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Blade of Shadows #4.5
Sweet Venom of Time
The highly anticipated love story of Roman and Marcellious' parents...in the Blade of Shadows Saga.
In a world where time is both a weapon and a curse, and shadows whisper of betrayal, Elizabeth Alexander’s destiny was written in blood—but she was born to defy it. As the daughter of England’s most ruthless Timehunter leader, Elizabeth’s life has been shaped by deception and power. Yet everything changes when she crosses paths with Amir Hassan—a vengeful shadow sworn to dismantle her father’s empire, piece by bloody piece.
Amir has spent years as a force of destruction, hunting the leaders of the Timehunter Society in the name of justice. But his mission falters when fate entwines him with Elizabeth, the daughter of his greatest adversary. Their connection is forbidden—a volatile spark in a world already teetering on the edge of chaos.
As Elizabeth and Amir conspire to bring down the Timehunter Society from within, they find themselves ensnared in a dangerous web of deadly secrets and treachery. Their forbidden love becomes their greatest strength—and their deepest vulnerability—as enemies close in and the shadows threaten to consume them.
In a world where loyalty is bought with blood and secrets can shatter empires, Elizabeth and Amir must decide—Will they fight for their love, or will the darkness of their pasts destroy them both?
In a world where time is both a weapon and a curse, and shadows whisper of betrayal, Elizabeth Alexander’s destiny was written in blood—but she was born to defy it. As the daughter of England’s most ruthless Timehunter leader, Elizabeth’s life has been shaped by deception and power. Yet everything changes when she crosses paths with Amir Hassan—a vengeful shadow sworn to dismantle her father’s empire, piece by bloody piece.
Amir has spent years as a force of destruction, hunting the leaders of the Timehunter Society in the name of justice. But his mission falters when fate entwines him with Elizabeth, the daughter of his greatest adversary. Their connection is forbidden—a volatile spark in a world already teetering on the edge of chaos.
As Elizabeth and Amir conspire to bring down the Timehunter Society from within, they find themselves ensnared in a dangerous web of deadly secrets and treachery. Their forbidden love becomes their greatest strength—and their deepest vulnerability—as enemies close in and the shadows threaten to consume them.
In a world where loyalty is bought with blood and secrets can shatter empires, Elizabeth and Amir must decide—Will they fight for their love, or will the darkness of their pasts destroy them both?
582 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2025
99 people are currently reading
535 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 8, 2025
Will they fight for their love or will the darkness of their past destroy them!
Another masterpiece in the blade of shadows series by Sara Samuels
Sweet Venom of Time follows the life of Roman and Marcellus’s parents which is a whole new level of insight into the series. I always enjoy a great forbidden love story with a bit of enemies to lovers. Come on, how can you not fall madly in love with your family’s greatest threat. Morally grey at its finest! He has spent years trying to dismantle the very thing your family stands for and the destruction you leave your family to deal with when you fall in love with the enemy. I don’t wanna give it all away and leave spoilers in my review but I strongly recommend you to read the blade of shadows series this is but just one in this amazing high stakes, time traveling, forbidden love, and so many twist and turns series that has you guessing at every turn. You may think you know how it’s going to play out but I guarantee you’ll be surprised instead
Another masterpiece in the blade of shadows series by Sara Samuels
Sweet Venom of Time follows the life of Roman and Marcellus’s parents which is a whole new level of insight into the series. I always enjoy a great forbidden love story with a bit of enemies to lovers. Come on, how can you not fall madly in love with your family’s greatest threat. Morally grey at its finest! He has spent years trying to dismantle the very thing your family stands for and the destruction you leave your family to deal with when you fall in love with the enemy. I don’t wanna give it all away and leave spoilers in my review but I strongly recommend you to read the blade of shadows series this is but just one in this amazing high stakes, time traveling, forbidden love, and so many twist and turns series that has you guessing at every turn. You may think you know how it’s going to play out but I guarantee you’ll be surprised instead
September 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Have you read Sara Samuel’s Blade of Shadows series yet? If you haven’t, what are you waiting for? This romantasy series gives readers everything! Romance, fantasy elements, time travel, betrayal, plot twists, etc. Each book adds something special to the series. Sweet Venom of Time is the love story between Elizabeth and Amir. You’ve met them as Roman and Marcellious’ parents, but now it’s finally time for their story to be told!
As soon as Sara announced this book, I was ecstatic to find out it was going to be Elizabeth and Amir’s love story! They have been present in the series, but now a book dedicated entirely to them! Their story fills in some gaps and questions from throughout the series, but it also brings so much light to how these two characters found each other and their love took root.
Forbidden romance is front and center due to our MCs being on opposite sides of a battle they were brought into by their parents. One is a Timehunter, the other a Timeborne. The spark that is ignited between them should never exist, but they allow it to burn bright and heavy. As they discover more and more about each side, it is discovered secrets have been kept and people must pay for their betrayals.
From book 1, Sara never fails to provide deep, layered characters who keep her storylines moving quickly. Don’t be mistaken though; there are plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on their toes as the storyline progresses. With 6 books in this series, all available now, this series will pull you in from the first pages of book 1 and will keep you entertained. The time travel elements make this story unique from other romantasy series. Sara is a wonderful author who has truly written a story that is special.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
✨Prequel/Backstory
⌛High Stake
✨Time Travel Romance
⌛Forbidden Romance
✨Found Family
⌛Betrayal
✨Soul Mates
⌛Dark Secrets
Have you read Sara Samuel’s Blade of Shadows series yet? If you haven’t, what are you waiting for? This romantasy series gives readers everything! Romance, fantasy elements, time travel, betrayal, plot twists, etc. Each book adds something special to the series. Sweet Venom of Time is the love story between Elizabeth and Amir. You’ve met them as Roman and Marcellious’ parents, but now it’s finally time for their story to be told!
As soon as Sara announced this book, I was ecstatic to find out it was going to be Elizabeth and Amir’s love story! They have been present in the series, but now a book dedicated entirely to them! Their story fills in some gaps and questions from throughout the series, but it also brings so much light to how these two characters found each other and their love took root.
Forbidden romance is front and center due to our MCs being on opposite sides of a battle they were brought into by their parents. One is a Timehunter, the other a Timeborne. The spark that is ignited between them should never exist, but they allow it to burn bright and heavy. As they discover more and more about each side, it is discovered secrets have been kept and people must pay for their betrayals.
From book 1, Sara never fails to provide deep, layered characters who keep her storylines moving quickly. Don’t be mistaken though; there are plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on their toes as the storyline progresses. With 6 books in this series, all available now, this series will pull you in from the first pages of book 1 and will keep you entertained. The time travel elements make this story unique from other romantasy series. Sara is a wonderful author who has truly written a story that is special.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
✨Prequel/Backstory
⌛High Stake
✨Time Travel Romance
⌛Forbidden Romance
✨Found Family
⌛Betrayal
✨Soul Mates
⌛Dark Secrets
August 14, 2025
IF you have not read any of this series yet, do not delay any longer!!
The whole series will take you on a wild ride from 20th century Seattle, to the Colosseum of Ancient Rome, to 19th century America, to Renaissance Italy and Turkey and now to 18th century England and America. The couple of pages of the Timeborne (Book 1) will hook you into the story. The intricate personalities of the characters and the circumstances that Sara masterfully weaves together draws you into their story.
Sweet Venom of Time is no different. Timehunters, a secret society that is hunting Timebornes, are on edge because someone or something is hunting them. Amir, a darkness that is hunting Timehunters, arrives in England to find out who else is hunting them, finding forbidden love in Elizabeth, the daughter of the head Timehunter, instead.
Twists and turns will keep you on edge as this forbidden relationship reveals even deeper secrets that force the hands of two power players that are destined to live in the shadows out into the open.
Oh, and Amir and Elizabeth are the parents of Roman and Marcellious, the Gladiators you meet in Timeborne.
Quick read, tons of twists and turns, deep plots, betrayal, forbidden love, enemies to lovers, time travel, found family. And best yet, a fantasy series without dragons. This is a completely unique time travel fantasy series that you will absolutely fall in love with. If I could give it 10 stars, I would give it 20.
The whole series will take you on a wild ride from 20th century Seattle, to the Colosseum of Ancient Rome, to 19th century America, to Renaissance Italy and Turkey and now to 18th century England and America. The couple of pages of the Timeborne (Book 1) will hook you into the story. The intricate personalities of the characters and the circumstances that Sara masterfully weaves together draws you into their story.
Sweet Venom of Time is no different. Timehunters, a secret society that is hunting Timebornes, are on edge because someone or something is hunting them. Amir, a darkness that is hunting Timehunters, arrives in England to find out who else is hunting them, finding forbidden love in Elizabeth, the daughter of the head Timehunter, instead.
Twists and turns will keep you on edge as this forbidden relationship reveals even deeper secrets that force the hands of two power players that are destined to live in the shadows out into the open.
Oh, and Amir and Elizabeth are the parents of Roman and Marcellious, the Gladiators you meet in Timeborne.
Quick read, tons of twists and turns, deep plots, betrayal, forbidden love, enemies to lovers, time travel, found family. And best yet, a fantasy series without dragons. This is a completely unique time travel fantasy series that you will absolutely fall in love with. If I could give it 10 stars, I would give it 20.
August 12, 2025
⭐️♾️
When you get a book from one of your favorite series, drop everything to read it. When I saw that this was coming, I dropped it all to see where this one was taking me. A time travel series that takes you through time to give the stories of all those involved in this world. In this one we get the back story of Amir and Elizabeth and may I say as with the other books in the series, what a rollercoaster it was. But oh did I love seeing these 2 together, the passion, the love, the things they needed to do to make sure their love and those they love would not die. The twists and turns, the side characters, the main characters, the story behind it all, what they had to do to get where we meet them in past books, was insane. This author can keep you incage since page one and well I am here for it all.
Make sure to read books 1 to 5 before this one because it will be wild. My fave series so far♡
When you get a book from one of your favorite series, drop everything to read it. When I saw that this was coming, I dropped it all to see where this one was taking me. A time travel series that takes you through time to give the stories of all those involved in this world. In this one we get the back story of Amir and Elizabeth and may I say as with the other books in the series, what a rollercoaster it was. But oh did I love seeing these 2 together, the passion, the love, the things they needed to do to make sure their love and those they love would not die. The twists and turns, the side characters, the main characters, the story behind it all, what they had to do to get where we meet them in past books, was insane. This author can keep you incage since page one and well I am here for it all.
Make sure to read books 1 to 5 before this one because it will be wild. My fave series so far♡
August 19, 2025
“To the Timehunters, I was not just a man. I was an omen—a harbinger of reckoning. Only the Wraith. The monster they whispered about in firelit corners. The shadow they prayed never turned its gaze their way. And tonight… They would remember why.”
This story gave us so much detail as to what led up to Roman and Marcellius ending up in Rome! Elizabeth and Amir are so much more fleshed out now, and I thought the backstory we got was really interesting. There’s so much build up for what’s going to happen in the next book, and I’m so curious how everything is going to play out!
TROPES:
Time Travel
Forbidden Romance
High Stakes
Thank you so much to Sara Samuels for sending me a copy for an honest review. 💖
This story gave us so much detail as to what led up to Roman and Marcellius ending up in Rome! Elizabeth and Amir are so much more fleshed out now, and I thought the backstory we got was really interesting. There’s so much build up for what’s going to happen in the next book, and I’m so curious how everything is going to play out!
TROPES:
Time Travel
Forbidden Romance
High Stakes
Thank you so much to Sara Samuels for sending me a copy for an honest review. 💖
August 19, 2025
✨Release Day✨
This is book 6 in the Blade of Shadows series and it took us way back to some characters we’ve learned about and it was interesting to be in their POV. It’s always intriguing to see what made characters who they are.
Sara is always coming at us with the plot twists and that doesn’t stop here. If you want to go on a wild ride, start this series!
Read this if you enjoy:
🗡️ Time travel
🖤 Secret societies
🗡️ Dark history
🖤 Intense romance
“…monsters don’t need faces, my sweet venom. Only power.”
“Because love like this didn’t die. It endured. Even through darkness. Even through time.”
This is book 6 in the Blade of Shadows series and it took us way back to some characters we’ve learned about and it was interesting to be in their POV. It’s always intriguing to see what made characters who they are.
Sara is always coming at us with the plot twists and that doesn’t stop here. If you want to go on a wild ride, start this series!
Read this if you enjoy:
🗡️ Time travel
🖤 Secret societies
🗡️ Dark history
🖤 Intense romance
“…monsters don’t need faces, my sweet venom. Only power.”
“Because love like this didn’t die. It endured. Even through darkness. Even through time.”
December 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It pulled me into a dark, fascinating world where time, shadows, and betrayal shape everything. Elizabeth and Amir’s story was emotional, intense, and impossible to put down. I loved how it revealed so many hidden stories from the past while building a forbidden romance full of tension and depth. The characters felt real, the stakes were high, and the story added powerful layers to the Blade of Shadows Saga. A great read for anyone who loves dark fantasy, forbidden love, and secrets that change everything.
August 19, 2025
I binged "Sweet Venom of Time" in 2 days because I could not part with it unless I had to eat or sleep. Seriously, this blast from the past is so enlightening and explains so much about this incredible series. This book is just as addictive, mysterious, suspenseful, romantic, and spicy as the rest. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 21, 2025
Amir. Elizabeth.
Their love knew now bounds. No distance could seperate them. No time. Nothing.
This was an incredible interlude and beginning to the world of Roman and Marcellious. I loved every second and, every twist and turn, every heartache.
Sara, what a brilliant tale you wove!
Their love knew now bounds. No distance could seperate them. No time. Nothing.
This was an incredible interlude and beginning to the world of Roman and Marcellious. I loved every second and, every twist and turn, every heartache.
Sara, what a brilliant tale you wove!
September 2, 2025
This story continues the Blade of Shadow series. Set in the 1700s, we get the forbidden love story of Roman and Marcellious' parents Amir and Elizabeth. This story, like the ones before, has a lot of twists and turns.
September 13, 2025
I have read every book in this series and each one get you drawn further and further in , and the way the books are written with things coming up right when it need to is just masterfully done . This book is no different , from each page and each word is beautifully written and leave you with a thirst for more !! Bravo on another beautiful book xx
September 2, 2025
This story continues the Blade of Shadow series. Set in the 1700s, we get the forbidden love story of Roman and Marcellious' parents Amir and Elizabeth. This story, like the ones before, has a lot of twists and turns.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews