The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave is a reimagining of the origins of the Brides of Dracula, focusing on twin sisters Lil and Kizzy who are taken as slaves by a Romanian Lord. The book combines historical fiction with a Gothic feminist narrative, delving into the persecution faced by the Traveller people and exploring themes of love, survival, and female strength. The story unfolds through beautiful imagery, capturing both the beauty and brutality of the world the characters inhabit, with a writing style that is described as poetic and dark.

Characters:

The characters primarily focus on the growth of Lil, while Kizzy does not evolve, and secondary characters serve more as plot devices.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by a smooth, poetic style, rich in Gothic elements and descriptive imagery.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around twin sisters who are kidnapped and face struggles due to their Traveler background, leading to a lengthy build-up before encountering Dracula.

Setting:

The setting is historical medieval Eastern Europe, highlighting the culture of the Traveler people amidst brutal societal conditions.

Pacing:

The pacing is mostly fast but has slow patches, particularly leading to a rushed and unsatisfying conclusion.

We were under a spreading oak, late afternoon sunlight filtering to golden needles, piercing our dark skin as we searched the ground. We were looking for white mushrooms, bright and slender limbed as ...

Notes:

The Deathless Girls focuses on the brides of Dracula, specifically twin sisters Lil and Kizzy, who are depicted as Romany travelers.

The story explores themes of powerlessness and the brutality faced by marginalized groups, particularly the Traveler community.

Character development is minimal for anyone outside the main twins, leaving secondary characters feeling like tools for the plot rather than fully fleshed-out individuals.

The book presents a gothic feminist origin story rather than a typical vampire tale, making its horror and dark themes more prominent.

Dracula himself does not appear until very late in the plot, which leads many to feel misled about the book's genre.

The story is described as beautifully written with a strong lyrical quality, yet some readers found the pacing slow and the ending rushed.

The political and social commentary regarding the treatment of the Romany people is a significant aspect of the narrative.

The author, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, was inspired by telling untold women's stories in literature through the Bellatrix Project.

Some readers felt a lack of emotional connection with the characters and were disappointed with the resolution of the plot, feeling it unresolved.

The book features triggers including violence against women, attempted rape, and animal abuse.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include violence against women, attempted rape, and animal abuse, contributing to the intense and often dark themes present in the narrative.

Has Romance?

The story contains a medium level of romance that explores the relationship between Lil and Mira, but the romance is characterized by challenges and ultimately a bittersweet conclusion.

From The Publisher:

Gothic, intoxicating, feminist, darkly provoking and deeply romantic - this is the breathtakingly imagined untold story of the brides of Dracula, by bestselling author Kiran Millwood Hargrave in her much-anticipated YA debut.

They say the thirst of blood is like a madness - they must sate it. Even with their own kin.

On the eve of her divining, the day she'll discover her fate, seventeen-year-old Lil and her twin sister Kizzy are captured and enslaved by the cruel Boyar Valcar, taken far away from their beloved traveller community.

Forced to work in the harsh and unwelcoming castle kitchens, Lil is comforted when she meets Mira, a fellow slave who she feels drawn to in a way she doesn't understand. But she also learns about the Dragon, a mysterious and terrifying figure of myth and legend who takes girls as gifts.

They may not have had their divining day, but the girls will still discover their fate...

Ratings (2)

Loved It (2)

Reader Stats (5):

Read It (1)
Want To Read (4)

1 comment(s)

E.K. Larson-Burnett

Loved It

1 month

Beautifully atmospheric and melancholy, simultaneously hopeful and heart-rending, with representation of a strong sister dynamic and a sweet f/f romance.

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The Deathless Girls

Kiran Millwood Hargrave