Scan barcode
jinxei's review
5.0
Jade Church's 'The Vampire's Thrall' is a bewitching blend of vampire lore, steamy romance, and a dash of mystery, making it a standout addition to the vampire romance genre. The story introduces us to Leonora Romilly, a protagonist as new to the world she’s in as we are, inflicted with amnesia and trying to regain her memories.
Teeming with bloodthirsty drama and unrelenting tension, Church's portrayal of this world is both familiar and refreshing, giving a new depth to the concept of a supernatural school. Leonora's character development is one of the book's high points. Her journey from a confused, amnesiac newcomer to a strong, influential figure within the school is compelling and gratifying.
The relationship dynamics in 'The Vampire's Thrall' are intricate and enticing. Leonora and Hayes' push-and-pull romance is charged with an electric combination of desire and conflict, providing the perfect backdrop for a story filled with emotional depth and spicy encounters. The representation of a plus-sized protagonist like Leonora and Hayes' inclusion in the LGBTQ+ community adds meaningful diversity to the narrative, moving beyond clichés to deliver characters with genuine substance.
Church delivers a tale that leaves me eagerly awaiting the next book, especially given the brutal cliffhanger. For fans of vampire fiction looking for a story that combines the allure of magic, the complexity of college romance, and the thrill of supernatural elements, 'The Vampire's Thrall' is a must-read. It's a book filled with intriguing twists, heartfelt romance, and a protagonist whose story is as compelling as it is intriguing.
Teeming with bloodthirsty drama and unrelenting tension, Church's portrayal of this world is both familiar and refreshing, giving a new depth to the concept of a supernatural school. Leonora's character development is one of the book's high points. Her journey from a confused, amnesiac newcomer to a strong, influential figure within the school is compelling and gratifying.
The relationship dynamics in 'The Vampire's Thrall' are intricate and enticing. Leonora and Hayes' push-and-pull romance is charged with an electric combination of desire and conflict, providing the perfect backdrop for a story filled with emotional depth and spicy encounters. The representation of a plus-sized protagonist like Leonora and Hayes' inclusion in the LGBTQ+ community adds meaningful diversity to the narrative, moving beyond clichés to deliver characters with genuine substance.
Church delivers a tale that leaves me eagerly awaiting the next book, especially given the brutal cliffhanger. For fans of vampire fiction looking for a story that combines the allure of magic, the complexity of college romance, and the thrill of supernatural elements, 'The Vampire's Thrall' is a must-read. It's a book filled with intriguing twists, heartfelt romance, and a protagonist whose story is as compelling as it is intriguing.
julf's review
2.0
Could not really understand this - what’s the difference btwn a living and a dead vampire? Why do they have a college? What does murdering a living vampire mean? The dynamic btwn the MCs didn’t seem real or plausible to me at all. I couldn’t understand why someone with no memories, no context (except that she was herself murdered and then murdered a child) could causally go about things, attend class, tease and flirt. Isn’t that traumatic and shocking?
Merged review:
Could not really understand this - what’s the difference btwn a living and a dead vampire? Why do they have a college? What does murdering a living vampire mean? The dynamic btwn the MCs didn’t seem real or plausible to me at all. I couldn’t understand why someone with no memories, no context (except that she was herself murdered and then murdered a child) could causally go about things, attend class, tease and flirt. Isn’t that traumatic and shocking?
Merged review:
Could not really understand this - what’s the difference btwn a living and a dead vampire? Why do they have a college? What does murdering a living vampire mean? The dynamic btwn the MCs didn’t seem real or plausible to me at all. I couldn’t understand why someone with no memories, no context (except that she was herself murdered and then murdered a child) could causally go about things, attend class, tease and flirt. Isn’t that traumatic and shocking?
ezraniannamaria's review
5.0
= ARC REVIEW =
4.5⭐️
Ashvale is coming August 25th 2023.
thank you so much to Jade Church for sending me an advanced copy of this book.
Merged review:
= ARC REVIEW =
4.5⭐️
Ashvale is coming August 25th 2023.
thank you so much to Jade Church for sending me an advanced copy of this book.
4.5⭐️
Ashvale is coming August 25th 2023.
thank you so much to Jade Church for sending me an advanced copy of this book.
Merged review:
= ARC REVIEW =
4.5⭐️
Ashvale is coming August 25th 2023.
thank you so much to Jade Church for sending me an advanced copy of this book.
birddbookss's review
3.0
3.5⭐
"You have the strangest look on your face right now," Novalie said thoughtfully and I smiled, letting more than a hint of fang show.
"Just thinking about burning the world down."
What a ride! This book was a fast paced, mysterious read full of hot, deadly vampires. Need I say more?
Merged review:
3.5⭐
"You have the strangest look on your face right now," Novalie said thoughtfully and I smiled, letting more than a hint of fang show.
"Just thinking about burning the world down."
What a ride! This book was a fast paced, mysterious read full of hot, deadly vampires. Need I say more?
"You have the strangest look on your face right now," Novalie said thoughtfully and I smiled, letting more than a hint of fang show.
"Just thinking about burning the world down."
What a ride! This book was a fast paced, mysterious read full of hot, deadly vampires. Need I say more?
Merged review:
3.5⭐
"You have the strangest look on your face right now," Novalie said thoughtfully and I smiled, letting more than a hint of fang show.
"Just thinking about burning the world down."
What a ride! This book was a fast paced, mysterious read full of hot, deadly vampires. Need I say more?
jumbledjess's review
3.0
Normally I say the opposite, but this book felt too short and thus, rushed. So much of the story was glossed over for me and didn’t really endear me to any of the characters, except Hayes who had the most character growth. Leonora kind of grated on me, but she did feel like an 18 year old so maybe that’s more of a me thing. If you go into this just looking for a simple, fun read you’ll enjoy it a lot more. 3⭐️
Merged review:
Normally I say the opposite, but this book felt too short and thus, rushed. So much of the story was glossed over for me and didn’t really endear me to any of the characters, except Hayes who had the most character growth. Leonora kind of grated on me, but she did feel like an 18 year old so maybe that’s more of a me thing. If you go into this just looking for a simple, fun read you’ll enjoy it a lot more. 3⭐️
Merged review:
Normally I say the opposite, but this book felt too short and thus, rushed. So much of the story was glossed over for me and didn’t really endear me to any of the characters, except Hayes who had the most character growth. Leonora kind of grated on me, but she did feel like an 18 year old so maybe that’s more of a me thing. If you go into this just looking for a simple, fun read you’ll enjoy it a lot more. 3⭐️
thecozykay's review
4.0
╰► 4/5
it’s been awhile since i’ve read any sort of vampire book, and this did NOT disappoint! in this story, jade church takes the supernatural and school/academy tropes and merges them into a fantastic novel of compelling world-building, fun characters, thrilling mystery and steamy romance!
the main relationship is a little slow burn, but i’m enjoying how it’s simmering! i feel there’s still a long way to go with these characters and i am eagerly anticipating how this will develop in the next book!
the school setting itself is not dissimilar from other novels with the same trope, but jade takes the idea of a vampire training school and turns it into something of real character. leonora is a really active protagonist, and we start to sympathise to her cause from very early on in the book. she’s a fish out of water in this brand new environment, fighting to prove she’s something in a world where she can’t even truly remember who she is. i’m often not a fan of the ‘amnesia’ trope, but i do really feel it works well here.
the other students within the school felt slightly cliché to me (especially the girl bully who soon becomes an ally), but it wasn’t necessarily bad to read. i liked that leonora became something of a leader during her so-far short time at the school, really stepping up to help her fellow students when the teachers were failing them.
i’m intrigued to see where the supernatural ‘lore’ in this book will go, as there’s a lot of groundwork and foreshadowing that has been laid (this is a spoiler free review, but you’ll understand what i mean when you read it!). i liked the addition of other supernatural elements other than vampires (like magic and werewolves, which are always a bonus when writing in this specific genre).
overall, i really enjoyed this book and i am impatiently awaiting the sequel!!
Merged review:
╰► 4/5
it’s been awhile since i’ve read any sort of vampire book, and this did NOT disappoint! in this story, jade church takes the supernatural and school/academy tropes and merges them into a fantastic novel of compelling world-building, fun characters, thrilling mystery and steamy romance!
the main relationship is a little slow burn, but i’m enjoying how it’s simmering! i feel there’s still a long way to go with these characters and i am eagerly anticipating how this will develop in the next book!
the school setting itself is not dissimilar from other novels with the same trope, but jade takes the idea of a vampire training school and turns it into something of real character. leonora is a really active protagonist, and we start to sympathise to her cause from very early on in the book. she’s a fish out of water in this brand new environment, fighting to prove she’s something in a world where she can’t even truly remember who she is. i’m often not a fan of the ‘amnesia’ trope, but i do really feel it works well here.
the other students within the school felt slightly cliché to me (especially the girl bully who soon becomes an ally), but it wasn’t necessarily bad to read. i liked that leonora became something of a leader during her so-far short time at the school, really stepping up to help her fellow students when the teachers were failing them.
i’m intrigued to see where the supernatural ‘lore’ in this book will go, as there’s a lot of groundwork and foreshadowing that has been laid (this is a spoiler free review, but you’ll understand what i mean when you read it!). i liked the addition of other supernatural elements other than vampires (like magic and werewolves, which are always a bonus when writing in this specific genre).
overall, i really enjoyed this book and i am impatiently awaiting the sequel!!
it’s been awhile since i’ve read any sort of vampire book, and this did NOT disappoint! in this story, jade church takes the supernatural and school/academy tropes and merges them into a fantastic novel of compelling world-building, fun characters, thrilling mystery and steamy romance!
the main relationship is a little slow burn, but i’m enjoying how it’s simmering! i feel there’s still a long way to go with these characters and i am eagerly anticipating how this will develop in the next book!
the school setting itself is not dissimilar from other novels with the same trope, but jade takes the idea of a vampire training school and turns it into something of real character. leonora is a really active protagonist, and we start to sympathise to her cause from very early on in the book. she’s a fish out of water in this brand new environment, fighting to prove she’s something in a world where she can’t even truly remember who she is. i’m often not a fan of the ‘amnesia’ trope, but i do really feel it works well here.
the other students within the school felt slightly cliché to me (especially the girl bully who soon becomes an ally), but it wasn’t necessarily bad to read. i liked that leonora became something of a leader during her so-far short time at the school, really stepping up to help her fellow students when the teachers were failing them.
i’m intrigued to see where the supernatural ‘lore’ in this book will go, as there’s a lot of groundwork and foreshadowing that has been laid (this is a spoiler free review, but you’ll understand what i mean when you read it!). i liked the addition of other supernatural elements other than vampires (like magic and werewolves, which are always a bonus when writing in this specific genre).
overall, i really enjoyed this book and i am impatiently awaiting the sequel!!
Merged review:
╰► 4/5
it’s been awhile since i’ve read any sort of vampire book, and this did NOT disappoint! in this story, jade church takes the supernatural and school/academy tropes and merges them into a fantastic novel of compelling world-building, fun characters, thrilling mystery and steamy romance!
the main relationship is a little slow burn, but i’m enjoying how it’s simmering! i feel there’s still a long way to go with these characters and i am eagerly anticipating how this will develop in the next book!
the school setting itself is not dissimilar from other novels with the same trope, but jade takes the idea of a vampire training school and turns it into something of real character. leonora is a really active protagonist, and we start to sympathise to her cause from very early on in the book. she’s a fish out of water in this brand new environment, fighting to prove she’s something in a world where she can’t even truly remember who she is. i’m often not a fan of the ‘amnesia’ trope, but i do really feel it works well here.
the other students within the school felt slightly cliché to me (especially the girl bully who soon becomes an ally), but it wasn’t necessarily bad to read. i liked that leonora became something of a leader during her so-far short time at the school, really stepping up to help her fellow students when the teachers were failing them.
i’m intrigued to see where the supernatural ‘lore’ in this book will go, as there’s a lot of groundwork and foreshadowing that has been laid (this is a spoiler free review, but you’ll understand what i mean when you read it!). i liked the addition of other supernatural elements other than vampires (like magic and werewolves, which are always a bonus when writing in this specific genre).
overall, i really enjoyed this book and i am impatiently awaiting the sequel!!
missvengeanz's review
Dnf at about 60%
I can't even get myself to rate this book with one star, because it was just THAT BAD.
Honestly I do not know how anyone liked this, not even for the spice. The world building doesn't make sense, I do not understand what kind of vampires they are? Or what other kinds there are? What is the bonding/soulmate stuff?
I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS
btw the spice wasn't good either, so I just though to hell with this book, I am not wasting any more time on it.
Also this reads like a freaking fanfic, so if you're looking for bad writing, no plot, no good characters and no explanations go ahead.
I can't even get myself to rate this book with one star, because it was just THAT BAD.
Honestly I do not know how anyone liked this, not even for the spice. The world building doesn't make sense, I do not understand what kind of vampires they are? Or what other kinds there are? What is the bonding/soulmate stuff?
I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS
btw the spice wasn't good either, so I just though to hell with this book, I am not wasting any more time on it.
Also this reads like a freaking fanfic, so if you're looking for bad writing, no plot, no good characters and no explanations go ahead.
sailormoonreads's review
5.0
Oh my god what a ride.
Ashvale is that book that you'll never know you needed until your read it.
I devoured this book and I really wish I could read it again like the first time, the setting, the tension between Lenora and Hayes, the murder mystery and the spice, everything in this book screams perfection and I love it.
I really enjoyed the blending of paranormal romance with background mystery, it kept the plot very dynamic and there wasn't one moment I felt bored by story. The forced proximity was so on point, I found myself between giggling and screaming because of the sexual tension.
Lenora is probably one of my favourite fmm, I loved her being a curvy character and being a confident badass b*tch at the same time, I actually don't know if I love her more or Hayes, he literally stole my heart and I don't think I'll ever recover.
Also honourable mention to the side characters, just as well developed as the main ones. I'm hoping to see more of Novalie in the second book, not to forget about all the mysteries that still have not been solved yet.
AND THE CLIFFHANGER, that was such a dirty move, I cannot wait to read more about Ashvale and see what happens after
Merged review:
Oh my god what a ride.
Ashvale is that book that you'll never know you needed until your read it.
I devoured this book and I really wish I could read it again like the first time, the setting, the tension between Lenora and Hayes, the murder mystery and the spice, everything in this book screams perfection and I love it.
I really enjoyed the blending of paranormal romance with background mystery, it kept the plot very dynamic and there wasn't one moment I felt bored by story. The forced proximity was so on point, I found myself between giggling and screaming because of the sexual tension.
Lenora is probably one of my favourite fmm, I loved her being a curvy character and being a confident badass b*tch at the same time, I actually don't know if I love her more or Hayes, he literally stole my heart and I don't think I'll ever recover.
Also honourable mention to the side characters, just as well developed as the main ones. I'm hoping to see more of Novalie in the second book, not to forget about all the mysteries that still have not been solved yet.
AND THE CLIFFHANGER, that was such a dirty move, I cannot wait to read more about Ashvale and see what happens after
Ashvale is that book that you'll never know you needed until your read it.
I devoured this book and I really wish I could read it again like the first time, the setting, the tension between Lenora and Hayes, the murder mystery and the spice, everything in this book screams perfection and I love it.
I really enjoyed the blending of paranormal romance with background mystery, it kept the plot very dynamic and there wasn't one moment I felt bored by story. The forced proximity was so on point, I found myself between giggling and screaming because of the sexual tension.
Lenora is probably one of my favourite fmm, I loved her being a curvy character and being a confident badass b*tch at the same time, I actually don't know if I love her more or Hayes, he literally stole my heart and I don't think I'll ever recover.
Also honourable mention to the side characters, just as well developed as the main ones. I'm hoping to see more of Novalie in the second book, not to forget about all the mysteries that still have not been solved yet.
AND THE CLIFFHANGER, that was such a dirty move, I cannot wait to read more about Ashvale and see what happens after
Merged review:
Oh my god what a ride.
Ashvale is that book that you'll never know you needed until your read it.
I devoured this book and I really wish I could read it again like the first time, the setting, the tension between Lenora and Hayes, the murder mystery and the spice, everything in this book screams perfection and I love it.
I really enjoyed the blending of paranormal romance with background mystery, it kept the plot very dynamic and there wasn't one moment I felt bored by story. The forced proximity was so on point, I found myself between giggling and screaming because of the sexual tension.
Lenora is probably one of my favourite fmm, I loved her being a curvy character and being a confident badass b*tch at the same time, I actually don't know if I love her more or Hayes, he literally stole my heart and I don't think I'll ever recover.
Also honourable mention to the side characters, just as well developed as the main ones. I'm hoping to see more of Novalie in the second book, not to forget about all the mysteries that still have not been solved yet.
AND THE CLIFFHANGER, that was such a dirty move, I cannot wait to read more about Ashvale and see what happens after