A Niche Story: Tea Shop + Peaky Blinders + Vampires + King Arthur?
The story immediately puts us into the lives of Arthie Casimir and her brother, who run a tea shop that doubles as an illegal bloodhouse at night. We're also hinted at an external trouble brewing for her and her motley crew of orphans and outcasts.
Unfortunately, the story tries too much. There's the promise of a unique King Arthur retelling, vampires as common as humans, a Peaky Blinders-esque world and characters, and a possibility of romance. I expected more than the generic vampire lore and an original spin on the Peaky Blinders inspiration, and the romance might be happening later. But the introduction to the possibility of a love interest is lackluster, which I think is due to the lack of internal conflict from our MC, Arthie. We don't know much about her, yet we need something to feel connected to her, and there isn't much. She's built an empire and wants to keep it that way, but why? And why vampires? If we don't know what the MC cares about, how will any readers care to continue reading?
I might continue reading, but from the short excerpt, it needs some work.
Not a fan of the cover.
Unfortunately, the story tries too much. There's the promise of a unique King Arthur retelling, vampires as common as humans, a Peaky Blinders-esque world and characters, and a possibility of romance. I expected more than the generic vampire lore and an original spin on the Peaky Blinders inspiration, and the romance might be happening later. But the introduction to the possibility of a love interest is lackluster, which I think is due to the lack of internal conflict from our MC, Arthie. We don't know much about her, yet we need something to feel connected to her, and there isn't much. She's built an empire and wants to keep it that way, but why? And why vampires? If we don't know what the MC cares about, how will any readers care to continue reading?
I might continue reading, but from the short excerpt, it needs some work.
Not a fan of the cover.