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The Fae Universe #1

Le Baiser du prince de sang

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Maudits. Trahis. Bannis. Depuis mille cinq cents ans, les faes préparent leur vengeance et leur retour en Angleterre pour y revendiquer la place qui leur revient de droit. Pour le prince Kian, hors de question qu'une humaine infernale lui mette des bâtons dans les roues. Pourtant, sa nouvelle esclave, capturée comme prise de guerre, représente peut-être la clé de son salut. Kian a besoin du sang d'Elise pour briser la malédiction qui le détruit à petit feu. De son côté, Elise doit guérir Kian de cette même malédiction pour gagner sa liberté. Quand on passe un marché avec un fae, on ne peut pas revenir en arrière. Mais le jeu en vaut-il la chandelle si sa liberté lui coûte son coeur et condamne son pays ?

288 pages, Paperback

Published January 17, 2024

1525 people are currently reading
9337 people want to read

About the author

Alessa Thorn

60 books971 followers
Alessa Thorn believes that all monsters and villains deserve their happy endings. She prefers her clothes black, eyeliner winged and books full of hot romance. She thinks heroes are boring, so her first series 'The Court of the Underworld' centers around dark gods, monsters and villains from her favorite Greek Myths.

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5 stars
2,083 (26%)
4 stars
2,683 (34%)
3 stars
2,201 (28%)
2 stars
632 (8%)
1 star
207 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 664 reviews
Profile Image for SHOMPA.
611 reviews329 followers
August 6, 2023
Initially, I was drawn in by the intriguing summary of the book, but my interest disappeared quickly after reading a few chapters as the plot started unfolding into a predictable and formulaic tale. I did not like it. I wish I could have skipped the boring parts. Anyway, the book felt more like an unfinished draft than a polished final piece, honestly. At least a few major points could have been made enjoyable for readers by investing more effort into editing and further development.

Profile Image for Sacha-Renee.
41 reviews2 followers
April 7, 2021
Shallow and not well thought out

Obviously you don't read a Fae fantasy for the realism, but that didn't stop me from being greatly disappointed in this one. Here are just a few of the ways in which this book was ridiculous:

1. There is potentially a complicated sociopolitical back story but the navigation of human politics by the H and h was so juvenile that I could barely stand it. The Fae roll into the UK, murder tons of people, abduct human babies and the govt just says "OK. Keep the babies and all the land you want. Just don't hurt us, please." not that the British Parliament is mentioned even once. Apparently, despite having the internet no one gets international news in this world, and no other world leaders are at all concerned about this massively powerful group of people who can potentially shut down power across continents, and mentally manipulate people into starting wars and killing each other.

2.The dialogue was problematic. It felt unnatural and there wasn't a notable distinction between the humans and the Fae. Despite being gone for 1500 years the Fae return immediately down with the modern lingo.

3. The entire story felt rushed. There was not much in the way of character development. Also I'm all for explosive chemistry but is it too much to ask for the author to make me believe in this couple? I found myself cringing at some of their interactions.

4. The old power discrepancy issue. So we're told repeatedly that the prince is the most powerful being...perhaps ever. He takes out like a battalion of modern-day soldiers, impervious to their weapons one day, but he gets shot another day and almost dies. Also, despite all their inherent capabilities, one human witch was able to take out the entire Fae people a millennium and a half ago. How? It makes no sense.


Profile Image for Rachael.
200 reviews291 followers
November 22, 2023
The fact this is my 4th reread… and it just keeps getting better, should speak for itself. Anything written by Alessa Thorn has become a comfort read for me, but especially Kian’s story. 😈 The Wrath of the Fae audiobook (aka ALL THREE of these brothers, books in one) has to be one of my personal favorites. The narrators are fantastic. Especially the male’s velvety British voice 👀. If you like fantasy romance, you really should check out her entire backlist!
Profile Image for Carol.
841 reviews73 followers
February 8, 2022
This was a quick easy read, and a good first book, but I'm hoping the author is going to bring the next book to the five star mark, it definitely has potential.

Happy Reading 📚📙📒📚📓📘📗📙📒📚📓📙📗📘📕📔📗📒📙📘📓📗📖
Profile Image for Dea꧂.
508 reviews
January 23, 2021
This was just the story I needed on this dreary saturday after a shitty week to make me feel better.
A funny and light romance story with a cursed, 2000 years old scarlet haired, magical, tall, fang-y, blood drinking Fae prince with ivory horns and a serious grudge. What's not to like.

description

I can't wait to read about his brothers in the sequels. Kian is the serious one and I think his brothers, the icicle one and the dark one are hilarious. I hope Chrissy will have some bigger part. She is so funny.
Profile Image for monica ✨ romantasyreader.
736 reviews1,187 followers
May 24, 2022
4✨

This was such a fun read. I loved the main characters. Watching Kian go from a dominant and unhinged fae prince to a total cinnamon roll for Elise was absolutely amazing. I also loved how mouthy and pushy Elise was even though Kian could literally kill her. Watching their relationship go from true enemies to lovers was perfect.

My only complaints were that it was so short!! There was some world building but I wanted more. The second thing was the addition of pop culture references (looking @ at Harry Styles reference…) kind of threw me. This is paranormal and takes place in present day England, so yeah Harry is obviously in this universe. I just didn’t need that reference.

Killian, on of Kian’s brothers, was my second favorite character and I can’t wait to get to his story.
Profile Image for Luisa Santos.
31 reviews327 followers
February 22, 2023
Elise is a very smart character. To prove that humanity is worth saving, she takes the fae king to

and I'm being very serious here

THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Profile Image for V (theBookVibrant).
199 reviews31 followers
August 3, 2022
This was such a fun short urban fantasy enemies-to-lovers romance. I am definitely reading the second book straight away.
The story is set in our time London, following Elise and The Blood Prince.

Three cursed Princes are back in the human world, after being confined to their world for years. And they want revenge! On her way home, Elise is Kidnapped and taking has a captive from the Blood Prince. Now everyone fate lays on Elise's shoulder while she tries to stop the cruel Blood Prince from killing everyone in London.
Profile Image for ⊹ Gabriela | Asternyx ⊹.
638 reviews506 followers
August 12, 2022
Actual rating: 2.5🌟
I've seen good reviews and bad reviews that still made me somewhat curious, so I decided to give it a try and see for myself what's this about.
Now, I'm not going to lie to you, I'm a little dissapointed.

What to expect:
∘ Urban-fantasy
∘ Dual POV
∘ A cursed Fae prince
∘ Beauty and the Beast vibes
Tropes:
∘ Enemies to Lovers
∘ Fated Mates
Trigger Warnings: blood, assault, violence

Summary
After over 1500 years of being stuck in Faerie, the veil finally falls and the fae are returning to the human world. They're cursed, ruthless and bent on revenge.
Elise is just trying to get over a crappy day, when the train she's in is attacked by a group of fae. She's being kidnapped by the fae prince and turned into his slave.
However, the prince who despises humans, seems to take quite a liking to her and it's driving him mad. He's going to get his revenge and nothing is going to stay in his way.

Plot
The plot sounded interesting and that's what made me put this book on my tbr in the first place, and it delivered what it promised. However, there were moments that felt too rushed to me or lacked details. Even though this was only 200~ pages long, I expected a little more development, more details, more emotional angst, just more.
I don't think this was a retelling, but it really gave me Beauty and the Beast (and ACOTAR?) vibes.

* Spoiler-ish (?)
- The Curse
- She's being kidnapped and made his slave
- The prince turns into a mindless beast on full moon
- The Library

Worldbuilding
The author didn't focus on the worldbuilding much. The action takes place in England, somewhere near London. Elise is spending most of her time in the castle and so, we don't find out much of the outside world.

Characters
Elise
She was okay. Annoying and sometimes cringe, but okay.
Kain
He's not bad, I liked him. He was just trying to make sure his people are okay, and even though Elise was his slave, he didn't treat her poorly.

I really liked the conversations between Kian and his brothers and I can't wait for Killian's story!

Romance
The romance was also okay, but, again, things moved too fast and the spicy scenes were boring, in my opinion.
Spice level? 🌶🌶/5

Conclusion
A fun and short read, with a little spice, perfect for people who enjoy a short fantasy smut with fae.


«⋯ The Fae Universe series ⋯»
#1 Kiss of the Blood Prince — 2.5🌟
#2 Heart of the Winter Prince — *tbr
#3 Wings of the Night Prince — *tbr
Profile Image for Krys Kruse.
95 reviews110 followers
January 22, 2021
The just released Kiss of the Blood Prince, Book 1 in the Fated Mates series by Alessa Thorn is just what I needed to feed the #romantasy beast.
Kian, the Fae blood prince, cursed and exiled is back to avenge his people and captures Elise, a human with enough sass and sarcasm to make this enemies-to-lovers story dynamite. Steeped in fantasy, magic, and had so much heat I was fanning myself, you will love this book. Plus, a dark hero to SWOON over. It’s romantic and witty and sarcastic and will give you all the feels. The romantasy train is leaving the station. All aboard to Faerie.
Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ /5
Smutmometer: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 - my eyeballs are on fire and my cheeks were burning
Profile Image for ♦♣ queen of faerie ♠♥.
264 reviews205 followers
March 22, 2021
A beauty and the beast style retelling with fae. However the issue for me was that their was barely any world-building, not a convincing plot at all, especially between the dynamics of the characters. The story was mainly dominated just with sexual tension and barely anything else. I mean, if you like that, sure, but I just felt like it was a bit repetitive and had me rolling my eyes at quite a few times.


→ 1.5 stars
Profile Image for Shernell Joseph.
904 reviews15 followers
December 14, 2024
Didn't enjoy it much but interesting to see how world building develop in future books
Profile Image for Deb.
686 reviews
June 21, 2021
5 stars ⭐️

What a really great afternoon read. Nothing to heavy, but full of adventure and magic. Faes bent on revenge, and a human with the power to change destiny.
Profile Image for Alyssa ☽.
95 reviews21 followers
June 9, 2021
I liked this more than I should have. It had me at the title honestly.

Dark fae prince? ✔️
Urban fantasy world? ✨✔️
Kick ass sassy heroine? ✔️
Magic? ✔️
A dark deadly curse with a touch of forbidden romance? ✔️

I wished it was longer though. It did feel a little short and rushed towards the end. I could feel Elise & Kians chemistry blossom, but I felt like if it had more time…this enemies to lovers troupe would have been perfectly balanced. With only 210 pages I guess there’s not a lot you could put in the story. It’s a darker fantasy romance, but I adored it either way.

3.5 stars ✨
Profile Image for Natalie ❀.
69 reviews19 followers
dnf
March 13, 2021
DNF

The reason to DNF - the writing. I should say I'm not a native English speaker and I'm a lot more tolerant when it comes to the writing style, but even I can tell that it’s not very well written, it was too simple. Unfortunately, the story and the characters were meh to "save" the book for me.
Profile Image for ✡Weed Dragon✡.
364 reviews23 followers
December 27, 2022
3.6 🐉

This was... There, you know?

I think the reason I didn't enjoy this THAT much is bc of the length. Everything felt so rushed and sudden. And also the story itself wasn't anything out of the ordinary.
Profile Image for ⟡ Chantal ☾.
77 reviews14 followers
January 7, 2024
dnf. I give up.

If there is one thing you need to know about me, then it is that I absolutely despise DNFing a book. There is literally nothing more unsatisfying and annoying than admitting defeat and telling myself that it is best to just leave it be. This might be the second or third book that I‘ve been thinking about DNFing and that pisses me off lol

But y‘all are most likely not interested in my annoyance of not finishing a book so I‘ll dive in WHY exactly I gave up. Initially I started this book because I saw on bookstagram that it has a good plot with great spicy scenes - and I chose to ignore Goodreads reviews, so that‘s on me. Call me spoiled but most of the time I don‘t start reading a book if it‘s not rated 4 Stars or more - and I just proved myself right again. This book did nothing for me and I DNF‘d at like 75/80%. The writing needs some work - it‘s giving story writing in high school (no offense and tbh I couldn‘t do better either)- but it does not read smoothly or naturally, everything happens so GODDAMN fast and the plot wasn‘t captivating at all either. I think what I don‘t like that it‘s too fast paced. Like, the story doesn‘t give the characters time to develop and build up a connection and it feels rushed and unauthentic. I wasn‘t interested in the plot at all and wanted it to finish.
I also HATE when the problem/conflict in the book (in this case the politics and what happened in the past) feels simple and silly - I‘m sure I‘m not the only one that prefers a well thought out conflict that has many facettes and doesn‘t feel like a child‘s temper tantrum if you get my drift.

I honestly don‘t know why I gave this book 2 Stars - now that I think about it, I‘d give it 1.5 Stars at most.
Profile Image for Larissa.
484 reviews14 followers
July 6, 2021

Overall: 2/5

Plot and themes: 1/5

Characters: 1/5

Writing style: 2/5

Attention-grabbing: 2/5

One day when riding the train home from work, Elise is caught in the midst of a mass-murder and taken hostage by the murderer. But don't worry, he's a fae prince who had reasoning for committing such atrocities. She's put to work in his castle and seldom sees him for the first few weeks, but fate pushes them together yet again and even though he's a jerk he somehow holds back from murdering her long enough to instantly fall in love with her.

I'm very aware of the fact that I chose a book called Kiss of the Blood Prince but there were no real rules in this book. On one hand it's fae and they're super powerful and somehow taking over the world? But also no one really cares? Like they murdered a whole train of people who couldn't all have been related to their vendetta and they stole a bunch of baby but everyone was just satisfied with agreeing to their bizarre terms of service. I don't think any world leader is going to be agreeing to terms based on the events of that peace discussion. It was all so out of place.

They had chemistry I guess? But also not really at all cause they had no common ground and didn't really take the time to get to know one another. It was super short and easy to read but it wasn't well-structured or fullfilling at all. It was rushed like a novella when I had the full expectations of a novel. So I don't think the sequels will really be on my TBR.


This review and all my others can be found at: https://aworldshapedbybooks.blogspot....
Profile Image for sarah ♡.
214 reviews12 followers
June 29, 2023
3.75 ish?

This had a really good start and middle, but then at the end everything felt like it was resolved too quickly. Kian was especially way too forgiving at the end when she got attacked, it didn’t match his personality, even with the character development.

Overall though, it was really solid. I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Ash25leigh.
35 reviews
January 6, 2024
It was a pretty ok book. The beginning started out strong but toward the end it was just kind of well….meh. I’m not entirely surprised, books like these tend to fade out quietly after the main couple finally “gets together”. Overall, it was good enough to get me out of my reading slump so I don’t really have any complaints. A solid 3 stars!
Profile Image for Priscilla.
685 reviews12 followers
March 28, 2024
Bon. Que dire ? Ça se lit. Très rapidement et très facilement. Dans ce roman bit-lit avec des faes, on suit Elise, une jeune femme dans un boulot de merde, qui va être enlevée par un prince fae, car elle semble être la seule à ne pas subir sa magie. Prisonnière de son château et d'un étrange sort, elle va être de plus en plus attirée par Kian, qui n'est pas si horrible qu'il en a l'air. (Oui, ça donne un goût de déjà-vu, n'est-ce pas ?)

Ce n'est pas horrible, mais c'est trop superficiel. Les évènements se passent vraiment trop vite, parfois en quelques lignes, bim bam boum, c'est réglé. Les sentiments débarquent, il y a quelques péripéties, le prince assoiffé de sang devient tout flagada devant elle, il y a un dernier rebondissement et zou, c'est fini. Je crois que j'aurais presque même aimé plus de smut, pour au moins donner l'impression que c'était le but du roman. Les personnages sont sympas, mais rien d'original (et encore une fois, il se passe des trucs vraiment trop rapidement). Puis franchement, comment des faes coincés depuis plus de mille ans dans un autre monde peuvent parler aussi vulgairement ? Ça me parait un peu improbable...
Profile Image for Poppy || Monster Lover.
1,799 reviews498 followers
March 15, 2023
Darker than I expected, but well done

I’m usually hesitant about shorter books being able to cover enough material to have a substantial or believable plot, but this book did a pretty good job. Kian, the fae prince, abducts Elise and makes her a slave. This was a hard enemies to lovers to come back from, and could have used a full grovel. He didn’t hurt her personally very much, but she was very much so harmed.
The way the British gov reacted seemed pretty realistic in most actions.
The love story was fiery and passionate.
I would have liked more information on Kian’s past and on Faerie.

Spice: 3/5

Triggers: attempted grape, SA, torture, murder, discussion of genocide, dubcon
Profile Image for Rose Williams.
157 reviews15 followers
April 11, 2021
Quick read- it was alright

Very cheesy dialogue with not a lot actually going on. Predictable, without any real climax. Except.. you know.. when they climaxed.

Will read the second book because I’m a sucker for a curse.
Profile Image for ROMEOISNOTFUNNY.
811 reviews13 followers
May 5, 2024
Written 2 POV, and also 3rd person, like reading a fairy tale. This is the story of the youngest prince and a human woman. Revenge, a curse, an enemy to lovers ...mate tale.
It's not as deep in world building as some books I've read, but it doesn't need to be.
It's one of those series where each person story is explored as the background story develops.
There is kidnapping, talk of terminal illness, and assisted...well, that would be a slight spoiler.
The smut was good, the banter was good, and the story was okay.
Yes, it is worth a read and no regrets on reading it. I want to find out what happens to the other two brothers. Onwards!
3.4 stars
Profile Image for Artemissia G.
1,617 reviews34 followers
January 23, 2024
La couverture, le résumé, ça me disait franchement bien. J’ai commencé et… bon sang, le début est excellent ! Il y a tout pour me plaire. Une ambiance apocalyptique dans laquelle les humains se font défoncer par les Faes enfin sortis de leur prison éternelle et bien décidés à se venger. C’est au milieu du carnage et du sang qu’Élise, notre héroïne terre à terre, va rencontrer, Kian, le héros. Kian est un Prince Fae sans une once de bienveillance envers les humains qu’il méprise et hait plus que tout. Ce personnage est d’une cruauté sans nom. S’il n’y avait eu cet étrange coup du destin, jamais il n’aurait épargné Élise.

J’avoue, ce début m’a carrément emballée. Je pressentais une lecture forte, avec une tonne d’ascenseurs émotionnels, un truc hyper addictif avec un bon ennemies to lovers comme il se doit. Ma seule peur était le nombre de pages, peu élevé. Je me demandais comment l’autrice allait gérer une histoire d’une telle ampleur. Parce que vu le degré de haine du héros envers Élise et les humains au début de l’histoire, ce n’était pas gagné.

Eh bien…

J’ai déchanté une fois que j’ai passé un bon quart du roman. J’ai même pleuré (enfin, façon de parler). L’histoire, la super tension, tout est retombé comme un soufflé mal cuit. Pourquoi ? Je me pose encore la question. Parce que tous les ingrédients étaient là pour en faire une romance fantasy palpitante à souhait.

Bon…

Déjà, nous ne sommes pas dans une romance fantasy, ni dans une urban, mais bien dans une romance paranormale. Et une romance qui, pour le coup, est carrément bien bâclée !
Pourquoi ? Eh bien, dès que les héros se rendent compte de ce qu’ils sont l’un pour l’autre… je ne sais pas, mais tout part en vrille. Kian devient un ado prépubère qui a besoin du conseil et de l’avis de ses frères toujours enfermés en faerie et qui ont grave le seum de ne pas être à sa place. Donc, Kian qui voulait tuer Élise se retrouve à la kiffer comme un gosse qui découvre l’amour. Élise n’est pas mieux. Du jour au lendemain, Kian devient sa raison d’être.

Et s’il n’y avait que ça ! Parce que même l’intrigue est expédiée par-dessus la jambe. C’est à peine crédible. Pas du tout en fait, et absolument pas réaliste. L’autrice n’a clairement ni travaillé son récit ni pris le temps de le peaufiner. On a là un ramassis d’ineptie pour justifier l’amour que les héros se portent alors que quelques chapitres plus tôt ils étaient ennemis héréditaires. Mais ils s’aiment parce que le destin et une sorcière l’ont décidé alors tout va bien. Enfin peut-être pour l’autrice et eux, mais clairement pas pour moi.

Je ne vous cache pas que je suis super déçue parce que l’histoire partait tellement bien avec un univers riche, sombre, et des personnages qui allaient devoir ramer et travailler sur eux-mêmes pour s’apprécier un jour… ou pas. Mais on est loin de tout ça. C’est presque comme si l’autrice avait décidé que finalement, elle voulait faire une banale romance de cul sur fond de fantastique. Et tant pis pour la cohérence. Du coup, forcément, je suis déçue.
Profile Image for Lit.
298 reviews7 followers
February 24, 2021
Has great potential

This truly has the makings of a fantastic story, but it didn’t hit the spot for me. I couldn’t pinpoint any particular instance, but the characters (main and supporting) felt a bit flat to me and other parts were rushed.

However, while these are my own thoughts and opinions, Kiss of the Blood Prince just might be your cup of tea!
Profile Image for Cleo & Vine.
155 reviews33 followers
September 29, 2021
4.5

I only recently found out about this author via bookstagram and I am so SO glad.

This book reminded me of Elise Kova’s Married to Magic series, but it is distinctly more adult. The story is also reminiscent of Laura Thalassa and Raven Kennedy in the characterization and vivid worldbuilding.

But do not take these comparisons as a suggestion that Thorn’s work is anything but her own. This book is set in a modern-day England juxtaposed against a magical, mythical faerie land. Much of the lore and references are rooted in the pagan history of Stonehenge. There are also nods to Arthurian legends and England in the pre-Crusade era.

I absolutely loved Thorn’s characterization and prose. MC Elise is fiery, passionate, and smart while her love interest, Kian, is an absolute BABE. He’s a little Rip meets Rhys (IYKYK) and I wish I was destined to be his mate. We stan a possessive—and secretly protective—prince!!!!!

This book also reminded me why I love fated mates; it’s that magnetic, hypnotic attraction and visceral interest that gets me every time. Also did I mention that the male love interest has brothers? And each will get their own book?

I’m already absolutely swooning over these sarcastic, purely male faes and cannot wait to read the rest of the series. If you love quick reads filled with curses, prophecies, fated mates, and spice, this is for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dani.
1,688 reviews138 followers
July 12, 2022
"Because if anyone is going to kill you, Kian, it's going to be me," Elise snapped. His face lit up in a devastating smile like she had just told him that she loved him, and he had won the lotto and was invited to a threesome with Harry Styles, all at the same time.

I liked that she took precisely zero of his drama without comment. He was a real d*** for most of the book but he was still able to grow on her.

I think it’s interesting the Fae essentially kidnapped hundreds of children and said, Nah. We’re not giving those back. And the human officials are like, no big deal. This book switched from everyone having no chill to way too much here and there.

Had to force myself to accept the antlers. Suspended all of the disbelief.
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