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17 days and 23:09:47
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The Bounty of Blood and Nails
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Expected 3 Mar 26Win a free print copy of this book!
17 days and 23:09:47
3 copies available
U.S. only
Tam is a heartless, ruthless bounty hunter—or so her handler would have you believe.
With her ability to use forbidden blood magic, Tam tracks and captures her prey. The same blood magic that curses her to a life of servitude under a cruel handler—one wrong move and not only her life, but her family’s will be at stake. But when she’s sent to a remote, superstitious northern town where even a glimmer of magic will send you to the gallows, she’s forced to confront the darker consequences of her work.
After the murder of her bounty, innocent townspeople are blamed—and Tam’s conscience begins to stir. But there’s no turning back. Her handler raises the stakes, and her next mission is even more dangerous: infiltrate the royal castle and capture the enigmatic Prince Bellinor. Disguised as a maid, Tam is drawn into a world of deadly secrets, where her words are whispered into the prince’s ears through an ancient magic she’s never faced before.
To get close to the prince, she befriends his loyal bodyguard, Clement, but the deeper she digs, the more she realizes that Clement’s destiny is tied to the prince. With time running out and the castle tightening, Tam is forced to watch the trial of the people blamed for her own prior actions. But will she complete the mission—or risk it all as she falls in love with the person whose life she must destroy?
In this fast-paced, thrilling tale of magic, betrayal, and forbidden love, Tam will have to decide if being the bad guy is worth losing everything.
With her ability to use forbidden blood magic, Tam tracks and captures her prey. The same blood magic that curses her to a life of servitude under a cruel handler—one wrong move and not only her life, but her family’s will be at stake. But when she’s sent to a remote, superstitious northern town where even a glimmer of magic will send you to the gallows, she’s forced to confront the darker consequences of her work.
After the murder of her bounty, innocent townspeople are blamed—and Tam’s conscience begins to stir. But there’s no turning back. Her handler raises the stakes, and her next mission is even more dangerous: infiltrate the royal castle and capture the enigmatic Prince Bellinor. Disguised as a maid, Tam is drawn into a world of deadly secrets, where her words are whispered into the prince’s ears through an ancient magic she’s never faced before.
To get close to the prince, she befriends his loyal bodyguard, Clement, but the deeper she digs, the more she realizes that Clement’s destiny is tied to the prince. With time running out and the castle tightening, Tam is forced to watch the trial of the people blamed for her own prior actions. But will she complete the mission—or risk it all as she falls in love with the person whose life she must destroy?
In this fast-paced, thrilling tale of magic, betrayal, and forbidden love, Tam will have to decide if being the bad guy is worth losing everything.
302 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 3, 2026
11 people are currently reading
2426 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
"This is not how I pictured my life going."
When Tam, a bounty hunter in possession of forbidden blood magic, finishes her latest assignment she's hopeful that she'll be able to take a much needed rest. However, fate - or more accurately her handler - isn't so kind. Her next target may prove to be the deadliest of them all: Prince Bellinor himself.
Sent northward with a deadline snapping at her heels, Tam must infiltrate the Prince's castle and use her magic to mark him so that the Collectors can do their job. But the Prince doesn't seem like a criminal and Tam's pesky conscience starts to get in the way. But something is going on in the castle. And if Tam doesn't figure it out and get her priorities straight fast enough, more than just her life will be at stake. But it would be a whole lot easier for her to stick to her task if the Prince's guard would stop looking at her like that...
The Bounty of Blood and Nails is an excellent first installment to a thrilling new dark romantic fantasy series by author N.K. Brown. From the very first page Brown draws you in, weaving an atmosphere full of gothic imagery and magic. The world she has created is as mysterious as it is intense. I particularly liked the way she chose to introduce us to Tam - mid job and in her element. Reluctant as she might be, Tam is good at her job and watching her work her marks is a treat.
I found myself completely captivated and hungry for more the entire time I read. In particular, I can't help but wonder why blood magic is forbidden, what exactly the Queens have against magic users. I feel like there is a bigger story here and I really hope this is explored in future installments.
The easy going banter between Tam and Clement as well as Tam and Lilyanna brought some much needed levity to situations that otherwise might have remained tense. Their camaraderie brought a balancing force to the story and allowed the reader to see that while a lot of the tale was doom and gloom, there were still things worth fighting for. There are still people worth saving.
Overall, I was thoroughly enchanted and I cannot wait to read more from N.K. Brown. Thank you to the author and City Owl Press for providing an advance copy of this work for me to honestly review.
When Tam, a bounty hunter in possession of forbidden blood magic, finishes her latest assignment she's hopeful that she'll be able to take a much needed rest. However, fate - or more accurately her handler - isn't so kind. Her next target may prove to be the deadliest of them all: Prince Bellinor himself.
Sent northward with a deadline snapping at her heels, Tam must infiltrate the Prince's castle and use her magic to mark him so that the Collectors can do their job. But the Prince doesn't seem like a criminal and Tam's pesky conscience starts to get in the way. But something is going on in the castle. And if Tam doesn't figure it out and get her priorities straight fast enough, more than just her life will be at stake. But it would be a whole lot easier for her to stick to her task if the Prince's guard would stop looking at her like that...
The Bounty of Blood and Nails is an excellent first installment to a thrilling new dark romantic fantasy series by author N.K. Brown. From the very first page Brown draws you in, weaving an atmosphere full of gothic imagery and magic. The world she has created is as mysterious as it is intense. I particularly liked the way she chose to introduce us to Tam - mid job and in her element. Reluctant as she might be, Tam is good at her job and watching her work her marks is a treat.
I found myself completely captivated and hungry for more the entire time I read. In particular, I can't help but wonder why blood magic is forbidden, what exactly the Queens have against magic users. I feel like there is a bigger story here and I really hope this is explored in future installments.
The easy going banter between Tam and Clement as well as Tam and Lilyanna brought some much needed levity to situations that otherwise might have remained tense. Their camaraderie brought a balancing force to the story and allowed the reader to see that while a lot of the tale was doom and gloom, there were still things worth fighting for. There are still people worth saving.
Overall, I was thoroughly enchanted and I cannot wait to read more from N.K. Brown. Thank you to the author and City Owl Press for providing an advance copy of this work for me to honestly review.
June 6, 2025
I got to read this as a beta and it’s GOLD. I can’t wait to buy a copy of it when it’s published next year.
February 7, 2026
I really enjoyed this book I received an eARC and it was not what I was expecting it to be. The magic system and the court dynamics were very well thought out. I wish there was a little bit more character development, though on some of the side characters. There were just a couple times I wish I got a little bit more backstory, and that could be something that the author is planning to do in the next book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It has very dystopian Court vibes and I feel like there’s a lot of potential for it to become a good series. You do not see the ending coming and I feel like the way it was left off as a wee bit of a cliffhanger so there’s a lot to grow from moving forward.
4.5 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It has very dystopian Court vibes and I feel like there’s a lot of potential for it to become a good series. You do not see the ending coming and I feel like the way it was left off as a wee bit of a cliffhanger so there’s a lot to grow from moving forward.
4.5 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️
February 7, 2026
Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Bounty of Blood and Nails! I SO enjoyed this world and these characters.
Your mission, should you choose to accept: infiltrate the royal castle and capture the enigmatic Prince Bellinor. (Mission Impossible, anyone?)
Just kidding, Tam didn’t really have a choice. I mean, she does, but… you’ll see. No spoilers here!
The world building is fire, with a dark gothic vibe that I love! Our FMC, Tam, is a totally badass bounty hunter (or as Clement says, “a maid that moonlights as an assassin” 😂) she’s such a complex character. She’s bold, unapologetic, smart and so easy to connect with.
There are some lil twisty twists and you literally never know where loyalties lie. As Fox Mulder would say, “Trust No One”.
Ugh… Clement, I just love that sexy, rugged grump.
"I've been trying to protect you, Tam. Ever since I saw you, but you make it impossible."
"I don't want a protector. There are enough people in my life trying to control me, Clement. I want an equal."
And then we have Prince Bellinor… who I was really digging until I decided I fucking hate him. You will too. But, the tension between them was still pretty hot!
“Where are your guards?”
"Sometimes I like to shake them, experience a little freedom. They'll be here any second, though. What shall we do to pass the time, Tam? It's not often we're both allowed this close to one another unprotected."
I’m hoping for more backstory as far as the forbidden blood magic goes and the Collectors, and more history about the queens and WHY everything is the way it is. Super excited to get into more of Clement’s sisters story too!
Overall, this was a fast paced, fun Romantasy and I’m looking forward to book 2!!
Your mission, should you choose to accept: infiltrate the royal castle and capture the enigmatic Prince Bellinor. (Mission Impossible, anyone?)
Just kidding, Tam didn’t really have a choice. I mean, she does, but… you’ll see. No spoilers here!
The world building is fire, with a dark gothic vibe that I love! Our FMC, Tam, is a totally badass bounty hunter (or as Clement says, “a maid that moonlights as an assassin” 😂) she’s such a complex character. She’s bold, unapologetic, smart and so easy to connect with.
There are some lil twisty twists and you literally never know where loyalties lie. As Fox Mulder would say, “Trust No One”.
Ugh… Clement, I just love that sexy, rugged grump.
"I've been trying to protect you, Tam. Ever since I saw you, but you make it impossible."
"I don't want a protector. There are enough people in my life trying to control me, Clement. I want an equal."
And then we have Prince Bellinor… who I was really digging until I decided I fucking hate him. You will too. But, the tension between them was still pretty hot!
“Where are your guards?”
"Sometimes I like to shake them, experience a little freedom. They'll be here any second, though. What shall we do to pass the time, Tam? It's not often we're both allowed this close to one another unprotected."
I’m hoping for more backstory as far as the forbidden blood magic goes and the Collectors, and more history about the queens and WHY everything is the way it is. Super excited to get into more of Clement’s sisters story too!
Overall, this was a fast paced, fun Romantasy and I’m looking forward to book 2!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Now THAT'S how you write an interesting FMC who's badass without sacrificing complexity and emotions.
This gothic and seductive romantasy follows Tam - a bounty hunter skilled in forbidden blood magic - caught in a dangerous position, bound to a wicked handler who refuses to cut her free, casting one favour and binding after another to make Tam so desperate she'll never leave.
And her latest task? Infiltrate a dangerous castle where using magic costs users their lives, meaning Tam will have to be extra ruthless and careful to escape. Ordered to kill the seemingly charming Prince Bellinor, Tam takes up the role of a maid, caring for the princess, soon-to-be engaged to the prince, whose dangerous past has left all his previous potential brides dead before the wedding.
Cue mysterious whispers, lurking shadows - and one hot, grumpy lurking guard named Clement - and walls that seem alive. Tam soon realises there's so much more at stake besides her own life and bounty, but the fate of the castle residents, the townsfolk, and magic itself.
As her relationship with Clement grows deeper, Tam struggles with where her loyalties lie. Who can she trust without holding all the cards?
The Bounty of Blood and Nails is fast, sexy and filled with characters you have NO idea whether to trust or not. I loved trying to work out who was on whose side and guess the twists, but I never could!
This gothic and seductive romantasy follows Tam - a bounty hunter skilled in forbidden blood magic - caught in a dangerous position, bound to a wicked handler who refuses to cut her free, casting one favour and binding after another to make Tam so desperate she'll never leave.
And her latest task? Infiltrate a dangerous castle where using magic costs users their lives, meaning Tam will have to be extra ruthless and careful to escape. Ordered to kill the seemingly charming Prince Bellinor, Tam takes up the role of a maid, caring for the princess, soon-to-be engaged to the prince, whose dangerous past has left all his previous potential brides dead before the wedding.
Cue mysterious whispers, lurking shadows - and one hot, grumpy lurking guard named Clement - and walls that seem alive. Tam soon realises there's so much more at stake besides her own life and bounty, but the fate of the castle residents, the townsfolk, and magic itself.
As her relationship with Clement grows deeper, Tam struggles with where her loyalties lie. Who can she trust without holding all the cards?
The Bounty of Blood and Nails is fast, sexy and filled with characters you have NO idea whether to trust or not. I loved trying to work out who was on whose side and guess the twists, but I never could!
February 8, 2026
Thank you to the author and the publisher, Victory Editing NetGalley co-op, for sharing an ARC of this book with me !!!
“No one should be trapped by another”
Wonderful. I find myself in awe. This is such a unique book. Wow. Dark circus vibes. Dark magic. Blood magic. Bounty Hunter ready to go and unalive the prince just to be free of the powers chaining them to a life of servitude. And then … love. Blossoming where you least expect it. Tam’s story was spellbinding and enchanting. I found myself so excited to read more, than I simply couldn’t put the book down. I needed to know what she was doing. How she would have responded to the things happening around her. And how she would have reacted to the forbidden yet undeniable attraction to someone she definitely should have not let in!! And underneath this all, the powerful magic, the intricate characters’ dynamics and the plot twists happening throughout the book, made it so that I could not do anything else but love it!! I cannot wait for more !!!
“This is not how I pictured my life going”
“I have a date with the devil”
“No one should be trapped by another”
Wonderful. I find myself in awe. This is such a unique book. Wow. Dark circus vibes. Dark magic. Blood magic. Bounty Hunter ready to go and unalive the prince just to be free of the powers chaining them to a life of servitude. And then … love. Blossoming where you least expect it. Tam’s story was spellbinding and enchanting. I found myself so excited to read more, than I simply couldn’t put the book down. I needed to know what she was doing. How she would have responded to the things happening around her. And how she would have reacted to the forbidden yet undeniable attraction to someone she definitely should have not let in!! And underneath this all, the powerful magic, the intricate characters’ dynamics and the plot twists happening throughout the book, made it so that I could not do anything else but love it!! I cannot wait for more !!!
“This is not how I pictured my life going”
“I have a date with the devil”
October 24, 2025
Hi, author here! I loved writing this dark, romantic fantasy. Tam is my favourite character with her strength and sass.
This novel developed from 2 things, a magic trick (as seen in chapter 1) and the following logline: it's fun to be the bad guy...until you develop a conscience.
Pick it up if you like:
Morally grey characters
Dark, lush fantasy
Blood magic
Enemies-to-lovers
This novel developed from 2 things, a magic trick (as seen in chapter 1) and the following logline: it's fun to be the bad guy...until you develop a conscience.
Pick it up if you like:
Morally grey characters
Dark, lush fantasy
Blood magic
Enemies-to-lovers
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don’t think I’ve read another book quite like this! The setting keeps you on your toes and it is so unique that you have to keep drinking in the details. The characters are great and have amazing development. This was my first book from N K Brown, but will certainly not be my last.
June 17, 2025
I beta’d this book and I FLEW through it. This was months ago and the characters all still live rent free in my brain.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the chance to beta read an early version of this book and I love it! I'm so proud of N.K. and can't wait to get a copy on my bookshelf!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews