Imperfect Rose: Dark Fantasy Romance

by Roe Mance

A reluctant vampire prince. A human bride he was never meant to love. A kingdom built on blood that is destined to fall.
The Kingdom of Rashmody is a harsh and unforgiving place where survival is never guaranteed. Ruled by a vampire lord corrupted by his own twisted sense of morality, humans exist only to serve, and suffer. Kai, heir to the throne, knows his father’s cruelty all too well. Often the target of the king’s wrath, the kindhearted prince survives by avoiding him whenever possible.

That fragile balance shatters when his father brings a new human ward into the palace, intended to marry well and produce an heir worthy of Rashmody, or, failing that, to be sold for a high bride price.

Determined to remain indifferent, Kai refuses to risk his already fractured heart. But as love begins to bloom, the young woman’s compassion and quiet defiance awaken something he thought long buried. In a dystopian world built on blood and fear, Kai will do anything to protect this fragile spark of hope, even if it means defying his father and facing the vengeance of a ruthless rival.

Perfect for fans

Dark fantasy romance / RomantasyVampire-ruled dystopian worldForced betrothal & forced proximityForbidden loveTrauma bonding & slow-burn tensionA reluctant hero and a morally resilient heroine
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332 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 12, 2026

About the author

Roe Mance lives in Australia with her husband, children, five lively chickens and a dog. When her nose isn’t in a book she is writing, spending time with family, playing video games with a special love of Role-playing games.

She also enjoys archery, walks in green forested areas that include waterways which is often inspiration for her fascinating ability to imagine complex unique worlds and characters and dedicate them to paper. A natural storyteller she would often make up games to play with her siblings, which led to her drafting her first novel as a young teen and publishing it in early adulthood.

Roe has always had a fascination with language and phonetics; finding palindromes beguiling leading her to challenge friends in school to see who knew the longest ones. A quirky individual whose guilty pleasure is wearing odd socks with vibrant colors or designs. She values loyalty, kindness, and friendship above all.

Reviews

[Allison Blanchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really interesting read with a lot of promise. The premise is unique, and the worldbuilding was definitely the standout for me. It’s clear the author knows her world extremely well—the details, lore, and overall atmosphere felt thoughtfully constructed and immersive.

For me, the story didn’t always flow as smoothly as I hoped. The pacing felt a bit uneven in places, and there were moments where the tone or word choice pulled me out of the story slightly. The style leans toward a more classic, almost fantasy-dystopian vibe, so some modern language felt a little jarring against that backdrop.

I also would have loved a bit more depth when it came to some of the side characters. They had strong foundations, but I didn’t always feel fully connected to them, and some emotional beats could have been explored further.

Overall, this is a solid book with a creative concept and a well-built world. While it didn’t fully hit for me, I can absolutely see other readers loving it—especially those who enjoy dark, atmospheric settings and vampire dystopias. I’m curious to see where the author takes this world next.