What do you think?
Rate this book
Sonata: The Songs of Eiredel, Book One
The worst cages are the ones you stop trying to escape.
Saelora has spent countless moments drained at the end of a needle, her blood harvested to satiate the vampires' thirst. Chosen as the prince's pet, Saelora is thrust into a court steeped in deadly intrigue, where the privileged few taste human fears as readily as veins, and desire and degradation share the same bitter edge. Beneath marble halls, rebellion stirs—and with it, a cellist whose blade proves as sharp as his bow.
Still, survival can become the cruelest curse of all.
From shadows, another watches—one whose hands drip both loyalty and blood, haunted by the screams of those he's condemned. Years of dutiful violence have left him seeking the sweet release that only death might offer, yet fate denies him even this escape.
Some monsters are born. Some are made. And some are waiting just beneath the skin.
In the end, everyone must choose which monster to become.
Sonata, book one in The Songs of Eiredel series, is a dark, character-driven vampire romantasy quartet that tells of survival, morally gray antiheroes, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension, and heart-wrenching choices. Perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent’s The Serpent and the Wings of Night, Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Penn Cole’s Spark of the Everflame (The Kindred’s Curse Saga).
Saelora has spent countless moments drained at the end of a needle, her blood harvested to satiate the vampires' thirst. Chosen as the prince's pet, Saelora is thrust into a court steeped in deadly intrigue, where the privileged few taste human fears as readily as veins, and desire and degradation share the same bitter edge. Beneath marble halls, rebellion stirs—and with it, a cellist whose blade proves as sharp as his bow.
Still, survival can become the cruelest curse of all.
From shadows, another watches—one whose hands drip both loyalty and blood, haunted by the screams of those he's condemned. Years of dutiful violence have left him seeking the sweet release that only death might offer, yet fate denies him even this escape.
Some monsters are born. Some are made. And some are waiting just beneath the skin.
In the end, everyone must choose which monster to become.
Sonata, book one in The Songs of Eiredel series, is a dark, character-driven vampire romantasy quartet that tells of survival, morally gray antiheroes, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension, and heart-wrenching choices. Perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent’s The Serpent and the Wings of Night, Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Penn Cole’s Spark of the Everflame (The Kindred’s Curse Saga).
- GenresVampires
539 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2025
4 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 8, 2025
*ARC*
I became hooked from page one. Sonata is a devastatingly beautiful read. I absolutely fell in love with this world, as tortured and gruesome as it is. The characters are so well written, you just instantly begin to root for them to succeed.
Saelora is the definition of overcoming trauma and heartache. I fell in love with her determination and her vulnerability. I also loved how the longer she stayed with Corven, the more the lines blurred on which side she should be on.
And her relationship with Corven is beautiful. I feel like they are just drawn together by circumstances but I absolutely loved how they have grown together.
Leish is absolutely my favorite character in this book. He's broody, he's deadly, but he also has another side to him that I really can't wait to see more of.
Sonata also makes music a prominent part of the story, which I absolutely love. It makes this book hauntingly beautiful. I think the music helps the characters to see, acknowledge, and face their traumas and pain. I cried at many parts in this book and it made me have all the feels. I am emotionally devastated and I absolutely need book 2 immediately.
I became hooked from page one. Sonata is a devastatingly beautiful read. I absolutely fell in love with this world, as tortured and gruesome as it is. The characters are so well written, you just instantly begin to root for them to succeed.
Saelora is the definition of overcoming trauma and heartache. I fell in love with her determination and her vulnerability. I also loved how the longer she stayed with Corven, the more the lines blurred on which side she should be on.
And her relationship with Corven is beautiful. I feel like they are just drawn together by circumstances but I absolutely loved how they have grown together.
Leish is absolutely my favorite character in this book. He's broody, he's deadly, but he also has another side to him that I really can't wait to see more of.
Sonata also makes music a prominent part of the story, which I absolutely love. It makes this book hauntingly beautiful. I think the music helps the characters to see, acknowledge, and face their traumas and pain. I cried at many parts in this book and it made me have all the feels. I am emotionally devastated and I absolutely need book 2 immediately.
June 1, 2025
I adore this book — I swear it’s imprinted itself on my heart and mind. It’s achingly beautiful and crushingly heartbreaking, and so profoundly human. Told through a world where vampires are the ruling class, this story explores so many themes that are relevant to our real world and the capacities within all of us to love and hate, hurt and heal.
I know some people might think of this book as “slow” - and yes, perhaps it’s slow to action/romance compared to the usual pace of popular fantasy books, but every single word is intentional, every character and piece of exposition crafted with deliberate care. It kept me enraptured from the first page, all the way through, and carried me through so many different emotions. And the music. THE MUSIC IN THIS BOOK. it’s almost its own character the way it carries such a presence, both escape and connection between/to our main characters.
“you think there’s only one way to get it right, but that’s not how music works. *People* do not work like that. We need space to bend, stumble, and still find our way to our song.” like oh so I’m sobbing.
More things to love:
- The fmc is in her 30s, plus sized, and gives us some exceptional mental heath rep and is written so multifaceted, it was a breath of fresh air to read a character like her. both anxiety-ridden AND brave, sweet AND strong,
- the mmc is a snarky, brooding executioner who is hiding more than meets the eye under his tough exterior, and who doesn’t love that?
- another main male lead is a naive but sweet, fluffy, cinnamon roll of a character and it was so refreshing to see a man be so tender and idealistic
- there’s nonbinary rep and POC rep in the main cast
- there’s such a cool, unique take on vampires in this story, where they lose all memory of their former human life/selves when turned and are all ruled under a queendom, treating humans as lower class blood bags, despite having all been humans at some point themselves
- beautiful prose
- the authors are husband & wife, with the wife writing the fmc POV chapters and the husband writing the mmc POV chapters, and they are both exceptional humans
ANYWAY - please give this book a chance. it will hear your heart and sing it back to you. (just read the triggers, though i am generally a baby and this book was not hard to get through for me at all!)
I know some people might think of this book as “slow” - and yes, perhaps it’s slow to action/romance compared to the usual pace of popular fantasy books, but every single word is intentional, every character and piece of exposition crafted with deliberate care. It kept me enraptured from the first page, all the way through, and carried me through so many different emotions. And the music. THE MUSIC IN THIS BOOK. it’s almost its own character the way it carries such a presence, both escape and connection between/to our main characters.
“you think there’s only one way to get it right, but that’s not how music works. *People* do not work like that. We need space to bend, stumble, and still find our way to our song.” like oh so I’m sobbing.
More things to love:
- The fmc is in her 30s, plus sized, and gives us some exceptional mental heath rep and is written so multifaceted, it was a breath of fresh air to read a character like her. both anxiety-ridden AND brave, sweet AND strong,
- the mmc is a snarky, brooding executioner who is hiding more than meets the eye under his tough exterior, and who doesn’t love that?
- another main male lead is a naive but sweet, fluffy, cinnamon roll of a character and it was so refreshing to see a man be so tender and idealistic
- there’s nonbinary rep and POC rep in the main cast
- there’s such a cool, unique take on vampires in this story, where they lose all memory of their former human life/selves when turned and are all ruled under a queendom, treating humans as lower class blood bags, despite having all been humans at some point themselves
- beautiful prose
- the authors are husband & wife, with the wife writing the fmc POV chapters and the husband writing the mmc POV chapters, and they are both exceptional humans
ANYWAY - please give this book a chance. it will hear your heart and sing it back to you. (just read the triggers, though i am generally a baby and this book was not hard to get through for me at all!)
May 31, 2025
BETA Read. This book is so different than others I’ve read. There is a different process for vampires to transition, blood farms, etc. dark morally grey MMC is awesome. FMC is awesome too. Music inspires a lot of it. It’s insanely slow burn and a lot of world building which likely pays off in future books. I typically enjoy more spice and a faster pace but understand sometimes it’s necessary in book 1 of series to set up the world. This is a great book and can’t wait for book 2. Plus the authors are amazingly good people.
May 25, 2025
I enjoyed this book and am intrigued to see what happens next. The world building was very in depth and immersive and I enjoyed their take on a vampire run society.
The romance is extremely slow burn, which I don't mind. I will say most of the book felt more like a regular fantasy book not a romantasy, which I also don't mind but just was not my expectation going into it.
There's a bit of a love triangle situation. I'm curious to see how it gets resolved despite the fact that there's nothing that makes me madder in books than love triangles. The authors have set up interesting and complex enough dynamics that I'm eager for the next book.
Thanks to the authors for the ARC!
The romance is extremely slow burn, which I don't mind. I will say most of the book felt more like a regular fantasy book not a romantasy, which I also don't mind but just was not my expectation going into it.
There's a bit of a love triangle situation. I'm curious to see how it gets resolved despite the fact that there's nothing that makes me madder in books than love triangles. The authors have set up interesting and complex enough dynamics that I'm eager for the next book.
Thanks to the authors for the ARC!
June 19, 2025
Have you ever finished a book and just sat there, staring at the wall, wondering how you're supposed to keep living like nothing happened?
That’s what I felt when I read this book, it was devastatingly beautiful. I loved easily every single thing about this book. Corvin, Leish, Saelora…all of them with their distinct and unique personalities left me wanting to jump inside this book and just love along side them.
I sobbed, I felt it all reading this book and this easily became a book that I truly want to read over and over again.
Stella and Vincent thrust you into this world, and I didn’t want it or end.
That’s what I felt when I read this book, it was devastatingly beautiful. I loved easily every single thing about this book. Corvin, Leish, Saelora…all of them with their distinct and unique personalities left me wanting to jump inside this book and just love along side them.
I sobbed, I felt it all reading this book and this easily became a book that I truly want to read over and over again.
Stella and Vincent thrust you into this world, and I didn’t want it or end.
June 8, 2025
5 stars – and I don’t give those out like blood candy at a vampire court ball.
Sonata is a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of clawing toward the light—even when you're buried under centuries of power plays and monstrous deeds. Saelora’s journey is raw and harrowing, yet somehow... healing. The kind of emotional brutality that leaves your soul bruised and better for it.
The character depth? Chef’s kiss. Each one waltzes into your chest cavity and sets up camp, claiming squatter’s rights on your emotions. The writing flows like music—lyrical, aching, and so in tune with the human (and not-so-human) condition. The way music is woven into the fabric of the narrative made me cry more than once. ((And I’m not a crier I don’t care what my bestie Ash says 🤣)) Symphony of suffering? Sure. But it’s also a ballad of hope.
It’s rare that I finish a book and think, “Yes, I’ll let this one live rent-free in my ribcage forever.” But Sonata? It moved in, redecorated, and started composing its own tragic score.
Sonata is a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of clawing toward the light—even when you're buried under centuries of power plays and monstrous deeds. Saelora’s journey is raw and harrowing, yet somehow... healing. The kind of emotional brutality that leaves your soul bruised and better for it.
The character depth? Chef’s kiss. Each one waltzes into your chest cavity and sets up camp, claiming squatter’s rights on your emotions. The writing flows like music—lyrical, aching, and so in tune with the human (and not-so-human) condition. The way music is woven into the fabric of the narrative made me cry more than once. ((And I’m not a crier I don’t care what my bestie Ash says 🤣)) Symphony of suffering? Sure. But it’s also a ballad of hope.
It’s rare that I finish a book and think, “Yes, I’ll let this one live rent-free in my ribcage forever.” But Sonata? It moved in, redecorated, and started composing its own tragic score.
June 5, 2025
I was lucky enough to be an eARC reader for this novel and it's incredible (and the authors are wonderful people). It's a slow build, but it didn't feel like it was dragging. Every piece of what happened is placing a building block for what is to come. And the romance? There's plenty of something going on while the main romantic interest is a slow burn. and i truly mean a slooooooow buuuuuurn.
The world building is excellent and they do a great job at balancing out exposition with giving enough clues for you to figure some mechanics out without it being stated. And the writing? Beautiful. Some of the lines are absolutely poetic, such as this, in regard to memories "...like strans of gossamer, weaving who we are."
I absolutely recommend this book but please check the triggers! Dark fantasy with some romance.
Some additional highlights:
-Queer characters
-Plus sized FMC
-Dual POV
*4.25 rating
The world building is excellent and they do a great job at balancing out exposition with giving enough clues for you to figure some mechanics out without it being stated. And the writing? Beautiful. Some of the lines are absolutely poetic, such as this, in regard to memories "...like strans of gossamer, weaving who we are."
I absolutely recommend this book but please check the triggers! Dark fantasy with some romance.
Some additional highlights:
-Queer characters
-Plus sized FMC
-Dual POV
*4.25 rating
June 6, 2025
A heartbreakingly human vampire novel. I found this book to be beautifully written and deeply engaging. The world was much more developed than I was expecting, mainly because I was expecting this to focus on a romance plot, but it has very strong fantasy elements. There is a lot of depth not only to the world, but the characters and the exploration of their inner worlds, which I loved. I’ll be looking forward to the next installment to see where Saelora, Leish, and Corven’s stories go!
Thank you very much for the ARC!
Thank you very much for the ARC!
January 1, 2026
This story followed a dual POV of Saelora (Human) and Leish (Vampire) set in a world where Vampires rule and humans are nothing but tools for the vampires. Saelora is taken from the blood farm she grew up in to be one of the Princes (Corven) “pets.” I cannot stress enough how slow this story is. If you enjoy slow pacing then this book will be right up your alley. While this is dual POV, the majority of the book is told from Saelora’s POV. I had a difficult time connecting with the story and characters, finding I read it very much from an outsiders perspective. Corven, the prince, is whom I found to be the most interesting character and I would love to dive more into him, personally! The line of succession and how vampires are created vs dhampirs (halfsies) was refreshingly different for a vampire book.
This book contains oppression and slavery, isolation, violence, death (including child), suicidal ideations, sexual contact.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of Sonata and will most likely continue with the story. Gotta find out what Corven is up to
This book contains oppression and slavery, isolation, violence, death (including child), suicidal ideations, sexual contact.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of Sonata and will most likely continue with the story. Gotta find out what Corven is up to
May 15, 2025
sonata is a dual pov, a human thrust into royal court life of the vampires she despises. a vampire at the beck and call of the queen. but are all vampires the same? saelora must adapt to her new life while discovering who she can and can’t trust, all well unrest stirs and leads to difficult decisions all around….decisions that lead to loss, violence, changing loyalties, and more! but woven throughout are wisps of hope carried by music. listen carefully and you just might hear the notes weaving together to form the melody of a better world 🎶
June 11, 2025
Title: Sonata: The Songs of Eiredel (Book 1)
Author: Stella & Vincent Lunaire
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Pages: 541
Rating: 4.5⭐️/5 (rounded up!)
“Let them parade us before their court. They may claim our bodies, but they will never claim our souls.”
In the vampire-ruled Queendom of Eiiredel, humans are nothing more than claim—bred, controlled, and discarded when no longer useful. Saelora, raised on a blood farm and, at 31, considered too old to be of interest, is unexpectedly chosen as Prince Corven’s new “pet.” In a world where royal heirs are born from humans and then forgotten, where parents are turned and stripped of their memories, and where love is a liability, Saelora’s sharp mind and quiet resistance make her more than just another possession. As the Fifth Ceremony approaches and Corven prepares to feed from her for the first time, everyone wonders if she’ll submit like the rest… or become the start of something that could unravel everything.
Sonata is a vampire romance that really stands out with a plot that feels new and exciting. The world is built around deep-rooted control, rebellion bubbling under the surface, and a vampire hierarchy unlike anything I’ve read before. The romance is slow and simmering—more about the tension than heat—with just a touch of love triangle drama. The two main vampires, Leish and Corven, are straight-up captivating. Leish has that dark, intense energy I love, and Corven? There’s so much going on with him—I’m dying to dig deeper. Saelora kept me wondering—what happens if everything breaks apart? If the system crumbles, who makes it out, and what does love even look like in that kind of chaos? The characters are refreshingly diverse, the writing paints everything like a movie, and nothing feels like filler. Since it’s the first in the series, the story takes its time laying the groundwork, but I’m all in—oh, I just need Book 2 ASAP!
A big thanks to Stella & Vincent Lunaire for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
Releasing today, 06/12/25 on Amazon, KU, and paperback.
—
#AdvancedReaderCopy
Author: Stella & Vincent Lunaire
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Pages: 541
Rating: 4.5⭐️/5 (rounded up!)
“Let them parade us before their court. They may claim our bodies, but they will never claim our souls.”
In the vampire-ruled Queendom of Eiiredel, humans are nothing more than claim—bred, controlled, and discarded when no longer useful. Saelora, raised on a blood farm and, at 31, considered too old to be of interest, is unexpectedly chosen as Prince Corven’s new “pet.” In a world where royal heirs are born from humans and then forgotten, where parents are turned and stripped of their memories, and where love is a liability, Saelora’s sharp mind and quiet resistance make her more than just another possession. As the Fifth Ceremony approaches and Corven prepares to feed from her for the first time, everyone wonders if she’ll submit like the rest… or become the start of something that could unravel everything.
Sonata is a vampire romance that really stands out with a plot that feels new and exciting. The world is built around deep-rooted control, rebellion bubbling under the surface, and a vampire hierarchy unlike anything I’ve read before. The romance is slow and simmering—more about the tension than heat—with just a touch of love triangle drama. The two main vampires, Leish and Corven, are straight-up captivating. Leish has that dark, intense energy I love, and Corven? There’s so much going on with him—I’m dying to dig deeper. Saelora kept me wondering—what happens if everything breaks apart? If the system crumbles, who makes it out, and what does love even look like in that kind of chaos? The characters are refreshingly diverse, the writing paints everything like a movie, and nothing feels like filler. Since it’s the first in the series, the story takes its time laying the groundwork, but I’m all in—oh, I just need Book 2 ASAP!
A big thanks to Stella & Vincent Lunaire for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
Releasing today, 06/12/25 on Amazon, KU, and paperback.
—
#AdvancedReaderCopy
August 10, 2025
✨🔮🌞🌕🍄🌕🌞🔮✨
BOOK TOUR REVIEW
Sonata - Stella Lunaire , Vincent Lunaire
The songs of Eiredel: Book one
Genre: dark fantasy romance
4.5/5⭐️
📚📚📚
This one was a wonderful read! From page one until I finished I was just consumed by this world! What I enjoyed most was the way the writing was able to pull emotions from me while reading. I truly felt like I could feel what the characters were throughout certain moments. I picked this one up mostly because vampires and slow burn. I’m glad I did because that slow burn was truly burning!! We got some love triangle vibes which I love. Leish is definitely my fav but I got love for Corven too!
This was my first time trying out these authors and I can gladly say I’ll be back for more!! And where is book two cause I’m gonna need that preorder button 😅
📚📚📚
Tropes:
🖤A slow-burning vampire x human romance
🖤Rebellion/oppressive power dynamics
🖤Plus-sized FMC
🖤Haunted MMC
🖤Queernorm worldbuilding
🖤Queer/nonbinary rep
🖤Lyrical prose
🖤Music as a form of healing
🖤Tension and forced proximity
📚📚📚
Thank you so much for sending me a copy for an honest review in my own words. #giftedcopy
✨What’s a new author you’ve recently picked up?
#books #booklover #smut #booknerd #bookfriend #bookish #booklovers #bookishcommunity #bookloversunite #instabook #bookporn #bookphotography #reviews #igbooks #ilovereading #smutty #bookaddiction #bookhoader #hotnsexy #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecs #yummy #givemeallthebooks #readingthepainaway #booktok
BOOK TOUR REVIEW
Sonata - Stella Lunaire , Vincent Lunaire
The songs of Eiredel: Book one
Genre: dark fantasy romance
4.5/5⭐️
📚📚📚
This one was a wonderful read! From page one until I finished I was just consumed by this world! What I enjoyed most was the way the writing was able to pull emotions from me while reading. I truly felt like I could feel what the characters were throughout certain moments. I picked this one up mostly because vampires and slow burn. I’m glad I did because that slow burn was truly burning!! We got some love triangle vibes which I love. Leish is definitely my fav but I got love for Corven too!
This was my first time trying out these authors and I can gladly say I’ll be back for more!! And where is book two cause I’m gonna need that preorder button 😅
📚📚📚
Tropes:
🖤A slow-burning vampire x human romance
🖤Rebellion/oppressive power dynamics
🖤Plus-sized FMC
🖤Haunted MMC
🖤Queernorm worldbuilding
🖤Queer/nonbinary rep
🖤Lyrical prose
🖤Music as a form of healing
🖤Tension and forced proximity
📚📚📚
Thank you so much for sending me a copy for an honest review in my own words. #giftedcopy
✨What’s a new author you’ve recently picked up?
#books #booklover #smut #booknerd #bookfriend #bookish #booklovers #bookishcommunity #bookloversunite #instabook #bookporn #bookphotography #reviews #igbooks #ilovereading #smutty #bookaddiction #bookhoader #hotnsexy #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecs #yummy #givemeallthebooks #readingthepainaway #booktok
June 12, 2025
Sonata is a fascinating read that brings all the drama, tension, passion, and mystery to the table. The depth of the characters stories and the way the story flows made it a page turner for me. I had to know what was going to happen 🤯
Set in a world where vampires rule by their own rules and customs. Saelora finds herself with a vampire prince, Corven, who maybe isn’t so bad. There’s also spooky & broody Leish she has to deal with. The series of events that transpires will change everything for them all. Tension will rise, battles will be fought, heartbreak will ensue, and lines will certainly blur.
Can’t wait for book 2 after that ending 💀👀
Grateful to have received this ARC from Stella Lunaire & Vincent Lunaire
Set in a world where vampires rule by their own rules and customs. Saelora finds herself with a vampire prince, Corven, who maybe isn’t so bad. There’s also spooky & broody Leish she has to deal with. The series of events that transpires will change everything for them all. Tension will rise, battles will be fought, heartbreak will ensue, and lines will certainly blur.
Can’t wait for book 2 after that ending 💀👀
Grateful to have received this ARC from Stella Lunaire & Vincent Lunaire
June 12, 2025
A Delicious First Bite
I was one of the Beta readers, and it is amazing to watch this story unfold. I instantly fell in love with the characters and the lore that Stella and Vincent are creating. This series is gonna be epic!
I was one of the Beta readers, and it is amazing to watch this story unfold. I instantly fell in love with the characters and the lore that Stella and Vincent are creating. This series is gonna be epic!
May 23, 2025
I received a free copy of this book for review as an ARC from the authors.
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.
When I got this book and read through the first chapter or so, my expectation was that this would be a vampire romantasy Handmaid’s Tale sort of story. And on its surface, it sort of is. But that quickly falls away and leaves behind a scared woman in the company of vampires that she’s forced to trust because the others at court would sooner see her dead. Despite it all, her immediate captor, Corven, is kind and indulgent, giving her all he can to make her stay in the castle as comfortable as possible, making her question whether she can trust him or not.
I liked the way the line of succession works, with the transition from human to vampire. It's a unique take, and that's always nice to see something new in a vampire book. Generally, I liked the approach to how vampires and dhampirs work, how they change from human to vampire, and so on. It's horrifying and slow, and I love the implications for how it functions in maintaining the hierarchical structure of this world.
This book is slow, and I cannot emphasize this enough. Saelora and Leish are supposed to be the endgame relationship, but by the end of this first book, I can honestly say that I’m not rooting for them to wind up together. Saelora and Corven make more sense together, and I feel that, in saying this, I’ve found myself on the wrong side of the Edward vs. Jacob arguments of the 2000s. It felt like it took too long for the enemies-to-lovers to enter the "I like you" stage. Actually, by the end, Saelora still doesn't exactly "like" Leish, and that's after 530 pages. I understand that this is the first of a four-book series, but this wasn't enough to get me invested in their relationship.
Corven is just such a sweet cinnamon roll of a character around Saelora that it's hard to root for the guy who's been a dick to her through most of the book. I genuinely like their relationship because he's willing to alter his behavior to accommodate her trauma, he wants her to learn things if she's interested, and he clearly adores her. I kept waiting for him to either die or be revealed to be a conniving bastard because it was the only way to justify Leish being the guy she wound up with.
I found her constant flip-flopping about her stance on Leish tiring, especially given her characterization of him as an unrepentant cold-blooded murderer, which she has little basis for. She knows that Corven has little say in the things he’s made to do by the queen, so why would she assume any differently for Leish? I recognize that she may have felt a need to cling to this monstrous image of him, so that she doesn’t develop feelings for him and feel as though she’s betraying her people. But as a reader, it was frustrating, especially when we get several glimpses of him showing kindness and compassion, even to other humans.
We don’t get very many chapters told from Leish’s perspective (I would guess about 1/5 are from his POV). This severely limits our insights into Leish’s inner thoughts, and it makes it harder to empathize with him because we seldom get to know who he is behind the mask. I’m also used to dual POV romance books having the two love interests narrate roughly equal portions of the story (not that this is a rule as such, just that it’s common practice), and so this book felt off-balance in that regard.
I will say, Leish's "oh fuck, I love her" moment contains one of the HARDEST lines I've ever read: "I burned to be what she craved, to give her the world and every forbidden want, to fill her until she was drowning in pleasure, dark, fiery, and all-consuming. I wanted her to destroy me, to carve her name into my bones." Like damn, that shit's good. I just wish it had happened 200 pages earlier.
Also, this is more of a formatting thing, but I firmly believe that trigger warnings and/or content warnings should be listed at the front of the book, not the back. You shouldn’t have to flip through the book and risk seeing triggering material just to get to the content warnings.
I really wanted to love this book. But unfortunately, it just wasn't for me, and I won't be continuing the series.
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.
When I got this book and read through the first chapter or so, my expectation was that this would be a vampire romantasy Handmaid’s Tale sort of story. And on its surface, it sort of is. But that quickly falls away and leaves behind a scared woman in the company of vampires that she’s forced to trust because the others at court would sooner see her dead. Despite it all, her immediate captor, Corven, is kind and indulgent, giving her all he can to make her stay in the castle as comfortable as possible, making her question whether she can trust him or not.
I liked the way the line of succession works, with the transition from human to vampire. It's a unique take, and that's always nice to see something new in a vampire book. Generally, I liked the approach to how vampires and dhampirs work, how they change from human to vampire, and so on. It's horrifying and slow, and I love the implications for how it functions in maintaining the hierarchical structure of this world.
This book is slow, and I cannot emphasize this enough. Saelora and Leish are supposed to be the endgame relationship, but by the end of this first book, I can honestly say that I’m not rooting for them to wind up together. Saelora and Corven make more sense together, and I feel that, in saying this, I’ve found myself on the wrong side of the Edward vs. Jacob arguments of the 2000s. It felt like it took too long for the enemies-to-lovers to enter the "I like you" stage. Actually, by the end, Saelora still doesn't exactly "like" Leish, and that's after 530 pages. I understand that this is the first of a four-book series, but this wasn't enough to get me invested in their relationship.
Corven is just such a sweet cinnamon roll of a character around Saelora that it's hard to root for the guy who's been a dick to her through most of the book. I genuinely like their relationship because he's willing to alter his behavior to accommodate her trauma, he wants her to learn things if she's interested, and he clearly adores her. I kept waiting for him to either die or be revealed to be a conniving bastard because it was the only way to justify Leish being the guy she wound up with.
I found her constant flip-flopping about her stance on Leish tiring, especially given her characterization of him as an unrepentant cold-blooded murderer, which she has little basis for. She knows that Corven has little say in the things he’s made to do by the queen, so why would she assume any differently for Leish? I recognize that she may have felt a need to cling to this monstrous image of him, so that she doesn’t develop feelings for him and feel as though she’s betraying her people. But as a reader, it was frustrating, especially when we get several glimpses of him showing kindness and compassion, even to other humans.
We don’t get very many chapters told from Leish’s perspective (I would guess about 1/5 are from his POV). This severely limits our insights into Leish’s inner thoughts, and it makes it harder to empathize with him because we seldom get to know who he is behind the mask. I’m also used to dual POV romance books having the two love interests narrate roughly equal portions of the story (not that this is a rule as such, just that it’s common practice), and so this book felt off-balance in that regard.
I will say, Leish's "oh fuck, I love her" moment contains one of the HARDEST lines I've ever read: "I burned to be what she craved, to give her the world and every forbidden want, to fill her until she was drowning in pleasure, dark, fiery, and all-consuming. I wanted her to destroy me, to carve her name into my bones." Like damn, that shit's good. I just wish it had happened 200 pages earlier.
Also, this is more of a formatting thing, but I firmly believe that trigger warnings and/or content warnings should be listed at the front of the book, not the back. You shouldn’t have to flip through the book and risk seeing triggering material just to get to the content warnings.
I really wanted to love this book. But unfortunately, it just wasn't for me, and I won't be continuing the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2025
This is the kind of book that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go. I finished it and just sat there, a little dazed, a little awed, and completely satisfied. This is dark romantasy done right. It is lush, atmospheric, and emotionally gripping, with a core trio of characters I found myself deeply invested in, almost equally.
Saelora is a phenomenal lead. Her strength is in her resilience. She’s been dehumanized, treated like a resource in this dark vampire-focused world, but there’s still steel in her spine. It’s everything I want from a vampire setting: gothic, morally complex, and dangerous. There's something of a love triangle, but it is pretty minimal and all parties really seem to care for one another (eventually). There's a lot of chemistry and I am crossing my fingers for a throuple situation.
What impressed me most, though, was the writing itself. It’s lyrical without being overdone, with moments that ache in the best way. The world-building is immersive, and while it doesn’t shy away from dark topics, it handles them with intent and weight. Nothing here feels like it’s for shock value. It’s painful, but purposeful.
If you liked From Blood and Ash but wanted more nuance, more diversity, better world-building, and better emotional payoff, Sonata delivers. This had echoes of Silver Under Nightfall, which is another vampy fav of mine. This is the first in a series, and you can feel the story building toward rebellion, but it doesn’t feel like it’s holding back either. It’s bittersweet, romantic, brutal, and beautiful all at once.
I adored this one. Absolutely can’t wait for book two. I hope that we get even more political intrigue and yearning in the next.
Thank you so much to QP Booktours and the authors for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Saelora is a phenomenal lead. Her strength is in her resilience. She’s been dehumanized, treated like a resource in this dark vampire-focused world, but there’s still steel in her spine. It’s everything I want from a vampire setting: gothic, morally complex, and dangerous. There's something of a love triangle, but it is pretty minimal and all parties really seem to care for one another (eventually). There's a lot of chemistry and I am crossing my fingers for a throuple situation.
What impressed me most, though, was the writing itself. It’s lyrical without being overdone, with moments that ache in the best way. The world-building is immersive, and while it doesn’t shy away from dark topics, it handles them with intent and weight. Nothing here feels like it’s for shock value. It’s painful, but purposeful.
If you liked From Blood and Ash but wanted more nuance, more diversity, better world-building, and better emotional payoff, Sonata delivers. This had echoes of Silver Under Nightfall, which is another vampy fav of mine. This is the first in a series, and you can feel the story building toward rebellion, but it doesn’t feel like it’s holding back either. It’s bittersweet, romantic, brutal, and beautiful all at once.
I adored this one. Absolutely can’t wait for book two. I hope that we get even more political intrigue and yearning in the next.
Thank you so much to QP Booktours and the authors for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
June 13, 2025
This book destroyed me in the best possible way to the point that I will probably read it again, because I remember something that means something completely different now that I've reached the ending. I'm wondering how many other hidden things I missed.
Immediately starting this book, I was completely immersed in its dark, lyrical world. Everything unfolds naturally, trusting the reader's intelligence to piece things together without drowning them in exposition. The world is brutal and cruel, and so detailed and immersive that I felt I was there alongside the characters.
Saelora's resilience in the face of trauma, her quiet strength, and the way she slowly lets her walls down had me emotionally invested from the start. Watching her navigate her complicated loyalties was agonizing and beautiful.
Corven is a refreshing take on a man in fantasy novels. It's so rare to see a character that is kind and curious like he is. I'm going to be devastated if he turns out to be the enemy.
And then there’s Leish. Oh, Leish. Brooding, lethal, and layered in ways I’m still unraveling. He stole every scene he was in. I need more of him, immediately. Somehow I don't feel like this is going to be a love triangle, but we will see.
What makes Sonata truly special is how music weaves through the story. It’s not just background noise, but it’s healing, it’s memory, it’s pain given sound. There were moments so hauntingly written that I had to pause just to catch my breath. The prose is poetic without being pretentious, striking that perfect balance between lush description and raw emotion.
Yes, it’s an agonizing slow burn, but every glance, every unspoken tension is worth the wait. I cannot wait for book two, especially after that ending.
Immediately starting this book, I was completely immersed in its dark, lyrical world. Everything unfolds naturally, trusting the reader's intelligence to piece things together without drowning them in exposition. The world is brutal and cruel, and so detailed and immersive that I felt I was there alongside the characters.
Saelora's resilience in the face of trauma, her quiet strength, and the way she slowly lets her walls down had me emotionally invested from the start. Watching her navigate her complicated loyalties was agonizing and beautiful.
Corven is a refreshing take on a man in fantasy novels. It's so rare to see a character that is kind and curious like he is. I'm going to be devastated if he turns out to be the enemy.
And then there’s Leish. Oh, Leish. Brooding, lethal, and layered in ways I’m still unraveling. He stole every scene he was in. I need more of him, immediately. Somehow I don't feel like this is going to be a love triangle, but we will see.
What makes Sonata truly special is how music weaves through the story. It’s not just background noise, but it’s healing, it’s memory, it’s pain given sound. There were moments so hauntingly written that I had to pause just to catch my breath. The prose is poetic without being pretentious, striking that perfect balance between lush description and raw emotion.
Yes, it’s an agonizing slow burn, but every glance, every unspoken tension is worth the wait. I cannot wait for book two, especially after that ending.
June 6, 2025
Finally — a vampire book with actual lore, not recycled tropes and bad boy fangs. If you’re used to fantasy romance being a smut-first, story-second *coughwhatstorycough*situation — Sonata flips the script.
Sonata isn’t just another vampire romance. It’s a world with depth, power dynamics that bite, and a slow, deliberate burn that earns every moment.
Set in a vampire-ruled society over 5,000 years old, humans are harvested and controlled. Saelora, a human prisoner, is taken to the royal court as the prince’s “pet.” What could have been another shallow dark romance turns out to be a layered, emotionally intelligent story about survival, rebellion, and the slow unraveling of trust between two deeply wounded souls.
What stood out most was the originality of the world-building. This isn’t a rinse-and-repeat vampire story. Here, vampires are selectively made. The system of control isn’t just evil for evil’s sake — it’s old, entrenched, and it's starting to crack.
The writing respects the reader. It’s clean, immersive, and cinematic. No overused tropes. No unnecessary smut for a quick sell. Every scene feels intentional. The romance is a slow-burn that doesn’t rush or pander. It unfolds through shared sonatas, trauma, and resistance.
By the end, I wasn’t just curious about the relationship. I wanted to know what happens when the rebellion becomes a revolution. I wanted to know what love looks like inside a world that’s burning, and who survives when the old system falls. If it falls at all.
This book was crafted so well that it allowed my imagination to see the beautiful scenes. It also made me care about the characters. Not roll my eyes and skimming past because they were shagging it up again.
I was so taken with the story that I didn't even realise the end was approaching so when I turned the final page, I was both surprised and saddened.
And yes, this does end on a cliff hanger. I’ll absolutely be reading Book 2.
What initially intrigued me about this story was the husband and wife team who co-authored the book. She wrote the morally grey FMC chapters and he wrote the morally grey MMC chapters. It had definitely been a wish of mine to read a true his and hers perspective. The dual energy definitely reveals itself through out.
I'd recommend this for readers who want: unique vampire mythology, character-driven fantasy, and romance with real stakes. (Pun intended 🤭)
NB: I received this book as part of the ARC reader list I run for romantasy/fantasy lovers who want early access to indie stories that are actually worthy of reading.
Sonata isn’t just another vampire romance. It’s a world with depth, power dynamics that bite, and a slow, deliberate burn that earns every moment.
Set in a vampire-ruled society over 5,000 years old, humans are harvested and controlled. Saelora, a human prisoner, is taken to the royal court as the prince’s “pet.” What could have been another shallow dark romance turns out to be a layered, emotionally intelligent story about survival, rebellion, and the slow unraveling of trust between two deeply wounded souls.
What stood out most was the originality of the world-building. This isn’t a rinse-and-repeat vampire story. Here, vampires are selectively made. The system of control isn’t just evil for evil’s sake — it’s old, entrenched, and it's starting to crack.
The writing respects the reader. It’s clean, immersive, and cinematic. No overused tropes. No unnecessary smut for a quick sell. Every scene feels intentional. The romance is a slow-burn that doesn’t rush or pander. It unfolds through shared sonatas, trauma, and resistance.
By the end, I wasn’t just curious about the relationship. I wanted to know what happens when the rebellion becomes a revolution. I wanted to know what love looks like inside a world that’s burning, and who survives when the old system falls. If it falls at all.
This book was crafted so well that it allowed my imagination to see the beautiful scenes. It also made me care about the characters. Not roll my eyes and skimming past because they were shagging it up again.
I was so taken with the story that I didn't even realise the end was approaching so when I turned the final page, I was both surprised and saddened.
And yes, this does end on a cliff hanger. I’ll absolutely be reading Book 2.
What initially intrigued me about this story was the husband and wife team who co-authored the book. She wrote the morally grey FMC chapters and he wrote the morally grey MMC chapters. It had definitely been a wish of mine to read a true his and hers perspective. The dual energy definitely reveals itself through out.
I'd recommend this for readers who want: unique vampire mythology, character-driven fantasy, and romance with real stakes. (Pun intended 🤭)
NB: I received this book as part of the ARC reader list I run for romantasy/fantasy lovers who want early access to indie stories that are actually worthy of reading.
August 25, 2025
Thank you so much Stella and Vincent for the sweet PR package of this beautiful book! Stella reached out to me because of my love for Sleep Token and there is actually a whole playlist at the beginning of this book that really adds to the vibes of the story. After finishing this book I can tell you it’s definitely made for Sleep Token fans who also love fantasy with vampires.
This book is incredible. I was hooked on page one and finished it in 24 hours. It was such a fresh take on vampirism including the way they’re turned and having “blood farms” of innocent people who the vampires feed on. The vampires run the world in this story, and there are different variants such as Dhampirs and ferals. What I really loved about the world building was that the authors focused on explaining how things worked down to the water in the hot baths and the difference between all the creatures.
The book is in first person POV from two characters: Saelora who is a human that has been kept in a cage for most of her life. And Leish who is the vampire queen’s messenger/assassin. The book explores trauma and PTSD and the message about the body keeping score was so powerful. There’s some spice in this book and prepare to have some big plot twists!
The prose is beautiful and I found so many quotes to look back on. I loved the concept of cello music because I grew up playing a string instrument myself. The book ends on a cliffhanger which makes me so excited for book two. I seriously loved this, and if you’re looking for your next read I highly recommend it. Thank you again Stella and Vincent for sending me this book!
This book is incredible. I was hooked on page one and finished it in 24 hours. It was such a fresh take on vampirism including the way they’re turned and having “blood farms” of innocent people who the vampires feed on. The vampires run the world in this story, and there are different variants such as Dhampirs and ferals. What I really loved about the world building was that the authors focused on explaining how things worked down to the water in the hot baths and the difference between all the creatures.
The book is in first person POV from two characters: Saelora who is a human that has been kept in a cage for most of her life. And Leish who is the vampire queen’s messenger/assassin. The book explores trauma and PTSD and the message about the body keeping score was so powerful. There’s some spice in this book and prepare to have some big plot twists!
The prose is beautiful and I found so many quotes to look back on. I loved the concept of cello music because I grew up playing a string instrument myself. The book ends on a cliffhanger which makes me so excited for book two. I seriously loved this, and if you’re looking for your next read I highly recommend it. Thank you again Stella and Vincent for sending me this book!
June 10, 2025
I had heard amazing things about Sonata from early readers and am privileged to have had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. You will not be disappointed with this mellifluous tale of vampires, dhampires, and humans shaking up the matriarchy.
Synopsis: A human woman is declared the vampire prince's pet and must survive in a world completely different than the one she was enslaved to.
"The true cost of war was not measured by the battles lost or won, but in the quiet, unnoticed theft of what should have been."
What I liked:
- Plus sized FMC, Queer/Non-Bionary representation
- Dual POVs
- The dynamics and relationship development between all the characters
- An unexpected love triangle.
- The book actually flows like a Sonata. If you have any musical composition knowledge, you will LOVE the melodic flow.
- Some twists, betrayals, changes in opinion that take you by surprise.
What I didn't like:
- It took more than half of the book for me to really grasp the politics, the nuances between races, and all the sides of the story.
- Child death (mostly here for trigger warning, but I was heartbroken).
Seriously, I need the next book already. This cliffhanger is going to be the death of me... or someone else...
Thank you to both Stella & Vincent for the opportunity to be apart of their team.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Synopsis: A human woman is declared the vampire prince's pet and must survive in a world completely different than the one she was enslaved to.
"The true cost of war was not measured by the battles lost or won, but in the quiet, unnoticed theft of what should have been."
What I liked:
- Plus sized FMC, Queer/Non-Bionary representation
- Dual POVs
- The dynamics and relationship development between all the characters
- An unexpected love triangle.
- The book actually flows like a Sonata. If you have any musical composition knowledge, you will LOVE the melodic flow.
- Some twists, betrayals, changes in opinion that take you by surprise.
What I didn't like:
- It took more than half of the book for me to really grasp the politics, the nuances between races, and all the sides of the story.
- Child death (mostly here for trigger warning, but I was heartbroken).
Seriously, I need the next book already. This cliffhanger is going to be the death of me... or someone else...
Thank you to both Stella & Vincent for the opportunity to be apart of their team.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
July 16, 2025
Sonata is a beautifully brutal dive into a vampire court where music bleeds emotion, and survival comes with a price. It's dark, lyrical, and laced with tension—both romantic and political.
Saelora’s situation is heart-wrenching from the start, and the way she navigates this cruel world had me hooked. Her relationship with Corven, the vampire prince, starts off established but strained—distance, duty, and the horrors of the court pulling them apart. I appreciated how real their fragility felt.
But it was Leish who stole the show for me. His brooding demeanor, shadowed past, and subtle vulnerability made him a standout. The slow unraveling of his connection with Saelora—through banter, shared pain, and music—was so well done. Their tension is a slow-burn worth waiting for.
The music element is incredibly unique. It’s not just background—it’s part of the storytelling, a way to feel what the characters won’t say. I also found myself wanting a bit more of Corven—he’s intriguing, and I’m curious how his role will evolve.
For fans of morally gray characters, enemies-to-lovers tension, and poetic darkness, Sonata hits all the right notes.
Saelora’s situation is heart-wrenching from the start, and the way she navigates this cruel world had me hooked. Her relationship with Corven, the vampire prince, starts off established but strained—distance, duty, and the horrors of the court pulling them apart. I appreciated how real their fragility felt.
But it was Leish who stole the show for me. His brooding demeanor, shadowed past, and subtle vulnerability made him a standout. The slow unraveling of his connection with Saelora—through banter, shared pain, and music—was so well done. Their tension is a slow-burn worth waiting for.
The music element is incredibly unique. It’s not just background—it’s part of the storytelling, a way to feel what the characters won’t say. I also found myself wanting a bit more of Corven—he’s intriguing, and I’m curious how his role will evolve.
For fans of morally gray characters, enemies-to-lovers tension, and poetic darkness, Sonata hits all the right notes.
August 21, 2025
“Dream of better days. Ones filled with voices singing the songs of their end.”
Sonata started off a bit slow, yet intense. The story picks up quite quickly and then you become utterly captivated. I understand why music was such a prevalent theme in the book, as even the writing followed like a rhythm unlike other stories I’ve read.
The plot was very interesting and the court and politics, while confusing at times, were very intricate. Leish was my favourite to follow and watching his character development while learning of his past and decisions made me angry, but I also admired the complexity of his character. I felt utterly conflicted in who I liked better, Corven or Leish and I have a feeling this conflict will continue into the next book.
All the characters were excellently written, and I could almost feel their grief and devastation with the world through the pages. It has classic themes within vampire books, while also sharing an utterly new and unique reading experience.
Sonata a beautiful book through and through, even though the ending had me yelling - it’s leaving me wanting more and more!
4.5 ⭐️
🌶️.🫑
Sonata started off a bit slow, yet intense. The story picks up quite quickly and then you become utterly captivated. I understand why music was such a prevalent theme in the book, as even the writing followed like a rhythm unlike other stories I’ve read.
The plot was very interesting and the court and politics, while confusing at times, were very intricate. Leish was my favourite to follow and watching his character development while learning of his past and decisions made me angry, but I also admired the complexity of his character. I felt utterly conflicted in who I liked better, Corven or Leish and I have a feeling this conflict will continue into the next book.
All the characters were excellently written, and I could almost feel their grief and devastation with the world through the pages. It has classic themes within vampire books, while also sharing an utterly new and unique reading experience.
Sonata a beautiful book through and through, even though the ending had me yelling - it’s leaving me wanting more and more!
4.5 ⭐️
🌶️.🫑
June 19, 2025
“You were the siren, singing from the shoreline to draw me back to home”
4.5 stars!
This was so well written and detailed! So much so that I had to go back and forth to make sure I was giving enough credit to the authors for the complexity in the story.
The really neat structure of the royality in this book was quite intriguing and I hope it’s expanded on more in book 2.
Was I team Corven or team Leish? At the end I decided I was a why choose book girlie. The golden retriever/innocence/protective energy is Corven was nice and safe - and the broody/strong and dangerous/ angsty energy of Leish was completely book boyfriend!
I love that the vampires don’t sparkle, that they can’t touch the sun and that they eat and sleep regularly. The scenes of battle were epic!
The tie in with music in this was beautiful. All in all it was a beautiful book and I’ve slightly forgiven the authors for the ending ;)
4.5 stars!
This was so well written and detailed! So much so that I had to go back and forth to make sure I was giving enough credit to the authors for the complexity in the story.
The really neat structure of the royality in this book was quite intriguing and I hope it’s expanded on more in book 2.
Was I team Corven or team Leish? At the end I decided I was a why choose book girlie. The golden retriever/innocence/protective energy is Corven was nice and safe - and the broody/strong and dangerous/ angsty energy of Leish was completely book boyfriend!
I love that the vampires don’t sparkle, that they can’t touch the sun and that they eat and sleep regularly. The scenes of battle were epic!
The tie in with music in this was beautiful. All in all it was a beautiful book and I’ve slightly forgiven the authors for the ending ;)
June 16, 2025
"The true cost of war was not measured by battles lost or won, but in the quiet, unnoticed theft of what should have been."
Can a human and vampire fall in love when the society they're part of is built on the suffering of humanity?
Or will they be doomed to circle each other, intrigued, but never trusting?
I received this book as an ARC and am so grateful to the authors for sharing the story with me! The world, characters, and overarching story are so well-written, and I loved how real they all felt. The book ends on a cliffhanger, so I'm not-so-patiently counting down the days until book two!
Tropes and themes include:
• True enemies to slow, ruinous devotion
• A world on the brink of revolution
• FMC as a pet
• Vampires vs. humans
• Haunted MMC
10/10 recommend adding this to your reading list.
Can a human and vampire fall in love when the society they're part of is built on the suffering of humanity?
Or will they be doomed to circle each other, intrigued, but never trusting?
I received this book as an ARC and am so grateful to the authors for sharing the story with me! The world, characters, and overarching story are so well-written, and I loved how real they all felt. The book ends on a cliffhanger, so I'm not-so-patiently counting down the days until book two!
Tropes and themes include:
• True enemies to slow, ruinous devotion
• A world on the brink of revolution
• FMC as a pet
• Vampires vs. humans
• Haunted MMC
10/10 recommend adding this to your reading list.
August 1, 2025
Just Wow. So, let me start out by saying Saelora was a real character for me. The fact she is Plus-sized, put me over the moon. I love that, but I also love how after so much serious trauma she still comes out as such a strong character and that she keeps growing.
Saelora and Corven are cute together, but Saelora and Leish are the right kind of Messy. Messy as hell. Im here for it and Im here for Leish. Leish is my, broody, murderous, executioner with secrets. I like Corven too, but just not for her.
The music is so well done in this book. I made everything hurt so good. I cried at a few points throught this book, and its left me a little ruined. In the good way. I'd definitely do it again. Here is hoping that Book 2 is announced soon!
Saelora and Corven are cute together, but Saelora and Leish are the right kind of Messy. Messy as hell. Im here for it and Im here for Leish. Leish is my, broody, murderous, executioner with secrets. I like Corven too, but just not for her.
The music is so well done in this book. I made everything hurt so good. I cried at a few points throught this book, and its left me a little ruined. In the good way. I'd definitely do it again. Here is hoping that Book 2 is announced soon!
July 24, 2025
4/5 Stars – Dark, Emotional, and Unforgettable
Sonata surprised me in the best way. What I thought would be a typical vampire romance turned out to be a richly layered story with strong fantasy elements, emotional depth, and stunning world-building. Saelora’s journey is raw and healing, while Leish and Corven are both complex and captivating.
The writing is lyrical and immersive, with a slow-burn pace that builds real tension. It’s not just a romance—it’s about power, rebellion, and finding hope in chaos. Some parts moved a bit slowly, but overall, it left a strong impression.
I’m definitely ready for Book 2!
Sonata surprised me in the best way. What I thought would be a typical vampire romance turned out to be a richly layered story with strong fantasy elements, emotional depth, and stunning world-building. Saelora’s journey is raw and healing, while Leish and Corven are both complex and captivating.
The writing is lyrical and immersive, with a slow-burn pace that builds real tension. It’s not just a romance—it’s about power, rebellion, and finding hope in chaos. Some parts moved a bit slowly, but overall, it left a strong impression.
I’m definitely ready for Book 2!
June 9, 2025
I was a beta reader for this book back in January and I just loved it! A very powerful story of discovery, freedom, and darkness. I can't wait to see where the next book takes us!
The slow burn was absolutely delicious, and I loooved how morally grey the characters were.
One of the best parts of the book was the evocative and poetic lines sprinkled here and there. I wish I could quote some here, but I don't have the final copy so I won't in case any changed! But some of the lines just made me melt! Definitely one of those books that had me staring at the wall at some points!
The slow burn was absolutely delicious, and I loooved how morally grey the characters were.
One of the best parts of the book was the evocative and poetic lines sprinkled here and there. I wish I could quote some here, but I don't have the final copy so I won't in case any changed! But some of the lines just made me melt! Definitely one of those books that had me staring at the wall at some points!
August 8, 2025
Alright, so I just finished Sonata: The Song of Eiredel, and wow. This book is the definition of a slow burn, but in the best way possible. I was completely captivated by Leish—he has so many layers to him, and I just couldn't get enough. And the crowned prince? I'm so invested in his story and really hope we get his perspective in the next book. 🤞 If you're a fan of vampire romantasy with morally gray characters and a tension that builds to a perfect, agonizing pitch, you need to read this! It's a dark, character-driven story that sinks its teeth into you and won't let go. 🧛🏻♀️🎻✨
June 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vampires/human
Enemies to (eventual lovers)
Slooooow burn… questioning how they’ll ever like each other
I read this as an ARC, but my review is my honest opinion. This was a book that I wish I read in fewer sittings just for continuity of the story in my brain! I enjoyed the storyline, and am excited for the second book!
Definitely wasn’t expecting the plot twist during the last 10% of the book, and I’m now wondering what new information we’re going to receive in book 2.
Vampires/human
Enemies to (eventual lovers)
Slooooow burn… questioning how they’ll ever like each other
I read this as an ARC, but my review is my honest opinion. This was a book that I wish I read in fewer sittings just for continuity of the story in my brain! I enjoyed the storyline, and am excited for the second book!
Definitely wasn’t expecting the plot twist during the last 10% of the book, and I’m now wondering what new information we’re going to receive in book 2.
June 13, 2025
*ARC *
This book is so hauntingly beautiful and emotionally driven. For this book, emotion is carried mostly by music. I instantly fell in love with the characters and craved to know more. They all have horrible, traumatic backstories. However, I would love to know more about Leish's because he is the one I feel we know little about.
I have enjoyed reading this book and the ways the characters have grown. I need the next one soon.
This book is so hauntingly beautiful and emotionally driven. For this book, emotion is carried mostly by music. I instantly fell in love with the characters and craved to know more. They all have horrible, traumatic backstories. However, I would love to know more about Leish's because he is the one I feel we know little about.
I have enjoyed reading this book and the ways the characters have grown. I need the next one soon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews