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Villainess: Bloodfeast
Kasdeya, a vengeful void witch, climbs the ranks in the heart of Arcane, a murder cult, in order to destroy Libitiani, a sect of witch hunters.
Libitiani attack Arcane, searching for a key that ends up in Kasdeya’s hands. Acolytes around her start dropping like flies. She allies with her rival, the mad Jester, committing high treason and digging towards the root of Arcane’s and Libitiani’s feud.
Tiptoeing on the knife edge of friendship and rivalry, love and madness, they’re entangled in an ancient prophecy. The gateway to revenge and freedom.
Will their sanity and humanity weather the maws of betrayal, villainy, divinity and the all-seeing shadow?
Libitiani attack Arcane, searching for a key that ends up in Kasdeya’s hands. Acolytes around her start dropping like flies. She allies with her rival, the mad Jester, committing high treason and digging towards the root of Arcane’s and Libitiani’s feud.
Tiptoeing on the knife edge of friendship and rivalry, love and madness, they’re entangled in an ancient prophecy. The gateway to revenge and freedom.
Will their sanity and humanity weather the maws of betrayal, villainy, divinity and the all-seeing shadow?
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 5, 2024
46 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
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July 16, 2025
˙₊➴ ꒰ 3-stars★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖
📜┆ RC ⤿ S. Bacchante
✒️┆ Author ⤿ S. Bacchante
With Old gods seeking more power, a school training acolytes, threading life and death to become grims, and ancient witches fighting to reclaim their place. When all these forces collide, it can only lead to bloodshed.
Kasdeya infiltrates Arcane with a single purpose: to climb its ranks and destroy the sect that shattered her world. She trades one prison for another, swapping life on the run for a dangerous game where even the smallest misstep could bury her six feet under, with revenge as the only thing keeping her alive.
Where friends are foes and love can also be hate, will she falter, letting her humanity take control, or will she abandon it entirely, succumb to her hunger, and carve her revenge through the blood of anyone who dares stand in her way?
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Characters
⟡ Kasdeya - is a void witch, driven by blood and vengeance. She’ll stop at nothing to see her revenge through. Deya is bloodthirsty, aggressive, and more than capable of breaking bones without hesitation. But beneath the fury lies a girl who once had everything stolen from her. A girl forced to walk down a dark path, leaving her humanity behind.
⟡ Alexander - is the Jester who’s always chasing revelry, bets, and jokes, effortlessly loved by many. But to Kasdeya, he’s the thorn in her side, the chaos she never asked for. Alexander is her rival, never missing a chance to make her blood boil and watch her see red with that infuriating grin on his face.
⟡ Icarus - is both a healer and a blade, three years older than the other two. He is the steady presence in between the chaos. To Kasdeya, he’s a moral compass. To Alexander, he’s a safe space. Kasdeya would describe him as a snowflake caught amidst the flame, but refused to melt. Cut from a different cloth, but made it work anyway (best boy!!!).
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
Villainess: Bloodfeast combines mythology, fantasy, and the supernatural in a gothic setting where powerful beings roam the overworld. The writing carries a mythological and grand tone that adds to the story’s atmosphere. It also mixes elements of dark academia, revenge, deathly trials, and uncovering the unknown 🥀🖤
But what fueled the story was the characters! The never-ending knife to the throat action, deadly banter, and gruesome Arcane moments thrilled me. I could not get enough whenever I saw Deya and Alexander together🗡️💫
Their relentless back-and-forth only made their chemistry electric. So when hatred began to blur into desire, their clashing emotions ignited everything, leaving you wondering if the line between love and hate was ever there at all!❤️🔥
By the time the book ended, I found myself craving for more! From the tense action to the unexpectedly tender, heartwarming moments, Kasdeya, Aleander, and Icarus’s journey had me fully invested. Watching the three go from strangers to rivals to something that felt like family delivered the found-family dynamic I didn’t know I needed. I already miss them!!!
Tbh starting this, I was a bit overwhelmed by the writing as it was extravagant, poetic, and intensely grand. At first, it felt like a lot to take in, but as the story went on, that writing style molded the story. It amplified the world, characters, action, and gore, making it all feel more intense and gritty. It didn’t just describe what was happening, it made each moment hit harder! Over time, I got used to it and appreciated how it matched the tone of the story.
However, the style did come with some drawbacks. Especially in the earlier chapters, the richly detailed writing sometimes clouded the plot, making it challenging to fully grasp what was happening or where the story was heading. It required a bit of patience (mostly half of the book) as the story was indeed a slow burn journey. But as the story unfolded, the past-present narrative began to shine, adding depth and emotional weight that heightened the overall impact. By the time the conclusion arrived, these layers came together, delivering a powerful ending.
Overall, Villainess: Bloodfeast delivered never-ending bloodshed, intense action, complex characters, and an exciting high-stakes setup for what’s to come in the next book. Despite my early hesitation and getting lost a few times in between, it packed one heck of an ending, making you question everything, reflect on the clues hidden along the way, and wonder what could possibly come next after all that’s unfolded.🖤🩸
➳ Huge thanks to the author—S. Bacchante—for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
It's Gothic, has mythology and knife by the throat action, so its a must read!🩶
📜┆ RC ⤿ S. Bacchante
✒️┆ Author ⤿ S. Bacchante
❝ The historians and philosophers never truly agreed on what exactly happened two hundred years ago. History was written by victors and discarded by conspirators. It was half a fantasy at best. ❞
With Old gods seeking more power, a school training acolytes, threading life and death to become grims, and ancient witches fighting to reclaim their place. When all these forces collide, it can only lead to bloodshed.
Kasdeya infiltrates Arcane with a single purpose: to climb its ranks and destroy the sect that shattered her world. She trades one prison for another, swapping life on the run for a dangerous game where even the smallest misstep could bury her six feet under, with revenge as the only thing keeping her alive.
Where friends are foes and love can also be hate, will she falter, letting her humanity take control, or will she abandon it entirely, succumb to her hunger, and carve her revenge through the blood of anyone who dares stand in her way?
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Characters
⟡ Kasdeya - is a void witch, driven by blood and vengeance. She’ll stop at nothing to see her revenge through. Deya is bloodthirsty, aggressive, and more than capable of breaking bones without hesitation. But beneath the fury lies a girl who once had everything stolen from her. A girl forced to walk down a dark path, leaving her humanity behind.
❝ Kasdeya didn’t view the world in black and white. She herself was a creature of shades of grey. ❞
❝ A person could live with a broken heart and a black soul. She had to do better. Be more terrible. Her friends wouldn’t have to sacrifice their hearts and souls. She’d give up herself, all and more. And it will have to be enough. ❞
⟡ Alexander - is the Jester who’s always chasing revelry, bets, and jokes, effortlessly loved by many. But to Kasdeya, he’s the thorn in her side, the chaos she never asked for. Alexander is her rival, never missing a chance to make her blood boil and watch her see red with that infuriating grin on his face.
❝ Be mad with me. ❞
⟡ Icarus - is both a healer and a blade, three years older than the other two. He is the steady presence in between the chaos. To Kasdeya, he’s a moral compass. To Alexander, he’s a safe space. Kasdeya would describe him as a snowflake caught amidst the flame, but refused to melt. Cut from a different cloth, but made it work anyway (best boy!!!).
❝ I think I’m furious. At the world. I have been for a while now, but I’m not angry with you. For as much as I want a just world, I don’t have the heart to act cruel in the name of fairness. You do. Don’t ever apologize for it, Deya. Don’t ever apologize for surviving and for guarding what is yours. ❞
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
Villainess: Bloodfeast combines mythology, fantasy, and the supernatural in a gothic setting where powerful beings roam the overworld. The writing carries a mythological and grand tone that adds to the story’s atmosphere. It also mixes elements of dark academia, revenge, deathly trials, and uncovering the unknown 🥀🖤
But what fueled the story was the characters! The never-ending knife to the throat action, deadly banter, and gruesome Arcane moments thrilled me. I could not get enough whenever I saw Deya and Alexander together🗡️💫
“For what it’s worth, you look especially good when you lie.”
Her eye twitched. “I’ll look even better when slitting your throat.” - Kasdeya
“Life without being passionately hated by you doesn’t sound so appealing.” - Alexander
“Tie your tongue in a knot and choke on it.” - Kasdeya
Their relentless back-and-forth only made their chemistry electric. So when hatred began to blur into desire, their clashing emotions ignited everything, leaving you wondering if the line between love and hate was ever there at all!❤️🔥
At that moment, she was merely a girl. He was merely a boy. Both marked by the art of death, but still ordinary in their core. With hearts that desired and feared. With minds that imagined and dreamed.
Alexander, exactly where she needed him, for her to lean against him when she needed it the most. Of all the walls, he was her favorite.
“If forgiveness could be bought, I’d go bankrupt to obtain it. If revenge is all you ask for, will you have me with it?”
“Loathe me, dearly detested, my ghastly goddess. Villainess, loathe me so passionately it makes you feel alive.”
“Make me your fool, make me your marionette, poison me with the idea of us, kiss me sweetly enough, make me forget who I am and must be.”
By the time the book ended, I found myself craving for more! From the tense action to the unexpectedly tender, heartwarming moments, Kasdeya, Aleander, and Icarus’s journey had me fully invested. Watching the three go from strangers to rivals to something that felt like family delivered the found-family dynamic I didn’t know I needed. I already miss them!!!
Tbh starting this, I was a bit overwhelmed by the writing as it was extravagant, poetic, and intensely grand. At first, it felt like a lot to take in, but as the story went on, that writing style molded the story. It amplified the world, characters, action, and gore, making it all feel more intense and gritty. It didn’t just describe what was happening, it made each moment hit harder! Over time, I got used to it and appreciated how it matched the tone of the story.
However, the style did come with some drawbacks. Especially in the earlier chapters, the richly detailed writing sometimes clouded the plot, making it challenging to fully grasp what was happening or where the story was heading. It required a bit of patience (mostly half of the book) as the story was indeed a slow burn journey. But as the story unfolded, the past-present narrative began to shine, adding depth and emotional weight that heightened the overall impact. By the time the conclusion arrived, these layers came together, delivering a powerful ending.
❝ One poisoned of heart and mad in spirit, one mad in heart and poisoned of spirit. You seem quite a match. ❞
Overall, Villainess: Bloodfeast delivered never-ending bloodshed, intense action, complex characters, and an exciting high-stakes setup for what’s to come in the next book. Despite my early hesitation and getting lost a few times in between, it packed one heck of an ending, making you question everything, reflect on the clues hidden along the way, and wonder what could possibly come next after all that’s unfolded.🖤🩸
➳ Huge thanks to the author—S. Bacchante—for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
It's Gothic, has mythology and knife by the throat action, so its a must read!🩶
September 29, 2025
For starters, this book is easily, a 4.5/5. I have never read this genre before (gothic fantasy), and I must say, for my first book in this genre, I very much enjoyed it. It was creepy, bloody, and completely subsumed me until I was done.
This book has a few points I want to touch on,
1) Writing style, 2) Plot, and 3) Characters.
*also y’all, I have a TLDR at the end of each point*
1) Writing style:
In short, think of it as a mix of Shakespeare, Mary Shelley and Jane Austen. And for the record, content/plot wise, only Mary Shelley could (somewhat) compare. I’m solely basing this off of writing style. To elaborate, the book is written very poetically, every sentence was mapped out and twisted into a very beautiful writing style that Jo really hit well. Some quote example are:
“Only fools let pride whisper in their ear. Next to pride, even honor seemed the better advisor, although both lacked practicality.”
And
“The library was a living being. bred from a thousand stories, a thousand secrets. Within its bones all the knowledge she couldn't hope to read within her feeble lifetime. Ancient, yet ageless. Old and immortal.”
Like I said, although there isn’t any Shakespearean dialect, or Austen’s romance, the writing is lyrical and kept me captivated throughout.
TLDR: The writing is poetic and reminds me of Mary Shelley, Austen and Shakespeare.
2) Plot:
This plot is not fast paced, and that’s not a bad thing! In fact it’s kinda comparable to Throne of Glass (or the whole Sarah J Maas style) where it’s the last 100 pages that really go up in flames…but in a really good way.
I’m hesitant to say much because I don’t want to spoil, but I’ll do my best. This was my first (and certainly not the last) gothic fantasy book that I have read. It took on a very different take then I was used to, much darker, bloodier and way more vicious then what I’ve read.
To try and compare, I’ll use Throne of Glass. In ToG, the main character may kill people, and commit crimes, but the death of people does phase her and she has a conscience of someone who has grown up believing that murder is necessary, but it’s not right. (Don’t come at me, I know the MC is an assassin, but throughout the series she isn’t often killing just to kill, there’s reason and she has a moral compass of a sort.)
However in Villainess, you see a stark contrast. Death is everywhere, people live and die. Sacrifices and even the drinking of blood is seen as common and not a strange occurrence. Not that it’s a good thing, it’s just the differences. It’s really interesting seeing a perspective where our MC just grows up in a world where death is ever prevalent, it’s something I’ve yet to see truly explored and I think Moonless did it very well.
Overall, the plot started slow because you need to get used to the world-building (like any fantasy book), but once you get past the first few chapters you will be hooked.
TLDR: A lotta death, but good plot cause we have a badass main character.
3) Characters:
I’ll talk on the main 3 and then maybe discuss a few side ones.
Kasdeya: Our main character.
Oh. My. Gosh. Genuinely I adore her. She is the classic badass female character but make it darker. Is it cliche? Probably. Do I care? No way.
I could go on about her character but instead I’m going to just give you a few quotes and see what you think.
“My selfish desire is to read until I'm sick of it, day after day.”
“Tie your tongue in a knot and choke on it”
“you can’t kill your fate.” - Alexander
“I will if he stands in my way.” Kasdeya
I think I can leave it at that, she’s iconic and I love her.
Icarus: THIS LITTLE BABY. I LOVE HIM ALSO. He’s the oldest of the group but just so adorable. Idk I love him.
On of my favorite quotes by him is. “People will tolerate anything to avoid loneliness.” And I just AKDNSJJW. He’s a little baby and I love him.
Alexander: Honestly, he’s my favorite character, hands down. I love Kasdeya but she’s a close second to this absolute fantastic man. Alexander is also known as the Jester and my gosh he fulfills that role beautifully.
Here are some of my favorite quotes by this man.
“I know you, (insert name). I know your ticks and tendencies, your patterns and reactions. You’re a muscle memory to me.”
“Be mad with me.”
“Anyone would be honored to bind their fate to yours.”
And lastly, I want to add a few ‘call and answer’ quotes that were my favorite.
“Shut up.”
“Bite me.”
"Tie your tongue in a knot and choke on it.? Her blood roar gripped by a storm.
"Oh, that's a new one!"
“I’m so angry, I sometimes don’t even recognize myself.”
“I recognize you.” (This one made me scream)
TLDR: The characters are all cinnamon rolls and I love them all.
Final Thoughts:
This book is a definite recommend for anyone looking for a good, gothic fantasy book that will be a series and has very good world building imo. I hope you all enjoy it as well as I did.
Btw, I do have critiques, but honestly I enjoyed the book to much to care to critique it.
This book has a few points I want to touch on,
1) Writing style, 2) Plot, and 3) Characters.
*also y’all, I have a TLDR at the end of each point*
1) Writing style:
In short, think of it as a mix of Shakespeare, Mary Shelley and Jane Austen. And for the record, content/plot wise, only Mary Shelley could (somewhat) compare. I’m solely basing this off of writing style. To elaborate, the book is written very poetically, every sentence was mapped out and twisted into a very beautiful writing style that Jo really hit well. Some quote example are:
“Only fools let pride whisper in their ear. Next to pride, even honor seemed the better advisor, although both lacked practicality.”
And
“The library was a living being. bred from a thousand stories, a thousand secrets. Within its bones all the knowledge she couldn't hope to read within her feeble lifetime. Ancient, yet ageless. Old and immortal.”
Like I said, although there isn’t any Shakespearean dialect, or Austen’s romance, the writing is lyrical and kept me captivated throughout.
TLDR: The writing is poetic and reminds me of Mary Shelley, Austen and Shakespeare.
2) Plot:
This plot is not fast paced, and that’s not a bad thing! In fact it’s kinda comparable to Throne of Glass (or the whole Sarah J Maas style) where it’s the last 100 pages that really go up in flames…but in a really good way.
I’m hesitant to say much because I don’t want to spoil, but I’ll do my best. This was my first (and certainly not the last) gothic fantasy book that I have read. It took on a very different take then I was used to, much darker, bloodier and way more vicious then what I’ve read.
To try and compare, I’ll use Throne of Glass. In ToG, the main character may kill people, and commit crimes, but the death of people does phase her and she has a conscience of someone who has grown up believing that murder is necessary, but it’s not right. (Don’t come at me, I know the MC is an assassin, but throughout the series she isn’t often killing just to kill, there’s reason and she has a moral compass of a sort.)
However in Villainess, you see a stark contrast. Death is everywhere, people live and die. Sacrifices and even the drinking of blood is seen as common and not a strange occurrence. Not that it’s a good thing, it’s just the differences. It’s really interesting seeing a perspective where our MC just grows up in a world where death is ever prevalent, it’s something I’ve yet to see truly explored and I think Moonless did it very well.
Overall, the plot started slow because you need to get used to the world-building (like any fantasy book), but once you get past the first few chapters you will be hooked.
TLDR: A lotta death, but good plot cause we have a badass main character.
3) Characters:
I’ll talk on the main 3 and then maybe discuss a few side ones.
Kasdeya: Our main character.
Oh. My. Gosh. Genuinely I adore her. She is the classic badass female character but make it darker. Is it cliche? Probably. Do I care? No way.
I could go on about her character but instead I’m going to just give you a few quotes and see what you think.
“My selfish desire is to read until I'm sick of it, day after day.”
“Tie your tongue in a knot and choke on it”
“you can’t kill your fate.” - Alexander
“I will if he stands in my way.” Kasdeya
I think I can leave it at that, she’s iconic and I love her.
Icarus: THIS LITTLE BABY. I LOVE HIM ALSO. He’s the oldest of the group but just so adorable. Idk I love him.
On of my favorite quotes by him is. “People will tolerate anything to avoid loneliness.” And I just AKDNSJJW. He’s a little baby and I love him.
Alexander: Honestly, he’s my favorite character, hands down. I love Kasdeya but she’s a close second to this absolute fantastic man. Alexander is also known as the Jester and my gosh he fulfills that role beautifully.
Here are some of my favorite quotes by this man.
“I know you, (insert name). I know your ticks and tendencies, your patterns and reactions. You’re a muscle memory to me.”
“Be mad with me.”
“Anyone would be honored to bind their fate to yours.”
And lastly, I want to add a few ‘call and answer’ quotes that were my favorite.
“Shut up.”
“Bite me.”
"Tie your tongue in a knot and choke on it.? Her blood roar gripped by a storm.
"Oh, that's a new one!"
“I’m so angry, I sometimes don’t even recognize myself.”
“I recognize you.” (This one made me scream)
TLDR: The characters are all cinnamon rolls and I love them all.
Final Thoughts:
This book is a definite recommend for anyone looking for a good, gothic fantasy book that will be a series and has very good world building imo. I hope you all enjoy it as well as I did.
Btw, I do have critiques, but honestly I enjoyed the book to much to care to critique it.
September 9, 2025
Villainess:Bloodfeast
Firstly,I want to kindly thank the author for providing me an ebook!
Oh.My.God.
I have never ever read gothic romantasy in my life,and believe me when I say a new favourite genre just unlocked for me 🥹.
Focusing on this particular one,I can say that my attention got catched since the prologue,which was so,so strong.I was like GIRL WHAT IS HAPPENING?and boom just like that the first 30% flew by so quickly.Mostly I loved the way this book was written.I could feel shadows around me & fall in love with all the characters so easily,which by the way had such a wonderful chemistry.My favorite was of course,Alexander which you will hate,love and wish he was in your bed right now-I said what I said😶.
An other aspect that,I found so interesting in how much greek mythology this book had.
In greece we have a saying 'μύρισε Ελλάδα'that basically means something has a lot of greek characteristics into it,so you guess it right this book can be easily described by this quote.We have greek gods,mythology,names that when I read I was like YES,I AM HERE FOR ITT!
To continue with,the romance part was SO GOOD!
Alexander & Kasdeya,were literally perfect.The hate,passion & love they had during different parts of the story was 🤌🏻.My favouritet one?The way our man decribed his feelings towards the end,he was such a poetic soul!
Generally,the quotes were such a vibe in the story and added so much tension,either in the dark moments or in the funny/romantic ones.
Lastly,my girl is A READER!-we all know that when a fmc is a reader ,it's automatically a good book & this girl DEVOURED stories!
So, If you want to dive in this genre as a newbie or just already love it,I would recommend Villainess:Bloodfeast 100%.
It will be an unforgettable read🖤
5 ⭐
Firstly,I want to kindly thank the author for providing me an ebook!
Oh.My.God.
I have never ever read gothic romantasy in my life,and believe me when I say a new favourite genre just unlocked for me 🥹.
Focusing on this particular one,I can say that my attention got catched since the prologue,which was so,so strong.I was like GIRL WHAT IS HAPPENING?and boom just like that the first 30% flew by so quickly.Mostly I loved the way this book was written.I could feel shadows around me & fall in love with all the characters so easily,which by the way had such a wonderful chemistry.My favorite was of course,Alexander which you will hate,love and wish he was in your bed right now-I said what I said😶.
An other aspect that,I found so interesting in how much greek mythology this book had.
In greece we have a saying 'μύρισε Ελλάδα'that basically means something has a lot of greek characteristics into it,so you guess it right this book can be easily described by this quote.We have greek gods,mythology,names that when I read I was like YES,I AM HERE FOR ITT!
To continue with,the romance part was SO GOOD!
Alexander & Kasdeya,were literally perfect.The hate,passion & love they had during different parts of the story was 🤌🏻.My favouritet one?The way our man decribed his feelings towards the end,he was such a poetic soul!
Generally,the quotes were such a vibe in the story and added so much tension,either in the dark moments or in the funny/romantic ones.
Lastly,my girl is A READER!-we all know that when a fmc is a reader ,it's automatically a good book & this girl DEVOURED stories!
So, If you want to dive in this genre as a newbie or just already love it,I would recommend Villainess:Bloodfeast 100%.
It will be an unforgettable read🖤
5 ⭐
did-not-finish
September 30, 2025Thank you to S. Bacchante for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I’m so sorry, I wanted to like it but I couldn’t get past the prologue (which was misspelled). The writing was hard to follow, filled with similes that sounded pretty but didn’t really make any sense (“The fibers of their flesh were like strings of fate, reminding her of the past” & “The snakes wove a carpet, parting for her steps, like a sea parted for a saint”). I’m a huge lover of purple prose & complex writing, but this just missed the mark for me.
I’m so sorry, I wanted to like it but I couldn’t get past the prologue (which was misspelled). The writing was hard to follow, filled with similes that sounded pretty but didn’t really make any sense (“The fibers of their flesh were like strings of fate, reminding her of the past” & “The snakes wove a carpet, parting for her steps, like a sea parted for a saint”). I’m a huge lover of purple prose & complex writing, but this just missed the mark for me.
February 6, 2025
VILLIANESS BY BACCHANTE is one of a kind bringing something new, I've read books with a blend of Greek mythology in Gothic lit, but not like this, this book was other worldly, i couldn't put it down until i devoured it completely which i did, I've have to say, the composition of the novel is beyond perfect, that too the book being author's debut. The plot—The academic, the fanatic and the lunatic. Kasdeya, our fanatic, is the true embodiment of anger and wrath while, the mad jester, lunatic and the drunk—alexander is the personification of chaos. They are like two sides of a coin—only separated, longing to one again. Fighting is their foreplay, kisses saturated in hatred. Call me demented but kasdeya is just ❤️🔥. The pacing goes like slow-fast-slow-slow-fast..and the ending? Well just read and see it for yourselves y'all.
Trapped between friendship and rivalry, consumed by cannibalistic instincts, madness reign might, villains take glory and vengeance is victory. I assure you this your next solid 4.8 star read, premiering as an horror fantasy novel but beware of the trigger warnings for many won't digest this book that easily. So, so long fellows, adios, till next time.
Trapped between friendship and rivalry, consumed by cannibalistic instincts, madness reign might, villains take glory and vengeance is victory. I assure you this your next solid 4.8 star read, premiering as an horror fantasy novel but beware of the trigger warnings for many won't digest this book that easily. So, so long fellows, adios, till next time.
September 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️
“Be mad with me.”🫀
Kasdeya is a void witch, hell-bent on revenge. She climbs the ranks of Arcane, a murder cult, in order to destroy Libitiani, a sect of witch hunters who killed her family. When Libitiani attack Arcane, Kasdeya becomes entangled in an ancient prophecy and finds herself having to form an alliance with her rival, the Jester. Will her sanity and humanity survive? Especially when the line between love and hate runs so thin and bloody…
What a wild ride this book was! Villainess: Bloodfeast is set in a world where the Olympian Greek gods have been destroyed, and the author has built a complex and detailed world around this. Things happened at such a fast pace in this book; I honestly didn’t think I could keep up half the time. I’m still not entirely sure I understood everything that happened, but it was chaos in the best way!
I enjoyed the dynamics between Kasdeya and the other main characters. Whilst her relationship with Icarus was a gentle one akin to a sister and older brother, the relationship between Kasdeya and the Jester was delightfully unhinged! I just would have preferred the characters to have been slightly older rather than reading about 16/17 year olds.
If you enjoy dark academia and gothic romantasy, then you’ll love this book! Thank you to the author for my gifted e-book copy.
⚠️ Please ensure you check the Trigger Warnings before reading.
Tropes:
🩸 Dark academia
🩸 Gothic romantasy
🩸 Greek mythology
🩸 Witch x Witch hunters
🩸 Rivals to lovers
🩸 Found family
🌶️
“Be mad with me.”🫀
Kasdeya is a void witch, hell-bent on revenge. She climbs the ranks of Arcane, a murder cult, in order to destroy Libitiani, a sect of witch hunters who killed her family. When Libitiani attack Arcane, Kasdeya becomes entangled in an ancient prophecy and finds herself having to form an alliance with her rival, the Jester. Will her sanity and humanity survive? Especially when the line between love and hate runs so thin and bloody…
What a wild ride this book was! Villainess: Bloodfeast is set in a world where the Olympian Greek gods have been destroyed, and the author has built a complex and detailed world around this. Things happened at such a fast pace in this book; I honestly didn’t think I could keep up half the time. I’m still not entirely sure I understood everything that happened, but it was chaos in the best way!
I enjoyed the dynamics between Kasdeya and the other main characters. Whilst her relationship with Icarus was a gentle one akin to a sister and older brother, the relationship between Kasdeya and the Jester was delightfully unhinged! I just would have preferred the characters to have been slightly older rather than reading about 16/17 year olds.
If you enjoy dark academia and gothic romantasy, then you’ll love this book! Thank you to the author for my gifted e-book copy.
⚠️ Please ensure you check the Trigger Warnings before reading.
Tropes:
🩸 Dark academia
🩸 Gothic romantasy
🩸 Greek mythology
🩸 Witch x Witch hunters
🩸 Rivals to lovers
🩸 Found family
September 19, 2024
First of all, thank you Jo for allowing me to ARC-read it!!! I must tell you, I need book 2 NOW!
Even though I was a little confused about the world building sometimes, I totally recommend Villainess for anyone looking for a delicious gothic fantasy story to get obsessed with.
It has betrayal, found family and a real enemies-to-lovers trope with so much angst that I can’t stop thinking about it.
The writing is purely exquisite and I loved the way violence and dark things were depicted so lyrically. It’s almost like reading poetry with big plot twist and blood.
Also, I think that the characters are very well written. The complexities of their feelings, aim and backstory were carefully thought out. Plus, the main character is a badass girl? Come one, go read it ASAP !!!
Just to finish, the dynamic between Alexander and Kasdeya has me in a chokehold to say the least. The banter is everything and their hate/love for each other is immaculate.
*Going to call my crush « dearly detested » and « morosis » from now on lmaoo
Trigger warning for violence and cannibalism
Even though I was a little confused about the world building sometimes, I totally recommend Villainess for anyone looking for a delicious gothic fantasy story to get obsessed with.
It has betrayal, found family and a real enemies-to-lovers trope with so much angst that I can’t stop thinking about it.
The writing is purely exquisite and I loved the way violence and dark things were depicted so lyrically. It’s almost like reading poetry with big plot twist and blood.
Also, I think that the characters are very well written. The complexities of their feelings, aim and backstory were carefully thought out. Plus, the main character is a badass girl? Come one, go read it ASAP !!!
Just to finish, the dynamic between Alexander and Kasdeya has me in a chokehold to say the least. The banter is everything and their hate/love for each other is immaculate.
*Going to call my crush « dearly detested » and « morosis » from now on lmaoo
Trigger warning for violence and cannibalism
September 2, 2025
Villainless: Bloodfest is Kasdeya's gothic tale.
Kasdeya, she's probably the epitome of a rageful woman, but in a likely way strangely. This is a DARK tale, with romance mixed in, but more about fantasy, betrayal and even undertones of mythic folklore.
Kasdeya is a void witch thrown into training to be an assassin. She is angry, unhinged and a lot of her dialogue is in her own head.
The Jester, Alexander and Kasdeya's "love interest" is one of the most unique characters, and I left the book still unsure how I felt about him.
Together, with a few other peripheral characters (Icarus- the cinnamon roll I need to lighten this up) we move through a dark academic type setting.
The storyline is rather hard to explain- even after reading, but it is enjoyable, and it does make me curious for the next.
Thank you to the author for reaching out with a Kindle Unlimited copy.
Kasdeya, she's probably the epitome of a rageful woman, but in a likely way strangely. This is a DARK tale, with romance mixed in, but more about fantasy, betrayal and even undertones of mythic folklore.
Kasdeya is a void witch thrown into training to be an assassin. She is angry, unhinged and a lot of her dialogue is in her own head.
The Jester, Alexander and Kasdeya's "love interest" is one of the most unique characters, and I left the book still unsure how I felt about him.
Together, with a few other peripheral characters (Icarus- the cinnamon roll I need to lighten this up) we move through a dark academic type setting.
The storyline is rather hard to explain- even after reading, but it is enjoyable, and it does make me curious for the next.
Thank you to the author for reaching out with a Kindle Unlimited copy.
September 9, 2025
Villainess: Bloodfeast by S. Bacchante is a dark, gothic fantasy with lush, poetic writing and an intense, haunting atmosphere.
It’s full of morally gray characters, high-stakes drama, and a romance that’s as dangerous as it is passionate. The story is beautifully written but dense and complex, so it takes some focus to follow, especially in the beginning.
If you enjoy dark fantasy with gothic vibes, intense emotions, and a touch of twisted romance, this book will pull you in and leave a lasting impression.
It’s full of morally gray characters, high-stakes drama, and a romance that’s as dangerous as it is passionate. The story is beautifully written but dense and complex, so it takes some focus to follow, especially in the beginning.
If you enjoy dark fantasy with gothic vibes, intense emotions, and a touch of twisted romance, this book will pull you in and leave a lasting impression.
February 17, 2025
My review has been deleted from this book for some reason so here I am again!
One of the most well written books i have read. Gothic fantasy, cannibalism as a love metaphor, greek mythology, put them all in a blender and you get this book. I would consider this as a comfort book. I was blessed enough to ARC read this. And now I am dying for the second book.
Give this a chance or miss out on one of the best literary pieces ever.
One of the most well written books i have read. Gothic fantasy, cannibalism as a love metaphor, greek mythology, put them all in a blender and you get this book. I would consider this as a comfort book. I was blessed enough to ARC read this. And now I am dying for the second book.
Give this a chance or miss out on one of the best literary pieces ever.
November 6, 2024
Huge thank you to S. Bacchante for sending me an ARC of this fantastic book! Congrats on publishing!
»»———Annotation Key———-««
🩷Kasdeya being human
❤️VIOLENCE/Female Rage
🤎Death, voids, magic
💙Plot
🩵<3
💛I actually love Icarus so much
💜Quotes/purple prose
»»———Overview———-««
I thoroughly enjoyed Villainess: Bloodfeast. It definitely delivered on the dark and violence. It was well incorporated into the setting, characters, plot, and themes, lending to a very immersive read. That being said, it is not a book written for the light of heart.
»»———The Personal———-««
I absolutely adore Kasdeya. She won me over within the first couple of chapters. I appreciated how her character was based in a cliche: the strong, badass girl who doesn't trust emotions, etc.; however, there's also a lot that subverts this cliche. The author goes out of her way to put Kasdeya in situations that reveal her humanity: she does have somewhat of a moral compass, given her circumstances. I have a pink annotation "Kas being human": to say the least, my highlighter ran out of ink. The believability of her character made her very relatable to me. "I wanted to rule the world, I wanted to bear the wight of it all, and I forgot I was only seventeen."
Icarus won me over instantly. Enough said. "I think I'm furious. At the world. [...]For as much as I want a just world, I don't have the heart to act cruel in the name of fairness." AND "Come to me and I'll listen. You don't even have to open your mouth, I'll hear you. Just come to me." ((Catch me sobbing into my pillow.))
Alexander makes me want to rip my hair out one minute, then use it to bandage his wounds the next. If that comment turns you off, this book is not for you. "What would he be without pen and paper? Would he become completely mad? Like a singer without a tongue. Like a lover without lips?"
The romance and banter made me remember that I have emotions. I haven't read a book that made me feel so much in a while. "Life without being passionately hated by you doesn't sound so appealing."
Narkissa. Narkissa...I am so beyond grateful for where her character arc went. "You think you don't need me, don't come crying to my grave."
»»———Plot———-««
I'll try to keep it concise to avoid spoilers. I really enjoyed how much the plot was hinged on character actions. There is no doubt that every individual in this story has agency. It was a little confusing at times even after understanding the world-building, lending to a bit of re-reading
There is a massive turnaround about 85% the way through. I won't say more other than I definitely gained way more questions then were answered.
»»———This book is for———-««
Exactly to whom it is dedicated. Those who crave a bit of violence because they are hurting. For people who know that dramatic depictions of toxic romance are the best representation of how they really feel inside. For those who want their heart to be played with like a puppet.
»»———Quotes———-««
"People just like to demonize powerful women, or so our mother says."
"Would some people endure anything to avoid being lonely?"
'I care for people, but it's like I am already in love with someone and can't feel an ounce of attraction towards anyone else. Only I have never met that someone."
"I think you're exactly the type of mature who'd think they know it all and realize too late they didn't...Have you ever considered how much arrogance youth is filled with? And how people are letting you get away with things."
"People say ugly things when they're angry and hurt. They say things they don't mean, they want others to feel what they feel. You have to admit your mistake and make amends...Hurt people do ugly things, but hurt people bear the most forgiveness and understanding."
»»———Annotation Key———-««
🩷Kasdeya being human
❤️VIOLENCE/Female Rage
🤎Death, voids, magic
💙Plot
🩵<3
💛I actually love Icarus so much
💜Quotes/purple prose
»»———Overview———-««
I thoroughly enjoyed Villainess: Bloodfeast. It definitely delivered on the dark and violence. It was well incorporated into the setting, characters, plot, and themes, lending to a very immersive read. That being said, it is not a book written for the light of heart.
»»———The Personal———-««
I absolutely adore Kasdeya. She won me over within the first couple of chapters. I appreciated how her character was based in a cliche: the strong, badass girl who doesn't trust emotions, etc.; however, there's also a lot that subverts this cliche. The author goes out of her way to put Kasdeya in situations that reveal her humanity: she does have somewhat of a moral compass, given her circumstances. I have a pink annotation "Kas being human": to say the least, my highlighter ran out of ink. The believability of her character made her very relatable to me. "I wanted to rule the world, I wanted to bear the wight of it all, and I forgot I was only seventeen."
Icarus won me over instantly. Enough said. "I think I'm furious. At the world. [...]For as much as I want a just world, I don't have the heart to act cruel in the name of fairness." AND "Come to me and I'll listen. You don't even have to open your mouth, I'll hear you. Just come to me." ((Catch me sobbing into my pillow.))
Alexander makes me want to rip my hair out one minute, then use it to bandage his wounds the next. If that comment turns you off, this book is not for you. "What would he be without pen and paper? Would he become completely mad? Like a singer without a tongue. Like a lover without lips?"
The romance and banter made me remember that I have emotions. I haven't read a book that made me feel so much in a while. "Life without being passionately hated by you doesn't sound so appealing."
Narkissa. Narkissa...I am so beyond grateful for where her character arc went. "You think you don't need me, don't come crying to my grave."
»»———Plot———-««
I'll try to keep it concise to avoid spoilers. I really enjoyed how much the plot was hinged on character actions. There is no doubt that every individual in this story has agency. It was a little confusing at times even after understanding the world-building, lending to a bit of re-reading
There is a massive turnaround about 85% the way through. I won't say more other than I definitely gained way more questions then were answered.
»»———This book is for———-««
Exactly to whom it is dedicated. Those who crave a bit of violence because they are hurting. For people who know that dramatic depictions of toxic romance are the best representation of how they really feel inside. For those who want their heart to be played with like a puppet.
»»———Quotes———-««
"People just like to demonize powerful women, or so our mother says."
"Would some people endure anything to avoid being lonely?"
'I care for people, but it's like I am already in love with someone and can't feel an ounce of attraction towards anyone else. Only I have never met that someone."
"I think you're exactly the type of mature who'd think they know it all and realize too late they didn't...Have you ever considered how much arrogance youth is filled with? And how people are letting you get away with things."
"People say ugly things when they're angry and hurt. They say things they don't mean, they want others to feel what they feel. You have to admit your mistake and make amends...Hurt people do ugly things, but hurt people bear the most forgiveness and understanding."
September 5, 2024
Thank you Jo Moonless for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.0
I love the concept of this book. A gothic found family in the worst circumstances possible, amidst a secret society. We are introduced to Kasdeya, a void witch raised in a world that favors the strong. Jo Moonless is doing a great job in marketing and setting the scene. I'm a fan of Greek mythology, dark academia, and darker concepts such as cannibalism and psychosis (unreliable narrator vibes).
What I liked:
-Villainess has a lot of amazing fight scenes, each tussle is immersive, allows the reader to feel suffocated (in a detailed and positive manner) and involved in the combat between characters.
- Expansive world, a lot of world-building and information loaded in the book, and instead of going with straight up exposition, it allows you to learn as you go.
- Some funny remarks between the characters, but not overly so where it ruins the gothic vibe. Appropriate to the moment.
- There is that spiraling writing that is present in gothic writing reminiscent of Shelley. - The nickname and the reference Sashenka is a genius spin of writing
- The relationships between the characters are not as clear cut, where they only either hate or love. It contributes to their complexities and makes it more difficult for each to make decisions.
- Characters are not the trope they're made out to be. Kasdeya especially, has a lot of moments where she laughs, smiles, and cares for people around her. She's not as dark as her powers make her out to be. Alexander is also not just a charismatic liar that we've been told.
What I Didn't:
- It's formatted in third person, but some first person thoughts are included in italic in between the writing, and it threw me off, wondering whether its supposed to be first or third person
- Excessive simile usage every few sentences. I appreciate including them in order to expand our immersion but the repetitiveness in having them often breaks it.
- The descriptive setting paragraphs don't flow well, choppy sentences mixed together, and it gives off a "braindump" vibe rather than a developed scene. This is prominent in the first few chapters
- Some paragraphs filled with run-on sentences. A lot of conjunctions are used at the beginning of sentences. Missing articles at the beginning of the sentences.
- I believed the Greek Mythology to be alluded to in this book, but it was directly used, Castor, Pollux, Charon. The Greek gods and goddesses meshing with this world has instead muddled the stories together. The concept of the universe of Villainess has a lot of potential, and pivoting more towards original character concepts than a heavy inspiration could have improved this in a significant way.
Unfortunately, the grammatical issues and the unclear flow personally bothered me and took away from the rest of the enjoyment of the book. I felt more of a beta reader than an ARC reader. Hopefully prior to the release it would be thoroughly proofread. The concept is well thought out, and beyond those errors, our main trio are complex characters. Its a repetitive observation but I truly place value on character complexity and growth. Tackling a lot of dark concepts such as cannibalism, which most gothic novels tend to lightly refer instead of expanding into.
3.0
I love the concept of this book. A gothic found family in the worst circumstances possible, amidst a secret society. We are introduced to Kasdeya, a void witch raised in a world that favors the strong. Jo Moonless is doing a great job in marketing and setting the scene. I'm a fan of Greek mythology, dark academia, and darker concepts such as cannibalism and psychosis (unreliable narrator vibes).
What I liked:
-Villainess has a lot of amazing fight scenes, each tussle is immersive, allows the reader to feel suffocated (in a detailed and positive manner) and involved in the combat between characters.
- Expansive world, a lot of world-building and information loaded in the book, and instead of going with straight up exposition, it allows you to learn as you go.
- Some funny remarks between the characters, but not overly so where it ruins the gothic vibe. Appropriate to the moment.
- There is that spiraling writing that is present in gothic writing reminiscent of Shelley. - The nickname and the reference Sashenka is a genius spin of writing
- The relationships between the characters are not as clear cut, where they only either hate or love. It contributes to their complexities and makes it more difficult for each to make decisions.
- Characters are not the trope they're made out to be. Kasdeya especially, has a lot of moments where she laughs, smiles, and cares for people around her. She's not as dark as her powers make her out to be. Alexander is also not just a charismatic liar that we've been told.
What I Didn't:
- It's formatted in third person, but some first person thoughts are included in italic in between the writing, and it threw me off, wondering whether its supposed to be first or third person
- Excessive simile usage every few sentences. I appreciate including them in order to expand our immersion but the repetitiveness in having them often breaks it.
- The descriptive setting paragraphs don't flow well, choppy sentences mixed together, and it gives off a "braindump" vibe rather than a developed scene. This is prominent in the first few chapters
- Some paragraphs filled with run-on sentences. A lot of conjunctions are used at the beginning of sentences. Missing articles at the beginning of the sentences.
- I believed the Greek Mythology to be alluded to in this book, but it was directly used, Castor, Pollux, Charon. The Greek gods and goddesses meshing with this world has instead muddled the stories together. The concept of the universe of Villainess has a lot of potential, and pivoting more towards original character concepts than a heavy inspiration could have improved this in a significant way.
Unfortunately, the grammatical issues and the unclear flow personally bothered me and took away from the rest of the enjoyment of the book. I felt more of a beta reader than an ARC reader. Hopefully prior to the release it would be thoroughly proofread. The concept is well thought out, and beyond those errors, our main trio are complex characters. Its a repetitive observation but I truly place value on character complexity and growth. Tackling a lot of dark concepts such as cannibalism, which most gothic novels tend to lightly refer instead of expanding into.
October 4, 2024
I would say 3.5 stars out of five personally. Which is rare, I don’t usually do half stars but it earned it
Let’s start with the negative, things I disliked overall;
Structure issues:
This was honestly the biggest problem I had with the book.
Unfortunately Villainess falls under the classic curse that almost every first novel in a fantasy book does, in which everything is very confusing
However its curse is unique in the way that I believe of everything being over explained, i.e. world dumping, it’s very under explained. Throughout most of the entire book I was very confused on what was happening and why it was.
I understand that it’s a murder cult, but the rules aren’t clear a lot of the time to the point where I had to reread to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. And to my knowledge, I wasn’t, it just wasn’t included/clear
The biggest issue really was how the story flowed or the lack thereof. Nothing was super connected together, to the point that almost every relationship (Save for Kasdeya and Alexander) seemed very rushed or just out of the blue.
I was super confused by the Jester storyline and his eventual tie-in to the story felt clumsy to me
I’ve read stories where the writing and the plot is confusing on purpose and liked them, but I don’t think this was the intention
Ok, onto more positive notes;
I loved any characters that were given depth within the story, particularly Icuras was my favorite.
I don’t know if the author is leaning this way, but I interpreted a lot of Kasdeyas struggle as wanting to be human, wanting to have humanity and yet being disgusted by it. And I’m a big sucker of stories where a non-human, whether it be monster, beast, alien etc., wanting to be human and feel human emotions. So if the story goes or stays that way, I’ll like it greatly
The writing style is VERY unique, and if I could compare it to anything I’ve read I would say older writers such as Dostoevsky, or maybe even Edgar Allen Poe. For more recent writers, perhaps Bunny by Mona Awad. But even still, very personable to the writer, I would easily be able to pick them out of a line up
Any flashback scenes were well-written and I was able to settle more into the story every time
I really enjoyed the Bear scene (if you know you know)
Anything gorey or bloody was perfect
The longer Alexander chapter near the end of the novel was very captivating and well written, definitely my favorite chapter by far
Overall, I really did enjoy this book, even with the lack of flow and the sticky, unclear structure. The writing was enjoyable, and there were a lot of good quotable lines and moments throughout I’ll be thinking of for a while. I hope the author continues with the story and hopefully it gets more clear over the next few novels.
I may update this review as I think more, but for now this is it.
Let’s start with the negative, things I disliked overall;
Structure issues:
This was honestly the biggest problem I had with the book.
Unfortunately Villainess falls under the classic curse that almost every first novel in a fantasy book does, in which everything is very confusing
However its curse is unique in the way that I believe of everything being over explained, i.e. world dumping, it’s very under explained. Throughout most of the entire book I was very confused on what was happening and why it was.
I understand that it’s a murder cult, but the rules aren’t clear a lot of the time to the point where I had to reread to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. And to my knowledge, I wasn’t, it just wasn’t included/clear
The biggest issue really was how the story flowed or the lack thereof. Nothing was super connected together, to the point that almost every relationship (Save for Kasdeya and Alexander) seemed very rushed or just out of the blue.
I was super confused by the Jester storyline and his eventual tie-in to the story felt clumsy to me
I’ve read stories where the writing and the plot is confusing on purpose and liked them, but I don’t think this was the intention
Ok, onto more positive notes;
I loved any characters that were given depth within the story, particularly Icuras was my favorite.
I don’t know if the author is leaning this way, but I interpreted a lot of Kasdeyas struggle as wanting to be human, wanting to have humanity and yet being disgusted by it. And I’m a big sucker of stories where a non-human, whether it be monster, beast, alien etc., wanting to be human and feel human emotions. So if the story goes or stays that way, I’ll like it greatly
The writing style is VERY unique, and if I could compare it to anything I’ve read I would say older writers such as Dostoevsky, or maybe even Edgar Allen Poe. For more recent writers, perhaps Bunny by Mona Awad. But even still, very personable to the writer, I would easily be able to pick them out of a line up
Any flashback scenes were well-written and I was able to settle more into the story every time
I really enjoyed the Bear scene (if you know you know)
Anything gorey or bloody was perfect
The longer Alexander chapter near the end of the novel was very captivating and well written, definitely my favorite chapter by far
Overall, I really did enjoy this book, even with the lack of flow and the sticky, unclear structure. The writing was enjoyable, and there were a lot of good quotable lines and moments throughout I’ll be thinking of for a while. I hope the author continues with the story and hopefully it gets more clear over the next few novels.
I may update this review as I think more, but for now this is it.
September 30, 2024
“Villainess” is a whirlwind of emotions that takes readers on a dark and intricate journey. Imagine dark academia clashing with mythology, rivals-to-lovers, and prophecies. The story is complex, making you want to unravel it further and further every moment you can get.
The characters, despite the plot being superb, are my favorite part of the book. Kasdeya, the villainess, is a force to be reckoned with, seeking vengeance and the blood of those who have wronged her and her family. Her motivations, while dark, are compelling, and her actions are both shocking and satisfying. What truly stands out is how her abilities, although surprising at first, fit seamlessly into the larger plot once fully revealed.
Icarus, sweet, gentle Icarus, is a true mediator between the fiery Kasdeya and the enigmatic Alexander. Despite his softer demeanor, Icarus proves to be fiercely loyal and strong-willed, doing whatever it takes to protect his friends.
My favorite character, however, is Alexander—The Jester. He’s the one I was most eager to uncover, to understand why he acts the way he does. He is complex and mysterious, often described as the jester, yet hiding layers of depth that make him the most intriguing character for me.
The dynamic between Kasdeya and Alexander is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the book. Their “situationship” is tense, full of push-and-pull moments that leave you hoping for resolution, yet eager for more of their fiery chemistry. Their relationship keeps you on your toes throughout the novel. This tension is a thread that weaves through the entire narrative, elevating the stakes and emotions, making you wish for a better resolution.
The blend of dark academia with a mythological backdrop creates a unique and eerie world that feels alive with secrets waiting to be uncovered. The world-building is rich, with every detail meticulously crafted to enhance the story’s haunting tone, making you search for every hint of gods and goddesses who are truly alive and capable of affecting the world and the characters’ actions.
In conclusion, “Villainess” is a masterful blend of dark fantasy, mythology, and deeply flawed characters that leaves a lasting impression. The emotional stakes are high, and the intricate relationships between the characters make this a must-read. The trio of acolytes—Kasdeya, Icarus, and Alexander—will linger in your mind long after the final page, leaving you eager to uncover more mysteries and craving more to read. My only wish now is for the second part of the book to come as soon as possible, because I need to know what happens next, or my heart will eat itself from curiosity and the thirst for knowledge.
The characters, despite the plot being superb, are my favorite part of the book. Kasdeya, the villainess, is a force to be reckoned with, seeking vengeance and the blood of those who have wronged her and her family. Her motivations, while dark, are compelling, and her actions are both shocking and satisfying. What truly stands out is how her abilities, although surprising at first, fit seamlessly into the larger plot once fully revealed.
Icarus, sweet, gentle Icarus, is a true mediator between the fiery Kasdeya and the enigmatic Alexander. Despite his softer demeanor, Icarus proves to be fiercely loyal and strong-willed, doing whatever it takes to protect his friends.
My favorite character, however, is Alexander—The Jester. He’s the one I was most eager to uncover, to understand why he acts the way he does. He is complex and mysterious, often described as the jester, yet hiding layers of depth that make him the most intriguing character for me.
The dynamic between Kasdeya and Alexander is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the book. Their “situationship” is tense, full of push-and-pull moments that leave you hoping for resolution, yet eager for more of their fiery chemistry. Their relationship keeps you on your toes throughout the novel. This tension is a thread that weaves through the entire narrative, elevating the stakes and emotions, making you wish for a better resolution.
The blend of dark academia with a mythological backdrop creates a unique and eerie world that feels alive with secrets waiting to be uncovered. The world-building is rich, with every detail meticulously crafted to enhance the story’s haunting tone, making you search for every hint of gods and goddesses who are truly alive and capable of affecting the world and the characters’ actions.
In conclusion, “Villainess” is a masterful blend of dark fantasy, mythology, and deeply flawed characters that leaves a lasting impression. The emotional stakes are high, and the intricate relationships between the characters make this a must-read. The trio of acolytes—Kasdeya, Icarus, and Alexander—will linger in your mind long after the final page, leaving you eager to uncover more mysteries and craving more to read. My only wish now is for the second part of the book to come as soon as possible, because I need to know what happens next, or my heart will eat itself from curiosity and the thirst for knowledge.
September 2, 2024
Actual rating: 4.5? I don't know, I have a lot of thoughts and feelings to sort through.
Full content (sex, language, violence) review:
https://www.novelnotices.com/villainess
If I was basing my rating solely off the characters and my love for them, it'd be a five star read. There were just a few things plot/lore-wise that confused me. Thank you so much to the wonderful author for giving me a free digital ARC!
PROS:
- The writing drew me in immediately. I love really descriptive, metaphor-filled writing, and this book delivered. It was beautiful.
- Adding onto that, the atmosphere and gothic vibes were perfect. Every word felt specifically chosen to bring you further into the book's dark world.
- The cover and title are also amazing! The book's font was nice too (I don't know why I care about that—I just know certain fonts make me want to DNF and others I adore 🤷♀️)
- THE CHARACTERS. The central trio—Icarus, Alexander, and Kasdeya—were so well-developed and unique. I really loved their characters. A lot of authors shy away from making their characters truly flawed, but it was honestly endearing here.
- Alexander is my favorite, though. He was absolutely insane, and it was wonderful. His devotion to Kasdeya and how it influences the rest of his choices was so interesting! He's exactly what I'm looking for in an unhinged morally grey love interest.
- Icarus was adorable and sweet. I didn't know if he would be necessary at first, but he's definitely the glue holding Kasdeya and Alexander's sanity together.
- Kasdeya could be unlikeable sometimes, but I also found her to be extremely relatable. Her struggle with trust and guilt were so touching. I was completely invested (and a little emotional sometime. A few tears were shed).
- I was wary of the flashbacks at first, but they added so much depth to the story! All the layers and connections in general are amazing. It's the kind of story that unfolds bit by bit and truly needs multiple books to reach that point.
- The plot twists near the end just kept coming!
- Romantic pining disguised as hating is one of my favorite tropes.
- The book is about anger and vengeance, but there were some really tender and sweet moments too.
- All of the themes—revenge, anger, manipulation, overcoming guilt, finding value in yourself, fear of failure, etc—were handled with intent and care (and they broke my heart, so thank you for that). Like I said earlier, Kasdeya's journey is well-crafted and poignant, and so is Alexander's.
- Although I wish we'd gotten a bit more of the world, the lore and magic was still cool!
- I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2. The cliffhanger is killing me.
CONS:
- While I loved the writing, it did confuse me at times. Given this is a fantasy world, a few of the metaphors/similes could have actually happened, and I needed to reread to discern whether or not it was still figurative language.
- The world-building could have been worked in a little more clearly. We get some lore later on in the book and you kind of figure out what all these different groups are, but it was a bit difficult to follow at the beginning.
- The pacing was strange sometimes, although it could just be that I have a harder time following plot progression with ebooks.
Full content (sex, language, violence) review:
https://www.novelnotices.com/villainess
If I was basing my rating solely off the characters and my love for them, it'd be a five star read. There were just a few things plot/lore-wise that confused me. Thank you so much to the wonderful author for giving me a free digital ARC!
PROS:
- The writing drew me in immediately. I love really descriptive, metaphor-filled writing, and this book delivered. It was beautiful.
- Adding onto that, the atmosphere and gothic vibes were perfect. Every word felt specifically chosen to bring you further into the book's dark world.
- The cover and title are also amazing! The book's font was nice too (I don't know why I care about that—I just know certain fonts make me want to DNF and others I adore 🤷♀️)
- THE CHARACTERS. The central trio—Icarus, Alexander, and Kasdeya—were so well-developed and unique. I really loved their characters. A lot of authors shy away from making their characters truly flawed, but it was honestly endearing here.
- Alexander is my favorite, though. He was absolutely insane, and it was wonderful. His devotion to Kasdeya and how it influences the rest of his choices was so interesting! He's exactly what I'm looking for in an unhinged morally grey love interest.
- Icarus was adorable and sweet. I didn't know if he would be necessary at first, but he's definitely the glue holding Kasdeya and Alexander's sanity together.
- Kasdeya could be unlikeable sometimes, but I also found her to be extremely relatable. Her struggle with trust and guilt were so touching. I was completely invested (and a little emotional sometime. A few tears were shed).
- I was wary of the flashbacks at first, but they added so much depth to the story! All the layers and connections in general are amazing. It's the kind of story that unfolds bit by bit and truly needs multiple books to reach that point.
- The plot twists near the end just kept coming!
- Romantic pining disguised as hating is one of my favorite tropes.
- The book is about anger and vengeance, but there were some really tender and sweet moments too.
- All of the themes—revenge, anger, manipulation, overcoming guilt, finding value in yourself, fear of failure, etc—were handled with intent and care (and they broke my heart, so thank you for that). Like I said earlier, Kasdeya's journey is well-crafted and poignant, and so is Alexander's.
- Although I wish we'd gotten a bit more of the world, the lore and magic was still cool!
- I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2. The cliffhanger is killing me.
CONS:
- While I loved the writing, it did confuse me at times. Given this is a fantasy world, a few of the metaphors/similes could have actually happened, and I needed to reread to discern whether or not it was still figurative language.
- The world-building could have been worked in a little more clearly. We get some lore later on in the book and you kind of figure out what all these different groups are, but it was a bit difficult to follow at the beginning.
- The pacing was strange sometimes, although it could just be that I have a harder time following plot progression with ebooks.
October 20, 2024
Hi hello,
I'm gonna be honest with y'all. I can barely call myself a reader, so this review is for those who are just starting with books, or for non-readers mesmerized by the GORGEOUS cover. (Trust the cover, get the book.)
Anyways. When my dear friend Jo asked me to ARC read Villaines, well, how could I refuse. I’ve seen some of the early stages of this cool ahh gothic fantasy and I was in love even then. With time it only got better, deeper, gorier and funnier. Jo’s dark sense of humor is something I’ll never get tired of.
The book is also filled with EDIBLE descriptions. The tension was making me drool, kick my feet, roll on the ground, and giggle. Collecting my jaw from the ground happened to be an usual experience. There's so many twists, the book just won’t let you chill.
As some people already pointed out, the text could get kinda complicated and I had to re-read chunks of pages to really understand. But since English is my second language and my concentration is quite non-existent, can I really judge that? Deeper meanings tend to fly over my head, which I think is a huge shame - I bet most of you will have things to discover tho.
Here are some pieces I loved:
Example of the edible descriptions:
“Panic clawed at her insides, as if she was the cage of a ravenous rat. Branches and thorns reached for her, drew a testimony to her cowardice on her skin. Kasdeya wept, lungs burning, but she kept moving.”
This I read and loved and AAAAAAA:
“What does it say?”
“It’s a death threat…in one of the dead tongues. It means ‘I shall plunge my hand into your chest and feel your heart.’ It was used as a warning in the past era. Is it from Narkissa?”
Kasdeya suppressed a smile. “No idea.”
This one left me with teary eyes:
“I am not your property!” Nero bellowed.
“As if I’d ever buy something with such a case of wandering eyes!”
Anyways this is barely the best I can give you, as it feels the best all melted together. So just go and read it.
Actual rating 4.8/5 - for the confusing parts. That is it. I have nothing else to hate. I’m in love and I won’t feel whole until I inhale the whole series. Definitely gonna reread this one to get as much details in before the next book is out.
I'm gonna be honest with y'all. I can barely call myself a reader, so this review is for those who are just starting with books, or for non-readers mesmerized by the GORGEOUS cover. (Trust the cover, get the book.)
Anyways. When my dear friend Jo asked me to ARC read Villaines, well, how could I refuse. I’ve seen some of the early stages of this cool ahh gothic fantasy and I was in love even then. With time it only got better, deeper, gorier and funnier. Jo’s dark sense of humor is something I’ll never get tired of.
The book is also filled with EDIBLE descriptions. The tension was making me drool, kick my feet, roll on the ground, and giggle. Collecting my jaw from the ground happened to be an usual experience. There's so many twists, the book just won’t let you chill.
As some people already pointed out, the text could get kinda complicated and I had to re-read chunks of pages to really understand. But since English is my second language and my concentration is quite non-existent, can I really judge that? Deeper meanings tend to fly over my head, which I think is a huge shame - I bet most of you will have things to discover tho.
Here are some pieces I loved:
Example of the edible descriptions:
“Panic clawed at her insides, as if she was the cage of a ravenous rat. Branches and thorns reached for her, drew a testimony to her cowardice on her skin. Kasdeya wept, lungs burning, but she kept moving.”
This I read and loved and AAAAAAA:
“What does it say?”
“It’s a death threat…in one of the dead tongues. It means ‘I shall plunge my hand into your chest and feel your heart.’ It was used as a warning in the past era. Is it from Narkissa?”
Kasdeya suppressed a smile. “No idea.”
This one left me with teary eyes:
“I am not your property!” Nero bellowed.
“As if I’d ever buy something with such a case of wandering eyes!”
Anyways this is barely the best I can give you, as it feels the best all melted together. So just go and read it.
Actual rating 4.8/5 - for the confusing parts. That is it. I have nothing else to hate. I’m in love and I won’t feel whole until I inhale the whole series. Definitely gonna reread this one to get as much details in before the next book is out.
October 12, 2025
Rating: 4.5 stars
I want to give a massive thank you to S. Bacchante herself for giving me the opportunity to read a copy of her book for free! This was an absolute masterpiece and one I will remember for a very long time.
I want to start the review with the writing—it is impeccable and reminiscent of various authors I’ve read in the past, most notably Sarah J. Mass, Rachel Gillig, and Mary Shelley. Bacchante’s style is a culmination of all three, which made me nostalgic for the Throne of Glass and The Shepherd King series. I’m not even kidding, this book feels like their descendant. It’s got war, politics, mythology, the supernatural, and gothic elements you wouldn’t normally see in ordinary Romantasy. Bacchante’s writing is poetic too; it often reminds me of Taylor Swift’s lyricism and her allusions to literature.
The pacing of the book was very Throne of Glass coded, where the story was slowly being unfolded before getting really intense and hectic in the last hundred pages or so. There were so many things I didn’t expect towards the end, and it wouldn’t have been possible without experiencing and relishing in every moment of the narrative. I did find it a bit too slow at times, though (hence the 4.5 star rating), but it didn’t deter me too negatively. I was still able to enjoy the book overall.
The characters seriously carried the plot and the entire book! Kasdeya, especially, is a witch driven by vengeance and aggression, and has no remorse for those she thinks deserve death. She has climbed my favourite FMC list because she truly doesn’t take orders or anything from anyone. Then you have Alexander, beloved by others with his humour and nonchalant bets, but (apparently) an absolute nuisance to Kasdeya. Oh, did I mention how crazy and knife-driven their relationship is??? It’s hot, intense, and they’re so bloodthirsty for one another! I need more of this duo because I am seriously swooning over their tension and intimacy!!
Villainess is truly a story you have to read at least once in your lifetime. It’s vicious, gory, and unyielding. Think One Dark Window, but freakier, bloodier, and a whole lot more killing!
I want to give a massive thank you to S. Bacchante herself for giving me the opportunity to read a copy of her book for free! This was an absolute masterpiece and one I will remember for a very long time.
I want to start the review with the writing—it is impeccable and reminiscent of various authors I’ve read in the past, most notably Sarah J. Mass, Rachel Gillig, and Mary Shelley. Bacchante’s style is a culmination of all three, which made me nostalgic for the Throne of Glass and The Shepherd King series. I’m not even kidding, this book feels like their descendant. It’s got war, politics, mythology, the supernatural, and gothic elements you wouldn’t normally see in ordinary Romantasy. Bacchante’s writing is poetic too; it often reminds me of Taylor Swift’s lyricism and her allusions to literature.
The pacing of the book was very Throne of Glass coded, where the story was slowly being unfolded before getting really intense and hectic in the last hundred pages or so. There were so many things I didn’t expect towards the end, and it wouldn’t have been possible without experiencing and relishing in every moment of the narrative. I did find it a bit too slow at times, though (hence the 4.5 star rating), but it didn’t deter me too negatively. I was still able to enjoy the book overall.
The characters seriously carried the plot and the entire book! Kasdeya, especially, is a witch driven by vengeance and aggression, and has no remorse for those she thinks deserve death. She has climbed my favourite FMC list because she truly doesn’t take orders or anything from anyone. Then you have Alexander, beloved by others with his humour and nonchalant bets, but (apparently) an absolute nuisance to Kasdeya. Oh, did I mention how crazy and knife-driven their relationship is??? It’s hot, intense, and they’re so bloodthirsty for one another! I need more of this duo because I am seriously swooning over their tension and intimacy!!
Villainess is truly a story you have to read at least once in your lifetime. It’s vicious, gory, and unyielding. Think One Dark Window, but freakier, bloodier, and a whole lot more killing!
September 23, 2025
📖Book Review📖
Villainess: Bloodfeast by S. Bacchante
"𝑰𝒇 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝑰'𝒅 𝒈𝒐 𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒓𝒖𝒑𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒃𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒕.
𝑰𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒔𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓, 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕?."
⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ (3.75)
Arcane is a place where Death are typical, and Revenge are justified.
Kasdeya and Alexander are rivals with undeniable sexual tension. I can’t say it’s a grumpy-sunshine situation, because Alexander is no sunshine! 🤣 But whenever they banter, tease, or tried to kill one another, you can feel that thrilling energy between the two. Their relationship throughout the story was like a roller coaster ride - one moment they are almost kissing, and the next they are throwing insults at each other! 🫣 Icarus coming into the picture is so interesting for me because despite the dark-theme of this novel, everytime he is caught up between these two hard-headed individuals, I can’t help but laugh. He must be protected at all cost!
Speaking of dark, just a TW - this book is filled with death, killing, blood and gore. I was so scared to get attached to a character because I’m afraid they’ll be dead on the next chapter 😱 It was a bit hard for me to make sense of some scenes though. Sometimes I’m just confused and don’t know what’s happening 😅, but I think these scenes may be intentional? as it is like some sort of a preparation for the big reveals? 😏
What I like most about this book though is I find that some inner monologues of the main characters are so relatable. Because while, YES- they are dark thoughts, it just shows that in reality, our mind does create some dark scenarios whenever we are not in such a good place in our life. The guilt, the doubt, the pressure, the desire to just stop going and stop feeling. But like in this story, it also shows that it shouldn’t end there. That there are people that is on your side, people that wants you to get better, people that cares.
And with that, I thank you @author_s_bacchante for sharing with me a copy of this book. 😊 It was an unexpected interesing ride. This book is perfect for readers that are into Gothic Romantasy with Rival-to-Lovers trope, doesn’t mind blood and gores, and a fan of revenge and betrayal theme! 😌
Villainess: Bloodfeast by S. Bacchante
"𝑰𝒇 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝑰'𝒅 𝒈𝒐 𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒓𝒖𝒑𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒃𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒕.
𝑰𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒔𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓, 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕?."
⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ (3.75)
Arcane is a place where Death are typical, and Revenge are justified.
Kasdeya and Alexander are rivals with undeniable sexual tension. I can’t say it’s a grumpy-sunshine situation, because Alexander is no sunshine! 🤣 But whenever they banter, tease, or tried to kill one another, you can feel that thrilling energy between the two. Their relationship throughout the story was like a roller coaster ride - one moment they are almost kissing, and the next they are throwing insults at each other! 🫣 Icarus coming into the picture is so interesting for me because despite the dark-theme of this novel, everytime he is caught up between these two hard-headed individuals, I can’t help but laugh. He must be protected at all cost!
Speaking of dark, just a TW - this book is filled with death, killing, blood and gore. I was so scared to get attached to a character because I’m afraid they’ll be dead on the next chapter 😱 It was a bit hard for me to make sense of some scenes though. Sometimes I’m just confused and don’t know what’s happening 😅, but I think these scenes may be intentional? as it is like some sort of a preparation for the big reveals? 😏
What I like most about this book though is I find that some inner monologues of the main characters are so relatable. Because while, YES- they are dark thoughts, it just shows that in reality, our mind does create some dark scenarios whenever we are not in such a good place in our life. The guilt, the doubt, the pressure, the desire to just stop going and stop feeling. But like in this story, it also shows that it shouldn’t end there. That there are people that is on your side, people that wants you to get better, people that cares.
And with that, I thank you @author_s_bacchante for sharing with me a copy of this book. 😊 It was an unexpected interesing ride. This book is perfect for readers that are into Gothic Romantasy with Rival-to-Lovers trope, doesn’t mind blood and gores, and a fan of revenge and betrayal theme! 😌
October 3, 2024
I received and ARC copy of this book, in exchange for a review, however all views are my own.
I had high hopes for this book, the concept seemed very unique. And it was, very unique, and some chapters were 5 star chapters. But most weren't. It's wasn't bad, per say, I just wasn't motivated to keep reading it, and I don't think I'll read it again (I may consider reading a sequel, but it wouldn't be the top of my list. The writing style was very poetic at times, it contained some very deep lines, showing the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters. I giggled occasionally, which I feel is a must have for Dystopian novels, so you aren't just constantly sad. I had some interest in the characters, but was often confused who was who. The chemistry between the characters was very cute and interesting to read, when I could remember who was who. I quite enjoyed the mythological references, as that is a realm I understand, and it brought a sense of legitimacy to the story. I also enjoyed the magical concepts, the theory that it's based on your past, present and future, particularly the development of Kasedya poison skills. This dystopian society, while having clear tears of importance had minimal sexist aspects,which I personally appreciate. My favourite parts of the book were the dialogues, as they displayed the storyline well, and contained lots of character chemistry. There were words I didn't know and had to google, which isn't an inherently bad thing, it just kinda brought me out of the story. The perspectives of knowing internal thoughts of the character but it still being written in 3rd person was insightful , and a style I wasn't familiar with. My primary complaint, I was just so confused... ALL THE TIME. Like I rarely understood more then like 50% of what was going on, and if you asked me to recap the story, I wouldn't be able to. The ending was a nice summary, I feel, and closed the story the right amount.
I had high hopes for this book, the concept seemed very unique. And it was, very unique, and some chapters were 5 star chapters. But most weren't. It's wasn't bad, per say, I just wasn't motivated to keep reading it, and I don't think I'll read it again (I may consider reading a sequel, but it wouldn't be the top of my list. The writing style was very poetic at times, it contained some very deep lines, showing the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters. I giggled occasionally, which I feel is a must have for Dystopian novels, so you aren't just constantly sad. I had some interest in the characters, but was often confused who was who. The chemistry between the characters was very cute and interesting to read, when I could remember who was who. I quite enjoyed the mythological references, as that is a realm I understand, and it brought a sense of legitimacy to the story. I also enjoyed the magical concepts, the theory that it's based on your past, present and future, particularly the development of Kasedya poison skills. This dystopian society, while having clear tears of importance had minimal sexist aspects,which I personally appreciate. My favourite parts of the book were the dialogues, as they displayed the storyline well, and contained lots of character chemistry. There were words I didn't know and had to google, which isn't an inherently bad thing, it just kinda brought me out of the story. The perspectives of knowing internal thoughts of the character but it still being written in 3rd person was insightful , and a style I wasn't familiar with. My primary complaint, I was just so confused... ALL THE TIME. Like I rarely understood more then like 50% of what was going on, and if you asked me to recap the story, I wouldn't be able to. The ending was a nice summary, I feel, and closed the story the right amount.
October 4, 2024
4.5 ⭐
Greek mythology, horror, gothic? Count me in.
This book has all the elements you need: rivals to lovers, found family, magic, badass FMC, revenge, and more.
Before I started this book, I knew it was the type of book that I would enjoy and fall in love with.
The writing style is so unique and memorable; it keeps you in a chokehold right from the start. It’s almost impossible to put the book down! Throughout the book, I tried to highlight all the things that I enjoyed about the writing style and scenes that I loved, and let me tell you, I did highlight A LOT.
-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•
One example:
“To her, the library was a living, breathing being, bred from echoes of thousands of lives, a melody of hearts and fates. Bones of ancient knowledge she would gnaw on till her last breath.”
-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•
It also contains dark topics like death, gore, violence, and more, so check out the TW before you start the book! I personally did like the way these topics were presented in this book.
To be honest, I was a little afraid that the FMC was going to be unlikeable and insufferable. But she turned out to be powerful and badass. It’s very easy to sympathize with her and understand her actions.
The dynamic between the FMC and the MMC is otherworldly and has me longing for more.
Even though the writing style is mesmerizing, it could be quite confusing and difficult to keep up with the storyline, especially if you are new to the genre (gothic fantasy).
Overall, the book was my personal highlight of the year, and you should definitely read it at least once!
I can’t wait for the next book to be published. 😌
Greek mythology, horror, gothic? Count me in.
This book has all the elements you need: rivals to lovers, found family, magic, badass FMC, revenge, and more.
Before I started this book, I knew it was the type of book that I would enjoy and fall in love with.
The writing style is so unique and memorable; it keeps you in a chokehold right from the start. It’s almost impossible to put the book down! Throughout the book, I tried to highlight all the things that I enjoyed about the writing style and scenes that I loved, and let me tell you, I did highlight A LOT.
-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•
One example:
“To her, the library was a living, breathing being, bred from echoes of thousands of lives, a melody of hearts and fates. Bones of ancient knowledge she would gnaw on till her last breath.”
-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•
It also contains dark topics like death, gore, violence, and more, so check out the TW before you start the book! I personally did like the way these topics were presented in this book.
To be honest, I was a little afraid that the FMC was going to be unlikeable and insufferable. But she turned out to be powerful and badass. It’s very easy to sympathize with her and understand her actions.
The dynamic between the FMC and the MMC is otherworldly and has me longing for more.
Even though the writing style is mesmerizing, it could be quite confusing and difficult to keep up with the storyline, especially if you are new to the genre (gothic fantasy).
Overall, the book was my personal highlight of the year, and you should definitely read it at least once!
I can’t wait for the next book to be published. 😌
February 15, 2025
I've read this book around October-November of 2024. And in my personal opinion? I've quite enjoyed it. I'm going to review without spoiling the content for y'all.
To list the things I do like:
[Graphic Wordplay] - In fun Gothic fashion, the story have a lot of beautifully delicious descriptive lines that just work in the way this story is presented.
[Flashbacks] - Often occuring in this story. But Jo, the author, has left timestamps for us to be able to get a precise timeline of the events that happened prior to the current plot.
["JUST KISS ALREADY!"] - Kesdeya and Alexander radiate black cat and orange cat energy. They're such troublemakers and Icarus is left to deal with the fallout.
["Just another Tuesday."] - Is Icarus. He's the most responsible within the trio. He's quite sweet for a character who is managing the two feral cats.
[World building] - The world building is subtle and it isn't thrown into your face. You actively learn more about the world as you read along, which is my cup of bloody tea.
Now, I'll talk about the reasons why YOU may not like it:
[Pacing] - The pacing is fine during the start of the book, it's slow and builds up intrigue. But then it staggers a bit in the middle.
[Graphic Worldplay] - As I've stated earlier, I like a good description. But sometimes it can be too confusing at times. That could just be me though.
Overall?:
4.5/5 stars. It's a genuine good read. And if you like profanity, rival spice between 2 feral cats, and Fantasy settings—this book is for you!
A/
To list the things I do like:
[Graphic Wordplay] - In fun Gothic fashion, the story have a lot of beautifully delicious descriptive lines that just work in the way this story is presented.
[Flashbacks] - Often occuring in this story. But Jo, the author, has left timestamps for us to be able to get a precise timeline of the events that happened prior to the current plot.
["JUST KISS ALREADY!"] - Kesdeya and Alexander radiate black cat and orange cat energy. They're such troublemakers and Icarus is left to deal with the fallout.
["Just another Tuesday."] - Is Icarus. He's the most responsible within the trio. He's quite sweet for a character who is managing the two feral cats.
[World building] - The world building is subtle and it isn't thrown into your face. You actively learn more about the world as you read along, which is my cup of bloody tea.
Now, I'll talk about the reasons why YOU may not like it:
[Pacing] - The pacing is fine during the start of the book, it's slow and builds up intrigue. But then it staggers a bit in the middle.
[Graphic Worldplay] - As I've stated earlier, I like a good description. But sometimes it can be too confusing at times. That could just be me though.
Overall?:
4.5/5 stars. It's a genuine good read. And if you like profanity, rival spice between 2 feral cats, and Fantasy settings—this book is for you!
A/
September 30, 2024
Blessed to be an arc reader of this book.
Kasdeya is borderline sadistic but her conscience is so loud and being in her head is such a visceral experience. The Jester is, in my opinion, one of the most complex characters I've ever read about. It is very conflicting to decide how I feel about him, even after it having been weeks since I finished the book.
I think the author did such a wonderful job with not only the worldbuilding but with maintaining the visceral, vibrantly morbid environment and ambience that paints this entire story. The writing was absolutely scrumptious, so very elegantly grotesque.
Also what I really like is that the characters don't feel shallow. Their personalities are about as real as you can get in literature. I do think they come across as a bit more mature than their age. They're just teenagers but they feel like adults because of the casual killing and rigorous training most times, and it's only in moments of emotional development for Kasdeya that you realise how young they are.
I'd also like to comment on how smoothly the dialogue flows. It feels perfectly natural and, as a writer myself, I find it difficult to make what my characters say sound humorous but Jo is such a master at it.
My favourite part has to be the relationships. The family Kasdeya finds with Icarus and Alexander and Cer, Be & Rus is so wholesome, so precious.
An excellent book.
Can't wait to be an arc reader for the sequel!
Kasdeya is borderline sadistic but her conscience is so loud and being in her head is such a visceral experience. The Jester is, in my opinion, one of the most complex characters I've ever read about. It is very conflicting to decide how I feel about him, even after it having been weeks since I finished the book.
I think the author did such a wonderful job with not only the worldbuilding but with maintaining the visceral, vibrantly morbid environment and ambience that paints this entire story. The writing was absolutely scrumptious, so very elegantly grotesque.
Also what I really like is that the characters don't feel shallow. Their personalities are about as real as you can get in literature. I do think they come across as a bit more mature than their age. They're just teenagers but they feel like adults because of the casual killing and rigorous training most times, and it's only in moments of emotional development for Kasdeya that you realise how young they are.
I'd also like to comment on how smoothly the dialogue flows. It feels perfectly natural and, as a writer myself, I find it difficult to make what my characters say sound humorous but Jo is such a master at it.
My favourite part has to be the relationships. The family Kasdeya finds with Icarus and Alexander and Cer, Be & Rus is so wholesome, so precious.
An excellent book.
Can't wait to be an arc reader for the sequel!
September 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Villainess: Bloodfeast plunges readers into a dark, brutal world where magic, madness, and vengeance intertwine. At the center of the storm is Kasdeya, a void witch with a vendetta. Her mission: to infiltrate and rise through the ranks of Arcane a violent murder cult to destroy the witch-hunting sect known as Libitiani.
What follows is a relentless, blood-soaked power struggle filled with ancient secrets, betrayal, and morally gray characters. When Libitiani attacks Arcane, a mysterious key ends up in Kasdeya's possession, kicking off a chain of deaths, shifting alliances, and forbidden truths. Her unlikely partnership with the deranged yet fascinating Jester her rival turned possible ally adds layers of tension, unpredictability, and an eerie hint of romance.
S. Bacchante’s writing style is unique and immersive. This was my first time reading her work, and I found her voice both intriguing and distinctive unapologetically dark, poetic at times, and emotionally raw. The world-building is rich but doesn't coddle the reader; you're thrown into chaos and expected to swim, which adds to the intensity.
The story teeters on the edge of love and lunacy, revenge and redemption, all while exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and power. If you're a fan of villain-centered fantasy with a gothic flair and enjoy complex female leads who don’t flinch from bloodshed, this book is for you.
Villainess: Bloodfeast plunges readers into a dark, brutal world where magic, madness, and vengeance intertwine. At the center of the storm is Kasdeya, a void witch with a vendetta. Her mission: to infiltrate and rise through the ranks of Arcane a violent murder cult to destroy the witch-hunting sect known as Libitiani.
What follows is a relentless, blood-soaked power struggle filled with ancient secrets, betrayal, and morally gray characters. When Libitiani attacks Arcane, a mysterious key ends up in Kasdeya's possession, kicking off a chain of deaths, shifting alliances, and forbidden truths. Her unlikely partnership with the deranged yet fascinating Jester her rival turned possible ally adds layers of tension, unpredictability, and an eerie hint of romance.
S. Bacchante’s writing style is unique and immersive. This was my first time reading her work, and I found her voice both intriguing and distinctive unapologetically dark, poetic at times, and emotionally raw. The world-building is rich but doesn't coddle the reader; you're thrown into chaos and expected to swim, which adds to the intensity.
The story teeters on the edge of love and lunacy, revenge and redemption, all while exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and power. If you're a fan of villain-centered fantasy with a gothic flair and enjoy complex female leads who don’t flinch from bloodshed, this book is for you.
December 25, 2025
Villainess: Bloodfeast is a gothic romantasy soaked in Greek mythology, conspiracies, feminine rage, and revenge with a rivals dynamic that lives very comfortably in the morally grey. No heroes. No villains. Just vibes, blood, and bad decisions.
My very first thought while reading chapter one was, unfortunately: dammit. Snakes. I hate snakes. Deeply. Thankfully, they’re only a minor part of the story, and I was quickly too invested to hold a grudge.
The narrative unfolds between past and present, and I’ll be honest, at first, I was impatient. I wanted answers. I wanted context. I wanted to know why we were here and what had gone so catastrophically wrong. And when the pieces finally slid into place? Utterly worth it.
Every character is layered, even those who initially lurk at the edges, and what I loved most is that no one is presented as wholly good or wholly evil. This story lives in the uncomfortable, delicious grey space where motivations clash, choices have consequences, and revenge feels justified… until it doesn’t.
If you think this is just an academic rivals-to-lovers moment, think again. The relationship at the heart of the story is far messier - two people navigating power, resentment, desire, and conflicting loyalties, all while circling each other like they might kiss or destroy one another.
It’s twisty, atmospheric, and quietly ferocious - a gothic fantasy that rewards patience and leans hard into complexity.
My very first thought while reading chapter one was, unfortunately: dammit. Snakes. I hate snakes. Deeply. Thankfully, they’re only a minor part of the story, and I was quickly too invested to hold a grudge.
The narrative unfolds between past and present, and I’ll be honest, at first, I was impatient. I wanted answers. I wanted context. I wanted to know why we were here and what had gone so catastrophically wrong. And when the pieces finally slid into place? Utterly worth it.
Every character is layered, even those who initially lurk at the edges, and what I loved most is that no one is presented as wholly good or wholly evil. This story lives in the uncomfortable, delicious grey space where motivations clash, choices have consequences, and revenge feels justified… until it doesn’t.
If you think this is just an academic rivals-to-lovers moment, think again. The relationship at the heart of the story is far messier - two people navigating power, resentment, desire, and conflicting loyalties, all while circling each other like they might kiss or destroy one another.
It’s twisty, atmospheric, and quietly ferocious - a gothic fantasy that rewards patience and leans hard into complexity.
September 24, 2024
"Villainess: Bloodfeast" feels like something Madeline Miller would cook with the same ingredients that were used for "Lapvona" (in the best way possible).
I need to start with the language, because oh my god. I am still in awe of how well written in terms of vocabulary this book is, ESPECIALLY considering English isn't the author's first language. It's like reading Poe, but with female rage instead of sad men and modernized. The book has such a great amount of good quotes that my gallery was exploding from all the screenshots. The characters are well written too, quite complex, despite the fact that there are a few of them and some don't have as much time to show themselves off. And the way "plot twist" was hinted, but always brushed off lowering my guard - chief's kiss.
The few cons, "Villainess" is a bit confusing with it's plot, in a way I had to reread past chapters few times to remember what was happening or who was present in the scene, but I'm pretty sure it would be fine for devouring the whole book at once or twice, not in smaller parts like I did. Additionally, the date written at the beginning of each chapter didn't really help and it might've been why I was so confused with plot.
Otherwise, I'd say it was worth it, especially, yet again, for the language. The author's dictionary is a peak of sophistication.
I need to start with the language, because oh my god. I am still in awe of how well written in terms of vocabulary this book is, ESPECIALLY considering English isn't the author's first language. It's like reading Poe, but with female rage instead of sad men and modernized. The book has such a great amount of good quotes that my gallery was exploding from all the screenshots. The characters are well written too, quite complex, despite the fact that there are a few of them and some don't have as much time to show themselves off. And the way "plot twist" was hinted, but always brushed off lowering my guard - chief's kiss.
The few cons, "Villainess" is a bit confusing with it's plot, in a way I had to reread past chapters few times to remember what was happening or who was present in the scene, but I'm pretty sure it would be fine for devouring the whole book at once or twice, not in smaller parts like I did. Additionally, the date written at the beginning of each chapter didn't really help and it might've been why I was so confused with plot.
Otherwise, I'd say it was worth it, especially, yet again, for the language. The author's dictionary is a peak of sophistication.
September 27, 2025
Villainess Bloodfeast – S. Bacchante 🩸✨
Utterly. Beautifully. Deranged.
This one took me a hot minute to get through, but oh my gods, was it worth it. The writing is on another level: lush, poetic, haunting (definitely not a before-bed read). I’m still frothing over that prologue. Absolutely stunning. And the ending? My brain is still reeling.
I’m not overly familiar with Greek mythology but this was fascinating, especially with Nemesis and Moros woven in.
And the characters? Truly unhinged brilliance. Jester and Witch. Rivals → Friends → Lovers → Enemies. Ugh. Chef’s kiss. The tension, the history, the betrayal… divine. Book 2 is already out, and you best believe I’ll be diving in.
Now hold onto your horns: this book has no smut. That’s right. I, Gracie, read a book without smut. But honestly? The way the characters’ relationship unfolds, it doesn’t need it. Sure, there’s a flicker of spice here and there, but the emotional tension more than carries it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me, mainly because I struggled to get through parts and had to Google a few mythological names (no shame, babes). But I genuinely think a re-read would help it all click into place.
⚠️ Gremlin Disclaimer: Dark themes ahead. Read the trigger warnings, protect your peace, and then dive headfirst into the madness if you dare.
Happy reading, my little book gremlins.
xoxo, Gracie Lyn
Utterly. Beautifully. Deranged.
This one took me a hot minute to get through, but oh my gods, was it worth it. The writing is on another level: lush, poetic, haunting (definitely not a before-bed read). I’m still frothing over that prologue. Absolutely stunning. And the ending? My brain is still reeling.
I’m not overly familiar with Greek mythology but this was fascinating, especially with Nemesis and Moros woven in.
And the characters? Truly unhinged brilliance. Jester and Witch. Rivals → Friends → Lovers → Enemies. Ugh. Chef’s kiss. The tension, the history, the betrayal… divine. Book 2 is already out, and you best believe I’ll be diving in.
Now hold onto your horns: this book has no smut. That’s right. I, Gracie, read a book without smut. But honestly? The way the characters’ relationship unfolds, it doesn’t need it. Sure, there’s a flicker of spice here and there, but the emotional tension more than carries it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me, mainly because I struggled to get through parts and had to Google a few mythological names (no shame, babes). But I genuinely think a re-read would help it all click into place.
⚠️ Gremlin Disclaimer: Dark themes ahead. Read the trigger warnings, protect your peace, and then dive headfirst into the madness if you dare.
Happy reading, my little book gremlins.
xoxo, Gracie Lyn
November 1, 2025
I struggled with how to rate this book. I really struggled with the first half of the book but from about 65% in I flew through and it kept me reading.
The writing style in the first half felt staccato and as others have said a lot of use of similes and metaphors were overwhelming and meant it became difficult to follow what was happening.
The jumping between timelines slowed the pacing down as the flashbacks didn’t correlate to what was happening in the present.
I also found it jarring reading about 15/16/16 year olds in such a manor too. Perhaps I would have gelled more with the characters had they been older.
The book is very descriptive apart from when describing the characters. I found it difficult to build a picture of each character in my head - which again kept me at a distance from being able
To immerse myself into the world and story.
I spent much of the first half wondering what was going on and who was who.
However, the second half was like reading a completely different book. The pacing was faster, there were no flashbacks so it didn’t feel disjointed and you could immerse yourself better into the story.
It was an interesting read and I think the next book would be interesting too particularly with the hints that were giving at the end. However I won’t be reading the next one due to the what I have outlined above.
The writing style in the first half felt staccato and as others have said a lot of use of similes and metaphors were overwhelming and meant it became difficult to follow what was happening.
The jumping between timelines slowed the pacing down as the flashbacks didn’t correlate to what was happening in the present.
I also found it jarring reading about 15/16/16 year olds in such a manor too. Perhaps I would have gelled more with the characters had they been older.
The book is very descriptive apart from when describing the characters. I found it difficult to build a picture of each character in my head - which again kept me at a distance from being able
To immerse myself into the world and story.
I spent much of the first half wondering what was going on and who was who.
However, the second half was like reading a completely different book. The pacing was faster, there were no flashbacks so it didn’t feel disjointed and you could immerse yourself better into the story.
It was an interesting read and I think the next book would be interesting too particularly with the hints that were giving at the end. However I won’t be reading the next one due to the what I have outlined above.
September 17, 2024
The reason I was so excited to read this book was the promise of excellent characters, and on this front, Villainess certainly delivered. Not only is the FMC a force to be reckoned with, equal parts feral and measured, intelligent and emotional, but the two supporting characters-the love interest and the best friend-were also exceptional. Icarus was every reader's dream cinnamon roll and Alexander Sanctus was the most heartbreaking iteration of a boy who smiles through his pain and loves as desperately as he tries to play things off.
The more secondary characters were also well constructed and I feel like I have a good sense of even the most minor players in this game of treachery and lies.
Reading is a subjective experience and depends a lot on personal preference. There were moments where the action was a little too quick for me and the buildup a little short, and I found myself feeling a little lost, but this fast-paced sequence might just be what someone else absolutely adores about the book.
My favourite thing about this read was the characters, which were everything the author promised they would be on her social media prior to release. I'm excited to see more of Kasdeya, Alexander and Icarus, and - believe it or not - Apathos!
The more secondary characters were also well constructed and I feel like I have a good sense of even the most minor players in this game of treachery and lies.
Reading is a subjective experience and depends a lot on personal preference. There were moments where the action was a little too quick for me and the buildup a little short, and I found myself feeling a little lost, but this fast-paced sequence might just be what someone else absolutely adores about the book.
My favourite thing about this read was the characters, which were everything the author promised they would be on her social media prior to release. I'm excited to see more of Kasdeya, Alexander and Icarus, and - believe it or not - Apathos!
October 18, 2024
I loved this book! The storytelling is simply incredible, I highlighted various quotes that were my favorite.
One being: “You’re no knight in shining armor, you’re a homicidal maniac, miserable and spoiled drunk, liar, and a thief. I’ll not be associated with the likes of you. Go play savior.”
There were details that felt minor, yet played a huge role in how the sentences were interpreted. I especially adored how the characters were well-rounded with strong voices. Katsdeya grew onto me the more I read and I found myself hoping for her safety. Her character was so wonderful to see— a badass fmc. I would go further in depth but feel a simple explanation is easier to comprehend my thought process. Icarus and Alexander were lovely characters as well, I simply adored everyone’s names. They all had quotes of their own that I immediately highlighted, especially Alexander since I grew biased towards him. Either way, all three of their characters were great to read about.
I hadn’t read many gothic books apart from the classics so reading this book inspired me to give the genre more of a try. I find myself going back to reread some of the passages I highlighted from how much I enjoyed them. This gothic romantasy was an easy five-star book imo!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One being: “You’re no knight in shining armor, you’re a homicidal maniac, miserable and spoiled drunk, liar, and a thief. I’ll not be associated with the likes of you. Go play savior.”
There were details that felt minor, yet played a huge role in how the sentences were interpreted. I especially adored how the characters were well-rounded with strong voices. Katsdeya grew onto me the more I read and I found myself hoping for her safety. Her character was so wonderful to see— a badass fmc. I would go further in depth but feel a simple explanation is easier to comprehend my thought process. Icarus and Alexander were lovely characters as well, I simply adored everyone’s names. They all had quotes of their own that I immediately highlighted, especially Alexander since I grew biased towards him. Either way, all three of their characters were great to read about.
I hadn’t read many gothic books apart from the classics so reading this book inspired me to give the genre more of a try. I find myself going back to reread some of the passages I highlighted from how much I enjoyed them. This gothic romantasy was an easy five-star book imo!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 4, 2025
🩸 Villainess: Bloodfeast by S. Bacchante
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
OMG. What. A. Ride.
This book grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go.
Dark. Lyrical. Gothic. Bloody. Perfect.
Think: Shakespeare meets Mary Shelley meets Jane Austen… but haunted, poetic, and wickedly sharp.
✨ WRITING STYLE
“The library was a living being. Ancient, yet ageless.”
Bacchante’s prose is STUNNING – lush, dark, and poetic. I highlighted half the book just to reread the sentences again.
🔥 PLOT
Slow-burn worldbuilding at first, then full-blown chaos (in the best way).
Magic. Death. Shadows. And a final act that had me SCREAMING.
🖤 CHARACTERS
Kasdeya – fierce, witchy, broken, whole. ICONIC.
Icarus – cinnamon roll with dagger eyes (I am soft).
Alexander – morally grey jester of my dreams.
✨ FAV QUOTES
“You can’t kill your fate.”
“I recognize you.” (destroyed me)
“Anyone would be honored to bind their fate to yours.”
🖤 FINAL THOUGHTS
Bleeding libraries. Found family. Witches with scars and teeth.
I am now living with these characters rent-free in my soul. And yes, I’m desperate for book two.
Thank you to @author_s_bacchante for gifting me this beautifully haunted story. 🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
OMG. What. A. Ride.
This book grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go.
Dark. Lyrical. Gothic. Bloody. Perfect.
Think: Shakespeare meets Mary Shelley meets Jane Austen… but haunted, poetic, and wickedly sharp.
✨ WRITING STYLE
“The library was a living being. Ancient, yet ageless.”
Bacchante’s prose is STUNNING – lush, dark, and poetic. I highlighted half the book just to reread the sentences again.
🔥 PLOT
Slow-burn worldbuilding at first, then full-blown chaos (in the best way).
Magic. Death. Shadows. And a final act that had me SCREAMING.
🖤 CHARACTERS
Kasdeya – fierce, witchy, broken, whole. ICONIC.
Icarus – cinnamon roll with dagger eyes (I am soft).
Alexander – morally grey jester of my dreams.
✨ FAV QUOTES
“You can’t kill your fate.”
“I recognize you.” (destroyed me)
“Anyone would be honored to bind their fate to yours.”
🖤 FINAL THOUGHTS
Bleeding libraries. Found family. Witches with scars and teeth.
I am now living with these characters rent-free in my soul. And yes, I’m desperate for book two.
Thank you to @author_s_bacchante for gifting me this beautifully haunted story. 🖤
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