Review:
I had been wanting to read Letters for Lucardo ever since someone told me about it, and I’m so happy to report that it didn’t disappoint!
The thing that really drew me to this graphic novel is that it has so much diversity/inclusivity, including kinds that you don’t normally see in vampire romance. The supernatural being is Black. His human lover is about 60 years old. Both had such realistically portrayed bodies that weren’t of the ripped 6-pack variety. And these things were all included in such a great way (like Ed feeling self-conscious about his older body, compared to Lucardo’s younger body, and Lucardo showing him that he had no reason to be).
And Ed and Lucardo were so cute together! It seemed like the book focused a lot on the sex (this is labeled as an erotic graphic novel), not a whole lot to show the non-sex parts of the relationship, but I still found their relationship adorable and believable. I could still feel that they cared for each other in a way that was about more than just sex.
Also, I have to say, the sex scenes were lovely. They were full of sweetness and consent and naughtiness and communication and nice touches of realism.
Ed and Lucardo were both really cute separately too. Both of them were just adorable, lovable characters.
The story itself also gave me some feels. It’s about these two starting a relationship, but it’s not necessarily an easy one. Lucardo’s family is judgmental about him dating a human who’s too old to be turned. Ed feels self-conscious about his age, and he doesn’t fit in among the vampires. Both have to contend with the knowledge that their relationship doesn’t have as much time to play out as it would if Ed were younger. So the cute moments had me with a goofy grin on my face, but the heavier moments had me wanting to give poor Ed a hug.
Last but not least, the art was black and white, but it was always clear and easy to see what was going on.
Overall, I loved this inclusive and trope-breaking fantasy love story, the characters were adorable, and I’m very glad I already have the next volume to jump straight into because that was quite an ending, and I’m not really sure what might happen as this story continues!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes erotic graphic novels, inclusivity/diversity, and books with romance between humans and paranormals that go against the usual tropes.
More Books in the Series:
Graphic Novel Review: Letters for Lucardo Vol. 1 by Otava Heikkilä
Graphic Novel Review: Letters for Lucardo Vol. 2 by Otava Heikkilä
![Book Review: Yesterday is History by Kosoko Jackson [Audiobook]](https://metaphorsandmoonlight.com/wp-content/uploads/Book-Review-Yesterday-is-History-by-Kosoko-Jackson-255x255.jpg)
The first sentence I saw: “Also, I have to say, the sex scenes were lovely.”
I literally spit my tea and had to scroll back to the top 😂
This sounds like a really interesting read the tbh. I generally shy away from erotica, but if it’s *more* than the diversity and the non-cliché vampires draw me in.
You started with the best sentence 😉 It was more than just the sex though, and it was definitely a unique kinda paranormal/fantasy romance read!
I don’t normally read much in the way of erotica, but this sounds really good. I love that it goes against the usual tropes we see in vampire stories. Great review!
It was! I definitely loved the uniqueness of how it went against the usual tropes. Thanks!
I don’t mind reading about explicit scenes but I have never actually read a graphic novel like that and I don’t know if I could? I mean I would never know until I tried but I don’t even know if I am up for trying >.> And I like that this is breaking the stereotypes and tropes because when it comes to dealing with immortals this COULD very well happen! But huge age gaps (I mean I know one is immortal so it’s not the same but still) are usually sticky waters for me so I don’t think this is one for me.
It is a little different with graphic novels, I guess, since you actually see it lol. I love seeing books break tropes! I mean, there *is* a huge age gap, but the gap is that the immortal is hundreds or thousands of years old and the other guy is 61 😂 But if a book is not for you, I get it!
This sounds like it was a great graphic novel and quite unique for the vampire romance genre. Sometimes sex heavy romances work well, especially when it’s clear they care about each other and it is about more than the sex. And it’s also good to hear they had realistic bodies instead of six packs. It does sound kinda sad with one of them being older and knowing there’s a time limit on their romance. I hope the next book is just as good!
It was! And definitely unique since usually the really old immortals are dating teenagers. It’s cool to see a story about an immortal with an older person, exploring that idea. And yeah, some authors are able to make sex-heavy romances work really well. Thanks!
I hadn’t heard of this before, but I’m so intrigued now. I do love graphic novels and I like this one breaks some typical tropes and has so much diversity.
-Lauren
I think you’d love this series from what I know of your tastes!