Onyx spent twenty years as a lab rat, her vampire blood studied, her body broken, her mind haunted by endless screams. Her only tether to sanity was her sister, Sky, locked away in a distant cell. When a final experiment threatens Sky’s life, Onyx unleashes a brutal, bloody escape, only to step from one prison into another: Dayken Danielson, a wolf-shifter guardian sworn to protect her.
Now on the run from ruthless government hunters, Onyx is forced into the world of clan politics and uneasy alliances. Her trauma-hardened instincts clash with Dayken’s unwavering loyalty, and the constant threat looming over them is a reminder of everything she stands to lose. Yet the ancient bond etched into their skin doesn’t just bind them, it sparks with power… and with hope.
As buried secrets surface, Onyx must confront her past to protect her sister, face the shadows of her past, and reclaim her shattered identity. And when Dayken proves that respect and loyalty can heal even the deepest wounds, trusting him may be her greatest act of courage yet
S.M. Storm is a Michigan writer who loves all things dark, magical, and a little bit spooky. She’s been writing her entire career, but her favorite experience has been this one, where she gets to weave together vampires, shifters, and the kind of slow-burn romance that makes you yell at the page. When she’s not writing, she’s cheering on her son at soccer, rewatching her favorite comfort shows (with a fairy-tale ending, always), and dragging her husband into endless coffee shops. Sacar is her debut novel and the start of The Marked Bonds Series, a paranormal romance and urban fantasy world full of secrets, bonds, and, most importantly, tension.
I looked up at him then, as something raw and ugly in my chest threatened to split me open. “You could burn the whole goddamn world down, Onyx, “ he said, his green eyes blazing like wildfire. “And I would only care that you didn’t hurt yourself in the process.” I stared at him, feeling like he’d just broken something open inside me. “You think I care if your hands are clean? I care that you’re here. That you’re breathing. That you still feel this deeply after everything they did to you.” He held me closer, arm tightening around me, as he lifted my hand to press it against his chest. “I don’t need a perfect version of you. I never did.” And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel like a monster. I didn’t feel like someone who needed fixing. I just felt... seen. Sacar was everything I needed a story about vampires and shifters to be. I was drawn into the pages of this story from the first chapter, and I devoured it. What a well written and creative world you wrote ma’am. I love the found family and how Onyx slowly finds her way back to loving herself and to letting other people in. This is a story about second chances, about not second guessing yourself and about how friends become your family. Also, the battle and fight scenes are great! Give us more! I am anxiously awaiting book 2. 🐺🧛♀️
Sacar by S.M. Storm is a thrilling debut packed with action, emotion, and originality. The story follows Onyx, Sky, and their pack through a vivid world where vampires and shifters must unite despite old rivalries. Storm’s world-building and “found family” dynamic make this paranormal adventure stand out. The slow-burn tension between Onyx and Dayken adds just the right amount of romance amid the danger. I didn’t want to put this book down—fast-paced and full of heart, Sacar ends on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that sets up an exciting new series. A must-read for fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance!
This book definitely grabs you right away and pulls you in, making you invested in these sisters. I love this new take on vampires and shape shifters. What girl doesn't get behind a sweet over protective wolf am I right? I admire a strong bada** FMC even if she frustrated me sometimes but I feel where shes coming from due to her trauma. Sky is definitely my favorite sister, shes a little bit of everything and definitely keeps onyx flowing. Im excited to see more of her in book 2. I live for good side characters and those brothers had my laughing. Okay but storm! How could you do this to me. You almost had me all wrapped up with my toes sticking out and then you ripped the blankets off. I need book 2 now 😅. If you like a little blood shed, some good found family, protective men, with really well written plot/story line definitely read this book!
I am absolutely in love with Sacar! This book took me on such an emotional journey I was swooning one moment, crying the next, and laughing out loud throughout. The story kept me completely invested from beginning to end.
The characters were incredible. Dayken has officially become my new book boyfriend! He was everything I love in a character, and I couldn't get enough of him. Onyx was so relatable, which made it easy to connect with her and become emotionally invested in her journey.
Reading this book was an absolute joy. It had the perfect balance of romance, emotion, humor, and heart. If you're looking for a story that will make you feel all the things, I highly recommend picking this one up. I already know this is a book I'll be thinking about for a long time! 💕 can’t wait for the next book!
If you're a lover of twilight and books like it, then SACAR is right up your alley.
🖤 Dual POV 🖤 Vampires & Shifters 🖤 Found Family 🖤 Sisterly Bonds 🖤 Strong FMC 🖤 Slow Burn Romance
This book has a lot of fun characters who make you feel like you could be friends with any of them. Their relationships between each other definitely had me kicking my feet giggling at times.
And let's not forget the plot of secret experiments... and a potential war? I'm still mad that there's a HUGE cliffhanger at the end and book two isn't out yet!
I’m torn on this book, it was definitely different than most vampire books, told from both POV. Shifters being guardians of a vampire and a bond…it just wasn’t explained as well as I wanted for a first book in a series. I would consider it a slow burn but still a good pace. I will probably read the next book, especially if there are glimpses of these characters.
O M G — this book was such a pleasant surprise. Sacar gave me major Twilight vibes in the best way possible, and I loved that S.M. Storm even slipped in a little nod to it.
Our FMC, Onyx, is a vampire who’s been held captive for decades. She’s fierce, stoic, and guarded, with walls built high around her heart. Then there’s Dayken, a wolf shifter sworn to protect her whether she wants him to or not. He’s sweet, loyal, and honestly adorable — while Onyx can be understandably frustrating at times (because who wouldn’t melt when a hot wolf shifter calls you “my goddess”).
The tension and yearning between them are top tier. Their dynamic is sharp, emotional, and addictive, and the story balances danger, romance, and character depth perfectly. And that villain? I have never wanted someone defeated so badly in my life.
Sacar is atmospheric, nostalgic, and full of heart — a paranormal romance that feels both fresh and familiar. Dayken and Onyx completely stole my heart, and I’m already ready for more.
I like the premise of this book where you have immensely powerful vampires with shifter guardians. Our FMC is a vampire who has been held prisoner and tortured by the government for 20 years. She is “bonded” with a wolf shifter who is able to find her after she and her sister survive their brutal escape. I loved the premise of this book, and I got through it. I loved the shifter clans, their stories and I’m dying to know more about them all. Because of that, I give it 3 stars. However, I think the plot was all over the place and could have used more editing for continuity.
Those details are below:
-some implied commentary was spelled out where important context and scene setting was missing. Like many overly descriptive scenes of Onyx watching Dayken shift or something with an extra sentence about “like he knew I was watching” this is implied. They like looking at each other. We get it. Obviously, he knows she’s watching him. And sometimes it’s inappropriate: like there are scenes where the setting should be serious, they’re about to fight and he’s shifting and they’re getting turned on at each other. But it’s written in a way that’s cringey and not cute. I personally believe a playful wink or flirtatious grin is enough in that moment.
-There are many sections where the descriptions are paragraphs-long and just overly pedantic, and add nothing to move the plot forward, provide emotional connection or set the scene. An example from when they’re preparing to fight the author writes: “we ran hard over uneven dirt and rocks, no hesitation, just forward momentum.”
It just doesn’t feel like it’s written from the perspective of Onyx or Dayken. People, even if they’re shifters or vampires don’t talk this way.
And on the same page, Onyx is preparing for a fight. She’s tense… “But Dayken moved before I could. He was swift. Silent. Precise.” These are emotionally charged scenes that fall flat because of the focus on extra adjectives, rather than helping me as the reader connect with the characters and how they’re feeling in this tense situation. Him being swift and silent doesn’t explain what is happening. How was Dayken able to strike the potential attacker? How did he get the upper hand? We don’t know. -So many of these statements are formulaic and repetitive.
“She wasn’t just being tactical. She was wired.” “He couldn’t see, he could only listen.” Yeah ok. This is telling me nothing.
“It wasn’t just x. It was y. Z.”
Especially towards the middle and as we progress through the story to the end of the book , there is so much action, lore and so many opportunities to connect with the characters: why and how is this lab dead set on killing primarcs and vampires? I really want more backstory. I hope we get it in PRIMARC.
Another irritation: (this is my opinion!!) Our FMC is immortal, inhumanely fast and strong but for some reason she’s always incapacitated or getting healed during scenes she and her shifter guardian could be owning the battlefield and wowing us. These are kind of at odds. She’s implied to be more powerful than she is. Humans and their guns should be light work for her. She and her sister recently escaped and she’s been building immunity to the poisons, but for some reason they’re able to nearly kill her repeatedly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book completely took me by surprise in the best possible way. You start in a dark, sadistic enviroment and quickly breakout into a world of ancient ritual and magic that exists within reality. The whole time, I was so engrossed in the characters that I hardly noticed the abrupt shift until I was explaining the plot to my husband, days later. I felt like I was going through it with our FMC such that I did not gain outside perspective until I was finished reading.
S.M. Storm builds such a dark, vivid, emotionally charged world that I fell into instantly. The tension is constant, and the characters are so layered that I kept wanting just one more chapter—then another, and another. The author paints vivd characters with quirks, one-liners and unique personalities, such that I felt like I was in the conversation (saying to myself classic Derek).
I loved how the story balances slow-burn revelations with bursts of intensity. Every twist feels purposeful, and the character development is real, messy, human (even if they are not), and deeply engaging. Storm’s writing has this immersive quality that makes even quiet moments feel significant.
Sacar is absolutely worth your time. I’m already itching to continue the series. Go find this book now, then come join my fan club.
First, I want to start by saying that I’m an ARC reader for Ms. Storm, and she is truly one of the kindest authors I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with. 💕📚 Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read and review your work. It is always appreciated! ✨
Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t the right fit for me, and I’ve decided to DNF at around the 50% mark. 📖💔 I started reading yesterday evening and really tried to push through because the premise had so much potential.
There were definitely elements I enjoyed. The character concepts and overall plot idea were intriguing, and I could see the vision behind the story. 🌙⚔️✨ However, I found myself struggling to fully immerse myself in the world. For me, the pacing felt a bit uneven, and I had a difficult time following the transitions between scenes and plot developments. I wanted more world-building, deeper exploration of the caste system, and stronger foundations for the setting overall.
I also found that some descriptions felt overly detailed, while other areas I was most curious about lacked the depth I was hoping for. Because of that, I never quite felt grounded in the world, which made it harder to connect with the story and ultimately led me into a bit of a reading slump. 📚🥀
As for the characters, I struggled with some of their decision-making. The relationship tension between the MMC and FMC wasn’t quite landing for me, and I found myself wanting more chemistry and emotional buildup. 💫🖤
The sister character was also difficult for me to connect with, and I often felt frustrated by Onyx’s willingness to follow along with decisions that didn’t always feel logical within the circumstances. For example, after being confined for twenty years, choosing to return to a location that seemed like an obvious place to be found felt confusing to me as a reader.
I also found myself questioning Dayken’s role as a guardian. If he was meant to protect them, his decision not to continue searching for them felt inconsistent with what had been established, and it left me with some unanswered questions. 🧐📖
Overall, I really wanted this one to work for me because the premise had so much promise, but unfortunately it just wasn’t a match for my reading preferences. 💔 Every reader connects with stories differently, and while this one didn’t work for me, it may absolutely resonate with readers who enjoy character-focused fantasy and discovering the world as the story unfolds. ✨📚
Thank you again to the author for the ARC opportunity. 💕
One final note: please don’t let my review discourage you from picking this book up. 💕📚 Every reader experiences a story differently, and what didn’t work for me may be exactly what another reader is looking for. ✨
I am a huge supporter of indie authors and the incredible amount of time, creativity, and heart that goes into bringing these stories to life. 🌟📖💜 Indie authors take a chance every time they put their work out into the world, and I will always encourage readers to give their books a try and form their own opinions.
If the premise interests you, I absolutely recommend checking it out for yourself. You may end up loving it far more than I did! 🫶📚✨ #SupportIndieAuthors #Bookstagram #ARCReader #FantasyBooks #BookCommunity
A fresh take on vampires, werewolves and shifters alike. As a reader I was drawn in from the very beginning. This book was feminine rage for all the right reasons.
Imagine being a young vampire girl and you and your little sister are kidnapped and locked away in a governmental lab for 20 years where torturous experiments are performed day and night with no reprieve. Imagine being pushed beyond your limit and risking it all to save you and your little sister only to learn that someone has been looking for you just as long.
Onyx and her sister Sky has lived their life since childhood as test subjects; mourning the loss of their parents; the only thing keeping the two sisters going is each other. Onyx is the overprotective big sister; she is fierce, stabby, emotionally stunted and is the epitome of the phrase “Am I My Sister’s Keeper” because there are no lengths Onyx won’t venture to keep Sky safe. These are Onyx’s good qualities as well as her crutch.
While on the run Onyx and Sky cross paths with Dayken, a werewolf who knows them and informs him that he is Onyx’s Guardian and protector who has been looking for her since her and Sky’s disappearance. With Onyx’s inability to trust others she literally bumped heads with Dayken at every turn. This is where Onyx began to get annoying. She refuses to listen because she thinks she is right about everything until a close call on Sky’s life proves that she doesn’t know as much as she thinks she does. Now with no other choice but to work with Dayken and other allies Onyx and Sky began to unravel secrets of the past as well as work towards healing past wounds and hope for a better future but first they must confront their old demons, deal with new betrayals and put an end to the nightmare they’ve lived through over the last 2 decades.
This book ends with a cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to read Sky’s story because we are introduced to her guardian as well and after that ending, I am looking forward to a feral beast losing control and the vampire he’s willing to burn the world to love and protect
What to Expect:
Medical Experimentations Feminine Rage Am I My Sister’s Keeper Vibe Abduction Attempts Vampires Shifters (Various) Guardians Prophecies Betrayal Family Drama Slow Burn Spice Fated Mates/Ancient Bonds Hope Finding Love and Safety Cliffhanger
I reached out to S.M. Storm to see where was the best place to purchase her book (that would benefit her the most) and was asked if she sent it to me instead would I give an honest review, which I graciously accepted. It definitely piqued my smutty little book reader interest. Here is what I thought:
The romance was a tad on the insta-love side with not a lot of reason in my opinion but it had a decent slow burn, and decently written spice. We love a male that lets the female take what she needs with nothing in return from time to time. The FMC and MMC do have a bond via guardian and Sacar, but this book doesn’t delve super deep other than that, which is totally fine. I’m literally blind in one eye so I could have just been missing it. I just wish we would have go more moments of them talking and getting to know each other.
The sister's bond is lovely though, even though our leading lady can often lay it on thick (and makes fairly questionable choices). That's just what older siblings do, so very real feeling, even when I was like… okay… stop (I would know, I am the oldest of 4).
Sometimes I felt things were revealed waaaay later when they should have maybe been more fleshed out as soon as it came up in the story or not at all. Some examples would be the sisters' full names being dropped in chapter 18, Leo being a lion (like okay, his name is Leo but he was just ‘cat’ when we met him)... Stuff like that. I am unsure why some characters did XYZ. Not deal breakers by any means but they did hinder the story a tad for me.
I felt what really made it miss the 4 star mark was some plot holes. I think with maybe a bit more read throughs from fresh eyes could really negate some of that. I like to keep in mind that the author has all the answers in their head and sometimes it is missed on the page. BUT maybe it was also intentional to move us into the next book.
I want to see more of these fun side characters and this world. GIVE ME MORE CHASE… and Derek. Also a big fan of the sly fox honestly. I think a lot of the things I found to be missing the mark can absolutely be remedied as the series continues and the authors' skills flourish as she progresses in her writing journey. I look forward to it! If you like supernatural themes, some spice, and familial bickering, give this one a try.
SACAR by S.M Storm is a thrilling fantasy novel about Onyx, a vampire who has essentially grown up in a lab doing everything she can to protect her sister Sky.. Sky, and Onyx are trapped for years by a hidden organization that treats them as experiments instead of people. Onyx grows into someone fierce and terrifying, often needing to be restrained, yet her strength is also what keeps her sister alive. Without Onyx, Sky never would have escaped.
One of the most interesting parts of the book is the idea of a Sacar , or sacred vampire . Dayken fills this role of protector/ guardian for Onyx, and their relationship is full of tension, both protective and passionate. The push and pull between them was one of the highlights for me, and I often found myself wanting more of their scenes together. I am not saying I did not like the introduction of all the shifter world created but it became a bit crowded and I missed scenes with Dayken .On the other side of things, the bond between Onyx and Sky was powerful in a different way. They are complete opposites. Onyx guarded and wary, Sky more open and welcoming, but that contrast makes their survival bond even stronger.
What I really enjoyed was the originality of the world. Vampires, wolves, and shifters are usually enemies in most fantasy stories and this feels fresh. Watching different shifters work together added variety and gave the world a unique edge. And of course, the sexual tension between Dayken and Onyx was through the roof.
That said, not everything worked for me. The sections that dove into history slowed things down. They read more like an old textbook than part of the actual story. I wanted those details blended into the action instead of separated. At times, the pacing dragged enough that I felt bored and thought about skipping ahead.
The ending came a little too fast, but it still left me excited and curious for what comes next. This book is a mix of darkness, loyalty, survival, and romance, and even with its flaws, it hooked me. I’m eager to see where Storm takes Onyx, Sky, and their guardians in the next installment.
I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery.
This paranormal romance explores trauma bonds, healing, trust, loyalty, and love. The FMC is a fierce and formidable protector who is ultra independent and not afraid to forge ahead alone. Her sole purpose is to protect her sister from ever experiencing the horrors they suffered together at the hands of a secretive governmental agency.
Onyx has suffered greatly in the twenty years of captivity after being kidnapped as a child and taken to "the facility" where she was systematically tortured for being a vampire. Her captors experimented on her in horrific ways. Her only solace was her sister, Sky, who would sit in an adjacent cell and talk with her, sing and read to her. When Onyx overhears Sky being tortured and what their captors' plans were next for her sister, she sacrifices everything to save them both. On the run, they meet a stranger, Dayken, who says he is Onyx's guardian and she is his Sacar to protect. This story follows Onyx's healing journey and her pathway to redemption and love.
I enjoyed the love story of Dayken and Onyx immensely. I would say that this is an insta-love story, and usually that's not my thing, but this had one of my favorite micro tropes in it. Bonds, where one resists the bond! Love that so much and it works in this story. Not necessarily fated mates, but bonded as Guardian and Sacar, which definitely causes a heightened sense of feelings.
I am also a huge stan of shifters and this story delivers! Shifters, vampires, fighting the evil forces of humans? Yes, please. All day, every day. Loved this story. Loved the tension and yearning. If you love paranormal romances, vampires, shifters, bonds, and tons of lore, then this story is for you!
This isn’t my typical genre but I’ve been forcing myself to read outside of my comfort zone so I applied to be an ARC reader for PRIMARC- book 2 in the series and was accepted but first I needed to read SACAR.
The prologue grabbed me immediately. Two vampire sisters, Onyx and Sky have been locked away for experimentation for 20 years finally escape and learn of their past through Dayken, a shifter who is bonded to our FMC Onyx. Onyx is so mistrustful of Dayken and I really enjoyed their story and how patient he was with her-he gives her time and space to deal with her trauma but she is HIS! He is tender yet savage in his love of her. S.M. storm gives us a completely unique take on Vampires and shifters- not just wolf shifters but other animal shifters. The side characters were so charismatic and broke up the intensity of the story that now I need their stories as well. This book is so creative-fated wates, ancient bonds/ prophecies, trauma, found family,a life stolen, experimentation/torture, and feminine rage (rightfully so). I went into this book thinking werewolves and vampires Twilight-esque vibes but I was so wrong. As a debut novel, this was well written and offered such a unique storyline... and that cliffhanger... Thankful to be An ARC reader for Primarc…. 🐺🩸🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars because this blew my expectations out of the water. I went into this not knowing that this was going to be a whole new perspective than any of the other vampire/werewolf books I read previously. Really enjoyed the writing style and dual POV.
This was a fantastic read! A vampire x shifter romance between Onyx and Dayken.
Onyx and her sister Sky are both vampires that were experimented on until they escaped. Onyx keeps everything close to her chest not wanting to let anyone in or trust anyone, and after what she’s been through you wouldn’t blame her. The only person Onyx trusts is Sky. Their bond is extremely close due to their shared trauma and the fact that that only ever relied on each other.
Dayken is a wolf shifter who never stopped looking for Onyx after she went missing at a young age. He is very protective of her throughout this book and extremely patient with her distrust and dislike for him.
S.M. Storm does a wonderful job of connected you to the character and making the story flow perfectly. The way she drops you into this book makes the world building so much better. She leaves several questions unanswered at the beginning of the book and makes you wait to find out the answer.
I absolutely loved this book and was absolutely enthralled by the character and the storyline. I especially loved Derek. I am waiting on the edge of my seat for the next book.
S.M. Storm’s Sacar is a haunting, beautifully brutal tale of survival, love, and the fragile hope that flickers even in the darkest corners of trauma. Onyx, a vampire scarred by twenty years of captivity, embodies resilience in its rawest form fierce, broken, and burning for freedom. Her relationship with her sister, Sky, and the wolf-shifter guardian, Dayken, forms the emotional heart of a story that balances tenderness with savagery, vengeance with vulnerability.
Storm writes with visceral intensity, immersing readers in a world where power and pain intertwine, and trust becomes both a weapon and a cure. Every heartbeat of Sacar feels earnedthe blood, the rage, the rare moments of peace. It’s a story about reclaiming selfhood after dehumanization, about discovering that strength can coexist with softness, and that love, when it finally arrives, is both terrifying and redemptive.
Fans of dark paranormal romance and emotionally charged fantasy will be captivated by Storm’s unflinching honesty and exquisite worldbuilding. Sacar isn’t just a story it’s an awakening.
I received this book directly from the author in order to review the second book in the series. Let me start by saying thank you to S.M. Storm. I truly appreciate receiving both of these books.
This book was phenomenal. I truly love the way that we were immersed into this world from the start. You feel all the emotions that the main characters feel. I have read plenty of books that had a guardian of sorts to whatever magical creature but not to this extent. To learn just how deeply the bond goes was truly amazing. Onyx, one of our FMCs, is such a badass. I love how protective she is over her sister. Being a sister means the world to me, so I can only imagine the strength of their bond after everything they've been through. Her sister Sky is softer but definitely still a badass. Her guardian Dayken is so brooding and I love it.
I also loved the familiarity of the locations within this book. From a fellow Michigander, it was so cool to see some of our cities represented in the story. I am looking forward to reading the 2nd book!
Narrators: Absolutely incredible. 10/10 Hope they do book 2. They carried so much emotion and told the story well.
Spice vs plot: Truthfully, I think this is a perfect book if you are wanting to get into spicy romantasy. Not a lot of spice and not super spicy either. I love that the plot outweighs the spice.
Plot: First and foremost, expect a cliff hanger. It. Is. Good. Second, there’s a lot of suspense! Plenty to keep you reading and curious. Also, there’s such great humor sprinkled throughout that is much appreciated. I love when a book can make people wonder what I’m laughing/smiling about.
Characters: Onyx and Sky aren’t just sisters by blood, but sisters in every way possible. Imagine is Anna and Elsa has a personality swap. That’s kind of how I image Onyx and Sky. Oh and Derrick will be your favorite character. He’s mine for sure. Expects LOTS of sass from that man.
Overall: I really enjoyed this. This is the kind of book I enjoy reading on rainy days, near a fireplace, or out on the green grass in a park.
From the very first page, Sacar pulled me into such a beautiful world where danger, loyalty, and love collide in unforgettable ways. S.M. Storm doesn’t just tell a story, they immerse you in it. Entering this world where ancient bonds, clan dynamics, and supernatural powers are tested, you will be hooked and unable to put this down.
After twenty years of captivity, Onyx and Sky finally taste freedom, while Dayken, who never stopped searching for her remains steadfast in his devotion. As Onyx learns to trust again and rebuild her connections, every twist and turn pulls you deeper, leaving you desperate for more.
The dual POV’s flow seamlessly, each voice distinct and you feel every emotion right alongside the characters. As a debut, this novel was a knockout and I can’t wait to see what Storm has in store for the rest of the series.
If you’re a fan of paranormal romance with strong heroines and an emotional core, this one is for you!
Onyx, along with her sister Sky, were captured as young vampires by a government entity. After 20 years of tests and torture, Onyx finally finds the opportunity to get her and Sky out. Now on the run, a shift named Dayken shows up in their path claiming to be Onyx's guardian. With their past looming, Onyx has to make a hard decision, to trust.
Storm did an excellent job with her debut! I thought the Sacar/Guardian dynamic between vampires and shifters was a great, fresh approach to this supernatural trope. I loved that she didn't stop with wolves and brought in a whole variety of animals that were as unique as the characters. There is a true slow-burn between Oynx and Dayken and I was here for it! Onyx definitely had some healing to do through out the book and sometimes she could be frustrating but she always had Sky to keep her in check. I also found her to be super relatable too though. How she was always on the outskirts of the social interacts, not knowing if she should join in or not. I am super excited to see where the series goes but also have a beef with Storm for leaving me on the edge like that!
It drives me crazy when I see four star reviews that say a book is “amazing.” If it’s amazing, it’s five stars. Period.
Sacar is a spectacular Volume One, especially from a new author. S.M. Storm did not play it safe. The story is dark, bold, and completely addictive.
The story of Onyx, Sky, and Dayken is a straight up masterpiece. The characters hook you fast, the relationships are intense, and the world Storm builds feels dangerous in the best way. I couldn’t put it down.
Halfway through, I texted my friend Spesh and told him to get the book immediately because it’s that good.
If dark paranormal romance is your thing, you need this book. And fair warning, the ending is a brutal cliffhanger. I finished it and just sat there, speechless, needing the next book now.
If you’re on the fence about your next read, trust me, get this book. You’ll thank me later. I’m officially a super fan of Storm.
Once I started reading I didn't want to put it down. It was so good!
The story follows Onyx and her sister Sky who are vampires that escape an experimental facility. They have such a strong bond and I love that we get to see them survive and fight together.
Onyx is a powerful and mighty character. I am in awe of her strength and her ability to persevere through her trauma. Her undying love and loyalty for her sister is so beautiful.
I am in love with Dayken. He is so perfect for Onyx. I love the banter between them. It was so beautiful to watch them build a relationship. It wasn't a smooth ride and they hurt eachother's feelings along the way but it felt real and honest.
This book has such a strong and fun cast of characters. I love how everyone becomes a family. I am a sucker for a found family trope.
I am so excited for the next book! I can't wait for the continuation of the story and to see more of Sky and Kolton.
I received this as an ARC copy, and I really have to say this was an amazing debut book for this indie author! I'm huge into the "romantasy" genre, and my tastes tend to lean more towards the knights/swords/magic era, so this was outside my usual realm (pun intended). I was pleasantly surprised by this story!! I blew through it in just a few days - each page keeping me fully ensnared! The back and forth between present and past experiences I feel is a difficult feat that many authors can't quite grasp, but this story flowed so well I never got confused/bored. AND I remember the story still, which for me is a miracle - once I close that book, it's usually on to the next one.
There is a major cliffhanger, but I'm excited to see what the next book has in store!
The idea of having vampires and werewolves being bonded was a fresh take on these shifters. I wouldn’t have thought of a wolf protecting a vampire in this way and I was there for it. I love the bind between Onyx and Sky throughout the book, they are very much so polar opposites but you see the character development build.
I found that the pacing for this book was a bit all over the place and more on the faster side especially with the trust/love with the FMC and MMC. It’s too fast to go from being held captive for 20 years to loving someone in about a week. You could argue that the bond does that though but the pacing was a bit too fast. I’d love to learn more about the plant and the origin of how things came to be in more depth, it felt like it was skimmed through.
Despite the pacing, this story/plot has a lot of potential and I’m excited to see what happens in book 2!
This was my first ever audiobook and I loved everything about it!! The talented voice actors and the writing!! I loved all of the characters, even the ones I would dislike in real life. They each brought something to the story to create an emotional rollercoaster. Also, the fact it’s set in my home state makes it better for me lol The ending had me looking around like did that just happen. Trying to get confirmation from the air haha
I love the sisterly bound between Onyx and Sky. They have each other’s back no matter what and it’s awesome to see. The relationship between Onyx and Dayken was interesting to see develop and unfold throughout the book. And honestly, even though I wouldn’t like this kind of person in real life, my favorite character is Derek. He brought wit and a bit of humor to the story.
I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!! Such a great story!!
If you like the Underworld movies then this is for you! The characters, the atmosphere, the action and romance were top tier. Oynx gives me SUCH Selene vibes and I am so here for it!
The story had me gripped from the very beginning and set up the darkness and tension from page 1. I loved the touch my sister and die vibes from Oynx. Although the sisterly bond was one of the strongest ive read, I really enjoyed the platonic relationships from all the other characters and the found family aspect. Dont want to give spoilers but I did loveee the romance and that it made our badass FMC a cinnamon bun by the end as she begun to heal and accept support too.
I love how the story was revealed but by bit and that we are still in the dark about true motives.
I am thrilled to be an ARC reader for book 2 Primarc and thankfully have it already and so excited to continue the story!
Sacar by S.M. Storm the first installment in the Marked Bonds series, is an intense paranormal romance that combines vampires, shifters, found family, and emotional healing into a compelling story. In this novel, we follow the story of the FMC Onyx, a vampire who has endured twenty years of imprisonment and the MMC Dayken, her wolf-shifter guardian. One of the novel's greatest strengths I felt was the novels heroine. Rather than presenting a flawless protagonist, Storm allows readers to witness Onyx's vulnerabilities, mistrust, and gradual journey toward healing. Overall, Sacar is a strong debut with memorable characters, an inventive supernatural world, and an emotionally charged narrative.
I received an ARC copy from the author herself. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
I picked up this book because I got the ARC for the second in the series. I honestly had no idea what to expect, and ended up loving it. Sky and Onyx have been held captive for 20 years, subjected to unspeakable horrors. They finally escape and go to their home town to try and get answers. There they run into a wolf who claims he has a bond to Onyx and knew them before they disappeared. Can they trust him and his pack to help protect them from their captors who are still looking for them? The action starts immediately and doesn't stop until you're already engrossed in the story. Dayken is a lovable character, kind, yet ready to protect Onyx at any cost. (Oh and he falls first.) Onyx is a bad ass full of rage. The idea of guardians is a unique one, and a different take on shifters and vampires. I really enjoyed it.
🖤Dual POV 🖤Sisterly Bonds 🖤Vampire x Shifters 🖤Secret Experiments 🖤Found Family 🖤Slow 🔥
This book was incredible 🖤😈🖤
The story took off with a bang. Vampire sisters who were kidnapped as kids. Tortured and experimented on for 20 years before they finally found escape. They ran back to what they thought would still be home. But they found so much more.
I don’t want to give too much away but this story is so unique. The desperation, the unknowing, the lack of life lived for these sisters. The ability to overcome their own fears and adversity throughout this book is a fantastic journey to read. The uniqueness of the name Sacar and what its means in their society. Fantastic book and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!