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Night's Edge #1
Night's Edge: A Novel
Liz Kerin’s Night’s Edge is a sun-drenched novel about the darkest secrets we hide and how monstrous we can be to the ones we love most.
Having a mom like Izzy meant Mia had to grow up fast. No extracurriculars, no inviting friends over, and definitely no dating. The most important Tell no one of Izzy’s hunger – the kind only blood can satisfy.
But Mia is in her twenties now and longs for a life of her own. One where she doesn’t have to worry about anyone discovering their terrible secret, or breathing down her neck. When Mia meets rebellious musician Jade she dares to hope she’s found a way to leave her home – and her mom – behind.
It just might be Mia’s only chance of getting out alive.
Having a mom like Izzy meant Mia had to grow up fast. No extracurriculars, no inviting friends over, and definitely no dating. The most important Tell no one of Izzy’s hunger – the kind only blood can satisfy.
But Mia is in her twenties now and longs for a life of her own. One where she doesn’t have to worry about anyone discovering their terrible secret, or breathing down her neck. When Mia meets rebellious musician Jade she dares to hope she’s found a way to leave her home – and her mom – behind.
It just might be Mia’s only chance of getting out alive.
Audible Audio
First published June 20, 2023
160 people are currently reading
24129 people want to read
About the author
Liz Kerin
6 books355 followersLiz Kerin is an award winning playwright, screenwriter, and spec-fic/horror author. She is the author of the critically acclaimed NIGHT’S EDGE duology, dark fantasy adventure THE PHANTOM FOREST, and the forthcoming HOW TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY from Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen. Her short fiction and personal essays have appeared on Reactor (FKA Tor.com), in the Brink Literary Journal, and in the PUNK GOES HORROR anthology from TruBorn Press. As a screenwriter, she has a number of film/tv projects in development, including adaptations of her novels. She is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and lives in LA with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 871 reviews
August 6, 2023
Phenomenal!! One of my favorites of the year so far.
Night’s Edge is about Mia, who’s mother has been infected with a vampiric virus since she was 10. We follow two timelines: Mia in the present day as she struggles to continue to be a bloodletter/lifeline for her mother, and in the past in the immediate aftermath of her mother’s turning.
I was honestly unsure what to expect from this, especially when I learned it was the first book in a trilogy, but HOLY SHIT this rocked my world.
It features one of the most emotional, complicated, nuanced familial relationships I’ve read in quite some time. There are themes of addiction, toxic/unhealthy relationships, codependency, and the way the vampiric infection goes down very much mirrors the COVID pandemic.
It reads more like a family drama/thriller, but I flew through it in less than 24 hours because I just had to know what was gonna happen, and now I can’t wait for book 2!!
HIGHLY recommend.
Night’s Edge is about Mia, who’s mother has been infected with a vampiric virus since she was 10. We follow two timelines: Mia in the present day as she struggles to continue to be a bloodletter/lifeline for her mother, and in the past in the immediate aftermath of her mother’s turning.
I was honestly unsure what to expect from this, especially when I learned it was the first book in a trilogy, but HOLY SHIT this rocked my world.
It features one of the most emotional, complicated, nuanced familial relationships I’ve read in quite some time. There are themes of addiction, toxic/unhealthy relationships, codependency, and the way the vampiric infection goes down very much mirrors the COVID pandemic.
It reads more like a family drama/thriller, but I flew through it in less than 24 hours because I just had to know what was gonna happen, and now I can’t wait for book 2!!
HIGHLY recommend.
January 30, 2023
Kerin's complex and nuanced novel is immersive, bleak, and twisted.
Mia's mother Izzy is part of a wave of people who were infected by a new, incurable virus which effectively turns them into vampires. In particular, Izzy was 'turned' deliberately by an on-and-off ex boyfriend who is abusive, controlling, manipulative, and dangerous to her daughter.
This syndrome of course makes her, and others like her, dangerous to the general population, and provokes a harsh response from the government in the form of detention centres and detecting technology, as well as violent fear-based responses from the general public.
Bereft of options, confronted by a collective lack of compassion from society, Mia and Izzy retreat into a life of hiding, with Mia dependent on her mother emotionally and financially, while Izzy is dependent on Mia donating blood and managing daytime affairs to keep her alive, which also keeps Izzy from killing innocents for food.
What really makes the novel sing is its detailed, unflinching examination of codependency in relationships, something I'm unfortunately extremely familiar with, albeit without the vampirism. Mia has defined and built her life around caring for her mother, and derives most of her self-worth from this task. Like most enablers in a codependent dynamic, she has an overblown sense of her ability to make her mother happy, and figures out far too late what good boundaries look like in regards to someone else's emotional needs.
This is not a criticism of her as a person, only a tragic observation of her situation. Mia is 13 when her life is traumatically changed by her mother's misfortune, and all of her coping strategies, though maladaptive and ultimately dysfunctional, are necessary ones that she must adopt to survive.
Izzy, for her part, is a difficult character throughout most of the novel. Though often shown in unflattering lights, it is clear that she carries trauma and baggage from her upbringing, the effects of which are exponentially exacerbated by her unfortunate run-in with Devon (the vampire boyfriend who 'turns' her).** In narrative terms, Izzy's vampirism is effectively a stand-in for any number of real-world addictions. It's interesting anyway as an SFF interaction but what makes it stand-out is the way in which Izzy tips from "chaotic but loving parent" into "chaotic and monstrous creature". Her attempts to protect and preserve her daughter ultimately damage Mia far more than parting ways would have done.
A counsellor said to me once that people who are mentally unwell will sometimes make demands which are unreasonable, precisely because they are unwell and unable to recognise that those demands aren't fair. The responsibility of drawing boundaries for what is or isn't a reasonable demand therefore falls to those around them, and that can be a difficult thing to do--especially when it comes to family, and particularly when it comes to parents. Mia is asked to make those choices very young, under confusing circumstances, with no support, and great incentive to pick her mother over herself. This is perhaps the biggest tragedy of Night's Edge, and what makes it so effective as a book: it never feels as if the characters could have done much different, past a certain point.
Izzy and Mia are very much in this trap. Izzy's demands scale rapidly through the years (and they were never easy to begin with.) From unfair and burdensome, they escalate to outright deadly as Izzy becomes a danger both to her daughter and the population at large. Mia, who has built her life around being her mother's protector, feels beholden to keep trying to meet those needs, at extreme cost to herself, and sometimes to other people.
There's a lot of sticky, nuanced stuff going on, all of it well-handled and none of it shying away from difficult moments or interactions.
I fear for this book a little if Tik Tok ever finds it, because the current trend of "I don't like something, therefore I must invent moral reasons why it sucks" among some influencers can be pretty tough going for morally grey novels; such books, by their nature, inevitably provide a lot of fodder to construct a narrative that these stories are 'problematic'. Maybe one day this trend will end.
But regardless, I don't think it is problematic. Just an emotional gauntlet, which is a good thing. I really enjoyed it and would very much recommend it to anyone interested in difficult family relationships in SFF, and also for anyone keen on well-crafted psychological narratives with a queer slant and a young protagonist.
**Sidenote, it was weird reading a book with another Devon in it, possibly ironic given the content.
Mia's mother Izzy is part of a wave of people who were infected by a new, incurable virus which effectively turns them into vampires. In particular, Izzy was 'turned' deliberately by an on-and-off ex boyfriend who is abusive, controlling, manipulative, and dangerous to her daughter.
This syndrome of course makes her, and others like her, dangerous to the general population, and provokes a harsh response from the government in the form of detention centres and detecting technology, as well as violent fear-based responses from the general public.
Bereft of options, confronted by a collective lack of compassion from society, Mia and Izzy retreat into a life of hiding, with Mia dependent on her mother emotionally and financially, while Izzy is dependent on Mia donating blood and managing daytime affairs to keep her alive, which also keeps Izzy from killing innocents for food.
What really makes the novel sing is its detailed, unflinching examination of codependency in relationships, something I'm unfortunately extremely familiar with, albeit without the vampirism. Mia has defined and built her life around caring for her mother, and derives most of her self-worth from this task. Like most enablers in a codependent dynamic, she has an overblown sense of her ability to make her mother happy, and figures out far too late what good boundaries look like in regards to someone else's emotional needs.
This is not a criticism of her as a person, only a tragic observation of her situation. Mia is 13 when her life is traumatically changed by her mother's misfortune, and all of her coping strategies, though maladaptive and ultimately dysfunctional, are necessary ones that she must adopt to survive.
Izzy, for her part, is a difficult character throughout most of the novel. Though often shown in unflattering lights, it is clear that she carries trauma and baggage from her upbringing, the effects of which are exponentially exacerbated by her unfortunate run-in with Devon (the vampire boyfriend who 'turns' her).** In narrative terms, Izzy's vampirism is effectively a stand-in for any number of real-world addictions. It's interesting anyway as an SFF interaction but what makes it stand-out is the way in which Izzy tips from "chaotic but loving parent" into "chaotic and monstrous creature". Her attempts to protect and preserve her daughter ultimately damage Mia far more than parting ways would have done.
A counsellor said to me once that people who are mentally unwell will sometimes make demands which are unreasonable, precisely because they are unwell and unable to recognise that those demands aren't fair. The responsibility of drawing boundaries for what is or isn't a reasonable demand therefore falls to those around them, and that can be a difficult thing to do--especially when it comes to family, and particularly when it comes to parents. Mia is asked to make those choices very young, under confusing circumstances, with no support, and great incentive to pick her mother over herself. This is perhaps the biggest tragedy of Night's Edge, and what makes it so effective as a book: it never feels as if the characters could have done much different, past a certain point.
Izzy and Mia are very much in this trap. Izzy's demands scale rapidly through the years (and they were never easy to begin with.) From unfair and burdensome, they escalate to outright deadly as Izzy becomes a danger both to her daughter and the population at large. Mia, who has built her life around being her mother's protector, feels beholden to keep trying to meet those needs, at extreme cost to herself, and sometimes to other people.
There's a lot of sticky, nuanced stuff going on, all of it well-handled and none of it shying away from difficult moments or interactions.
I fear for this book a little if Tik Tok ever finds it, because the current trend of "I don't like something, therefore I must invent moral reasons why it sucks" among some influencers can be pretty tough going for morally grey novels; such books, by their nature, inevitably provide a lot of fodder to construct a narrative that these stories are 'problematic'. Maybe one day this trend will end.
But regardless, I don't think it is problematic. Just an emotional gauntlet, which is a good thing. I really enjoyed it and would very much recommend it to anyone interested in difficult family relationships in SFF, and also for anyone keen on well-crafted psychological narratives with a queer slant and a young protagonist.
**Sidenote, it was weird reading a book with another Devon in it, possibly ironic given the content.
January 2, 2024
There is no better feeling than ending your reading year with a bang....or a bite, as is the case with this gem of a book.
When Mia is just 10 years old her mother is infected by another with Saratov's Syndrome. Basically, this means her mother is now a vampire. Anyone that has been turned are urged to go immediately to Sara Centers where they can be monitored for their own good. Most Sara's don't trust the Sara Centers so they hide out all day and only come out under the veil of night. If you're lucky you'll have a family member that can bloodlet for you. This is what Mia does for her mother. She draws her blood at dusk, ready for the moment her mother wakes, so she can drink and hopefully won't have to scavenge the streets for victims. Mia does not want her mother to be a complete monster.
Now Mia is 23 and she is beginning to question her entire life which she has sacrificed for her mothers well being. It's always just the two of them and Mia isn't allowed friends or lovers of any kind. She must ALWAYS be there when her mother needs her.
Then Mia meets someone that give her goosebumps, makes her heart pitter patter, and ties her stomach in knots - she doesn't know what this means but she can't help but to love the way it feels. This could be her one and only opportunity to flea from the one person she's ever loved more than anything, including herself.
I had a feeling I would love this one and I was correct! Mia was a character I immediately adored. Her naivete makes her so vulnerable in a world gone mad. Her mother, Izzy, was a whirlwind of emotions. One moment loving and the next moment absolutely atrocious in her behavior. The back and forth between Mia's 10 year old self and 23 year old self were executed perfectly. I was all in in rooting for Mia's well being and happiness. Of course, there aren't always happy endings as Mia is about to discover. I can't wait to get my greedy hands on the follow up to this, First Light. I am begging Tor/Nightfire to approve my request, please and thank you! 4 stars!
When Mia is just 10 years old her mother is infected by another with Saratov's Syndrome. Basically, this means her mother is now a vampire. Anyone that has been turned are urged to go immediately to Sara Centers where they can be monitored for their own good. Most Sara's don't trust the Sara Centers so they hide out all day and only come out under the veil of night. If you're lucky you'll have a family member that can bloodlet for you. This is what Mia does for her mother. She draws her blood at dusk, ready for the moment her mother wakes, so she can drink and hopefully won't have to scavenge the streets for victims. Mia does not want her mother to be a complete monster.
Now Mia is 23 and she is beginning to question her entire life which she has sacrificed for her mothers well being. It's always just the two of them and Mia isn't allowed friends or lovers of any kind. She must ALWAYS be there when her mother needs her.
Then Mia meets someone that give her goosebumps, makes her heart pitter patter, and ties her stomach in knots - she doesn't know what this means but she can't help but to love the way it feels. This could be her one and only opportunity to flea from the one person she's ever loved more than anything, including herself.
I had a feeling I would love this one and I was correct! Mia was a character I immediately adored. Her naivete makes her so vulnerable in a world gone mad. Her mother, Izzy, was a whirlwind of emotions. One moment loving and the next moment absolutely atrocious in her behavior. The back and forth between Mia's 10 year old self and 23 year old self were executed perfectly. I was all in in rooting for Mia's well being and happiness. Of course, there aren't always happy endings as Mia is about to discover. I can't wait to get my greedy hands on the follow up to this, First Light. I am begging Tor/Nightfire to approve my request, please and thank you! 4 stars!
August 5, 2024
3.5-3.75 Stars
Mia's life has been upended ever since her mother transformed into a vampire. She now watches over her mother diligently, ensuring all windows are covered and providing timely meals. Yet, a sense of unease lingers as she worries about her safety. Will her mother's volatile nature lead to harm, or even worse, death?
This novel delves into the toxic relationship between Mia and her mother, Izzy, jumping between past and present. Witness the aftermath of her mother's transformation and their struggle to cope with this new reality. While not as heart-wrenching and dark as anticipated, it remains a compelling read.
If you crave family drama with a paranormal twist, this book is a must-read.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Liz Kerin, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Mia's life has been upended ever since her mother transformed into a vampire. She now watches over her mother diligently, ensuring all windows are covered and providing timely meals. Yet, a sense of unease lingers as she worries about her safety. Will her mother's volatile nature lead to harm, or even worse, death?
This novel delves into the toxic relationship between Mia and her mother, Izzy, jumping between past and present. Witness the aftermath of her mother's transformation and their struggle to cope with this new reality. While not as heart-wrenching and dark as anticipated, it remains a compelling read.
If you crave family drama with a paranormal twist, this book is a must-read.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Liz Kerin, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
May 6, 2024
4.0 Stars
This is such a dark and understated horror story. I completely missed the release last year so I was so glad I was able to read it now. I really enjoyed the writing which was spare but memorable. There were so many lines I wanted to highlight and quote.
I keep saying that I don’t usually love vampire fiction, but I need to stop saying that because I keep finding new favourites like this one. I love the grittiness and the focus on the characters. It doesn’t have a lot of plot or actions which makes this novel feel more literary than other genre fiction.
If you love character driven stories with difficult characters in difficult situations and appreciate lean prose, I would highly recommend this one.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This is such a dark and understated horror story. I completely missed the release last year so I was so glad I was able to read it now. I really enjoyed the writing which was spare but memorable. There were so many lines I wanted to highlight and quote.
I keep saying that I don’t usually love vampire fiction, but I need to stop saying that because I keep finding new favourites like this one. I love the grittiness and the focus on the characters. It doesn’t have a lot of plot or actions which makes this novel feel more literary than other genre fiction.
If you love character driven stories with difficult characters in difficult situations and appreciate lean prose, I would highly recommend this one.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
October 31, 2023
I don't know why there are vampires in this book. It's just a plain-old story about a woman suffering under an abusive mother.
September 12, 2023
*UPDATED* with a couple content warnings, now that galleys are about to hit:
-Child abuse/neglect
-Domestic violence
-Themes related to addiction
-Gun violence
-Blood, gore, etc
As I've mentioned in the past, this is a work of adult horror, not YA - even though YA fans will probably find something to enjoy here. Just stay safe out there and take care of your lovely brains. Xx
*
Hi everyone! It's been a minute. I've been very busy writing... this! NIGHT'S EDGE hits shelves 6/20/23 and I can't wait to share these characters with you, who have held my whole heart for the past three years. I am not about to review my own book, but I WILL SAY the following: if you like twisty mother-daughter stories, dark coming-of-age themes, and appreciate the big mood of a neon-dappled nightmare sequence - kid, this novel is for you. 🩸
-Child abuse/neglect
-Domestic violence
-Themes related to addiction
-Gun violence
-Blood, gore, etc
As I've mentioned in the past, this is a work of adult horror, not YA - even though YA fans will probably find something to enjoy here. Just stay safe out there and take care of your lovely brains. Xx
*
Hi everyone! It's been a minute. I've been very busy writing... this! NIGHT'S EDGE hits shelves 6/20/23 and I can't wait to share these characters with you, who have held my whole heart for the past three years. I am not about to review my own book, but I WILL SAY the following: if you like twisty mother-daughter stories, dark coming-of-age themes, and appreciate the big mood of a neon-dappled nightmare sequence - kid, this novel is for you. 🩸
November 25, 2023
Reading Vlog: https://youtu.be/C1ljFx8rqEg
Horror, paranormal, thriller, fantasy? I mean, yeah, technically. But really, this is a literary character-study of a mother/daughter relationship where isolation has spurred dependency and resentment. To the point of horror.
I adore the writing, especially from Mia's POV. The depiction of love and grief and trauma are so well told.
I guess this is an unpopular opinion, but I felt so bad and related to Izzy so much. While I scorned many of her decisions, I understood why she made them and had a lot of empathy for her when making them.
I really disliked the ending, which is also an opinion most people disagree with. I would've wanted the exact OPPOSITE things to happen for me to give this 5 stars. There's going to be a sequel and like, about who, about what, about where???????? I can't imagine a second book being intriguing to me.
HOWEVER! This is a fantastic book and I highly suggest you all to read it. I doubt it would be a dud for you. It's well written and crafted and has the extra spice of vampires and lesbians and mommy-drama. All around a good time.
Horror, paranormal, thriller, fantasy? I mean, yeah, technically. But really, this is a literary character-study of a mother/daughter relationship where isolation has spurred dependency and resentment. To the point of horror.
I adore the writing, especially from Mia's POV. The depiction of love and grief and trauma are so well told.
I guess this is an unpopular opinion, but I felt so bad and related to Izzy so much. While I scorned many of her decisions, I understood why she made them and had a lot of empathy for her when making them.
I really disliked the ending, which is also an opinion most people disagree with. I would've wanted the exact OPPOSITE things to happen for me to give this 5 stars. There's going to be a sequel and like, about who, about what, about where???????? I can't imagine a second book being intriguing to me.
HOWEVER! This is a fantastic book and I highly suggest you all to read it. I doubt it would be a dud for you. It's well written and crafted and has the extra spice of vampires and lesbians and mommy-drama. All around a good time.
April 16, 2025
This book wrecked me and I didn't see it coming.
For most of it, it was a solid 4 stars read, it's the ending that took it solidly into the 5 stars realm. I love a complex, difficult, mother-daughter relationship that's really explored and a twist on the trope all done with just the right amount of telling vs. showing.
For most of it, it was a solid 4 stars read, it's the ending that took it solidly into the 5 stars realm. I love a complex, difficult, mother-daughter relationship that's really explored and a twist on the trope all done with just the right amount of telling vs. showing.
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November 16, 2023NON-SPOILERY Book Response: Night's Edge by Liz Kerin
September 4
Show less
NIGHT'S EDGE by Liz Kerin
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: Debut novel! And it's a duology! The next book is coming soon
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978125083...
Release Date: June 20th, 2023
General Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Coming-of-Age, Domestic drama
Sub-Genre/Themes: vampires, pandemic, post-apocalyptic, mother/daughter relationships, young women in their 20s, codependency, single mothers raising children, LBGTQIA+ representation, cults
Writing Style: Dual Timelines-Past & Present. Pre/Post pandemic
What You Need to Know: You need to know a large part of this storyline involves bloodletting and consuming--so if you're skeeved out about blood in any way, this has some detailed descriptions.
The story centers on a single mother raising her daughter during a vampire virus pandemic and the present-day narrative of the mother and daughter co-existing when someone from their past comes back into their lives. This might be triggering for some readers. Reading this book, I realized that often, single mothers are not painted in a good light--exposing their children (especially daughters) to their unhealthy relationships with the men in their lives. I'm going to dig deeper into this and see if I can do a Theme Thursday
My Reading Experience: I enjoyed this reading experience. Kerin manages to write women of all ages with authenticity and sincerity. I loved the world-building and how the vampire virus mirrors our COVID experience. The complicated relationship between the MC, Mia, and her mother, Izzy was well developed. Kerin demonstrates through "showing" not "telling" so that readers understand exactly why the two women behave the way they do in the present-day narrative.
I enjoyed the way two different characters are the catalysts for relational upheaval for Mia and Izzy. It gives the story a drilled-down effect focusing on this small group of people and their conflicts rather than the pandemic at large.
Final Recommendation: This book is perfect for readers looking for that relational and emotional element in apocalyptic fiction. Characters you can easily invest in. Subtle moments of romance, elements of a vampire cult, and a female protagonist you can root; following her from her origin story to her present-day drama, and now...we wait for the next book--the sequel! Highly recommend a book called Rovers by Richard Lange as a companion book.
Comps: Suffer the Children by Craig DiLouie, Stargazers by L. P. Hernandez, The Girl with All the Gifts by M. R. Carey, Rovers by Richard Lange
September 4
Show less
NIGHT'S EDGE by Liz Kerin
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: Debut novel! And it's a duology! The next book is coming soon
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978125083...
Release Date: June 20th, 2023
General Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Coming-of-Age, Domestic drama
Sub-Genre/Themes: vampires, pandemic, post-apocalyptic, mother/daughter relationships, young women in their 20s, codependency, single mothers raising children, LBGTQIA+ representation, cults
Writing Style: Dual Timelines-Past & Present. Pre/Post pandemic
What You Need to Know: You need to know a large part of this storyline involves bloodletting and consuming--so if you're skeeved out about blood in any way, this has some detailed descriptions.
The story centers on a single mother raising her daughter during a vampire virus pandemic and the present-day narrative of the mother and daughter co-existing when someone from their past comes back into their lives. This might be triggering for some readers. Reading this book, I realized that often, single mothers are not painted in a good light--exposing their children (especially daughters) to their unhealthy relationships with the men in their lives. I'm going to dig deeper into this and see if I can do a Theme Thursday
My Reading Experience: I enjoyed this reading experience. Kerin manages to write women of all ages with authenticity and sincerity. I loved the world-building and how the vampire virus mirrors our COVID experience. The complicated relationship between the MC, Mia, and her mother, Izzy was well developed. Kerin demonstrates through "showing" not "telling" so that readers understand exactly why the two women behave the way they do in the present-day narrative.
I enjoyed the way two different characters are the catalysts for relational upheaval for Mia and Izzy. It gives the story a drilled-down effect focusing on this small group of people and their conflicts rather than the pandemic at large.
Final Recommendation: This book is perfect for readers looking for that relational and emotional element in apocalyptic fiction. Characters you can easily invest in. Subtle moments of romance, elements of a vampire cult, and a female protagonist you can root; following her from her origin story to her present-day drama, and now...we wait for the next book--the sequel! Highly recommend a book called Rovers by Richard Lange as a companion book.
Comps: Suffer the Children by Craig DiLouie, Stargazers by L. P. Hernandez, The Girl with All the Gifts by M. R. Carey, Rovers by Richard Lange
July 6, 2024
genuinely don’t know how i keep getting tricked into reading these character driven stories, i’m just not in the mood for them right now and i expected something more horror. i still think this was good though
May 5, 2024
I had SO much fun with this one. Excellent writing, excellent pacing. I can't wait for the second one, and I almost NEVER feel that way about books!
March 1, 2024
Okay wow, this was SO good. Night's Edge is at once a horror/thriller about vampires and an achingly raw exploration of growing up with a parent who is an addict and has a relationship with an abusive partner. It's about a complicated mother/daughter relationship where there is love, but also abuse and neglect. Where the child is forced to be the grownup in order to survive. Then when they do grow up, feel like caring for that parent and hiding this big secret is still their entire life and they have no other options. Except in this case, the secret is that the mom is essentially a vampire (there's a name for the syndrome in the book).
Organized as a dual timeline, we follow Mia as a shellshocked 10 year old dealing with her mother being turned and the aftermath that follows, and then also see her as a 23 year old still living at home, feeding her mother her blood nightly, and working at a bookstore. One thing I thought was really interesting was how Mia's childhood connection of sex and violence in her mother's relationships has made her afraid of her own sexuality and at 23 is just beginning to realize she might be queer when a barista who works nearby catches her fancy. I thought this was a brilliant book and a really different approach to a vampire story. It sucked me in and didn't let go. I felt so deeply for little Mia and all the pain and trauma she endured. This is an intense one but worth the read if you can manage it. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Organized as a dual timeline, we follow Mia as a shellshocked 10 year old dealing with her mother being turned and the aftermath that follows, and then also see her as a 23 year old still living at home, feeding her mother her blood nightly, and working at a bookstore. One thing I thought was really interesting was how Mia's childhood connection of sex and violence in her mother's relationships has made her afraid of her own sexuality and at 23 is just beginning to realize she might be queer when a barista who works nearby catches her fancy. I thought this was a brilliant book and a really different approach to a vampire story. It sucked me in and didn't let go. I felt so deeply for little Mia and all the pain and trauma she endured. This is an intense one but worth the read if you can manage it. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
November 10, 2024
This is such an underrated book. Yes, it is a vampire story. It is also a story about a complicated mother daughter relationship that vascilates between extreme love and loyalty, then abuse and neglect. It's a deep story.
October 27, 2024
guys walk with me…. before the storm vibes (in an abstract way ok i might be stretching a bit but if u get it u will see it!!!) BUT it involves a codependent vampire mother and her daughter where vampire…dom(?) is treated more like a virus the world is becoming aware of rather than folklore. reminds me a bit of severance (the book not the show) in that regard. the different perspective for a book about vampires is so refreshing and the amount of time spent focusing on the mother/daughter relationship sets the second book up so well. the romance is put more on the back burner which feels a lot more realistic for the situation but despite that the moments you do get with mia and jade are still satisfying. also really enjoyed the pacing + structure , not typically a fan of the alternating past/present technique but it works really well here and i never found myself annoyed by the timeline switching, just had a great overall rhythm to it. v excited to read the sequel :)
July 27, 2023
Night’s Edge by Liz Kerin
Horror | Vampires | Dual Storylines
•Mia’s mother, Izzy, has a hunger for blood. Mia now in her twenties meets Jade a musician who gives her the courage she needs to leave her mother behind.
•Mia and Izzy have a blurry mother-daughter relationship where we see how harmful co-dependency can be on a young person. A lot of heavy themes surface in this book so brace yourself. I’m keen to see what happens next with Jade and Mia’s relationship.
Feels: pandemic vibes with vampires
★★★★ 4/5
(Thank you Liz Kerin for the opportunity to read this ARC)
Horror | Vampires | Dual Storylines
•Mia’s mother, Izzy, has a hunger for blood. Mia now in her twenties meets Jade a musician who gives her the courage she needs to leave her mother behind.
•Mia and Izzy have a blurry mother-daughter relationship where we see how harmful co-dependency can be on a young person. A lot of heavy themes surface in this book so brace yourself. I’m keen to see what happens next with Jade and Mia’s relationship.
Feels: pandemic vibes with vampires
★★★★ 4/5
(Thank you Liz Kerin for the opportunity to read this ARC)
June 8, 2023
TW: Child abuse, toxic parent relationship, child abandonment, gory scenes, language, drinking, domestic abuse, cheating
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:Having a mom like Izzy meant Mia had to grow up fast. No extracurriculars, no inviting friends over, and definitely no dating. The most important Tell no one of Izzy’s hunger – the kind only blood can satisfy. But Mia is in her twenties now and longs for a life of her own. One where she doesn’t have to worry about anyone discovering their terrible secret, or breathing down her neck. When Mia meets rebellious musician Jade she dares to hope she’s found a way to leave her home – and her mom – behind. It just might be Mia’s only chance of getting out alive.
Release Date: June 20th, 2023
Genre: Horror
Pages: 288
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. The cover is charming
2. The plot of the book is interesting
3. Writing style flowed
4. Parts of this book made me laugh out loud
5. I loved Jade!
6. The cult aspect
What I Didn't Like:
1. Nothing – I really enjoyed this book
Overall Thoughts:
I just thought it was odd how this major Dease is going all around the world and then when Mia mentions that someone is really sick and hints at Izzys health it's like no one knows about this going around.
The relationship with Jade warmed my heart. Jade's personality was everything. She was smart, funny, and amazing for Mia. I loved reading their parts. It broke my heart when we found out Jade was still in a relationship with her girlfriend.
It feels like a weird that they are using Facebook to talk through. It's not the most secure and people could be hacking it and finding them all.
I found myself really enjoying this book and clutching my purse worrying about Mia. Poor Mia - she just never gets a break does she?
Final Thoughts:
I can not wait for book two. I want to see what happens with Devon (and his cult like group), Jade, and if Mia can actually get a normal happy life with or without Jade.
Recommend For:
• Vampires
• Complex mother/daughter stories
• Cult like elements
• Girl girl love
IG | Blog
Thanks to @Netgalley and the @macmillanaudio and @tornightfire for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:Having a mom like Izzy meant Mia had to grow up fast. No extracurriculars, no inviting friends over, and definitely no dating. The most important Tell no one of Izzy’s hunger – the kind only blood can satisfy. But Mia is in her twenties now and longs for a life of her own. One where she doesn’t have to worry about anyone discovering their terrible secret, or breathing down her neck. When Mia meets rebellious musician Jade she dares to hope she’s found a way to leave her home – and her mom – behind. It just might be Mia’s only chance of getting out alive.
Release Date: June 20th, 2023
Genre: Horror
Pages: 288
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. The cover is charming
2. The plot of the book is interesting
3. Writing style flowed
4. Parts of this book made me laugh out loud
5. I loved Jade!
6. The cult aspect
What I Didn't Like:
1. Nothing – I really enjoyed this book
Overall Thoughts:
I just thought it was odd how this major Dease is going all around the world and then when Mia mentions that someone is really sick and hints at Izzys health it's like no one knows about this going around.
The relationship with Jade warmed my heart. Jade's personality was everything. She was smart, funny, and amazing for Mia. I loved reading their parts. It broke my heart when we found out Jade was still in a relationship with her girlfriend.
It feels like a weird that they are using Facebook to talk through. It's not the most secure and people could be hacking it and finding them all.
I found myself really enjoying this book and clutching my purse worrying about Mia. Poor Mia - she just never gets a break does she?
Final Thoughts:
I can not wait for book two. I want to see what happens with Devon (and his cult like group), Jade, and if Mia can actually get a normal happy life with or without Jade.
Recommend For:
• Vampires
• Complex mother/daughter stories
• Cult like elements
• Girl girl love
IG | Blog
Thanks to @Netgalley and the @macmillanaudio and @tornightfire for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 1, 2024
4 stars
Awkward lesbians with mommy issues it’s your time to shine! Vampirism as an allegory for abusive parental relationships was a nice twist on the trope, honestly this whole book was a pleasant surprise.
A heads up: this isn’t a traditional vampire horror, the horror lies more within the tragic dynamic between Mia and her mother. The whole thing was a character study focusing on the nuances within this sort of relationship and why someone would stay for so long in an endless loop of “love” and abuse. The sapphic sub plot just elevated the story, loved how her awakening mirrored her journey with freeing herself from her mother.
I picked this up believing it to be a standalone but now that I know there’s a sequel? Trust I will be picking it up immediately!
Awkward lesbians with mommy issues it’s your time to shine! Vampirism as an allegory for abusive parental relationships was a nice twist on the trope, honestly this whole book was a pleasant surprise.
A heads up: this isn’t a traditional vampire horror, the horror lies more within the tragic dynamic between Mia and her mother. The whole thing was a character study focusing on the nuances within this sort of relationship and why someone would stay for so long in an endless loop of “love” and abuse. The sapphic sub plot just elevated the story, loved how her awakening mirrored her journey with freeing herself from her mother.
I picked this up believing it to be a standalone but now that I know there’s a sequel? Trust I will be picking it up immediately!
June 15, 2023
2.5 stars rounded up.
I was honestly disappointed with this one. I expected more vampires and an immersion into a world where people with Saratov's Syndrome needed to either comply with current medical guidance or live (figuratively) underground.
There was a bit of that. But this novel was more of a slice of life type of story that explores Mia's life and her relationship with her abusive mother. The novel also touches on how her mother's boyfriend is also abusive in his own way, since he was the person who bit her mother, and her mother now depends on him for sustenance.
Things just happened in the novel. I was zoned out for the second half of the story because nothing interesting really happened until the last 10%. There was character growth with Mia's arc near the end, so at least that was a high point.
I liked how the portrayal of parental abuse is tied to Saratov Syndrome. At times, you can't even tell them apart because they seemed to be intrinsically intertwined. It was pretty unique.
But other than that, I couldn't really connect with the characters. Even though Mia is 23, I can understand why she comes off as much younger, due to her relationship and dependence on her mom and her mom's boyfriend. I had no issues with that aspect of the story.
I was mostly bored because there wasn't an actual storyline until the third act. It might've been due to the audiobook narrator. It felt like I was listening to a friend telling me her life story, and that friend kept droning on and on even though I stopped caring like 5 minutes ago. Idk. I think this might be Chase Sui Wonders's first audiobook so maybe in time she'll get better.
With that being said, I doubt I'll read the sequel.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this arc.
I was honestly disappointed with this one. I expected more vampires and an immersion into a world where people with Saratov's Syndrome needed to either comply with current medical guidance or live (figuratively) underground.
There was a bit of that. But this novel was more of a slice of life type of story that explores Mia's life and her relationship with her abusive mother. The novel also touches on how her mother's boyfriend is also abusive in his own way, since he was the person who bit her mother, and her mother now depends on him for sustenance.
Things just happened in the novel. I was zoned out for the second half of the story because nothing interesting really happened until the last 10%. There was character growth with Mia's arc near the end, so at least that was a high point.
I liked how the portrayal of parental abuse is tied to Saratov Syndrome. At times, you can't even tell them apart because they seemed to be intrinsically intertwined. It was pretty unique.
But other than that, I couldn't really connect with the characters. Even though Mia is 23, I can understand why she comes off as much younger, due to her relationship and dependence on her mom and her mom's boyfriend. I had no issues with that aspect of the story.
I was mostly bored because there wasn't an actual storyline until the third act. It might've been due to the audiobook narrator. It felt like I was listening to a friend telling me her life story, and that friend kept droning on and on even though I stopped caring like 5 minutes ago. Idk. I think this might be Chase Sui Wonders's first audiobook so maybe in time she'll get better.
With that being said, I doubt I'll read the sequel.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this arc.
September 15, 2024
4.5 stars
Excellent book about what happens when you are a child and your loving (and beloved) mother becomes a vampire. Alternating chapters between Mia’s childhood past and her current young adulthood, Liz Kerin deftly weaves the story of how a relationship transforms from safe and healthy to abusive and codependent, and what that looks like at the bitter end.
The writing is magnetic and the story is of the kind that keeps you hoping it will all turn out differently even as it inevitably goes where it must.
“Sometimes, in life … hell, I’ll say it—in a girl’s life … you get tangled up with people who want to control you because they’ve lost control of everything else. People who make you feel safe when you’re not.”
…
We need to believe that everyone we give our love to is a good person. But if they change ... and if that change hurts us ... what then? Are they still good deep down? Because they "weren't always like this"?
Excellent book about what happens when you are a child and your loving (and beloved) mother becomes a vampire. Alternating chapters between Mia’s childhood past and her current young adulthood, Liz Kerin deftly weaves the story of how a relationship transforms from safe and healthy to abusive and codependent, and what that looks like at the bitter end.
The writing is magnetic and the story is of the kind that keeps you hoping it will all turn out differently even as it inevitably goes where it must.
“Sometimes, in life … hell, I’ll say it—in a girl’s life … you get tangled up with people who want to control you because they’ve lost control of everything else. People who make you feel safe when you’re not.”
…
We need to believe that everyone we give our love to is a good person. But if they change ... and if that change hurts us ... what then? Are they still good deep down? Because they "weren't always like this"?
July 17, 2023
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/07/15/...
One can argue that vampires are so overdone in fiction these days that anyone still writing about them need to tackle the subject from new and unique angles just to stand out from the crowd. Of course, this has spawned many interesting vampire books in recent years, and Liz Kerin’s gruesome, intensely heart wrenching Night’s Edge offers a particularly potent example.
In a way, the novel can be seen as a chilling allegory of a daughter’s struggle with a controlling mother whose codependency and tendency to get into abusive relationships have plagued her from childhood to well into her adult life. The story follows Mia who was only ten years old in 2010 when her mother Izzy contracted Saratov’s Syndrome from her boyfriend Devon. Caused by a mysterious virus, the disease was just beginning to emerge as a worldwide threat back then and not much was known, but those infected gain superhuman strength and immortality while becoming fatally sensitive to sunlight. They also need to consume fresh human blood to survive. Even at this early stage in the pandemic, the danger was clear. The infected, called Saras, were rounded up to be “monitored” at treatment facilities, though everyone knows there is no cure. To prevent being separated, mother and daughter go on the run, with Mia swearing to keep Izzy’s condition a secret.
Fast forward to the present, and Mia is now a 23-year-old woman trying to hold her life together. For the past thirteen years, she and her mother have been living in Tucson, Arizona where they remain hidden from the government and also from Devon, Izzy’s old boyfriend. To keep her mother alive but also from harming others, Mia provides Izzy with her own blood to drink. Their existence is a lonely one, just the two of them. By now, Saratov’s has become a full-blown pandemic, and with everyone on high alert, social engagement of any kind would only risk drawing unwanted attention. Still, Mia can’t help but be attracted to Jade, a young musician who frequents the bookshop where she works. As their friendship grows into something more, Mia begins dreaming of a future where she might finally be free to live her own life without the burden of her mother’s secret.
The story gradually unfolds by alternating between these two timelines. In the 2010 chapters, Mia is a child completely dependent on her mother for survival, though in truth Izzy can barely even take care of herself and this was before she became a vampire. After Izzy became infected, things got worse. Drinking blood becomes like an overpowering need for a Sara. As a result, Mia grew up in the most heartbreaking conditions with a mother who was in every respect like a drug addict going out every night with her menacing boyfriend in order to get their fix. All the while, Mia was kept in the dark, not knowing that every time Izzy and Devon were out until the wee hours of the night, someone had to die so they could feed.
But although older Mia in the present chapters is much less naïve, in a lot of ways she still has a childlike mind, likely due to the way Izzy has infantilized her. Even despite the traumas she has experienced and awful things she’s seen, Mia remains innocent and unsure of herself in social situations. She has no idea how to act around people, and never knows the right thing to say. Some days she dares to fantasize about being on her own, but also can’t imagine a life where she doesn’t come home to her mother every night to feed her blood. Mia loves Izzy, but also resents her deeply for her bad choices and all that she’s put them through.
As such, Night’s Edge probably isn’t the vampire book you’re expecting, but that’s okay, because it works for the story. Less about vampires or even the Saras pandemic, the primary focus is the mother-daughter relationship. It’s also about a young woman’s journey to find her own voice and say, ENOUGH. However, whether Mia actually achieves this may be a point of contention, and that’s what makes this book so thought-provoking and insightful. There is nothing simple or black and white about Mia’s dynamic with Izzy. Of course there are the moments where their loving bond is plain to see, but just as evident are the insidious and destructive elements.
In sum, Night’s Edge is harsh, brutal, emotional, tragic, beautiful, virulent and hopeful, all rolled into one. It’s a vampire book all right, but also guaranteed to be different from any you’ve read before, settling into that strange place where paranormal dread meets the horrors of a toxic parent you can’t escape. Because sometimes, it’s about more than blood.
One can argue that vampires are so overdone in fiction these days that anyone still writing about them need to tackle the subject from new and unique angles just to stand out from the crowd. Of course, this has spawned many interesting vampire books in recent years, and Liz Kerin’s gruesome, intensely heart wrenching Night’s Edge offers a particularly potent example.
In a way, the novel can be seen as a chilling allegory of a daughter’s struggle with a controlling mother whose codependency and tendency to get into abusive relationships have plagued her from childhood to well into her adult life. The story follows Mia who was only ten years old in 2010 when her mother Izzy contracted Saratov’s Syndrome from her boyfriend Devon. Caused by a mysterious virus, the disease was just beginning to emerge as a worldwide threat back then and not much was known, but those infected gain superhuman strength and immortality while becoming fatally sensitive to sunlight. They also need to consume fresh human blood to survive. Even at this early stage in the pandemic, the danger was clear. The infected, called Saras, were rounded up to be “monitored” at treatment facilities, though everyone knows there is no cure. To prevent being separated, mother and daughter go on the run, with Mia swearing to keep Izzy’s condition a secret.
Fast forward to the present, and Mia is now a 23-year-old woman trying to hold her life together. For the past thirteen years, she and her mother have been living in Tucson, Arizona where they remain hidden from the government and also from Devon, Izzy’s old boyfriend. To keep her mother alive but also from harming others, Mia provides Izzy with her own blood to drink. Their existence is a lonely one, just the two of them. By now, Saratov’s has become a full-blown pandemic, and with everyone on high alert, social engagement of any kind would only risk drawing unwanted attention. Still, Mia can’t help but be attracted to Jade, a young musician who frequents the bookshop where she works. As their friendship grows into something more, Mia begins dreaming of a future where she might finally be free to live her own life without the burden of her mother’s secret.
The story gradually unfolds by alternating between these two timelines. In the 2010 chapters, Mia is a child completely dependent on her mother for survival, though in truth Izzy can barely even take care of herself and this was before she became a vampire. After Izzy became infected, things got worse. Drinking blood becomes like an overpowering need for a Sara. As a result, Mia grew up in the most heartbreaking conditions with a mother who was in every respect like a drug addict going out every night with her menacing boyfriend in order to get their fix. All the while, Mia was kept in the dark, not knowing that every time Izzy and Devon were out until the wee hours of the night, someone had to die so they could feed.
But although older Mia in the present chapters is much less naïve, in a lot of ways she still has a childlike mind, likely due to the way Izzy has infantilized her. Even despite the traumas she has experienced and awful things she’s seen, Mia remains innocent and unsure of herself in social situations. She has no idea how to act around people, and never knows the right thing to say. Some days she dares to fantasize about being on her own, but also can’t imagine a life where she doesn’t come home to her mother every night to feed her blood. Mia loves Izzy, but also resents her deeply for her bad choices and all that she’s put them through.
As such, Night’s Edge probably isn’t the vampire book you’re expecting, but that’s okay, because it works for the story. Less about vampires or even the Saras pandemic, the primary focus is the mother-daughter relationship. It’s also about a young woman’s journey to find her own voice and say, ENOUGH. However, whether Mia actually achieves this may be a point of contention, and that’s what makes this book so thought-provoking and insightful. There is nothing simple or black and white about Mia’s dynamic with Izzy. Of course there are the moments where their loving bond is plain to see, but just as evident are the insidious and destructive elements.
In sum, Night’s Edge is harsh, brutal, emotional, tragic, beautiful, virulent and hopeful, all rolled into one. It’s a vampire book all right, but also guaranteed to be different from any you’ve read before, settling into that strange place where paranormal dread meets the horrors of a toxic parent you can’t escape. Because sometimes, it’s about more than blood.
October 27, 2024
3.5 Stars for Night’s Edge (audiobook) by Liz Kerin read by Chase Sui Wonders.
Mia has had to grow up fast since her mother has turned into a kind of a vampire. Mia has been protecting her mother during the day and helping her feed at night. Mia really needs to find a way out of this situation and maybe this new girl Jade will be the inspiration she needs.
Mia has had to grow up fast since her mother has turned into a kind of a vampire. Mia has been protecting her mother during the day and helping her feed at night. Mia really needs to find a way out of this situation and maybe this new girl Jade will be the inspiration she needs.
July 2, 2023
It's hard to do an original spin on vampires these days, and while Night's Edge may contain some familiarities, regulating the bloodsuckers to the back burner is what ultimately makes it successful. The mythos behind the vampires in Kerin's world is not thoroughly examined, and some readers may even find it lacking, but unnecessary to the larger story is probably closer to the truth. It's a story about relationships and dependency, with Mia essentially having to play the grownup in her household, and trying to maintain that role while also not forgetting that what she wants, what she needs, matters. The flashback chapters add necessary backstory, but I did find when reading them I was anxious to get back to the present. When you're hooked, you're hooked, dead set to continue the journey with Mia, Izzy, and Jade. Night's Edge is one of the better recent vampire books and one of Tor Nightfire's stronger releases this year.
December 22, 2023
When I first started reading Night’s Edge, I had a feeling it would break my heart. A world dealing with the aftereffects of pandemic that turns people into vampiric “Saras” initially drew me in, but it was the complicated mother-daughter relationship between Izzy and Mia that kept me riveted.
There are several serious topics and themes within Night’s Edge: physical and emotional abuse, domestic violence, parentification, toxic codependency, addiction and death. Multiple times I felt so angry on Mia’s behalf, especially since she wasn’t allowed to express it herself due to the precarious nature of her situation.
As a sheltered young woman forced to cope with a seemingly inexorable situation, Mia is immensely
sympathetic and relatable. Forced to grow up far too soon and to ignore any of her own desires and needs in order to protect Izzy, her eventual decisions to explore a relationship beyond her mother are both understandable and necessary.
In contrast with her is Izzy, who’s desire to be free from the stifling constraints of dealing with her condition-along with the self-loathing and feeling of judgment-lead her down a volatile and and destructive path and back into the arms of the person who ruined her life to begin with.
It was sometimes difficult to read the verbal-and eventually physical-clashes between Izzy and Mia. While Izzy’s behavior is unacceptable, we are also given glimpses of the better aspects of the parent that she was before her infection changed her.
Flashbacks that take place in 2010, which was the year that Izzy was infected, also help to illustrate the difficulties she faced as a single mother struggling not only with her condition, but with trying to prevent her daughter from being taken from her.
Izzy’s return to her relationship with Devon, an abusive person in his own right who terrorized Mia, is a dark mirror to Mia’s developing relationship with the vibrant musician Jade, a young woman who enters her life unexpectedly. Both women are not wholly honest with one another regarding these relationships and both women end up making life-altering choices that lead to the novel’s conclusion due to them.
Night’s Edge is not an easy novel to read, but it is a captivating one. I look forward to reading the sequel First Light to see how Mia’s story is wrapped up.
There are several serious topics and themes within Night’s Edge: physical and emotional abuse, domestic violence, parentification, toxic codependency, addiction and death. Multiple times I felt so angry on Mia’s behalf, especially since she wasn’t allowed to express it herself due to the precarious nature of her situation.
As a sheltered young woman forced to cope with a seemingly inexorable situation, Mia is immensely
sympathetic and relatable. Forced to grow up far too soon and to ignore any of her own desires and needs in order to protect Izzy, her eventual decisions to explore a relationship beyond her mother are both understandable and necessary.
In contrast with her is Izzy, who’s desire to be free from the stifling constraints of dealing with her condition-along with the self-loathing and feeling of judgment-lead her down a volatile and and destructive path and back into the arms of the person who ruined her life to begin with.
It was sometimes difficult to read the verbal-and eventually physical-clashes between Izzy and Mia. While Izzy’s behavior is unacceptable, we are also given glimpses of the better aspects of the parent that she was before her infection changed her.
Flashbacks that take place in 2010, which was the year that Izzy was infected, also help to illustrate the difficulties she faced as a single mother struggling not only with her condition, but with trying to prevent her daughter from being taken from her.
Izzy’s return to her relationship with Devon, an abusive person in his own right who terrorized Mia, is a dark mirror to Mia’s developing relationship with the vibrant musician Jade, a young woman who enters her life unexpectedly. Both women are not wholly honest with one another regarding these relationships and both women end up making life-altering choices that lead to the novel’s conclusion due to them.
Night’s Edge is not an easy novel to read, but it is a captivating one. I look forward to reading the sequel First Light to see how Mia’s story is wrapped up.
May 6, 2025
2.5 rounded up
interesting take on the vamp trope but overall I finished it feeling underwhelmed. I expected more from this...more vampires, more blood, more "horror". this is really more about a toxic relationship between a mom & daughter.
this read more like a thriller & the daughter who's supposed to be mid twenties felt like she was a teenager.
the writing was good overall, but it missed the mark for me. i don't see myself picking up the second book.
interesting take on the vamp trope but overall I finished it feeling underwhelmed. I expected more from this...more vampires, more blood, more "horror". this is really more about a toxic relationship between a mom & daughter.
this read more like a thriller & the daughter who's supposed to be mid twenties felt like she was a teenager.
the writing was good overall, but it missed the mark for me. i don't see myself picking up the second book.
July 19, 2023
Wow... this was HEAVY. I need book two right NOW.
December 16, 2023
I think I'm probably not the right audience for this book. It definitely has something unique to say about vampirism as a metaphor for an abusive, codependent relationship...but honestly I just couldn't relate enough to appreciate it. I suppose I'm a traditionalist and I want my vampires more, like, mythic I guess.
The premise of the book is really cool and a main reason I was interested in it: in this version of our world, there is a recently discovered (1980s) and spreading (circa 2010s and onward) "Saratov syndrome" that essentially turns people into blood-dependent, super-fast creatures who dissolve under direct sunlight. So, like, vampires. But, they're also still just people, theoretically. Mia's mother Izzy got Saratov syndrome when she was ten, and they managed to escape police crackdowns and government-run holding facilities essentially because Mia decides she'll donate her own blood so Izzy doesn't have to go full hunter-vamp style. They make a life together - in Tucson, of all places - but it requires secrecy and dependency on both their parts, and as the story begins Mia's 23 and they are both starting to feel the pressure of it.
Another main reason I was interested in this was some lowkey queer storytelling. Mia's obviously quite sheltered, and part of this book is her own self-discovery (or acknowledgment) that she's lesbian. This book has the feel of the struggles of a closeted person, not because queer folks aren't accepted in this world, but because she can't tell her mother she's dating anyone - too much of a risk.
So while there was a lot to potentially like about this book, it just didn't end up doing it for me. I consistently sympathized with the mother/vampire and thought Mia was kind of a whiny little do-nothing bitch (sorry, not sorry?). Despite the quality writing at the sentence level, this made the book drag for me. In the last quarter or so stuff finally happens, but then it just...ends. I liked the world building and Tucson setting, but to me all the characterizations were underdone.
So yeah, this one just wasn't for me.
The premise of the book is really cool and a main reason I was interested in it: in this version of our world, there is a recently discovered (1980s) and spreading (circa 2010s and onward) "Saratov syndrome" that essentially turns people into blood-dependent, super-fast creatures who dissolve under direct sunlight. So, like, vampires. But, they're also still just people, theoretically. Mia's mother Izzy got Saratov syndrome when she was ten, and they managed to escape police crackdowns and government-run holding facilities essentially because Mia decides she'll donate her own blood so Izzy doesn't have to go full hunter-vamp style. They make a life together - in Tucson, of all places - but it requires secrecy and dependency on both their parts, and as the story begins Mia's 23 and they are both starting to feel the pressure of it.
Another main reason I was interested in this was some lowkey queer storytelling. Mia's obviously quite sheltered, and part of this book is her own self-discovery (or acknowledgment) that she's lesbian. This book has the feel of the struggles of a closeted person, not because queer folks aren't accepted in this world, but because she can't tell her mother she's dating anyone - too much of a risk.
So while there was a lot to potentially like about this book, it just didn't end up doing it for me. I consistently sympathized with the mother/vampire and thought Mia was kind of a whiny little do-nothing bitch (sorry, not sorry?). Despite the quality writing at the sentence level, this made the book drag for me. In the last quarter or so stuff finally happens, but then it just...ends. I liked the world building and Tucson setting, but to me all the characterizations were underdone.
So yeah, this one just wasn't for me.
August 17, 2023
3.5 nothing really happened until the end of this book but what happened was so fast paced and freaking nuts it made me like it so much more I just wish the whole book was like that.
December 19, 2024
This is about a fraught, co-dependent mother-daughter relationship grounded by a vampire virus. 🧛🏻♀️
This alternates between the past (“2010”) and the present (“Now”). When Mia was ten, her mother contracted a virus called Saratovs - turning her vampire-like: needing blood to survive and never aging, but exposure to sunlight or being struck through the heart with a rusty bullet able to kill them. Mia’s mother relies on Mia’s blood to sustain her. Mia knows it’s this that keeps her mother from harming others.
This is a lit fic disguised as a vampire story. Or maybe a vampire story disguised as a lit fic.
This focuses heavily on the relationships between the characters, rather than the Sara pandemic which is treated as a catalyst for this analysis. As a fantasy and sci fi reader, I think I would have appreciate more exploration of the pandemic and its repercussions.
I’ve never willingly put myself at risk like this. But that was before I knew I could feel this way. Before I knew anyone like Jade, who made me feel so brave and so capable because that’s who she was. Tomorrow could be the first night of my new life. I don’t want to spy on her world through the window anymore. I want to be inside.
There’s exploration of queerness, longing, belonging, and finding your own identity outside of your upbringing.
This was almost like a coming of age as Mia has been so sheltered due to her and her mother’s unique situation. However, due to Mia’s older age, this sometimes felt jilted.
I won’t be rushing to pick up book two, but I think I am not the target audience.
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This alternates between the past (“2010”) and the present (“Now”). When Mia was ten, her mother contracted a virus called Saratovs - turning her vampire-like: needing blood to survive and never aging, but exposure to sunlight or being struck through the heart with a rusty bullet able to kill them. Mia’s mother relies on Mia’s blood to sustain her. Mia knows it’s this that keeps her mother from harming others.
This is a lit fic disguised as a vampire story. Or maybe a vampire story disguised as a lit fic.
This focuses heavily on the relationships between the characters, rather than the Sara pandemic which is treated as a catalyst for this analysis. As a fantasy and sci fi reader, I think I would have appreciate more exploration of the pandemic and its repercussions.
I’ve never willingly put myself at risk like this. But that was before I knew I could feel this way. Before I knew anyone like Jade, who made me feel so brave and so capable because that’s who she was. Tomorrow could be the first night of my new life. I don’t want to spy on her world through the window anymore. I want to be inside.
There’s exploration of queerness, longing, belonging, and finding your own identity outside of your upbringing.
This was almost like a coming of age as Mia has been so sheltered due to her and her mother’s unique situation. However, due to Mia’s older age, this sometimes felt jilted.
I won’t be rushing to pick up book two, but I think I am not the target audience.
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March 10, 2025
covid but make it modern day vampirism
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