A Vow in Vengeance

Immortal Desires #1

by Jaclyn Rodriguez

In this enemies-to-lovers romantasy with tarot magic, a woman attends an academy in the Immortal realms, where she strikes a deal with a power-hungry prince to bring down the kingdom that destroyed her family.

You want power? Prove it. You want magic? Take it.

Rune Ryker has nothing left to lose. It’s all been stolen by the Immortals—her family, her home, her freedom. But she’s done playing by their rules.

While every year, mortals are chosen against their will to journey into the Immortal Realms, Rune orchestrates her own selection, determined to find her family and destroy anyone who stands in her way. But her survival depends on making it through the Forge, a college that teaches the elusive tarot magic of the Immortal Druids. And when Rune’s magic reveals itself to be the rarest and most powerful, she’s forced to live with its only other wielder—Prince Draven. Devastatingly handsome, and insufferably haughty with ruthless ambition, he’s the last person she can trust.

Her ability draws the attention of the most dangerous druids in the realms, making it all the harder to survive and save her family. Some want to use her. More want her dead. Draven offers to train her . . . for a price. As Rune becomes ensnared in Draven's dangerous games, she learns there are secrets at the heart of the kingdom that some will kill to protect.

And Rune and Draven’s growing attraction may be the spark to ignite a brewing war.

A Vow in Vengeance is a sexy, action-packed, banter-filled romantasy about choice and destiny and how love binds us all.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Adult, Magic, Dark Academia, Fantasy Romance

Hardcover

Expected publication January 13, 2026

About the author

Jaclyn Rodriguez is a biracial author of Puerto Rican heritage, and has been madly in love with fantasy since before she could walk, forever drawn to magic and the impossible. If there are high stakes and intricate world-building, she's in, and she adores a strong romantic subplot, the more complicated the better. She spends her non-writing time practicing archery, and deconstructing her favorite tv shows and films. She currently lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband, son, and two quirky dogs. She is also a proud member of the ​LGBT community.

Jaclyn can be found online at jaclynrodriguezbooks.com.

A VOW IN VENGEANCE will be her debut.

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A Vow in Vengeance”is the kind of debut that grabs you by the collar and dares you to look away—and I didn’t. I couldn’t. From the very first page, Jaclyn Rodriguez plunges you into a vividly imagined world teeming with magic, vengeance, secrets, and betrayal, and I was hooked like a moth to an unholy, flaming tarot card.

At the heart of it is Rune Ryker, a fierce, stubborn, deeply human heroine with a chip on her shoulder and fire in her veins. She’s the kind of character who isn’t here to be liked—she’s here to survive, and if that means stepping on toes or lighting the whole realm on fire, so be it. Rune’s voice felt raw and honest, filled with grief and grit, which made her journey not just engaging, but emotionally gripping.

The setting—a ruthless magical academy known as the Forge, where immortal druids rule with power drawn from tarot cards—is as eerie and enthralling as it sounds. I loved the dark academia aesthetic here: sharp uniforms, ancient rituals, magic with consequences, and that intoxicating blend of beauty and danger. The tarot-based magic system is unique and brimming with potential, even if I sometimes wished for just a bit more clarity in the mechanics. Still, it never detracted from the thrill of watching Rune unlock her rare and dangerous powers.

Then there’s Draven. Oh, Draven. Brooding, powerful, infuriatingly handsome, and clearly hiding more than just scars under those shadows. I adored the push-pull dynamic between him and Rune. Their banter had bite, their forced proximity was deliciously tense, and the slow unraveling of their trust (and attraction) was everything I look for in an enemies-to-lovers arc. They are two broken people circling each other like predators—both afraid, both drawn in, both unwilling to admit how badly they need one another.

And while I didn’t fall head-over-heels for every single moment—there were parts where I wished for more worldbuilding depth, and a few pacing hiccups in the second half—the emotional core kept me tethered. Rune’s loyalty to her missing family, her growing unease with power, and her desperate attempts to carve out something that feels like justice… it all made me root for her fiercely. The side characters added fun flavor too, especially some who surprised me by the end (and who I hope we’ll see more of in future books).

This is a debut that leans into its tropes—dark prince, rebel girl, dangerous magic school, slow-burn romance—but does so with confidence and heart. I can tell Jaclyn Rodriguez has so much more to say, and I am absolutely coming back for book two. That ending? Yeah… let’s just say I shouted a little.

Final thoughts: If you love dark academia, tarot magic, reluctant alliances, and heroines who punch first and apologize never, A Vow in Vengeance should be next on your romantasy radar.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 (4 stars)

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando/Slowburn for providing me this magical and intriguing romantasy/dark academia novel’s digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. I truly appreciate it!

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[Kimberlylovesreadingbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much that I want to shout it out on top of my fucking lungs😭👏🏾.

First of all thank you netgalley and Zando projects for giving me this beautiful Earc.

Do you know how refreshing it is to read a fantasy book that's soooo different from other books????🥹

First of all this is a DEBUT!!! A Debut written so perfectly especially a fantasy👏🏾♥️ Jaclyn should be given her flowers!!!

Every year humans are selected by the immortal realms which are divided into the druids, the seraphs and the elves. This year is the Druid's turn for the selection and Rune Ryker decides that she wants to be selected.

Rune 's family were taken to the immortal realms and she decides you know what I'm going to find them even if it's the last thing I do.👏🏾🙂

She thinks when you're selected you become a worker you know a slave but things are different from what she expects. 🙂.

The magic system of the Druids is different from the other immortals. They use Tarot cards to channel their magic. The author was really thinking out of the box with this one. ✨👏🏾

Rune finds herself attracted to the most powerful Arcana which apart from herself the only other person who has the same power is the prince🤭.

I fell in LOVE with this man the moment he was described 🤭. Who doesn't like a man with wings 😭 🤷🏾‍♀️....and horns....and eyes that change with every emotion he feels💁🏾‍♀️. Prince Draven is now my new current book boyfriend 😮‍💨♥️.

The chemistry between Rune and Draven was off the charts 🤭. Every interaction between them had me smiling and giggling at my phone🤭😍.

Rune the badass girl who's stubborn to her core and won't accept help that easily put in the same room with the hot, brooding, arrogant Prince Draven. 😭✨🎀 What more could a girl ask for honestly 🤷🏾‍♀️.

The BANTER!!!! THE TENSION!!!!😮‍💨♥️. He doesn't even hide how obsessed he is with her and I LOVE THAT!!!!🤷🏾‍♀️.

Quote:

"Would you be satisfied with so little of me?" I ask not ready to answer what is building between us.
"I'd beg on my knees just to get that much if you," he breathes.
"Then beg," I whisper.


THIS SCENE HAD ME FERAL!!!!!!

"But I'm also not a conquest. So tell me Draven....what does that make me to you?"

His gaze is a caress. "It makes you mine,"🤭

ffghffgghfd😮‍💨

I think I quoted every conversation they had because of how cute they were. 🤭🙇🏾‍♀️. They agreed to act like fake fated mates but they ended up falling in love 😭♥️🌸.

It was also so healing to see Rune make friends after years of being alone and how Draven literally wants to take care of her😭✨♥️.

With the way this ended I know book 2 will be GOOOOOOOOD!!!!! 🙇🏾‍♀️. I hope I also get the arc copy of that too when the time comes that is👀!!!

Jaclyn Rodriguez you have a new fan🤝🏾.

If you like dark academia, forced proximity, a MMC who's an asshole but is secretly obsessed with the fmc and if you also like high stakes this is a book you'll enjoy💁🏾‍♀️🙂🌸.

[molly lou]

Eeeek, I’m so excited for this one!! Thank you to NetGalley, the author & Zando Projects for the ARC! <3

[Lis ~Cheese Fairy~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/14: ✴︎ 2.5, moon-blessed and moon-cursed, stars ✴︎

(This rating was tough. Better than 2, but worse than 3. My 2’s lately have been rougher than this, so 3 it is. Just know it’s rocky on Mount 3.)

Okay, alright. I’m bummed. You know when an idea is really good? And you see potential? But then things just…don’t go to plan. That’s what happened here. So much potential, but my brain had to put in overtime trying to make sense of it. This was a confusing few hours, I know nothing about tarot cards, or Druid’s, but I felt like I was expected to have a prerequisite level of understanding first.

I want to be clear that this review is written with a lot of hope and love. I’m optimistic that some things can be addressed before publishing. If adjustments are made, this book will be fire. No if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. I don’t write fluffy arc reviews; mainly because I don’t think they’re helpful. While this book is good, it isn’t the best, and that’s okay. She’s got time, let her stew.

My first issue is VERY unlike me! I found A Vow in Vengeance needed to be at least 100-150 more pages (arc is 385). For a romantsy, this is light reading, and you can tell when it comes to the lore, world building, and explanations. The concept is so interesting, but it felt like I missed a books worth of backstory before this. Everything is ‘told’ and nothing is ‘shown.’ Honestly? The academic setting is used as a cop out because the characters are learning with you.

Second major issue, is generic romantsy MMC. Draven is as ‘meh’ as they come, but damn did I like how HE (not his looks) was written! The dialogue, and inner-character development was incredible. Really, all the characters in this are bomb! But. BUT you get so bogged down with the lackluster character descriptions. This book idea is fucking cool, and the magic structure is unique-why, WHY make your characters so unmemorable? I’m so confused by authors lately. You do something so incredible by imagining and creating a wonderful world/story, but you can’t uniquely define your characters? Baffled. Befuddled. Stumped. You did the hard part already! I genuinely can’t wrap my head around this. It would be like using the Mona Lisa’s face over and over and over again. Everyone knows where it came from. Paint your own masterpiece! You’re an ar~ti~st.

There are certain fundamental cracks, in writing, that can’t be fixed. You can twist a story, you can tweak characters, you can edit in and out information, but you can’t force a book to feel alive. Writers either have this skill, or they don’t. A Vow in Vengeance has the almost-impossible-task done; this feels living and breathing. It could get up on two legs, and walk around. Things just need a bit of refining and expansion. I say this with my heart, because I want to purchase and covet this in private. Girly just needs another dress fitting; then she’ll be ready for the ball.

Also, for a debut…I’m not mad at this. But! I’ve said it in previous reviews, so I’ll say it again. I don’t want to read a book and immediately know it’s a debut. My goal is to hold this next to a previously published author, and not know which is which. I’m pleased to report A Vow in Vengeance isn’t far from that point.

TLDR: Please. PLEASE. Add length and flesh-out the world. This could be amazing. This could be a top 5 book of the year for me. Give the Rhys knockoff a makeover. Drop the ACOTAR coat-riding. Add more background/critical information. Take over the world. Rinse and repeat with the next masterpiece. ~Lis, the non-authors, oversimplified guide to success ™️~

✴︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ✴︎ ✴︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ✴︎

15% update: Tall with dark hair. Stupidly handsome- with a cocky grin. Neck tattoos. Fuck me. Scrap Draven and redesign. Why are all these MMC’s the exact same? I’m starting to get heated about this. I’m reading 5-10 romantsy novels a year, and it’s literally the SAME guy! Please. For the love of god. Have a shred of originality. Please. I am begging. On my knees. Give me something different. “But…but this guy has horns!” That’s literally the equivalent of giving a girl a hair-clip. It’s an accessory, not a defining character trait. Rhysand with horns is still fucking Rhysand. This stuff just kills my reading mood. 😭 I’m mad because it’s really good other than this recycled-character nonsense.

✴︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ✴︎ ✴︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ✴︎

5/13: Pre-read for this mysterious book. No cover, no problem…but like…could I get a hint? Just a teeny, tiny hint?

Thank you NetGalley and Zando for the arc!

6/20: edited because I’m an absolute idiot and thought NetGalley was spelled NetGallery. 😭 You can give the girl her glasses, but you can’t make her wear them.

✴︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ✴︎ ✴︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ✴︎

[Liana Gold]

Thanks NetGalley and Zando Projects for sending me this eARC for review ! Very excited to read this one!! 🫶🏻

[Jaclyn Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Readers,

As early copies of A Vow in Vengeance find their way into your hands and onto your kindles, I wanted to leave behind a note before I summon the Hermit and disappear for good <3 After all, Goodreads is a reader space, and I want to respect this space best by letting you all express yourselves!

A Vow in Vengeance is my debut novel, and I put a lot of myself into this book. In so many ways, it’s the book my heart has always wanted and the story my grieving heart needed, and because of that, a piece of me remains tucked inside of it, pressed like flower petals between its pages.

In a time when we have the most media available at our fingertips, you took a chance on me and my book, and for that, I am deeply thankful. I hope you enjoy it, and that this community continues to stay kind and have fun together.

Welcome to the Forge, dear mortals. If you want power—prove it. If you want magic—take it.

P.S. It may seem odd to give myself a five-star rating, but I fought through a sea of grief, obstacles, and crushing insecurity to make this dream come true. My journey to get here has spanned decades. So that version of me that didn’t give up, that loves this book, and wrote it with all she had, five stars for her.

Lastly, because my e-ARCs don’t have a content warning page I wanted to include those below, hidden unless you need them:
-nonconsensual kissing and touching
-attempted sexual assault
-on-page suicide of an unnamed character (non-gory)
-slavery
-death
-diaspora
-grief and loss
-forced assimilation
-drug use and alcohol consumption
-forced assimilation
-violence and death
-explicit consensual sexual content detailed on the page (open-door)
It is always my hope that I’ve handled these elements with care.

[Helen Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely thrilling from start to finish! The worldbuilding is incredible, with a unique magic system where druids draw their power from tarot cards, and the immortal realms feel rich and layered.

Rune is a fierce and determined heroine, and her relationship with Draven is full of tension and sparks without being overly explicit. I loved the mix of action, romance, and high stakes drama, and the supporting cast of characters all felt authentic and memorable.

The story keeps you turning pages, and the combination of danger, magic, and romance makes it a standout in fantasy. I can’t wait to continue this series and dive deeper into this amazing world!

[tanvi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had such a promising start. By 18%, I was convinced it might become my next fantasy obsession. Unfortunately, I ultimately had to set it aside at 70%.

There were a number of small issues that gradually piled up for me. The characters, for instance, felt flat and one-dimensional. While I usually give characters time to develop, by the time I reached the 70% mark, I still felt no real connection to them. Their growth was minimal, and I never got a sense of who they truly were beyond surface-level traits. The writing style also proved to be a major hurdle. It was often clunky and overly wordy, making it difficult to stay immersed. I found myself rereading passages just to grasp the meaning. Another round of edits could significantly improve the pacing and clarity of this book.

What makes this DNF particularly disappointing is that the magic system had real potential. The book initially gives off a vibe that reminded me of Fourth Wing meets One Dark Window, but the execution just didn’t live up to the concept. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry, and while there seemed to be an attempt at a found family dynamic, it didn’t land. That emotional thread could’ve added a much-needed layer to the story, but instead, it felt underdeveloped and disconnected.

I really wanted to love this, but I just don't and won't be continuing this. Thank you Netgalley & Zando Projects for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicole is Reading Fantasy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Vow in Vengeance - ARC Review

3.5 stars

A Vow in Vengeance started off really strong following our FMC, Rune, who is hoping to be reunited with her family by being chosen during the “Selection,” a once-a-year event where the immortals come to the mortal world and take 100 humans back to their lands. Rune had no idea what was waiting for her on the other side, but she certainly didn’t expect to be turned into a Druid changeling and dropped into a magical academy to master her new, powerful tarot magic. Rune is desperate to reunite with her family, but the immortal lands are vast, spread across 3 kingdoms, so she strikes a secret bargain with the devastatingly charming Druid Prince, Draven. If she can help him secure his throne, he can help her find her family.

I really enjoyed the world-building and history between mortal and immortal kingdoms. I also found the chemistry between Rune and Draven to be very strong and palpable. But I ultimately feel that this book tried to accomplish too much in 400 pages. With such a complex history and magic system, there ended up being a lot of info-dumping, which became hard to digest. I also found the tarot card magic to be overly complicated and a lot to learn. The Academy setting has a lot of potential, but we spent almost no time experiencing it. When Rune is developing her tarot magic skills, we’re told about her progress rather than experiencing it alongside her. The theme of vengeance never really came to fruition, in my opinion. We’re told that Rune wants vengeance for her family being taken, but this idea seems to abandoned fairly early on in the story as new information comes to light, which makes the title of the book a bit misleading.

I think the concept of this book, along with its world and characters, is strong, and with a better execution it could be a 4-5 star read. Nevertheless, I did enjoy my reading experience and will likely be picking up book two.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Livlyy ⭑.ᐟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

⟢ “𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐯𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞,𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬. 𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐭. 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲, 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞.”⟢


ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜɪɴɢ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ January 20 , 2026


⋮ ⋆｡˚꒰ঌ 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬 ໒꒱˚｡⋆

Rune Ryker has one goal: revenge. After losing everything to the Immortals, she forces her way into their world—straight into the Forge, a deadly school of tarot-based magic. Her power is rare, her enemies are many, and her only ally is the infuriatingly powerful Prince Draven. As sparks fly and secrets unravel, Rune must survive betrayal, deadly magic, and a brewing war that could burn the realms to the ground.

⋮ ⋆｡˚꒰ঌ ࣪𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 ࣪ ໒꒱˚｡

⋆ Woah! I seriously DID NOT realise that this book was like 400 pages , I STILL WANT MORE! Honestly the ending made me curious about what will happen in the next book. Moreover, I LOVE the writing style ( and you’re telling me that this book is the author’s debut novel?) The magic system is very unique but at the same time a little difficult to remember , because there’s a whole lotta information.It has a bit of Insta love ( which is a trope I hate) but I love the banter! Kind of powerless and hunger games concept like there’s selections , BUT there are Major cruel Prince vibes. The characters were likeable but that the same time I did not feel MUCH connection with them , but I’m sure it’ll change as I get to read the next book. I can already sense that this book is gonna be popular in booktok because of sooooo many aspects! ALSO I CANNOT STOP THINKING ABOUT THE ONE BED SCENEEEE!! This book got me giggling and kicking my feet ( YES THERE I SAID IT)



𐔌 . ⋮ 𝐂ɦα𝗋α𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌 .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱

⋮ ⋆˚࿔ 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐲𝐤𝐞𝐫 ⋆ 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

Our Fierce FMC!! She is a bit of a complex character but loved her nonetheless. Also this book was written in her POV and it was really fun.She has white hairs which reminded me of awful book Powerless , but thankfully she is nothing like Paedyn gray 😌 She’s so well written and might as well one of my favourite FMC ♥️ This couple is literally so cute and their love is so pure!


⋮ ⋆˚࿔ 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐕𝐨𝐬 ⋆ 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

⟢ “𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧”⟢

DAYUMMMMM! I just KNOW he’s gonna be the next trending bf in booktok except the fact that he’s tall , is very handsome and has a cocky grin like any other fictional men in fantasy book Like I love whenever he flirted with Rune and most of all , how he’s not always grumpy and cold. HES JUST SO CUTEEE AHHHHH. ( and yes I added him to my list of Book bf🤭)



𐔌 . ⋮ 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱

• Enemies to Lovers
• One Bed
• Fake dating
• He Falls first and harder
• Found Family
• Enemies to lovers ( Kinda)
• Spice : 🌶️ 🌶️/ Age rating : 15+



⋆.˚✮ 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 ✮˚ I love this book even though it’s not a five star. I cannot wait for this book to be published and for y’all to read this 😍 Really looking forward to the next book in the series ! Thank you NetGalley , Zando and Jaclyn Rodriguez for the E arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Sue Miz · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You are my salvation...and my damnation," he whispers
"Whether I spend my life hating to love you or loving to hate I would never choose another.

First, a thank you from Netgalley, the author, and the publication company for the eARC.

The book caught my attention for several reasons.

1- The author is Puerto Rican 💜
2- The magic system is based on Tarrot Cards...something very rare to see (the only one I can think of is One Dark Window)
3- and because of that, the magic system is considered Hard Magic. There are rules and restrictions ... again, something very rare in the world of fantasy.

A war broke out between the mortals and immortals, and, shocking, guess who won! To punish the mortals, every year a Selection happens where the Seraphs, Elves, and Druids pick human people of different ages to go to their realm. No one knows what happens to them. All of Rune's, our main protagonist, family has been taken before leaving her alone. This year, she vows to be selected and look for them. This year, it's the Druid's turn to pick. Rune has to go to an Academy-like place called the Forge, survive not only training, conspiracies, and being murdered, but also the brooding Heir Prince Draven.

As a positive, the story is intriguing, the magic system is very well-thought off, and the writing style is excellent.
After the first half, the book picks up so much speed that you just want to turn page after page to read what happens next. The ending gave me whiplash, in a good way, with how fast it was.

The chemistry between Rune and Draven was off the charts, and I loved that it was a mild-slow burn with very little spice, allowing their relationship to brew and happen.

The twists and reveals in the storyline were superb, and, in my opinion, the best thing about the book.
I do think this book would be popular with romantacy lovers.

However, it was so far from perfect, though it has a lot of potntial.

For one, there are a lot of snippits from very popular books that were supposed to act like familiar but came off as copying, to be honest.

the brooding tall dark and hadsome male lead
the chosen female lead for reasons who is subpar to the hero and has white hair!
the need for training
the hidden powers/talents that we never see until the very end
the punishment of the children of the rebels by integrating them into the system
the need to descend at the end of education for the powers to manifest
and so many more...

The marketing of the book will be "enemies to lovers" - "one bed trope" - "dark academia" 🙄 and I am sorry, but this is not that, not even close...well! except the one bed thing because that is the lamest trope ever.

But my biggest issue for me was Rune herself. She is the sole narrator of the book, thus, she carries the burden.
Rune introduces herself at the beginning of the book as the Wraith, a well-trained spy, who has brutally murdered her master. We are told that she is very skilled, resourceful, and smart. So please explain to me how such a person is easily held down by a man, beat up, and almost raped with very little resistance and needed rescuing from the dashing prince!
Throughout the book, I was waiting to be impressed by Rune, for her to show a bit of the smartness we kept hearing about, the spy techniques she bragged about over and over. Alas, non of that happened.
She is undertrained, underwhelmed and borderline insufferable sometimes.
Her only quality is that the World card chose her for....reasons!

Personally, I wished there was no love in this book because how it ended. Because of the "love", I was expecting a betrayal...and I don't know how book 2 will go because the romance part will be boring.

All in all, it was an enjoyable read

⚜ rating: 3.5 🌟🌟🌟 🔅
⚜Genre: High Fantasy
⚜Theme: Fantasy Romance
⚜Targeted audience: 16+
⚜Characters: Rune, Draven
⚜Representation: LGBTQ+
⚜ driven: Plot driven
⚜Pace: medium
⚜TW: death, attempted SA
⚜ tropes: medium-burn, one bed, chosen one, forced proximity
⚜ POV: one sided first person
⚜ spice 🌶 one tiny scene that doesn't go all the way
⚜standalone: no
⚜Ending: setting the mood for the next book
⚜Book read: eARC

[elizabeth rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gripping blend of magic, danger, and sizzling tension—I devoured this in one sitting! 🔥

A Vow in Vengeance delivers everything I crave in a romantasy: a cutthroat academy, high-stakes magic, and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic crackling with tension. Fans of Throne of Glass will recognize some familiar elements—an elite training school, a sharp-tongued heroine, and a dangerously charming prince—but the tarot-based magic system brings a fresh and intriguing twist that kept me hooked.

One of the most compelling parts of the book was Rune’s relentless search for her family, scattered across this dangerous world. Her determination and the emotional depth of her journey added so much heart to the story, making every discovery and setback feel intensely personal.

The worldbuilding is rich and immersive - every lesson Rune takes pulls the reader deeper into the complexities of the magic system. And then there’s Prince Draven—infuriating, cunning, and impossible to ignore. His dynamic with Rune is pure fire, with sharp banter and electric chemistry that had me devouring this book in one sitting.

While seasoned fantasy readers may spot some familiar tropes, Jaclyn Rodriguez delivers them with flair, crafting a gripping, fast-paced read that’s impossible to put down. For a debut, this is outstanding—I’m dying for a sequel! If you love high-stakes magic, dangerous alliances, and romance laced with tension, A Vow in Vengeance is an absolute must-read!

3.5 ⭐️

[Tara &#x1f988; · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this debut. Revenge, tarot magic, forced proximity and a broody morally grey prince? Say less. Rune is fierce and grief fuelled, a former Wraith who willingly enters the Immortal realms to find her stolen family and ends up meeting Prince Draven the only other wielder of the rarest tarot card.

The tension? Immaculate. Their banter had me kicking my feet and while I wish the enemies to lovers burn lasted a bit longer, their connection had me completely hooked.

I was surprised how well the tarot and druid magic system worked and I loved learning through Rune’s academy training. The worldbuilding is layered, the pacing addictive and the emotional stakes land.

If you love slow burn, tarot magic, enemies to lovers with real tension and heroines who burn the world to save their own this one needs to be on your radar. I cannot wait for book two.

Huge thanks to the Zando and NetGalley for the ARC!

Bookstagram <3

[Hannah Styles · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok so I am conflicted on how to feel about this arc...

The concept for this story was so cool, based off the description I was getting One Dark Window/Hunger Games/Zodiac Academy vibes.... sadly, when reading I didn't get these vibes.

The story is told similar to FBAA where you learn a lot of information while the FMC is learning things, but a lot of the information is just explained to the reader instead of showing it to us. Personally, I don't know much about Druids or Tarot and found this to be disadvantageous as the reader. Maybe if you already have an understanding of these concepts the world building would make more sense...

I am usually a pretty fast reader, but the first half of this book was like trudging through mud, I kept waiting for things to happen, then they didn't, or I was confused. Our FMC attends an academy to develop her magical skills, but we don't really get to see her in the academy setting, she is just there and tells us about it. I wanted to see more of the academy setting and her interacting with her classmates. She gets class with her classmates, and there is an aspect of found family, but these characters are pretty one dimensional because we don't learn anything substantial about them, so I didn't get attached at all.

This was also the case with the FMC and MMC, I found them to be the typical Romantasy MCs. She was oppressed and is now on a mission, she has special powers that she isn't supposed to have, she has a unique hair color and a snarky attitude. He is tall dark and broody, with wings and a lot of power. I just described half of the romantasy couples out there, so they weren't anything special to me.

All this being said I got about 70% of the way through the book, then I just couldn't be bothered to finish. I think this is due to what I described in this review, finding the FMC/MMC and side characters one dimensional.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Zando for the eARC of this book! All opinions are my own!

[Bryanna Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished A Vow in Vengeance and… I’m seriously impressed. I cannot believe this is a debut, especially with how original and layered the magic system is. For me, that was the true star of the show.

The magic in this world is centered around Tarot cards, at least in one of the kingdoms (👀), and it’s nothing like I’ve seen before in fantasy. These aren’t just symbolic tools for past/present/future readings, each person has an affinity to a specific tarot card, and that card grants them a unique magical ability.
Examples? The Death card gives shadow magic, the High Priestess allows mind reading, the Devil creates illusions, and that’s just a taste. It’s genuinely one of the most refreshing and creative systems I’ve ever read, and I’m OBSESSED.

And it’s not just the magic. This book hits so many of my favorite tropes:
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ He Falls First
✨ Fake Dating
✨ Found Family
✨ He Trains Her
✨ (And honestly, so much more…)

I’m a sucker for stories where characters build each other up, and this MMC? He wants her powerful. Like, even if she became more powerful than him, he would not care, he just wants her to thrive. He’s strong, loyal, and would probably walk through fire barefoot if she asked.

The FMC is equally divine. I loved watching her growth just within this book, from guarded and full of anger to open, curious, and truly stepping into her potential. You can tell this is just the beginning of her arc, and I cannot wait to see her grow even more.

Also… plot twists?? Oh, they’re there. And I have theories about her brother 👀

But let’s talk about that ENDING.
Because wow. The way it wraps up sets the stage for what I know will be a feral, divine feminine rage-fueled Book 2, and I’m here for it. All of it. Unhinged, powerful, devastating glory.

This series is going to be something special, and I’m already fully locked in.

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Vow in Vengeance had me absolutely hooked from the first page. It’s the perfect blend of action, romance, and rich magical worldbuilding, with just the right amount of spice and danger. Rune Ryker is a fierce, no-nonsense survivor who’s willing to burn the world down to find the truth and I loved every second of her journey.

The setting of the Forge, a brutal training ground for immortal druids, is both cutthroat and captivating, and the tarot-based magic system is unique and so well thought out. Every magical moment felt earned and added to the tension of the plot.

And let’s talk about Draven…broody, morally gray, infuriatingly hot, and just the right amount of dangerous. The enemies-to-lovers tension was perfection, and yes, there’s only one bed. 😏 The fake dating/fated mates twist added an extra layer of drama I couldn’t get enough of.

Would I recommend this book to you? YES YES YES

Expected Release Date: 01/13/2026

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own.

[--Keres-- · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Vow of Vengeance is a dark fantasy romance woven with secrets, simmering tension, and a revenge-driven heroine. While it stands well on its own, it echoes several popular fantasy series a little too closely, which made it feel more familiar than fresh.

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes
✅️ Hidden Identity
✅️ Magic School / Training Grounds
✅️ Revenge Quest
✅️ Forbidden Love
✅️ He Falls First
✅️ Found Family
✅️ Fated Mates Vibes
✅️ Enemies-to-Lovers
✅️ Strong Heroine / Warrior FMC

📖Storyline
At just fourteen, the FMC loses everything. Her father and brother are taken during the Selection, a brutal ceremony where one hundred mortals are chosen by the Immortals every ten years. Her mother, in a desperate attempt to avoid the selection and protect the FMC, disappears. Believed to have been taken as well, the FMC is left completely alone.

In this world, mortals live under the oppressive rule of Immortals powerful, near-untouchable beings divided into three distinct castes, each wielding unique forms of magic. When the selection occurs, these Immortals descend like gods, choosing their "tithe" from the mortal population.

Fuelled by grief, rage, and the echo of a family stolen from her, the FMC spends years training in secret. She hardens herself into a weapon, then takes a dangerous step to be selected, joining the very empire that destroyed her life. Disguised and determined, she enters the Immortals’ elite training grounds to dismantle them from within.

But what she didn’t plan for was the connection she feels to her commanding officer, a prince burdened by duty, secrets, and a darkness that mirrors her own. As buried truths emerge and tarot-bound magic stirs, she’s forced to question everything. Her vengeance is no longer a straight path, and she might be far more powerful and less alone than she ever believed.

🎭Characters
Our FMC is all grit and shadows calculated, cunning, and so easy to root for. The MMC? Swoon. Protective but not overbearing, emotionally complex with that tortured softness I crave. Their chemistry is tension-laced perfection.
And the side characters? Chef's kiss. Banter-filled found family vibes, especially between the combatants, gave that siblings-but-not energy that made me laugh and ache at the same time.

✍️ Writing & Pacing
Jaclyn Rodriguez’s writing is sharp and emotionally immersive, especially when it comes to tension, banter, and inner turmoil. The pacing is well balanced, action-packed moments broken up with emotional introspection and slow-burn chemistry that simmers throughout.

That said, the writing style and structure felt reminiscent of several popular fantasy titles. From chapter openers with communication snippets to the academy setting and familiar character dynamics, there were noticeable echoes of Fourth Wing, Quicksilver, and others. While these familiar elements will likely appeal to fans of the genre, they occasionally pulled me out of the story rather than immersing me further. You can feel the influence of beloved reads woven throughout. While the story has a solid foundation, it would have benefited from a few more moments that set it apart and gave it its own distinct voice. Ultimately, this is why I couldn’t justify more than a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating.

While the use of tarot cards as a magical tool added an intriguing element, its prevalence in recent fantasy releases made it feel less distinctive in this story

Still, the worldbuilding is compelling, the emotional beats land, and the story delivers a gripping arc of revenge, power, and unexpected connection.

🧠 Final Thoughts
Vow of Vengeance delivers a gripping, emotional journey packed with vengeance, found family, and forbidden connection. The worldbuilding is rich with lore, magic, and political tension, and I was fully invested in the FMC’s mission and emotional unravelling. While the story stands on its own, the heavy inspiration from other popular fantasies was hard to ignore and occasionally pulled me out of the experience.

Still, I flew through the pages. The banter hit, the tension built beautifully, and the ending left me desperate for more. If you're in the mood for a morally grey romance wrapped in rebellion and magic with familiar beats and a fierce heroine, this one's worth picking up


Who Would Love This Book
🖤 Readers obsessed with morally grey leads
🖤 Anyone who screams at enemies-to-lovers tension
🖤 If you want a heroine who is as deadly as she is soft
🖤 Those who live for a story built on vengeance, loyalty, and love that hurts

[Haleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 🌟

I'm about to tell y'all a story and it's gonna be long and I'm not sorry.

The royal decree at the beginning had my hackles raised.

"Henceforth on this day, the first of Ninth Month, mortals will undergo the Selection each year, a reaping of one hundred souls as penance for their cursed uprising. Each of the nine remaining mortal territories will submit to the Selection process at random, and without defiance, or summon our fury."

I immediately thought "hunger games ripoff" and you cannot tell me that's not giving Treaty of Treason. HENCEFORTH each territory must submit to a REAPING as PENANCE for their UPRISING??????? Y'all I even quoted it to my mom and she said "that's not the hunger games is it?" Anyway, this had my attention (in a bad way). Plus side it could only go up from there cause it started all the way at the bottom here. I almost DNF'D it right there, but alas the ARC reader in me persisted.

So, the good part? After the selection process it stopped giving the hunger games. The bad part? I saw similarities to other more current popular romantasies (really took the fourth wing format with the pre-chapter snippets, information, correspondence, diary writings, etc). I know not every book will be 100% unique, but I wish we got more world-building in this book to more thoroughly differentiate it from others in the genre.

The magic system being tarot is super cool and unique, HOWEVER, I feel like we never really dove into the system, as even at the end I still had to reference the cheat sheet to figure out what card did what. So basically I wish we had more classroom time to learn the magic WITH the FMC (who was also learning it), it just felt rushed. I was just missing the depth to the world. That being said, if you like fourth wing you'll probably love this book.

Another thing. It's shown as enemies-to-lovers but 4 chapters in, and just like Violet Rune can't stop thinking about how attractive Draven (Xaden) is, and she has to mentally remind herself "he's the enemy". I'm tired of books being marketed enemies to lovers when there is instant attraction. It's okay for a book to NOT be enemies to lovers, but don't tell me it is and then the characters are in lust with each other by chapter 4 and using the "love" nickname by chapter 10. HOWEVER the banter was BANTERING they have amazing chemistry.

I did enjoy the plot progression. I felt the book had a good pacing in that regard, no notes.

And AFTER ALL THAT, I have to say it's actually a really good debut novel for this author, and I'm patiently waiting for the next!

***Thank you Jaclyn Rodriguez and Zando Projects for this ARC in exchange for my honest review***

[Laura Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Vow in Vengeance is author Jaclyn Rodriguez’s debut novel. It is the first book in the Immortal Desires series.

Pub Date: January 13, 2026

What to expect
-Enemies to lovers
-Fake dating
-Dark academia
-Tarot magic
-Forced proximity
-Slow burn
-Only one bed

Rune has lost everything she cares about to the Immortals. She is determined to make them pay. Each year, humans are chosen through a selection to enter the Immortal realm.

Rune ensures she is chosen in the selection. She is determined to find her family and make her enemies pay!

Those selected are granted tarot magic and are sent to the Forge (college) where they must learn to wield their new power.

Rune’s power is the rarest of them all, and she must train and live with the only other wielder, the arrogant Prince Draven.

A Vow in Vengeance absolutely delivered! The magic system was creative and well thought out. I still cannot believe this is a debut.

This is the perfect read for fans of Fourth Wing. It’s packed with action, tension, and twists and turns I didn’t see coming.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Zando, and Jaclyn Rodriguez for the eARC of a Vow in Vengeance. I can’t wait for the next book!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC NetGalley & Zando!

Loved. Loved, loved, loved. Add to your TBR now, please.

Firstly, basing magic off of Tarot cards - beautiful. I thought it would be hard to follow given how many there are and the Major/Minor of it all, but it just made sense. Each card and their powers were easy enough to follow and it was fresh and fun, have I mentioned I loved it?
The enemies to lovers has me in a chokehold and let me tell you, even knowing it's coming I adored the back and forth. AND THE BANTER! Ugh, yes. If they aren't threatening each other constantly? what. is. the. point. Chef's Kiss.
Only downfall with this one is that I have to wait so so so long until the next one is released.
I can't wait to see what cover art they come up with, oooooooooooh it's gotta be good.

5* easy

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mortal wraith finds herself a student in a magical school ran by the ones who took everything from her. Magic, tarot, and an academy…all the fun things that are so hot right now merged into one unforgettable tale.

The world building is perfect and the tarot magic is so unique I was blown away. This magic system has a steep learning curve, luckily we get to walk through it with the FMC at the academy, building our knowledge naturally. There was definitely great banter, chemistry and a slow burn between the main characters that had me hooked. The amount of interruptions these enemies to lovers had was so stressful it kept me up all hours of the night! From unexpected twists and turns to the character development, this romantasy gives a refreshing take on the usual tropes.

Thank you Zando publishing company for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Bibechna Dash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a book review for "A Vow in Vengeance" by Jaclyn Rodriguez:
Jaclyn Rodriguez's debut novel, A Vow in Vengeance, is a powerful and compelling entry into the ever-popular romantasy genre. With a unique magic system, a fiercely driven heroine, and a slow-burn romance that crackles with tension, this book is a must-read for fans of dark academia and enemies-to-lovers tropes.

Story plot rating⭐️: 4/5
The story is new and great but it's too slow and confusing at the beginning. There should be atleast 500 pages for this intricate story building. It felt like the author was in a rush to complete the story. There was no extensive information on the magic systems, no detailed college life. Rune made friends without any heart touching scene or any scenes on how their friendship grew stronger. There should be more to it.
Also the lovestory, why it sounds like deacen fell in love with her because he has to as the MMC.
So, heres a summary: The story centers on Rune Ryker, a mortal who has lost everything to the Immortals—her family, her home, her freedom. Driven by a burning desire for revenge, she orchestrates her own selection to the Immortal Realms, determined to infiltrate their world and find those she has lost. Her journey takes her to the Forge, a cutthroat college for Immortal druids where she must master the elusive and powerful tarot-based magic.
The MMC : 3/5 ⭐️
Draven is hot we get it.Arrogant, ambitious, and dangerously handsome, he is the last person she should trust.But, There's no male point of view. There's no where in the book on how he fell in love with her. There's no description of how he felt for our FMC. Although he is strong there needs to be more growth in their lovestory rather than all coming at once.
The FMC: 4.5/5⭐️
Rune is a captivating protagonist—sharp, broken, and unyielding. Her fierce determination and emotional depth make her a character you can't help but root for. Her journey of survival and self-discovery is as compelling as her quest Vengeance.

Rodriguez has crafted a story that is not only action-packed and thrilling but also emotionally resonant. The betrayals, sacrifices, and layered character dynamics land with genuine impact. The plot twists are genuinely surprising, leaving readers gasping and eager for more.
For fans of books like Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Vow in Vengeance will feel both familiar and refreshingly new.
It's a debut that announces the arrival of a hugely talented new voice in fantasy, and it's guaranteed to leave you obsessing over its characters and desperate for the next installment.
Thank you NetGalley for this Arc read.

[Phoebe ❀ ✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredible fantasy romance debut and I absolutely ate this book up. I've recently read some fantasies with tarot card-based magic so I was excited to see how this book would measure up, and it did not disappoint! I was initially hesitant of combining druids and tarot cards because I think it's a bit of an awkward combination, but the author pulled it off very well.

The story follows Rune, a human living in a world where three groups of immortals (the seraphs, elves, and druids) dominate over the mortal lands and subject the mortals to a yearly selection, where dozens of humans are "reaped" by the immortals and sent to an unknown fate in the immortal realms. Rune's family members have all been chosen and taken to the immortal realms in each selection, and her mother killed by druids. When it's the Druid's year for the selection (the three immortal groups alternate each year), Rune essentially persuades them to select her.

When Rune gets to the realm of the Druids, nothing is as she expected. The group of selected mortals are all put to a test where they are "picked" by a tarot card and assimilate with the rest of the Druids already chosen by the same card. Rune is picked by the World, the rarest and most powerful card. She finds out that the only other person with the World is Draven, the handsome, broody and kinda evil prince.

I adored the forced proximity trope with these two. Every student lives in a house with others of the same card, so Rune and Draven have to share their own house... the tension was top notch!! There was a very intense enemies-to-lovers dynamic at first, but I do wish that hadn't fizzled when it did. That said, I loved their relationship and was absolutely obsessed with Draven. Not to mention, the plot was so strong -- this is one of those books that you can devour in one sitting. I swear the pages were turning themselves at certain points. This is a spectacular debut and it'll be a huge hit for romantasy lovers like myself!

Thank you so much to Zando and NetGalley for this ARC!

[Alice ☆ Manicures and Manuscripts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overview: Each year, mortals are selected to journey to the Immortal Realms and for Rune Ryker, it's the perfect opportunity for revenge.

Determined to find her family, all taken at previous Selections, Rune finds herself on the other side of The Wall and enrolled at The Forge, a cuthroat college for the elusive and powerful tarot magic.

Thrown into the academy, Rune is surrounded by other mortals like her and Immortals who want them gone, and the distracting Princee Draven, next in line for the throne and her new roommate....

My thoughts: This book had so much potential - the concept sounded intriguing and with so many ideas! But the execution fell flat for me.

This is unlike me, but I actually felt this story could have been longer! Another 100 pages would have enriched the world, storyline and characters - everything felt way too truncated. There wasn't much time in the academy, and weeks are skipped over. The visits to the other realms are too brief - cool, but brief. There's a lot crammed into 385 pages - a Hunger Games-esque selection, an Academy, revenge, magic, romance, politics, prophecy, mates, betrayal, a crime-lord, a resistance.....and more...

Now - the romance. Would I call this enemies to lovers? No way. This is almost insta-love. And as far as MMC's go, Draven is as mad-lib *insert abnormal eye colour here* as they come. BUT - the tension and few romantic scenes we do get were really well done. I liked that there wasn't a huge amount of progress, for lack of a better term, in this book and it left me wanting more!

The info-dump is quite intense early on, there's a lot to understand about the mortal world, the uprising, the immortal world, the school, the magic system, Rune's life. It's a lot, but once you're through it, it's fairly manageable.

I found Rune as an FMC to be slightly frustrating. She's a spy (not just any spy, a top spy, nicknamed The Wraith), and we're given the impression she can and HAS handled herself (I say given, because the audience is told rather than shown). But there are a few places where what we are shown is at odds with this. She often blurts things out in conversations or has little tact in getting information from people. I understand her physical skills may not transfer when you're dealing with immortal beings but as The Wraith, it's just as much about mental skills!

The placement of this whole world was strained - I couldn't tell if it was modern or medieval-adjacent. There are some modern insertions (pumpkin spice cream cheese and the term "ghosting") that took me out of the story.

This has some solid potential - the writing is good, the ideas are exceptional, it was just the execution - nothing a decent edit can't fix! I'm optimistic about reading future works from this author!

Thanks to Netgalley and Zando for the ARC.

[sarah-lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

this started off so strong. Hunger games meets zodiac academy. I loved the academia vibes, however we don't see enough of it, there's very little classroom time.

the tarot cards where unique and enjoyable part of the world building, but it would have been nice to learn along with the FMC.

indigo eyes that get mentioned lot, bad guy type vibes but hes really good, fated mates that can speak to each other telepathically, big ol wings- sound familiar?

I personally didn't mind how similar most of this book read like other popular books, but unfortunately towards the end the plot kinda fell off for me.

I may have read it wrong, but if Draven can magic up food and coffee why is he then ordering food in?

The slow burn was fantastic at parts, but also felt insta love in other parts, so I honestly didn't know how to take their relationship until all of a sudden they are in love.

I'm very conflicted on this, because it does have such good bones for a fantastic read, it just didn't do enough for me. Most of the twists where so obvious it ruined any build up for me.

I am eager to continue the series though when it's released, and hope to learn more on the magic system. Her dad does intrigue me a lot, so I hope we hear more of his story in the next one!

[Savanna Breazeal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful debut novel. Let me start off by saying I absolutely LOVE the prose. It helped build a vivid picture in my mind! She has her own unique writing style and that’s sooooo essential.

The magic-system was a lot of fun and I enjoyed piecing it together throughout the novel. I do believe having more scenes in a school environment and learning how to wield and a backstory to the magic-system would’ve added depth.

The world felt unique to me and I think in romantasy that’s hard to do!! I enjoyed the politics and the other kingdom aspect.

I really loved both Rune and Draven! Rune is snarky and hard but she wants what’s right. Draven is delicious and I found myself giggling multiple times.

I do wish there had been more yearning/development in their relationship. It didn’t feel slow-burn to me whatsoever which that’s a trope it’s being advertised as.

Will I be reading book 2?! Ummm, yes. Considering this is a debut novel I’m so impressed and I really enjoyed it overall! I see this author going VERY far!!

Thank you NetGalley and Jaclyn Rodriguez for the arc!

[Megan Kalanick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up for this fantastic and fun ride! What a debut for the author.

I immediately found myself engaged and loving the characters and the world they live in. The tarot magic was so different and interesting. I found the pacing to be spot on, gripping from the start and never letting go. The slow burn, enemies to lovers romance was phenomenal. I loved the twists, the turns, the laughs, the cries.

Definitely for fans of romantasy (nothing groundbreaking here with familiar tropes) and dark academia. I do agree with some other reviewers in that there isn’t much world “building” and you are told rather than shown, but it really helps with the pacing and keeps you engrossed and eagerly turning to the next page.

Honestly, this may be the next big series. I’m devastated I have to wait until release day for a physical copy, and even more devastated to wait even longer to find out what happens next to the characters I grew to love.

Thank you, Net Galley and Zando Projects for the eARC, all opinions are my own.

[Candance Nolen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow—just wow! This book is an easy 5⭐️ read, and I need book two immediately.

The world-building is absolutely stunning, and the witty, captivating banter between the main characters kept me hooked from page one. I felt fully immersed—like I was right there with them, laughing, crying, and fighting alongside every twist and turn.

This story strikes a perfect balance of humor and heart. I laughed out loud more than once, and yes… I even teared up. It’s the kind of book that grabs you and refuses to let go.

Run and Draven’s relationship was beautifully developed—genuine, layered, and full of chemistry. I only wish there had been just a bit more spice!

If you’re looking for a read that delivers action, emotion, and characters you’ll root for, this is it. Don’t walk—run to read it.

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Zando Publisher for this E-Arc! From the onset of the book, the writing style engrossed me into the book. The start was strongly constructed and really reminded me on hunger games. I do feel it was heavily inspired by past books but the author did seem to have some original ideas that she incorporated into the book. It starts off with a girl who has already lost her father and twin brother has just lost her mother for her refusal to take part in the selection. She must find a way to get her revenge and take down the system. It was a well done romantasy book and I really enjoyed the plot, although I do hope an editor looks over the book once more before publishing as there did seem to be strange sentence structures and wrong spellings. Overall, it was a 3.5 stars for me and was a strong debut. Looking forward to new books from the author!

[Desirae · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.75/5)

A Vow in Vengeance follows Rune, our FMC, who’s determined to reunite with her family. To do so, she enters the Selection—a once-a-year event that grants chosen mortals passage beyond the wall into the immortal lands. Rune is selected and becomes a druid, wielding a unique tarot-based magic system. I really enjoyed how creative this magic system was, though at times, the heavy information dumps—especially about the three immortal kingdoms—felt a bit overwhelming.

Along the way, she meets Draven, our MMC, who shares her rare Arcane power, end up striking a bargain together. The banter between them kept me hooked! ❤️ I did wish there was a bit more spice, but I guess I’ll have to wait and see what book two brings!

Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc! ❤️