A Promised Vengeance

by Sara B. Larson

From the author of the DEFY trilogy, get ready to immerse yourself in this romantasy reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo!

Falsely accused of murder, impoverished Elodie Dantès is torn from her childhood love, Killian, stripped of her most valuable possession—a forbidden artifact that wields ancient power—and banished to the otherworldly prison of Autremonde.

Awaiting certain death in a world poisoned by magic, Elodie meets an unexpected ally, and together they begin digging for an escape. However, once Elodie is finally free, she discovers that the very people who betrayed her are those she trusted the most. Consumed by vengeance, Elodie develops a plan to ruthlessly destroy them all.

But all too soon Elodie is forced to choose whether vengeance is worth the price, especially if it means losing the love of her life forever.

A PROMISED VENGEANCE features:
- Friends to lovers to enemies
- Ancient magical artifacts
- Forbidden romance
- Betrayal and loss
- Choice between revenge and true love
- Found family
- Second chances

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction, Retellings, Book Club, Clean Romance, Romantasy

Hardcover

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Sara B. Larson is the best-selling and critically acclaimed author of multiple YA fantasy books,
including A Promised Vengeance (coming Oct 2025), the Defy trilogy, the Dark Breaks the Dawn duology, and the
Sisters of Shadow and Light duology. Every Beat After will be her adult debut 6.2.26. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t write books—although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband, their four children, and their dogs, Loki the Maltese and Bindi the English Cream Retriever, where she also runs a commercial preschool. When she’s not mothering, preschooling, or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting for her sugar addiction

She’s online at www.SaraBLarson.com.

Reviews

[Jaymie Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed myself while reading this book, many times unable to put it down. The world building was easy to follow, the characters (especially Elodie and Enza) were likable, and we have a slow-burn romance in the background (minus the spice). This would be great for those newer to fantasy, or want to enjoy fantasy without having to start an 8 book series! Can we also appreciate how beautiful the cover is?!

[Erin Arkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Promised Vengeance is Sara B. Larson's newest fantasy release and I have to tell you that from the first page, I couldn't put this one down. This book takes the Count of Monte Cristo story and retells it in a way that had me turning the pages not only because of the characters but the story of betrayal and revenge had me needing to know how it all turns out.

The story centers on Elodie, a girl whose life is destroyed when she is accused of murder. Ripped from her childhood love, Killian, and the man she was planning to make a future with, she is sent to an otherworldly prison of Autremonde where time passes differently (much faster). Trapped in a world where she believes there is no escape and slowly dying of the magic that poisons it, Elodie is just about ready to give up when she meets an unexpected ally and they work together to escape. But once she gets her freedom, Elodie finds out how far that betrayal goes and she will do whatever it takes to get her revenge. The question will be whether it will be worth it in the end.

I thought Larson did a great job of developing the character of Elodie. She goes on a journey through this book and it's not an easy one. There are so many ups and downs for her that it was hard not to feel sorry for her and cheer her on against those who did what they did. With that said, she has the opportunity to do some real good because of the things she has gone through and while her vengeance is the goal, she is also trying to make sure that these individuals don't hurt anyone else so I can't blame her for wanting to make sure she does something about it instead of just walking off and forgetting about everyone and everything.

Larson's world-building was well done and contributed to the story. There are hierarchies and magic/magical artifacts that feed into the plot and I found it to be an interesting aspect to the story. Additionally, the secondary characters like Enza, Celine, Killian, and even Therese all had key roles to play and they all helped drive the story forward. Enza is there to be Elodie's conscience and while she doesn't always get her to do what she would consider is the right thing, she at least pushes Elodie to think really hard about her actions. I will say that I found it interesting that for as critical of a role that Therese had, we didn't really see too much of her and really, in the end, Elodie didn't really do a lot of the dirty work to get back at those who wronged her - though at least she did get to deliver the messages.

Ultimately, A Promised Vengeance is a book that has all the elements I look for in great fantasy: a compelling heroine, a magical world, and a side of romantic tension that keeps me turning the pages. If you like retellings...or even if you don't, consider picking this book up. I found myself immersed in this book from the very start and can't wait to see what Larson writes next. I shouldn't have been surprised as I've enjoyed her prior books so if you have as well, I think you'll like this one too.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Korynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Promised Vengeance is a young adult retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. I haven’t read the original book nor do I know much about it, so I can’t judge how accurate of a retelling this is.

Ultimately, A Promised Vengeance is a story of revenge and of becoming who you’re meant to be.

The part I was most looking forward to was seeing the revenge play out, and unfortunately the part that was skipped over was seeing the revenge play out. I was really disappointed by this. Elodie is basically like “we need to ruin these people,” and her informant is like “okay I’m on it.” And then later the informant comes back and is like “the plan worked, their downfall is imminent.” No, so much was missed! I wanted to see the plans being made and see them being enacted. I wanted to watch the people’s downfall as they suffered Elodie’s vengeance. I really wish the actual revenge planning and execution took place on page as that seems like the whole point of doing a retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo.

With that being said, the story that was on page was good. We see a detailed account of Elodie’s supposed downfall and her time in prison and her escape. I liked her character development across these scenes.

There is a clean, age-appropriate romance in this story. I wasn’t fully on board with the romance at the end after the events of the story play out, but it was still cute. This is a story I would fee comfortable recommending to anyone because there is no spice or language or heavy violence.

I would potentially read more books from this author as I was engaged in the overall story and generally liked the characters. I wonder if my biggest complaint of the vengeance being largely off page has to do with this book being for young adults instead of adults. Either way, I think this book was well written even if it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.

[Anu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this book, it was so refreshing to see a female lead who stops trying to be the “bigger person” and finally decides to take control. I loved watching Elodie refuse to take any more injustice and instead choose action. Even though I personally don’t believe revenge is always necessary (I tend to lean toward indifference rather than retaliation) it was deeply satisfying to see Elodie’s journey and the way her pain transforms into power.

One of the most heartwarming parts for me was her relationship with the priest. Their bond felt so genuine and tender, like that of a father and daughter, and I loved the emotional grounding it gave to the story.

I’ll admit, the first few chapters were a little slow for me, especially when she first arrived at the prison of Autremonde. The shift there felt quite sudden, and it took me some time to adjust. It actually reminded me a bit of The Bone Season, that same sense of being thrown into an unknown world with its own strange rules. But once I got into it, I found the world complex and fascinating.

Elodie herself completely won me over. She’s kind, caring, and deeply loyal to the people who deserve it but she’s also a no-nonsense character who is not afraid to stand her ground. I was a bit uncertain about the love story at first, but by the end, I appreciated how it balanced her arc of vengeance with a touch of emotional depth.

If anything, I wish there had been a little more of the vengeance arc, because watching Elodie take back what was stolen from her was incredibly satisfying. Even though revenge isn’t something I usually root for, in her case, it felt justified and almost cathartic.

Overall, it was a gripping, fun and empowering read!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Jumelle Press for sending me an advanced reader's copy!! The Promised Vengeance will be out in 2 days!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[Lucy Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book for my book club in January, and it was definitely a very good book. I almost couldn’t put it down while I was reading.

I love the Count of Monte Cristo. I have both read the book and watched the movie more than once, so it was fun getting to read a little retelling of this great story. I could not put this book down. I was having a really hard time while reading this one, doing simple things like eating... and sleeping... and working. I just wanted to be reading this book! The way it was written, the way that the fantasy elements are woven into the original stories' aspects and even the gender bending of the main roles was just amazing.

One reason I was really into reading this book was because I wanted to know how it would end. The book and the movie famously end completely differently from each other, and I was interested to see which route this book would take. I was extremely pleased with the ending and the way it weaved both the book and movie endings together in a way that somehow fits this interesting fantasy retelling of this great classic. The spicy level was a level 1 – some romance but nothing crazy.

Overall, I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 star rating. I had a difficult time putting it down, and I think I need to rave about it to everyone I know.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have conflicting thoughts about this book.

On one hand, I loved the premise, the worldbuilding, the magic, and the characters. The Count of Monte Cristo is a pretty difficult story to retell, especially in a YA book, but Sara B. Larson did an admirable job. I loved the way she adapted this story of heartache and revenge, making it her own. The worldbuilding was beautiful. I loved the magic system and the way it worked so seamlessly with her story. Elodie was a really well-written character, and I loved how we got to see her change as the book progressed.

On the other hand, the pacing and writing really messed with my enjoyment of the book. The pacing was really off for me. The beginning was a little slow, but I was going to let that go because of the worldbuilding and setup and everything. But it was like the first third of the book was just so slow, then it picked up in the middle, before going back to slow at the end. Then, there was the writing. It was almost like the author was trying to mimic how Dumas wrote, long chapters, unusual vocab, etc., but it just did not do it for me. There were times when I kept having to refocus because the writing kept pulling me out of the story.

Overall, it had really good potential, but it was more of a 3.5-star book for me. I am rounding it up to 4 because I did love the way the author took this story and made it her own.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way Larson crafts a balance between fantasy and a classic retelling is stunning. Elodie is an unyielding character who battles impossible situations and impractical odds, yet is left with a daunting choice–to seek revenge or to offer forgiveness.

The overarching theme seemed to be her pursuit of avenging those who betrayed her, and I would have loved more magic and romance mingled in. I would have loved to see this as a duology or trilogy to allow for all the background and set-up of the magical elements and artifact, as well as a more abundant flesh-out of all the characters and complicated relationships.

Regardless, I was engrossed and found myself flying through the pages to see how it would all wrap up.

Content: some violence/peril; mild romance; betrayal/revenge

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinion expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Loreen ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Vengeance is a poison for the weak. Forgiveness is a tonic for the brave. One leads to death, the other to peace."

January Between the Covers Bookclub Book 2026

This was fun!

As a lover of the Count of Monte Cristo story, I enjoyed this very much.

It was easy, adventurous, romantic, and brings everything you love about the original to this retelling.

It was interesting to read it in a girl's pov instead and I loved the addition of magic that Sara B. Larson wove into the story.

A story of a choice at a crossroad. Vengeance or forgiveness. Which one will bring true healing and happiness?

[Rachel (books.glorious.books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid standalone fantasy, with beautiful writing that’s still easy to read! The last 1/2 of the book was the best - the character development, plot, and setting were so good. I really liked this one!

While it felt almost identical to the Count of Monte Cristo story, and I was hoping for more of a unique adaptation, I did like the changes that the author added to the story.

The emotional buildup throughout the book was superb.

Definitely recommend if you want a good French-inspired fantasy!

[Ainsley Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okayyyyy that was actually sooooo good!! I really really enjoyed that. Those last like 30 pages were just wild bruh.

I did like it but my only complaints are the pacing and first half kinda dragged quite a bit. I loved the second half pf the book though! Also Elodie kinda pissed me off sometimes like she would never listen to her elders and then she was all surprised when they were right, like girl cmon.

Overall this was a great adventure that I really enjoyed reading!!

[Fantasy.Gobbler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book snatched me. Gripped me by the shirt and demanded I read it faster. I gorged myself on the no-spice yearning. I mourned with Elodie in her trials and losses, and lived to watch her plan unfold. I don’t have much time to read these days, and I gobbled up the second half of the book in one day. This low-magic retelling of Count of Monte Cristo hit so many of the right notes for me.

For me, this book missed the mark in two areas (without spoilers): 1) the ending felt too easy. While the victory did come at a price (which I always appreciate), I was expecting a little more of a struggle to get there. But Elodie didn’t have much push back when the chips metaphorically fell, and I personally would have loved a little more consequences for her actions. And, tying into that, 2) I wished Elodie had more of a role in the vengeance she exacted. Her role in her enemies’s downfall felt very hands off. I’m not sure if this choice was made to keep Elodie “good” or if it was to keep the book clean, but I wanted more.

Of course, neither of these things stopped me from flying through the book, or from giving it a well-earned 4 stars. It was captivating. Elodie and Killian were made for each other. And I would gladly read this book again.

I received an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Nunu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast-paced dramatic (bordering on soap opera levels sometimes but I enjoyed it nonetheless) fantasy novel. I do feel that it leans more “romantasy” as the fantasy aspect seems to take a back seat as the book progresses on. To be completely honest I was on the fence about it until I realized it was a reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo. The real meat of the story seems to be the main character, Elodie’s, quest for revenge and emotional journey. It did feel a bit predictable at points but was definitely a fun read. Kind of like a palate cleanser, quick and entertaining! If you’re looking for immense world building and complex magic this may not be the book for you.

[Liv Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was super excited to read this ARC. Sara has done a brilliant job at writing a fast paced and easy to follow book to get lost in instantly.

Unlike a lot of fantasy books I read I found no struggle understanding the world and magic system Sara created for this which allowed me to fall head first into the story.

I liked that it was all 1st person and Elodie’s POV, although I ended up loving the other characters in the book just as much.

The ending, I may have shed a few tears… 😭

“There was nothing left of the Elodie Dantès that had been chained and banished to Autremonde. In her stead stood a completely different creature, unsure and out”

[Geraldine Basically · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book!

I could not put it down! I loved it!
I love the message, the magical artefacts,the romance aspect, and just the entire story.

I found it well written and easy to follow. I was hooked from the beginning.

The reasons for not 5 stars:
I felt like Jhial helping Elodie in Autremonde didn't make sense, and I would have loved a bit more interaction between them to justify it.

I hate that Enza died.

I am still not entirely sure what happened to Captain Andre, was he just sick or was he poisoned?

Celine's crazy outburst at the end felt unnecessary - would have preferred to take the diamonds and leave quietly


I would defo recommend this book.

[Matt (Kaitlin) Kroeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book. My review reflects my honest impressions and neither the author nor publisher solicited my review. Content and pacing may differ slightly from the final published version.

A Promised Vengeance absolutely captivated me—I genuinely could not put it down and ended up staying awake far too late because I just had to keep going. The writing style is descriptive, atmospheric, and at times almost poetic, without ever feeling weighed down. It creates an immersive reading experience that makes the world feel vivid and alive. The story pulls you in quickly and maintains a steady, engaging pace all the way through, striking a perfect balance between emotional gravity and easy readability. Even with occasional unfamiliar vocabulary, the flow remained smooth, and reading on Kindle made it effortless to look things up without interrupting the momentum.

The plot is incredibly strong and is surprising in the best ways, with developments that feel both earned and exciting. It advances confidently without dragging or rushing, and it was so easy to sink into the narrative that hours slipped by without me noticing. The characters were also a huge highlight. They’re layered, compelling, and full of personality, and several of their arcs took turns I didn’t expect but really enjoyed. Their emotional depth and the complexity of their motivations added richness to the story, and the dynamics between them carried a lot of tension, heart, and nuance. The romance is very present throughout in desperation, longing looks, meaningful moments, emotional closeness, and a connection that pays off beautifully without ever leaning on spice.

This was a quick, absorbing read that left me thoroughly satisfied. Even though I’m not sure I need to reread or purchase my own physical copy, I am absolutely interested in exploring more of the author’s work. I would highly recommend this book to a wide audience, especially readers who love richly written fantasy, gentle but gripping romance, emotional arcs, and stories that sweep you up from page one and don’t let go.

[Rachel Feeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

A non-stop dash to revenge, built on the bones of The Count of Monte Cristo. The misadventures of Elodie Dantes begin largely faithful to the original - a sailor returns home to their soon-to-be lover, flush with grief and promises of future fortunes, only to be imprisoned for treacherous crimes. In this fantasy world, the charge of Bonapartist conspiracy is replaced with murder and possession of a mystical artifact, which the current regime (perhaps in a nod to the French revolutionaries) has deemed blasphemous along with the traditional religion, and certainly not a fit possession for a common sailor. Thus maligned and imprisoned, Elodie wallows in despair, until a chance encounter sharpens that fog into escape and a desire for vengeance.

How this eventually comes to pass is significantly abbreviated, and in this lies the story’s strength and weakness. Dumas indulged in over one thousand pages (per my current copy), and curtailing some of the more roundabout quests and anecdotes serves the modern style of character driven narrative. We see through Elodie’s eyes every step of the way. On the other hand, that abundance of words informed Dantes’ character and the multitude of themes - lost innocence, vengeance, benevolence, when man plays at god, a buried hope to preserve some goodness in a world of ills. This book also tries to take a sampling of each, but there isn’t enough material to see them fully formed.

Retelling this tale is an ambitious project, and I just don’t think the limited page count allowed the scattered themes to hit the mark. However, YA readers looking for a quick pseudo-historical adventure will be rewarded with bittersweet love, hastily plotted deceptions, a glimpse of magic, and villains that get their comeuppance.

**Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC**

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Promised Vengeance is a dark, emotional fantasy standalone from Sara B. Larson, and it’s the first book I’ve read by her. Elodie Dantès is a fierce and flawed heroine. She’s been betrayed, imprisoned, and stripped of everything she cared about. Watching her wrestle with her anger and the pull of revenge felt raw and real. I liked that she isn’t perfect—her choices are messy, and sometimes she’s her own worst enemy, which made her journey even more believable.

The world Larson builds is vivid and dangerous. The prison of Autremonde is creepy and full of tension, and the mix of magic, mystery, and survival really pulled me in. The romance between Elodie and Killian added another layer to the story. It didn’t take over the plot, but it gave the stakes more weight. I found myself rooting for them, even when I wasn’t sure if they could make it through everything that stood between them.

Thanks to Netgalley and JumellePress for the review copy. My opinions are my own!
There were a few parts that felt a little rushed, especially toward the middle, and I wanted more time with some of the side characters. But overall, the pacing kept me turning pages, and the story hit the right emotional beats.

The ending surprised me in the best way. It wrapped things up in a way that felt satisfying without being too neat.

[Cathryn Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Promised Vengeance is the story of Elodie: sent to a magical prison for a crime she didn’t commit, she escapes and vows to exact her revenge on the people who ruined her life.

This is a re-telling of The Count of Monte Cristo set in a fantasy world. It has a strong FMM, a sweet no-spice romance, revenge, magic and ruses. Elodie is a compelling character, driven by her need for vengeance but conflicted by her desire to be a better person.

I liked the magical elements of this story and the world-building was clear and vivid. There were parts that felt a little rushed and possibly could have done with having a little more book time spent on them, but the best part for me was the characters. Whether you liked them or not, the characters were all fully fleshed out, believable and very well-written.

I would say this is more of a justice-seeking story than a vengeance one as Elodie’s actions are very restrained and completely legal. I don’t think she needed any of the forgiveness she asked for in the end – other than lying about her identity to avoid being sent back to prison, her actions were to uncover evidence that resulted in murderers receiving punishment, which is perfectly acceptable.

Overall, it was a lovely read and I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jumelle Press for the arc.

[diya~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only reason I still haven’t read The Count of Monte Cristo is pure procrastination, because revenge stories are absolutely my thing; and A Promised Vengeance hit that sweet spot perfectly. It takes a romantasy approach to a classic revenge narrative and delivers something intense, emotional and devastatingly powerful.

I loved the characters and the way the story unfolded, especially Elodie’s psychological journey. Her character arc and watching her transform as the story progressed was one of the most rewarding parts of the book. That said, I did have one minor qualm: the pacing. I generally enjoy fast-paced reads, but at times the speed caused certain scenes to not hit as hard as they could have. Since the story is told entirely in first person POV, I understand why this happens. Everything is moving quickly, mirroring Elodie’s own spiraling (it is the nature of tragedy, I fear). Still, I would have loved to sit with the pain and really wallow in that misery. (I promise, I'm fine)

Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable and emotionally charged read, and I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves revenge stories with a romantic and psychological edge.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the ARC | All opinions are my own

[Bethany Button · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara B. Larson has accomplished something brilliant here: taking The Count of Monte Cristo and transforming it into a sweeping, intense fantasy novel. It keeps all the beloved, classic undertones of betrayal, intense passion, and vengeance that made Dumas's original so iconic, but layers on a fresh, exhilarating twist with a beautifully crafted world and a compelling magic system. It genuinely feels both familiar and brand new.

One of the standout elements for me was the female-driven narrative. Giving the story this bold perspective adds such depth and intensity to the plot—it truly elevates the emotional stakes. The protagonist's journey of retribution and self-discovery is completely riveting. And for those who love a good pairing, the romance is absolutely swoon-worthy, woven seamlessly into the narrative without ever overshadowing the core plot.

For readers who crave epic tales featuring strong heroines, complex emotional arcs, and a powerful dash of enchantment, this is a must-read. It’s brutal, beautiful, and utterly captivating—a story that I know is going to linger long after the final page.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Zia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Jumelle Press for the opportunity to read and review an Advance Reader Copy of this book!

I went through so many emotions while reading this—confused, intrigued, disgusted, intrigued again—and then around the 60% mark, I was completely entranced. The hardest part for me was definitely the main character. I didn’t really understand or like her attitude or reasoning behind some of her decisions, which made it tough to connect at times.

That said, I loved the vengeance trope in this story, it was handled so well! And don’t even get me started on the romance. When it was good, it was so good. I just wish the main character had been more trusting toward the male lead, especially considering their childhood connection. The time difference of only three months didn’t feel like enough for that level of distrust, especially after multiple people reassured her otherwise. If it had been a longer separation, I think it would have made more sense.

Still, by the end, I found myself really enjoying the story. I settled on a 3.5-star rating, and I think it works perfectly as a standalone read!

Thank you again to NetGalley and Jumelle Press for the opportunity to read and review this book before release!

[Journey Bloomfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful reinventing of The Count of Monte Cristo. It had the same feel as Dumas' writing, while holding its own unique charm.

Elodie was very relatable, with her struggles with vengeance, forgiveness, and herself. Enza and Jaques were the perfect mentor characters, (especially Jaques. I always love the priest's character.) and what little we got of Killian proved him to be outstandingly sweet and caring. His little sisters were also adorable.

The setting was unique, what with the magical Autremonde and the bustling Port de Ciel. I am a fan of Larson's work, and she did not disappoint with this one! If you like The Count of Monte Cristo it is delightful seeing the comparison between the two, (and I appreciated the excerpts between parts,) but I also feel you could enjoy this book without having read any Dumas, as it stands solidly on its own. A good fantasy read. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer! But I do understand there are genre requirements and such, and Larson did a good job with distilling a thousand page story into far less than that.

(I received an ARC copy from Net Galley. I was not bribed etc. You know the drill. Thank you so much to Net Galley and Jumelle Press for the opportunity to read this book and offer my honest feedback!)

Full review on my website to come! (I will post a link here when I put it up.)

[Hailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I Liked:
*The themes of revenge and forgiveness were tied very closely to the story and to Elodie's character arc.

*Enza provided a needed mentor to Elodie.

What I Struggled With:
*The pacing at the beginning felt a little off. Understandably, Larson was trying to get the plot underway as quickly as possible, but it led to things feeling a little too rushed.

*One of the things I enjoyed about the original Count of Monte Cristo was getting to see how the Count plotted and maneuvered everything in taking down his enemies. However, in A Promised Vengeance, Elodie sort of outsources most of the plotting and ruining to a side character. As a result, the reader is more told that xyz thing happened to certain characters.

*I also wished the Artifacts and magic had played a larger role in the story. Aside from being the reason for Elodie's arrest and the scene near the end, they really didn't have all that much importance to the story.

Overall:
Personally, I feel like A Promised Vengeance might be better thought of as inspired by The Count of Monte Cristo, rather than a retelling. Fans of strong FMCs, sweet romance, and strong themes will likely enjoy this one.

(I received an eARC through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so wonderful to be reading another book of Larson’s. Although it’s a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, the author made it her own with strong characters, a beautiful setting, magic, and so much more.

Elodie is amazing. Her drive and determination was what held her through the unbelievable and unfair circumstances she was forced into. The people she meets on her journey were well done too. Jacques and Enza were amazing. The short time spent was Jacque was so memorable and powerful. Enza was my absolute favorite. Her patience with Elodie and dedication was enduring.

Elodie’s journey back was full of heartache, growth, and strength. The author does a great job of establishing the necessity of her feelings, while showing that growth and change of heart. This is the perfect romantasy with Elodie and Killian. He is a very memorable MMC.

This book is very special to me too. Not only it is a book of Larson’s, but my CEO’s wife was one of the publishers before she was tragically killed in a car accident earlier this year.

I received the ebook from NetGalley read now. All views are my own.

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

Pure, deliciously dramatic revenge fantasy and I devoured every page!

Elodie Dantès immediately had my heart. Falsely accused, stripped of her power, and thrown into a magical prison designed to kill her? The rage, the heartbreak, and the sheer will to survive leapt off the page. Autremonde is dark, eerie, and brutal in the best way, and watching Elodie claw her way out of it felt both terrifying and triumphant.

What really hooked me, though, was the emotional core. The betrayals cut deep, the thirst for vengeance feels earned, and the love story adds a painful layer of tension to every choice Elodie makes. I loved how the story constantly asks whether revenge actually heals or just takes more than it gives. Every step toward justice felt like it came with a cost, and I couldn’t stop turning pages to see which price she’d pay.

If you love fierce heroines, high-stakes magic, aching romance, and morally gray decisions that hurt so good, this one is absolutely for you.

✨️Thank you Toppling Stack Tours, Jumelle Press and Sara B. Larson for sharing A Promised Vengeance with me!

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Promised Vengeance" is such a fun, immersive fantasy. Elodie’s life is completely destroyed when she’s falsely accused of murder and thrown into this weird, magical prison called Autremonde, where time moves differently and the air itself is toxic. She goes through so much, grows stronger, and eventually decides it’s time for revenge—but honestly, a lot of the actual planning and payoff happens off-page, which I kind of wish I could’ve seen unfold.

That said, Elodie is awesome. She’s smart, determined, and doesn’t take any nonsense from anyone. I loved her relationships too—Killian, her ally Enza, and the priest all added so much heart and made her journey feel grounded.

The world-building is really fun, the magic is intriguing, and the second half of the book is when everything really clicks. Even though it follows The Count of Monte Cristo pretty closely, Larson’s tweaks and the emotional depth make it feel fresh.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sara B. Larson, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This young adult fantasy was a wonderful retelling of one of my favorite classics! A Promised Vengeance is a gender swapped retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo set within a fantasy world with magical artifacts. It reminded me of everything I love about the original while also bringing its own unique spins on the story.

You definitely do not have to read the original to understand this book and it would actually make a great entry point for teens who are intimidated by the full book. There is even a teacher guide section in the back for educators to use this book in the classroom in various ways.

I thought the story captured the complicated nature of forgiveness vs vengeance in a really meaningful way. There are some beautiful takeaways that you can feel in a very visceral way as you take the journey with the main character.

Definitely recommended for the young adult readers in your life!

Trigger/content notes: grief, imprisonment and brief torture scene. Spice level is kissing.

[Ridhima · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read Count of Monte Cristo or any works by this author, so I went into this one with an open mind.

For those not into spice - this is a completely clean romance, and while it is a good part of the story it isn't the predominant driving force behind it. The story ultimately focuses on Elodie's quest to exact revenge on those who wronged her and hurt those close to her. As far as standalones go, this was a quick and good enough read.

My only gripes with this book were, firstly, a lot of the action happened off page, and was mentioned as an afterthought later. While it is impossible to include everything in detail, I would have liked to see some of those hard hitting scenes in Elodie's revenge arc as opposed to simply hearing about them in the next chapter as being done by a third person. There also was minimal lore about the kingdoms and their language/culture, which I felt could have made the story more immersive.

Ultimately, A Promised Vengeance ended up being a well-written revenge story, with a brave female protagonist and a uniquely crafted kingdom run using magical artifacts.

Thank you to Toppling Stacks Tours and the author for the gifted copy of the book!

[Timitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3.5 Stars

A Promised Vengeance was an awesomely enjoyable take on The Count of Monte Cristo. I loved the setting, the magic system and how the elements from this beloved story were incorporated and woven into this retelling. It made it fresh, unique and engrossing. It was also an emotionally engaging read. I was wholly invested in what was going on especially to the heroine. I wasn't all the way sold on the hero. He was kinda blah to me and faded into the background. However, what intrigued and stumped me in a way was how very gentle it felt for a revenge story. It wasn't bloodthirsty but more of an emotional revenge is what I'd call it if that makes sense. You'll have to read it to see what I mean. I kinda liked that change of pace. All in all it was an enjoyable read, my first by this author but definitely not my last.



Copy provided by publisher through NetGalley

[Brittney Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm honestly blown away. I went into this book blind, after having just skimmed the description. I had very low expectations, and I am so pleasantly surprised. This is a loose, young adult, retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo. The pacing was nice and even, with very few dull moments. I really enjoyed the writing style and loved the magic system and world building.

Justice for my girl Enza. I feel like she was dealt the worst hand and got nothing out of it. I would have liked to see her have a happier ending.

Also, I'm not saying my favorite books need a ton of romance but I would have liked some more moments between Killian and the 'Cometesse'. I think it would have added a nice extra layer of tension.

All in all, I thought this was a gripping, and entertaining read. I would read more books from this author.