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The Genius of Our Wiles
Gwendolyn, daughter of a thirteenth century earl, dreams of marrying her true love, or, at least, of riding a camel before her lord father consigns her in marriage to a man she cannot love. Fretting to her maid and confidante, she’s startled by a seductive male voice, which seems to come from nowhere. Her apparition, who whispers in a foreign accent, says his name is Pius and offers alternatives too fanciful to fathom. Little does she know Pius is a Sunborn vampire. After months of mental courtship, Pius has gained Gwendolyn’s trust. She’s in love and ready to run away with him. But how does one run away with an apparition? Pius, a Roman, once a sculptor and cathedral builder, has few bounds or barriers, but when Gwendolyn discovers she loves to paint after watching an artisan mix egg tempera to adorn the castle’s chapel walls, he lingers in her mind, courting, loving, sharing laughter, while awaiting Gwendolyn to experience the joy of completing a work of art before he approaches her in person. He then whisks into an otherworldly life of power, dilemmas, and mysteries, which, together, they must solve.
458 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2021
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
May 24, 2024
If you are one of those who like reading fantasy books and stories about vampires, this book is for you!...a different mystery-romance book that is definitely worth reading. (Of course, I do not recommend reading it to people under 16)
The narration of the story starts from 1200 and takes the reader on a journey through the centuries along with the characters of the story. Although many stories have been written about vampires, the author still tries to bring new points in his book and prevent it from being repetitive (this feature is very good and respectable). The narration of the story was very lovely. and accompanied the reader with the flow of the book. Considering the ending of the book, I think its story will continue in the next volumes....
Thank you to the Book Taster team for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The narration of the story starts from 1200 and takes the reader on a journey through the centuries along with the characters of the story. Although many stories have been written about vampires, the author still tries to bring new points in his book and prevent it from being repetitive (this feature is very good and respectable). The narration of the story was very lovely. and accompanied the reader with the flow of the book. Considering the ending of the book, I think its story will continue in the next volumes....
Thank you to the Book Taster team for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed Gwendolyn and the storyline. It was an interesting book and their was a intriguing love story. It was full of adventure. It isn’t adult book that should take your time reading it. It was sad to see that she had to marry someone she didn’t care for. I feel that Gwendolyn should be able to grow and have fun. It was good to she that she had some freedom in this book.
April 18, 2022
I was offered this book by Booktasters in exchange for an honest review.
Genre:
Fantasy (Supernatural), Romance.
Synopsis:
Set in 1200s, Gwendolyn, daughter of earl hopes to marry true love. Unfortunately, her father has promised her hand in marriage to someone she cannot fall in love with. As she rants to her maid, an alluring seductive voice captures her attention. Whispering his name as Pius, professing his love and being a source of encouragement over months, Gwendolyn falls in love with the apparition. Unbeknownst to her, Pius is a sun born vampire who was once a Roman sculptor and cathedral builder. As he soon approaches Gwendolyn in person and takes her away, a whole life of love, fun and a world of mysteries await them!
Review:
The synopsis provided by the author only gives a brief view into the story. The actual story is vast and intriguing! Let us dive into different aspects of the book:
Overall book:
Although there have been a lot of vampire romance novels, the author has attempted to weave something new and fresh through this book. The story progresses in a fast yet steady pace. Starting with 1200s, the story slowly moves through different centuries and places. The journey of Pius and Gwendolyn is rich and vibrant with lots of love and passion, sometimes bloody too. There are so many mysteries which makes it interesting and thrilling. The book is engaging. There were many places where I totally got lost into the narrative. Although the book tends to get slightly heavy, overall, it is very nice to read!
Writing style:
Since the book starts with 13th century, the author has made sure to write in a manner which would reflect that era. The references to different centuries, art and description of different instances makes it so beautiful to imagine those time periods. Certain unique words are used to describe their vampiric rituals and living. That gives even more authentic feel to the whole storyline. However, it would have been good if there’s a mini glossary given for readers’ benefit. On the whole, writing is easy to understand!
Characters:
There are right number of characters to carry the story forward. Apart from Pius and Gwendolyn, we see more characters including a Goddess who plays key role in the story. Though the other characters play important roles, the focus is maintained on Pius and Gwendolyn, more so on Gwendolyn. The author has written in such a beautiful way that I felt connected to the characters. I could feel the passion between the main characters!
Ending:
The ending is beautiful, and it is not rushed. There are more questions and concerns which hint at a possible sequel.
Age Guidelines:
Due to references to sex and mild violence, I think this book is better suited ages 16+.
Final Verdict:
I enjoyed reading this book! I am definitely recommending to all those who would love to read a different type of vampire romance and mystery novel! I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Genre:
Fantasy (Supernatural), Romance.
Synopsis:
Set in 1200s, Gwendolyn, daughter of earl hopes to marry true love. Unfortunately, her father has promised her hand in marriage to someone she cannot fall in love with. As she rants to her maid, an alluring seductive voice captures her attention. Whispering his name as Pius, professing his love and being a source of encouragement over months, Gwendolyn falls in love with the apparition. Unbeknownst to her, Pius is a sun born vampire who was once a Roman sculptor and cathedral builder. As he soon approaches Gwendolyn in person and takes her away, a whole life of love, fun and a world of mysteries await them!
Review:
The synopsis provided by the author only gives a brief view into the story. The actual story is vast and intriguing! Let us dive into different aspects of the book:
Overall book:
Although there have been a lot of vampire romance novels, the author has attempted to weave something new and fresh through this book. The story progresses in a fast yet steady pace. Starting with 1200s, the story slowly moves through different centuries and places. The journey of Pius and Gwendolyn is rich and vibrant with lots of love and passion, sometimes bloody too. There are so many mysteries which makes it interesting and thrilling. The book is engaging. There were many places where I totally got lost into the narrative. Although the book tends to get slightly heavy, overall, it is very nice to read!
Writing style:
Since the book starts with 13th century, the author has made sure to write in a manner which would reflect that era. The references to different centuries, art and description of different instances makes it so beautiful to imagine those time periods. Certain unique words are used to describe their vampiric rituals and living. That gives even more authentic feel to the whole storyline. However, it would have been good if there’s a mini glossary given for readers’ benefit. On the whole, writing is easy to understand!
Characters:
There are right number of characters to carry the story forward. Apart from Pius and Gwendolyn, we see more characters including a Goddess who plays key role in the story. Though the other characters play important roles, the focus is maintained on Pius and Gwendolyn, more so on Gwendolyn. The author has written in such a beautiful way that I felt connected to the characters. I could feel the passion between the main characters!
Ending:
The ending is beautiful, and it is not rushed. There are more questions and concerns which hint at a possible sequel.
Age Guidelines:
Due to references to sex and mild violence, I think this book is better suited ages 16+.
Final Verdict:
I enjoyed reading this book! I am definitely recommending to all those who would love to read a different type of vampire romance and mystery novel! I can’t wait to read more from this author.
October 11, 2024
I'm writing a few sentences regarding the importance of this manuscript for the community of avid readers and regular readers and followers of the book. Why I like this book.
From the point of view of the importance of this book for the community of avid readers and regular readers and followers of the book, the importance of the topic can be pointed out. When issues related to love and people in love have been one of the oldest stories and concerns in history, this book deals with this issue with a new perspective. Communication between humans is one of the most important topics in the world. From communication between continents and countries to communication between universities and scientific societies, communication is one of the most important perceived needs. For a better view of this issue, we can look at the relationship between two people when the backgrounds are different. But the main problem is when we meet all the conditions and even the backgrounds are the same and both people are at the same level. This article leads to the subject of love and two people in love. When everything is perfect on paper but the relationship doesn't work. Love is coming from the adjective the best. When we want the relation to be the best, when we need to make the relation, when we need to shake the relation, when we need the break the relation, when we need to do everything in the topic of the relation, we could have used the topic of love with the best potential power and assurance to work.
From the importance of this subject for the community, we can mention the book on the widely used and attractive structure of topic. I am interested in this book because love is one of the most beautiful topics to read. The topic of love is interesting in itself, but love have many applications in other aspect of life. Therefore, any progress in the topic of love can lead to a significant change in the progress of life, because human relations that use love are one of the most popular and famous topics in world and are among the best topics. For example, when we examine the relation with the love tool, we have chosen one of the most famous and most reliable journey called the best as a field. In general, when the name of the love is seen in the title of the book, many professional readers are encouraged to follow the book and study it by just seeing the name of the love and without paying attention to other things.
The title of the book is suitable.
The title of the book is appropriate. Because in the title of the book, both the field of book and the tool can be seen. The title of the book is also beautiful and professional because the title refers to the generalized tool, which indicates the long history of the endeavor wiles and the superior tool genius. Nevertheless, the author's effort to provide a comprehensive and accurate statement to provide the title of the book is commendable. This title of the book removes ambiguity for the reader and gives an attractive understanding of the topic. The use of beautiful literature to attract the reader in choosing the word of wiles and the use of adjective genius to build confidence about the accuracy of the structure of the book are impressive.
The abstract of the book is comprehensive.
The abstract is comprehensive because it not only refers to the structure of the book, but also to the stories and common literature in line with the book. In the abstract, the working method of the book is mentioned with detailed literature and the tools are also mentioned. The outstanding stories of the book are presented in a commendable order, which presents the reader with a professional and literary text in the context of a work in literature.
Subsections and structure of the book are appropriate.
The structure of the book is appropriate and the formation of sections and subsections are in accordance with common standards. The topics of each section and sub-section correspond to the title of the section and the placement of the sections is also appropriate.
I'm writing a few sentences regarding the profound level of this book. Why I think that this book is scientifically robust and technically sound.
Technically and scientifically, by observing the details of the stories and characters, there is no doubt about the profound level of the book. The stories and characters are explained step by step in detail. In the introduction, the validity of the stories and previous characters are mentioned, which makes the technical importance of the article flourish for the community. The topic of love is one of the difficult and beautiful topics, which indicates that this book is scientifically robust. This book has used the tool of genius of wiles and has created many attractive relationships between concepts.
The characters are sufficient and recent.
The characters are among recent sources and their number is suitable. The used characters include the characters in reputable stories, and references to unmentioned characters, drafts, submitted characters, and characters in non-authoritative, low-credibility, or unmentioned background have been avoided. This type of author's attitude in choosing characters is not only prestigious but also educational and praiseworthy for the reader. All characters are used in the text of the stories and referenced in the text. Characters parallel to each other have been avoided and each character is unique in terms of structure and selection.
The language/English quality of the article is suitable for scholarly communications.
The quality of the English language of the book is suitable for reader-oriented communication. Scholarly communication requires that literature be accurate and beautiful. This is considered in writing the book.
Optional/General comments
The topic of love is one of the most respected topics in literature. It has many applications in theoretical and applied lives. Because one of the study tools in life is modeling and converting concepts into love. This book requires the need to study the love theoretically. This book has given an immediate answer to this need and with a comprehensive and continuous study, it tries to form a superior study according to the previous literature.
There is no ethical issues in this book. There is no competing interest issues in this book. Plagiarism isn't suspected. I gave overall marks I want to give to this book (Highest: 10 Lowest: 0): 10.
From the point of view of the importance of this book for the community of avid readers and regular readers and followers of the book, the importance of the topic can be pointed out. When issues related to love and people in love have been one of the oldest stories and concerns in history, this book deals with this issue with a new perspective. Communication between humans is one of the most important topics in the world. From communication between continents and countries to communication between universities and scientific societies, communication is one of the most important perceived needs. For a better view of this issue, we can look at the relationship between two people when the backgrounds are different. But the main problem is when we meet all the conditions and even the backgrounds are the same and both people are at the same level. This article leads to the subject of love and two people in love. When everything is perfect on paper but the relationship doesn't work. Love is coming from the adjective the best. When we want the relation to be the best, when we need to make the relation, when we need to shake the relation, when we need the break the relation, when we need to do everything in the topic of the relation, we could have used the topic of love with the best potential power and assurance to work.
From the importance of this subject for the community, we can mention the book on the widely used and attractive structure of topic. I am interested in this book because love is one of the most beautiful topics to read. The topic of love is interesting in itself, but love have many applications in other aspect of life. Therefore, any progress in the topic of love can lead to a significant change in the progress of life, because human relations that use love are one of the most popular and famous topics in world and are among the best topics. For example, when we examine the relation with the love tool, we have chosen one of the most famous and most reliable journey called the best as a field. In general, when the name of the love is seen in the title of the book, many professional readers are encouraged to follow the book and study it by just seeing the name of the love and without paying attention to other things.
The title of the book is suitable.
The title of the book is appropriate. Because in the title of the book, both the field of book and the tool can be seen. The title of the book is also beautiful and professional because the title refers to the generalized tool, which indicates the long history of the endeavor wiles and the superior tool genius. Nevertheless, the author's effort to provide a comprehensive and accurate statement to provide the title of the book is commendable. This title of the book removes ambiguity for the reader and gives an attractive understanding of the topic. The use of beautiful literature to attract the reader in choosing the word of wiles and the use of adjective genius to build confidence about the accuracy of the structure of the book are impressive.
The abstract of the book is comprehensive.
The abstract is comprehensive because it not only refers to the structure of the book, but also to the stories and common literature in line with the book. In the abstract, the working method of the book is mentioned with detailed literature and the tools are also mentioned. The outstanding stories of the book are presented in a commendable order, which presents the reader with a professional and literary text in the context of a work in literature.
Subsections and structure of the book are appropriate.
The structure of the book is appropriate and the formation of sections and subsections are in accordance with common standards. The topics of each section and sub-section correspond to the title of the section and the placement of the sections is also appropriate.
I'm writing a few sentences regarding the profound level of this book. Why I think that this book is scientifically robust and technically sound.
Technically and scientifically, by observing the details of the stories and characters, there is no doubt about the profound level of the book. The stories and characters are explained step by step in detail. In the introduction, the validity of the stories and previous characters are mentioned, which makes the technical importance of the article flourish for the community. The topic of love is one of the difficult and beautiful topics, which indicates that this book is scientifically robust. This book has used the tool of genius of wiles and has created many attractive relationships between concepts.
The characters are sufficient and recent.
The characters are among recent sources and their number is suitable. The used characters include the characters in reputable stories, and references to unmentioned characters, drafts, submitted characters, and characters in non-authoritative, low-credibility, or unmentioned background have been avoided. This type of author's attitude in choosing characters is not only prestigious but also educational and praiseworthy for the reader. All characters are used in the text of the stories and referenced in the text. Characters parallel to each other have been avoided and each character is unique in terms of structure and selection.
The language/English quality of the article is suitable for scholarly communications.
The quality of the English language of the book is suitable for reader-oriented communication. Scholarly communication requires that literature be accurate and beautiful. This is considered in writing the book.
Optional/General comments
The topic of love is one of the most respected topics in literature. It has many applications in theoretical and applied lives. Because one of the study tools in life is modeling and converting concepts into love. This book requires the need to study the love theoretically. This book has given an immediate answer to this need and with a comprehensive and continuous study, it tries to form a superior study according to the previous literature.
There is no ethical issues in this book. There is no competing interest issues in this book. Plagiarism isn't suspected. I gave overall marks I want to give to this book (Highest: 10 Lowest: 0): 10.
May 28, 2025
A Lush Medieval Romance with a Supernatural Twist
Set in the 13th century, this richly imagined tale follows Gwendolyn, the strong-willed daughter of an English earl, who dreams of love and adventure—ideally both—before she’s married off in a loveless union. Confiding in her loyal maid, Gwendolyn is suddenly drawn into a strange and intimate connection with a disembodied voice that speaks in a beguiling foreign accent. The voice belongs to Pius, a mysterious figure who offers her possibilities beyond anything she has ever known.
What Gwendolyn doesn’t realize is that Pius is far more than a voice in the dark. He’s a Sunborn vampire—an immortal with the power to cross realms and minds, once a Roman sculptor and master cathedral builder. Their courtship, conducted entirely through whispered conversations and shared dreams, slowly blossoms into love.
As their bond deepens, Gwendolyn discovers a passion of her own—painting. Inspired by the vibrant work of a visiting artist decorating the castle’s chapel, she finds joy and purpose in art for the first time. Pius, recognizing the beauty in her self-discovery, waits until she completes her first painting before revealing himself in full.
This is a story of yearning, transformation, and trust—part Gothic fantasy, part romantic coming-of-age, and utterly captivating.
Set in the 13th century, this richly imagined tale follows Gwendolyn, the strong-willed daughter of an English earl, who dreams of love and adventure—ideally both—before she’s married off in a loveless union. Confiding in her loyal maid, Gwendolyn is suddenly drawn into a strange and intimate connection with a disembodied voice that speaks in a beguiling foreign accent. The voice belongs to Pius, a mysterious figure who offers her possibilities beyond anything she has ever known.
What Gwendolyn doesn’t realize is that Pius is far more than a voice in the dark. He’s a Sunborn vampire—an immortal with the power to cross realms and minds, once a Roman sculptor and master cathedral builder. Their courtship, conducted entirely through whispered conversations and shared dreams, slowly blossoms into love.
As their bond deepens, Gwendolyn discovers a passion of her own—painting. Inspired by the vibrant work of a visiting artist decorating the castle’s chapel, she finds joy and purpose in art for the first time. Pius, recognizing the beauty in her self-discovery, waits until she completes her first painting before revealing himself in full.
This is a story of yearning, transformation, and trust—part Gothic fantasy, part romantic coming-of-age, and utterly captivating.
December 27, 2024
I'm not sure if it's a 2,5 ⭐ read.
Look, I really appreciated the worldbuilding, all the fantasy and variations about vampiric stuff, but this was a story, not an encyclopedia. I'm still shocked it took me more than a month to read it, but the moment I start thinking why, it makes sense:
The biggest problem for me was how there wasn't a thread, a purpose, something that guided the storyline. There were simply characters doing something, most of the time unrelated. Kinda like bits and pieces of Pius' life almost unconnected, that didn't make me care about it/the characters. Till the dogs purveyance, it hadn't felt like the introduction to the story had come to an end, and just some pages later the whole story did end.
Also, Gwendolyn's impulsiveness stressed me out so much for the first quarter of the book, that I truly thought I wasn't going to keep reading it.
And it bored me how eurocentric this all was.
Nonetheless, besides the fantastic stuff, I quite enjoy the prose, the writing per se, how it adapted to each century and place.
Look, I really appreciated the worldbuilding, all the fantasy and variations about vampiric stuff, but this was a story, not an encyclopedia. I'm still shocked it took me more than a month to read it, but the moment I start thinking why, it makes sense:
The biggest problem for me was how there wasn't a thread, a purpose, something that guided the storyline. There were simply characters doing something, most of the time unrelated. Kinda like bits and pieces of Pius' life almost unconnected, that didn't make me care about it/the characters. Till the dogs purveyance, it hadn't felt like the introduction to the story had come to an end, and just some pages later the whole story did end.
Also, Gwendolyn's impulsiveness stressed me out so much for the first quarter of the book, that I truly thought I wasn't going to keep reading it.
And it bored me how eurocentric this all was.
Nonetheless, besides the fantastic stuff, I quite enjoy the prose, the writing per se, how it adapted to each century and place.
April 10, 2022
Book Review
Basic Details:
Book Title: The Genius of Our Wiles
Subtitle:
Author: Blythe Gryphon
Genre: Fantasy
Part of a series?
Order in series:
Best read after earlier books in series?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Overall score:
I scored this book 4/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
The story starts in the 1200’s. Pius has been turned into a sunborn vampire by Strato. When passing, Pius overhears Gwen’s thoughts and becomes infatuated with her. After turning Gwen into a sunborn too, we follow their journey through the centuries with their unbreakable bond of love.
What I liked about the book:
The book is action-packed, and full of twists and turns.
What I didn’t like about the book:
I enjoyed the entire book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the entire book.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The book was enjoyable in its entirety.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I believe the ending has left room for a sequel.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This is a mystery full of suspense.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Possibly
Adult Yes
If you like vampire stories, this book may be the book for you.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Book Description by Author:
Gwendolyn, daughter of a thirteenth century earl, dreams of marrying her true love, or, at least, of riding a camel before her lord father consigns her in marriage to a man she cannot love. Fretting to her maid and confidante, she’s startled by a seductive male voice, which seems to come from nowhere. Her apparition, who whispers in a foreign accent, says his name is Pius and offers alternatives too fanciful to fathom. Little does she know Pius is a Sunborn vampire. After months of mental courtship, Pius has gained Gwendolyn’s trust. She’s in love and ready to run away with him. But how does one run away with an apparition? Pius, a Roman, once a sculptor and cathedral builder, has few bounds or barriers, but when Gwendolyn discovers she loves to paint after watching an artisan mix egg tempera to adorn the castle’s chapel walls, he lingers in her mind, courting, loving, sharing laughter, while awaiting Gwendolyn to experience the joy of completing a work of art before he approaches her in person. He then whisks into an otherworldly life of power, dilemmas, and mysteries, which, together, they must solve.
About the Author:
Basic Details:
Book Title: The Genius of Our Wiles
Subtitle:
Author: Blythe Gryphon
Genre: Fantasy
Part of a series?
Order in series:
Best read after earlier books in series?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Overall score:
I scored this book 4/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
The story starts in the 1200’s. Pius has been turned into a sunborn vampire by Strato. When passing, Pius overhears Gwen’s thoughts and becomes infatuated with her. After turning Gwen into a sunborn too, we follow their journey through the centuries with their unbreakable bond of love.
What I liked about the book:
The book is action-packed, and full of twists and turns.
What I didn’t like about the book:
I enjoyed the entire book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the entire book.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The book was enjoyable in its entirety.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I believe the ending has left room for a sequel.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This is a mystery full of suspense.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Possibly
Adult Yes
If you like vampire stories, this book may be the book for you.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Book Description by Author:
Gwendolyn, daughter of a thirteenth century earl, dreams of marrying her true love, or, at least, of riding a camel before her lord father consigns her in marriage to a man she cannot love. Fretting to her maid and confidante, she’s startled by a seductive male voice, which seems to come from nowhere. Her apparition, who whispers in a foreign accent, says his name is Pius and offers alternatives too fanciful to fathom. Little does she know Pius is a Sunborn vampire. After months of mental courtship, Pius has gained Gwendolyn’s trust. She’s in love and ready to run away with him. But how does one run away with an apparition? Pius, a Roman, once a sculptor and cathedral builder, has few bounds or barriers, but when Gwendolyn discovers she loves to paint after watching an artisan mix egg tempera to adorn the castle’s chapel walls, he lingers in her mind, courting, loving, sharing laughter, while awaiting Gwendolyn to experience the joy of completing a work of art before he approaches her in person. He then whisks into an otherworldly life of power, dilemmas, and mysteries, which, together, they must solve.
About the Author:
October 22, 2024
Gwendolyn is a young lady that will have to marry a man her father chose for her, but she is not ready to do so. It is no wonder that when a voice starts speaking to her and the voice is associated with a beautiful man she is charmed. Prius is his name and he is asking her to go with him so they can discover together the world.
And once Gwendolyn accepted to go with Pius their adventure started and we had a really nice fantasy spiced with a love story made to stand forever.
I really liked the part where Strato found Pius and made him a Sunborn vampire, their interactions and the descriptions were nice to read. Also when Strato was back with Pius and Gwendolyn the action started to be more and more interesting.
I recommend the book, the secrets have been revealed gradually and the reader is captivated by the story until the end.
"Why must we kill to live, are we forever damned, do we have souls at all, is there no end to this ungodly need for human blood?"
And once Gwendolyn accepted to go with Pius their adventure started and we had a really nice fantasy spiced with a love story made to stand forever.
I really liked the part where Strato found Pius and made him a Sunborn vampire, their interactions and the descriptions were nice to read. Also when Strato was back with Pius and Gwendolyn the action started to be more and more interesting.
I recommend the book, the secrets have been revealed gradually and the reader is captivated by the story until the end.
"Why must we kill to live, are we forever damned, do we have souls at all, is there no end to this ungodly need for human blood?"
August 1, 2024
Many thanks to the author and BookTasters for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Overall a well written historical fiction/fantasy novel, with the addition of vampires. The author makes some alterations to traditional vampire stories/vampires that are welcome and help keep things fresh. More of a young adult book and the books was overall very interesting and easy to read because the narration was smooth and straightforward to follow. At the centre is an intriguing love story full of twists and adventure across the centuries that keeps you reading until the last page. I also liked how the author kept the language as it would have been when the story is set - no modern phrases or words that are often used in other novels that feel out of place. A highly recommended read.
Overall a well written historical fiction/fantasy novel, with the addition of vampires. The author makes some alterations to traditional vampire stories/vampires that are welcome and help keep things fresh. More of a young adult book and the books was overall very interesting and easy to read because the narration was smooth and straightforward to follow. At the centre is an intriguing love story full of twists and adventure across the centuries that keeps you reading until the last page. I also liked how the author kept the language as it would have been when the story is set - no modern phrases or words that are often used in other novels that feel out of place. A highly recommended read.
May 1, 2022
Recently I had the pleasure of reading The Genius of Our Wiles by Blythe Gryphon and am pleased to see that it finally became available on Amazon. It is a witty and elegantly told tale spanning centuries as it follows the interconnected exploits of a memorable cast of characters while they come to grips with their gift/curse of vampiric immortality. Yes, it is a vampire novel. No, it is not a blood-soaked gore-fest (though it has its moments) but rather focuses on the psychological and spiritual growth of its characters and the events that shaped them. Definitely a tale well told. Definitely a tale worth reading. MJB
June 29, 2022
Fantasy, Supernatural adventure!
Those who like fantasy adventures are sure to enjoy this fascinating and intriguing, complex mystery. It took me a long while to read it, quite a intricate storyline. The author has set it in the 13th century, spanning further centuries where Gwendolyn and Pius pass through gradually learning their identities and role they are to play.
The language is appropriate to the times, the author employs rich descriptive narration. Some new terminology crops up due to the world the characters inhabit. When we are at the end we learn that it's the beginning for the adventuring couple. It will be interesting to read the sequel, I am sure this is going to be a series, to find what Gwendolyn does. She seems to be more powerful than Pius, who seems to need her guidance.
Certainly recommend for fantasy readers. Involves vampires.
Those who like fantasy adventures are sure to enjoy this fascinating and intriguing, complex mystery. It took me a long while to read it, quite a intricate storyline. The author has set it in the 13th century, spanning further centuries where Gwendolyn and Pius pass through gradually learning their identities and role they are to play.
The language is appropriate to the times, the author employs rich descriptive narration. Some new terminology crops up due to the world the characters inhabit. When we are at the end we learn that it's the beginning for the adventuring couple. It will be interesting to read the sequel, I am sure this is going to be a series, to find what Gwendolyn does. She seems to be more powerful than Pius, who seems to need her guidance.
Certainly recommend for fantasy readers. Involves vampires.
May 9, 2022
The way people think of vampires has been rewritten.
Pius was changed into a Sunborn vampire many years ago, able to read minds, he has been traveling searching for something he cannot find. Then he passes Gwendolyn’s mind.
Gwendolyn is dreading her soon to be marriage to an unknown man that her father chose. She begins to hear a voice in her head. With little thought of her sanity, Gwendolyn begins to fall in love with that lovely voice.
Pius and Gwendolyn run away together and begins a tale of love and mystery that lasts centuries.
This novel provided a very good change in the typical vampire story. I loved the mythology that was shrouded in darkness and mystery until Pius and Gwendolyn began to unravel it. This brought a new perspective, that the reader was not expected to know all when starting the novel.
The characters were all very well written and developed wonderfully throughout the novel. The scenery was written in a way that the reader could imagine themselves within the tale.
The novel ends in such a way that a sequel would be welcome, but is satisfying enough to not need one.
Pius was changed into a Sunborn vampire many years ago, able to read minds, he has been traveling searching for something he cannot find. Then he passes Gwendolyn’s mind.
Gwendolyn is dreading her soon to be marriage to an unknown man that her father chose. She begins to hear a voice in her head. With little thought of her sanity, Gwendolyn begins to fall in love with that lovely voice.
Pius and Gwendolyn run away together and begins a tale of love and mystery that lasts centuries.
This novel provided a very good change in the typical vampire story. I loved the mythology that was shrouded in darkness and mystery until Pius and Gwendolyn began to unravel it. This brought a new perspective, that the reader was not expected to know all when starting the novel.
The characters were all very well written and developed wonderfully throughout the novel. The scenery was written in a way that the reader could imagine themselves within the tale.
The novel ends in such a way that a sequel would be welcome, but is satisfying enough to not need one.
July 15, 2025
A Lush and Enchanting Medieval Fantasy
Blythe Gryphon’s The Genius of Our Wiles is a beautifully written tale of forbidden love, ancient powers, and self-discovery set in 13th-century England. With vivid settings and a richly imagined supernatural world, the story follows a young heroine as she challenges the life chosen for her and steps into a destiny far greater than she imagined.
Perfect for fans of historical fantasy and slow-burn paranormal romance, this is a captivating and immersive read that leaves you craving more.
Blythe Gryphon’s The Genius of Our Wiles is a beautifully written tale of forbidden love, ancient powers, and self-discovery set in 13th-century England. With vivid settings and a richly imagined supernatural world, the story follows a young heroine as she challenges the life chosen for her and steps into a destiny far greater than she imagined.
Perfect for fans of historical fantasy and slow-burn paranormal romance, this is a captivating and immersive read that leaves you craving more.
July 9, 2025
If you like vampire mystery/romance books, you'll definitely like this one! I found The Genius of Our Wiles intriguing, and a fresh take on vampires with the idea of the sunborn, more human-like and humane vampires, who strive to be more in control of their thirst, be more empathetic and conscious. But above all, it follows the story of Gwendolyn, a feisty, brave, free-minded girl of the 13th century, who falls in love and gets changed into a vampire by gentle, wise, loving Pius, and throughout the centuries she comes into her own extraordinary powers with the help of her love, and the assistance of a controversial older vampire, Strato, and later taking her own road and creating her own "children." I liked her character, and the strong, gentle, eternal love, respect and connection between her and Pius.
The plot is on the slower-moving side, but never got too slow or boring, there were no huge twists (except for the story of Everild, one ot the troubled and wild "children" of Pius), but it kept my attention and it was thoroughly engaging.
The plot is on the slower-moving side, but never got too slow or boring, there were no huge twists (except for the story of Everild, one ot the troubled and wild "children" of Pius), but it kept my attention and it was thoroughly engaging.
July 17, 2025
I loved this book so much! The story felt so real and different from other vampire books. Gwendolyn and Pius’s connection pulled me in right away, and I couldn’t stop reading. If you like romance with a dark twist, I really recommend this one!🤗😍
it's amazing if you love magical romance. I suggest you will also love this ❤️
it's amazing if you love magical romance. I suggest you will also love this ❤️
December 25, 2024
I didn't have any great expectations when I read it, but after reading it, it was a book that exceeded my expectations. The details told, especially some sections, seem to have been prepared with care, and it is also a very fluent book, once you start reading it, you can't stop reading it. I think it was a great book, I read it with pleasure.
June 11, 2025
The Genius of Our Wiles is a refreshing take on vampire fiction. Set across centuries, it follows Lady Gwendolyn and Pius, a telepathic vampire, as they build a deep bond that begins in the mind and unfolds into immortality. Their journey explores love, power, and the price of eternal life.
Blythe Gryphon writes with depth and attention to historical detail. While the middle drags a bit with too many characters and side plots, the story still delivers a meaningful and intelligent narrative. If you enjoy thoughtful fantasy with romance and history, this book is worth the read.
Thank you Book Taster for providing me with a copy of this lovely book in exchange for an honest review.
Blythe Gryphon writes with depth and attention to historical detail. While the middle drags a bit with too many characters and side plots, the story still delivers a meaningful and intelligent narrative. If you enjoy thoughtful fantasy with romance and history, this book is worth the read.
Thank you Book Taster for providing me with a copy of this lovely book in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2024
The Genius of Our Wiles offers a fresh take on the world of sunborn vampires, weaving their unique story through the perspective of Strato. The book stands out with its straightforward narrative, making it an accessible and enjoyable read for a broad audience.
One of the book’s strengths lies in its simplicity. The author’s approach ensures that the story is easy to follow, creating an engaging experience that doesn’t rely on intense suspense or complex cliffhangers. This makes the narrative feel refreshing and allows readers to appreciate the journey without the tension of dramatic twists.
The characters in The Genius of Our Wiles are rich and complex, offering glimpses into their intriguing lives. While the author opts for a more measured exploration of these characters, this choice allows readers to appreciate their subtleties without being overwhelmed by extremes. This restraint provides a refreshing contrast to more intense narratives, making it a suitable pick for those who enjoy a character-driven story.
Overall, The Genius of Our Wiles is a charming and approachable novel that brings a new perspective to the vampire genre. It’s a story that will likely resonate with readers who are looking for a straightforward, character-focused tale. While it may not push the boundaries of its genre, it offers a well-crafted, enjoyable read that will leave its audience satisfied.
One of the book’s strengths lies in its simplicity. The author’s approach ensures that the story is easy to follow, creating an engaging experience that doesn’t rely on intense suspense or complex cliffhangers. This makes the narrative feel refreshing and allows readers to appreciate the journey without the tension of dramatic twists.
The characters in The Genius of Our Wiles are rich and complex, offering glimpses into their intriguing lives. While the author opts for a more measured exploration of these characters, this choice allows readers to appreciate their subtleties without being overwhelmed by extremes. This restraint provides a refreshing contrast to more intense narratives, making it a suitable pick for those who enjoy a character-driven story.
Overall, The Genius of Our Wiles is a charming and approachable novel that brings a new perspective to the vampire genre. It’s a story that will likely resonate with readers who are looking for a straightforward, character-focused tale. While it may not push the boundaries of its genre, it offers a well-crafted, enjoyable read that will leave its audience satisfied.
January 11, 2023
I received a copy of this for free, to review for Booktasters.
I like historical fiction, partly because I feel it stimulates my imagination. I felt that the author brought the story to life vividly, and I felt there was a lot of emphasis on sensations and colours.
I would say that the dialect used by the characters is something that may possibly come across as odd, but for me personally, archaic words and language are something that can be appreciated when reading historical fiction.
There were some interesting themes in the book that surprised me as I continued reading, and I wonder if other readers might feel the same way when they read it. There was also some romance and spicy moments, and I think that would please readers if that's what they are looking for.
Thank you to Booktasters and the author for a free copy to review.
I like historical fiction, partly because I feel it stimulates my imagination. I felt that the author brought the story to life vividly, and I felt there was a lot of emphasis on sensations and colours.
I would say that the dialect used by the characters is something that may possibly come across as odd, but for me personally, archaic words and language are something that can be appreciated when reading historical fiction.
There were some interesting themes in the book that surprised me as I continued reading, and I wonder if other readers might feel the same way when they read it. There was also some romance and spicy moments, and I think that would please readers if that's what they are looking for.
Thank you to Booktasters and the author for a free copy to review.
September 25, 2024
It is interesting how the author manages to give a new life to the genre of romantic novels about vampires, mixing love, mystery and history. The progression through the centuries and the places offers a rich reading experience, and the way in which the language reflects the era is a very nice touch. The dynamic between Pius and Gwendolyn seems really engaging and full of emotions!
I think the combination of love and mystery in this novel is really compelling. The growth of the characters and their journey through challenges make the story even more interesting. It is nice to see how the themes of self-discovery and relationships are explored in such an intriguing context.
I think the combination of love and mystery in this novel is really compelling. The growth of the characters and their journey through challenges make the story even more interesting. It is nice to see how the themes of self-discovery and relationships are explored in such an intriguing context.
August 5, 2024
The Genius of Wiles" is more than just a tale of wits; it's a profound exploration of the lengths to which individuals will go to achieve their goals. It challenges readers to consider the ethical implications of their actions and the true cost of success.In conclusion, "The Genius of Wiles" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a blend of intellectual challenge and compelling storytelling. It's a book that stays with you long after you've turned the last page, leaving you pondering the nature of genius and the art of deception.
February 13, 2025
The Genius of Our Wiles is a gorgeously written, atmospheric tale that blends historical fiction, supernatural fantasy, and gothic romance. However, those who prefer fast-paced plots over introspection may find parts of the book slow. I can't say I particularly enjoyed it as I am not a fan of romantasy books, but the delivery was amazing, the characters too, they didn't feel like your typical characters that you'd see in books of this type. So it's a reluctant 4 stars from me
April 29, 2022
Spoilers: How's this for a twist worthy of M. Knight Shyamalan?
I am reading two books in a row: both Historical Fiction with subgenres in Fantasy. One, Empire's Heir by Marian L Thorpe, is an Epic High Adventure Fantasy which is usually a favorite genre of mine. The other, The Genius of Our Wiles by Blythe Gryphon, is a Dark Vampire Romance, one of my least favorite.
I read them and what happened? I hate the Epic High Adventure Fantasy, and found it boring, tedious, and questionable. On the other hand, I loved the Vampire Romance with its interesting unique perspective of the infamous (or is that infangous? Boom!) night creatures.
I need to turn in my membership of the "Vampires Are Overrated" Club or check to see if I haven't swapped brains with my sister or something.
In 1265 Kent, Lady Gwendolyn is betrothed to a knight, but she has a secret lover. She has been telepathically communicating with a mysterious man named Pius. Pius challenges her standards of propriety and inner passions and makes her think about breaking out of her structured life.
One night, Pius encourages her to run away with him. There is one little catch and a very small miniscule problem. It's wee, almost petite. Well he's a vampire and he needs to turn her into one so…?
Well that conflict is resolved very quickly and Gwendolyn becomes a vampire or rather in using the vernacular of Gryphon's book, a sunborn.
In fact most of the book actually deals with Pius and Gwendolyn's immortal life and journey to learn about the history of the sunborn, including trying to locate the first sunborn. Meanwhile, we get flashbacks on how Pius became immortal including his relationship with the vampire who made him, Strato.
Gryphon gives an interesting perspective of vampire lore. For example a sunborn vampire is a vampire whose senses are so heightened that they can see the energy and radiation emerge from the sun's rays. Because of that, they can see energy and radiation all around them including around people.
Sunborns are also filled with an unquenchable thirst that can never satisfied except by something red, life giving, and filled with plasma.
The more ethical ones like Gwendolyn, Pius, and Strato compromise by eating animals or feasting on humans that are criminals or murderers who were about to be executed anyway.
There are others however who use their vampirism status to satisfy bloodlust and homicidal tendencies as the trio discover when they encounter a newly made vampire who was a psychopath when she was human. Now imagine her immortal and constantly thirsty with no morals or ethics to hold her back.
The term Lorethor is thrown around. That is a vampire's creator, the one who bit them. They often act as guides and mentors to the young vampire. As Strato does for Pius and Pius does for Gwendolyn. The relationship between an older and younger vampire could be deep friendship or sexual intimacy. Pius and Gwendolyn wed after their sunborn link is established.
Strato remains in Pius' life as well taking on a fraternal almost paternal connection with him. There are some possibilities that his feelings for Pius border on unrequited love as well.
There is even a long period where Pius and Gwendolyn separate for almost two centuries. During this time Gwendolyn becomes a Lorethor herself. This is a period of growth for her to show how much that she has grown as a character that she can go from student to mentor, rookie to veteran in one novel. She is able to take on the senior maternal role that Pius and Strato had previously.
One of the more interesting aspects of the book are the flashbacks and hints about their previous lives before they became sunborns.
The way that this is revealed is through telepathic consciousness shared between sunborns and humans, particularly the ones they select for feasting. For example before she became a sunborn, Gwendolyn caught images of Pius' life in France such as cathedrals and buildings that he as a sculptor helped create.
Pius also sees Strato's memories of Ancient Greece and the Parthenon "when it was new" and his studies under the philosopher, Aristotle. Interesting enough the separation between Pius' mortal life and Gwendolyn's is approximately forty years while Strato and Pius' separation can be counted by millennia.
Along with these shared memories is a shared culture among other sunborns. This is especially prominent when they study the history of the sunborn to learn who the first one was.
In one of the more enigmatic passages, the trio attend a ritual of other sunborns headed by Crete, a sunborn who was old even by Strato's standards. Crete's age and experience gives her an almost goddess like hold on other sunborns. Is she the first sunborn? Well, the text leaves it open ended but if she isn't, she's certainty in the running.
She's a mesmerizing enchanting character who exudes extreme power by her own appearance. This makes her one of the more fascinating characters in the book.
There are some cliffhangers and unanswered questions that suggest another volume. If it takes the Reader more into sunborn culture and history, maybe flashes back to past sunborn of forward to future ones, then I am looking forward to reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2025
Review – The Genius of Our Wiles by Blythe Gryphon
A gothic romance that drifts through centuries, The Genius of Our Wiles blends medieval intrigue, supernatural desire, and a world where love can outlast history itself. Fans of atmospheric historical fantasy will be drawn to its vampires of sunborn purity and shadowed manipulation, its labyrinths and stags, and a heroine who refuses to surrender her freedom — even for immortality.
Set in Kent, England, in 1265, we meet Gwendolyn, daughter of Lord Ellsworth, poised between her father’s plans for a chivalric marriage and the call of a life beyond convention. Guided by Milicent, her faithful servant, she is drawn into the world of two vampires: Pius — emotional, protective, and marked by an almost sunborn purity — and Strato, manipulative, cultured, and perpetually in control.
Pius’s backstory unfolds in Chartres, France, where he was once Strato’s student, a sculptor seduced into vampirism. The cathedral’s stained glass and labyrinth mirror his inner struggle: redemption versus hunger. From this point, history bends into the supernatural. Pius’s telepathic presence weaves through Gwendolyn’s days, binding them in a love both passionate and dangerous.
As the story moves from the fields of Kent to the marble of Florence, the masked nights of Venice, and beyond, Gwendolyn evolves from a noble daughter into something other — a being who feeds without killing, born of the sun, sustaining herself on life’s energy rather than death. This is her rebellion against becoming cold and calculating like Strato. She remains a creature of passion, but also of light.
Memorable set pieces — a kiss at Belfoison Castle, the solstice at Stonehenge, the ritual in Florence — anchor the novel’s shifting centuries. Encounters with figures like Everild, Raphael, and the mystical puma Phoebe challenge Gwendolyn to balance desire with empathy, and survival with freedom. Phoebe in particular embodies the elusive, uncontainable nature of this world: self-sufficient, enigmatic, and untamed.
By the 18th century chapters, the gothic romance has widened into a complex web of power struggles, loyalty, and self-definition. Pius remains torn between love and submission, Strato continues to manipulate the board, and Gwendolyn refuses to surrender her autonomy. Supporting characters — Campbell, Lachlan, Tristram the mastiff — add texture but never dim the central light/dark contrast between the lovers and their world.
If the landscapes sometimes feel as fleeting as the characters, that evanescence may be the point. These vampires are not meant to be catalogued with human rationality; they are forces that exist outside our parameters of cause and effect. The novel invites rereading, not for plot alone, but for the shifting interpretations it provokes — like catching different refractions of sunlight through the same pane of glass.
A gothic romance that drifts through centuries, The Genius of Our Wiles blends medieval intrigue, supernatural desire, and a world where love can outlast history itself. Fans of atmospheric historical fantasy will be drawn to its vampires of sunborn purity and shadowed manipulation, its labyrinths and stags, and a heroine who refuses to surrender her freedom — even for immortality.
Set in Kent, England, in 1265, we meet Gwendolyn, daughter of Lord Ellsworth, poised between her father’s plans for a chivalric marriage and the call of a life beyond convention. Guided by Milicent, her faithful servant, she is drawn into the world of two vampires: Pius — emotional, protective, and marked by an almost sunborn purity — and Strato, manipulative, cultured, and perpetually in control.
Pius’s backstory unfolds in Chartres, France, where he was once Strato’s student, a sculptor seduced into vampirism. The cathedral’s stained glass and labyrinth mirror his inner struggle: redemption versus hunger. From this point, history bends into the supernatural. Pius’s telepathic presence weaves through Gwendolyn’s days, binding them in a love both passionate and dangerous.
As the story moves from the fields of Kent to the marble of Florence, the masked nights of Venice, and beyond, Gwendolyn evolves from a noble daughter into something other — a being who feeds without killing, born of the sun, sustaining herself on life’s energy rather than death. This is her rebellion against becoming cold and calculating like Strato. She remains a creature of passion, but also of light.
Memorable set pieces — a kiss at Belfoison Castle, the solstice at Stonehenge, the ritual in Florence — anchor the novel’s shifting centuries. Encounters with figures like Everild, Raphael, and the mystical puma Phoebe challenge Gwendolyn to balance desire with empathy, and survival with freedom. Phoebe in particular embodies the elusive, uncontainable nature of this world: self-sufficient, enigmatic, and untamed.
By the 18th century chapters, the gothic romance has widened into a complex web of power struggles, loyalty, and self-definition. Pius remains torn between love and submission, Strato continues to manipulate the board, and Gwendolyn refuses to surrender her autonomy. Supporting characters — Campbell, Lachlan, Tristram the mastiff — add texture but never dim the central light/dark contrast between the lovers and their world.
If the landscapes sometimes feel as fleeting as the characters, that evanescence may be the point. These vampires are not meant to be catalogued with human rationality; they are forces that exist outside our parameters of cause and effect. The novel invites rereading, not for plot alone, but for the shifting interpretations it provokes — like catching different refractions of sunlight through the same pane of glass.
November 22, 2025
What kind of book is this?
It's a mix of a story about old times (history), magic (fantasy), and a very powerful love story (romance). It is mostly about vampires, but they have special, unique names.
The Main Idea (What is the book about?):
This book is about a young woman named Gwendolyn who lives in a castle in old England (1265). She is forced to marry an old man she hates.
Suddenly, a handsome, powerful, and mysterious man named Pius appears and saves her. Pius is a "sunborn" (their special kind of vampire).
It turns out their love is not just a fling...it is a fated, ancient love that has happened before and is meant to change the entire world. The book is about them running away together and discovering that they are super-powerful beings who can unlock the secrets of the "universe" if they are together.
The Good Stuff (Strengths)
a. Exciting Start: The book grabs you right away with Gwendolyn's dangerous situation and Pius's cool, magical rescue.
b. Cool Monsters: These are not your average vampires. The author made up a new type of creature called "sunborns" with special powers like mind-reading and super-speed. The author built a very detailed, interesting world for them to live in.
c. Big Love Story: This is a huge romance. Gwendolyn and Pius are made for each other—they are "destined" to be together. It makes the love story feel very important, like the fate of the world depends on them.
What Might Be Confusing (Things to Know)
a. Goes Back and Forth: After the exciting rescue, the book suddenly stops and jumps back 40 years to explain how Pius became a sunborn. This might slow down the story for a little while.
b. Many New Words: The book uses a lot of made-up words and deep ideas about "fate" and the "universe." You have to pay close attention to understand all the rules of this new world.
Final Honest Review
This book is a good read for readers who love big, powerful fantasy stories where the love story is just as important as the magic. If you like unique vampires and stories with a lot of detail, you can pick this up.
Still, it lacks a certain spice in it as nothing complells you to keep reading, yud fid yourself without motivation to keep reading at around quater-way into the book.
It's a mix of a story about old times (history), magic (fantasy), and a very powerful love story (romance). It is mostly about vampires, but they have special, unique names.
The Main Idea (What is the book about?):
This book is about a young woman named Gwendolyn who lives in a castle in old England (1265). She is forced to marry an old man she hates.
Suddenly, a handsome, powerful, and mysterious man named Pius appears and saves her. Pius is a "sunborn" (their special kind of vampire).
It turns out their love is not just a fling...it is a fated, ancient love that has happened before and is meant to change the entire world. The book is about them running away together and discovering that they are super-powerful beings who can unlock the secrets of the "universe" if they are together.
The Good Stuff (Strengths)
a. Exciting Start: The book grabs you right away with Gwendolyn's dangerous situation and Pius's cool, magical rescue.
b. Cool Monsters: These are not your average vampires. The author made up a new type of creature called "sunborns" with special powers like mind-reading and super-speed. The author built a very detailed, interesting world for them to live in.
c. Big Love Story: This is a huge romance. Gwendolyn and Pius are made for each other—they are "destined" to be together. It makes the love story feel very important, like the fate of the world depends on them.
What Might Be Confusing (Things to Know)
a. Goes Back and Forth: After the exciting rescue, the book suddenly stops and jumps back 40 years to explain how Pius became a sunborn. This might slow down the story for a little while.
b. Many New Words: The book uses a lot of made-up words and deep ideas about "fate" and the "universe." You have to pay close attention to understand all the rules of this new world.
Final Honest Review
This book is a good read for readers who love big, powerful fantasy stories where the love story is just as important as the magic. If you like unique vampires and stories with a lot of detail, you can pick this up.
Still, it lacks a certain spice in it as nothing complells you to keep reading, yud fid yourself without motivation to keep reading at around quater-way into the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2024
The Genius of Our Wiles, offers a refreshing perspective on the world of sunborn vampires through the captivating journey of Gwendolyn and Pius. This novel stands out with its straightforward narrative style, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience. The author skillfully weaves a story that prioritizes character development and emotional depth over intense suspense, resulting in a rich, immersive experience.
Gwendolyn, set to marry a knight chosen by her father, finds herself telepathically communicating with Pius, a mysterious vampire. Their connection challenges her to reconsider her strict life and ignites her hidden desires. When Pius invites her to run away with him, the stakes rise as she must confront the reality of becoming a vampire herself. This internal conflict drives the narrative and showcases Gwendolyn's quest for freedom against the backdrop of her unwanted engagement.
The characters are well-crafted, each with their own complexities and motivations. Pius's backstory, including his transformation and connection to Strato, adds layers to the mythology of the Sunborn, enriching the overall tale. Flashbacks reveal essential aspects of their histories, allowing readers to appreciate their journeys in depth.
The novel beautifully balances romance and adventure, making it a compelling read, especially for fans of fantasy and vampire lore. Gwendolyn’s struggles and desires are depicted with nuance, making her a relatable and memorable character. The vivid descriptions throughout the book transport readers into this enchanting world, enhancing the experience.
While the ending provides a satisfying conclusion, it also leaves room for further exploration, with intriguing cliffhangers and unanswered questions. This openness makes the prospect of a sequel appealing, ensuring readers remain invested in Gwendolyn and Pius’s journey.
Overall, The Genius of Our Wiles is a delightful blend of mystery, romance, and fantasy. It's perfect for those seeking a character-driven story that offers a unique take on the vampire genre. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for an engaging and well-crafted read!
Gwendolyn, set to marry a knight chosen by her father, finds herself telepathically communicating with Pius, a mysterious vampire. Their connection challenges her to reconsider her strict life and ignites her hidden desires. When Pius invites her to run away with him, the stakes rise as she must confront the reality of becoming a vampire herself. This internal conflict drives the narrative and showcases Gwendolyn's quest for freedom against the backdrop of her unwanted engagement.
The characters are well-crafted, each with their own complexities and motivations. Pius's backstory, including his transformation and connection to Strato, adds layers to the mythology of the Sunborn, enriching the overall tale. Flashbacks reveal essential aspects of their histories, allowing readers to appreciate their journeys in depth.
The novel beautifully balances romance and adventure, making it a compelling read, especially for fans of fantasy and vampire lore. Gwendolyn’s struggles and desires are depicted with nuance, making her a relatable and memorable character. The vivid descriptions throughout the book transport readers into this enchanting world, enhancing the experience.
While the ending provides a satisfying conclusion, it also leaves room for further exploration, with intriguing cliffhangers and unanswered questions. This openness makes the prospect of a sequel appealing, ensuring readers remain invested in Gwendolyn and Pius’s journey.
Overall, The Genius of Our Wiles is a delightful blend of mystery, romance, and fantasy. It's perfect for those seeking a character-driven story that offers a unique take on the vampire genre. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for an engaging and well-crafted read!
February 8, 2025
This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review
Rating 2,5/5 this book is not for me
This review may contain some spoilers
I am not a big romance reader especially romantacy and paranormal romances, but I was intrigued by the plot of this book and wanted to try it, it’s a story about vampiric creatures they call themselves “sunborns”, it’s about their love and their survival throughout the decencies. As I said I liked the idea of this book but wasn’t a fan of the execution,
the love story; it happened behind the scenes, when the characters were introduced, they were already in love, and this is a pet peeve of mine I like to see the protagonists fall in love with each other so that I could root for them, and there were some spicy moments that felt a little bit cringe.
The world building; the story happened in our world more specifically across Europe, I would’ve liked it more if these immortal creatures would venture in other continents outside of Rome and Spain and the others Europeans countries.
The characters; they were not well fleshed out, except for Gwendolyn and Pius, the others were just 2 dimensional, I even hated the new sunborns that were introduced at the end of the book, I felt like they were added just to stretch the story.
The writing; I didn’t like the language used in this book, the author tried to use some ancient words in between phrases that felt out of place, and there was a repetitive use of colors in describing things like clothes, eyes and different objects, like the violet eyes of main character Gwen that were used multiple times, (despite having a point in the story)
Overall, I enjoyed my time reading it, despite been out of my comfort zone, and I had a laugh when one of the characters was reading “don quixiote”, the book that I was reading too at the same time of this one it was like meant to be.
Rating 2,5/5 this book is not for me
This review may contain some spoilers
I am not a big romance reader especially romantacy and paranormal romances, but I was intrigued by the plot of this book and wanted to try it, it’s a story about vampiric creatures they call themselves “sunborns”, it’s about their love and their survival throughout the decencies. As I said I liked the idea of this book but wasn’t a fan of the execution,
the love story; it happened behind the scenes, when the characters were introduced, they were already in love, and this is a pet peeve of mine I like to see the protagonists fall in love with each other so that I could root for them, and there were some spicy moments that felt a little bit cringe.
The world building; the story happened in our world more specifically across Europe, I would’ve liked it more if these immortal creatures would venture in other continents outside of Rome and Spain and the others Europeans countries.
The characters; they were not well fleshed out, except for Gwendolyn and Pius, the others were just 2 dimensional, I even hated the new sunborns that were introduced at the end of the book, I felt like they were added just to stretch the story.
The writing; I didn’t like the language used in this book, the author tried to use some ancient words in between phrases that felt out of place, and there was a repetitive use of colors in describing things like clothes, eyes and different objects, like the violet eyes of main character Gwen that were used multiple times, (despite having a point in the story)
Overall, I enjoyed my time reading it, despite been out of my comfort zone, and I had a laugh when one of the characters was reading “don quixiote”, the book that I was reading too at the same time of this one it was like meant to be.
June 26, 2024
The Genius of Our Wiles takes readers on a journey through the 13th century, where Gwendolyn, the daughter of an earl, dreams of true love and adventure. Her life changes when she hears a mysterious, seductive voice belonging to Pius, a Sunborn vampire. Over months, Pius courts Gwendolyn mentally, and she falls deeply in love with him. As she discovers her passion for painting, Pius, a former Roman sculptor and cathedral builder, remains by her side, waiting for the perfect moment to meet her in person. Together, they embark on an otherworldly adventure filled with power, dilemmas, and mysteries.
The Genius of Our Wiles offers a fascinating blend of supernatural romance and historical mystery. The author's descriptive writing style vividly brings the 13th century to life, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the world of Gwendolyn and Pius. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions are compelling, adding depth to the narrative.
While the book is interesting and engaging, it didn't entirely appeal to me. The story's pacing, though steady, sometimes felt a bit heavy, making it a challenging read at times. The supernatural elements and the romance between Gwendolyn and Pius are intriguing, but they occasionally overshadowed the broader plot, making it feel somewhat unbalanced.
Despite these drawbacks, the book's exploration of art, love, and mystery keeps it engaging. The ending, while hinting at a potential sequel, is satisfying and leaves room for further development.
Overall, The Genius of Our Wiles is a good read for fans of supernatural romance and historical fiction, though it may not be to everyone's taste.
The Genius of Our Wiles offers a fascinating blend of supernatural romance and historical mystery. The author's descriptive writing style vividly brings the 13th century to life, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the world of Gwendolyn and Pius. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions are compelling, adding depth to the narrative.
While the book is interesting and engaging, it didn't entirely appeal to me. The story's pacing, though steady, sometimes felt a bit heavy, making it a challenging read at times. The supernatural elements and the romance between Gwendolyn and Pius are intriguing, but they occasionally overshadowed the broader plot, making it feel somewhat unbalanced.
Despite these drawbacks, the book's exploration of art, love, and mystery keeps it engaging. The ending, while hinting at a potential sequel, is satisfying and leaves room for further development.
Overall, The Genius of Our Wiles is a good read for fans of supernatural romance and historical fiction, though it may not be to everyone's taste.
May 8, 2025
I am grateful to Book Tasters for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Going into this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ended up really appreciating how different it was from the usual vampire stories. *The Genius of Our Wiles* is more thoughtful and emotional than action-packed. It focuses on what it really means to live forever, especially as a woman trying to find her place in different eras of history.
Gwendolyn, the main character, really stood out to me. Her growth throughout the story felt very human, even though she’s dealing with immortality and all these dark, otherworldly experiences. I liked how her journey was more about self-discovery than just survival. And her relationship with Pius wasn’t just romantic it challenged both of them in really interesting ways.
The writing is rich and poetic, which gives the story a lot of depth and atmosphere. That said, I did feel like the writing style slowed down the pacing in some parts. It took a bit of patience to get through those sections, but once I settled into the rhythm, I appreciated how immersive it was.
The ending caught me off guard it wasn’t what I was expecting at all. It felt like the story came to a close in some ways, but also left just enough open that I wouldn’t be surprised if a sequel is on the way. It didn’t feel unfinished, but it definitely made me curious.
Overall, I think this book is great for readers who enjoy character-driven stories, slower pacing, and a more reflective take on vampire lore. It’s different from what I usually read, but in a good way.
Going into this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ended up really appreciating how different it was from the usual vampire stories. *The Genius of Our Wiles* is more thoughtful and emotional than action-packed. It focuses on what it really means to live forever, especially as a woman trying to find her place in different eras of history.
Gwendolyn, the main character, really stood out to me. Her growth throughout the story felt very human, even though she’s dealing with immortality and all these dark, otherworldly experiences. I liked how her journey was more about self-discovery than just survival. And her relationship with Pius wasn’t just romantic it challenged both of them in really interesting ways.
The writing is rich and poetic, which gives the story a lot of depth and atmosphere. That said, I did feel like the writing style slowed down the pacing in some parts. It took a bit of patience to get through those sections, but once I settled into the rhythm, I appreciated how immersive it was.
The ending caught me off guard it wasn’t what I was expecting at all. It felt like the story came to a close in some ways, but also left just enough open that I wouldn’t be surprised if a sequel is on the way. It didn’t feel unfinished, but it definitely made me curious.
Overall, I think this book is great for readers who enjoy character-driven stories, slower pacing, and a more reflective take on vampire lore. It’s different from what I usually read, but in a good way.
November 30, 2024
Possible mild spoilers included. This is not my normal genre choice for a book, but occasionally I like to read a different genre for a change of pace so when I read the synopsis for this book it looked kind of interesting. I wish I could say I liked it better overall but there were just too many things that bored me and annoyed me about it. For instance, there was WAY too much time spent on Pius’ background versus Gwen’s in the beginning and I still don’t think it ended up tying enough to the rest of the story. It took nearly a third of the book for it to start to pick up plot-wise, and even then it would pick up for a bit and then slow way down again. There were too many characters added in the last third of the book for what seemed like no reason (WAY too much time was spent on Everild). Overall, I felt the writing style seemed more tell than show and made for a choppy read. I also feel like I should mention I’m not a fan of sex or gore and there was too much in this for me and, in my opinion, it added nothing to the story. However, I feel that the choppy writing improved over the course of the book. Also, while I was never was able to get into the vampire genre as a rule, I did like the twists that existed here (specifically the different types of vampires and the main thing Gwen discovered eventually). I also liked how despite not aging in the traditional sense, Gwen really matured throughout the story.
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