THE LOST GIRLS

Three women vampires seek revenge against their mutual ex, the man who turned them when they were teens.

Holly became a vampire in 1987 when she fell in love with Elton, believing she was the only one he loved and had made immortal like himself. Now, 34 years later, she’s been abandoned by him and works at Taco Bell, the only job her permanently 16-year-old self can find, which barely pays for the roach-infested motel where she’s living. When she meets Ida and Rose, vampires turned in 1921 and 1954, respectively, she discovers she wasn’t Elton’s first—and that they are back in their Michigan hometown because he’s looking to create a fourth. The trio band together with aspirations to end Elton once and for all and protect his latest prey, high school student Parker, whom Holly develops feelings for. This action-packed, revenge-fueled story is a fun and fresh vampire tale. The characterization is thin; the Sapphic romance isn’t entirely successful, with love developing so quickly that it’s hard to completely buy into. However, the emphasis on female friendships and found family is gratifying, the pacing is quick throughout, the campy body horror and violence are delightfully disturbing, and the twists at the end make for a satisfying conclusion. Characters are implied White.

Exhilarating high-stakes action with plenty of bite.