If you think you know vampire fiction, think again.
Vampire lore has undergone a massive transformation over the past century. We went from the monstrous, silent threats of the night meant to be feared and destroyed, to the revolutionary era of Anne Rice—who gave us sensual, existential antiheroes wrestling with immortality, morality, love, and grief. Then came the early 2000s craze, where vampirism was completely glamorized, bloodlust was stripped away, and vampires sparkled in the sun instead of burning to ash.
Enter Jamie Dalton, who has triumphantly brought back the vampires of the Anne Rice era. The real vampires.
Dalton’s talent shines on every single page. Her prose is rich, atmospheric, and exquisitely crafted. She masterfully balances dual timelines and multiple POVs, pulling you directly into her descriptive world and making you feel every shift in perspective. Dalton prioritizes real depth of plot, immersive world-building, and multi-dimensional characters. While there is a compelling romance element, it serves as a stunning subplot to a much larger, sweeping story.
The historical depth in this book is absolute perfection. It effortlessly transports you back in time and across borders—having lived in England and traveled to Paris myself, it was such a treat to spot familiar locations brought to life with such vivid detail. And let’s talk about the male lead: his Scottish brogue makes him an undeniably intriguing and magnetic character. (Pro-tip: If you aren’t familiar with Scottish dialect, look up a few terms beforehand—your brain will start translating it seamlessly in no time!)
A quick reading tip: If you are diving into this series or have already read The Gloaming, I highly recommend picking up the novella Michael before stepping into Vanator. While not strictly required, it adds so much richness and context to the story that you won't want to miss.
Vanator delivers an absolute powerhouse of a story that ended on a hell of a cliffhanger. I have a total love-hate relationship with how I devoured this ARC because now the wait for Book 3 is going to be brutal!
Do yourself a massive favor: add this to your TBR and preorder immediately.
Book 2 of The Revenants releases on November 13, 2026!

+++ I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the publisher/author. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given. +++

Thank you to both Jamie Dalton and Netalley for this ARC. I was actually rereading the first book in anticipation of the second when I got the email, so I was beyond excited to sink my teeth in (if you will).

There is nothing I love more than a vampire series with a compelling story, plentiful intrigue, and a cast of complex but loveable characters, and boy does this series *provide.*

It’s not often these days that a new vampire series presents itself so seriously, but Jamie flips between past and present timelines with admirable ease, weaves the most wonderful atmosphere(s), and sprinkles in just enough clues and foreshadowing to keep you hooked and invested in each character, as well as the (much) larger plot. I couldn’t help but be reminded of some of my older, more traditional favourites while reading, and compared to some of the more modern directions of vampire novels, these books are an absolute breath of fresh air. The Gloaming and The Vanator should be a very welcome addition to the reading repertoire of any longtime vampire fan.

This was a perfect second instalment for me- we got new insight into our main characters, an introduction to a couple of very interesting new ones, and just enough moments of levity in all the drama and angst to make it all feel worthwhile. Best of all, we got the promise of more books to come 🥲 I can’t wait. I will be ready and (patiently) waiting. I haven’t been so excited for the future of a series in a loooong time.