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Poisoned Pawn: Lost Sovereigns - Book 1
In a tale of loyalty, love, and betrayal, survival is a choice.
After the gods shattered her world, Æri must hunt humans across the treacherous volcanic boglands to appease her queen's vampiric appetite-or face the ominous threat of her realm's destruction. Her mission, however, takes a disastrous turn when her aircraft crashes. Waylaid by Venator huntsmen, she is hauled off into enemy territory.
Now a prisoner in a brutal realm, she's forced to serve in gruesome gladiatorial games for the king's twisted amusement. Each fight chips away at her chances of ever returning home. Through all of this, Æri's heart is her greatest battleground. She wrestles with her burgeoning feelings for her captor, Rione, the king's lethal yet enigmatic right hand. Torn between freedom, love, and unraveling the mystery behind her queen's deadly cravings, Æri stands at a crossroads that will define the fate of all the realms.
After the gods shattered her world, Æri must hunt humans across the treacherous volcanic boglands to appease her queen's vampiric appetite-or face the ominous threat of her realm's destruction. Her mission, however, takes a disastrous turn when her aircraft crashes. Waylaid by Venator huntsmen, she is hauled off into enemy territory.
Now a prisoner in a brutal realm, she's forced to serve in gruesome gladiatorial games for the king's twisted amusement. Each fight chips away at her chances of ever returning home. Through all of this, Æri's heart is her greatest battleground. She wrestles with her burgeoning feelings for her captor, Rione, the king's lethal yet enigmatic right hand. Torn between freedom, love, and unraveling the mystery behind her queen's deadly cravings, Æri stands at a crossroads that will define the fate of all the realms.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2025
9 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
K. L. Vincent
2 books48 followersK. L. Vincent is an award-winning author originally from California with a degree in theater design and anthropology from UCLA. She later received a master’s degree in anthropology and occupational therapy in the UK. Following her passion for history, people, and travel, she dabbled in archaeology and spent a summer exploring Scotland while volunteering on a dig at the Ness of Brodgar.
She is an active Globe Soup member and continues to pen stories whenever possible. As a neurodivergent writer, she infuses her work with a focus on resilience and identity. Both she and her identical twin collaborate and bounce stories off one another even though they live in different countries. Outside of writing, she practices as an occupational therapist and teaches English. She lives in France with her partner, baby girl, and orange furball.
She is an active Globe Soup member and continues to pen stories whenever possible. As a neurodivergent writer, she infuses her work with a focus on resilience and identity. Both she and her identical twin collaborate and bounce stories off one another even though they live in different countries. Outside of writing, she practices as an occupational therapist and teaches English. She lives in France with her partner, baby girl, and orange furball.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 21, 2025
5/5 Stars - A Gripping, Inclusive, Unique Read
This ARC completely drew me in with its incredible world building and fresh blend of genres. The story follows a fierce female lead who gets captured by a hunting group while she herself is hunting humans to feed her Queen! The mix of vampires, fae, magic, advanced technology, art, and science felt both inventive and immersive. What really stood out was the inclusive representation: LGBTQIA+ characters, individuals with disabilities, and nuanced portrayals of strength in all forms. I loved the strong women leaders, the slow burn romance, and the intense yearning between the two main characters. If you’re into smart, atmospheric sci-fi/fantasy with heart, this one’s a must-read. Highly recommend!
This ARC completely drew me in with its incredible world building and fresh blend of genres. The story follows a fierce female lead who gets captured by a hunting group while she herself is hunting humans to feed her Queen! The mix of vampires, fae, magic, advanced technology, art, and science felt both inventive and immersive. What really stood out was the inclusive representation: LGBTQIA+ characters, individuals with disabilities, and nuanced portrayals of strength in all forms. I loved the strong women leaders, the slow burn romance, and the intense yearning between the two main characters. If you’re into smart, atmospheric sci-fi/fantasy with heart, this one’s a must-read. Highly recommend!
August 6, 2025
This is a fast paced post apocalyptic fantasy filled with court intrigue, mystery, secrets, and morally grey characters. If you enjoy political intrigue, unique magic, curses, and characters you’re not sure you can trust...this one’s for you.
The gods basically destroy the world, and our FMC has to hunt humans to satiate her queens vampiric appetite. On one of her hunts her aircraft crashes and she becomes a prisoner in a different realm. Our story takes off from there and is filled with twists and turns that will keep the pages turning.
Read this if you enjoy:
• gladiator style games
• Political intrigue
• Hidden identity
• Found family (slow burn)
• Enemies-to-allies
The gods basically destroy the world, and our FMC has to hunt humans to satiate her queens vampiric appetite. On one of her hunts her aircraft crashes and she becomes a prisoner in a different realm. Our story takes off from there and is filled with twists and turns that will keep the pages turning.
Read this if you enjoy:
• gladiator style games
• Political intrigue
• Hidden identity
• Found family (slow burn)
• Enemies-to-allies
May 14, 2025
What an amazing debut!! If you’re eager for a fantasy/romance/sci-fi/female-empowered adventure, look no further.
The world is richly developed and it was easy to be swept away into its different lands. You can tell the author cares deeply about her characters - their inner selves and complex relationships with one other. I love that two (twin) sisters are at the core of the story and provide such strong motivations. Representation of people with disabilities and lgbtqia+ folks was also great to see. The slow burn romance is captivating and will make you yearning for the next installment!!
The world is richly developed and it was easy to be swept away into its different lands. You can tell the author cares deeply about her characters - their inner selves and complex relationships with one other. I love that two (twin) sisters are at the core of the story and provide such strong motivations. Representation of people with disabilities and lgbtqia+ folks was also great to see. The slow burn romance is captivating and will make you yearning for the next installment!!
May 15, 2025
I started following the author on bookstagram and oh my goodness, this book deserves more hype!
The beginning reads like a crime movie, which starts at the end then you get the flashback to what lead up to the moment. We then get to follow various pov as the story unfolds.
This is a very well built world, it is complex, but very easy to read and follow!
Æri is the MFC and she is amazing! She has struggles, has a missing arm, a bird companion, and struggles with her new circumstance, and the slow burn is burning!!! There are also some very good banter moments!
NGL this was a little slow at first for me, but it picks up quick and by 70% I stayed up to finish it! 😅 This is not a book you want to miss. I cannot wait for the sequel!!!
The beginning reads like a crime movie, which starts at the end then you get the flashback to what lead up to the moment. We then get to follow various pov as the story unfolds.
This is a very well built world, it is complex, but very easy to read and follow!
Æri is the MFC and she is amazing! She has struggles, has a missing arm, a bird companion, and struggles with her new circumstance, and the slow burn is burning!!! There are also some very good banter moments!
NGL this was a little slow at first for me, but it picks up quick and by 70% I stayed up to finish it! 😅 This is not a book you want to miss. I cannot wait for the sequel!!!
March 19, 2025
Survival isn’t just about strength—it’s about choices. After the gods shattered her world, Æri is forced to hunt humans to appease her queen’s vampiric appetite. But when she’s captured by Venator huntsmen, she’s thrown into brutal gladiatorial games. As she fights for her life, she’s torn between freedom, forbidden love, and unraveling the dark secrets behind her queen’s hunger.
From the start, I was captivated by the phenomenal world-building. Fironbec and SÆrenfell are vividly distinct, and I loved experiencing their contrasts. The Venators and Rione’s household staff were standouts, adding depth to the story. I also loved the representation—LGBTQIA+ characters and individuals with physical differences are woven in seamlessly. As a physical therapist with many friends and family in the LGBTQIA+ community, I truly appreciate seeing thoughtful inclusion like this.
My biggest critique? The slow burn is real. While I enjoyed the tension between Æri and Rione, I wanted a little more development in their relationship. There were also a couple of key scenes I wish we had experienced firsthand rather than in retrospect. The book isn’t overly long, so those moments could have been included without dragging the pacing.
That said, Poisoned Pawn is an emotional, high-stakes fantasy with intricate world-building and compelling characters. I can’t wait for its release in June! Huge thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC—I’m so excited for more readers to experience this story!
From the start, I was captivated by the phenomenal world-building. Fironbec and SÆrenfell are vividly distinct, and I loved experiencing their contrasts. The Venators and Rione’s household staff were standouts, adding depth to the story. I also loved the representation—LGBTQIA+ characters and individuals with physical differences are woven in seamlessly. As a physical therapist with many friends and family in the LGBTQIA+ community, I truly appreciate seeing thoughtful inclusion like this.
My biggest critique? The slow burn is real. While I enjoyed the tension between Æri and Rione, I wanted a little more development in their relationship. There were also a couple of key scenes I wish we had experienced firsthand rather than in retrospect. The book isn’t overly long, so those moments could have been included without dragging the pacing.
That said, Poisoned Pawn is an emotional, high-stakes fantasy with intricate world-building and compelling characters. I can’t wait for its release in June! Huge thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC—I’m so excited for more readers to experience this story!
May 16, 2025
A book about love, loyalty, betrayal and ultimately survival. It takes strength, endurance and self-determination to survive.
Æri has to hunt humans to sustain her Queen and the court suffering from Blydlyst. On one of her hunting quests her aircraft crashes and she is captured by a huntsman Rione - the hunter became the hunted. Æri becomes a prisoner who has to fight gladiator style games all for the amusement of the sadistic King. Æri is torn between her need for survival, searching for a cure for her Queen, and her growing attraction to Rione.
This is a slow burn book which focuses on plot development, the intrinsic character building and world building. The author put a lot of effort into world building which is essential in fantasy books. The diverse characters, inclusion of technology and different body abilities were done effortlessly. This enables the reader to immerse into the different realms.
It was challenging to visualise the FMC and MMC as the writing lacked describing the characters in sufficient physical details. This can make it challenging for the reader to connect with characters.
The storyline and world building are golden! I’m looking forward to the adventures in the up coming books.
Note: This is an honest ARC review. It was an honour to be chosen by the author to read the book.
Æri has to hunt humans to sustain her Queen and the court suffering from Blydlyst. On one of her hunting quests her aircraft crashes and she is captured by a huntsman Rione - the hunter became the hunted. Æri becomes a prisoner who has to fight gladiator style games all for the amusement of the sadistic King. Æri is torn between her need for survival, searching for a cure for her Queen, and her growing attraction to Rione.
This is a slow burn book which focuses on plot development, the intrinsic character building and world building. The author put a lot of effort into world building which is essential in fantasy books. The diverse characters, inclusion of technology and different body abilities were done effortlessly. This enables the reader to immerse into the different realms.
It was challenging to visualise the FMC and MMC as the writing lacked describing the characters in sufficient physical details. This can make it challenging for the reader to connect with characters.
The storyline and world building are golden! I’m looking forward to the adventures in the up coming books.
Note: This is an honest ARC review. It was an honour to be chosen by the author to read the book.
August 6, 2025
I was lucky enough to get an ARC for this!
The world building is amazing and creative—I haven’t spent time in a world like this yet! And I read a lot of fantasy :) I always love a strong fmc and Aeri is exactly that. She’s smart and I feel the author does a great job of realistically portraying how Aeri would behave and doesn’t over-explain to the reader, which I appreciated! I loooove a great animal sidekick and the way technology was woven into the story was super creative and added to the overall story—it was done very thoughtfully. I am VERY excited to see what happens in the next book!!!!! Especially for certain 😉 plot lines—aka the slow burn if you know what I mean!
The world building is amazing and creative—I haven’t spent time in a world like this yet! And I read a lot of fantasy :) I always love a strong fmc and Aeri is exactly that. She’s smart and I feel the author does a great job of realistically portraying how Aeri would behave and doesn’t over-explain to the reader, which I appreciated! I loooove a great animal sidekick and the way technology was woven into the story was super creative and added to the overall story—it was done very thoughtfully. I am VERY excited to see what happens in the next book!!!!! Especially for certain 😉 plot lines—aka the slow burn if you know what I mean!
dnf
June 14, 2025Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, a DNF at 55%. I'm very disappointed to have done so, but I reached my limit.
The pros: There are so many pros, it's what really kills me that I won't be finishing. The prose is overall very good - at times it gets a little clunky, but usually it's very vivid and detailed without being overbearing. The worldbuilding is fascinating from what I saw of it, with Fíronbec and Særenfell's differing cultures, the Split, all of it. The characters are interesting and fun to read, I really liked Æri and the Narkrye, and I loved Brynja. I loved the Blodlyst. It was my absolute favorite part of the book, and it was the one thing that made me think maybe I'd push forward anyway, though (obviously) I ultimately decided not to.
The cons: I will admit, part of this is on me. I somehow missed (or maybe forgot) the enemies-to-lovers hinted at in the summary. I am usually not a fan of enemies-to-lovers, though sometimes it wins me over. From what I saw of the budding relationship between Æri and Rione, this did not look like it was shaping out to be one such case. The rest of my issues, I think, are more warranted. The first one was the fatphobia. There's a character - a one-off character, as far as I could tell - literally named Lord Porcius who is so fat that he can balance a plate on his stomach, and said plate is piled so high that the characters comment that he may go throw up later from gorging himself. Not much later there is a second character who is less egregious, but the narration repeatedly describes his stomach as jiggling around while he walks and so on. For a book that has a lot of (as far as I can tell) pretty good disability representation, as well as queer representation, it felt incredibly jarring and incredibly mean to apparently have the line be fat people. It's 2025, are we really still doing this? That all brought me to the edge, but I held on - again, I really, really loved the Blodlyst!!! But, yeah, what finally kicked me over the edge was the master/slave dynamic, which was not hinted at in the summary, and I really think it should've been. Even if it isn't being used for overtly sexual purposes, I really think that's the kind of thing that needs to be indicated. Combining that with the enemies-to-lovers dynamic just really ruined everything for me, which was a major disappointment, because I was really enjoying it! I was having a good time! Unfortunately, that just crossed the line for me. If it had been indicated sooner, I wouldn't have picked it up in the first place.
Also, for my final point, I've discovered that the author 1. rated her own book (five stars, of course), 2. has liked positive reviews, and 3. responded to at least one negative review, which also puts a bad taste in my mouth because authors should not be looking at reviews of their own books, and certainly not interacting with them.
So, yeah. I hate to DNF an ARC because that feels kind of against the point, but I couldn't force myself to continue when I had a feeling this would just devolve further. If you are not bothered by the cons I listed, then I really would recommend taking a look, because I do think it is well-written and interesting aside from those points.
Unfortunately, a DNF at 55%. I'm very disappointed to have done so, but I reached my limit.
The pros: There are so many pros, it's what really kills me that I won't be finishing. The prose is overall very good - at times it gets a little clunky, but usually it's very vivid and detailed without being overbearing. The worldbuilding is fascinating from what I saw of it, with Fíronbec and Særenfell's differing cultures, the Split, all of it. The characters are interesting and fun to read, I really liked Æri and the Narkrye, and I loved Brynja. I loved the Blodlyst. It was my absolute favorite part of the book, and it was the one thing that made me think maybe I'd push forward anyway, though (obviously) I ultimately decided not to.
The cons: I will admit, part of this is on me. I somehow missed (or maybe forgot) the enemies-to-lovers hinted at in the summary. I am usually not a fan of enemies-to-lovers, though sometimes it wins me over. From what I saw of the budding relationship between Æri and Rione, this did not look like it was shaping out to be one such case. The rest of my issues, I think, are more warranted. The first one was the fatphobia. There's a character - a one-off character, as far as I could tell - literally named Lord Porcius who is so fat that he can balance a plate on his stomach, and said plate is piled so high that the characters comment that he may go throw up later from gorging himself. Not much later there is a second character who is less egregious, but the narration repeatedly describes his stomach as jiggling around while he walks and so on. For a book that has a lot of (as far as I can tell) pretty good disability representation, as well as queer representation, it felt incredibly jarring and incredibly mean to apparently have the line be fat people. It's 2025, are we really still doing this? That all brought me to the edge, but I held on - again, I really, really loved the Blodlyst!!! But, yeah, what finally kicked me over the edge was the master/slave dynamic, which was not hinted at in the summary, and I really think it should've been. Even if it isn't being used for overtly sexual purposes, I really think that's the kind of thing that needs to be indicated. Combining that with the enemies-to-lovers dynamic just really ruined everything for me, which was a major disappointment, because I was really enjoying it! I was having a good time! Unfortunately, that just crossed the line for me. If it had been indicated sooner, I wouldn't have picked it up in the first place.
Also, for my final point, I've discovered that the author 1. rated her own book (five stars, of course), 2. has liked positive reviews, and 3. responded to at least one negative review, which also puts a bad taste in my mouth because authors should not be looking at reviews of their own books, and certainly not interacting with them.
So, yeah. I hate to DNF an ARC because that feels kind of against the point, but I couldn't force myself to continue when I had a feeling this would just devolve further. If you are not bothered by the cons I listed, then I really would recommend taking a look, because I do think it is well-written and interesting aside from those points.
July 12, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and The Bluestocking Trio for providing an eARC of Poisoned Pawn in exchange for this honest review!
Release Date: June 21 2025
Ratin: 2.5/5 ⭐️
Vibes:
• Scifi/Fantasy
• Vampire women
• LGBTQ representation
• Disabled MCs
• Slavery
• Gladiator fighting
First 10%: Girl that is royalty from Woman Island is captured and enslaved by guys from Man Land.
Husband: So did you give it one star?
Me: No, it's not that I hate it... I just didn't care.
---
What I Liked:
The world was filled with potentially interesting things to explore. We really only saw 2 of the 6 "realms" in this story, with promises of 2 more realms in the next book. These realms are separated by cooled lava regions called The Bogs and are filled with weird Bog Beasts. No further information regarding why these creatures exist, though potentially created by a "Dark God".
What I Didn't:
A lot of things.
The inconsistencies of technological advancements. Fíronbec does not have much access at all to metals, which would typically mean extreme limitations on electronic development... and yet they have tracker chips that they can put in every slave. Then the ability to make solar panels and batteries and/or generators? Oh and are advanced enough to enact biological warfare.
Then back in Særenfell, they have complex aircrafts and the ability to make bionic prosthetics.. but cannot figure out how to safely harvest blood without bleeding people dry? Or even, I don't know, just use iron supplements and find willing blood donors? It just seemed like they did not try very hard at all to find a solution and instead said "oh well, let's just hunt men and cut them up."
I will not ever be a supporter of master/slave romantic storylines. So all the Æri / Rione interactions just left a gross taste in my mouth. "Marry me and then you won't be a slave anymore". I think Æri said it best, all her options involved her still being bound in some way when Rione is the reason she was abducted. That said, the "romance" is not really notable at all.
---
As a debut, this is neither a must-follow series nor something to immediately write-off. I could see myself following up on her writing in the future with a different series to see if maybe that would hold my attention better.
Release Date: June 21 2025
Ratin: 2.5/5 ⭐️
Vibes:
• Scifi/Fantasy
• Vampire women
• LGBTQ representation
• Disabled MCs
• Slavery
• Gladiator fighting
First 10%: Girl that is royalty from Woman Island is captured and enslaved by guys from Man Land.
Husband: So did you give it one star?
Me: No, it's not that I hate it... I just didn't care.
---
What I Liked:
The world was filled with potentially interesting things to explore. We really only saw 2 of the 6 "realms" in this story, with promises of 2 more realms in the next book. These realms are separated by cooled lava regions called The Bogs and are filled with weird Bog Beasts. No further information regarding why these creatures exist, though potentially created by a "Dark God".
What I Didn't:
A lot of things.
The inconsistencies of technological advancements. Fíronbec does not have much access at all to metals, which would typically mean extreme limitations on electronic development... and yet they have tracker chips that they can put in every slave. Then the ability to make solar panels and batteries and/or generators? Oh and are advanced enough to enact biological warfare.
Then back in Særenfell, they have complex aircrafts and the ability to make bionic prosthetics.. but cannot figure out how to safely harvest blood without bleeding people dry? Or even, I don't know, just use iron supplements and find willing blood donors? It just seemed like they did not try very hard at all to find a solution and instead said "oh well, let's just hunt men and cut them up."
I will not ever be a supporter of master/slave romantic storylines. So all the Æri / Rione interactions just left a gross taste in my mouth. "Marry me and then you won't be a slave anymore". I think Æri said it best, all her options involved her still being bound in some way when Rione is the reason she was abducted. That said, the "romance" is not really notable at all.
---
As a debut, this is neither a must-follow series nor something to immediately write-off. I could see myself following up on her writing in the future with a different series to see if maybe that would hold my attention better.
April 23, 2025
ARC REVIEW. Thanks to NetGalley! (Slight Spoilers ahead)
I absolutely loved this book and I truly can't wait for the continuation.
My highlight was the incredibly vile portrayal of King Remus. He has that rancid sweetness that only just so hides his true nature. He's truly a dangerous man, very smart and cunning and seemingly always 2 steps ahead. Probably the best villain I have read in a couple of years.
Special shout out for great representation of LGBTQ characters by making them appear. No explanation or excuse needed. Same goes for characters that are not described as if they were straight from a Victoria's Secret runway. We have characters that are either average or below average looking without this meaning they are evil or unlikable.
Of course, I also enjoyed Aeri and Rione, the main characters but still... this villain. Thinking about him makes me shiver and feel unwell.
Aeri's trauma and strength are mixed so well. Often times characters like her are too sassy and overcome their fear a bit too easy. Not Aeri. She is still growing and learning. But again, also not falling into the trap of making a mistake over and over and over again before she learns.
Rione was the hardest for me to get behind. I was afraid he'd be too much of the dark and brooding cliché but somehow... it worked.
I loved the foreshadowing of Remus' blood illness but never would I have expected it to be such a counter to the Bloodlyst. Can't wait to learn more about those two things.
Also, I'm afraid that Remus is probably still alive because evil like him never gets defeated easily, I do hope Signe is still alive as well (ok, actually sure she is, but scared for the other Narkyryes) - I need her to meet Aeri again and I need it to go over well, despite Aeri's marriage to Rione.
I absolutely loved this book and I truly can't wait for the continuation.
My highlight was the incredibly vile portrayal of King Remus. He has that rancid sweetness that only just so hides his true nature. He's truly a dangerous man, very smart and cunning and seemingly always 2 steps ahead. Probably the best villain I have read in a couple of years.
Special shout out for great representation of LGBTQ characters by making them appear. No explanation or excuse needed. Same goes for characters that are not described as if they were straight from a Victoria's Secret runway. We have characters that are either average or below average looking without this meaning they are evil or unlikable.
Of course, I also enjoyed Aeri and Rione, the main characters but still... this villain. Thinking about him makes me shiver and feel unwell.
Aeri's trauma and strength are mixed so well. Often times characters like her are too sassy and overcome their fear a bit too easy. Not Aeri. She is still growing and learning. But again, also not falling into the trap of making a mistake over and over and over again before she learns.
Rione was the hardest for me to get behind. I was afraid he'd be too much of the dark and brooding cliché but somehow... it worked.
I loved the foreshadowing of Remus' blood illness but never would I have expected it to be such a counter to the Bloodlyst. Can't wait to learn more about those two things.
Also, I'm afraid that Remus is probably still alive because evil like him never gets defeated easily, I do hope Signe is still alive as well (ok, actually sure she is, but scared for the other Narkyryes) - I need her to meet Aeri again and I need it to go over well, despite Aeri's marriage to Rione.
July 1, 2025
A steampunk-inspired fantasy with queer and disabled rep, Poisoned Pawn brings something a bit different to the romance-fantasy table. It’s an unusual mix – post-apocalyptic landscapes, high-stakes trials, weird bog creatures, vampiric curses, and tech that’s not quite magic – and I really enjoyed how these elements were woven together. There’s solar-powered gear, different fae species, and even a character with a prosthetic, all treated as an everyday part of the world.
The romance is very slow burn – to the point I honestly forgot I was reading a romance for a while – but the fantasy and sci-fi elements are strong enough that it still held my attention. Æri, our heroine, is brilliant: physically capable, emotionally complex, and always thinking several steps ahead. Rione is trickier to pin down, an enemy turned uneasy ally, though the whole ‘captor x captive’ thing is far more nuanced than it sounds. There’s been some discourse around the slave/master dynamic, but it never really plays out that way – certainly not in tone or behaviour.
The pacing dips a little occasionally, but the worldbuilding and villains are fascinating enough to pull it through. It’s not a typical fantasy romance – think slower, more morally grey, with a slightly gritty dystopian edge – but it’s compelling in its own way. I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and The Bluestocking Trio for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.
The romance is very slow burn – to the point I honestly forgot I was reading a romance for a while – but the fantasy and sci-fi elements are strong enough that it still held my attention. Æri, our heroine, is brilliant: physically capable, emotionally complex, and always thinking several steps ahead. Rione is trickier to pin down, an enemy turned uneasy ally, though the whole ‘captor x captive’ thing is far more nuanced than it sounds. There’s been some discourse around the slave/master dynamic, but it never really plays out that way – certainly not in tone or behaviour.
The pacing dips a little occasionally, but the worldbuilding and villains are fascinating enough to pull it through. It’s not a typical fantasy romance – think slower, more morally grey, with a slightly gritty dystopian edge – but it’s compelling in its own way. I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and The Bluestocking Trio for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.
April 5, 2025
Loved it!
Poisoned Pawn by KL Vincent is a masterclass in genre-blending. As the first book in what promises to be a compelling series, it delivers a richly layered story that fuses dystopian grit with the emotional depth of romance, the thrill of mystery, and the pulse-pounding energy of adventure.
From the very first chapter, I was hooked. Vincent's worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming, revealing just enough of the broken world to keep you intrigued while letting the characters truly drive the narrative. And what characters they are! Each one—from the fierce and vulnerable protagonist to the enigmatic supporting cast—feels fully realized, with distinct voices, motives, and arcs. I found myself genuinely invested in their fates.
The romance is beautifully woven into the storyline—not forced or overly saccharine, but raw, real, and earned. Meanwhile, the mystery keeps you guessing, and just when you think you have it figured out, Vincent throws in a twist that makes you question everything.
What impressed me most was the pacing. It never drags. The tension ebbs and flows perfectly, giving readers moments to breathe before plunging them into the next high-stakes scene. And the writing? Absolutely stellar. Vincent has a way with words that balances elegance and grit, making every page a pleasure to read.
Poisoned Pawn by KL Vincent is a masterclass in genre-blending. As the first book in what promises to be a compelling series, it delivers a richly layered story that fuses dystopian grit with the emotional depth of romance, the thrill of mystery, and the pulse-pounding energy of adventure.
From the very first chapter, I was hooked. Vincent's worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming, revealing just enough of the broken world to keep you intrigued while letting the characters truly drive the narrative. And what characters they are! Each one—from the fierce and vulnerable protagonist to the enigmatic supporting cast—feels fully realized, with distinct voices, motives, and arcs. I found myself genuinely invested in their fates.
The romance is beautifully woven into the storyline—not forced or overly saccharine, but raw, real, and earned. Meanwhile, the mystery keeps you guessing, and just when you think you have it figured out, Vincent throws in a twist that makes you question everything.
What impressed me most was the pacing. It never drags. The tension ebbs and flows perfectly, giving readers moments to breathe before plunging them into the next high-stakes scene. And the writing? Absolutely stellar. Vincent has a way with words that balances elegance and grit, making every page a pleasure to read.
June 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was excited to read this book when I saw that the main character was a hunter for a vampire queen and that she was working towards freeing the queen from vampirism.
That ended up being so little of the book, which was so disappointing. The main character entered the kidnapping arc so quickly, before the reader gets a sense of her country and her duty to the queen.
Then we get into basically the plot of the Hunger Games, which felt like nothing new, and I simply did not care about the characters enough to get invested in the action. Because the pacing was too fast, I never got to caring about the characters enough to like the story. It was a trudge just getting through.
I also struggled with all the terminology that was not explained. I found myself wishing for a glossary to refer to or at the very least, more explanations of the various cultures and terminology. As it was, I felt thrown into a world that I never fully understood.
The writing was well-done, and I think had pacing and characters not been an issue, I would like the way this author writes.
I was excited to read this book when I saw that the main character was a hunter for a vampire queen and that she was working towards freeing the queen from vampirism.
That ended up being so little of the book, which was so disappointing. The main character entered the kidnapping arc so quickly, before the reader gets a sense of her country and her duty to the queen.
Then we get into basically the plot of the Hunger Games, which felt like nothing new, and I simply did not care about the characters enough to get invested in the action. Because the pacing was too fast, I never got to caring about the characters enough to like the story. It was a trudge just getting through.
I also struggled with all the terminology that was not explained. I found myself wishing for a glossary to refer to or at the very least, more explanations of the various cultures and terminology. As it was, I felt thrown into a world that I never fully understood.
The writing was well-done, and I think had pacing and characters not been an issue, I would like the way this author writes.
June 30, 2025
Thank you to The Bluestocking Trio for the ARC of Poisoned Pawn. Here are my thoughts!
In this war-torn world, Aeri must hunt for humans to help her queenly sister satiate her need for blood. On her most recent mission, she ends up captured and must compete in a complex tournament to try to ensure the best future possible for herself. Worse yet, she begins having some tricky feelings for her captor Rione. Will she try to escape and help her sister, or will Rione steal her heart?
I am trying to read some indie authors, and this was one on the top of my list! I love a tournament style fantasy novel. Being immersed in a new series with an intricate world is my favourite. I loved the start of the novel; it was very high stakes and loved the introduction to the world. I also enjoyed meeting the other fighters who were captured and seeing those fights take place. After that the novel got a little tricky to follow. The transition to high fantasy type politics and world building felt a little messy. Things slowed down with a few very exciting scenes.
Overall, the novel left me wanting a little bit more. I loved the respect that was provided to the main character dealing with a disability. It was written well, but I wanted to know more about the world and more about this disease of vampirism. I think there is a huge opportunity for expansion in the next books in the series so definitely worth checking it out!
In this war-torn world, Aeri must hunt for humans to help her queenly sister satiate her need for blood. On her most recent mission, she ends up captured and must compete in a complex tournament to try to ensure the best future possible for herself. Worse yet, she begins having some tricky feelings for her captor Rione. Will she try to escape and help her sister, or will Rione steal her heart?
I am trying to read some indie authors, and this was one on the top of my list! I love a tournament style fantasy novel. Being immersed in a new series with an intricate world is my favourite. I loved the start of the novel; it was very high stakes and loved the introduction to the world. I also enjoyed meeting the other fighters who were captured and seeing those fights take place. After that the novel got a little tricky to follow. The transition to high fantasy type politics and world building felt a little messy. Things slowed down with a few very exciting scenes.
Overall, the novel left me wanting a little bit more. I loved the respect that was provided to the main character dealing with a disability. It was written well, but I wanted to know more about the world and more about this disease of vampirism. I think there is a huge opportunity for expansion in the next books in the series so definitely worth checking it out!
June 11, 2025
The writing is ... not good. The author tries so very hard and uses so many words in a way that feels stiff and unnatural, and the plotting is a mess of Hunger Games, and floating islands, Rome, bionic arms and magic metals. Miners in a bog use mining helmets and pickaxes because ... how else would you know they were miners? If the main character didn't have her arm taken away from her and given back I'd never have known she was handicapped for all the attention the book gave it.
It feels like someone is checking off boxes on a list: Handicapped, brutal fight to the death -- only on one dies because the good guys can't kill -- vampires, dwarves, elves, giants, misuse of the word "vomitorium," all the usual suspects and more. Honestly, if someone said this was AI, I'd probably believe them. There's fatphobia for no reason, a woman whose hair "sprung from her head," and herbs harvested on a mountain being called "mountain herbs."
It feels like someone is checking off boxes on a list: Handicapped, brutal fight to the death -- only on one dies because the good guys can't kill -- vampires, dwarves, elves, giants, misuse of the word "vomitorium," all the usual suspects and more. Honestly, if someone said this was AI, I'd probably believe them. There's fatphobia for no reason, a woman whose hair "sprung from her head," and herbs harvested on a mountain being called "mountain herbs."
June 8, 2025
Poisoned Pawn exceeded all my expectations.
The Steampunk inspired world is incredibly interesting. The world is inhabitated by different creatures - fae, giants, even vampire like creatures. The blend of fantasy and technology is really fun.
The protagonist, Æri, is queer and disabled. While she isn't given a specific label, she is attracted to both men and women. She is also an amputee, and the depiction of that really stood out to me positively.
This book also gives us a true enemies-to-lovers storyline! As well as an actual Slow Burn, which is just fantastic. Rione and Æri have some real chemistry, and I loved the progress of their relationship.
I have to say that the beginning is a little slow, but once it picked up I devoured it. So if you are looking for a Steampunk story that is inclusive, with incredible worldbuilding and great characters, definitely consider picking this up.
Meanwhile I will be waiting impatiently for book 2.
Thank you to Netgalley and The Bluestocking Trio for the e-arc!
The Steampunk inspired world is incredibly interesting. The world is inhabitated by different creatures - fae, giants, even vampire like creatures. The blend of fantasy and technology is really fun.
The protagonist, Æri, is queer and disabled. While she isn't given a specific label, she is attracted to both men and women. She is also an amputee, and the depiction of that really stood out to me positively.
This book also gives us a true enemies-to-lovers storyline! As well as an actual Slow Burn, which is just fantastic. Rione and Æri have some real chemistry, and I loved the progress of their relationship.
I have to say that the beginning is a little slow, but once it picked up I devoured it. So if you are looking for a Steampunk story that is inclusive, with incredible worldbuilding and great characters, definitely consider picking this up.
Meanwhile I will be waiting impatiently for book 2.
Thank you to Netgalley and The Bluestocking Trio for the e-arc!
June 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A Fantastic Start to a Promising Series
Poisoned Pawn by K.L. Vincent had me hooked from the start. The world-building is rich, the writing is beautifully descriptive, and the story is incredibly well thought out. I loved the slow-burn tension between Æri and Rione, and the ending left me dying for the next book!
This book is packed with tropes I love like enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, feuding realms, fantasy creatures, royalty, and great LGBTQ+ rep and so much more. The main character even has a bionic arm, which was such a cool and unique touch.
This is perfect (in my opinion) for fantasy lovers that like Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarross, Lauren Robert’s, Suzanne Collins, and more.
Poisoned Pawn by K.L. Vincent had me hooked from the start. The world-building is rich, the writing is beautifully descriptive, and the story is incredibly well thought out. I loved the slow-burn tension between Æri and Rione, and the ending left me dying for the next book!
This book is packed with tropes I love like enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, feuding realms, fantasy creatures, royalty, and great LGBTQ+ rep and so much more. The main character even has a bionic arm, which was such a cool and unique touch.
This is perfect (in my opinion) for fantasy lovers that like Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarross, Lauren Robert’s, Suzanne Collins, and more.
June 20, 2025
Congratulations on your enchanting debut! If you’re in search of a captivating blend of romance and fantasy, look no further—this book is the perfect choice for you! The story is remarkably creative, weaving together intricate plots and well-developed characters that draw you in from the very first page. You'll find yourself completely immersed in a magical world that feels both enchanting and alive. Don't miss out on this delightful read!
**Cover:** ✨✨✨✨ ✨
**Romance:** ❤️❤️❤️
**Emotions:** 🎲🎲🎲
**FMC:** 🩷🩷🩷🩷
**MMC:** 💙💙💙💙
**Plotline:** ⚖️⚖️⚖️
**Pacing:** ⏳⏳⏳⏳
**Character Development:** 👍👍👍 👍
**World Building:** 🌍🌏🌍🌍
**aPages:** 379
**Overall Star Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
**Cover:** ✨✨✨✨ ✨
**Romance:** ❤️❤️❤️
**Emotions:** 🎲🎲🎲
**FMC:** 🩷🩷🩷🩷
**MMC:** 💙💙💙💙
**Plotline:** ⚖️⚖️⚖️
**Pacing:** ⏳⏳⏳⏳
**Character Development:** 👍👍👍 👍
**World Building:** 🌍🌏🌍🌍
**aPages:** 379
**Overall Star Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
June 23, 2025
I’d like to thank KL for allowing me to read her book.
It did take me a while to get into the book and get a feel for the authors writing style.
After moving past this the story unfurled quickly.
Aeri’s challenge at being captured frustrated me at some points but I really enjoyed the people she met.
I do like that Rione fell first, and his character was only unveiled slowly as Aeri was discovering it.
I inhaled the book and definitely enjoyed the story- it’s not like all the other fantasy books out there…
Need to know how this continues
It did take me a while to get into the book and get a feel for the authors writing style.
After moving past this the story unfurled quickly.
Aeri’s challenge at being captured frustrated me at some points but I really enjoyed the people she met.
I do like that Rione fell first, and his character was only unveiled slowly as Aeri was discovering it.
I inhaled the book and definitely enjoyed the story- it’s not like all the other fantasy books out there…
Need to know how this continues
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2025
I *loved* this book. The world building was absolutely amazing - the different kingdoms and cultures felt super distinct and interesting. I *loved* the protagonist, she's smart, strong, and multi-faceted. I'm here for the slow-burn romance. It felt super realistic and I was falling for Rione right along with Aeri -- I can't wait to watch their relationship progress in the next book. Speaking of the next book-- That cliffhanger though!!!! Literally can't wait for the next book. Definitely check it out.
June 14, 2025
The protagonist is kidnapped and forced to fight to gain her freedom. Yet, can she try to save her people at the same time? And will she be freed even if she does win?
I really love the two main characters, and I plan to read the second book. However, the plot was kind of confusing. I didn’t get a good sense of the world, the different kingdoms, and everything that was going on. I would have also liked more romance as it is a very small part of this book.
I really love the two main characters, and I plan to read the second book. However, the plot was kind of confusing. I didn’t get a good sense of the world, the different kingdoms, and everything that was going on. I would have also liked more romance as it is a very small part of this book.
June 21, 2025
Her life is under the control of a vampire queen to find humans for their needs. Her plane crashes and now she has to fight in an arena for the pleasure of the king. She will find her heart wants to get closer to the king. How is all going to go? See how it will
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a brilliant read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a brilliant read
August 4, 2025
Wow, what a great debut book! I was given this as an arc to read and life got in the way many times but I am so glad I made time again and was able to finish it. This book is a bit different than my usual reads but I loved it. The slow burn and found family was amazing! I highly recommend this book!
meh-not-finished
November 11, 2025I don't remember when I set the book aside. I know I enjoyed the interactions between the main characters, but I found myself less engaged with everything else, and there was a lot of else. Maybe when book 2 is released, I’ll feel motivated to go back and finish it.
Thank you to the author for this eARC.
Thank you to the author for this eARC.
June 22, 2025
📚Book Review📚
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
🤐Spoiler Free🤐
Thank you so so so much to the amazing K.L. Vincent for giving me an ARC of this amazing book! From the moment I read the book description I was hooked on this book and so excited to start it! King Remus was such a strong villain in this story, there was a few times I wanted to reach through the pages and strangle him myself.🤣 I loved the authors writing style so much and how trauma was portrayed throughout this book. The slow burn between Æri and Rione had me craving more and more of them as I was reading. I also loved the representation for LBGTQIA+ characters! The ending of the story has me craving me more from the amazing K.L. Vincent! Thank you again so much for giving me the opportunity to read Poisoned Pawn!💕❤️
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
🤐Spoiler Free🤐
Thank you so so so much to the amazing K.L. Vincent for giving me an ARC of this amazing book! From the moment I read the book description I was hooked on this book and so excited to start it! King Remus was such a strong villain in this story, there was a few times I wanted to reach through the pages and strangle him myself.🤣 I loved the authors writing style so much and how trauma was portrayed throughout this book. The slow burn between Æri and Rione had me craving more and more of them as I was reading. I also loved the representation for LBGTQIA+ characters! The ending of the story has me craving me more from the amazing K.L. Vincent! Thank you again so much for giving me the opportunity to read Poisoned Pawn!💕❤️
June 24, 2025
Trained to kill but fate will throw her a curveball by giving her a soulmate. Unfortunately she is destined to kill him. So life is going to get very complicated. See what she will do
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great read
June 24, 2025
She has been trained to kill and she is about to meet her soulmate. Unfortunately she is destined to kill him and she will need decide what to do
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great read
July 8, 2025
Such a fantastic read! I got completely swept up into the story, enjoying each twist and turn, and rooting for my favorite characters! It’s going to be hard to wait for the next book to be released. A must read!
June 21, 2025
Great female lead good romance with well written fantasy
August 7, 2025
✶ 202(5) stars ✫
I wish I never read this. How can I possibly wait for the next.
I wish I never read this. How can I possibly wait for the next.
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