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The Vatra Witch: Book One The Lost Souls of Eraphon Series
In this high-stakes new epic fantasy series by debut author G.V. Hext, you’ll find deadly magic, fated love, and a witch who won’t stop until she burns the world to save what’s hers. Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, The Witcher, and The Foxglove King.
On twenty-three-year-old Seraphina Wildrick’s first mission as a Keeper of the Artifacts, she finds a priceless relic that awakens the magic of death in her veins. There are no records of that darkness in her coven’s archives, and revealing the foreign magic to the elders would be sure death. So Sera locks it up… until she can’t any longer.
On her sister’s trial day, Sera’s darkness escapes, opening a doorway to the underworld. When the coven’s greatest enemy kidnaps her sister, Sera is thrust into a mission to save her—accompanied by Alistair, the childhood crush who never returned her feelings. But from the moment they set foot outside the Citadel walls, a more insidious beast watches. A demon lord, the only other being she’s encountered with the same dark magic she wields, offers to help her—for a price.
Tangled in a love triangle between the warlock she’s longed for her entire life and the demon of her destiny, Sera must learn to control her magic and find the doorways to the underworld or risk losing her beloved sister—the only family who understands her.
On twenty-three-year-old Seraphina Wildrick’s first mission as a Keeper of the Artifacts, she finds a priceless relic that awakens the magic of death in her veins. There are no records of that darkness in her coven’s archives, and revealing the foreign magic to the elders would be sure death. So Sera locks it up… until she can’t any longer.
On her sister’s trial day, Sera’s darkness escapes, opening a doorway to the underworld. When the coven’s greatest enemy kidnaps her sister, Sera is thrust into a mission to save her—accompanied by Alistair, the childhood crush who never returned her feelings. But from the moment they set foot outside the Citadel walls, a more insidious beast watches. A demon lord, the only other being she’s encountered with the same dark magic she wields, offers to help her—for a price.
Tangled in a love triangle between the warlock she’s longed for her entire life and the demon of her destiny, Sera must learn to control her magic and find the doorways to the underworld or risk losing her beloved sister—the only family who understands her.
521 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2026
17 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
G.V. Hext
3 books21 followersBorn and raised in Upstate New York, G.V. Hext can usually be found either writing, reading, or snuggling with one of her pets. Her love for fantasy and romance catapulted her into worlds of mystery and heartbreak, both of which she embraces in her books. She hopes you agree
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Did an ARC read of this book. This book is magnificent! I LOVED the world she has built. Her writing transports you right into this world, and you live there. It is that good! She has made a good magic system, characters and world building is strong. I have nothing to compare this with, it felt like a truly uniqe story. I loved the characters, I loved their journey and their relationships. I am sitting her baffled, because where do I go on from this? One simply does not, I will sit here staring holes in the wall until she releases her next, I truly care where we go on from here. This book will give you all the feels, I laughed, I cried and one really enjoys the steamy tension and buildup. I literally can not find anything I did not enjoy in this ride, nothing about this book is lacking, and trust me when I say I will rave about this book until every soul I meet on my path read it! Thank you for this, this book is a gift to anyone who dares enter 🫶🏻
December 29, 2025
4,5 stars!🤩 This was such a great book! I just love it when both the plot and the romance get equal representation in a book. This was done so well.
I loved that we had multiple POVs. I was invested in each storyline we could follow. I really could not put this book down.
I would recommend this book to anyone who are fans of any Sarah J Maas or Jennifer L Armentrout books.
Can’t wait for the next book! That endinggg!
I loved that we had multiple POVs. I was invested in each storyline we could follow. I really could not put this book down.
I would recommend this book to anyone who are fans of any Sarah J Maas or Jennifer L Armentrout books.
Can’t wait for the next book! That endinggg!
December 19, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and am DELIGHTED to share a review.
4.75 ⭐️
G.V. Hext’s debut novel has hit it out of the park. The dual POV of Seraphina and her BFF, Dominick, really helped pace the story appropriately while still providing background and context to keep you informed and hooked for more. Seraphina, the FMC, was easy to like. She’s on a path of self-discovery, among other things, and I found her approach to situations fairly relatable (of course what’s a FMC without a splash of the dramatics.)
World-building? Crushed it–filled with origin stories, unique magic systems, and tragically wonderful characters. And I know there’s a lot more to come. Don’t worry, this book also comes with an adorable little sidekick. Who knew goblins could be so endearing.
I’ll be impatiently waiting for the next book in this series.
4.75 ⭐️
G.V. Hext’s debut novel has hit it out of the park. The dual POV of Seraphina and her BFF, Dominick, really helped pace the story appropriately while still providing background and context to keep you informed and hooked for more. Seraphina, the FMC, was easy to like. She’s on a path of self-discovery, among other things, and I found her approach to situations fairly relatable (of course what’s a FMC without a splash of the dramatics.)
World-building? Crushed it–filled with origin stories, unique magic systems, and tragically wonderful characters. And I know there’s a lot more to come. Don’t worry, this book also comes with an adorable little sidekick. Who knew goblins could be so endearing.
I’ll be impatiently waiting for the next book in this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"The Vatra Witch" follows a witch (duh!) on a mission to save her sister from a demon lord's clutches using the help of dream boy, Alistair, and tall, dark, and oddly kind demon lord, Vasso. There are a lot of things to love about this book, from the sizzling romance to the political intrigue, but the aspect that I loved most was our beloved Snik who is quite possibly the cutest sidekick ever. Throughout this book, Seraphina grows a lot as a person. She goes from someone who isn't really that confident in herself to someone who is proud and brave. I think that there's a lot of value in turning a secret into a strength and Hext does a really good job of that.
As far as the romance goes, this book is marketed as a love triangle, but I would argue that it doesn't really seem like a love. triangle by about halfway through the book. This book was also very spicy. I felt like a lot of the spicy scenes weren't really plot relevant, but I'm also not complaining. This is a dual perspective book so one perspective would be like war and chaos and then it flips back to Seraphina and boom spicey scene. I'm not typically one to think too heavily about whether or not someone would realistically have sex in a situation, but I feel like if my sister was being held captive I probably wouldn't engage until she was free. The sister situation combined with some other situations that happened throughout the book kind of took me out of the experience.
Something that I really have to brag about within this book is that dual perspective that I mentioned earlier. For once, the perspectives aren't just back and forth between the love interests! Dominick, Seraphina's best friend, is also a key character that we spend a good amount of time in the head of. I feel like that's not something that's done a lot in fantasy, but I would love it if it was done more.
Overall, if I had to describe this book using other popular romantasy books, I would say that it has the perspective shifting of the tandem read of Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn by SJM, the "love triangle" of Lightlark by Alex Aster, and the vibes of Anathema by Keri Lake. It's an odd combo but it WORKS. "The Vatra Witch" had me giggling and kicking my feet throughout. I think this one's going to be big for BookTok and I honestly can't wait to theorize with everyone once the book officially comes out.
Thank you to G.V. Hext for providing a free arc in exchange for an honest review.
As far as the romance goes, this book is marketed as a love triangle, but I would argue that it doesn't really seem like a love. triangle by about halfway through the book. This book was also very spicy. I felt like a lot of the spicy scenes weren't really plot relevant, but I'm also not complaining. This is a dual perspective book so one perspective would be like war and chaos and then it flips back to Seraphina and boom spicey scene. I'm not typically one to think too heavily about whether or not someone would realistically have sex in a situation, but I feel like if my sister was being held captive I probably wouldn't engage until she was free. The sister situation combined with some other situations that happened throughout the book kind of took me out of the experience.
Something that I really have to brag about within this book is that dual perspective that I mentioned earlier. For once, the perspectives aren't just back and forth between the love interests! Dominick, Seraphina's best friend, is also a key character that we spend a good amount of time in the head of. I feel like that's not something that's done a lot in fantasy, but I would love it if it was done more.
Overall, if I had to describe this book using other popular romantasy books, I would say that it has the perspective shifting of the tandem read of Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn by SJM, the "love triangle" of Lightlark by Alex Aster, and the vibes of Anathema by Keri Lake. It's an odd combo but it WORKS. "The Vatra Witch" had me giggling and kicking my feet throughout. I think this one's going to be big for BookTok and I honestly can't wait to theorize with everyone once the book officially comes out.
Thank you to G.V. Hext for providing a free arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2025
This was such a well written fantasy novel. You follow Sera and her friend Damien in parallel time lines. The author did a really good job of creating a fantasy world and magic system that was unique but not so complicated it was hard to follow. There are plenty of plot twists in this story so each page turn was suspenseful. The reader is also left on a cliffhanger that I personally did not see coming. I can’t wait for book 2!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely devoured this book and it was delicious! The story slowly unraveled itself with each page and had me captivated, the more I read, the more I wanted to read. The magic system is unique, and the character and relationship building is great. The writing style and feel was reminiscent of One Dark Window and Anathema for me, while still finding its own voice. The pace of the story is perfect and the main character development is fire 🔥 You have lots of great MMCs to chose from, from the gay best friend, to the loyal and devoted army general (who also happens to be a childhood crush) to the smoking hot demon lord who swoops in and absolutely steals the show. The FMC lacks confidence in herself in the beginning, making her very relatable with lots of room for growth, and let me tell you, grow she does!
Of course there are some familiar tropes, but the ending holds some wonderful twists, some of which are hinted throughout the book, some catching me by surprise, which is a rarity.
This is not your typical good versus evil story, and will have you questioning which side you align yourself with. Things are not as they seem at first glance, and I throughly enjoyed the layers that you get to work through as you journey through the story.
Be warned, this is a book that will keep you up late, telling yourself just one more chapter. And its a series, so it will definitely leave you drooling for more. And that ending, oof, I was not ready for it.
Wholeheartedly recommend this book, it had me completely enthralled! A very refreshing addition to the romantasy genre indeed.
Of course there are some familiar tropes, but the ending holds some wonderful twists, some of which are hinted throughout the book, some catching me by surprise, which is a rarity.
This is not your typical good versus evil story, and will have you questioning which side you align yourself with. Things are not as they seem at first glance, and I throughly enjoyed the layers that you get to work through as you journey through the story.
Be warned, this is a book that will keep you up late, telling yourself just one more chapter. And its a series, so it will definitely leave you drooling for more. And that ending, oof, I was not ready for it.
Wholeheartedly recommend this book, it had me completely enthralled! A very refreshing addition to the romantasy genre indeed.
February 16, 2026
⭐ 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Vatra Witch was a strong, fast-hooking start to what feels like it’s going to be a big, emotionally charged fantasy series.
Seraphina is easy to root for right away. She’s powerful, desperate to save her sister, and constantly wrestling with magic that feels more like a curse than a gift. The dynamic between Sera, Alistair, and the demon lord adds some nice tension without overwhelming the main plot. I especially liked how the darker magic and underworld elements shaped Sera’s internal conflict.
Pacing stays quick and engaging, and the world feels full without getting bogged down. A few areas could have used more depth, but overall this was a very satisfying read with a lot of promise for what comes next.
Dark magic, high stakes, and a heroine willing to burn the world if she has to.
The Vatra Witch was a strong, fast-hooking start to what feels like it’s going to be a big, emotionally charged fantasy series.
Seraphina is easy to root for right away. She’s powerful, desperate to save her sister, and constantly wrestling with magic that feels more like a curse than a gift. The dynamic between Sera, Alistair, and the demon lord adds some nice tension without overwhelming the main plot. I especially liked how the darker magic and underworld elements shaped Sera’s internal conflict.
Pacing stays quick and engaging, and the world feels full without getting bogged down. A few areas could have used more depth, but overall this was a very satisfying read with a lot of promise for what comes next.
Dark magic, high stakes, and a heroine willing to burn the world if she has to.
January 26, 2026
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Thank you to GV Hext for an ARC copy!
I absolutely loved this fantasy! It was so good! I loved Serephina! She’s a great FMC! I also loved the loved the dark fantasy elements of this book! Witches, magic, and demons can you say more! I really enjoyed getting to read about the world building in this book. The book was spicy as well!
I can’t wait for the next book!
This book is a must read for fans of Sarah J Maas!
Thank you to GV Hext for an ARC copy!
I absolutely loved this fantasy! It was so good! I loved Serephina! She’s a great FMC! I also loved the loved the dark fantasy elements of this book! Witches, magic, and demons can you say more! I really enjoyed getting to read about the world building in this book. The book was spicy as well!
I can’t wait for the next book!
This book is a must read for fans of Sarah J Maas!
February 16, 2026
“We don’t get to choose our lot in life, Seraphina. Prophecies, fate – it has all been written. The only control we have is how we use it.”
The Vatra Witch was one AMAZING read! I was initially attracted to the book because it was about witches and witches are my favorite fantasy characters. But the witchlore of this fantasy novel is far more than your typical broomstick and cauldron type. The Vatra Witch portrays a world where witches and demons are at war and angels are suspicious allies of the witches. This is a story where political intrigue and greed for power test the boundaries of love, friendship, and family. In the midst of it all is our reluctant heroine Seraphina Wildrick who must go on a mission to save her little sister with the man who once rejected her. On this journey, Seraphina meets Vasso, a demon lord, who somehow helps her come into her power and accept who she is. A tale of hidden identity, hidden powers, demons and witches, love and fate, The Vatra Witch is a story that keeps you at the edge of your seat while also immersing you in this dark, fantasy world. An easy five star read!
The Vatra Witch was one AMAZING read! I was initially attracted to the book because it was about witches and witches are my favorite fantasy characters. But the witchlore of this fantasy novel is far more than your typical broomstick and cauldron type. The Vatra Witch portrays a world where witches and demons are at war and angels are suspicious allies of the witches. This is a story where political intrigue and greed for power test the boundaries of love, friendship, and family. In the midst of it all is our reluctant heroine Seraphina Wildrick who must go on a mission to save her little sister with the man who once rejected her. On this journey, Seraphina meets Vasso, a demon lord, who somehow helps her come into her power and accept who she is. A tale of hidden identity, hidden powers, demons and witches, love and fate, The Vatra Witch is a story that keeps you at the edge of your seat while also immersing you in this dark, fantasy world. An easy five star read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review: 4.75 ⭐
Honestly, I loved this book and cannot wait for the second/novella to come out. I always enjoy different POVs and thought the author did a good job of picking and choosing when to do the alternate POVs as I was annoyed with one character for awhile and when his internal thoughts came out, it did help alleviate some of those frustrations. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you intrigued and an ending that both makes you face palm and grieve with the characters.
Honestly, I loved this book and cannot wait for the second/novella to come out. I always enjoy different POVs and thought the author did a good job of picking and choosing when to do the alternate POVs as I was annoyed with one character for awhile and when his internal thoughts came out, it did help alleviate some of those frustrations. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you intrigued and an ending that both makes you face palm and grieve with the characters.
January 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Witches/Magic/Crystals/Demons 😍 completely loved it!!! Definitely recommend for romantasy lovers this is a must read. I was hooked since page 1, thank you so much for the eARC @gvhext_author beautifully written and perfect pace not too fast and not too slow but OMG now I have to wait for book 2 cliffhanger 😩 #sera #vasso #alistair #nora #dom #snik
January 6, 2026
Oh my god??? The way i literally could not put down the book from 60% forward. This book is so well written. I am so glad i got to participate with the ARC. I am simply obsessed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this as an ARC reader and was excited to read it!
If you are a fan of well written fantasy worlds, taking care of others, hidden relationships, found family and shadow daddy energy this is one you should check out!
Not overly spicy but enough to keep you reading.
I will be looking for the next installment as this is right up my alley!
If you are a fan of well written fantasy worlds, taking care of others, hidden relationships, found family and shadow daddy energy this is one you should check out!
Not overly spicy but enough to keep you reading.
I will be looking for the next installment as this is right up my alley!
Read
February 13, 2026**🅽︎🅾︎ 🆂︎🅿︎🅾︎🅸︎🅻︎🅴︎🆁︎🆂︎**
𝔻𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 𝕠𝕗- THE VATRA WITCH by G.V Hext
Thank you BookSirens and G.V Hext for the arc, please know that I’m a strict reviewer so here is my honest opinions and thoughts.
ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤-
🗣(out of 5 stars, my rating scale is at the end)
📚 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5
🌡️ 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲🌶🌶 / 5
♟️𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹- >>>⚔️<<<
🎃: 𝐶𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑦𝑙𝑒 𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 🌑: 𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑦 ⚔️: ᵒᵒᵒʰʰʰ ˢᵗᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ••• 💀: 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 M̶E̶N̶U̶ 😳 -𝑖 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑊𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠!! ☠️: P͟I͟T͟C͟H͟ F͟C͟u͟K͟I͟N͟G͟ B͟L͟A͟C͟K͟!
𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠:
•📖# 521 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
•𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁? 3 days
•# MULTI 𝗣𝗢𝗩
•𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲-15 February 2026
•𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 or 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 driven? CHARACTER
•𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 & 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗻𝗼-THE LOST SOULS OF ERAPHON book1
•𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 on 𝗞𝗨?
•𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗲- medium and steady
•𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲?✅
•𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀; 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒚, 𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒕𝑖𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍, 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒚, 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍, 𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑯𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈
●𝕋ℝ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕊
😈𝕊𝕖𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕤 & 𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕪𝕒𝕝𝕤
🔮𝔓𝔯𝔬𝔭𝔥𝔢𝔠𝔦𝔢𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔐𝔶𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰
🧭ℚ𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕤
🪧Pᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄᴀʟ Iɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ
☯️ℝ𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕚𝕠𝕟/𝔻𝕖𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕤
🤩Epic Side Characters
🔺 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒
🔥𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧
🌡𝕐𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝔸𝕟𝕘𝕤𝕥, 𝕋𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟
💈 ᗷᗩᑎTᗴᖇ
💀𝔉𝔬𝔯𝔟𝔦𝔡𝔡𝔢𝔫 𝔯𝔬𝔪𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢
🗡 𝙀𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨
🧨𝕊𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕪 𝔽𝕄ℂ
🧙♀️𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔰
👹𝖉𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖓𝖘
🌍 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘:
G.V. Hext’s debut novel (really? Debut…. Hmmmm, no way can this be a debut!)
Multiple POV
The multi POV of Seraphina and her gay BFF, Dominick, really helped pace the story while still providing background and context to keep you informed and hooked for more. For once, the perspectives aren't just the dual sides of the same coin between the main characters! Dominick, Seraphina's sassy, man whöre, gay best friend-who I adored! is an epic side character that we spend a good amount of time getting to know. His perspective was so important to understanding not just the plot, but it gave us a more rounded view of the political climate and how it impacts individuals, families, and the different classes. The representation here was perfectly written and genuinely meaningful.
The multi pov from the main and side characters gave a much deeper look into the world as a whole and It allowed us to understand the trauma all the characters experience and the choices they're forced to make in the wake of this war-torn coven. = all authors take notes!!
Atmosphere
This book gave off gothic, haunting vibes. it was brooding and immersive.
What I loved the most about this was that the book questions whether darkness is inherently evil - offering us the opinion that darkness can be beautiful or even... a mercy.
Sera is so desperate to be accepted, loved, and seen as more than her dark magic. watching Sera learn that harness dark magic and find her worth was powerful to me.
I truly love any romantasy that can make me really think and feel!
Worldbuilding
The World-building was filled with origin stories, and the emotional weight of war permeates every page. The variety of characters and their class/ status shows what war does to people. The trauma representation is exceptionally well written. This story shows us the cost of survival, the emotional damage that living through a war entails, and the things that all people, no matter how nice/loyal/kind they are, are willing to do when they have no other choice.
The love triangle finally felt like an actual tough choice which is very rare compared to almost every other triangle trope out there. Sera has a connection to both of the love interests and different reasons for how she feels about each of them. I feel they both did things right and both did things wrong, it was leaning one way more than the other which annoyed me (you’ll understand when you read it) and a little more open communication could have levelled the playing field and made it even more delectable!
🧝♂️ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤:
From the complicated family relationships to the relationship with oneself, learning the dynamics and politics of life in the coven was haunting. Everyone had depth and motivation that felt deeply human and palpable, like you could live this story yourself.
At first, I was a little underwhelmed by the FMC, Seraphina, but after finishing the book, it’s clear that it was absolutely done on purpose. She was a very compelling character- weak, underestimated and felt powerless and almost worthless, especially compared to her sister and mother. The constant voice in the her head as she struggles with her place n the world created an eerie, foreboding and unsettling feeling that permeates the narrative. as the story develops she learns so much and is haunted by truths revealed throughout the plot. This journey from meek lower class witch to heroine gave her room to grow and plenty of reasons for some justified feminine rage, my favorite.
Vasso was cheeky and sneaky and gorgeous. I feel like Sera was pretty quick to trust him with very little worry, even her inner monologue didn’t ask the right questions.
Her mother was mean and COLD to Sera, and I know there is more to her involvement in not only the coven but the demons also. I just know it. I don't trust her one bit, he is written as a good villain now I look back but at the time, I didn’t notice her enough… she was hiding right there in plain sight and I feel no, I may be ok late for us all!
I love that Snik isn't plot centred but he is soooo needed, helpful, adorable and perfect for sera to show her nurturing side.
😥 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕟𝕠 𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤?
I feel like some things should have been said /thrown back at the male love interests and some questions should have been asked that just felt obvious to me. Having none of that made me feel disappointed and made the relationships a little unbelievable.
Eg:
>Seraphina had all this development with Alistair just to forget about him when she met Vasso? And after he gave all of that taunting and teasing at the start to just flip and become jealous like he had the damn right really annoyed me! That should have been a deeply layered argument, developing their relationship and deepening their history and friendship!
>Then we finally learned more about Alistair but in a way that made it seem like we were meant to immediately dislike him and swap to liking Vasso.
>Something wasn't clicking for me with Sera and Vasso's relationship, he was giving mixed signals and again she didn’t pull him up on it! There was a line where he pulled way with regret- my god that boiled my blood! That should most definitely have been twisted and thrown in his face what with how he was making her feel about not only himself but Alistair too.
⏳ 𝕎𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕚 𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕕?
Yes, yes, yes! I Wholeheartedly recommend this book, it had me completely enthralled!
🪧𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
This is not your typical good versus evil story, and will have you questioning which side you align yourself with. Things are not as they seem at first glance, and I throughly enjoyed the layers that you get to work through as truths are revealed and you journey through the story.
Be warned, this is a book that will keep you up late, telling yourself just one more chapter. A very refreshing and addictive addition to the romantasy genre.
𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠;
𝕋𝕚𝕜𝕋𝕠𝕜
https://www.tiktok.com/@your_bookish_...
IᑎՏTᗩ
https://www.instagram.com/your_bookis...
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𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕤:
⭐️ DNF
⭐️⭐️
I managed to finish it but it was rubbish. I won't keep a physical copy and won't recommend it, but it's a shame as the plot could have made a good book in another author's hands
⭐️⭐️.5
It was OK. I wish I didn't start this one as it didn't do it for me as I struggled to read it. It had an interesting premise that fell flat but I had to see what happened in the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don't regret reading it, and I will read the next one, but this one did have a few flaws. [These could be repetitive writing, gaps or plot holes, better character growth or world building, areas needing more detail]
Generally, the book lacked depth and became confusing. The plot resonated with me even though it annoyed me on the whole.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to the right people, but I wanted more! Sadly, it's easily forgettable with a few issues I just couldn't overlook/get past.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good book! I loved it, but... I needed more! I really did enjoy it, but it had a few parts that needed more detail or added history/background or lore. But that's because the story or characters were memorable, and the plot was strong with brilliant twists. I would re-read if I needed to catch up for the next book and would recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Great book! I truly wish the story had been thought about more, or the author had been given more time as this book is so close to brilliance! I will likely read again and will definitely be recommending it to all!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW! Absolutely amazing book! Well written with great characters and a plot so memorable that it will stay with me. I will definitely read this again, I will be recommending it and sharing it with the whole world! Also- I NEED A PHYSICAL COPY!
🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
This is my God level tier. The book must be perfectly memorable. Even after reading 50+ more books, I will remember character names and emotions along with the plot. If there is a special edition, then I need to own it! If there is a conversation on books- I'm talking about this!
SPICE SCALE:
🌶️– segsual language and a little on-page action
🌶️🌶️– a lot of segsual language and some on-page open door action, may be occurring a couple of times
🌶️🌶️🌶️– a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently with 2/3 lurvers
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – super graphic and explicit, occurring 4 or more times, can be more grey and taboo themed.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – Kinks and Fet!shism, explicit and super graphic. It is likely to be tushy play, toys, playrooms, and more dark / taboo fantasies and realities.
𝔻𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 𝕠𝕗- THE VATRA WITCH by G.V Hext
Thank you BookSirens and G.V Hext for the arc, please know that I’m a strict reviewer so here is my honest opinions and thoughts.
ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤-
🗣(out of 5 stars, my rating scale is at the end)
📚 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5
🌡️ 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲🌶🌶 / 5
♟️𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹- >>>⚔️<<<
🎃: 𝐶𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑦𝑙𝑒 𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 🌑: 𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑦 ⚔️: ᵒᵒᵒʰʰʰ ˢᵗᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ••• 💀: 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 M̶E̶N̶U̶ 😳 -𝑖 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑊𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠!! ☠️: P͟I͟T͟C͟H͟ F͟C͟u͟K͟I͟N͟G͟ B͟L͟A͟C͟K͟!
𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠:
•📖# 521 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
•𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁? 3 days
•# MULTI 𝗣𝗢𝗩
•𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲-15 February 2026
•𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 or 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 driven? CHARACTER
•𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 & 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗻𝗼-THE LOST SOULS OF ERAPHON book1
•𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 on 𝗞𝗨?
•𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗲- medium and steady
•𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲?✅
•𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀; 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒚, 𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒕𝑖𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍, 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒚, 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍, 𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑯𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈
●𝕋ℝ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕊
😈𝕊𝕖𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕤 & 𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕪𝕒𝕝𝕤
🔮𝔓𝔯𝔬𝔭𝔥𝔢𝔠𝔦𝔢𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔐𝔶𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰
🧭ℚ𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕤
🪧Pᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄᴀʟ Iɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ
☯️ℝ𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕚𝕠𝕟/𝔻𝕖𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕤
🤩Epic Side Characters
🔺 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒
🔥𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧
🌡𝕐𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝔸𝕟𝕘𝕤𝕥, 𝕋𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟
💈 ᗷᗩᑎTᗴᖇ
💀𝔉𝔬𝔯𝔟𝔦𝔡𝔡𝔢𝔫 𝔯𝔬𝔪𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢
🗡 𝙀𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨
🧨𝕊𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕪 𝔽𝕄ℂ
🧙♀️𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔰
👹𝖉𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖓𝖘
🌍 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘:
G.V. Hext’s debut novel (really? Debut…. Hmmmm, no way can this be a debut!)
Multiple POV
The multi POV of Seraphina and her gay BFF, Dominick, really helped pace the story while still providing background and context to keep you informed and hooked for more. For once, the perspectives aren't just the dual sides of the same coin between the main characters! Dominick, Seraphina's sassy, man whöre, gay best friend-who I adored! is an epic side character that we spend a good amount of time getting to know. His perspective was so important to understanding not just the plot, but it gave us a more rounded view of the political climate and how it impacts individuals, families, and the different classes. The representation here was perfectly written and genuinely meaningful.
The multi pov from the main and side characters gave a much deeper look into the world as a whole and It allowed us to understand the trauma all the characters experience and the choices they're forced to make in the wake of this war-torn coven. = all authors take notes!!
Atmosphere
This book gave off gothic, haunting vibes. it was brooding and immersive.
What I loved the most about this was that the book questions whether darkness is inherently evil - offering us the opinion that darkness can be beautiful or even... a mercy.
Sera is so desperate to be accepted, loved, and seen as more than her dark magic. watching Sera learn that harness dark magic and find her worth was powerful to me.
I truly love any romantasy that can make me really think and feel!
Worldbuilding
The World-building was filled with origin stories, and the emotional weight of war permeates every page. The variety of characters and their class/ status shows what war does to people. The trauma representation is exceptionally well written. This story shows us the cost of survival, the emotional damage that living through a war entails, and the things that all people, no matter how nice/loyal/kind they are, are willing to do when they have no other choice.
The love triangle finally felt like an actual tough choice which is very rare compared to almost every other triangle trope out there. Sera has a connection to both of the love interests and different reasons for how she feels about each of them. I feel they both did things right and both did things wrong, it was leaning one way more than the other which annoyed me (you’ll understand when you read it) and a little more open communication could have levelled the playing field and made it even more delectable!
🧝♂️ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤:
From the complicated family relationships to the relationship with oneself, learning the dynamics and politics of life in the coven was haunting. Everyone had depth and motivation that felt deeply human and palpable, like you could live this story yourself.
At first, I was a little underwhelmed by the FMC, Seraphina, but after finishing the book, it’s clear that it was absolutely done on purpose. She was a very compelling character- weak, underestimated and felt powerless and almost worthless, especially compared to her sister and mother. The constant voice in the her head as she struggles with her place n the world created an eerie, foreboding and unsettling feeling that permeates the narrative. as the story develops she learns so much and is haunted by truths revealed throughout the plot. This journey from meek lower class witch to heroine gave her room to grow and plenty of reasons for some justified feminine rage, my favorite.
Vasso was cheeky and sneaky and gorgeous. I feel like Sera was pretty quick to trust him with very little worry, even her inner monologue didn’t ask the right questions.
Her mother was mean and COLD to Sera, and I know there is more to her involvement in not only the coven but the demons also. I just know it. I don't trust her one bit, he is written as a good villain now I look back but at the time, I didn’t notice her enough… she was hiding right there in plain sight and I feel no, I may be ok late for us all!
I love that Snik isn't plot centred but he is soooo needed, helpful, adorable and perfect for sera to show her nurturing side.
😥 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕟𝕠 𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤?
I feel like some things should have been said /thrown back at the male love interests and some questions should have been asked that just felt obvious to me. Having none of that made me feel disappointed and made the relationships a little unbelievable.
Eg:
>Seraphina had all this development with Alistair just to forget about him when she met Vasso? And after he gave all of that taunting and teasing at the start to just flip and become jealous like he had the damn right really annoyed me! That should have been a deeply layered argument, developing their relationship and deepening their history and friendship!
>Then we finally learned more about Alistair but in a way that made it seem like we were meant to immediately dislike him and swap to liking Vasso.
>Something wasn't clicking for me with Sera and Vasso's relationship, he was giving mixed signals and again she didn’t pull him up on it! There was a line where he pulled way with regret- my god that boiled my blood! That should most definitely have been twisted and thrown in his face what with how he was making her feel about not only himself but Alistair too.
⏳ 𝕎𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕚 𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕕?
Yes, yes, yes! I Wholeheartedly recommend this book, it had me completely enthralled!
🪧𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
This is not your typical good versus evil story, and will have you questioning which side you align yourself with. Things are not as they seem at first glance, and I throughly enjoyed the layers that you get to work through as truths are revealed and you journey through the story.
Be warned, this is a book that will keep you up late, telling yourself just one more chapter. A very refreshing and addictive addition to the romantasy genre.
𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠;
𝕋𝕚𝕜𝕋𝕠𝕜
https://www.tiktok.com/@your_bookish_...
IᑎՏTᗩ
https://www.instagram.com/your_bookis...
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𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕤:
⭐️ DNF
⭐️⭐️
I managed to finish it but it was rubbish. I won't keep a physical copy and won't recommend it, but it's a shame as the plot could have made a good book in another author's hands
⭐️⭐️.5
It was OK. I wish I didn't start this one as it didn't do it for me as I struggled to read it. It had an interesting premise that fell flat but I had to see what happened in the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don't regret reading it, and I will read the next one, but this one did have a few flaws. [These could be repetitive writing, gaps or plot holes, better character growth or world building, areas needing more detail]
Generally, the book lacked depth and became confusing. The plot resonated with me even though it annoyed me on the whole.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to the right people, but I wanted more! Sadly, it's easily forgettable with a few issues I just couldn't overlook/get past.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good book! I loved it, but... I needed more! I really did enjoy it, but it had a few parts that needed more detail or added history/background or lore. But that's because the story or characters were memorable, and the plot was strong with brilliant twists. I would re-read if I needed to catch up for the next book and would recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Great book! I truly wish the story had been thought about more, or the author had been given more time as this book is so close to brilliance! I will likely read again and will definitely be recommending it to all!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW! Absolutely amazing book! Well written with great characters and a plot so memorable that it will stay with me. I will definitely read this again, I will be recommending it and sharing it with the whole world! Also- I NEED A PHYSICAL COPY!
🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
This is my God level tier. The book must be perfectly memorable. Even after reading 50+ more books, I will remember character names and emotions along with the plot. If there is a special edition, then I need to own it! If there is a conversation on books- I'm talking about this!
SPICE SCALE:
🌶️– segsual language and a little on-page action
🌶️🌶️– a lot of segsual language and some on-page open door action, may be occurring a couple of times
🌶️🌶️🌶️– a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently with 2/3 lurvers
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – super graphic and explicit, occurring 4 or more times, can be more grey and taboo themed.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – Kinks and Fet!shism, explicit and super graphic. It is likely to be tushy play, toys, playrooms, and more dark / taboo fantasies and realities.
December 24, 2025
ARC Review:
This story had such interesting world building, the characters are very well fleshed out, and the banter…how do I even begin to say how good the banter is.
The plot and the pacing had me hooked in.
The author plays so well at the line of what makes someone good or evil.
LGBTQIA representation in the main cast with POVs, the best friend is not just a side character!!!!
This story had such interesting world building, the characters are very well fleshed out, and the banter…how do I even begin to say how good the banter is.
The plot and the pacing had me hooked in.
The author plays so well at the line of what makes someone good or evil.
LGBTQIA representation in the main cast with POVs, the best friend is not just a side character!!!!
February 4, 2026
Loved this book! The dual storylines following Seraphina and her best friend Dominick as they navigate the return of an epic war, layered with love interests and real tragedy, were chef’s kiss. The love triangle was especially well done. My favorite part was watching Sera evolve into an absolute badass over the course of the book — her character growth (and honestly, everyone’s) was really strong. For a debut author, GV knocked it out of the park. I’m really excited to see where the story goes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5🌟
I am grateful to have received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In short, I loved it and you should pick this shit up. And here’s why.
This book is incredibly bingeable. The chapters are short and the pacing is fast. I finished it in two sittings. It really picks up after 65%. This book is what the romantasy genre has been missing: an intelligent and strong FMC filled with feminine rage, strong character development, loveable supporting characters, an MMC with a filthy mouth, and spice that ACTUALLY contributes to the plot/character development.
Badass FMC
I loved our FMC. She starts off giving Helena from Alchemised and Elspeth from One Dark Window. Then towards the end, she gives off Dianna from The Book of Azrael… if that makes sense.
She's strong af, intelligent, strategic, badass and wields shadow magic. She has a brain and uses it (thank god for that).
Gothic Atmosphere
This book gave off similar gothic, haunting vibes I experienced reading One Dark Window and Alchemised. I had such a visceral experience reading this - it was brooding and immersive. The constant echoes in the FMC's head as she struggles with her identity create an eerie, unsettling feeling that permeates the narrative. Being in her head felt like a part of me was lost and fractured. I really enjoyed identifying with Sera and searching for answers alongside her.
Light vs Darkness
The book questions whether darkness is inherently evil - perhaps darkness can be beautiful or even... necessary. Sera's self-acceptance and forgiving herself for her powers is the heart of this story. She's so desperate to be accepted, loved, and seen as more than her dark magic. It's not often I read a fantasy novel and am able to identify with characters this way (this is because, personally, it's hard for characters to feel palpable in a magical world). However, watching Sera learn that harness dark magic and find her worth was powerful to me.
I just simply love a romantasy that makes me think and feel!
Multiple POV
This is a multiple POV book. It allowed me to understand the trauma all the characters (including supporting ones) experience and the choices they're forced to make in this war-torn country. Everyone has depth and motivation that feels deeply human and palpable (despite being a demon lord lol).
War and Its Aftermath
This book was not simply a vibes read for entertainment. It was well written and the emotional weight of war permeates every page. It's got a cast of loveable characters and studies what war does to people. The trauma representation is exceptionally well written. GV Hext shows us the cost of survival, the emotional damage, and the things people are willing to do when everything is at stake. It's about healing, finding your identity, healing and accepting/forgiving yourself when the world does not, in the face of destruction.
🩷 Tropes:
Trainer/trainee, Shadow daddy, Morally Grey MMC, Reluctant allies to lovers, Animal companion, Love triangle.
🌶️ Spice:
Open door
That being said, I do hope the narrative tightens up in Book 2 and we get some questions answered! I'm excited to see where GV Hext takes Sera’s journey.
I am grateful to have received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In short, I loved it and you should pick this shit up. And here’s why.
This book is incredibly bingeable. The chapters are short and the pacing is fast. I finished it in two sittings. It really picks up after 65%. This book is what the romantasy genre has been missing: an intelligent and strong FMC filled with feminine rage, strong character development, loveable supporting characters, an MMC with a filthy mouth, and spice that ACTUALLY contributes to the plot/character development.
Badass FMC
I loved our FMC. She starts off giving Helena from Alchemised and Elspeth from One Dark Window. Then towards the end, she gives off Dianna from The Book of Azrael… if that makes sense.
She's strong af, intelligent, strategic, badass and wields shadow magic. She has a brain and uses it (thank god for that).
Gothic Atmosphere
This book gave off similar gothic, haunting vibes I experienced reading One Dark Window and Alchemised. I had such a visceral experience reading this - it was brooding and immersive. The constant echoes in the FMC's head as she struggles with her identity create an eerie, unsettling feeling that permeates the narrative. Being in her head felt like a part of me was lost and fractured. I really enjoyed identifying with Sera and searching for answers alongside her.
Light vs Darkness
"But this had been beautiful. Not destruction. Not death disguised as a mercy. It was life." – Chapter 40
The book questions whether darkness is inherently evil - perhaps darkness can be beautiful or even... necessary. Sera's self-acceptance and forgiving herself for her powers is the heart of this story. She's so desperate to be accepted, loved, and seen as more than her dark magic. It's not often I read a fantasy novel and am able to identify with characters this way (this is because, personally, it's hard for characters to feel palpable in a magical world). However, watching Sera learn that harness dark magic and find her worth was powerful to me.
I just simply love a romantasy that makes me think and feel!
Multiple POV
This is a multiple POV book. It allowed me to understand the trauma all the characters (including supporting ones) experience and the choices they're forced to make in this war-torn country. Everyone has depth and motivation that feels deeply human and palpable (despite being a demon lord lol).
War and Its Aftermath
This book was not simply a vibes read for entertainment. It was well written and the emotional weight of war permeates every page. It's got a cast of loveable characters and studies what war does to people. The trauma representation is exceptionally well written. GV Hext shows us the cost of survival, the emotional damage, and the things people are willing to do when everything is at stake. It's about healing, finding your identity, healing and accepting/forgiving yourself when the world does not, in the face of destruction.
🩷 Tropes:
Trainer/trainee, Shadow daddy, Morally Grey MMC, Reluctant allies to lovers, Animal companion, Love triangle.
🌶️ Spice:
Open door
That being said, I do hope the narrative tightens up in Book 2 and we get some questions answered! I'm excited to see where GV Hext takes Sera’s journey.
Review of advance copy
My favorite read of 2026 so far just entered the chat. 😭
When I tell you this book had me in an absolute chokehold. The magic system of the witches was intriguing while their history had me wanting more. Throw in political conflict, a war with demons, a sticky love triangle AND lovable characters; it’s the perfect recipe for a 5 star book. And G.V Hext wrote it amazingly.
Our FMC, Seraphina, has known nothing but disregard and disappointment her whole life. Having a small and insignificant well of power, her mother continuously lets her know that she prefers her little sister Honora, over her. Especially after her trial when she is placed into the lowest class of witches, the Jedan. But her mother’s power and influence rises her in station to Dobro. Sera wants nothing more than to spend time with her best friend Dominick, live her life under the radar, supplying the citizens of Jedan class coin to help them prosper and to keep a dark secret about herself hidden, a secret that only her mother and sister knows about.
But when Honora’s trial comes, everything quite literally goes to shit. Her mother and the council set her out on a quest with the childhood crush that broke her heart. And while she’s away, our ride or die Dominick does everything he can to aid Sera on her journey while he remains at the Citadel.
Enter Alistair Alcott. He broke her heart when he refused to go to the solstice ball with her. When Alistair and Colton, Dominick’s older brother, entered the Legion and went away, Sera all but forgot about the handsome warlock. But then she is forced to do this quest and he is her guide. Thrust together in a deadly mission to retrieve a banished oracle and find the literal doorways to the underworld, Alistair quickly realizes that Sera is no longer that young witch that fawned after him.
And when they get chased by demons with the ability to regenerate, the bud that was beginning to bloom quickly dies out after a kiss and a transport into a cave where the oracle they were searching for was waiting… with a Demon Lord. From there, everything falls apart for Sera… before coming back together in ways she could have never dreamed.
“A demon lord who sings to her magic, an all-seeing oracle who speaks in riddles, and a warlock she could potentially kill with a touch walk into a tavern.”
The banter in this book had me squealing and kicking my feet. Then it had me crying over the absolute heartbreak Hext had us experience, not once, but TWICE. I am emotionally invested in this series and cannot wait for book two. The angst and tension in the love triangle had me all in my feels. And the little sprinkling of spice, it was perfection. Let’s also not forget the lies, twists and betrayals. An absolute rollercoaster my friends. And to end it with THAT cliffhanger. Diabolical in the best way.
This needs to be on your TBR. And I hope it gets the recognition it deserves! 5/5⭐️and 1/5🌶️
——————————————————————————————
Thank you so much to the author, G.V Hext, and Booksirens for my ebook ARC of The Vatra Witch. I attest the review above is honest and completely my own. 🖤
When I tell you this book had me in an absolute chokehold. The magic system of the witches was intriguing while their history had me wanting more. Throw in political conflict, a war with demons, a sticky love triangle AND lovable characters; it’s the perfect recipe for a 5 star book. And G.V Hext wrote it amazingly.
Our FMC, Seraphina, has known nothing but disregard and disappointment her whole life. Having a small and insignificant well of power, her mother continuously lets her know that she prefers her little sister Honora, over her. Especially after her trial when she is placed into the lowest class of witches, the Jedan. But her mother’s power and influence rises her in station to Dobro. Sera wants nothing more than to spend time with her best friend Dominick, live her life under the radar, supplying the citizens of Jedan class coin to help them prosper and to keep a dark secret about herself hidden, a secret that only her mother and sister knows about.
But when Honora’s trial comes, everything quite literally goes to shit. Her mother and the council set her out on a quest with the childhood crush that broke her heart. And while she’s away, our ride or die Dominick does everything he can to aid Sera on her journey while he remains at the Citadel.
Enter Alistair Alcott. He broke her heart when he refused to go to the solstice ball with her. When Alistair and Colton, Dominick’s older brother, entered the Legion and went away, Sera all but forgot about the handsome warlock. But then she is forced to do this quest and he is her guide. Thrust together in a deadly mission to retrieve a banished oracle and find the literal doorways to the underworld, Alistair quickly realizes that Sera is no longer that young witch that fawned after him.
And when they get chased by demons with the ability to regenerate, the bud that was beginning to bloom quickly dies out after a kiss and a transport into a cave where the oracle they were searching for was waiting… with a Demon Lord. From there, everything falls apart for Sera… before coming back together in ways she could have never dreamed.
“A demon lord who sings to her magic, an all-seeing oracle who speaks in riddles, and a warlock she could potentially kill with a touch walk into a tavern.”
The banter in this book had me squealing and kicking my feet. Then it had me crying over the absolute heartbreak Hext had us experience, not once, but TWICE. I am emotionally invested in this series and cannot wait for book two. The angst and tension in the love triangle had me all in my feels. And the little sprinkling of spice, it was perfection. Let’s also not forget the lies, twists and betrayals. An absolute rollercoaster my friends. And to end it with THAT cliffhanger. Diabolical in the best way.
This needs to be on your TBR. And I hope it gets the recognition it deserves! 5/5⭐️and 1/5🌶️
——————————————————————————————
Thank you so much to the author, G.V Hext, and Booksirens for my ebook ARC of The Vatra Witch. I attest the review above is honest and completely my own. 🖤
Review of advance copy
⭐ 4
Spice Scale 🌶️ -🌶️🌶️ (depending on your spice tolerance)
Multiple POVS
-Seraphina
-Dominick
-Alistair
-Vasso
I first want to start off with- THAT CLIFFHANGER WAS ILLEGAL!!! Why would you do me like that? I can’t wait for the next book to come out, you got me hooked already!
The Vatra Witch pulls a classic Vampire Diaries-style love triangle moment – you know, the guy you’d take home to meet your family versus the darker, morally gray version who is slightly unhinged but obsessed with you?
Yeah, that’s what happened in this book. Honestly, I fall for it every time. It’s one of my favorite tropes. I’m just a sucker for it.
Anyways, I loved the magic system. The way that some of the witches and warlocks can see fate simply by pulling threads from a pool of water was super cool. There’s a lot of other different magic types but that was one of the more subtle ones that really stuck to me!
Ok now let me give you a run down of the four main characters:
Seraphina
-She cares about those she loves and will literally go to hell for them (LITERALLY).
-Has a dark magic that can burn everything and everyone in her path but she needs to keep it a secret (for obvious reasons, people don’t like being incinerated just because a witch can’t control herself).
-Stubborn, beautiful, brave, and wrathful.
Dominick
-Seraphina’s gay bestie!!!
-His POV helps us see what is going on in the Citadel while Seraphina is gone. Things start to spiral FAST!
-High key an f-boy.
-Supportive and puts himself in danger for Seraphina.
Alistair
-A warlock who has a secret that his friends don’t know yet.
-Captain of the Legion that fights off the demons.
-Protective and possessive.
-The boy next door…but maybe a little darker
-Has a crush on Seraphina.
Vasso
-A demon lord.
-Has the same powers as Seraphina.
-Supports Seraphina’s choices and respects her boundaries.
-TOUCH HER AND DIE energy for days like he would let the world burn for Seraphina.
-Loves a challenge, the bantering AND THE TEASING ALDFJ;AJF;LSDJF;IKJW
-In love with Seraphina.
One thing that kept this book from being a five star read for me was Seraphina’s rage. I love feminine rage, but there were moments where she reacted in anger when it would’ve been more beneficial to pause and hear the other person out. At times it felt like her anger was used to move the plot forward. I understand why she responds that way given her upbringing, but with such high stakes, I wished she had taken a breath before reacting.
I read this book so fast I didn’t even notice that it was over 500 pages. It keeps you hooked, balancing action-packed scenes, romance, and heartfelt moments. I recommend this book to anyone who loves magic, strong characters, and plot twists that keep you guessing or your jaw dropping.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Spice Scale 🌶️ -🌶️🌶️ (depending on your spice tolerance)
Multiple POVS
-Seraphina
-Dominick
-Alistair
-Vasso
I first want to start off with- THAT CLIFFHANGER WAS ILLEGAL!!! Why would you do me like that? I can’t wait for the next book to come out, you got me hooked already!
The Vatra Witch pulls a classic Vampire Diaries-style love triangle moment – you know, the guy you’d take home to meet your family versus the darker, morally gray version who is slightly unhinged but obsessed with you?
Yeah, that’s what happened in this book. Honestly, I fall for it every time. It’s one of my favorite tropes. I’m just a sucker for it.
Anyways, I loved the magic system. The way that some of the witches and warlocks can see fate simply by pulling threads from a pool of water was super cool. There’s a lot of other different magic types but that was one of the more subtle ones that really stuck to me!
Ok now let me give you a run down of the four main characters:
Seraphina
-She cares about those she loves and will literally go to hell for them (LITERALLY).
-Has a dark magic that can burn everything and everyone in her path but she needs to keep it a secret (for obvious reasons, people don’t like being incinerated just because a witch can’t control herself).
-Stubborn, beautiful, brave, and wrathful.
Dominick
-Seraphina’s gay bestie!!!
-His POV helps us see what is going on in the Citadel while Seraphina is gone. Things start to spiral FAST!
-High key an f-boy.
-Supportive and puts himself in danger for Seraphina.
Alistair
-A warlock who has a secret that his friends don’t know yet.
-Captain of the Legion that fights off the demons.
-Protective and possessive.
-The boy next door…but maybe a little darker
-Has a crush on Seraphina.
Vasso
-A demon lord.
-Has the same powers as Seraphina.
-Supports Seraphina’s choices and respects her boundaries.
-TOUCH HER AND DIE energy for days like he would let the world burn for Seraphina.
-Loves a challenge, the bantering AND THE TEASING ALDFJ;AJF;LSDJF;IKJW
-In love with Seraphina.
One thing that kept this book from being a five star read for me was Seraphina’s rage. I love feminine rage, but there were moments where she reacted in anger when it would’ve been more beneficial to pause and hear the other person out. At times it felt like her anger was used to move the plot forward. I understand why she responds that way given her upbringing, but with such high stakes, I wished she had taken a breath before reacting.
I read this book so fast I didn’t even notice that it was over 500 pages. It keeps you hooked, balancing action-packed scenes, romance, and heartfelt moments. I recommend this book to anyone who loves magic, strong characters, and plot twists that keep you guessing or your jaw dropping.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Vatra Witch follows Seraphina (Sera), an artifact keeper who, during an expedition, uncovers a mysterious relic she believes has granted her dark magic. Terrified that discovery would mean death, she hides the truth while navigating a dangerous, shifting world on a quest to save her sister, Nora.
The novel is dark fantasy told across four main POVs and weaves themes of fated love, found family, dark romance, friendship and violence.
Trigger warnings: violence; dark magic; demonic elements; intense romantic/sexual tension; emotional trauma.
Wow—this book is phenomenal. From the first page I was hooked: the plot keeps evolving, the stakes rise constantly, and the momentum never lets up. The pacing is relentless in the best way, so putting the book down felt almost impossible.
Sera begins as a shy, insecure heroine trying to do and be better like her younger sister and having a mother that always puts her down, but she grows dramatically over the course of the story. Her friendship with Dominick is a highlight—he’s witty, warm, and so funny I was always giggling, and their banter with each other adds heart and lightness to their relationship.
The characters are rich and varied: two swoon worthy MMCs, oracles, an irresistibly cute goblin, a loyal familiar, winged god-soldiers, and a host of gruesome and mystical creatures. Each secondary character receives meaningful development and their own important arcs, so the story never feels one-dimensional.
The worldbuilding is intricate and expansive, and the magic system feels layered and dangerous. There are vivid, imaginative details everywhere—forests, lands, demons, witches—that make the setting feel alive and unpredictable. Twists and turns are plentiful, and the novel balances action with character-driven moments very well.
This is a dark, addictive fantasy that delivers on romance, danger, and emotional depth. It broke me in places and then made my heart sing in others, which to me is a sign of a great novel. Personally I would have loved more spice, haha(hopefully more in 2nd book), but on saying that I'm still giving this book 5 stars!!!!!
I think it has bestseller potential!!
One line that perfectly captures the book’s deliciously dangerous seductive tone:
“I could ruin you in more ways than one, Subdina.”
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The novel is dark fantasy told across four main POVs and weaves themes of fated love, found family, dark romance, friendship and violence.
Trigger warnings: violence; dark magic; demonic elements; intense romantic/sexual tension; emotional trauma.
Wow—this book is phenomenal. From the first page I was hooked: the plot keeps evolving, the stakes rise constantly, and the momentum never lets up. The pacing is relentless in the best way, so putting the book down felt almost impossible.
Sera begins as a shy, insecure heroine trying to do and be better like her younger sister and having a mother that always puts her down, but she grows dramatically over the course of the story. Her friendship with Dominick is a highlight—he’s witty, warm, and so funny I was always giggling, and their banter with each other adds heart and lightness to their relationship.
The characters are rich and varied: two swoon worthy MMCs, oracles, an irresistibly cute goblin, a loyal familiar, winged god-soldiers, and a host of gruesome and mystical creatures. Each secondary character receives meaningful development and their own important arcs, so the story never feels one-dimensional.
The worldbuilding is intricate and expansive, and the magic system feels layered and dangerous. There are vivid, imaginative details everywhere—forests, lands, demons, witches—that make the setting feel alive and unpredictable. Twists and turns are plentiful, and the novel balances action with character-driven moments very well.
This is a dark, addictive fantasy that delivers on romance, danger, and emotional depth. It broke me in places and then made my heart sing in others, which to me is a sign of a great novel. Personally I would have loved more spice, haha(hopefully more in 2nd book), but on saying that I'm still giving this book 5 stars!!!!!
I think it has bestseller potential!!
One line that perfectly captures the book’s deliciously dangerous seductive tone:
“I could ruin you in more ways than one, Subdina.”
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Review: The Vatra Witch by G.V. Hext
Dark magic, secrets, slow-burn tension, and a morally grey MMC. A must-read for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Maria V. Snyder, Rebecca Ross, and anyone who loves fantasy that bites back.
The opening was done so well. Sera’s secret is teased out in fragments, pulling you forward piece by piece, and I loved how the world and its rules came together without info-dumping. Everything clicks into place naturally, and the payoff is very satisfying.
Sera was instantly likable - clearly strong, but deeply shaped by trauma, constantly hiding parts of herself just to survive. Watching her slowly step into who she really is was one of my favourite parts of the book. Dom initially made me wary (the casual warlock-using was… yikes), but his development genuinely surprised me in the best way. Alistair filled the loyal, protective soldier role well enough, but he felt a bit too safe and predictable for my taste. I’ve never been much of a good-guy girl, wink.
Vasso, though? Immediate obsession. Morally grey, flirtatious, dangerous, and magnetic as hell. The tension between him and Sera was palpable - sharp, gorgeous, and undeniably sexy. Ophelia was another standout: blunt, dry, and quietly hilarious. Her friendship with Vasso was a small detail, but I loved every moment of it.
The stakes rise steadily, and by the end I was fully invested. While the ending leaned into a trope I’m not personally a fan of, it didn’t kill my excitement - in fact, I’m feral for the sequel. Truly the worst part of being an ARC reader is falling in love with a book before it’s even released.
The Vatra Witch grabbed me fast, even if the writing felt a little uneven at first. A few sentences and bits of dialogue didn’t quite flow, especially early on, but that smoothed out quickly and stopped bothering me. Once I settled into the rhythm, I was locked in.
#TheVatraWitch #FantasyRomance #MorallyGreyMen #ARCReaderPain #MustRead
Dark magic, secrets, slow-burn tension, and a morally grey MMC. A must-read for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Maria V. Snyder, Rebecca Ross, and anyone who loves fantasy that bites back.
The opening was done so well. Sera’s secret is teased out in fragments, pulling you forward piece by piece, and I loved how the world and its rules came together without info-dumping. Everything clicks into place naturally, and the payoff is very satisfying.
Sera was instantly likable - clearly strong, but deeply shaped by trauma, constantly hiding parts of herself just to survive. Watching her slowly step into who she really is was one of my favourite parts of the book. Dom initially made me wary (the casual warlock-using was… yikes), but his development genuinely surprised me in the best way. Alistair filled the loyal, protective soldier role well enough, but he felt a bit too safe and predictable for my taste. I’ve never been much of a good-guy girl, wink.
Vasso, though? Immediate obsession. Morally grey, flirtatious, dangerous, and magnetic as hell. The tension between him and Sera was palpable - sharp, gorgeous, and undeniably sexy. Ophelia was another standout: blunt, dry, and quietly hilarious. Her friendship with Vasso was a small detail, but I loved every moment of it.
The stakes rise steadily, and by the end I was fully invested. While the ending leaned into a trope I’m not personally a fan of, it didn’t kill my excitement - in fact, I’m feral for the sequel. Truly the worst part of being an ARC reader is falling in love with a book before it’s even released.
The Vatra Witch grabbed me fast, even if the writing felt a little uneven at first. A few sentences and bits of dialogue didn’t quite flow, especially early on, but that smoothed out quickly and stopped bothering me. Once I settled into the rhythm, I was locked in.
#TheVatraWitch #FantasyRomance #MorallyGreyMen #ARCReaderPain #MustRead
January 26, 2026
🖤 ARC REVIEW: The Vatra Witch by G.V. Hext 🖤
🐦⬛There is NO WAY this is a debut novel. This read like it was written by a seasoned author who knows exactly what they’re doing.
🐦⬛The timing of this story could not be more apt. Reading a novel so deeply rooted in political tension and power dynamics felt… a little too real, in the best possible way. It hit home in ways I wasn’t expecting.
🐦⬛At first, I was slightly underwhelmed by the FMC, Seraphina, which, in hindsight, was absolutely the point. She lives in the shadow of her mother and sister (at least in her own mind) and is haunted by truths revealed throughout the story (no spoilers, I swear!). Watching her grow into herself was incredibly satisfying. Plus, plenty of justified feminine rage, my favorite.
🐦⬛And can we talk about the POV chapters? Because many of them were from Dominick, her gay BFF, and I ADORED him. His perspective was so important to understanding not just the story, but the political climate and how it impacts individuals, families, and entire communities. The representation here was beautifully done and genuinely meaningful.
🐦⬛I went in blind and fell hard for the second-chance romance vibes, only to be completely flipped upside down by a romantic twist I did NOT see coming, and I freaking LOVED IT.
🐦⬛From about 50% onward, I fully ignored all of my life responsibilities. Dishes? Emails? Sleep? Irrelevant. I needed to finish this book.
I am BEYOND excited for:
* Book 1.5 (Nora’s story 👀)
* Book 2 (I may have already messaged the author 🫣)
* And the teased POV chapters from the main love interest because I need to know what’s going on in his head.
🖤Huge thank you to the author for the ARC, for this immersive and timely story, and for trusting me with an early review. (I already applied to the street team and I am not okay about it 😭)
📅 Release date: February 15th Do yourself a favor and just pre-order it now. You’re welcome.
🐦⬛There is NO WAY this is a debut novel. This read like it was written by a seasoned author who knows exactly what they’re doing.
🐦⬛The timing of this story could not be more apt. Reading a novel so deeply rooted in political tension and power dynamics felt… a little too real, in the best possible way. It hit home in ways I wasn’t expecting.
🐦⬛At first, I was slightly underwhelmed by the FMC, Seraphina, which, in hindsight, was absolutely the point. She lives in the shadow of her mother and sister (at least in her own mind) and is haunted by truths revealed throughout the story (no spoilers, I swear!). Watching her grow into herself was incredibly satisfying. Plus, plenty of justified feminine rage, my favorite.
🐦⬛And can we talk about the POV chapters? Because many of them were from Dominick, her gay BFF, and I ADORED him. His perspective was so important to understanding not just the story, but the political climate and how it impacts individuals, families, and entire communities. The representation here was beautifully done and genuinely meaningful.
🐦⬛I went in blind and fell hard for the second-chance romance vibes, only to be completely flipped upside down by a romantic twist I did NOT see coming, and I freaking LOVED IT.
🐦⬛From about 50% onward, I fully ignored all of my life responsibilities. Dishes? Emails? Sleep? Irrelevant. I needed to finish this book.
I am BEYOND excited for:
* Book 1.5 (Nora’s story 👀)
* Book 2 (I may have already messaged the author 🫣)
* And the teased POV chapters from the main love interest because I need to know what’s going on in his head.
🖤Huge thank you to the author for the ARC, for this immersive and timely story, and for trusting me with an early review. (I already applied to the street team and I am not okay about it 😭)
📅 Release date: February 15th Do yourself a favor and just pre-order it now. You’re welcome.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you liked ACOTAR and ACOMAF but also love Politics, then you need this book! In this multi POV fantasy we follow Seraphina who battles with a dark magic that lies in her veins. When her darkness escapes and causes her sister to be kidnapped, she must work to rescue her and control her magic. Enter one demon lord and an oracle. And a goblin. We can’t leave out the goblin.
The world was expertly woven with magic, romance, and political intrigue. Not one of these overshadowed the other. It was very well balanced and the pacing was excellent. I absolutely fell in love with Dominick and I think he had the most interesting POV. His POV was vital to actually seeing what was happening outside the manor that Sera spends most of her time in.
The romance leads towards being a why-choose between two of the male characters, but it really isn’t. At least not in book one. That doesn’t mean the option isn’t there for book two though. Without spoiling things, the book ends on a cliffhanger that leaves the book wide open for that to be an option. At least in my opinion.
My one critique in this whole book is the ending epilogue in which part of it seemed like an easy way to rehash the romantic format (used in this book) for book 2. This is absolutely a personal critique and does not reflect the writing or plot of the book.
This was ultimately a book that was very well written and had me totally invested. Fans of SJM would have a great time with this book.While I wasn't a fan of how the cliffhanger for this book was used, I still really enjoyed myself and this is absolutely a solid 4 stars.
Thank you to author G.V Hext for the digital ARC of this book. I had a great time and I am interested to see where you take book 2.
The world was expertly woven with magic, romance, and political intrigue. Not one of these overshadowed the other. It was very well balanced and the pacing was excellent. I absolutely fell in love with Dominick and I think he had the most interesting POV. His POV was vital to actually seeing what was happening outside the manor that Sera spends most of her time in.
The romance leads towards being a why-choose between two of the male characters, but it really isn’t. At least not in book one. That doesn’t mean the option isn’t there for book two though. Without spoiling things, the book ends on a cliffhanger that leaves the book wide open for that to be an option. At least in my opinion.
My one critique in this whole book is the ending epilogue in which part of it seemed like an easy way to rehash the romantic format (used in this book) for book 2. This is absolutely a personal critique and does not reflect the writing or plot of the book.
This was ultimately a book that was very well written and had me totally invested. Fans of SJM would have a great time with this book.While I wasn't a fan of how the cliffhanger for this book was used, I still really enjoyed myself and this is absolutely a solid 4 stars.
Thank you to author G.V Hext for the digital ARC of this book. I had a great time and I am interested to see where you take book 2.
February 13, 2026
3.75/5 ★
What you can expect:
- shadow wielding
- fated mates
- found family
- magic system
- political fantasy
**NOT a why choose** (I really thought it was for a bit though)
I loved this! Especially as a debut novel and the first novel of the series. The pacing was great, the characters were amazing to get to know and see their development. I’ll definitely be reading the next book.
I'm absolutely obsessed with Vasso and Dom, they both had my heart right from the moments they were introduced. I loved the double perspective jump between the events happening with Sera's adventure and everything happening in the Citadel itself. There were multiple points that were introduced that would build perfectly into continuing the pacing into book 2 and I'm more than excited to see everything that happens with Sera's family. Sera was the definition of a female rage FMC and I loved watching her take control of situations and essential find herself on this journey that she's taking.
I feel I would’ve rated the book a 5 stars but there were things with Seraphina’s character with how she had all this development with Alistair just to forget about him when she met Vasso? The same applied with all the things we learned about Alistair that made it seem like we were meant to immediately dislike him to like Vasso. It felt like the progression with those relationships and the characters themselves in that 2/3rds section of the book was abrupt. Something wasn't clicking for me with Sera and Vasso's relationship which genuinely made me so sad with how much I loved both characters themselves. Maybe it was because it was coming off a bit as insta-lust? I'll be looking forward to seeing more of their relationship develop in the second book though (forever obsessed with the fated mates trope)!!
On that note, I would throw hands at Lavinia
Thank you to the author for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
What you can expect:
- shadow wielding
- fated mates
- found family
- magic system
- political fantasy
**NOT a why choose** (I really thought it was for a bit though)
I loved this! Especially as a debut novel and the first novel of the series. The pacing was great, the characters were amazing to get to know and see their development. I’ll definitely be reading the next book.
I'm absolutely obsessed with Vasso and Dom, they both had my heart right from the moments they were introduced. I loved the double perspective jump between the events happening with Sera's adventure and everything happening in the Citadel itself. There were multiple points that were introduced that would build perfectly into continuing the pacing into book 2 and I'm more than excited to see everything that happens with Sera's family. Sera was the definition of a female rage FMC and I loved watching her take control of situations and essential find herself on this journey that she's taking.
I feel I would’ve rated the book a 5 stars but there were things with Seraphina’s character with how she had all this development with Alistair just to forget about him when she met Vasso? The same applied with all the things we learned about Alistair that made it seem like we were meant to immediately dislike him to like Vasso. It felt like the progression with those relationships and the characters themselves in that 2/3rds section of the book was abrupt. Something wasn't clicking for me with Sera and Vasso's relationship which genuinely made me so sad with how much I loved both characters themselves. Maybe it was because it was coming off a bit as insta-lust? I'll be looking forward to seeing more of their relationship develop in the second book though (forever obsessed with the fated mates trope)!!
On that note, I would throw hands at Lavinia
Thank you to the author for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy
The Vatra Witch is witchy, dark, and bingeable, think forbidden death magic, underworld doorways, a rescue quest, and a love triangle that actually feels natural.
Sera is a 23-year-old Keeper of the Artifacts on her first mission when she finds a relic that awakens death magic in her veins. The problem is there’s no record of that kind of power in her coven’s archives, and if the elders discover it, she’s as good as dead. So she hides it… until she can’t. On the day of her sister’s trial, Sera’s darkness breaks loose and opens a doorway to the underworld and when her sister is kidnapped, Sera is forced into a dangerous mission beyond the Citadel walls. She’s joined by Alistair, the childhood crush she’s loved forever, and tempted by something far worse: a demon lord who shares her magic and offers help, for a price.
I’ll be honest: the first few chapters had me a little confused while I tried to get my bearings. I think a bit more early worldbuilding would have made it easier to settle into the setting. But once everything clicked, I was fully invested.
What I loved most was the combination of quest/adventure energy and how character-driven the story still feels. The love triangle is between two completely different men, and it didn’t feel forced or overly dramatic, it felt like a natural tension that fit Sera’s situation and growth. The side characters and encounters along the journey were also genuinely interesting, and the writing kept the plot moving without leaving me with major plot-hole frustrations.
Overall, I absolutely recommend The Vatra Witch, and I’m definitely looking forward to book two.
Sonya
Bookbound and Blushed
Sera is a 23-year-old Keeper of the Artifacts on her first mission when she finds a relic that awakens death magic in her veins. The problem is there’s no record of that kind of power in her coven’s archives, and if the elders discover it, she’s as good as dead. So she hides it… until she can’t. On the day of her sister’s trial, Sera’s darkness breaks loose and opens a doorway to the underworld and when her sister is kidnapped, Sera is forced into a dangerous mission beyond the Citadel walls. She’s joined by Alistair, the childhood crush she’s loved forever, and tempted by something far worse: a demon lord who shares her magic and offers help, for a price.
I’ll be honest: the first few chapters had me a little confused while I tried to get my bearings. I think a bit more early worldbuilding would have made it easier to settle into the setting. But once everything clicked, I was fully invested.
What I loved most was the combination of quest/adventure energy and how character-driven the story still feels. The love triangle is between two completely different men, and it didn’t feel forced or overly dramatic, it felt like a natural tension that fit Sera’s situation and growth. The side characters and encounters along the journey were also genuinely interesting, and the writing kept the plot moving without leaving me with major plot-hole frustrations.
Overall, I absolutely recommend The Vatra Witch, and I’m definitely looking forward to book two.
Sonya
Bookbound and Blushed
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Vatra Witch introduces a richly imagined fantasy world with a strong sense of identity, confidence, and scope. G.V. Hext writes with clear command over atmosphere and character, delivering a story that feels layered and intentional. The prose is vivid without being excessive, and the worldbuilding unfolds naturally through character experience, which makes the setting feel lived-in from the first pages. At the heart of the novel is a compelling protagonist whose inner conflict is as engaging as the external stakes. The emotional tension is handled with care, allowing moments of intensity, doubt, and resilience to surface organically. Relationships are given room to breathe, and the social structures of the world add depth without overwhelming the narrative. There is a strong balance between magic, politics, and personal consequence that will appeal to readers who enjoy fantasy with substance beneath the surface. The pacing is generally strong, particularly in scenes where personal choices collide with larger forces, though slightly tighter transitions could sharpen momentum and heighten impact. Still, the story’s ambition, clarity of voice, and immersive tone outweigh any minor rough edges. The Vatra Witch stands out as a promising and thoughtfully constructed fantasy novel, one that invites readers into a complex world while keeping its focus on character, consequence, and the cost of power. It is a confident entry into the genre and a compelling foundation for what could become a memorable series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book broke me (in the best way) and I'm not ok! How am I supposed to wait for book 2?! (And book 1.5 eeek!)
Sera, our FMC, has an underwhelming life as a witch with very weak power and she is very clearly, not her mother's favourite child and from the start, I completely sympathised with the conflict this causes Sera. I loved Dominick, her best friend, he is just incredible ❤️ the support he provides Sera throughout this book was beautifully executed and his POV provides insight into deeper issues and corruption faced back home.
Sera, sent on a quest to save her sister from a demon lord with an unexpected past love interest was quite entertaining to follow! I was fully invested in the progression of this relationship and without giving too much away, I loved the twists!
Sera is also battling an unexplained and deadly power that weighs heavily on her, you feel the shame from the first page and honestly, watching Sera come into herself and her power was so satisfying! This really was a journey of self discovery and Vasso is the perfect shadow daddy to come along for the ride!
This dark romantasy had me reeled in. I felt every emotion, the heartbreak, the past trauma, the slow burn 🔥 urgh! I devoured it! It was so easy to be swept up into this world.. the author has done a fantastic job bringing the characters to life and her writing style was just perfection 👌 I actually became obsessed about 40% in and ignored life to finish... was so worth it!
Need me a shelf trophy! For sure! Add this one to the tbr!! So glad I came across this book.
Sera, our FMC, has an underwhelming life as a witch with very weak power and she is very clearly, not her mother's favourite child and from the start, I completely sympathised with the conflict this causes Sera. I loved Dominick, her best friend, he is just incredible ❤️ the support he provides Sera throughout this book was beautifully executed and his POV provides insight into deeper issues and corruption faced back home.
Sera, sent on a quest to save her sister from a demon lord with an unexpected past love interest was quite entertaining to follow! I was fully invested in the progression of this relationship and without giving too much away, I loved the twists!
Sera is also battling an unexplained and deadly power that weighs heavily on her, you feel the shame from the first page and honestly, watching Sera come into herself and her power was so satisfying! This really was a journey of self discovery and Vasso is the perfect shadow daddy to come along for the ride!
This dark romantasy had me reeled in. I felt every emotion, the heartbreak, the past trauma, the slow burn 🔥 urgh! I devoured it! It was so easy to be swept up into this world.. the author has done a fantastic job bringing the characters to life and her writing style was just perfection 👌 I actually became obsessed about 40% in and ignored life to finish... was so worth it!
Need me a shelf trophy! For sure! Add this one to the tbr!! So glad I came across this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book, and for a debut novel, G.V. Hext delivers an engaging and entertaining start to a new fantasy romance series.
The story follows Seraphina, a low powered witch born into a powerful magical family, where living on the sidelines is simply part of daily life. When things goes wrong and events escalate beyond Sera's control, she is pushed into a dangerous situation that forces her to confront both external threats and her own limitations.
With political tensions rising and alliances becoming increasingly fragile, Sera must navigate a world where trust is scarce, old relationships are complicated, and help, especially from unexpected places, comes with conditions attached. The balance between magical conflict, emotional growth, and slow burn romantic tension is well handled and keeps the story moving without giving everything away too quickly.
The magic system is unique, the cast is largely likeable and engaging, and the slow burn romance unfolds at a good pace. I also appreciated the supporting characters and side plots, which added depth and warmth to the story. One main character felt a little, beige for lack of a better word, but didn’t detract too much from the overall experience.
A few grammatical errors were noticeable at times, but they didn’t overshadow what is otherwise a strong, enjoyable read. Overall, this was a solid 4 🌟 experience and a promising debut that leaves me interested to see where the series goes next.
The story follows Seraphina, a low powered witch born into a powerful magical family, where living on the sidelines is simply part of daily life. When things goes wrong and events escalate beyond Sera's control, she is pushed into a dangerous situation that forces her to confront both external threats and her own limitations.
With political tensions rising and alliances becoming increasingly fragile, Sera must navigate a world where trust is scarce, old relationships are complicated, and help, especially from unexpected places, comes with conditions attached. The balance between magical conflict, emotional growth, and slow burn romantic tension is well handled and keeps the story moving without giving everything away too quickly.
The magic system is unique, the cast is largely likeable and engaging, and the slow burn romance unfolds at a good pace. I also appreciated the supporting characters and side plots, which added depth and warmth to the story. One main character felt a little, beige for lack of a better word, but didn’t detract too much from the overall experience.
A few grammatical errors were noticeable at times, but they didn’t overshadow what is otherwise a strong, enjoyable read. Overall, this was a solid 4 🌟 experience and a promising debut that leaves me interested to see where the series goes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this novel, and it swept me away.
From the very first chapter of The Vatra Witch, I was pulled into a rich, dangerous world where magic comes at a cost, loyalty is constantly tested, and love is anything but simple. At its heart, this story is about a witch who will burn the world down to save her sister—and honestly? I loved every second of watching her try.
This story has betrayal, bloodshed, and terrible consequences. Nothing feels easy or clean, tough choices had to be made, and that tension kept me glued to the page.
And then there are the two men who love Sera—each different, compelling, and deeply entwined in her fate. The romance is intense, layered, and deliciously complicated. No love interest feels like an afterthought; they’re fully realized characters with their own wounds, secrets, and loyalties. I couldn't decide who I wanted her to be with!
The world-building is immersive, packed with witches, demons, ancient magic, and dangerous bargains. The stakes were high, and just when I thought I knew who to trust, the story proved me wrong. The betrayals hurt—which is exactly what I want from a book.
This is a story about love in all its forms—romantic, familial, and sacrificial—set against a backdrop of chaos and magic. If you enjoy morally gray characters, high emotional stakes, supernatural intrigue, and romance that burns just as fiercely as the magic, this book deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.
From the very first chapter of The Vatra Witch, I was pulled into a rich, dangerous world where magic comes at a cost, loyalty is constantly tested, and love is anything but simple. At its heart, this story is about a witch who will burn the world down to save her sister—and honestly? I loved every second of watching her try.
This story has betrayal, bloodshed, and terrible consequences. Nothing feels easy or clean, tough choices had to be made, and that tension kept me glued to the page.
And then there are the two men who love Sera—each different, compelling, and deeply entwined in her fate. The romance is intense, layered, and deliciously complicated. No love interest feels like an afterthought; they’re fully realized characters with their own wounds, secrets, and loyalties. I couldn't decide who I wanted her to be with!
The world-building is immersive, packed with witches, demons, ancient magic, and dangerous bargains. The stakes were high, and just when I thought I knew who to trust, the story proved me wrong. The betrayals hurt—which is exactly what I want from a book.
This is a story about love in all its forms—romantic, familial, and sacrificial—set against a backdrop of chaos and magic. If you enjoy morally gray characters, high emotional stakes, supernatural intrigue, and romance that burns just as fiercely as the magic, this book deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me absolutely hooked—I could not put it down.
Seraphina Wildrick is a young witch desperate to earn her mother’s approval, especially as her sister prepares for a dangerous trial. When Sera’s hidden magic accidentally interferes, opening a doorway to the underworld and leading to her sister’s capture, guilt drives her to do whatever it takes to save her. Forced to complete a perilous quest first, Sera sets out with Alistair, the boy she’s loved for years, only to stumble into even greater danger—one that leads her to a witch’s tunnel, a demon lord named Vasso, and a bargain that binds her to a power unlike anything she’s ever known.
What stood out to me most was Sera’s emotional growth. As she travels, survives near-death encounters, and confronts the truth about her magic, she begins to understand herself in ways she never expected. The tension between duty, love, destiny, and war is constant, and Dominick’s quiet determination to stay connected to Sera adds another deeply touching layer. This story is packed with adventure, self-discovery, and stakes that feel personal and world-altering all at once.
If you love fantasy filled with quests, demon bargains, emotional tension, and characters discovering who they truly are, this one is absolutely worth your time.
Would you make a deal with a demon to save someone you love?
Seraphina Wildrick is a young witch desperate to earn her mother’s approval, especially as her sister prepares for a dangerous trial. When Sera’s hidden magic accidentally interferes, opening a doorway to the underworld and leading to her sister’s capture, guilt drives her to do whatever it takes to save her. Forced to complete a perilous quest first, Sera sets out with Alistair, the boy she’s loved for years, only to stumble into even greater danger—one that leads her to a witch’s tunnel, a demon lord named Vasso, and a bargain that binds her to a power unlike anything she’s ever known.
What stood out to me most was Sera’s emotional growth. As she travels, survives near-death encounters, and confronts the truth about her magic, she begins to understand herself in ways she never expected. The tension between duty, love, destiny, and war is constant, and Dominick’s quiet determination to stay connected to Sera adds another deeply touching layer. This story is packed with adventure, self-discovery, and stakes that feel personal and world-altering all at once.
If you love fantasy filled with quests, demon bargains, emotional tension, and characters discovering who they truly are, this one is absolutely worth your time.
Would you make a deal with a demon to save someone you love?
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