Vampires of Portlandia

was a 4 star... then the ending happened.

i perhaps enjoyed this a lot more than others, but that doesn't mean i didn't make it through scot free. while i don't echo a lot of other reviews' gripes about too much content, i did struggle with the writing and voice throughout the book, and oh my god do i hate that ending more than anything.

HOWEVER, much of the storytelling was reminiscent of steinbeck's cannery row, but much more plot centric and relevant with the flashback vignettes. i liked how we got glimpses into bigger picture events spaced out by the main story. if the story had stuck to just the modern day aswang in portland, the narrative would've really struggled.

also, perhaps a little too much tell and not enough show, and definitely too much menial romance.

more thoughts to come as i simmer on the ending of this.