A Dagger in the Ivy: A Spicy Fae Romantasy

by Dorothy Dreyer

** Winner of the 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Award in the category Romantasy **
** Gold Medal Winner of the 2025 Readers' Favorite Award in the category Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi **
** First Place Winner of the Spring 2025 BookFest Award in the category Romance - Fantasy **
** Best Book Winner of the Spring 2025 PenCraft Award in the category Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi **

With a kingdom in peril and magic awakening in her blood, Celeste is thrust into a deadly game of power, secrets, and forbidden desires.

In a world plagued by darkness and deceit, half-fae Celeste Westergaard is torn between her duty as the Commander of the Royal Regiment and her station as the next in line for the throne. On the rise are attacks from supernatural creatures , the carnivorous beasts sent by the Shadow Tsar to claim the lives of third-born fae throughout the realm of Terre Ferique. But as Celeste’s homeland of Delasurvia faces turmoil and unrest, she is thrust into an arranged marriage to the Prince of Hedera, the Land of Ivy.

While the destiny of her kingdom rests on Celeste’s shoulders, she must also face the threat of madness, a fate which could befall her if her fae powers do not manifest. And to make things worse, the prince’s brooding half-brother carries a hatred for her she can’t understand.

As Celeste unravels the mysteries hidden within Hedera, she must navigate a treacherous path to protect her kingdom and uncover the truth hidden within her own bloodline.

A Dagger in the Ivy is a gripping tale of intrigue, danger, deception, and unexpected alliances.

"Dorothy Dreyer delivers a richly woven fantasy filled with political tension, romance, emotions, and a heroine who balances her fierce strength with inner vulnerability." — Readers' Favorite

"A binge-worthy story with strong characters, slow burn romance, and incredible world building. Get ready to be swept away.” — Mary Ting, International bestselling, award-winning author

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fae, Romantasy, Magic

422 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2024

About the author

Dorothy Dreyer is a Philippine-born American living in Germany with her family. She is an award-winning, USA Today Bestselling Author of Fantasy, Romance, and Horror, which usually have some element of magic or the supernatural in them. Aside from reading, she enjoys movies, binge-watching series, chocolate, take-out, traveling, and having fun with friends and family. She tends to sing sometimes, too, so keep her away from your Karaoke bars.

Reviews

[Thais • tata.lifepages • · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like my fantasy romances books to be dark and gripping just like this series 🖤 If you love arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, high fantasy and a fierce dagger yielding FMC, this is a must!!

It follows a princess who never wanted the crown, she’s a fierce warrior who’d rather face monsters with her dagger than sit on a throne. But when flesh-eating creatures ruled by a shadow tsar begin tearing through the land and her brother, the king, succumbs to a fae madness that steals his life, she’s thrust into the one role she’s always feared. She has no choice but to accept an arranged marriage in order to save her kingdom.

The writing style is ADDICTIVE, seriously everything is so well written, the world, the characters, the plot! ✨ perfect for fans of Shield of Sparrows.

[LaceyBanana Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celeste is half fae. She’s also commander of the Royal Regiment but next in line for the throne. She’s torn between her roles when beastly creatures begin to attack third born fae. While overwhelmed with all of her responsibilities, she also knows her fae powers aren’t manifesting as they should and if they don’t, there are negative consequences.

This story was full of action, high stakes, deception, and more! Sometimes you just need a vibey, dicey, spicy time and this delivered! I had a ton of fun with this and blew through it so quickly!

Thank you MTMC Tours and Dorothy Dreyer for this physical copy. This is available on KU!

[Rachel Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars for me! Once this book picked up, I could not stop reading! Definitely recommend this if you're looking for your next romantasy with a slow burn, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, fae and sirens, and great world building storytelling.

The writing is lush, vivid, and really firmly establishes the world. I also love Celeste - I do get mad for her situation being a woman who is now queen (AKA the baby maker lol) - but I love her strength, her friendships, and the delicious slow burn relationship she has with Dante.

And Dante! I wish we had a chapter or two from his POV. I loved how he'd just happen to show up everywhere Celeste was lol, and I hope we get to know more about him in the next book.
‌
There is banter, tension, UST, and a building plot that makes this book un-put-downable!

And that ending!! I was guessing things weren't as they seemed, but the last chapter threw me and I need the next book immediately LOL.

I received a copy of this book for an instagram book tour. My thoughts are my own.


I'm just adding some notes here for myself so I can remember where things left off when the second book comes out. I'm reading a book that happens to be a bit similar - and I'm reading another book that has a similar cover, so my brain is just meshing everything together lol. Celeste's intended is actually leading and working with the monsters that are being made. He is killed - but I don't think he's actually dead - and the king decides to declare Dante his official next in line - which means Celeste is now engaged to him. But now the two will have to be engaged but still not together in the next book.

Dante's mother is a siren and so he has the powers of sirens - control with his voice.

Celeste is a strong fighter, more warrior than pampered princess. Her friends are all those who she serves with in the guard. I hope we see more of them in the next book.

[Amy | romantasy.myromanempire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️
2 🌶️

As my first book by Dorothy Dreyer, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this! This is a solid romantasy book with all of the core romantasy themes that I enjoy. I was hooked early on and couldn't put it down.

I loved that our FMC, Celeste, is a warrior, born a princess but commander of her own unit. She is strong willed and always fights for what is right. She is definitely bold and speaks up for herself and for those without a voice. I just love a strong FMC!

There's also a delicious slow burn with a dark, mysterious broody MMC. I loved all of their tension filled moments!

"So much as breathe on her, and you'll face my wrath"
ENOUGH SAID.

The overall story was super engaging, filled with mystery and enough tension and action to keep the plot moving. The ending wasn't a horrible cliffhanger but definitely leaves you wanting more. I'm super excited to continue this series!

Definitely add this one to your TBR if you love:
🍃 Arranged Marriage
🗡️ Forced Proximity
🍃 Only One Bed (hehe)
🗡️ Touch her and 💀
🍃 Enemies to Lovers
🗡️ Slow Burn
🍃 Banter
🗡️ Nicknames
🍃 Betrayals
🗡️ Fae, Sirens and Monsters

Thank you to MTMC tours and the author for my gifted review copy. These opinions are my own!

[Maria Elena | pagesofmaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enemies to lovers with a surprising plot twist!

The Blade Bound Saga is a Fae Romantasy series of which A Dagger in the Ivy is the first book. This book has been winning so many awards, and for good reason too! The writing is amazing and so is the story.

The book follows Celeste, a half fae torn between her duty as the Commander of the Royal Regiment and her role as next in line for the throne. When her brother, the king, passes away, she has to step up to take his place. Meanwhile the Shadow Tsar has been sending his creatures into her kingdom to hunt down third born fae, and there is unrest among the people. To save her kingdom, Celeste is thrust into an arranged marriage with Torbin, the Prince of Hedera. As she learns to navigate her new life and the court of Hedera, she must also face the threat of madness should she not manifest her powers, as well as the hatred of Prince Torbin’s half-brother, Dante.

I was hooked with the story from the very beginning. Following Celeste in her role as the Commander, we see immediately the consequences of the Shadow Tsar’s attacks, and it also allowed us to quickly understand the kind of heroine Celeste is. The kind who is brave, and willing to fight for the good of her people. Which is why I was not surprised when she didn’t fight too strongly on the arranged marriage proposal. She will do whatever it takes to save her people. Then we are thrust into the court life, which comes with its own intrigue and secrets, as well as a whole set of characters I don’t trust. As for the brothers, Torbin was charming but nothing could move my attention away from Dante, whose animosity with Celeste made their interactions interesting.

And oh, the plot twist! I can’t say much because I really don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but something happens that I truly didn’t see coming.

Here are some tropes!
🔥 slow burn romance
⚔️ enemies to lovers
💍 arranged marriage
💕 he falls first
💀 touch her and be unalived
🧝‍♀️ fae & sirens
❤️‍🔥 book 2 has trials and FORBIDDEN LOVE

Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.

[Chiara | wordsbychiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the gifted paperback copy. Opinions are my own.

A Dagger in the Ivy is the first book in a romantasy series, and it follows Celeste, who is both the Commander of the Royal Regiment and next in line for the throne. Her kingdom faces unrest due to attacks from supernatural creatures sent by the Shadow Tsar, and thus Celeste is thrust into an arranged marriage with the prince of the Land of Ivy to face the incoming threat. But if that weren't enough, Celeste also faces the concrete risk of going mad if her fae powers don't manifest, and her new brother-in-law hates her for reasons she doesn't comprehend.

This is a fantasy story that pulls you in with beautiful prose and a wonderful protagonist. Celeste is a true heroine that would put the needs of her people first above even her own desires, and I really enjoyed her character. I also appreciated the way the author eases the readers into the world and introduces the world building in a way that makes it palatable and easy to understand.

The romance was also really interestingly done. The way the story is set you would imagine this is a love triangle, but that's never fully the feeling I had while reading. Celeste's interest in Torbin never went past a desire to fulfill her duty. Meanwhile there's a constant thread of interest and mystery with his half brother, Dante. At first it's a curiosity to understand his hostility toward her, but this animosity slowly shifts into a forbidden attraction.

In short, this is a perfect read for lovers of fantasy and romance, especially ones with unexpected plot twists! I never saw the ending of this book coming, but it makes me even more excited to dive into the sequel.

Here are some tropes to look forward to in the meantime:
- slow burn romance
- enemies to lovers
- arranged marriage
- he falls first
- touch her and be unalived
- fae
- sirens
- book 2 also has trials and forbidden love!

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really great! I’m honestly surprised that I haven’t heard about this book sooner! It has all the makings of a booktok romantasy obsession, so I’m just a little shocked.

I’m a sucker for forbidden love, and this book delivered it in the best of ways. She’s entering an arranged marriage, which has a romance in and of itself, but also, he has a dark and brooding brother.
And this dark and brooding brother doesn’t like her very much.

Celeste isn’t like our other female main characters. She’s a princess set to be queen, but she’s not just simply okay with that. Instead, she was the commander of the army until she was forced into the arranged marriage. And she hates about 85% of what she’s forced into from this point forward. She doesn’t just take what’s thrown at her. She’s trying to keep the peace, but she doesn’t hesitate to put up a fight.

There’s romance is also sooo good. The amount of banter and the quality of the banter is simply 😍😍😍. I couldn’t get enough of these two.

There’s an insane level of twists in this book. And never at any point did I see any of them coming. The end alone has thing after thing thrown at you that give you whiplash. I’m so glad the next book is being released so I can dive right in. Oh my goodness is this series great.

Here’s some tropes found in this book:

⚔️Forbidden Romance
⚔️Arranged Marriage
⚔️Forced Proximity
⚔️Warrior FMC
⚔️Touch Her and ☠️
⚔️Broody MMC
⚔️Slow Burn
⚔️Banter Banter Banter
⚔️Monstrous Creatures

The plot pacing was just a smidge too slow for me.

Thank you very much to R&R Book Tours and Dorothy Dreyer for a copy of this book!

[Charity Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this was such an entertaining read! It was fast-paced, pleasantly dark and a little gory. The slow burn was precisely that, but it was worth the wait! The world-building here was so well written that it felt like I was seeing a movie as I read. I was completely engrossed from the very beginning!

Add to your TBR if you like these things! 👇
strong female leads (she’s a commander)
arranged marriage
forced proximity
only one bed
enemies to lovers
touch her and ☠️
slow burn
fae, sirens, and monsters
deception
banter and tension
He calls her a pirate and love nicknames that start off as insults and become endearing.

Celeste is thrust into the position of Princess when tragedy befalls. In order to unite her kingdom and save her people and the refugees seeking protection from an evil usurper, she must agree to an arranged marriage with a Prince that she had grown up with. Things get a little complicated when Torbin exhibits some seriously unhinged behavior. His half-brother, Dante, hates her but always manages to find himself in the right place at the right time when she gets herself into messy situations. Feelings are a little murky, but the tension with the dark and broody half brother is 🔥 👀

I feel like the ending gave you just enough information to help you start putting so many puzzle pieces together. As the mystery unravels and the plot thickens, so do the plans for the safety of the kingdom. This story will leave you with your jaw on the floor and jonesing for the next one!

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorothy Dreyer does it again. Her stories never fail to pull you in and keep you glued to it. I absolutely loved this story. We have action, drama, and suspense. There are signs of betrayal and mystery all wrapped up throughout the entire story. We have a charming prince, a cold king, a terrible sad and lonely queen, then we have the aloof brother that just can’t hide certain things. Bringing them all together with a princess that really just wants to command her regiment of troops but has to play the political games. Celeste is the princess that certainly knows how to protect herself and others. She has this incredible caring heart that is felt throughout the story. I enjoyed the inaction between her and the other characters. We have side characters who add the little zest to the story. The story is extremely well written and developed. It definitely pulled me in and didn’t let go. I absolutely had to find out what happened. But, oh my goodness that cliffhanger has me absolutely excited for the next book.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

This was my first time reading a book by Dorothy Dreyer and I must say I absolutely loved it.

The world-building was so vivid, that it allowed me to imagine every character, castle, forest and battle as if I was there.

I enjoyed the fact that Celeste wasn't just a princess, but that she is someone that knows how to fight and can defend herself. The interactions with her squad were ones of my favorite parts of the book since they don't treat her any different just because she is royalty, but more like a friend or family.

I definitely did not expect some of the twists that happened and I could not put the book down until I finished it.

[Mappy BookGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read of this author, so I wasn't totally sure what to expect when it came to how she writes her work. I absolutely LOVED this book. I devoured it, and absolutely plan on buying a physical copy at some point for a shelf trophy. It had all the good tropes, and an excellent plot and characters. I can't wait until the next one comes out to see what happens next!

[Nikky Reads Romantasy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that our FMC is no damsel in distress. She might be a princess, but she is foremost a fierce commander of her own special unit. To protect her realm she needs to put her needs on hold and secure an alliance befitting her station, reluctantly.

The writing style is distinctly descriptive and will tell this story in the upmost details. It makes for a vivid world but tends to take my mind off what’s happening. For me it was a bit too distracting, making me zone out and wishing we could get on with the plot.

The plot had some surprising twists and some truly sinister ploys that are not for the faint of heart.

Read this if you like your FMC’s feisty and where the love/hate banter can get pretty spicy.

Thanks MTMC Tours for the review opportunity!

[Beba Andric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read this book for a long long time and what finally prompted me was book 2's release was a week away. And gosh I'm glad I did! Having never read this author, I was clueless what to expect but I was not expecting such a strong read. I was not expecting the desolation and horrors right from the start. I was not expecting to be completely glued for the duration of the read. I was not expecting a whirlwind of emotions. And I was not expecting the twists. Normally an author eases into a story, giving background, building up the tempo but with this book, I was immediately dunked into a gruesome reality, as seen by the MC, Celeste, and I was hooked! I often describe a darker read as "delicious", simply because I get huge satisfaction when every inch of me stands to attention. When my emotions suffer a battering. Yeah, weird, I know, but the more "feels" I experience, good, bad or ugly, the greater my enjoyment of the book. Soooo...having said all that, THIS book did precisely all of the above!

Celeste is the Commander of the Royal Regiment, but she's more than that, she's the princess. A role she distanced herself from, a role she never wanted. The author's deceptive measures, clearly illustrate a kind, compassionate, caring person, who takes her role of protector seriously indeed. The fate of her fellow countryman play heavily on her soul and, by the worst of fates, she's forced to take on another role, the role of Queen. But she's first and foremost a soldier, and is desperate to protect her people from the Carnoraxis, the "army" of the Shadow Tsar, efficiently gruesome, tear apart third born Fae, at his bequest. Foul creatures, monsters, who feast on elves. Celeste isn't only battling carnaraxis, she's battling against prejudice and the brutally of villagers turning their own into fodder for the carnoraxis. She's battling to offer safe haven to refugees. There's so much meat to her, there's so much strength in her, she's smart, she's passionate, and determined to get her point through, ever playing the diplomat.

So, being queen isn't all it's made out to be, she has to strengthen her realm, she has to form alliances, through marriage...And so Celeste finds herself in a strange country, in strange surroundings, but this time trying to fit in. It helps having her betrothed, Torbin, is affable, he's suave, flirty and charming. She knew him as a child, always jovial and smiling but people change too, don't they. She still sees her childhood friend but gets glimpses of another side as well. His half bother, Dante, is anything but! Dante is arrogant, broody and disdainful. Golly is this court a hornets nest! Something stinks big time and Ms Dreyer kept the intrigue at full mast splendidly. What appears on the surface belies what's hidden, and everyone falls into that category. The king, the queen, Torbin, Dante, appear easy to decipher, but trust me, that's the furthest from the truth! I have to admit, while I really thought Torbin was awesome, Dante stole my heart and heck, not only mine! His rigid stance, his disdain and scathing retorts whet my appetite to learn more about him, the bastard son of the king, with warmth only reserved for his brother, Torbin. Who he adores. For whom he'll do anything. What his presence and words do to Celeste is both comical and swoon worthy, I DID sigh a couple of times! The banter and tension between them was akin to.... foreplay! My word did they dance around each other! My work could I FEEL them through the pages, until I was drooling...Which just complicates things a whole bunch more! And then it gets REALLY complicated, and Celeste has to play a different role....

The relationship Celeste has with her squad is one of respect, love and acceptance. I loved the individuality of them, I loved how well the author set them apart and I love how distinct they are. I adore Nadya, she's loyal and fun and a lush! A perfect combo. The revelations, especially towards the end, nearly stopped my heart. This author was a tease, she "showed" me one picture, only to peel off the hidden layer beneath it and stop me in my tracks! And then! OMG! THEN! My mouth hung open, my gut clenched, my disbelief at THIS event, shattered me! A very colourful read, painted in hues of every colour, even gory strokes but with a wonderful sense of support and found family and the truth of "there's a darkness in all of us"....But can the darkness be pushed back, can the light shine brighter in the shadows? The action escalated to an earthshattering crescendo right to the very end. Which unhinged my jaw yet again... this author dragged me, a very willing me, through hell and back, I'm surprised I'm still breathing from the onslaught of this dramatically captivating read! Unbelievably immersive and riveting!

[Brita Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a kingdom in peril and magic awakening in her blood, Celeste is thrust into a deadly game of power, secrets, and forbidden desires.

In a world plagued by darkness and deceit, half-fae Celeste Westergaard is torn between her duty as the Commander of the Royal Regiment and her station as the next in line for the throne. On the rise are attacks from supernatural creatures, the carnivorous beasts sent by the Shadow Tsar to claim the lives of third-born fae throughout the realm of Terre Ferique. But as Celeste’s homeland of Delasurvia faces turmoil and unrest, she is thrust into an arranged marriage to the Prince of Hedera, the Land of Ivy.

While the destiny of her kingdom rests on Celeste’s shoulders, she must also face the threat of madness, a fate which could befall her if her fae powers do not manifest. And to make things worse, the prince’s brooding half-brother carries a hatred for her she can’t understand.

As Celeste unravels the mysteries hidden within Hedera, she must navigate a treacherous path to protect her kingdom and uncover the truth hidden within her own bloodline.

A Dagger in the Ivy is a gripping tale of intrigue, danger, deception, and unexpected alliances.

Tropes: Paranormal, Fantasy, Enemies to Lovers, Fae, Siren, Monster, Arranged Marriage, Forced Proximity, Only One Bed, Touch Her and Unalive, Slow Burn, Banter, Romantasy, Power Mis-Manifesting, Deception, Spicy, Vibes, Great World Building, Strong FMC, Protective MMC, Nicknames, Betrayal, Strong FMC, Deception, Banter, He calls her a Pirate.

A Dagger in The Ivy is the 1st book in the Blade Bound Sage A Spicy Fae Romantasy by Dorothy Dreyer.

Commander of the Royal Regiment Celeste is half fae. She is also the next in line for the throne of her country. Now she feels torn between her role of commander of the Royal Regiment and stepping up to prepare to take her place on the throne when her land is suddenly attacked by beastly creatures attacking third born fae.

Now Celeste is starting to feel overwhelmed with all of her responsibilities and her roles and now she is starting to realize that her fae powers aren’t manifesting the way that they are supposed to and if they continue down this path, there could be negative and even dire consequences.

I have to say that this story is full of high stakes action, deception, and oh so much more. This book is just full of all the vibes, dicey, spicy, good times that you could want. I really enjoyed reading this book and I just couldn’t believe how quickly I read it.

Dorothy did such a stunning job writing this lush vivid, firmly established world.

And Celeste, I hated the situation that she finds herself in and yet she’s this amazingly strong woman who finds herself a queen yet is forced into being a baby maker. She’s more than her strength. She stands by her friends and has such amazing friendships and the slow burn between Celeste and Dante is delicious and torturous. It’s just got all the emotions behind it.

Dante, he’s always there right where Celeste is and where Celeste needs him. The only thing I wish is that we had gotten a few chapters from his POV, that would have pushed this book one notch higher. And it would have allowed us to get to know Dante better. I really hope in the books to come that we have the chance to get to know Dante better. He’s one character that I am really curious about.

The banter, the tension, the angst it’s JUST all so much and it makes the plot, subplot, and storyline so much more and it helps to make this book impossible to put down.

And then we have that ending. I knew that things were not how they seemed, and then there was that last chapter, it all thew me and that was a total curve ball. Now I need a curve ball. I just need to get my hands on the next book ASAP!

I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read more of this author and more of this series.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diving into A Dagger in the Ivy and A Sabre in the Hemlock felt like strapping myself into a magical roller coaster where the tracks are made of fae intrigue, royal drama, and enough simmering tension to power an entire kingdom. And honestly? I loved every twist of it.

From the moment I stepped into Celeste Westergaard’s world in A Dagger in the Ivy, I was completely hooked. Here’s this half-fae Commander loyal, powerful, and just a little bit chaotic who’s expected to keep an entire kingdom together while dodging carnivorous shadow beasts, political assassinations, and an arranged marriage that absolutely no one asked her opinion about. Add in a broody half-brother who looks at her like she personally wronged his entire lineage, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for “I’ll just read one more chapter, oh look, it’s 3 AM.”

What swept me away most in book one was the balance between Celeste’s inner unraveling waiting for her magic to manifest or madness to take her and the outward web of courtly secrets. Hedera’s ivy-filled corridors felt lush and treacherous, every conversation layered with double meaning, every smile hiding a threat. And Celeste? She remains beautifully resilient, sharp, and relatable through all of it.

Then I picked up A Sabre in the Hemlock, and the stakes didn’t just rise they exploded. After the chaos at Ivystone Citadel, Celeste essentially becomes a walking target wrapped in royal expectations and ancient prophecy. She’s forced to perform, pretend, and survive while slowly gaining control over the power she’s been denied for so long. The court’s political tour had major “smile-or-die” energy, the Shadow Tsar’s presence loomed like a storm cloud ready to break, and every new secret took me one layer deeper into the rot beneath Terre Ferique’s glittering façade.

The second book amps up the danger, the romance (hello slow-burn longing, my beloved), and the emotional weight. Celeste’s journey becomes more defiant, more empowering, and more heart-wrenching as she realizes her very existence threatens the man hunting her soul. I was flipping pages as fast as my fingers would allow.

Together, these books gave me everything I crave: magic awakening under pressure, court politics that feel like chess with hidden daggers, enemies-to-something-deliciously-complicated, and a heroine I will follow into any forest—ivy, hemlock, or otherwise.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dagger in the Ivy is everything I look for in a fantasy novel — rich world-building, compelling characters, heart-pounding danger, and a slow-burn romance that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. Dorothy Dreyer has created a vibrant, immersive world that immediately pulls you in, and once you’re in, you won’t want to leave.

The story follows Celeste Westergaard, a strong, intelligent, and determined protagonist who’s caught in the crosshairs of political schemes, magical expectations, and personal demons. Her journey is both emotional and epic in scale — as the half-fae daughter of a king, her failure to manifest magic by her seventeenth birthday threatens not only her future but her sanity. The stakes feel real and urgent, and Celeste’s fear of losing herself is breathtakingly relatable.

One of the things I loved most was the complexity of the relationships, especially between Celeste and her brooding half-brother, Dante. Their interactions crackle with tension, mistrust, and unspoken truths. The slow development of their bond, layered with resentment and unexpected attraction, is handled so well that I found myself completely invested in where their story would go.

Dreyer doesn’t hold back when it comes to plot twists and surprises. Just when I thought I knew what direction things were heading, a new revelation would shift everything — and it never felt forced. The pacing is excellent throughout, balancing action, intrigue, and emotional moments without ever dragging. There’s a real sense of danger, especially with the Shadow Tsar’s monstrous forces lurking, and it adds to the tension perfectly.

The magical lore is also incredibly well-developed. From the curses and bloodlines to the looming madness Celeste fears, everything feels grounded and believable within the world Dreyer has created. The world of Hedera is mysterious and dangerous, with its own rules, history, and secrets waiting to be uncovered.

By the time I reached the end, I was desperate for the next book. This is the kind of series that stays with you — the kind you think about even after you've turned the last page. If you’re a fan of romantasy, powerful heroines, slow-burn relationships, and high-stakes fantasy drama, A Dagger in the Ivy is a must-read. I absolutely loved it.

[Nichole Halbmaier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimers: I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily to share my honest opinion.

If you love a good dark fantasy, romance, faes, sirens, crazy beasts, a tyrant and an unexpected twist then you need to pick up this book immediately!

Trigger warning: if abuse, or assault, or violence are problematic for you then you may want to skip this one.

Celeste is fae. She is a solider, and the commander of the Delasurvian Royal Regiment, and the king’s sister. She doesn’t know how to be a royal but she sure knows how to command and lead her team. Monsters lurks in the darkness coming after third born fae, people are fleeing Dulcamar looking for refuge and Celeste and her team are doing all they can to help. When Celeste’s brother falls to the madness she must step up into the royal position and serve her people. Unfortunately she can’t do it alone and she needs an arranged marriage to save her people.

She travels to meet her betrothed and to learn how to be royal. But not all is as it seems. Something is wrong she just can’t put her finger on it. Then there is the prince’s half brother to deal with who greets her with hatred. Celeste must figure out what is going on with her betrothed’s family, help save the kingdoms from the wrath of the evil monsters, and figure out what her recurring dream means. Can she save her kingdom from war, save her arranged marriage that will bring prosperity to her people, and uncover the mysteries that surround her?

This was a phenomenal book. Many plot twists, some predictable, some not, and it ended with one heck of a cliffhanger. Can’t wait for book 2!

[Liz | ᥫ᭡reakawayreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kicking off the Blade Sound Saga book tour with A Sabre in the Hemlock by USA Today bestselling author Dorothy Dreyer — and if you’re a dark-fantasy-romance lover like me, this series already owns you.

Book one, A Dagger in the Ivy, had everything I crave: danger, forbidden love, and a princess who’d rather wield a blade than wear a crown. Celeste is half-fae, half-fed up, and 100% done with being told who she should be. When her brother—the king—dies and the Shadow Tsar unleashes his creatures across her land, she’s forced into an arranged marriage to save her kingdom… and right into the path of a certain dark, brooding brother who absolutely does not like her. (Which means, YES PLEASE, give me a second more of it!)

This world is dark, dangerous, and completely addictive. The banter between the characters had me laughing and swooning at the same time, and the romance slowly builds in the best way—full of tension, longing, and moments that make your heart race. By the end, I was on the edge of my seat, still trying to process everything that happened.

If you’re ready for a series that’s addictive, twisty, and packed with warrior energy… welcome to the Blade Sound Saga. ⚔️✨

Tropes you’ll find:
⚔️ Forbidden Romance
⚔️ Arranged Marriage
⚔️ Forced Proximity
⚔️ Warrior FMC
⚔️ Touch Her and ☠️
⚔️ Broody MMC
⚔️ Slow Burn
⚔️ Banter for DAYS
⚔️ Monstrous Creatures

Dark fantasy readers — don’t sleep on this series. Dive in and thank me later.

[Tairen Soul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dagger In The Ivy by Dorothy Dreyer is a thrilling fast-paced adventure that captured my attention from the first chapter. This book was near impossible to put down - I kept telling myself just one more chapter but each chapter kept getting better and better and I had to keep reading until all the mysteries of this beautiful book were revealed.

I loved this book so much I literally could not wait to sit down and continue reading every evening. The author did a fantastic job bringing the realm and characters to life - everything flowed so smoothly that you could picture the story unfolding across the pages.

I’m going to cut this review a bit short because this book is full of so much mystery and shocking twists and I don’t want to give too much away. I will say though that Celeste is an awesome character - she’s strong, bold, and wields a dagger like any fierce female should and she is without a doubt going to become one of your favorite fictional females.

A Dagger In The Ivy is already one of the best books I’ve read this year. It’s full of fae, sirens, monsters, and a slow-burn enemies to lovers romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat. This book is already a forever favorite of mine and I cannot wait to read the second book and find out what’s going to happen next.

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

“A Dagger in the Ivy,” by Dorothy Dreyer

What I liked:
-The plot. It was so good and had the tropes and themes that I like in books. When her brother dies, she goes to a neighboring kingdom to be married to the prince that she hasn’t seen since they were children. With an aggressive king, sad queen, charming prince, grumpy brother prince, and a princess who just wants to go back home to maintain her military career and not go mad, what’s not to love? It had a lot of political intrigue and a princess growing into herself and her new position.
-Characters. I loved all three of the main characters, all interesting in their own way. I loved how the brothers interacted with each other and how each brother interacted with her. She was a strong female character, and I was on her side 100% throughout the book. Also, the number of species was really good, dragon lore, pirate lore, sirens, Fae, etc.

I really liked this book and can’t wait for book 2 in the series. 5 out of 5 stars.

-Fae, Sirens, Dragons, Pirates
-Arranged Marriage
-Political Intrigue
-Strong FMC

Thank you for the ARC, Booksirens.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ma’am my first question is WHEN IS BOOK TWO COMING because this book was SUCH an incredible read!
I loved that this book contained all the romantasy elements I love & I was sucked in from the very beginning.
Celeste is my new favourite FMC. Born a princess but decides to become an absolute warrior and commander of her own unit. She’s such a strong, funny, badass FMC and I couldn’t help but root for her the whole time.
She’s forced into a position where she has to agree to an arranged marriage with a Prince she’d known her whole life, but things get a little suspicious when he starts acting strangely 👀
The tension between Celeste and her future husband’s half brother, Dante, is EYE WATERING. I’m a sucker for a tall dark and broody MMC and Dante absolutely delivered on them all.

The writing in this book I found was absolutely beautiful too. Dorothy was able to create such a vivid, descriptive & unique world. I adored the female friendships & the banter between the characters was super funny too. I’d highly recommend adding to your TBR if you love:

🍃 fae, sirens & monsters
🍃 slow burn enemies to lovers
🍃 strong, bold FMC
🍃 dark and broody MMC with touch her & 💀 vibes
🍃 betrayals & banter

[Krista Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put this one down once I started it! In a world where her kingdom is under attack, after her father passes she must make a political alliance through marriage in order to help protect and feed her people. When she chooses the crown prince of a kingdom she knew growing up and travels to his palace to prepare to get married, she realizes everything might not be as it seems. She must decide if these tense feelings she’s having is just nerves or if there is something more nefarious going on.

I really enjoyed the world building and political maneuvering of this book, you learn a lot about the kingdoms via the princess taking classes from her new mentor. She’s also part fae and seeing her struggle with not yet uncovering her powers and the loss of her father and being away from home was relatable. I also really loved her found family with both friends and love interests that surround her. Overall it was an exciting read and I cannot wait for the next one after a bit of a cliffhanger! My rating 4.4/5!

Thanks to the author and R&R book tours for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!

[Maureen Madray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this 400 page book in three days because once I started there was no putting it down! I’m a little miffed with the book community for not talking about this series more! This was a fun and effortless read, and a MUST for any fan of the romance fantasy genre.

Celeste, a half-fae princess and seasoned warrior, is thrust into a political marriage that’s supposed to save her kingdom — but nothing goes as planned. Between flesh-eating monsters commanded by a dark Shadow Tsar, political tension that could kill (literally), secrets, fae, sirens, magic, and a prince’s brooding half-brother who complicates *everything*…..this series has it ALL.

The world-building is lush, the magic feels alive, and the slow-burn chemistry is *chef’s kiss*. It’s the perfect blend of fantasy, danger, and longing — the stakes get higher and the story gets darker with every chapter. If you’re craving a romantasy with depth, atmosphere, and a heroine worth rooting for (who can 1000% take care of herself), this one deserves a spot on your shelf. Celeste is one of my new absolute favorite characters - read these books and you will see why!!!

[Nathalie Najibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our fmc, Celeste Westergaard, is living the ultimate fae balancing act:

Commander of the Royal Regiment? Check.
Next in line for the throne of Delasurvia? Double check.
Half-fae with powers that might manifest, or might drive her into madness? Triple check.

As if that weren’t enough, the realm of Terre Ferique is under siege by carnivorous beasts sent by the ominous Shadow Tsar, who apparently has a vendetta against third-born fae. (Seriously, what did the third-borns do?) To secure peace, Celeste is shoved into an arranged marriage with Torbin, the Prince of Hedera, the Land of Ivy. Sounds diplomatic, right? Except Hedera is crawling with secrets, and Torbin’s half-brother, Dante, seems to hate Celeste on sight. 

I loved the world building, Celeste and her complexity. She’s fierce, loyal, and vulnerable in ways that make her relatable. Her struggle with her fae identity and the looming threat of madness adds emotional weight to the story. The romance is slow burn and done right! The chemistry between Celeste and Dante is chef's kiss. This book swept awards for Romantasy and Fantasy Romance in 2025. And honestly? Deserved. 

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dagger in the Ivy

An exciting new romantasy that sucks you in from the start. This new world was interesting and full of so many different things that I look forward to discovering more of.

The story was full of action and lots of drama and mysteries that are still being uncovered. There were fae, magic, monsters, and more!

Celeste was the main character and she was a kickbutt warrior. I liked her and had no trouble rooting for her throughout the story.

Dante was mysterious and arrogant. I enjoyed seeing more of him and figuring out what made him tick.

Their relationship was an interesting starting as an enemies/rivals and moving to reluctant allies then lovers.

More grey tropes in here were; found family, magic, secrets, prophecy, curses, monsters, fierce fighter half-fae FMC, mysterious arrogant and brooding MMC, love triangle, betrayals, royalty, political intrigue, nothing is as it seems, touch her and xx vibes, hurt/comfort, forced proximity, political marriage, and so much more!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

🗡️ ✦ A Dagger in the Ivy ✦ 🗡️

Author: Dorothy Dreyer
Series: Book 1 in the Blade Bound Saga
Pages: 402
Genre: Adult romantasy

🗡️
VIBES
🖤 Arranged marriage
🖤 Political intrigue
🖤 Fast-paced
🖤 Adventure and suspense
🖤 Unique magic

🗡️
𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦
I downloaded this based on seeing a lot of great reviews for it here on Bookstagram and I am SO GLAD that I did. What an excellent, gripping story. I finished in just over 24 hours. This book has everything: adventure, suspense, arranged marriage, fast-paced, relatable characters, plot twists and romance! The story grabbed me and didn’t let go. This story had so many twists and turns to keep you at the edge of your seat and then ends on one heck of a cliffhanger. I enjoyed reading this so much and cannot wait for book two. Thanks, Bookstagram for talking about this book because I really enjoyed it!

🗡️
QUOTE
" You think I'm letting you run off alone and get yourself killed? I haven't spent all this time hating you just to let someone else do it."
Rating: 4.75/5

[Jade Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man. I don’t even know where to start with this book. It kept me on edge the entire time. I love when I can’t predict where the book is going to go!

First, Dorothy Dreyer is a world building, plot building, character building, magical genius. The way she describes everything is just amazing. I could read her work every day. I love how she goes into details that really make it feel like you are looking through the eyes of Celeste.

Celeste is a bad-ass FMC who is forced to become Princess after the death of her brother and has to marry a Prince to save her kingdom and people. She has troubles with her power and along her journey she finds romance, thrills, secrets, and horrors.

In this world, creatures are attacking and killing fae and anyone who stands in their way. Can Celeste save her kingdom while dealing with everything stacked against her? Can she marry the prince who she doesn’t even know if she can trust?

Fae and magical worlds 🧚🏻‍♀️🧜🏻‍♀️
Spice 🌶️
High fantasy 👑
Arranged marriage 💍
Strong FMC 👸🏻

Highly recommend if you enjoy Fourth Wing or ACOTAR

[Lene Blackthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic and political games

Celeste Westergaard is the heir to Delasurvian throne, and not even the fact she is an army commander can free her of the duty to marry for political alliance amd produce a heir. Promised to an old childhood friend, prince Torbin, Celeste heads to Hedera to secure alliance through marriage, and hopefully to find a way to help her people and stop the Shadow Tsar, terrorizing the lands. However, there are many secrets lurking in the shadows of Ivystone, and Celeste is in more danger than she thinks, when it isn't possible to tell friend from foe and nowhere is safe.
I have to say I absolutely fell in love with the story and the characters. Celeste is strong, brave, and kind-hearted. Nadya is very loyal, despite her frivolous nature. Celeste's squad is a fun and capable group of people. Dante has a lot of charm and allure, oozes danger but assurance too. There are some good villains in the story too, many twists, turns, and some surprises. I simply have to know what happens next!

[Diane Ottobre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celeste is thrown into a role she never wanted but now for Delasurvia and its people she will do whatever it takes. With her friend by her side, she goes to Hedera and the Ivystone Citadel to enter an arranged marriage to help her kingdom. Her betrothed is a childhood friend, Torbin, who at first seems to be someone that she could spend her life with but as time passes his actions cause great concern and he starts to treat her differently. Meanwhile there is Dante, the illegitimate son of the King, who seems to hate her but as time passes, he seems to become a great ally. But their relationship may turn into more. Torbin, her betrothed, shows his true intentions and the outcome is his so-called death. But is he dead? Her uncle who had been captured by the Tsar while looking into what Celeste and Dante discovered is brought back by Mylo, one of Celeste’s soldiers, near death. He reveals some astonishing revelations in his feverish state. What does all this mean? What will happen next?

[Hazel F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a series! I got an ARC of the upcoming second book, but I had not read the first one so I went back to read this first. I am so glad I did!! This is such a great series that really kept my interest.

This book had all the romantasy requirements:
- angst and yearning
- enemies to lovers
- lost/found family
- magic and world building
- bad rulers who only want to torment
- a badass FMC that really made me cheer for her
- an MMC that had more of a backstory than our regular broody MMC’s
- faithful friends
- spice - but not until very late in the book

These books are not short reads - but they kept me involved in the story enough that I stayed up past midnight on a couple of work nights just to find out what happened next.

After having read the second book in the series as well, I am so glad I invested the time. I am already thinking about when I want to start a reread of the series but I think I will wait until the third book comes out in 2026. Can’t wait!