Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - House of Bane and Blood

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House of Bane and Blood by Alexis L. Menard

16 reviews

teaand_tomes's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

House of Bane and Blood is a captivating adult fantasy romance that takes place in a post-industrial age setting with a touch of the 1920s and the atmosphere of Peaky Blinders. Alexis L. Menard skillfully combines elements of magic, mythology, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance to create an engaging and immersive story.

The world-building in this novel is exceptional, with the magical Isle serving as the backdrop for a city divided into two opposing sides. I was fascinated by the exploration of power, bloodlines, secrets, and the consequences of choices made in the name of love and family.

The characters in House of Bane and Blood are richly developed and compelling. I was particularly drawn to the relationship between Camilla Marchese, the heiress, and Nicolai Attano. Their journey from enemies to friends to lovers was beautifully portrayed, and their chemistry leapt off the pages.

The plot was filled with twists and turns, and the suspenseful narrative kept me on the edge of my seat. The book ended with a tantalizing cliffhanger that left me eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

Overall, House of Bane and Blood exceeded all my expectations. Alexis L. Menard's exquisite writing style, combined with the intriguing setting, engaging characters, and the perfect blend of romance and fantasy, make this a must-read for fans of adult fantasy and romance genres. I highly recommend diving into this enchanting world crafted by Alexis L. Menard.

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nikzbookcorner's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

House of Bane and Blood takes the very fabric of the Peaky Blinders world and weaves a most intriguing magical essence through it, which makes the Peaky Blinders x Grishaverse descriptor very on point. But that comparison is completely on a surface level because it delves so much further than that.

House of Bane and Blood follows two rival families, the Attanos and the Marcheses, in a twisted game of depravity, hidden schemes, magical intrigue, and forbidden love.

One family is broke and desperate to keep their family’s legacy and syndicate in a position of power. The other is looking for an opportunity to secure their station, take absolute control of the district, and keep other rivals at bay. So a marriage is brokered between Nicolai Attano and the Steam Princess, Camilla Marchese. Worlds collide when two people from opposite sides of the river Ada are brought together - both looking for a means to an end, and their freedom, but finding so much more than they ever bargained for.

The world they must navigate is dark and teeming with unbridled magical influence and those who would oppose it. The magic systems, which are reminiscent of the Grishaverse, are very interesting and provide a undercurrent to an already sinister plot. It makes the scale seem so much grander and mysterious once the powers come into play because not only does it delve in magic, but there’s also elements of the mystical, science, and alchemy. A whole amalgamation of the best in fantasy.

Nico and Camilla are two very strong and determined characters that bring a lot of life to the page. On their own, they are forces to be reckoned with. But together? Lord have mercy. Neither one backing down from the other and rising to each and every challenge. Their hate banter and flirting created such a delectable tension that had me strangling my paperback book to its limits. I may have slapped it down on my bed once or twice. Probably more. The slow burn, rivals to lovers romance was done SO incredibly well. It was all I could’ve hoped for.

Which now brings me to the writing and it IS exceptional, creating such a vivid + expressive story with characters and a world that were easy to get lost in. And I WANTED to get lost in it. Honestly I wouldn’t have complained if this book was 800 pages. The plot twists and reveals really kept the pace flowing at consistent rate and provided more than a few HOLY SH*T moments. Book 2 cannot get here fast enough!!!!

God. Gaslamp fantasy is one of those niche genres I wish I saw more of. Alexis Manard, thank you for reminding me how much I love it.

⟡ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5/5
⟡ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 2/5
⟡ 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬: Dual POV, post-industrial age gaslamp setting, morally gray characters, gangster families, power play, marriage of convenience, rivals to lovers, slow burn romance, forced proximity, witty banter, found family, mystical + elemental magic systems, science + alchemy, secrets, betrayal, cliffhanger ending
⟡ 𝐂𝐖: profanity, tobacco/alcohol use, violence, death, kidnapping, guns and weaponry, gaslighting family members, mentions of suicide

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sienasummerrreads's review

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dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

“He was a mistake, the most gorgeous one I would ever make”

This follows the heiress Camilla whose family is well known with power in Lynchaven. They own the Iron Saint Railway which has been in the family a long time and they will do anything to make sure it doesn’t go under. Then along comes Nicolai an enemy and part of a rival family who has an offer that she has no choice to refuse.

What a book. I went into this all because I saw the author say she binge-watched Peaky Blinders for three days straight and that’s how the book was born. THIS DID NOT DISAPPOINT. You could feel the Peaky Blinders inspiration in this book which I loved so much. The magic system and the storyline created by Alexis was fantastic. Camilla and Nico are both strong leads. They had this hate banter and tension between them which made you fall in love instantly. The things that man said in this book have me weak and wanting more. The slow burn wait to the spice was worth it. Chapter 35 was perfection I was screaming. Then we get to Chapter 41 I’m in shock I’m questioning did I read that, it can’t be real. Chapter 42 I was balling my eyes out and I couldn’t carry on. I had to take a breath before finishing. Once I got myself together I was back at it and then I finished the Epilogue. To say I’m excited for the next book is an understatement. It consumed my every thought for the past three days I honestly didn’t want it to end.

If you love:

🔹Adult Fantasy Romance
🔹Marriage Of Convenience
🔹Rivals
🔹Magic System
🔹Slow Burn
🔹Perfect Amount Of Spice

Genre/Type: Adult Fantasy Romance 18+
APK: Physical Read
Pages: 434
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book 1 In The Order And Chaos Series
Tropes or Themes: Marriage Of Convenience, Rivals To Lovers, Found Family, Slow Burn, Protective MMC, Strong FMC, Contracts, Magic System, Prison, Power, Betrayal, Secrets, Mine, Jealousy, My Wife, Eyes On Me, Taken Care Of, Guns, Murder, Sexual Content, Virgin, Praise, Breath Play, Injury, Death, Cursing and Cliffhanger.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫

All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫

Content Warnings

beersbooksandbooos's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I follow the author on TikTok and when she said this was Peaky Blinders mixed with the Grishaverse, I knew I had to pick up this book. Peaky Blinders is one of my favorite shows, so this book was perfect. I would have read it in one day if I didn't need sleep. The magic system was Chef Kiss and I could see where the Grishaverse magic system inspired the author. Though I really liked this magic system a lot more. I have also found my new book boyfriend in Nico, I kept picturing the musician Ren as Nico. I loved reading about Milla's growth, and how she became stronger and was able to stand her own. The side characters also made me love this book and I really can't wait to see more of them. I am glad I don't have to wait a whole year for book two, just half a year.

Content Warnings

nicole_thereader's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging lighthearted tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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bellebookcorner's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Read this fantasy romance if you like:

• Rivals-to-Lovers
• Found Family

• Marriage of Convenience
• Fascinating Magic System

• Action-packed

The plot is very interesting with great magical system and loveable characters. The pacing is a little bit slow at the beginning and I had to go back and forth to the glossary at the beginning in order to remember the magic system – different houses has different kind of powers.

The world building is also unique but I kinda wish there’s a map for the whole area so that I can envision some of the places better since the characters move to different places quite often.

The characters are likeable and also well developed, I adore Nico’s family whose very welcoming towards Milla despite her family being rivals with one another. I’d love to see Milla interact more with them.

As for the romance, I really like the slow burn enemies-to-lovers in this story!

The banter, flirting and high sexual tension between Milla and Nico is absolutely delightful. I also like how Nico always supports Milla and accept her for who she is which encourage Milla to finally stand up for herself.

Overall, this is a well written action-packed story with a surprising twist at the end!

I’m looking forward to read the next book since we haven’t even meet the villain properly and I’m curious about him/her.

I also hope we’ll get to see more incredible show of power from a certain character and of course more sweet and spicy moments between Milla and Nico!

I received an advanced review copy for free from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!

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