A review by theshelfarchive
A Vow of Blood and Tears by Cate Corvin

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This was a solid book that offered such an interesting and fresh take on Beauty and the Beast—one that’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

Cirri was a fantastic protagonist. She was independent and strong-willed, yet still vulnerable, with insecurities she fought hard not to let define her. That balance between strength and softness made her feel incredibly real.

And then there’s Bane. Oh, my heart. His self-loathing was palpable, but what made him so compelling was how hard he tried.
He wanted to be gentler, softer—for Cirri. He constantly made the effort to meet her where she was, to become the kind of husband she could be proud of, despite his monstrous appearance and the terrible things he’d done.


The story itself unfolded at a measured pace, allowing the romance to build naturally over time. With a forced marriage at its core, Cirri was always aware of her duty and what was expected of her. She did begin to see Bane in a sexual light fairly early, but it never felt rushed or forced—it was more of an internal exploration, a gradual shift in perspective rather than an instant attraction. And Bane never pushed her. He let her set the pace, which made their dynamic all the more engaging.


While the villain was obvious (is there a sleazier antagonist than Miro? Every time he appeared on the page, I cringed), and there weren’t any jaw-dropping twists, the book still felt well-developed. The storytelling was immersive, and the slow-burn romance fit the world and the characters perfectly.


Overall, A Vow of Blood and Tears was dark, romantic, and captivating in its own way. If you love gothic fantasies with complex, emotionally rich characters and a fresh spin on familiar tropes, this one is well worth picking up. 
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