Six vampire nobles. Six desperate humans. One formidable estate. And no way out.
In the shadow-laced ballrooms of an alternative Regency England, Nathanial Blackwood and his noble family are not what they seem. Bound by an insatiable thirst, the Blackwoods need more than just wealth to survive. And their latest scheme offers a solution: invite Society’s social-climbers to their opulent estate and have them pay the price in crimson. Seraphina Sterling has no interest in power or influence, but her family does. Shunned from Society by a darkness that marks her as different, Sera is thrust into the Blackwoods’ clutches and plunged into a world beyond her wildest imaginings.
At Nighthaven, surrounded by monsters, Sera will be forced to question everything - and everyone - she has ever known. For as the lines between prey and protector blur, and the Vampire Season begins, one thing becomes clear…
Trust is a luxury Sera cannot afford.
'Gilded Thorns' is the first book in The Crimson Court series by Maya Tate. It is a Regency-era paranormal romance with sword-fights, sprawling country estates full of secrets, sizzling tension, dark, twisted pasts, and Salvatore-style vampire family angst. Book 1 is a low-spice slow burn and ends on a cliffhanger. You have been warned.
When it said vampires meet Bridgerton I was all in! The storyline was confusing at times. I’ll continue to read the series cause I want to know what is going to happen!
I was lucky enough to be picked by Maya Tate for an ARC of her new book Guilded Thorns and first in the Crimson Court Series. Oh my you are in for a treat!! I loved EVERY SINGLE PAGE of this book, literally couldn’t put it down other than to go to work and study which was quite frankly an inconvenience at this point.
From Sera trying to live her simple life whilst failing to hide her “difference” from the world and her brother who drinks what little money they have whilst throwing his sister at anyone who will marry her. To Nate the handsome, dark and brooding gentleman of high society and his equally entitled family. Bridgerton come Vampire Diaries is a very appt description. If you love either with of these you will LOVE Guilded Thorns. Suspense, hot vampires, witches, estate mansions, friendship, heart ache, beautiful gowns and grand balls. The only bad part - I have to wait for the next book to come out 😫
Oh my Goodness it was incredible. Captivating, heart wrenching, thoughtful and very enticing. Incredibly well written. The author makes you feel humanity for the “monsters” and even pity. Sometimes you feel anger and vindication. Other times you cry along with them. Well and truly hooked, I simply can’t wait for more 🤩
I found this book from the author’s Tik Tok and decided to take a chance since I love vampires. It’s hard to find something with a unique storyline that keeps my interest but this book quickly won me over. It has adventure, suspense, the beginnings of a romance and betrayal. Can’t wait to read the next book!
I was lucky to receive an ARC of Guilded Thorns, and I'm so grateful I did.
I was hooked from the 1st page. Although this is a slow burn, the story and intrigue were there immediately.
The vampire meets victoriana era theme was something I never knew I needed!
Nate and Sera have me hooked, and I'm so looking forward to their story and how they will navigate through the next challenge! I also hope we learn more about some of the other characters, such as Rafe, Valeria and Juliette.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel and am counting down until the next installment!
This is right up my street.. vampires, witches, romance, regency era. This is a slow burn book and ends on a cliff hanger but I’m so excited to see where the author takes this. I’m dying to know Sera’s family history and how her and Nate’s relationship grows
If you ever started a book and couldn’t put it down this is it . I was hooked form the first page .
It is Bridgerton meets Damon Salvator . So addictive, enthralling, survival, adrenaline, suspense, lust , forbidden love , horror and so much more . It’s like movie you watch through your eyes when you try not to , but you need to and are glad you did ..
You won’t be disappointed I can guarantee it will want you carving more ❤️ Every second you are kept captivated .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Bridgerton meets The Vampire Diaries in the most delicious way possible!
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of Gilded Thorns, which is set in an alternative regency England, with something dark and deadly lurking in its midst...
With a compelling cast of characters and high stakes, this book was so hard to put down! It's also so hard to believe that this is Maya Tate's debut novel - it's an incredible read and I already desperately need the next installment!
If you love strong heroines, smoldering vampires or delicious slow burns, then you absolutely must check this out!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an intriguing novel and the mash up of regency and aristo vampires was pretty effective. A slower burn of a read than I've been used to lately, but that's no bad thing. Seems like there is a whole lot more of the wider story to be revealed and all the clues throughout this first installment are tantalising. I would recommend this book - it's fun, mild on the spice and heavy on the bloodshed. I am very much looking forwards to the next book, finding out a lot more about Sera and Nate and discovering how accurate my theories are.
So, this was advertised as a cross between Bridgerton and Vampire diaries. It is not in any way Bridgerton like and I think the comparison may lead to people not enjoying it because they will go in expecting a romance.
Once you put that aside, it is really very good. If you want romance and spice, it's not for you. There is no spice (the beginnings of hinting at it towards the end) and romance is not there either. There is a pairing of sorts between Sera and Nate, but it is reluctant on both sides, so whilst I think they will end up all loved up, there were only the start of it by the end of the book. Compulsion to be near each other does not romance make.
The suspense and tension is there from the beginning. These are not nice vampires, they are vicious and cruel and lacking in humanity. Even the good ones like Nate, Rafe and even Juliette are pretty wicked and nasty.
Sera is a fascinating character and I loved her journey into understanding herself. She is set up for disaster to come and at the moment I honestly can't imagine how she will survive. I loved Lizzie too, in fact all the pledges bring something interesting and valuable to the story.
I genuinely really enjoyed this, it leans into the brutality of vampires which is fun. I think it will be interesting to see what happens next. I think the idea of it is brilliant, but the advertising it as some sort of Bridgerton esque thing when the only comparison is the era and even that feels very distanced due to the way it goes once they leave London, I think could let it down.
🥀 Gilded Thorns by @mayatate.author Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
💙 “‘There is something about you, Miss Sterling,’ he mutters. ‘That would have me seek you out on every dance floor on this earth.’” -Lord Nathaniel Blackwood
🩸Y’all know I’m a sucker for a vampire book. What can I say? I have a thing for them. This one I discovered on TikTok MONTHS ago and I finally had time to read it. I am so happy I did.
🕯️Seraphina is an outcast amongst the aristocracy. Bad luck seems to follow her, which has made finding a husband difficult. With her brother losing every bit of money they manage to their hands on, it’s up to her to find a husband to save their family name.
🥀 When an invitation to the last ball of the Season at the swanky home of the mysterious Blackwood family is given, her brother jumps at the opportunity. With the need to find a husband, Sera is forced to attend. But not everything is as it seems.
💙 Seraphina is one of six humans selected by Lord Nathaniel Blackwood to accompany him to his family estate: Nighthaven. The catch? The Blackwoods are vampires with needs of their own. While he swears to protect her against his family, Sera wonders if she can trust him not to drain her. For it’s her blood that’s his addiction.
🩸Can Sera and the others survive the Vampire Season? Will Sera’s dark cloud that seems to follow her finally dissipate? And can Lord Nathaniel control himself when faced with the urge to feed on Seraphina’s blood?
🕯️The ending is another fantastic cliffhanger. I simply can’t get enough of those these days. 😂 Tate’s vampire world is fantastically built. I am eager to learn more about it in book two!
🥀 Gilded Thorns by @mayatate.author Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
💙 “‘There is something about you, Miss Sterling,’ he mutters. ‘That would have me seek you out on every dance floor on this earth.’” -Lord Nathaniel Blackwood
🩸Y’all know I’m a sucker for a vampire book. What can I say? I have a thing for them. This one I discovered on TikTok MONTHS ago and I finally had time to read it. I am so happy I did.
🕯️Seraphina is an outcast amongst the aristocracy. Bad luck seems to follow her, which has made finding a husband difficult. With her brother losing every bit of money they manage to their hands on, it’s up to her to find a husband to save their family name.
🥀 When an invitation to the last ball of the Season at the swanky home of the mysterious Blackwood family is given, her brother jumps at the opportunity. With the need to find a husband, Sera is forced to attend. But not everything is as it seems.
💙 Seraphina is one of six humans selected by Lord Nathaniel Blackwood to accompany him to his family estate: Nighthaven. The catch? The Blackwoods are vampires with needs of their own. While he swears to protect her against his family, Sera wonders if she can trust him not to drain her. For it’s her blood that’s his addiction.
🩸Can Sera and the others survive the Vampire Season? Will Sera’s dark cloud that seems to follow her finally dissipate? And can Lord Nathaniel control himself when faced with the urge to feed on Seraphina’s blood?
🕯️The ending is another fantastic cliffhanger. I simply can’t get enough of those these days. 😂 Tate’s vampire world is fantastically built. I am eager to learn more about it in book two!
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ & 0.5🌶️. I was fortunately sent this from the author as an ARC and this review is entirely truthful of my opinions. Ohhh myyy this was delectable. It wasn’t lying when it promised Bridgerton with mysterious vampires. The plot was excellent and it kept me engaged all throughout the story. I loved every single character and I’m intrigued as to where the story is headed. The book did end on a bit of a cliffhanger but it wasn’t a gut wrenching one. There is excellent potential for this series storyline. It was such a different concept and not your typical run-of-the-mill vampire book. There was the tiniest hint of spice at the end but it doesn’t get past second base. There is a scene including a sexual assault (not on the MC’s) so beware if it’s a trigger for you. Is it wrong I’m kind of hoping the next books have a little more spice? I LOVE Nate and Seraphina and I’m totally shipping them despite his cray cray.
I was very lucky to recieve an ARC of this book. Throughly enjoyed. This book is quite a slow burn (you have been warned lol). Very much The Vampire Diaries x Bridgerton kinda vibes, which I love so I ate this up.
I am really intrigued by the main characters Nate and Sera, (I am absolutely an enemies to lovers trope kinda gal) and I loved their chemistry.
I think this was a very good debut novel and I am very excited to see where the rest of the Crimson Court series goes. I would love to know more about the Blackwood familys backround and see some of the side characters ( eg Charlotte , Valeria , Rafe ) more developed as they are all so interesting!!
Thank you very much again to the author for letting me have an ARC of this novel !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Right from the start I was dragged willingly into it! Sera leading a simple life trying to move from surviving to thriving. Nate is everything I imagined him to be and more!
I love regency vampires over modern day especially when they are Nate Blackwood! Everything about The Crimson Court is delicious and addictive. Vampire diaries in Bridgeton is a very appropriate description for Nighthaven.
I can’t wait to devour the next book and any more that come afterwards so I can learn more about the crimson court and the characters that reside in there.
This is my Roman Empire. Read this book and it will be yours.
I'm sure this book was popular on Wattpad. And that's where it should have stayed. It was promoted on tiktok as a TVD-Bridgerton story. It is teenage fan fiction at best. The author should mention it is YA as there is no real 'smut' in the book - just one fade to black scene. BORING!
Where is the tension? The biggest and best parts of Bridgerton and TVD was the tension. You felt it in the words, you saw how Damon look at Elena. The writing set the scene and it was easy to visualize what was happening in the world. However, it was severely lacking when emotions were concerned. The FMC and MMC "felt a pull" toward one another and they didn't like it. WOW! Color me surprised.
Don't waste your time reading this book. I've read better stories on tumblr.
I’m still in the middle of reading this book. If I didn’t have to put it down I wouldn’t. It’s the perfect blend of Bridgeton and The Originals. Let’s face it, we all were rooting for Damon and Klaus! You will be doing the same with this book. I feel like I’m in it, that is how amazing the writing is. A part of me doesn’t want to finish it because I know I’ll want the next one right away. Thank you so much from the biggest Damon and Klaus fan! Adding the world is Bridgerton just made it even better and oh so scandalous. 😉
I have no words for this book other than I loved it I would have finished it in less than a week if I didn't have work I needed to finish urgently. The tension is some of these chapters and the bond between nate and seraphina is just heart pounding especially last couple chapters where seraphina finds out who she is and nate taking the leap to trust her in the end is just amazing. When Valeria showed up and Nate's blood turned to ice my own heart was pounding I can't wait for the second book as soon as I can get it in paperback I am pressing that order button !!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4.25 stars: I was surprised at how quickly this book sucked me in (no pun intended). The Bridgerton/Vampire Diaries vibes did not disappoint. It was like season 1 Damon meets Lady Whistledown. I kept picturing her voice every time “The Season” or “The Ton” were mentioned. I thought this book had an interesting take on the traditional vampire romance story. I have so many questions lingering and can’t wait for book 2.
I over all enjoyed this book. It kinda slow and repetitive for the first half of the book but reflecting back, I think all information was important to fully grasp the story and the understanding the characters . This story was fun and reignited my love for vampires and witches. I am looking forward to the next book.
This was absolutely DELICIOUS. I loved everything about this dark, gothic romance. True enemies to (almost) lovers, tantalizing slow burn, I’d burn the world for you, morally gray, twists and mysteries galore. It’s been a long time since I read something like this and automatically wanted to jump into book 2, but that is exactly what I plan to do.
The premise is intriguing, but I had a hard time getting into the book. I often read an entire book in a day and this one took me almost a week to get through. I’ll read the sequel(s), but not yet sure how I feel about it.
If you enjoy historical fiction and vampires this is the book for you. It was a little bit of a slow starter for me but once I got through the first few chapters I couldn’t put it down. Recommend.
I've been following this book since I first saw it on Tiktok and it was so worth the wait. Bridgerton meets The Originals. Nate gives me such Elijah vibes from The Originals. I literally could not put this down and I am absolutely climbing the walls to find out what happens next.
A wonderfully dark romance. I was instantly sold when it was advertised as Bridgerton with Vampires and I was not disappointed. A real enemies to "lovers" with bite! A real slow-burn. Thoroughly engaged throughout and didn't want to put it down. Filled with suspense and tension.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
I am intrigued. Really intrigued. It is a well written book with an excellent plot and great characters. It is low on the spice and high on the bloodshed but the main characters have a flaming chemistry so I am anticipating more on the spice side in future books. But I have to warn you! The last paragraph/sentence just blowed my mind and now I can't wait to read more of the Crimson Court.