Book Review: Vampire Heart (Cursed Heart Series)
Title: Vampire Heart (Book 3 in the Cursed Hearts Series)
Author: Rhys Lawless
Get your copy here!
Find our review on the first book "Killer Heart" here!
What's it about? Caleb and Wade are at it again...well more like sucked into the job of saving London and maybe the world. This time it's not from an over powered vampire or demons. This time it's an army of...Vampires? But nothing is as simple as it sounds in London these days and things are only made worse when the Nightcrawlers have decided to no longer align themselves with the witches. And, if that wasn't bad enough, even though Wade knows who and what he is, he can't seem to master the simplest of abilities associated with those titles! How will he help defeat the enemy? Is he more a liability or an asset in this life changing battle?
Favorites:
Favorite Character: I've always liked Caleb. That's a no brainer. But I also really like Kathleen! It's been a rocky ride and, I have to admit, there were times when I questioned my affection for her, but she's awesome! She's not as involved this time as she has been in the past, but when she's there, it's pretty B.A. So, instead of declaiming my favorite as Caleb (though he is one of my favorites for sure) this time, for the sake of mixing it up, I'm going with Kathleen!
Least Favorite Character: I'm going to say Darius. Of course the big bad guy is really the monster of the story and he's my most least favorite but Darius is new and does not put me in danger of spoilers so.... Over all, Darius isn't so "bad" in the way that most evil villains are. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that he's not really the evil villain some may think he is. But, as far as personalities go, I feel like he's weak, absolutely unethical and making choices more out of fear then for the right reasons. Sure he does some really crappy things. Sure, he's no good guy but I just kind of feel like he's weak like Ben Solo. But I digress.
Favorite Part: I'm torn between two parts. The first part is when Kathleen invites herself into the High Counsel meeting. She's just amazing! She's strong, determined, fearless and true to herself. And the conversation when she leaves...OMG! Priceless!
My second favorite part is when Wade and others find themselves surrounded by vampires. Now I need to be vague about this as to avoid spoilers, but it becomes a pivotal moment and one that gives the right people power and adds confidence to those who need a good helping of just that!
Least Favorite Part: I guess I would have to say my least favorite parts were the sex scene. Now, not that there was anything wrong with Wade and Caleb having sex but I tend to be a little of a prude in general and these scenes were not as graphic as some, other books and was not overly abundant, either, but they had very little to do with the story. If you skipped those parts, the story would be just the same. So, as I can't think of any other part I didn't like, I'm going with the sex scenes.
Other Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this series and I hope that there's more coming (hint, hint, Mr. Lawless)! However, this last book in the series (as of when I'm writing this) felt more predictable then the others did, which was a little disappointing, not that the others weren't predictable on any level.
I must confess that I do love me some Urban Fantasy and that I was kind of excited to get to read an Urban Fantasy with LGBTQ+ representation. But I think there's a line. There's a point when it becomes too much representation and I kind of feel like maybe Mr. Lawless crossed that line. Now hear me out. I'm all for a power couple who just happen to be two guys! I'm totally on team Walebe (that's how you make "ship names", right?) and I feel like it's normal for them to have friends who are also in the community. However every. single. witch with a big part in this book is gay. Well, ok, let's be fair, I'm not sure Graham is gay, but there's enough context clues to say that it's totally possible. I really would have liked to see a greater diversity. More women witch. More people witches that were straight, trans, ect. I just felt like this book was full of guys who identify as gay or bi and it almost felt like (okay, at times it totally felt like) that only gay or bi guys are witches which I don't think is the case. I sure hope not. I'm still waiting to be ignited!
With that being said, I'm sad that I've completed the main series (will have all of what I can currently get my hands on read by the time I go to bed. Stay tuned for the review on the side story!). I like this universe and I really like Wade and Caleb. I love that they are each a work in progress (maybe one more then the other) in their own rights. I love watching them grow and continue to find strengths and abilities they didn't know they had and I like watching them figure out their relationship no matter how difficult it is. I'd love to see them married and adopting their own little one (to raise along side Nora). And, I love that their sexuality isn't a big deal. It's treated (as it should be) just like if the couple had been straight. There's no, "Hi! I'm Caleb and I'm gay!" or any shocked, mistreatment from others around them, either. It's just normal which is something that is still becoming the norm in media representation. I love watching the steps to that normalcy be taken and accepting by our society as a whole!
In the end, I would totally recommend this series to anyone who enjoys urban fantasy and is cool with same gender sex! It's a fun story and, in some ways I can't disclose due to spoilers, it reminds me of Harry Potter (and you know I'm a totally Potterhead)!
What do I rate this book?
I give this book a
7
out of
10 spell books
But that's just me! What did you think? Did you love this series? Do you want more, too? Which was your favorite book in the first three main books of the Cursed Heart Series? Let us know in the comments.