A fast read with almost zero teen angst – a most welcome change in the YA vampire genre.
Told from the perspectives of sixteen year old human, Lucy, and her best pal and soon-to-be vampire, Solange, My Love Lies Bleeding offers a new take on the typical YA vampire tale.
Solange’s parents and brothers are all vampires, and on her sixteenth birthday, she too will begin the transformation into supernatural creature. Current problem? Solange smells delicious to male vampires, and many of them want to make vampire babies with her – never mind the fact she’s only fifteen and unwilling to be a total stranger’s baby making machine. Her best friend is the feisty and fearless Lucy. They’ve been friends since they were kids and have always had each other’s back.
I loved Lucy and preferred the chapters told from her point of view. She’s funny, stubborn, a little reckless and just plain entertaining to spend time with. She thinks of Nicholas as Solange’s stupid big brother. Nicholas likewise views Lucy as his sister’s annoying friend. We all know how that goes. Nicholas’ and Lucy’s bickering is interrupted by a few kisses here and there, but there is absolutely no angsty romance as I mentioned earlier. Now I love intense romances as much as the next gal (Twilight is after all one of my favourite books to read over and over. Judge me all you want for that ;)). But it’s nice every now and again to read about a budding romance that’s just fun.
Anyway, back to the story. Solange grows weaker by the day as her birthday looms. The gifts from hopeful suitors pile up, annoying the hell out of her and her family. Even the creepy older Montmartre, some vampire Lord or Prince or something, wants her. The vampire queen, Lady Natasha, is none too happy about the attention Solange is receiving. There’s a bounty on Solange’s head. If someone doesn’t want her for their wife, someone else wants her heart, literally. It’s fighting time, and no one’s letting her go without a good battle.
A very enjoyable, mostly lighthearted tale, if you don’t think too much about the grossness of Solange’s young age and the fact that male vamps the world over want to possess her body and soul. It’s short enough to read in one sitting for any YA vampire story enthusiasts. I think this book had another title originally, Hearts at Stake, or maybe that’s the US version. I’m glad I stumbled upon this in a bookshop in town. ****
Check it out on Amazon HERE
What do you think of the cover and title? Are we sick to death of vampires yet?
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Emma's Ramblings on Supernatural Fiction 
Very cool review, I want to check this out:) Also, love the new look of your spot here!
Thanks Michelle. I was excited to read the next book in the series, but it’s actually about different characters. I’ll get to it at some point I hope.
Sounds like a good story! You website looks great!
It was a nice twist to the typical vampire romance books. Cheers, Lauralynn. I was a bit bored yesterday and decided to attempt to make a header.
I really liked this book! I also thought that it was really refreshing and different take like you. Unfortunately, I didn’t really get on with the rest of the series so I gave up on it, a real shame..
Hi Becky,
I went back and read the blurb of the next book on Goodreads, and it actually sounds pretty good, so I’ll give it a go and then see how I feel about reading the rest of the series after that.
So, My Love Lies Bleeding is your favourite of the series? What do you think of the American name of this book, Heart at Stake?
Yeah…I can’t remember exactly what book I got up to and which ones weren’t as good, I think the second one was okay as well, although not as good as the first, I basically remember it being a downward spiral, but I have a friend who while she also said some of the later books wen’t as good, still really enjoyed them and carried on with the series, so it may just be me! 🙂
Hmm, I didn’t realize it had a different American title. I think I might prefer that one! I think it kind of relates to the story a little better, and it’s a fun play on words. To me, My Love Lies bleeding sounds more like song lyrics. 😛
I hope you enjoy the next book!
Yeah, I think the American title is more tongue-in-cheek. My Love Lies Bleeding sounds like an episode of The Vampire Diaries.
Ha ha, agreed!
Great review Emma! Sounds like an awesome read to me! I don’t think I’ll ever be sick of vampires, to tell you the truth. I’ve been in love with them for a long time.
Thanks, L.J. I’ll never get tired of them either, and I hope readers don’t, because vampires are my thing. I couldn’t not write about them.
I’m beginning to think that vampires are pedophiles. hanging out in high schools and hitting on teenagers. I’m gonna start looking for fangs whenever I watch To Catch a Predator.
Noooo – don’t say that. Some of the vamps in this book may be particularly gross, but in general, I like my vamps.
Sounds really good! And I love the cover art. That only makes me want this more.
Great new look Emma!
The cover art and title are really serious for this book. The US cover is better, I think.
Thanks, Laura.
I know I’m not leaving this message in the right place, but I couldn’t figure out how to do it in the proper section! My message is: I Love Love LOVE Milsa Loris!! Please write more!! I wanna know what happens next! 🙂 xx
Ha ha, thanks, Laura. Appreciate it.
The story is finished though. Sorry about that 🙂
First time hearing of this. It looks good. I like the cover and I never get tired of YA vamp stories. As long as the story is good, I’m good.
Great review, Emma! 🙂
It was a good read, must start the next book soon.
Thanks for stopping by, Jen.