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A Vow of Blood and Tears
Bane
Never did I dream that a woman would cry on our wedding night.
Ten years have passed since humans and vampires allied to defeat the wolves.
Now, to seal the covenant between our people and keep my throne, I must take a mortal bride.
But I’ve gone further than any vampire has gone before—become a fiend, a monster even among my own kind. No woman can lay eyes on me now without horror and fear.
When I first see her, I know I’ve doomed her. But she doesn’t scream in terror.
She fears not my face, but my bestial thirst.
Because of her courage, I will be the remorseless beast who keeps a beauty chained with vows.
And though I crave the taste of her blood…
I will fight the monster within to win her heart and soul.
Cirri
Never did I dream that a monstrous vampire would be the one to hear me.
Voiceless and ignored by the world, I was never considered good enough for anything beyond my indentured servitude—a silent, forgettable shadow.
Until my blood betrayed me.
Chosen by chance as a pureblood bride for the Lord of the Rift, I’ve been sold in marriage to a vampire more hideous than I could’ve imagined.
But despite his savage appearance, he tries to hear my silent words.
He alone learns to read the language of my hands.
He might be a beast, but there is beauty in his soul. For the sake of my people, I will spend a lifetime shackled to this monster…
But for the sake of his heart, I will make myself heard.
This novel is a full-length standalone fantasy romance with a guaranteed HEA. Beauty & the Beast entwines with Dracula in this steamy, slow-burn romantasy for readers 18+.
One-click this MF standalone if you
Dual POVs
Romantasy
Monstrous vampires
Obsessed goth husbands
Arranged/political marriages
Strong, smart heroines
Never did I dream that a woman would cry on our wedding night.
Ten years have passed since humans and vampires allied to defeat the wolves.
Now, to seal the covenant between our people and keep my throne, I must take a mortal bride.
But I’ve gone further than any vampire has gone before—become a fiend, a monster even among my own kind. No woman can lay eyes on me now without horror and fear.
When I first see her, I know I’ve doomed her. But she doesn’t scream in terror.
She fears not my face, but my bestial thirst.
Because of her courage, I will be the remorseless beast who keeps a beauty chained with vows.
And though I crave the taste of her blood…
I will fight the monster within to win her heart and soul.
Cirri
Never did I dream that a monstrous vampire would be the one to hear me.
Voiceless and ignored by the world, I was never considered good enough for anything beyond my indentured servitude—a silent, forgettable shadow.
Until my blood betrayed me.
Chosen by chance as a pureblood bride for the Lord of the Rift, I’ve been sold in marriage to a vampire more hideous than I could’ve imagined.
But despite his savage appearance, he tries to hear my silent words.
He alone learns to read the language of my hands.
He might be a beast, but there is beauty in his soul. For the sake of my people, I will spend a lifetime shackled to this monster…
But for the sake of his heart, I will make myself heard.
This novel is a full-length standalone fantasy romance with a guaranteed HEA. Beauty & the Beast entwines with Dracula in this steamy, slow-burn romantasy for readers 18+.
One-click this MF standalone if you
Dual POVs
Romantasy
Monstrous vampires
Obsessed goth husbands
Arranged/political marriages
Strong, smart heroines
732 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2025
504 people are currently reading
2693 people want to read
About the author
Cate Corvin
46 books1,073 followersCate is a USA Today Bestselling Author who loves all things passionate and paranormal with a side of horror. She lives in the South with her family and pets, and loves every kind of coffee, horror and fantasy movies, and cats. Reading is her favorite hobby when she’s not writing.
Sign up for my newsletter here: https://www.catecorvin.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
March 27, 2025
If you love an unconventional hero and relationship, this book is a gift. While the writing isn’t as poetic as Grace Draven’s Radiance, it gave me similar feels.
Cirri (25) is a strong, intelligent fmc, she is also mute. She reads and writes in multiple languages and communicates through sign language. Abandoned by her family at an early age because of her “defect” she has been an indentured servant all of her life.
Bane (80 ish) is a vampire Lord, but he elected to be permanently transformed into a fiend to protect his people. Basically, he’s a giant, terrifying, monster-like creature. *See below
“People of the Rift, welcome your Lady, Cirrien lai Darran, wife of Lord Bane Lifegiver.”
I loved the slow, steady growth of their blossoming relationship.
When she signs, I see you, and you hear me. I melted. She is able to see past his monstrous features, and he is able to understand her complicated language.
Age gap
Fantasy
Arranged marriage
Mute fmc
Language barrier
Beauty and the Beast/Cinderella/Dracula
Dual POV
Well developed characters and plot
The best gollums
The journal
No virgins
HEA
Standalone
For nearly 700 pages, the story flows beautifully, I was never bored. The length allows the plot to unfold naturally.
The not so great.
-The bad guy was easy to spot.
-Why is this cover so bad?
-Why do so many books in this genre have the same type of titles?!
The drama around the 70% mark made sense, and I was relieved it wasn’t just another giant miscommunication trope. But the last 20% felt like a different story. Gruesome battle and torture scenes, go in prepared.
And yet, after all that darkness, we get a strangely fluffy conclusion. A bit of a letdown, but overall, I still really enjoyed the journey.
*The hero isn’t human at all. He has split tongue, mouthful of sharp teeth, horns, long pointed ears, and a bat-like snout. His male appendage has barbs.
Cirri (25) is a strong, intelligent fmc, she is also mute. She reads and writes in multiple languages and communicates through sign language. Abandoned by her family at an early age because of her “defect” she has been an indentured servant all of her life.
Bane (80 ish) is a vampire Lord, but he elected to be permanently transformed into a fiend to protect his people. Basically, he’s a giant, terrifying, monster-like creature. *See below
“People of the Rift, welcome your Lady, Cirrien lai Darran, wife of Lord Bane Lifegiver.”
I loved the slow, steady growth of their blossoming relationship.
When she signs, I see you, and you hear me. I melted. She is able to see past his monstrous features, and he is able to understand her complicated language.
Age gap
Fantasy
Arranged marriage
Mute fmc
Language barrier
Beauty and the Beast/Cinderella/Dracula
Dual POV
Well developed characters and plot
The best gollums
The journal
No virgins
HEA
Standalone
For nearly 700 pages, the story flows beautifully, I was never bored. The length allows the plot to unfold naturally.
The not so great.
-The bad guy was easy to spot.
-Why is this cover so bad?
-Why do so many books in this genre have the same type of titles?!
The drama around the 70% mark made sense, and I was relieved it wasn’t just another giant miscommunication trope. But the last 20% felt like a different story. Gruesome battle and torture scenes, go in prepared.
And yet, after all that darkness, we get a strangely fluffy conclusion. A bit of a letdown, but overall, I still really enjoyed the journey.
*The hero isn’t human at all. He has split tongue, mouthful of sharp teeth, horns, long pointed ears, and a bat-like snout. His male appendage has barbs.
February 3, 2025
My Rating: 2.5 Stars
I'm SO SO SO glad this book is over. This felt like the LONGEST book I've ever read in my life (even though it wasn't). The first half had me hooked. I adored where it was going and was loving every minute of it. I didn't even mind how long winded/long it was because the author did a fantastic job of sprinkling in enough intrigue in regular intervals to keep me wanting more.
The second half is when this book lost me. As soon as were mentioned I got the ick. It was so strong of an ick that it kinda sorta made me lose sight of what I had enjoyed so much in the first half. The was the final nail in my personal ick coffin. I read those last 20 or so chapters with so much bitterness and betrayal. I'll be honest and admit that I wasn't even truly reading it, I was skimming and only focusing on the dialogue because by that point I had had enough. It was very unnecessary and I'll stand by that statement.
I started this book thinking I had found my new favorite book to build my entire personality around and came out of it incredibly pissed off and annoyed. Throughout this book, I also learned something about myself. I like my MMC's to be more humanoid than monster. So when the author took her sweet sweet time describing the MMC I kinda sorta filled in the blanks to the point where when his full description finally dropped I was already set with my own version of him in my head. So much so that every time the author described an aspect of him that I refused to merge in my head I got pulled out of the story. I agree that that one was on me but it was not fun to play that game throughout this entire super long book.
The one positive note was Cirri (the heroine)! I loved her! She's mute and has had a hard time communicating with everyone around her because no one ever bothered to learn sign language. She's been put down her entire life because no one has had enough patience to let her write down what she wants the say and continue the conversation from there. I loved getting to see her grow into herself with Bane and the gang. Her sass was unmatched and the shiny new backbone she found suited her so well. I loved that Bane made it a priority of his to learn her language so they could communicate easily. Bane was also a sweetheart to her and I love him for that!
Another thing, this book had no business being this long. This could have been cut down by, like, A LOT. I've gone through some of the page counts of this author's other books and it looks like this is her usual M.O. so I can't fault her for it. I could have looked it up before picking this one up.
The story definitely lends itself to having future stories added to it, such as Bane's brother's/friend's getting their happy ending and saving their realm. Even if there are I don't think I'd enjoy those very much, so I'll be getting off the train here. It's been a fun ride, but it wasn't for me.
I'm SO SO SO glad this book is over. This felt like the LONGEST book I've ever read in my life (even though it wasn't). The first half had me hooked. I adored where it was going and was loving every minute of it. I didn't even mind how long winded/long it was because the author did a fantastic job of sprinkling in enough intrigue in regular intervals to keep me wanting more.
The second half is when this book lost me. As soon as were mentioned I got the ick. It was so strong of an ick that it kinda sorta made me lose sight of what I had enjoyed so much in the first half. The was the final nail in my personal ick coffin. I read those last 20 or so chapters with so much bitterness and betrayal. I'll be honest and admit that I wasn't even truly reading it, I was skimming and only focusing on the dialogue because by that point I had had enough. It was very unnecessary and I'll stand by that statement.
I started this book thinking I had found my new favorite book to build my entire personality around and came out of it incredibly pissed off and annoyed. Throughout this book, I also learned something about myself. I like my MMC's to be more humanoid than monster. So when the author took her sweet sweet time describing the MMC I kinda sorta filled in the blanks to the point where when his full description finally dropped I was already set with my own version of him in my head. So much so that every time the author described an aspect of him that I refused to merge in my head I got pulled out of the story. I agree that that one was on me but it was not fun to play that game throughout this entire super long book.
The one positive note was Cirri (the heroine)! I loved her! She's mute and has had a hard time communicating with everyone around her because no one ever bothered to learn sign language. She's been put down her entire life because no one has had enough patience to let her write down what she wants the say and continue the conversation from there. I loved getting to see her grow into herself with Bane and the gang. Her sass was unmatched and the shiny new backbone she found suited her so well. I loved that Bane made it a priority of his to learn her language so they could communicate easily. Bane was also a sweetheart to her and I love him for that!
Another thing, this book had no business being this long. This could have been cut down by, like, A LOT. I've gone through some of the page counts of this author's other books and it looks like this is her usual M.O. so I can't fault her for it. I could have looked it up before picking this one up.
The story definitely lends itself to having future stories added to it, such as Bane's brother's/friend's getting their happy ending and saving their realm. Even if there are I don't think I'd enjoy those very much, so I'll be getting off the train here. It's been a fun ride, but it wasn't for me.
April 20, 2025
This is the type of story that gently pulls you in as you find yourself in the world where humans and vampires have aligned as to protect themselves from the grave danger that wolves pose. The story flows smoothly and the author has done a fantastic job at portraying the atmosphere, the political mechanisms that are in play as well as creating outstanding characters that offer depth, authenticity and gradual growth as the story evolves. This is a love story at its finest, one of the most tender ones I have read in a while.
I found the concept of the four Lords rather interesting as they have sacrificed themselves for the greater good. At first it appears that the Blood Accords was signed with the intention of building mutual trust and connection, but as the plot thickens it seems that there were much more sinister ideas on behalf of the humans when it came to the contract. Although there is a good glimpse at the politics and history of the realm, this book is about love and I have to say that I was absolutely smitten with the romance here.
Lord Bane is an exceptional strategist and his devotion to his people has earned him respect among his own. However, leaving behind who you used to be and embracing your monstrous form is no easy task. After all, most will be repulsed by the grotesque features and less than desirable form. Nevertheless, it is what lays below the surface that matters the most as physical appearance is simply a passing in time. So, when he encounters his new bride, there is this snippet of a kinship as she as well is perceived as different from the rest.
Cirri is absolutely lovely! Her passion for knowledge and tender heart draws you in instantly. Despite her intelligence and unique traits, she has been treated as an outcast, due to the mere fact that she is mute. However, unlike many others, when she is given to Lord Bane, she holds her head high and embraces her future. What our main heroin discovers though is that behind the beast, there is tender soul, one that shows more care, support and tenderness towards her than anyone else.
The romance between the two builds slowly and I loved the fact that it was almost like an exploration journey as they discovered more about each other. Bane is the type of husband that offers you the world and Cirri offers him the chance to accept his nature. The slow-building connection between the two was beautiful. I loved the journal, the attempt to write her poems, the little messages that they exchanged. It is always within the actions of a person when you can see clearly whether there is something genuine in there.
It is an incredible experience when a story manages to touch you in an unexpected way and this one had that exact impact on me. It is almost like a gentle caress, one that smooths your very soul and you know that all will be alright. The slight Beauty and the Beast vibes were evident here, but what stood out for me the most, was the devotion and care that these two had for each other.
I found the concept of the four Lords rather interesting as they have sacrificed themselves for the greater good. At first it appears that the Blood Accords was signed with the intention of building mutual trust and connection, but as the plot thickens it seems that there were much more sinister ideas on behalf of the humans when it came to the contract. Although there is a good glimpse at the politics and history of the realm, this book is about love and I have to say that I was absolutely smitten with the romance here.
Lord Bane is an exceptional strategist and his devotion to his people has earned him respect among his own. However, leaving behind who you used to be and embracing your monstrous form is no easy task. After all, most will be repulsed by the grotesque features and less than desirable form. Nevertheless, it is what lays below the surface that matters the most as physical appearance is simply a passing in time. So, when he encounters his new bride, there is this snippet of a kinship as she as well is perceived as different from the rest.
Cirri is absolutely lovely! Her passion for knowledge and tender heart draws you in instantly. Despite her intelligence and unique traits, she has been treated as an outcast, due to the mere fact that she is mute. However, unlike many others, when she is given to Lord Bane, she holds her head high and embraces her future. What our main heroin discovers though is that behind the beast, there is tender soul, one that shows more care, support and tenderness towards her than anyone else.
The romance between the two builds slowly and I loved the fact that it was almost like an exploration journey as they discovered more about each other. Bane is the type of husband that offers you the world and Cirri offers him the chance to accept his nature. The slow-building connection between the two was beautiful. I loved the journal, the attempt to write her poems, the little messages that they exchanged. It is always within the actions of a person when you can see clearly whether there is something genuine in there.
It is an incredible experience when a story manages to touch you in an unexpected way and this one had that exact impact on me. It is almost like a gentle caress, one that smooths your very soul and you know that all will be alright. The slight Beauty and the Beast vibes were evident here, but what stood out for me the most, was the devotion and care that these two had for each other.
Read
March 26, 2025“Cirrien was mine now, whether she wanted it or not, and every fragment of what I was would defend her to my dying breath.”
No rating as I only made it 40% in. Honestly, I think it’s just me. My mind is not getting into fantasy books right now.
This book was really easy to read! The author’s writing was very fluid and engaging. The Romance was so sweet and heartfelt. I loved the main characters depth, and dimension! The only reason why I’m DNF’ing is I found the plot/storyline to be boring. I found myself skipping to the romance parts because I was invested in the characters coming together. 🤷♀️
No rating as I only made it 40% in. Honestly, I think it’s just me. My mind is not getting into fantasy books right now.
This book was really easy to read! The author’s writing was very fluid and engaging. The Romance was so sweet and heartfelt. I loved the main characters depth, and dimension! The only reason why I’m DNF’ing is I found the plot/storyline to be boring. I found myself skipping to the romance parts because I was invested in the characters coming together. 🤷♀️
July 3, 2025
This book was a good read at times but it was unnecessarily long. It didn't need to be over 700 pages and it was a drag at times.
I loved the characters, Cirri was a different FMC to read about and Bane was interesting. I loved the take on vampires and the world that Cate created.
It was just far too long and it took me forever to read 🙄
I loved the characters, Cirri was a different FMC to read about and Bane was interesting. I loved the take on vampires and the world that Cate created.
It was just far too long and it took me forever to read 🙄
May 24, 2025
I see you, and you hear me.
What a gem A VOW OF BLOOD AND TEARS turned out to be. I adored both leads, Cirri and Bane who despite their circumstances were still kind (yes, a fiend can be kind) and open to love. I loved the blossoming of their relationship from tentative friends to lovers, which was done so well and had just enough tension and swoon-worthy moments for my romance loving heart. And I was intrigued by the world this author created. It was familiar in a way but also new to me that kept me turning the pages. I truly hope Ms. Corvin plans to write more with these characters, with each of Bane's brothers getting a book. 4.5 Stars!
Highlights
🌹Beastly hero (fangs, forked tongue, bat-like features)
🌹Mute heroine
🌹Genuine love & affection
🌹Size difference
🌹He learns sign language to surprise her
🌹Touch her and die (literally)
🌹He's a secret poet
🌹Satisfying HFN
Memorable Quotes
He was the first person in my life to ever try to hear my words, to return them in kind. Without warning, tears spilled over.
My new husband. My beast.
This would be my gift to her, to show her that I had not meant harm, that I wanted this union to thrive. That she was no ornament to be kept locked away, but the Lady of the Rift.
Let her find something she loves here. Just one thing. Even if it’s not me.
But I see you, and you hear me. Yes? “I hear you, and you see me,” I murmured, touching her words. “Yes.”
Oddly, I found myself thinking that if I were to have a painting of Bane to keep in my tower, I wouldn’t choose the one in the garret above. I would want the one that showed him as he was now, the face that was monstrous, yet filled me with joy when I saw it.
When I see you, the whole world becomes bright. Everything feels possible. I adore you beyond words.
I love you, I told him. By the Light, you are more than I ever could have asked for. I’m the luckiest woman in the world.
My Cirri. The fire of my life, the light in the darkness.
What a gem A VOW OF BLOOD AND TEARS turned out to be. I adored both leads, Cirri and Bane who despite their circumstances were still kind (yes, a fiend can be kind) and open to love. I loved the blossoming of their relationship from tentative friends to lovers, which was done so well and had just enough tension and swoon-worthy moments for my romance loving heart. And I was intrigued by the world this author created. It was familiar in a way but also new to me that kept me turning the pages. I truly hope Ms. Corvin plans to write more with these characters, with each of Bane's brothers getting a book. 4.5 Stars!
Highlights
🌹Beastly hero (fangs, forked tongue, bat-like features)
🌹Mute heroine
🌹Genuine love & affection
🌹Size difference
🌹He learns sign language to surprise her
🌹Touch her and die (literally)
🌹He's a secret poet
🌹Satisfying HFN
Memorable Quotes
He was the first person in my life to ever try to hear my words, to return them in kind. Without warning, tears spilled over.
My new husband. My beast.
This would be my gift to her, to show her that I had not meant harm, that I wanted this union to thrive. That she was no ornament to be kept locked away, but the Lady of the Rift.
Let her find something she loves here. Just one thing. Even if it’s not me.
But I see you, and you hear me. Yes? “I hear you, and you see me,” I murmured, touching her words. “Yes.”
Oddly, I found myself thinking that if I were to have a painting of Bane to keep in my tower, I wouldn’t choose the one in the garret above. I would want the one that showed him as he was now, the face that was monstrous, yet filled me with joy when I saw it.
When I see you, the whole world becomes bright. Everything feels possible. I adore you beyond words.
I love you, I told him. By the Light, you are more than I ever could have asked for. I’m the luckiest woman in the world.
My Cirri. The fire of my life, the light in the darkness.
August 9, 2025
This was so, so good.
Great characters who learn, grow, and work through the miscommunication. They don't just blindly listen to others or throw tantrums. They are mature and smart. Bane even IMMEDIATELY sets out to learn sign language so he can speak with his wife. We are shown time and again how people dismiss or ignore Cirri, but she always has his attention. 100% best. Cirri is thrown into this situation with barely time to come to terms with it, but she rationally tries to work through all the problems and her misconceptions. Girl knows SIX languages. Love her.
Great story. Major Beauty and the Beast vibes here, but also throw in wargs, or like monstrous werewolves, and it's just done so, so well. I think the romance flowed really well and it was great to see them learning to trust each other and figure out how their lives would work moving forward.
This book is over 700 pages long. It did feel long, but also time flew while I was reading it and once I got to the end I really just wanted more.
I honestly hope we get a book for Worth because I feel so bad for him and he's such a sweetheart. It does feel like there is more to explore here politically with the other country, diving into history, exploring Below, and all the mentions of the fae. Mayhaps a book for each of our poor Fiends?
Anyhow loved the book and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author again. It's been too long!
Great characters who learn, grow, and work through the miscommunication. They don't just blindly listen to others or throw tantrums. They are mature and smart. Bane even IMMEDIATELY sets out to learn sign language so he can speak with his wife. We are shown time and again how people dismiss or ignore Cirri, but she always has his attention. 100% best. Cirri is thrown into this situation with barely time to come to terms with it, but she rationally tries to work through all the problems and her misconceptions. Girl knows SIX languages. Love her.
Great story. Major Beauty and the Beast vibes here, but also throw in wargs, or like monstrous werewolves, and it's just done so, so well. I think the romance flowed really well and it was great to see them learning to trust each other and figure out how their lives would work moving forward.
This book is over 700 pages long. It did feel long, but also time flew while I was reading it and once I got to the end I really just wanted more.
I honestly hope we get a book for Worth because I feel so bad for him and he's such a sweetheart. It does feel like there is more to explore here politically with the other country, diving into history, exploring Below, and all the mentions of the fae. Mayhaps a book for each of our poor Fiends?
Anyhow loved the book and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author again. It's been too long!
March 25, 2025
If you loved Under The Oak Tree but found yourself thinking:
“this would be much better if Riftan was a giant bat with a barbed wiener”
then have I got a book for you, you closet monster fucker.
No, but really. He has a barbed wiener. The man is a giant bat.
In other news: this book is a beautifully written Beauty and the Beast retelling.
It’s very much character and romance driven with atmospheric prose and a well drawn out world and history. In the beginning it was giving Radiance (by the iconic Grace Draven) with the mature way the two main characters responded to their forced marriage.
This couple doesn’t believe in miscommunication.
The woman can’t even speak but they jump through hoops to discuss EVERYTHING.
Every time I started to roll my eyes waiting for the misunderstanding and the angst it just wasn’t there. The giant bat has FEELINGS and the mute woman speaks her mind like wtf in this economy???
All this being said, at the 50 percent mark there have been approximately 2.5 slightly smutty scenes (like…Taco Bell green hot sauce packet spicy) but they are written, um, badly?
You can’t jump from Charlotte Bronte level lyrical prose into words like cock and balls and pussy and clit okay?? It’s jarring. And it wasn’t necessary. There are better ways to write smut people! (Again: read Grace Draven’s Radiance or Master of Crows or Entreat Me…perfection in every way)
And he has a *huge, monstrous, barbed, ribbed for someone’s pleasure wiener*!!!! We had a whole page on discussing how he might make it fit. I feel like I got catfished into reading a monster romance book and in the author’s defense I read NOTHING about this book before I picked it up so maybe it was in the tags somewhere.
If the plot is going to turn into the two of them having to go through couple’s counseling to help him overcome his hang ups about his dangly bat bits I definitely have to take a break for now.
Because this book is a long one. When Kindle tells ME it’s going to take me 12 hours to read I just imagine the physical copy of the book must rival the Bible in size. So, since the story is at a decent pause point this is a DNF for now! I’ll edit this review once I’ve finished it but I think based on what I have read it deserves the full five stars.
“this would be much better if Riftan was a giant bat with a barbed wiener”
then have I got a book for you, you closet monster fucker.
No, but really. He has a barbed wiener. The man is a giant bat.
In other news: this book is a beautifully written Beauty and the Beast retelling.
It’s very much character and romance driven with atmospheric prose and a well drawn out world and history. In the beginning it was giving Radiance (by the iconic Grace Draven) with the mature way the two main characters responded to their forced marriage.
This couple doesn’t believe in miscommunication.
The woman can’t even speak but they jump through hoops to discuss EVERYTHING.
Every time I started to roll my eyes waiting for the misunderstanding and the angst it just wasn’t there. The giant bat has FEELINGS and the mute woman speaks her mind like wtf in this economy???
All this being said, at the 50 percent mark there have been approximately 2.5 slightly smutty scenes (like…Taco Bell green hot sauce packet spicy) but they are written, um, badly?
You can’t jump from Charlotte Bronte level lyrical prose into words like cock and balls and pussy and clit okay?? It’s jarring. And it wasn’t necessary. There are better ways to write smut people! (Again: read Grace Draven’s Radiance or Master of Crows or Entreat Me…perfection in every way)
And he has a *huge, monstrous, barbed, ribbed for someone’s pleasure wiener*!!!! We had a whole page on discussing how he might make it fit. I feel like I got catfished into reading a monster romance book and in the author’s defense I read NOTHING about this book before I picked it up so maybe it was in the tags somewhere.
If the plot is going to turn into the two of them having to go through couple’s counseling to help him overcome his hang ups about his dangly bat bits I definitely have to take a break for now.
Because this book is a long one. When Kindle tells ME it’s going to take me 12 hours to read I just imagine the physical copy of the book must rival the Bible in size. So, since the story is at a decent pause point this is a DNF for now! I’ll edit this review once I’ve finished it but I think based on what I have read it deserves the full five stars.
February 22, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Never have I enjoyed a book as much as I have enjoyed this! I've been struggling to find a vampire romance that ticks all the boxes and this book absolutely does it for me!
We have Beauty & the Beast vibes, slow-burn romance, friendship and trust before love, no magical fixes.
Bane, our MMC is the biggest teddy bear in the world and will do anything for our FMC, Cirri. The efforts that he goes to to understand, communicate and get to know Cirri is phenomenal. The descriptions to Cate has gone to for Cirri's facial and body expressions is second to none.
The sex scenes were extremely well placed and a natural progression for Bane and Cirri.
I absolutely cannot wait for more books in this series by Cate!
🌶️🌶️
Never have I enjoyed a book as much as I have enjoyed this! I've been struggling to find a vampire romance that ticks all the boxes and this book absolutely does it for me!
We have Beauty & the Beast vibes, slow-burn romance, friendship and trust before love, no magical fixes.
Bane, our MMC is the biggest teddy bear in the world and will do anything for our FMC, Cirri. The efforts that he goes to to understand, communicate and get to know Cirri is phenomenal. The descriptions to Cate has gone to for Cirri's facial and body expressions is second to none.
The sex scenes were extremely well placed and a natural progression for Bane and Cirri.
I absolutely cannot wait for more books in this series by Cate!
April 21, 2025
A beauty and the beast retelling. So that is where my romantasy journey truly began 😅😌.. I fucking loved this. They were so fucking wholesome. There are for sure some very gory scenes. But those spicy scenes…were hot and I ate it tf up. 🤪 our fmc is a book nerd obviously but also mute so she was constantly ignored and cast aside by everyone..but HIM. Mmc is a beast and a sweet and caring touch her and ☠️.. “I see you and you hear me” stop they were so cute. This was a great story with great plot.
March 9, 2025
Lovely! 😍
August 10, 2025
I was super locked in during the first half, but then it dwindled a bit. still a great story, but it was so very long. a good monster romance.
April 17, 2025
A Vow of Blood and Tears
By Cate Corvin
Format: ebook/Kindle Unlimited
Salient Points: Past tense; dual POV; loose Beauty & the Beast retelling.
So. I received a one-year subscription to Kindle Unlimited for Christmas. I’ve started and petered out on several KU books so far this year; this is the first I’ve finished.
What I liked: I am an absolute ho for a Beauty and the Beast retelling. The limit does not exist on the number I have (and will continue to) read. This one wasn’t too bad, but was pretty loose as far as retellings go.
The characters were engaging, the world building was fairly robust, and, gratefully, it was written past tense (or I never would’ve finished it).
What I didn’t like: While, overall, the writing was not too bad, I have to share that there was a good deal of anachronistic language and modern turns of phrase. The writing style was simple, except when the author randomly sprinkled in two-dollar words for…what? I don’t know. To try to sound smart? (What is the word bifurcation doing in a sex scene? Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great word, but…) There were incorrectly used phrases (I have to call out “stepped foot,” which is a particular sticky wicket of mine) that stuck out.
But despite all else, there was no reason under god’s sky that this book needed to be nearly 700 pages. It should have been a duology or, more probably, cut in half.
If none of that bothers you, proceed with glee. It’s not bad if you’re looking for a KU Romantasy with spice. But it is long…
By Cate Corvin
Format: ebook/Kindle Unlimited
Salient Points: Past tense; dual POV; loose Beauty & the Beast retelling.
So. I received a one-year subscription to Kindle Unlimited for Christmas. I’ve started and petered out on several KU books so far this year; this is the first I’ve finished.
What I liked: I am an absolute ho for a Beauty and the Beast retelling. The limit does not exist on the number I have (and will continue to) read. This one wasn’t too bad, but was pretty loose as far as retellings go.
The characters were engaging, the world building was fairly robust, and, gratefully, it was written past tense (or I never would’ve finished it).
What I didn’t like: While, overall, the writing was not too bad, I have to share that there was a good deal of anachronistic language and modern turns of phrase. The writing style was simple, except when the author randomly sprinkled in two-dollar words for…what? I don’t know. To try to sound smart? (What is the word bifurcation doing in a sex scene? Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great word, but…) There were incorrectly used phrases (I have to call out “stepped foot,” which is a particular sticky wicket of mine) that stuck out.
But despite all else, there was no reason under god’s sky that this book needed to be nearly 700 pages. It should have been a duology or, more probably, cut in half.
If none of that bothers you, proceed with glee. It’s not bad if you’re looking for a KU Romantasy with spice. But it is long…
January 29, 2025
Spoilers:
Let's start with a personal opinion, this should have been a duology. As much as I despise the "kidnap" book that's where a natural break in the story occurred and the ending could have been more detailed versus feeling as though it slowly tapered off into essentially a pretty tame and boring epilogue ending.
Likes:
The overall concept of loving a good hearted monster in a world of unknown was good.
The fiends and wargs battle and war was good, not the most inventive of ideas but as long as you don't expect a reinvention of the wheel you are good.
The main character having to overcome a disability was also a nice touch for this book and made her relatable in a way we otherwise may not have seen.
The relationship between the main characters also seemed to develop naturally and that was a nice read.
Dislikes:
Now for why this was a three star read for me. From 55%-85% my eyes glassed over and I could not care less. Stuff happened but stuff that amounted to filler. There weren't leaps and bounds for plot or for relationship building and I just wanted to skip ahead so bad.
Another reason; Did we really not see Miro coming? I honestly questioned our main characters intelligence or "spirit" every time she dealt with him and did absolutely nothing. He belittled her, lied about facts, and opening spoke treasonous things out loud. And the whole subplot of him recreating letters, not shocking. As soon as the maid denied it, j was like well yeah....because Miro obviously did it.
And last but not least....this love story seems immature. A lot of blushing and misteps in wording and a blinding devotion to each other but only being physical together a few times. It seems that the couple of sex scenes got added in but didn't really add anything. It felt a little too YA in that regard and while I have no problem with that I wanted more depth and maturity just because they weren't a young couple, they had life experience that shaped them and I wanted those traits to be a little more prominent.
Overall there are some great things in this book and the monster goth vibes were super clear for those who like that genre, but it fell flat in places and could have used either a duology or a heavy edit.
Let's start with a personal opinion, this should have been a duology. As much as I despise the "kidnap" book that's where a natural break in the story occurred and the ending could have been more detailed versus feeling as though it slowly tapered off into essentially a pretty tame and boring epilogue ending.
Likes:
The overall concept of loving a good hearted monster in a world of unknown was good.
The fiends and wargs battle and war was good, not the most inventive of ideas but as long as you don't expect a reinvention of the wheel you are good.
The main character having to overcome a disability was also a nice touch for this book and made her relatable in a way we otherwise may not have seen.
The relationship between the main characters also seemed to develop naturally and that was a nice read.
Dislikes:
Now for why this was a three star read for me. From 55%-85% my eyes glassed over and I could not care less. Stuff happened but stuff that amounted to filler. There weren't leaps and bounds for plot or for relationship building and I just wanted to skip ahead so bad.
Another reason; Did we really not see Miro coming? I honestly questioned our main characters intelligence or "spirit" every time she dealt with him and did absolutely nothing. He belittled her, lied about facts, and opening spoke treasonous things out loud. And the whole subplot of him recreating letters, not shocking. As soon as the maid denied it, j was like well yeah....because Miro obviously did it.
And last but not least....this love story seems immature. A lot of blushing and misteps in wording and a blinding devotion to each other but only being physical together a few times. It seems that the couple of sex scenes got added in but didn't really add anything. It felt a little too YA in that regard and while I have no problem with that I wanted more depth and maturity just because they weren't a young couple, they had life experience that shaped them and I wanted those traits to be a little more prominent.
Overall there are some great things in this book and the monster goth vibes were super clear for those who like that genre, but it fell flat in places and could have used either a duology or a heavy edit.
March 31, 2025
3.5
This didn’t need to be 700 pages BUT I still enjoyed my time with it. Did it have spice? Yes. Was it spicy? Meh. If the book just had to be this long I would have preferred chapters of the two character together instead of Cirri being in the library. Boring.
This didn’t need to be 700 pages BUT I still enjoyed my time with it. Did it have spice? Yes. Was it spicy? Meh. If the book just had to be this long I would have preferred chapters of the two character together instead of Cirri being in the library. Boring.
August 22, 2025
I’m giving this two stars as a place holder and hoping someone else sees my review and comments. I frankly feel crazy right now.
I frankly don’t know what to do with rating this book because I feel like I am going crazy. There are some serious white supremacy dog whistles in this book, and racism but NO ONE ELSE IS TALKING ABOUT IT. Am I crazy? Am I going too woke? I’ll make a more in depth review later maybe, to go over what I noticed but I don’t know. I’ve been looking everyone for someone to at least explain to me what the author was trying to do when making the only POC race, rapists and ‘dirtying’ the pure white blood line without ANY proper conversation on it. After looking at every single review I have found not a single other person talking about this, so I told myself I was being crazy but after finishing the story and going back I can’t ignore it. I’ll write a better review later, with quotes, but I don’t… something is wrong here.
I frankly don’t know what to do with rating this book because I feel like I am going crazy. There are some serious white supremacy dog whistles in this book, and racism but NO ONE ELSE IS TALKING ABOUT IT. Am I crazy? Am I going too woke? I’ll make a more in depth review later maybe, to go over what I noticed but I don’t know. I’ve been looking everyone for someone to at least explain to me what the author was trying to do when making the only POC race, rapists and ‘dirtying’ the pure white blood line without ANY proper conversation on it. After looking at every single review I have found not a single other person talking about this, so I told myself I was being crazy but after finishing the story and going back I can’t ignore it. I’ll write a better review later, with quotes, but I don’t… something is wrong here.
January 27, 2025
4 ⭐️/ 1.5 🌶️—You know what? Cate Corvin can sometimes really hit it out of the park. This is a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Our FMC is an indentured servant who is married to a vampire lord. Ten years ago, vampires, who were formally exiled from the lands, are invited back into the land with an agreement that allows them to live there if they fight the wargs from a neighboring country. The wargs are similar to werewolves but it’s a transformation that is permanent. In their bid to end the war, four vampires became fiends, which is an atavistic reversion of vampire kind that make them stronger, faster, more lethal, and (of course) beastly. The peace accords say that ten years after the war, the vampire fiends need to marry pure humans. This is how our FMC Cirri comes to be married to Bane.
Cirri and Bane are great characters. The alternating narratives allow us to see the hopes, fears, and dreams of each of them. Both are lonely. Cirri can only speak through sign language or through writing. Because Bane has transformed into a massive fiend, he is set apart not only from humans, but also from his vampire brethren.
The big allusions to Beauty and the Beast are all there: the manor, wolves outside the gates, a beastly MMC, a FMC that loves libraries, a garden with roses. It’s all done in a way that is referential but also doesn’t feel stale.
The one issue is the pacing. The internal timeline seems to be off. At one point, I thought Cirri had been with Bane for months and another of the fiends mentions that it’s like a week? This was sort of a one-off mention though, so I just went with my original internal timeline.
Definitely worth reading.
Cirri and Bane are great characters. The alternating narratives allow us to see the hopes, fears, and dreams of each of them. Both are lonely. Cirri can only speak through sign language or through writing. Because Bane has transformed into a massive fiend, he is set apart not only from humans, but also from his vampire brethren.
The big allusions to Beauty and the Beast are all there: the manor, wolves outside the gates, a beastly MMC, a FMC that loves libraries, a garden with roses. It’s all done in a way that is referential but also doesn’t feel stale.
The one issue is the pacing. The internal timeline seems to be off. At one point, I thought Cirri had been with Bane for months and another of the fiends mentions that it’s like a week? This was sort of a one-off mention though, so I just went with my original internal timeline.
Definitely worth reading.
August 22, 2025
Alexa play MOBB – Hit Me (pura energía de Bobby y Mino señoras)
Exquisito. Deslumbrante. Inolvidable.
Este es de esos libros que te recuerdan por qué amás leer, no solo porque los protagonistas están maravillosamente escritos —honorables, apasionados, respetuosos entre sí incluso en medio de un mundo oscuro y sangriento (es un mundo de vampiros)—, sino porque cada personaje secundario son importantes y aportan algo a la historia. Aquí no hay relleno: cada gesto, cada interacción, cada “little thing” suma y te roba sonrisas.
Lo que más disfruté fue esa sensación de complicidad: la pareja central es perfectamente compatible, se respetan y se reconocen mutuamente, y eso hace que su romance sea creíble y emocionante. (Yo estaba ahí aaaaaah aplausos para esta pareja que está enamorada)
No es exactamente un enemies to lovers, sino algo todavía más especial si así mismo!!! Es una relación que nace del respeto y se transforma en amor.
El worldbuilding es igualmente fascinante. La ambientación te atrapa desde el inicio y deja con ganas de mucho más, un libro demasiado cortooo este si merece que se yo 1000 páginas 😂
Terminé este libro con el corazón lleno y una sonrisa. Hacía tiempo que no me sentía tan mareada de felicidad con una lectura, por estas historias estoy aquí y de estas historias soy!!!
Aish me doy un beso por genia por decir si a este libro raro. 😂
Exquisito. Deslumbrante. Inolvidable.
Este es de esos libros que te recuerdan por qué amás leer, no solo porque los protagonistas están maravillosamente escritos —honorables, apasionados, respetuosos entre sí incluso en medio de un mundo oscuro y sangriento (es un mundo de vampiros)—, sino porque cada personaje secundario son importantes y aportan algo a la historia. Aquí no hay relleno: cada gesto, cada interacción, cada “little thing” suma y te roba sonrisas.
Lo que más disfruté fue esa sensación de complicidad: la pareja central es perfectamente compatible, se respetan y se reconocen mutuamente, y eso hace que su romance sea creíble y emocionante. (Yo estaba ahí aaaaaah aplausos para esta pareja que está enamorada)
No es exactamente un enemies to lovers, sino algo todavía más especial si así mismo!!! Es una relación que nace del respeto y se transforma en amor.
El worldbuilding es igualmente fascinante. La ambientación te atrapa desde el inicio y deja con ganas de mucho más, un libro demasiado cortooo este si merece que se yo 1000 páginas 😂
Terminé este libro con el corazón lleno y una sonrisa. Hacía tiempo que no me sentía tan mareada de felicidad con una lectura, por estas historias estoy aquí y de estas historias soy!!!
Aish me doy un beso por genia por decir si a este libro raro. 😂
September 1, 2025
Amazing!! The story, characters, and world building were well written and fleshed out and it wasn't huge information dump after information dump at the beginning. There are twists and turns you don't see coming and the journey to the hero and heroine's HEA is so beautifully written and realistic! Which I, myself, appreciate the realistic-ness within the story and between the lovers, Bane and Cirri.
I can't wait to read more books by Cate Corvin because she always writes such amazing worlds and characters!
I can't wait to read more books by Cate Corvin because she always writes such amazing worlds and characters!
January 25, 2025
This book!!!
It is a fantastic beauty and the beast retelling.
You meet our FMC named Cirri who is mute and speaks the language of the priests (essentially sign language). She is an indentured servant to the Silver Sisterhood. There was a terrible war between humans and vampire. A peace treaty of sorts was made. Vampires must take a human bride. The silver sisterhood must provide this bride. Due to unseen circumstances, Cirri finds herself said bride. Since very few have learned to “speak” her language she is unable to protest the arranged marriage. All Cirri wanted to do is read and be a librarian.
Enter our MMC named Bane. He is the king in the area where the Silver Sisterhood resides. Bane taught in the war and came home a hero. His people respect him and he well liked. However something tragic happened during the war which turned him into a beast permanently. He once was a handsome well taught after vampire and now is feared by both humans and his kind. He wants to be seen for who is and not what he became.
Cirri and Bane find themselves drawn together and each one wants to be “heard” by the other.
This is the sweetest slow burn story. It’s absolute perfection. The world building, banter, political intrigue and a few spicy scenes make this delectable.
Don’t miss out reading it!!
It is a fantastic beauty and the beast retelling.
You meet our FMC named Cirri who is mute and speaks the language of the priests (essentially sign language). She is an indentured servant to the Silver Sisterhood. There was a terrible war between humans and vampire. A peace treaty of sorts was made. Vampires must take a human bride. The silver sisterhood must provide this bride. Due to unseen circumstances, Cirri finds herself said bride. Since very few have learned to “speak” her language she is unable to protest the arranged marriage. All Cirri wanted to do is read and be a librarian.
Enter our MMC named Bane. He is the king in the area where the Silver Sisterhood resides. Bane taught in the war and came home a hero. His people respect him and he well liked. However something tragic happened during the war which turned him into a beast permanently. He once was a handsome well taught after vampire and now is feared by both humans and his kind. He wants to be seen for who is and not what he became.
Cirri and Bane find themselves drawn together and each one wants to be “heard” by the other.
This is the sweetest slow burn story. It’s absolute perfection. The world building, banter, political intrigue and a few spicy scenes make this delectable.
Don’t miss out reading it!!
April 14, 2025
It was similar to grace draven Radiance (political marriage with different species - human monster) but fell a little flat and was overlong.
The couple went straight to lust despite the physical challenges in their way and the FMC was so starved for affection that the MMC being nice to her meant she should love him. Bit of a weird message and just too much canabalistic rituals for my liking
The couple went straight to lust despite the physical challenges in their way and the FMC was so starved for affection that the MMC being nice to her meant she should love him. Bit of a weird message and just too much canabalistic rituals for my liking
August 9, 2025
• romantasy
• vampire x human
• mute fmc
• arranged marriage
• beauty and the beast vibes
• dual POV
This book. Wow.
Yes, it’s long but if you’re after a romantasy with rich plot, steady relationship building, and spice that actually means something, A Vow of Blood and Tears delivers. Think Beauty and the Beast but with vampires, wargs, and the long-dead fae.
From page one, I was hooked. Cirrien is forced into an arranged marriage with a literal vampire beast. Bane, the MMC, is layered and complex. While he’s called a monster throughout, he’s a total cinnamon roll for Cirrien. His small, thoughtful gestures to make her feel heard were amazing.
“𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬, 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝.”
Their romance is a slow burn, based on companionship and trust. The dialogue sparkles, and the side characters (especially the creepy but endearing gollums) add so much depth to the story. The pacing is smooth for most of the book, though the ending dragged a touch. Still, it’s a rich, heartfelt read I didn’t want to put down!
“𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐞.”
• vampire x human
• mute fmc
• arranged marriage
• beauty and the beast vibes
• dual POV
This book. Wow.
Yes, it’s long but if you’re after a romantasy with rich plot, steady relationship building, and spice that actually means something, A Vow of Blood and Tears delivers. Think Beauty and the Beast but with vampires, wargs, and the long-dead fae.
From page one, I was hooked. Cirrien is forced into an arranged marriage with a literal vampire beast. Bane, the MMC, is layered and complex. While he’s called a monster throughout, he’s a total cinnamon roll for Cirrien. His small, thoughtful gestures to make her feel heard were amazing.
“𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬, 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝.”
Their romance is a slow burn, based on companionship and trust. The dialogue sparkles, and the side characters (especially the creepy but endearing gollums) add so much depth to the story. The pacing is smooth for most of the book, though the ending dragged a touch. Still, it’s a rich, heartfelt read I didn’t want to put down!
“𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐞.”
August 2, 2025
I wasn't sure how I was going to like the story, but as it went on, it got better and better. The book is long, but it needed to be. Words weren't wasted, nor was the plot easily wrapped up. The plot, the characters, and the lore were all so complicated but explained so well. I love Cirri. She's so smart and so curious and so kind. While her kindness could be considered a weakness, she showed it was a strength. She was open-minded and honest. Even in her fears, her honesty shined through. She was what Bane and the other fiends needed. Hope that they all could find love and openness like that. Bane is so complex. He suffered for his people and their well-being just to be cast as a monster. He has his faults, but he loves his people and respects them. I love Bane and Cirri as a couple. They work well together and see each other as who they are. The story itself was masterfully built and resolved. I could see more books about the other Fiends, but the way the story ended, it was perfect.
January 25, 2025
**I received an ARC of this book. Below are my genuine thoughts.**
Prior to AVoBaT, I’d only read Cate’s Razing Hell series (which is a god tier rank for me). When she began posting about this story in her reader group, my intrigue was immediate. Bane and Cirri have one of the most unique, compelling, beautiful love stories of any romance novel I’ve read. I was instantly smitten with Bane from the first purchase (IYKYK), and Cirri is a woman after my own heart. Getting to read about how they not only found their love story but fought for it was truly exhilarating and beautiful. I loved the nuances of each of their characters and the multitude of ways in which they found common ground. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole duration, and I adored the side characters. The final ~150 pages were more or less inhaled because I was so desperate to know what else would unfold. Cate has created literary magic here, and this book cured me of a persistent reading slump I’d been stuck in. I am eagerly awaiting stories for the other fiends, especially my little butter bean, Wroth. I’m off to check out more of Cate’s catalog, starting with The Cimmerian Cage series.
Prior to AVoBaT, I’d only read Cate’s Razing Hell series (which is a god tier rank for me). When she began posting about this story in her reader group, my intrigue was immediate. Bane and Cirri have one of the most unique, compelling, beautiful love stories of any romance novel I’ve read. I was instantly smitten with Bane from the first purchase (IYKYK), and Cirri is a woman after my own heart. Getting to read about how they not only found their love story but fought for it was truly exhilarating and beautiful. I loved the nuances of each of their characters and the multitude of ways in which they found common ground. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole duration, and I adored the side characters. The final ~150 pages were more or less inhaled because I was so desperate to know what else would unfold. Cate has created literary magic here, and this book cured me of a persistent reading slump I’d been stuck in. I am eagerly awaiting stories for the other fiends, especially my little butter bean, Wroth. I’m off to check out more of Cate’s catalog, starting with The Cimmerian Cage series.
June 24, 2025
Wow a heroine who is actually NOT stupid but smart and brave, I never thought I’d see the day!! Seriously the kindest FMC I’ve probably ever read 🤩 and still doesn’t try to act hard all the time. I don’t think there was anytime I was cringed out or threw my kindle across my bed.
But sadly, this was so boring I’m surprised I didn’t Dnf. The ratings are great tho, and I can see why because the story is heartwarming, but not very interesting at all. Probably because this was the fastest insta love I’ve ever read. ZERO buildup in the relationship.
Honestly felt like nothing even happened. What was the point of this a story? I finished 5 minutes ago and I really can’t even recall anything. I’m glad this is over.
But sadly, this was so boring I’m surprised I didn’t Dnf. The ratings are great tho, and I can see why because the story is heartwarming, but not very interesting at all. Probably because this was the fastest insta love I’ve ever read. ZERO buildup in the relationship.
Honestly felt like nothing even happened. What was the point of this a story? I finished 5 minutes ago and I really can’t even recall anything. I’m glad this is over.
April 24, 2025
4.25 ⭐️
I love it when an author can wrap a story up in one book. No fillers, no unnecessary drama that adds nothing to the story. And to do it with a fantasy, even better. Where this was a longer book, about 700 pages, I was never bored, and I even found myself getting angry and annoyed when I had to put the book down for real-life stuff. I adored our fmc. She was a strong character without getting in her own way. When there was miscommunication, it was resolved quickly and efficiently like adults, which was so very refreshing. Our mmc, although terrifying to behold, was gentle with our fmc. All this to say Bane and Cirri are the type of mc's I can root for.
I love it when an author can wrap a story up in one book. No fillers, no unnecessary drama that adds nothing to the story. And to do it with a fantasy, even better. Where this was a longer book, about 700 pages, I was never bored, and I even found myself getting angry and annoyed when I had to put the book down for real-life stuff. I adored our fmc. She was a strong character without getting in her own way. When there was miscommunication, it was resolved quickly and efficiently like adults, which was so very refreshing. Our mmc, although terrifying to behold, was gentle with our fmc. All this to say Bane and Cirri are the type of mc's I can root for.
May 3, 2025
This will be added to the short list of favorite books of mine!
June 30, 2025
DNF 40%
November 15, 2025
Something about this just really hit with me. I loved it all. No notes. I couldn’t put this book down once I started it. It didn’t even feel like 700 plus pages. Ugh what a story.
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