The Uninvited

Overall Rating: 4/5

I struggled for a good bit with trying to think of what would properly fit this novel in a way that I feel like would display the beauty within its pages, and that I would be able to properly put my thoughts into with confidence.

Nancy Banks has done a wonderful job of being able to incorporate raw feminine rage with darker preternatural themes such as vampires... tossing elements of mystery, and romance in. The pure talent that displays behind The Uninvited when it comes to this theme is unmatched when it comes to the very topic of feminine rage... and perhaps where this novel shines the most in my eyes...

Banks has done a fantastic job of creating a world in which men are preferred... or viewed as better... of one in which you have to fight to stand up for who you are in a world where your power and your voice are stripped away in favor of another gender.... and one that is reminiscent of many of the Greek myths. And in this same world of hostility.... Banks balances the theme of feminine struggle with comfort, with friendship, of being able to trust those that you surround yourself with... and that even though the world may try to bring its worst to you.... there is hope.

There are a few reasons why this is only getting four stars instead of five. One, that it simply does not focus enough on vampires.... they are there yes.... but not in a way that I would truly consider this to be a vampire novel... as there really isn't a focus on vampires other than the fact that they are painted as the main antagonist and a villain. Which is fine... it just didn't quite satisfy my itch because I wanted to know more about the vampires ... wanted to know more of how they went on with their life....

There's a tiny bit of an issue where the time jumping can confuse you for a brief moment, but this isn't a pacing issue- in my eyes. Everything still flows fine, but sometimes it can be a little bit of a shock to your mind for trying to be able to wrap your mind around the whole story.

For me, the way that the female character's father constantly tries to victim blame kind of just rubbed me the wrong way...but I did appreciate the way that our character fights back against her father and puts a foot down to stand up for herself.... so, I was willing to give this little nitpicky bit a pass... this time around.

This is still an absolutely fantastic novel regardless, and one that is definitely worth picking up if you are looking for a gothic read for late nights... or perhaps just looking for an excuse to wander in the darker parts of Paris....