Oh wow.
I haven’t read a lot of vampire books, but this is completely different to what I’ve tried. I adored The Coldest Girl in Coldtown! At times I was dubious. (There were slow sections that made me think I wasn’t going to rate it high.) But then — BOOM — the beautiful writing, the epic ending, the heart-stabbing backstory. I’M SOLD.
This needs to be a movie. It would be fabulous.
Confession time…I was dubious for the first 50%.
I didn’t understand a lot of the reasonings behind the plot. I also worried that I’d misread things because NOTHING MADE SENSE AT FIRST. But don’t freak out! That all sorts out. I got my answers. It turned into the kind of book that grew on me. The more I thought about it, the more I realised I loved it.
I just had to get past the initial, “So you wanna run the plot be me again, luv?” feeling.
The writing is gorgeous.
(It really reminds me of Cassandra Clare’s writing.) Holly Black is HUGE on the details, but they make the world real and you can see everything. Which is a bit scary in this book, because: Blood everywhere. Vampires. They’re so messy and unhygienic.
The characters? I have mixed feelings.
Our narrator is Tana. I liked her. But I struggle to describe her character to you. She was tossed around by circumstances, although she was brave and capable. Just…a little unrelatable. Gavriel is the psycho vampire she rescues. To sum up Tana, you’d say: she’s a rescuer. And I loved that she could rescue herself.
Gav took a while to grow on me, but he was insane. I like insane characters.
I also loved the death quotes (omg, that sounds bad) at the beginning of each chapter.
I’m not sadistic! I swear! I just…they were interesting, okay?
I felt really inspired after reading this!
Like I want to go write something epic and urban fantasy! I want to write better! I want to shout huzzah! That’s how I know I’ve read a good book.
Thanks Hachette for the review-copy! The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black came out in February, 2014.
Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.
One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.
[goodreads] [amazon] [bookworld] [book depository] [hachette australia]
Cait is not normally fond of vampires because, on the whole, they’re usually not-ferocious and part-time supermodels. She believes in scary monsters. Vampires come scarily in THIS book. Currently, she’s inventing copious new books that she’ll never have time to write and craving corn chips and guacamole.
I NOW REALLY WANT TO READ HOLLY BLACK’S BOOKS. AND MAGGIE STIEFVATER’S BOOKS. BUT I DON’T HAVE TIME. Darn it, Cait. Seriously though, this looks really good, although vampires do freak me out slightly and I might not be able to get to sleep after reading it but I shall Be Brave and READ IT. Lovellyyyyyy review, Cait! xx
Kyra recently posted…Mini Review – Goth Girl and the Ghost of Mouse – Chris Riddell
HOLLY BLACK AND MAGGIE STIEFVATER ARE MY FAVOURITES. GO READ THEM. LIKE SERIOUSLY. YOU NEED THEM IN YOUR LIFE. #bestvampiresever
I have this book in my tbr-pile! I really want to read it soon, but there’s so many other books that I want to read too! 😀 Reader problems ~
Titta recently posted…Week in Review | Week 50
UGH I HEAR YA. Reader problems for sure. THERE ARE TOO MANY AWESOME BOOKS IN THE WORLD!!!
Ooh. You just made me want to read this book, like, 10% more than I already did. Yay, Cait-suasion!
I LIKE THAT. Caitsausion. That should be a thing. *nods**runs around chanting it*
YESSS!. This book.. it was so much better than I expected and I fell in love with everything. I was pretty much in love with Gavriel, but then who doesn’t love an insane vampire? 😛
So glad you liked this Cait, here’s hoping you review reassure’s Amanda about reading it :P.
Great review hun and I loved the amount of Cas 😛
Stacie @ Book’s Galore recently posted…Five Friday Favourites – Books You’d Gift
EXACTLY. Insane vampires are the most adorable kind….although….you know, there\’s some bad side affects with that BUT WHATEVER. Reality, pfft. Who needs it. 😉
Omg, Amanda is torn?! AMANDA. GET OVER HERE AND READ THIS BOOK NOW. <– That ought to encouragingly and gently convince her, right??
I’ve heard some mixed reviews for this one but if a book can make you long to write something similar, then it must be amazing! I’m still a little dubious as to whether I’d like it…not gonna lie, vampires and I just do not mesh well together anymore. I’m not a fan of slow beginnings, but go glad you ended up loving this on Cait! xx
IGNORE EVERYONE. I AM RIGHT AND THEY ARE NOT. #alsoverymodest
Eh, I totally understand about vampires not meshing because I feel similarly. But honest? These ones are awesome and different. xD
First on the list is White Cat/Red Glove or whatever they’re called, and then I’ll eventually get to this one. TOO MANY BOOKS.
Also I’m intriiiggggued about what you’re writing next 🙂
Emily @ The Loony Teen Writer recently posted…In which Gabrielle Tozer and I interview each other
DUDE. YES. You have made a good life decision. White Cat is on my best-of-the-year-and-best-of-my-life list. (Woah that should totally be a goodreads shelf title, right?)
OH I\’M GOING TO WRITE AN MG. But it\’s kind of getting dark and scary the more I plot it. Evil killing crickets and things. *shrugs* You know, normal stuff.
“…they’re usually not-ferocious and part-time supermodels” URGH YES WHAT IS WITH THAT??? Vampires, in my mind, are disgusting and should probably um do it a tad more hygienically and maybe frequent the doctors or something.
I like death quotes as well and I feel like I’ve always got to find when I say that. Everyone gives you that o___O look….AND SARCASM? I live for that stuff. I NEED IT. I perhaps greatly want this now…Hmmmmm. Is it standalone?
AND YOU GUAC? I WANT GUAC? CAN I HAVE SOME?? ?
Jess @My Reading Dress recently posted…Seeking Saturday’s Read #16: Retreating From the Online World, 2015’s Darkling and Next Week’s Ambitious TBR
Erg, yes, the disease vampires have got to spread. And why is none of that in books? (Probably because it\’ll turn nice calm paranormals into horrors, but whatever. REALISM. We like it.)
I know! Death quotes are interesting and kind of awesome. And I feel that way when I talk about the Book Thief and I\’m like, \”DEATH NARRATES AND IT\’S SO AWESOME\” and you know….*crickets*
OH and yes! It\’s a standalone! I think….I think it has potential to be a series but I\’m pretty extra sure it\’s not.
I literally got this book yesterday as a Birthday gift! No seriously, it’s like, oh my lord, I am SO EXCITED FOR IT. Vampires have been and miss with sometimes, I can’t decide, and I liked Holly Blacks Curse Workers, so yes, this – this sounds fabulous! Thank you Cait, I am excited now. Short, snappy, wonderful review, this is why we love you! 🙂
Amanda @ Book Badger recently posted…Book Review – My True Love Gave To Me
AHHH IT\’S FATE! IT\’S DESTINY! GO READ IT AMANDA WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE. Hehe. Oh, I understand. Vampires are almost always miss with me. I\’ve literally only read one vampire book I like and that\’s this one. 😉 Everything else has been meh or DNF. 0.0 I have a problem with vampires apparently.
Oooh! I’ve been dying to read this book for forever! Your review has me sold. I must get my hands on this… like now!
Hannah recently posted…nous sommes les miserables
YAAAAY! That is glorious news and just what I want to hear. XD lol I HOPE YOU LIKE IT.
I heard about this book but it looked very predictable from the plot description. It looks like I was wrong? I like good vampires -er, like, realistic vampire (as realistic as a fictional race can be…I’m confusing myself)- with sassy characters, looks promising. Because yeah, vampire should be monster damn it, go with the violence! 😀
My “to read” list is suffering because of my exams and thesis but ehy, it’s not like I really need to sleep, pffft.
Eithne on the moon recently posted…The ultimate app to avoid traffic
Sassy is life. XD I love it when characters have smart quips and take care of themselves and kick-butt basically…heh. Oh my to-read list is suffering too. I FEEL YOUR PAIN.
Sleep is for the weak, apparently. *collapses in exhaustion*
I enjoyed this one when just read it. I agree that it was so different from the other vampire books that I shared, in a good way. BTW, I like the death quotes too 😉
Christy @ Novel Ink recently posted…Book Review | Eternal by C.C. Hunter
Phewf. Not just me who\’s weird and likes death quotes. XD
I need to give this book another try. I think I suffered from the initial “WTF” like you.
Thanks for the review Cait, I’m definitely going to give it another try! 🙂
Amber Elise @ Du Livre
Amber Elise recently posted…Discussion: Amazon Reviews v Blogger Reviews
It\’s that beginning that\’s super weird, right?!! It just doesn\’t seem to click together, but once you\’re in…ohhh the AWESOME begins I promise. XD
Aw, Cait, that’s great that you loved it so much! I must admit, I read about 30% of the book and dropped it, and haven’t picked it up yet. Jeez, I need to give it a second try if you loved it so much! I agree, Black’s writing is amazing, and YES YES YES to the confusing plot! Argh…will go wallow in silence and contemplate whether to finish this book now or not. Thanks for sharing, Cait 🙂
Madiha@Symphony of Words recently posted…The Heroine Tag
I think that first part is the dodgy/confusing part. After that? IT IS AMAZING. hehe. Holly Black is fast climbing to be one of my favourite fantasy writers. But what was with that confusing plot?!! I\’m still fuzzy on a few things but I totally loved it, confusion or not. xD
Yay for a vampire book that I can read without cringing! Holly Black is brilliant…and ooh death quotes, now isn’t that lovely! 😀 I love gorgeous writing (especially if it’s Cassandra Clare). I’ve been waiting to read this book but I was suspicious of it at first, it’s got a creepy cover (I do love it) but the synopsis never sounded that interesting to me (maybe it’s just not my type of book) but now that I’ve read this review I think I’ll give it a try…plus Holly Black is rocking it these days so I have to give it a try don’t I? 🙂
Mawa Mahima recently posted…Genome: The History of Us, the Species
THEY ARE LOVELY. Even if they\’re…um…about….death. *hides weirdness in the corner* HEY. I never claimed to be normal. It does have a creepy cover, right?! I just love this book so much. XD The synopsis is just…bleh. It doesn\’t sum up the book at all.
Oooh actual non-supermodel vampires! Yessss.
I only do horror if it is based on the old traditions of horror. 🙂
This book was already on my TBR, but mostly (I’ll admit shamefully) because of it’s beautiful cover. So now I’m glad I am actually justified in putting it on my list!
Sophia recently posted…‘Bout This Blogger Tag
DIRTY GRITTY DARK VAMPIRES. It\’s awesome. Scary, but you know, awesome. Hey no shame here. I have half a bookshelf full of books based on cover-love alone.
I am so glad you enjoyed this! I gobbled it up and thought it was so refreshing to see a vampire YA book that didn’t feel like a regurgitation of all the others that came out during the Twilight haydays.
Tabitha (Not Yet Read) recently posted…The Twelve Nightmares Before Christmas: Nightmare 3 & Giveaway
EXACTLY! It felt so different to what vampire plots usually follow! HUZZAH!
I’m yet to read anything by Holly Black but I’ve heard so many good things about her. After reading your review of White Cat I’m really intrigued and want to give her a go.
Rosie recently posted…Learn To Speak Cat 2: The Latest Mews – Anthony Smith *
HOLLY BLACK IS AMAZING. She\’s just like one step away from being on my Maggie-Stiefvater-pedestal I tell you. XD White Cat is like the ultimate best of hers though. I recommend that over this, but THEN this one.
Ooh, I’ve got this on my TBR pile right now (thanks to you, actually, I think :D) I’m excited to try it out, even though it’s not something I’d normally be interested in.
Aimee Meester recently posted…A Myers-Briggs Post: ESTP Things
YAAAY GO ME BECAUSE THIS IS A GOOD LIFE DECISION ON YOUR PART I APPROVE HUZZAH.
CONVINCED! Renting this from the library now.
http://www.rebekahkoontzsite.wordpress.com // US Lifestyle Blog
WOOOT! THAT\’S WHAT I WANNA HEAR! I so totally hope you enjoy it. 😉
I loved this book! It took me a little time to get used to the totally different world too. Gavriel was insane but I loved him lol. Holly Black has said she has an idea for a sequel so I’m super excited to see what that might be 😀
Eileen recently posted…Series Reviews: Touch of Power, Scent of Magic & Taste of Darkess (Healer series) by Maria V. Snyder
He was adorable but insane so that\’s fine with me.
OMG REALLY?!! A SEQUEL!! YAYYYY. Although I just told someone in a comment above it was a standalone. Oops. XD
I’m really gad you finally got around to Coldtown, it’s a wonderful, wonderful book…. so clever and original. I have everything is crossed for a sequel!
Thea Wilson recently posted…Gizzimomo’s New Books For 2014 (Stacking The Shelves)
I kind of want a sequel, but it IS nice that it's an awesome standalone!! XD
The title for this book has always put me off. I’ve never even considered reading it. But now, death quotes *cheers* sarcasm *more cheers* CHARLES DICKENS, OSCAR WILDE * passes out*. Don’t feel weird about loving death quotes, Cait. You’re in likeminded company.
Anyone else notice that quote “every hero is the villain of his own story” is the exact opposite of Tom Hiddleston’s quote?
Bennet recently posted…Just Writing
OH GOSH HUZZAH. WE SHALL LIKE DEATH QUOTES TOGETHER AND NOT BE AT ALL CREEPY AND WEIRD BOOKWORMS. *nods* At least I\’m not alone. XD
Yessss! I did notice that. I wondered which came first actually…
4 stars Cait? Hmm…I’m definitely intrigued! You know I’m not much of a vampire / fantasy reader, but this sounds like I’d really like it. 😀 Even if you were a bit dubious for the first half, I’m glad you found it to be an amazing read in the end. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fantastic review! ♥
Zoe @ Stories on Stage recently posted…Made for You
I HOPE you like it. I\’m not 100% sure you will…>.> Just going off our bookish-twinnish-ness (totally a word) so far but *shrugs* TOTALLY TRY IT AND TELL ME WAHT YOU THINK, OKAY?!!
I feel kind of guilty that I haven’t got to this yet. I even have a signed copy after meeting Holly Black at YALC, so I definitely need to hurry myself up and get to it. I’m happy to know that it will be worth it in the end, even if I struggle with it in the beginning. Sometimes I can end up having to DNF a book if it doesn’t make sense or bores me too much in the beginning. But I’ll definitely be getting to the end of this one.
Charnell @ Reviews from a Bookworm recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: My Top Reads of 2014
YES DON\’T DNF IT. I think it\’s a peculiar book and I see why a lot of people don\’t really love it buuuuut CRAZY VAMPIRE AWESOMENESS. Once they get to Coldtown things really go berserk and it\’s aaaawesome.
Me and this book did not get along ): I couldn’t handle any of the characters.
I’m happy that you really enjoyed it though!
Cyn @ Book Munchies recently posted…Sisterhood of the World Book Blogger Tag Ver 2.0
Ahh, I understand, though!! It is a peculiar one!
CAIT! I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT BUT OMG I ALWAYS WANT TO READ BOOKS AFTER I READ YOUR REVIEWS!!! THIS JUST SOUNDS AWESOME!!!! And also you love Maggie Stiefvater so you are also awesome. 😀
BUT YES!!! VAMPIRE- VAMPIRES ARE GOOD!!! DOWN WITH THE SUPERMODEL VAMPIRES!!! HAZZUH!!!!
I LOVED your review! (as always) 😀
Renee Bookboyfriends recently posted…Are you in the VA FAmily?
AFJDSKLAFD IT IS SO NICE TO KNOW THAT ABOUT MY REVIEWS THOUGH. xD Sometimes I just ramble and rant too much and I wonder if I even make sense. lol!! Maggie Stiefvater is my FAVOURITE. Although Holly Black is close, veeeery close after her.
I am so glad you enjoyed this one! I finished The Darkest Part of the Forest not long ago, and was quite impressed with Holly Black’s writing, so I have been eager to read this one (even though like you, I am iffy on vampires in general). I am glad to know that the slow sections will be worth it, and that I should not give up if I get antsy.
Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight recently posted…Review: The Cure For Dreaming by Cat Winters
AFJDSK I really want to read The Darkest Part of the Forest too!! I might be getting an ARC?! I HOPE SO. She has a very distinctive style, I say. But I love it. And yes! Don\’t DNF this one! The glory is the end.
I haven’t read anything by Holly Black except for the Spiderwick Chronicles when I was younger and now, I definitely have to. Thanks Cait!
Faith recently posted…Writing is HARD – PART 2
I started the year with the Spiderwick Chronicles….omg, they\’re so cute and awesome! And…it escalated quickly into con artists and vampires with Holly Black. xD
Ugh. All these good reviews. It’s settled. I’m buying it. My curiosity must be quenched!! (That sounded weird 😛 )
AFJDKSAFSD I SO HOPE YOU LIKE IT.
okay okay i have here a copy of the first book of her Curseworker series that i havey et to read. I have read a couple of her short stories tho and i end up liking them. But i also have a very picky bookworm friend who adored this book…and she has been raving about it to me…so now here is you…so i am def. bumping this one up to my tbr 🙂
WHITE CAT IS THE BEST THING OF THE UNIVERSE. It truly truly is. The Coldest Girl is a close second but White Caaaat. Oh I recommend it so much.xD
oh WOW! better than The Coldest Girl In Town? color me piqued! thank you for that. I simply got this copy as one of my random purchase for my book haul earlier this year.
I’m currently watching TVD as I type this comment. Vamps FTW.
I’ve never read a Holly Black book before, but I think that’s going to change. Your review has definitely sold me and I’m going to add this to my TBR. Great review and so glad you enjoyed it!
Rebecca @ Reading Wishes recently posted…How I Fared My Must-Read-Soon Reading Challenge
YAY VAMPS! Hehe. I\’m totally not opposed, I just don\’t often stumble across the really awesome kind, you know?!
I\’M GLAD YOU ARE SOLD THOUGH. YOU WILL NOT REGRET THIS. HOLLY BLACK IS AMAZING!
I actually have this book on my Kindle. I’m glad to hear it’s good. I like both vampires and sarcasm, so hard to go wrong there. Thanks for warning me about the confusing plot. Those quotes are great!
Molly Mortensen recently posted…Top Ten 2014 Books I Read this Year
Sarcasm is the BEST. Particularly when it\’s mixed with, like, gallows humour. xD Okay….I do have a weird sense of humour. Agreed.
I too have heard some mixed things about this one, but I haven’t read something featuring vampires in a while (admittedly since Twilight years ago which then turned me off them for a while). BUT the sarcasm in this book might just win me over, and now I’m willing to give it a shot. Thanks for the brilliant review Cait! 🙂
Eugenia @ Genie In A Book recently posted…{Blog Tour} Faking It by Gabrielle Tozer: Review/Confessional
SARCASM IS THE WINNER I TELL YOU. I never loathed Twilight, but I read it like last year and was very conscious of the hate on it, so maybe it was the disagreeable side of me that\’s like \”nope, not going to hate this\”. xD hehe. It was meh, but I didn\’t loathe it! Still. Vampires need to be gritty and scary, not shiny.
Ooh, this sounds really good! I have to add it to my TBR list 🙂 And it’s not something I’d usually pick up, so I’m glad I found it on here!
Victoria recently posted…Top 10 Tuesday (#3)
Ooh, I hope you do find it eventually!! AND LIKE IT. BECAUSE IT'S AWESOME. *nods sagely*
I haven’t been too big on vampire books since the influx of them in YA because of Twilight, but I agree, this book was good! In fact, I know of people who hate vampire books with a passion who have loved this which really proves how original the plot is and how well it is written. Great review (and don’t worry, I loved the death quotes too)
Lara recently posted…(Mostly) Bookish Apps || Must-Haves for Readaholics
I haven't read an awful lot of vampires, but I'm usually sufficiently underwhelmed: EXCEPT FOR THIS VERSION. Phewf though. I feel much better about my deathly quote obsession. *collapses laughing at own incredibly lame pun*
Ooooo you’re making me regret not picking up the audiobook from the library, though I’m sure I would’ve been confused with that. I WAS SUPPOSED TO READ THIS THIS SUMMER TOO, but I didn’t. GAH. I haven’t read a vampire book since Twilight, so I wonder how this will go for me. WE WILL FIND OUT ONE DAY!
Valerie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday #35
Girl, just looking at your pictures of all the cursive thingies already made me feel inspired! I feel like this is a book that’s better read as a physical one rather than a digital one. You’d want to stroke your hands on those cursive writings and everything 😉 Returning to the book now, I’m also not certain what to think of it. A lot of people seem to like it, a lot of people seem to don’t. I’ll probably try this out when I need some vampire fun.
Faye M. recently posted…ARC Review: Last Will and Testament by Dahlia Adler
I have to read a book by her! And notably this one. I want to see what she does with the idea of vampires and how she changes things up so it looks cool. And seeing as her writing is being compared to Cassandra Clare… then it must be a must read for me. I get the impression that the book they have cowritten is goingt to be amazing.
Olivia recently posted…Creatures of the Night Tag!
Oooh I’ve heard this is the vampire story that will bring back the vampire genre! I like how the vampires are actually bloody and not lame and sparkly for once and the death quotes sound cool. Great review Cait!
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence recently posted…Contemporary YA Reviews #4 – Flirty Dancing by Jenny McLachlan & Red at Night by Katie McGarry
We like 'em bloody ENOUGH WITH THE SPRINKLES AND SPARKLES. XD lol
I’m really glad you loved this one, Cait! 🙂 I read this earlier this year, and while I was disappointed, the writing and the uniqueness of the Vampires and the worldbuilding were all fantastic. Loved reading your thoughts on this one, Cait. 😀
Ebony @ Daring Damsels recently posted…12 Days of Book Blogmas – Stocking Stuffers
This is currently on my to-read list for two reasons: a) Holly Black is extremely popular and I really need to read more of her work, and b) this sounds like a really interesting twist on the whole subgenre of YA vampires. I’m especially intrigued now that I’ve heard you loved it! It’s definitely great to find a book that makes you want to be a better writer, and this one sounds like a super unique read. Great review!
I have yet to read a book by Holly Black, but I might have to start here. Sarcastic vampires definitely sounds awesome, as does Tana. And it’s not just you, because I’m loving the quotes, too. And the interior book design. It’s gorgeous *O*
christine @ cinder sky recently posted…Book Review: Daughter of Smoke & Bone
I LOVED this book. There must be something wrong with me because I was totally in love with Gavriel. Haha. It’s true about the quotes! I loved reading them. I would actually get excited when I was finishing a chapter xD Great review, Cait! Also, LOVE the new name change (I know I’m late, but still xD).
Marianne @ Boricuan Bookworms recently posted…Back from Hiatus… and Merry Christmas!
I really need a book like this right now.After exams and one and a half months of not reading a new book-it was torture,I tell you-I desperately need a action paced,gory and eventful paranormal story.Guess I am thirsty for a bit of blood in my books.
I haven’t read a book by Holly Black yet,but I love Cassandra Clare’s writing so if it’s similar to hers, maybe I should give this one a try.
Mishma @ Chasing Faerytales recently posted…Ballet,Ambitions & Obsessions || Phantom’s Dance by Lesa Howard