Thanks to NetGalley and the author for granting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was soooo much fun. I had a blast reading, and I can easily see myself going back again and again in the future.

This was definitely not for me. The rambly writing style irritated me from the moment I started and I just could not get used to it. That combined with how overly campy this was just didn’t work for me. I found it gaudy and over the top and not in a fun way.

this novella is wild, campy, and biting in every sense. it’s sexy, satirical, and blood-bright, though i wished the ending lingered longer. still, merbaum delivers a sharp, playful twist on vampire lore that’s both queer and self-aware.

This was a fun book, interesting and slightly sexy as well. I wish it were longer, but it does its job as an entertaining read.

I thought this might be a silly quick read but ultimately I was bored. Two old vampires on a cruise meet a shapeshifter. Lots of decadence and sex without being sexy or in any way interesting.

I'm sure I had this incredulous look on my face while reading this, third fascinated, third horrified, third entertained. This book was wild, an absolute fever dream, with a protagonist so bizzare, removed, yet compelling. I can say I had a good time, wanted to keep reading and found satisfaction in how the story unfolded. I will definitely think of this book, even if I can't say it'll be a favourite.

If you like vampires, sex and existential ponderings, check it out.

Vampires at Sea is a hilarious, horny horror-comedy about two emotional vampires on a decadent queer cruise where lust, narcissism, and danger collide in deliciously bloody ways.

Equal parts horror and comedy, this novella is smutty, stylish, and razor-sharp, brimming with campy decadence and biting satire. Fans of Only Lovers Left Alive and The White Lotus will revel in its blend of glamour, gore, and queer longing. Merbaum’s prose crackles with wit and sensuality, making this a quick, addictive read that’s as thoughtful as it is outrageous.

Ok to state the obvious I really did not like this story. I was excited based on the premise, but the execution was vastly different to what I was expecting, for one this is advertised as a smutty-horror book, but if I'm being completely honest the scariest thing about it was the main characters personality, and yes it was "smutty" but in a way that felt like every other line was talking about sex in some way or another that made them all read a little like "I'm really hot and everyone wants me and I'm going to **** anyone and everyone because they all want me so bad." And yes the narcissism is mentioned in the blurb but this is usually a reason for character growth or development of which there really wasn't that much if any, and I just got to the end of the story and went, "That was it?". I also found the overall voice that the author used, especially around the discussion of queer folk to be uncomfortable if not derogatory at points. So while this book was quick to read it was definitely a no from me, personally.

Vampires at Sea by Lindsay Merbaum was my first encounter with her work, and what a wild, genre-bending initiation it was. This novella plunges readers into the decadent world of Rebekah and Hugh, immortal emotional vampires from San Francisco, as they embark on a queer Black Sea cruise amid a backdrop of global unrest. Their goal? To indulge in orgies, feast on the desires and sorrows of fellow passengers, and escape the weight of eternity. But beneath the campy horror-comedy surface lies a deeper meditation on identity, longing, and the unraveling of a centuries-old relationship. Merbaum’s prose is lush and biting, perfectly suited to the story’s blend of sensuality and dread.

The characters are vivid and sharply drawn. Rebekah, the narrator, is glamorous, narcissistic, and increasingly disoriented as her partner Hugh becomes infatuated with Heaven a nonbinary social media influencer whose allure may be magical. This infatuation triggers a crisis not just in their relationship, but in Rebekah’s sense of self. The twist comes when Rebekah realizes that her carefully curated reality is slipping, and the cruise itself may be more than just a vacation it’s a crucible for transformation. The mantra “We’re on vacation!” becomes a haunting refrain, shifting from playful to ironic to desperate as the ship’s isolation intensifies.

By the conclusion, Vampires at Sea has evolved from a sexy, satirical romp into a poignant tale of self-discovery and emotional reckoning. Rebekah’s journey forces her to confront the hunger she’s buried for centuries not just for blood, but for meaning, autonomy, and truth. Merbaum doesn’t offer a tidy resolution but instead leaves readers with a lingering sense of unease and fascination. For a first-time reader, this novella is a bold, intoxicating introduction to Merbaum’s voice equal parts velvet and venom. If you like your horror queer, clever, and emotionally charged, this cruise is worth boarding.

this was certainly one of the most unique things i have ever read. did that mean it was good? i'm not sure. rebekah was a flawed narrator for sure and so so messy in her actions. i loved her, and was on her side even as she did the craziest things to get her man back. the change i would've made is to get that man out of here and have rebekah and heaven run off that cruise ship together.

I was not completely prepared and I dont think my mood was in the right place, but it was an enjoyable read. Would recomend.

I had to sit with this for a day because I honestly wasn't sure what to think. Very bingeable and perfect for a single sitting read.

In some ways, exactly what it said it was. Vampires. On a cruise. This was sexual but not smutty. Queer. Dark one moment and humorous the next. It felt like being inside a narcissists head as their relationship fell apart. In some ways it felt a little disjointed.

I liked the unique take on vampires, it's something I haven't seen before, but over all I think this style of writing was not for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Creature Publishing for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I took ages to write this review because I honestly don’t know what to think about this book!! I loved it in so many ways but I also absolutely despised it in many others and idek

I think it just needed to OWN itself not being super serious even more because unfortunately the humour and ott characterisations get lost in the serious background and isn’t anywhere as effective because it just takes itself too seriously and I really wish it didn’t?? Idk if that makes sense but lol it’s been over a month since I read this so oh well

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC!

A book has never been more Leo coded.

And it was exactly that. Vampires! They're on vacation!

The best way to describe the vibes of this novel is if a Chuck Tingle horror and an Anne RIce vampire story had a baby, and they went on a gay cruise... this is what would happen.

Also if you were looking for something that was very serious, this isn't going to be it. It has serious moments, but it's more a self-absorbed de-evolution of a relationship. It was excellent, and if you like a little mess, and go in knowing that you're probably not going to totally like her pov, but you will be eventually be charmed by her.

It was so good, and I really want more people to love it. And I think the issues most people had was that the vampires weren't the "exact" version of vampires they were expecting, and they had issues with the main character. Which makes me sad, because she's kind of a masterpiece.

Thank you so much to Creature Publishing and Netgalley for an early copy.

This was the most deliciously fun feminist horror vampire read with the best quips scattered throughout.

I really resonated with the FMC and her intolerance for the seemingly superficial nature of the younger generations and how they appear as “shapeshifters” to get what they want (my interpretation) and just how disposable relationships appear to them for their own self gratification.

The humour and wit was fantastic as the fact it was based around the supernatural on a cruise ship.
Hilarious and absolutely 5star writing

1.5 stars.

I really wanted to like this book. Vampires on a queer cruise sounded chaotic and fun but the execution fell flat. Rebekah and Heaven are interesting, messy characters, but I never felt invested in them or their drama.

The sex scenes were confusing and not at all sexy, leaving me wondering what they were even for. Hugh is flat, the horror is nonexistent, and the supposed hedonism never lands. Some lines were so clunky I questioned if an AI wrote them.

The concept is intriguing and the humor hits at times, but overall this was unsatisfying, confusing, and hard to get through. Gorgeous cover but the story itself missed the mark.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC of Vampires at Sea by Lindsay Merbaum.

I was hoping for more horror from how this book was advertised, but it was not really what I would call horror.

This book didn't end up appealing to me as I read, but I can see why others may really enjoy it!

Check your triggers before starting this one.

This books is a crazy wild ride full of off the wall comments and at times some uncomfortable laughs. It doesn’t take itself too seriously but also hits on some tough topics with a dark sense of humor. It’s a quick read full of sex, blood, desire and lots of gay fun. If you are a fan of vampires and specially What We Do in the Shadows. I highly suggest picking this one up when it comes out! But just know this humor is not for everyone.

The concept instantly drew me in, vampires on the open sea, mixing horror with atmosphere and a touch of the gothic. Lindsay Merbaum has a bold, unapologetic style, and the story definitely doesn’t shy away from sharp edges.

For me, though, the execution was a mixed bag. While I enjoyed the originality and the flashes of dark, eerie imagery, some of the writing felt a little too crude for my taste. The rawness will definitely appeal to readers who like their horror visceral and unfiltered, but personally I found myself wishing for more subtlety and atmosphere instead of shock.

That said, the premise is strong and the pacing kept me curious enough to see it through. It just didn’t fully land in the way I hoped.

🌑 Verdict: 3 stars. A daring and imaginative take on vampire lore that will work for fans of gritty, visceral horror—but if you prefer something more polished or atmospheric, it might not be the right fit.

I think this novella is mis-categorized. I think if you read this while actively asking yourself, "Wouldn't it just be so so funny if there were emotional vampires on a cruise ship and they acted like extremely horny, even more narcissistic Real Housewives all the time?" it could be a comedy. But more often, I found this to be very weird and a little sad. And there is a huge amount of sex in this book. It’s amazing, actually, how much sex happens in <200 pages, and yet somehow, it's not *that* spicy? I can't quite explain it.

But what really kept me off kilter was the constant feeling like I was reading one perspective from a book with multiple POVs. I can honestly say I've never read anything like this, and that's not a criticism. This whole idea is refreshing and completely new. I mean, try it if you’re on the fence! It's very much a novella. And I mean that as a compliment.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a sneak peek.