old Victorian manor. While exploring the out of bounds areas of the building, they stumble across a coffin and Lorena wakes a vampire. William has been hibernating for three centuries and relies on Lorena for blood and information. As they grow closer, William discovers he is the last for the vampire’s return to power. William must decide what is more important: his people or his growing feelings for Lorena?

I really wanted to love this one more than I did. I think the idea is great and it does have some things I like, but overall, I found it a bit too slow for my taste and the pacing to be a bit off. I did really enjoy the concept of William being the last vampire. It made for a really intriguing premise. I also loved the setting—very atmospheric and dark academia-ish.

I enjoyed that we got to see both Lorena and William’s perspectives. Both characters were interesting and had a lot of internal conflict to deal with. I enjoyed their grow and did really like where the book ended. The romance was cute and I think a lot of people will really enjoy it, especially if they like classic literature and that academic rivals to lovers vibe. I wasn’t too fond of the friends although some of them had their moments.

Overall, while this wasn’t my favourite, I do think a lot of others will love it, especially if you love vampires and dark academia.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the arc!

I really enjoyed this story and thought it was pretty cute. Lorena and her best friend Salma are attending school at a grand manor after humiliating Lore’s mom by being rebellious. Regardless, her mom is still able to secure their spots.

It being an old manor, parts of the building are under construction and remodeling. Lore, Salma, and their new friends (roommate Tiffany, stablemates Zach and Trevor) decide to explore their very first night at one of the sectioned off spaces, despite knowing there’s a curfew. They find what looks to be an old library with 3 portraits, and… a coffin… which moves. All of them trying to run, Lore gets caught and discovers that there was a boy in that coffin and it’s William. Our 200+ years, nineteen year old, vampire. Of course, having clearly been starved for hundreds of years he tries to drink her blood; to which she attacks back and gets away. Learning that he’s now out of his element and doesn’t know the world today, he tries to kill Lore, now that she knows what he is, and discover why history has been rewritten- no vampires.

Tiffany I have not really been a fan of the whole time. She started off not that great, then you think she might improve, but no. She continues to make Lou a target regardless of what Lore or Salma says.

Lore’s mom does seem to be nice in a way, but I know some of what Lore is going through there. The relationship between kids and their parents will always seem to be a tough one to navigate and each one will be a little different, because we’re all different people with different beliefs, thoughts, wants, and needs. I’m glad that Lore started to voice more of her opinion to herself, her mom, and Salma.

Also, an important note- social media and people online in general can be absolutely ruthless. They’ll say things they would never have the audacity to say to your face because they get to hide behind a screen and fake accounts. Her mom being an influencer, fine. But, not giving a teenager grace, even if things are true, people need to reevaluate their lives. Especially, since things online of course are not always true. I’m happy this book actually addresses things like this so maybe people can talk about it. However, I don’t agree using children for gain like her mom did. I’m glad she listened to her wishes when it came time, but horrible what Lore had to do in the end.

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

TBH Human/Vampire romances are not a fave of mine. There is a lot of arrogance in humans presuming vampire will fall for them, want them for eternity, etc. I get the romance and fantasy angle, but…

The book is okay. Some of the pacing is fine, but it also gets slogged down trying to get through scenes with dialogue instead of action.

Apparently William led the vampire back to hibernation and has his eye on mating with a human. This would be a betrayal and William would not be long for this world. Interestingly, I once knew a William who was married to a Felina so that felt similar to Fabiana.

Vampire in the book feel very 2-D. There is a part where one mentions being bled out. The scene left me wondering if the author knows what that means? Spoiler—the vampire would die.

In the end, the main character says the vampire are back.

That was a good and factual ending.

The premise was really intriguing, blending supernatural elements with a fresh, modern twist. There were moments of strong atmosphere and action that pulled me in, and the world had a lot of interesting ideas.

That said, the pacing felt off — some parts moved too quickly, while others dragged. The main character had potential, but I struggled to connect with them at times, and some of the emotional beats didn’t fully land. A few plot twists were predictable, and the supporting cast could’ve used more development.

Overall, it had its entertaining moments and a unique vibe, but it didn’t quite live up to its full potential. A decent read for fans of paranormal stories, just not one that stood out for me.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

THE LAST VAMPIRE by Romina Garber

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the earc (Dec 2)

When an old boarding school opens, Lorena Navarro enrolls. She hopes to find her own Mr. Darcy. She find William instead. William Pride had been in hibernation for three centuries after being put into death's sleep. The vampire, clueless about how the world works, enrolls at the school. When he learns that he is the last hope, he must choose what to do: fulfill his fate or protect the humans. Embrace who he is or let love control all.
THE LAST VAMPIRE is a YA fantasy-romance book that pulls from a multitude of vampire books and ideations to create a thrilling read. I haven't read many vampire books (really the closest I've come is watching Twilight) so I didn't know what to expect. What was delivered, however, was interesting and well-written. I was intrigued by what the author was portraying, I loved the debates between Lorena and William in the scenes where they discussed books. Despite this, the characters weren't as likeable as I would have liked---but as the story plays out we learn the reason, which makes them...not likeable per se but not unlikeable.
Despite the length of THE LAST VAMPIRE, this book is pretty fast-paced and it seemed like everything moved rather quick---especially between Lorena and [Redacted]. All the information was also delivered really fast, and there were times where it felt to be too much at once. I don't know how to explain it without spoiling things.
While THE LAST VAMPIRE is an intriguing read, with an somewhat satisfying ending, the book left things unfinished. Hopefully, a sequel is in the works to help tie up things.

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions! I have posted the following review to my Goodreads page today, 06/04/2025 at the link provided below. I will also post to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

This one was a miss for me, although it wasn't poorly written by any stretch. The setting is an old mansion/castle/estate that is being cleaned up and repurposed as a boarding school. I think it would probably fall under the "dark academia" subclass, although if I were defining it myself I would say "dark academia with a lot of creamer".

There's a bit of a Scooby Doo mystery happening at the school and the main group of characters is trying to work out what exactly it is. My big issue is that the progression of this mystery being worked out is extremely drawn out and slow. At the 50% mark the most basic premise of the mystery was barely being explored past the initial introduction of it. It was taking so long even the main characters were wanting to abandon it!

I also thought the MMC, William, and FMC, Lorena, didn't have much chemistry. Their interactions were clearly set up to be a bit of a classic literature themed academic rivalry, but it fell flat for me. In addition to that, while you could definitely still understand their arguments without reading the classics they're arguing over (Shakespeare, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice) it would be much easier if you had. The arguments seem to be insight into their actual feelings about each other, but if you're not familiar with those particular books then it could leave you in the dark.

It wasn't until partway into the book that I noticed the two POVs, Lorena and William, are first person and switch to third person, respectively. That's an interesting choice that I'm not sure I've seen before. My theory is this was done to make William seem more opaque and emotionally distant, although I can't say for sure. Still nice to see something different being tried.

Overall I think for YA readers that love that spooky dark academia setting, and like to see a mystery unraveled no matter how patient they have to be, this would be a good read.