Thrall by Rebecca Mahoney – A Moody Gothic Campus Vampire Story
You all know I’ll always pick up a vampire story, and Thrall by Rebecca Mahoney had such a strong concept from the start. Between the gothic horror vibe and the classic vampire feel, this one had a dark, moody, almost cinematic atmosphere that really drew me in. It felt like an old-school, late-night vampire film in the best way.
One of my favorite elements was the late-night radio station. It added something unique and memorable to the story and really strengthened that eerie, mostly-at-night setting. The mood and concept are truly where this book shines.
That said, the pacing felt uneven at times. There were moments when the story moved quickly without enough background information, which made parts feel choppy. At other points, it slowed down considerably and became repetitive, which pulled me out of the tension. However, it did pick up toward the end, and I felt like the author really found her stride in those final chapters.
Lucy’s POV was solid and grounded the story well. Still, I found myself wanting more depth from some of the side characters — especially the “library vampires,” Hiro and Laurentius. They were so intriguing and felt underused. A few other characters also felt unnecessary overall. And while Vanya plays an important role in the story, he just didn’t quite work for me. It wasn’t simply because he was the villain — I just didn’t find him very intimidating. He came across more bratty than scary, which lessened some of the tension.
I also appreciated how assault on campus was addressed and taken seriously. The portrayal of staff being trained and prepared to respond appropriately felt thoughtful and important.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I loved the atmosphere and the idea behind this story more than the execution itself. The gothic tone, classic vampire elements, and unique radio station concept were all strong highlights. I could definitely see this becoming a compelling series as the world expands.
If you enjoy dark, retro-feeling vampire stories with a moody campus vibe, this one is worth picking up.
You can see my review for Goodreads here:
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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