Harrowed Hearts

The Cracked Coffins #3

by Beronika Keres

Captured by the vampire king.
Imprisoned in his medieval castle.

Denendrius finds himself paying for lifetimes of heinous acts while his blood mark on Marianna is broken.

Marianna thought this would allow her to reclaim her freedom, yet her hopes fall tragically short. Denendrius’s blood mark has left her with jarring side effects that prompt the king to sequester her to protect her from his clan.

Yet dark secrets lurk within the castle halls. And what Marianna learns about herself and those around her will shatter everything she thought she knew...

*Harrowed Hearts is a new adult fantasy thriller that contains strong language, violence, sexual content, and triggering subject matters best suited for mature readers.*

Unknown Binding

Published October 20, 2023

About the author

Beronika Keres is the Canadian author of the dark fantasy thriller series, Cracked Coffins. In the second grade, she decided she wanted to be an author and has spent her life honing her craft and pursuing her dream. She can often be found chasing plot bunnies and writing books.

When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family or listening to some gothic rock, punk, or metal while working on her newest spike and patch-covered project.

Discover more at www.beronikakeres.com

Reviews

[stephanie cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

ohhhh Keres has completely shattered my world with this series!
Harrowed Hearts, book 3 in the Cracked Coffins series, is a New Adult fantasy/thriller with some trigger warnings:
-Sexual Content
-Violence
-Rape
-Abuse
-Suicide

Marianna gets her hopes up now that the blood mark from Den is broken, starting a new life with her newfound freedom. Until the King isolates Marianna, thinking that will protect her from his clan. Being isolated can have pros and cons, I think the secrets that Marianna learns only bring her more power.

Den is paying for his past crimes. Can he handle his past crimes and his blood mark to Marianna being broken, or will he break? I hated seeing Den in this state, he was a character who grew on me over the series.

This was a fantastic series. Beronika Keres's writing style flows from book to book two. The character's growth shines brightly over the series, it is a favorite read for this year. One that will be fantastic on my bookshelf with the stunning book covers.

To recap for a moment:
Cracked Coffins: 4 stars.
Binding Blood: 4 stars
Harrowed Hearts: 5 stars

[Jennifer Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. God!! Omg this book was incredible!! That ending though.... Omg I need the next book 😂.

Marianna's story has just leveled up and entered a whole new realm of excitement, action, and vengeance. She came into herself so much more and now stakes are even higher.

The blood, gore, and violence is *chef's kiss* and the romance is beautifully written. Viorel and Laurentius are 2 of my favorite characters, especially Viorel. He has such an elegant, sophisticated charm to him that is infectious. His and Marianna's chemistry is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

That cliffhanger..... Damn! Oh I can't wait for book 4 to drop. Your writing has me hooked to every word. Pat yourself on the back yet again, because this is another winner. A gem 💚

Thank you for the pleasure of this ARC 🖤

[Danique van Dijk]

Excuse you, why hadn’t I heard this was out yet???

[Nimue · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was kinda... underwhelming? I have a lot of love for the first two books because of how dark, scary and heart-breaking they are. The twist of making the romanticized vampire boyfriend a real fucked-up psychopath was really original and interesting. However, with this installment, I feel there are barely any stakes??? Very little is happening while Marianna is stuck in the castle for the entire book and what once was a gruesome thriller is now a vampire love triangle? No shame to people who enjoy that (I do too, occasionally), but I had entirely different expectations for this installment and am left disappointed. More scary stuff, less teen romance, please. (also the fact that the relationship between Marianna and the 12.000yo vampire is portrayed as healthy, when there's a HUGE power imbalance and he's still manipulating and hypnotizing her while the abuse she experienced from Denendrius is rightfully portrayed as bad just... doesn't make much sense??? It's still a bad and unhealthy relationship). My last critique is the pregnancy trope. Don't like it. Gives me the ick. Could've done without that.
All those things aside, I'll still come back for the sequel.

[Charlotte Kane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I would definitely recommend the book. I was introduced to a dark romance vampire thriller with this book and it was refreshing to not have it be an insta love story. It gripped me from the start and I found myself needing to continue reading to see what was going to happen next. I was not disappointed in this book, and enjoyed the way the story flowed and the characters that were created. Although at times, it was dark and played on your emotions, you cannot help but like the characters and understand their motives. Beronika has created a new world of vampires, and an addictive, gripping read, that will question your own morals and sanity.

[DJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well; the story line is interesting. As much as I disliked the first book of the series - due to the gratuitous cruelty, rape, child abuse, and death being so common place. I still got sucked into the series.
I have to laugh at the fact that certain characters (Aunt Carol & Derrick ) were so highly offended that Marianna (a 17 year old?) was with Denendrius (a supposed 29yr old - but as a vampire actually centuries old) - and yet the same Aunt is okay with same 17yr old being with a man who is Millenia old? All because he is supporting them, keeping them houses and fed.
Still a lot of gratuitous death even when you get to this the third book in the series. (Proposed possible 5 books)

[Anna Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 STARS!!! Each book in this series just keeps getting better. I swear my heart was about to beat right out of my chest.

Harrowed Hearts picks up right where book two ended, and without spoiling anything, it offers a refreshing change of pace. We’re introduced to new characters and new settings that expand the world featured in books one and two.

This book contains some of the most powerful healing moments in the series, with several scenes that made me put the book down just to process.

There is mild spice throughout, which I personally skipped, but it didn’t take away from the story. I highly recommend this book if you’re comfortable with the strong themes it explores.

[R Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 starts! The whole time you see the threat teasing at the edges but it seems so benign, then all of a sudden the catalyst is in your face and it becomes the perfect storm so fast! Absolutely thrilling while retaining the dark themes, addressing rough topics, and keeping the mystery that comes with every turn in the characters' lives that I've come to love about this series.

[Patricia Lord · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not disappointed in this book, the way the story flowed and the characters that were created. The way the story has leveled up with the action, vengeance, twist, chaos and story line..It is still a dark story and plays on your emotions, you cannot help but get involved with each book as they get better.

[Syd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got the first book for spook your kindle day. Read all three in ablut five days and enjoyed them. I got some reason thought there was only three to find out when I finish it there’s five books. I need the rest please I need to know what happens next😭

[Karen Sorg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Marianna, who finally has been separated from Dendrious and was hoping she would be free. But the Vampire King will not allow her the freedom.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third book in the series and what a adventure it was! Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen there was a twist I wasn’t expecting. The author kept the pages turning and the ending has me looking forward to the fourth book!