Primal Kill

The Order of Vampires #5

by Lydia Michaels

“Bestselling author, Lydia Michaels, writes a ROMANTASY world that fans of Sarah J Maas will love! Don’t miss this darkly compelling, heart-pounding epic saga where paranormal magick takes on the patriarchy of an ancient society like never before.”

Three hundred years ago, Adriel Schrock escaped her brutal mate after burying him alive. She found sanctuary on an immortal Amish farm, but her peaceful stay has come to an end.

After centuries of being entombed, Cerberus is finally free, and he plans to show his traitorous mate just how ruthless he can be. Adriel is running for her life, but Cerberus is hunting her down and his vengeful black heart knows no mercy. He’s planned an eternity of torture and will not rest until a reckoning is delivered.

There is only one way to ensure that doesn’t happen—one of them must die.

When Adriel’s path collides with a vexing witch, an alliance is formed. Both females are determined to survive their haunting pasts, and they must work together to accomplish the unthinkable as the saga continues in this bestselling fantasy series, The Order of Vampires.

Primal Kill is a life-or-death, high fantasy, dark paranormal romance with multiple points of view and LGBTQ themes.

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal, Dark Romance, Dark Fantasy

652 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2024

About the author

Lydia Michaels is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than forty novels. She writes heart-clenching, unpredictable romance with dark elements and high heat. Her work is character-driven and bursting with broken heroes and badass females. With a sweet spot for overbearing, territorial types, her deeply emotional books are spicy, emotionally satisfying, and guaranteed to leave readers with many book hangovers.

Lydia is the consecutive winner of the 2018 & 2019 Author of the Year Award from Happenings Media and the recipient of the 2014 Best Author Award from the Courier Times. She has been featured by USA Today, Romantic Times Magazine, the Women in Publishing Summit, and more.

Michaels has been a recognized presence in the author community since starting her career in 2007. She is the CEO of LMC Consulting and a certified author coach specializing in characterization and plot development. She takes great joy in hosting author events celebrating diversity within the book industry. She has bridged connections among many authors since founding renowned events such as the East Coast Author Convention and the Annual Behind the Keys Author Retreat. However, the gem of her work is, by far, her extensive backlist (see LydiaMichaelsBooks.com).

She is happily married to her childhood sweetheart. Her favorite things include cooking Italian cuisine, hosting extravagant dinner parties, sipping martinis, listening to her husband play piano, and escaping to her coastal home on the Jersey Shore. She’s an LGBTQ ally, a BLM supporter, and a firm believer that the patriarchy must burn (women’s rights are human rights).

You can follow Lydia on Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook!
Instagram: @lydia_michaels_books
Facebook: @LydiaMichaels
TikTok: @LydiaMichaels

Reviews

[Michelle The Outgoing Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh the multiple POVs drew me in from the start.

I don’t read a lot of FF romance but this one sucked me in. These two just click though there is some obstacles to say the least.

Immortal love story that has me quite intrigued. Steam is on point.

But it’s not just Adriel and Juniper’s story - well most of the book is. Grace is given her time to shine as well which sets the reader up for what’s to come in the next book. And it looks very good.

* I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.

[Jenner Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been eagerly awaiting this book! I am completely obsessed with this series!
Lydia Michaels has rekindled my love for PNR with her Amish Vampires.
Primal Kill, however, leads us on a journey of self-discovery and the discovery of new characters and places.
I don't want to give anything away, so all I'll leave you with this...you're going to love Juniper and Adriel. Prepare for an emotional ride!

[Denise Doughten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good romance

This was a good book. Still love the characters. More were added and fit so well. Loved the story so much.

[Reading by Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cerberus Maddox XI has been entombed under the earth for centuries his limbs torn from his body with no food, water or air to regenerate. Uncontrollable agony had been his life, but now that he was free he would get his vengeance. Adriel would pay for what they had done to him!

He had found her. Burned her out of her home forcing her to flee. She looked behind her in fear... is it Cerberus behind her? But no, it wasn't her mate who she has been evading for centuries. It was the witch who The Order had imprisoned. How had she escaped? How had she been able to keep up with an immortal?

I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable. This series is intended to be read in order as the characters are recurring and you need previous information to fully understand the depth of the story experiences of these characters.

This book has to be my favorite and does it take you on a journey! Cerberus is back and determined that Adriel suffer as he had. Adriel and Juniper made unlikely allies and a surprising relationship. Dane was asked to leave the farm for his part in Isaiah and Juniper escaping. Gracie... wow! She has the biggest surprise coming and I can't wait for her to find out what her calling really means for her.

This paranormal romance is action-packed, full of danger, suspense and twisted turns. There are lies, betrayals and surprising relationships. Highly recommend this series!

[Lydia Michaels]

[Nicole Marie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was in multiple pov and had so much to the story other than the main story of Adiel and Juniper!! I was completely sucked in and sitting at the edge of my seat! This entire series has been fascinating but this one is my favorite so far!

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

Hard to put down. A page turner of paranormal twists and turns. Filled with turmoil, lies and deceit. When love breaks the bonds of desperation only to find strength in it, can we find the HEA that lies ahead.

[Claire Cronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 5 in this utterly enthralling and unique vampire series! Unputdownable from the first to the last page! Best read in order, even though every book is different but the characters do spread out over the books, so best to get the full background to this.

This is Adriel's story...

Bound to a mate to showed her nothing but hate and pain using her in the worst ways possible.....

Cerberus manages to free himself after centuries being entombed in the earth, he wants nothing but revenge on the woman that put him there, to make her suffer as much as he has, not letting her die whilst he inflicts horrors of the worst kind.

Adriel is on the run for her life after Cerberus found her with The Order and set fire to her home. She meets Juniper, a witch that had been held prisoner and who also has managed to escape. Juniper vows to help her against Cerberus if they can escape together.

Action packed, full of suspense, twists and turns throughout to keep you on your toes, graphic scenes of violence, with some hot and steamy F/F and M/F scenes - I loved this story, the connection that blossoms between Adriel and Juniper was fabulous. Dane is also involved in this book also after being asked to leave the farm after helping Juniper escape, he also has nothing and Juniper refuses to leave him by himself. We find out lots of history in this one, especially Cerberus, Adriel and her family.

There is also a sub plot involving Grace and an elusive shifter, a shadow wolf - now this book I just can't wait to read, poor Gracie is going to find herself in a bit of a predicament I think!

Fabulous reading from start to finish, highly recommended.

[Perrin Larton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a vampire, witch, or paranormal fan...usually...but The Order of Vampires series by Lydia Michaels hooked me from book 1. and I feel the NEED to find out what's going on with this seemingly 'normal' Amish settlement and their people!

After centuries of captivity, Cerberus has escaped and his on the hunt for his 'mate', Adriel. To save her community, Adriel leaves with the knowledge that Cerberus will find her and torture her for eternity. A chance encounter with Juniper, a young witch with just emerging powers takes them on a journey with another escapee, Dane. As this unlikely trio try to outrun Cerberus, their lives are constantly in peril. As Cerberus makes inroads to their location, the tension ratchets up. Fabulous ending leading into the next story!

This series NEEDS to be read in order. There are too many tendrils from previous books that are woven around the stories. Well thought out and executed story. I enjoyed it.

[Tanya Rae ~ TaSTy WordGasms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Primal Kill is the fifth book in The Order of Vampires and is Adriel Schrock (immortal) and Juniper Tempest’s (witch) story. But it is so much more than just their story.

I had chills run down my arms as I was reading Primal Kill. I loved reading this book and I could barely put the book down.

Thankfully it wasn’t the usual type of cliffhanger that leaves your jaw on the floor but one that you know so much more is coming with the next book. 5 STAR book for sure! I LOVED READING PRIMAL KILL and can’t wait for book #6!

✔️Dark Paranormal Romance 🖤

✔️High Fantasy ⚔️

✔️Possessive Alphas ⛓️

✔️Shifters 🐾

✔️Spicy PNR 🔥

✔️Witches 🔮

✔️On The Run 🫦

✔️Male-Female Love ❤️

✔️LGBTQ Love 🌈

✔️Werewolves🐺

✔️Life or Death ⚰️

✔️Vampires 🩸

✔️Touch-Her-and-Die ⚰️

✔️Morally Grey 🖤

✔️Plot Twists 🌪️

[Julie D (Audio and Book Jewels) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cerberus is back.. and Adriel is on the run from him. He burned down her home, and he wants to make her suffer from all he suffered. He’s immortal, and almost impossible to kill, and he’s on a mission to torture Adriel. Juniper escapade at the same time Adriel did and, as a witch, has powers that can protect Adriel, so they are on the run together. What happens after they run… you’ll have to read it for yourself. I will not spoil the story.

I will say, it’s true Lydia Michaels.. she’s such an amazing story teller and her books are so well written, that I truly loved reading this whole series. I think everyone should read everything that Lydia Michaels writes in all genres!!

This is book 5 in the series, and it’s good. So good. You need to read this!!!

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cerberus is back and Adriel is on the run!
Cerberus had been buried alive for centuries with his extremities torn from his body. Being an Immortal with no food, water, or air to regenerate he existed through a continual cycle of torture until his body gave out only to revive and start the cycle over again. It was an uncontrollable agony to go through but now that he's free he intends to have his revenge by making Adriel pay for what she and her accomplices had done to him! When Cerberus finally finds her, he burns her out of the home causing her to flee. The overwhelming fear of hearing someone following her has motivated her to increase her speed. It's a high-energy, intoxicating storyline that kept my adrenaline pumping throughout the entire read. I'm all in with this series.

[Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve probably said this in my prior reviews of books in this series, but if you haven’t read any of The Order of Vampires books, you are truly missing out on a unique, intense, paranormal series. I highly recommend it as one of my favorite vampire-related series. This is book 5 and is the story of Adriel Schrock, who has been in all previous books. Her story is fascinating, tragic, dark, painful, and exciting. And the stories of the other characters are interwoven brilliantly. The true mark of a great story will have you impatiently waiting to get to the next one – which this one truly does. Very well done, Lydia Michaels!

[Lynn Stifle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #5 in The Order of Vampires and it’s absolutely fantastic! From the first page until the last I was captivated and couldn’t put it down. I loved Adriel and Juniper’s characters, both were complex and likable; I quite enjoyed Grace’s character as well. There’s plenty happening in this installment…it’s intense, filled with emotions, intrigue, excitement, and steam. Loved it and can’t wait for the next one!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Incredibly intense, emotional, suspenseful and highly intriguing story from start to finish.

With multiple POV’s, I was instantly hooked on each and every character and what they were going through. The story had me gripping my kindle tightly, biting my nails with anticipation and gasping at what transpires between each relationship.

Extremely well written with amazing characters and a plotline that will give you chills and goosebumps the whole way through.

[Ivy Blacke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, so I can't even say anything without spoilers so I'm sitting here going, how? Why? When? Oh crap!!! Lol..... this book had ne gripped by the heart, the throat and just gasping for what next.

Then the end and I'm going....what? Noooooo!
Lol, dang nab it! But ohhhh so good and worth every second.

[Lauren at Live Read and Breathe Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so hooked on this series. I mean who wouldn't be? We have amish and vampires!!! Such a unique but perfect blend of those two worlds. In Primal Kill we are really getting to the meat of the whole series. I can NOT wait for more.

[Sheila McGinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book - great series

[Sonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The misogyny is finally being challenged somewhat. Let’s see.

[Kelsey Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series. Some twists and turns that I didn’t expect.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the first few couple books a couple years ago, I knew exactly what I was going to when I started this book. Having said that.. in no way was I expecting to grow to hate the vampire village that I’d grown to like prior to this one. The way they treated the FMC just grated on me. An Amish patriarchal vampire community doesn’t really lend well towards an independent woman who wants to break ties with her past for once and for all.

This book really ties up the previous storylines and it truly makes you understand so much more about this series. And the werewolf glimpse we get throughout the book? Yup. Dying to read that!

[Twilla Wickedly Sweet and Synful Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I’ve been hooked on this series from the start, but this latest installment left me feeling conflicted. While the world-building is still intense and unique (definitely no sparkling vampires here). I've never read this type of story FF, and it was not cringe worthy as I expected. I'm not sure I like where this series is going. I can’t help but feel like the end of this story is losing its focus. Instead of diving deeper into the characters I love, like Gracie, it shifts its attention to a new culture that’s just not as compelling. The band of guys.

Gracie is one of the most intriguing and well-developed characters in the series, and she deserves an epic, fate-defying story. It’s frustrating to see her overshadowed by these new elements, especially when her book is next. I’m hoping the series pulls itself back on track and gives Gracie the spotlight and HEA she’s earned.

I’ll stick with the series for now because I want to see where Gracie’s story goes. Here’s hoping the next book delivers the depth, focus, and payoff I’ve been waiting for. Fingers crossed it’s worth the wait!