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Hellhind Wood #1
Heart Sworn
Darkness Shames Us. Magic Claims Us. Love Inflames Us.
Luciana
The forest is my refuge from the lies of my people and the wounds I keep hidden—but the forest is changing and no one is safe. A monster saves me from the brink of death, his midnight eyes promising more than I ever thought to find. When my father falls ill with a mysterious sickness, I have to race against the clock to find the connection between the secrets of Hellhind Wood—or lose him forever. But my beast has secrets too, with the power to ruin everything.
Dorran
As the firstborn son of a cruel and greedy lord, my soul was already forfeit. Our crimes enraged an enchantress, cursing everyone I love to a fate worse than death and leaving Hellhind vulnerable. Cursed and surrounded by evil on all sides, I must fight to free my family and right our wrongs. When I save my beauty, she sees beyond the curse, her soul just as broken and lonely as mine. I try to stay away, but our connection refuses to be ignored—and she may be the key to everything.
Luciana
The forest is my refuge from the lies of my people and the wounds I keep hidden—but the forest is changing and no one is safe. A monster saves me from the brink of death, his midnight eyes promising more than I ever thought to find. When my father falls ill with a mysterious sickness, I have to race against the clock to find the connection between the secrets of Hellhind Wood—or lose him forever. But my beast has secrets too, with the power to ruin everything.
Dorran
As the firstborn son of a cruel and greedy lord, my soul was already forfeit. Our crimes enraged an enchantress, cursing everyone I love to a fate worse than death and leaving Hellhind vulnerable. Cursed and surrounded by evil on all sides, I must fight to free my family and right our wrongs. When I save my beauty, she sees beyond the curse, her soul just as broken and lonely as mine. I try to stay away, but our connection refuses to be ignored—and she may be the key to everything.
563 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2022
38 people are currently reading
870 people want to read
About the author
Cia Petrichor
6 books109 followersCia Petrichor is a New Orleans native who lives with her kids and cats somewhere in the swamp. She copes by writing weird books, reading too much monster and alien smut, covering her body in tattoos, and occasionally drawing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 21, 2022
I did a beta read for this epic first novel by Cia and she absolutely KILLED IT.
If you’re a lover of darker fantasy/romance, this is definitely for you.
Without sending too many spoilers for this beautiful work of art, I’ll point out all the reasons I love this book. It’s GOLD.
1. The world-building in this book is absolutely amazing. As the description was coming together, it was all very clear what it looked like in my head (if that makes any sense). The magic of the world was portrayed so beautifully.
2. If you loved Beauty & the Beast as a kid- this is for you. It’s a much more grown-up version of the taboo-like beast/human love. It’s similar but.. just a fore-warning.. it’s definitely and completely NOT affiliated with Disney. Like AT ALL. 😂 18+ NSFW, but the 🌶🌶🌶 is to DIE FOR.
3. Forbidden love
4. The dark twists and turns will have your jaw on the floor. Literally. There are some parts that made me squeal because things literally sneak up on you. So there’s definitely the element of surprise in many parts of this book.
Overall, this was a phenomenal read and it gets 5 stars and 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5 for spiciness.
For a first novel, she did the damn thing. & I absolutely cannot wait to read more from her in the future!
You won’t be sorry for picking this one up when it’s available!
If you’re a lover of darker fantasy/romance, this is definitely for you.
Without sending too many spoilers for this beautiful work of art, I’ll point out all the reasons I love this book. It’s GOLD.
1. The world-building in this book is absolutely amazing. As the description was coming together, it was all very clear what it looked like in my head (if that makes any sense). The magic of the world was portrayed so beautifully.
2. If you loved Beauty & the Beast as a kid- this is for you. It’s a much more grown-up version of the taboo-like beast/human love. It’s similar but.. just a fore-warning.. it’s definitely and completely NOT affiliated with Disney. Like AT ALL. 😂 18+ NSFW, but the 🌶🌶🌶 is to DIE FOR.
3. Forbidden love
4. The dark twists and turns will have your jaw on the floor. Literally. There are some parts that made me squeal because things literally sneak up on you. So there’s definitely the element of surprise in many parts of this book.
Overall, this was a phenomenal read and it gets 5 stars and 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5 for spiciness.
For a first novel, she did the damn thing. & I absolutely cannot wait to read more from her in the future!
You won’t be sorry for picking this one up when it’s available!
November 10, 2022
HELLO PEOPLE! I haven't written a review in ageees cause you know, life. But I'm back and first off, thank you Cia for letting me beta read for you, it was so much fun. Needless to say, this review is 100 percent honest and 100 percent my opinion.
Heart Sworn is the first monster book I've read so I was quite excited about receiving it. I didn't know what to expect from this book but I lived many emotions throughout. I couldn't find a single thing I DIDN’T like when I was reading. I cried 3 times, two times because of a trigger and once because of chapter 57.
Check trigger warnings before reading!
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶/5
Action: ⚔️⚔️⚔️/5
This book has;
🗡a dirty mouthed and minded brave fmc
🗡fierce 'touch her and die' mmc
🗡a villain that you don't understand whether to hate or love
🗡an elite style of writing
🗡dual pov
🗡slow burn romance
🗡plot twist, betrayal, mystery
🗡 curse and magic
🗡lqbtq+ representation
🗡a real outlook on dea#th and grieving
What I liked about this book;
✨I found a fmc that is dirty mouthed as me haha
✨fairytale like writing
✨unlocked a trigger for me
✨laughing out loud to the banter
✨vulnerable, emotional relationship
✨emotional development for characters not just mmc and fmc
✨amazing relationship introduction and growth with her brother, dad, friends
✨the nicknames that gave me life, "little one" and "little minx"
Heart Sworn is a retelling of "Beauty and The Beast". I feel like Cia did a great job with it. she give it her unique point of view, although it had some similarities such as Dorran being a monster because he was cursed, nothing else reminded me Beauty and The Beast. I don't want to give a spoiler but it is hard not to. Just know that if you like reading monster romance with mystery and emotional development, this book is for you.
Luciana
She's so brave, there are some parts of the book where you think she's gonna play the victim which she could in those situations but she never does, she always finds a reason to go forward.
The Beast
He was a mixture of both an ass and a gentlemen but also he was charming and thoughtful, written more beautifully than most of the male characters I have read. He seriously made me question if it was Dorran, would I let a monster hit? The answer both scares and thrills me.
Specific Tropes
🔑running/catching
🔑able to smell scent particular smells 👀
🔑pet names
🔑curse&magic
🔑purring
🔑blood play
🔑touch her and die
( I picked the key emoji bc 'unlocked a new kink" hehe.)
Some of the triggers in the book,
⛔️thoughts of self h#rm
⛔️parents de#th
⛔️blood and gore
⛔️mentions of r#pe, de#th and m#rder
⛔️sexual content +18
⛔️strong language
⛔️physical vi#lence
Trigger Warnings
Another great part about this book is that it unlocked an unknown trauma of mine. I never read trigger warnings because I thought nothing bothered me and I like to read them to get a feel of the trigger if you know what I mean. But this one was so out of nowhere that it made me cry.
Thank me later,
“Grab my horns,”
“Make that noise again, little one, and I don’t care who’s here with us. I will bend you over this chair and f#ck you so hard that they’ll hear you at the solstice bonfire.”
“I can smell you, little one. When anyone else would run away screaming, you just get so@king wet, dripping for me. Even now, when you get a peek at the truly monstrous parts of me.”
“You’re playing with fire, woman.”
“Then burn with me”
“Use your words, little one. I want to hear your pretty mo@ns, but I need you to tell me exactly what you want.”
I'm going to post a small review on my instagram @homesickbookclub if you want to check out <3
Heart Sworn is the first monster book I've read so I was quite excited about receiving it. I didn't know what to expect from this book but I lived many emotions throughout. I couldn't find a single thing I DIDN’T like when I was reading. I cried 3 times, two times because of a trigger and once because of chapter 57.
Check trigger warnings before reading!
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶/5
Action: ⚔️⚔️⚔️/5
This book has;
🗡a dirty mouthed and minded brave fmc
🗡fierce 'touch her and die' mmc
🗡a villain that you don't understand whether to hate or love
🗡an elite style of writing
🗡dual pov
🗡slow burn romance
🗡plot twist, betrayal, mystery
🗡 curse and magic
🗡lqbtq+ representation
🗡a real outlook on dea#th and grieving
What I liked about this book;
✨I found a fmc that is dirty mouthed as me haha
✨fairytale like writing
✨unlocked a trigger for me
✨laughing out loud to the banter
✨vulnerable, emotional relationship
✨emotional development for characters not just mmc and fmc
✨amazing relationship introduction and growth with her brother, dad, friends
✨the nicknames that gave me life, "little one" and "little minx"
Heart Sworn is a retelling of "Beauty and The Beast". I feel like Cia did a great job with it. she give it her unique point of view, although it had some similarities such as Dorran being a monster because he was cursed, nothing else reminded me Beauty and The Beast. I don't want to give a spoiler but it is hard not to. Just know that if you like reading monster romance with mystery and emotional development, this book is for you.
Luciana
She's so brave, there are some parts of the book where you think she's gonna play the victim which she could in those situations but she never does, she always finds a reason to go forward.
The Beast
He was a mixture of both an ass and a gentlemen but also he was charming and thoughtful, written more beautifully than most of the male characters I have read. He seriously made me question if it was Dorran, would I let a monster hit? The answer both scares and thrills me.
Specific Tropes
🔑running/catching
🔑able to smell scent particular smells 👀
🔑pet names
🔑curse&magic
🔑purring
🔑blood play
🔑touch her and die
( I picked the key emoji bc 'unlocked a new kink" hehe.)
Some of the triggers in the book,
⛔️thoughts of self h#rm
⛔️parents de#th
⛔️blood and gore
⛔️mentions of r#pe, de#th and m#rder
⛔️sexual content +18
⛔️strong language
⛔️physical vi#lence
Trigger Warnings
Another great part about this book is that it unlocked an unknown trauma of mine. I never read trigger warnings because I thought nothing bothered me and I like to read them to get a feel of the trigger if you know what I mean. But this one was so out of nowhere that it made me cry.
Thank me later,
“Grab my horns,”
“Make that noise again, little one, and I don’t care who’s here with us. I will bend you over this chair and f#ck you so hard that they’ll hear you at the solstice bonfire.”
“I can smell you, little one. When anyone else would run away screaming, you just get so@king wet, dripping for me. Even now, when you get a peek at the truly monstrous parts of me.”
“You’re playing with fire, woman.”
“Then burn with me”
“Use your words, little one. I want to hear your pretty mo@ns, but I need you to tell me exactly what you want.”
I'm going to post a small review on my instagram @homesickbookclub if you want to check out <3
November 9, 2022
OH MY GOSH I LOVED THIS
I literally cried at one point.
full review below:
I freaking LOVED THIS SO MUCH. The whole thing. just. *chef’s kiss*
CIA I WANT MORE. this was literally so good. The characters? The story? THE SPICE? Everything was amazing.
So first, the characters.
Luciana? LOVED. I loved her character, her strength, her development, the way she was written. I loved literally everything about her. Dorran? He might be a beast but that’s in physical aspect only… and maybe in the sheets (or should I say the forest… #iykyk) ANYWAYS. Loved him too. Have literally zero complaints about either of them except that I need a second book (or novella) with them together. asap. The two of them had SUCH good chemistry and the banter was SO GOOD. I was laughing out loud several times, and it was so much fun to watch them fall for each other on the page.
And then the spicy fun times made an appearance and I was just like, wait, this gets better?! YES PLEASE.
Okayokay, I'm moving on. So the story itself:
um loved it too. I was LITERALLY hooked from the first paragraph, like wow. What a hook. I thought the pacing throughout the whole thing was perfect, from Lu meeting Dorran in the forest, to what happens after that to what happens after that andddd yeah you see where I’m going (nowhere bc spoilers, GO READ IT YOURSELF). I really want to talk about what happened in this, but I can’t think of a way to explain it without spoiling it and obviously nobody wants that. But I will say, there’s a certain scene towards the end that made me physically cry. Like actual tears. And I ran to Cia’s DMs and yelled at her. A little. bc WHAT. but! There is a happy ending for those wondering, or at least a happy for now.
I thought this was a really fun and unique twist on the beloved Beauty and the Beast story. Overall, ten out of ten from me. I loved the writing, the characters, the story, the spice, the pacing. All of it. 100% recommend.
Thank you again to Cia for letting me be a beta reader for her!
I literally cried at one point.
full review below:
I freaking LOVED THIS SO MUCH. The whole thing. just. *chef’s kiss*
CIA I WANT MORE. this was literally so good. The characters? The story? THE SPICE? Everything was amazing.
So first, the characters.
Luciana? LOVED. I loved her character, her strength, her development, the way she was written. I loved literally everything about her. Dorran? He might be a beast but that’s in physical aspect only… and maybe in the sheets (or should I say the forest… #iykyk) ANYWAYS. Loved him too. Have literally zero complaints about either of them except that I need a second book (or novella) with them together. asap. The two of them had SUCH good chemistry and the banter was SO GOOD. I was laughing out loud several times, and it was so much fun to watch them fall for each other on the page.
And then the spicy fun times made an appearance and I was just like, wait, this gets better?! YES PLEASE.
Okayokay, I'm moving on. So the story itself:
um loved it too. I was LITERALLY hooked from the first paragraph, like wow. What a hook. I thought the pacing throughout the whole thing was perfect, from Lu meeting Dorran in the forest, to what happens after that to what happens after that andddd yeah you see where I’m going (nowhere bc spoilers, GO READ IT YOURSELF). I really want to talk about what happened in this, but I can’t think of a way to explain it without spoiling it and obviously nobody wants that. But I will say, there’s a certain scene towards the end that made me physically cry. Like actual tears. And I ran to Cia’s DMs and yelled at her. A little. bc WHAT. but! There is a happy ending for those wondering, or at least a happy for now.
I thought this was a really fun and unique twist on the beloved Beauty and the Beast story. Overall, ten out of ten from me. I loved the writing, the characters, the story, the spice, the pacing. All of it. 100% recommend.
Thank you again to Cia for letting me be a beta reader for her!
September 29, 2022
I cannot express my love for this book enough. It was my first monster romance and let’s just say I’ll be reading some more.
The story follows Luciana, a girl who loves to be wild, always out in the woods. While out hunting she comes across a beast who seems starved, but not for food.
The form a friendship, but soon the beasts urges take over and they mate for the first time.
The pull between them is electric and anyone would be lucky to have a beast wanting you in every single way, every minute of every day.
There were so many shocking moments, many tears and I did have to throw the book a few times because of the shock.
If you want a monster to talks dirty, and will do anything to please his women then this book is perfect for you.
“Death can’t save you from me. I’m sorry to say you’re stuck with me. Forever”
“If someone took her from me, I would burn down every forest, topple every mountain, drain the rivers and seas in my rage. I wouldn’t stop until every being felt the pain of her absence as keenly as I did. There is no limit to what I would sacrifice for her. So yes, I understand. But it’s not too late to stop this. There has been enough death and heartache, and for what? It will not return him to you. You know that”
The story follows Luciana, a girl who loves to be wild, always out in the woods. While out hunting she comes across a beast who seems starved, but not for food.
The form a friendship, but soon the beasts urges take over and they mate for the first time.
The pull between them is electric and anyone would be lucky to have a beast wanting you in every single way, every minute of every day.
There were so many shocking moments, many tears and I did have to throw the book a few times because of the shock.
If you want a monster to talks dirty, and will do anything to please his women then this book is perfect for you.
“Death can’t save you from me. I’m sorry to say you’re stuck with me. Forever”
“If someone took her from me, I would burn down every forest, topple every mountain, drain the rivers and seas in my rage. I wouldn’t stop until every being felt the pain of her absence as keenly as I did. There is no limit to what I would sacrifice for her. So yes, I understand. But it’s not too late to stop this. There has been enough death and heartache, and for what? It will not return him to you. You know that”
September 29, 2022
I finished this book in a few HOURS, that's how AMAZING it was😍 This book was my first monster romance and let me tell you, it DID NOT disappoint 🥵 I absolutely loved the character development throughout the story. I loved the relationship dynamic between the main characters as well as with the side characters as well. There was a PERFECT balance of spice and plot, one side didn't outweigh the other. I am absolutely OBSESSED with this story and I can't wait to read more of Cia's work!
January 2, 2023
"𝘈𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴… 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘵, 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦… 𝘐’𝘮 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭.”
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘴𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴.
‘𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘳. 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.’
This beauty and the beast retelling is a raw, gripping, heartbreaking romance. Blending tragedy with hope, and love with pain. The writing is gorgeous and lush, and at times sarcastic with dark humor. A beautiful tale of betrayal and sacrifice, this novel packs an emotional punch. Themes of selfless vs toxic love, trauma and healing, vengeance, and sacrifice are woven throughout the captivating narrative.
I'm so excited to devour everything this author releases!!!
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘴𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴.
‘𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘳. 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.’
This beauty and the beast retelling is a raw, gripping, heartbreaking romance. Blending tragedy with hope, and love with pain. The writing is gorgeous and lush, and at times sarcastic with dark humor. A beautiful tale of betrayal and sacrifice, this novel packs an emotional punch. Themes of selfless vs toxic love, trauma and healing, vengeance, and sacrifice are woven throughout the captivating narrative.
I'm so excited to devour everything this author releases!!!
November 2, 2022
Follow me on: Instagram
*As always check the content warnings before reading*
It is such a spectacular feeling when you read a debut novel and it is so well-written, makes you feel the entire range of emotions, and leaves you wanting more. That is this book. Cia, you did an amazing job!
Plot
I love a book with action, mystery, intrigue, romance, etc. This one has it all. It has love and betrayal. I could not put it down after I started reading. Life got in the way so I had to but all I wanted to do was get back home so I could continue reading! This had just the right amount of everything in my opinion. I am trying to keep this as spoiler free as I can but UGH! I just want to talk about my feelings!!! The pacing of this book is GREAT. As an ADHD-inattentive type woman, if the plot and the pacing is too slow I will get bored; this book was no such book!
Sugar & Spice®
OH GOD LET ME TELL YOU!!! FOREST SEX WITH YOUR POSSESSIVE YET CARING, DANGEROUS YET SWEET, WILD YET CHARMING BEAST...I want more! Honestly every chance he growled at her for walking away to go do something very important, I wanted her to run and provoke him into taking her HAHAHAHAHA. I did NOT think that I would fall in love with a fur monster, but here I am, in love with Dorran. I need fan art and I need it now! Do I also want a tattoo of his black stars on my wrist??? YES! So uh, @Cia Petrichor, dearest author, please what does that look like? 🙏
Back to the sugar though, I really like how it developed with them and YESredacted bc spoilers happened but you know what THEO? I didn't care as a reader and NEITHER DID LUCIANA! So, fuck you!
Character Chat
This will contain spoilers bc I seriously need to get this off my chest. Do not read unless: you have already finished the book OR don't care :)
🖋This is a voluntary review in exchange for the ARC I received❥
*As always check the content warnings before reading*
It is such a spectacular feeling when you read a debut novel and it is so well-written, makes you feel the entire range of emotions, and leaves you wanting more. That is this book. Cia, you did an amazing job!
Plot
I love a book with action, mystery, intrigue, romance, etc. This one has it all. It has love and betrayal. I could not put it down after I started reading. Life got in the way so I had to but all I wanted to do was get back home so I could continue reading! This had just the right amount of everything in my opinion. I am trying to keep this as spoiler free as I can but UGH! I just want to talk about my feelings!!! The pacing of this book is GREAT. As an ADHD-inattentive type woman, if the plot and the pacing is too slow I will get bored; this book was no such book!
Sugar & Spice®
OH GOD LET ME TELL YOU!!! FOREST SEX WITH YOUR POSSESSIVE YET CARING, DANGEROUS YET SWEET, WILD YET CHARMING BEAST...I want more! Honestly every chance he growled at her for walking away to go do something very important, I wanted her to run and provoke him into taking her HAHAHAHAHA. I did NOT think that I would fall in love with a fur monster, but here I am, in love with Dorran. I need fan art and I need it now! Do I also want a tattoo of his black stars on my wrist??? YES! So uh, @Cia Petrichor, dearest author, please what does that look like? 🙏
Back to the sugar though, I really like how it developed with them and YES
Character Chat
This will contain spoilers bc I seriously need to get this off my chest. Do not read unless: you have already finished the book OR don't care :)
🖋This is a voluntary review in exchange for the ARC I received❥
November 4, 2022
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
Spice - 🌶️🌶️🌶️
There's nothing like a well developed monster romance and that's just what 'Heart Sworn' is. I'm still a newb to the genre, but I honestly thoroughly enjoyed this one. The dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast brings every reader back to one of their favorite fairytale, but make no mistake, this one gets naughty.
I loved the character development and how the FMC and MMC open up to one another. The way the beast unleashed and unlocks himself to show his true self was beautifully written. Each time they encounter each other it's a battle of the strong witted. There is so much angst and passion involved that you're turning the pages to read more.
I am a fan of how Cia wrote this story and the details of every encounter. The world of 'Heart Sworn' is well thought out and allows the reader to depict the world in their mind. I love when an author can use details to paint a picture of their world and characters.
For all you dark monster romance readers out there, add this to your TBR and get lost in a Cia's dark monster romance of a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Let those toes curl as you turn the pages.
Happy Reading! Thank you Cia for allowing me to read this ahead of release.
Spice - 🌶️🌶️🌶️
There's nothing like a well developed monster romance and that's just what 'Heart Sworn' is. I'm still a newb to the genre, but I honestly thoroughly enjoyed this one. The dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast brings every reader back to one of their favorite fairytale, but make no mistake, this one gets naughty.
I loved the character development and how the FMC and MMC open up to one another. The way the beast unleashed and unlocks himself to show his true self was beautifully written. Each time they encounter each other it's a battle of the strong witted. There is so much angst and passion involved that you're turning the pages to read more.
I am a fan of how Cia wrote this story and the details of every encounter. The world of 'Heart Sworn' is well thought out and allows the reader to depict the world in their mind. I love when an author can use details to paint a picture of their world and characters.
For all you dark monster romance readers out there, add this to your TBR and get lost in a Cia's dark monster romance of a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Let those toes curl as you turn the pages.
Happy Reading! Thank you Cia for allowing me to read this ahead of release.
December 31, 2022
I need a few hours, maybe a day, to recover from this. This was an absolutely phenomenal, magical, enchanting novel. I am stunned. I've recovered enough to write a review.
"I would rather you say what you think freely, without restricting your true thoughts and feelings. Most people have that quality as children, only for the world to rush in and suffocate it out of them."
My love for beasts began at a young age. I can count my childhood (before six years of age and imaginary) boyfriends on two fingers, one a charming skeleton attempting to steal Christmas, the other - a beast (quite literally). Like any healthy adult who grew up being told they were too old for fairytales, I've waited and wished for a Beauty and The Beast rendition that would repair the damage and fill a void in my heart. Well, let me introduce you to the author who finally accomplished what others could not. Cia Petrichor.
Filled with death, chaos, sex, mythical creatures and magic, Heart Sworn is one hell of dark fantasy novel. Cia has truly written what could only be described as a sensational start to a series. Fear not, dear friends, you are not left with an incomplete, horrific cliff hanger - this installment tells the story of Luciana and Dorran from start to (not quite) finish, but finished enough so that you can rest easy until the next adventure.
Let's talk about Cia Petrichor's writing for a second. I'm not sure I have enough words to describe how engrossing and riveting her writing style is. Captivating and magic - no, enchanting - captivating and enchanting are the correct words. A force. An actual force that pumps life into my blood and had me weak, engrossed, inflamed, aching, riveted, and undone. Lush world building, suspenseful and tense. It's not often a book makes me cry, makes me writhe with gut churning sadness or creates a need to vomit from the unjustified... stop. There's no spoilers here.
The plot, the plot, the plot. I was interested from the first three chapters, no lie. However, the plot actually thickens the further you go. When I told Cia I was at page 200 and obsessed, she said "well buckle in because it's gonna be a bumpy ride." I heeded her warning, or so I thought? There is no preparing anyone for that ride! Bumpy? No. Mountainous potholes that throw you from the carriage is a better warning. It...just...kept...coming. I thought I could recover for a moment but Heart Sworn does not even give you two minutes to breathe - it just throws you from the carriage, drags you along, runs you over, carries you along again, and runs you over again, and again.
I felt the heart break. I felt the betrayal. I felt the continued curiosity, the confusion, the unknown that just pulled me under and drowned me in sorrow. The history of the characters is rich and thick - and I mean, thick. Just think, wading through the brambles and finding a flower, just to get stabbed with ten thorns and strung up in all the vines - thick. Cia executes and sows their discord and dark history throughout the story and engages the reader without giving it all away upfront. I'm not just talking about the main characters either. We've got a whole slew of side characters to unravel and reveal, and I...am... a mess. Papa. Theo. Roarke. Shadow. The Dam. Duvessa. Theiry. Oh for the love of character development and execution, Cia nailed it every single time.
The suspense crushed me, took my breath away. There are so many elements to Cia's writing, her execution is flawless.
The love between Beast and Beauty, Dorran and Luciania - the heat, the lust, the lack of control - the chemistry. Oh dear, my heart. I love every aspect of their story. THIS IS IT! This is the Beauty and the Beast I need forever, so much so, I ordered the hardcover immediately so I can reread this much like I rewatch Beauty and the Beast every time my sorrowful heart gets the better of me.
Cia, thank you for this beautiful and enchanting tale.
"I would rather you say what you think freely, without restricting your true thoughts and feelings. Most people have that quality as children, only for the world to rush in and suffocate it out of them."
My love for beasts began at a young age. I can count my childhood (before six years of age and imaginary) boyfriends on two fingers, one a charming skeleton attempting to steal Christmas, the other - a beast (quite literally). Like any healthy adult who grew up being told they were too old for fairytales, I've waited and wished for a Beauty and The Beast rendition that would repair the damage and fill a void in my heart. Well, let me introduce you to the author who finally accomplished what others could not. Cia Petrichor.
Filled with death, chaos, sex, mythical creatures and magic, Heart Sworn is one hell of dark fantasy novel. Cia has truly written what could only be described as a sensational start to a series. Fear not, dear friends, you are not left with an incomplete, horrific cliff hanger - this installment tells the story of Luciana and Dorran from start to (not quite) finish, but finished enough so that you can rest easy until the next adventure.
Let's talk about Cia Petrichor's writing for a second. I'm not sure I have enough words to describe how engrossing and riveting her writing style is. Captivating and magic - no, enchanting - captivating and enchanting are the correct words. A force. An actual force that pumps life into my blood and had me weak, engrossed, inflamed, aching, riveted, and undone. Lush world building, suspenseful and tense. It's not often a book makes me cry, makes me writhe with gut churning sadness or creates a need to vomit from the unjustified... stop. There's no spoilers here.
The plot, the plot, the plot. I was interested from the first three chapters, no lie. However, the plot actually thickens the further you go. When I told Cia I was at page 200 and obsessed, she said "well buckle in because it's gonna be a bumpy ride." I heeded her warning, or so I thought? There is no preparing anyone for that ride! Bumpy? No. Mountainous potholes that throw you from the carriage is a better warning. It...just...kept...coming. I thought I could recover for a moment but Heart Sworn does not even give you two minutes to breathe - it just throws you from the carriage, drags you along, runs you over, carries you along again, and runs you over again, and again.
I felt the heart break. I felt the betrayal. I felt the continued curiosity, the confusion, the unknown that just pulled me under and drowned me in sorrow. The history of the characters is rich and thick - and I mean, thick. Just think, wading through the brambles and finding a flower, just to get stabbed with ten thorns and strung up in all the vines - thick. Cia executes and sows their discord and dark history throughout the story and engages the reader without giving it all away upfront. I'm not just talking about the main characters either. We've got a whole slew of side characters to unravel and reveal, and I...am... a mess. Papa. Theo. Roarke. Shadow. The Dam. Duvessa. Theiry. Oh for the love of character development and execution, Cia nailed it every single time.
The suspense crushed me, took my breath away. There are so many elements to Cia's writing, her execution is flawless.
The love between Beast and Beauty, Dorran and Luciania - the heat, the lust, the lack of control - the chemistry. Oh dear, my heart. I love every aspect of their story. THIS IS IT! This is the Beauty and the Beast I need forever, so much so, I ordered the hardcover immediately so I can reread this much like I rewatch Beauty and the Beast every time my sorrowful heart gets the better of me.
Cia, thank you for this beautiful and enchanting tale.
August 19, 2023
dnf at 40% 🙃
I can handle the lust and horniness but what I cannit handle is proclamations of love and devotion after two times they saw each other and this time, the third time had sex. Luciana is also annoying af - a perfect example of a character who the author thinks comes off as smart and self-reliable but in actuality is just an annoying idiot. Dorran seemed great at the beginning but very quickly turned into a shallow three sane lines repeating mehness. The pacing is literally nom-existent and the worldbuilding boils down to loooong inner monologues filled with names of people and places that are supposed to be "mysterious."
Oh and, was I the only one that was bothered by the way Luciana so obviously speaks in 2012 tumblr girl one language? I mean I'm all here for it if you're gonna pull it off brilliantly like Mead Mishaps books did but this just isn't that 🤷🏻♀️
I can't believe I had to read almost a hundred pages of Lu and her brother Theo trying to come off as cozy funny siblings because they felt like robots to me 😅
I can handle the lust and horniness but what I cannit handle is proclamations of love and devotion after two times they saw each other and this time, the third time had sex. Luciana is also annoying af - a perfect example of a character who the author thinks comes off as smart and self-reliable but in actuality is just an annoying idiot. Dorran seemed great at the beginning but very quickly turned into a shallow three sane lines repeating mehness. The pacing is literally nom-existent and the worldbuilding boils down to loooong inner monologues filled with names of people and places that are supposed to be "mysterious."
Oh and, was I the only one that was bothered by the way Luciana so obviously speaks in 2012 tumblr girl one language? I mean I'm all here for it if you're gonna pull it off brilliantly like Mead Mishaps books did but this just isn't that 🤷🏻♀️
I can't believe I had to read almost a hundred pages of Lu and her brother Theo trying to come off as cozy funny siblings because they felt like robots to me 😅
November 1, 2022
When I tell you this book WRECKED me! My heart feels heavy in my chest 😭💔 I was glad for the HEA but MAN was it FILLED with emotions! This one is DEFINITELY leaving me with an unbearable slump 💔
I NEVER in my life experienced so many different feelings one after the other!!! Beauty and the Beast being my all time favorite tale ever since I was a kid, I simply COULDN'T miss the opportunity to read this MIND BLOWING retelling! 😍❤
Dorran's character was quite like the beast in the original tale, although perhaps a little more possessive and even careless when it came to the safety of the woman he loved and cherished. He was broken in more ways than one, but thankfully, he was given a chance at redemption! Although in his mind, he did not deserve it and could not afford the luxury of self forgiveness.
Luciana, just like her heart sworn, had her own demons to fight and inner wounds to heal. She was fierce and she did NOT care about what people thought of her, as long as her loved ones were by her side ❤ she went through such an amount of pain during her life that it was quite the miracle she was able to survive it all 😭💔
This story deals with betrayal, grieving, being an outcast and much darker themes. TWs can be found within the first few pages alongside the pronunciation guide, so make sure to check them out before diving into it. I LOVED this book with all my heart! And I really need a break for maybe a couple of days before starting a new read, because WOW did it take me on a freaking rollercoaster!
I NEVER in my life experienced so many different feelings one after the other!!! Beauty and the Beast being my all time favorite tale ever since I was a kid, I simply COULDN'T miss the opportunity to read this MIND BLOWING retelling! 😍❤
Dorran's character was quite like the beast in the original tale, although perhaps a little more possessive and even careless when it came to the safety of the woman he loved and cherished. He was broken in more ways than one, but thankfully, he was given a chance at redemption! Although in his mind, he did not deserve it and could not afford the luxury of self forgiveness.
Luciana, just like her heart sworn, had her own demons to fight and inner wounds to heal. She was fierce and she did NOT care about what people thought of her, as long as her loved ones were by her side ❤ she went through such an amount of pain during her life that it was quite the miracle she was able to survive it all 😭💔
This story deals with betrayal, grieving, being an outcast and much darker themes. TWs can be found within the first few pages alongside the pronunciation guide, so make sure to check them out before diving into it. I LOVED this book with all my heart! And I really need a break for maybe a couple of days before starting a new read, because WOW did it take me on a freaking rollercoaster!
January 6, 2023
"I’m not a hero in anyone’s story, I was the villain. I still am.”
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The first half of the book was a lot of set up but it was intriguing rather than boring. The smut occured pretty quick and was written well. This book is definitely more plot than smut.
"I know you enjoy my touch, little one. I can practically taste it in the air.”
There are quite a few triggers that come up through the book so if you have triggers definitely do your research. I have none but still cringed and shook my head at some parts. I was surprised this book tugged on my emotions. I didn't think I felt connected to the characters but damn. I was tearing up towards the end. The author does a great job making you feel the emotions the characters are feeling.
"Why wasn’t it working? Why wasn’t it enough? Why wasn’t I enough?"
This was a fun read. Some crazy shit happens and had me on the edge of my seat gasping in surprise. I'm usually pretty good at predicting things while I'm reading but I didn't predict what happened this time. The author had me holding my breath numerous times waiting to see what happened next.
There were some inconsistencies and the ending left me with more unanswered questions but I still enjoyed it!
The book had enough action to keep me interested. It is very loosely based on Beauty and the Beast. I love twisted retellings so this was right up my alley. I went in blind like I always do and genuinely enjoyed the story. I will be continuing the series and I'm excited to see what's next.
Favorite scenes: Theo and Lu verbal altercation, the bond, the brother and the well.
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The first half of the book was a lot of set up but it was intriguing rather than boring. The smut occured pretty quick and was written well. This book is definitely more plot than smut.
"I know you enjoy my touch, little one. I can practically taste it in the air.”
There are quite a few triggers that come up through the book so if you have triggers definitely do your research. I have none but still cringed and shook my head at some parts. I was surprised this book tugged on my emotions. I didn't think I felt connected to the characters but damn. I was tearing up towards the end. The author does a great job making you feel the emotions the characters are feeling.
"Why wasn’t it working? Why wasn’t it enough? Why wasn’t I enough?"
This was a fun read. Some crazy shit happens and had me on the edge of my seat gasping in surprise. I'm usually pretty good at predicting things while I'm reading but I didn't predict what happened this time. The author had me holding my breath numerous times waiting to see what happened next.
There were some inconsistencies and the ending left me with more unanswered questions but I still enjoyed it!
The book had enough action to keep me interested. It is very loosely based on Beauty and the Beast. I love twisted retellings so this was right up my alley. I went in blind like I always do and genuinely enjoyed the story. I will be continuing the series and I'm excited to see what's next.
Favorite scenes: Theo and Lu verbal altercation, the bond, the brother and the well.
April 15, 2023
Heart Sworn is an alluring re-telling of Beauty and The Beast. Cia created a story that constantly kept you guessing. I absolutely loved the banter and humor.
𝐿𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒’𝑠 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠𝑛’𝑡 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡, 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑎 𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ ℎ𝑖𝑠. 𝐼𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑢𝑝 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑙-𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑢𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐷𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑦 𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑜 𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑝 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑘𝑎𝑦. 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑦.
Dorran and Luciana are a match made in both heaven and hell. Their relationship was definitely tumultuous at times, but they loved each other unconditionally. Never once did Lu think to leave Dorran because he was a beast. And, of course, Dorran has the “touch her and die” down to the T. The whole story shows that not everything is black and white. That everyone has their someone.
𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑠. 𝐼 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑠𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢.
You should be so incredibly proud of the work you have created, Cia. Heart Sworn was written beautifully and with so much passion. It’s evident that your characters spoke to you, and I can’t wait to see what is next to come.
𝐿𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒’𝑠 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠𝑛’𝑡 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡, 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑎 𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ ℎ𝑖𝑠. 𝐼𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑢𝑝 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑙-𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑢𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐷𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑦 𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑜 𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑝 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑘𝑎𝑦. 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑦.
Dorran and Luciana are a match made in both heaven and hell. Their relationship was definitely tumultuous at times, but they loved each other unconditionally. Never once did Lu think to leave Dorran because he was a beast. And, of course, Dorran has the “touch her and die” down to the T. The whole story shows that not everything is black and white. That everyone has their someone.
𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑠. 𝐼 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑠𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢.
You should be so incredibly proud of the work you have created, Cia. Heart Sworn was written beautifully and with so much passion. It’s evident that your characters spoke to you, and I can’t wait to see what is next to come.
December 6, 2022
4.5 stars.
This was such an engaging, romantic and incredibly well-paced fantasy romance novel. The first in a series of what I believe will be interconnected standalones, the author draws inspiration from Beauty & the Beast while still weaving her own tale. I loved the comparisons and differences between the original story and this book.
The characters were what really drew my attention, though. There is a major emphasis on healing in Heart Sworn, which I really appreciated seeing. You often glimpse this theme in many fantasy novels, but what I think the author has done well here is depicting it in a very realistic, raw manner. You can feel the brokenness of these characters, sense their misery and the traumas that have deeply impacted their lives. But through it all is this shining thread of faith. I loved seeing this develop throughout the course of the story.
I loved the magical aspects of the world, and the twists and turns. Some of them I didn’t guess at while others weren’t exactly unpredictable but still enjoyable. I would have liked some more elaboration on the magic system and the larger realm, but we’re getting more books in this world, so no stars were removed for that.
Overall, I loved this one. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
This was such an engaging, romantic and incredibly well-paced fantasy romance novel. The first in a series of what I believe will be interconnected standalones, the author draws inspiration from Beauty & the Beast while still weaving her own tale. I loved the comparisons and differences between the original story and this book.
The characters were what really drew my attention, though. There is a major emphasis on healing in Heart Sworn, which I really appreciated seeing. You often glimpse this theme in many fantasy novels, but what I think the author has done well here is depicting it in a very realistic, raw manner. You can feel the brokenness of these characters, sense their misery and the traumas that have deeply impacted their lives. But through it all is this shining thread of faith. I loved seeing this develop throughout the course of the story.
I loved the magical aspects of the world, and the twists and turns. Some of them I didn’t guess at while others weren’t exactly unpredictable but still enjoyable. I would have liked some more elaboration on the magic system and the larger realm, but we’re getting more books in this world, so no stars were removed for that.
Overall, I loved this one. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
October 9, 2022
I was honored with the opportunity to beta read this masterpiece and let me start with this: I'm new to monsterromance and this book got me hooked. It is a dark 18+ retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
Here is my list of why you should read this book 100%:
1: I loved the characters. All of them! You could follow their growth throughout the story and they are so relatable.
2: The setting. Cia has a real talent for wordlbuilding. I could see it all very colourful and real in my head while reading
3: The Smut obviously. The ratio between plot and smut was perfect and the scence were very well written and detailed.
4: The overall plot. It captures you, you root for the characters and you can totally immerse yourself in the story. There are twists you will not see coming and you will scream at some of them.
This book was a 5-star read and I wish I could go back and read it all over again for the first time.
Cia did amazing here and if that's the start I really can't wait for more books to come.
Here is my list of why you should read this book 100%:
1: I loved the characters. All of them! You could follow their growth throughout the story and they are so relatable.
2: The setting. Cia has a real talent for wordlbuilding. I could see it all very colourful and real in my head while reading
3: The Smut obviously. The ratio between plot and smut was perfect and the scence were very well written and detailed.
4: The overall plot. It captures you, you root for the characters and you can totally immerse yourself in the story. There are twists you will not see coming and you will scream at some of them.
This book was a 5-star read and I wish I could go back and read it all over again for the first time.
Cia did amazing here and if that's the start I really can't wait for more books to come.
November 5, 2022
I don’t know if I’m going to be able to fully put into words how much I loved this book. First && foremost I want to thank the author Cia Petrichor for the ARC!! This was my first “monster” romance outside of vampires && werewolves. I can truly say it DID NOT disappoint!! This was a magical story of two souls that have fought to survive from the things they’ve been through when they find each other. Souls meant for one another! So much happens in this story full of magic, beasts, evil enchantresses, love, all consuming smut, heartbreak, curses, fighting, retribution, survival, and peace. Boy ooh boy was the beast smut hot 🥵🔥😍!! Luciana is a strong, misunderstood women fighting to hold her family together! It’s hard not love her && want to help her! Dorran is our handsome beast that is cursed but can’t help not to fall for him. I love their connection! This story made me physically cry, made me say over && over “I know you fucking lyin” && made me want to hunt down its author like it was my life’s mission 🤣. It also made me laugh, caused my heartbreak && put it back together again!! I can’t wait for book 2 cause I throughly enjoyed book one. Thank you for a magical experience that will forever live in my heart!! 🥹🥰❤️
Make sure you pick up your copy on November 15, 2022! 💕
Make sure you pick up your copy on November 15, 2022! 💕
November 26, 2022
Beginning to end this book was very well written. In a time where i don’t know if it’s set in the past or present (the dialogue seemed very contemporary while the scenery of everything seemed to take place in another era tbh) it was still really enjoyable and didn’t take away from the story.
Luciana was a strong fmc and I was here for every bit of it even if I was frustrated she couldn’t do much until the end because u know…mortal.
I really liked the plot twist in this book and yes I did guess it, but if you didn’t catch the detail then u wouldn’t have known!
Also, Dorran and Luciana having a past didn’t hit me until the end of the book and lord I was kind of sad it was so short when Dorran was “telling her the story” and it had me crying like a lil bitch. Even though Shadows version of the story was more detailed I would have liked hearing more of it from Dorrans perspective gahhhhh.
Also, Dorran being a monster didn’t put me off at all which is crazy and just opened up a whole new world for for monster stuff💀💀💀love that.
Luciana was a strong fmc and I was here for every bit of it even if I was frustrated she couldn’t do much until the end because u know…mortal.
I really liked the plot twist in this book and yes I did guess it, but if you didn’t catch the detail then u wouldn’t have known!
Also, Dorran and Luciana having a past didn’t hit me until the end of the book and lord I was kind of sad it was so short when Dorran was “telling her the story” and it had me crying like a lil bitch. Even though Shadows version of the story was more detailed I would have liked hearing more of it from Dorrans perspective gahhhhh.
Also, Dorran being a monster didn’t put me off at all which is crazy and just opened up a whole new world for for monster stuff💀💀💀love that.
November 17, 2023
Loved This
Tjis book needs to be talked about more. I loved this book so much. It's has become my favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling I've read so far. And my first monster romance. This good had some many layers that truly set it apart from other retelling. Beast (Dorran) was the only torture soul in the book Luciana (Belle) was just as broken as he was. This book had it all spicy, love, hate, tragedy, grief, dispare, hope, and happiness.
Tjis book needs to be talked about more. I loved this book so much. It's has become my favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling I've read so far. And my first monster romance. This good had some many layers that truly set it apart from other retelling. Beast (Dorran) was the only torture soul in the book Luciana (Belle) was just as broken as he was. This book had it all spicy, love, hate, tragedy, grief, dispare, hope, and happiness.
Read
February 24, 2024Passs.
Story started of with the MCs being wildly attracted to each other, and the heroine seemed like she was trying too hard to be ballsy, badass. There was no intrigue to the prologue, felt like insta-love and no mystery to the beginning I felt worthy to explore.
Story started of with the MCs being wildly attracted to each other, and the heroine seemed like she was trying too hard to be ballsy, badass. There was no intrigue to the prologue, felt like insta-love and no mystery to the beginning I felt worthy to explore.
December 16, 2022
Heart Sworn by Cia Petrichor
The first monster book i’ve actually picked up, read, finished AND ENJOYED! Cia Petrichor writes the beautiful novel of Luciana, a human, and Dorran, a cursed beast, and their race against the clock as a mysterious illness has been ravishing its way throughout the kingdom Luciana lives in. When the clock finally starts ticking against her own Father, Luciana’s world is turned upside down as she discovers the truth behind what has been happening, most importantly who has been involved, and how everything is not how it once seemed.
Cia writes this book perfectly, and as a privilege Beta for her, the development of the book and the story of love between beauty and her beast is one I completely fell in love with. The suspense, whilst not one I usually go for, made me open my eyes and left me unable to put this book down. The twists and turns are painful, having developed such strong feelings for particular characters, that you live these moments alongside our main characters.
Cia has an amazing way of writing this book, the world building and development of characters is second to none. A truly well written book and I can’t wait to see what else she writes.
🔥🔥🔥🔥 / 5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
#ciapetrichor #heartsworn #monsterlove #monsterromance
The first monster book i’ve actually picked up, read, finished AND ENJOYED! Cia Petrichor writes the beautiful novel of Luciana, a human, and Dorran, a cursed beast, and their race against the clock as a mysterious illness has been ravishing its way throughout the kingdom Luciana lives in. When the clock finally starts ticking against her own Father, Luciana’s world is turned upside down as she discovers the truth behind what has been happening, most importantly who has been involved, and how everything is not how it once seemed.
Cia writes this book perfectly, and as a privilege Beta for her, the development of the book and the story of love between beauty and her beast is one I completely fell in love with. The suspense, whilst not one I usually go for, made me open my eyes and left me unable to put this book down. The twists and turns are painful, having developed such strong feelings for particular characters, that you live these moments alongside our main characters.
Cia has an amazing way of writing this book, the world building and development of characters is second to none. A truly well written book and I can’t wait to see what else she writes.
🔥🔥🔥🔥 / 5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
#ciapetrichor #heartsworn #monsterlove #monsterromance
August 1, 2023
THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING! I was lucky to get an ARC of this book but I honestly preordered it as well because I was gonna get this book no matter what. And when the paperback comes out I’m buying it and when they hardcover comes out I’m buying that too, and every book that follows this one, it was that good. The story was fantastic, while yes it is a “beauty and the beast retelling” it is so much more than that! The story is it’s own and the characters are so much more relatable than any I’ve read! The FMC was unlike any I’ve read, I connected to her on such a personal level it was therapeutic. The emotions this book brought out of me were cathartic. I loved so many things about this book; the plot and plot twist, the characters and the inclusion, themes like “soul mates” “touch her you die” “in this lifetime and all lifetimes”, the mental health and trauma representation that felt accurate to my own, and the spice!! The spice is so hot! If you love a spicy adult beauty and the beast like story than you will be doing yourself a huge favor reading this book. I will be recommending this book to everyone forever!
January 29, 2023
Arc Review
Big thank you to Cia for sending me an arc of her amazing debut book, Heart sworn to review.
This was a fantastic Beauty and the Beast retelling, and I really loved how much Cia made the story her own. It was a great monster romance, and I would highly recommend it for a first-time dive into the genre. The FMC is feisty and strong-willed, which fits great with the MMC’s gruff, i’ll-kill-them-if they-touch-you attitude, which leads to a lot of great banter and even more spicy scenes.
This books was filled with action, whirlwind romance, and amazing character arcs. I could not recommend it more!
The book handles loss and trauma very well, but do be sure to check the author’s content warnings before diving in.
Big thank you to Cia for sending me an arc of her amazing debut book, Heart sworn to review.
This was a fantastic Beauty and the Beast retelling, and I really loved how much Cia made the story her own. It was a great monster romance, and I would highly recommend it for a first-time dive into the genre. The FMC is feisty and strong-willed, which fits great with the MMC’s gruff, i’ll-kill-them-if they-touch-you attitude, which leads to a lot of great banter and even more spicy scenes.
This books was filled with action, whirlwind romance, and amazing character arcs. I could not recommend it more!
The book handles loss and trauma very well, but do be sure to check the author’s content warnings before diving in.
September 29, 2022
📖 𝕖𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 📖
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚: 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘚𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘯
𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: 𝘊𝘪𝘢 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨: 524
𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜: 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘺 - 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘔𝘦 𝘛𝘰 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
*** Thank you to the author @author.ciapetrichor for giving me a change to BETA read her amazing book.***
___________💭𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜💭_____________
"𝘍*𝘤𝘬, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘪𝘵."
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩:
✔️ Sassy FMC
✔️ Beast MMC
✔️ A curse
✔️ Secrets
✔️ Mystery
✔️ Monster smut
"𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵��𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯, 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶...𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯'𝘵. 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦."
OH. MY. GOD. This book!!!! This frikin' book you guys!!! I am telling you right now, this will FOREVER be my favourite monster dark romance book. This will be the book that I will compare every book to. It is that dang good!!!
Oh Lord, this book made me feel all the feels while I read it. 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙎𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙣 is a kind of book that has all if my favorite things in a book, from love, happiness, action, mystery, intrigue, sadness...it mames you feel anger, warmth, calmess, makes you cry. It legit HAS IT ALL!!
"𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦-𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵."
Luciana, our FMC, is a bad b*tch with a capital B. She has been thrue A LOT in her life but she is still trying her best to protect her father and her brother. Dorran, our MMC, is a man who got cursed a long time ago ever since then he is paying for his sins. Their paths cross more that once in life, and from the first time Dorran set eyes on Lu she was his.
There is a lot of secrets and strange stings happening in their little town and you don't know what actualy is happening until the basicaly last pages in the book. I don't wanna reveal too much, but just prepare to smile, laugh and cry all while reading this book. This book really makes you go thru every emotion that Lu and Dorran are feeling.
"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳."
And the smut...OH MY GOD THE SMUT!!! I mean just read this next quote and you will see what I mean...
"𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰'𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘴. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧*𝘤𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺'𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦."
Sooo frikin' HOT 🥵🥵🥵
So to conclude everything I said, just read this book OK?!?! You will be obsessed just as much as I am, if not even more. It really is THAT good!! If I could give this book 100⭐ I would.
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
⚠️ ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 ⚠️
𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙎𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙣 contains explicit adult content that is not fit for readers under 18 years of age. This includes:
•explicit sex scenes
•adult language/cursing
•violent/disturbing imagery
•blood/gore
•flashbacks of sexual assault
•potentially triggering mental health portrayal
•monster form sex
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚: 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘚𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘯
𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: 𝘊𝘪𝘢 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨: 524
𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜: 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘺 - 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘔𝘦 𝘛𝘰 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
*** Thank you to the author @author.ciapetrichor for giving me a change to BETA read her amazing book.***
___________💭𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜💭_____________
"𝘍*𝘤𝘬, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘪𝘵."
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩:
✔️ Sassy FMC
✔️ Beast MMC
✔️ A curse
✔️ Secrets
✔️ Mystery
✔️ Monster smut
"𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵��𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯, 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶...𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯'𝘵. 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦."
OH. MY. GOD. This book!!!! This frikin' book you guys!!! I am telling you right now, this will FOREVER be my favourite monster dark romance book. This will be the book that I will compare every book to. It is that dang good!!!
Oh Lord, this book made me feel all the feels while I read it. 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙎𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙣 is a kind of book that has all if my favorite things in a book, from love, happiness, action, mystery, intrigue, sadness...it mames you feel anger, warmth, calmess, makes you cry. It legit HAS IT ALL!!
"𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦-𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵."
Luciana, our FMC, is a bad b*tch with a capital B. She has been thrue A LOT in her life but she is still trying her best to protect her father and her brother. Dorran, our MMC, is a man who got cursed a long time ago ever since then he is paying for his sins. Their paths cross more that once in life, and from the first time Dorran set eyes on Lu she was his.
There is a lot of secrets and strange stings happening in their little town and you don't know what actualy is happening until the basicaly last pages in the book. I don't wanna reveal too much, but just prepare to smile, laugh and cry all while reading this book. This book really makes you go thru every emotion that Lu and Dorran are feeling.
"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳."
And the smut...OH MY GOD THE SMUT!!! I mean just read this next quote and you will see what I mean...
"𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰'𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘴. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧*𝘤𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺'𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦."
Sooo frikin' HOT 🥵🥵🥵
So to conclude everything I said, just read this book OK?!?! You will be obsessed just as much as I am, if not even more. It really is THAT good!! If I could give this book 100⭐ I would.
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
⚠️ ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 ⚠️
𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙎𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙣 contains explicit adult content that is not fit for readers under 18 years of age. This includes:
•explicit sex scenes
•adult language/cursing
•violent/disturbing imagery
•blood/gore
•flashbacks of sexual assault
•potentially triggering mental health portrayal
•monster form sex
November 6, 2022
“That girl was foolish,” she whispered. “Perhaps,” I murmured, nodding in assent. “But how brave, how beautiful it was that she dared to hope and love, against all odds.”
Heart Sworn by @author.ciapetrichor had me swooning. 🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
A curse. A forest. A beast. A badass heroine.
Lu, the local “outcast”, with a heart of gold who cares deeply for her brother and father finds herself in the middle of an ancient curse when her father falls ill and declines rapidly. Soon, she sees there is more to her beast than meets the eye, and stories begin to intertwine as she realizes there is much more at stake.
🥀
This arc copy was such a pleasure to read! So well-written with amazing descriptions and language. The perfect balance between flourishing words and common slang. I really enjoyed Lu’s inner and outer monologues and the way in which she presented herself. She’s so strong and ready to face everyone else’s demons while burying her own trauma deep down.
I’m a sucker for a Beauty and the Beast retelling, so I loved the use of common symbols like the rose and the manor to elevate the storyline here in new ways.
The dark, descriptive language left me feeling both creeped out and enthralled. I could see, hear, and feel everything so well. Every character had such a sense of identity, even side characters we didn’t meet for long felt known and understood (even if I hated them! I’m looking at you, butcher’s wife).
Lu and the Beast have such a beautiful, torn, and all encompassing relationship. I loved watching them evolve together and learn to lean on the other. Their love truly transcended time in a manner that still made it feel relatable and valid. And their nicknames for each other!? Uhg, my heart.
Pssst. hey…
do you like spice? Here you go. ENJOY! ;) So perfect.
I can’t wait to follow the story in book 2 of this outstanding up and coming series 🖤
.
.
#arc #arcreader #arcreview #bookreview #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksbooksbooks #b #read #book #fyp #bhfyp #fypシ #igdaily #bookphotography #gothic #dark #rose #beautyandthebeast #retelling #fantasy #romantasy #spice #beast #love #aesthetic #newbook #kindle #kindleunlimited
Heart Sworn by @author.ciapetrichor had me swooning. 🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
A curse. A forest. A beast. A badass heroine.
Lu, the local “outcast”, with a heart of gold who cares deeply for her brother and father finds herself in the middle of an ancient curse when her father falls ill and declines rapidly. Soon, she sees there is more to her beast than meets the eye, and stories begin to intertwine as she realizes there is much more at stake.
🥀
This arc copy was such a pleasure to read! So well-written with amazing descriptions and language. The perfect balance between flourishing words and common slang. I really enjoyed Lu’s inner and outer monologues and the way in which she presented herself. She’s so strong and ready to face everyone else’s demons while burying her own trauma deep down.
I’m a sucker for a Beauty and the Beast retelling, so I loved the use of common symbols like the rose and the manor to elevate the storyline here in new ways.
The dark, descriptive language left me feeling both creeped out and enthralled. I could see, hear, and feel everything so well. Every character had such a sense of identity, even side characters we didn’t meet for long felt known and understood (even if I hated them! I’m looking at you, butcher’s wife).
Lu and the Beast have such a beautiful, torn, and all encompassing relationship. I loved watching them evolve together and learn to lean on the other. Their love truly transcended time in a manner that still made it feel relatable and valid. And their nicknames for each other!? Uhg, my heart.
Pssst. hey…
do you like spice? Here you go. ENJOY! ;) So perfect.
I can’t wait to follow the story in book 2 of this outstanding up and coming series 🖤
.
.
#arc #arcreader #arcreview #bookreview #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksbooksbooks #b #read #book #fyp #bhfyp #fypシ #igdaily #bookphotography #gothic #dark #rose #beautyandthebeast #retelling #fantasy #romantasy #spice #beast #love #aesthetic #newbook #kindle #kindleunlimited
November 15, 2022
"My bonded one, handcrafted for me by the gods just as surely as they'd created me for her. My heart sworn. My everything."
I'll just be lying down in the middle of the interstate now...
If you liked Beauty and the Beast, like me, from the time you were a little kid, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. I could only wish the new movies were this damn spicy. *fans self*
First of all Dorran *swoon*, OMFG when I tell you that man was written by a woman. SHE DELIVERED. Not only that, but the pet names for her. I could go on and on and ON!!!
My little beauty.
I WILL NEVER RECOVER.
This book is the perfect balance of plot and spice. If you like curses, bonds, a puzzle, twists and turns and an ending with a BANG... look no further, this is for YOU. It's for you anyway, but you get it by now right?????!!!!
Also, LMFAO. *inserts monster smut* When I tell you, I have never thought of myself as someone who gets hot and needy for a monster, I mean all of that has now changed. Out the window. Goodbye. I will need copious amounts of Kleenex and therapy to get over the fact that my husband will never live up to the beast.
Thanks, Cia. My love life is officially ruined.
Anyway, the characters were all amazing, I loved each and every single one of the people who mattered. Even the villain was so amazingly crafted. I was rooting for Dorran and Lu so hard, and just when my heart was shattered Cia had the AUDACITY to put it back together. I can't even make this up. Holy moly.
Cia, you've written a MASTERPIECE.
BRAVO, you deserve this and so much more.
*I'm your biggest fan I'll follow you until you love me*
To whoever gives this less than four stars, just know I will hunt you down.
I'll just be lying down in the middle of the interstate now...
If you liked Beauty and the Beast, like me, from the time you were a little kid, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. I could only wish the new movies were this damn spicy. *fans self*
First of all Dorran *swoon*, OMFG when I tell you that man was written by a woman. SHE DELIVERED. Not only that, but the pet names for her. I could go on and on and ON!!!
My little beauty.
I WILL NEVER RECOVER.
This book is the perfect balance of plot and spice. If you like curses, bonds, a puzzle, twists and turns and an ending with a BANG... look no further, this is for YOU. It's for you anyway, but you get it by now right?????!!!!
Also, LMFAO. *inserts monster smut* When I tell you, I have never thought of myself as someone who gets hot and needy for a monster, I mean all of that has now changed. Out the window. Goodbye. I will need copious amounts of Kleenex and therapy to get over the fact that my husband will never live up to the beast.
Thanks, Cia. My love life is officially ruined.
Anyway, the characters were all amazing, I loved each and every single one of the people who mattered. Even the villain was so amazingly crafted. I was rooting for Dorran and Lu so hard, and just when my heart was shattered Cia had the AUDACITY to put it back together. I can't even make this up. Holy moly.
Cia, you've written a MASTERPIECE.
BRAVO, you deserve this and so much more.
*I'm your biggest fan I'll follow you until you love me*
To whoever gives this less than four stars, just know I will hunt you down.
November 22, 2022
OMG! WOW!! That was PHENOMENAL!!! A masterpiece of dark fantasy that I never wanted to end. I was captivated right from the beginning with the incredible imagery that was woven into the story. It had me riveted to my seat, biting my nails with anticipation of what was going to happen next, and gasping at every dark, twisted and gory moment that transpired right before my eyes.
The story was more than a retelling of beauty and the beast, it was a warped, cruel, depraved, corrupt and incredibly bloody story. Filled to the brim with action, drama, suspense, violence, and some deliciously steamy and utterly titillating moments. I could not keep my eyes off the pages. I wanted this story to go on forever.
Luciana is a warrior in everyway. She’s fierce in her convictions and a survivor of so many tragic moments but she never lets that take her down. She will fight until her last breath for those that she loves and for what she believes in. I absolutely loved her!
Dorran is fierce, possessive, and angry but with a heart of gold. He has so much pent-up pain and anger over what he and his family have been put through that I wasn’t sure if he was going to soften his heart to let Luciana in.
The instant connection that Luciana and Dorran have was undeniable and definitely otherworldly. They were fated to be together. The back and forth banter they have was hilarious and filled with an insane amount of passion and love that they completely melted my heart. Their chemistry was EXPLOSIVE, sizzling and so damn hot it oozed off the pages and set my panties on fire!
There were so many rage inducing moments that had me screaming and yelling but there were also so many extremely emotional moments that broke my heart and leaving me with tears dripping off my face.
Brilliantly written story with phenomenal characters that you grow to love (some that will make you scream and yell at) and with a storyline that was thrilling, entertaining, heartbreaking, steamy and so damn twisted that I needed to pick my jaw up off the floor continually throughout.
One of the best dark fantasy stories that I have read in a long time!
I can’t wait for more!
The story was more than a retelling of beauty and the beast, it was a warped, cruel, depraved, corrupt and incredibly bloody story. Filled to the brim with action, drama, suspense, violence, and some deliciously steamy and utterly titillating moments. I could not keep my eyes off the pages. I wanted this story to go on forever.
Luciana is a warrior in everyway. She’s fierce in her convictions and a survivor of so many tragic moments but she never lets that take her down. She will fight until her last breath for those that she loves and for what she believes in. I absolutely loved her!
Dorran is fierce, possessive, and angry but with a heart of gold. He has so much pent-up pain and anger over what he and his family have been put through that I wasn’t sure if he was going to soften his heart to let Luciana in.
The instant connection that Luciana and Dorran have was undeniable and definitely otherworldly. They were fated to be together. The back and forth banter they have was hilarious and filled with an insane amount of passion and love that they completely melted my heart. Their chemistry was EXPLOSIVE, sizzling and so damn hot it oozed off the pages and set my panties on fire!
There were so many rage inducing moments that had me screaming and yelling but there were also so many extremely emotional moments that broke my heart and leaving me with tears dripping off my face.
Brilliantly written story with phenomenal characters that you grow to love (some that will make you scream and yell at) and with a storyline that was thrilling, entertaining, heartbreaking, steamy and so damn twisted that I needed to pick my jaw up off the floor continually throughout.
One of the best dark fantasy stories that I have read in a long time!
I can’t wait for more!
December 30, 2022
There have been so many bookstagram debuts recently, it's hard to keep track of all the babes being all successful and stuff - and I know I have absolutely no control or stake in that, but I feel like a proud mum every time - I can't help it!
Luciana has never settled into a place in her village. As much as her father and brother are beloved, she is reviled. She was content with that if it meant her family was safe and happy, but she never dreamed she could find true love and belonging until she found her beast in the woods.
Dorran spent a cursed lifetime atoning for a sin he felt he could never truely be absolved of, until one day, a beautiful huntress sees him for who he truly is. But there's more than one curse plaguing the Hellhind Woods, and as more secrets are uncovered, the path to love and comfort seems to get longer and darker...
Cia's fantastic debut had me hooked form the first mention of stagwolves. Like, WHOA. I feel like the Hellhind is a full world ready to be explored that is too dangerous to do so alone.
The characters are all dealing with that small-town outsider trauma that is so relatable, but of course it's taken to a whole new level with the magic and the curses and the romance. I also fell completely in love with the villain. Absolutely stunning. Chef's kisses abound for crafting complex characters. I loved it all.
Full disclosure: I went into this book thinking it was going to be shorter than it was - don't ask my why - so there were points that I felt were dragging which could have been tightened up, but by the end, I was left thinking that all those points probably serve the larger series narrative rather than just this book, so I guess I'll just have to see in the next one.
Luciana has never settled into a place in her village. As much as her father and brother are beloved, she is reviled. She was content with that if it meant her family was safe and happy, but she never dreamed she could find true love and belonging until she found her beast in the woods.
Dorran spent a cursed lifetime atoning for a sin he felt he could never truely be absolved of, until one day, a beautiful huntress sees him for who he truly is. But there's more than one curse plaguing the Hellhind Woods, and as more secrets are uncovered, the path to love and comfort seems to get longer and darker...
Cia's fantastic debut had me hooked form the first mention of stagwolves. Like, WHOA. I feel like the Hellhind is a full world ready to be explored that is too dangerous to do so alone.
The characters are all dealing with that small-town outsider trauma that is so relatable, but of course it's taken to a whole new level with the magic and the curses and the romance. I also fell completely in love with the villain. Absolutely stunning. Chef's kisses abound for crafting complex characters. I loved it all.
Full disclosure: I went into this book thinking it was going to be shorter than it was - don't ask my why - so there were points that I felt were dragging which could have been tightened up, but by the end, I was left thinking that all those points probably serve the larger series narrative rather than just this book, so I guess I'll just have to see in the next one.
November 30, 2022
Mixed feelings
Ok. So. I liked this book. I really did. I liked all of the characters. Dorran was awesome. I liked the way he never pulled back from Luc. He gave it all right from the start. Luc was a harder for me. She held on so tight to her trauma. She never really grew even when when she she thinking about her growing. And then, suddenly she grew! 🤷♀️ I wish I had more Dorran. Or Theo, or Roark. Heck, I would have settled for some Duvessa. But it was like nothing but Luciana. This was supposed to be a dual point of view, but it felt like Luciana with peppered in Dorran.
I will say the world build was impressive. I really felt like I knew each place she spoke about, but I didn’t feel like she over described it. She left just enough up to my imagination that it made me want to imagine the place she spoke of. I love it when the author does that. And she did the same for Dorran and the Hunger. Everything. I was able to put my interpretation on the characters and I didn’t feel bogged down in descriptions.
I guess for me, I felt that there were just a couple of moments that I thought didn’t move the story forward and were so intricately woven in you didn’t notice till you were at 60% and you still were fully sure what was going on. You were just like “ok. When will this thing move forward?!?!?”
Again though, this is a really good book. Dorran makes you wish that maybe for just one night you could wish your significant other into a beastly form to see what it would be like. Just once…mmaayybbeee twice…maybe. So read the book. It was good.
Ok. So. I liked this book. I really did. I liked all of the characters. Dorran was awesome. I liked the way he never pulled back from Luc. He gave it all right from the start. Luc was a harder for me. She held on so tight to her trauma. She never really grew even when when she she thinking about her growing. And then, suddenly she grew! 🤷♀️ I wish I had more Dorran. Or Theo, or Roark. Heck, I would have settled for some Duvessa. But it was like nothing but Luciana. This was supposed to be a dual point of view, but it felt like Luciana with peppered in Dorran.
I will say the world build was impressive. I really felt like I knew each place she spoke about, but I didn’t feel like she over described it. She left just enough up to my imagination that it made me want to imagine the place she spoke of. I love it when the author does that. And she did the same for Dorran and the Hunger. Everything. I was able to put my interpretation on the characters and I didn’t feel bogged down in descriptions.
I guess for me, I felt that there were just a couple of moments that I thought didn’t move the story forward and were so intricately woven in you didn’t notice till you were at 60% and you still were fully sure what was going on. You were just like “ok. When will this thing move forward?!?!?”
Again though, this is a really good book. Dorran makes you wish that maybe for just one night you could wish your significant other into a beastly form to see what it would be like. Just once…mmaayybbeee twice…maybe. So read the book. It was good.
November 5, 2022
𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙎𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙣 || 𝘾𝙞𝙖 𝙋𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙧
What can I say about Heart Sworn? I don’t even know where to begin. Cia’s writing style is immersive and beautiful – yet easy to read. It quickly sucked me in. I fully did not anticipate getting into my feels during this book, yet I found myself tearing up at midnight as I raced to finish it.
𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕞𝕒𝕪 𝕓𝕖 𝕒 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕥, 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦'𝕣𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕒 𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣.
Luciana and Dorran were both lovable and relatable, even in their faults. Even when I found myself internally screaming at Luc to use her brain and put the pieces in front of her together – I still enjoyed her character and her lack of filter.
𝕀 𝕕𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖'𝕤 𝕒 𝕔𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕦𝕤 𝕓𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕓𝕠𝕕𝕪. 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕞 𝕥𝕠 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕥 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙 𝕒𝕥 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕟, 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕗𝕝𝕦𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕤𝕖 𝕓𝕚𝕘 𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕪 𝕖𝕪𝕖𝕤.
Dorran, on the other hand, seemed to have the opposite issue of knowing everything but not being able to communicate it. They were both sassy and quick to anger, which made for some enjoyable banter and steamy monster spice.
𝕀 𝕗𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕 𝕙𝕚𝕞 𝕗𝕚𝕖𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕝𝕪 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕦𝕝 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕕, 𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕞𝕖𝕕 𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕕𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕤 𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖𝕤 𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕖. 𝕊𝕒𝕧𝕒𝕘𝕖, 𝕪𝕖𝕤. 𝔻𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕝𝕪, 𝕒𝕓𝕤𝕠𝕝𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕝𝕪. 𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕦𝕝...
Cia did an amazing job of portraying the intricacies of villains with good intentions and highlighted that life is most certain not black and white. I would *highly* recommend this book to any reader who enjoys morally grey characters, beastly MMCs, and a bit of adventure tied together in an heartfelt love story.
𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕤𝕠𝕦𝕝 𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤, 𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦.
What can I say about Heart Sworn? I don’t even know where to begin. Cia’s writing style is immersive and beautiful – yet easy to read. It quickly sucked me in. I fully did not anticipate getting into my feels during this book, yet I found myself tearing up at midnight as I raced to finish it.
𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕞𝕒𝕪 𝕓𝕖 𝕒 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕥, 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦'𝕣𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕒 𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣.
Luciana and Dorran were both lovable and relatable, even in their faults. Even when I found myself internally screaming at Luc to use her brain and put the pieces in front of her together – I still enjoyed her character and her lack of filter.
𝕀 𝕕𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖'𝕤 𝕒 𝕔𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕦𝕤 𝕓𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕓𝕠𝕕𝕪. 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕞 𝕥𝕠 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕥 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙 𝕒𝕥 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕟, 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕗𝕝𝕦𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕤𝕖 𝕓𝕚𝕘 𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕪 𝕖𝕪𝕖𝕤.
Dorran, on the other hand, seemed to have the opposite issue of knowing everything but not being able to communicate it. They were both sassy and quick to anger, which made for some enjoyable banter and steamy monster spice.
𝕀 𝕗𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕 𝕙𝕚𝕞 𝕗𝕚𝕖𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕝𝕪 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕦𝕝 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕕, 𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕞𝕖𝕕 𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕕𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕤 𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖𝕤 𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕖. 𝕊𝕒𝕧𝕒𝕘𝕖, 𝕪𝕖𝕤. 𝔻𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕝𝕪, 𝕒𝕓𝕤𝕠𝕝𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕝𝕪. 𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕦𝕝...
Cia did an amazing job of portraying the intricacies of villains with good intentions and highlighted that life is most certain not black and white. I would *highly* recommend this book to any reader who enjoys morally grey characters, beastly MMCs, and a bit of adventure tied together in an heartfelt love story.
𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕤𝕠𝕦𝕝 𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤, 𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦.
December 29, 2022
This book quickly became a comfort read for me 💖 it wrapped itself around my heart strings and pulled. Heart Sworn is so much more than I expected it to be...
I picked it up after discovering the book on Instagram, thinking it was 'just' a monster romance. And I was so wrong - it is so, so, so much more.
Heart Sworn is a dark fantasy with a stunning exploration of themes of grief and loss, in particularly losing a parent and family. I didn't expect it to hit me as it did (understanding feelings of losing of a loved one), but it seemed to heal something in me which I didn't know needed healing ❤️🩹
The book also explores on a range of dark themes (read trigger warnings!) including sexual assault and trauma - but I found it was done in a way which wasn't 'shocking' and instead it added depth to the plot.
Oh, and the romance! My heart 🥺 Dorran and Luciana are heart-warmingly adorable. And sexy... ❤️🔥 its spicy and delicious without foregoing plot.
AND, the book doesn't finish on a cliffhanger! I'm super excited for the sequel still (of course), but it was also delightfully rounded off with a HEA.
You will like this book if you like... 💖
• plus sized FMCs who are strong AF
• LGBTQ+ representation
• dark, fantasy romances
• fairytale retellings - specifically Beauty & the Beast 🥀
• magic & curses
• morally grey MCs
• healing from grief, loss & trauma
• spicy books & monster smut
I picked it up after discovering the book on Instagram, thinking it was 'just' a monster romance. And I was so wrong - it is so, so, so much more.
Heart Sworn is a dark fantasy with a stunning exploration of themes of grief and loss, in particularly losing a parent and family. I didn't expect it to hit me as it did (understanding feelings of losing of a loved one), but it seemed to heal something in me which I didn't know needed healing ❤️🩹
The book also explores on a range of dark themes (read trigger warnings!) including sexual assault and trauma - but I found it was done in a way which wasn't 'shocking' and instead it added depth to the plot.
Oh, and the romance! My heart 🥺 Dorran and Luciana are heart-warmingly adorable. And sexy... ❤️🔥 its spicy and delicious without foregoing plot.
AND, the book doesn't finish on a cliffhanger! I'm super excited for the sequel still (of course), but it was also delightfully rounded off with a HEA.
You will like this book if you like... 💖
• plus sized FMCs who are strong AF
• LGBTQ+ representation
• dark, fantasy romances
• fairytale retellings - specifically Beauty & the Beast 🥀
• magic & curses
• morally grey MCs
• healing from grief, loss & trauma
• spicy books & monster smut
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews