Title: The Monster and the Last Blood Match (rebranded/ edited version of Blood Type published in 2018)
Author: K. A. Linde, narrated by Caitlin Elizabeth
Length: 315 pages, 10 hours and 51 minutes
Genre: Paranormal romance, dystopian
Is this part of a series? Yes, this is book one of the Blood Type series. All three of the origional books are out, but the rebranded series only has this book so far.
I discovered this book via…. the author’s instagram.
Summary courtesy of Goodreads:
Before Wren in the Holly Library, there was The Monster and the Last Blood Match—the enthralling beginning to a world of passion, power, and secrets. When a human ventures into the world of vampires, she discovers that not all is what it seems.
For Reyna Carpenter, giving up her body isn’t a choice—it’s survival.
In a world where humans are currency and vampires rule from the shadows, Reyna accepts a high-paying position among the wealthy and ruthless elite. Her new a live-in blood escort for the enigmatic and dangerously powerful Beckham Anderson. She expects cruelty. She expects hunger. She expects to become his next meal.
But Beckham won’t drink from her.
He keeps his distance, his unreadable gaze shadowed by something far more dangerous than just desire. As the nights pass, Reyna begins to sense it—an invisible war being waged around her, secrets that twist through the corridors of Visage, and whispers of something far more valuable than power.
Because Reyna isn’t just rare—she’s the key to something bigger than she ever imagined. And the reason Beckham refuses to taste her blood?
It might not just change them—it might destroy everything.
My thoughts:
K A Linde has recently rebranded her 2018 series, Blood Type. The first of the trilogy is already out and we are expecting the second book to be ready October 21st, 2025. For a short time all three audiobooks of the original series were free to listen with an Audible account, and I was curious, so I bought the eBook for the new version and listened to the old. I was curious to see how much had actually changed. Honestly, not a lot.
- There were a few scenes in Blood Type that were not in The Monster and the Last Blood Match.
- Certain terms were used more heavily in Blood Type than the other.
- The Monster and the Last Blood Match has an additional chapter at the end through the ML’s point of view.
If I had to do it again which version would I pick? That’s a tough question. With the older version I have instant gratification- no waiting for release dates. On the other hand, the newer version has a gorgeous paper copy, and extra chapter and the audio will be done by a different narrator- Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, who also narrated the Oak and Holly series (while this narrator was good, she is spectacular). Keep in mind, the audio for the rebranded version will not be ready until November 4th. As my main reason for wanting to read the series at all was the fact that I am obsessed with the Oak and Holly series and wanted some context for the monster wars and things that happened prior to this timeline; I would probably still listen to the old versions. Which, by the way, is how I found myself paying $16 for an audiobook because I was too slow to get to read all three for free- or even more than one. Now then, let’s get into the regular book review.
There will be spoilers ahead, I will try to keep it to a minimum.
I wanted to like these characters more than I did. Reyna was an interesting character, loyal and warm. I loved the relationship she had with her brothers. Unfortunately, I simply could not see the attraction between Reyna and Beckham. During the first half of the book it was hard to like either lead character. There was noticable growth with each through the story, but not enough. It could be that I was spoiled by The Wren in the Holly Library. I absolutely loved Kierse and Reyna seemed…. not just weaker, but petulant in comparison. It looks like we’re gearing up for a glow-up though so her character may come into their own in the next books.
The world building was good, and it had a good flow to it. I love the premise, as I was really excited to know more about how the world got to where it was in the later series. I’m excited to see where we’re going and have already started book two. For me, this is a three star book. I enjoyed it, but it isn’t one that’s going to stay with me. I don’t think I will be fangirling over Reyna any time soon.
As far as adult content goes, there’s substance abuse, violence, sexual content- not all consentual- and language. Terms like Blood Whore get thrown around a lot, and there is talk about Beckham before he got control of himself. I would say this one is geared more toward new adults.
The books are out! Have you read it?
The Captive and the First Blood Game (rebranded book two) comes out October 21st!
Happy Reading!
Gwen
