THE WITCH AND THE VAMPIRE

Once best friends but now natural enemies, a witch and a vampire fight their way through a dangerous forest together as their romantic feelings rekindle.

Ava was turned into a vampire two years ago and has been locked in the attic of their towering home by her mother and stepfather ever since. She retained her Root witch powers, which her mother has been siphoning to hide the fact that she too is a vampire. Flame witch Kaye believes Ava, her former friend, is responsible for her mother’s death, and Kaye wants revenge. When Ava finally manages to escape and flee into the forest in search of the vampire queen, Kaye goes after her. The pair make an uneasy pact to travel together to a village deep in the forest, although Kaye secretly plans on betraying Ava. They soon learn the forest is even more threatening than expected, and they grow closer once more as they protect each other. This tale attempts a mashup of “Rapunzel,” paranormal creatures, queer romance, and a fantasy world. It falls flat, though, due to its repetitive writing and underdeveloped worldbuilding. Alternating first-person chapters give insight into the leads, but other characters are one-dimensional. There is a lot of infodumping and yet also too much that isn’t explained, which makes the reading experience more frustrating than exciting. Kaye has light beige skin, and Ava’s is tawny.

An ambitious premise let down by poor execution.