She Came for Blood

Dreamers & Demons: Sapphic Monsters #3

by Darva Green

Anna
"You'll watch your true love die three times before joining them in death."
I've been living with the curse of that knowledge for years. Since the first half of that prophecy has already come true, I'm going to spend what's left of my life hunting down the vampire who killed my boyfriend.
When she offers me a position at her side, she has no idea that I'm headed for an early grave, and I'm determined to bring her down with me.
Just as soon as I can stop thinking about her and how much I'm tempted to actually stay and serve her.

Marzanna
My strange angel hasn't visited in centuries.
So when she shows up in my throne room with blood on her face and hate in her eyes, I'm determined to do whatever it takes to make her stay.
To make her remember.
To make her mine.

She Came for Blood is intended for readers 18+. You can find the content warnings on the author's website. This book is a vampire romance set in the same world as She Came from the Swamp and She Came at Midnight, but it can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Lesbian, Vampires, Fantasy, Romance, LGBT, Queer, Paranormal

379 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2024

Reviews

[Lesbereading · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sapphic vampire romance like no other. This was a book I had been looking forward to and it surpassed all my hopes. Could not read it fast enough and am debating rereading it already. The romance, the steam, the tension, the twists - absolutely incredible. I’ve always said I’m a sucker for vampire books so I’m biased, but this one will be sticking with me for a while. Also, really hoping Quinn’s story is next!

[Sapphic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a few chapters to really get into this one, but once I hit around chapter 5, I was hooked. The pacing was a bit uneven—slow in parts, then suddenly intense, and then slow again before a pretty abrupt ending—but it didn’t take away too much from the overall experience. Anna and Marzanna were both super likable main characters, and their story was such a sweet, timeless romance. It’s really about finding that one true love that transcends everything, and I loved that.

[Netgyrl (Laura) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️- not a huge fan of the beginning, but I appreciate the set up. Definitely got more into it once they got together in the middle. I like the slightly different spin on soulmates. The ending was exciting, even if it was forshadowed.

Kindle unlimited.

[Emily Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.6 ⭐️ If you’re not freaked out by a vampire chugging a menstrual cup like a shot glass, go for it.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this. It’s a really fast paced fantasy romance with soulmate themes and just enough enemies to lovers vibes to provide some edge to the atmosphere.

It’s very spicy, but maybe check the spice TWs below because it is more kink leaning. Whilst I did personally get a jump scare with one scene, the rest delivered tenfold.

I will 100% be reading more by this author. This book kept me HOOKED.

Rep// Bi Woman (30s), lesbian vampire with vaginismus.

TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.




TW// mentions of burning alive, death of family in past, abuse in past, kidnapping.

Spice CW// Very spicy. Domme/Sub themes, straps, oral, service, face sitting, one scene involving drinking of menstrul blood (very short scene.)

[Lady Olenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Darva Green’s vampire story in the Dreamers and Demons series is fantastic! There are so many versions of vampire stories out there and this one is one of my favourites. I really like the added aspect of bonds, maker/progeny and the really trippy time travelling dream walker added to the mix. Also! I love that this story has werewolves mixed in with the vamps. It’s something different.

PS there is no shortage on spice 🥵

[Taylor (Meepisreading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this!! It's much longer and more in-depth than the previous two in the series, and it's definitely my favourite- also because vampires, but anyway. The biting, the blood bonds, the bloodPLAY... The cuddling, the domination, the yearning. I need a paperback ASAP.

This was dark, spicy, sad and sweet bundled up into the most fun little world to explore. I loved how the werewolves integrated into the castle's community, and I can't wait to read more about that pink-haired cutie...

The sequence near the end, realising that prophecy... that was so amazing.

[lauraღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“But be warned—if you want to be chased, then you’d better be prepared for the hunt.”

3.5 stars. I've really been enjoying this series of paranormal f/f romances, and this was another great installment. I'm a teensy bit disappointed, because this had such a promising beginning, and I thought I would end up loving this the most out of the entire series. But the first is still my favourite. This had a lot of great parts, and I was really happy that it was a full length novel, when the others have been novellas. But IDK if all that page time was used to the greatest effect.

This time we're following Anna, a side character we've met briefly before (though I didn't really remember much of her involvement in previous books). She's a badass sorta-hunter with dream powers, member of an occult organisation. She's hunting down the vampire queen who killed her boyfriend. Things aren't as they seem, and Mara, said vampire queen, seems to think they know each other. She ends up staying in Mara's castle as her bodyguard, bound to her as they learn more about each other, and Anna plots her revenge. And of course, they eventually fall in love. Vampire is the most mundane type of monster girl we've had in the series so far, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. The love story has a soulmates-esque spin on it that ended up being really lovely. This reads well as a standalone, but it also builds upon some of what we've learned about dream magic in this universe. 

“You don’t know me yet, but I know you. No one can ruin that pure heart inside of you.”

This is a pretty classic enemies to lovers type trope, even though they don't stay enemies for very long. And it's pretty one-sided, since Mara never considers Anna an enemy. But that in itself is fun, because on one side you have Anna plotting and scheming, trying to ignore her growing respect and lust and attraction for Mara, and on the other side you have Mara, almost serenely waiting for Anna to realise they belong together. There's a good balance of smut with the plot, and all of it was really good. It's not slow burn at all, but the author lets the attraction simmer and build before they really get together, and it's delicious. They have great banter, and by the end, I felt like they really understood each other as people. I do wish there had been a bit more bodyguarding, though. Every description of Anna made me want to swoon, and I wish she'd gotten more chances to put those muscles to use.

The central plots, about Anna's dead ex boyfriend and Mara's maker, were pretty engaging. Not super complex, but I didn't guess how things would turn out in either case. I'm glad that the book was of a good length, but pacing-wise, it really did slow down a lot during the middle. It felt like the characters were in limbo for a good long while. I wish that there had been something more, maybe with Anna's dreams, or Mara's mysterious shift that we only learn about at the end. (That was lovely, btw.) Or perhaps more could have been done with Mara's feral vampire brother, or more hints could have been laid about Andrew. IDK, I was never bored, and I was always itching to get back to the book when I put it down, but the middle part just dragged a bit. Also, the romantic dynamic was so hot, and I enjoyed every bit of it, but ngl, I always do enjoy it more if the person with all the societal power is less dominant in the bedroom. Not that I wanted Mara to be more submissive? But I kinda wanted Anna to get the chance to be more toppy. Haha, perhaps that's just my Anna bias showing. But on the plus side, I really did love the vaginismus portrayal for Mara. I never really see it in romance novels, and I always love it when penetration is de-emphasised in romance. It's not the be all and end all!

Even though it isn't a new favourite in the series, I still thoroughly enjoyed this one. I'm veeeeeery much hoping that we get another book about Quinn and Sheila; I'd love to see this author writing a werewolf protag. I love her writing in general. Very much recommend the series if you're in the market for fun, sapphic, monster romance.

Content warnings: blood and gore, recollection of abuse and assault

“I’m going to help you remember who you were before the world clipped your wings, and then I’m going to make you love me again.”

[Billy ⋆｡･☽･⋆* (semi-hiatus)]

I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THIS ONE!! 👻

[Saphira Adorni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so this book wasn’t perfect, but I’m still giving it a solid 4.5 stars. I loved Anna and Marzanna together (a couple that actually talks through their problems to solve them together!!) and even though the beginning was a bit slow and could have been shorter, the ending was 10/10!! I’ll definitely read more by Darva Green in the future 🖤

[safari booker {hiatus} · Rating 4 out of 5]

wayyy better than the 2nd book, veryyyy close to the first in this series. overall, i really enjoyed and may reread in the future. 💟✨

all books in this series are very spicy, so i’d take that into consideration before reading!

[•° Whimsy Fairy °• · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable

I really liked this book, it was soo cute and the slowburn was perfect!! I cannot wait for the next ones in this wonderful series!

[Sabi.Nhe · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 🌟

Okay, so I'm honestly shocked to say I didn't love this one as much as I wanted to. Don't get me wrong..I LOVE vampires, I love lesbians. I should have eaten this up. But..I didn't. Because, while this was pitched as a romance, all it really was was one giant smut book. It's a "romance" with 2% romance and 98% sex. Sex is great, yeah, but that's..basically all they did. Sex with some problems here and there and a big problem at the end and then oh look, more sex. Barely even tried to work on a relationship. There is such a thing as "too much" of a good thing and trust me this book embodies that unfortunately. Marzanna and Anna's relationship also felt..too fast and paper-thin. A lot of times it didn't even feel like there was a real connection. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Jillian Hadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful sapphic romance

What a beautiful and heartfelt read. I absolutely loved their story, and how they overcame past traumas to find love in each other. Darva is a wonderful storyteller, and creates characters that are relatable and easy to fall in love with. I can't wait to read more from Darva Green!

[winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

My favorite sapphic vampires yet with a “soulmates beyond lifetimes” twist. Really impressed with this book.

I didn’t read books 1 and 2, but it’s easy to jump into this cold.

Also probably some of my favorite sapphic spice I’ve read. 🔥

Spice: 4/5
Angst: 3/5

[ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was so good !!! it gave me very howls moving castle
vibes!!!

[lizard · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Ah, it’s you. You never did tell me what you turned into.”

Kindle Unlimited (Season 0, Book 7)

[Jacque · Rating 4 out of 5]

lol diva cup girlieeeee

[Gnat Prowse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved seeing Anna and Marzanna's love blossom, even if there were some parts that felt... maybe a bit unnecessary. but that's okay! nothing wrong with some frivolity in a romance book. simply cannot wait for book 4, I'm already obsessed with Quinn

[Stephieloohoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75

I love Darva Green's writing. I can't believe it took me as long as it did to read She Came for Blood.

It's an easy, fun, sexy story.

Vampires
Sapphics
Political Strife
Love & Butterflies

[Bethany Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

this whole series was very fun and cute and gave the sapphics what we deserve!! this book especially was such a good time. now where is my fated hot vampire queen?? 4.5⭐️

[Randinicole_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this. sapphic vampire & bodyguard romance. enemies to lovers. yes. yes. yes.

[Teddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a wild ride with vampires, wolves, humans and witches. There are a few threads woven throughout that the author deftly manages to tie up in the end though at first i wondered if they were too knotted to follow. The only thing that felt a bit out of place was the dominant/submission piece though the author does explain it. I liked the way the romance unfolded. Both characters were well developed and perfectly suited for each other. I thought it was a cool twist on fated mates and enjoyed falling into this world. Hoping Quinn has her own book!

Short summary: Anna is convinced the vampire queen killed her boyfriend, so naturally, she sets out for revenge. What she finds at the castle is so much more satisfying, especially once she sets out to uncover the whole truth.

[Greyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ Yes! It took me a little while to get what was going on but once things started moving I really enjoyed it. Darva Green can write a solid smut scene, for sure! There was a scene in chapter 26 that I wish I hadn’t been there to witness but I respect the fck out of the fact it happened lol There was a lot of tension and history and chemistry between the couple and it was fire. I didn’t like how hard she went for her dead boyfriend and how she refused to believe the truth that was right in her face for so long but it was fine. A minor nuisance in the grand scheme of how I liked this book. I LOVED the tangled up timeline. Ion know how she did it but she made it work. It may have been about 50 pages too long for the average person but I enjoyed it.

[bre ⁎⁺˳✧༚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴.”

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆

I fucking loved this book. Oh my GOD it was so good. I don’t even have all the words to properly express my thoughts but lesbian vampires for the win always. Marzanna and Anna’s love for each other, I may have cried a few times 😭 Darva Green you ATEEEE with this one.

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆

“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘻𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢,” 𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘺, 𝘴𝘸𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘬. “𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”

[TJ Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book hit on all things that I not so secretly adore. We have some paranormal urban fantasy with vampires, werewolves and witches oh my. Heavy dose of sapphic fated love with a sprinkle of some timey-whimey shenanigans and baby, we got a stew goin’! I did enjoy myself in this novel but man was the showdown with big bad so anticlimactic. Like seriously? Honestly the whole ending was rushed, flat and loose ends hanging every which a way. Still fun but also, I never met a more obvious prophesy. Like, like try to trick me just a little bit.

[MissAlice · Rating 5 out of 5]

From blood and gore to endless steamy scenes, this book will sink into any heart and start its own lil blaze. I loved their dynamic and enjoyed the evolving relationship between these two. Besides the flashbacks to the past… it feels like a period piece. I cannot explain it. When a cellphone or car are mentioned I kicked myself for forgetting it’s in the present. Fun read and will gobble up whatever fun monster comes next in the series.

[Courtney Lanning]

DNF'd at page 112

I don't have anything bad to say about this book. I'm just not as invested as I want to be. There's clearly a market for this. I'm always happy to see sapphic vampire stories. I just felt like this one worked at a pace I couldn't handle.

That's a me problem, not a this book problem.

[Violet Coderre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly if I was reviewing this only against other indie authors I would be giving it easily four stars, maybe even five. It's only when held to the same standard as actual published novels with presumably whole editing teams that it drops to three stars.

[3DKing · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 and the downgrade comes only from a lazy plot decision I personally really dislike. "Come alone." - "Ok." - NO. It infuriates me, because it's "plot moves because of dumb".

Apart from that it's an interesting enemies-to-lovers plot with a touch of paranormal timey-wimey stuff. Once the spice happens it's a running theme.

[Mad Giles (Giles A. Madding) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars