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Hematite & Hemlock: A captivating witch and vampire dark fantasy
A witch in captivity.
A vampire on the brink of madness.
Secrets as dark as the magick that binds them.
Bound by oaths and haunted by legacy, Ava and Enzo must overcome the most malevolent of magicks if they’re to find their way home. But when trust is a weapon, and deception a currency, will love be enough to conquer the darkness?
Oath & Legacy weaves a spellbinding dark fantasy where ancestry and duty walk hand in hand, for better or worse. With vampires, witches, demons, and fae at its heart, the series brims with betrayal, devotion, and forbidden longing.
In this world, every choice echoes through generations.
Hematite & Hemlock completes the first duo of the Oath & Legacy series
This Book
Witch/vampire dynamics
Dark magic and necromancy
Ancient curses and magical artefacts
Strong female protagonist
Irish setting and folklore
Adult themes, including violence and psychological tension
Low spice
Minimal romance, maximum intrigue
Full trigger warnings are included at the front of the book.
A vampire on the brink of madness.
Secrets as dark as the magick that binds them.
Bound by oaths and haunted by legacy, Ava and Enzo must overcome the most malevolent of magicks if they’re to find their way home. But when trust is a weapon, and deception a currency, will love be enough to conquer the darkness?
Oath & Legacy weaves a spellbinding dark fantasy where ancestry and duty walk hand in hand, for better or worse. With vampires, witches, demons, and fae at its heart, the series brims with betrayal, devotion, and forbidden longing.
In this world, every choice echoes through generations.
Hematite & Hemlock completes the first duo of the Oath & Legacy series
This Book
Witch/vampire dynamics
Dark magic and necromancy
Ancient curses and magical artefacts
Strong female protagonist
Irish setting and folklore
Adult themes, including violence and psychological tension
Low spice
Minimal romance, maximum intrigue
Full trigger warnings are included at the front of the book.
538 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2025
About the author
Julie Embleton
20 books78 followersJulie Embleton is a dark fantasy author from Dublin, Ireland. She writes tenacious, kick-ass females who can rescue themselves (thanks very much), gutsy heroes with tender hearts, and heinous villains who thrive on chaos. Her stories weave suspense, romance, and magick—mostly with happy endings, though she’s not above the occasional cliffhanger.
Born and raised in Ireland, Julie lives by the shores of the moody Irish Sea, north of County Dublin. When not writing, she’s often found with her second great love: tarot. Julie doesn’t just write about magick—she lives it, working as a professional tarot reader and guiding others in her holistic mindfulness practice. If you’re curious, you can explore more about her other passions at creativesoultarot.com
Julie's dark fantasy books transport readers to moody, magical worlds filled with strong characters and supernatural intrigue. Join her Readers Lounge for exclusive updates, sneak peeks, and all things fantasy at julieembleton.com
Born and raised in Ireland, Julie lives by the shores of the moody Irish Sea, north of County Dublin. When not writing, she’s often found with her second great love: tarot. Julie doesn’t just write about magick—she lives it, working as a professional tarot reader and guiding others in her holistic mindfulness practice. If you’re curious, you can explore more about her other passions at creativesoultarot.com
Julie's dark fantasy books transport readers to moody, magical worlds filled with strong characters and supernatural intrigue. Join her Readers Lounge for exclusive updates, sneak peeks, and all things fantasy at julieembleton.com
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 2, 2025
Julie Embleton Casts a Brilliant Spell Over Readers in this Second-in-Series
A truly engaging second book in a series can be hard to pull off, and yet, paranormal fantasy author Julie Embleton has done it again! The ending of the first book in her Oath & Legacy series left this reader desperate for a resolution to the madness surrounding main character and witch Ava O’Keefe and her vampire, Enzo Paladino. As I finished Moonstone & Mugwort: A captivating witch and vampire dark paranormal fantasy, my soul howled in despair.
The frantic anticipation for book two began.
I started reading Hematite & Hemlock: A captivating witch and vampire dark fantasy shortly after it was released, and Ava’s treacherous—and Enzo’s tormented—tale held me captive until the final pages.
Writing a fitting review for any book beyond the first in a series is challenging. I want to avoid details you should learn by reading book one. However, if you were rocked by Moonstone & Mugwort’s brutal climax and desperate aftermath delivered in the final pages of that book, you know how dire the situation surrounding this witch-vampire couple had become. End-of-book twists and horrors promised a book two nail-biter.
And…oh! I was on the edge of my seat more than once while devouring this book. Embleton wove such an intricate tale of character narratives and pasts, slipping in threads of discovery and deceit. Readers, like Ava, will question who to trust. Ava will even doubt herself. She will crumble under the weight of revealed secrets while battling to reclaim her power and wield her magic. New characters introduced in Hematite & Hemlock will abuse her, attempt to control her, terrify her, and tear her down. Some will secretly guide her to find a way out of the ordeal she’s forced to endure.
Enzo’s on-page appearance grows as the book progresses, and Embleton shook me to the core with the gut-wrenching nightmares she delivered upon him through creatures called Spinners. (Well done, author! Those visions were exactly what he would fear the most.) Admittedly, I wondered if Embleton would renege on her promise of an HEA, and indeed, I carried that worry through the pages leading toward the book’s end.
New and known characters join in the chaos. Of the known, Ava’s old boyfriend Finn Delaney is back. I still want to throttle him for the havoc he caused. (Grr!) Ava is a far nicer person than I am. Aunt Nessa continues to try to assert her opinions and influence. (Ugh!) But Ava’s best friend, Iseult, also returned, and I am delighted that her role in this book grew. We ALL need a friend like Iz. You’ll also find old enemies resurfacing, with their goal to break and take from Ava, darkening the pages.
Also, of the known characters, siblings Martha and Cyrus are back. There is a MASSIVE reveal involving these two and related to Enzo. Hold onto your pointy hats—it’s a doozy!
I must admit, although Cyrus is…shall we say, often unhinged, he’s one of my favorite characters. Not only does Embleton write beautifully, but the characters she creates on the page are so alive and feel so real, I half expect to look up and see them standing before me. Now, Cyrus would be terrifying to find in my home, but…Anyhow, here’s a line I highlighted when reading, because I really could envision this scene where Cyrus is speaking to Martha:
…Cyrus cocked his head; a tic Ava recognised as a precursor to trouble. For once, it didn’t pool ice in her belly. “Where do you want him, sister?” he asked…
There is also a point at which Cyrus DOES fully lose it. Holy moly. It’s unsettling.
New characters are introduced as well. Iris (shudder), Blaine Delacroix (surely hiding secrets), and an intriguing demon named Kole—nicknamed privately as The Mountain by Ava. Kole stealthily stole the show on many pages. Ava fears him…but should she trust him? Her thoughts scattered, she questioned all that whirls around her as she struggled to survive AND secretly rebuild her power.
Five well-deserved stars for this bewitching book! I hope my review keeps Ava’s and Enzo’s tale hidden away and waiting for you on the pages of Hematite & Hemlock. Author Embleton has written a marvelous follow-up to Moonstone & Mugwort. Possibilities for a third book in the Oath & Legacy series featuring a new set of main characters were teased in this book’s final pages, and I cannot wait to find out where Embleton’s pen will take me next!
A truly engaging second book in a series can be hard to pull off, and yet, paranormal fantasy author Julie Embleton has done it again! The ending of the first book in her Oath & Legacy series left this reader desperate for a resolution to the madness surrounding main character and witch Ava O’Keefe and her vampire, Enzo Paladino. As I finished Moonstone & Mugwort: A captivating witch and vampire dark paranormal fantasy, my soul howled in despair.
The frantic anticipation for book two began.
I started reading Hematite & Hemlock: A captivating witch and vampire dark fantasy shortly after it was released, and Ava’s treacherous—and Enzo’s tormented—tale held me captive until the final pages.
Writing a fitting review for any book beyond the first in a series is challenging. I want to avoid details you should learn by reading book one. However, if you were rocked by Moonstone & Mugwort’s brutal climax and desperate aftermath delivered in the final pages of that book, you know how dire the situation surrounding this witch-vampire couple had become. End-of-book twists and horrors promised a book two nail-biter.
And…oh! I was on the edge of my seat more than once while devouring this book. Embleton wove such an intricate tale of character narratives and pasts, slipping in threads of discovery and deceit. Readers, like Ava, will question who to trust. Ava will even doubt herself. She will crumble under the weight of revealed secrets while battling to reclaim her power and wield her magic. New characters introduced in Hematite & Hemlock will abuse her, attempt to control her, terrify her, and tear her down. Some will secretly guide her to find a way out of the ordeal she’s forced to endure.
Enzo’s on-page appearance grows as the book progresses, and Embleton shook me to the core with the gut-wrenching nightmares she delivered upon him through creatures called Spinners. (Well done, author! Those visions were exactly what he would fear the most.) Admittedly, I wondered if Embleton would renege on her promise of an HEA, and indeed, I carried that worry through the pages leading toward the book’s end.
New and known characters join in the chaos. Of the known, Ava’s old boyfriend Finn Delaney is back. I still want to throttle him for the havoc he caused. (Grr!) Ava is a far nicer person than I am. Aunt Nessa continues to try to assert her opinions and influence. (Ugh!) But Ava’s best friend, Iseult, also returned, and I am delighted that her role in this book grew. We ALL need a friend like Iz. You’ll also find old enemies resurfacing, with their goal to break and take from Ava, darkening the pages.
Also, of the known characters, siblings Martha and Cyrus are back. There is a MASSIVE reveal involving these two and related to Enzo. Hold onto your pointy hats—it’s a doozy!
I must admit, although Cyrus is…shall we say, often unhinged, he’s one of my favorite characters. Not only does Embleton write beautifully, but the characters she creates on the page are so alive and feel so real, I half expect to look up and see them standing before me. Now, Cyrus would be terrifying to find in my home, but…Anyhow, here’s a line I highlighted when reading, because I really could envision this scene where Cyrus is speaking to Martha:
…Cyrus cocked his head; a tic Ava recognised as a precursor to trouble. For once, it didn’t pool ice in her belly. “Where do you want him, sister?” he asked…
There is also a point at which Cyrus DOES fully lose it. Holy moly. It’s unsettling.
New characters are introduced as well. Iris (shudder), Blaine Delacroix (surely hiding secrets), and an intriguing demon named Kole—nicknamed privately as The Mountain by Ava. Kole stealthily stole the show on many pages. Ava fears him…but should she trust him? Her thoughts scattered, she questioned all that whirls around her as she struggled to survive AND secretly rebuild her power.
Five well-deserved stars for this bewitching book! I hope my review keeps Ava’s and Enzo’s tale hidden away and waiting for you on the pages of Hematite & Hemlock. Author Embleton has written a marvelous follow-up to Moonstone & Mugwort. Possibilities for a third book in the Oath & Legacy series featuring a new set of main characters were teased in this book’s final pages, and I cannot wait to find out where Embleton’s pen will take me next!
February 15, 2026
When Ava O’Keefe (a witch) and Enzo Paladino (a vampire) fell for one another, it went against the grain of their separate worlds. But love found a way for the unlikely lovers. However, their union was short-lived when Ava was abducted by a malevolent and powerful individual.
They want something from her, and will do anything to get it, pushing Ava to the limits of her powers. But when she eventually discovers the identity of her incarcerator and the dark and disturbing motive behind her abduction, chaos ensues. With Ava missing, witches and vampires unite to try and save her. But there are others who are willing to help Ava, claiming to be her allies, risking their own lives while under the employment and scrutiny of her captor. But can Ava trust them? Desperate to be rid of the shackles keeping her powers at bay, and to be reunited with Enzo, she secretly decides to keep her alleged allies close at hand. But they harbour secrets, too …
Hematite & Hemlock is the second offering of the Oath & Legacy series – the follow-up to Moonstone & Mugwort. It takes us deeper into Ava and Enzo’s dangerous journey and the extreme lengths they are pushed to, to be together, when they are faced with sinister powers and daemons.
Julie Embleton is a clever and sassy writer who incorporates this into her narrative and dialogue, which I love. I always sense that this is an extension of her personality, with sprinklings of wit thrown into her cauldron. There are surprises throughout this exciting series, however, I never reveal if there are twists, as I feel it can be a little distracting from the story. But don’t for one second assume the ending to Hematite & Hemlock. I personally loved it! After all, this is a series with an appended novella due out, soon.
If you are a lover of the Twilight books or The Hunger Games, the Oath & Legacy series is the perfect choice for you. Five stars all the way!
They want something from her, and will do anything to get it, pushing Ava to the limits of her powers. But when she eventually discovers the identity of her incarcerator and the dark and disturbing motive behind her abduction, chaos ensues. With Ava missing, witches and vampires unite to try and save her. But there are others who are willing to help Ava, claiming to be her allies, risking their own lives while under the employment and scrutiny of her captor. But can Ava trust them? Desperate to be rid of the shackles keeping her powers at bay, and to be reunited with Enzo, she secretly decides to keep her alleged allies close at hand. But they harbour secrets, too …
Hematite & Hemlock is the second offering of the Oath & Legacy series – the follow-up to Moonstone & Mugwort. It takes us deeper into Ava and Enzo’s dangerous journey and the extreme lengths they are pushed to, to be together, when they are faced with sinister powers and daemons.
Julie Embleton is a clever and sassy writer who incorporates this into her narrative and dialogue, which I love. I always sense that this is an extension of her personality, with sprinklings of wit thrown into her cauldron. There are surprises throughout this exciting series, however, I never reveal if there are twists, as I feel it can be a little distracting from the story. But don’t for one second assume the ending to Hematite & Hemlock. I personally loved it! After all, this is a series with an appended novella due out, soon.
If you are a lover of the Twilight books or The Hunger Games, the Oath & Legacy series is the perfect choice for you. Five stars all the way!
October 10, 2025
I have been waiting a long time for this book, desperate to learn the fate of the Irish witch Ava and her vampire lover, Enzo. Ripped apart by evil forces, Ava must fight to survive a brutal imprisonment, unsure of who she can trust and if she’ll ever see her beloved Enzo again. Beautifully written with heart and depth, the author keeps the reader teetering on a tightrope of anticipation. I flicked the pages frantically, longing for a happy ending and a romantic reunion that would blow my socks off. Did the author deliver? You will have to read the book and decide for yourself.
Hematite and Hemlock contains all the characters that readers have grown to love in book one — especially Ava’s witchy best friend, Iseult and Enzo’s determined vampire bodyguard, Kara — plus introduces some intriguing new ones who well deserve stories of their own. Julie Embleton never fails to deliver, and this latest offering is no exception. A perfect read for those who love their witches feisty and the vampires honourable.
Hematite and Hemlock contains all the characters that readers have grown to love in book one — especially Ava’s witchy best friend, Iseult and Enzo’s determined vampire bodyguard, Kara — plus introduces some intriguing new ones who well deserve stories of their own. Julie Embleton never fails to deliver, and this latest offering is no exception. A perfect read for those who love their witches feisty and the vampires honourable.
March 19, 2026
We had to wait a little while for the sequel to Moonstone and Mugwort, but it was well worth it.
Hematite and Hemlock is fantastic sequel, the quality of writing and character development shining through. It continues where book 1 leaves off; the witch Eva held captive, her devoted vampire lover, Enzo, desperate to free her from malicious beings intent on claiming her remarkable powers. Things don’t work out as planned, and Eva finds herself in a situation where her powers are useless and she is a long way from home, unsure whether she can trust any of the people around her. It’s the basis of a super plot which dives deep into the world of vampires, witches, and demons, handled with aplomb and style by the author.
Loved it and can’t wait for more in the Oath and Legacy series.
Hematite and Hemlock is fantastic sequel, the quality of writing and character development shining through. It continues where book 1 leaves off; the witch Eva held captive, her devoted vampire lover, Enzo, desperate to free her from malicious beings intent on claiming her remarkable powers. Things don’t work out as planned, and Eva finds herself in a situation where her powers are useless and she is a long way from home, unsure whether she can trust any of the people around her. It’s the basis of a super plot which dives deep into the world of vampires, witches, and demons, handled with aplomb and style by the author.
Loved it and can’t wait for more in the Oath and Legacy series.
December 3, 2025
Is there anything better than Irish witch tales and honourable vampires? Moonstone & Mugwort was brilliant and this second book in the Oath & Legacy series, Hematite & Hemlock, continues Ava and Enzo’s trials and tribulations with the same dazzling, non-stop drama.
I love a book that shines a light on strong women. Ava, Iseult, and Martha prove to be just that. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. Now that I’ve finished it, I can’t wait to dive into book 3 with Kole and Renn’s story.
I love a book that shines a light on strong women. Ava, Iseult, and Martha prove to be just that. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. Now that I’ve finished it, I can’t wait to dive into book 3 with Kole and Renn’s story.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews