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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay book girlies, you know when we all read Twilight in middle school and kind of wished it had been...better? More fantasy, less glitter? No disrespect to Stephanie Meyer WHATSOEVER - I am still in love with Twilight - but this felt like if Twilight grew up and wasn't in Forks. It delivers in every single way. Excellent fantasy world, creepy religious fanatics, vampires abound, and of course, a sad little human who is going to be so much more than what she seems.
The big thing I want to see in book 2 is for Sam to realize what "monster" really means. Like, it's fine to assume that vampires are monsters, but I need her to realize that there's a nature vs. nurture thing going on; she experienced far worse monsters in Greymere.
The world-building was solid, the characters are great - Thea is my favorite - and bad guys get what they deserve. I'm very much looking forward to what's next!
The big thing I want to see in book 2 is for Sam to realize what "monster" really means. Like, it's fine to assume that vampires are monsters, but I need her to realize that there's a nature vs. nurture thing going on; she experienced far worse monsters in Greymere.
The world-building was solid, the characters are great - Thea is my favorite - and bad guys get what they deserve. I'm very much looking forward to what's next!
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
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A young woman trapped in a prison uses the new vampire prisoner as a means to escape, and, things just get better from there. This is world built of different magic users and creatures. Sam is a human born in the Witch Kingdom but without any magic herself, so she is considered less than. Raphael is a powerful vampire that is in the Witch Kingdom looking for something and uses Sam to do a few things only humans can. There is are so many mysteries to unravel . What is Raphael looking for? But most importantly, who really is Sam?
This story had me enthralled. I read it in less than 24 hours and am so disappointed book 2 isn't out until next year, because that ending (even though I had guessed it) was AMAZING!!
This story had me enthralled. I read it in less than 24 hours and am so disappointed book 2 isn't out until next year, because that ending (even though I had guessed it) was AMAZING!!
I was an Arc for this book. I liked it just found myself frustrated with the thinking of the FMC sometimes but I am hoping that will lead to bee character development…. And is part of the slow burn. I do love a good vampire touch-her-and-die MMC tho. So I will definitely keep reading when the series continues!
Cons
FMC is infuriating. She is stubborn to the point if ridiculousness. She's "loyal" to a kingdom she knows nothing about and imprisoned her at 8yrs old for 12 yrs. She doesn't trust the MMC even when he has done everything for her. Yes he's a vampire and she has a "history" with them. But she doesn't take the time to clear ANYTHING UP!
Pros
Loved the MMC and Thea! He is the epitome of touch her and die. He also needs to work on his communication skills. Plot was great, writing was great, lots of action, the slow burn is still burning and who knows if it'll end well.
Honestly not sure i will read the second book because by 70% in the FMC had no character development and was really getting my nerves.
FMC is infuriating. She is stubborn to the point if ridiculousness. She's "loyal" to a kingdom she knows nothing about and imprisoned her at 8yrs old for 12 yrs. She doesn't trust the MMC even when he has done everything for her. Yes he's a vampire and she has a "history" with them. But she doesn't take the time to clear ANYTHING UP!
Pros
Loved the MMC and Thea! He is the epitome of touch her and die. He also needs to work on his communication skills. Plot was great, writing was great, lots of action, the slow burn is still burning and who knows if it'll end well.
Honestly not sure i will read the second book because by 70% in the FMC had no character development and was really getting my nerves.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
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
This was a true slow burn done right! I loved the yearning and tension. The writing made this an easy and captivating dark romantasy read. The magic system was unique, the world building was interesting and the pet names weren't cringey 👏🏼
Ends in a cliffhanger.
Looking forward to Book 2.
Ends in a cliffhanger.
Looking forward to Book 2.
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
🩸 Bookish Thought's
Oh snap! I LOVED this book and absolutely devoured it in one sitting. The magic system was so cool, and the world building we got was a great setup for the series.
Samara and Raphael completely hooked me. This is how a slow burn should be done! 🥰
I’m still reeling from that cliffhanger and need the next book ASAP. Samara did PMO a bit at the end though 😩😩😩
I’m still reeling from that cliffhanger and need the next book ASAP. Samara did PMO a bit at the end though 😩😩😩
This vampire paranormal romance was exactly what I wanted, giving me full on 2010’s vampire nostalgia.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the performance. Highly recommend.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the performance. Highly recommend.
♥️ What to Expect
• Vampire MMC
• Witch FMC
• Enemies to reluctant allies
• Slow burn romance
• Morally grey MMC
• He falls first
______
🎧 Audio Score: 5
🎙 Narration Style: Solo
📅 Pub Date: June 16, 2025
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.