Oleander

by Megan Blood

293 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2025

Reviews

[Alice Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Oleander expecting a typical vampire romance, but this book completely surprised me. From the opening chapter, I felt everything Eden was feelings, hock, grief, confusion, fear, and then that slow, reluctant pull toward the man she should hate. The atmosphere of Nekros is so vivid and unsettling that I felt like I was trapped in that obsidian palace with her. Draven is dangerous in every sense of the word, and yet I understood exactly why Eden couldn’t fully turn away. This book didn’t just entertain me; it consumed me.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since a vampire book has intrigued me, but this one promises everything I’ve been missing: tension, danger, and a slow slide into forbidden attraction. The writing in the summary already feels atmospheric and vivid, and I love how the stakes (literal and emotional) are set right from the start. I want to know everything about Nekros and why Draven is the way he is. Five stars already.

[Kasey Stockon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The palace of Nekros is described with such eerie beauty that I could picture every hall, every shadow, every whispered threat. The creatures, the customs, the politics, it all felt fresh and original. I felt the claustrophobia, the danger, and the sense that one wrong move could be Eden’s last. It’s rare for a fantasy setting to feel this alive.

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delivers that perfect blend of ‘I shouldn’t want this’ and ‘I absolutely do.’ Draven’s presence is intense without ever feeling forced. Eden’s reactions are so human, fear, curiosity, frustration, attraction, and the two of them together are electric. Their dynamic is slow-burn gold, and the payoff is worth every page.

[Simth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of dark fantasy, but the beginning of Oleander genuinely shocked me. It’s brutal, emotional, and sets the tone beautifully. You immediately understand what Eden has lost, and why her situation is so complicated. It’s one of the most memorable first chapters I’ve read in years.
Megan Blood is such a good author

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t expect this story to hit me in the heart the way it did. Beneath all the darkness and danger, there’s a thread of grief, resilience, and reluctant connection that felt very real. Eden’s inner turmoil, wanting to survive but also feeling drawn to someone she should fear, was written with so much nuance.

[Lily Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of dark fantasy romance
If you love vampires, deadly courts, and sharp-witted heroines, this book is for you. The chemistry, the danger, and the world-building come together seamlessly. An exciting, chaotic, and thoroughly entertaining read.

such a lovely Book
recommend by Rebbeca sarah

[jsmeskasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man. THIS MAN. He’s terrifyingly loyal, unreadable, and oddly compelling in a way that caught me off guard. Every interaction he had with Eden added a new layer to the story. If Megan Blood releases a spin-off about him, I’ll preorder instantly.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eden’s journey through loss, fear, and impossible choices is powerful and engaging. The vampire world is beautifully dark, and the constant sense of danger makes every chapter exciting. A must-read for fans of gothic fantasy.

[Angie Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intense and unforgettable story
This book is full of shocking twists, dark humor, and haunting imagery. The palace of Nekros feels like a character itself, and the relationships are layered and complex. I couldn’t stop reading.

[rose johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so impressed that with just a few paragraphs, the author created an entire atmosphere: sharp, gothic, and filled with tension. Court politics, forbidden desire, looming danger every trope I adore is here. And Eden sounds like a heroine with grit, not just someone swept along by supernatural forces. I’m ready for the chaos.

[Haske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this summary screams “darkly addictive.” The obsidian palace, the nightmare creatures, the lethal king it all feels lush and immersive. I love villains who aren’t quite villains, and Draven seems like he’ll hit that sweet spot. Also, the tension between terror and attraction? Delicious.

[Lisa Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This summary sets up such a rich world. I could sense the mix of dread and excitement in Eden’s situation, and the casual humor sprinkled in (“thanks, universe”) made her instantly relatable. A human trapped among vampires, trying not to fall for the most dangerous one? I want to see how she survives and how she falls.

[Mary Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The summary alone feels like the beginning of a dangerously good ride. I love the contrast between Eden’s vulnerability and Draven’s lethal intensity. The obsessive General, the violent masquerades, the impossible attraction this world feels fully alive already. If the book’s writing matches the energy of the summary, it’s going to be phenomenal.

[Hahno Liole · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s human. They’re vampires. Chaos is inevitable.”
THAT is how you end a summary. It’s punchy, funny, and promises absolute mayhem. I can already feel the banter and the intensity between Eden and Draven brewing. This sounds like the kind of book that keeps me up until 3 a.m. without regret.

[Angela L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. Draven was 🫠. I loved how Eden grew throughout the book. The action kept me entranced the entire time with just enough spicy scenes to make me melt.

[Cassidy Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

18th century gothic vampire rom com, yes please. Edens sense of humor kills me 🤣 and Draven just takes it all in stride. Obsession, crazy vampires and humors moments this has been my top read of the year.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually get pulled in by a book summary alone, but Oleander had me in a chokehold immediately. The idea of Eden being forced to marry the Vampire King, right after witnessing him execute her father, sets such a dark, addictive tone. The whole vibe of obsidian palaces, nightmare-filled hallways, and dangerous men who smirk way too well? Yes. I’m sold. This sounds like the perfect mix of fear, tension, and forbidden chemistry. I can already tell I’ll devour this book in one sitting.

[Flora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This summary feels like it was carved straight out of my Pinterest board. I love morally grey characters, and Draven already sounds like someone I will simultaneously despise and desperately want more of. And Eden? A human dropped into a nest of vampires and still determined not to break? I love her already. The masquerade balls, the dangerous General, the “pulse racing even when she knows better” everything about this screams dark fantasy romance perfection.

[Miley Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotional undercurrent between Eden and Draven is what elevates this story. Yes, he’s powerful and deadly, but there are moments, tiny, subtle moments, where you catch glimpses of something softer, and it makes the entire dynamic even more addictive. It’s not an easy romance; it’s a complicated one, and that’s what makes it feel real.

[Sarah Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The summary alone is cinematic. I could picture the palace of obsidian, the blood-soaked ballroom, the cold king with sharp edges. And Eden’s reaction, fear mixed with unwanted attraction, feels so authentic. That conflict is exactly why I adore dark romance. The author clearly knows how to build tension, and I’m already itching to see how Eden navigates this world of nightmares and seduction.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m obsessed with the premise. A human forced into a world of vampires, trying not to fall for the king who terrifies her? Yes, this is my brand of chaos. Even the bullet points in the summary made me laugh because the tone is so spot-on: dramatic, dark, and a little unhinged. This sounds like the exact kind of addictive, dramatic fantasy romance I never recover from.

[Manda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan Blood’s prose is stunning. She has this ability to make even the horrific scenes feel poetic. I highlighted so many lines that my Kindle looks like a neon sign. It’s the kind of writing that stays with you long after you finish the book.

Would love to read more of her Books

[John Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, addictive, and impossible to put down
This book grabs you from the first shocking moment and never lets go. Eden is a strong, relatable heroine thrown into a terrifying vampire court, and the tension between her and the Vampire King is perfectly written. Dark fantasy lovers will be obsessed.

[Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thrilling blend of danger and forbidden attraction
The story balances horror, intrigue, and emotional intensity beautifully. Nekros feels alive with menace, and every scene crackles with tension. Eden’s struggle to survive and resist the darkness around her makes this an unforgettable read.

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

From brutal politics to eerie masquerade balls, this world is rich and immersive. The characters are compelling, especially the Vampire King and his fiercely loyal General. A gripping story full of chaos, danger, and irresistible intrigue.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love eerie settings, morally gray characters, dangerous romances, and palace intrigue, this book is everything you want. It checks every box and still manages to surprise you.

[Jessie Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delivers sharp dialogue, intense moments, and a heroine who refuses to break. The atmosphere is deliciously grim, and the slow-burning tension keeps you turning pages late into the night.