Heir of Blood & Fire

Blackblooded #1

by Marina Laurendi

Two thousand years ago, the Blackblood witches and their dragons were wiped from existence. Only one remains.

Serena Avery wants a life like her favorite book characters. One full of adventure, passion, and purpose. She gets more than she bargained for when she is thrust into the world of the fae, accused of being a witch, and held captive by the King of Aegar. Things get even stranger when she discovers that the king is the mirror image of her dead father, the princess is her estranged sister, and the cruel and harsh captain of the guard is her “one that got away.”

Wanted by all five kingdoms, Serena now stands at the center of an ancient prophecy, facing an impossible fate. To survive, she must navigate a court of familiar strangers while battling unseen forces and a forbidden romance.
But the longer she stays in this world, facing the scars of her past, the more she comes to realize that healing doesn’t come without a little blood.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Romantasy, Witches, Romance, Fae, Fantasy Romance

488 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2024

Reviews

[Savannah (chapters_of_mayhem) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guys, the female main character is an adult! 29!
Not a teenager! This is a step in the right direction for all adult book readers every where!

The storyline was fantastic. The banter and sass was off the charts. The slow burn… the tension! Impeccable!

I LOVE the characters. I am absolutely obsessed with Kai. He’s not even a main character and I just can’t stop thinking about him.

I was giggling and kicking my feet. I was angry and frustrated. This book had it all.

I will be eagerly awaiting the second instalment.

Thank you to Marina Laurendi for allowing me to read an advanced copy. I am leaving the review voluntarily.

[Lucie V.]

This book is free on Amazon (Canada) today (01/29/2025). 🙂

[Carah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and holy cow!? I LOVED every minute of this book. This book made me question everyone that Serena got close to, only because of her obliviousness to some things ahaha. About halfway through, I just hated having to put it down. I loved the twists and turns that it took, always keeping me on my toes. I cannot wait for this book to release, and I’m BEGGING for book two!!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another ARC done! I want to start with what I liked, and then I’ll mention a few of my personal hangs up.

First. I enjoyed most of the characters and the plot. The story itself was unique and interesting. I enjoyed the female friendships that sometimes can be lacking in novels that have romance in them. I thought the ending was a nice cliffhanger but not crazy enough that it made me mad.

However, I have decided that I really hate the word “purr” being used as an adjective when a guy is talking to a girl. It’s a no for me, not sexy or cool. Speaking of cool, I didn’t love the romance. This dude was very hot and cold in the beginning, and while I get it, like I understand the WHY, I wasn’t a fan. I also didn’t love his nickname and found him condescending a lot of the time.

So bottom line, it was good, and I’m grateful I got the chance to read it, but IDK if I’ll read the next one

[Makenna Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a happy, new lil’ ARC reader over here! 👋🏼
•
I’m so grateful I was chosen to be one of Marina’s readers for her upcoming novel, Chains of Fate & Fury, and she was very kind to also send me a copy of Heir of Blood & Fire as well. (Thanks, girl!)
•
Now, I realize I’m coming off the emotional roller coaster that was the TOG tandem read, and I very much needed something a little less soul tearing. Part of me didn’t want to pick up a fantasy book again. However, I can truly say that HOBAF gave me the breath of fresh air I needed and also the will to live again. 😂
•
FINALLY, a romantasy that doesn’t strap you with tedious world building 😮‍💨 This was so easy to dive into and had perfect amounts of everything; humor, magic, banter and yearning, multiple gorgeous Fae males (😏), and so much dazzling adventure that I truly had a hard time putting it down.
•
Serena is a FMC that I can 100% stand behind, and she was so likeable with humor that had me actually laughing out loud. Her mind was such a fun place to be, but you also really hit those lows with her. Her comedic timing was perfect, but she also had so many sides to her that I just loved the whole process of getting to know who she is.
•
I also loved the whole idea of mirror worlds, and this was my first book with that plot choice. So this read felt extra unique & exciting, and I think our author did a great job tackling such a daring storyline. I also loved that the whole time I just really had no idea which MMC held Serena’s heart… like, I knew, but also I didn’t?? Marina popped out love interests like it was candy and I was somehow rooting for all of them? What???
•
I mean, really all that’s left to say is I loved it, and I plan on diving into COFAF immediately. (Because, DANG. The cliffhanger?!) Literally, just brilliant. And SO FUN!!!!! Marina, you are so talented.
•
Ok, let’s go see what happens to our lil’ witch!👀

[Moe Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review!

Rating: 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Spice: 🌶

Slight Spoilers? 🤔


This is the second book I've had the privilege to recieve as an ARC and I didn't know what to expect. Fantasy I find can be hit or miss. This book did not disappoint!

Marina had me from the first few chapters especially when our FMC was magically transported to a mirror world with someone who she thought was just her local bookstore owner. Well.....he was not 🤣

I LOVED the characters particularly Kai, who I feel will gain more of a larger role in the next book. Our FMC Serena is strong, but doesn't realise her full potential and power. I am enjoying watching her come into herself as the last Blackblood witch.

Zaydn....can I have one too? A sexy familiar shifter! Yes please!! I hope he finds the guts to pursue what it is he's feeling...

Jace, I want more from you! The bodyguard turned hand of the King. You cannot just stand and let everyone else decise your fate my friend, because otherwise I will be very upset.

FURI!! The newly awakened dragon....

I just need more. The story building was great. A hot and cold slow burn romance that leaves questions on who will become the main love interest...b3cause honestly I'm vying for more then one haha.
Marina has laid out an amazing foundation for what's about to become an epic fantasy series.

Book 2 can not come quick enough!!

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when fantasy meets modernism. This book had so much of my favorite themes in one story! Fae, witches and dragons. Not to mention the love triangle going on. I couldn’t get enough. The FMC was a badass. Took my time reading it also because I enjoyed it so so much. I need more like yesterday!

[Emily Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

MFC Serena finds herself wishing for more in life. Still grieving the loss of her dad and dealing with complicated feelings with her ex lover.
She confides in her friend the owner of a small homely bookshop, who in turn opens her eyes to another world- a fae kingdom which mirrors that of her former life.

I loved this book and found it hard to put down! The world building accompanied by the map as well the playlist enables the reader to fully immerse yourself in the world and story. The twists and turns throughout were well executed and the ending left us on a cliff hanger ( and hanging for book #2 😳)

I loved the slow burn 🔥 and the banter throughout, as well as the characters journey to discover herself and embrace her destiny.

If you’re a fan of SJM this is a series for you 😊

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[CBW · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and when I tell you this is my BEST read of the year so far (and considering I read TOG this year, that's HIGH standards). I was blown away and never would have believed this was a debut piece.

The world-building in this is absolutely incredible. The twists and turns at every corner, alternative motives of so many characters, and scenes that left me in a mixture of kicking my feet and squealing but also wanting to throw my Kindle (in the best way possible)!

It's been a long time since I've had a series that left me so conflicted on characters and their fates as this book has. Love triangle! square? pentagon??? (Is it bad I kind of swooned over the bad guy? 👀😏)

Plus a DRAGON! Even better, a sweet bean of a dragon who I just want to cuddle.

This book set such a good foundation for this series to build upon and I'm very excited to see where it goes next! I may or may not be far too invested in these characters.

Marina Laurendi is definitely an author to keep your eyes on in the future!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - a 5 star read that I think is going to put me into a book hangover after how good it was! I 100% recommend to all fantasy and romantasy lovers!

To start, Serena (the FMC) is honestly one of my favorite FMCs of all time. Her personality shines through from the first page which makes her so relatable, even if she is the only remaining Blackblood witch (which is not very relatable at all).

The sense of forbidden love and found family throughout this book pulled at my heart strings the whole way and mixed with the level of action - it was hard to ever put it down!

Marina does such an amazing job with the dialogue and descriptions so I felt like I was immersed in the world with all of the characters and I could picture them so clearly.

Of course, the ending has me so excited to read the next book!

[Belle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me. It had an intriguing premise, but it needed a bit more to feel fully fleshed out.

There were a few too many parts that felt disconnected from each other, and I think a little bit more world building would’ve helped. So many scene happened so quickly, action that would be over in just two pages. More showing of the scenes rather than just telling at times would’ve allowed the reader to be more fully immersed. I want to feel the scene with the fmc who has just been thrown in this new world, but sometimes the way she would describe things wouldn’t really allow for it.

Serena, the fmc, left me wanting. She’s 29, and I’m 30, and at the beginning I could understand her feelings. The first chapter is a lot of internal monologue, kind of just dumping all her feelings on us. While I wish it had come across differently, I could relate to her. But by the middle of the book, she was coming across more immature.

Now, the romance. This is not what I want from my romance at all. We kind of? get set up with multiple love interests, but there’s one main love interest throughout the book. This feels like it’s meant to be a SJM twist in the future, if it’s not setting up to be reverse harem (which i love, so i wouldn’t mind).

But where it made me feel rage is that every love interest has a scene with another woman lol. I am not a fan of this, and will avoid it at all costs in my reading, but I didn’t see any spoilers for this beforehand.

Serena has a familiar who has been with her since she was born. He is clearly pining for her, and I actually quite like him, but he’s not given much personality besides protector. He sleeps with another girl though he is clearly in love with Serena, and Serena feels very jealous of this. But she thinks he’s off limits. They do kiss at one point before this but she wasn’t exactly in her right mind. She feels attraction to him at multiple times though, which is why I kept getting thrown off as to who is the actual love interest. But because of his flirtation/sexual relationship with the other girl, I didn’t enjoy this.

The other potential love interest is Kai. He’s also not given much page time but he’s a chill playboy and has a back story, and I feel like he’ll be a bigger character in book 2. They don’t really have anything going on per se, but she thinks he’s handsome and there’s some initial flirtation in their first meeting. He has a barmaid pinned against the wall in one scene when they all go out to the city. Again, not a big deal to most people but if he is the main love interest, i don’t want to read about him with other people. If he’s not, no harm.

But then we get to the main love interest, Jace. He’s captain of the guard and hates her on sight. Problem is, the fae world is a mirror world of earth, and he looks just the like her ex boyfriend, the one who got away. He has to train her, so they grow closer and of course he’s seemingly attracted to her, which we can tell even when he’s mean to her. But guess what, we also can tell that there’s something going on between him and the princess Sorscha.

He’s been seeing her for a few months apparently, before the fmc arrived in the realm. The king wants them to be married. So even though he is seemingly the main love interest in this book, and Serena is in love with him, he ends it by being engaged to the princess per the king.

They have moments together, nothing spicy but kisses, but it felt gross. They both felt guilt about doing it, and it gave me bad vibes idk. If he does end up being the actual love interest, this was a terrible way at setting it up. It felt like cheating toward the end, and the fmc at times just really couldn’t care because she just wanted him so bad. It was too much back and forth on this too, which unfortunately just isn’t for me.

There’s a fourth love interest seemingly brought up but he’s not a good guy so I’m sure he’s just a red herring??

The concept of mates is brought up a few times, and it’s hinted that Jace is not the one who’s for her, but who knows. Is he her Chaol?

Frankly, the premise was interesting but the romance left a lot to be desired. If the plot was focused more on just the regular premise with no romance, my rating would be higher as i would’ve enjoyed it more. Alas, it felt like a few too many mixes of popular romantasy books. At least a little more build up would’ve been better.

[eclecticbychoicereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was a wild ride, and I loved every second of it! Heir of Blood & Fire, Book 1 in the Blackblooded series by Marina Laurendi, was such an incredible introduction to this riveting new world Marina has created. From the magic system, the lore & the prophecies, the masterfully created characters, the aspect of portal fantasy—everything was interwoven beautifully to deliver a story of a reluctant yet fierce hero, forbidden love, and so much intrigue.

Marina now has my undying support, and I will do my best to convey the array of emotions this book will provoke in you. You will be on the edge of your seat the entire time, waiting for what will happen next; you will wonder if the heroine's choice is the right one and secretly hope it is; you will enjoy the characters that feel so raw and so real, with their good and bad sides portrayed so realistically. You will fall in love with these characters and their stories.

Serena is a great female lead; she tries her best, makes mistakes, and keeps pushing. When she is thrust into a world she never thought existed and presented with a prophecy that changes the entire course of her life, she still finds the inner strength to deal with it all. Add a moody and grumpy captain of the Fae guard to the mix, and you get the perfect recipe for a plot that keeps giving. I loved how Serena found a place in her heart and accepted the friendship and care of others; their dynamics were so real and lovely to witness.

What I loved the most about the Heir of Blood & Fire is that I was constantly guessing, asking myself what would happen next; the plot was so intriguing and engaging, and if I could've, I would've read it in one sitting. I was left gasping at some events and plot twists, and I'm sure you will feel the same.

If you want a unique portal romantasy with a plot that will keep you up late at night, a forbidden romance that will make you cry tears of joy & sadness, Heir of Blood & Fire is the book for you! Heir of Blood & Fire is being released on September 30th, and I urge you to try Marina's story. Trust me, you won't regret it!

Heir of Blood & Fire will gift you:
- a unique portal fantasy
- ancient prophecies
- reluctant heroes
- secrets & intrigue
- coming into your powers
- forbidden love
- grief, sorrow, pain, and betrayal
- beautiful found family
- engaging & intriguing plot
and a story that will have you in an absolute chokehold from start to finish!

[Emily Gaughan-Darr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC, and right off the bat, loved that the FMC is not a teenager, she’s an adult woman! Woo! I enjoyed that it begins in the human world, I mean who wouldn’t want to basically fall into a fantasy world with dragons and witches? Also enjoyed the some of the relatable pop culture mentions. (Except there is a mixup between Charles Manson and Jim Jones.)

After I was halfway through the book, I absolutely could not put it down! I can’t wait to see what happens next and hopefully dive even deeper into some of the lovable side characters!

Also have to give a shoutout for the playlist! It was such a cool addition and I loved having suggestions on when to play the songs while reading!

[Elan - Young Al Capone EK · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AMAZING! Waiting for book two of this series is going to be the death of me. It was definitely a twist on romantasy that I wasn’t expecting. In the very beginning I was worried about where it was going but it just kept getting better and better. The FMC has such a fun personality and her relationships with the other characters are so captivating. I absolutely LOVED Zayden and his fierceness as a protector. I am DYING to see where this story goes. I need the next book NOW. Also, did I mention there are dragons? And magic? GO READ THIS BOOK ASAP.

[Lea Hilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like to preface this by saying, I’m not typically a romantasy reader. Several novels this year have changed my mind about the genre and this novel is one of those. My absolute most favorite thing about this novel is the description of the setting, the people, all of the places, the creatures. Honestly, I envy the imagination that Laurendi has. I loved how you couldn’t really predict the romance… but there were still clues along the way. This book has a true solid story and that is something I can really appreciate about a novel that is romance heavy.. Thank you for choosing me to be an ARC reader!

[Ky (kys.bookish.adventures) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

GUYS! This was so fantastic! Like one of my top reads of the entire year and cannot believe it is a debut novel. The world building was so amazing - I felt very immersed with out it being overwhelming! There are dragons, found family, romance and some amazing twists and turns. It’s everything you would want in a fantasy novel. I loved the main character Serena and also loved that she was 29 (yay to a little older FMC). It left off on quite the cliffhanger that has me wanting more! Cannot wait for everyone else to read this book! Comes out September 20th!

[Brenda | BookaholicHaBits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disfruté mucho esta lectura. Es un Romantacy que me dio vibras de cuando veía vampire diaries. No porque la trama fuera la misma que que los energías de este libro me encantaron así como la serie! Me encantó!

[Sam Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this read and had a great time!
If you are a fan of the SJMass Verse and The Empyrean, you like this.

Easy reading and a fun story, I really wanted to see more of Furi! She was my favourite character 🔥

I can’t wait for the next book 📕

[Avery Dill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was sent to me as an ARC read, and it is Marina Laurendi’s debut novel, so I made sure to go in completely open minded, but I absolutely LOVE this book!!! Once I started it, I couldn’t even focus on the other books I was reading because I just had to know what Serena was up to. Marina sent me on an emotional rollercoaster, and I have never cried this much about a book before in my life. I was feeling all of the emotions from happiness to excitement to anxiety and heartbreak and everything in between. I don’t have much room for physical books in my apartment, but I will be purchasing a physical copy if and when she releases a physical copy because I need another copy. I just do. In fact, I’ll be purchasing the entire series as it releases. Preorder this book now. It comes out September 30, and you will not regret it! BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!!

[Morgan L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heir of Blood & Fire is absolutely phenomenal—I couldn't put it down! It's been ages since a romantasy novel has captivated me like this and Marina's brilliant writing transported me to a magical world that felt so vivid, relatable, and enchanting. Even days after finishing, I can't stop thinking about the characters and the story. I keep wishing a book podcast would cover this book and create a community where people could theorize! If you're looking for a magical escape with fascinating characters and amazing world-building, I highly recommend this book. I cannot wait until the next book in the series comes out!

[Sidney McClung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow. Words cannot explain how much I loved this book. The characters are so relatable. I love the modern twist thrown into the fantasy plot. I was immediately immersed into the world built. The romance, flirting, banter, all of it was perfect. The twists and turns had me on turning pages nonstop. I’m crushed that this book had to come to an end. I will be the first to line up for the next book of the series! I have to know what happens next! Highly recommend to anyone who loves fantasy, romantasy, enemies to lovers, touch her and die, cliffhangers, heart wrenching backstories and hot mmcs!

[Alyce Hopton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Marina, for an advanced copy. I know it's a late review. But better late than never!

This book was a little slow at the beginning, but I pushed through the first quarter, and I became absolutely addicted!!

I really liked that the story was different in a lot of ways to other fantasy books I have read.

I don't want to give alot away because it's so easy to. But I'll say in this book you've got humans, witches, familiars, fae, dragon, evil beasts from god knows where.

Serena is a bored barmaid who throws herself into books to drown out the world around her. She has befriended the local bookstore owner who shows her his special edition books. One book throws her into a world of fae, and she has no idea why she is there. Serena learns so much about herself that she doesn't know where she belongs. The human realm or the fae realm?

The twists and surprises really kept me enamoured and I cannot wait for the 2nd book!

[Shaheema · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read an early copy of your book in exchange for an honest review!

Summary: Serena Avery gets more than she bargained for when she wishes for an extraordinary life. Thrust into the mirror world of the Fae, who turn out to be very real, Serena learns she is the last Blackblood witch, the most powerful of the witches in the world of Solterre, and who are the only beings capable of bonding with…DRAGONS! Serena must train to strengthen her body, tap into the powerful magic trapped in her blood, and bond with the last dragon in existence, to finally claim her true legacy, that of the powerful Blackblood witches. Along the way, she has to contend with King Derek, a doppelgänger who looks just like her dead father; Princess Sorscha, who looks like her estranged sister; and Captain Jace Fallyn, the spitting image of the man she was deeply in love with. Serena’s journey from the human world into the mirror world of the Fae is epic, adventurous, and filled with exciting and unique creatures.

My review is a week late, but listen, I LOVED this book! I loved the world building, which not too heavy but not too light. I loved the assortment of characters, how they were all distinct and still felt very real. I loved the entire backstory of the Blackblood witches and the explanation of their power. The lore was unique and intriguing to me. And lastly, I really adore Zadyn’s character, possibly the best familiar a witch could ask for.

My only disappointment was that we didn’t get a lot of scenes with Serena and her dragon, but I’m hoping more of that will come in book 2. Like Serena bonded with her dragon, which was so cool, and then she was wrapped around Jace lol. I expected some more scenes, maybe an entire chapter, of Serena getting to know her dragon and learning about her past, her powers, etc etc, but we didn’t get any of that so that was disappointing to me especially because it was something that I was really looking forward to! Serena seemed almost blasé about her dragon and more obsessed about which man was looking at her and which wasn’t, which took me out of the book a bit. Also Jace was so hostile in the beginning, which annoyed me a lot too lol.

Overall a goodread, I would recommend to fans of romantasy, enemies to lovers, love triangles, and dragon bonds.

[Bo-Maree Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heir of Blood and Fire is the first book in Marina Laurendi's Blackblooded Series. If you are a fan of the Empyrean Series or the SJM Verse, run don't walk to get your hands on this book when it releases on 30 September 2024. Better yet, preorder a copy so you don't miss out!

I would honestly suggest going into this book as blind a possible to not detract from the experience but if you must know more... Heir of Blood and Fire centres around FMC, Serena, who is pulled from the human world into Solterre, a fae world where she finds herself in the company of the familiar faces of her deceased father, estranged sister and a past lover. Serena is suspected of having magic blood, specifically that of the poweful Blackblood witches. If this is so, it not only makes Serena the last of these witches but also the last of the dragon riders.

If you like your books with action from the first page, the first part of the book may be a little slow for your liking but believe me when I say the world building is phenomenal and has a purpose and makes the stakes so much higher when the action starts.

Serena's development from the introvert with no friends to the bad ass with a found family is just one of the many highlights of the book, as are the side characters. These characters are so well written that you find yourself loving them just as much as the main character. I love how they bonded together, and the banter between them is just perfect. I can't wait to see how these relationships evolve in the next book as the have the potential to grow into something special.

Heir of Blood and Fire is EVERYTHING you want in a fantasy novel. Actually it's everything you want in a novel of any genre. It has it all - drama, action, betrayal, suspense, tension, characters you can't help but love and want to smack across the back of the head at the same time and an ending that will leave you wanting more. The inclusion of a world map, pronunciation guide, and playlist helps you immerse yourself in what is already an unforgettable world.

Marina Laurendi and Heir of Blood and Fire prove that there are still amazing books out there waiting to be read.

[danni kaneshiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, I was both pleasantly surprised & surprisingly impressed with this book. The first third of it gave me Ella Enchanted vibes with its modern twist on fantasy. I love getting into books without reading the blurb or synopsis (this was one of those book for me) - I had no idea where this plot was going & was not certain I loved the FMC, but holy cow, what a wild & epic ride this book was. The rest of the book was a non-stop, fast-paced read, & I enjoyed every word - the FMC really grew on me & after envisioning how I would react if I were in her shoes, every reaction was so valid & spot on that I ended up loving the FMC so much!

Overall, I enjoyed this book for its in-depth world building of parallel worlds, romantic tension, mysterious & brooding (& misunderstood) siren prince along w/ other paranormal beings (LIKE witches & DRAGONS 😍), strong character development, and found family among friends! I truly fell in love with the FMC, Serena and the friendships she made along the way in her epic journey. Shoutout to Mar & Kai 💙

TROPES:
✨Parallel worlds
✨Dragons, Witches, Shifters, & Sirens
✨Epic Training Arc
✨Romantic Tension
✨Found Family
✨Magical Abilities

There were so many moments in this book that I cherished due to how relatable Serena overcame her struggles, her emotional & overall thought processes were so real & raw that it brought her character to life, making me feel the things she was feeling. Marina Laurendi has a way with words in being able to create so much imagery with her descriptive writing & bringing out so much personality to her characters!

I rated 4 out of 5 bc I wished for more scenes & moments with Furi as well as a more in-depth analysis of the powers Serena found herself with! So, I am hoping there is definitely more moments with Furi in book 2, which makes all the more excited for its release!

Thank you to Marina Laurendi for the opportunity to obtain this ARC, it was such a fun read - highly recommend to any romantasy reader! Also, TEAM KAI BABYYYY 👀

[April Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heir of Blood and Fire is Marina Laurendi’s debut novel, and it is well worth the read. The book does not read like a debut novel, Laurendi’s writing is engaging and draws you into the story from the beginning and doesn’t let you go until the end.
Our FMC, Serena, finds out that she was not born in this world, but is a witch who was hidden in this world to protect her from evil in her home dimension. She learns this after she is suddenly thrown into her home dimension with no explanation and discovers that not only is she a witch, but that she has a familiar who has been portraying several important people in her life. As if that wasn’t enough of a shock, the world is a mirror dimension to the one she’s been living in and many of the fae she encounters wear the faces of her friends and loved ones from the mortal world. Then, to top it all off, she just isn’t any witch, she is the one and only Dragon Rider of the last dragon left alive. Serena begins her new life learning how to be the Dragon Rider, which brings her into close daily contact with the man who wears her ex-boyfriend’s face, and as they train, she begins to fall in love with Jace for who he is, not who he looks like. Unfortunately, the new realm is plagued by an evil problem and despite Serena and Jace’s best attempts they are unable to solve the problem. Their issues are compounded by the fact that Serena and Jace must learn to ignore their feelings for each other because he is to be engaged to the King’s daughter. Things come to a head when a neighboring King comes to visit, and Serena is forced to endure his unwanted attention and kidnapping to his realm. This is where the story ends, leading up to the cliffhanger for book 2.

Overall, this is a very good story, it was a 5-star read for me. I thought it was fast paced, the characters were believable and enjoyable to read about. There are elements of enemies to lovers and romance and fated mates. I can’t wait for the sequel

[Kristy Mysticwater · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (solid 4)
.5 🌶️ - (Does a couple make out sessions count as spice?)

My ARC review for this hidden world meets modern fantasy: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Spoilers and spazzing ahead - I can’t be eloquent right now 🤷🏻‍♀️

Ok first: I love isekai world tropes and I am immediately here for this world building.

The first half of the book can be a bit slow but there’s a purpose and the character development and relationship building before the action starts in the second half really works in its favour. You care about all the characters by the time the stakes get high.

Mostly I have too many feelings about the guys and the love triangle/square that is going on???

- I am Team Kai 🙈🥵😏 he’s just a misunderstood fuckboi princeling 🥹 we can fix him. Hands down fav character. He’s such a brat but he knows he’s sexy when he’s acting up. He also needs a hug.

- But also I really really want Jace and Zayden to just kiss already 😂 srsly bois! sometimes they have more tension together than with Serena. I love the banter between them. (They need to get it out of their system I’m sure Serena can help if they figure their feelings out 🫠 )

- Also also the side female characters are all really well done (even the bitchy one is such a blast to read about 😂 jk Ilu CC get dem shifter goods)
The found family vibes are hitting really well. I love every scene with the troupe together.

- I wish we saw more Furi ~ I love her so much!!

- Jace needs a spanking. We love him, we really do, but sir - plz make a choice or bend over!!

- ps- Kai must be protected at all costs ._.
Have I mentioned I adore him?

This was such a fun ride and refreshing take on the Fae world being a mirror image to our own. so I am super excited for what book 2 brings.

Much love and thank you for allowing me to ARC your book baby xoxo

/unhinged review

[Stephanie Ludington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for my very first ARC read!! Here’s my honest review:

Positives:
- I’m a sucker for when books have playlists in the beginning. I’m an even BIGGER sucker when there’s literally a spot to cue that song.

- I loved Serena’s development. I think that the story was just fast enough paced and didn’t focus on before Aegar with Serena and her human life. I can’t stand it when books focus so much time on the before and not on the future.

- I loved the development of Zaydn. I truly think that he wants the best for Serena whether it be with him or without him. I definitely think that he is in love with her though, like 1000%. I think that CC is just a fling for him to maybe get over Serena and make it not hurt as much.

-THE FREAKING TENSION BETWEEN JACE AND SERENA. it was literally killing me through the whole entire book. When that moment came?! Oh my gosh I was FINALLY getting what I wanted the whole book. But then of course, he had to get side tracked by the cellphone.

- I loved the relationship that is growing between King Derek and Serena. It makes my heart happy.

- The end when Jace was saying he needed to go find Serena and then King Derek said “you love her.” WATER. WORKS.

Things I didn’t like:
- Serena… she’s so oblivious. Oblivious to love, danger, when she should stop talking… man, oh man.

- Serena needs to let Zadyn get laid and quit being mean about it if she’s not going to do it herself lol.

- The cliff hanger… I need the second book like yesterday. lol.

I CAN’T WAIT FOR BOOK TWO.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe this was Marina Laurendi's debut novel! Heir of Blood and Fire was an absolute delight to get lost in. Serena’s journey into a mirrored world where fae, dragons, and witches are not legends but an integral part of her new reality was fanatical and had me hooked. The premise of familiar faces in a strange kingdom added a fascinating twist while already adjusting to her other changes.

The characters are so well-crafted. Serena’s discovery that her best friend, Zayden, is a shifter who will go to any lengths to protect her, creates a deep bond that’s both comforting and powerful. And then there’s Jace—he’s a complex, brooding figure who despises Serena at first but shares the face of her ex-lover from her old world, adding layers of tension and intrigue. Serena’s training to become the Black Blood Witch, destined to bond with a dragon, is intense and riveting. The challenges she faces, both in her training and in her conflicted emotions towards the two men in her life, kept me glued to the pages.

The story is a wild, exhilarating ride from start to finish. I couldn’t get enough of this world and its intricacies. The cliffhanger left me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating the next installment. Marina Laurendi has crafted a truly enchanting tale, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Serena next.

Thank you, Marina, for allowing me the privilege of reading this incredible story as an ARC! I have no doubt that this book will take you far.

[Rach❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving this book as an ARC, and boy wow, what an absolute sensational read! This book had everything you could want.. Fae, witches, magic, suspense, lusty scenes, incredible characters, and the best part of all.. A DRAGON! Not only is this cover so visually appealing (seriously, how stunning is it), but this book is incredibly well written from its character building to its world building! And that ending is wow!

Serena is so relateable in so many ways, and I absolutely loved it, and I was hooked by her first chapter (I literally could picture me as her, which is something you want in books). I love Jace, the strong and endearing captain of the guard who is just so meow...( I have no other words to describe him haha) and of course, I absolutely love Zadyn! I think he is such a great character, and I adored him and how much of a strong, protective, and loving force.. I definitely wouldn't mind her with either or both of these men. Apart from these amazing characters, I really enjoyed all of the side characters and their individual personalities and how they all interacted with Serena.

I genuinely couldn't find anything that I disliked about this book, and I highly recommend it once it is released! I am anxiously awaiting book 2!

Heir of Blood and Fire is due to be released on the 30th of September, so add it to your TBR and get to reading