Review: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black. (Goodreads)

This is definitely one of the more interesting vampire novels I've ever read. In this novel, the vampire epidemic was spread by one vampire who moved from major city to major city, turning humans. Flash forward, the world now knows of the existence of vampires and have quarantine the major towns where the spread began calling them Coldtowns, their vampires, infected humans, and anyone who thinks becoming a vampire would be cool (because we all know those people exist) are locked away to create communities of their own. 

Tana woke up after an over night party to death... everywhere. She saves her infected (which means he's going to turn into a vampire or turn cold) and a random vampire chained to the floor. While trying to escape she is injured and fears that she may be infected as well. They journey together to the nearest Coldtown where poor Tana is swept into various sorts of trouble.

Tana, I liked her. It may have had something to do with the fact that I was listening to the audio book, but I was a fan. I was a fan because unlike many heroines she seemed very real. Did she accomplish things that normal people never would? Yes. Did she throw herself into stupid situations? Yes. However, she admits to her fears and... it may be a stretch some time but I feel like a lot of the stupid situations she put herself in, she did for good reason... most of them.





Gavriel. What can I say there. I like his character. As much as I like cuddly vampires (insert Jeaniene Frost here) I like the Gavriel was raw, dangerous, and real. Or as real as vampires can be. 




Oh, and before I forget, thank you Holly Black for the character of Valentina. I'm not sure it I've ever read a book with an openly trans character. Every time I see something like this I applaud the literary world for taking steps toward equality. #weneeddiversebooks


I freaking love the ending. I can't tell if there's suppose to be a second book. As much as I want one to read more about all of these amazing characters, I'm not sure if there should be a second book. I like letting my imagination run wild.