Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
My favourite Kathryn Ann Kingsley book to date.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder
Minor: Child death, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m sorry but that ending?!
I knew I was going to devour this book when I first got the email offering me an arc, and devour I did. Raziel is the perfect grumpy MC with a secret and Nadi is the best female rager FMC I’ve had the joy of getting in the head of for a long time. The plot, the atmosphere, the setting, the family drama - everything was just spot on. This is the perfect book for the time of year we’re in now.
I need book 2 now please
I knew I was going to devour this book when I first got the email offering me an arc, and devour I did. Raziel is the perfect grumpy MC with a secret and Nadi is the best female rager FMC I’ve had the joy of getting in the head of for a long time. The plot, the atmosphere, the setting, the family drama - everything was just spot on. This is the perfect book for the time of year we’re in now.
I need book 2 now please
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This book was such a roller coaster of emotions from page one! I loved it!
This was my first book by this author and it won't be my last. Kathryn Ann Kingley took me to a wild and unexpected but well welcome ride. A very unique story surrounding Nadi and her revenge towards a family that took everything dear to her when she was just a little girl. Years later with a very well guarded heart she is an assassin working on an assignment when she discovers information that can help with her revenge plan. This is when she finds herself impersonating (literally because she is a fae shapeshifter ) as the fiancé of Raziel Nostrom, the infamous cold and ruthless vampire prince.
Raziel is notorious for his cold and cruel actions as well as his whole family but in the world he lives in, they are respected for the pack they have with the humans against all fae. When he meets his new bride to be (his sacrificial bride) he imagines a naive farm girl, but what he finds is very different and he becomes intrigued and invested in his "human" bride.
Nadi's plan don't go accordingly and she becomes distracted with Raziel's dark charm. She faces many obstacles and her heart is constantly at war of what she should do.
This story does end in an epic cliffhanger that left me wanting more. I listen to the ALC and the narrator Desireé Ketchum did an amazing job bring all the characters to life.
Thank you the The Nerd Family & Second Sky Books for the ARC & ALC through Netgallie.
This was my first book by this author and it won't be my last. Kathryn Ann Kingley took me to a wild and unexpected but well welcome ride. A very unique story surrounding Nadi and her revenge towards a family that took everything dear to her when she was just a little girl. Years later with a very well guarded heart she is an assassin working on an assignment when she discovers information that can help with her revenge plan. This is when she finds herself impersonating (literally because she is a fae shapeshifter ) as the fiancé of Raziel Nostrom, the infamous cold and ruthless vampire prince.
Raziel is notorious for his cold and cruel actions as well as his whole family but in the world he lives in, they are respected for the pack they have with the humans against all fae. When he meets his new bride to be (his sacrificial bride) he imagines a naive farm girl, but what he finds is very different and he becomes intrigued and invested in his "human" bride.
Nadi's plan don't go accordingly and she becomes distracted with Raziel's dark charm. She faces many obstacles and her heart is constantly at war of what she should do.
This story does end in an epic cliffhanger that left me wanting more. I listen to the ALC and the narrator Desireé Ketchum did an amazing job bring all the characters to life.
Thank you the The Nerd Family & Second Sky Books for the ARC & ALC through Netgallie.
Arranged Marriage is like something beckoning me from the other room, I hear it and I’m running full tilt. The Serpents Bride altered the concept even more by adding in a shapeshifter pretending to be the person in the arranged marriage!? I’m floored, this whole thing flipped me upside down and left me on the floor. I loved the whole thing, the twists, turns, secrets, the yearning and everything about their relationship had me begging for more. And that ending?!? I’m ready, give me book 2.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The Serpent's Bride is a dark romance that feels like a Mafia romance with characters out of your favourite romantasy!
The dark romance is pretty dark - fae assassin Nadi masquerades as vampire-mob-boss Raziel's bride so she can seek revenge for him killing her family. .
The audio was good, the production quality high and the narrator did a great job. I prefer dual POV narratives to be told as a duet with two narrators but as this is a debut I get that this might not have had a big budget and honestly Desiree Ketchum does a great job of both voices.
I liked the world building and the heat between the two main characters, I also enjoyed a bit of kink in the spice scenes. I really felt like Nadi was in jeopardy the entire time and this kept me on the edge of my seat!
My only issue with the plot is that it felt like Nadi had plenty of opportunities to kill Raziel and she doesn't. I get that she wants to kill more of his family first but as her life is at risk the whole time, I think I needed stronger characterisation or a deeper dive into her internal monologue for me to really understand Nadi's motivations.
That being said, I was blown away by THE ENDING and that alone will make me come back for book 2 - I've got a feeling it's about to get really good!
The dark romance is pretty dark - fae assassin Nadi masquerades as vampire-mob-boss Raziel's bride so she can seek revenge for him killing her family. .
The audio was good, the production quality high and the narrator did a great job. I prefer dual POV narratives to be told as a duet with two narrators but as this is a debut I get that this might not have had a big budget and honestly Desiree Ketchum does a great job of both voices.
I liked the world building and the heat between the two main characters, I also enjoyed a bit of kink in the spice scenes. I really felt like Nadi was in jeopardy the entire time and this kept me on the edge of my seat!
My only issue with the plot is that it felt like Nadi had plenty of opportunities to kill Raziel and she doesn't. I get that she wants to kill more of his family first but as her life is at risk the whole time, I think I needed stronger characterisation or a deeper dive into her internal monologue for me to really understand Nadi's motivations.
That being said, I was blown away by THE ENDING and that alone will make me come back for book 2 - I've got a feeling it's about to get really good!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dark, sexy, full of rage and revenge. This book is exactly what I would expect from a vampire mafia inspired story. I find it hard to find good vampire romances they are super cliché or drawn out but this has great pacing the hate between the love interests is amazing and I'm a sucker for a good fake/arranged marriage style story. The tension, the banter. *Chefs kiss* the revenge plot amazing. This was a great dark romance.
Thank you netgalley, nerdfam, and Second Sky Books for the opportunity to read/listen this book!
Thank you netgalley, nerdfam, and Second Sky Books for the opportunity to read/listen this book!
***Check your TWs***
Tropes:
-vampire mafia MMC
-shape shifter fae FMC
-fantasy romance
-dark romance
-forced proximity
-hidden identity
-marriage of convenience
-enemies to lovers
-revenge plot
-banter
I love Kathryn’s books so much. This one was no different. I didn’t want to put this one down. I ate it up and left no crumbs. I’m impatiently waiting for the next one now. That cliffhanger was insane! I saw some of the ending coming, but only a tiny portion. Some of the twists had my jaw on the floor.
Nadi is a shapeshifter who hijacks Raziell’s wedding as a way to get closer to him and his family to carry out her revenge plot. Raziel killed her family, and she is determined to give him what he has coming. Nadi is such a brilliant and badass FMC. I loved her. Raziell seems to be very misunderstood. I am eager to learn more about him in the next book as well.
This one is a must-read for fans of vampire and fae romances. Kathryn always delivers fantastic books. This is available on KU. I hope you enjoy it too.
Tropes:
-vampire mafia MMC
-shape shifter fae FMC
-fantasy romance
-dark romance
-forced proximity
-hidden identity
-marriage of convenience
-enemies to lovers
-revenge plot
-banter
I love Kathryn’s books so much. This one was no different. I didn’t want to put this one down. I ate it up and left no crumbs. I’m impatiently waiting for the next one now. That cliffhanger was insane! I saw some of the ending coming, but only a tiny portion. Some of the twists had my jaw on the floor.
Nadi is a shapeshifter who hijacks Raziell’s wedding as a way to get closer to him and his family to carry out her revenge plot. Raziel killed her family, and she is determined to give him what he has coming. Nadi is such a brilliant and badass FMC. I loved her. Raziell seems to be very misunderstood. I am eager to learn more about him in the next book as well.
This one is a must-read for fans of vampire and fae romances. Kathryn always delivers fantastic books. This is available on KU. I hope you enjoy it too.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ooh this was addicting! It was fast-paced and gripped me from the start. The suspense was ever present between the morally black MMC and morally grey FMC seeking revenge. This was a true enemies to (hate it but can’t help it) lovers. From the initial interactions through to the end, the sexual tension was THERE and I absolutely loved the banter between Nadi and Raziel. Speaking of Raziel, he was definitely giving Klaus from TVD vibes. Irredeemably evil but you just can’t help but want to find out why he is the way he is.
I think this book is perfect for those who enjoy a darker romance that is more plot forward and without a lot of the triggers that are typically found in the genre. The tension was strong in this one. While there weren't many detailed spicy moments, the build up was intense and it made those moments hit harder.
There is a decent amount of gore and creative violence so I do agree with this being labeled a dark romance.
Overall this was very enjoyable. I loved the vibes and that ending was simultaneously very satisfying yet such a huge cliffhanger. Between the mafia-esque Nostroms and The Wild, I feel like there is still so much of the world to explore. I can’t wait for the next book!
ARC provided for an honest review.
Book: The Serpent's Bride by Kathryn Ann Kingsley
Genre: Dark Romantasy
Rating: 5 stars!
Audiobook Narration: 5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley, Second Sky Books, and Bookouture Audio for an advanced listening copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I have a confession: Kathryn Ann Kingsley has been on my TBR for a long time. As a lover of dark romantasy and truly evil MMCs, her Maze of Shadows series has been on my radar for some time. When I saw this book was releasing, I knew I wanted to read it.
After Raziel killed Nadi's family when she was a child, she has vowed revenge. A fae disguised as a human, and an assassin for hire, Nadi has finally found the opportunity to take down Raziel and his entire family. She assumes the face of Raziel’s new bride (whom he has never met) and her plan begins. Raziel is an evil love interest. He enjoys unaliving, and delights in the most evil ways to do it.
This book is a nice blend of shapeshifters, fae, vampires, and other urban fantasy things we love, combined with a mafia spin. Raziel's entire family is ruthless and peddle in all sorts of illegal and immoral operations.
The push and pull between Nadi (disguised as the bridal sacrifice Monica) and Raziel is wonderful. Both are intrigued by the other. Raziel knows that, no matter what, this ends with her being sacrificed. Nadi knows, no matter what, this ends with Raziel and co facing the true death. Yet they find themselves drawn to one another, intrigued the more they learn, and confused that their initial expectations do not match the person they were expecting.
I am very excited for book 2! I inhaled this book in 2 days, and I only didn't finish it in 1 because life demanded my time.
The audiobook narration was very well-done. The narrator did a great job with Raziel's/other male character's voices. Her inflection while narrating helped immerse me in the story. She kept the tension there, and did such a great job with Nadi!
Genre: Dark Romantasy
Rating: 5 stars!
Audiobook Narration: 5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley, Second Sky Books, and Bookouture Audio for an advanced listening copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I have a confession: Kathryn Ann Kingsley has been on my TBR for a long time. As a lover of dark romantasy and truly evil MMCs, her Maze of Shadows series has been on my radar for some time. When I saw this book was releasing, I knew I wanted to read it.
After Raziel killed Nadi's family when she was a child, she has vowed revenge. A fae disguised as a human, and an assassin for hire, Nadi has finally found the opportunity to take down Raziel and his entire family. She assumes the face of Raziel’s new bride (whom he has never met) and her plan begins. Raziel is an evil love interest. He enjoys unaliving, and delights in the most evil ways to do it.
This book is a nice blend of shapeshifters, fae, vampires, and other urban fantasy things we love, combined with a mafia spin. Raziel's entire family is ruthless and peddle in all sorts of illegal and immoral operations.
The push and pull between Nadi (disguised as the bridal sacrifice Monica) and Raziel is wonderful. Both are intrigued by the other. Raziel knows that, no matter what, this ends with her being sacrificed. Nadi knows, no matter what, this ends with Raziel and co facing the true death. Yet they find themselves drawn to one another, intrigued the more they learn, and confused that their initial expectations do not match the person they were expecting.
I am very excited for book 2! I inhaled this book in 2 days, and I only didn't finish it in 1 because life demanded my time.
The audiobook narration was very well-done. The narrator did a great job with Raziel's/other male character's voices. Her inflection while narrating helped immerse me in the story. She kept the tension there, and did such a great job with Nadi!