Coming August 6th, 2024 from Sourcebooks Fire; 480 pages
Content Warning: Emotional abuse, suicidal ideation, violence, murder, racism, a race massacre
About the Author: “Hayley Dennings is a recent graduate from Loyola Marymount University, where she double majored in English and French with a concentration in diversity and inclusion. Hayley loves stories centered on queer female characters and dedicates her writing to actively resisting misogynoir. She currently resides in the Bay Area, working as an editorial and marketing associate for Fable. When Hayley is not working, she is spending time with her dogs, reading, painting, and baking” (Bio from author’s Goodreads profile).
Find Hayley Dennings on the following platforms:
In the Harlem Jazz Age, the Saint family rules over New York with their promise of protection against reapers, the once-human vampires created by experiments. Teenage heir Elise Saint has just returned from five years in Paris, where she moved after becoming the target of the Harlem reapers. Five years ago, Layla Quinn became a reaper, losing her parents, the protection of the Saint family, and her best friend, Elise. When Layla is framed for a vicious attack that left a reaper turned half-human, she’s forced to work with Elise, whose betrayal five years ago cost Layla everything. As they investigate the string of murders, the two once again grow closer while uncovering dangerous secrets that could change everything.
This Ravenous Fate features the perfect blend of historical fiction and urban fantasy. The glamor and danger of the Jazz Age in Harlem made it the perfect atmosphere to incorporate vampires. I feel like more and more vampire novels are starting to emerge again, and this novel stands out from the rest. Hayley Dennings truly created a beautiful setting and a captivating slow-burn romance between Layla and Elise. As queer black girls living in Harlem in the 1920s, they both have the world against them, but Elise has the privilege of money and status, while Layla is a reaper scorned by the world. Dennings highlighted so many important issues, making it feel that much more real. It’s been so long since I’ve read a YA romance that was a true slow-burn and enemies-to-lovers. I loved how Layla and Elise had such a long and complicated past because it made their relationship feel much more personal. Layla despised Elise for all she had done, yet she still protected and tried to help her when she was in danger or suffering from an OCD episode. Both characters had such complex feelings about the other, and Dennings portrayed that perfectly. I also found the investigation intensely interesting because so much was at stake for Layla and Elise. This novel was a standout debut that had me hooked from the very first page, and I can’t wait to see what Dennings does in the sequel.
This Ravenous Fate releases on August 6th, 2024.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Sam Yanis, Pine Reads Review Writer