The Vampire King's Punishment

by Darcy Fayton

“How do I taste, general?”

He betrayed his king.
He knew he'd be punished.
But General Asher never thought he'd be on his knees, with the King kneeling behind him, delivering each blow.

**This is a full length standalone novel featuring an MM Dark Romance between two vampires that can be read independent of Darcy Fayton's other books. It's a dark, spicy, emotional rollercoaster exploring themes of love, betrayal, court intrigue and redemption. The story is set in a royal castle and takes place years before the events of her other duologies, Plug and Drain, and Plug and Claim, so if you're new to my books, The Vampire King's Punishment is a good place to start. However, please note that many readers consider the themes of this book quite dark. Alternatively, if you're new to my books, and you're looking for an MF dark romance, I recommend starting with the Plug and Claim Duology. **


As whispers of treachery echo through his royal court, Vampire King Henrikk forces his closest ally, General Asher, to submit to a humiliating punishment, one that sends shockwaves through the Throne Room. As Henrikk finds himself irresistibly drawn to Asher, emotions emerge that confuse and frighten him, leaving them both craving something beyond their control.

To protect another, Asher takes the blame for a crime he didn't commit and is branded a 'traitor'. Now, as he endures the brunt of Henrikk's punishment, Asher's years of concealed affection for the King threaten to come to light. Imprisoned and lonely, Asher tries desperately to bridge the chasm that divides them, igniting a power struggle rife with simmering tension.

As they teeter on the brink of darkness, can Henrikk and Asher trust each other enough to salvage a thread of their tenuous relationship? Or will their fears rip them apart forever?

Delve into a world of castles and vampires in this seductive tale of paranormal MM romance set in a fantasy world, where betrayal and desire intertwine in a tale of passion and intrigue unlike any other.
Dark.
Spicy.
Fast-paced.
Emotional.
Addictive.
And will leave you wanting more.
“You mustn’t wear your heart on your sleeve, General Asher. You’ll get hurt.”


MM Dark Romance
Paranormal world with castles and a touch of magic
Dark themes including CNC&SA.
Multiple spice scenes throughout the book
Series Ending: Happy For Now & Bittersweet


Are you new to Darcy's books?
If you are familiar with dark romance, this standalone book is the perfect place to start as the story unfolds prior to the events in Darcy's other book series. If you'd prefer to read an MF romance, chcek out the Plug and Claim Duology.

Book length: Approximately 90,000 words

Genres: Vampires, Fantasy, Paranormal, Dark, Dark Romance, M M Romance, Queer

292 pages, ebook

Published July 5, 2024

About the author

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✨You can find my books on Amazon

✨For Content/Trigger Warnings please visit darcyfayton.com

✨Author Bio:
Darcy Fayton crafts fireside tales set in gothic castles, overflowing with forbidden love, emotional angst, scorching spice, witty banter, and a touch of magic. Her stories feature morally grey yet gentlemanly heroes with sweet sides and glimmers of redemption, perfect for readers who love complex characters. Her bestselling debut, Collared by the Vampire Prince*, is the ideal starting point for new readers. Her family thinks she writes sweet romance—but oh, if only they knew!


*Previously published as the bestselling 'Plug and Claim'

✨Click here for easy links to my books on Amazon, Bookbub, and more.

Reviews

[Shyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had my eye on this series when it was just novellas, so I was elated when the author sent me the omnibus! Just like her other work it was deliciously dark, steamy and lovely all at once. The writing was fluid, the character development was done well, especially with bringing in characters from past books. I really enjoyed the premise of doing anything for love, and good versus evil in the process. It was wonderful seeing the dynamic change, no matter how subtle, over the course of the book. I have always loved vampires, and now having a steamy dark lgbtq+ book with them makes me beyond excited! I look forward to reading more from this author!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[gung-ho_reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun to read for the vibes and the couple, a vampire King and his general and their dark twisted story. Really enjoyed it 4 stars

[Kez Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like your books dark, spicy, traumatic, twisted and unexpected, dive into this M/M vampire love story that is full of triggers.

Strap in for an emotional and dramatic journey that will have you questioning everything as it explores King Henrikk and General Asher's toxic romance, unyielding bond and turbulent love.
With lots of sexual tension, confused emotions, deranged cat and mouse games, and creative punishments.

This unpredictable journey brings tragedy, mystery, sacrifice, dark truths, empathy, and even a little redemption.

For so long King Henrikk has been the ruthless, selfish and dominant villain, but was there a reason behind everything he's done?...
Read this exquisite book to find out, and endure some deliciously slow burn angsty spice, and devastatingly dark dom/sub action along the way.
Even villains deserve a happy ending.
❤️‍🔥


🪢"I have endured time. I have endured you. And now, you shall endure me"

🪢"This is what you deserve, your Majesty"

🪢"I've died a thousand times waiting for you to notice me"

🪢"Buckle up and try not to make too much noise"

🪢"Do you like being kept here as a play thing for your King?"


❗Check triggers - contains CNC, Dubcon, trauma, violence, and a LOT of M/M spice

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

a sweet (probably not the right word!) standalone novella og King Henrikk and Asher. And by sweet I defently also mean DARK! This is high dark romance with MM and spicy vampires...
Darcy Fayton defently knows her smutty writting and mixed feelings!

A Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, and to Fayton of the story!

3,5 spicy stars!

[Fable · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild ride! Never once did I know where this story was going, but I loved every second of the ride. This is definitely a dark story, I knew that going in. I thought I knew what to expect, but the author sought to exceed my expectations and did so flawlessly.

Henrikk is the kind of villain that you love to hate and while I hopped to see some kind of character growth and redemption arc, that wasn't exactly what was delivered, but also wasn't not what was delivered. His and Asher's relationship is toxic and brutal but yet you find yourself hoping that these two broken characters somehow get it together and find happiness. I think I spent a good portion of the book yelling at Henrikk and Asher to have an actual conversation.

I will say that the twist on this book was something unique that I hadn't seen before and the ending left me dying for another book centered around Henrikk and Asher, while at the same time giving me bittersweet feeling of satisfaction.

This is very much a character driven story and I was invested in the characters, as you can tell. There was some world building but there were points where I felt like I might be missing something. We were very much dropped in the middle of the story, but it didn't hinder me from understanding the story or enjoying the sorry. If you're looking for something that has deep world building and lore, you're not going to find it here.

If you're looking for a dark and gritty story driven by two very broken characters who don't know how to properly communicate, this is the book for you. Just mind your trigger warnings!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC and allowing me to read a review the story! My thoughts are truthful and my own!

[Sheri Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

You may enjoy this if you like:
🖤 Dark Fantasy Romance / Romantasy
🖤 MMC is a true villain
🖤 Steamy Vampire Romances
🖤 MM dark romance
🖤 CNC, dubcon/noncon, punishment, BD$M

Punished by the Vampire King is set in the spicy paranormal world Darcy Fayton has created. You don’t have to read any other books first though, and this one is actually a prequel to those.

This is a villain origin story of King Henrikk and his no so sweet romance of his General, Asher. The king is a true villain, so don’t expect him to be morally gray, he isn’t. If you read the other books, you’d know this and already hate him, too. Maybe that is why I just couldn’t get into this one and didn’t enjoy reading it as much.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Punished by the Vampire King,” by Darcy Fayton

I really liked this book. The story was super dark with tons of SA and enemies to lover’s type stuff. I like the world Darcy Fayton has built with vampires, werewolves, and witches and how many are considered less than and slaves. The power dynamic between the general and the king was the biggest aspect of the book, and it really felt hopeless. It is a super-fast book and a quick read. I liked this book a little better than the others in the same world. 4 out of 5 stars.

-M/M
-SA
-General X King
-Vampires
-Werewolves
-Witches
-Lovers in Denial
-Enemies To Lovers
-Magic

Thank you for the free copy, Netgalley.

[Noriboo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is dark. Don't read it if your triggers include non-con and SA. Don't read it if it's your first time reading dark fantasy or dark romance that includes these themes. The depictions are explicit and on-page. It's brutal and will not be for everyone.

In this, we get more insight into King Henrikk. We do get an answer as to why he is so incredibly cruel and unhinged.
I still think he's the biggest piece of doodoo within this universe, but when I tell you that my jaw dropped multiple times while reading this!

Asher is a gem. Truly, Henrikk doesn't deserve a friend like him.
All that to say, no matter how cruel and unlikeable I found Henrikk, I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to know where this rollercoaster would be taking us! And even though I wanted to kick Henrikk, the way that Darcy Fayton has written the story did make me understand why Asher couldn't let his friend go. I loved it.

•••
I received an ARC from the author. My opinions are my own.

[Chiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as this was entertaining, to get to know Henrikk's past it was a bit dragging towards the end. I found myself struggling in some parts and bored in others.

I much preferred the other two stories Darcy wrote.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was more than the blurb. So much more. I was expecting steamy and mindless BDSM. Who knew that there was going to be a thoughtful, well written love story. A twisted love story where one character is trying to goad the other to kill him. And the dual (ish) ending, HEA and miserable forever.

Unexpected. A fun, dark, ever so dark read. I knew I liked the General from the first chapter. Who knew I'd fall for the depraved Emperor.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Violets Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for sending me this Arc. I really enjoyed this short novel. First time reading Vampire MM. I liked it a lot. But man they are masochist and sadist. The beginning was throwing me off. I was questioning do they like each other or hate each other. But you soon come to the conclusion. The torture in the beginning was not light. Again first time reading such a dark vampire MM. But I would definitely recommend to others.

[Ashley Trotto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as an ARC from a “new to me” author and was pleasantly surprised! The title did not lie - there was punishment and things got dark, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Heavy on cnc/sa, so if that’s a trigger, maybe not for you. Not quite a HEA, but I’m ok with that. As a testament to my enjoyment, I finished this one in one day.

[Adeselna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

It’s been over a decade since I read a book that made me nostalgic about the A.N. Roquelaure series, Sleeping Beauty. It was one of the first books in which punishment was the main focus of the erotica. It was dark and twisted, and I loved it! 

Grabbing the advance copy of “Punished by the Vampire King” I had no idea what to expect, other than a paranormal m/m romance, which is a great start, but I was completely blown away by the memories it unlocked. 

See, here’s the thing, the worst thing you can do to me, as a reviewer, is bore me. Sometimes I crave safety, sometimes I crave something wild and new. But whenever I reminisce about a very fond time I almost entirely had forgotten because it is not very common - you won! And I hope that these new novels of “dark romance” are here to stay because I love all the themes authors are able to explore within the subgenre.

“Punished by the Vampire King” starts exactly with that, with General Asher being punished by Henrikk, the king, for failing. The vampire court is not keen on failure so the General punishment is meant to be an example to those who fail the king’s orders. The punishment is not only public but of sexual nature, meant to diminish the General’s role within the court. What Henrikk is not counting on is that the punishment will awaken something within him. 

While the chapters are written in the 3rd person, we have access to both Henrikk and Asher’s POV. Henrikk's narration helps us understand that while he is not a good person, he is aware of how much of a menace to society he is. He continually tries to break Asher’s body and mind through games that allow him to use Asher’s for an end. Asher is tougher to break as we soon realise through his thoughts and dialogues that he clearly harbours feelings for Henrikk for a long time. We see him struggling to accept that Henrikk has turned into a bad person who is long past redemption, he entices Henrikk and even teases him when he knows no other person would be allowed to push him that far. 

Henrikk’s character arc is more focused on him unlocking his feelings for Asher and recovering the person from whom the General fell in love, whilst Asher focuses on not giving up the idea of the person he thinks can still be saved. Henrikk harbours a thirst to be punished by Asher for being a bad person and yet he hands to the person he trusts more, the fate of his life. He is so sure that after such humiliation Asher will clap back and deliver Henrikk’s punishment that he is blind to Asher’s undying love for him. The tone of Henrikk’s chapters is one of cruelty but above all heartbreaking. We see someone trying to not have redemption or being rescued, someone who is well aware that there is only one end to his tyranny and yet, when the more Asher fights back, he is apprehended by the thought of love and perhaps some salvation.

Just like the two main characters, the novel’s tone is sombre. The characters are not allowed to believe in happiness and Darcy Fayton makes sure to remind that the reader’s feelings will be matched to the characters. During the time that Henrikk and Asher do not believe that their love can exist, the reader endures their hurt and whilst Henrikk and Asher have a small glimpse of some bliss, the author plunges the reader from that paradise to remind us what type of story this is. It is a story of punishment: both to the characters and to the reader. The characters suffer and so must the reader.

“Punished by the Vampire King” is heart-wrenching to read. It explores the depths of desperation in a torn friendship, where a dark path is forged for the characters and love is a simple yet very complicated answer to that darkness.

[Elliel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this advance review copy for free ( I requested it). My review is completely voluntary. (Technically it is a published review copy because it came out today but I requested it yesterday. So, I'm still counting it.)

Secondly this book is, in my opinion, and incredibly dark book. It comes with several content warnings that I'll include here: Profanity, Abuse, Death, Sex, Violence, Suicide, and Rape.

"The Vampire's King's Punishment" by Darcy Fayton is an incredibly dark book with a small bit of romance in it. It is, and I cannot say this enough, DARK. I knew before requesting it that the book was going to be dark. But this book DARK. I read the content warnings, I saw the tags, and contemplated for a few hours on whether or not I really wanted to read the book. Because I am a sentimental softy. But then I read the excerpt and I knew I had to read the full book. However, I didn't realize just how much it was going to shatter me. It hurt so much but it also gave me a cathartic cry that I didn't know I needed. And I can now confidently say that I don't think "dark romance" is for me. I prefer my romances fluffy with darkness on the said ( aka not in the relationship). But, I also personally I don't consider " The Vampire King's Punishment" a romance in my mind. Dark erotica yes, but not a romance.

However, I still enjoyed the book for several reasons. One reason being the author. I greatly appreciate the way Darcy Fayton opened the book. She provided content warnings and the following message. "Your mental health matters. Remember, It's okay to put this book down and read something else if it's not for you. We all deserve an enjoyable reading experience." And that is something I will always appreciate. (I've read books where both the author and reviews failed to mention some extremely traumatizing things. But this review is not for those books so I will leave it at that.) However, her awareness is not the only reason I enjoyed "The Vampire King's Punishment".

I love the way Darcy Fayton writes everything flowed together so smoothly. And the world she created is interesting and the lore is fascinating. We get little bits of information about the past that make me want to know what the world was like before Henrikk. And the details about the present make me want to see the world burn and like a phoenix be reborn. Unfortunately I don't know that I could handle another dark romance by Darcy Fayton anytime soon. And that's okay.

Although out of everything the one thing that kept me reading was Asher. As I mentioned above I decided to request this book after reading the excerpt. And it was because of Asher. I needed to know how this story was going to end for him. Because, even through all the dark shit he had to experience he was still kind, still optimistic, and far to loyal for his own good. Nevertheless, Asher was a good person and I had to know if he was going to be okay. I needed him to be okay.

Overall, my heart hurts and I was more affected by this book that I expected to me. I knew it was going to hurt me I just didn't know how much. I enjoyed the book because of the big emotions it pulled from me, anger, hurt, and strangled hope. Darcy Fayton has created a very interesting world and her writing is phenomenal. But I am too soft to read more of her books unfortunately. But if you enjoy dark books and can mentally handle those content warnings (because it is all on page) pick up this book and give it a try. And to re-quote the author's book opening message "Your mental health matters. Remember, It's okay to put this book down and read something else if it's not for you. We all deserve an enjoyable reading experience." Now I am going to go bake some cookies and pick up something fluffy. Enjoy reading!

[Nikkiya Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stars breakdown:

4 ⭐️spice

2 ⭐️plot in 1st half of book

4 ⭐️plot in 2nd half of book

2 ⭐️vampire characterization (although that improved in the second half of book)

This was the 1st strictly MM book that I have read, and it did not disappoint. In fact, it left me wanting more. I love reverse harem and why choose, and thanks to Darcy Fayton, I will not shy away from MM relationships in books any longer, and I will be reading her Paranormal Dark Romace Plug and Drain Duology As always, if you are unsure about what you are and are not willing to read, read trigger warnings.

From start to finish, I felt like I read 2 different books. The 1st half was 75% smut and 25% plot. The 2nd half was the reverse 25% smut and 75% plot.

I almost DNF'ed this book because of the 1st half (I have never DNF'ed a book). I felt there was a lack of vampire lore of any kind, whether modern or old school. The only time I knew I was reading about vampires is because the characters would call themselves vampires or say the word fangs. Based on the world building in the 2nd half of the book, I definitely feel the author could have done more in the 1st half. I loved the descriptions of the spice, but knowing more back story would have made it more believable. The fact that both male characters had limited to no experience with other males sexually; the vulnerability could have been explored a little more.

For me, the 2nd half of the book saved the book. This is why I don't DNF books. I love fantasy and world building, and the 2nd half is when the book came to life. I can't say anymore because this is a spoiler-free review, but I couldn't stop reading it. I felt I finally got to learn about the characters, such as their background, who they are, and their personalities.

Now that I have had a literary postcoital moment and am able to analyze my thoughts; I believe the author intended for the reader to be in the dark for the 1st half of the book. We aren't meant to know why the two main characters found themselves in their situation. Answers are delivered throughout the 2nd half of the book. I feel like if Fayton would have spent a little time describing the world in the 1st half with more Gothic elements, explored some subtle indirect characterization, and a few select nuggets of background information she could have achieved the same revealing affect with more connection between setting, plot, and characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alexandria Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

🩸💔 Punished by the Vampire King 💔🩸
🔥 MM Vampire Romance | Dark | Spicy | Toxic | Addictive AF 🔥

"How do I taste, general?"
…Oh, you’re not ready for what this villain-origin love story is serving 😮‍💨

Listen. I knew this book was going to be dark. I knew it was going to be twisted. But what I did not know was that I’d be simultaneously yelling “RUN, ASHER” while also whispering “yes, please, more…” 👀

King Henrikk? A cold, calculated tyrant with punishment kink levels that broke the damn scale.
General Asher? The loyal (and secretly pining) warrior who takes the fall for a crime he didn’t commit and ends up at the mercy of the King he can’t stop craving.

What follows? Public humiliation. Power games. Toxic AF cat-and-mouse tension.

And somewhere in the middle of all that pain… a brutal, messy, deliciously broken love story that claws its way to the surface like a vampire starved of blood. 🩸

💔 The angst? Real.
🩸 The spice? UNHINGED (we're talking public punishment, begging, enemies to please just talk to each other)
👑 The setting? Castles, masquerades, magic, betrayal, and one King who absolutely needs therapy and a cuddle.
📉 Emotional stability? Gone.

Favorite moments?
🪢 “This is what you deserve, your Majesty.” (and I FELT that.)
🪢 “I’ve died a thousand times waiting for you to notice me.” (screaming. crying. throwing things.)
🪢 “Buckle up and try not to make too much noise.” (Sir… the way I CHOKED.)

Is the beginning rough? Yes.
Is their relationship healthy? LOL absolutely not.
Did I eat it up like the unhinged little gremlin I am? You bet.

This isn’t your typical romance. It’s dark. It's triggering. It’s tragic and tense and tangled. But it’s also so emotionally addictive, I couldn’t stop turning pages. Even when I didn’t know where it was going, I wanted to be lost in the chaos.

📚 P.S. If you’ve read Darcy Fayton’s other books, you’ll get even more out of this twisted world—but this one does stand alone. (Just maybe keep a glass of wine and a stress ball nearby.)

✨ Read if you love:
— Enemies to lovers with unresolved everything
— A King who punishes first, processes emotions... never
— Deliciously dark dom/sub vibes
— Redemption arcs with bite (literally)
— Broken men in castles doing awful things while falling in love ✨

Final verdict?
Henrikk may be the villain—but this story? Unapologetically captivating.🖤🩸

[Chantie]

Is this it?

That was the question that swirled in my head. It still is. I told myself to wait a little to write this review but nah, that wasn’t gonna cut it.

First and foremost, I'm grateful to Darcy Fayton for the arc read. Without your writing, this wouldn’t be possible.

Okay, let's get into it. The story takes place in a paranormal universe. The tyrant vampire King, Henrikk, reigned with an iron fist. It didn't help when he felt betrayed by his General, Asher. The one-sided torment started and appealed to my interest. Can't say I was pleased by the no-prepping. Even when they were supposed to be lovey-dovey. I cringed through it all, thinking only of blood. Like why was there no prepping?

Anyways, after the excitement came disappointment. At the end of the book, I had more questions than answers. It just ended more like a pause than an actual ending. Which disappointed me more than anything else. More questions formulated as I thought more into it. Who was the real King? What happened to the duo? Had they found true happiness? Why hadn’t the copy died or disappeared with its creator?

The little light shone on their love was too much of a teaser for my taste. I wanted to see them deep in love with happiness that touched my heart and that wasn’t what I got. It's even more annoying that maybe some of those answers can be found in another book. To be honest, I wasn’t a big fan of Nathaniel to want to read his book. The boy was too much for me. More like his father than he realized. He didn’t think about how his actions would influence those around him. Going further into that thought would reveal a few spoilers, so I'll stop here.

Regardless, the plot was interesting. Anyone who loves dark MM romance with a hot Vampire King and a sweet caring Vampire General, who can take anything, then this is for you.

Happy reading.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, I want to thank the author and publisher for a gifted copy of this book for review. This in no way reflects my opinions on the book and this review is my own.

My rating: 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4 stars

The Vampire King's Punishment is a M/M Vampire Dark Romance that follows General Asher and King Henrikk after betrayal and jumps right into the punishment. There's emotional turmoil, there's lust and love, there's spice! Lots and lots of spice as we navigate through these two's lives and world where nothing is what it seems at times.

I advise anyone interested in this book to check all trigger warnings and content warnings the author has in place, there is a reason this is a DARK romance. Triggers include non-con/dub-con, which can be a huge "no" for some.

There were times that I did not find there was really "plot" or that the plot was moving forward and found myself either bored or yearning for more. I also read a lot of spicy books and fanfic and sometimes felt that the spicy scenes were rushed or could have been more elaborate. These were two major things that for me personally, lowered my rating. There was also a line that I felt a bit uncomfortable by in the first few chapters in regards to "men stretching where no man should." That itself took a good half star off.

Overall though, this was an enjoyable read and gave me what I was looking for when I requested the copy for review.... and then some ;). I wasn't expecting as much emotional turmoil as we were given so it was an (un?)pleasant surprise to my little mindless spicy vampire romance. Definitely check it out if this seems like something up your alley!

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thank you to Netgalley and ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for giving me a chance to read Punished by the Vampire King by Darcy Fayton in exchange for my honest review. 
My first time reading one of Darcy Fayton's works left me wanting to revisit the world of intrigue and smut and see more of her other characters. Henrikk & Asher's story starts off as full on toxic hardcore trigger warning smut, and I loved that. Seeing their chemistry evolve, their history coming up through their interactions with hot steamy spice on the forefront of it all, was amazing. Seeing both of them struggle to make heads or tails about what the other is feeling was emotional and the fact that their power struggle was showcased through their smutty scenes scratched a specific spot I love to see as a reader personally.  I loved two things in this story :One, was the fact that *minor spoiler* they switch dynamics, and both top at some point in the story. I couldn't see Henrik bottoming and when it happened I was flabbergasted. Two, this was the first story I have ever read that helped me understand what a "happy for now" ending is. The fact that we had a "grey ending" made this book all the more enjoyable to me. I think that if you're looking for a dark fantasy MM romance with vampires, intrigue that also keeps you guessing were the characters are gonna end up in the end this is a book for you. 
This review will be cross-posted on my IG (@niasendlessbookshelves) as well as in my personal goodreads and of course in IkarianCorner, the blog I write on (under the Nia Unhinged category)  as of February 8th 2025 (for links, check my profile). 

[Katie Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read a book with CNC. Since looking up online at people's reasons for liking such themes (for curiosity, so I can understand further), I now totally get it! I actually downloaded this book without reading the TWs properly... oops. But I'm so thankful you accepted my request so I could read this wonderfully heart wrenching book.

My gosh, what a rollercoaster of emotions! I have so much empathy for the main characters, and others. Especially the Vampire King, Henrikk, despite how evil he portrays himself to be. And of course, Asher. The toxic dance and games the Vampire King plays, are completely despicable and Asher has EVERY right to abandon his loyalty to Henrikk, but he doesn't ever want to give up on him, because he knows a kindhearted side to him is still there. Henrikk puts Asher through physical and psychological torture, to make him loathe him. Because why wouldn't he loathe him?

This is a heartbreaking story of two broken men who want to openly love each other but that scares Henrikk to death, and Asher is struggling to get to that side of him. I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed this book, seeing how the main character's inner struggles are complicated and twisted. What a story... that eventually becomes a love story. I'll be reading more of this author's books! I am excited to learn more within the universe, and even more of Henrikk.

Thank you for accepting my request to read this book (and thank you to netgalley.co.uk too), I really appreciate it a lot! It has introduced me to the author's work and I am excited to read more!

[April MacDonald]

I have a lot of mixed feelings on this book. I received a copy through NetGalley so I am including a review, however I am not going to give a star rating. I don't think I'm the ideal audience since I seem to be an outlier in not really enjoying the story.

I found the actual plot to be kind of bizarre. I know the blurb says it's a good place to start in the series but I found it a bit confusing that there are several characters mentioned that seem to be important, but weren't explored enough for me to really care about them. I also felt like if vampires were entirely removed from the story nothing would change. There is mention of werewolf subjugation but it really isn't explored. It seemed obvious it was a prequel made as an after thought and not a story in its own right. I might have enjoyed it more if I had read the rest of the series and was familiar with the other characters but I don't think I enjoyed it enough to continue reading any more of the series.

I also wasn't a fan of trying to redeem Henrikk. I really didn't feel sympathy for him even though there were moments he was likable. I don't think the good things he did made up for the bad even if he wasn't fully responsible and I would have enjoyed his character more if I didn't feel like I was trying to be convinced to feel sorry for him.

If you are looking for lots of dark spice with a bit of fantasy plot mixed in, then this might the book for you, but I think I had a lot of questions about the plot that went beyond me being able to suspend my disbelief and get lost in the story.

[Itze Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know what I was expecting but this was WILD.
My first read from this author and I will absolutely be reading the other duets as there are additional characters mentioned here and they are set in the same world. This one is intended as a prequel to the other duets. A standalone MM fantasy vampire… dark romance? This was DARK. Both emotional and traumatizing and I would read it again!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Check your TWs. The author note at the beginning states the reader probably wouldn’t like Henrikk, and they were absolutely correct, but by the end… I get it. Henrikk the vampire king and his highly respected guard, Asher who has betrayed his king and old friend, have a very twisted connection but can they come back from the trauma inflicted between them? This started out at full speed with no warm up, literally (and publicly might I add) and I was immediately hooked. This was unhinged and more than chaotic at times. Initially thought this was a spicy book with little to no plot, but the plot here took so many turns it gave me slight whiplash (cue the dragon portion -not a spoiler). The synopsis of this could not have prepared for me the read I just completed, even after mentioning “emotional” and “rollercoaster” but in the best way possible. If you like vampires, dark and aggressive spice, this one’s for you. Let me emphasize there’s a lot of spice lol.

[Mommysuz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read books 1 through 3 individually, I was thrilled to find the entire series compiled into one volume. Initially, Henrikk was a character I found difficult to like. His treatment of Asher was harsh and unforgivable, making him seem irredeemably cruel. However, everything changed with "Henrikk's Secret." This installment peeled back the layers of his character, revealing vulnerabilities and a complex backstory that made my heart ache for him.

The emotional journey was intense, with ups and downs that kept me engrossed. The author's ability to evoke such a strong reaction speaks to their skill in crafting a multi-dimensional character. The ending, in particular, left me in shock. It was one of those rare moments where I had to pause and process what had just happened, thinking, "Did that really just happen?"

This series has all the makings of a good book: compelling characters, unexpected twists, and a narrative that lingers in your mind long after the final page. If you're looking for a series that challenges your perceptions and keeps you emotionally invested, this is a must-read. My mind is still blown, and that’s a sign of a truly memorable story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy hell, I couldn’t put this down.

The beginning half was so dark and twisted. It was rough, but I really enjoyed it. The characters personalities were very distinct and well written. I thought it was so hot. Idk what that says about me, but oh well. Spicy af.

We got ~public punishment~ as evident by the book title.
A masquerade 👀👀👀👀
A chasing scene!!!!!!
Pick your weapon, it’s a fight to the death. 😮‍💨

The last half had a lot of potential that I felt like wasn’t met.

I just learned that this world has two other duets in it that came first, and this book is the villain origin story which is probably why it felt so lacking for me.

It felt like a lot of plot points disintegrated, but I guess they get answered in the main duets?

Either way this was really fun. It has a lot of tropes I really enjoy. I almost cried at one point and then spent the next 10 minutes laughing my ass off so that was fun. I really loved how the author made me empathize with this horrible villain. He was actually very quirky, funny, and likable!

I am intrigued enough to read the rest of her books in this world, but not intrigued enough to start them now. I would rate this 3.5!

[Fedythereader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and the publisher, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for sharing a copy of this book with me on NetGalley!!

“Tomorrow night, he would push Asher one last time. Tomorrow night, the game would end”

I’m still not completely sure how I feel about this book. A part of me did enjoy it. It was a dark paranormal romance book and it stayed true to what was the premise. The characters were dark and the idea of being morally grey was nonexistent. The only truth was the love of a general for his king. A twisted complicated and very very dark form of love but love nonetheless. Asher and Henrikk dynamic was really twisted. It was really hard to get through. But at the end of the day, it was a dark romance. And the way they fought one another for submission was part of their journey through power and control and possible death. I won’t complain about it. I feel like I got to know a bit about the characters also through previous books. But what you learn with first hand reading about them can completely alter your perception of them. And it’s a good thing. I’m glad I had a chance to read this!

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first experience with the author. I enjoyed their writing style and would consider looking for additional titles. It wasn’t an easy book to get through for me, though. It’s spicy, which was great, it’s dark, also good— but Hennrick is so unlikeable, combined with minimal vampire/paranormal story building, I wanted to give up. I am stubborn and am glad I stuck it out because the arc and ending weren’t remotely what I anticipated, so I always welcome a surprise from an author.

I understand this was a collection of previously released short stories that were pulled together to tell Hennrick’s villain story. I love me a villain, just not this one ;) that said, I’m not sure I prefer the collection “reading experience” (vs. standalone short novels) because it results in a jarring clash of two different stories . To be fair, the author DOES essentially say this in the intro- Dark villain, spicy M/M storyline that shifts about 60% of the way through to a HEA. The TW and intro are honest, accurate and I appreciated that heads up!
I did receive an ARC for honest feedback

[Emilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I thought this book was super entertaining. The first half of the book is made up of several short stories, while the latter half is basically one novella. I was definitely more of a fan of the latter half of this book, as it featured more of a fantasy plot. I did have a hard time following some of the plot points, but that is probably more my fault for being bad at paying attention than it is the book’s fault. I'm usually more of a character-driven person, so I wish the characters were more memorable to me. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in it, it's a very fast and easy read. My only other minor complaint is that I wish there was more vampire content - the vampires in this book breathe and eat human food, and there is little mention of any other “vampire” traits. I just wish the vampire content was more central to the story.

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Kristen Tougas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts out as a very dark story as the vampire king punishes his general who he believes betrayed him. While you see romance later in the story, the book starts out very brutal. Please check trigger warnings before diving in.

The story started strong and had me very interested in the relationship/history between our two main characters, but it got a little weird in the middle when we were randomly taken through a portal that we didn't know existed and met a dragon that we also didn't know existed. I also found it hard to empathize with the main character and ultimately couldn't find it in myself to root for a love story between an abuser and their abused partner, even if there were reasons for why he acted that way.

If you enjoy very dark romances and MM romance, you might still enjoy this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Darcy Fayton for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.

[Chelsea Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this.

I had the first part on my Kindle from back when this was being published as novellas and started it several days ago to get one last quick read in for 2024. However, I quickly became obsessed and decided to download the full edition.

How was this so dark yet so sweet?? I love a redeemable villain, and Henrikk was the epitome of one. He did some truly despicable things to Asher, yet Asher's love for him never wavered. Toxic? Maybe. But that's unconditional love. It's also a recipe for all the angst that's in this book! I mean, that dining room scene. 🙃

The writing was wonderful. The twists were so fun.

I read this as a standalone and didn't feel as though I was missing anything. I almost exclusively read queer romance, so I probably won't read the other books that belong in this world. But that's okay because I'd be scared of anything tarnishing the love I had for Henrikk in the end.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4 ⭐️Spice 4 🌶️
This was a book that was different from anything I have read so far. It was my first read by this author as well. It was interesting in how it wove things together. I found the descriptions to be done well, it put the images in my head without being overly descriptive. I liked Henrikk and his journey. It was a dark and twisty one. Asher was a great character and I enjoyed him and his journey too. This book has a little bit of everything. You have Vampires, witches, magic, betrayal, secrets, lies, deceit, spice. It does have some trigger warnings, so be sure to check those. Having never read any of her other books I had no issues following along. The ending was a HEA/HFN. This is a stand alone MM dark romance, but there are other books that are sort of interconnected into the same world.