Blood Tether: harem inversé paranormal (Descente Maudite t. 1)

Cursed Descent: MistHallow Academy #1

by Eve Newton, Catin Publishing (translator)

L'Académie MistHallow sera mon sanctuaire, un endroit pour me cacher des plans sinistres de ma famille concernant ma magie sauvage.
C'était le plan, du moins. Mais au lieu de cela, je me suis retrouvée prise dans une toile de désirs sombres et de secrets mortels.Ils sont partout — dans mes cours, mes rêves, mon sang. Trois hommes, chacun plus dangereux que le précédent, qui me tournent autour comme des prédateurs traquant leur proie.

Vex : l'assistant d'enseignement sorcier noir, dont les yeux bleus promettent du plaisir avec une emphase sur la douleur. Sa peau marquée de runes crie le danger, et je ne peux pas détourner le regard.
Luc : mi-incube, mi-royauté démoniaque de sang pur, dont le goût pour le sang est plus pour le plaisir que pour la survie. Il convoite le chaos de mon pouvoir indompté, mais sa haine pour son demi-frère, Draven, est sans égale.
Draven : le nécromancien dont le toucher provoque des frissons de peur et d'excitation. Derrière ces yeux trop bleus se cachent des ambitions qui pourraient briser la frontière entre la vie et la mort.Je devrais fuir, mais leur attraction est irrésistible. À chaque leçon de magie noire, à chaque caresse interdite, je suis attirée plus profondément dans leur monde. Mon pouvoir leur répond, devenant plus fort, plus imprévisible, et est la clé pour démêler d'anciennes malédictions et libérer des forces au-delà de notre contrôle.À MistHallow, les leçons ne sont pas seulement dangereuses — elles sont mortelles. Je suis sur le point de recevoir un cours accéléré de survie.

Si vous aimez les romances qui s'enflamment rapidement, le désir instantané, la possessivité immédiate des personnages masculins principaux, une héroïne avec du caractère, des échanges pleins d'esprit, et des hommes qui mettent de côté leurs différends pour la femme qu'ils désirent, alors c'est définitivement une lecture incontournable.

Ceci est le premier livre d'une nouvelle série de romance paranormale sombre en trois tomes avec plusieurs partenaires par Eve Newton, auteure à succès du USA Today. Vous rencontrerez des avertissements de contenu, veuillez consulter l'intérieur pour plus de détails.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Why Choose, Dark Romance, Magic, Paranormal, Vampires

504 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2025

About the author

Eve is a USA Today Bestselling Author with a specialty for steamy romance with strong female leads.

She lives in the UK, with her husband and five kids, so finding the time to write is short, but definitely sweet. Eve has a number of series, both completed and on the go and hopes to release some new and exciting projects, both paranormal and contemporary in the future, so stay tuned!

Facebook: http://facebook.com/groups/sinfullyde...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorEve

Eve also writes under the name S.E. Traynor

Reviews

[Celeste · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope

This was just not for me.

Fast paced, contradictory, zero world building, total waste of an academy setting, excessive use of the words dark and evil and way to much smut for me.

Honestly this entire story didn't need to be set in academy. It could just as easily been a halfway house, an estate or a freaking inn. Thr main characters go to one class, don't interact with any other students and just basically get thrown into a bunch of things that make very little sense.

Also, no one who has been SA'd jumps into a ONS with a stranger literally an hour after being assaulted. It was ridiculous.

[C B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Story by Eve!

Matilda grew up believing she was a worthless witch with weak Magick. However, Tilly was anything but worthless and weak.

On the run from her abusive family and a nasty warlock, Tilly runs into Draven, and Prince of Hell, who whisks her away to MistHallow Academy. The drive isn't long and they claim each other quickly.

At MistHallow, Tilly meets Luc, Draven's half-brother, another Prince of Hell. Curious about the girl who his brother claimed. Luc is weary when he finds himself wanting her as well.

When Matilda seems to be a magick dud in one of her classes, Vex steps in to help her release whatever is stopping her magick. It isn't long before Vex also makes a claim on Tilly.

Together these four, unblock Tilly's power and face trials that reveal who they truly are. When their destinies are revealed, they have some decisions to make.

This entire story had me enraptured and I devoured it quickly. As always, Eve Newton does not disappoint. I was happy to read about Vex again, and I absolutely adored Tilly. Can't wait for the next one!

[Mona Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Tether

Vex is mine....just needed to put that out there. This book starts out with an escape, very hot meet (instead of cute meet) and then back to our favorite school of mystery Misthallow, where things are not what they seem, like ever. Matilda has always thought she was a magical dud, but once she gets away from her family, things change. Enter a couple princes Draven and Luc and our favorite TA Vex and let's just say everything turns up hotter. And of course we have a nasty bit of stuff going on, and we don't know all the players yet. Once I started couldn't stop

[Sarah Anne]

DNF @ 6%

Didn't jive with the writing. Also, I'm all for instalove/instalust if it actually makes sense (fated mates) and not a character doing a 180º no explanation. Like if you've established the MMC is a scary asshole when meeting the FMC for the first time, you can't just have him turn into a completely different person, not even a paragraph later. There needs to be continuity.

Feb 3, 2025

[Spasticnontastic · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Migeldy Mauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 ⭐️

Remember those paranormal parody movies ? Blood tether gave that. The beginning of the book was okay but then the pacing went to mierda. Like how you go from getting SAd and not even an hour later you're banging some random guy you just met 7 ways to Sunday ?
I'm also not a fan of fast burn, insta love tropes they annoy the living hell out of me.
Also Vex bonding them together without their consent through me off. I'll continue the series because I want to know who was the catacombs chamber with them but I hope this improves.

[Trish Bannister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, decadent and lots of heat!

Out of all the Misthollow series, the Cursed Decent crew may be the darkest of them all!!! My heart was instantly breaking for Matilda… No one should have to deal with what she did and watching her draw on her inner strength and confidence had me cheering on the sidelines. I loved the instant dynamic between Draven and Matilda, the dynamic between Luc and Draven and then there is the dark and dreamy Vex. I love the connection he has with Professor Blackthorn and we get glimpses into his past. Eve never fails to create a thrilling and steamy story and I can not wait to dig into the next book in the series!!!!

[Michaella Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ya know that moment when your just beyond engrossed in a book that you don’t even realize you skipped food for the day, haven’t moved from the same spot your husband left you in and your still in your jammies!!!!! Yeah okay so that’s this!!!
We are back in the academy, a place that just keeps getting with the twisted things. As always with Eve books we know she is skilled at the surprise twist and turns and this does not disappoint.
The story line and the smut keep you so wrapped up I promise you won’t put it down… in fact you may groan in disappointment when it’s the end!!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

((Fans herself)) Yes we finally get some more of Vex!! I've been dying to get my hands on his books for flaming ages and boy was it worth the wait.

Matilda (FMC) has had a difficult road that led her to MistHallow Academy (not counting a steamy detour with Draven) but its whilst she's there that some things become apparent about her and her magic. It doesn't hurt that she has 3 hot guys all vying for her attention either. Knockout plot twists and a naughty cliff-hanger that completely came out of left field!! Threw me. It was one hell (pun intended!!) of a start to this series. Loved It.

[Erin Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

must read!

Love Matilda! Despite all her family put her through she is strong and resilient, and she found 3 guys who will do anything for her to protect her. This has got to be one of my most favorite books by Eve yet! Love the brothers and their complicated relationships, love we are getting more of Vex and his story after we got introduced to him in previous books. And we get more guest appearances by Professor Blackthorn and the mysterious depths of the library! Definitely a must read!

[Lisa Clostermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down!! Was so engrossed I didn’t even realise I’d reached the end of the book, until my kindle wouldn’t turn any more pages.
We have Hell Princes, a dark warlock and a powerful witch who thinks she has wonky magic. The interactions between the guys gives you a good giggle but Tilly takes no nonsense from any of them!
I want Tilly’s familiar! He sounds so cute.

[Alonna Irizarry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Paranormal/ why choose/ college/ insta lust/ MFM/ MFMM/ chosen one/ cliffhanger

Trigger warning: SA/ attempted r*pe/ abuse/ neglectful parenting/ blood play

I couldn’t get into this one for some reason. The characters were just ok and the storyline was a bit confusing. Maybe I’m just not in the right headspace for this one.

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

fast burn, fast plot, heavy spice, shallow characters and story, but a fun 🔥 ride might read next book.

[Emma ྀིྀི · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story is cool, huh, but what I hate about Why Choose Dark books like this is that the male protagonists most of the time have really…. damnable words, actually 😬 like they say reprehensible things, right? And they are so toxic, possessive, so… yuck, no, I can't

……………………………………………………………………………………

L’histoire est cool hein, mais ce que je déteste dans les why choose dark comme ça c’est que les protagonistes masculin ont la plupart du temps des paroles hyper …. Ba condamnable enfaite 😬 genre ils disent des trucs de dingue fin non enft ? Et ils sont tellement toxiques possessifs tellement… beurk non je peux pas

[Michelle Baker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Opens with on page rape from her brother, in details. No thanks.

[Artemissia G · Rating 1 out of 5]

Je n’ai pas aimé ce roman. Je suis fan des harems inversés et des univers sombres, mais là, ça n’a pas fonctionné avec moi. Je n’ai pas aimé l’héroïne que j’ai trouvé trop mièvre et la romance tombe vraiment de nulle part avec les trois protagonistes. Que ça aille vite n’est pas un problème en soi, mais quand c’est bien amené. Là, ça tombe juste comme ça.
Bref. Dans mon cas, c’est une déception et je ne lirai pas la suite.

[rozie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at chapter 2. WTF FMC runs away from shitty home life after getting sexually assaulted by her brothers best friend. Meets a stranger on the road who offered to give her a ride then she basically does the same thing to the stranger?? Like out of nowhere? I know this was fast paced but damn.

[Ericka · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think this was my quickest DNF.

[Bluebyyou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out really rough (and kinda icky) but eventually smoothed out somewhat to become intriguing.

Good
1) Cover is gorgeous
2) Setting added great atmosphere
3) The trials were fascinating and did a beautiful job fleshing out the male leads
4) The nickname 'honey witch' was adorable and sweet (and not infantalizing!).

Neutral
1) This is not a stand-alone story; it is the FIRST THIRD of a single complete story.

Mixed
1) Writing alternated between competent and seriously poor
2) Storytelling started out as juvenile edginess turned up to eleven and then dialed back about halfway thru to become engaging and intriguing. (It was weird, like a teen wrote the first half and an adult wrote the second half.)
3) Smut ranged from tedious to wild, both with a side of ick due to the female lead's prior sexual abuse and the male leads' coercing her into the same act.

Bad
1) World-building needed serious work
2) Plot was discordant, often contrary and all over the map to the point that I was not buying the issue and solution it was selling.
3) And, because this was only the first third of the story, there was no resolution... to anything!
4) Female lead was soft, reactive and spent most of the story as a victim looking to trade sex for caring. Unlike what the author tells you, she does not have a backbone. Instead she rolls over for any male who pays her any attention as long as it is only covertly abusive and includes praise rather than overtly abusive.
5) Male leads were all sexual predators (and the use of 'little girl' during sex just made it feel more exploitive). Nor were they badasses, they were just asses.
6) No relationship-building just insta-lust with a side of grand declarations based on air and fairy farts.
7) Eleven inch cock? Really? She's 5 feet 2 inches tall with a delicate build so unless she has a pocket dimension in her crotch and another in her ass, balls deep ain't happening in either of those places! (I swear some of these authors do not understand how things down there work.)

I wouldn't recommend it for the first half because that was pretty awful but the second half was pretty good soooo... I am going to read the next one and get back to you. /grin

Okay, I am back after having read the whole trilogy and it does end up being pretty interesting and inventive, although somewhat repetitive. I definitely recommend to fans of Cate Corvin's 'The Cimmerian Cage' series and Lyra Winter's 'Fate Hallow Academy' series.

[MaCayla Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes!! Eve has out done herself again!! We are back in MistHallow Academy and the magic is darker and weirder than before. I wonder what she has in store for us this time.

Matilda (Tilly)-her character has so many levels, it was wonderful reading her shed those layers. She goes through so much trauma before she is able to be free and see what she is really able to do. I enjoyed her character, can not wait to learn more.

Vex-oh this hunk of dark magic warlock! We knew about him from Poison Ivy and just getting glimpses of him was just not enough. Now we get to get to know him sooo much more. I knew he was going to be a force to be reckoned with and hot sauce I was right. I love watching him show everyone that he is the most powerful and smarter than everyone else, except for Professor Blackthorn.

Draven- now that is one spicy necromancer! Since the beginning of this book I knew he was going to up there with Vex. I love watching him become more and more emotional. We seen so many different sides of him in this book that it is making me crave more!

Luc- he makes me want to shake him and kiss him at the same time. He was infuriating at the beginning but once he had his little break through with Tilly I knew he was going to be amazing for all of them!

Professor Blackthorn-ohhhh more of Daddy Luke!! I swear he is just a mysterious perfection!! Can not wait to see what Is next for him!

Professor Night- I don't trust him, something is off with his character and it smells rotten.

Familiar- he is my favorite, he deserves all the raw meat. I saw we let him he the rotten teachers and Tilly's family!

If you haven't started reading this yet, you are highly missing out. This has been such an adventure and I am so sad that I read it so quickly! I highly recommend this book and author!!! Happy Chaos everyone!!

[Magan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! It has plot, action, spice and magic! I cant wait to read the next one, warning the ending is a cliffhanger.
Fmc: Matilda aka Tilly, grew up with an abusive family that suppressed her powers! When she finally escapes she goes the school of magic where fate sends her not one but three men that will protect her at all cost. And finally Tilly starts to see what she’s worth and gets the confidence she needs not only in herself but also her powers. Little did they know they had a much bigger roll to play.
Mmc: vex, Draven and luc all strong black magic wielders. Fate has brought them to Tilly in some form or fashion, and they are all very confident they want Tilly. Vex is definitely my favorite! He won’t let anyone stand in the way of what he wants. Draven “prince of hell” claimed her first but refuses to lock her in a cage when she’s just now finding her freedom. He’s also pretty blocked off because of some past trauma. Luc also “prince of hell” just wants to be wanted instead of having to use his succubus powers to take. Will the two brothers be able to drop their brotherly rivalry to keep the girl they want and protect her from the powers that threaten to consume her?

[Kristen Dalrymple · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lot! So much happened! She went to the academy to escape and abusive house and family. Met a prince of hell on the way who said it was fate. She got put in an advanced dark magic class even though her magic was weak and has no dark magic. Meeting the TA who is intrigued and protective again seemingly like fate. Then you have Pestilence who goes to visit her and says that she can bring the brother together. Being in Luc the incubus and Draven’s brother. He sees her as a challenge but one that he wants to know and that he wants to really know and choose him. They go down to the cavern together once they realize she has powerful old magic. They are all tested and she reads a prophecy about them and a curse. They found out that her pendant was not only suppressing her magic but siphoning it as well, and her sister sent her to the academy to awake the magic underneath. They go back underneath and she leaves her demon familiar with the headmaster. Once down there the old Druid awakens and all help breaks loose.

[Melo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmm

For some reason this story reads like it was written by two people. Perhaps there were two different drafts and gelling them together wasn't smooth.

The transition of Matilda going from a beaten down heroine to a self assured one happened in the blink of an eye. That journey you take with the heroine, watching her character grow, rooting for her and getting feels.... It just wasn't there. For all the abuse she went through, she seems well balanced to me...

All that being said the magical side of this read was interesting. Powers this strong tends to end up being of gods and goddesses. I am interested in knowing why her? after, well... we don't actually know how long since this wheel started turning. (See what I did there, no spoilers)

The MMCs outside the bedroom are actually quite tame. I'm a bit pouty about that. So much power and they act normal...ish...

Book 2 is out soon, let's hope it's epic.

[Simply Adventures · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

would I recommend? Yes.
Would I read again? No but ill finish the series.

so definitely check the TW >! there is an onpage SA attempted R between FMC & her brother warlock friend!<




random thoughts:

-they all have 1 (or 2) nicknames for FMC.
- so it's weird kind of because sometimes I ask for consent permission and sometimes it feels like they don't or at least they don't until after they've already done it.
- her family Dynamic feels like we're kind of thrown into that in the beginning of the book without knowing a lot of information. it feels like the World building is kind of a lacking in this book and there's more focus on the storyline instead of building the world which would really helpful the story together.
- the story outside the first chapter or two is pretty good it does feel like we're not really connected to the characters even though the story is almost 500 pages and has two more books. I definitely do plan on reading more though.

[Leopardwolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a book has you so engrossed

you forget to breathe in places. When you're so ensnared in the story that you forget where you are and scream when your cat touches your leg.
Yep both these things happened to me while i was reading about Tilly, Vex, Draven and Luc. This author has a magickal way of capturing my attention and refusing to let me go. The storyline is captivating and the characters are firmly in my heart and soul.
I was so captivated by the storyline that the 'credits' at the back of the book took me by surprise - like a jump scare but with words saying about the next book - I'm not good with words, I'm a reader and no way a writer but I hope you can understand what I'm saying. A definite must read for anyone who wants to escape reality and go on an amazing adventure in the minds of one of the best authors I have ever come across.

[Carmen Alicea · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love your romances with fast burn, wicked tension, and a heroine who takes no nonsense, Blood Tether is your next obsession. Set in the deadly halls of MistHallow Academy, this book sizzles with dark magic, forbidden desires, and a love quadrangle that's as complicated as it is irresistible.

Matilda dives headfirst into chaos, caught between three sinfully dangerous men: Vex, the dark and brooding warlock TA; Luc, the half-incubus prince with a taste for blood and chaos; and Draven, the necromancer whose touch is equally thrilling and terrifying. Together, they'll challenge her power, push her limits, and set the pages on fire.

With its sharp wit, steamy romance, and a heroine who owns her strength, Blood Tether is a must-read for fans of dark academia vibes and possessive, swoon-worthy heroes. Proceed with caution you won't be able to stop at just one chapter!

[Kristin E. Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

MistHallow Academy

Hard to review. Decent plot buried under awkward writing style. Lots of tropes, rh, magic, childhood abuse, academy, sentient tunnels under library, royalty. 21 year old abused heroine escapes her magical family and ends up in a magic Academy. She meets three powerful students, 2 are princes of hell. Everybody has mysterious hidden backgrounds that leak out during trials in a cave under the library. None of the characters are particularly likable in this first book. She's been orally abused for three years, but immediately enjoys spicy times with her men, although she refers to them as debauchery and violations? There are a few interesting plot twists, and a big bad is introduced to encourage reading on.

[Kimberli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start

As the first book in the series, this is a pretty good start. The author warned that it was a fast burn and it definitely was that. While under normal circumstances I wouldn't care about a fast burn, especially since I was warned, I thought it was a little strange because Matilda didn't have a lot of experience with sex. She said she'd had sex once, to lose her virginity. But, otherwise, she had only had forced oral sex. So jumping the first guy you come across once you're free is a little odd.

Anyway, I'm curious to see where the plot is leading us. Right now I'm not a fan of any of the characters. But the first book sets things up and I'm willing to give it a chance.

[*＊✿❀ Q ❀✿＊* · Rating 3 out of 5]

If demon necromancer prince bad, why make sexy? 😭

I picked this cause I was in the mood for something smutty. I was wholeheartedly expecting to read nothing but debauchery and filth. I had no idea the plot was going to take off the way it did! Hooked me from beginning to end. There are definitely some themes in here that made me a bit uncomfortable—and I can handle some pretty wild stuff so check the trigger warnings and keep that in mind. I’ll also add that there’s nothing slow burn about this. It’s very much insta-everything which bothered me to no end but the book details did warn me. I just didn’t think it’d be THAT instant 😂

All in all I enjoyed the story. I’m definitely going to continue reading the series. Let’s hope book 2 doesn’t fall flat 🤞🏾

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF

I think this book has some really good starting points, but does not deliver. As a lot of people said, the FMC goes from running away to diving headfirst into danger with zero training. MMCs had very little depth IMO - all broody, busy measuring their c**ks and flexing their powers rather than helping to prepare FMC for the big epic quest. FMCs bad ass sidekick is immediately left in a room because the boys were nervous? But they didn’t want her to go in the first place? So one of the things that could protect her is left behind because they were scared of it?
Yeah. Not for me. The growth of the FMC felt forced and insincere, constantly checking in with the instalove boyfriends for permission.