The Vespertine Treaty: Your next Gothic Fantasy obsession

by A.D. Wrae

She was the Heir of Life. He was the Architect of Death.

Ophelia Ashworth has only ever known decay. As the last heir of the once-illustrious Life-Touch lineage, her sole inheritance is a family name choked by shame and a magical core cursed by a spreading blight.

In the brutal, elegant world of Aeternia, where Life and Death magic must maintain an unstable cosmic Balance guarded by the Consortium, Ophelia is the most valuable kind of a beautiful sacrifice.
Her fate is sealed by the ancient Vespertine Treaty, a political decree designed not for love, but for survival. Her to marry the most dangerous male alive.

Cain Alistair, the Death Heir and the reigning master of the Void, is a creature of terrifying beauty and absolute control. He is encased in cold obsidian armour, haunted by his family's sins, and utterly devoid of human emotion. He rules his hollow kingdom with surgical precision, viewing Ophelia not as a bride, but as a crucial, fragile asset needed to stabilise his monstrous power and stop himself from descending into madness.

When Ophelia is wrenched from her crumbling home and dragged into the chilling opulence of Cain's estate, she faces an immediate, impossible surrender to the dark majesty of her captor, or defy the destiny the entire Consortium has orchestrated without thwarting the balance.

In a world where love is a political liability and kindness is a weakness to be exploited, Ophelia must fight a war of psychological survival. For Cain Alistair is more than just her enemy; he is a constant, lethal threat.
He sees her defiance, he craves her light, and he promises to break her down, piece by exquisite piece.
The greatest danger is not the coldness of his touch, but the terrifying truth that her own body is betraying her mind, finding a forbidden fire in his consuming darkness.

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.


💍 Arranged Marriage
🏰 Gothic Aesthetic
⛓️ Forced Proximity
🔥 Slow burn
⚔️ Enemies-to-Lovers
🖤 Possessive, Anti-Hero MMC
🎀 Feminine and brilliant FMC
🐦‍⬛ Familiars
🥀 Beauty and the Beast Vibes
🖤 Trauma representation

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Gods

516 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2026

About the author

I write stories fueled by that messy magic of being human-imperfect people, high-stakes angst, and swoon galore. Yes, there will be tears.

I’ve been crafting tales since childhood, back when riding horses soothed my soul and I escaped the loneliness of an only-child life through words. Writing was my exit ramp and my freeway all at once.

Now I’m a spicy millennial living in glorious sin with my partner of eleven years, doting on our cat Bilbo like the queen she is. One second, I’m fancy in a tea-sipping dress; the next, I’m booted up, ready to bolt off. I’m half girly-girl, half tomboy-switching between them faster than you can say "yeehaw".

I devour books like my life depends on it-my TBR is a black hole of temptation. Way more fun than my day job often feels like.

So here I am: a horse-loving, midnight-writing, coffee-slurping romantic, hell-bent on giving you big drama, big feels, and big love - because life’s too short for anything less than a heart-thumping story.

Reviews

[Anna B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

LE: Finally, finally read this book and it did not disappoint! I knew it would be amazing, based on what I saw online about it.

I am obsessed! Cain is my latest book boyfriend obsesh. So tortured, so sad, so utterly delish.

Loved the familiars, the banter, the dark themes and vibes.

Can’t wait for book 2!

💫✨💫✨💫✨💫✨💫✨

Obsessed with this book and it’s not even published!!!!

Have you seen its aesthetic?!?!?

You try telling me it’s not going to be the next NYT best seller! ❤️❤️❤️

5 stars from now, million more after I read it all 🙏✨

[boosbookrecs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down as soon as I started it!! The characters, the plot👏🏻👏🏻everyone has a favourite character and tho Ophelia and Cain are the main stars of the show, I couldn’t help but love Poppy, the snide comments had me chuckle 😂 you will see why if you ever decide to read this book, which I think you should!!! A true enemies to lovers story, something that you cannot resist🔥I already can’t wait for book 2 and to see what comes next!!

Thankyou to the author for allowing me to read this book early!!!

[Ana Crowne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait for this. The vibes are vibing so good.

[Linda Roach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely immaculate. I was floored with how much I loved reading this lush and dark gothic fantasy! I quite literally could not stop reading and what do you mean the words ended!!? All of the stars and this book has my new book husband, because Cain is my personal brand of trauma filled deliciousness wrapped in a dark and broody male 🔥

The vibes in this book are incredible. The opening paragraph is one of the best I have ever read and had me immediately hooked.
Some girls dream of a white dress. I spent the morning praying for a casket instead."

This world is filled with light and dark magic wielders and a Consortium to rule over them. Beautiful FMC Ophelia is cursed with being unable to access her Life Touch and instead relying on her Empathy magic. She lives in a rotting estate with her narcissistic mother. She is bonded to a fennec fox familiar named Poppy. Poppy is bright and positive, full of sarcastic snippets and the perfect bundle of fur to soothe Ophelia as she struggles with a life time of being cursed and having an abusive father and mother.

Painfully handsome Cain is the MMC known as The Prince of Death, wielding incredibly strong Death Touch and Pain Eater magic. Cain is bonded to a black panther familiar named Rhana. Rhana is vicious and thoroughly unimpressed with Ophelia and Poppy, and is determined to keep Cain focused on their political games and discourage him any interest in Ophelia and her burning curiosity and quiet fire.

Cain's obsessive possessiveness over Ophelia is immediate and when they are to be bonded, as per the Vespertine Treaty to keep the balance between light and dark, Cain delights in the thoughts of thoroughly breaking her.
"She is mine, Valerius. My possession. Mine to torment. When I take her, when I bind her, break her, and finally put an heir in her womb, you will remember this moment, and you will understand that her pain is now mine to inflict".
But Ophelia is not one to be broken. She is a dangerous thing, a woman with nothing left to lose and everything to fight for.

Most of the story takes place within the dark confines of Cain's estate that reminded me of misty moors, a dark oppressive castle with levels that are off limits, servants that seem to pop out of the shadows, an eerie emptiness with so many rooms untouched for decades and of course Friedrik the gargoyle standing watch on the roof.

The side characters in this story will have your whole heart. Friedrik is the sentient gargoyle who lives at Cain's estate and he is so sassy and funny and has the best dry sense of humour. I love how he immediately takes Ophelia under his wings and continues to needle Cain.
"Well, the deed is done. You've brought the poor girl into the gloom. Are you going to offer her tea, or just glare until she breaks? This is the moment for your grand tyrannical monologue, by the way."

The push and pull between Cain, whose own father broke him so thoroughly that he thinks himself incapable of ever having feelings of love for another, and Ophelia, who was so traumatised and poorly treated by her parents and yet believes herself worthy of love, is TO DIE FOR! Honestly the banter, his nickname for her "little ruin", and the way Cain is always moments away from giving in to the bond (which is like its own gravitational field) had me screaming!! This is a slow buuuuuurn and it was exceptional torture. There is a pay off finally at around 95%.
"Then save me, Ophelia. Let me drown in you. I want you to hurt. I want you to burn just like I burn for you."

The cliffhanger I did not see coming and it broke me!! This is the sort of ending that keeps replaying over and over in your head and you just want to fix everything for the characters! I absolutely and highly recommend this book and I am desperately awaiting book 2 in this duet, to sew my poor heart back together. If like me you love emotional trauma, a man who makes you hurt so good and a decadently gothic world, you will LOVE this book.

My thanks to Ada for the review copy and this is my honest opinion.

[meggthereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure how I am going to function properly after the ending of this book, if you can even call it a book. It’s more like a form of torture at this point. That ending alone had me on the edge of my seat with me having a death grip on my poor kindle. The plot alone had me so addicted but that ending? I knew it was coming but I just did not want to accept it.

This was a true enemies to lovers dark romance and I ate up every single sentence of this book. Whenever Ophelia and Cain were in a room together, it was like lightning striking. Their chemistry was just magnetic and their relationship was the epitome of “I crave to hate you, I hate to crave you.” They really did loathe each other to the point where I was wondering if they were going to kill each other, or just have a lot of hate sex. It was maddening. Their story was so raw and complex. They were two people who were both forged from pain and suffering at a young age. Ophelia is the Life Heir and only serves one purpose, to be an anchor to someone who despises her very existence. Cain is the price of death and was molded to become a weapon and the loved a weakness that must be extinguished.

The plot was so good and had me clutching my kindle because I needed to know what was going to happen next. Every chapter I was on the end shelf my seat because you never knew when the ball was going to drop or what would happen next. The writing was so haunting and poetic that I felt like I could drown in their story. The trauma and heartbreak that they both went through felt so real that I had to have my tissues nearby. Even though this was a dark romance, there were so many jabs and quick remarks from not only Ophelia, but the adorable Poppy who is her familiar, brought so much light and laughter to this book along with Friedrik who was an amazing and true friend when needed.

I cannot wait for book two, I am practically foaming at the mouth for it and will count down the days until book two is released. Please check your trigger warnings! This is a true dark romance and may have some themes unsettling to some.

*Thank you so much to the author, A.D. Wrae for the amazing opportunity to read the ARC!*


My absolute favorite quotes:

"Ophelia was a complication I needed. But she was also a mystery I couldn't resist. She was an anomaly in my orderly, soulless world, a splash of colour in a landscape of black and white."

"I would rather be destroyed by love than survive on your hatred!"

"I want you to hold me. Like you did in the carriage. Like you did in the bath. Like you do every time you think I am asleep."

"I am the match, Ophelia. And you are dry tinder. If I get too close... you don't get warm. You burn."
"I don't care if I burn!" I screamed at his back. "I would rather burn with you than freeze alone!"

[Sashelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW ✨

Firstly, I wanna say how proud I am of my bestie writing this book! 😍😍

It’s been a while since I dabbled in my fantasy worlds, so how lucky am I, to dive back in with Adas ARC!

The Vespertine Treaty was a gothic wonderland of pain, heartache, sorrow and growth.

My Death Prince. Daddy Cain. My lonely sad boy. Oh how my heart broke for him.
So broody and delicious, with those sharp cheekbones and permanent scowl.
His filthy mouth was equally as intoxicating 🥵
I’d do anything you asked of me oh broody master!
But deep beneath the broodiness was so much pain 💔 what a lonely and exhausting life, being the Death Heir. Having to consume the world’s pain and hear their screams. No wonder he was a jerk 🤣

Ophelia, the Life Heir, practically sold to Cain by her despicable mother. She had known little kindness in her life even before entering the prison Cain had created for her. However she found some kin between those stifling walls and I loved Silas and Friddi for it! Neither her or Cain wanted to acknowledge just how much they needed the other. She quieted his mind and he made her feel.

Their familiars were hilariously fiesty. Giving you some laughter and fun in between the dark.
And Friedrik! How I loved him! The big grumpy gargoyle who was actually a big softy. Fighting to save the boy he once knew and loved, who had been wielded into a monster he no longer recognised.

I swear though Ada, I better get more of that delicious spice next book please! Daddy was NOT playing! That naughty, kinky boy 🥵
And that cliffhanger!! I think you took a year off my life babe! My heart 😭😭😭

If you love your fantasy gothic, filled with tension, pain and yearning, then get ready for May 28th!

[Kha (kha.fantasyrealm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5★ The dark gothic vibe of this book was probably my favorite part. The story idea felt really different and interesting, and I was curious from the start. I also loved the main character, very emotionally messy, morally grey, and full of angst. And the gargoyle honestly reminded me of Bartholomew, which made me love it even more.

I’ll admit though, I got a little confused with the plot sometimes. I wasn’t always sure where the story was going, so I felt a bit lost while reading. The writing style is very lyrical and poetic, and you can tell it’s beautifully written. It just took me a little time to adjust to, since that style isn’t usually what I gravitate toward personally.

Still, I think this was a really interesting read overall. If you enjoy gothic fantasy, dark atmosphere, and complicated characters, you’d probably really enjoy this book.

Thank you to the author for this ARC.

[Camilla Blomgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a beautifully written book, almost like a melody woven into words. The relationship between Cain and Ophelia was absolutely captivating, and I loved that the story was told through dual POVs. The enemies-to-lovers tension was incredibly strong, especially combined with the forced proximity, and you could truly feel every emotion between them.

At times the language felt quite advanced for those of us who don’t have English as a first language, but the writing itself was stunning. I especially loved the atmospheric worldbuilding and the concept of familiars — animal companions that feel like extensions of each character’s personality.

The side characters were also so well developed and added so much heart to the story. I completely adored Frederick the gargoyle, Ophelia’s familiar Poppy, and Cain’s familiar Rhana.

[Aliterary_escape · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️✨


Hiiii it’s 12Am and I’m writing this review because what do you actually mean we end the book LIKE THAT!!! RUDEEEEEEE🫠
After we finally FINALLY HAVE some touching/spicy and progress after this true slowwwww burn!! 🔥🔥 I was sizzling for it by the time we crawled here!!! 🥵🙌🏼

Ahhhhhh!

But first

Let’s talk about Ada’s writing for a second because I am actually obsessed, like her prose is so freaking lush and atmospheric, it felt like I was sandwiched in their thick tension & yearning! 😂

The perfect yin/ yang pairing
We have Ophelia Ashworth - our Life Wielder the light to Cain’s darkness. The calm to his loud inner world! I found her empathy so beautiful given her upbringing and just the way she views the world. She has such a fierce quiet strength that others underestimate. Even when scared, she holds her ground!!!

And CAIN. 🥵 THE DEATH HEIR, The pain- eater aka pain in the a$$ broody king HAHHA trying to fight against his darkness and not lose himself or control. Mr kindness/ love is weakness! He is an absolute weapon of a man. I love the further we get we do see a traumatised broken boy underneath all that armour. The way Ophelia makes him feel….anything 🤣 & The I hate you but I’m obsessed with you vibes Ugh * dramaticly falls onto chaise lounge*
Once you learn about their pasts, and find out more it really ties everything together with how beautiful this pairing is!!!

We’ve got two tortured souls tied together in a treaty to create balance/harmony in the world. But will it?!?

I just want to hug and walk them into therapy so they can just love one another already!!

The side character were an absolute delight.
I laughed so hard at poppy and friedrik the sassy bbs. The snark and wit.
And Rhana being all murdery at every opportunity 🤣🤣

If you love gothic vibes enemies to lovers and arranged marriage this one is for you!

[Hebah Jamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vespertine Traety( ARC); Book Review 4🌟

“The monster isn’t the one sleeping in this bed. The monster is the memory that sleeps between us.” 🥺

I wanted to thank @adawraeauthor again for this gifted ARC that I couldn’t put down not until I consumed it! I truly enjoyed Cain and Ophelia’s story; their devastating painful love kept me on the edge of my nerves the whole time. The yearning and tension their relationship evokes is what kept me going. Can’t wait to figure out how this utterly painful love story will conclude 🥺💔

The world-building was captivating! As a lover of gothic settings, I found the elements were done well! The combination of life and death thrilled my senses while reading. I like the idea of the familiars and how they are bonded to the essence of each character! I LOVED it 🤭

Lastly: this is just the first book of a coming duet and truly I can’t wait to see how all of this fascinating plotline will meet its end! The book is coming out on 28th May and it won’t disappoint to pick it up ❤️🥺🏹✨

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like stepping into a gothic fever dream, so dark, aching, and hauntingly beautiful. It’s been a minute since I’ve read something that made me want to slow down and sit with the words, but this one had me in a chokehold. The writing is so lyrical and poetic it almost demands your full attention. You don’t just read this story, you absorb it. Let’s talk about the MMC Cain… I’m unwell. This man is pure villain energy-broody, broken, morally gray perfection. Giving Beast from Beauty and the Beast vibes with that tortured, isolated soul, but layered with that dangerous shadowy edge that reminds me of Slade from Plated Prisoner. He’s sharp and cruel, but underneath all of that, there is just pain. So much pain. The kind that seeps into everything he is. And honestly… it makes you understand him in ways you probably shouldn’t. Being the Prince of Death isn’t just a title, it’s a burden, and you feel every ounce of it. And the FMC Ophelia? She shattered me in a completely different way. Soft but resilient, gentle but not weak. She’s been given so little in life, yet still chooses compassion in a world that doesn’t deserve it. Watching her navigate her abusive life at home, losing all she loves as she’s given as the ultimate sacrifice, this arranged marriage, this life tied to death dynamic… she is resilient in ways she should not have to be. Their connection is everything I love with that excruciating slow burn tension and reluctance so emotionally charged it feels like it might break at any moment. They don’t want to crave each other… but they do. She quiets the chaos in him. He makes her feel everything she’s been denied. The world itself is rich with dark magic, life and death intertwined, corruption bleeding through everything, secrets buried in forbidden places. (Like a forbidden library). Add in familiars with actual personality, a grumpy yet soft gargoyle I would die for, and just enough moments of humor to balance the heaviness…the side characters have some of the best lines in the book! But let’s talk about that last 25%…because WHAT WAS THAT.
Emotionally devastating. Beautiful and brutal all at the same time. I could’ve highlighted half the book, but that final stretch? I didn’t stand a chance. This is not a light gothic romantasy. The love is not sweet, but the payoff is earned in all of its dark consumption. It’s tragic, heavy, and full of ache…but if you love stories that make you feel everything, with poetic prose and characters that linger in your bones…this one is going to own you. I’m already desperate for the next book. I was given an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alyssa Kunz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My TOP FAVORITE QUOTE:

"Don't lose your composure, Ophelia. They are watching. But let me take your pain. Let me drown in your submission. My ruination."

The Vespertine Treaty will be your next gothic fantasy obsession. This honestly was a masterpiece. The slow burn is slow but so intense. I loved the yearning in this book… gosh it was magnificent 🤌 yearning is my favorite trope and Ada did it tremendously. The familiars in here too add that little humor to the story… Poppy is just so lovable and her snide comments are hilarious. Like now I want a Poppy in my life. Another thing I loved was how you can feel the tension between Ophelia and Cain, it will have you emotionally invested. With Ophelia and Cain, be prepared to cry because the trauma and pain they both go through like ughhh it had me tugging at my heart strings🥺🥺💔 the bath scene will forever live rent free in my mind, Cain was so soft and vulnerable in the moment. I honestly read that chapter again

And that cliffhanger…Like WHAT DO YOU MEAN??!!!!!!!

5 ⭐️
1 🌶️

More favorite quotes:

“Ophelia was a complication I needed. But she was also a mystery I couldn't resist. She was an anomaly in my orderly, soulless world, a splash of colour in a landscape of black and white.”

"Hide your face, Ophelia," he commanded, his voice dropping to a rough whisper against my wet skin. "Do not give them the satisfaction of your collapse. If you must break, you do it behind my walls, where only I can taste the salt and consume your pain.”

“I would rather be destroyed by love than survive on your hatred!”

"I want you to hold me. Like you did in the carriage. Like you did in the bath. Like you do every time you think I am asleep.”

"I am the match, Ophelia. And you are dry tinder. If I get too close... you don't get warm. You burn."
"I don't care if I burn!" I screamed at his back. "I would rather burn with you than freeze alone!"

"You wanted to help? You wanted to save me? Then save me, Ophelia. Let me drown in you. I want you to hurt. I want you to burn just like I burn for you."

[Alexandra Vlaming · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Vespertine Treaty is a lush, dark, slow burn and it ate me alive. The writing is beautiful, lyrical, and captivating, and I can’t wait for more. The story slowly ramps up to a full speed final third, but those first two thirds of the story really set the stage and build the characters for a very satisfying conclusion.

The ache and pain is clearly felt for both lead characters, but so is the inescapable attraction between them, I loved this take on gothic fantasy romance. The use of familiars is really clever, and the magic systems unique, really well done. Immense thank you to the author for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Tori (EighthHouseBooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! The world building and atmosphere was incredible. I also really appreciated how grumpy (with reason) our MMC was. Idk what that says about me 🤣 but I loved it. Great for fans of:
Forced Proximity
Gothic Vibes/Atmosphere
Madness/Ill-Fated MCs
Sassy Familiars

[Rebecca ~ readinginNZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I was these flowers: flawed, partially consumed by the darkness that had haunted my lineage, yet still clinging to the desperate hope of light.”

✨ Arranged marriage
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Slow burn
✨ Animal familiars

This is a dark, character-driven fantasy with a really strong premise built around life and death magic, political pressure, and survival in a tightly controlled world.

There’s a clear gothic atmosphere running through it that sets the tone really well without ever feeling overdone or distracting.

The pacing in the first half is definitely on the slower side. It spends a lot of time setting things up, so I didn’t feel fully pulled in straight away, but it does pick up later on and the second half lands with a lot more tension and momentum.

“Her magic was not a storm, but a quiet, insidious presence, a delicate tendril of emotion that had found its way past the immense, solidified walls of consumed pain I maintained.”

Ophelia was honestly a standout for me. She’s been through a lot, but she’s still very grounded and compassionate, which makes her really easy to root for. She doesn’t feel overly hardened, just realistically shaped by what she’s survived.

“He is an enemy using seduction as a weapon, and you must treat it like a battlefield injury.”

Cain is very much that cold, controlled MMC type, and the dynamic between them is all restraint and tension for a long time. It’s proper slow burn enemies to lovers where nothing is rushed and everything is built on resistance and pressure rather than softness.

“But I am a monster who is now bound to you. And I am a monster who is trying to find a way to quiet the storm. And you, Ophelia, are the only thing that seems to work.”

The supporting characters also add a nice bit of balance to the story. There’s humour and personality sprinkled in that helps break up the heavier moments without taking away from the tone.

“You are my ruin, Ophelia…You are the thing that unmade me. Before you, I was absolute. Now I am just a male terrified that the water is too hot for his wife’s skin.”

Overall, this leans into slow, emotional fantasy with strong character focus, a heavy build-up romance, and a world that prioritises tension and atmosphere over constant action.

Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Ada for trusting me with an ARC!!

Well. First off that cliffhanger will be leaving me in a slump for weeks. I HAVE BEEN TORTURED AND DANG IT I LOVED EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT.

Listen we all know I love a grumpy man. A straight a** hole is my favorite. Cain.. my little trauma emo boy. The Death Prince himself. I love you. But also hate you a little. He was EVERYTHING.

Ophelia our FMC is fierce but in a quiet way. She is shaped by violence and mistreatment. The first two sentences in her first chapter was the hook for me.
“Some girls dream of a white dress. I spent the morning praying for a casket instead.”

The familiars, side characters and settings were brilliant. I could not get enough of the different personalities and characters. The unlikely friendships were great.

This is an agonizing slow burn. But gods it was so worth it. Masterpiece, hands down. This is a dark romance. The trauma and pain these two have are explosive. I need book 2 immediately please and thank you!!!!

[Claribel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Screaming because who know how long I’ll have to wait til book 2!

Ophelia’s journey was hauntingly beautiful. It was raw and painful and all that more powerful. We follow her as she is forced to marry the evil scary no good (but devastatingly handsome) Cain. Ophelia is not knew to pain and suffering and trauma so she goes into this knowing that it might just be a continuation of this. What she finds is maybe not exactly that at the core of it all.

Cain -Mr Dark and broody- who is only out to serve himself (sure we believe him) is treating this as transactional. They both view this as an obligation to keep the balance between life and death.

What they find in each other surprises them and slowly they grow to care for each other.

The writing in this book was absolutely amazing. I had chills while reading the book and the way things were worded just made me never want to leave their world. The way silence and darkness were described as well as light and healing was just perfect. This was so poetic!

I think this book also did an excellent job of showing that even when two people grow to care for each and love each other it isn’t clean or painless. People who’ve been hurt hurt others unintentionally and there’s work to be done there. But healing does happen.

I adored all the familiars and side characters. They brought the banter and didn’t let up. I especially loved our resident gargoyle Friedrick who made sure Cain never had a moment of peace.

I cannot recommend this book enough!

[Tiffany’s Tomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to author A.D Wrae for allowing me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Vespertine Treaty, available May 2026.

“Careful, Wife. Warmth is merely a comfort. The cold is a sensation. And Judging by the way you’re trembling, you are beginning to realize that death penetrates far deeper than life ever could.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️/5

Characters & Development: Ophelia has great character development. Blossoming from someone who accepts her fate into someone determined to change it. By the end of the book she is a woman who knows what she wants and is determined to get it. Cain will be your new favorite book boyfriend, dark and broody, he’s drawn to Ophelia but constantly pulling away thinking she will be his ruin. He’s dark and possessive but coming apart at the seems as he sinks into madness caused by his powers.

Plot Progression & Pacing: This is definitely a character driven plot not only in the way the characters develop off each other but also in the way that the entire story centers from them needing each other to survive. It was fast paced, easy to read and continued moving forward. Not one unnecessary side mission in sight! Everything the characters did played into the plot seamlessly.

World Building / Setting: This is a lush, magical, gothic fantasy. The author creates a dark, isolating world while maintaining a whimsical element with familiars and talking gargoyles.

The way this gripped me by the throat and pulled me out of the dump I was slipping into!
And what a cliffhanger to end on! I am hoping we get to see more of Cain’s decent into madness, I think it would add another layer of darkness for readers to be able to see just how consuming his power is. I cannot wait to see where this story takes us.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Some girls dream of a white dress. I spent the morning praying for a casket instead.”

The lyrical and emotionally descriptive prose in this book pulled me in and kept me in the story from the very beginning.

Coupled with Ophelia’s strength and add in Cain’s red flag behavior and I’m 100% sold on this gothic romance.

The animal familiars added some much needed humor in such emotionally fraught moments. I also might want my own gargoyle now. It’s also like Ada knew my favorite micro trope is “my wife” because she gave me so many of those wonderful moments throughout this entire read.

This is an arc review. All opinions are my own.

[Coffeebooklibrary Rhea Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books ate me WHOLE !

ARC| first of all the writing is FLAWLESS ! But what really kept me invested was the physiological warfare between the main characters mixed with political intrigue.

The dynamic between Cain & Ophelia is a true enemies to lovers trope. With just the right amount of sunshine and rainbows in the mist of all the trauma. THE SILENCE IS LOUD 😮‍💨.

I’m taking this book personal because not being able to immediately read book 2 is a special kind of torture

Phenomenal.

[Angela Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild ride of darkness and emotion. A true enemies to lovers. Ophelia’s empathy is something to deal with Cain’s darkness. And poor Caspian! The ending left me shook and dying to know how it plays out. I dislike Cain’s father and Ophelia’s mother deeply. If you enjoy tension, deception, a very slow burn and a crazy cliffhanger then I highly recommend this book. Also, Poppy is my favorite and I feel like she should be made into a stuffy because I would totally buy that! 🤭 I received an early readers copy of this book for my honest review. Thank you A.D. Wrae for the opportunity!

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so beautiful, engaging, and emotionally devastating, it gave me mixed feelings. On the one hand, I couldn’t read fast enough to see where the story was going. On the other, I didn’t want to read too quickly because I didn’t want the story to end. I can’t wait to sign up for the ARC of book two in this series!

A. D. Wrae has a beautiful writing style that fits this book perfectly. It’s verbose, very descriptive, and paints details meticulously, helping you settle into her world and characters.

The Vespertine Treaty is a story about two people who are forced into a marriage of convenience: one the Heir of Death magic, the other the Heir of Life magic. Total opposites who can’t stand each other, yet need one another to maintain balance, and to ensure Cain, the Death Heir, can keep his sanity. What follows is a push-and-pull dynamic filled with denial of their feelings, witty banter, and navigating a political battlefield neither of them truly wants to be part of. The slow burn and mental health representation are beautifully woven into the story and will bring you to tears.

The FMC, Ophelia Ashworth, the last heir of the Life-Touch lineage, has lived a difficult life. Because of a blight, her family is continuously shamed, and she can’t use her own life-touch magic. She accepts her marriage to the deadliest man alive to please the Consortium and to escape her power-lusted mother.

Then there’s Cain Alistair, Heir of Death, wielding Death-touch magic. The most dangerous man in existence, he is slowly descending into madness because of what he does. He is the master of the Void. A stunning yet terrifying figure who shows no human emotion and maintains absolute control at all times. Marrying Ophelia starts as a political move, but he soon (reluctantly) realizes he needs her if he wants to keep his sanity. This ray of sunshine intrigues him, and becomes someone he can never let go.

Apart from the thorough character building, the worldbuilding is phenomenal. You find yourself in a magical world with a gothic setting: dark castles, obsidian armor, family feuds, gargoyles, animal familiars, and some of the most delicious banter imaginable.

Like I said before: be prepared to be emotionally devastated. By the end of this book, you’ll be screaming. Wondering what will happen next and yearning for more.

[Lucy Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

He has a death touch, she is a light welder & an empath what could go wrong! They’re forced into a marriage and genuinely hate each other for 80% of the book!!!
I ate this up, the dark, moody & atmospheric vibes was what I needed! The decaying world building was intriguing and unique I also love a world with familiars as well!! Some parts I wish lasted longer, like the build up to Ophelia being taken it could have lasted longer to really understand the multitude of emotions that Cain experiences! But would highly recommend this book when it comes out later this month 👀 trust me the pay out is worth it for the slowww burn 🔥

[Read.Recap.Repeat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Vespertine Treaty by A. D. Wrae is a dark, emotionally intense fantasy romance set in a world on the brink of ruin, following a fate-bound pairing between a life wielder and a death wielder destined to restore balance… or destroy each other.

This story is packed with tension, angst, and a powerful push-and-pull dynamic. The chemistry is undeniable, and the characters are morally complex, beautifully highlighting the contrast between life and death, as well as empathy and pain.

If you love dark gothic fantasy romance with enemies to lovers vibes, a stubborn MMC, and a resilient FMC who never gives up, this is definitely worth the read! 📖✨

[MJ | fortheloveofbooks01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I was given an advanced copy of this book from the author, and all thoughts/opinions are my own and voluntarily provided)

“We were two sides of a coin, forever entwined—the monster and his ghost, a living Void and a raw wound.”

I'm left completely speechless after reading this book. This is a deep, dark, haunting story about being unmade and remade by love itself. This book is a beautiful, lyrical, heart-wrenching emotional rollercoaster that hits you with all the feels and leaves you wanting more.

Ophelia and Cain embody the concept of yin and yang. Ophelia is full of light and life in both personality and magical ability; Cain is the picture of dark and depraved, with death magic that leaves him with a bottomless hunger for other people's pain. What starts as enemies strategically forced into a politically driven arranged marriage turns into an intense, emotional experience that reflects the way love can bloom in the most hopeless of situations. The journey these characters take is incredibly difficult, and delves into the deepest, most unexplored trenches of human emotion and morality.

For me, this story felt like poetry dedicated to those who feel broken and crawled through their worst nightmares in order to heal. This book includes strong themes of redemption, healing from generational trauma, perseverance after emotional abuse, and accepting vulnerability, love, and partnership in order to heal. I highly recommend going into this book with limited specifics in order to have the full experience with these characters. The emotional damage is worth it, I promise. 😉

Thank you for sharing an ARC with me, A.D.! I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to continue reading this series. ❤️

[Alaina (Manon Blackbeak’s Version)✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW 🖤
Happiest release day to A. D. Wrae ! She wrote a phenomenal book and I can’t wait to see what she has for us next 🫶🏻

The Vespertine Treaty is a wonderland of pain, heartache, sorrow and growth. If you love your fantasy gothic, filled with tension, pain and yearning, run for it because IT’S OUT ✨

𝑨 𝒇𝒆𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 🖤
🏰 The gothic atmosphere is a main character. It’s perfectly oppressive and gloomy and you FEEL it through the pages
⚖️ The worldbuilding and lore were interesting and I need to see more of it !
🤫 It’s full on political intrigues and scheming. Everyone has its own agenda and ambitions.
✨ Ophelia is an incredibly resilient FMC. She never lost her goodness despite the awful family cards she was dealt
🖤 Cain is the big bad anti-hero whose only language has become pain. But he’s got a growing weakness for a fierce redhead
🐾 The familiars were hilariously fiesty. Giving you some laughter and fun in between the dark.
🗿Friedrik is the bestest gargoyle EVER. How I loved his grumpy yet softie persona ! Fighting to save the boy he once knew and loved, who had been wielded into a monster he no longer recognised. He’s just loyal and caring that way !
🔥 Once the spice ignited, it was spiciiiiiing ! Daddy Cain is a naughty, kinky boy and i need moooooooore of him
🫠 The ending was painful. It hurt. But it hurt so damn good.

[Amira (a.muses_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!! @adawraeauthor 💐

Absolutely obsessed with this book! It's sooooo goooood!! 👌

Its dark aesthetic paired with its amazing artworks *chef's kiss* and then the flow of the story... it was so poetic and achingly haunting.

This was written so beautifully with a pacing that's immediately engaging and with main characters that're so loveable. The familiars were bonded strongly and the sassiness, the snide and funny comments just gets me giggling everytime. The side characters also added more charm to the narrative especially the gargoyle, I adore him so much!! Eeeek, the whole storyline was deliciously captivating for me.

I definitely enjoyeeeed this so much, I wish Book 2's here already, I cannot wait for it to be ready!! Aaaa, if you are into dark gothic fantasy, you will love this! Highly recommended!! ✨️

Thanks to our beloved @adawraeauthor for this e-copy!! This is now available to purchase and I'm so excited for all of you to read this gem so, what are you waiting for?! Go get your copies now! 🫶

[Mattie Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually 6⭐️!!! What. The actual. Hellllllllllllll....!!!! I am SO MAD right now. Mad, a little nauseous, and completely and utterly DEVASTATED. I was not prepared for the slow burn to emotionally destroy me. And I mean, destroy in the complete and literal sense. I actually had to contain my rage. Don't get me wrong, I loved every single second of this book. From the familiars, to Friedrick, to the relentless enemies to lovers slow burn, I devoured every word. And those words were devastatingly beautiful. Poetic and smooth, I was ensnared by them. Cain was the perfect picture of a near morally black MMC, until the signs started to show of him softening. The armor on the cover gives Sauron and I am weakkkk for that. His approach to captivity gave a darker and more relentless version of Beauty and the Beast. Ophelia was a figure of trauma and rage, and her unending refusal to back down from him, even when she wanted to crumble was insanely well done. I need the next book RIGHT. NOW.

[Book Witch Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gothic romance might just be one of my new favorite genres to read. The atmosphere is so vividly written, and the emotional connection to the characters feels incredibly immersive. The cold, haunting presence of the Alistair house slowly softening under Ophelia’s warmth was beautifully done.

Ophelia is a Life heir, and Cain is the Prince of Death, their arranged marriage is meant to restore the fragile balance. She is to anchor in in the Void before madness sets in.

As their lives become more intertwined, the emotional tension and pain between them becomes impossible to ignore. Ophelia’s presence slowly seeps into every corner of the Alistair household.

I love when familiars and side characters are written with just as much care as the main characters. Poppy, Ophelia’s familiar, and Friedrick, the sassy stone gargoyle, had some of my favorite moments. “His Royal Assface is waiting.”

The story itself was captivating and deeply emotional to the point that I absolutely LOATHED Ophelia’s mother. No spoilers, but the ending devastated me. I actually said out loud, “NO!”

If you love dark, character-driven fantasy with rich atmosphere, snarky familiars, and aching emotion, this is absolutely one to add to your list.

Tropes:
🖤 Arranged Marriage
🩵 Fierce FMC
🖤 Slow Burn
🩵 Familiars
🖤 Gothic Aesthetic

#arcreader #darkromantasy #indieauthor #bookreview #bookstagram

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I long for you in a way no male should ever long for anything other than power”

Where do I even start with this book?! This was perhaps the ARC that I had the highest hopes and most expectations for, largely because it literally is my favourite type of book - it’s a dark and gothic romantasy with enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, forced proximity with a broody, broken and misunderstood MMC and a fiery, yet soft FMC with untapped magical potential. And it absolutely delivered on these fronts and beyond.

Cain, the Death Heir and Pain-Eater, and Ophelia, the Life Heir, are to enter into The Vespertine Treaty, a treaty that has been around for thousands of years to ensure the cosmic balance between death and life magic. Ophelia is a stabiliser to Cain’s darkness and Void. Unsurprisingly, Cain and Ophelia need to remain close for this to happen, but Cain keeps her at arm’s length, unable to accept help from others. However, what happens when Cain finally succumbs to the void and the darkness? You’ll just have to find out!

Our villain, anti-hero MMC might come off as an asshole, but really he is just a broken boy inside who deserves all the love that Ophelia is willing (or the right word here is unwilling) to give him - he just doesn’t know any other way beyond the darkness, the pain and the void. If you like possessive, down-bad MMCs who would burn the world down for her (but don’t tell him I said it because he’ll probably deny it), Cain Alistair is the man for you. I’m pretty sure out of 147 highlights, 140 of them were Cain's quotes.

Ophelia might seem the opposite to Cain but she too has a darkness inside that matches Cain’s. Perhaps not quite literally his death magic and the void, but one that is borne out of both their parents’ greed and cruelty. Yet, she still lets her Life-Touch guide her in hopes that it’ll help save Cain too.

The plot, which is very much connected to the magic system based on the life-death balance, was absolutely captivating because there was always an underlying tension between the characters, not only in relation to the romance, but also in their proximity. It is very much focused on providing the balance necessary to save the world from annihilation. But certainly, this tension extends to the romance and is amplified by it. It feeds into the yearning, possessiveness and tension between Cain and Ophelia to the point where you’re like “FCK ALREADY PLEASE.” And let me tell you, this is one of the most slow slow burns I have ever read but it’s not disappointing one bit - I wouldn’t have it any other way because it adds to the stakes of the story. Just know that we’ve barely scratched the surface of this romance. The book is also so well-complemented by loveable characters, including Ophelia’s fox familiar, Poppy and Cain’s panther familiar, Rhana but especially our resident gargoyle Friedrik - he is an absolute cutie. I need to protect them at all costs!

It is so, so evident that Ada poured her heart and soul into this book, which is why it’s so good. There is so much raw emotion, and the way that it’s written is so lyrical and beautiful. I was in awe for pretty much the whole book. The writing is really so evocative and the way that the gothic atmosphere is written makes everything feel so alive and immersive.

So, well done to Ada! Absolutely beautiful and devastating story, my friend. Thank you for including me in your ARC and Street Team in exchange for an honest review ✨💖 I cannot wait to see what the rest of Ophelia and Cain’s story has in store for us.

"Do not bring your candles here, Ophelia…Even the light is afraid of what I have become. And if you try to shine it on me again... I will snuff you out just to get the darkness back."

"You keep stealing my breath…Every time you enter a room, you steal it. Do you know how suffocating your presence is? Do you know how my blood fevers?”

“You deserve flower fields bathed in the summer sunlight,” he whispered, the memory of our differences hanging heavy in the air. “You deserve life. You deserve to breathe without the weight of a thousand years of sorrow pressing on your chest. And all I can give you... all I have ever been able to give you... is the coldness of the night”…“You deserve to feel only love, and warmth, and…” His voice broke, a jagged shard of humanity cutting through the monster. “You deserve to never know the feeling of being broken.”