Why do we keep going back to vampire schools like it's a toxic ex we just can't quit?
Seriously, I was asking myself this while designing a logo for a vegan bakery (the irony isn't lost on me) and listening to Fin volunteer herself to the vampires.
I'm a sucker for the "human goes to monster school" trope. It's my comfort food. I've chased that same feeling through everything from Wood Beyond the World to modern fantasy—anything with that fish-out-of-water energy. And Court of the Undying Seasons? It's like the dark, queer, angst-filled snack I didn't know I needed. My cat Diego was staring at me from the top of the bookshelf while I listened, and I swear he was judging me for how hard I fell for the drama.
The Goth Girl Aesthetic
Look, the vibes here are immaculate. It's dark, it's lush, and it feels like a rainy Sunday in November. A.M. Strickland built a world that feels dangerous but weirdly inviting—Castle Courtsheart is the kind of place you want to visit even though you know you'd probably die in the first ten minutes.
But let's talk about Fin.
(Okay, deep breath.)
I've seen people complaining that she's "prickly" or "stubborn" or "hard to like." And yeah, she is. But honestly? I loved that about her. She's messy. She's angry. She's grieving her mom. She's not trying to be the perfect heroine; she's trying to survive and kill some vampires.
As someone who definitely held onto grudges way too long in my twenties, I felt seen. It's not always pretty, but it feels real. If you need your protagonists to be sunshine and rainbows, you're gonna have a bad time here. But if you like characters with sharp edges? You're good.
Em Grosland's Voice Has Texture
I hadn't listened to Em Grosland before, but—wow.
Their voice has this specific texture... warm, but with a bit of grit? It fits the "sympathetic monster" thing perfectly. They handle the gender-fluid aspects of the world (and the vampires) with so much care, which makes sense given the casting. It just felt right.
That said—and I say this as someone who religiously listens at 1.0x speed because I like to savor the pain—it is slow. The pacing of the book itself wanders a bit in the middle (lots of internal monologuing, lots of shifting focus), and the narration leans into that slowness.
If you're a speed-listener, you might be tapping your foot. I actually bumped it to 1.25x during the middle chapters just to keep my momentum while I was vectoring illustrations. Didn't ruin the mood, just kept the blood pumping.
The Feelings Hit Like a Telenovela
The romance? It's a slow burn. Like, slow. But the chemistry between Fin and Gavron (her maker) is that specific kind of "I hate you / I want to be you / I want you" that makes my chest hurt.
It reminded me of the telenovelas my Abuela used to watch—high stakes, lots of staring, lots of blood, and feelings so big they threaten to swallow the plot whole. There were moments where the plot got a little murky—I got confused about the murder mystery aspect a few times—but the emotional beats landed. And for me? That's what matters.
Who's This For (And Who Should Run)
Grab this if: you liked A Deadly Education but wished it had more vampires and yearning, you want queer monster romance with actual teeth, or you need a protagonist who's allowed to be angry and messy.
Skip it if: you need fast pacing, tidy plots, or likable heroines who make sensible choices.
Diego's Still Judging Me
Is it perfect? No. The plot meanders, and sometimes Fin makes decisions that made me want to yell at my phone. But it made me feel things. It's queer, it's bloody, and it treats monsters like people.
Just maybe keep your finger near the speed button.
