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, Retellings, Fiction, 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

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ This was so good!!! Not a single page left me feeling bored. SO much action, magical lore, and the romance! SWOON 😍 bought this book on a whim from a local author who was signing at a bookstore I happened to be at, so I went into this with no prior knowledge and loved everything about it!!

[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?!

[Jacque Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this take on The Count of Monte Cristo.
Magical aspects were cool

[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!

[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.

[Ainsley Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

January 2026 Book Club Read

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!!

[Kira Sivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Sarah B. Lawson, Jumelle Press and NetGalley for this free ARC.


'In the heart lies true healing'

It's odd that I was drawn to A Promised Vengeance by Sarah B. Lawson, as I'm not usually one for revenge stories. I suppose the fantasy setting and the beautiful cover by Franziska Stern helped pull me in and I'm glad they did.


✍🏽📖 The Reading Experience

I was expecting it take a while to get into but I was hooked after the very first chapter. As the inciting incident of Elodie's arrest happened quickly, I think the book would have benefited from establishing the world and characters a bit more before bring in the conflict.

A critique I had is the vengeance plot occasionally felt 'told' rather than 'shown'. While there's nothing with telling at times, In this instance the central conflict is Elodie's quest for vengeance. I wanted to witness the wrongdoes experiencing their downfall and having their consequences be sidelined and only mentioned made the vengeance feel a bit less impactful than it could have been.

📚 The Story: Banished and Betrayed

After joining her father's old sailing company, Elodie returns home sooner than expected, and reunites with her childhood love, Killian. Her happiness is short lived however as she's arrested for a crime she didn't commit and sentenced to banishment in the mysterious prison o Autremond.

There she meets Priest, a fellow prisoner, who's spent years digging himself an escape tunnel. When Priest dies, he leaves her with the means to escape. Upon returning to her world she learns that while she lost two years in Autremond, its only been three months at home.

Discovering the truth of who orchestrated her arrest, Elodie wants payback—but will it truly make things right, and who else will get hurt in the process?


🪄 The Magic System & Worldbuilding

The magic system isn't overt, but it is interesting all the same. Magic is ties to 'artifacts' that can be used for thing like healing or controlling water. Using them is illegal and it exacts a price on the wielder. The worldbuilding, expanded gradually as the story progressed, particularly the real origins of Autremond. I'd love to read a prequel or novella set during the events mentioned!


💡Themes: To Forgive or to Revenge

The two major themes of this book are vengeance and forgiveness and the choice between them. Revenge. Is it ever justified? I think so.

This is an incredibly personal topic. We'd all like to think we'd be the better person, but if I were in Elodie's shoes, I'm self-aware enough to know that I would want to get my own back, too. I'd want to make them feel a fraction of the agony I endured.

However, holding onto to those negative feelings can be exhausting. It doesn't erase the memories or give you peace. It just creates more conflict, more hurt, and even collateral damage. Forgiveness, on the other hand, is the harder choice. It requires looking at those who hurt you, and letting go of the anger so they no longer have a hold on you.


👥 Characters

Elodie:

'I was a girl from the slums, a sailor, a prisoner . . . and a survivor'.

She starts of as a girl who just wants to a simple life with the ones she loves. But prison changes her. Experiences can change a person, and being imprisoned for a crime you didn't commit, will of course change a person. Getting the chance to escape is one we all would take, especially if we learn that the very world we inhabit is slowly killing us. Had it been me, I would try to escape just for the chance to die in my own world, without poison in the air, even if it would be too late to reverse. So I felt for both Elodie and the Priest during these moments.

Elodie comes to see by the end what revenge is doing to her and those around her and she realizes that she doesn't want to be like the ones who hurt her. She wasn't as 'ruthless' as she tried to be. It showed her growth and her heart, but maybe Elodie's a bigger person than I am because I would not have even thought to offer Celine what she did!

Killian: My feelings went back and forth with him. I liked him initially, then felt Elodie's betrayal when she sees him with Celine. However, once his circumstances and the pressure his family had been unded were revealed I understood his choices. We can't say we wouldn't do the same in his position.

Enza: She's a steady presence that's a wonderful supporting character—and I mean that literally as she stays by Elodie's side despite wanting her friend to turn from the the path of revenge. Their relationship is my favourite of the book.

I think Enza's love for her husband and what he stood for and the time and effort she put into proving that her love for him was genuine helped her latter when the path of vengeance was set before her. Ultimately her story and her choices had a great influence on Elodie, and the latter sees their lives mirroring each other. That mirroring is what in turn influences Enza into making the sacrifice that she did. Not wanting what happened to her befall Elodie, especially not when Enza can now do something about it in a way she was unable to for her husband and child.

Celine: As the greedy, privileged antagonist. I felt she lacked menace until the end. She was more of a 'behind-the-scenes' danger to Elodie before that, and her character embodied how the want of a friend can blind you to a person's true nature.


✔️ Final Thoughts

Overall, A Promised Vengeance, kept their promise of a wrong avenged while proving that forgiveness is true key to healing. It's a story about being brave enough to reach for love even when you've been given a bitter hand. 😊

[Gwendalyn Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄: A Promised Vengeance
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: Sara B. Larson
𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒: Standalone (reimagining)
𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑: Jumelle Press
𝐏𝐔𝐁 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: Oct. 28 2025 
𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: Romantasy
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 @topplingstackstours & @SaraBLarson
@jumellepress

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣{⁣𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒}⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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.

🏷️#APromisedVengeance #TopplingStacksTours #SaraBLarson

{𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒}

A Promised Vengeance absolutely swept me away. A gender-switched reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, this book delivers betrayal, revenge, and redemption with all the emotional punch of a classic but the magic and heart of a modern romantasy.
Elodie Dantès is a heroine who commands the page. Wrongfully imprisoned and stripped of everything she holds dear, she refuses to break. Watching her rise from the depths of despair to become the architect of her own justice was thrilling and empowering. She’s beautifully complex—strong, imperfect, and capable of both vengeance and love—and I adored every layer of her journey.

The relationship between Elodie and the priest absolutely stole my heart. Their bond is tender and deeply human, a bright spark of hope amid a dark and dangerous world. It grounded the story and made me care even more about Elodie’s fight to reclaim her life.

Sara B. Larson’s writing shines here—emotional, immersive, and full of tension. The pacing builds steadily toward an explosive second half that had me completely hooked. The world-building feels lush and imaginative, and the romance is perfectly balanced—swoony but never overshadowing the plot.

What impressed me most, though, was the emotional depth. This story isn’t just about revenge—it’s about power, forgiveness, and the painful but beautiful process of becoming whole again. It feels epic and intimate at the same time, and I’m still thinking about it long after finishing.

A Promised Vengeance is everything I want in a romantasy: a strong, morally grey heroine, a high-stakes plot, slow-burn tension, and emotional catharsis. It’s brutal, beautiful, and unforgettable. This is one of those books that reminds me why I love this genre so much.

[Alice ☆ Manicures and Manuscripts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overview: Returning from a voyage at sea, Elodie Dantes is excited for the life awaiting her - her childhood love and a career on the high seas. But her future is torn from her grasp when she is falsely accused of murder and banished to the otherworldly prison of Autremonde.

Alone in her prison cell, awaiting certain death, Elodie meets a fellow prisoner and they ally to enact an escape. Once free, Elodie discovers that the people she trusted the most are the ones who betrayed her and lead to her imprisonment. Consumed by vengeance and with powerful, magical artifacts in her arsenal, Elodie plans to destroy them all.

My thoughts: When I read this was a fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo (which I admit, I have not read, but I have seen movies/tv shows enough to be familiar), I was excited. Unfortunately, the execution missed the mark for me.

Ultimately, the overarching hurdle that I think this story couldn't overcome was the pacing. The first part jumped right in which meant the audience didn't necessarily appreciate what Elodie was losing and the breadth of the betrayal. The time in the prison nails the pacing and the time and sacrifices feel real. When Elodie returns for her vengeance - this part went way too quickly for me. I really wished this had been drawn out a little bit more. There were attempts to add interesting details that were uncovered (like Mortene's motivation) but they were hidden (literally - Mortene's whole motivation is explained away in a sentence like 'We actually discovered X, which explains YZ. Oh well, onwards!'). Especiall with the soul-searching that happens at the end of the story, humanising the 'villains' could have been a really poignant part - Elodie comes to terms with her vengeance and where true healing lies, it seems shallow to cast the baddies as 2D in return.

The worldbuilding held a lot of promise - I had so many questions about the Goddess and why the religion was outlawed. I did feel that the artifacts were basically just a plot device to keep things moving and could have been used a lot more.

While this was an enjoyable read and I did enjoy Elodie and Killian as characters, I didn't feel that the fantasy element was strong enough, and (although a retelling so we know where it's going!) it felt cliche.

It wasn't by any means a bad book - just not for me. It has made me want to add The Count of Monte Cristo to my TBR so there are silver linings!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[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**

[Alexandria Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

They took everything from her… now she wants vengeance.

💔 A Promised Vengeance is a gripping fantasy filled with betrayal, magic, revenge, and the emotional journey of a heroine who refuses to stay broken.

Elodie Dantès loses everything when she’s falsely accused of murder.
Her freedom
Her future
Her childhood love Killian
…and even the powerful magical artifact she once possessed.

Sent to the deadly prison realm of Autremonde, a place poisoned by magic where survival feels impossible, Elodie’s life seems completely over.

But instead of breaking, she survives.

And when she finally escapes, she learns the truth: the people responsible for destroying her life were the very people she trusted most.

From that moment on, Elodie’s mission becomes crystal clear…vengeance.

What I loved most about this story was Elodie’s emotional journey. She isn’t a perfect heroine. She’s angry, hurt, and driven by revenge but that’s what made her feel so real.

Watching her wrestle with the cost of vengeance versus the possibility of forgiveness added so much depth to the story.

The world building was also really immersive. The prison realm of Autremonde was eerie and dangerous, and the magical elements woven throughout the story added an intriguing layer to the plot.

And while revenge fuels the story, the romance between Elodie and Killian adds heart to the narrative. Their connection gives the story emotional weight and raises the stakes as Elodie must decide what matters more…revenge or the chance at love and healing.

This was an engaging fantasy read with a compelling heroine, a magical world, and a story that constantly keeps you wondering whether vengeance will truly bring the closure Elodie is searching for.

If you love fantasy stories filled with betrayal, redemption, and powerful female leads, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR.

[Acantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A magical take on The Count of Monte Cristo that has some shining moments but is perhaps held back by its YA roots.

The magic system here was a lot of fun, I love the idea of the artefacts, this outlawed religion, a magic race and so much history hidden away. The Priest was a standout character and far too good for anyone else in this book.

I really enjoy The Count of Monte Cristo, and I especially enjoy a reimagining that sits at a more comfortable page count. The main issue however lies in its YA range, this is a book about revenge, vengeance and while I of course fully expected the 'lesson' that was taught here, you still expect there to be a focus on the actual vengeance. It's in the title. Instead, a lot happens off page or is very watered down, she 'finds' evidence proving a fire was deliberate for example, but we don't see the fire. She finds proof of a murder, a cover up, and so on, but again we are just told she gets this info. Not the how. She doesn't even face one of the people she's getting revenge on.

Her dressing up and posing as a noble seems more for the romance or to follow the MC plot rather than being a part of her scheme - she could have done everything without seeing them.

It's a disappointment, but perhaps it shouldn't be when its aimed at younger readers. There is still a lot to like in this book, and our MMC while more an idea at times, is still a swoon worthy lead and worth fighting for. Worth a read.

~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~

[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.)