What do you think?
Rate this book
Arsinoëphorus Alliance #1
Bound by Fate and Blood
Scottish merchant-for-hire Christian Sinclair longs for solid ground after traveling the Atlantic in the late 1660s under King Charles II’s banner. When he returns to London six months late, his homecoming plans did not include being captured, finding his family dead, or hearing their estate burned to the ground.
Nephtyri, the last of two full-blooded vampires, dreams of Christian’s plight and offers to avenge his murdered family. In exchange, she reveals his parents’ hidden ties to the secretive Hunters’ Guild—slayers and slavers intent on destroying her people.
If the Guild seizes Christian, they will either enslave him against England or enthrone him as their Imperial Lord Hunter. His choices will either save or shatter Nephtyri and the Arsinoëphorus Alliance in the process.
Nephtyri, the last of two full-blooded vampires, dreams of Christian’s plight and offers to avenge his murdered family. In exchange, she reveals his parents’ hidden ties to the secretive Hunters’ Guild—slayers and slavers intent on destroying her people.
If the Guild seizes Christian, they will either enslave him against England or enthrone him as their Imperial Lord Hunter. His choices will either save or shatter Nephtyri and the Arsinoëphorus Alliance in the process.
304 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2021
10 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Jenna O'Malley
19 books52 followersAward winning indie author and Maryland native, Jenna O’Malley lives with her geeky husband and their beloved felines. A long-time anime fan, gamer, metalhead, history lover, and English teacher, she blends contemporary references with fantasy, history, and a dash of romance. The worlds she creates highlight issues across time, including women’s rights, the importance of all voices in leadership, LGBTQIA alliance, mental health awareness, and anti-racism.
Find out more about Jenna, her books, her YouTube channel, and more at this link:
https://linktr.ee/jennathesoulwriter
Find out more about Jenna, her books, her YouTube channel, and more at this link:
https://linktr.ee/jennathesoulwriter
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 16, 2021
Arsinoëphorus Alliance (Book 1): Bound by Fate and Blood by Jenna O’Malley
This is an intelligent vampire story. Some of the phraseology is just beautiful.
O’Malley takes period, setting, costume, culture, ettiquette and language into consideration and the tone-setting of the book is just stunning.
This vampire genre lends itself to forgetting about the myth being seeped in folklore and history, and it’s morphed into a general excuse for writing—and I use the term in its loosest form—some of the worst sex scenes, ever to come from sticky keyboards. Okay, some of them probably have some well-written sex—I’ve just never read one.
I am delighted to report that this isn’t that book. There isn’t a ripped bodice in sight. It is, however, a touching love story, sensitively written. The male and female leads are likeable and easy to connect with.
I loved several things about this book. We are introduced to many different species of merna. I enjoyed reading about their different traits and abilities. It wasn’t just, here’s a vampire. Here’s another vampire. And look, here’s another vampire. It gave the book flexibility because, with having other species, the story didn’t have to unfold only in the dark. Introducing and comingling different species was a clever ploy by the writer who thought about where she wanted to go with the book. Every species adds another layer to th texture of the story.
The book doesn’t go mad on history, but what there is reads as well-researched and accurate. There are some good little snippets of Egyptian history and lore, as well as Spanish and English. It’s a period piece. And as such, the language is rich and dripping in lustrous brocade and velvet words. The description is lovely and when something, or somewhere, is described, you are taken on location and can inhabit the setting and character. We are carried from London to the high seas on the Good Ship Lusty Strumpet, back to London, and end up in Flanders.
O’Malley has honed the craft of writing battle scenes and I don’t think I’ve ever written this in a review before, but her action and battle scenes are the best scenes in the book. I don’t think I’ve ever read bettle scenes that are any better than these—go tell that to Tennyson. She manages to avoid saying the same thing on a loop. And, she has a natural sense of timing and pace. She takes it up, the tension builds, and unlike many writers that will leave the end of a battle hanging, she remembers to bring it down again, with a nice little flash of de-stressing humour from the characters.
The humour is sharp and helps to define, build and separate the characters. One of my favourite scenes is after a battle when three mixed-species merna have a banter as they walk off the battlefield. Get me, with the buzz words. Merna are vamps, lycans, fae, wizards? Maybe, and all those wonderful species not of our natural world.
Very often in a book with more than a few characters, what you end up with are two characters, one male one female, on repeat. The author understands her people and keeps them distinct.
A well-thought-out story. The distinction is that It’s a book with vampire characters. It is not a book about vampires. The story is about people, conflict and resolution. It’s about power used well, and power in corruption. Woven into all that, is a lovely story about loss and return that transcends time.
This novel is part of a continuing series.
This is an intelligent vampire story. Some of the phraseology is just beautiful.
O’Malley takes period, setting, costume, culture, ettiquette and language into consideration and the tone-setting of the book is just stunning.
This vampire genre lends itself to forgetting about the myth being seeped in folklore and history, and it’s morphed into a general excuse for writing—and I use the term in its loosest form—some of the worst sex scenes, ever to come from sticky keyboards. Okay, some of them probably have some well-written sex—I’ve just never read one.
I am delighted to report that this isn’t that book. There isn’t a ripped bodice in sight. It is, however, a touching love story, sensitively written. The male and female leads are likeable and easy to connect with.
I loved several things about this book. We are introduced to many different species of merna. I enjoyed reading about their different traits and abilities. It wasn’t just, here’s a vampire. Here’s another vampire. And look, here’s another vampire. It gave the book flexibility because, with having other species, the story didn’t have to unfold only in the dark. Introducing and comingling different species was a clever ploy by the writer who thought about where she wanted to go with the book. Every species adds another layer to th texture of the story.
The book doesn’t go mad on history, but what there is reads as well-researched and accurate. There are some good little snippets of Egyptian history and lore, as well as Spanish and English. It’s a period piece. And as such, the language is rich and dripping in lustrous brocade and velvet words. The description is lovely and when something, or somewhere, is described, you are taken on location and can inhabit the setting and character. We are carried from London to the high seas on the Good Ship Lusty Strumpet, back to London, and end up in Flanders.
O’Malley has honed the craft of writing battle scenes and I don’t think I’ve ever written this in a review before, but her action and battle scenes are the best scenes in the book. I don’t think I’ve ever read bettle scenes that are any better than these—go tell that to Tennyson. She manages to avoid saying the same thing on a loop. And, she has a natural sense of timing and pace. She takes it up, the tension builds, and unlike many writers that will leave the end of a battle hanging, she remembers to bring it down again, with a nice little flash of de-stressing humour from the characters.
The humour is sharp and helps to define, build and separate the characters. One of my favourite scenes is after a battle when three mixed-species merna have a banter as they walk off the battlefield. Get me, with the buzz words. Merna are vamps, lycans, fae, wizards? Maybe, and all those wonderful species not of our natural world.
Very often in a book with more than a few characters, what you end up with are two characters, one male one female, on repeat. The author understands her people and keeps them distinct.
A well-thought-out story. The distinction is that It’s a book with vampire characters. It is not a book about vampires. The story is about people, conflict and resolution. It’s about power used well, and power in corruption. Woven into all that, is a lovely story about loss and return that transcends time.
This novel is part of a continuing series.
July 11, 2021
Creative and unique. Absolutely, definitely recommend.
I wish I’d known about the glossary at the end of the book as I was reading. The unfamiliar words were a challenge in my brain to start. However, do not let that deter you from a story that should be read by all fans of this genre. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
I wish I’d known about the glossary at the end of the book as I was reading. The unfamiliar words were a challenge in my brain to start. However, do not let that deter you from a story that should be read by all fans of this genre. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
July 3, 2021
Enjoyed the trip back in time!
Set in the 1660's the story follows Christian Sinclair who, on returning to London, learns that family has been killed and his home destroyed and he now seeks revenge, fighting alongside a coven led by a vampire. This story has romance, frosty relationships, enhancement potions, battles, death, secrecy, all of which are graphically described to enable the reader to be right their in the mix and to experience the thoughts and feelings of everyone but especially the two main characters. It's not the typical vampire verses human story of drinking blood to survive, the story is totally different and the author skillfully uses other species within the coven that have differing abilities and strengths to enhance the plot. Well written, enjoyable.
Set in the 1660's the story follows Christian Sinclair who, on returning to London, learns that family has been killed and his home destroyed and he now seeks revenge, fighting alongside a coven led by a vampire. This story has romance, frosty relationships, enhancement potions, battles, death, secrecy, all of which are graphically described to enable the reader to be right their in the mix and to experience the thoughts and feelings of everyone but especially the two main characters. It's not the typical vampire verses human story of drinking blood to survive, the story is totally different and the author skillfully uses other species within the coven that have differing abilities and strengths to enhance the plot. Well written, enjoyable.
April 4, 2024
After many interruptions, I have finally finished The Merna Annals, Book One - Bound by Fate and Blood. I purchased it from the author's Kickstarter (so I got the new cover).
This is the world-building story for the Merna Annals, and as such, I expected a fast and furious pace. I'm hoping Jenna can slow down a little bit in the next few books. Wow...
It also is the book that focuses most on the bringing in of a main character - Ian from a Hunter's Guild family into the ranks of his enemy, Nephtyri's merna family. I call them family, because even though other titles can be used, it is a family above all else.
These are blood-bound and honor-bound characters who have mostly healthy relationships among them and love one another fiercely even when they disagree, there is an undertone of caring. I loved that. I loved how brotherhood and sisterhood are portrayed as just as important and loving and even slightly intimate as a romantic relationship. Gentle ribbing over crushes to fighting pissiness - this was all well done.
The worlds (in and outside the veil), the magic system, the culture of the merna and merna-kind have all be well-established here in these pages. And I didn't actually even look at the glossary Jenna provided in the front. Will it make things more clear for you? Probably. But she did a damn good job of explaining and relating those concepts in the story.
The one thing I would warn a reader about is that this book is extremely fast-paced. I honestly feel like this could have made two books by simply slowing things down a bit. There were times when I had to go back and reread scenes because I wasn't sure how we dropped a character or gained a character - or who was behind the wheel. I weigh this with my ADHD brain. However, it wasn't just that my brain had a "skip session." I know, because it happened several times.
In the end, I felt like the story and the characters were worthy of my time to go back and be sure of a fast-paced scene here and there. I went from wanting to slap Ian to wanting to pat him on the back and comfort him. From the beginning, Frey is a hoot. I will never tire of him. Also, Bjorn... just... chef's kiss there.
I will definitely be reading more from this series!
This is the world-building story for the Merna Annals, and as such, I expected a fast and furious pace. I'm hoping Jenna can slow down a little bit in the next few books. Wow...
It also is the book that focuses most on the bringing in of a main character - Ian from a Hunter's Guild family into the ranks of his enemy, Nephtyri's merna family. I call them family, because even though other titles can be used, it is a family above all else.
These are blood-bound and honor-bound characters who have mostly healthy relationships among them and love one another fiercely even when they disagree, there is an undertone of caring. I loved that. I loved how brotherhood and sisterhood are portrayed as just as important and loving and even slightly intimate as a romantic relationship. Gentle ribbing over crushes to fighting pissiness - this was all well done.
The worlds (in and outside the veil), the magic system, the culture of the merna and merna-kind have all be well-established here in these pages. And I didn't actually even look at the glossary Jenna provided in the front. Will it make things more clear for you? Probably. But she did a damn good job of explaining and relating those concepts in the story.
The one thing I would warn a reader about is that this book is extremely fast-paced. I honestly feel like this could have made two books by simply slowing things down a bit. There were times when I had to go back and reread scenes because I wasn't sure how we dropped a character or gained a character - or who was behind the wheel. I weigh this with my ADHD brain. However, it wasn't just that my brain had a "skip session." I know, because it happened several times.
In the end, I felt like the story and the characters were worthy of my time to go back and be sure of a fast-paced scene here and there. I went from wanting to slap Ian to wanting to pat him on the back and comfort him. From the beginning, Frey is a hoot. I will never tire of him. Also, Bjorn... just... chef's kiss there.
I will definitely be reading more from this series!
February 24, 2024
DNF @ 16%
The dialogue was really un-naturalistic and people jump from topic to topic way too quickly to follow the conversation. The prose was minimal, lacking in description and sense of place, making scene transitions incredibly confusing. The conlang was a mistake. Don’t start a book with an eight-page dictionary and then include a new non-dictionary word in the first page of Chapter One for us to figure out. The characters’ motivations are confusing as well.
In the first act of the book, the FMC intercepts a letter that hints that MMC might be unaware that he comes from a long line of Hunters, so she has him kidnapped on the ride home after a long voyage at sea. Meanwhile, his house has been burned down with his sister inside, which seems to be the FMC’s fault since she intercepted the letter letting his sister know where and when to meet him (she wouldn’t have been home at the time if she had met him at the docks) but apparently it was the Hunter’s Guild who burned the house because he’s their heir (???) and then they attack him (?????) because his mom didn’t train him to be a hunter, so he needs FMC to come save him and convince him not to unalive himself. Clear as mud. That’s about as far as I got. Too bored, confused and frustrated to continue.
The dialogue was really un-naturalistic and people jump from topic to topic way too quickly to follow the conversation. The prose was minimal, lacking in description and sense of place, making scene transitions incredibly confusing. The conlang was a mistake. Don’t start a book with an eight-page dictionary and then include a new non-dictionary word in the first page of Chapter One for us to figure out. The characters’ motivations are confusing as well.
In the first act of the book, the FMC intercepts a letter that hints that MMC might be unaware that he comes from a long line of Hunters, so she has him kidnapped on the ride home after a long voyage at sea. Meanwhile, his house has been burned down with his sister inside, which seems to be the FMC’s fault since she intercepted the letter letting his sister know where and when to meet him (she wouldn’t have been home at the time if she had met him at the docks) but apparently it was the Hunter’s Guild who burned the house because he’s their heir (???) and then they attack him (?????) because his mom didn’t train him to be a hunter, so he needs FMC to come save him and convince him not to unalive himself. Clear as mud. That’s about as far as I got. Too bored, confused and frustrated to continue.
February 7, 2022
Bound by Fate and Blood is a poetically written, well-paced, high-fantasy book, set in London during the 1660’s.
The front of the book has a glossary, which I read through several times before diving into the story. High fantasy books with lots of characters and supernatural beings—with magical traits and abilities—are always much easier to follow once you’ve figured out who’s who and what’s what. There were a few times when I had to refer back to the glossary, but overall, I found the story enjoyable and easy enough to follow.
Jenna O’Malley’s writing style and descriptions are appropriate for the period, and her main characters speak with the etiquette of another time.
I loved the main characters Christian and Nephtyri. They were sharp tongued and witty, which kept me amused throughout.
Also, I absolutely adore forbidden romances and this book gave me the warm and fuzzies.
I highly recommend this story to all lovers of high-fantasy.
I’ll be moving on to book two next week, and I’m really looking forward to it.
The front of the book has a glossary, which I read through several times before diving into the story. High fantasy books with lots of characters and supernatural beings—with magical traits and abilities—are always much easier to follow once you’ve figured out who’s who and what’s what. There were a few times when I had to refer back to the glossary, but overall, I found the story enjoyable and easy enough to follow.
Jenna O’Malley’s writing style and descriptions are appropriate for the period, and her main characters speak with the etiquette of another time.
I loved the main characters Christian and Nephtyri. They were sharp tongued and witty, which kept me amused throughout.
Also, I absolutely adore forbidden romances and this book gave me the warm and fuzzies.
I highly recommend this story to all lovers of high-fantasy.
I’ll be moving on to book two next week, and I’m really looking forward to it.
July 10, 2021
Like one of the other reviewers, I wish I had known about the glossary in the beginning of the book.
I'm the kind of reader that can easily "buy in" fictional language, made-up terms, and pretend roles/clans/titles etc. BUT only if it's written in a way I can understand. About halfway through it felt a little more natural to read, but it did trip me up to read the uncommon names and terms.
That being said, this was well written for a high fantasy novel, including every type of character you can imagine. Pirate vampires, werewolves, beasts etc... and all from different parts of the world. I felt like this was a true melting pot of characterization.
The forbidden love plotline was weaved in effortlessly. It didn't take away from the main conflict, but added interest in the connection between characters.
Overall, it kept my interest and ran at a good pace.
I'm the kind of reader that can easily "buy in" fictional language, made-up terms, and pretend roles/clans/titles etc. BUT only if it's written in a way I can understand. About halfway through it felt a little more natural to read, but it did trip me up to read the uncommon names and terms.
That being said, this was well written for a high fantasy novel, including every type of character you can imagine. Pirate vampires, werewolves, beasts etc... and all from different parts of the world. I felt like this was a true melting pot of characterization.
The forbidden love plotline was weaved in effortlessly. It didn't take away from the main conflict, but added interest in the connection between characters.
Overall, it kept my interest and ran at a good pace.
May 4, 2022
You really need to take your time with this book and fully immerse yourself in this unique take on the vampire and other worldly beings story. As you read you find out more and more about this cleverly constructed world which is interwoven in the real world, around the 1600s. There is a subtle but quite brutal love story to be drawn into and plenty of battle action too, where new powers are being discovered and everyone's loyalties are tested. There are a lot of new terms to be learned but the glossary at the start was really helpful. Its a book to get your teeth into and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will be reading more in the series.
November 7, 2021
Bound By Fate and Blood is chock full of a variety of character types, some of whom I found loveable and some I would rather not know, which made for great conflict and a great read. I particularly enjoyed how the characters’ dreams of future encounters affects their decision-making and the loyalty given to friends especially when they are in of rescue. The book has good pacing with scenes where the characters become well-known intermingled with intrigue, political decision-making, and fight scenes.
July 26, 2023
I really enjoyed the pacing, story, and characters. It's not your typical vampire, lycan, and fae interactions with humans. As you read you can feel the age and knowledge of the supernatural, but still realize that they have very human gut-punch emotions. The glossary in the front was very helpful. There were still a few times where a scene was confusing, like I lost where they were for a moment or didn't know who was talking at first. Really take your time and soak it in.
September 11, 2021
Again, this was another book outside the norm of what I typically read. The story was well written and pulls you in from the get-go. The environments are well-described and provide some wonderful imagery as you read through. You’re certainly left wanting more once you reach the end of the book.
Looking forward to book 2!
Well done!
Looking forward to book 2!
Well done!
February 14, 2022
This was an interesting story that I surprisingly couldn't put down. It was well paced and had a ton of characters. I don't normally enjoy books with a glossy of any kind but this one was actually really good. I will say that early on in this story I was kind of lost but by the middle of this story I was hooked and I can not wait for the next one.
July 14, 2021
Not my usual genre. That said, the author paints a super picture of each character, allowing us to connect with them. Add beautiful description to that and one is totally involved with the story.
Great idea for the glossary. Maybe having it at the beginning of the book would help the reader.
Great idea for the glossary. Maybe having it at the beginning of the book would help the reader.
August 17, 2024
Loved the story. A lot of fighting, but it was exceptionally well written. Wasn't real happy with the ending, but that happens when it's written as an anima program.
The characters are great, and as I said I loved the story.
The characters are great, and as I said I loved the story.
February 18, 2021
Original, great, and well developed, characters. Novel approach to vampires, werewolves, fairies, and others. Set in a historically accurate setting.
May 25, 2021
This book has it all! Thrilling adventure, sexy encounters, vampiric all romance and well researched immersion into a time and culture far different than our own. Two thumbs way way up!!!
July 8, 2021
This is well-written vampire/ love story with well-rounded characters. Almost poetry at times as the story moves from tragedy to romance. The odd spell and potion threw in for good measure.
Read
May 13, 2024Review pending
dnf
September 28, 2025I lasted 15 pages. I wasn't vibing with the writing style.
January 8, 2026
The writing was insufferable. The characters were not introduced and were confusing to follow. Low spice, so I expected the characters to carry more of the story but it did not.
June 30, 2022
Slow to figure out, but good in the end.
It was a bit of a rough start, learning all the new terms, and figuring out who was who. There is a glossary of people and terms, so if you can flip back and forth it would help. I read the ebook, so it was harder for me. But by the end, it was really interesting, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
It was a bit of a rough start, learning all the new terms, and figuring out who was who. There is a glossary of people and terms, so if you can flip back and forth it would help. I read the ebook, so it was harder for me. But by the end, it was really interesting, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
February 28, 2023
Travelling merchant Christian Sinclair returns home from sea to discover his world has been turned upside down. His family gone and his home destroyed, he is heartbroken. Christian seeks revenge through the help of vampire Nephtyri who needs help to save her kind.
There is a brilliant glossary at the start of the book which I referred to and was helpful in understanding character and references. I’m not normally a fan of this genre but the author writes in such a lovely way, with words almost dancing at times. The character development was excellent and the relationship between the main characters was described in a way that made me visualise scenes, conversations and actions. I enjoyed the way Christian’s character in particular developed through the book, with managing grief, ongoing challenges, trust, friendship, and emotional connections.
The historical references and cultures are carefully considered, even in a fantasy novel and this adds to creating atmosphere.
Jenna is an excellent writer, with a wonderful imagination. Highly recommended
There is a brilliant glossary at the start of the book which I referred to and was helpful in understanding character and references. I’m not normally a fan of this genre but the author writes in such a lovely way, with words almost dancing at times. The character development was excellent and the relationship between the main characters was described in a way that made me visualise scenes, conversations and actions. I enjoyed the way Christian’s character in particular developed through the book, with managing grief, ongoing challenges, trust, friendship, and emotional connections.
The historical references and cultures are carefully considered, even in a fantasy novel and this adds to creating atmosphere.
Jenna is an excellent writer, with a wonderful imagination. Highly recommended
October 21, 2021
Give it a chance to get started
So, I almost didn't finish this book. I was 1/3 of the way through, completely lost, and considering a poor rating. I'm not big on romance in general, but the first few chapters displayed wild teeter-tottering between a racist I couldn't root for and a somewhat stereotypical vampire. I committed to finishing it, though, and I'm glad I did. About halfway through, the story evens out, and hooks you in, it takes a minute. By then you have the glossary memorized and you've adjusted to the style, which at first does somewhat feel like someone throwing a thesaurus at you. Perhaps that is simply the historical fiction aspect, which I admit I don't read a lot of. Once you can adjust, however, you truly learn to care about the characters and welcome their oddities . I can't say I ever deeply connected with the main characters, but the bond between blood brothers at the end spoke to my very soul.
So, I almost didn't finish this book. I was 1/3 of the way through, completely lost, and considering a poor rating. I'm not big on romance in general, but the first few chapters displayed wild teeter-tottering between a racist I couldn't root for and a somewhat stereotypical vampire. I committed to finishing it, though, and I'm glad I did. About halfway through, the story evens out, and hooks you in, it takes a minute. By then you have the glossary memorized and you've adjusted to the style, which at first does somewhat feel like someone throwing a thesaurus at you. Perhaps that is simply the historical fiction aspect, which I admit I don't read a lot of. Once you can adjust, however, you truly learn to care about the characters and welcome their oddities . I can't say I ever deeply connected with the main characters, but the bond between blood brothers at the end spoke to my very soul.
July 8, 2021
An unusal and different tale on vampires. The story started off very interesting, with Christian arriving back to London, where he hopes for a quiet life. But before he can even get to his family manor, he is attacked and abducted and learns some horrific truths about himself and his family. So far, so good. However, the plot seems to stall and the pace almost grinds to a halt as it turns into a discussion, not an unravelling of the story. The pace picks up again towards the end and quite honestly, I'm glad I carried on reading. The characters become clearer in their motives as the plot unfolds. For me personally, it was not an easy smooth read but compelling enough to want to see how it would unfold
August 13, 2021
Beautifully written
This book took me some time to get into it because struggling with the characters' names and titles slowed the pacing considerably. That being said, once you get used to the names, it reads much smoother. The book is beautifully written, almost poetic at times, and the story held my interest throughout.
There is romance and plenty of action with beautifully written fighting scenes. I recommend this to anyone who's into paranormal romance and historical fiction.
This book took me some time to get into it because struggling with the characters' names and titles slowed the pacing considerably. That being said, once you get used to the names, it reads much smoother. The book is beautifully written, almost poetic at times, and the story held my interest throughout.
There is romance and plenty of action with beautifully written fighting scenes. I recommend this to anyone who's into paranormal romance and historical fiction.
August 14, 2021
Boy meets girl, but lo and behold, she's a a vampire and almost kills him! =
I gave this book a four star rating for its cast of characters and the continuity of scenes, the personal relationships the author developed, and a far reaching plot which should prove exciting in books to come. The foreshadowing is well done, and if romance appears amongst its players, then all the better.
More careful editing is needed, but the story rings true and should delight readers of dark fantasy .
I gave this book a four star rating for its cast of characters and the continuity of scenes, the personal relationships the author developed, and a far reaching plot which should prove exciting in books to come. The foreshadowing is well done, and if romance appears amongst its players, then all the better.
More careful editing is needed, but the story rings true and should delight readers of dark fantasy .
November 5, 2021
Interesting read
I don't usually read historical fiction, but because it was paranormal, I was still interested in reading it. The character development was good and the plot kept me interested. Admittedly I got bored going through the glossary and gave up part way through and hoped the lack of knowledge of the made up words wouldn't hinder me, considering I knew I'd forget the ones I did read anyway. The story still made sense, but I think I would have preferred words that weren't made up, but well known words for different creatures etc. It did still make for a good read.
I don't usually read historical fiction, but because it was paranormal, I was still interested in reading it. The character development was good and the plot kept me interested. Admittedly I got bored going through the glossary and gave up part way through and hoped the lack of knowledge of the made up words wouldn't hinder me, considering I knew I'd forget the ones I did read anyway. The story still made sense, but I think I would have preferred words that weren't made up, but well known words for different creatures etc. It did still make for a good read.
August 27, 2021
Very well written. This was my very first time for reading about vampires. It’s good to get out of your comfort zone sometimes. The story line kept me reading to find out if there could be romance between a human and a vampire. In this case, I won’t spoil it for others. Read it and see for yourselves!
July 7, 2021
A well-written vampire/ love story
This is well-written vampire/ love story with well-rounded characters. Almost poetry at times as the story moves from tragedy to romance. The odd spell and potion thrown in for good measure.
This is well-written vampire/ love story with well-rounded characters. Almost poetry at times as the story moves from tragedy to romance. The odd spell and potion thrown in for good measure.
June 30, 2021
Loved it
This was a fantastic story that was intricately woven with great story telling. I really enjoyed it, and couldn't stop reading.
This was a fantastic story that was intricately woven with great story telling. I really enjoyed it, and couldn't stop reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews