Vows of Blood and Deception by. Aria Ashbrook | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Vows of Blood and Deception (The Hirathean Path, #2)

Author: Aria Ashbrook

Pages: 544

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 7/7/26

Categories: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Series

She won the Goddess’s blessing. She got everything she asked for. So why does it feel like she’s lost it all?

Rose Kultavaris survived the Retterheld. She reclaimed her magic. Her title. Her place at court. But victory can be a hollow thing.

The palace celebrates her as the gifted, yet behind gilded doors alliances shift, secrets surface, and the past refuses to stay buried. The pretty crown Prince Kyor chose over her remains firmly on his arrogant head – and every time their paths cross, the tension between them threatens to burn down the High Hold itself.

In transpired that the Goddess’s “gift” did not restore Rose’s life anywhere near as neatly as promised.

Old betrayals cut deeper than any blade, while new truths shatter everything she thought she knew. Rose is more alone than ever, and her power, now reclaimed, proves far more dangerous than anything else she has faced.

In a court built on lies and ambition, Rose must decide what she truly vengeance, love, or something far more dangerous … freedom.

Vows of Blood and Deception is the second in a dark, spicy slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romantasy series, perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, The Serpent and the Wings of the Night, and Throne of Glass.

Content Warning: violence

World Building: In this sequel, the world opens up and instead of trials there is a quest. Rose needs to find the Issen so they can teach her about the ice magic she has and has to hide. She needs to figure this out before she hurts someone with it. So Rose and some of her friends go on a journey that is filled with some danger, but mostly them getting to know one another more.

Characters: Rose has ice magic and needs to learn more about it. Kyor is back, and he wants Rose back but they have a lot things to work through, most especially trusting one another. He is so stubborn! I love the found family. Rose’s friends Benny, and Ruben are fun! Caz is someone we get to know more about. I think there was growth for all the characters.

Romance: Things are complicated for Kyor and Rose, but clearly he is obsessed with her and she can’t stop loving him though she is angry with him too. So it takes a lot for them to act on their desires. Every time they make progress, something breaks them again, but I think by the end of this book, they are committed even though it seems like there is no hope between them. They are trying so I’m rooting for them! I just wish Kyor could say why he won’t turn his back on his horrible father.

Story: I do think this story moved forward but I did hope they would run into the Issen like in the middle of the story but that wasn’t the case. So for me, this sequel felt a little bit like filler – it was a back and forth between Rose and Kyor for sure. I did enjoy Benny and Ruben though! Also, the dire wolves were great. They brought some humor to the story. It ends with a cliffhanger but I hope we see Kyor grow a little more.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I enjoyed this one though I wish we got to see Rose get answers about her magic. So yes this did feel like filler, but I did enjoy Benny, Ruben and the dire wolves. The romance was a lot of back and forth but I like that they are trying to work through their challenges and problems. It ends with a cliffhanger so I look forward to reading book three.

Read if you like:

a quest
found family

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Web of Vows and Vengeance by. Aria Ashbrook | Book Review – 3.5 stars/2 🌶️

A Magic So Deadly by. Vasilisa Drake | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: A Magic So Deadly (Kingdom of Dark Magic, #2)

Author: Vasilia Drake

Pages: 479

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 6/30/26

Categories: Romantasy, Vampires and Witches, Series

She has become everything she ever wanted… and everything she despises.

Samara wakes in a prison cell as her worst nightmare: She’s a vampire, cursed with bloodlust that horrifies her. And though she now has the magic she’s always desperately craved, it’s a secret she must guard with her undead life.

Because this same magic marks her as an enemy of all vampires. Especially Raphael—their king.

Now, as a vampire, Samara is haunted by an inescapable thirst. In her sleep, she claws at her throat, trying to ease the pain. But when she’s around Raphael, her fangs ache for a deeper reason she can’t explain.

A mystical bond ties Samara to Raphael as her sire, preventing her from fleeing before he can discover her identity as the very witch he’s been hunting for centuries. Instead, she must journey with him to the Southern Vampire Kingdom. A journey that has her sharing both his carriage… and his bed.

There, Raphael offers her another bargain: Yield to her vampire nature and master her abilities, and he will help her break the bond.

But if she lowers her guard too much, if her control over the powers she barely understands slips and Raphael learns she’s the necromancer…

He’ll be forced to kill her.

A Magic So Deadly is the second book in the Kingdom of Dark Magic series, filled with a slow burn romance, unique magic systems, and forced proximity.

Content Warning: violence, death, self-harm

World Building: In this sequel, Samara’s time is mostly spent in Raphael’s kingdom, but there is a moment in the end where we get to meet another vampire ruler. But Thea is on her mission somewhere else but I’m not going to lie, I was mostly reading to see how Samara and Raphael’s romance was going to grow.

Characters: Samara is now a vampire, and she’s trying to come to terms with it. But she learns something which she feels she can twist to enact her revenge against Raphael. Raphael is trying to give her as much space as he can but also needs to force her to accept her new self so she can survive. There is an intriguing new character, Julian, that comes in at the end.

Romance: I was here for the romance since book one had barely any. And Raphael gives Samara space but that man is crazy about her, which made me crazy about him! I love that he won’t let her go and now we get to see him expressing all his yearning and feelings that he has been holding back. I devoured it. I loved watching them getting to know one another and finally acting on their desires. Loved their spicy scenes – it’s so sensual in a vampire way (bloody haha, but not too bad), which again I devoured, it’s what I expect from a vampire romance!

Story: I did enjoy seeing Samara learn to accept being a vampire. There is some political intrigue and something brewing in the background that Thea is involved in, and a betrayal that shocked me. There is an unexpected plot twist at the end and of course it had to be a cliffhanger so now I have to wait for book three. But like I said, I wanted to read this book because I wanted to see the romance to develop and that goal was definitely achieved.

Final Thoughts:

All my stars are for Raphael haha, and his devotion to Samara. I love a vampire who’s fallen first and will do anything to be with the one he loves. Most of the story was about their relationship but that cliffhanger ending shocked me – now I have to wait, but I honestly have so much faith in Raphael’s love for Samara that even this change of plans won’t stop him from loving her! Now I just want to see her have that same love for him and do the right thing.

Read if you like:

slow burn
vampire romance

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A Bargain So Bloody by. Vasilia Drake | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating:

Title: A Bargain So Bloody (Kingdom of Dark Magic, #1)

Author: Vasilia Drake

Pages: 498

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 6/30/25

Categories: Romantasy, Vampires and Witches, Series

She’s trapped in a magical prison. To break out, she’ll make a deal with the most dangerous prisoner of them all.

Sentenced for a crime she didn’t commit, Samara is bullied by guards and tormented by the screams of her fellow prisoners. She’s resigned herself to enduring her fifteen-year term… until she learns that the freedom she’s been promised is the cruelest lie of all.

Now she’s faced with a choice: resign herself to dying in the cold walls of Castle Greymere, or do the unthinkable and escape. But no one leaves Greymere alive. So to break out of the prison? She’ll have to use one of the undead.

Raphael is the worst kind of a vampire with a thirst for blood, the mortal enemy of witches, the same breed that killed her mother. And most importantly, he’s unspeakably powerful, his supernatural strength tamed only by the enchanted cuffs forced on him.

He’s her only chance at a life outside the prison walls.

The deal is Samara unlocks his shackles, and he’ll help her escape. But although Raphael agreed to help her leave Greymere, he never promised to let her go…

A Bargain So Bloody is the first book in an exciting new romantasy series, perfect for readers who love slow burn romance with morally grey heroes who fall first and hard and heroines who find their own strength.

Content Warning: violence, death, self-harm

World Building: There is a Witch Kingdom that is surrounded by Vampire Kingdoms and we get to spend time in the Witch Kingdom and the Western Vampire Kingdom. Samara has been a prisoner at Greymere, since she was a child. She is a null (no magic) and she’s basically the prison master’s slave until a prisoner appears and makes a bargain with her so she can help set him free. I was very intrigued with this world of vampires and witches.

Characters: Samara and Raphael escape the prison and go on a a quest to find a grimoire. They are both morally grey characters which made things very interesting. Sam has a secret past though, where she has memories of her mother and another life but we don’t know much more than that. She also hates vampires deeply and being with one opens her eyes to her enemy. Raphael is a powerful vampire, and realize he is more than he seems. There are some other interesting characters like Thea and Demos.

Romance: There isn’t much romance, this is very much a slow burn and enemies to lovers because Sam hates vampires. But I liked seeing them get to know one another, their banter and the tension between them. It’s a vampire romance, so there are some sensual scenes that had to do with blood drinking but not spice. I think it’s evident though that Raphael feels something strongly for Samara, and what I love about him is he gives her space. I did want more to happen, but it was a quick read.

Story: I like the world building, and the escape from the prison. I thought Sam and Raphael were interesting characters. The romance was slow but I didn’t mind because Samara was exploring Raphael’s home and finding out about vampires, grimoires and witches. I enjoyed the friendship Sam builds with Thea. There is a twist at the end that made me read book two right away.

Final Thoughts:

It did feel like nothing much was happening in the book after they escape from prison but I still felt like it was a quick read. I love a vampire romantasy though especially when the vampire falls first. It’s a slow burn romance between Samara and Raphael and I enjoyed the build up. I also found the world building interesting and look forward to reading more books in this series.

Read if you like:

slow burn
vampire romance

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Raven at the Ash Door by. K.A. Linde | Audiobook Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: The Raven at the Ash Door (The Oak and the Holly Cycle, #3)

Author: K.A. Linde

Pages: 586

Listening Hours: 16 hours (approx.)

Narrator (s): Stephanie Németh Parker

Format: audiobook (Libby)

Publication Date: 6/16/26

Categories: Romance, Urban Fantasy, Series, Romantasy

Can love survive an unbreakable curse?

Kierse McKenna’s magic is bound to a man she hates―one who has spent lifetimes fighting the man she loves.

To end this binding, Graves―her winter god, her monster―will stop at nothing. He discovers that the only hope of freeing Kierse is to locate a stone relic of legend, rumored to lift any curse.

The only problem? The stone has been missing for a century.

And the Oak King is on their trail.

Now Kierse is trapped at the heart of a centuries-long battle while the rest of the world comes unraveled. The Fae Killer is hunting. The peace with monsters is fracturing. And as the very rules of their myth start to shift, escaping the Oak King’s hold may demand more than stolen artifacts and clever heists.

For Kierse and Graves, it may mean risking the only thing they have left to lose.

Content Warning: death, violence

+ This is book 3 in the series and in my review of book 2 I said I was not going to continue this series. Why did I? Well I needed an audiobook to listen to while completing a 1000 piece puzzle 😅 but honestly…I was genuinely surprised at how much more I liked this book than the first 2. And I think it’s because the story has come together now – but I wish it didn’t take 3 books to make that happen. I did hear this is a 5 book series.

+ Kierse is working with Graves to find the stone that can help break the soul mate bond with Lorcan. While on the search for this stone though there is another subplot in connection with Fae being killed and now sorcerers too? So the fun part about this story is the urban fantasy setting plus the found family that Graves and Kierse has reluctant put together. The heists in the book really shows off everyone’s skills. Kierse is excelling in being a thief as usual. Graves, the mastermind of the group, was always researching and plotting. Lorcan, Kierse’s soul mate who refuses to leave her, was there for some of the action too just to keep her safe.

+ There is a lot of different magic use which was interesting and then the whole thing about the trees. I’m amazed I kept interested in the audiobook with so much going on. Usually I would lose interest, but I did think the magic system was fascinating.

+ The narrator did such a great job with this large cast. She had all kinds of accents too – really fantastic job. If I read this as an ebook I might have found it slow but she really kept me invested in these characters.

+~ I did like Kierse and Graves together and seeing their relationship move forward. They get pretty spicy also. But at the 80% mark of the story, things started to feel like the book was getting a bit too long. The romance is a never ending love triangle where Kierse explicitly chooses and loves Graves, but can’t deny the bond with Lorcan too. So that was driving me a little bit crazy – almost to the point of annoyed by the end of this book because things will just be swinging the other way again in book 4 and I don’t know if I have the patience for it. I feel like Graves is her end game, so why prolong it? I will say the series name The Holly and Oak Cycle, makes so much since because that’s what this series feels like especially in terms of the romance – it’s a cycle! One that I kind of want stopped. 😅

~ Also near the ending of this book, I was getting annoyed with Kierse. Yes she’s a badass thief, great, but there are times she just doesn’t listen. And that leads to some disastrous consequences at the end.

Final Thoughts:

Surprisingly, I enjoyed this one more than book one and two. I’m not sure if I will continue the series or just wait until the last 2 books are out. I like the urban fantasy setting and the found family, but the romance is a little frustrating.

Read if you like:

love triangle
urban fantasy
found family
heist

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Robin on the Oak Throne by. K.A. Linde | Audiobook Review – 3 stars/2 🌶️

The Wren in the Holly Library by. K.A. Linde | Book Review – 3 stars

Us Deadly Few by. Alexis Patton | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️.5

Title: Us Deadly Few (Us Dark Few, #2)

Author: Alexis Patton

Pages: 400

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 7/14/26 (deluxe edition) / first published 12/4/24

Categories: Dystopian Romance, Series

Khalani Kanes never imagined surviving Braderhelm Prison, let alone escaping to the desolate surface they had been told was uninhabitable. Haunted by the Governor of Apollo’s dark secrets, Khalani and her crew of criminals embark on a new perilous journey.

Now, the true test begins as Khalani ventures through the treacherous “Death-Zone” toward the nearest underground city, Hermes. Abandoned relics of a once-great nation are not the only threats on the barren road. Violent storms sweep across the Death-Zone, the deadly Takeshi Steele has resumed his cold detachment, and unsettling signs suggest they might not be alone on the surface.

To survive in this unforgiving world, Khalani must draw on her strength and harrowing experiences from Braderhelm. For a new kind of prison awaits in the corrupt city of Hermes—one where she finds herself trapped with the man who aggravates her the most. But this time, they’ll likely perish before escaping alive.

Content Warning: violence, death, sexual assault

World Building: Khalani and her friends are free from the underground prison of Apollo but are now trekking the surface without radiation suits to find Hermes. The landscape is dry, hot and lack water and food. They do come upon a walled dwelling where people live but are at war with another local group. But when they finally get to Hermes, they realize how different it is from Apollo. So there are a few different situations that happen in this book that I enjoyed because it kept the story moving.

Characters: Khalani has some growth when it comes to leadership. She’s the heart of the group I think because she brought her found family together. Do I wish at times she wasn’t so naive? Yes. She’s someone who gets deep in her feelings and writes poetry. I want her to be tougher, but that’s not Khalani and I guess I have accepted it. She’s soft where the world is hard, and I know it’s important she keeps that innocence about her. The found family trope is stronger in this one now that they have been together We meet some interesting characters in Hermes and I look forward to learning more about them hopefully in book three.

Romance: Khalani and Takeshi are in a frustrating slow burn romance – they have a push/pull relationship filled with angst. This is where I feel Khalani feels like a younger character. She has no experience with a lot of things, she’s naive and Takeshi does basically everything to show her he is possessive of her but she still thinks he doesn’t care about her. 😅 Just when you think okay, they’ve broken down their walls, it goes back up again. There was some spice between them at least.

Story: I think I enjoyed this one a little more than book one because they break free of Apollo and we get to see the world on the surface. We get more hints about what happened in the nuclear war that destroyed the world and I thought Hermes was a nice change of pace from Apollo. I hope Khalani and Takeshi get it together in book three – it will be another challenge after how this book ends, but I’m looking forward to see how it plays out.

Final Thoughts:

One thing that appeals to me about this dystopian romance is that it’s easy to consume, there isn’t any heavy world building, so it’s an easy read. So far I like how it’s progressed, especially now that the world has opened up. Do I wish the romance would burn a little faster? Yes. But that’s just a personal preference, the angst between them is sometimes too much for me. 😅 I look forward to reading book three.

Read if you like:

push/pull slow burn romance
dystopian romance
found family

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Us Dark Few by. Alexis Patton | ARC Review – 3.5 stars/🌶️

The Winged Game by. Sophie Kim | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: The Winged Game

Author: Sophie Kim

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 544

Publication Date: 6/30/26

Publisher: Del Rey

Categories: Romance, Fantasy, Sports Romance

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Del Rey for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Fantasy meets sports romance in this sizzling slow-burn novel from the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The God and the Gumiho, in which the disgraced star of a brutal magical sport must team up with the rival who destroyed her career.

Carriwitchet, the violent, rugby-esque game played atop winged beasts, was once Taissa Cho’s whole life, and she was once the United Kingdom’s most promising player. Until her nemesis, rival player Kion Locke, destroyed her career in a single moment. Expelled from the sport in disgrace, Taissa has spent the last two years dreaming of nothing but revenge and relishing watching Kion’s team plummet to the bottom of the league.

So when Taissa is offered the chance to redeem herself and her career, she can’t refuse—even if the offer is coming from the very man who ruined everything in the first place. It’s close to a dream come true . . . except for that pesky clause in her contract that demands she and Kion enter a fake relationship in order to garner some much-needed positive PR for the team. This could not be a worse match. Taissa and Kion only have two things in their love of the game, and their undying hatred for each other.

Yet as a mysterious illness befalls the winged creatures of the entire league—putting both the beasts’ lives and the very sport itself at stake—the athletes find themselves partnering up in other ways, determined to crack the case of the eerie sickness. As their investigation takes them on a whirlwind adventure, Kion and Taissa are prepared for anything . . .

Anything, that is, but their fake-for-the-cameras relationship to maybe, just maybe, become something real after all.

Content Warning: violence

World Building: This is a fantasy/sci-fi sports romance story and I loved it! Carriwitchet is a game played with high stakes – different teams and different winged creatures, like dragons, wyverns, hippogriffs and more. I felt like the game was explained really well and I enjoyed all the action of the sport. And though it is fantasy, it is written in our current year and has many modern day elements like the social media comments.

Characters: Taissa was once a very popular Carriwitchet player until her rival, Kion took her down by exposing her. Both Taissa and Kion are alike – top players of the sport, quick tempers, but Taissa is a lot more impulsive while Kion rarely shows emotions. Both of them though have their own demons and I love how they bickered, but eventually when the air clears and they finally listen to one another – they become the best together. A strong part of this story is the found family element which Kion has with his teammates, a team he is trying desperately to save. When Taissa is added to the mix, there is a lot of distrust, but I loved seeing how it breaks down when they finally accept her onto the team. The winged creatures are fun because they have a voice in this story, especially Cronus – Taissa’s decrepit creature – he was so grumpy, I love him! But I love how everyone has an emotional story and it made me invested in their stories.

Romance: The romance is rivals to lovers, these two hated one another just from a misunderstanding. And though I usually hate when a misunderstanding or miscommunication happens, I didn’t mind this one because it happens to Kion who was going through some trigger to a trauma. I love how we watch Taissa and Kion for from hate, to love. It’s so entertaining! There is a little spice and yes I do wish it had more just because Taissa and Kion had such good chemistry even as rivals.

Story: I was surprised this was a standalone but also love it because of that. Not only did this have found family and a rivals to lovers romance, but there is a mystery in the story as well. Taissa and Kion have to figure out who cursed their team before they lose their team altogether, so the stakes were high. I also loved the humor in this story!

Final Thoughts:

I loved this story because it had so much action, the rivals to lovers romance was so funny and entertaining, and each character had an emotional background and I was rooting for all of them very hard. It has humor, winged creatures who can mind speak and even mystery! I was thoroughly entertained!

Read if you like:

sports romance, but fantasy
found family
friendship
mystery

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Nobody’s Quest by. Alyssa Day | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Nobody’s Quest (#1)

Author: Alyssa Day

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 6/2/26

Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Quest, Series

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Entangled: Red Tower Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The goddess needs a nobody. The prince needs a miracle.
Soli Graymind might be both.

Soli has spent most of her life being invisible—an indentured servant, a library mold-scrubber, the girl no one sees unless she’s in the way. So, when the king’s guards show up with swords drawn, she assumes it’s a mistake.

It’s not.

Moments later, she’s standing in the throne room while the king tells her she’s been chosen to retrieve a set of ancient keys—only the keys can save the goddess and stop the chaos beyond the palace walls. Because the world isn’t waiting to be saved.

It’s already burning.

And beside him stands Prince Kaelen: devastatingly beautiful, mercilessly cold, and certain Soli won’t survive the hard journey ahead.

He’s probably right.

But Soli’s survived a lifetime of hard everything. She may be a nobody—no training, no real power, and no idea why she was chosen—but she refuses to be expendable. Even if the quest ahead is anything but simple. When assassins, monsters, and impossible choices fracture the fragile alliance slowly building with the Prince, Soli realizes she can’t hide in the shadows anymore.

Because, for the first time in her life, she has something to lose…

A high-stakes romantasy filled with slow-burn romance, found family, and a heroine who never expected to be anyone’s first choice.

Content Warning: violence, mental health, depression

World Building: Set in a fantasy world where a kingdom needs to be saved, a nobody named Soli is chosen to go on this important quest – but she has to pass a test first. Once that happens, she journeys with a group of people to find the keys needed to save the kingdom. The story is full of danger and major found family vibes.

Characters: Soli is a Gray Mind – someone who suffers from chronic depression and is marked for it. She’s strong, she’s brave even when she doesn’t want to be, and I thought she was really inspiring. I also thought she was funny. I love how she explained what Gray Mind meant, or tried to make her companions understand what it is. She suffers from a lot of self doubt and there is scene where she enters a depression – but I love the representation. Prince Kaelan is drawn to Soli from the start and wants to be her hero, but I also love how he allows her to be herself and encourages her when she is down. The rest of the characters are great too, there is a prince, a sorceress, a thief and more – I love the found family trope in this story. I love that they come to support and understand Soli.

Romance: Soli and Kaelan are drawn to one another, and there is desire as their relationship grows. I do think it happens kind of fast but the spice isn’t overly done. There are times Kaelan pulls back because he is a prince so Soli is left with him pushing and pulling and I totally understood her frustration with that. I was rooting for them though because I thought they were cute together.

Story: This story focuses on a quest to save a kingdom but I love how the one saving it is a “nobody”. And that nobody being a Gray Mind who a lot of times don’t feel like she can do anything – but she tries. She has a mantra that she repeats to herself, that gets her through hard things – and I related to her a lot on that. I may not suffer from depression but I’ve had hard times and been down or faced struggles and Soli’s story is an inspiration! Only issue I had was the pacing – it starts off strong but it does slow down at some point in the middle but picks up again in the second half.

Final Thoughts:

I love how in this story, a kingdom is about to be saved by a nobody, or a bunch of them actually. Soli’s story has a Gray Mind and suffering from chronic depression is so inspirational because though she has challenges, she faces them, even when she is scared. But the point is she faces them. This book has a great message! The ending sets it up for book two and I can’t wait to see how much more Soli grows in this series!

Read if you like:

a quest
romance
prophecy
found family

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Nobody’s Quest by. Alyssa Day (Deluxe Edition)

The Knight and the Moth by. Rachel Gillig | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice: 🌶️

Title: The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom, #1)

Author: Rachel Gillig

Format: hardcover (own)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 5/20/25

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Gothic

Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all. Like the other foundling girls who traded a decade of service for a home in the great cathedral, Sybil is a Diviner. In her dreams she receives visions from six unearthly figures known as Omens. From them, she can predict terrible things before they occur, and lords and common folk alike travel across the kingdom of Traum’s windswept moors to learn their futures by her dreams.

Just as she and her sister Diviners near the end of their service, a mysterious knight arrives at the cathedral. Rude, heretical, and devilishly handsome, the knight Rodrick has no respect for Sybil’s visions. But when Sybil’s fellow Diviners begin to vanish one by one, she has no choice but to seek his help in finding them. For the world outside the cathedral’s cloister is wrought with peril. Only the gods have the answers she is seeking, and as much as she’d rather avoid Rodrick’s dark eyes and sharp tongue, only a heretic can defeat a god.

Content Warning: violence, drowning

+ The Knight and the Moth is set in a time of knights, cathedrals, omens, kings and really embodies an eerie gothic vibes from start to finish. I love the mystical nature of the diviners and creatures like sprites. Whenever I put the book down, I couldn’t stop thinking of it and wanted to pick it up again. The whole of the story is very creative, imaginative, and refreshing. I do feel like at times the story was like a fever dream.

+ Sybil or Six, is a diviner. She wears a shroud over her eyes and is drowned in order to give a divination. As the story progresses she uncovers secrets and truths about how she came to be a diviner. It’s quite a journey that Sybil goes through in this story and her story isn’t over yet.

+ When Sybil meets the King and his knights, they eventually form a found family between her, her gargoyle Bartholomew, Rory, Maude and Benji (the young king). I did also like her found family with the other diviners that was present in the beginning of the story, only going by numbers as names like One, Two, Three, etc. This found family is what journeys with Sybil through many quests and obstacles, and I love how close they get.

+ There is a romance between Sybil and Rory and it’s enemies to lovers but I feel like it was more dislike to like. Rory’s a rogue knight, he’s trying his best but he doesn’t make the best knight and Sybil, well he gets under her skin and she can’t stand that. The moment their mutual feelings turn to like though, it becomes a sweet romance between them. I like how Sybil is almost as strong as Rory, she is not a fragile maiden. They are perfect for one another.

+ I really enjoyed how mysterious and mystical this story unfolded. And I found the ending emotional with Bartholomew’s story telling and the twist that occurs at the end. Speaking of Bartholomew, the gargoyle is so funny! I love him. I love how he brought humor to this otherwise dark tale. I also enjoyed the themes about gods, false gods, and power.

~ I think the only minor issue I had with the story is when they are battling the living Omens. Some of them were really good and filled with action like the Oarsman. But the one with the chime happened so fast and was anticlimactic.

Final Thoughts:

This is definitely a gothic fantasy with romance, and not a romantasy. If you are going into this thinking it is a romantasy then you will be disappointed. I loved how imaginative and refreshing this story felt. I didn’t read this book in one day, it took me about four days and I’m kind of glad I read it slowly. I was more immersed in the world and characters and the setting while I read it slow. I enjoyed this one a lot, especially that silly gargoyle Bartholomew! Also, I got the hardcover of this book with the sprayed edges and can I just mention how gorgeous this book is? I can’t wait to see what happens in the sequel!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Dagger and the Flame by. Catherine Doyle | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Dagger and the Flame (The City of Fantome, #1)

Author: Catherine Doyle

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 510

Publication Date: 10/1/24

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Categories: New Adult, Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Series, Enemies to Lovers

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In the dark underbelly of a beautiful city, two rival assassins are pitted against each other in a deadly game of revenge, where the most dangerous mistake of all is falling in love in this searing young adult fantasy.

In Fantome, a kingdom of cobbled streets, flickering lamplight, beautiful buildings, and secret catacombs, Shade-magic is a scarce and deadly commodity controlled by two enemy the Cloaks and the Daggers—the thieves and the assassins. On the night of her mother’s murder, seventeen-year-old Seraphine runs for her life. Seeking sanctuary with the Cloaks, Sera’s heart is set on revenge. But are her secret abilities a match for the dark-haired boy whose quicksilver eyes follow her around the city?

Nothing can prepare Sera for the moment she finally comes face-to-face with Ransom, heir to the Order of Daggers. And Ransom is shocked to discover that this unassuming farm girl wields a strange and blazing magic he has never seen before. As the Cloaks and the Daggers grapple for control of Fantome’s underworld, Sera and Ransom are consumed by the push and pull of their magic…and the deadly spark and terrible vengeance that keeps drawing them back together.

Content Warning: violence, death, domestic violence, abuse, profanity

I was looking for an enemies to lovers romance and I got it with this book! Here are my thoughts:

Likes:

I’ve been craving for an enemies to lovers romance and this one has banter, violence, and sizzling chemistry that had me riveted. Now I say this is new adult because there was steamy scene. But I loved the cat and mouse between them – and the sending notes to one another scenes? Loved it.
I enjoyed the world building and how the Cloak (thieves) and Daggers (assassins) are rival organized crime groups. Central to these two sides is Seraphine who’s mother was basically a drug manufacturer (the drug being Shade) and was killed by a Dagger. Now Sera is out for revenge and I like the twists in the story. It doesn’t help Sera’s dreams of revenge that Ransom is tasked to kill her.
I love Pippin, Sera’s dog.
Both Sera and Ransom have found families but Sera’s found family is tighter and more trustworthy whereas Ransom’s is a little more cutthroat. I definitely felt for Ransom, poor guy.

Dislikes:

I wanted more interaction between Sera and Ransom in the first half but it’s a slow burn between them.
The beginning of the story is slow but I’m glad I stuck it out.

My Thoughts:

I found this story pretty entertaining and I loved that it was enemies to lovers with some blood involved. This story has action, found family, a lot of chemistry between two rivals, magic and some interesting twists. I was rooting for Sera and Ransom until the end, so we’ll see what happens in book two!

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Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books By This Author:

Cursed Crowns by. Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Twin Crowns by. Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review | The Storm Keeper’s Island ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Vendetta (Blood for Blood, #1) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Inferno (Blood for Blood, #2) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mafiosa (Blood for Blood, #3) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wildblood by. Lauren Blackwood | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Wildblood

Author: Lauren Blackwood

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 2/7/23

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Contemporary, Fantasy, Magic, Young Adult, Paranormal

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Wednesday Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Eighteen-year-old Victoria is a Wildblood. Kidnapped at the age of six and manipulated by the Exotic Lands Touring Company, she’s worked as a tour guide ever since with a team of fellow Wildbloods who take turns using their magic to protect travelers in a Jamaican jungle teeming with ghostly monsters.

When the boss denies Victoria an earned promotion to team leader in favor of Dean, her backstabbing ex, she’s determined to prove herself. Her magic may be the most powerful on the team, but she’s not the image the boss wants to send their new client, Thorn, a renowned goldminer determined to reach an untouched gold supply deep in the jungle.

Thorn is everything Victoria isn’t – confident, impossibly kind, and so handsome he leaves her speechless. And when he entrusts the mission to her, kindness turns to mutual respect, turns to affection, turns to love. But the jungle is treacherous, and between hypnotic river spirits, soul-devouring women that shed their skin like snakes, and her ex out for revenge, Victoria has to decide – is promotion at a corrupt company really what she wants?

Content Warning: violence, death, abuse, mention of rape, forced labor, kidnapping

I loved this author’s last book, Within These Wicked Walls, and wanted to see what new world she created with Wildblood. Here’s what I thought:

+ There is a tour in Jamaica that takes people through a magical, dangerous jungle. Only people with magic in their blood or blood science can take these people safely through the jungle. The most powerful person at this tour company is Victoria. I thought this idea of blood science was very unique and creative. It’s basically blood magic, but I guess more modern.

+ The characters are very unique and intriguing. All of the young people working in this tour company have been kidnapped and abused – it’s a pretty awful place to be, but because they have been abused – they feel hopeless in ever leaving. Victoria is our heroine, Dean is a villain but not the only one – but he is the one we get a clear look at what abuse and fear does to a child when they grow up, Thorn is a wealthy man who pays for a tour and sees this blood science for the first time and all the other side characters are fascinating as well! There is betrayal and mistrust throughout the whole story.

+ The setting of this jungle filled with monsters is a character in itself and it heightened the tension in the story. I really enjoyed the unique world-building.

+ I like Victoria’s character growth. She learns to lead and fight back against her abuser. Also the twist in the story is pretty cool, I was not expecting it at all.

~ I don’t mind insta-love but I felt this one is totally rushed. Thorn and Victoria just met and are saying I love you by the end of this tour and story. I did like how it ended because Victoria really needs to learn who she is before settling down but it was definitely a quick relationship. I didn’t quite feel the love between them.

~ There are so many dark themes in this book – these kids have been abused so badly by their boss. Victoria is even raped by him. I’m usually okay with these themes but Dean’s treatment of Victoria was so toxic, I felt ill for her. I felt horrible for Dean too and all of them who worked for their evil boss.

~ I wish we learned more about blood science. Also there was a bit of too much repetition with the phrase “kiss my teeth”.

Tropes: found family

Why you should read it:

dark story, dangerous jungle, blood magic
there is backstabbing, mistrust and an interesting twist in the story

Why you might not want to read it:

insta-love

My Thoughts:

Even though I had some issues with the story like the insta-love and wanting more information on the blood science, I actually read this book in two days because it was unique and intriguing. There are lots of trigger warnings in this one though. It is definitely a story with heavy themes but I like how it turns out in the end. I look forward to reading more from this author!