The Endowment: A Vow of Blood

by Kiersten D. Trotter

Some romances are written in ink. Theirs is etched in fire.

Viktor Seraphim was born with nothing but a name and a sword. Now, as dragons fall from burning skies and empires crumble, he's about to discover the truth that will change the realm-and his destiny-forever.

Amerei Zrynon is a princess in hiding, heir to a stolen throne and a kingdom built on secrets. Loving him could ignite a war. Losing him could end the world.

Bound by war and undone by love, they will defy crown and prophecy alike. Because some vows are worth the ruin.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy

786 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2026

About the author

Kiersten D. Trotter is the author of The Endowment, a romantasy saga that blends epic fantasy with emotionally immersive romance.

She lives in southern Indiana with her husband and son and is building a multigenerational story of queens, warriors, and legacy.

Reviews

[Aine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm in the process of reading this and while I like the premise, there are some things that annoy me. Most of it is the sentence and paragraph structure, or rather lack thereof. Do editors not edit anymore or is our educational system failing? The conversations bother me the most because sometimes it's hard to determine who is speaking.

Secondly, I'm 130 pages in and I see no development whatsoever in the relationship between Viktor and Amerei. They engage in meaningless, short conversations. The "angst" in this is all from Viktor with repetitive descriptions of what he's feeling toward her. I have absolutely no idea who Amerei is as a person. For me, she is boring right now.

I'm going to continue for now and will update.

UPDATE: I just can't... putting this on the DNF list for now. It's just not keeping my attention. My mind is wandering too much. Maybe another time. 😒

[Cindy Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first ARC read ever, and not because of this am I giving it five stars. The author brings a fantasy world to life that immerses you immediately. Saeris and Victor are not just your normal main characters. Their relationship does not begin as enemies it is love from the moment they set eyes on each other to the very end of the read. Of course with some drama and another male lead that is just as exquisitely alluring as Victor. I am looking forward to book two just to see where this story goes. ❤️❤️ Highly recommend.

[Karen Oakley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but was a little underwhelmed by it. It was more a romance novel than a fantasy book. Instant love, so no tension between Amerei and Viktor. He is a soldier who has hidden magic called The Endowment where he can call forth fire, run very fast for long periods. Amerie is the forgotten Princess who must make a claim to the throne against Zeporah. Her father Commander Storne wants her to marry the Elven Prince Xavien. There are skirmishes and a final battle at the end but not a lot happens in between. I did like the banter between the other characters: Gabriel and Evander. It kept me interested but didn't blow me away like I was expecting it to unfortunately. I think I was swept away by the gorgeous images shown on Facebook.

[Jessica LC Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic romantic fantasy that left me begging for more! This epic romantic fantasy grabbed my attention and kept ahold of it!

Filled with battles and war, valient warriors, riding horseback. Soldiers, princes, princess, and a queen. A serpent, magic, fire, and dragons. Born family and found family, an oath more than worthy of all the jewels in the world. Comrades, enemies, fear, and forbidden love.

We meet MMC, Viktor, who has no royalty running through him. Yet he is a prince among, or better than, the best of them. He is a warrior, strong and fierce. He protects and fights for the rights and laws of those who depend on him. He learns he has a magic running through him that he has to learn to reign in and use. He knows devotion. A gentleman at heart. A love was written for him that he never expected.

Xavien. Power was at his fingertips. Things could be given to him. People could be given to him. Expectations are not always met.

FMC Amerei. Commoner? Royalty? Who owns the heart that would grab hers?

Open door romance. Fierce yet consentual. Not dark. Not cruel. Only tender and full of love.

I highly recommend this book!

[Mari Grobler · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Real Love Is Tempered With Tempest. Forged in Blood and Flame."

Kiersten D. Trotter opens 'The Endowment' with a declaration, and every single page that follows earns it. This is not a story that flatters love into something soft and uncomplicated, it forges it, tests it, and demands that both its characters and its readers reckon with what consuming devotion actually costs.

Viktor Seraphim and Amerei Zrynon are at the heart of an epic tale that spans four lands and builds toward a destiny neither of them could have anticipated, and I will say only this: there were moments in this book that stopped me cold, the kind of wait, what? revelations that you simply cannot see coming. Trotter's writing style is refreshingly distinctive, adding emotional depth to what is already a relentless rollercoaster of sacrifice, rescue missions, and steadfast loyalty.

What moved me most unexpectedly, however, was Viktor and Gabriel's friendship. Trotter portrays connection with a rare and quiet brilliance, reminding the reader that love is not only romantic, and that some bonds are their own kind of epic.

Found family, consuming romance, and a heroine stepping into her extraordinary destiny: The Endowment delivers all of it without apology. Love is not a weakness here. It is the whole point. Grab this book immediately!

[Sheryl Tickell · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRILLIANT Story that will NOT leave you!!

Everyone deserves someone who will fight for them always and it’s written on every page of this pure MASTERPIECE!! Viktor and Amerei both have struggled with their lives including the day their very souls merge . They must both survive to save the people and kingdoms they love while fighting to save each other without losing themselves.This book is a MUST read and I can not wait for book 2, as this book has taken up residence in my head!! Absolutely LOVED this book!!! READ this one!! Jump into this world, you won’t be leaving……..

[Kari · Rating 1 out of 5]

What does this book have against paragraphs? So many of the lines are single sentences. And why is everyone and everything whispering? Hooves, dresses, skirts, swords, rain, and even the ground whisper.

Speaking of skirts, they brush, catch, tear, flash, whip, tangle, and of course... whisper. They whisper at least four times. It's repetitive.

In fact, the entire book is insanely repetitive. The same phrases over and over, like someone pasted the same sentence and then changed a word or two.

The whole thing is nothing but tell, not show. How can the writing be this repetitive for over 700 pages? There's no way I can find myself engaged, especially not when all the characters blend in. Viktor, Xavien, Ryvka, Zeporah... all the V X Y Z names don't help either.

I'm left wondering what the writing process was for this to be so bloated and so... nothing.

[Karen ⚜Mess⚜ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author seems like a sweet, young lady. And she writes like a sweet, young lady. Perhaps a bit too gentle. There's a lot of creativeness in here and I hope she doesn't stop writing. Practice! Practice!

However, with that being said, this really wasn't a good fit for me. It felt like a Quaker religious romance. Oftentimes, I would reading a felt like I missed something. I would backtrack and there would definitely be something missing in the story.

I must say, the short AI videos of this book were a selling point for me. I actually really enjoyed them.

[Autumm Brazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this one 4.5 stars! It was an enjoyable read. With that being said, it took me about eight chapters in for me to adapt to the writing style. In the beginning, it was difficult to distinguish which character was speaking. At times, the FMC and MMC talk was a bit cheesy for me especially during the intimate scenes. Also, was heartbreaking and frustrating how Vicktor encouraged Amerei to be with Xavien and how quickly she let her guard down with Xavien. I realize that was part of the story and Vicktor wanted her to be happy if he died, but shit try your damnedest to live first, don't just hand over the woman you profess your undying love for so easily to another man.

I did enjoy the side characters like Gabriel and Evander. I wouldn't mind reading some spinoff books about them!

[Amy Feemster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enduring Love…

This story was one of loving another person against all odds. I loved it totally and cannot wait for the next book to see what happens next!

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this story. It really had potential to be epic. Great plot.

But it lacked depth and was really anticlimactic. It was hard to follow; hard to tell who was speaking; hard to understand what was happening; and it had entirely too many words without saying anything.

I'm not sure if AI was used to write this. But it felt like it.

[Dijana Čop Nešić · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirsten D. Trotter -The Endowment: the Vow of Blood

''Dark magic spilled from the seas. Beasts came crawling out of the deep, fire in their breath, ruin in their wings. And it was the elves who stood against them -who bore the burden and saved us all.''

Ovo štivo vodi čitaoca kroz svet Oustinoma, zemlje oblikovane vatrom zmajeva, ratovima i magijom, gde krvni zaveti i posebni darovi likova oblikuju sudbine, zatim kroz Casqadiu i Elvaliev kao centralna mesta u kojoj se događa radnja.
Priča prati Viktora Serafima, vojnika i kapetana sa neobičnim magijskim darom, kao i Amerei , princezu u skrivenoj ulozi, koja je već politički “vezana” za princa Elfova. Uprkos ovoj obavezi, od samog početka postaje jasno da ljubav između Viktora i Amerei zauzima centralno mesto, a to je nešto što nam je autorka i najavljivala kroz brojne spotove pre izlaska same knjige.

Već nakon prvih nekoliko poglavlja, čitaocu je očigledno ko čini glavni par, što ovu knjigu razlikuje od tipičnog romantasy kalupa u kojem neizvesnost ili neprijateljstvo između glavnih likova drži napetost.

Ljubav u ovom romanu je ljubav na prvi pogled, postepeno se razvijajući u duboku privrženost koja nosi priču napred. Iako postoje elementi političkih obaveza i ratova, dramatična intriga i sukobi koji se obično očekuju u sličnim pričama nisu u prvom planu, barem ne na samom početku.
Umesto toga, fokus je na emotivnoj povezanosti Viktora i Amerei i njihovoj predanosti jedno drugom, što roman čini pogodnim za čitaoce koji traže sigurnu luku u ljubavnoj priči unutar fantastičnog sveta.

''Madness and prophecy are often cousins''

Gradnja sveta je prisutna, ali ne preopterećuje čitaoca detaljima. Magija je interesantna i pažljivo uvedena, a elementi rata, viteštva i istorije doprinose atmosferi bez da dominiraju ljubavnom niti. Viktor je prikazan kao posvećen, snažan i neobičan junak, dok Amerei balansira između osećanja i obaveza ali snažno stoji uz ono u šta veruje a to je Viktor. Njihove odluke, iako ponekad predvidive, daju priči stabilan ritam i jasno fokusiraju naraciju.

''You think them beasts because you saw only their scales. But scales are only a shroud.''

Štivo je pristojno napisano, sa dovoljno informacija o prošlosti likova da se povežete s njima, ali bez preteranog ukrašavanja ili dramatičnih preokreta koji bi narušili ritam.

''Having a child forces your heart into two places at once.''

Roman se može preporučiti onima koji žele priču u kojoj ljubav i posvećenost nose glavni narativ, a svet fantazije i magije služi kao pozadina i dodatni sloj za atmosferu.
The Endowment: A Vow of Blood nudi solidan balans između romantične priče i fantastičnog okvira, a ljubav Viktora i Amerei ostaje ključna i očigledna kroz ceo roman.

''A princess did not beg a solider to stay- but her hand refused to let go.''

Pored glavnog para, sporedni likovi unose dodatnu dimenziju u priču. Gabrijel, Viktorov saborac, nije samo veran borac već i iskren i lojalan prijatelj, a njegove interakcije s ostalim likovima, uključujući Evandera, donose zanimljive konverzacije i osvežavajuće trenutke u naraciji.
Svet je pun složenih odnosa, a strahopoštovanje prema zmajevima, čija vatra može prepoloviti pustinju, unosi realnu opasnost i tenziju u ratne planove.
Uprkos predvidivoj ljubavnoj liniji, rat i pripreme za njega ostaju neizvesni – postavljaju prepreke, savezništva i izdaje, uključujući Amerein odnos prema ocu i koji je nadredjen kapetanu Viktoru, što priči daje dodatne zaokrete i dramatizaciju.

Takođe, mudrost reči i lepotu pripovedanja autorka koristi da ekstravagantno ukrasi svet i događaje, čineći čitanje prijatnim i dinamičnim u segmentima, posebno u trenutku kada priča ubrzava, simultano prikazujući ljubav, politiku i vojnu strategiju.
Novu dimenziju dodaje i princ elfova Ksavien koji zapravo već ima legitimu ženu koja mu je rodila sedmoro dece, a uprkos tome želi venčanje i sa Amerei. Put koji se prepliće sa vilenjacima je vrlo intrigantan i zanimljiv.

''Tonight you risk more than battle''-he said. Zeporah will claw at your mind, twist your memories , feed your visios meant to undo you. When it comes you must hold to something real- a key, a word, a face. Remind yourself where you are.''


Na kraju, The Endowment: A Vow of Blood osvetljava svet u kojem ljubav i odanost nose priču kroz vatru zmajeva i neizvesnost ratova. Sporedni likovi, mudrost pripovedanja i fascinantni detalji sveta čine roman bogatijim i slojevitijim, dok ljubav između Viktora i Amerei pruža emotivnu snagu koja povezuje sve elemente priče. Ovo je priča koja podseća da hrabrost, predanost i pravo prijateljstvo mogu oblikovati sudbinu i pronaći put kroz izazove, čak i u najtežim okolnostima.
Ukoliko vam je dosta stajanja na ivici i isčekivanja koja stvaraju veliku nervozu, ovo je odlično štivo za ove kišne dane koje obiluje komforom priče.

4,5

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!

I loved everything about this book! The love story was well done, the action scenes kept me on the edge of my seat! Amazing characters ( loved Viktor)! Great book!

[TheNoviceReader742 · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! A great read. The writing style is different; shorter chapters and less exposition make this a quickly immersive experience. The slow burn between the main characters against an impossible backdrop of conflict keeps you engaged. I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Shellia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read

I enjoyed reading this book. The characters seemed to leap off the page. It was as if I could see of it clearly. I hope they will return in another book in the future.

[Mary Kwentus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible!! Once I started I was unable to put it down and as I got near the end I was up to two am finishing it. It has everything you’d want, romance, mystery, political turmoil, and did I mention a MMC who will defy death itself to be with his love!! This book was just beautiful. So well written. I can’t wait to see where book two takes these characters that I’ve fallen in love with!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited for The Endowment to release. I even counted the weeks to the day. I was even there as soon as it dropped and bought the kindle and the physical version. I wanted to love this book so much. But like relationships this book disappointed me.
I do not DNF books often; I even will drag through some of the most heinously written attempts at literature, but this was a severely dry read.
And when I say dry, I’m talking about the type of dry in a wine that you drink only for it to dry your throat, dry.
The structure of the book was written in short clipping sentences. He jumped. The deer drank. He saw her.
It was written simplistic with a tell not show theme. It was hard to immerse myself in a book when the book wasn’t immersive.
Do I believe in this authors' capabilities to write. Yes.
Do I believe if she were to write another book it would be even better? Absolutely, and I hope she does continue to write.
My review is meant to be constructive. Take some risks.
However, this book seemed as though the author wrote it with cautious intent. It’s when one throws caution to the wind, you achieve the level you want to be.
This author can achieve that. But she didn’t in this book. I also find no reason to rate this book with one star. The author worked incredibly hard on this book. Writing, editing, marketing, and that means something!
Will I purchase another book by this author? I will because I am invested in seeing how she grows as an author. I fully support her.
Will I eventually pick this book up again? Well, doesn’t everything deserve second chances? I will not give this book a bad review, but encouragement. I can't wait to see what's next with this author.

[Tara Craft · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was very much looking forward to it an although I loved the storyline the writing style and sentence/paragraph structure made it sooooo hard to read and the story was very disjointed and difficult to follow. Felt it could have been so much more, more details, more world building. Was expecting a high fantasy style but almost DNF at around page 100.

[Christine Ebinger · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book reads like a text thread? The clipped paragraph and sentence structure made it super hard to read and piece together the storyline.

[Alexa · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you map out the events of the book, it’s logical, a lot happens/it’s exciting, and the premise is good. Reading it though? It’s like some stuff happens so fast. Like large plot points are just a few paragraphs. Also agree with other reviews that say the writing makes it very hard to tell which character is speaking and who they are talking to. Will likely not read book 2.

[Karri Mahmoud · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing is not good. The sentence structure and punctuation make it hard to tell who is talking. It is like we were already supposed to know what was happening rather than it unfolding. Like bullets instead of paragraphs.

[Michelle Sada · Rating 4 out of 5]

The overall story is typical fantasy, very Arthurian. It is written very differently than other romantasy. Again, very Arthurian, reminding of stories read in high school/college literature. It was a little frustrating but I still couldn’t put it down. It felt like a standalone until the very end where it eludes to a sequel. The story could be done as is.

[Emee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so in love with these characters and I can't wait for everyone else to meet them and love them just as much. i also can't wait to read book 2 and visit their world again ❤️❤️❤️

[Lisa Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank Kiersten D. Trotter for the privilege of reading this advanced copy of her debut novel.

4.5 Stars - The Endowment is a powerful love story that blends slow burn tension and court intrigue in all the right ways. From the very first chapter I was pulled into a world where otherworldly gifts shape the characters destinies, relationships, and the choices they are forced to make. What really stood out is the blend of world and magic building that does not overpower the love story that this is.

Viktor's journey is inspiring and emotional. He is scarred yet flawless, duty and service have been his life until his focus lands on her. Amerei's journey is full of self discovery and purpose, she is smart and willing to risk herself for what she believes in. Along the way, their love develops into one of the deepest, most tender devotions to each other.

This story is well paced and gives you enough character history to feel connected to them. The writing is elegant but not overdone. The world-building is good but not overwhelming and the magic system is interesting enough to keep the reader engaged. There are twists that keep you just enough on the edge in the best way possible.

The Endowment is a must-read for fans of character-driven fantasy with heart. It left me both satisfied and eager to see what else this author has in store!

[Bumblebeekisses2 LeahB · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Endowment: A Vow of Blood by Kiersten D. Trotter is a romantasy that brings together danger, devotion, and a world on the verge of war.

What stood out most for me was the pacing this story doesn’t waste time. Between looming battles, powerful magic, and the constant sense that something is about to explode, the action keeps the pages turning.

The romance simmers underneath it all, building slowly through loyalty, tension, and that irresistible pull between two people who should probably stay far apart. When the spice arrives, it’s open door and satisfying, but it never takes over the larger story. It feels like an added spark, not the main flame.

If you enjoy romantic fantasy with dragons, secrets, court tension, and a love story wrapped inside chaos, this one is definitely worth the ride.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Endowment is beautifully written from start to finish. The story follows Viktor, a handsome soldier finding his love and their story unfolding. There is intrigue and discoveries. The pacing is enough to keep you reading and the short chapters keep it flowing. I especially love the friendships revealed throughout. Royalty befriending servants and guards. I loved the bromance between Viktor and Gabriel. Watching Amerie’s relationship with her father develop was lovely to behold.
The magic system is simple and easily understood. There are a lot of geographical places that are talked about often. Be sure to study the map beforehand to stay on point with where they travel.
I enjoyed this book immensely and cannot wait for the next book!

[happy crab · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different kind of fantasy

This story isn't like the rest of the fantasy series out there. Yes, there are dragons but in a very limited capacity. Our hero is of a different ilk. Strong, yes. Brave, of course. Sexy as sin, wouldn't have a hero any other way would we? The story is about how strong love can bind a couple together even when forces try to rip them apart. Faith in that love and the endurance to withstand all the barriers set against them is what will drive you to keep reading! If this unbelievable story ever makes it to audio, trust me, I'm going to be front and center to order! My thanks and gratitude to the awesome author Kiersten D. Trotter for sharing her vision and talent with the rest of us mere mortals

[Charis Alfonso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely pulled me into its world. I loved how the story balances intense stakes with moments that feel quiet but meaningful, letting the characters’ emotions hit hard without ever feeling forced. The relationships and choices feel real, messy, and layered, not just there to move the plot along.

What I appreciated most was how the story lingers after you finish a chapter, making you think about the characters long after you’ve put the book down. If you enjoy dark, immersive fantasy with characters who feel alive and a story that doesn’t shy away from intensity, this one’s a must-read. I genuinely loved it and highly recommend!

[Cheyenne Borelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a breathe of fresh air! I’ve been really excited to read this book since I first saw the videos about it on Facebook and it did not disappoint. Written with a poetic feel, this book had the right amount of drama, action scenes, and romance without overdoing it. I loved how the war and spicy scenes were beautifully written without being overly explicit. That touch really made the story more enjoyable. All of the characters are beautifully developed and really had you hanging on the edge of your seat to see what happened with them next. Overall, I really loved this book and I cannot wait for book two to be released 🩷

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I preordered this book because I started seeing the AI videos on my newsfeed and became very interested in the story (Victor and Xavien’s looks didn’t hurt either lol). Would’ve only read it in a day had I not have had to be a responsible adult and go to work. I will be honest and say that the fast paced “love at first sight” aspect did throw me a bit as did the writing style, but the story itself and the characters grew on me and I fell in love with it more and more. I seriously cannot wait for the sequel and see what more Victor and Amerei have in store for us.