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The Vampire Who Tried It
He’s a vampire. She’s a human. Fated? Maybe. Screwed? Definitely.
Sai found out the hard way—she should’ve minded her own Black business. Now she’s stuck leading a vampire house, on probation with the vampire council, and dodging death threats like it’s a full-time job.
And fate just tied her to Hakeem—the council member who voted to end her.
Hakeem didn’t ask for a mate. He had a plan—keep the council in check, protect what’s his, and stay in control. But Sai crashes into his life with nothing but instinct, attitude, and a bond he can’t ignore.
She’s chaos in the shape of a woman and fate says she’s his.
Sai’s not here to fall in love with that dangerously fine vampire. She’s trying to survive. Hakeem’s trying not to care.
But the bond doesn’t care what either of them wants.
And fate just tied her to Hakeem—the council member who voted to end her.
Hakeem didn’t ask for a mate. He had a plan—keep the council in check, protect what’s his, and stay in control. But Sai crashes into his life with nothing but instinct, attitude, and a bond he can’t ignore.
She’s chaos in the shape of a woman and fate says she’s his.
Sai’s not here to fall in love with that dangerously fine vampire. She’s trying to survive. Hakeem’s trying not to care.
But the bond doesn’t care what either of them wants.
- GenresParanormal
494 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2025
About the author
Marcia Black
2 books16 followersI’m a longtime romance reader turned author, writing stories where women choose their own fate and the monsters aren’t always the villains. Paranormal, sci-fi, and fantasy romance keep me fed—and I’ll never say no to a fated mate with dangerous hands and a soft spot for the one they’d burn the world for.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 3, 2025
✨Book Review✨
Title: The Vampire Who Tried It
Author: @Marcia Black
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Pages: 436
Format 📱
4⭐️
Releases October 16, 2025
The Vampire Who Tried It hits the exact nerve I’ve been wanting scratched lately!
A Black heroine who’s dragged into paranormal politics and saddled with a fated vampire mate she never asked for. An ordinary Black woman dropped, well technically squeezed her way into lethal, seductive supernatural hierarchies and made to fight for agency.
A mortal in over her head with an unapologetically Black voice. It has all the things, including trope staples like touch her and ☠️ and fated mates. No fantasy romance is complete without a little slow burnin’ and yearnin! And to my delight and surprise it was filled with chaos first, feelings second.
Oh!! The MMC has a grill and if I need to expand on that, don’t even worry about reading this book 😅
If you read and liked…
✨Lilith
✨Our Vicious Oaths
✨Phantasma
✨Quicksilver
✨Spark of the Everflame
…You’ll definitely love this one ❤️
(If you haven’t read them, you need to🥴)
#UrbanFiction #historicalfiction #Sportsromance #Fantasy#suspense #romance #Thriller #Fantasy #SciFi #Dystopian #Romantasy #fiction #indie #indieread #readthistoday #readwithKC #ebook #boox #kindle #MoodReader #BOTM #bookreviewer #BookClub #ImmersionReading
Title: The Vampire Who Tried It
Author: @Marcia Black
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Pages: 436
Format 📱
4⭐️
Releases October 16, 2025
The Vampire Who Tried It hits the exact nerve I’ve been wanting scratched lately!
A Black heroine who’s dragged into paranormal politics and saddled with a fated vampire mate she never asked for. An ordinary Black woman dropped, well technically squeezed her way into lethal, seductive supernatural hierarchies and made to fight for agency.
A mortal in over her head with an unapologetically Black voice. It has all the things, including trope staples like touch her and ☠️ and fated mates. No fantasy romance is complete without a little slow burnin’ and yearnin! And to my delight and surprise it was filled with chaos first, feelings second.
Oh!! The MMC has a grill and if I need to expand on that, don’t even worry about reading this book 😅
If you read and liked…
✨Lilith
✨Our Vicious Oaths
✨Phantasma
✨Quicksilver
✨Spark of the Everflame
…You’ll definitely love this one ❤️
(If you haven’t read them, you need to🥴)
#UrbanFiction #historicalfiction #Sportsromance #Fantasy#suspense #romance #Thriller #Fantasy #SciFi #Dystopian #Romantasy #fiction #indie #indieread #readthistoday #readwithKC #ebook #boox #kindle #MoodReader #BOTM #bookreviewer #BookClub #ImmersionReading
October 24, 2025
4 stars
I received this as a ARC .This was really good debut . I really enjoyed both Mc’s . I did feel it dragged a tad too but I was loving all the characters that I was still was able to enjoy it . I found all the vampires politics new and refreshing. I would definitely read more from Marcia and will be buying the paperback .
I received this as a ARC .This was really good debut . I really enjoyed both Mc’s . I did feel it dragged a tad too but I was loving all the characters that I was still was able to enjoy it . I found all the vampires politics new and refreshing. I would definitely read more from Marcia and will be buying the paperback .
March 29, 2026
interesting
This was a very interesting storyline. It definitely had left me wanting to know what happens, but the ending was so abrupt and unexpected. The read was good, but I’m not sure it was good enough for me to wait to see what happens.
This was a very interesting storyline. It definitely had left me wanting to know what happens, but the ending was so abrupt and unexpected. The read was good, but I’m not sure it was good enough for me to wait to see what happens.
March 18, 2026
Ohh no the ending!!!
Good book. Slow to start and the ending seemed rushed, incomplete. I hope that means there's a second book because this was sooo good! I loved the historical references, the delve into paranormal laws, the spice! Very good! I'm only mad that after 482 pages, we need more!
Good book. Slow to start and the ending seemed rushed, incomplete. I hope that means there's a second book because this was sooo good! I loved the historical references, the delve into paranormal laws, the spice! Very good! I'm only mad that after 482 pages, we need more!
October 29, 2025
3.5
Enjoyed this story and loved the energy between Hakeem and Sai. The way they both were so protective about their family was lovely to see. The world building here is pretty stable along with the pacing but the length of the story is why my rating is what it is. But for the most part, The Vampire who Tried It is a solid debut.
Enjoyed this story and loved the energy between Hakeem and Sai. The way they both were so protective about their family was lovely to see. The world building here is pretty stable along with the pacing but the length of the story is why my rating is what it is. But for the most part, The Vampire who Tried It is a solid debut.
April 6, 2026
This was funny and engaging. Sai's love and duty to her younger brother gets overzealous at times. It gets her in trouble a lot. It's how this story truly kicks off. When we meet Hakeem, there's a mystery about a knife and what happens when it's used on someone I'm not sure the plot ever circles back to. Quinton her brother was very avoidant in regards to telling Sai anything useful. But he's just a very young adult going through things.
Sai and Hakeem's slow-ish burn is nice, as they both have very good reasons not to rush too far into things. Their banter can be fun but Sai definitely had a lot of healing to do.
Sai made a lot of thoughtless and fear based decisions which nearly always resulted in self recrimination and caused lashing out. But to be fair, she never got a chance to live without being in survival mode. The BG with her mother is a little unclear. Not sure if it was mental/physical health issue that kept her mother from caring for her the way she should or issues heavily associated with her father.
Hakeem's political maneuvering only ever felt urgent in regards to Sai. Which is understandable, given that he's a vampire. But his actions contribute heavily to the events that tugs Sai firmly into the vampire world. He seems to struggle with being patient and even handed when dealing with Sai, while also juggling House obligations and political power. There's also his sister and some unknown entity he seeks to protect her from. His fear manifests as control, as men do lol.
I'm not sure if some of Sai's decisions under the guise of hyper-independence, so control of the situation, even unhealed makes sense. But her brand of chaos does keep the story interesting when she gets semi-realistic consequences for her actions. She experiences the full gamut of emotions and can't handle everything being thrown her way. She tries to buckle down and handle business, but in the only way she knows how and it can be hard to read, but many people aren't as adaptable in severe and new situations as they think. And Sai thought. 😂
Hakeem's used to being obeyed and it's pretty prevalent in this story. However, it's more understandable when he does sometimes try to patiently explain what's going on before directing Sai. The high handedness is especially irking to me as much as Sai 😂. There are times when he doesn't want explain himself, so he'll just do whatever without taking Sai into account. Usually results in an argument, that had a 50/50 chance of avoiding lol because Hakeem, while established in maturity in some ways, is also still unhealed from a childhood trauma that makes him dissociate. Not that he thinks that's happening. 😂
The other characters are fun and distinct. The lore is really what got me stuck in. Definitely invested in the universe's offerings. There are some grammatical errors, some scenes where there's not a good location transition, some plot threads aren't picked up. I know there's a part 2 but some things were introduced and not mentioned again. Immature pettiness, on both their parts, disguised as independence or protection sometimes for exhausting to witness. Currently, Sai has a bigger insecurity issue, around her sense of self, as a big sister, her origin, her relationship with Hakeem and apparently sex. I'm hoping to see growth in her AND Hakeem in the next book. I look forwards to more Black paranormal romance! 🙌🏾
Sai and Hakeem's slow-ish burn is nice, as they both have very good reasons not to rush too far into things. Their banter can be fun but Sai definitely had a lot of healing to do.
Sai made a lot of thoughtless and fear based decisions which nearly always resulted in self recrimination and caused lashing out. But to be fair, she never got a chance to live without being in survival mode. The BG with her mother is a little unclear. Not sure if it was mental/physical health issue that kept her mother from caring for her the way she should or issues heavily associated with her father.
Hakeem's political maneuvering only ever felt urgent in regards to Sai. Which is understandable, given that he's a vampire. But his actions contribute heavily to the events that tugs Sai firmly into the vampire world. He seems to struggle with being patient and even handed when dealing with Sai, while also juggling House obligations and political power. There's also his sister and some unknown entity he seeks to protect her from. His fear manifests as control, as men do lol.
I'm not sure if some of Sai's decisions under the guise of hyper-independence, so control of the situation, even unhealed makes sense. But her brand of chaos does keep the story interesting when she gets semi-realistic consequences for her actions. She experiences the full gamut of emotions and can't handle everything being thrown her way. She tries to buckle down and handle business, but in the only way she knows how and it can be hard to read, but many people aren't as adaptable in severe and new situations as they think. And Sai thought. 😂
Hakeem's used to being obeyed and it's pretty prevalent in this story. However, it's more understandable when he does sometimes try to patiently explain what's going on before directing Sai. The high handedness is especially irking to me as much as Sai 😂. There are times when he doesn't want explain himself, so he'll just do whatever without taking Sai into account. Usually results in an argument, that had a 50/50 chance of avoiding lol because Hakeem, while established in maturity in some ways, is also still unhealed from a childhood trauma that makes him dissociate. Not that he thinks that's happening. 😂
The other characters are fun and distinct. The lore is really what got me stuck in. Definitely invested in the universe's offerings. There are some grammatical errors, some scenes where there's not a good location transition, some plot threads aren't picked up. I know there's a part 2 but some things were introduced and not mentioned again. Immature pettiness, on both their parts, disguised as independence or protection sometimes for exhausting to witness. Currently, Sai has a bigger insecurity issue, around her sense of self, as a big sister, her origin, her relationship with Hakeem and apparently sex. I'm hoping to see growth in her AND Hakeem in the next book. I look forwards to more Black paranormal romance! 🙌🏾
January 2, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought it was put together well and the time was taken for world building. I also enjoyed the insight of the vampire politics.
This was a true definition of a slow burn, but I enjoyed watching them come together.
But every book has its faults, and this one was no different. The writing was a bit confusing as times, and there were missing words and punctuation. Run on sentences and continuity issues.
One example is how Zara went from Keem's sister (which automatically made to assumption that she was melanated) to non-melanated to having dark skin.
Sai also started irritating me a bit, because baby girl, I need you to wrap your head around the fact that this isn’t the human world. Vampires have no problem with taking a life and moving on. She's so adamant about being independent, that she's self-sabotaging and it's going to cause more harm than good. Even if you are hesitant about being fated, talk to this man and allow him to help you with your house and the needs of the people that you took on.
I liked Hakeem and the rest of the crew and I'm hoping we get the answers to unresolved questions in the next book.
All in all, this was a solid 4.5 stars for me.
This was a true definition of a slow burn, but I enjoyed watching them come together.
But every book has its faults, and this one was no different. The writing was a bit confusing as times, and there were missing words and punctuation. Run on sentences and continuity issues.
One example is how Zara went from Keem's sister (which automatically made to assumption that she was melanated) to non-melanated to having dark skin.
Sai also started irritating me a bit, because baby girl, I need you to wrap your head around the fact that this isn’t the human world. Vampires have no problem with taking a life and moving on. She's so adamant about being independent, that she's self-sabotaging and it's going to cause more harm than good. Even if you are hesitant about being fated, talk to this man and allow him to help you with your house and the needs of the people that you took on.
I liked Hakeem and the rest of the crew and I'm hoping we get the answers to unresolved questions in the next book.
All in all, this was a solid 4.5 stars for me.
October 29, 2025
So ima start by saying I thought this was a standalone. I was complaining about how much of a slow burn it was, but this ends on a cliffhanger. I did enjoy the characters. Sai came running headfirst into a vampire house to save her brother because that’s just who she is. He’s the only family she has and refuses to let fear keep her from him. The only thing is once she entered the house she got more than she bargained for. Sai is left with a house of vampires, a fated mate and a council of vampires hoping for her downfall. That girl Sai is fighting for her life, but Hakeem is just what the doctor ordered. Like I said this is a slow burn and cliffhanger so questions still need to be answered. I would still give this read a try.
October 17, 2025
Amazing job, especially for a debut author! This read was so good, I was giggling and kicking my feet! It was so good I went back to the beginning this morning to soak up more of these two.I received this as an ARC.
Sai and Hakeem are fine fated mates bringing the tension, hilarious banter, with heart and some spice. Marcia Black gave a nostalgic, yet refreshing, and compelling take on Vampires and fated mates, if you love either, and all things paranormal this is the book for you to pick up. *Sigh* I am feenin’ for the next book. I specifically give this book 4 & 1/2⭐️s
3 🌶️s
Sai and Hakeem are fine fated mates bringing the tension, hilarious banter, with heart and some spice. Marcia Black gave a nostalgic, yet refreshing, and compelling take on Vampires and fated mates, if you love either, and all things paranormal this is the book for you to pick up. *Sigh* I am feenin’ for the next book. I specifically give this book 4 & 1/2⭐️s
3 🌶️s
October 20, 2025
Bold, Black, and Bloody Brilliant! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Marcia Black delivers a fierce twist on vampire romance! Sai, a human forced into the dangerous world of vampire politics, is bold, witty, and unapologetically strong. Hakeem’s dark charm and their fiery chemistry keep the pages turning. The world-building feels cinematic — full of power plays, danger, and desire. What I loved most is seeing Black characters leading a vampire story that feels fresh, emotional, and empowering. If you like fated mates, high stakes, and supernatural drama with real heart, this duology is a must-read!
Marcia Black delivers a fierce twist on vampire romance! Sai, a human forced into the dangerous world of vampire politics, is bold, witty, and unapologetically strong. Hakeem’s dark charm and their fiery chemistry keep the pages turning. The world-building feels cinematic — full of power plays, danger, and desire. What I loved most is seeing Black characters leading a vampire story that feels fresh, emotional, and empowering. If you like fated mates, high stakes, and supernatural drama with real heart, this duology is a must-read!
June 7, 2026
Little Human & Hakeem
Secrets (lots of em). An attempted murder (a few of those). Found Family. Black Vampires. Hidden Powers. Sticking it to the Man.
What happens when the best big sister in the world accidentally becomes the interim House Sire for her brother’s secret vampire friends? She’s mentored by none other than her fated mate. This was a magical adventure of self-discovery for Sai. I couldn’t put this book down last night.
Secrets (lots of em). An attempted murder (a few of those). Found Family. Black Vampires. Hidden Powers. Sticking it to the Man.
What happens when the best big sister in the world accidentally becomes the interim House Sire for her brother’s secret vampire friends? She’s mentored by none other than her fated mate. This was a magical adventure of self-discovery for Sai. I couldn’t put this book down last night.
October 18, 2025
This book was so much fun! Sai was fantastic, and when she squeezed through the gate right in the opening, I knew she was going to be 100% relatable, and she was! And Hakeem? Yes, please! This book is funny, fresh, and steamy, and the found family is done to perfection! The secondary characters are delightfully fun to hang out with. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end!
October 19, 2025
Great story idea
The story was good. However it felt rushed. There were also times when things that should have been explained in transitioning to the next scene where just not there. I had so many moments of how did we get here. I wish the author had made the story longer so that it were more complete. The ending also felt rushed.
The story was good. However it felt rushed. There were also times when things that should have been explained in transitioning to the next scene where just not there. I had so many moments of how did we get here. I wish the author had made the story longer so that it were more complete. The ending also felt rushed.
October 28, 2025
**I received this book as an ARC ** Love a paranormal romance! The MC’s chemistry burned through the pages — and Hakeem?! Yeah. 😍 I’ll admit there were multiple plot-holes that left me with a ton more questions than I started with. I did enjoy the plot & the politics though. Excited to see more of Sai’s character development and the storyline thickening in book #2!
October 29, 2025
Being a big sister was her duty
This was a good read, Sai found her love in a vampire while fulfilling her duty as a sister. And then found out they could have some type of paranormal going on with them 🥴 that is a lot to take in. Don’t wanna spill the beans but this was a good read.
This was a good read, Sai found her love in a vampire while fulfilling her duty as a sister. And then found out they could have some type of paranormal going on with them 🥴 that is a lot to take in. Don’t wanna spill the beans but this was a good read.
March 11, 2026
Marciaaaaaa !!!
I loved this so much, great starting novel girl. Sai was so prideful and she felt like she had to do it all for herself but Hakeem (with his fine dominant self ) was on her butt! I had moments that made me swoon, that made me cackle and MMMph was heavy in reaction 😂 but I can't wait for part two!!!
I loved this so much, great starting novel girl. Sai was so prideful and she felt like she had to do it all for herself but Hakeem (with his fine dominant self ) was on her butt! I had moments that made me swoon, that made me cackle and MMMph was heavy in reaction 😂 but I can't wait for part two!!!
October 21, 2025
I received this as an ARC!
He’s fine, fanged, and full of problems. She’s human, tired, and over it. The Vampire Who Tried It gave slow burn, chaos, and “boy, don’t test me” energy.
FMC, Sai, a human who somehow ends up running a vampire house while the vampire council is breathing down her neck. Then there’s Hakeem, MMC, one of those fine but problematic vampires who thinks he’s in control until fate hits him with a “surprise, she’s your mate.”
If you’re into fated mates, Black girl magic in the vampire world, and chaotic love stories where both leads swear they don’t care; but definitely do, go ahead and add this one to your TBR. Can’t wait for part 2!
He’s fine, fanged, and full of problems. She’s human, tired, and over it. The Vampire Who Tried It gave slow burn, chaos, and “boy, don’t test me” energy.
FMC, Sai, a human who somehow ends up running a vampire house while the vampire council is breathing down her neck. Then there’s Hakeem, MMC, one of those fine but problematic vampires who thinks he’s in control until fate hits him with a “surprise, she’s your mate.”
If you’re into fated mates, Black girl magic in the vampire world, and chaotic love stories where both leads swear they don’t care; but definitely do, go ahead and add this one to your TBR. Can’t wait for part 2!
October 28, 2025
More please!
I hope this isn't it! Let's see what Sai's stubborn ass is going to do, Quentin's fate, and Kassi is a another one that interests me. Wonderful story. Hakeem is my Boo forever.
I hope this isn't it! Let's see what Sai's stubborn ass is going to do, Quentin's fate, and Kassi is a another one that interests me. Wonderful story. Hakeem is my Boo forever.
November 4, 2025
My goodness I didn't want to stop reading this book. I really thought for a debit author, it was reallllyyy great work. The pining between the 2 main characters drove me crazy in a good way. It was sexy in its approach without it being annoying.
I cannot wait for the next one.
I cannot wait for the next one.
January 8, 2026
WOOOOWWWWW!!!! ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! I was hooked from the first page. The diversity of the characters, the story, the ROMANCE!!!! ABSOLUTELY!!! Now the author did me so dirty with that ending, but shes officially won my eyesight for reading, so ill forgive her! 🤣❤️
October 23, 2025
Such a strong debut! Great pacing, sizzling chemistry, and laugh-out-loud moments. I’m ready for book two — and definitely here for a Chem love story! 👀
Read
December 17, 2025Dnf book started in the middle of stuff and I spent too much time confused.
March 31, 2026
Black vampires, fates mates and a bunch of spice. Couldn’t ask for anything better.
April 6, 2026
AINT NO WAY THAT’S HOW IT ENDS!!!! Why was so much time wasted?!?? Oh that was so unsatisfying
May 23, 2026
Page turner
It took me 2 days because of work and life. The ending felt incomplete. A cliffhanger but not urgent to know what happens waiting until October is crazy work.
It took me 2 days because of work and life. The ending felt incomplete. A cliffhanger but not urgent to know what happens waiting until October is crazy work.
May 4, 2026
Sai and Hakeem had some serious sexual tension building up between them for the majority of the book. This was really an excellent slow burn. However, Sai was getting on my damn nerves taking so long to accept the help she so badly needed. Hakeem had the patience of someone already dead and with the rest of eternity to make something happen. He had an unending well of patience for Sai, it seemed. All the real life social and political correlations to current circumstances that were mirrored in this book verse made this story that was a paranormal fantasy feel very relevant to real life. The suspense is very well done and I am looking forward to the revelations coming in book two.
December 13, 2025
Nothing kills the high of a romp in the sheets more than the wafting perfume of wet, decaying flesh, especially when it comes from Mistress Alexis, the bat-crap-crazy leader of a nearly bankrupt house of vampires. But, hey, a nearly immortal life has room for little mistakes like these. Even more futile than his failure to launch, however, is the reason he’s rumpling the dingy sheets in the first place. Hakeem, the handsome-as-the-devil hero of this paranormal rom-com is only trying to get insider info on a sleazy member of the ruling council of vampires from Alexis.
This delightful debut novel is told in alternating points of view: Hakeem’s and the feisty heroine Sai’s, whose viewpoints clash, mesh and eventually unite. It is a steamy romance, and this sexy pair prove it.
Marcia Black’s world building is impeccable. In a city that feels a lot like a disastrous Chicago (but fictional), vampires and humans live in segregated areas, and crossing into forbidden territory usually results in blood.
But Sai must cross. Her brother is in Alexis’ house, and Sai goes to save him, improbably becoming the Mistress of this woe begotten vampire family.
Hakeem and Sai meet, and together they unpeel the secrets that the more powerful vampire houses are trying to keep.
It’s a briskly paced adventure with a side of mayhem and comedy.
Black drops a teaser at the end that hints what book two of this series will bring.
Don’t miss it.
This delightful debut novel is told in alternating points of view: Hakeem’s and the feisty heroine Sai’s, whose viewpoints clash, mesh and eventually unite. It is a steamy romance, and this sexy pair prove it.
Marcia Black’s world building is impeccable. In a city that feels a lot like a disastrous Chicago (but fictional), vampires and humans live in segregated areas, and crossing into forbidden territory usually results in blood.
But Sai must cross. Her brother is in Alexis’ house, and Sai goes to save him, improbably becoming the Mistress of this woe begotten vampire family.
Hakeem and Sai meet, and together they unpeel the secrets that the more powerful vampire houses are trying to keep.
It’s a briskly paced adventure with a side of mayhem and comedy.
Black drops a teaser at the end that hints what book two of this series will bring.
Don’t miss it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews