Rebirth

by Agnes Henbane

My first life, my human life, was nothing like the fairy tales. It may have started the same—“Once upon a time, I fell in love…”—but devolved into a nightmare where I was mistreated and eventually discarded by my so-called husband. I quickly learned there are no happily-ever-afters.
Searching for an escape, I find myself faced with a second chance, but one that is more like a gilded cage than a genuine fresh start. I wake in an unknown place with no memory of my old life or awareness of where I am. Relying on two strangers, who just so happen to also be my rivals for his favor, I learn to navigate this supernatural domain and my newfound power.
The man who brought me here showers me with both his magic and cruelty once I’ve proven myself worthy of his attention, shaping me to suit his needs. Despite his ulterior motive, he provides me the knowledge and opportunity to avenge myself for all I have endured, so I play into his hand as a means to my own end. After all, that’s what I am to him.
There is nothing I won’t do to reclaim what’s mine and break free from the bloodred hands that mean to imprison me. I just hope my fragile heart won’t get in the way of my schemes.

Rebirth is a Dark Paranormal Romance, please check TW's before reading.

390 pages, Paperback

Published October 11, 2024

About the author

Agnes Henbane is a writer of dark paranormal romance and dark romance, writing about morally gray heroes and heroines.

She collects special edition books, reads more than she writes and is a little bit of a tea snob, but won’t say no to a delicious cup of coffee either.
Born and raised in Belgium, English isn’t her first language but to her it’s the only language that books speak.

Reviews

[Sam VanSantvoord · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had some problems with his book as noted below. I found the relationship went *way,way*  too abusive. This was quite gratuitous and fucked up. This is not for the feint of soul. Like this was a lesson in how heinous people can be to eachother yet they are drawn together like moth and flame.
However, because the author is good at writing intriguing plot, I was hooked. While some sections dragged in description and skipped others (dragged - description of house finishes, skipped - skipping too much if the trial and error in learning magic. This would have made me more interested in the magic whereas I found myself skimming the magic scenes because I was not *shown* it enough to be engaged.) the writing redeemed it.
The prose was minimal but pointed. The overall pacing was well done. I made lots of notes as shown below to describe my personal experience of this book. I will be reading the second one because I need closure. Please, please release me from this cliffhanger purgatory. Cheers.

P.s these notes are from real time reading. And contain major spoilers

~~~~~~~~

"despite being stuck here,there has to be more" Whatmore could there possibly be? There's a library and a garden. Not much to do bro.

Isra going insane. Then she just kinda disappears
and FMC doesnt seen to give any kind of shots really about her surroundings. We see almost zero inner turmoil.

Also he seems to really have nothing to do with anything

Ohhh sapphic 👀👀👀

OH MY FUCKING GOD THE EYE

Wow. That was revenge.

Isra is INSANE and I love the tension she creates.

What is the obsession with removing eyes via spoon lol

Ah the classic hair turns white

And then there was only one 😆

Okay 34% and we're finally getting some detail on Him. I don't even believe at this point he's a main character I think it's been too long of a wait for it.

Shes horny for him but really this is the first real interaction they've had 🥴

No one ever has conditioner.

UHHHHHHHHHHHH it's in the TWs but this is wow 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨

Uhhh okay it's one of those where the Stockholm syndrome and the masochism are meshed together then...

He has the personality of a brick.

Honestly why the fuck does she want to go home? She should just want to go *somewhere else* FFS

Okay finally she realizes home is pointless
"You like it rough, love" yeah baby, beat the absolute shit out of me with magic and physical force mmmm yeah rough.. 🥴🥴
Oh great I guess his line on the sand is 2 mangled arms and a concussion you gave her. 😮‍💨

Jesus Murphy she really just doesn't give a flying fuck about herself hey? Like the spell that takes her to the now wasteland and she just doesn't think about the consequences to herself.

Lmao I can't believe she thought he was human. GIRL AFTER SEEING HIM WITH WINGS, YELLOW EYES AND RED SKIN 😂

Okay now we've pivoted 180° to marriage and soft touches. The whiplash I'm getting from this book better pay me out lol

"The piercing yellow eyes and the blood red skin...they do something to me." Hahahaha MONSTER FUCKER (or I guess DEVIL FUCKER)

GIRL 👏🏻 YOU 👏🏻 HAVE 👏🏻 STOCKHOLM 👏🏻SYNDROME

Shes pissed she missed a kid. Y'all 😂 what the fuck am I reading hahahaa

Maybe marriage means cutting your tit sometimes.

I suddenly want a McRib

Not even cake 😭😭😭😭 BOOOOOO

WHATS HIS NAME TELL ME AUUUGGHHHH TELL MEEEEEE

Choking this much has kinda gotten to the point of hilarity for me. I think I've lost my mind somewhere in here .

Cannot stress this enough: Stockholm syndrome

This is like the 4th or 5th time the skirting/baseboard of the room has been mentioned and I just find that low key funny because no one ever mentions it usually. Sometimes you'll see crown molding mentioned but not baseboard.
OKAY THE HOUSE, I know it was probabl meant as like, an allegory to the deep secret love blah blah blah. But I'm sorry, that was like 7 pages of house description.

Fam, this is just honestly a straight up toxic relationship

A fucking PSL 😂 I spit my drink a bit

Gnarly is an off word to throw in for a person from the 1800s no?

I do like the time jumps though it's interesting

JESUS MURPHY by the way 🥄🥄👀👀

Finally the fucking name at 98%

I have no clue what's happening I'm like shook I don't even know at this point. This book have spoony eyed me.

THAT ENDING REALLY PISSED ME OFF BUT IT DEFINITELY HOOKED ME HARD.

[Bex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more please and thank you! Rebirth is a dark paranormal romance with elements of horror fantasy, enemies to lovers and a unique magic system. I was not ready for this book to end. I need book 2 like yesterday.

If you want a book with a plot that is going to have you questioning everything each time you think you know something, this is the book. It was AWESOME! I love when a book has me questioning my sanity because I have no idea what’s going to happen. The anticipation is perfection. There is a lot of building in this book since the magic and world are very unique but I felt it was paced very well. It held my attention easily.

The tension between our main characters was a slow but but it burned in the most delicious way. I loved seeing our MFC grow and change. I felt her transformation was unique and different than what usually happens in a book and I’m low key obsessed with who she is by the end of the book.

Overall, if your looking for a dark paranormal romance that is going to keep you on your toes and leave you craving book 2, this is it!

[Madeline Paige Fornes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly was not expecting this to be one of my top ten books that I have read this year, but here we are. Before I dive into my review, I would like to thank Flying Pig PR for allowing me the chance to read this book.

I knew this Rebirth was going to be up my alley, because hello? Look at these tropes.
-Beauty & the Beast retelling
-Slow burn enemies-to-lovers
-Forced proximity
-Revenge plot
-Unique magic system
-Marriage of convenience
-Horror fantasy
-Dark paranormal romance

When it says dark, it means dark. I was not expecting it to be as dark as it was. The trigger warnings were very well done and as far as I could tell they didn't miss a thing. Please read the trigger warnings, and please take care of yourself during your reading if needed.

When a book starts off in the prologue with a line saying “Fear fills me and, in that moment, I know that death would have been kinder than whatever awaits me,” my attention is immediately captured.

I enjoyed the relationships between our FMC & the other women in the world she was in, because it was clear from the start that there was something special about her. She was different from the others, and she was going to have a special relationship with “him”. “He’s gorgeous and deadly, and every part of me tells me to run as fast and as far as possible. Just like when I first woke up here. But there is also that hum, like a nudge or a pull, now undeniably connecting me to him. It tells me he holds all the answers, if I only dare ask the questions. It urges me toward him, to take that first step into a different kind of unknown.”

When I started to learn more about the unique magic system, and how it involved sacrifice, and was built on unique languages - I had to know more. (Also this is super cool, because English is not the authors first language!) Especially when our FMC and MMC started talking to each other, and I learned that there was a second language that he created for himself based on the first language so that other beings couldn’t intervene with it. Absolutely brilliant. The languages have names, but I don’t wish to share complete spoilers about things like that in my reviews.

Our FMC loses the life she had when she was alive, as long as all her memories she had when she was alive. She remembers some things, and her name. “It makes me feel as if I’m nobody, like I don’t exist in this world anymore. And perhaps I don’t, because when I search through my memories… It’s like looking into a black hole. The last thing I remember is leaving home on an errand, and then I woke up here.” But her name from before doesn’t matter anymore, as she is told that He will give her a new one when he deems her ready. I loved that. I also loved finding out how time moves differently in that world that they were in, and how long the other women had been there.

As a person, I related to our FMC in a few ways and I felt a lot of what she said personally. Especially when she was talking about how she felt about her past life when she finally remembered what happened and started working on her revenge. (Yeah, you heard me, her revenge.) In my reviews, I like to share a few spoiler-free quotes from the book that I related to, felt emotion from, or enjoyed to end things. Please enjoy these quotes from Rebirth:
- “I mourn that life, for what it was, could have been, and never was. But also for the person that I was then, for the innocence I had once upon a time that is now forever lost.”
- “But am I actually going to be able to call that place home? Because the more I think about it, the more I come to realize that’s all that I really want-a place to go home to, a place to belong.”
- “How come all the men in your previous life were so eager to get rid of you, love? So willing to sacrifice you for their own selfish needs.”

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rebirth, and I enjoyed Agnes Henbanes' writing style. Once again, please be mindful of the trigger warnings if you do choose to read this book, but for my dark and paranormal romance besties, I do hope you give it a chance. I highly recommend it, and I look forward to the next book.

[Pitoufa's Bookish Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the list of darkest books I've ever read, this one certainly takes the cake 👌 it might even be the darkest book I've read to date. Lots of gore, extremely graphic. Although the story is enjoyable, it certainly won't be for everyone. So, if you'd like to read it too, make sure to check the TWs list, and boy, is it LONG! In other words, proceed with caution. Reader discretion is highly advised. Don't go blaming the author because you felt too lazy or too proud to pay that specific list any mind.

He who, apparently, shall not be named — until the very end, and in what spectacular way was his name revealed 😭😍🔥— was quite the complex dude. Many aspects of his true identity still remain a mystery, which pairs up well with that cliffhanger ending, most likely leading to a sequel. He isn't human, and we don't know what he is, but that does not make him immune to pain or emotions. It's hard to understand his character. At times, he'd act vile and condescending, while other times, he'd be protective and caring.

Aeliana isn't your average female lead, ohhhh NO! She's a villainess in every sense of the word. It's bone-chilling and fascinating in equal measure how trauma and abuse can turn the purest of hearts into stone-cold ones. Her existence proves that monsters are not necessarily born, they can also be forged. I'm not usually a big fan of revenge and the price the opposing party has to pay sounds rather cruel, but I suppose that's her way of coming to terms with her agonizing past.

It looks like I'll have to wait for book two to find out what happens next. This was a grim, but quite enjoyable read ❤

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

This is a dark fantasy romance read that I really enjoyed! The characters in this book are some of my absolute favorites! He who shall not be named is very complex. He's dark, mysterious, cruel and at times caring. There's still a lot to learn about him and with the cliffhanger I can't wait for the next book! Aeliana is absolutely fascinating and extremely complex! I don't want to give too much away so that's all I'll say! This was one I really enjoyed but it's definitely not for everyone! It's dark and I'm telling you now it's what you think is dark times ten, there's gore and it's extremely graphic! So please check out the triggers list before you read it! Thank you Flying Pig Pr and Agnes Henbane for sharing this book with me!

[Sopha]

oh gosh… this was NOT for me
dnf @ 9%

[theromantasybookcorner._ · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗥𝗘𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗕𝗬 𝗔𝗚𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪

ᥫ᭡💙🖤💙ᥫ᭡
╔.✩. .═══════╗
✨✨𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬✨✨
╚═══════. .✩.╝
💙𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘺 𝘈𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘏𝘦𝘯𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘦

───────✨☆✨─────���─

📚📝✨𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊•𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒✨📝📚
💙𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝟷 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙻𝙾𝚂𝚃 𝚂𝙾𝚄𝙻𝚂 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂
🖤𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝙰𝙽𝙾𝚁𝙼𝙰𝙻 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴; 𝙷𝙾𝚁𝚁𝙾𝚁 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃��𝚂𝚈
💙𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝙾𝙲𝚃𝙾𝙱𝙴𝚁 𝟷𝟷𝚃𝙷 𝟸𝟶𝟹𝟺
╰┈➤𝙰𝚅𝙰𝙸𝙻𝙰𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙾𝙽 𝙺𝚄✨
🖤𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐘 𝐕𝐈𝐁𝐄𝐒: 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺; 𝚂𝚄𝚂𝙿𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙴𝙵𝚄𝙻; 𝙼𝚈𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙾𝚄𝚂; 𝙴𝙼𝙾𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝙰𝙻; 𝚂𝙰𝙳; 𝙴𝙼𝙾𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝙰𝙻𝙻𝚈 𝙶𝚁𝙸𝙿𝙿𝙸𝙽𝙶
💙𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐍𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑: 𝟹𝟿𝟹 𝙿𝙰𝙶𝙴𝚂
🖤𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄: 𝚂𝙻𝙾𝚆 𝙱𝚄𝚁𝙽; 𝙴𝙽𝙴𝙼𝙸𝙴𝚂 𝚃𝙾 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂; 𝙱𝙴𝙰𝚄𝚃𝚈 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝙴𝙰𝚂𝚃 𝚅𝙸𝙱𝙴𝚂; 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙲𝙴𝙳 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝚇𝙸𝙼𝙸𝚃𝚈; 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙴𝙽𝙶𝙴 𝙿𝙻𝙾𝚃; 𝙷𝙾𝚁𝚁𝙾𝚁 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈; 𝙰𝙽𝙶𝙴𝙻𝚂 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙳𝙴𝙼𝙾𝙽𝚂
💙𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ || 𝟻
🖤𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 𝟻

───────✨☆✨───────

𝑀𝑦 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠💭🧐
Thank you so much to @agnes.henbane & @rrbooktours for my gifted review copy of 𝑹𝒆𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒉! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.

First things first! I’ll start off by saying this book is DARK! Please ensure you check the trigger warnings before reading! Your mental health is important🫶🏻✨

With that being said, this book was WAY outside my usual genre as it contains elements of horror in it, BUT it was the PERFECT read for the mood I’m in right now! This book was a wild ride with lots of emotions embedded in it, and I just couldn’t put it down. Our FMC, who I won’t name because her name isn’t given until well into the book and I don’t want to ruin anything, is such an intriguing FMC and my heart went out to her in this book. Her story is devastating and her trauma has transformed her into the ultimate villainess and honestly, I was here for it. This book really highlights the way that trauma and pain can change a person. I think the way that Henbane wrote her made her really easy to understand- while I didn’t always agree with what she was doing, I definitely could see the why behind her actions.

Our MMC, who shall also remain nameless, was mysterious, and while he would burn the world down for her, there were a few things about him that I was a little unsure about. Overall, both characters are extremely well written and the fact that I didn’t 100% know how to feel about them sometimes made me really intrigued by them and their stories!

Henbane did a great job of building this world and story and the imagery used was quite… descriptive at times! Just be warned that certain parts are gorey!

Overall, I really enjoyed this one! It made me feel all the emotions and ultimately, I literally cannot stop thinking about it! This was a great read if you’re looking for something different and something that will keep you on your toes! Just be prepared for an emotional roller coaster!

───────✨☆✨───────

[Catherine Jagos · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I needed someone with the potential to be as… cruel and vicious as me.”

First off I am so honored and excited to be chosen to read this ARC!
I absolutely loved this dark fantasy romance! Not only does it have a completely unique magical system but it also has a unique (but relatable) fantasy world! Both aspects are written so beautifully that even though they are detailed and sometimes complex it is easy to read and understand. You can really tell the author put so much thought and effort into creating this magical system! I have to admire the artistry and the details! Amazing work!
The FMC completely surprised me! (In a good way) And the MMC is so predictably unpredictable I am absolutely in love.
If you are a fan of enemies to lovers and or dark romance you will be smitten too!

“You’ve got some bite to you after all,” he says with a smirk, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. His tongue darts out to lick it away, and a gasp catches in my throat.

Approaching the end I had that feeling that inevitably comes when there is a small amount of pages left on a book you know there is going to be a book two.
I was a hot mess reading the last few pages so quickly with just 1% on my kindle.
And OHHHHHH that ending left me thirsting to know what happens next!

Other reasons I love this book and you should read it:
-Dark Romance
-Blood -Lots of blood
-Villainous characters
-Enemies to lovers
-Delicious Revenge
-Spicy Spice
-Dueling is a love language
-Surprise PSL

[Nanii’s Book Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ↴
First Agnes book and I read this in one sitting. Had me hooked from the very beginning. These characters were so unhinged in my opinion, but I LOVED EVERY MINUTE of this book. It immediately starts with SH so be aware of that if that’s a trigger for you. Isra was insane and I’m still upset about what she did to Sophia.

Aeliana and Malakai…
I was NOT ready for how the relationship came to be. I was a little shocked that the relationship was so abusive–not that it even started out right to begin with. Once they were alone it was like one second, they’re talking and the next they’re beating the crap out of each other (this is putting it mildly). The relationship was a little insane but overall, it was a great read. Agnes is such a great writer, and I can’t wait to read more of her work.

Please read the content warnings before picking up this book.

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫 ↴
This is an Advanced Reader copy. Although this book was given to me as an ARC my thoughts are my own. Thank you to Agnes Henbane and Flying Pig PR for the ARC opportunity!

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 ✎
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 ⇝ ★★★★★
𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 ⇝ 393
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭 ⇝ e-Book
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 ⇝ Oct. 11th, 2024

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 ↴
🩸 Revenge Plot
🥀 Horror Fantasy
🩸 Villain Era FMC
🥀 Forced Proximity
🩸 Morally Black MMC
🥀 Demons and Angels
🩸 Marriage of Convenience

[Liz | ᥫ᭡reakawayreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝘉𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘮𝘦, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦.

𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴, “вєнανє.” - - OMFG
•
•
This is among one of the darkest books I’ve ever read—possibly the darkest? It’s graphic and filled with gore, so it’s not for everyone. If you’re curious, check the extensive TWs first; don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The mysterious figure—unnamed until a stunning reveal—is complex and emotionally layered. He’s not human but feels deeply, swinging between cruel and protective, leaving you questioning his true nature.

Aeliana is the ultimate villainess, chillingly transformed by trauma. Her journey into revenge reflects her struggle with a painful past, showcasing the lengths one might go to reclaim power.

If you love dark romance with a side of horror and gore and possibly Stockholm syndrome, then this is the perfect read for you!!

• Dark paranormal romance 🌑❤️

• Beauty and the Beast 🦁🌹

• Horror fantasy 👻📖

• Angels & demons 😇😈

• Slow burn enemies to lovers 🔥💔

• Forced proximity 🏠✨

• Revenge plot 🔪
•••••••
•
Special thank you to the author and R&R Book Tours for allowing me to feature this wild yet thrilling book!! ✨🖤

[jess.readstoomuch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Flying Pig Pr and Agnes Henbane for the gifted book. #rebirth #flyingpigpr

Her first life, her human life, was nothing like the fairy tales. It may have started the same—“Once upon a time, I fell in love…”—but devolved into a nightmare where she was mistreated and eventually discarded by her so-called husband. She quickly learned there are no happily-ever-afters.

Searching for an escape, she finds herself faced with a second chance, but one that is more like a gilded cage than a fresh start. She wakes in an unknown place with no memory of her old life or awareness of where she is.

The man who brought her here showers her with both his magic and cruelty once she's proven herself worthy of his attention, shaping her to suit his needs.

There is nothing she won’t do to reclaim what’s hers and break free from the bloodred hands that imprison her.

This book is incredible! The author did a fantastic job of describing the characters and the world around them. They're so beautifully written, I love some characters more than I probably should.

I would 100% recommend this book to lovers of dark romances but please, read the trigger warnings beforehand. This book is DARK and gets rather graphic at times.

Definitely a perfect spooky season read!

[Jody Diakow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a dark dark read and a most intriguing departure from my usual genres. Make sure to read the TWs to make sure this is the book for you. There are several graphic violent scenes that, while integral to the play, may upset some readers. Proceed with what is best for you. Note that this book ends on a cliffhanger and at the time of review, the second book has not been released, so if you prefer to read all books in a series, suggest you wait because the cliffhanger is a doozy.


Our FMC awakes after literally watching herself be dismantled, reassembled and reborn. Held in a mysterious home with two strange female companions, the discovery that she can do magic creates an interesting tether between her and the other characters, including the unnamed MMC that appears pathway through the book. It would be easy to write this character as a victim, but the author wisely shift the narrative to have her find her villainy not so far below the surface, which creates some shocking developments. We don't learn her name or backstory until several chapters in, which seemed normal given the rebirth and her own fuzzy/nonexistent memories of her previous life.

As mentioned in other reviews, the underlying relationship between FMC and MMC is very disturbing (there is no other way to describe it). They each need something from the other in order to survive and escape, and are each willing to do anything for and to the other to get to the end game. I would have loved to learn more about the development of the FMC's magical abilities, at times this was glossed over and suddenly she had new abilities. I'm not sure if this was intentional but it did create spots in the book where I had to go back and reread chapters to make sure I hadn't missed details.


Note: I was gifted an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would recommend this book to readers who already enjoy very dark romance and dark fantasy.

[Bibliomania143 · Rating 4 out of 5]

No, no, no! Why did this book have to end on a cliffhanger? 😭 I need to know what happens next! I just finished it, and it's already driving me crazy! The story had this wonderfully strange, almost creepy vibe at times, in the best way possible. It hooked me right from the beginning, and I kept wanting more with every page. The prologue was especially eerie—totally confusing, honestly, but in a way that left me intrigued.

The book keeps so much under wraps, even the main characters’ names! The suspense builds up beautifully, leaving you constantly on edge and craving more of the story. I enjoyed it, but it’s definitely unique from what I usually read—probably my first taste of something this bizarre and magical. The hero is this hot, moody, morally gray character, and the heroine is equally tough. I loved seeing her get a second chance to avenge herself.

One thing I didn’t love was the lack of side characters. After a while, it felt like only the two characters were there in the story. But overall, it’s worth reading—just make sure to check for any triggers. And heads up: there’s a lot of blood. Seriously, a lot. And, again, I can’t get over that cliffhanger ending 😢

[Elva Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebirth intrigued me from the start with its eerie and atmospheric world-building, pulling me into its gothic charm. Henbane has a knack for creating dark, moody settings that almost feel like characters themselves. The main storyline held my attention, weaving elements of horror and romance, which kept things tense yet captivating. I especially appreciated how she blurred the lines between life and death, reality and nightmare.

That said, the pacing was a bit uneven. Some parts felt drawn out, making it hard to stay fully immersed in the narrative. The protagonist had great potential but sometimes came across as a little too distant or unrelatable, which made it challenging to fully invest in her journey.

Overall, I enjoyed the book’s unique take on resurrection and transformation, but it left me wanting a bit more depth in character development and consistency in pacing. If you’re into moody, gothic vibes with a mix of supernatural elements, Rebirth is worth picking up—just be prepared for a slower ride.

[Chelsey Low · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was sent to me by Flying Pig PR, thank you!

A dark paranormal romance filled with magic and spice...
Rebirth by @agnes.henbane is now available and included with kindleunlimited.

MIND THE TRIGGER WARNINGS.

I had some issues with this book, and maybe it’s because I don’t read a ton of paranormal romance. Mix it with horror fantasy and you have Rebirth by Agnes Henbane. The characters were extremely flawed and they embraced it wholeheartedly. The relationship in this story was extremely abusive, and the fmc herself was so explosive I found myself becoming more annoyed with her as the story went on. The first 40% of the book I was very confused about what was happening, why Sophia and Isra had to die, and then the level of vicious and cruel the fmc actually was. There were many scenes that deserved more explanation and detail, but other scenes had me hooked and forced me to keep reading so I would know what happened next. Overall, I feel like it was an alright book, I would recommend it to anyone who thrives off horror, blood and gore. Blood play just isn’t for me!

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this was like savoring a delicious piece of dark chocolate - not for everyone, but an enjoyable experience if it’s up your alley. I found myself caught up in the story fairly quickly, and before I knew it, I’d reached the cliffhanger ending, but at least one mystery was solved (no spoilers). Our FMC has been through so much, and even though she wakes with amnesia, she’s git grit, determination, and some of her own darkness driving her forward. (I’m not using her name, because we aren’t given one for her for quite a bit, and I don’t want to ruin the surprise). Henbane did an excellent job giving us insight into her state of mind, and while you might not always like her, it makes it easier to understand her. The imagery is so vivid at times, that the gorey parts might twist your stomach a bit. The story itself moves along smoothly, and the tension is kept high cover to cover. I’m dying to read book two now!

[Shatana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diving into this was like enjoying a rich piece of dark chocolate—definitely not for everyone, but a treat if it suits your taste. I got hooked on the story pretty fast, and before I knew it, I hit the cliffhanger ending, though at least one mystery got wrapped up (no spoilers here). Our main character has faced a lot, and even with amnesia, she’s got grit, determination, and a bit of her own darkness pushing her ahead. I won’t mention her name since it’s kept under wraps for a while, and I don’t want to spoil the fun. Henbane did a fantastic job of giving us a peek into her mindset, and while she might not always be likable, it helps to understand her better. The imagery can be so intense that some of the gory bits might make your stomach churn. The story flows really well, keeping the tension high from start to finish. I can’t wait to get my hands on book two!

[Sherley's Reading Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a little different from my usual reads but I did enjoy it overall. While reading, I had to take some breaks because this was a little too dark for me at times, but I pushed through because I found the story intriguing. I am happy I did. Though this is my first time reading this author's work, I found that she did a great job with the plot and her representation of such complex and morally grey characters. Be forewarned that this is not your typical romance. It is a dark paranormal romance filled with mystery, magic, trauma, gore, and horror.

This book would be perfect if you enjoy:
🖤 Beauty and the Beast Retellings
🖤 Slow Burn Enemies to Lovers
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Revenge Plot
🖤 Unique Magic System
🖤 Marriage of Convenience
🖤 Horror Fantasy
🖤 Dark Paranormal Romance

I would recommend this but please read the TW before reading.

[Aussie · Rating 5 out of 5]

- does have content warnings
-this book is a dark paranormal romance but with a touch of horror fantasy aswell as enemies to lovers and a very unique magic system
- I devoured  this book I a few hours as the story line was soo good and had me hooked like glue
- I wasn't prepare for the ending and now I need book 2
- this book had me questioned everything  that I thought I knew
- I thought I was losing my sanity when I was reading this book as I have no idea for half of things that happen in book
- I love how there was lot of world building as the magic and the world were very unique  but so perfect
-I love the tension between the main characters as it's started of slow burn but then it's then the most amazing way .
- The MFC character was growing  and changing as the you get more in depth with the storyline
- I became obsessed with her at the end of the book of who is became

[Angela Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is dark. Darker than Den of Vipers but in a completely different way. I will admit I didn’t refresh my brain on what the book was about, and it took me a minute to figure it out, but I enjoyed the ride. Our female main character, who is nameless for the first part, essentially wakes up in purgatory with no memory of her life. She’s dead, or at least she thinks she is, and she’s now trapped in some strange underworld with one demon and two other women. The things that these four like that are crazy. One of the women is her guide of sorts, and the other one is just beyond crazy, even in this afterlife. Eventually, she’s the last woman standing and is learning to master her magic. What could she possibly need magic for when she’s in a locked-down afterlife prison? To help her and her demon break out! I’m definitely looking forward to book two!

[Lisa Conant · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5

What I really dug in this was that there was no shying away from a bit of the gore but it was also purposeful to the story. We have a strong and focused central FMC. The amnesia aspect and where she's being held was highly intriguing. The world was very vivid and how the magic system and her abilities developed was well thought out and gradual.

I do think keeping the MMC out of it for so long felt like it lessened his impact. He was kind of too mysterious for most of this. Because of that, I couldn't latch on to their chemistry as much. Her vengefulness also seemed too extreme as well, which made her less of a likable person for me.

I mostly loved the unique vibe of this horror fantasy, it stands out in its own world!

[Elisa ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s the first-ever dark romance coming in HOT—lots of gore, and highly graphic. If you are considering adding this book to your TBR, please read the trigger warnings before jumping in. The list is extensive, and if you do not read it and are triggered, do not blame the author. Enjoy if you read the trigger warnings and are okay with everything happening! Our MMC is nameless until the end. Subtle clues are left throughout, and boy, I had fun guessing (I was pretty close, given the clues).
Aeliana, our FMC, is NOT the hero; she is a villainess. Refrain from being confused. When people say, “Evil isn’t born, it is made,” that can be said about villains, too.

When I got to the end, I did keep swiping on my Kindle in hopes there was another page; I’ll be waiting for book two!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was addicting from the beginning. I really enjoy a good dark paranormal romance. I loved all of the tropes that this book has. The prologue was intense but it was good, it’s what definitely grabbed me to keep on reading. Agnes has a really good writing style. She knows how to pull her readers in and keep them.
I hated that Henry kept coming to her mind. Isra kinda makes me mad with how rude she is. There was so much emotion in this book. I couldn’t get enough of it. My emotions were all over the place with this one. It’s definitely one that will stay with me.

[Lois Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very dark book. A young woman on the brink of taking her own life agrees to be saved at a cost. She is taken out of the life she knows and thrust into a whole new world where the other women are rivals for the affection of one man. She wants revenge and is will to work hard to learn to control her new magic in order to seek it. there was a lot of world building and blood and learning a new magic system. It ended on slight cliff hangar and I’m curious to see what happens next.

[nvl_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very dark paranormal romance, so please check the trigger warning before reading. The writing style of the author was descriptive and engaging. There was a lot of gore in this and it reminds me more of a horror. The characters are well developed and I’m not sure how I feel about them. We don’t meet the mmc until late in the book so it’s hard to become invested. It ended on a cliffhanger and I’m intrigued so I can’t wait to see how this plays out.

[Morgan Bronson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars Wow this was unlike anything I’ve read before. This is DARK and PLEASE check the trigger warnings! There is a lot of time spent on the FMC learning spells. Her story is heartbreaking and I don’t blame her for wanting revenge on the man who wronged her. I have a love/hate relationship with the MMC. He’s loyal and will burn the world down for her but has MANY flaws. Ends on a cliffhanger and I want to know more!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this and cannot wait for the next one!

It was darker than I anticipated going in, which was a nice surprise, but definitely be mindful of the trigger warnings.

I enjoyed the writing style as well as the storyline. It does take a while to actually understand what’s going on, not that I fully understand even now.

[Ember Skies · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. I've never ever read a horror fantasy before. This was absolutely 🤌🏻 chefs kiss. I was hooked from the first page of the prologue! The writing and detail itself was phenomenally done. The characters were lovely. I loved loved loved the FMC.
Very much worth the read!
5⭐
3🌶️

[jennifer langdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

That's one way to get revenge.

This was a great read. It was dark and gritty with lots of gore.
The characters were unhinged, and I was here for it all.

The world building was fantastic, and the authors writing was very descriptive and vivid it had me captivated throughout.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn, Agnes really said “hold my beer” and went feral with this one. The way she paints a scene is unreal. You can see everything like it’s playing in front of you. Speaking of seeing… yeah, there’s some eyeball stuff 🤪. I’m braced for it now.

The FMC is brilliant, calculated & deep in her villain era and somehow you’re still cheering her on like, “yeah girl, get ‘em.” After everything she’s been through, you get it. Meanwhile, the MMC… whew. Can’t decide if I trust him or want to lock my doors. Even now, I’m still trying to figure that man out.

Book 2 cannot get here fast enough.