Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Darren is your average half-human, half-fae trans teenager, busy figuring out his powers and puberty while trying to survive finals. When Vlad, a newly turned vampire, moves in with the witch down the street, he and Darren get off on the wrong foot. Darren is always one to give somebody a second chance, though, and as they become friends, he realizes Vlad is just lonely and struggling with his new powers. That’s something Darren can definitely relate to, and he’s happy to lend his support. 

But while he coaxes Vlad out of his shell, Darren ends up learning about Vlad’s past… and the danger Vlad is in. Darren only wants to help—help Vlad feel comfortable in his own skin and help him feel safe.

He hadn’t planned on falling in love.

 

 

First edition published by Harmony Ink Press, December 2018.

 

Book Review

Some books just have all the elements I love to see when diving into a story, and ‘Showers, Flowers, and Fangs’ checked all the boxes for me. The worldbuilding is excellent with a mix of supernatural species set in a unique world with its own history and rules that added a sense of mystery and enabled me to discover its secrets as events unfolded. The main character, Darren, is trans, half human and half fae, but his special power only emerges slowly and the reveal is very well done. The plot focuses on Darren discovering the truth about vampires, dealing with challenges in school, and figuring out his mysterious powers. There is the threat of Vlad's "mother", but it bubbles along in the background while Darren and Vlad deal with the rest of their problems – until everything comes to head and there is an epic confrontation, a fight, a retreat, and another battle. I found it very engaging and was almost unable to put the book down for much-needed breaks. It’s one of the best YA books I have ever read.

Darren is seventeen years old and faces challenges on multiple levels – enough to make most adults dizzy with the complications. His powers surface at the most inopportune times. He is a trans boy, battling aspects of his female body (like cramps when he has his period). Darren can also use glamour to make himself appear like the male he feels he is, but there are still things around his body's future he needs to consider. And then he befriends a mysterious vampire who is slightly older and has a whole set of problems all his own.

Darren approaches life with an amazing sense of humor and a stubborn dedication to figuring stuff out and being independent. I rooted for him from the beginning, and loved his sometimes "unconventional" observations. He is the sole narrator of the story, but Vlad, the young vampire who becomes Darren's best friend before they decide to be boyfriends, comes alive through the discussions they have and via Darren's way of describing Vlad.

Vlad has been turned by a power-hungry monster, and while she only actually turns up at the end for a much-needed confrontation, her evil spirit influences Vlad throughout the story. Vlad does his best to get away from her teachings (a lot of which are wrong) and become his own vampire, but it's not an easy thing to do even with all of Darren's help.

If you like supernatural adventures that have many layers, lots of mystery, and fascinating characters dealing with all kinds of issues, if you like relationships that grow from hesitant friendship to a crush to the tender feelings of first love, and if you’re looking for a read that feels realistic despite the supernatural elements, deals with the confusion of growing up and finding one’s gender identity, and has some hilarious dialogue, then you will probably like this novel as much as I do. It’s totally engaging on so many levels!

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 264 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	26-September-2019
Price	$4.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YGBZDMC