In a world where power is everything and cruelty is currency, a girl with nothing is forced to make choices with consequences that not even the Fates can escape.
All I’ve ever done is dream of a way out. From this town that bleeds anyone stupid enough to reach for the last blooms of hope withering on the vine. From the dead-end future that stalks behind every corner, waiting for me in the shadows. But no matter how hard I try, it won’t let me go. Until one night, Fate gives me a choice. And I make a promise. It’s my fault for believing that choice was anything other than a curse.
Unlike the demons of my upbringing, the ones in this place don’t lurk in the dark. They hide behind polite smiles and pretty words, waiting for me to blink. My naiveté is blood in the water to these Legacies built on bones and suffering.
So I do what I’ve always done: watch and learn. Learn and adapt. Adapt and survive. But when survival hinges on playing their games, my defiance is my doom: I touch the untouchable Heir of House Ignis. I scorn the Leviathan of House Aquae. I defy the sentinel of House Aeris. I deny the beast of House Terra. I taunt the dragon prince. I incite the arrogant vampire.
When the bill for my sins against the hierarchy of power comes due, the price nearly kills me. That is, until this ravenous, writhing… hunger… in my veins wakes with an insatiable thirst.
In a single moment, the balance tips. The game is set. The threads of Fate are spun. And there’s no way out.
***** Sacred Night is the first book in the new dark paranormal reverse harem series Blood Will Reign, featuring supernatural elements, non-human characters, and a main character with multiple love interests. This book contains explicit content and mature themes that may not be suitable for readers under the age of 18. A full list of content warnings can be found on the authors website. Reader discretion is strongly advised. Read less
Zara Castle is a dark fantasy and contemporary romance author from the Pacific Northwest. While she’s been reading all her life, she started writing her first novel in 2024. As an avid consumer of romantic fiction, she has read everything from fluffy fantasy to alien adventures. Her favorite color is the rainbow and she has a concerning obsession with quippy stickers.
Visit zaracastle.com or follow along @zaracastleauthor.
Sacred Night is a deeply emotional and captivating romance that draws you in with both its atmosphere and the intensity of its relationships. From the very beginning, there’s a quiet tension that builds into something powerful, making the love story feel earned rather than rushed.
What really stood out to me was the chemistry between the main characters. Their connection isn’t just surface-level attraction it’s layered with vulnerability, hesitation, and moments that feel incredibly real. The way their relationship develops feels natural, with each interaction adding depth and meaning. The emotional push and pull between them kept me fully invested, and the slower, more intentional pacing made every romantic moment hit harder.
The romance itself is both tender and intense. There are soft, intimate moments that make you pause and feel everything right alongside the characters, balanced with emotional conflict that raises the stakes. It’s the kind of love story that explores not just falling in love, but what it takes to stay, to trust, and to open yourself up to someone else.
The writing enhances all of this beautifully. The author creates a slightly haunting, almost dreamlike atmosphere that makes the romance feel even more immersive. It’s not just about what the characters say, but what they don’t say the tension, the longing, the quiet understanding between them.
Overall, Sacred Night is a moving and memorable romance. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy emotionally driven love stories with strong chemistry, meaningful character development, and a touch of intensity. This is one of those books that lingers with you long after you’ve finished it.
I happened to come across a video of Zara Castle announcing her debut of Sacred Night way before there was even a title announced, and wow, I am so thankful for that. This book honestly took me by surprise with how much feeling it gave - there were many moments I choked on tears, and that does not happen to me often. Sacred Night provides us with a strong FMC who has had to learn to survive a tough world on her own, and then she is thrust into a world that turns everything she previously knew upside down, and she continues to do what she is good at...surviving.
The pacing and plot were well thought out, and I never felt bored or left in the dark. The writing was emotional and easy to follow, with clear world-building that never felt too drawn out or confusing. I love the banter and dark humor throughout the book, as it kept me entertained in a way that kept my mind from straying to random thoughts.
Our FMC is strong and honestly pretty funny too, but underneath her tough exterior, she just wants to be loved, and I want that for her with everything in me. I really feel for her and am so ready for her to continue growing in the next book. She is going to be freaking badass but not insufferable, I just know it. Ugh, I love to hate each MMC lol they all have their baggage (don't we all?) but they also each have 1 or 2 redeeming qualities that show throughout book one. I am honestly ready for them to chuck their issues and hearts at Nyx's feet & grovel, but I know it'll be a minute before that happens, most likely. She will make them earn it too, I just know it because it's clear she is not going to be a doormat. She knows her worth and honestly...slay queen.
Something that I noticed and really enjoyed is that our spicy moments are super descriptive and emotional. I could feel the yearning and heat and emotion rolling off our characters, and I love that. You don't often find spicy scenes that also drag you in emotionally, too, and these did just that, and I ATE IT UP!!! I will be recommending this book to everyone because it's a well-thought-out plot, with unique characters, and I really felt immersed in their world. Great job, Zara. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read your book. I can feel the blood, sweat, tears, and heart that you poured into these pages, and I love it.
I struggled with the writing in chapter one. I get the sense that the writer was trying hard to hook readers through descriptive prose and imagery, and to be fair, there were some nice turns of phrases. But the sentences were so long that I kept forgetting how they started by the time they got to the end. I had to read some paragraphs multiple times in order to separate the point from all the extraneous details. For other readers having this issue, I would encourage you to keep going. From chapter two onwards, the writing is much more concise and understandable.
At times, I was really absorbed in the storyline and I see definite potential for this series to be something good. But the characters will need some major growth to get there.
At this point, I haven't really connected with them. The FMC has her good moments, but she's the type to strike first and call it self-defense. She immediately expects the worst from people and lashes out before they can hurt her first. And then she feels sorry for herself because nobody likes her. So many of her problems could've been avoided by just giving people a chance to show their intentions before going on offense.
The guys are the worst. I want to say that don't deserve the FMC, but instead, let's just say that no females should be burdoned with them. I don't know who originally came up with the idea that MMCs should be abusive and degrading towards their sex partners in order to demonstrate how differently they treat the FMC, but I would happily burn that fallacy with fire. It only demonstrates that your MMC hates women and thinks that they are beneath him.
Even the likeable MMC ended up disappointing me. And I can see one of my least favorite tropes coming from a mile away: Spare me.
I will continue with this series, but I hope to see some serious grovel in the next book.
A bit slow to start, but then the magic kicks in its full power until the last page. Nyx is an orphaned bartender living in a small town doing everything she can to escape the fate of being born and then dying in th at town. On her 20th birthday, she comes of age and is 'escorted' to the magic academy. If you like books by: J Bree, Erin R Flynn, Tessa Hale, Hannah Haze, Cassandra Featherstone, B.M Clemont and Katie May, then this is right up your alley. Nyx is quippy, and so resilient she needs her own cheer squad. She has a great mentor, who gets her and is one of the few 'adults' without an ulterior motive. She picks up weirdo friends everywhere and her new cat familiar is the mvp The mmc's all need therapy. Badly. I really enjoyed this book and read it over a day.
I’ll start by saying I saw this on my TikTok page and I have a deep mistrust of booktok, but I was pleasantly surprised by how good this was!
For starters I’m very thankful this book was like 600 pages because I could not put it down and it makes it worth waiting a year for the next to come out if it’s also going to be a long read. On that note, making 600 pages this interesting is such talent !
The plot is starting to really develop, the characters are thought out with their own interesting personalities and backstories, the political scene is explained in intricate detail, and the FMC is a complex character that is feisty and smart.
I really loved that instead of just having this FMC all of sudden get caught up everything the storyline takes you along learning the world at the same time as her. Somehow this book is incredibly detailed while not being boring to read said details and the writing is beautifully done. Zara writes these incredibly imaginative moments when the FMC is daydreaming and I actually enjoyed reading them. I honestly usually skip the day dream scenes in other books because it feels like the author is just trying to push a foreshadow moment but it wasn’t like that at all here.
Each of the MMC’s are unique and the buildup of the relationships is captivating! You really get to know each character and I’m genuinely rooting for all of them.
I am very excited for the next installment of this series in a way I haven’t been for a new book in a long time!
Absolutely loved this Why Choose/RH romantasy book. It had all my favourite elements and tropes in this genre - enemies to lovers - slow burn - fated mates but they are enemies - spice but still a strong plot - academy setting - FMC has a great relatable inner monologue and isn't a pushover - strong world building and lore - it's not overwhelming but it's clear it's been thought about and rules created for the different magic. - shifters, witches, Vampires, gargoyles and more
I've been waiting to read this for ages, after seeing the author on TikTok and it did not disappoint!
I wish their was a bit more physical descriptions of characters (for example Ramsey - I know his face is scarred but im not sure what hair colour he has). Also I got a bit confused with all the heirs parents names (so id love a little family tree i could check in the back).
I would definitely recommend it for fans of Zodiac Academy, Her Vicious Beasts and The Bonds That Tie.
I couldn’t put it down im absolutely obsessed with this book! I cant wait for book 2 but now im kinda hoping she has 6 mates and not 5! I love all of the characters! I cant wait to see how things progress with each of her mates. I feel bad for poor Ramsay pushing her away bc he thinks hes not good enough for her and she wont stick around. Same with luther. Poor thane keeps getting pushed away bc of others mistakes mostly killian. Now killian finally realizes how much he loves her and wants some with her after he caused so much damage trying to work through his issues. I have a feeling this ambrose if he is another mate will be just like killian. I cant wait for book 2 i hope we get a couple more books out of this series bc its so good! I will definitely be rereading this until the next one comes out! 🩷💜🩵💚💛💙🧡
Just finished lastnight and dang these MMC's need to be on their knees. Killian you messed up puppy the whiplash. Thane your Leviathan has some explaining to do clicks, screeching, and unintelligible BS then bam. Luther I totally get it, but dang dude you asked for it. Ramsey oh you perfect dragon then you needle all the buttons to screw it all up. Roth you bully for no apparent reason. Now Ambrose going to blow in like a hurricane and vent because someone pissed in your wheaties. Nyx the work you have to do is astronomical you sweet little witch. The magic system is a good base and it gets explained as she is learning about it with the readers. For a first book the author did amazing it's characters are fleshed out and intresting you want to know what's made them this way. Well worth the read.
This book was so well written that I can’t wait to see what book 2 brings!!
I loved the plot, pacing and world building. Aside from chapter 1 where I felt it was trying to hook us and was a bit wordy it was really well written.
I thought the FMC was so incredible. She was well written, strong, funny, and the inner monologue was great. She wasn’t a pushover, she wasn’t useless? If that makes sense. I felt like she kinda knew who she was and wasn’t going to let a bunch of people or hot guys walk all over her - which is what we want!!!
I would have liked a family tree at the beginning of the book because that got a wee bit confusing, and I wanted a bit more physical description for everyone.
Otherwise this was an enjoyable read. Definitely recommend it.
Tropes: Reverse Harem Mates Enemies to Lovers Second Chance Forced Proximity ⚔️ crossing
This is the 1st book in the Blood Will Reign series.
Nyx didn’t have a good start in life. After meeting two people at work, she never thought they’d changed the course of her life. Nyx met 5/6 of her mates and boy do they have lots of grovelling to do. There’s quite a few times I was sitting at the edge of my seat while reading this.
This book was a bit of an emotional roller coaster for me. I cried, then got pretty mad, but I was also happy? The book ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger though. It just heightened my impatience. I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2!
The story had my complete attention as I love an overpowered character unaware of how powerful they're meant to be. It reminds me of an isekai anime where destiny places the main character with strong powers and now has to figure out what they're going to do with it. I love stories like that. I think the only thing that was slightly tough for me was remembering which guy was which when it came to their powers. I typically like a little more expository information to help me remember what each guy has in terms of power. I had to write down the guy's names and start matching them with the power to help me remember who was who. That might be a me thing where my brain is messy, but overall I enjoyed the book and I can't wait for the second one.
This was soo good!!! (If it wasn’t for my stupid migraines to hit me soo hard for the past week - and having to be an adult, I would have been done sooner)… I am sooo upset with Ramsey 😡 like WTF dude! What in Fate did his dad say to him?!?! And Killian 😖 and WTF dude! Why does he keep running - and I hope he SHOWS her and us what he was wanting too - to prove his feelings… I hope we get to see Roth and Thane get their fun times and get to just BE with her!!! Luther - I think he coming around - but again dude what tripped your murder switch!!! I can’t wait to meet the “other boys” and how all the “alphas” learn to play together 😏😉 and I can’t wait to see Nyx prove everyone wrong and becomes what she was always meant to be (of course my opinion)
I devoured this book and now have the biggest book hangover 🖤
The story captivates you from the very beginning and immediately draws you in. Its magic system is remarkably original and meticulously explained, while the world-building is rich and immersive throughout.
Nyx is one hell of a fmc, she’s strong, resilient and takes no shit and the sass that comes out of her mouth is top tier (she’s fast becoming one of my top fmcs).
Ramsey Ramsey Ramey I don’t what to say about him except that my heart is broken for Nyx. To say I cried and don’t see that coming was an understatement.
December couldn’t come fast enough, I’m so excited for book 2 🖤🖤🖤
What a debut! I loved this book, the FMC Nyx is a perfectly flawed character with giant walls for the MMC’s to knock down. Our MMC’s Roth, Killian, Luther, Thane and Ramsey (i think!), what tangled webs that are being weaved, i love an MMC with a redemption arc and i feel we are getting one with all of them at this point 🤣
I cant wait to learn more about these characters and the games their playing, as well as see Nyx grow into her power - i just know shes gonna make them men work for it!
I didn’t want the book to end. And now I need book 2 asap 😜
I really enjoyed how the FMC Nyx, stands up for herself and has a snappy attitude. It’ll be fun to see her come into her powers and see who’s first to knock her walls down and truly earn her trust, after all this hurt she’s gone through in book 1.
How hard will they grovel?? How will K and R redeem themselves!?
Read this if you like: -Human girl finds out she’s something other and powerful -Academy setting -She stands up for herself/feminine rage -5 soulmates? & She almost unalives one
I came across this authors TikTok post describing her book and I was sooo intrigued! Let me tell you this book did not disappoint. This is a Dark Academia RH series that is not complete!
I can tell it is gearing up to be one of my favs! Has all the usual tropes that go with the genre! Going to be 6 MMC’s to the 1 FMC ratio it looks like, so go into this book knowing that and read your trigger warnings. It is gritty and very dynamic in the relationships. Kinda gives Zodiac Academy vibes which I am here for! I absolutely ENHALED it and am glad I gave it the chance! Will def be reading book 2!
So.... There are errors but they are not distracting enough to stop reading.
It's a fairly long book 590 something pages. Problem is, I feel like not much happened.
Nyx is easy enough to like so there that. Those MMCs though !!! I'm fuming, how dare they.
The plot is easy to follow and kept me entertained. By the end I was thinking "on to book 2" sadly it's not out yet. My kindle is probably very happy I've stopped yelling at it.
I'm keeping an eye on this series. I'm always a fan of the underdog.
So first off I think I might want to throat punch ramsey that douche canoe like really I so liked him through almost the whole book but towards the end really asshole. . also that fact that I can't figure out if I love the guys or I really hate the guys is a thing. Shoot I kinda want her to date some rando just so she can say f you to the hearts but Roth would probably kill the person so nvm. Great book. Took me a day, could not put it down literally.
Overall 4.75 stars Spice 3.5/5 detailed open door scenes
I loved this book so much. All of the characters, including the side characters, had a really good depth. You can tell that Zara spent a lot of time with each character to make sure they had good qualities and bad qualities.
The level of emotions in the book is unreal. It had me laughing at times, in tears at others and was overall a great read.
Our FMC is a fighter, is tough, and overall outstanding. She’s spunky, snarky, and not willing to get knocked down and stay down. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for her.
I would happily reread this, and will likely do so when the next one comes out.
Perfect if you want messy romance with tension and power shifts. Enemies to lovers, bully dynamics, MM and FM relationships and a strong FMC stepping into her power. Fast-paced with moderate spice and a heavier emotional edge, balanced by witty banter. Solid read overall—just be aware of some noticeable editing errors that can pull you out of the story. I’ll definitely be picking up book two.
It was a bit hard to get into first and I won’t lie, her daydreams about storms made me think she would have some sort of control over storms that what she eventually comes out as. But her tenacity and fight throughout makes her a badass FMC. Character building was fun and you had me screaming at betrayals but now to wait a year for the next book (tears). Slow burn, lots of flirting, some spicy scenes but be prepared for surprises!
I found the beginning to be very dry. But by midway is when the storyline picked up. Some repeating lessons to learn with the FMC, throughout the story. Interesting cast of supporting chapters. Point of character point of view, were a tad annoying in the begging, but by the end I was looking forward to them.
Story felt rushed and then ended without explanation in a mild cliffhanger. FMC is strong enough to stand on her own, with no details on supporting cast…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This series will be an addiction!!! I absolutely loved this book and not excited to have to wait a year for book 2!!! I devoured this book. Could not put it down. The characters are freaking great! I felt all the emotions with this book, and yelled at it multiple times! But like I said, I need book 2 now!
BAPHO BABADO E CONFUSÃO ME PRENDEU ATÉ O ÚLTIMO MINUTO
tem tanto TESÃO acumulado nessa história que eu fiquei assim BOBA. Perfeito. Acho que um dos melhores livros que li ate agora, to ansiosa ja pro segundo. Tenho quase certeza que vou ficar com ressaca porque não vou achar um livro tão gostoso assim e bem escrito como esse por um tempo.
I never leave reviews, but this book was absolutely amazing. I honestly did not want to put it down. I usually rate books at a 4 or 3 but this was definitely a 5 star read for me. The plot was excellent, the love interest hot and annoying, and nyx was amazing. I would recommend this book over and over again. Dreading the wait for book 2.
I think I’ve just found a new favourite series! I haven’t been able to put my kindle down since downloading the book. I haven’t to admit I am OBSESSED with the characters and their personalities. I am BEYOND excited for book 2 to come out!
The idea of this story is a bit original and interesting but it was poorly executed. The fmc thought she was badass but in reality she wasn't , she didn't really defend herself every time something attack her. At the begging of the story with augustine I love their relationship but nyx didn't do great whith her relation with Tori , She was a really bad friend. I don't really understand why Milo appear from nowhere at the last part of the book , and become best friend with Nyx ? she can't even manage her other "friends". i hated all the MMC's. Usually I love the golden retriever one , but Killian was not great. I couldn't get attached with any of the characters. Why Ramsey went crazy on Nyx ? I know we will know on the second book but really ? just for drama . The writing was a bit heavy but not bad , I want to see where the story will go , and I hope the development of the relationship between Nyx and the guys will level up because I didn't feel any alchemy between them, I have the impression that it was a bit forced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.