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Butterfly: Vampire Guild Chronicles
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jan 26Butterfly: Vampire Guild Chronicles is a Spicy Urban Fantasy set in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Butterfly thought she knew what she was getting into when she agrees to let her boyfriend turn her into a vampire. She was wrong.
Although no longer having her period, not needing to wear a bra, and teaming up with her new best friend to kill animal abusers are some of the perks of being a vampire, having your mind ripped into by your sire...not so much.
There was more to the sire bond than Brigham let on.
Butterfly is running out of time before the new moon when her transition will be complete, and she needs answers. She finds a man from Brigham's past that is willing to give her the answers she needs-but at what cost?
Will Butterfly ever get her happy ending?
TROPES:
Dark Secrets
Sexy Zaddy Vampire
Abduction
Fear of Commitment
Magical Powers
Butterfly thought she knew what she was getting into when she agrees to let her boyfriend turn her into a vampire. She was wrong.
Although no longer having her period, not needing to wear a bra, and teaming up with her new best friend to kill animal abusers are some of the perks of being a vampire, having your mind ripped into by your sire...not so much.
There was more to the sire bond than Brigham let on.
Butterfly is running out of time before the new moon when her transition will be complete, and she needs answers. She finds a man from Brigham's past that is willing to give her the answers she needs-but at what cost?
Will Butterfly ever get her happy ending?
TROPES:
Dark Secrets
Sexy Zaddy Vampire
Abduction
Fear of Commitment
Magical Powers
365 pages, ebook
Expected publication January 30, 2026
2138 people want to read
About the author
Katie Gabbert Downey
2 books16 followersKatie Gabbert Downey is a Minnesota born midwestern multigenre author.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy
I really wanted to enjoy Butterfly: Vampire Guild Chronicles, because I love vampires stories! The concept has some cool ingredients: a modern world, with a “Vampire Guild” and a wide range of supernatural abilities (glamour/hypnosis, mind-reading, healing, and more).
The plot. A human woman is turned into a vampire and spends a lot of time asking questions, but most people avoid giving her clear answers. The conflict doesn’t fully take shape until late in the book, when a villain finally appears, and it is someone who wants to torture her because of old bad blood with her sire. Overall, it’s a damsel-in-distress storyline. Sire comes to save her from old enemy.
That said, this book didn’t work for me.
The main character asks an overwhelming, and I mean an overwhelming amount of questions, and the same topics and beats get repeated again. Because it’s written in first person, there’s a lot of internal narration and dialogue to help you follow the story.
The dialogue and character behavior often felt unrealistic. Characters (even villains) conveniently answer questions and confess secrets far too easily, and there were moments where the main character’s reactions didn’t feel believable—like being kidnapped and mostly wanting to talk or meeting a villain and asking about his eye color first.
The romance also felt very rushed and repetitive (neck kissing in nearly every scene), and swung abruptly from dramatic to calm, which made scenes feel inconsistent. Some of the intimate scenes were enjoyable to imagine, even if that was the main standout for me.
Events didn’t always seem to have believable consequences. For example, drained bodies are left in dumpsters or behind trees, yet the human world doesn’t seem to respond in a realistic way—there’s little investigation or public pressure, of why there are so many drained human bodies?
Later, new powers show up suddenly (lightning/storm control) leaving you wonder how many powers these vampires have?
The villain dies super easily, so there are no real dramatics there.
Overall, there are interesting ideas here, but the execution made it a tough read for me.
The plot. A human woman is turned into a vampire and spends a lot of time asking questions, but most people avoid giving her clear answers. The conflict doesn’t fully take shape until late in the book, when a villain finally appears, and it is someone who wants to torture her because of old bad blood with her sire. Overall, it’s a damsel-in-distress storyline. Sire comes to save her from old enemy.
That said, this book didn’t work for me.
The main character asks an overwhelming, and I mean an overwhelming amount of questions, and the same topics and beats get repeated again. Because it’s written in first person, there’s a lot of internal narration and dialogue to help you follow the story.
The dialogue and character behavior often felt unrealistic. Characters (even villains) conveniently answer questions and confess secrets far too easily, and there were moments where the main character’s reactions didn’t feel believable—like being kidnapped and mostly wanting to talk or meeting a villain and asking about his eye color first.
The romance also felt very rushed and repetitive (neck kissing in nearly every scene), and swung abruptly from dramatic to calm, which made scenes feel inconsistent. Some of the intimate scenes were enjoyable to imagine, even if that was the main standout for me.
Events didn’t always seem to have believable consequences. For example, drained bodies are left in dumpsters or behind trees, yet the human world doesn’t seem to respond in a realistic way—there’s little investigation or public pressure, of why there are so many drained human bodies?
Later, new powers show up suddenly (lightning/storm control) leaving you wonder how many powers these vampires have?
The villain dies super easily, so there are no real dramatics there.
Overall, there are interesting ideas here, but the execution made it a tough read for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a fresh and intriguing layer to the romantic fantasy genre. The novel immerses readers into a world where vampires navigate the complexities of guild politics, forbidden romance, and personal transformation. The world-building is imaginative and immersive, with each scene rich in detail and atmosphere, pulling readers deep into the heart of the Vampire Guild.
The FMC stands out for her unique blend of strength and vulnerability, making her journey both compelling and relatable. As she faces daunting challenges and difficult choices, readers witness her growth and resilience, echoing the emotional depth found in the best fantasy romances. The plot is skillfully paced, balancing suspenseful moments with heartfelt connections and romance that feels genuine and powerful.
Romantic tension and dramatic intrigue are woven seamlessly throughout the narrative, ensuring readers remain invested from start to finish. Downey’s writing style captures both the danger and allure of her world, blending magical intrigue with authentic character development. Fans of stories combining drama, romance, and supernatural elements will find Butterfly: Vampire Guild Chronicles a standout, highly recommended for anyone seeking an emotionally rich and enchanting adventure.
The FMC stands out for her unique blend of strength and vulnerability, making her journey both compelling and relatable. As she faces daunting challenges and difficult choices, readers witness her growth and resilience, echoing the emotional depth found in the best fantasy romances. The plot is skillfully paced, balancing suspenseful moments with heartfelt connections and romance that feels genuine and powerful.
Romantic tension and dramatic intrigue are woven seamlessly throughout the narrative, ensuring readers remain invested from start to finish. Downey’s writing style captures both the danger and allure of her world, blending magical intrigue with authentic character development. Fans of stories combining drama, romance, and supernatural elements will find Butterfly: Vampire Guild Chronicles a standout, highly recommended for anyone seeking an emotionally rich and enchanting adventure.
Review of advance copy
Butterfly plunges readers into a shadowed world of vampire politics, forbidden desire, and dangerous loyalties. Katie Gabbert Downey crafts a darkly alluring tale where every secret whispered in the night carries power — and peril.
At its center is a heroine navigating a deadly vampire guild, where trust is rare and enemies wear familiar faces. Her journey is tense, dangerous, and intoxicating, as she balances survival, ambition, and a romance charged with dark longing. The vampire love interest is brooding, magnetic, and thrillingly unpredictable, creating a connection that simmers with desire and danger.
Downey’s worldbuilding is gothic and immersive. From candlelit halls to secretive guild politics, the atmosphere is both elegant and menacing, keeping readers on edge while they fall deeper into intrigue and obsession. The story balances action, romance, and tension, delivering a narrative that is dark, sensual, and compelling.
At its center is a heroine navigating a deadly vampire guild, where trust is rare and enemies wear familiar faces. Her journey is tense, dangerous, and intoxicating, as she balances survival, ambition, and a romance charged with dark longing. The vampire love interest is brooding, magnetic, and thrillingly unpredictable, creating a connection that simmers with desire and danger.
Downey’s worldbuilding is gothic and immersive. From candlelit halls to secretive guild politics, the atmosphere is both elegant and menacing, keeping readers on edge while they fall deeper into intrigue and obsession. The story balances action, romance, and tension, delivering a narrative that is dark, sensual, and compelling.
Want to read
January 5, 2026This upcoming urban fantasy has a bold voice and a refreshing edge. Butterfly: Vampire Guild Chronicles puts a sharp spin on vampire lore, blending dark tension, humor, and heat in a way that feels modern and unapologetic. Butterfly is a compelling heroine whose transformation comes with real consequences, and the twist on the sire bond adds emotional depth and urgency to her journey. Set in Minneapolis, the story balances gritty danger with moments of wit and empowerment, making it easy to get invested in what happens next. Fans of spicy urban fantasy with strong characters and high stakes will definitely want this on their radar.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love a good vampire story. This was unlike any vampire story I have ever read. I love the banter between our main characters Butterfly and Brigham. It is fun to watch how their relationship develops. The friendship between Butterfly and Anton was nice to read and see how that developed. This was a refreshing vampire, urban fantasy read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. This was a wonderful start to a series! The writing wasn't info-dumpy; we learn about the world as the main character, Butterfly, does. I liked the secondary characters as much as I liked Butterfly. Very well-written!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The overall story was ok, I would have liked to have some things explained a little better. The were some parts that either happened to quickly, were repetitive, and some that just fell of the mark. This could have been a really excellent book if it was executed better.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved it! Great storytelling! I couldn't put it down!
Review of advance copy
Loved this starting to like vampire books highly recommended love the story between the characters and how one changes for the other and they stuck together no matter what
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews