When Death Parts Us

The Curse of the Vampire #1

by Kathryn Knapp

In a world ruled through blood, the only thing more dangerous than a tyrant is the one who dares to end him.
When Death Parts Us is a dark fantasy that follows two stories with an ending that ties it all together and will have you running for the rest of The Curse of the Vampire Series.
Two Hundred Years Ago
Kade, Captain of the Hunters, wants only one thing: a life where humans no longer live in fear of being taken by Goreon’s vampire king. With Hunter numbers dwindling, that hope is slipping out of reach.
But when one of their own is captured, Kade has no choice but to act.
With his wife, Grace, and the remaining Hunters at his side, Kade launches a desperate rescue mission into enemy territory that will change the future in ways none of them expect.
Present Day
Vampire Queen Veya has spent centuries carving out the Night Kingdom—the one place humans and vampires can live together in peace. But her gaze has always been fixed on Goreon, a kingdom still suffering from the horrors of its king.
When an unexpected summons from the Goreon king arrives, Veya accepts the invitation to his court with a single purpose: remove the monster and take his kingdom for her own.
It’s not long before she realizes the depths she’s found herself in, and the lengths she’ll have to go to claw herself, and the world, out.

Genres: Fantasy

370 pages, Paperback

Published January 12, 2026

Reviews

[Annora Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I can’t wait for book 2. The author sucked me in at the very beginning. The twist just before the end literally shook me. I read so much I can usually figure the ending out. Not on this one. Such a great book. Read it in 2 days.

[Lyndsey Olzacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is going to be such a fun trilogy. I loved the duel timeline and how even 200 years apart the stories aligned. I also loved how digestible this was. I have read some vampire books where it just felt like a personality trait instead of their identity and this book delivered! There was depth and gore and intrigue. The little surprises along the way were fun as well. I can’t wait for book 2!

[Laura Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Death Parts Us is a debut adult fantasy by Kathryn Knapp.

What to expect
-Mutiple povs
-Vampire queen
-Timeline 200 years apart
-Hunters with magic

Two hundred years ago, Kade, the captain of the Hunters, fights for a world where humans no longer have to fear being taken by the vampire king of Goreon. When his wife’s brother is captured, Kade sets out on a dangerous mission to rescue him with the help of his fellow Hunters.

In the present day, vampire queen Veya of the Night Kingdom wishes for peace between humans and vampires. Determined to free the people of Goreon from the cruel vampire king’s rule, she accepts his summons in hopes of finally bringing him to an end.

I enjoyed this story and thought it was a fantastic debut. Kathryn Knapp included so many elements I love in fantasy. The world building was immersive, but easy to follow, and the dual timeline was done well. Watching the two storylines slowly come together made the buildup so satisfying in the end.

The ending sets things up perfectly for the next book, and I’m already excited to see where the story goes next.

Thank you Kathryn for the gifted copy of When Death Parts Us.

[Megan Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserves so many stars. I’m not even sure where to start this review other than that this is the first time I’ve read a book in a single day in a very long time. Kade and Grace are everything and the entire set of characters meant so much to me as the story developed. I literally cannot believe that this is a debut novel. I’m a huge castlevania fan (games and show) and this scratched an itch I didn’t even know I had. I absolutely plan to devour anything and everything written by this author in the future. Well done! I’m patiently waiting for the next book ❤️🧛‍♀️🧛

[Sam Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow did I love this book. The entire time I was trying to guess ahead and project typical genre stereotypes on it, but boy was a wrong. Knapp did an incredible job world building and character development, with an insane twist at the end. Being her debut, I loved being able to watch her writing growth as the book progressed. The beginning was lovely, but you can absolutely tell she found her flow. I cannot wait for the next book and know I’m going to be thinking about this book for a while

[Bryn M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I look for in a book is its "voice". In the best scenarios, it can take a few pages to hear it and learn its cadence, rhythm, and tone. To be able to accomplish this, however, I believe it takes an author years and a lot of hard work to develop it. This book has a distinct voice and the author certainly has something to say! What is even more astounding is the fact that it is a debut novel! I sincerely look forward to book two and future works by Kathryn Knapp.

[Geri • GardensandGrimoires · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debut adult fantasy and I am impressed.

Two parallel timelines set 200 years apart. A hunter and a vampire both trying to overthrow the same king. At first I genuinely couldn’t see how it was all going to link… but when the threads start weaving together? Worth the wait.

This world is dark. The Night Kingdom is brutal and the treatment of humans is not for the faint hearted. The farm scene in particular leans straight into horror territory. Uncomfortable, gory, and completely effective.

I loved the monthly dreamwalk concept. Forcing vampires to relive their humanity every full moon is such a cruel, clever idea. Torture… but also a reminder of who they were and what they’ve lost. It adds so much emotional weight to the immortality.

Veya and her court (Second and Charlotte especially) were highlights for me. And Del? The tension, the banter, that reveal at the end. Book two is going to be chaos and I’m ready.

Dark, ambitious and bold for a debut.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid good book. I really enjoyed the dual timelines.

Queen Veya who received a missive by The Prince of the Gordoen to visit his kingdom. She accepts it with one mission to end the prince

Kade who is a hunter is set 200yr in the past. They are up against vampire attacks

I did feel the beginning was a lot of info dumping but but the middle of this book I was so consumed by it and I was turning the pages so fast because I needed to know what was going to happen. I did predict the end twist though, at around 60%.

I really enjoyed the dark use of vampires here. There were dark scenes, gore, mentions of SA. This is more vampire fantasy as there is no real romance to this story.

This does a good set up for book 2.

Thank you to the author for the gifted copy.

[Dustie Strasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH A GOOD READ! Got this book on a whim (from my husband) after we met the author at an event. She was so sweet and the blurb on the cover had me intrigued, so he went back, bought it, and got it signed for me.. and I am so glad he did!! I finished it about a day and now just have to wait for the next one! Great story, great characters, and just enough twists to keep you interested and guessing

[Erin Dumais · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two…I need it now!! This book was soooo good! The banter, the found family, the action and pace! Everything you want in a book! And the way it ended, um I need answers please!! Plus who doesn’t love vampires!!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this indie author book. This story was action packed and had amazing twist. I cannot wait for book two!! All hail Queen Veya!

[Kimberly Maltempo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! The writing was great, characters you loved, and a captivating storyline that hooked me. I cannot wait for the second book!

[Yesilovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved and I was very intrigued by the two POVs from different timelines! I mean 200 years to be exact. While I foresaw one plot twist coming I did not see the second one coming. I might have been a little frustrated at the end because what do you mean they still don’t know!! Assuming that is part of the curse. I loved this! I’m looking forward to reading more of Kade and Veya!

[Jason Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing debut novel. The dual timelines were intriguing and captivating. This story made you care about the characters and feel for the wins and loses. The ending was a *chef’s kiss and satisfying. I am so glad to have read this and eagerly waiting for book two.

[Joannie Pigford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Queen Veya was fierce and her squad! I loved the slow burn romance, and the plot twist was amazing. I can not wait for the second book in this series!