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Vampire Blood #1
The Black Lily
Every day, the threat the Varis family poses to the humans they rule over grows stronger. Every minute that Arabelle spends doing chores for vain, entitled aristocrats, her resolve to overthrow the vampire monarchy increases. She is the leader of the underground resistance, The Black Lily. And she’s waited long enough.
Now is the perfect time to ignite the rebellion. The plan? Attend the vampire prince’s blood ball. And kill him.
Dagger in hand, Arabelle is caught off guard by the immediate spark she shares with Prince Marius. It doesn’t help that he’s listening to her and seems so kind and understanding.
Arabelle is sworn to kill Marius at all costs, but what if Prince Charming is more than he appears to be? But the big question? Now that he knows the truth, can she do what she must to save her people?
Now is the perfect time to ignite the rebellion. The plan? Attend the vampire prince’s blood ball. And kill him.
Dagger in hand, Arabelle is caught off guard by the immediate spark she shares with Prince Marius. It doesn’t help that he’s listening to her and seems so kind and understanding.
Arabelle is sworn to kill Marius at all costs, but what if Prince Charming is more than he appears to be? But the big question? Now that he knows the truth, can she do what she must to save her people?
300 pages, ebook
First published March 27, 2017
About the author
Juliette Cross
35 books2,460 followersFor upcoming news and releases, sign-up here: http://eepurl.com/XeKIn
JULIETTE is a multi-published author of paranormal and contemporary romance, including the best-selling STAY A SPELL series. She is the co-host of the podcast, Smart Women Read Romance with her niece, Jessen. As a native of Louisiana, she lives in the heart of Cajun country with her husband, four kids, and sundry animals. When she isn’t working on her next project, she enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows with her husband and a glass (or two) of red wine or whiskey.
Follow JULIETTE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliettecro...
Follow JULIETTE on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/juliettecros...
Follow JULIETTE on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Juliette__Cross
JULIETTE is a multi-published author of paranormal and contemporary romance, including the best-selling STAY A SPELL series. She is the co-host of the podcast, Smart Women Read Romance with her niece, Jessen. As a native of Louisiana, she lives in the heart of Cajun country with her husband, four kids, and sundry animals. When she isn’t working on her next project, she enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows with her husband and a glass (or two) of red wine or whiskey.
Follow JULIETTE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliettecro...
Follow JULIETTE on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/juliettecros...
Follow JULIETTE on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Juliette__Cross
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February 9, 2017
The Black Lily is book one in the brand new series Tales of the Black Lily by Juliette Cross. I have long been a fan of Juliette’s books. Pretty much since the first book. But this book…I’m trying to find the right words. It’s amazing, fantastic, stupendous…well, I’ll stop there and just try to tell you about it.
“A balance of equality among classes does not mean all people are equal in terms of property and wealth. Rather, it is the opportunity to gain wealth and a strong livelihood that separates tyranny from equality.”
Prince Marius is royalty. He is the youngest son of the original vampire. His kingdom rules over two classes, those of the elite, and the peasants, both of which are human. Marius is nearing his one hundredth birthday where he will be wed to Princess Vilhelmina. It is an arranged marriage, Marius has not yet even met his betrothed. There is a ball being held where Marius is to choose his next blood concubine, an elite woman that will serve him as a blood donor. Little did he know that this would be the night that would change the course of his entire life.
Arabelle is a peasant who serves as laundress to an elite woman and her two daughters. Arabelle lost her mother when she was little to the blood lust of a vampire. She now is the leader of the resistance, a rebellion, to win equality for her people. Arabelle is also known as The Black Lily.
“The Black Lily was coming. The breaker of chains would one day free them all.”
Arabelle has a plan. She will start picking off the sons of the King and Queen. First of which will be Marius at his ball. She has a plan, but you know how plans are, they never go as they are supposed to.
“Her blade might not have impaled his heart, but she’d certainly ensnared his mind and body.”
There is an instant connection between Marius and Arabelle. One neither of them can understand. Arabelle fights this chemistry with all that she is. She hates vampires. They are her enemy. Even Marius, isn’t he?
“Don’t worry, Arabelle. I won’t bite.”
“Is that supposed to be funny?”
“No. That’s a promise.”
Arabelle is able to convince Marius that things are not right. That peasants are dying at the hands of the vampires, even though this is against strict vampire law. Marius has lived his entire life with things going on right under his nose that he was never aware of. As their attraction grows, so does Marius’s knowledge of what is really happening in his world.
This book was beyond amazing. The world Juliette has created captivated me from the very first page of the prologue. I could not put this down. When I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about it. Marius and Arabelle were perfectly suited for one another. And then there are the secondary characters, Arabelle’s friend, Sienna, and Marius’s best friend, Nicolai, and so many more.
This book has every element that for me makes it great. Characters you can’t help but to love who have both an innocence and a toughness that make them so easy to relate to. There is love, suspense, and yes, some steamy scenes that are sure to heat things up. Once you start, make sure you have cleared out plenty of time because you won’t be putting this down. I was entranced from the first page until the very final page. I applaud you, Juliette Cross. This is the beginning of something special. I can’t wait for the next book.
“She wasn’t just any human. And he wasn’t just any vampire. And her scent was so embedded in his skin, through his flesh right down to his bones, that if he lived a million years, he’d never be rid of the need to find the woman who smelled like wildflowers and rain and who now owned a piece of his heart.”
May 31, 2019
Another enchanting read from the amazingly talented Juliette Cross!!! I loved the Cinderella spin on this tale!! Sexy vampires and fairytales are two of my favorite things. Prince marius is sexy and so sinfully hot and his pursuit and seduction of arabelle is all that consumes him and he won't stop til he has this beauty in his bed with his body and fangs sunk deep inside her. Arabelle is the head of the black lily resistance group who wants to over throw the ruling vampire family, just because Prince marius is walking sex God and seems nice,not like the monsters who are leaving dead bodies that are being drained or the people who starting to disappear never to be seen again. still she's not falling into this vamps arms no matter how charming and handsome he is. But from their first touch and kiss both feel the pull of intense desire with a one of kind all consuming passion.Together arabelle and marius along with help from nikolai one of marius top commanders and the beautiful red haired witch sienne with her hart wolf protectors must find the blood crazed vamps before the darkness takes over the rest of the vampires. Fabulous word and passion play!!! Loved it!!!
Next up in this series The Red Lily: Sienne and Nikolai story! 💖💋
Next up in this series The Red Lily: Sienne and Nikolai story! 💖💋
June 5, 2017
4.5 - "I'll see you at dusk..." Stars!
Its LIVE!
Amazon US – http://a.co/7CiUwU0
Amazon UK – http://amzn.eu/4ctN2Ye
B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-b...
I think it says a lot about the quality of a book, when at around the halfway through point, you jump on Amazon and buy four more books that the author has written.
That was me whilst reading The Black Lily. Juliette Cross, is an author I have heard great things about but this was my first experience of immersing myself in her vivid and visual writing. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a huge fan of well written PNR, there is nothing like leaving real life behind when you switch on your Kindle, and for me this genre is the absolute best form of escapism.
Their arrogance would be their undoing…
And this is what took Juliette’s story-telling from great to outstanding, the locale and people of Varis were so meticulously described and developed that I felt like I was in the story with Arabelle and Prince Marius. Told from dual POV, the Vampire and the mortal give you a completely different outlook on the tale being told.
She was golden in every way- hair, eyes, skin- the embodiment of his weakness…
There is a definite Cinderella vibe running through the book, but whereas Cinders wanted the Prince to fall in love with her, Arabelle initially tries to kill Marius. But with all best laid plans things don’t quite turn out as she has hoped, especially when she takes into account the insane attraction bubbling between them, how on earth can she lead The Black Lily in fighting against the oppression of Vampires, when she secretly wants to be first in line to offer herself and her veins up for the dark and dashing Prince.
"Only you… More than blood, more than breath, more than life itself."
Things only get better, with a well thought out and unpredictable plot, and the addition of an extremely well rounded cast of interesting secondary characters, Sienna, Deek and Nikolai all played integral parts, in the way the book progressed, and I would hope so see more inclusion from at least some of them as more books are released.
It’s not often I fall in love with an author’s writing so much just halfway through the first book I read by them that I am compelled to buy more books, Juliette grabbed me by the imagination and kept me entertained right up until the end of this story, and while not left on a cliff hanger in any sense, this is more of a Happy For Now for our lead couple. I hope that the author and Entangled Publishing run with this series, and keep the releases flowing at a nice and regular rate, as I cannot wait too read more!
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above review in exchange.
Its LIVE!
Amazon US – http://a.co/7CiUwU0
Amazon UK – http://amzn.eu/4ctN2Ye
B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-b...
I think it says a lot about the quality of a book, when at around the halfway through point, you jump on Amazon and buy four more books that the author has written.
That was me whilst reading The Black Lily. Juliette Cross, is an author I have heard great things about but this was my first experience of immersing myself in her vivid and visual writing. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a huge fan of well written PNR, there is nothing like leaving real life behind when you switch on your Kindle, and for me this genre is the absolute best form of escapism.
Their arrogance would be their undoing…
And this is what took Juliette’s story-telling from great to outstanding, the locale and people of Varis were so meticulously described and developed that I felt like I was in the story with Arabelle and Prince Marius. Told from dual POV, the Vampire and the mortal give you a completely different outlook on the tale being told.
She was golden in every way- hair, eyes, skin- the embodiment of his weakness…
There is a definite Cinderella vibe running through the book, but whereas Cinders wanted the Prince to fall in love with her, Arabelle initially tries to kill Marius. But with all best laid plans things don’t quite turn out as she has hoped, especially when she takes into account the insane attraction bubbling between them, how on earth can she lead The Black Lily in fighting against the oppression of Vampires, when she secretly wants to be first in line to offer herself and her veins up for the dark and dashing Prince.
"Only you… More than blood, more than breath, more than life itself."
Things only get better, with a well thought out and unpredictable plot, and the addition of an extremely well rounded cast of interesting secondary characters, Sienna, Deek and Nikolai all played integral parts, in the way the book progressed, and I would hope so see more inclusion from at least some of them as more books are released.
It’s not often I fall in love with an author’s writing so much just halfway through the first book I read by them that I am compelled to buy more books, Juliette grabbed me by the imagination and kept me entertained right up until the end of this story, and while not left on a cliff hanger in any sense, this is more of a Happy For Now for our lead couple. I hope that the author and Entangled Publishing run with this series, and keep the releases flowing at a nice and regular rate, as I cannot wait too read more!
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above review in exchange.
June 19, 2017
I love Fairytale retellings and this is one of the most different retellings of Cinderella I’ve read in a really long time. While I do tend to read a lot of stories that end up having vampires in them since I also enjoy UF they aren’t something I go out of my way to look for. The vampires in this telling were definitely cool and sometimes brutally hot.
One of the best parts of this retelling is that Cinderella isn’t just some doormat that lets the people around her walk all over her. Nope she is a strong woman with a plan and goals in her life and she isn’t headed to the ball to do something so trite as to look pretty in a dress or dance for a night. No not this Cinderella (Arabella), she IS The Black Lily, leader of the revolution and she is going to kill the Prince.
I liked this twist to the story having Arabella be an empowered woman not needing anyone to come and save her because she is going to save ALL of her people. What she didn’t expect was that she might find a reluctant ally in the Prince.
Marius has noticed that the servants in the castle seem to be growing more and more skittish and after digging into it that cause seems to be that more and more of them are disappearing and it is possible that some Vampires have gone rogue. While he is looking for the leader of the Resistance he finds that The Black Lily might be onto something
While there is a little instalove/lust I didn’t mind because it is a Fairytale retelling and so I really almost expect something like that to happen but Marius is a pretty swoon worthy Prince Charming and they definitely have chemistry even/especially when they are fighting
This has a great start with some interesting and inventive lore that led to a nice reveal at the end that surprised me a little. With the addition of a magical possibly cursed wood
with someone that reminded me a little of Little Red Riding Hood with wolves and all.
I had a great time from page 1 to the end and was ready to jump into the next couple's story, but alas I'll have to wait until it is written. I’ll definitely be reading more tales of the Black Lily and friends.
Thank you to Juliette Cross and Netgalley for the ARC of Black Lily
One of the best parts of this retelling is that Cinderella isn’t just some doormat that lets the people around her walk all over her. Nope she is a strong woman with a plan and goals in her life and she isn’t headed to the ball to do something so trite as to look pretty in a dress or dance for a night. No not this Cinderella (Arabella), she IS The Black Lily, leader of the revolution and she is going to kill the Prince.
I liked this twist to the story having Arabella be an empowered woman not needing anyone to come and save her because she is going to save ALL of her people. What she didn’t expect was that she might find a reluctant ally in the Prince.
Marius has noticed that the servants in the castle seem to be growing more and more skittish and after digging into it that cause seems to be that more and more of them are disappearing and it is possible that some Vampires have gone rogue. While he is looking for the leader of the Resistance he finds that The Black Lily might be onto something
While there is a little instalove/lust I didn’t mind because it is a Fairytale retelling and so I really almost expect something like that to happen but Marius is a pretty swoon worthy Prince Charming and they definitely have chemistry even/especially when they are fighting
“When I take a woman in my arms, whether to my bed or to feed, it is always an embrace—gentle, warm, and pleasurable.”
Her mouth slid into a wicked smile. “Well, then. We’d never suit, my prince. I prefer a rough tumble in the bed. I’ve never been one for cuddling and tenderness.”
This has a great start with some interesting and inventive lore that led to a nice reveal at the end that surprised me a little. With the addition of a magical possibly cursed wood
with someone that reminded me a little of Little Red Riding Hood with wolves and all.
I had a great time from page 1 to the end and was ready to jump into the next couple's story, but alas I'll have to wait until it is written. I’ll definitely be reading more tales of the Black Lily and friends.
Thank you to Juliette Cross and Netgalley for the ARC of Black Lily
March 27, 2017
4.5*
The first time I came across this book I took one look at the cover (which to me screamed Mills & Boon bodice ripper) and skipped straight past it but then I noticed a friend had enjoyed it and then another and so I decided that despite the cover I was going to give this a try and I'm so glad I did.
This is the first book I've read by this author but it certainly won't be the last. It turned out to be a fabulous historical paranormal romance with a touch of Cinderella.
I liked all the characters and the story and while the villain was pretty obvious it didn't really spoil the fun.
Marius is a vampire prince but not just any prince he's a direct descendant of the original immortal and therefore very powerful. The Varis blood that runs through his veins gives him the ability to turn a human into a vampire as well as giving him strength beyond all other immortals.
Prince Marius is nearing his hundredth birthday when he will marry the bride that's been chosen for him but first there's a ball, every five years a ball is held in the Glass Tower where nobles present their daughters with the hope that theirs will be the one chosen by the prince to serve as his new concubine.
Arabelle was orphaned after a vampire drank her mother dry, she's since seen numerous bodies dumped in fields when the vampires have finished so it's safe to say she has no love for them but it's more than the killing and total disregard for human life it's the way they're kept in poverty.
Arabelle is a founding member of the Black Lily resistance and she's attending the ball with the purpose of trying to kill the prince.
Marius is bored out of his mind as the simpering nobles trail past until he catches a glimpse of the beauty in gold and he knows he's found his new concubine. Arabelle however is determined to complete her mission although her attraction to Marius catches her completely by surprise.
Theirs is an impossible attraction he's a vampire prince and she's the Black Lily sworn to kill him but despite everything that's thrown in their path the attraction prevails but do they really stand a chance?
This book surprised me I enjoyed it so much more than I expected and I can't wait for the next one.
I voluntarily read a review copy of this book kindly provided by NetGalley and Entangled Publishing.
The first time I came across this book I took one look at the cover (which to me screamed Mills & Boon bodice ripper) and skipped straight past it but then I noticed a friend had enjoyed it and then another and so I decided that despite the cover I was going to give this a try and I'm so glad I did.
This is the first book I've read by this author but it certainly won't be the last. It turned out to be a fabulous historical paranormal romance with a touch of Cinderella.
I liked all the characters and the story and while the villain was pretty obvious it didn't really spoil the fun.
Marius is a vampire prince but not just any prince he's a direct descendant of the original immortal and therefore very powerful. The Varis blood that runs through his veins gives him the ability to turn a human into a vampire as well as giving him strength beyond all other immortals.
Prince Marius is nearing his hundredth birthday when he will marry the bride that's been chosen for him but first there's a ball, every five years a ball is held in the Glass Tower where nobles present their daughters with the hope that theirs will be the one chosen by the prince to serve as his new concubine.
Arabelle was orphaned after a vampire drank her mother dry, she's since seen numerous bodies dumped in fields when the vampires have finished so it's safe to say she has no love for them but it's more than the killing and total disregard for human life it's the way they're kept in poverty.
Arabelle is a founding member of the Black Lily resistance and she's attending the ball with the purpose of trying to kill the prince.
Marius is bored out of his mind as the simpering nobles trail past until he catches a glimpse of the beauty in gold and he knows he's found his new concubine. Arabelle however is determined to complete her mission although her attraction to Marius catches her completely by surprise.
Theirs is an impossible attraction he's a vampire prince and she's the Black Lily sworn to kill him but despite everything that's thrown in their path the attraction prevails but do they really stand a chance?
This book surprised me I enjoyed it so much more than I expected and I can't wait for the next one.
I voluntarily read a review copy of this book kindly provided by NetGalley and Entangled Publishing.
August 3, 2017
Look at that horrifying cover!! Ugh! Don't judge the book by it.
It's actually very well-written.
If you read this book, you are getting Cinderella with vampires. Vampirella. Oh, that would be so awesome if that was her name! But, alas, she isn't the vampire, the prince is. She's just trying to kill him. I like her.
Including stabbing yo grabby ass!
There is a definite mixture of light and dark in this book because it has the fairy tale feel, but with plenty of blood and sex throughout. So, sometimes you are reading along and thinking it's hokey and total insta-lovey, but then you realize it is in a fairy-tale way. Then you turn the page and there are erections and murder.
The story starts at the ball, with our heroine attending the ball in hopes of killing the vampire prince because all vampires are evil, and of course(!) one killed her mother. Luckily for her, the prince falls in love with her immediately upon seeing her face. And, he wants to nail her in a side room during the dance because that's what classy guys do when they totally love and respect you. But, good news! She nails him instead! With a knife in the heart, baby!
Uh, it was kinda cool. To me.
Turns out that she stabbed him..... well, almost in the heart. She kinda missed. Now, he's searching the kingdom for her and wants to meet every girl in every household to sniff her. Yup, it's not the shoe, it's the scent. Frankly, it was a little pervy/creepy, IMO... but, hey, whatevs.. vamps gotta do what he gotta do. It is even perveeepier (that's pervy and creepy combined, plus the er, making sure to substitute the ending "y" with "i" before adding the suffix) when the prince finds her and watches her like a perveeper while she bathes. Naked! She bathes naked, folks! Oh the hijinx!!
Yada yada yada - it's insta-love, Vampirella-style.
Overall, a cute/fun book. I'll read the next one.
It's actually very well-written.
If you read this book, you are getting Cinderella with vampires. Vampirella. Oh, that would be so awesome if that was her name! But, alas, she isn't the vampire, the prince is. She's just trying to kill him. I like her.
Including stabbing yo grabby ass!
There is a definite mixture of light and dark in this book because it has the fairy tale feel, but with plenty of blood and sex throughout. So, sometimes you are reading along and thinking it's hokey and total insta-lovey, but then you realize it is in a fairy-tale way. Then you turn the page and there are erections and murder.
The story starts at the ball, with our heroine attending the ball in hopes of killing the vampire prince because all vampires are evil, and of course(!) one killed her mother. Luckily for her, the prince falls in love with her immediately upon seeing her face. And, he wants to nail her in a side room during the dance because that's what classy guys do when they totally love and respect you. But, good news! She nails him instead! With a knife in the heart, baby!
Uh, it was kinda cool. To me.
Turns out that she stabbed him..... well, almost in the heart. She kinda missed. Now, he's searching the kingdom for her and wants to meet every girl in every household to sniff her. Yup, it's not the shoe, it's the scent. Frankly, it was a little pervy/creepy, IMO... but, hey, whatevs.. vamps gotta do what he gotta do. It is even perveeepier (that's pervy and creepy combined, plus the er, making sure to substitute the ending "y" with "i" before adding the suffix) when the prince finds her and watches her like a perveeper while she bathes. Naked! She bathes naked, folks! Oh the hijinx!!
Yada yada yada - it's insta-love, Vampirella-style.
Overall, a cute/fun book. I'll read the next one.
September 24, 2020
I love retellings and when I saw that THE BLACK LILY was based off of Cinderella, I jumped at the chance to read it... and quickly realized it wasn't what I expected.
There was a prince. There was a peasant girl. There was even a ball. And that's where the similarities end. First of all, the prince was a vampire and it got real when Arabelle went to stab Prince Marius in the heart. Of course she missed. However, they both threw doubt on everything they had ever known. That near-fatal blow was the catalyst to an irresistible connection that sparked between and the start of one rocky road.
Arabelle was the leader of The Black Lily, an underground resistance group against the tyranny of the aristocracy, most notably the vampire nobility. Rogue vampires were killing off her people adn she intended to put a stop to it. She hated all vampires, with just cause, but Marius made her realize that they weren't all bad, as he himself embodied the characteristics of honor, integrity, goodness, fairness and mercy. The fact that he was absolutely gorgeous was obviously a bonus. Their attraction, as taboo as it was (think Angel and Buffy), fairly sizzled through the pages and their thoughts and feelings for one another were not only undeniable but also beautiful to watch unfold.
There was plenty of action, blood and gore, deception, betrayal, redemption, hope and love. My only real disappointment with this story was Arabelle's excuse for remaining human. It didn't make any sense to me. It's clear that vampires are superior in physical strength. Why wouldn't you want that strength as you're going up against other vampires??? I can only hope that this issue is rectified quickly in the next book, a book I intend to read.
Release Date: March 27, 2017
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
POV: Dual - 3rd person
Steam: 3 out of 5
Book Type: Book 1 of the Tales of the Black Lily series
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
There was a prince. There was a peasant girl. There was even a ball. And that's where the similarities end. First of all, the prince was a vampire and it got real when Arabelle went to stab Prince Marius in the heart. Of course she missed. However, they both threw doubt on everything they had ever known. That near-fatal blow was the catalyst to an irresistible connection that sparked between and the start of one rocky road.
Arabelle was the leader of The Black Lily, an underground resistance group against the tyranny of the aristocracy, most notably the vampire nobility. Rogue vampires were killing off her people adn she intended to put a stop to it. She hated all vampires, with just cause, but Marius made her realize that they weren't all bad, as he himself embodied the characteristics of honor, integrity, goodness, fairness and mercy. The fact that he was absolutely gorgeous was obviously a bonus. Their attraction, as taboo as it was (think Angel and Buffy), fairly sizzled through the pages and their thoughts and feelings for one another were not only undeniable but also beautiful to watch unfold.
There was plenty of action, blood and gore, deception, betrayal, redemption, hope and love. My only real disappointment with this story was Arabelle's excuse for remaining human. It didn't make any sense to me. It's clear that vampires are superior in physical strength. Why wouldn't you want that strength as you're going up against other vampires??? I can only hope that this issue is rectified quickly in the next book, a book I intend to read.
Release Date: March 27, 2017
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
POV: Dual - 3rd person
Steam: 3 out of 5
Book Type: Book 1 of the Tales of the Black Lily series
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
March 24, 2017
4 STARS
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
Once upon a time...
...there was a beautiful girl. She grew up as an orphan because a vampire had killed her mother. As bodies of people being sucked dry keep piling up Arabella and her clandestine group of resistance fighters and friends stick their heads together and come up with a plan to combat the ruling vampires' oppression. Cut the problem by the head.
Or root.
Whatever.
The root in this case is the reigning vampire royals, amidst them Prince Marius. At a ball he meets a beautiful woman. She is alluring and he wants her instantaneously. This woman, however, has a different plan. She is there to kill him but the attempt fails and she is now on the run with a horde of vampires following her tracks to chase her down.
This was a refreshing take on "Cinderella". I don't read a lot of fairytale retellings because, you know, been there, done that. So mixing a fairytale with paranormal elements in vampire form is a stroke of genius in my humble opinion and gives it a different twist.
Arabella isn't a meek woman, she has fire and a bit attitude along with courage and common sense. She is the one her friends and allies rely on. She struggles with her feelings for the enemy almost the whole book and only when things go down the drain she realizes that Marius is one of the best men she has met.
Marius is really sweet. Fiercely loyal, kind, sensual with a generous dash of charming. He can't stop thinking about the girl who tried to kill him. I loved how he wasn't full of rage for this girl trying to kill him but was full of awe of her courage and fascinated by her as a woman.
What didn't quite work for me was the insta-love. While I usually don't mind if an author uses it to move a relationship forward I do expect a little bit more one-on-one time between the couple to work. In this case, the hero and heroine only spent a few hours max at a time and after their third encounter Marius knew that Arabella had a piece of his heart. With the little time they had spent together it just didn't seem very likely to me. You can use the "mating" trope as an explanation but it still takes a little more quality time spent between the main characters.
This story was still a great introduction to this series. I love the world building and the Cinderella vs vamps storyline is pretty unique. I loved that we didn't get a damsel in distress for a heroine, that the hero was a genuinely good person. The side cast weren't merely extras but played an important part to move the story along. I am looking forward to the next installment and I have a feeling that we'll get a certain girl with a red cloak who plays with wolves and Marius' best friend, the grave Nikolai.
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
Once upon a time...
...there was a beautiful girl. She grew up as an orphan because a vampire had killed her mother. As bodies of people being sucked dry keep piling up Arabella and her clandestine group of resistance fighters and friends stick their heads together and come up with a plan to combat the ruling vampires' oppression. Cut the problem by the head.
Or root.
Whatever.
The root in this case is the reigning vampire royals, amidst them Prince Marius. At a ball he meets a beautiful woman. She is alluring and he wants her instantaneously. This woman, however, has a different plan. She is there to kill him but the attempt fails and she is now on the run with a horde of vampires following her tracks to chase her down.
This was a refreshing take on "Cinderella". I don't read a lot of fairytale retellings because, you know, been there, done that. So mixing a fairytale with paranormal elements in vampire form is a stroke of genius in my humble opinion and gives it a different twist.
Arabella isn't a meek woman, she has fire and a bit attitude along with courage and common sense. She is the one her friends and allies rely on. She struggles with her feelings for the enemy almost the whole book and only when things go down the drain she realizes that Marius is one of the best men she has met.
Marius is really sweet. Fiercely loyal, kind, sensual with a generous dash of charming. He can't stop thinking about the girl who tried to kill him. I loved how he wasn't full of rage for this girl trying to kill him but was full of awe of her courage and fascinated by her as a woman.
What didn't quite work for me was the insta-love. While I usually don't mind if an author uses it to move a relationship forward I do expect a little bit more one-on-one time between the couple to work. In this case, the hero and heroine only spent a few hours max at a time and after their third encounter Marius knew that Arabella had a piece of his heart. With the little time they had spent together it just didn't seem very likely to me. You can use the "mating" trope as an explanation but it still takes a little more quality time spent between the main characters.
This story was still a great introduction to this series. I love the world building and the Cinderella vs vamps storyline is pretty unique. I loved that we didn't get a damsel in distress for a heroine, that the hero was a genuinely good person. The side cast weren't merely extras but played an important part to move the story along. I am looking forward to the next installment and I have a feeling that we'll get a certain girl with a red cloak who plays with wolves and Marius' best friend, the grave Nikolai.
July 4, 2017
3.5 stars.
First of all that cover is cringeworthy . Ugh.
This was a very different story for whatever I have read in this genre about Vampire. Pheasants' rebellion led by an orphan girl, Arabella (yes, that is our heroine Black Lily). She formed this rebellion because she thought that ruling Vampire clan is killing pheasents and poor for sating their blood thirst.
So she plans to kill the prince of vampires where she fails but managed to win Marious's (prince) heart. Poor Marious was totally unaware of things going on in his empire and he promise Arabella that whoever is behind this blood madness, he'll bring them to justice.
I really enjoyed this novel. Its not like I haven't read anything like this before, of course I have. It's just author kept things to the point and didn't do overdo anything. It is a simple love story that just make you keep turning pages and read it to the end in one sitting.
First of all that cover is cringeworthy . Ugh.
This was a very different story for whatever I have read in this genre about Vampire. Pheasants' rebellion led by an orphan girl, Arabella (yes, that is our heroine Black Lily). She formed this rebellion because she thought that ruling Vampire clan is killing pheasents and poor for sating their blood thirst.
So she plans to kill the prince of vampires where she fails but managed to win Marious's (prince) heart. Poor Marious was totally unaware of things going on in his empire and he promise Arabella that whoever is behind this blood madness, he'll bring them to justice.
I really enjoyed this novel. Its not like I haven't read anything like this before, of course I have. It's just author kept things to the point and didn't do overdo anything. It is a simple love story that just make you keep turning pages and read it to the end in one sitting.
June 3, 2019
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If you know me, you know I love vampire romances and I'm constantly on the hunt for the perfect darkly erotic read. THE BLACK LILY caught my eye because it's written by one of my Goodreads friends, Juliette Cross, and also because it's a loose retelling of the Cinderella fairytale told with vampires. Throw enemies to lovers into the mix and the fact that the heroine is the leader of a revolutionary movement determined to assassinate the prince, and I bought that shit faster than you could say VAMP.
Arabelle is the leader of the Black Lily, a movement that challenges the vampire monarchy that subjugates the human peasant class, using them or abusing them as they see fit. It's especially personal for Arabelle, whose mother was killed by vampires, so she schemes to be invited to the crown prince Marius's blood ball, snag his attention, and then assassinate him with a golden dagger the moment that she gets him alone.
OH BOY.
This being a romance novel, obviously her plan doesn't work. And the prince isn't nearly as upset about the assassination attempt as he maybe should be, using the event as an excuse to hunt her down and get answers. Arabelle finds out that the prince isn't the tyrant she imagined and Marius learns about a blood madness tearing through the vampire population, turning vampires into crazed, bloodthirsty fiends.
THE BLACK LILY wasn't as dark as I'd like- I prefer my vampires to be a little more evil than Marius was. The sex scenes and tension between him and Arabelle was hot, but Marius fell for Arabelle way too quickly. I guess the instalust was supposed to be homage to the Cinderella fairytale, and Arabelle took longer to reciprocate his feelings, but it still felt a bit much. The evil vampires were much more in line with what I like my vampire love interests to be like- psycho and deadly. ;)
This isn't badly written and all the characters except the baddies are likable. The fairytale premise is really unusual and I like how the vampire mythos was incorporated to fit the retelling. I have the other books in the series and I plan on reading those as well, but I just wish this was a little darker. As it is, it's a quick, light read.
2.5 to 3 stars
February 5, 2017
I intensely love this book! Kick-ass AND adorable!?!? I don't know how Juliette Cross pulled that off, but let me tell ya... SHE DID! I have only read one other book that turns childhood fairytales into an adult read, and in all honesty, I didn’t like it. There was something about adding adult situations into a “Disney” type atmosphere that didn’t sit well with me.
The Black Lily is nothing in comparison to that previous read. It’s a darker, grittier tale with just enough of a nod to the tales of old to give the reader a sense of familiarity. Cross has crafted this tale of murder and justice with a side of whimsy into a phenomenal action-packed read. I am beyond excited to share it with you guys.
If you’re a fan of a warrior princess who wears adventure like a cloak, Juliette Cross is your author in shining armor!
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The Black Lily is nothing in comparison to that previous read. It’s a darker, grittier tale with just enough of a nod to the tales of old to give the reader a sense of familiarity. Cross has crafted this tale of murder and justice with a side of whimsy into a phenomenal action-packed read. I am beyond excited to share it with you guys.
If you’re a fan of a warrior princess who wears adventure like a cloak, Juliette Cross is your author in shining armor!
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October 29, 2017
A bloody retelling of Cinderella.
Well minority here again. ✋🏼
Hides in shame. 😞
I liked the heroine and because of her I'm giving it 3 stars, She was a strong sassy woman. But too bad I can't say the same about the hero.
"Well, I do so love to be original. No sense in being part of the crowd”
A hero with a harem plus a fiancé. He's destined to marry the last vampire princess. The fiancé is not a problem since she doesn't want marry him just like he doesn't want to marry her either.
After he and the heroine shared a sexy time and he'd tasted drops of her blood, she tried to kill him too bad she didn't succeed I wouldn't have missed him to be honest. He fed from one of his 3 concubines she tried to insinuate about having sex he rejected her but he did it gently he was sweet with her, calling her sweet.
There's a scene where the blood concubine the one he drank from went to his room to offered sex he again says no but he still is sweet with her I'm not saying that he needs to manhandled her but I don't need to read how my hero is being sweet to another woman that will always put me off a book 100% guaranteed. Yes he stopped feeding from his blood harem but I was done with his ass. There was nothing that could make me like him. Nothing at all.
“sensing someone’s presence immediately, then smelling the sweet, familiar scent of his concubine.”
“He could smell her desire and hear the rapid beat of her pulse. Normally, Marius would not only appreciate such a gesture, he would take advantage, slake his thirst and his lust, then give her the passion and tender affection she craved in return.”
And then when his sweet concubine starts crying he hugs her and gives her comfort because he doesn't like to be the cause of them crying.
Get the heck out of here.
The only person he needs to comfort is the heroine. Plain and simple.
"I’ll never forget you, Larissa,” he said sincerely, cupping her cheek. “Even after I am married”
So this means he will never forget her even after he marries the heroine. Nice to know this (not).
Well minority here again. ✋🏼
Hides in shame. 😞
I liked the heroine and because of her I'm giving it 3 stars, She was a strong sassy woman. But too bad I can't say the same about the hero.
"Well, I do so love to be original. No sense in being part of the crowd”
A hero with a harem plus a fiancé. He's destined to marry the last vampire princess. The fiancé is not a problem since she doesn't want marry him just like he doesn't want to marry her either.
After he and the heroine shared a sexy time and he'd tasted drops of her blood, she tried to kill him too bad she didn't succeed I wouldn't have missed him to be honest. He fed from one of his 3 concubines she tried to insinuate about having sex he rejected her but he did it gently he was sweet with her, calling her sweet.
There's a scene where the blood concubine the one he drank from went to his room to offered sex he again says no but he still is sweet with her I'm not saying that he needs to manhandled her but I don't need to read how my hero is being sweet to another woman that will always put me off a book 100% guaranteed. Yes he stopped feeding from his blood harem but I was done with his ass. There was nothing that could make me like him. Nothing at all.
“sensing someone’s presence immediately, then smelling the sweet, familiar scent of his concubine.”
“He could smell her desire and hear the rapid beat of her pulse. Normally, Marius would not only appreciate such a gesture, he would take advantage, slake his thirst and his lust, then give her the passion and tender affection she craved in return.”
And then when his sweet concubine starts crying he hugs her and gives her comfort because he doesn't like to be the cause of them crying.
Get the heck out of here.
The only person he needs to comfort is the heroine. Plain and simple.
"I’ll never forget you, Larissa,” he said sincerely, cupping her cheek. “Even after I am married”
So this means he will never forget her even after he marries the heroine. Nice to know this (not).
June 1, 2017
4.5 stars.
It's been a while since I've read a paranormal romance and this was a fantastic one to get back in the game with. I've never read Juliette Cross before but I can say without a shadow of a doubt, having polished off The Black Lily and enjoying it hugely, she has herself a new reader.
“There was no world where the two of them could be true lovers. She did not belong in the Glass Tower. And he did not belong in her world of the Black Lily.”
I love it when we're given a kick-ass heroine and Arabelle is very much that; she wears breeches in an era when she should be wearing fancy dresses, that's my type of gal. Equally, I love a man, vampire or otherwise, who falls hard and Marius despite having that alpha presence about him and the capability to kill, is a bit of a Prince Charming.
What didn't quite work for me was how quickly Marius and Arabelle fell for one another, because the thing about this story is not only is it theirs, but it's setting things up hugely for more and they actually don't spend a huge amount of page space together in the grand scheme of things. Yet other than that insta feel, the romance didn't suffer for that separation and it works well, setting the scene and building the anticipation. And when they are together it's well worth the wait because they have a magnetic chemistry.
“He was a vampire. Her enemy. A vampire prince. Her greatest enemy. And yet, she knew if she had the chance, she’d do it again. And again.”
Upshot: if you're a lover of a good PNR, with an air of fairytale, great characters and a storyline that keeps you guessing and teases of more, then The Black Lily is one to grab. The Red Lily is next and loving Nikolai and Little Red Riding Hood, Sienna, I can't wait to see how their story unfolds.
It's been a while since I've read a paranormal romance and this was a fantastic one to get back in the game with. I've never read Juliette Cross before but I can say without a shadow of a doubt, having polished off The Black Lily and enjoying it hugely, she has herself a new reader.
“There was no world where the two of them could be true lovers. She did not belong in the Glass Tower. And he did not belong in her world of the Black Lily.”
I love it when we're given a kick-ass heroine and Arabelle is very much that; she wears breeches in an era when she should be wearing fancy dresses, that's my type of gal. Equally, I love a man, vampire or otherwise, who falls hard and Marius despite having that alpha presence about him and the capability to kill, is a bit of a Prince Charming.
What didn't quite work for me was how quickly Marius and Arabelle fell for one another, because the thing about this story is not only is it theirs, but it's setting things up hugely for more and they actually don't spend a huge amount of page space together in the grand scheme of things. Yet other than that insta feel, the romance didn't suffer for that separation and it works well, setting the scene and building the anticipation. And when they are together it's well worth the wait because they have a magnetic chemistry.
“He was a vampire. Her enemy. A vampire prince. Her greatest enemy. And yet, she knew if she had the chance, she’d do it again. And again.”
Upshot: if you're a lover of a good PNR, with an air of fairytale, great characters and a storyline that keeps you guessing and teases of more, then The Black Lily is one to grab. The Red Lily is next and loving Nikolai and Little Red Riding Hood, Sienna, I can't wait to see how their story unfolds.
March 28, 2017
Title: The Black Lily
Series: Tales of the Black Lily #1
Author: Juliette Cross
Release date: March 27, 2017
Cliffhanger: No
HEA
“I don’t want any other woman. Only you. More than blood, more than breath, more than life itself.”
I'm going to start out by saying that this book is worth the read just based on its originality alone. I can honestly say that I've never read another Vampire historical with a twist on the Cinderella fairytale. Just the fact that the author went the distance to write something completely unique was appreciated. The idea that Arabelle went to prince's Marius' ball to assassinate him rather than to catch his eye was pretty amazing I thought. You almost feel sorry for the poor guy as she uses her considerable feminine wiles to infiltrate the glass tower and take her stab at him. (Sorry, pun intended.) He was searching for his next blood concubine, she was seeking retribution at the end of her dagger. Marius was addicted at first glance and never stood a chance.
She was the sweetest ambrosia sent straight from heaven. Or the most sinful temptation to drag him down to hell. He didn’t care.
By day, Arabelle is a simple peasant serving woman. By night, she's the mysterious and elusive Black Lily. A woman who spearheaded the movement that wants to break free from oppression and stop the murder of the working class. The loss of her own mother at a Vampire's hands had a tremendous effect on her impression of them. She wasn't going to sit and be a helpless damsel in distress, she's a woman who takes the power back that's been stolen from her.
I'd have to say that Arabelle is probably my favorite part about this book. I absolutely love kickass heroines who know how to take care of themselves and this one defined strong. There was a red-hot attraction from the moment they laid eyes on each other, and it wasn't just one sided. Arabelle however, didn't fall prey to the But-He's-So-Hot syndrome and throw her self respect and game plan out the window because of her lust. As far as she knew, he was just another heartless blood sucker who preys on the innocent and weak.
Prince Marius was nothing like Arabelle imagined. He wasn't the evil creature she saw him as, quite the contrary. I knew from the start that he was a good guy at heart, if a little clueless. The sanguine furorem or blood lust running rampant in town for years had been hidden well, but he was finally taking notice.
If you love alpha obsessed type heroes, you're going to love this guy. He was completely out of his head for her despite her repeated assassination attempts. Which is pretty hilarious when you think about it. Her courage and beliefs were something he hadn't come across before. This made him more determined than ever to locate her and uncover the enigma of the Black Lily.
To set his desires on a peasant woman who continually tried to kill him wasn’t very wise for one as old and experienced as he was. But she had already gotten under his skin, her scent the most tantalizing lure he’d ever known. Like the Siren to the sailor in deep waters, he feared he’d willingly drown if she beckoned him.
My only criticism is that I would have liked to have seen more actual time spent between the MCs in each other's company. I give leeway because of the fact that this is PNR and there is an instant/soulmate type of connection. But considering she's human, she took considerably longer to allow herself to trust her enemy and let him in. And even then, I didn't quite see where the development of her feelings occurred since they were hardly ever together. They were on opposite sides of the camp and when they did cross paths, they had no time to connect on a personal level. Their attraction seemed doomed in failure, so you couldn't really blame her for not wanting to put her heart on the line for sure devastation.
There was no world where the two of them could be true lovers. She did not belong in the Glass Tower. And he did not belong in her world of the Black Lily.
I loved the world that Juliette Cross created. Varis was rich with detail and an intriguing set of characters to tempt me for future books. Her writing was easily absorbing and fast-paced. There was plenty of action and adventure, and I would without a doubt read the next installment in the series. For my first read by this author, I'd say that it was a resounding success.
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December 6, 2016
Whoa boy! Cinderella's story got turned on its head in the best way possible with this one. I'd been on the hunt for a good vampire story for a while, so when I had a chance to grab an Advance Release Copy from Juliette, I jumped all over it. Yowza! What a freakin' ride!
First, let's talk about the heroine, Arabelle. She's a badass. Fearless and courageous in championing her fellow humans. Then there's Marius--the vampire prince Arabelle originally set out to kill. How can you NOT love an alpha hero who goes on the hunt for a woman NOT because she tried to kill him, but because he wants more of the passion he found in their first kiss. Oh, yeah. I do love a chase. Or maybe I should say what comes at the end of the chase and Marius didn't disappoint. The chemistry between the two was smoking hot and the slow build as the they came together was exceptionally exquisite!
Two other things you should know about this book. First, if you enjoy well developed secondary characters, this book is rich in them. Nikolai was my favorite, (I'm gonna bet he's a dark and dirty type. Or maybe that's just my hope for a future book) but they were all unique and promised many opportunities for future books.
Second, can I just say that Juliette can do some phenomenal world building? It's so easy for me to get lost in the worlds she creates, and while the concept of vampires isn't a new one, she makes it her own with loads of creative nuances.
Truly, this is going to be a fantastic series. Yes, it's built on the Cinderella tale (with other books planned to follow other stories), but don't let that trick you into thinking you'll figure out how things end. Cinderella is just a jumping off point for an amazingly sensual romance that will keep you turning the pages straight to THE END.
First, let's talk about the heroine, Arabelle. She's a badass. Fearless and courageous in championing her fellow humans. Then there's Marius--the vampire prince Arabelle originally set out to kill. How can you NOT love an alpha hero who goes on the hunt for a woman NOT because she tried to kill him, but because he wants more of the passion he found in their first kiss. Oh, yeah. I do love a chase. Or maybe I should say what comes at the end of the chase and Marius didn't disappoint. The chemistry between the two was smoking hot and the slow build as the they came together was exceptionally exquisite!
Two other things you should know about this book. First, if you enjoy well developed secondary characters, this book is rich in them. Nikolai was my favorite, (I'm gonna bet he's a dark and dirty type. Or maybe that's just my hope for a future book) but they were all unique and promised many opportunities for future books.
Second, can I just say that Juliette can do some phenomenal world building? It's so easy for me to get lost in the worlds she creates, and while the concept of vampires isn't a new one, she makes it her own with loads of creative nuances.
Truly, this is going to be a fantastic series. Yes, it's built on the Cinderella tale (with other books planned to follow other stories), but don't let that trick you into thinking you'll figure out how things end. Cinderella is just a jumping off point for an amazingly sensual romance that will keep you turning the pages straight to THE END.
February 10, 2017
Do you love fairytales? Well, The Black Lily puts a new spin on an old classic. Cinderella got turned on its head in the best way possible. The author has done a sublime job recreating on an old classic and adding her own unique spin.
Arabella is a tough woman, who has not had an easy life. She’s fearless and courageous. Instead of giving in, she has planned and vowed to change the status quo. Then there's Marius, our vampire prince and alpha hero who goes on the hunt for the woman who tried to kill him. Not because she tried to kill him, but because he wants more of the passion he found in their first kiss. The chemistry between these two was a sweet slow build and smoldering hot.
This story is rich in secondary characters. They were all exquisite, unique, well developed, and promise many opportunities for future books. I enjoyed all that were introduced and look forward to see how things develop and where they go.
OMG, the prologue is just gripping. It opens us up to what the world is like and how Vampires rule. The story is enchanting and memorable. I was on the edge of my set and couldn’t put The Black Lily down. The characters are fascinating, alluring, and gripping. The world building is outstanding, the story is well written, riveting and awe-inspiring. We are treated to a little mystery, action, adventure, heartache, and romance.
Truly, this is going to be a fantastic new series! Yes, it’s built on old fairy tales, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you will know how things end. I’m looking forward to the next installment.
Rated: 4.5 Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Entangled Publishing via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
Arabella is a tough woman, who has not had an easy life. She’s fearless and courageous. Instead of giving in, she has planned and vowed to change the status quo. Then there's Marius, our vampire prince and alpha hero who goes on the hunt for the woman who tried to kill him. Not because she tried to kill him, but because he wants more of the passion he found in their first kiss. The chemistry between these two was a sweet slow build and smoldering hot.
This story is rich in secondary characters. They were all exquisite, unique, well developed, and promise many opportunities for future books. I enjoyed all that were introduced and look forward to see how things develop and where they go.
OMG, the prologue is just gripping. It opens us up to what the world is like and how Vampires rule. The story is enchanting and memorable. I was on the edge of my set and couldn’t put The Black Lily down. The characters are fascinating, alluring, and gripping. The world building is outstanding, the story is well written, riveting and awe-inspiring. We are treated to a little mystery, action, adventure, heartache, and romance.
Truly, this is going to be a fantastic new series! Yes, it’s built on old fairy tales, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you will know how things end. I’m looking forward to the next installment.
Rated: 4.5 Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Entangled Publishing via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
June 4, 2017
Some of my Goodreads friends reviewed this book and declared it wonderful. I bought it as soon as it became available but was unable to start reading it. As things go it got pushed down the list and I actually forgot about. Gasp! I know! When I saw a review of the next book that is being released soon, I determined to pull this one out. Wow, I’m a knucklehead because I should have never delayed in reading this one.
It was so different and unique. Maybe not to everyone, but to me anyway. With a historical setting, it is the tale of a young woman who organizes a group of revolutionaries to rise up against the aristocracy who just happen to be vampires. Her goal is to kill the prince, Marius, to instigate their uprising. Unfortunately, for Arabelle she fails and thus begins the story of two characters as they struggle against each other, their beliefs, and their duty. A more unlikely couple you could not find. She is repulsed by the vampire’s act of drinking human blood and he needs it to survive. However, she is not repulsed by him and he has determined he will not drink from another.
This was a fast paced read with nothing to bog it down. There was something happening at all times with plenty of action, without anything blowing up mind you, as well as some very sweet moments and some steamy scenes between Arabelle and Marius. The secondary characters were very nicely fleshed out without overtaking the book. I’m not sure if this author has plans for one of their stories, but any of them would do for me. They were that good.
Arabelle’s character is strong and independent without being pushy. She was actually a really sweet girl who just happened to start an uprising. Marius is the prince and I found him to be a very nicely developed alpha hero who did not use any strong arm tactics to get his way with his lady. He respected her, what she was doing and the decisions she made. Of course, Arabelle wasn’t giving him a say in the matter!
You may not be surprised who the villain is but it was still a nice reveal. However, I found the coming together of this couple at the end a little rushed and would’ve liked a little more angst and/or romance with it.
Altogether, a very enjoyable read that I wish I’d read sooner. Thanks again to my Goodreads friends that reviewed this one. See, every now and then I actually read the book!
Dual POV
Safe – no other woman/other man drama despite the fact the H is bethrothed and the h meets his fiancée
Possible triggers – this has vampires that restrain and savage their prey
It was so different and unique. Maybe not to everyone, but to me anyway. With a historical setting, it is the tale of a young woman who organizes a group of revolutionaries to rise up against the aristocracy who just happen to be vampires. Her goal is to kill the prince, Marius, to instigate their uprising. Unfortunately, for Arabelle she fails and thus begins the story of two characters as they struggle against each other, their beliefs, and their duty. A more unlikely couple you could not find. She is repulsed by the vampire’s act of drinking human blood and he needs it to survive. However, she is not repulsed by him and he has determined he will not drink from another.
This was a fast paced read with nothing to bog it down. There was something happening at all times with plenty of action, without anything blowing up mind you, as well as some very sweet moments and some steamy scenes between Arabelle and Marius. The secondary characters were very nicely fleshed out without overtaking the book. I’m not sure if this author has plans for one of their stories, but any of them would do for me. They were that good.
Arabelle’s character is strong and independent without being pushy. She was actually a really sweet girl who just happened to start an uprising. Marius is the prince and I found him to be a very nicely developed alpha hero who did not use any strong arm tactics to get his way with his lady. He respected her, what she was doing and the decisions she made. Of course, Arabelle wasn’t giving him a say in the matter!
You may not be surprised who the villain is but it was still a nice reveal. However, I found the coming together of this couple at the end a little rushed and would’ve liked a little more angst and/or romance with it.
Altogether, a very enjoyable read that I wish I’d read sooner. Thanks again to my Goodreads friends that reviewed this one. See, every now and then I actually read the book!
Dual POV
Safe – no other woman/other man drama despite the fact the H is bethrothed and the h meets his fiancée
Possible triggers – this has vampires that restrain and savage their prey
March 22, 2017
There is nothing I love more than a strong female heroine that is smart, witty and can kick butt with the best of them. Cross provides that and so much more with Arabelle, The Black Lily.
Arabelle is a human servant, living under the oppressive rule of the vampires. After years of blood lust attacks, killing hundreds of humans, Arabelle creates The Black Lily persona to help garner support from the peasant human populace. All indications say the ruling vampires are backing the savagery plaguing the humans, pushing Arabelle into action. She takes on a suicide mission to kill the heir to the throne, Marius, at his 100th birthday celebration. The same celebration that Marius is supposed to pick his human concubine.
You guessed it, Marius is irrationally drawn to Arabelle and much to Arabelle’s dismay she is drawn to Marius…but that doesn’t stop her from plunging a knife into him. Marius stop at nothing to find Arabelle and what caused her to take such dire actions…but the deeper Marius investigates the more truths he uncovers about his kind; maybe even someone closer to him than he ever imagined.
I flat out loved The Black Lily. Cross, once again, writes a tale that captures and enraptures. Pulse pounding and heart aching, I was riveted from the get go and that momentum never wavered. I can’t wait to see what Cross will bring us next in this magnificent world she created.
I received this ARC copy of The Black Lily from Juliette Cross and Entangled Publishing, LLC. This is my honest and voluntary review. The Black Lily is set for publication March 27, 2017.
My Rating: 5 Stars
Paperback: 300 pages
Series: Tales of the Black Lily
Sequence in series: 1
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Publication Date: March 20, 2017
ISBN-10: 1682814564
ISBN-13: 978-1682814567
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Lily-Tal...
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-b...
Reviewed for:
Arabelle is a human servant, living under the oppressive rule of the vampires. After years of blood lust attacks, killing hundreds of humans, Arabelle creates The Black Lily persona to help garner support from the peasant human populace. All indications say the ruling vampires are backing the savagery plaguing the humans, pushing Arabelle into action. She takes on a suicide mission to kill the heir to the throne, Marius, at his 100th birthday celebration. The same celebration that Marius is supposed to pick his human concubine.
You guessed it, Marius is irrationally drawn to Arabelle and much to Arabelle’s dismay she is drawn to Marius…but that doesn’t stop her from plunging a knife into him. Marius stop at nothing to find Arabelle and what caused her to take such dire actions…but the deeper Marius investigates the more truths he uncovers about his kind; maybe even someone closer to him than he ever imagined.
I flat out loved The Black Lily. Cross, once again, writes a tale that captures and enraptures. Pulse pounding and heart aching, I was riveted from the get go and that momentum never wavered. I can’t wait to see what Cross will bring us next in this magnificent world she created.
I received this ARC copy of The Black Lily from Juliette Cross and Entangled Publishing, LLC. This is my honest and voluntary review. The Black Lily is set for publication March 27, 2017.
My Rating: 5 Stars
Paperback: 300 pages
Series: Tales of the Black Lily
Sequence in series: 1
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Publication Date: March 20, 2017
ISBN-10: 1682814564
ISBN-13: 978-1682814567
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Lily-Tal...
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-b...
Reviewed for:
March 2, 2017
Do you love fairy tales? Are you a hopeless romantic and proud of it? Then I'm betting you loved Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast and many more! Well this new to me author puts a different slant with vampires into the famous Cinderella story. Not only that but our supposedly downtrodden heroine Arabella might do menial work for three nasty women but there's a fire to her and backbone too plus Arabella hides a huge secret! She's the leader of the resistance , the woman who is determined to stop the senseless murder of humans and her plan all starts with a trip to a very import ball at the palace!
Prince Marius is coming up to his one hundredth birthday and as his marriage gets closer so too do his suspicions that something isn't quite right in the palace. So imagine his shock when a stunning but mysterious woman tries to kill him! Yet her scent, her very essence has captured his attention and Marius sets out to hunt the would be assassin down. Oh he finds her all right but the annoying, challenging female turns the tables on him with assertions that vampires are piling up bodies and then of course there's the little fact that she's his mortal enemy! So not what Marius had in mind but the passion he feels for her just needs to be fed or does it?
I loved seeing Marius get all hung up and confused by Arabella as she's a vibrant heroine whose courage shines . I won't give any more away but I also liked the way the author gives depth to her story with supporting characters that might or might not have a happy ending. Add in a woman in a red cloak and wolves and it's like a cornucopia of fairytale ideas but it all comes back to the vampires and it does so in truly gruesome style!
Traditionally fairy tales are dark and quite often we forget that as we see talking animals in cartoons gloriously hamming it up. This story goes back to those original fears , fleshes them out and adds to it all. I'm not usually a fan of instant love but the chemistry this couple have did kind of remind me of a certain sparkly vampire and funnily enough it felt right. A vampire would feel intensely, so our Prince Charming is rightly besotted by Arabella but he's going to have to work hard if he wants his happy ever after!
This voluntary take is of an advance reader arc from Netgalley which I very happily read
Prince Marius is coming up to his one hundredth birthday and as his marriage gets closer so too do his suspicions that something isn't quite right in the palace. So imagine his shock when a stunning but mysterious woman tries to kill him! Yet her scent, her very essence has captured his attention and Marius sets out to hunt the would be assassin down. Oh he finds her all right but the annoying, challenging female turns the tables on him with assertions that vampires are piling up bodies and then of course there's the little fact that she's his mortal enemy! So not what Marius had in mind but the passion he feels for her just needs to be fed or does it?
I loved seeing Marius get all hung up and confused by Arabella as she's a vibrant heroine whose courage shines . I won't give any more away but I also liked the way the author gives depth to her story with supporting characters that might or might not have a happy ending. Add in a woman in a red cloak and wolves and it's like a cornucopia of fairytale ideas but it all comes back to the vampires and it does so in truly gruesome style!
Traditionally fairy tales are dark and quite often we forget that as we see talking animals in cartoons gloriously hamming it up. This story goes back to those original fears , fleshes them out and adds to it all. I'm not usually a fan of instant love but the chemistry this couple have did kind of remind me of a certain sparkly vampire and funnily enough it felt right. A vampire would feel intensely, so our Prince Charming is rightly besotted by Arabella but he's going to have to work hard if he wants his happy ever after!
This voluntary take is of an advance reader arc from Netgalley which I very happily read
June 15, 2017
3.5 Arrows
The Vampire prince is the target.
Revolution? assassin? undercover spy?
Cinderella retelling??!!! I thot I saw Cinderella!!
I can imagine Anthony Hopkins narrating the story - She went to the ball in a gorgeous gown, with a beguiling smile, muder on her mind, nefarious motives in her heart...
Why kill the Prince? Why isn't the King her target?
Arabelle is quite judgemental...not sure if I like it.
Marius - He was protective, observant, civilzed & rational. Add sweet, patient and romantic.
I loved Cinderella as a child and as I grew up I wondered - Did they have a real conversation or was it just dancing? Was it love at first sight or did they appreciate each others quirks?
That's gotta hurt...
Marius comes up with poetic titles for his assasin...I really like Marius
Mina??? The vampire princess is with us for a few chapters but she makes an impact. I would love to read a book about her.
“It takes a woman sometimes to speak the hard truths. The ones a man would rather bury with his prideful devotion to duty.”
Arabelle was everything.
I don't see it. Not at all. Even after the book is over and I think about it for some time.
Excellent twist. Neat ending.
This book gets 3.5 stars because :
1 Prince Marius
I've mentioned most of the reasons above but he was such a layered character. He was quick, concerned about his subjects and devoted to the woman he loved. He treated his harem with respect, had an open mind and proved that he was capable of change.
2 Premise
This was so much fun. You get a Cinderella retelling - with vampires and a fight against the class system. This was a treat for a fairy tale, paranormal, history lover.
3 Minor characters
I liked Nikolai, Sienna and her crew. They were interesting on their own and strengthened the story.
Half star for the twist, I'm definitely coming back to this series.
What I didn't like :
1 Arabelle
Something about her rubbed me the wrong way. She was judgemental, prejudiced and reckless. At no point was I convinced by her and found myself second guessing her actions at every turn.
After reading about Mina, I think Marious would have been happier and a more effective ruler with her by his side.
I'm not saying Arabelle was a bad or cruel character - I tried to like her but failed miserably.
It loses another half star because I didn't want to spend more time with Arabelle and this distanced me from the story.
The Vampire prince is the target.
Revolution? assassin? undercover spy?
Cinderella retelling??!!! I thot I saw Cinderella!!
I can imagine Anthony Hopkins narrating the story - She went to the ball in a gorgeous gown, with a beguiling smile, muder on her mind, nefarious motives in her heart...
Why kill the Prince? Why isn't the King her target?
Arabelle is quite judgemental...not sure if I like it.
Marius - He was protective, observant, civilzed & rational. Add sweet, patient and romantic.
I loved Cinderella as a child and as I grew up I wondered - Did they have a real conversation or was it just dancing? Was it love at first sight or did they appreciate each others quirks?
That's gotta hurt...
Marius comes up with poetic titles for his assasin...I really like Marius
Mina??? The vampire princess is with us for a few chapters but she makes an impact. I would love to read a book about her.
“It takes a woman sometimes to speak the hard truths. The ones a man would rather bury with his prideful devotion to duty.”
Arabelle was everything.
I don't see it. Not at all. Even after the book is over and I think about it for some time.
Excellent twist. Neat ending.
This book gets 3.5 stars because :
1 Prince Marius
I've mentioned most of the reasons above but he was such a layered character. He was quick, concerned about his subjects and devoted to the woman he loved. He treated his harem with respect, had an open mind and proved that he was capable of change.
2 Premise
This was so much fun. You get a Cinderella retelling - with vampires and a fight against the class system. This was a treat for a fairy tale, paranormal, history lover.
3 Minor characters
I liked Nikolai, Sienna and her crew. They were interesting on their own and strengthened the story.
Half star for the twist, I'm definitely coming back to this series.
What I didn't like :
1 Arabelle
Something about her rubbed me the wrong way. She was judgemental, prejudiced and reckless. At no point was I convinced by her and found myself second guessing her actions at every turn.
After reading about Mina, I think Marious would have been happier and a more effective ruler with her by his side.
I'm not saying Arabelle was a bad or cruel character - I tried to like her but failed miserably.
It loses another half star because I didn't want to spend more time with Arabelle and this distanced me from the story.
April 1, 2017
If you love Juliette Cross, you'll love her even more as you dive into this new series!!!
I had the extreme privilege of reading an early copy of this book and sooo look forward to more! Glass slippers are traded for golden daggers, and princes to vampires, turning this classic fairy tale into a nail-biting book one of the Black Lily’s revolution. (And as someone who’s also had the chance to read an early copy of book 2, you’re definitely going to want to stick around and see how Arabelle and her followers plan to keep their land’s blood madness at bay.)
This is a fantastic, fresh and sexy retelling of a story we all know and adore, and one I highly recommend!
I had the extreme privilege of reading an early copy of this book and sooo look forward to more! Glass slippers are traded for golden daggers, and princes to vampires, turning this classic fairy tale into a nail-biting book one of the Black Lily’s revolution. (And as someone who’s also had the chance to read an early copy of book 2, you’re definitely going to want to stick around and see how Arabelle and her followers plan to keep their land’s blood madness at bay.)
This is a fantastic, fresh and sexy retelling of a story we all know and adore, and one I highly recommend!
March 25, 2022
Likes this quite a bit. Great start to this Vampire series. Sexy Vampire prince. Fierce revolutionary heroine.
Starts with an Assassination and ends with an HEA. My favorite type of thing.
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
TW: Weee bit of blood letting of course. The sexy kind, but also some violence.
Starts with an Assassination and ends with an HEA. My favorite type of thing.
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
TW: Weee bit of blood letting of course. The sexy kind, but also some violence.
December 12, 2019
4 'Cinderella assassin style' stars
I really liked this combination of Cinderella retelling and bloodthirsty vampires with the assassination attempt thrown in the middle. And fairytalish style went very well with the pnr elements.
Both Arabelle and Marius were great characters. Arabelle was a perfect kick-ass heroine and Marius was a totally swoony hero. And what electrifying chemistry they had. So hot!! I was just a little impatient that it took so long for them to get together. However, when they did... Bloody delicious!
The supporting cast of characters was also great. I especially liked Nikolai and Sienna - the future couple of the next book. I have a feeling their story will be even better.
There were some minor things that bothered me. Sometimes I had a feeling there's something missing about the worldbuilding (There were priests but I didn't really sense religion). And the ending was tied up too abruptly and too easy. But I think that was the syndrome of the first book in a series so I have faith the following books will remedy that.
“You are mistaken, Your Highness. I came to the ball specifically to meet you.” As did every other woman in the room. Except they came to fall into his bed. She came to put him in the ground.
I really liked this combination of Cinderella retelling and bloodthirsty vampires with the assassination attempt thrown in the middle. And fairytalish style went very well with the pnr elements.
Both Arabelle and Marius were great characters. Arabelle was a perfect kick-ass heroine and Marius was a totally swoony hero. And what electrifying chemistry they had. So hot!! I was just a little impatient that it took so long for them to get together. However, when they did... Bloody delicious!
The sound of her satisfied pleasure unmade him. He’d never experienced anything more intimate with another woman in all his life. And he’d not even entered her body. With fangs or cock.
Her scent was so embedded in his skin, through his flesh right down to his bones, that if he lived a million years, he’d never be rid of the need to find the woman who smelled like wildflowers and rain and who now owned a piece of his heart.
The supporting cast of characters was also great. I especially liked Nikolai and Sienna - the future couple of the next book. I have a feeling their story will be even better.
There were some minor things that bothered me. Sometimes I had a feeling there's something missing about the worldbuilding (There were priests but I didn't really sense religion). And the ending was tied up too abruptly and too easy. But I think that was the syndrome of the first book in a series so I have faith the following books will remedy that.
January 1, 2018
Not a fan of the cover but the story was OK.
***3.5 Stars***
It's hard to fall for a hero when I can see him (on the cover) and he doesn't do it for me. The long flowy hair, weird eyes and his need to show off his manly chest does not make my heart go pitter patter. Then, when I meet him and get to know him, I find out that he's betrothed AND uses a blood concubine, I was not jumping for joy. But, not everything is as it seems. Our manly chested hero isn't happy and a cut to the heart changes everything.
The Black Lily is about a woman sick of seeing her friends in service being treated badly by their employers, the nobility,and the ruling vampires. When she becomes aware of people in her community being bled dry, the Black Lily decides to start a revolution. First step, infiltrate the tower and put a knife through her enemy.
Well, things don't go to plan and the revolution gets put on hold. Her blood sings to him and his manly chest makes her heart flutter, so these enemies must adjust their plans. Yadda...yadda... yep...yep...yep... moving on.
Now, the bit that was pretty cool...we get to meet this cool chick called Sirena who lives in a forest with her friends the wolves. I really liked her and I'm guessing the wolves have their own stories to tell and I wanted to know a lot more about them.
I was happy how the story played out, sad that one of my favourite characters was sacrificed and interested to continue and hopefully see justice served.
***3.5 Stars***
It's hard to fall for a hero when I can see him (on the cover) and he doesn't do it for me. The long flowy hair, weird eyes and his need to show off his manly chest does not make my heart go pitter patter. Then, when I meet him and get to know him, I find out that he's betrothed AND uses a blood concubine, I was not jumping for joy. But, not everything is as it seems. Our manly chested hero isn't happy and a cut to the heart changes everything.
The Black Lily is about a woman sick of seeing her friends in service being treated badly by their employers, the nobility,and the ruling vampires. When she becomes aware of people in her community being bled dry, the Black Lily decides to start a revolution. First step, infiltrate the tower and put a knife through her enemy.
Well, things don't go to plan and the revolution gets put on hold. Her blood sings to him and his manly chest makes her heart flutter, so these enemies must adjust their plans. Yadda...yadda... yep...yep...yep... moving on.
Now, the bit that was pretty cool...we get to meet this cool chick called Sirena who lives in a forest with her friends the wolves. I really liked her and I'm guessing the wolves have their own stories to tell and I wanted to know a lot more about them.
I was happy how the story played out, sad that one of my favourite characters was sacrificed and interested to continue and hopefully see justice served.
February 10, 2017
Before I begin my review, I would love to thank the wonderfully talented author, Juliette Cross and Entangled Publishing for receiving an ARC of The Black Lily, in exchange for my honest. I was absolutely thrilled and elated at the chance to read this and let me tell you, it is a retelling like no other.
When I think about the story of Cinderella, the first thing that comes to mind is how dainty and so innocent she is. But when you dive into reading The Black Lily, that is the furthest from the truth. Here we have an antagonist, Arabelle, a young peasant who is passionate, fierce, tenacious, independent, strong, and brave. She is a total bad-ass, who is not so innocent in many ways and embraces all that differs from what society expects from a young woman, especially one of her station.
All her life she has been treated terribly and has witnessed things that would scar even the most experienced soldier. Because of such hardships bestowed upon herself, and many others in similar situation to her own, she forms an underground resistance, becoming it’s benevolent leader, in hopes of bringing about change to a class system that has been intact for hundreds of years.
This class system, established by the rich and elite, but much more dangerous and sinister than any typical hierarchy, is a royal bloodline like no other. They are Vampires ruling amongst the people, using a select few as Bleeders, who would donate their lives and service to the crown, and those elitists’ who have the power to do so. And this is where Arabelle intends to make her stand for the Black Lily and attempt to assassinate Prince Marius at the ball where he will choose his next concubine.
Marius in nothing like the rest of his family, who rule the nation with fear and tradition. This sensual and alluring Prince yearns for something more, something different and adventurous. Little did he know that would come in the way of an assassin set out to start a rebellion, with his own death. One intoxicating kiss from her and his life is changed forever. Marius has to have her, and he will stop at nothing, not even the risk of losing it all, his legacy, his rightful place as King, his destiny. Would she be worth it?! Something you need to find out for yourselves when you pick this amazing retelling.
I absolutely love this story. It’s unique spin on a classic fairytale will have you devouring it in one sitting. It’s sexy and dark, thrilling and exciting, and completely engrossing. An adventure that will have you galloping through the fields, wielding a sword, running through the woods with wolves and tasting blood with vampires. Definitely a world that is fantastical and mind blowing. Juliette Cross has an ability to really ensure you are on the ride of your life, making you feel alive and a part of the story. I seriously am counting down the days until I have the next book in the series, and I know it’s going to be great.
When I think about the story of Cinderella, the first thing that comes to mind is how dainty and so innocent she is. But when you dive into reading The Black Lily, that is the furthest from the truth. Here we have an antagonist, Arabelle, a young peasant who is passionate, fierce, tenacious, independent, strong, and brave. She is a total bad-ass, who is not so innocent in many ways and embraces all that differs from what society expects from a young woman, especially one of her station.
All her life she has been treated terribly and has witnessed things that would scar even the most experienced soldier. Because of such hardships bestowed upon herself, and many others in similar situation to her own, she forms an underground resistance, becoming it’s benevolent leader, in hopes of bringing about change to a class system that has been intact for hundreds of years.
This class system, established by the rich and elite, but much more dangerous and sinister than any typical hierarchy, is a royal bloodline like no other. They are Vampires ruling amongst the people, using a select few as Bleeders, who would donate their lives and service to the crown, and those elitists’ who have the power to do so. And this is where Arabelle intends to make her stand for the Black Lily and attempt to assassinate Prince Marius at the ball where he will choose his next concubine.
Marius in nothing like the rest of his family, who rule the nation with fear and tradition. This sensual and alluring Prince yearns for something more, something different and adventurous. Little did he know that would come in the way of an assassin set out to start a rebellion, with his own death. One intoxicating kiss from her and his life is changed forever. Marius has to have her, and he will stop at nothing, not even the risk of losing it all, his legacy, his rightful place as King, his destiny. Would she be worth it?! Something you need to find out for yourselves when you pick this amazing retelling.
I absolutely love this story. It’s unique spin on a classic fairytale will have you devouring it in one sitting. It’s sexy and dark, thrilling and exciting, and completely engrossing. An adventure that will have you galloping through the fields, wielding a sword, running through the woods with wolves and tasting blood with vampires. Definitely a world that is fantastical and mind blowing. Juliette Cross has an ability to really ensure you are on the ride of your life, making you feel alive and a part of the story. I seriously am counting down the days until I have the next book in the series, and I know it’s going to be great.
March 22, 2017
'The Black Lily' by Juliette Cross is book One in the "Tales of the Black Lily" series. This is the story of Arabelle and Marius. Arabelle is the leader of the "Black Lily" and has set out to kill Marius who is a Vampire Prince. Arabelle is out to kill Marius because so many of the human blood concubine are being killed and Arabelle wants this to stop. Marius is turning 100 years old and his family has set in motion for him to marry a Nobel Women that they have chosen for him. In addition he has started noticing that the servants/help is showing to be very scared of them. One servant that Marius spoke to, was so scared that she up and left town. So Marius knows something is going on and turns to have his friend help him find out what that is. When Marius goes to the Blood Ball he looks up to find Arabelle who he is taken with right away. Arabelle is pretending to be a Nobel Women named Grace. When Arabelle gets Marius alone she attempts to kill him. But unknown to her at first is that she didn't kill him. When Marius friend finds him injured he asked Marius 'Did she pierce you heart?' and Marcus said 'Yes' but then says "Not literally, old friend. I wouldn't be sitting her if she had, now would I?' Marius goes forward to finding 'Grace'/Arabelle and starts to learn what has been going on.
To me that set the tone of this book and made me fall in love with this story. The secondary characters were just as good and I hope to see more of them in future books. I also wish to read more books by Ms. Cross! "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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To me that set the tone of this book and made me fall in love with this story. The secondary characters were just as good and I hope to see more of them in future books. I also wish to read more books by Ms. Cross! "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/17091...
http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp...
http://booklikes.com/blog
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
https://plus.google.com/+SissyHicks
https://www.pinterest.com/u2soapsrus/
March 27, 2017
4,5 Sterne: Eine von Juliette Cross' größten Stärken ist es, dass sie sich für jede ihrer Welten etwas ganz Neues ausdenkt: sie nimmt Bekanntes, gibt diesem einen innovativen Dreh, den man so noch nicht gesehen hat und gestaltet damit faszinierende Geschichten. In ihrem neusten Roman The Black Lily, dem Start in eine neue Serie, mischt sie romantische, paranormale und historische Fantasy mit Märchenelementen.
In Arabelles Welt herrscht die mächtige Varis-Dynastie, bestehend aus den ältesten und mächtigsten Vampiren, unumschränkt über das Land. Die Menschen fürchten sie, denn nicht nur müssen sie den Aristokraten dienen, sondern es verschwinden auch immer wieder Menschen spurlos. Arabelle selbst kann dieses Unrecht nicht mehr mit ansehen und so ruft sie eine Gruppe von Rebellen namens Black Lily ins Leben, um die Tyrannen zu stürzen. Man kann sagen was man will: schon nach dem Prolog, der nur wenige Sätze umfasst und die Gründungslegende der Vampirmonarchie beschreibt, war ich total gefesselt. Das Worldbuilding ist typisch mittelalterlich angelegt: eine Monarchie, die in Luxus und Sicherheit in ihrem Schloss im krassen Gegensatz zu den ärmlichen Verhältnissen der einfachen Leute leben. Indem sie den Adel vampirisch macht, spitzt die Autorin dieses Ausbeutungsverhältnis zusätzlich zu, da natürlich die Vampire das Blut der Menschen trinken, um zu überleben. Damit thematisiert sie quasi nebenbei die Gegensätze in einem Abhängigkeitsverhältnis und zeigt in der Geschichte ihrer Protagonisten, wie Hass und Vorurteile auf beiden Seiten überwinden werden können.
Die Protaginsten nehmen genau jene Rollen ein, die ihnen die Cinderella-Märchenadaption, die The Black Lily ist, zuweist: das arme Dienstmädchen und der Prinz. Trotzdem ist Arabelle viel mehr als nur eine wehrlose Cinderella. Stattdessen kann sie mit ihrer Entschlossenheit andere inspirieren und kämpft für ein gutes Ziel - nicht ohne sich im Laufe der Handlung zu fragen, ob sie es auf die richtige Art und Weise tut. Ebenso ist Marius mehr als ein verwöhnter Prinz, viel mehr liegen ihm die Menschen wirklich am Herzen und er versucht sein Bestes, um ihnen gerecht zu werden. Einzeln und als Paar haben mir beide sehr gefallen. Zwei kleine Wermutstropfen gab es allerdings: zum einen waren beide mir ein stückweit zu naiv und ahnungslos - hier bleibt Cross zu nah am Märchen. Die Figuren beginnen erst im Laufe der Geschichte Dinge zu hinterfragen, die eigentlich viel früher hätten auffallen müssen. Das führt dazu, dass ich sie manchmal nicht völlig ernstnehmen konnte. Zum zweiten hatten sie für meinen Geschmack zu wenig gemeinsame Szenen, bevor sich die Liebesgeschichte entfaltet. Chronologisch betrachtet vergehen zwei Wochen - das ist durchaus genug für eine (für mich) glaubwürdige Lovestory. Stattdessen hätte die Geschichte für meinen Geschmack 50 Seiten mehr gemeinsamer Screentime der beiden gebrauchen können, um ihre Zuneigung nachvollziehbar aufzubauen.
Fazit
Sieht man von kleineren Inkonsistenzen im Figurendesign ab, liefert Juliette Cross eine spannende historisch-fantastische Liebesgeschichte, die mit ihrem Märchenflair und der neuen Interpretation der inzwischen eigentlich ausgelutschten Spezies der Vampire begeistern kann. Ich freue mich wahnsinnig auf weitere Bände in der Reihe, da genug interessante Nebenfiguren eingeführt worden, deren Liebesgeschichten ich gerne erfahren möchte.
It's official: Juliette Cross ALWAYS delivers! This was so awesome! She makes vampires interesting again and I loved all the characters from Arie and Marius (and their sweet und hot relationship) to Nikolai, Sienna, Mina and the hart wolves! The hart wolves are gorgeous! The plot was entertaining and surprising - I did not see that last plot twist and the "real" antagonist coming! I can't wait to read book 2, it's going to be epic! Thank you, Juliette, for writing all those imaginative and fascinating stories.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In Arabelles Welt herrscht die mächtige Varis-Dynastie, bestehend aus den ältesten und mächtigsten Vampiren, unumschränkt über das Land. Die Menschen fürchten sie, denn nicht nur müssen sie den Aristokraten dienen, sondern es verschwinden auch immer wieder Menschen spurlos. Arabelle selbst kann dieses Unrecht nicht mehr mit ansehen und so ruft sie eine Gruppe von Rebellen namens Black Lily ins Leben, um die Tyrannen zu stürzen. Man kann sagen was man will: schon nach dem Prolog, der nur wenige Sätze umfasst und die Gründungslegende der Vampirmonarchie beschreibt, war ich total gefesselt. Das Worldbuilding ist typisch mittelalterlich angelegt: eine Monarchie, die in Luxus und Sicherheit in ihrem Schloss im krassen Gegensatz zu den ärmlichen Verhältnissen der einfachen Leute leben. Indem sie den Adel vampirisch macht, spitzt die Autorin dieses Ausbeutungsverhältnis zusätzlich zu, da natürlich die Vampire das Blut der Menschen trinken, um zu überleben. Damit thematisiert sie quasi nebenbei die Gegensätze in einem Abhängigkeitsverhältnis und zeigt in der Geschichte ihrer Protagonisten, wie Hass und Vorurteile auf beiden Seiten überwinden werden können.
Die Protaginsten nehmen genau jene Rollen ein, die ihnen die Cinderella-Märchenadaption, die The Black Lily ist, zuweist: das arme Dienstmädchen und der Prinz. Trotzdem ist Arabelle viel mehr als nur eine wehrlose Cinderella. Stattdessen kann sie mit ihrer Entschlossenheit andere inspirieren und kämpft für ein gutes Ziel - nicht ohne sich im Laufe der Handlung zu fragen, ob sie es auf die richtige Art und Weise tut. Ebenso ist Marius mehr als ein verwöhnter Prinz, viel mehr liegen ihm die Menschen wirklich am Herzen und er versucht sein Bestes, um ihnen gerecht zu werden. Einzeln und als Paar haben mir beide sehr gefallen. Zwei kleine Wermutstropfen gab es allerdings: zum einen waren beide mir ein stückweit zu naiv und ahnungslos - hier bleibt Cross zu nah am Märchen. Die Figuren beginnen erst im Laufe der Geschichte Dinge zu hinterfragen, die eigentlich viel früher hätten auffallen müssen. Das führt dazu, dass ich sie manchmal nicht völlig ernstnehmen konnte. Zum zweiten hatten sie für meinen Geschmack zu wenig gemeinsame Szenen, bevor sich die Liebesgeschichte entfaltet. Chronologisch betrachtet vergehen zwei Wochen - das ist durchaus genug für eine (für mich) glaubwürdige Lovestory. Stattdessen hätte die Geschichte für meinen Geschmack 50 Seiten mehr gemeinsamer Screentime der beiden gebrauchen können, um ihre Zuneigung nachvollziehbar aufzubauen.
Fazit
Sieht man von kleineren Inkonsistenzen im Figurendesign ab, liefert Juliette Cross eine spannende historisch-fantastische Liebesgeschichte, die mit ihrem Märchenflair und der neuen Interpretation der inzwischen eigentlich ausgelutschten Spezies der Vampire begeistern kann. Ich freue mich wahnsinnig auf weitere Bände in der Reihe, da genug interessante Nebenfiguren eingeführt worden, deren Liebesgeschichten ich gerne erfahren möchte.
It's official: Juliette Cross ALWAYS delivers! This was so awesome! She makes vampires interesting again and I loved all the characters from Arie and Marius (and their sweet und hot relationship) to Nikolai, Sienna, Mina and the hart wolves! The hart wolves are gorgeous! The plot was entertaining and surprising - I did not see that last plot twist and the "real" antagonist coming! I can't wait to read book 2, it's going to be epic! Thank you, Juliette, for writing all those imaginative and fascinating stories.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2017
She is the driving force behind the human rebellion against the oppressive rule of the vampires. She is THE BLACK LILY. Her people depend on her to save them from the blood lust and butchery the vampire royalty had seemingly allowed. In a daring move, Arabelle was willing to sacrifice her own life at a celebration for the crown prince’s 100th birthday when she assassinated him. What Arabelle hadn’t planned on was that Marius’ kiss would be felt by her very soul, even as she buried her dagger deep within him. Now Marius will do anything to find her through the dagger she left behind. How could she fall for a monster, a murderer? How could he fall for a human who tried to kill him?
As Marius searches for the beauty filled with fire, he will uncover why she wished him dead and why the humans see his kind as murdering monsters. He will stop at nothing to stop the slaughter, no matter who is behind it, but can he convince Arabelle he can be trusted, that he is on the humans’ side and that he needs her for more than her blood?
What they each would discover will change their lives forever, because even as sworn enemies, they could not deny the call of their hearts.
Hang out the Do Not Disturb Sign, Juliette Cross has created another feisty heroine, another fabulous tale and turns Cinderella’s fairy tale into an edgy adult read that doesn’t need a pumpkin to create the magic of love and the power of the truth.
Juliette Cross is a strong writer who uses her gift to always deliver intrigue and passion while giving her readers an amazing plot, atmosphere and living, breathing characters to believe in. Looking for heaving bosoms and vapors? Look elsewhere. Looking for great storytelling? You’ve come to the right place and the right author!
I received an ARC edition from Entangled Publishing, LLC in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Tales of the Black Lily - Book 1
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Publication Date: March 27, 2017
Genre: Romantic Fantasy | Fairy Tale Re-Telling
Print Length: 290 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
As Marius searches for the beauty filled with fire, he will uncover why she wished him dead and why the humans see his kind as murdering monsters. He will stop at nothing to stop the slaughter, no matter who is behind it, but can he convince Arabelle he can be trusted, that he is on the humans’ side and that he needs her for more than her blood?
What they each would discover will change their lives forever, because even as sworn enemies, they could not deny the call of their hearts.
Hang out the Do Not Disturb Sign, Juliette Cross has created another feisty heroine, another fabulous tale and turns Cinderella’s fairy tale into an edgy adult read that doesn’t need a pumpkin to create the magic of love and the power of the truth.
Juliette Cross is a strong writer who uses her gift to always deliver intrigue and passion while giving her readers an amazing plot, atmosphere and living, breathing characters to believe in. Looking for heaving bosoms and vapors? Look elsewhere. Looking for great storytelling? You’ve come to the right place and the right author!
I received an ARC edition from Entangled Publishing, LLC in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Tales of the Black Lily - Book 1
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Publication Date: March 27, 2017
Genre: Romantic Fantasy | Fairy Tale Re-Telling
Print Length: 290 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
December 24, 2017
4++ Stars! I really liked this a lot! Two good MCs, good side characters, lots of good fighting action, descent plot, ultimate evil, some hot sex scenes; I'm definitely going to continue with the series. A good mishmash of some of my favorite fairytales. Vampire style! Happy reading!
October 1, 2017
I left it a long time between reading this one and finally getting around to writing my review so I'm going to keep it fairly short and sweet but I loved The Black Lily. This is a Cinderella retelling with a twist, Arabelle isn't a simpering idiot who is desperately waiting for the prince to save her, in fact she's the leader of the rebellion and the only reason she's attending the ball is because she intends to kill the vampire prince. Arabelle is sick of the vampires abusing their powers and getting away with murdering people and she's determined to lead a revolution that will put the humans back in charge. Marius had no idea he was Arabelle's target so it comes as quite a shock when she stabs him when he's in the middle of seducing her. He's so surprised by her attack that she managed to escape while he recovers from being stabbed in the heart but there is no way he'll let her get away with that so he sets out to hunt her down.
This was such a fun enemies to lovers romance, the attraction between Arabelle and Marius is pretty much instant but I can get on board with lust at first sight so that wasn't an issue. Although their relationship developed quite quickly it never felt rushed and I was definitely on board with the fact that Arabelle was an independent and experienced woman who knew what she wanted and was willing to fight for her people. There was more to Marius than first met the eye and he wasn't just a pampered prince who was used to being waited on.
The story has more to it than romance, there was lots of action too and we're introduced to some really fun characters along the way, I have a pretty good idea who the next couple will be and I'm definitely exited to spend more time in this world. Once I'm caught up with this series I think I'm going to have to start working my way through Juliette Cross' backlist too!
This was such a fun enemies to lovers romance, the attraction between Arabelle and Marius is pretty much instant but I can get on board with lust at first sight so that wasn't an issue. Although their relationship developed quite quickly it never felt rushed and I was definitely on board with the fact that Arabelle was an independent and experienced woman who knew what she wanted and was willing to fight for her people. There was more to Marius than first met the eye and he wasn't just a pampered prince who was used to being waited on.
The story has more to it than romance, there was lots of action too and we're introduced to some really fun characters along the way, I have a pretty good idea who the next couple will be and I'm definitely exited to spend more time in this world. Once I'm caught up with this series I think I'm going to have to start working my way through Juliette Cross' backlist too!
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