The Last Vampire King

Shadow Kings #2

by Rosemary A. Johns

A Vampire King. A secret spy. An arranged marriage bonded in blood.

Betrayed by the ruthless dragons, Sin, the most feared and powerful vampire in the Shadow Kingdoms, only desires one thing more than revenge.

His stolen wolf shifter Omega, Freya.

A bestial outcast within his treacherous magical court, he is compelled into an arranged marriage with his fated mate to end the war. 

Freya is dragged into the vampire’s wicked nighttime world.

Yet she must hide the secrets of her birth and her passion for the enemy Dragon King. The handsome masked fae, her soulmate, who travels with her is hiding a dark secret of his own. 

Freya unlocks a web of mysteries, political games, and intrigue in a seductive world of death and pleasure.

No one knows her true shifter powers or the fact that she is both thief and spy for the dragons. No one knows that the marriage is a plot to capture the last ever vampire king.

But then, Sin has secrets and an impossible choice of his own. He must use Freya’s blood to protect his doomed kingdom, no matter what it costs them both…even their hearts.

Three villainous kings. One strong heroine. And an epic love that could burn an empire.

By USA Today bestselling author Rosemary A Johns comes a fantasy romance series filled with blisteringly hot banter-filled romance, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Rebecca Yarros. An addictive enemies-to-lovers royal vampire, fae, and dragon Romantasy with fated mates, morally gray characters, obsessed heroes, political intrigue, who did this to you, and touch her and unalive. In the thrilling world of the Shadow Kings, the heroine won’t have to choose. One-click to start reading today.

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

433 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2026

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author of Addictive Romance

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Award-winning and #1 Amazon bestselling paranormal and romance author.

WINNER OF SILVER AWARD in National Wishing Shelf Book Awards.
Shortlisted in International Rubery Book Awards.
Winner in the IAN Book of the Year Awards: awarded Finalist

A music fanatic and anti-hero addict. Rosemary writes savage vampires, snarky demons, and epic battles. She's always been a rebel.

Discover enemies-to-lovers, swoonworthy book boyfriends, and shifters! Don't miss her steamy and action-packed REBEL series, including REBEL GODS, REBEL WEREWOLVES, and REBEL ACADEMY.

Reviews

[Paula Sabol (Never Choose Fantasy)]

The Last Vampire King: Shadow Kings #2 by Rosemary A. Johns is a great addition to the series. Freya and King Daire are being sent as spies to the blood Kingdom to capture Lanolin Sin, the last Vampire King. However the monster they find is nothing like they have been told or expected. He is pack and Freya is desperate to keep all her mates. Can these royal orphans find a way past the war and bloodshed of their parents and find forgiveness or are they doomed to repeat the past and possibly destroy the realms or the world.
I absolutely LOVE this series! It is filled with politics, court intrigue, betrayal, secrets, and so much more. The world-building and character development is perfect and keeps readers engaged throughout. I love the duality of the characters, how they are powerful royals and supernatural creatures, yet they are almost powerless in their own courts and more feared than loved by their people. Fate has destined them for one another yet fate also seems bent on keeping them apart and destroying them. The chemistry and spice is so good and adds to the story. The story is fast paced yet doesn't feel rushed. My only complaint is the cliffhanger that has me desperate to read the next book, that unfortunately isn't written yet.
If you enjoy why choose fantasy romances with supernatural creatures, including Fae, Shifters, Dragons, and Vampires, fated mates, ABO omegaverses, rags-to-royalty/royalty-to-rags, heats, ruts, knots, bites,spice, politics, secrets, Prophecy, and betrayal then The Last Vampire King is a must-read!

[Kitty]

The Last Vampire King was a really engaging and interesting read. The story pulls you in with a wide cast of characters, each bringing their own layered and complicated dynamics to the table. As the plot unfolds, those relationships add depth and intrigue, making it hard to put the book down.

I especially enjoyed how the author weaves everything together—it feels complex without being overwhelming, and there’s always something happening beneath the surface. The tension, shifting alliances, and character development kept me invested the entire time.

This definitely feels like the start of something bigger, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the story progresses and where all these characters end up in the upcoming books. If you enjoy vampire stories with strong character dynamics and an evolving plot, this is worth the read.

[Kathlyn-Nicole Milne]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I felt this book has alot more intriguing plot then the 1st book but also felt it took a little long for the "plan" to happen.
I won't lie I thought it was a duology so was shocked when the ending was another cliff hanger.... however I am so glad we have another book,

I would love for it to have a HEA 🤞🙏🏻

The spice was ooh lala 🥵

Once the "plan" was taking place the pacing was brilliant I just felt the beginning was a little slower to get into so that is the reason for a 4 star instead of a 5 star review this time.

[Rachel]

The Last Vampire King was an amazing follow-up to the Forbidden Dragon King. It seems like these characters are determined to confuse me. They say one thing, do another, and then say something else entirely. It's to the point that I have no idea what's really going on or what they're up to, but I was there for it.


I was excited to meet Lanlin. He was mentioned a lot in the first book, so it was great getting to know him. Lan wasn't what I expected. I liked him way more than I thought I would. His life has been so hard; I just wanted to wrap him up and protect him from everything. The harem is a hot mess. Freya's trying, Darie is breaking my heart, and Aruelis is complicated. Between others pulling their strings like puppets, the manipulation, secrets, and old grudges, they aren't coming together as a harem should. That's not even including Bard, the mate who rejected Freya. I could see the writing on the wall, and it's not looking good right now. I just need things to be okay.



The vampire kingdom is every bit as dark and deadly as I thought it would be. Lan and Rel have a lot more in common than they would think. Rosemary really took me by surprise. The Blood Kingdom very much reminded me of ancient Egypt with its pyramids, hieroglyphs, and other symbolism. I was instantly transported. This was a whopper of a story. The Easter eggs, revelations, and plot twists felt like a gut punch. I haven't been able to stop thinking about everything. There's a lot of dark history, and too many players, with Freya and the guys stuck right in the middle of it. Gods, that cliffhanger was brutal. I'm going to have a book hangover for days. The Last Vampire King was epic! The first book was good, but this one's even better.

[Samantha Silensky]

This book introduced us to the vampire kingdom, and while it was just as deadly as we were led to believe, it wasn’t because of who we were led to expect. Lans story is heartbreaking in its own right. Unloved by the mother whose praise he sought. Told he was a monster his whole life. Ripped away from the only person he cared for. He truly has every right to be spiteful and full of hate. However, the moment he is with Daire and Freya, he’s a softie. Unless it comes to protecting them. Which he had to do, no thanks to the Draca kingdoms secret underbelly. Though it did lead to quite the meeting with Aurelius, Freya, and Daire.
But it seems all of the kingdoms have snakes in their midst. And all of the kings have secrets of their own.
Daire and Lanlins seem the worst to me, bc they’re keeping them from Freya, and those secrets will ultimately destroy her. I have hope that there will be some way to get everyone out of all their situations and secrets safe and sound, but at what cost? Trust could be the very thing they all lose in their plans.
Poor Freya is determined to find a way for everyone to get along, and be happy, together. She wants herself and her men to survive everything they’re dealing with, and come out on top, as a unit. With betrayals, secrets, and each kingdoms seedy underbelly, she’s not sure it’s completely possible. Especially with one of her and Daires secrets now exposed. There’s no telling what will happen now. However, I’m super excited to find out in the next book.

[Darcy]

We rejoin the amazing this world with Freya and Daire. This time we are getting to meet Lanlin, the Vampire King. We learn a lot about Lanlin and let me say I think he is absolutely amazing. He has this incredible personality that bleeds through the story very strongly. He is protective of his people and definitely wants what is best for them, but, not is all that it seems to in his world. There are so many things pulling the strings in this kingdom, just as there are for Aurelius and his kingdom. While we don’t see as much of him in this book he still plays a huge part in the story. Freya and Daire are place in a situation where they are trying to figure out a different path. Will they be successful or not is a big question that we look forward to learning throughout this story. It is extremely well written and developed. The story pulled me in from the very beginning and I was unable to put it down. We then get to the ending of this book and it has me absolutely in shock and awe. I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens next.

[Tasha Goulet]

Wow!

Freya is back! And it is time for her to journey into the dark shadowy world of the last vampire king.

I'm stunned (in all the best ways) at the directions this second book went. The manipulation that is weaved all around these characters is mind blowing. And there's another book coming!

The flashbacks give a glimpse at the dark past that has molded Lanlin into the king that is feared near and wide. Freya and Daire have been gifted to him as King Aurelius does what he can to protect them from his uncle, and soon find they're not sure what to think of this dark king. But one thing is clear...too many people with bad intentions have been working in the shadows against these kings.

That ending has me nervous. Dove is so strong but Lanlin is feeling betrayed and I'm not sure what he'll do. And I'm scared of what crazy thing Freya might try so she can protect her sweet fae from her other mate.

[Mellissa]

OMG! I can't believe how amazing this book was!!! The first book had me already hooked and now with Epic sequel I am OBSESSED!!!
Aurelius the Golden Dragon King has a plan to ruin the Vampire King Lanlin, or as everyone else calls him Monster!
Its going to involve not only his Omega who both meant for Aurelius and Lanlin! Not too mention her Bond already with the Fallen Fae King Daire! Who is the second piece in Aurelius' plan! In disguise of course!
I mean what vampire let alone a King could resist not only getting his Omega but a Fae as a Blood Lover, named Dove!
But is he truly the Monster everyone claims he is or just misunderstood and ridiculed for his Power!?! As Freya and Dove get to know him the less and less this plan makes sense and Freya being meant for all 3 Alpha Kings wants to save them all.... but the Golden Prophecy states Blood will flow! But the question still remains.... Whos?
While wearing a cursedWho's? Daire/Dove hides his identity, but I don't think everyone is fooled by his disguise! Becuase if that ending is anything to go by, the Next Book is gonna be so freaking Epic! I cannot wait for it!!! Literally counting down the days!!! Need it so Bad!!!

[Katie Starr]

This was a mind-blowing installment in the Shadow King series. It was quite entertaining how similar Lanlin and Aurelius are. I'm also so happy that Freya is equally as fierce in this second book as she was in the first. With all we learn in the blood kingdom and all the ups and down we go through, I did not see the cliffhanger at the end coming. Daire is my favorite character so I'm very excited for our book 3 where we'll focus on the Shadow Fae King and I'll be not so patiently waiting for it to come out.

[Laura Beltran]

Amazing!

Rosemary A Johns has once again written an absolutely amazing book This is the second book in this series and once again in was hooked start to finish. We pick up where book one left off. Freya and Daire being gifted to Lanlin. The intirigue in this book is heavy. There is so much manipulation that has Ben and is going on. I love Freya and how strong she is. Will she be able to save all her kings? Beware this book does end in one neck of a cliffhanger! I need book three ASAP!

[Raina]

The second book of the series. It starts off right where the cliffhanger ended and wow is there a lot to take in. This one brings Freya under the control of the vampire king, Lanlin. We did read about him a little in the first book. We get to know him and Daire a lot more in this one. Freya and Daire will face more danger. The relationships change but lies surround everyone. Who to trust and who can you love? There are some spicy moments and the romance also changes. The end is a very big cliffhanger that will have you on edge for more.

[Joy Lynch]

Rosemary gives us the fantastic next installment in this awesome series! Freya's story continues with the arrangement of marriage to Sin, the last vampire king to seal a peace treaty, but is actually a way to capture Sin. This book takes over from the wicked cliffhanger of book one on the way to a new cliffhanger. Dive into this beautifully written story with complex characters and plot twists that keep you turning pages throughout! I loved reading this story and highly recommend the series. I can't wait for the next one! Don't miss out on this book!!

[Lazarra Blair]

This is book two in the series and in my opinion its even better than Book one... Thie story seemed a lot more fast paced than Book one and I couldnt put it down.

just like in Book one we have plenty of plot twists, political intrigue, trauma, betrayal, Alphas, Villians, Vampires, spice and a killer cliff hanger that I wasn't expecting but im so very happy the series is continuing for another installment, im not quite ready to give this world up just yet.

[Brit]

I was so excited to get this book as I loved book #1! This one did not disappoint either!! Once I started reading it, I was sucked right in! This picks up right where book one ended. So many twists and turns. The moving pieces all coming together and I cannot wait until the next book! Daire and Freya are supposed to get close to Sin. But is Sin the enemy Freya is made to believe? Throw Aurelius into the mix and oh boy!!! Perfection!

[Megan Mary]

Honestly, I feel like I have more questions than answers at this point... so many secrets, betrayal & drama within these kingdoms. Throw in a book world that will certainly keep you on your toes from beginning to end! And that ending?!?! GAH! Freya and her men are on a wild ride; one that F is determined to get through together but it appears that the universe may be working against them. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

[Brenda Davis]

Freya and Daire find themself embroiled in a dynamic they may not come back from in book 2. But the Last Vampire King has taken the bait and brought them to his nest. He shows them how he can treasure them. But the secrets are either break them all or bring them together, with the cliffhanger ending we now have to wait to see if they can overcome betrayal on all fronts.

[Tanya]

Sin only wants one thing, his stolen omega wolf but it is not going to be easy. She is both spy and thief with her heart belonging to the dragon king. It seems three kings want her but she is more powerful than any of them think. Her life is never going to be the same again especially if she is found out. Follow her journey

[Amy]

This book picked up from the last and it had amazing world building. Freya surprised me at the end of this story. So many things were hidden and so many of those were revealed in the end. There was a quite a bit if unalivings but well deserved. There were nice steamy scenes and I learned a lot about lan in this book. I wasn’t prepared for the ending and now I’m thirsting for what happens next.

[Lori Hammons]

The continuation of Freya's story has her and Daire set to trick Lanlin, until Fate turns the tables. Truths and deceptions get turned around, while 3 people's feelings are turned upside down. The drama and suspense is intense.

[Cleocutie]

Even better than the first book. The story is complicated and things and people are not always what they seem. Freya and her mates seem to have more people against them and lots of complicated situations to handle but she remains strong and won’t let anything keep her down for long.

[Ann Brown]

This second book was an amazing read. The world building was tremendous with plenty of political intrigue, captivating characters and many twists and turns including lies and betrayal. A beautiful, incredibly suspenseful story with a stunning cliffhanger. Lookin forward to the next book so much.

[Mona Brown]

Last Vampire King

Oh my
So much happened in this one. Love, lies and betrayal. Can anyone trust anyone? Just when we think things are going to change, bam someone else throws a wrench in the plans. But when you plot, plot and plot things have a way of going off the rails

[E]

Everything is spiraling towards the finish line in this book. Questions get answered, plots thicken, and characters fall in love. My heart breaks for Daire, he's gotten the short end of the stick from the very start. I can't wait to get my hands on book three to see what decision Lanlin will make.

[Charlotte]

The Shadow Kings series just keeps getting better and better. I'm loving reading it.

Now Freya and Daire (Dove) are trying to survive in the Vampire Kingdom. We also get to find out more about Lanlin (Sin) and his backstory. They all seem to be stuck within other underhand peoples agendas. I really liked Lan. He was endearing underneath the face he showed everyone. He generally wanted to find folks he could love and rely on but things didn't work out exactly to plan for him, Freya and Daire.

With that cliffhanger ending (which shocked the hell out of me) I'm going to be on the edge of my seat waiting to see what will happen next?

[Nicole Henderson]

This installment finally introduces readers to the vampire kingdom, and while it proves to be just as dangerous as expected, the true threat comes from places we didn’t anticipate. One of the most compelling parts of the story is Lan’s heartbreaking backstory. Raised by a mother who never showed him love and constantly told he was a monster, Lan grew up believing he was unworthy of anything better. Being torn away from the only person he truly cared for only deepened that pain, making his bitterness and anger completely understandable.
Despite all of that, the moment he’s around Daire and Freya, a softer side of him appears. He becomes fiercely protective—especially when Freya is involved—and that protective instinct leads to some intense moments, particularly as the dark secrets of the Draca kingdom begin to surface. Those revelations also bring about a memorable meeting between Aurelius, Freya, and Daire that adds even more tension to the story.
What becomes increasingly clear is that every kingdom has its own hidden corruption, and each king seems to be guarding dangerous secrets. Daire and Lanlin’s secrets feel especially concerning because they are being kept from Freya, and when the truth eventually comes out, it could devastate her.
Freya remains determined to hold everyone together. More than anything, she wants a future where she and the men she loves can survive everything thrown at them and emerge stronger as a united group. But with betrayals, hidden agendas, and the darker side of each kingdom constantly threatening to surface, that dream may not be so easy to achieve.
With one of Freya and Daire’s secrets now exposed, the stakes have never been higher. The story leaves readers wondering what consequences will follow and whether trust can survive the truth. I’m incredibly excited to see how everything unfolds in the next book.

[Christina Lerew]

The Last Vampire King pulls you into a world where power, loyalty, and fate collide in dangerous ways. From the start, the story feels like a chess game between supernatural rulers, and Freya finds herself right in the middle of it.
Freya is sent into the vampire court alongside Daire, the cunning and sharp-minded fae king. Their mission is clear—get close to Sin, the feared vampire king, and help bring him down. Sin stands as a rival to Aurelius, the dragon king, and the tension between those two powerful rulers hangs over everything. With dragons and vampires already set against each other, Freya’s role becomes even more dangerous.
What makes the story especially compelling is that nothing goes according to plan.
The closer Freya gets to Sin, the harder it becomes to see him only as an enemy. Sin is intense, ruthless, and every bit the powerful king people fear—but there’s also something deeper between him and Freya that neither of them can ignore. Despite the alliances working against him, it becomes clear that Sin belongs to Freya just as much as the others do, complicating the mission she was sent to complete.
Meanwhile Aurelius, the dragon king, brings a commanding presence and fierce loyalty that makes the growing conflict feel even bigger. His opposition to Sin raises the stakes for everyone involved, especially Freya. And Daire, ever the calculating fae king, adds another layer of intrigue as he works alongside Freya while still holding his own secrets and motives.
The dynamic between Freya and her three powerful mates—each from a different supernatural realm—creates constant tension. Loyalty, attraction, and political strategy are always clashing, and it keeps the story gripping as Freya tries to figure out where she truly stands.

[Blue]

Shadow Kings book 2, and we are back in the thick of it with Freya, continuing right where we left off in book one. Lanlin Sin is demanding his mate from the dragons, and we get the quick and dirty backstory of him as a child. It is heartbreaking.

Lanlin brings himself to prostrate before Aurelius to take Freya back to the Blood Kingdom, and it is messy in every aspect of the story. So if you like messy drama, here you go. Lanlin is not someone to be messed with. He willingly goes down on his knees for Freya despite the mocking from the dragon court, and it is no more of a hardship than what he is used to among his own people.

The themes are dark, and it is not an easy read if you are not into dark romantasy. It is a challenge for me. I do think there should be trigger warnings. It is not as intense as book one, but it is not sunshine and roses either. Just like with the first book, I had to put it down at times and recover from the stress and emotional drain it took on me. I am a bit of a sensitive flower, and dark romantasy is not my typical vibe, but I really enjoy Freya. She is not a wishy washy FMC, and I appreciate that so much.

Daire though, this man is all I care about. He is a trooper with a capital T, and that still feels like an understatement considering what he is put through. He is stalwart and deserves a happy ending of every kind. Seeing him take out Maximinus would just be a bonus.

I think this will definitely be right up the alley of dark romantasy lovers. If you enjoyed the first book, and you really should read it before diving into this one because you will miss necessary plot, you will enjoy this.

[Evelyn Dotson]

Freya and Daire are fixing to fulfill her dream of vengeance. Aurelius and these two are already bonded but many things and others stand in the way of them completing the prophecy. Lanlin, the Vampire King, is to pick up Freya and Daire as his Omega soulmate and Blood Lover. He will sign a peace treaty with the Dragons and do whatever is needed to claim them.

Destiny will ALWAYS foul up any other plans but hers. Nothing will go as planned. When the bonds are complete, the feelings between the bonded will become unbreakable; even when they are masked as another. The two meant to find vengeance, instead, find the missing bonded to help complete the prophecy told. Is the male bonded all meant to perish just leaving the queen? What about all the secrets they hold? The betrayals, truths, and intrigue yet to be fulfilled? Are they also blind to only one truth that matters at the heart of things?

I was HOOKED on the first book. This one sunk me with tears at many places. You cannot help but feel the emotions delegated in this masterpiece. I truly believe this is the author’s favorite series for within the pages, I ‘see’ and ‘feel’ parts of her that she left behind in the storytelling. Yes, it happens within each story written, but this one, this is her baby~ I cannot even express how EXCELLENT this series is thus far. The only thing I can tell others…pick it up and read it for yourself if you think I am exaggerating. Trust me…I am not!!

[Cindy]

The Last Vampire King picks up right where The Forbidden Dragon King left off, and I was genuinely excited to see how the story would continue to unfold.

This instalment leans darker and more plot‑heavy, the kind of paranormal built on prophecy, power, and tension that never lets you settle. The stakes feel higher, the world expands, and every chapter pushes the characters into deeper, more dangerous territory.

Lanlin was a standout for me. He’s been shaped by a hard life, and every scene with him makes you want to root for him in every possible way.

He brings heart, grit, and a surprising emotional pull that balances the darker elements of the story.

The harem situation is a bit of a mess, in the best way. It adds chaos, entertainment, and a constant shift in dynamics that keeps the relationships unpredictable.

No one is static, and the tension between characters becomes part of the plot itself.

The book does end on a cliffhanger, so if you’re someone who needs to know what happens next, pace yourself so you’re not left waiting too long.

Spice Level 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Tropes
• Dark paranormal romance
• Prophecy‑driven plot
• Fated‑mates energy
• Harem / reverse harem dynamics
• Court politics
• Found family threads
• Hidden power
• Tension‑heavy relationships

Trigger Warnings
(General guidance — check the author for the full list)

• Violence and blood
• Torture themes
• Threats and coercion
• Dark magic
• Death
• Emotional manipulation

[Daniele Stephenson]

I am loving this series and this second book has just been amazing. The author continues to build the plot, the drama and the secrets and I am excited to see where it’s leading.
We continue with Freya and Daire they became Aurelius’s dragon riders but in an act to draw in the vampire kingdom and get closer to the Vampire king Sin they are given over in a Plot to try and bring the vampire kingdom down. Freya is bound to all 3kings and so they the dragon kingdom uses this to drawn in Sin. Of course there are secrets and plots and nothing is as it seems and the closer Freya gets to Sin the hard she find it to try and betray him. Sin is ruthless and deadly but he has a soft spot for his fated mate and is desperate to have her and keep her safe.
Now typically in these books I usually have a favorite of the group but so far I cannot choose. They each have qualities I love and are just so perfect forFreya. Every time I think I have a favorite, one of the others does something and makes me lean towards him.
In the end of course we are left on a cliffhanger and I am eagerly waiting to see where we go in the next book and I can wait to see if Freya will finally get her HEA after all or if all these secrets are going to bring them down. Great book and I would recommend others to give it a try