books read in 2020: the coldest girl in coldtown by holly black (★★★★☆)

vampires were fairy tales and magic. they were the wolf in the forest who ran ahead to grandmother's house, the video game big boss who could be hunted without guilt, the monster who tempted you into his bed, the powerful eternal beast one might become. the beautiful dead, la belle mort.

and if after gorging themselves in an orgy of death, they became less lovely, if they became bloated and purple and horrible, then they hid it well.