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“So Thirsty”: A Vampire Story About Learning to Live
A review of Rachel Harrison’s 2024 novel
I’ll read anything Rachel Harrison writes. Her 2023 novel Black Sheep was her best yet, so I had high expectations for So Thirsty. I love how the title and cover convey her brand of whimsical horror. Although it was nominated for Best Horror on Goodreads, the rating (3.54) was a bit lower than I expected. Nonetheless, I was excited to grab a copy.
Sloane Parker is dreading her birthday. When her husband surprises her with a weekend getaway with her longtime best friend, Naomi, Sloane anticipates a cozy weekend where she can avoid her problems, like her husband’s infidelity. However, Naomi wants Sloane to start living. Her friend plans a wild night out with a group of mysterious strangers, which takes a horrifying turn that changes their lives forever.
So Thirsty was another fun read that was hard to put down, thanks to Harrison’s punchy dialogue and colorful characters. I appreciated how she built up the dread from the beginning, reminiscent of her debut, The Return. Sloane’s obsession with death foreshadowed what was to come, particularly her insecurities with aging and her eventual transformation.
As for the protagonist, Sloane was relatable with her discontentment about her life. Although she didn’t pop off…