In 1850 a runaway slave seeks refuge at a brothel run by a vampire who gives her eternal life. The book proceeds in a series of vignettes over 200 years as she travels around the US, taking what blood she leaves and only killing when necessary. She also tries to leave something in the minds of those she drinks, in return for her “share” of the blood.

The stories follow her tenuous connections to humanity, fellow vampires and her existence as a black lesbian in America throughout its history. I certainly enjoyed the fresh take on the vampire trope by applying a feminist, queer and racial lens to her experiences while the vignettes give a little slice-of-life vibe to her experiences at different points in history.