This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings

This early review copy was gifted to me by Sourcebooks Fire through NetGalley. This in no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: This Ravenous Fate

Series: This Ravenous Fate

Author: Hayley Dennings

Release Date: August 6, 2024

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Genre: Historical Romantasy, LGBTQIA+, Paranormal

Source: digital, NetGalley

Synopsis

The first book in a decadent fantasy duology set in Jazz Age Harlem, where at night the dance halls come to life—and death waits in the dark.

It's 1926 and reapers, the once-human vampires with a terrifying affliction, are on the rise in New York. But the Saint family's thriving reaper-hunting enterprise holds reign over the city, giving them more power than even the organized criminals who run the nightclubs. Eighteen year-old Elise Saint, home after five years in Paris, is the reluctant heir to the empire. Only one thing weighs heavier on Elise's mind than her family obligations: the knowledge that the Harlem reapers want her dead.

Layla Quinn is a young reaper haunted by her past. Though reapers have existed in America for three centuries, created by New World atrocities and cruel experiments, Layla became one just five years ago. The night she was turned, she lost her parents, the protection of the Saints, and her humanity, and she'll never forget how Elise Saint betrayed her.

But some reapers are inexplicably turning part human again, leaving a wake of mysterious and brutal killings. When Layla is framed for one of these attacks, the Saint patriarch offers her a deal she can't refuse: to work with Elise to investigate how these murders might be linked to shocking rumors of a reaper cure. Once close friends, now bitter enemies, Elise and Layla explore the city's underworld, confronting their intense feelings for one another and uncovering the sinister truths about a growing threat to reapers and humans alike.

Thoughts

I found "This Ravenous Fate" to be an absolutely thrilling blend of urban fantasy and mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The atmosphere that Hayley Dennings creates is nothing short of stunning, effortlessly drawing me into the dark, Jazz Age Harlem setting. Her vivid descriptions and rich world-building transported me to a time when dance halls were alive with music and danger lurked just beyond the shadows.

While I have to admit that the pacing was a bit slow for my taste at times, the intricate plot and well-developed characters more than made up for it. The chemistry and tension between the two main characters, Layla and Elise, were palpable and added an intense layer of intrigue to the story. Once close friends, now bitter enemies, their interactions were charged with emotion and complexity, making their journey together all the more compelling.

The novel is incredibly detailed, with a great plot that was easy to follow and very well executed. Dennings does a fantastic job of weaving together various elements of historical fiction, paranormal intrigue, and romantic tension. The sapphic longing between Layla and Elise was delicious to read, and I felt every ache and yearning that lay between these characters. Their relationship added a beautiful, heartbreaking depth to the narrative, making their struggles and triumphs resonate even more.

Overall, I thought "This Ravenous Fate" was a very good book. It successfully combines elements of fantasy, mystery, and romance into a cohesive and engaging story. The exploration of themes like loyalty, betrayal, and redemption was handled with skill, and I found myself deeply invested in the characters' fates. If you're a fan of historical fantasy with a touch of romance and a healthy dose of suspense, I highly recommend giving this book a read.