McCaw’s new novel, Mina and the Undead is a darkly woven fairy-tale murder mystery that gives a nostalgic feel of the 90’s woven within its tapestry.

The characters are very likable and Mina’s obsession with all things vampiric and sinister, leads her into a murder mystery. The characters are well drawn and their interrelationships are well established. Sometimes their knowingness of genre specifics gives them a meta feeling and gives their language a bit of Buffy speak. Mina’s sister, is well put together but although she seems to come alive in relationship with her sister through conversations.

The story itself is well constructed and keeps itself well established in the young adult fiction category but McCaw does push the boundaries on this which makes it admirable that she does this, though I wonder if the age that this novel is firmly aimed at, one wonders if they will miss some of the references. This could be considered quite cleaver as it gives an older audience something to enjoy.

Overall, this is an enjoyable book and the characters are very likable. The dark aspects are well written and the darkness that the characters face gives the book a memorable climax. This is a slow burn and it gradually invites you into this world but once you enter, you are willing to stay for longer than the novel length. McCaw has an interesting future and keen to see what she comes up with next.

This was a fun, fast paced book and I enjoyed my time reading it. I feel like the build up had a better pace and the last 25% just sort of flew by and almost wasn't as detailed or intricate as the set up could have allowed for. I'll definitely read from Amy McCaw again though

This was such a fun read!

I loved all of the 80s and 90s movie references, the mid-90s New Orleans setting and the myths of the city that wove through the story.

This was so much fun!!

Mina and the Undead was chock full of intrigue and death which was beautifully woven romance and a sprinkling of something almost magical. I read it in two sittings I couldn't put it down.

Thanks so much to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.

Mina And The Undead is the most perfect ya gothic horror I've read in a long time! I absolutely loved it! It's fun and gory and was everything I expected it to be.

17 year old Mina is visiting her estranged sister Libby in New Orleans after their mother disappeared leaving them all behind.
Mina loves anything relating to horror, vampires, gruesome history, werewolves she finds it all fascinating and can't wait to explore some of America's gothic history. When Mina accepts a job at the Macabre Mansion a museum full of horror, its a perfect excuse to indulge her passion as well as reconcile with her sister.
Sharing a house with Libby and her uni friends Mina is rather taken with Jared who's living there attractive and attentive there could be potential between them, but then the unexpected happens and a body is found with fang marks in their neck, holding a clump of hair that looks like her sisters.
Mina, her sister and her friends are on a mission to catch the killer, but unknown to Mina the killer is far closer to home than she could of ever imagined.

Full of murder and intrigue, interwoven with magic and romance, I honestly couldn't put it down. I loved the friendships and the sisterly bond that formed between Mina And Libby! It was just such a fun read! The kinda book that despite being super gory makes your heart happy!

A creepy murder mystery with a 90s setting - what a perfect book. When Mina goes to visit her sister in New Orleans for the summer, the most she expected was to get a but drunk at a Fang Fest event... she never thought she'd end up in the middle of a murder plot and falling in love. This novel pulls on a dearth of horror ancestry to create a charming, enthralling gothic murder mystery centred around two girls with a murky past.

This book was a fun comfort read. I enjoyed it, but I felt like it was lower down on the YA spectrum for me and therefore any concerns I have are purely down to my own reading tastes.

Mina and the Undead is set in the summer of 1995 when Mina visits her sister Libby in New Orleans for the summer. Mina is obsessed with vampires and all things spooky and she can't wait to get stuck into what the city has to offer and be shocked and scared by it all. She gets a job working with her sister at the Mansion of the Macabre, a house of horrors. And that's where is all starts to go wrong when people start being murdered and it looks like vampires are involved.

There are a lot of vampire myths and stories packed into this book. I loved the detail of them and the way Amy weaves them seamlessly into the story and the mystery Mina and her friends are embroiled in. It added a great dimension, and had me on the edge of my seat all the way through. Sometimes it was hard to know what was real and what wasn't, and I loved being taken out of my comfort zone like this.

I loved the characters. Mina is brilliant, but it her relationships with those around her that really made her shine as a character. I enjoyed the way things developed with her and Jared; sure it was a bit fast, but all the best summer romances are, and the things they go through definitely bring them closer together in a very intense way. I love how Mina and Della (Libby's girlfriend) develop a relationship as Della helps Mina to understand her sister better.

But it was Mina's relationship with her sister that I really loved reading about. Their relationship is strained; their mother left when they were younger, and then Libby moved to New Orleans and Mina feels abandoned and hurt by it all. She's looking for a chance to reconnect with her sister, but it doesn't seem like Libby wants to at first. Things change when the pair become embroiled in the murders happening around the city and the strength of their relationship starts to show. I loved seeing them work through their issues and become stronger for it

Reading Mina and the Undead is like being transported back to the best bits of the nineties with all the references to classic horror movies and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which gave it a very "comfort book" feel despite the horror. The concept drew me in and Amy's writing kept me reading; I have never visited New Orleans, but I left this book feeling like I knew it well. It is fast-paced, mysterious and has some brilliant plot twists. It would make a great film, and I cannot wait to read more from Amy in future.
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Set in the 90s, vampires and supernatural , pop culture, nostalgia, I mean what wasn’t I going to like about this book and the answer is nothing ! I absolutely loved it, I think I saw someone review this and mention point horror and I realised what it reminded me of and why I loved it. Mina and the Undead is a Young Adult Horror & Mystery, (which I may have just covered saying it is very point horror !) I really loved the characters and the complex relationships covered and really well developed by the author, it’s just a really original and creative read, I absolutely loved it

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

When I saw 'horror', 'occult' and '90's' I was all over this book. I went in looking for vampires and nostalgia and I really wasn't disappointed at all.

This story mostly follows our two sisters Mina and Libby as they awkwardly bumble their way through a murder mystery, laced in folk lore, blood and lots of movie references. The pop culture is incredibly engaging, I loved the scenes where we are walked through the museum as though we're experiencing it too. The setting of the book was fantastic and only made me want to visit New Orleans even more!

My only real qualm was that some of the characters were a little lack-lustre and some points felt very rushed. But I think this was mostly because I just wanted more! Especially the romance, I would've loved to see that blossom a little more slowly and really see the connection there.

Overall a fantastic read which I managed to fly through and will recommend to any vampire lover! Thanks to NetGalley, UCLAN Publishing and Amy McCaw for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This tale of vampires, family, love and revenge in the New Orleans of the mid 1990s was well written, with interesting characters and a good pace. The background plotline of their missing, vampire obsessed mother links well with the main story of murder and vampires. Each of the characters is interesting, even the minor ones, and there are twists and turns aplenty. It all works and it feels left open in such away that there could be a sequel. I personally loved all the 1990s pop references, i don't think it matters if a few aren't recognised by YA readers, most will be known to vampire fiction/film fans and it doesn't affect the story. It has a great feel overall and the feel of old New Orleans works extremely well. A really enjoyable gothic horror for older teens/YA.

Mina and the Undead is one of those books that I was really looking forward to this year. The author, Amy is a great friend of mine and I am so very excited that her debut novel is releasing. I’m probably not the audience that this book is aimed at, as I’m not really a huge horror fan, however, when I was offered the ARC, as Amy is a great friend I really wanted to give it a go. I did like Mina and the Undead. It’s a really unique and different take on a vampire book and I liked that.

Mina and the Undead is a Young Adult Thriller/Mystery/Horror. It’s perfect for any fans of Point Horror books. If you’re a huge Point Horror fan then I think this book would be perfect for you. As I am a complete and utter wimp when it comes to horror I just feel like this book wasn’t for me. I near on had a heart attack when there was a character dressed up as a clown (thanks Coulrophobia) so I was very reserved in reading this one because I knew that it was probably going to terrify me.

As I am not a Point Horror fan, I don’t know if this is a typical thing for this genre of book, but I personally felt a lot of the plot points happened too quickly and too close together. There were a few times when I was just confused thinking okay how did we get from there to here? How did that happen? I just felt like I would have liked a but more explanation and narration to pad the story out a little bit more in between these main events. Sometimes, there was so much going on I kind of felt a little like I had whiplash.

Mina and the Undead is a great, unique and intriguing storyline and I have no doubt that fans of YA Horror are going to eat this up and adore every single moment of it. For me it just needed a little bit more. I am glad I read it and I can’t wait to see everyone fawning all over this one and loving it, but unfortunately this genre just doesn’t seem to be for me.

4.5 stars

All I had to hear was vampires and the 90s and I was so here for this book. One of the books I remember loving from my teens was The Secret Vampire by LJ Ross so I definitely channelled my past teenager when settling down to read this.

As someone who has always been fascinated by the idea of, but never actually made it to New Orleans, I loved the fact that this is where it was set. We get to see it through Mina’s tourist eyes as well as via the people she is visiting who have been there a while.

I love the fact that at its core this is a story about two sisters who have been estranged and I enjoyed the dynamic between Mina and Libby.

It has a strong cast of supporting characters with Della, Jared, Lucas and Mansion of the Macabre boss Thandie each providing a valuable contribution to the story.

There was a good game of spot the influence to play but the fact that it was set in the 90s made it feel relevant rather than gimmicky. Some of my favourites, Buffy, Lost Boys and Interview with a Vampire make an appearance and I’m sure there is lots I’ll have missed that demand a second read through.

During the first read you will be busy trying to find the clues to the unfolding mystery. Who, or what, is killing people in the style of New Orleans myths and will Mina or one of her new friends be next?

This is a gentle introduction to horror with enough pace and tension to keep you racing through but not too much blood and gore to make you need to put the book in the fridge.

At the launch event where author Amy was interviewed by YA horror author Dawn Kurtagich, Amy did say she has more of Mina’s story to tell. So do me a favour and now it’s out go get yourself a copy.


A huge thanks to uclan publishing and Amy for the e copy for the purposes of an honest review. I picked my print copy up from my local bookshop yesterday and I love the VHS look of it. Cover design by Becky Chilcott, and yes I did try to remove the ‘label’ on the back 🤦‍♀️😂.

Mina and the Undead is a fast-paced and exhilarating read that mixes classic and modern horror in an ingenious way that keeps you hooked.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this arc!

I loved this book! It’s not common that I find a book with a character that shares my name, and I love a good horror ya book. I liked this so much I’ve ordered a signed copy from a UK indie bookstore!

Unfortunately I can't read this book as it is ACSM format and it's not readable on both my phone or computer.

However I will give it 2 stars for the amazing cover.

I will review it again when it's released!

4.5

I properly enjoyed this fast paced, murder mystery laced with classic horror, blood and gore. I immediately liked Mina as our main character and was intrigued as to what would unfold during her time in New Orleans. The writing was easy to fall in love with and I felt transported to the fascinating, yet dark, world of New Orleans in the 90s. Knowing only a little about New Orleans, I was absolutely enamoured with all of the mythology shared in this novel and how these horrors unfolded to touch Mina’s own life. It made me want to visit New Orleans whilst also simultaneously making me wary.

I wouldn’t say I am hugely into vampires or books about them but I loved the way they were interlaced into this book and the different classic references that appeared. Mina and Libby’s fascination with all things horror was fun. I would definitely be pants taking part in any kind of horror tour but reading along in the safety of my home made it thoroughly enjoyable! I really loved how clearly I could imagine everything whilst reading.

I really loved the characters in this book, especially the complex relationship between Mina and her estranged sister Libby. The way in which their feelings towards each other change and develop throughout the nook was really well done. Not to mention my love for Jared, Lucas and Della too. Another favourite of mine was definitely Thandie who I grew to love for a number of different reasons!

Mina and the Undead is packed full of punches. Full to the brim with adventure, mystery, gore and horror – definitely a favourite read of 2021 so far!

Thanks to NetGalley, UCLAN Publishing and Amy McCaw for my free digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Horror fan Mina is staying with her sister Libby in New Orleans for the summer. Their mother recently left them and Mina is looking forward to spending time with her sister in a town riddled with spooky history. It gets even better when she gets a part time job at a haunted mansion attraction and meets the gorgeous Jared, Libby’s housemate. But the real horrors of New Orleans are yet to reveal themselves. I have been to New Orleans and this book definitely made me want to go back and hunt vampires! With a cast of loveable, easy to root for characters and a plot that keeps the twists coming, Mina and the Undead is a quick, chilling read for fans of 80s and 90s spooky classics. Incredibly absorbing, fantastically nostalgic and the perfect bloodthirsty YA horror book.

My Review
This is an absolute gem of a book, I couldn’t put it down from the moment I started reading. The writing is fast-paced, easy to read and full of beautiful descriptions of New Orleans. I already fell in love with the place when I visited in 2017 and reading this book has made me want to go back even more than before, and I didn’t think that was possible. If you’ve never been you will definitely be adding it to your list after this. All the characters were so quirky, interesting and just a joy to follow.

The Story
We follow Mina in 1990’s New Orleans, the home of delightful beignets, Mardi Gras and live Jazz music. Her father isn’t around and after her Mum leaving last year, she decides to visit her sister, Libby in this city full of life and myths of abnormal beings. With multiple young women being murdered and Mina being an unlucky discoverer of one of these girls, her world starts to get a lot darker.

I certainly got my fill of horror, blood, dead bodies and vampires within the story and I was still left wanting more! For someone who isn’t a big fan of vampires, but with growing interest in the last few months, it’s so interesting to read and I really got sucked into(see what I did there) all the vampire mythology and tales from different parts of the world. As a massive fan of film and tv shows as well, I loved all the horror film references. The nostalgia and pop culture references really engage you as a reader as well, making it incredibly hard to put down.



Some parts were quite intense and I did get emotional a couple of times. I found myself just sitting back and enjoying the story and the atmosphere of New Orleans one minute and then the next I was on the edge of my seat biting my nails! I was so shocked at the twists which really surprised me because I expected it to be a bit predictable. I’m so glad I enjoyed it as much as I did!

The Characters
Mina is everything you want in a main character. She is smart, fun, curious and has such a strong passion for all things paranormal. I really enjoyed exploring New Orleans with her and see her fall in love with the city. She is an extremely likeable and relatable character, you will love her from the start! f you’re in the mood for a bit of romance, like I always am, you will love the spark between Mina and Jared. Sometimes it felt a bit rushed but in the end, it didn’t end up bothering me because I enjoyed their characters and the story so much.

Libby, her girlfriend Della and her friends Jared and Lucas kept the story interesting and very entertaining. I loved them all as soon as I met them and just couldn’t get enough! They are the type of characters that you could see yourself with. I wish I could walk down Bourbon Street with them all gossiping and join in with all the mayhem going on around them!

Overall Thoughts
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is an amazing and unique young adult horror that you won’t be able to put down! There are plenty are surprising twists and you’ll be kept guessing who the killer is until the very end. I really loved Amy’s writing and can’t wait to read more of her work in the future. Please let there be a sequel! If you’re a fan of vampires, romance, drama and the 90s then you have to read this book!

2.5 stars

British teenager Mina is visiting her sister, Libby, in New Orleans for the summer, just in time for the 1995 Fang Fest.
A big horror fan, Mina can't wait to soak up the atmosphere and explore the darker side of New Orleans. She can't believe her luck when she gets a job at the horror movie mansion tour with Libby and her handsome housemate, Jared.
But things take a dark turn when Mina finds the body of a young woman in the mansion. Suspicion is thrown on Libby and things become even worse when more bodies turn up, the killings identical to famous New Orleans past murders.
Who is behind the killings?
Is Mina next?

Mina and the Undead was one of my most anticipated books of the year and I was very much looking forward to reading it. However, I ended up with very mixed feelings about it.
Mina was a likeable and relatable protagonist. She'd had a tough time and had a strained relationship with her sister, which was interesting to read about. However, after reading the book I don't feel that I actually know that much about Mina. Especially about her life back in England - I don't remember reading anything about her friends or whether she even liked school.
None of the characters apart from Della particularly stood out for me - she's the only character that I would like to find out more about.
I wasn't a huge fan of the romance, but I could feel the spark between the two characters. Personally, I prefer a slow burn and the romance felt a bit rushed to me.
The setting of mid-90s New Orleans was interesting, but I would have liked a bit more description to really flesh it out.
The plot was enjoyable to begin with, but after a while I found myself losing interest and I struggled to stay interested. There were some things that happened that I didn't see coming, but there were also some that I did. I wasn't overly invested in what was going on, so anything that was meant to shock me didn't.
My main issue with this book was the writing style - there were many times when I found a character's dialogue or actions odd. There were also several occasions when I felt a scene could have done with more description to help the reader visualise it, and some parts felt a little rushed. I think this was one of those occasions where the novel wasn't for me and I just couldn't get on with the writing style.
Unfortunately, I ended up not enjoying this as much as I thought I would, but I can definitely see other people liking it more.

Overall, this was a mixed read for me.