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A Vow of Blood and Tears #2
The Instruments of Revival
Jesamin
Only the desperate would depend on a vampire.
As an Artificer, no machinery is beyond me—except that of flesh and blood. The one thing my instruments can’t mend is my own wounded heart.
But when every soul in a small town vanishes overnight, we find mysterious Fae artifacts left behind. The tracks of the humans that used them lead Below, into the nightmare world of the long-dead Fae.
Only one fiend can get us down there, and bring us back alive.
Wroth’s ruinous temper is legendary. There’s something broken beneath his beastly skin, a fracture in his soul that seeps rage and shadows.
But as the darkness of the Below forces us together, a light begins to shine through those cracks.
His hope is delicate, as fragile as clockwork, easily crushed.
But I’ve already put my faith in a vampire once.
Never again.
Wroth
Only a fool would trust in a human.
After fifty years of hell, the shackles of unholy matrimony have finally loosened—and freed me to lick my wounds and bury the pain. Never again will I subject myself to the loathing of a woman, even if it costs my throne.
Until a bespectacled, half-Forian noblewoman bursts into my castle, demanding I hunt down traitorous loyalists.
In the dark Below, where unbreakable bonds are forged, Jesamin guards my back as I guard hers.
There’s something compelling in her grit and determination. Her trust is a fragile, precious thing, a butterfly cradled in my brutish hands.
I will be her shield against these shadows.
I might even grow somewhat fond of her.
But love her?
It’ll never happen.
The Instruments of Revival is a full-length standalone fantasy romance with an HEA, but the series is best read in order. This Beauty and the Beast fairytale retelling is a steamy, slow-burn romantasy for readers 18+. Release date to be amended.
Only the desperate would depend on a vampire.
As an Artificer, no machinery is beyond me—except that of flesh and blood. The one thing my instruments can’t mend is my own wounded heart.
But when every soul in a small town vanishes overnight, we find mysterious Fae artifacts left behind. The tracks of the humans that used them lead Below, into the nightmare world of the long-dead Fae.
Only one fiend can get us down there, and bring us back alive.
Wroth’s ruinous temper is legendary. There’s something broken beneath his beastly skin, a fracture in his soul that seeps rage and shadows.
But as the darkness of the Below forces us together, a light begins to shine through those cracks.
His hope is delicate, as fragile as clockwork, easily crushed.
But I’ve already put my faith in a vampire once.
Never again.
Wroth
Only a fool would trust in a human.
After fifty years of hell, the shackles of unholy matrimony have finally loosened—and freed me to lick my wounds and bury the pain. Never again will I subject myself to the loathing of a woman, even if it costs my throne.
Until a bespectacled, half-Forian noblewoman bursts into my castle, demanding I hunt down traitorous loyalists.
In the dark Below, where unbreakable bonds are forged, Jesamin guards my back as I guard hers.
There’s something compelling in her grit and determination. Her trust is a fragile, precious thing, a butterfly cradled in my brutish hands.
I will be her shield against these shadows.
I might even grow somewhat fond of her.
But love her?
It’ll never happen.
The Instruments of Revival is a full-length standalone fantasy romance with an HEA, but the series is best read in order. This Beauty and the Beast fairytale retelling is a steamy, slow-burn romantasy for readers 18+. Release date to be amended.
Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2026
About the author
Cate Corvin
46 books1,123 followersCate is a USA Today Bestselling Author who loves all things passionate and paranormal with a side of horror. She lives in the South with her family and pets, and loves every kind of coffee, horror and fantasy movies, and cats. Reading is her favorite hobby when she’s not writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 9, 2026
2.75 ⭐
This book committed the ultimate crime.
It gave me a grumpy lion vampire king with fifty years of emotional damage, a bespectacled genius heroine whose solution to most problems is engineering, a Beauty and the Beast retelling, forced proximity, mutual pining and enough acts of service to make me start mentally redecorating a castle.
And somehow...
I was bored.
What worked for me
(aka: the crumbs I happily survived on)
Wroth deserved every good thing.
Wroth is bitter, traumatised, quietly funny, self-aware enough to recognise his own flaws and - most importantly - he apologises when he's wrong.
That shouldn't be a standout character trait in romance but here we are.
Watching him slowly dismantle decades of bitterness because Jesamin consistently proves him wrong was easily the strongest emotional thread in the story. His jealousy is irrational, his devotion is immediate and every internal monologue is basically him discovering new ways to accidentally fall in love.
I was seated.
In Jesamin we trust.
I loved having a heroine whose greatest strength was her brain.
She's practical, capable, emotionally intelligent and approaches every impossible situation with the energy of someone determined to fix it with enough tools and stubbornness.
Her relationship with Wroth is built on trust, friendship, respect and mutual admiration before romance ever takes center stage and I was eating every single one of those scenes up.
Their banter, quiet moments and growing friendship had me completely invested.
I liked the ingredients more than the meal.
This feels contradictory but it's exactly how I experienced the book.
I adored Wroth. I really liked Jesamin. I loved watching them become friends. The apology scenes, the jealousy, the tiny acts of care, the emotional honesty...all of that worked beautifully.
Which made it even more disappointing when the romance itself never owned my feelings the way I wanted it to.
Where it lost me
(aka: where my attention span started wandering the tunnels)
The temporary arrangement stole all my tension.
Once Wroth and Jesamin agreed to simply enjoy each other while they were Below, I felt the romance lose all of its momentum.
They'd already admitted their feelings. They trusted each other. They'd emotionally chosen each other. So instead of escalating, the relationship seemed to circle the same conversation. We want each other. We can't be together. Let's enjoy this while it lasts. Repeat.
I never doubted they belonged together so I found myself waiting for the story to move instead of desperately needing to know which cave they were currently exploring.
I wanted the romance. I got an expedition.
This is entirely a me problem but I was significantly more invested in Wroth and Jesamin than I was in wandering ancient tunnels looking for Alvar and the villagers.
Every time the story shifted back to another cavern, another passageway, or another stage of the search, I kept thinking: "Can we please go back Above now?"
By the halfway mark, I was more interested in political fallout, Esteri and what Wroth would do with his impossible situation than I was in the actual adventure plot.
Somewhere along the way, I stopped caring about where they were and started caring about whether Wroth was about to dismantle an entire political system for Jesamin. Unfortunately, the book was far more interested in getting them through another cave.
Book 1 set the bar painfully high.
I suspect this is the biggest reason for my disappointment.
Wroth's devastating backstory was one of the things I was most excited to explore and while there are some genuinely wonderful moments of vulnerability and healing, I wanted so much more of it.
Ironically, the second-to-last chapter finally delivered exactly what I'd been waiting for. The Wroth who blackmails, manipulates, rewrites the rules and cheerfully embraces villain status for love?
THAT man owned my feelings.
I just wish we'd met him three hundred pages earlier.
Final Thoughts
This wasn't a bad book. In fact, there are individual scenes and character moments that I absolutely adored.
But I spent a surprising amount of time trying to reconnect with the story instead of being swept along by it.
I kept waiting for the romance to escalate, only to realise I'd become far more invested in the world above than the one the characters were actually trapped in.
Final Verdict
2.75 ⭐️ - No lion vampire kings were harmed in the making of this rating. My attention span, however, never recovered.
Turns out I'm less of an adventure girlie and more of a "rewrite the constitution for love" girlie.
Tropes and Vibes:
• Romantasy (Vampire fiend edition)
• Grumpy lion vampire king
• Genius / Master Artificer heroine
• Beauty and the Beast retelling
• Friends to lovers vibes
• Forced proximity
• Trauma & healing
• Political obstacles
• Adventure fantasy romance
• Competent FMC supremacy
• Cave fatigue may apply
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Pre-read: A grumpy vampire king. A genius heroine. Forced proximity in a nightmare realm..A Beauty and the Beast retelling.
This blurb had me at "vampire" ✨️
This book committed the ultimate crime.
It gave me a grumpy lion vampire king with fifty years of emotional damage, a bespectacled genius heroine whose solution to most problems is engineering, a Beauty and the Beast retelling, forced proximity, mutual pining and enough acts of service to make me start mentally redecorating a castle.
And somehow...
I was bored.
What worked for me
(aka: the crumbs I happily survived on)
Wroth deserved every good thing.
Wroth is bitter, traumatised, quietly funny, self-aware enough to recognise his own flaws and - most importantly - he apologises when he's wrong.
That shouldn't be a standout character trait in romance but here we are.
Watching him slowly dismantle decades of bitterness because Jesamin consistently proves him wrong was easily the strongest emotional thread in the story. His jealousy is irrational, his devotion is immediate and every internal monologue is basically him discovering new ways to accidentally fall in love.
I was seated.
In Jesamin we trust.
I loved having a heroine whose greatest strength was her brain.
She's practical, capable, emotionally intelligent and approaches every impossible situation with the energy of someone determined to fix it with enough tools and stubbornness.
Her relationship with Wroth is built on trust, friendship, respect and mutual admiration before romance ever takes center stage and I was eating every single one of those scenes up.
Their banter, quiet moments and growing friendship had me completely invested.
I liked the ingredients more than the meal.
This feels contradictory but it's exactly how I experienced the book.
I adored Wroth. I really liked Jesamin. I loved watching them become friends. The apology scenes, the jealousy, the tiny acts of care, the emotional honesty...all of that worked beautifully.
Which made it even more disappointing when the romance itself never owned my feelings the way I wanted it to.
Where it lost me
(aka: where my attention span started wandering the tunnels)
The temporary arrangement stole all my tension.
Once Wroth and Jesamin agreed to simply enjoy each other while they were Below, I felt the romance lose all of its momentum.
They'd already admitted their feelings. They trusted each other. They'd emotionally chosen each other. So instead of escalating, the relationship seemed to circle the same conversation. We want each other. We can't be together. Let's enjoy this while it lasts. Repeat.
I never doubted they belonged together so I found myself waiting for the story to move instead of desperately needing to know which cave they were currently exploring.
I wanted the romance. I got an expedition.
This is entirely a me problem but I was significantly more invested in Wroth and Jesamin than I was in wandering ancient tunnels looking for Alvar and the villagers.
Every time the story shifted back to another cavern, another passageway, or another stage of the search, I kept thinking: "Can we please go back Above now?"
By the halfway mark, I was more interested in political fallout, Esteri and what Wroth would do with his impossible situation than I was in the actual adventure plot.
Somewhere along the way, I stopped caring about where they were and started caring about whether Wroth was about to dismantle an entire political system for Jesamin. Unfortunately, the book was far more interested in getting them through another cave.
Book 1 set the bar painfully high.
I suspect this is the biggest reason for my disappointment.
Wroth's devastating backstory was one of the things I was most excited to explore and while there are some genuinely wonderful moments of vulnerability and healing, I wanted so much more of it.
Ironically, the second-to-last chapter finally delivered exactly what I'd been waiting for. The Wroth who blackmails, manipulates, rewrites the rules and cheerfully embraces villain status for love?
THAT man owned my feelings.
I just wish we'd met him three hundred pages earlier.
Final Thoughts
This wasn't a bad book. In fact, there are individual scenes and character moments that I absolutely adored.
But I spent a surprising amount of time trying to reconnect with the story instead of being swept along by it.
I kept waiting for the romance to escalate, only to realise I'd become far more invested in the world above than the one the characters were actually trapped in.
Final Verdict
2.75 ⭐️ - No lion vampire kings were harmed in the making of this rating. My attention span, however, never recovered.
Turns out I'm less of an adventure girlie and more of a "rewrite the constitution for love" girlie.
Tropes and Vibes:
• Romantasy (Vampire fiend edition)
• Grumpy lion vampire king
• Genius / Master Artificer heroine
• Beauty and the Beast retelling
• Friends to lovers vibes
• Forced proximity
• Trauma & healing
• Political obstacles
• Adventure fantasy romance
• Competent FMC supremacy
• Cave fatigue may apply
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Pre-read: A grumpy vampire king. A genius heroine. Forced proximity in a nightmare realm..A Beauty and the Beast retelling.
This blurb had me at "vampire" ✨️
Currently Reading
June 8, 2026Like—what the actual fuck. I have never been this excited in my entire life!!! I was obsessed with A Vow of Blood and Tears. Like, clinically. Unwell. I would finish it, swear I’d move on, read a couple other books, and then BAM—right back to rereading A Vow of Blood and Tears. The cycle never ends.
I’ve even convinced my poor, unsuspecting friend to read it, and honestly? I envy her so hard. She’s about to experience it all for the first time while I’m over here in the corner, rereading quotes like they’re sacred scripture.
Let’s just say: the second the next book is up for preorder, it’s over for my bank account. I will be sprinting to that “buy now” button like it’s the last lifeboat on the Titanic. Until then… guess who’s rereading book one again? (It’s me. It’s always me.)
I’ve even convinced my poor, unsuspecting friend to read it, and honestly? I envy her so hard. She’s about to experience it all for the first time while I’m over here in the corner, rereading quotes like they’re sacred scripture.
Let’s just say: the second the next book is up for preorder, it’s over for my bank account. I will be sprinting to that “buy now” button like it’s the last lifeboat on the Titanic. Until then… guess who’s rereading book one again? (It’s me. It’s always me.)
June 10, 2026
5☆ / 4 🌶 (explicit open door) / first person dual pov
I loved this book even more than the first one. The adventure and the Below itself, with its liminal spaces and certain long-limbed creatures, were fantastic, so deliciously claustrophobic, creepy, dangerous, and deadly. I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know what was going to happen next, and had to restrain myself because I also didn't want it to end.
I loved the dynamic between Jes and Wroth and enjoyed it more than Cirri and Bane's. I really like the way this author writes female characters overall, it's so nice to read about intelligent, competent, strong yet vulnerable heroines.
I do wish the romance had been a bit slower, and I found the spice quite meh. Aside from the first scene, it felt unnecessary and spicy just for the sake of it. Other than that, though, this was an amazing read. Can't wait for the next book (please be Voryan).
I loved this book even more than the first one. The adventure and the Below itself, with its liminal spaces and certain long-limbed creatures, were fantastic, so deliciously claustrophobic, creepy, dangerous, and deadly. I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know what was going to happen next, and had to restrain myself because I also didn't want it to end.
I loved the dynamic between Jes and Wroth and enjoyed it more than Cirri and Bane's. I really like the way this author writes female characters overall, it's so nice to read about intelligent, competent, strong yet vulnerable heroines.
I do wish the romance had been a bit slower, and I found the spice quite meh. Aside from the first scene, it felt unnecessary and spicy just for the sake of it. Other than that, though, this was an amazing read. Can't wait for the next book (please be Voryan).
June 1, 2026
✨ARC review✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
🥀 forced proximity
⚙️ forbidden romance
🥀 grumpy/sunshine
⚙️ soft intelligent FMC
🥀 dangerous quest
⚙️ all the yearning
🥀 banter, flirting, spice
Gah! Finally we get to venture back into this amazing world Corvin created, and see our man Wroth’s story ♥️ I fell in love with Corvin’s writing with Vow of Blood and Tears, Cirri and Bane being absolute goals, but I also fell in love with our sad boy Wroth in their book! I was so excited to finally see his story come to life, and it didn’t disappoint.
First, Corvin is a phenomenal writer. She just is. Full stop. Her prose is lyrical, descriptive, and intentional. Every word evokes emotion, and her worlds are lush and alive, as are her characters. Nothing ever feels wooden or false. You are simply dropped where the characters are, and are along for their journey.
This story was a different sort of romance from Cirri and Bane. Where book 1 was a slow friends to lovers tale in a dark world, both characters quietly falling in love amidst a dangerous backdrop; Wroth and Jesamin have a bit more push/pull and banter before they admit their feelings. Oh man, sweet bitter cynical sad Wroth, I just want to hug him. He’s determined to see the worst in all women after enduring 50+ hellish years under the thumb of his first wife, a truly heinous human being hellbent on making him miserable. So when he meets Jesamin, he’s already overlaying all his previous convictions onto her. Only she doesn’t fit any of those misconceptions, and challenges his bitterness and cynicism at every turn.
Sweet Jes is in a similar boat, bitter and heartbroken, and determined to see all vampires as self-serving narcissists with little concern for others. So when Wroth jumps into action to save her villagers, he begins to slowly right something that’s been wrong inside her for a long time. What we get is a deliciously slow burn between two wonderful people, each with walls around their hearts that only the other can break through.
The banter and flirting was top tier. Jes was hilarious, the perfect blend of sarcastic and quirky in her quips, and a rather prickly sunshine in their dynamic, which worked perfectly for Wroth. I loved his grumbles and muttering, and when he realizes Jes is a force he won’t survive standing against, and more importantly that he doesn’t wish to, he is just the absolute sweetest.
This is a forbidden romance tale, so our duo has some obstacles to overcome. But the biggest is that we finally get to venture into the dreaded Below with them! The world Corvin created here was unlike anything I’ve ever read. The fae have been described as malicious and hateful, and she does not shy away from the darkness they created in those underground cities. It was creepy, gothic, perilous, and intense. You can smell the mineral earthiness and dank death, and imagine the darkness so complete its pressing on your eyes. Corvin’s writing is stunning in its efficacy, you don’t want to be there anymore than our brave MCs do, and the bonds formed in those dreaded depths give the characters complexity and authenticity.
I loved the bond formed between Wroth and Jes, a true respect-to-friends-to-lovers tale. I loved how all the breadcrumbs were there for the HEA, which is hard earned and tough to achieve, but both MCs are stubborn and fight for what they want. Mainly, I loved Wroth and Jes’s dynamic, it felt real, visceral, genuine. I giggled so hard at some of their moments, and teared up at the end. They truly were perfect together, exactly what the other needed. I can’t wait to see where this world takes us next!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
🥀 forced proximity
⚙️ forbidden romance
🥀 grumpy/sunshine
⚙️ soft intelligent FMC
🥀 dangerous quest
⚙️ all the yearning
🥀 banter, flirting, spice
Gah! Finally we get to venture back into this amazing world Corvin created, and see our man Wroth’s story ♥️ I fell in love with Corvin’s writing with Vow of Blood and Tears, Cirri and Bane being absolute goals, but I also fell in love with our sad boy Wroth in their book! I was so excited to finally see his story come to life, and it didn’t disappoint.
First, Corvin is a phenomenal writer. She just is. Full stop. Her prose is lyrical, descriptive, and intentional. Every word evokes emotion, and her worlds are lush and alive, as are her characters. Nothing ever feels wooden or false. You are simply dropped where the characters are, and are along for their journey.
This story was a different sort of romance from Cirri and Bane. Where book 1 was a slow friends to lovers tale in a dark world, both characters quietly falling in love amidst a dangerous backdrop; Wroth and Jesamin have a bit more push/pull and banter before they admit their feelings. Oh man, sweet bitter cynical sad Wroth, I just want to hug him. He’s determined to see the worst in all women after enduring 50+ hellish years under the thumb of his first wife, a truly heinous human being hellbent on making him miserable. So when he meets Jesamin, he’s already overlaying all his previous convictions onto her. Only she doesn’t fit any of those misconceptions, and challenges his bitterness and cynicism at every turn.
Sweet Jes is in a similar boat, bitter and heartbroken, and determined to see all vampires as self-serving narcissists with little concern for others. So when Wroth jumps into action to save her villagers, he begins to slowly right something that’s been wrong inside her for a long time. What we get is a deliciously slow burn between two wonderful people, each with walls around their hearts that only the other can break through.
The banter and flirting was top tier. Jes was hilarious, the perfect blend of sarcastic and quirky in her quips, and a rather prickly sunshine in their dynamic, which worked perfectly for Wroth. I loved his grumbles and muttering, and when he realizes Jes is a force he won’t survive standing against, and more importantly that he doesn’t wish to, he is just the absolute sweetest.
This is a forbidden romance tale, so our duo has some obstacles to overcome. But the biggest is that we finally get to venture into the dreaded Below with them! The world Corvin created here was unlike anything I’ve ever read. The fae have been described as malicious and hateful, and she does not shy away from the darkness they created in those underground cities. It was creepy, gothic, perilous, and intense. You can smell the mineral earthiness and dank death, and imagine the darkness so complete its pressing on your eyes. Corvin’s writing is stunning in its efficacy, you don’t want to be there anymore than our brave MCs do, and the bonds formed in those dreaded depths give the characters complexity and authenticity.
I loved the bond formed between Wroth and Jes, a true respect-to-friends-to-lovers tale. I loved how all the breadcrumbs were there for the HEA, which is hard earned and tough to achieve, but both MCs are stubborn and fight for what they want. Mainly, I loved Wroth and Jes’s dynamic, it felt real, visceral, genuine. I giggled so hard at some of their moments, and teared up at the end. They truly were perfect together, exactly what the other needed. I can’t wait to see where this world takes us next!
July 5, 2026
DNF at page 176
This grew stagnant and I grew bored. I know it's a slow burn, but even I was wondering where the romance was. Maybe another time I'll try this. Just not now.
This grew stagnant and I grew bored. I know it's a slow burn, but even I was wondering where the romance was. Maybe another time I'll try this. Just not now.
June 8, 2026
Hopped onto this right after A Vow of Blood and Tears (Cirri + Bane's story) and I WAS DISAPPOINTED. This was too insta-lovey for me to accept.
The story takes place several decades after the First Book, and Wroth's shitty wife has finally died of a sexual disease. NGL, I would have preferred the story to pick up right after and for Wroth to have met THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE while he was married, only for some tragedy to behold his wife, and then we get the HEA. I know, I know, I'm terribly bad that way.
But, hear me out.
WROTH's story could have gone down so many different paths, but alas, we ended on a route that failed to bring his story to its full potential. Romance readers, tell me it isn't so, when a male brimming with pain, longing, distrust and betrayal (who might never fall for a woman again) could fall in love so quickly again? ESPECIALLY when he threatened to kill Cirri just to free Bane from his own marriage?
What I meant to say is, a male who feels so deeply, can't just let his walls down because of a few simple touches. His trust has been broken. It would take time to be earned. But did we see it here? Not enough for my liking. While the first book had 52 Chapters, this was compactly done in 30+.
The ANGST was severely downplayed and the heroine wasn't exactly my type. She may a smart tinker, but I didn't feel a genuine connection between the two. Too much plotting and not enough relationship building. Their attraction blindsided me, it's like someone trying to cram cake down my throat and force me to enjoy it.
OVERALL I'm uncertain is it because I don't like the heroine's archetype, thus I'm biased. And it doesn't help that I read Book 2 after coming off the high of Book 1. The buzz just fell short. WHAT I DO KNOW is that WROTH wasn't the same male we met in Book 1. While I'm happy to meet Cirri and Bane's children, I think it's safe to say you WON'T be missing anything if you opt to skip this book.
If the author decides to write about the other 2 Fiends, I would still take a chance on them, but I hope it would be on par with the first book.
The story takes place several decades after the First Book, and Wroth's shitty wife has finally died of a sexual disease. NGL, I would have preferred the story to pick up right after and for Wroth to have met THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE while he was married, only for some tragedy to behold his wife, and then we get the HEA. I know, I know, I'm terribly bad that way.
But, hear me out.
WROTH's story could have gone down so many different paths, but alas, we ended on a route that failed to bring his story to its full potential. Romance readers, tell me it isn't so, when a male brimming with pain, longing, distrust and betrayal (who might never fall for a woman again) could fall in love so quickly again? ESPECIALLY when he threatened to kill Cirri just to free Bane from his own marriage?
What I meant to say is, a male who feels so deeply, can't just let his walls down because of a few simple touches. His trust has been broken. It would take time to be earned. But did we see it here? Not enough for my liking. While the first book had 52 Chapters, this was compactly done in 30+.
The ANGST was severely downplayed and the heroine wasn't exactly my type. She may a smart tinker, but I didn't feel a genuine connection between the two. Too much plotting and not enough relationship building. Their attraction blindsided me, it's like someone trying to cram cake down my throat and force me to enjoy it.
OVERALL I'm uncertain is it because I don't like the heroine's archetype, thus I'm biased. And it doesn't help that I read Book 2 after coming off the high of Book 1. The buzz just fell short. WHAT I DO KNOW is that WROTH wasn't the same male we met in Book 1. While I'm happy to meet Cirri and Bane's children, I think it's safe to say you WON'T be missing anything if you opt to skip this book.
If the author decides to write about the other 2 Fiends, I would still take a chance on them, but I hope it would be on par with the first book.
June 16, 2026
Second installment (standalone) in the series. I really enjoyed this, in some ways more than the first, in others less. There is less of a romantic hangup between Jessamine and Wroth than there was with Cirri and Bane. While Cirri in A Vow of Blood and Tears took forever to just give in to her romance with Bane (and vise versa), Jessamine and Wroth have a lot of Chemistry happening early on. The only thing standing in this couple's way is the Blood Accords, oh and the fact they might die while traveling to one of the underground Fae cities.
Seriously, the Fae in this book were no joke. Seriously scary folks they were.
This book does well in the adventure and exploring, while also imposing that feeling of doom and dread. Each page I was expecting something to leap from the shadows and the buildup is very well done. I also like Talos the Golem, I think giving the golems their own personality while being non-verbal is a feat all in itself. I would have liked more Talos time, j/s.
I would have liked to see more of Jessamine and Wroth outside of the Fae tunnels and in the light of day. I wanted more from their romance while they weren't being held under the proverbial smoking gun.
New characters were introduced and I really loved them. I hope to see them in future books.
I was hoping for some more clarity on the Blood Accords, seriously those documents are confusing to me.
All in all it was solid. I'm hoping Laidan gets her own book, cause I'm curious there. And I'm hanging out for the next installment. :)
Seriously, the Fae in this book were no joke. Seriously scary folks they were.
This book does well in the adventure and exploring, while also imposing that feeling of doom and dread. Each page I was expecting something to leap from the shadows and the buildup is very well done. I also like Talos the Golem, I think giving the golems their own personality while being non-verbal is a feat all in itself. I would have liked more Talos time, j/s.
I would have liked to see more of Jessamine and Wroth outside of the Fae tunnels and in the light of day. I wanted more from their romance while they weren't being held under the proverbial smoking gun.
New characters were introduced and I really loved them. I hope to see them in future books.
I was hoping for some more clarity on the Blood Accords, seriously those documents are confusing to me.
All in all it was solid. I'm hoping Laidan gets her own book, cause I'm curious there. And I'm hanging out for the next installment. :)
June 15, 2026
This is the 2nd installment in the Vow of Blood & Tears universe, and it just enamored me even more with this world. Jesamin, like Cirri, isn't some blushing violet. She's an Artificer, kind of an engineer in a combination of alchemy & steampunk, and thank god, isn't some barely legal teen. She has intelligence, life experience, and even a chip on her shoulder. Though not as big as the one on Wroth's, who we met in the first book. They're both wary, yet immediately drawn to each other, and they both need the other's help. I love that nothing is what you expect from typical romantasy; there's a lot of truly dark moments, Fae are terrible, depraved creatures, and there's gore, as well. The imagination behind their journey to the Below had me in a grip; I really didn't know what to expect until the last moments. Along with the descriptions of all the inventions and artifice. CC is an author I'll drop (and did, oops) whichever book I'm currently reading to blaze through her latest, and it's always worth it.
The forced proximity/road trip trope is a fave because it can have so many variations, and the way this one was instituted is A+. I hope this isn't the end of this world, and the two other fiends come back into play in further installments, along with Marrion and Liadan.
The forced proximity/road trip trope is a fave because it can have so many variations, and the way this one was instituted is A+. I hope this isn't the end of this world, and the two other fiends come back into play in further installments, along with Marrion and Liadan.
June 9, 2026
The Instruments of Revival is the 2nd book in A Vow of Blood and Tears. This book gives off major Beauty & the Beast vibes. A standalone story that focuses on Artificer - Jesamin. A smart and independent woman/human who can make anything out of what's at hand. Her life gets entangled with Vampire - Wroth when people from a nearby village to Jesamin all disappear & she enlists his help. Even though these two characters couldn't be more polar opposites as the book progressed we found out that they had much more in common than they thought.
As much as I enjoyed reading this book when they went into the below (a Fae world that was closed off) I did find parts slightly slow to read. Although the steam between Jesamin & Wroth more than made up for that for me. Their growing relationship that slowly built up was what made this book an engaging read.
As much as I enjoyed reading this book when they went into the below (a Fae world that was closed off) I did find parts slightly slow to read. Although the steam between Jesamin & Wroth more than made up for that for me. Their growing relationship that slowly built up was what made this book an engaging read.
June 7, 2026
I have the same critique of this book as the first in the series. It’s just a little too long and drawn out. I love the characters, the story line, the writing but it’s just a little too long.
June 19, 2026
idk if it’s because i read most of this after taking an edible, but this was a tad disappointing
June 12, 2026
First of all, I loved A Vow of Blood & Tears. I have reread that book multiple times, most recently just before reading The Instruments of Revival. So with that being said, while this was an enjoyable read, I did not fall in love with this the way I did with the story from A Vow of Blood & Tears.
This story starts fifty years from where book #1 ended. We are introduced to Jesamin, the FMC, after the mysterious disappearance of two hundred people from her town. This leads to Jesmin meeting Wroth for the first time.
Wroth has finally had an end to the absolute horror that was his marriage, with Kajarin dying. Unfortunately, he finds himself right back facing the same exact situation with just another, younger version of his first wife, being informed he is to marry Esteri. Fortuitously, Jesamin arrives needing his assistance in finding the missing two hundred townspeople.
The adventure starts from here...but this is also where things get a bit mired down.
I will say, the world the author created and expanded upon here was impressive. But while it was simultaneously impressive in the amount of detail in trying to create this world, it also got bogged down in the vast amount of minutiae.
From the time this mission to the Fae underworld started making its way down to the Below, it slowly became a slog to read through the descriptions of everything that was being described about this relatively unknown world below. Artificers, what they made, machina, the various deadly relics awaiting this crew on their descent, it was all so much to take in it was almost impossible to focus on the rest of the story.
It made the building of the relationship between Wroth and Jesamin feel as if it took a backseat a lot of the time. That their attraction and how they were drawn to each other was a bit too sudden.
I wish the focus had been more on the FMC and MMC rather than the underworld city and all its entities, dangers, etc. Even at the end of this book, I felt the relationship was lacking.
Overall, I did enjoy this story. I especially liked the addition of Bane and Cirri's daughter, Marrion, as she was a truly interesting character, as well as Jesamin's golem creation, Talos. Just his abilities alone were fascinating.
The author does create a truly original world here, but it didn't fully measure up the book #1.
This story starts fifty years from where book #1 ended. We are introduced to Jesamin, the FMC, after the mysterious disappearance of two hundred people from her town. This leads to Jesmin meeting Wroth for the first time.
Wroth has finally had an end to the absolute horror that was his marriage, with Kajarin dying. Unfortunately, he finds himself right back facing the same exact situation with just another, younger version of his first wife, being informed he is to marry Esteri. Fortuitously, Jesamin arrives needing his assistance in finding the missing two hundred townspeople.
The adventure starts from here...but this is also where things get a bit mired down.
I will say, the world the author created and expanded upon here was impressive. But while it was simultaneously impressive in the amount of detail in trying to create this world, it also got bogged down in the vast amount of minutiae.
From the time this mission to the Fae underworld started making its way down to the Below, it slowly became a slog to read through the descriptions of everything that was being described about this relatively unknown world below. Artificers, what they made, machina, the various deadly relics awaiting this crew on their descent, it was all so much to take in it was almost impossible to focus on the rest of the story.
It made the building of the relationship between Wroth and Jesamin feel as if it took a backseat a lot of the time. That their attraction and how they were drawn to each other was a bit too sudden.
I wish the focus had been more on the FMC and MMC rather than the underworld city and all its entities, dangers, etc. Even at the end of this book, I felt the relationship was lacking.
Overall, I did enjoy this story. I especially liked the addition of Bane and Cirri's daughter, Marrion, as she was a truly interesting character, as well as Jesamin's golem creation, Talos. Just his abilities alone were fascinating.
The author does create a truly original world here, but it didn't fully measure up the book #1.
June 16, 2026
Book two in the A Vow of Blood and Tears series can be read as a standalone but would fully be enjoyed after reading book one!
• fantasy romance
• monster vampiric mmc x human fmc
• strong capable fmc
• medium burn
• beauty and the beast retelling
Wroth is known as a fiend, a mix of a vampire and a monster with the face of a lion. He was introduced in book one as a pretty tormented character - bound to a wife that hated him. Fiends must be married to appease a treaty and his wife made his life miserable.
Jesamin is a Master Artificer, which can be described as an engineer. She is brilliant, brave, and a great FMC. Jes comes from a noble family and after learning two hundred of her villagers are missing, she rushes off to Wroth, the Lord of the Rivers.
Initially, Wroth dislikes Jesamin and believes her to be a spoiled noble. He has a strong prejudice against women because of his now dead wife’s toxic behavior. In order to find the villagers, they realize they must go into the Below, where the long dead Fae used to reign. It is a twisted deadly environment in the Below and much of the book takes place in it.
“𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐞, 𝐟𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐧.”
𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥. “𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮.”
I enjoyed the world building and the introduction of Artifice in the book. I did feel like the romance moved a bit quickly compared to book 1 but this book was much shorter. Jes is accepting of Wroth and exactly what he needs to heal from his past.
There is plenty of danger, lore, and spice in this book. It is more of a medium burn but is a fun time given Wroth’s unique anatomy 😉
Overall, a great book if you love a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a strong, capable FMC and a deadly MMC!
• fantasy romance
• monster vampiric mmc x human fmc
• strong capable fmc
• medium burn
• beauty and the beast retelling
Wroth is known as a fiend, a mix of a vampire and a monster with the face of a lion. He was introduced in book one as a pretty tormented character - bound to a wife that hated him. Fiends must be married to appease a treaty and his wife made his life miserable.
Jesamin is a Master Artificer, which can be described as an engineer. She is brilliant, brave, and a great FMC. Jes comes from a noble family and after learning two hundred of her villagers are missing, she rushes off to Wroth, the Lord of the Rivers.
Initially, Wroth dislikes Jesamin and believes her to be a spoiled noble. He has a strong prejudice against women because of his now dead wife’s toxic behavior. In order to find the villagers, they realize they must go into the Below, where the long dead Fae used to reign. It is a twisted deadly environment in the Below and much of the book takes place in it.
“𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐞, 𝐟𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐧.”
𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥. “𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮.”
I enjoyed the world building and the introduction of Artifice in the book. I did feel like the romance moved a bit quickly compared to book 1 but this book was much shorter. Jes is accepting of Wroth and exactly what he needs to heal from his past.
There is plenty of danger, lore, and spice in this book. It is more of a medium burn but is a fun time given Wroth’s unique anatomy 😉
Overall, a great book if you love a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a strong, capable FMC and a deadly MMC!
June 9, 2026
4.5 stars
I did not expect a continuation to this series and what a delightful read it was.
Wroth was amazing, I wish we could've gotten more POVs from him when he's dealing with the court. He was hilarious and his ex wife was a disgusting creature.
Jesamin was interesting as an FMC, at first kinda robotic and bland but she really evolved throughout the book. A lot of things surrounding her were a bit convenient and her plot armour was ever present, but she managed to surprise me at times.
Another thing that surprised me was the quest Below. It was fascinating, all the rooms and dangers and experiments. I'm usually bored with long journeys that just prolong the story, but the author actually managed to catch and keep my interest with her creative writing.
It has been a while since the first book and I know I enjoyed it greatly, but I couldn't remember much about the lore and world building, so I struggled at times.
The reason I can't give this the full 5 stars is the romance. It just didn't click for me. It was sweet and both characters had to overcome past experiences for their relationship to be stronger, but other than that it was kinda bland. I know the danger they were in sped up the process a bit but after they realised they liked each other the romance was just there. The main reason they couldn't be together was so easily fixed that I didn't even bother to worry about it. Hence, the fast wrap-up at the end.
It was nice to see the characters from the first book and their children. I hope they get books too at some point.
Overall, a pleasant surprise and I hope this series continues.
I did not expect a continuation to this series and what a delightful read it was.
Wroth was amazing, I wish we could've gotten more POVs from him when he's dealing with the court. He was hilarious and his ex wife was a disgusting creature.
Jesamin was interesting as an FMC, at first kinda robotic and bland but she really evolved throughout the book. A lot of things surrounding her were a bit convenient and her plot armour was ever present, but she managed to surprise me at times.
Another thing that surprised me was the quest Below. It was fascinating, all the rooms and dangers and experiments. I'm usually bored with long journeys that just prolong the story, but the author actually managed to catch and keep my interest with her creative writing.
It has been a while since the first book and I know I enjoyed it greatly, but I couldn't remember much about the lore and world building, so I struggled at times.
The reason I can't give this the full 5 stars is the romance. It just didn't click for me. It was sweet and both characters had to overcome past experiences for their relationship to be stronger, but other than that it was kinda bland. I know the danger they were in sped up the process a bit but after they realised they liked each other the romance was just there. The main reason they couldn't be together was so easily fixed that I didn't even bother to worry about it. Hence, the fast wrap-up at the end.
It was nice to see the characters from the first book and their children. I hope they get books too at some point.
Overall, a pleasant surprise and I hope this series continues.
June 11, 2026
Jesamin is a Master Artificer who approaches Wroth, the ruler of their land, when a village of people disappear in the middle of the night leaving only two children alive. Wroth is a fiend, a vampire turned into a monster like creature, and they must travel to the Below to find out what happened to the villagers. While it’s not strictly necessary to have read the first book in this series, A Vow of Blood and Tears, it would help just because it explains the world they live in and gives a good background.
Jesamin was so smart and talented at creating things, I was really impressed with her. She was also incredibly brave, and kind. I can see why Wroth took a liking to her. Their journey in the Below was harrowing and really brought them together. Wroth’s admiration of Jesamin and her skills was great.
I will say the extensive descriptions of the architecture and the world of the Below got a bit much for me at times. I tended to skim some of that, just because I had a hard time imagining it. Also the workings of Jesamin’s inventions got a little convoluted at times as well. None of this was a bad thing, it just kept the book from being rate higher for me.
The book was good and I really did enjoy it, not quite as much as the first one though. I liked the progression of Jesamin and Wroth’s relationship from one of begrudging respect to love. The action in the final third of the book is intense and a lot happens. I’m hopeful for more books in the series.
4/5 on the the Spicy Scale
M/F
Violence
Gore
Jesamin was so smart and talented at creating things, I was really impressed with her. She was also incredibly brave, and kind. I can see why Wroth took a liking to her. Their journey in the Below was harrowing and really brought them together. Wroth’s admiration of Jesamin and her skills was great.
I will say the extensive descriptions of the architecture and the world of the Below got a bit much for me at times. I tended to skim some of that, just because I had a hard time imagining it. Also the workings of Jesamin’s inventions got a little convoluted at times as well. None of this was a bad thing, it just kept the book from being rate higher for me.
The book was good and I really did enjoy it, not quite as much as the first one though. I liked the progression of Jesamin and Wroth’s relationship from one of begrudging respect to love. The action in the final third of the book is intense and a lot happens. I’m hopeful for more books in the series.
4/5 on the the Spicy Scale
M/F
Violence
Gore
June 7, 2026
Set 50 years after the event of book 1 this is Wroth and Jesamin's story. Wroth has been in a loveless hateful marriage and finally he is free. Now with the nobles in his lands demanding he take a new bride he welcomes any distraction. Jesamin is a Master Artificer with a broken engagement. She's buried herself in her work and now she's been made aware of a horrible incident that emptied out an entire village. She seeks the help of Wroth to get to the bottom of where the villagers went and what monsters have risen from the Below.
Ok after reading book 1 I will admit I was very curious about the Fae and the Below. In this book we definitely get a lot more information. It was honestly informative and very disturbing at times to see the casual cruelty. The implications of what happened to the villagers that left so few alive. As for the romance I do think it moved at a much quicker speed than Cirri and Bane in book 1. I kind of wish we got to see them more settled into their relationship. A lot of the book happened in the Below so their relationship grew surrounded by danger.
Speaking of Cirri and Bane loved seeing their kids! I know there are 2 more books in the series that will feature the other 2 fiends but I wouldn't say no to a spinoff featuring the kids. I have an idea as to who book 3 will feature and I seriously cannot wait for it.
Overall I'm happy with this installment in the series. Book 1 is still my favorite of the 2 books releasd so far.
Ok after reading book 1 I will admit I was very curious about the Fae and the Below. In this book we definitely get a lot more information. It was honestly informative and very disturbing at times to see the casual cruelty. The implications of what happened to the villagers that left so few alive. As for the romance I do think it moved at a much quicker speed than Cirri and Bane in book 1. I kind of wish we got to see them more settled into their relationship. A lot of the book happened in the Below so their relationship grew surrounded by danger.
Speaking of Cirri and Bane loved seeing their kids! I know there are 2 more books in the series that will feature the other 2 fiends but I wouldn't say no to a spinoff featuring the kids. I have an idea as to who book 3 will feature and I seriously cannot wait for it.
Overall I'm happy with this installment in the series. Book 1 is still my favorite of the 2 books releasd so far.
June 15, 2026
This book was amazing, I loved it just as much as the first one. The story is obviously different, but I was obsessed!
The depth of the characters, the adventure, and that gloomy, gothic vibe this world has were incredible. Also, I’m so fascinated by the Fae lore; they are terrible, and honestly, I wonder if they’re even from this world. They are just too bizarre and wicked. I'm seriously in love with the world-building in this book.
Another thing I adored was the FMC, I love super smart girls! Not only is she incredibly talented, but she’s also emotionally mature. I was afraid both of them would be too stubborn to see past their traumas and scars, but that wasn't the case at all. That’s actually something I love about these books: in both installments, we get smart protagonists who use logic and emotional intelligence.
The romance in this book was more of a slow-burn, but it’s totally understandable considering the terrible journey they were on.
I loved it! Definitely give these books a chance. You should absolutely read them in order to fully enjoy the amazing world-building in this fictional world.
The depth of the characters, the adventure, and that gloomy, gothic vibe this world has were incredible. Also, I’m so fascinated by the Fae lore; they are terrible, and honestly, I wonder if they’re even from this world. They are just too bizarre and wicked. I'm seriously in love with the world-building in this book.
Another thing I adored was the FMC, I love super smart girls! Not only is she incredibly talented, but she’s also emotionally mature. I was afraid both of them would be too stubborn to see past their traumas and scars, but that wasn't the case at all. That’s actually something I love about these books: in both installments, we get smart protagonists who use logic and emotional intelligence.
The romance in this book was more of a slow-burn, but it’s totally understandable considering the terrible journey they were on.
I loved it! Definitely give these books a chance. You should absolutely read them in order to fully enjoy the amazing world-building in this fictional world.
June 5, 2026
Even if I wasn’t aware of who wrote this book, I would know just by the writing style. This is everything I didn’t know I wanted right now and more. Mystery, intrigue, action, humour, and two perfectly broken characters who make each other whole. Primordial evil, with side characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. Yes yes soo many yeses
I have never laughed and cried as much reading a standalone as I have this book, every single chapter had me on the edge of my seat rushing to finish the next page because it had me completely enthralled, its rare that I finish a book and instantly want to go back and reread it but this one has me so far in a chokehold i fear it will be the only way to recover.
I wont comment too much on the actual story as *spoilers* but sweet hell, I need a Wroth and I can’t wait to see what is next within this universe
I have never laughed and cried as much reading a standalone as I have this book, every single chapter had me on the edge of my seat rushing to finish the next page because it had me completely enthralled, its rare that I finish a book and instantly want to go back and reread it but this one has me so far in a chokehold i fear it will be the only way to recover.
I wont comment too much on the actual story as *spoilers* but sweet hell, I need a Wroth and I can’t wait to see what is next within this universe
June 22, 2026
Wroth is my pookie
I have been frothing at the mouth for this story since the moment Cate confirmed it was coming. Wroth was my most favorite side character in AVOBAT, and to see him finallyyyyyyy get the HEA he deserves healed me. I adored Jesamin - her expertise, creativity, curiosity, and every single mention of her in her spectacles. The plot was intriguing, and I looooooved getting to see my beloveds from book 1! The only thing I’ll say is that the story almost felt underdeveloped - there was room for soooooooooooo much plot material and more organic romance development, especially when they were below. However, my love for the characters necessitates 5 stars from me.
I have been frothing at the mouth for this story since the moment Cate confirmed it was coming. Wroth was my most favorite side character in AVOBAT, and to see him finallyyyyyyy get the HEA he deserves healed me. I adored Jesamin - her expertise, creativity, curiosity, and every single mention of her in her spectacles. The plot was intriguing, and I looooooved getting to see my beloveds from book 1! The only thing I’ll say is that the story almost felt underdeveloped - there was room for soooooooooooo much plot material and more organic romance development, especially when they were below. However, my love for the characters necessitates 5 stars from me.
June 18, 2026
I liked this one better than the first book. Jesamine is a strong and determined character, and I enjoyed watching her dictate the course of the book. I loved the setting. Real Indiana Jones vibes here. The mystery and claustrophobia of being Below was definitely palpable. My only complaint would be the same as in the first book. The descriptions of the fiends' genitalia and some of the sexual act itself was incomprehensible to me. What is this knob. I just don't understand. Looking forward to reading the other fiends' stories.
June 7, 2026
loved the first book
which maybe led me to have too high expectations for the sequel… Not a bad read, but I did get bored a few times and had to powe-read/skim through several sections. I think I prefer the classic, contractual marriage trope of the first book, over the adventure/trauma bonding of this one. Nevertheless, I love the author’s world-building and main characters and will definitely be excited for the third book to come out, hopefully soon <3
which maybe led me to have too high expectations for the sequel… Not a bad read, but I did get bored a few times and had to powe-read/skim through several sections. I think I prefer the classic, contractual marriage trope of the first book, over the adventure/trauma bonding of this one. Nevertheless, I love the author’s world-building and main characters and will definitely be excited for the third book to come out, hopefully soon <3
June 13, 2026
4.25 stars! I was so so excited for this book after the first one and I really liked it. It had a very different vibe than the first one which at first makes might make you think you don’t like it, but it’s very good and well written—just different. If the first one was yearning and romance with court machinations going on the background, this one is more expedition/adventure with yearning and romance more in the background but still heavily present. Loved the characters, especially the leads!
June 26, 2026
Amazing as expected!
Loved the first book, and this book is no different. The plot was interestinging, the burn wasperfectly paced, the spice was hot, and the end was exactly what I needed.
I truly hope for another book to the series, I hope Liadan will take more of a spot light. With the fae and wargs gone I'm curious with the next spin.
I loved seeing Bane and Cirri and their family.
Cate always seems to thrill me with this series, and I can't wait for the next.
Loved the first book, and this book is no different. The plot was interestinging, the burn wasperfectly paced, the spice was hot, and the end was exactly what I needed.
I truly hope for another book to the series, I hope Liadan will take more of a spot light. With the fae and wargs gone I'm curious with the next spin.
I loved seeing Bane and Cirri and their family.
Cate always seems to thrill me with this series, and I can't wait for the next.
June 7, 2026
LOVE!
This book is fantastic! The characters are interesting and well-developed, and both the plot and the romance are perfectly paced to keep you on the edge of your seat! I devoured this in one day, and I’m looking forward to coming back and re-reading it again in a month or so. Also loved seeing Bane & Cirri’s happy ending!
This book is fantastic! The characters are interesting and well-developed, and both the plot and the romance are perfectly paced to keep you on the edge of your seat! I devoured this in one day, and I’m looking forward to coming back and re-reading it again in a month or so. Also loved seeing Bane & Cirri’s happy ending!
Read
June 10, 20263.5 ⭐
The romance was a bit too insta lovey given the context. Was expecting it to be a bit more angsty and a lot more slowburn than what was written. However, I did like the world building of the below and the journey part but it might because I am a fan of expeditions and journeys in fantasy books.
The romance was a bit too insta lovey given the context. Was expecting it to be a bit more angsty and a lot more slowburn than what was written. However, I did like the world building of the below and the journey part but it might because I am a fan of expeditions and journeys in fantasy books.
June 13, 2026
“Do you feel for me as I feel for you?”
“I do.”
Let’s have dangerous underground prison cell sex whilst our team of adventurers and my niece who I love think we’re both dead and or in danger (they are also in grave danger)
The sex was lack lustre and seemed to come out of nowhere…….. so much confusion as to why this connection between the fmc and mmc came on so suddenly.
“I do.”
Let’s have dangerous underground prison cell sex whilst our team of adventurers and my niece who I love think we’re both dead and or in danger (they are also in grave danger)
The sex was lack lustre and seemed to come out of nowhere…….. so much confusion as to why this connection between the fmc and mmc came on so suddenly.
June 14, 2026
So good!!!
Everything about the world building in this book was so fantastic. I think the below and Liuridar are going to live in my head forever. I truly cannot wait for my little peanut brain to forget enough details about this book so that I can have the pleasure of reading it again. Very worthy sequel!!
Everything about the world building in this book was so fantastic. I think the below and Liuridar are going to live in my head forever. I truly cannot wait for my little peanut brain to forget enough details about this book so that I can have the pleasure of reading it again. Very worthy sequel!!
June 15, 2026
wonderful read!!
Omg I hate writing reviews cause I’m a horrible writer but this book was fantastic. I truly love the characters. The FMC was brilliant and strong the Worth was so supportive. The relationship the developed was a good strong one with humor and love. I truly enjoyed this story.
Omg I hate writing reviews cause I’m a horrible writer but this book was fantastic. I truly love the characters. The FMC was brilliant and strong the Worth was so supportive. The relationship the developed was a good strong one with humor and love. I truly enjoyed this story.
June 7, 2026
What an incredible book! Dare I say even better than book 1. Cate Corvin wove a spellbinding, dark tale that keeps you entranced and on the edge of your seat. Plus she managed to beautifully fit in a love story within this epic journey into the Below!
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