💫 NetGalley ARC Review 💫

A Hauntingly Good Read!

Children of the Night: When Monsters Wake #1 is an absolutely phenomenal start to what promises to be a gripping series! From the moment we meet Mina Murray, with her fascination for all things macabre, I was completely hooked. Her quirky interest in graveyards and funeral homes makes her a wonderfully unique protagonist, and her journey into the bizarre aftermath of the Demeter's arrival is expertly paced, building suspense with every turn of the page.

The blend of classic horror elements with a fresh, modern twist is brilliantly executed. The feral dogs, the mysterious boxes of dirt, and the gruesome discovery of the drained captain immediately set a chilling tone. As Mina delves deeper, the escalating strangeness—from the missing editor to her best friend's terrifying nightmares and the enigmatic Raf—kept me on the edge of my seat. The tension is palpable, and I found myself frantically turning pages, desperate to uncover the truth alongside Mina and her friends.

Beyond the thrilling plot, the character development and the connections between them are truly a highlight. Mina is a compelling lead, and her relationships with her best friend and even her crush, Jon, feel authentic and layered. What's more, I deeply appreciated how the graphic novel integrates LGBTQ+ topics seamlessly and normally, without fanfare or tokenism. It's refreshing to see these aspects of characters' lives portrayed as simply a part of the fabric of their world, as accepted and everyday as any other detail. This inclusivity adds a wonderful richness to the cast and makes the world feel even more real.

This graphic novel is a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, with artwork that perfectly complements the eerie narrative. I devoured every panel and was left with a powerful craving for more. I am incredibly excited for Book 2! The subtle hints about Mina's grandmother's death have me completely intrigued, and I can't wait to see how that mystery unfolds and connects to the unfolding horror in New Whitby. And the introduction of Van Helsing promises to be an absolute game-changer, adding another layer of classic horror deliciousness to the mix. This is a must-read for any fan of supernatural mysteries and a truly deserving five-star rating!

This was a very spooky updated vampire story complete with LGBTQ+ characters, savvy students who have to save themselves and two very dangerous and beautiful villains. I really liked this first book in the series and look forward to reading more. It was a quick read, and just the right amount of scary.

I really enjoyed this and recommend it for YA readers and fans of vampire stories.