My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️
Title: A Vow in Vengeance (Immortal Desires, #1)
Author: Jaclyn Rodriguez
Format: hardcover (own)
Pages: 471
Publication Date: 1/13/26
Categories: Romantasy, Dark Academia, Romance, Series
Deadly tarot, wicked schemes, dangerous alliances . . . can you survive the Forge?
Sexy, action-packed, and brimming with magic, A Vow in Vengeance is an unputdownable romantasy debut.
Rune Ryker has nothing left to lose. Everything’s been stolen by the Immortals—her family, her home, her freedom. But she’s done playing by their rules.
Each year, humans are forced to journey into the Immortal Realms, but twenty-year-old Rune orchestrates her own selection, determined to find her family and destroy anyone who stands in her way. Rune is used to doing whatever it takes to survive, and now she must endure the Forge, a cutthroat college for the Immortal druids’ elusive tarot magic. When Rune’s magic reveals itself to be the rarest and most powerful, she must live with its only other wielder—Prince Draven. As arrogant as he is ruthlessly ambitious, he’s the last person she can trust.
Rune’s abilities also draw the eyes of the most dangerous druids in the realms. Some want to use her. More want her dead. Draven offers to train her . . . for a price. As Rune becomes ensnared in Draven’s dangerous games, she learns there are secrets at the heart of the kingdom that some will kill to protect.
And Rune and Draven’s growing attraction may be the spark to ignite a brewing war.
Content Warning: violence, death
+ I’m always fascinated to see how an author will use tarot magic in a story and I thought the way it was done in this book was interesting. This world comprises of druids, changelings, seraphs, and elves. There is a lot of history between each kingdom, and politics between them kept me invested. The story takes place at the Forge Academy where the chosen ones are sent to learn about the magic tied to their cards. Like with most dark academia books, the characters are there to learn, train for battle and learn to get along. There’s also some drama.
+ Rune is a Wraith on the run with a secretive background. She needs to be chosen in the selection because she it will bring her one step closer into looking for her family. I liked Rune because she’s sassy and strong. Prince Draven and Rune catch each other’s eye right away, and they get into a dislike to like relationship that is full with fun bickering.
+ I enjoyed Rune getting to know the other students at the academy and I thought her growing friendship with Ember was cute. She is definitely finding her found family at this academy.
+~ The attraction between Rune and Draven is obvious but they are always fighting and then they get into a fake fated mates situation tied with the politics going between the different kingdoms. The fake situation helps Draven get himself out of an engagement and he promises to help Rune find her parents. I actually enjoyed the way their romance progresses. Clearly they are attracted to one another. The romance has some drama and angst. And I’m not sure why I was expecting a lot of spice in this, but I was wrong – there is a lot of flirting but it’s low on the spice meter.
+ I loved the ending where the twists happen! I wasn’t expecting it at all. It was a little unexpected violence, but it really made an emotional impact in the story. There are a few secrets, twists and betrayals in this one.
Final Thoughts:
Tarot magic will always fascinate me I think. I would have liked to learn more about the magic, because tarot magic seems always so complicated. I liked the world building with the different Immortals, Rune’s story about finding her family, and her romance with Draven. I really like the twist at the end where a lot of the action shows up. I thought this was pretty good debut and we’ll see what happens in book two.
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