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The Icarus University #1
Alma Vampires
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26Win a free kindle copy of this book!
3 days and 10:04:15
50 copies available
U.S. only
An unsuspecting heiress with a target on her back must enlist the protection of a vampire whose wealth and secrets rival her own, in a brand new paranormal romance series from New York Times bestselling author Elena Armas.
Valle Cepeda's life changes drastically over the course of a winter break, when she goes from being an Ivy League scholarship student one day to inheriting a fortune from the mother she’s never met by the next. The fate of Alma, a coveted fashion empire, is now in Val's hands.
Hadrian Cruz presents himself as a calculating, self-serving player in the game of who takes over Alma, but that isn't his true aim. A blood debt that chains him to a hundred-year-old wound is finally being collected, and it involves Val.
Furious at everyone who would try to manipulate her, Val returns to Icarus University, only to see her world has changed shape dramatically and Hadrian is now at the center of it. She doesn’t trust him, but there are things only Hadrian can provide: protection, and the way to satiate a longing she craves more than fears.
Plagued by nightmares, can Val decipher the secrets of her legacy? And can she accept that what she feels for Hadrian runs deeper than attraction? Answers always come at a cost, and these could shatter her heart… Or bind her soul to the monster she desires the most.
Valle Cepeda's life changes drastically over the course of a winter break, when she goes from being an Ivy League scholarship student one day to inheriting a fortune from the mother she’s never met by the next. The fate of Alma, a coveted fashion empire, is now in Val's hands.
Hadrian Cruz presents himself as a calculating, self-serving player in the game of who takes over Alma, but that isn't his true aim. A blood debt that chains him to a hundred-year-old wound is finally being collected, and it involves Val.
Furious at everyone who would try to manipulate her, Val returns to Icarus University, only to see her world has changed shape dramatically and Hadrian is now at the center of it. She doesn’t trust him, but there are things only Hadrian can provide: protection, and the way to satiate a longing she craves more than fears.
Plagued by nightmares, can Val decipher the secrets of her legacy? And can she accept that what she feels for Hadrian runs deeper than attraction? Answers always come at a cost, and these could shatter her heart… Or bind her soul to the monster she desires the most.
496 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Elena Armas
11 books31.5k followersElena is a Spanish writer, a self confessed hopeless romantic and a proud book hoarder. Now, she's also the author of International bestseller and soon to be adapted to film The Spanish Love Deception; and instant New York Times bestsellers The American Roommate Experiment and The Long Game. Her books are being translated to over 30 languages–which is bananas, if you ask her.
She hopes her stories make your heart skip a beat or two, your palms a little sweaty, and your cheeks flush in that rosy pink that makes other people want to peek at the page you are reading.
She hopes her stories make your heart skip a beat or two, your palms a little sweaty, and your cheeks flush in that rosy pink that makes other people want to peek at the page you are reading.
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August 10, 2026thank you so much to netgalley for providing this arc!!
unfortunately, i am going to have to DNF this one. i have absolutely adored elena armas' books in the past (the american roommate experiment being one of my all time faves), but this one wasn't working for me sadly. i feel that the writing was very choppy, and i was finding myself confused over would should be a straightforward plot. i admit i didn't read quite far enough into this one to really see the romance come to light, so i can't comment on that, but i did like the mmc from what i saw of him. i do think the premise is an interesting one, but i was finding myself struggling to concentrate and connect whilst reading.
unfortunately, i am going to have to DNF this one. i have absolutely adored elena armas' books in the past (the american roommate experiment being one of my all time faves), but this one wasn't working for me sadly. i feel that the writing was very choppy, and i was finding myself confused over would should be a straightforward plot. i admit i didn't read quite far enough into this one to really see the romance come to light, so i can't comment on that, but i did like the mmc from what i saw of him. i do think the premise is an interesting one, but i was finding myself struggling to concentrate and connect whilst reading.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I did not love this one as much as I thought I would.
I'm always equal parts wary and excited when a beloved author branches out and tries a new genre. So, I was very sad when the paranormal elements fell flat for me. However, Elena Armas's skill in writing romantic relationships really shined here.
You could practically feel the yearning leaping out of the pages. Hadrian definitely went to Icarus University to get his degree in pining. But honestly what stood out to me more, was the yearning that we got from Valle. That mutual pining was the definitely the reason I loved their relationship so much.
But in the end, the romance could only entertain me so much when I was expecting an equally captivating paranormal plot. The world building that we got was excellent, but I needed so much *more* of it. I would have loved for everything to be more fleshed out and vivid. These paranormal elements fell so flat that, in my opinion, the story would not have suffered much if they had been left out entirely.
In addition to the lackluster paranormal plot, the plot where Valle inherits the fashion brand ALMA, was also not as lush as I would have hoped. I would have loved to see the pressure that she faced from the fashion world after inheriting a brand she knew nothing about. Or see how the brand is crumbling in her hands or see the pressure of people asking for her opinion on a new clothing collection. We get none of that. Instead she goes back to Icarus University and is the center of petty gossip. I genuinely think this book had the potential to be SO good. :( But alas, the romance was basically the only thing I could truly enjoy.
2.5 stars. (rounded up)
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the arc. All thought are my own.
📆 Publication Date: November 17, 2026
I'm always equal parts wary and excited when a beloved author branches out and tries a new genre. So, I was very sad when the paranormal elements fell flat for me. However, Elena Armas's skill in writing romantic relationships really shined here.
You could practically feel the yearning leaping out of the pages. Hadrian definitely went to Icarus University to get his degree in pining. But honestly what stood out to me more, was the yearning that we got from Valle. That mutual pining was the definitely the reason I loved their relationship so much.
But in the end, the romance could only entertain me so much when I was expecting an equally captivating paranormal plot. The world building that we got was excellent, but I needed so much *more* of it. I would have loved for everything to be more fleshed out and vivid. These paranormal elements fell so flat that, in my opinion, the story would not have suffered much if they had been left out entirely.
In addition to the lackluster paranormal plot, the plot where Valle inherits the fashion brand ALMA, was also not as lush as I would have hoped. I would have loved to see the pressure that she faced from the fashion world after inheriting a brand she knew nothing about. Or see how the brand is crumbling in her hands or see the pressure of people asking for her opinion on a new clothing collection. We get none of that. Instead she goes back to Icarus University and is the center of petty gossip. I genuinely think this book had the potential to be SO good. :( But alas, the romance was basically the only thing I could truly enjoy.
2.5 stars. (rounded up)
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the arc. All thought are my own.
📆 Publication Date: November 17, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My dear romance lovers, apparently my toxic trait is that you can put a broody, filthy-rich, morally questionable vampire in a book, give him a mysterious agenda, throw in an heiress with trust issues, forbidden attraction, supernatural secrets, and enough yearning to set the entire campus on fire—and I will be there. Happily. Willingly. With absolutely no intention of seeking help. 😂🧛🏻♂️❤️
And because this is Elena Armas stepping into paranormal romance, did I have expectations? Absolutely. Did she understand the assignment? Oh, she understood it.
Alma Vampires is such a delicious genre mash-up: college romance, vampire mythology, billionaire-family intrigue, inheritance drama, mystery, danger, attraction, and enough sexual tension between Valle and Hadrian to make me question whether the university actually has any functioning air-conditioning.
Valle Cepeda's life goes from I am just trying to survive college to surprise, you are now the heiress to a massive fashion empire belonging to the mother who abandoned you practically overnight. Because apparently inheriting a fortune isn't stressful enough without also discovering that there are people who very much want something from you—and potentially want you dead.
Enter Hadrian Cruz.
Oh, Hadrian.
Sir, I have questions.
You are wealthy, mysterious, intimidating, secretive, possessive, potentially dangerous, carrying approximately a century's worth of emotional baggage, and offering protection to a woman who has every reason not to trust you. And somehow the answer to all of this is still: yes, please continue. 😂
He has that delicious I don't know whether this man is going to save me or ruin my life, but unfortunately I'm interested in finding out energy that paranormal romance readers live for. There is something deliciously old-fashioned about his vampire persona while still giving us enough modern attitude to make him feel like a proper Elena Armas hero.
And Valle is not simply sitting around waiting for her mysterious vampire savior to solve everything for her. I really enjoyed watching her navigate the absolutely insane transformation of her life. She has spent so much of her existence dealing with abandonment and unanswered questions, and suddenly she's forced to confront not only her mother's legacy but also the possibility that practically everything she thought she knew about herself may be incomplete.
Her relationship with Hadrian is where the book truly came alive for me.
The chemistry. THE CHEMISTRY.
These two could probably stand on opposite sides of a room and generate enough electricity to power Icarus University. Their attraction has that delicious combination of curiosity, distrust, frustration, fascination, and why am I thinking about you again? energy.
But what I enjoyed even more than the physical attraction was the yearning. Hadrian doesn't simply look at Valle and think she's pretty. There is clearly something deeper pulling him toward her, and the mystery surrounding why he is so connected to her makes their romance much more intriguing.
I also loved the way the book plays with the question of whether Hadrian is actually the monster everyone should fear—or whether the real monsters are the people surrounding Valle.
Because nobody in this story seems to be telling her the entire truth.
And that brings me to the part I wanted MORE of.
I enjoyed the paranormal mythology, but I desperately wanted the supernatural world to take up more space. There are clearly much bigger secrets underneath the surface, and whenever the story pulled back the curtain even slightly, I immediately wanted to know everything.
The fashion empire/inheritance storyline also felt like it had much more potential than the book ultimately explored. Valle suddenly inheriting this enormous legacy could have opened the door to even more corporate intrigue, family politics, and high-stakes drama. Instead, the romance and university storyline naturally take center stage.
And honestly? I didn't hate that because I came for the vampire romance and stayed for Hadrian, but I still found myself wishing the world-building had been allowed to breathe a little more.
There were also moments when the story slowed down for me, particularly when there was so much information swirling around that I wanted the plot to simply MOVE. Some of the mythology and revelations could have used a little more explanation, while other moments felt like they were taking the scenic route.
But the final stretch?
HELLO?!
Those final revelations absolutely woke me back up and reminded me why I had been happily consuming this entire supernatural soap opera in the first place. 😂 The ending left me with exactly the reaction a first book in a series should produce:
EXCUSE ME, WHERE IS BOOK TWO?
I need answers.
I need more Hadrian.
I need more Valle.
I need more vampire mythology.
And frankly, after the things this book reveals toward the end, I need to know what kind of chaos Elena Armas is planning to unleash next.
There is something wonderfully nostalgic about the experience, too. It occasionally gave me that delicious early-paranormal-romance feeling where everyone is mysterious, everyone has secrets, the heroine is surrounded by supernatural danger, and the most questionable man in the room is somehow also the one she can't stop staring at.
Basically, my inner teenage vampire-romance reader woke up, grabbed a chair, and refused to leave.
😂🧛🏻♂️
Overall, I had such a fun time with this. It isn't a flawless paranormal world for me—I wanted deeper mythology, more exploration of the Alma empire, and a slightly tighter middle—but the romance absolutely worked, and when Elena Armas writes chemistry, she knows exactly how to make me keep turning pages.
A very special thank-you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this highly delicious paranormal romance from one of my favorite romance authors with me in exchange for my honest review. Elena Armas, you officially convinced me that I apparently need billionaire vampires in my reading diet now. I accept this new lifestyle. 🖤🩸📚
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And because this is Elena Armas stepping into paranormal romance, did I have expectations? Absolutely. Did she understand the assignment? Oh, she understood it.
Alma Vampires is such a delicious genre mash-up: college romance, vampire mythology, billionaire-family intrigue, inheritance drama, mystery, danger, attraction, and enough sexual tension between Valle and Hadrian to make me question whether the university actually has any functioning air-conditioning.
Valle Cepeda's life goes from I am just trying to survive college to surprise, you are now the heiress to a massive fashion empire belonging to the mother who abandoned you practically overnight. Because apparently inheriting a fortune isn't stressful enough without also discovering that there are people who very much want something from you—and potentially want you dead.
Enter Hadrian Cruz.
Oh, Hadrian.
Sir, I have questions.
You are wealthy, mysterious, intimidating, secretive, possessive, potentially dangerous, carrying approximately a century's worth of emotional baggage, and offering protection to a woman who has every reason not to trust you. And somehow the answer to all of this is still: yes, please continue. 😂
He has that delicious I don't know whether this man is going to save me or ruin my life, but unfortunately I'm interested in finding out energy that paranormal romance readers live for. There is something deliciously old-fashioned about his vampire persona while still giving us enough modern attitude to make him feel like a proper Elena Armas hero.
And Valle is not simply sitting around waiting for her mysterious vampire savior to solve everything for her. I really enjoyed watching her navigate the absolutely insane transformation of her life. She has spent so much of her existence dealing with abandonment and unanswered questions, and suddenly she's forced to confront not only her mother's legacy but also the possibility that practically everything she thought she knew about herself may be incomplete.
Her relationship with Hadrian is where the book truly came alive for me.
The chemistry. THE CHEMISTRY.
These two could probably stand on opposite sides of a room and generate enough electricity to power Icarus University. Their attraction has that delicious combination of curiosity, distrust, frustration, fascination, and why am I thinking about you again? energy.
But what I enjoyed even more than the physical attraction was the yearning. Hadrian doesn't simply look at Valle and think she's pretty. There is clearly something deeper pulling him toward her, and the mystery surrounding why he is so connected to her makes their romance much more intriguing.
I also loved the way the book plays with the question of whether Hadrian is actually the monster everyone should fear—or whether the real monsters are the people surrounding Valle.
Because nobody in this story seems to be telling her the entire truth.
And that brings me to the part I wanted MORE of.
I enjoyed the paranormal mythology, but I desperately wanted the supernatural world to take up more space. There are clearly much bigger secrets underneath the surface, and whenever the story pulled back the curtain even slightly, I immediately wanted to know everything.
The fashion empire/inheritance storyline also felt like it had much more potential than the book ultimately explored. Valle suddenly inheriting this enormous legacy could have opened the door to even more corporate intrigue, family politics, and high-stakes drama. Instead, the romance and university storyline naturally take center stage.
And honestly? I didn't hate that because I came for the vampire romance and stayed for Hadrian, but I still found myself wishing the world-building had been allowed to breathe a little more.
There were also moments when the story slowed down for me, particularly when there was so much information swirling around that I wanted the plot to simply MOVE. Some of the mythology and revelations could have used a little more explanation, while other moments felt like they were taking the scenic route.
But the final stretch?
HELLO?!
Those final revelations absolutely woke me back up and reminded me why I had been happily consuming this entire supernatural soap opera in the first place. 😂 The ending left me with exactly the reaction a first book in a series should produce:
EXCUSE ME, WHERE IS BOOK TWO?
I need answers.
I need more Hadrian.
I need more Valle.
I need more vampire mythology.
And frankly, after the things this book reveals toward the end, I need to know what kind of chaos Elena Armas is planning to unleash next.
There is something wonderfully nostalgic about the experience, too. It occasionally gave me that delicious early-paranormal-romance feeling where everyone is mysterious, everyone has secrets, the heroine is surrounded by supernatural danger, and the most questionable man in the room is somehow also the one she can't stop staring at.
Basically, my inner teenage vampire-romance reader woke up, grabbed a chair, and refused to leave.
😂🧛🏻♂️
Overall, I had such a fun time with this. It isn't a flawless paranormal world for me—I wanted deeper mythology, more exploration of the Alma empire, and a slightly tighter middle—but the romance absolutely worked, and when Elena Armas writes chemistry, she knows exactly how to make me keep turning pages.
A very special thank-you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this highly delicious paranormal romance from one of my favorite romance authors with me in exchange for my honest review. Elena Armas, you officially convinced me that I apparently need billionaire vampires in my reading diet now. I accept this new lifestyle. 🖤🩸📚
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Want to Read
August 6, 2026An heiress with a target on her back, a vampire with secrets of his own, a debt to be paid and a paranormal romance that follows.
Ok, I need more paranormal, leaving this for September!!!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and the author, Elena Armas for an early copy.
Publication date: November 17, 2026
Ok, I need more paranormal, leaving this for September!!!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and the author, Elena Armas for an early copy.
Publication date: November 17, 2026
March 10, 2026
i want to read this again and again and again and again
September 12, 2026
DNF’d @ 61%
The beginning was gripping, it really did catch my interest but then lost it just as fast. There was no sense to most of the things happening, the pacing felt really off as well which kinda put me in a bad slump.
The romance didn’t make any sense to me and I didn’t feel the chemistry between the mcs like I usually do with armas characters.
The world building felt messy and had no finesse.
Such a shame honestly. I was really looking forward to enjoying this book but I think I kept my expectations too high.
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you Piatkus for the ARC! ♥︎
The beginning was gripping, it really did catch my interest but then lost it just as fast. There was no sense to most of the things happening, the pacing felt really off as well which kinda put me in a bad slump.
The romance didn’t make any sense to me and I didn’t feel the chemistry between the mcs like I usually do with armas characters.
The world building felt messy and had no finesse.
Such a shame honestly. I was really looking forward to enjoying this book but I think I kept my expectations too high.
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you Piatkus for the ARC! ♥︎
remind-me-once-out
March 18, 2026I'm just looking, respectfully
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
˗ˏˋ 5 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .
im soo obsessed! the vibes were so good! and omg the plot twists!! i didn't see anything coming and i was SHOOK asf! (also i'm very oblivious sometimes lol)!
i cant say much bc i dont want to spoil anything but hadrian is a mf yearner!! he literally yearned for her before he knew he was yearning for her!! as for valle! i loved her character arc from being unsure where she stands in the world to knowing exactly what she is and being so badass! these two are literally so meant to be, like absolute soulmates!!
also, kiki and baz! agshsjqkak- i fucking called it since the beginning and i love that they're actually together! literally cannot wait for their book to come!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
ahhh this book was such a fun read and literally SAVED me from this months long slump!! lwk finished this book in like 2 hours cuz i genuinely couldn't stop reading!! full rtc!!~
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
okay, im locking in and tackling my list of paranormal books that i want to read and this just so happens to be the first one on the list! super excited!~ fingers crossed that it's going to deliver!!!
im soo obsessed! the vibes were so good! and omg the plot twists!! i didn't see anything coming and i was SHOOK asf! (also i'm very oblivious sometimes lol)!
i cant say much bc i dont want to spoil anything but hadrian is a mf yearner!! he literally yearned for her before he knew he was yearning for her!! as for valle! i loved her character arc from being unsure where she stands in the world to knowing exactly what she is and being so badass! these two are literally so meant to be, like absolute soulmates!!
also, kiki and baz! agshsjqkak- i fucking called it since the beginning and i love that they're actually together! literally cannot wait for their book to come!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
ahhh this book was such a fun read and literally SAVED me from this months long slump!! lwk finished this book in like 2 hours cuz i genuinely couldn't stop reading!! full rtc!!~
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
okay, im locking in and tackling my list of paranormal books that i want to read and this just so happens to be the first one on the list! super excited!~ fingers crossed that it's going to deliver!!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Alma Vampires was so much fun! The cover is what grabbed my attention immediately and I was so excited when I read the premise for this one. This was my first time reading this author and I really enjoyed the writing, not sure if this is similar to her contemporaries or not but I had the best time and will definitely continue on in this paranormal series!
This was the perfect fall read…atmospheric, dark academia vibes, vampires, magic, a surprise inheritance, family secrets, a mystery, and more! The story opens up with Valle (Val), on her way to a gathering for her late mother who she recently learned even existed and left Val her fortune. Val was raised in foster care and is a student at Icarus University. She realizes there are dark, dangerous things afoot surrounding her elusive late mother and she finds herself introduced to a whole new world. At the gathering she meets Hadrian, whom she was warned against since he is currently trying to get his hands on her mother’s luxury business. But when things go boom (literally), Hadrian is the only one around to protect Val and soon she can’t shake him when he also shows up at her university as a guest lecturer in one of her classes for the semester.
This was just a fun paranormal with a mystery! I liked that we get dual POV and seeing how much Hadrian is pulled toward Val but also at war with himself trying to keep his distance from her. He’s a vampire and we learn about the paranormal world pretty quickly in to the book (like 10%) but of course it’s still a drawn out mystery for Val’s POV. The first half was so good and definitely grabbed my attention, the ending did wrap up rather quickly so I wanted more time there. But otherwise this was such a fun slow burn and I’m excited for the next couple and book since we get that set up in this one.
I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
This was the perfect fall read…atmospheric, dark academia vibes, vampires, magic, a surprise inheritance, family secrets, a mystery, and more! The story opens up with Valle (Val), on her way to a gathering for her late mother who she recently learned even existed and left Val her fortune. Val was raised in foster care and is a student at Icarus University. She realizes there are dark, dangerous things afoot surrounding her elusive late mother and she finds herself introduced to a whole new world. At the gathering she meets Hadrian, whom she was warned against since he is currently trying to get his hands on her mother’s luxury business. But when things go boom (literally), Hadrian is the only one around to protect Val and soon she can’t shake him when he also shows up at her university as a guest lecturer in one of her classes for the semester.
This was just a fun paranormal with a mystery! I liked that we get dual POV and seeing how much Hadrian is pulled toward Val but also at war with himself trying to keep his distance from her. He’s a vampire and we learn about the paranormal world pretty quickly in to the book (like 10%) but of course it’s still a drawn out mystery for Val’s POV. The first half was so good and definitely grabbed my attention, the ending did wrap up rather quickly so I wanted more time there. But otherwise this was such a fun slow burn and I’m excited for the next couple and book since we get that set up in this one.
I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
maybe the paranormal dark academia is the friends we made along the way???? this was a very unfortunate DNF for me as i absolutely love elena’s previous books. i fully went into this expecting a paranormal romance as lush and captivating as the cover is and 45% in i fear i have to call it quits. i feel like i am reading the same day over and over to be quite honest with you… nothing has really happened, im not invested in val and hadrian as a couple and i find myself only caring about the story when were in his POV because i feel like the only time were actually moving forward towards some kind of plot.
i dont know if im simply just not in the mood for this book right now or what but i am honestly so sad that im DNFing, ill probably try this out again one day.
i dont know if im simply just not in the mood for this book right now or what but i am honestly so sad that im DNFing, ill probably try this out again one day.
upcoming-release
April 4, 2026Elena, time to prove TSLD wasn’t a fluke 😭
August 13, 2026
Bear with me cause this one is going to sting. I'm so sad to say that this book felt shallow, un-planned, stagnant, and just extremely unnecessary.
Like so many readers I gasped in shock and admiration when I saw the cover reveal for Alma Vampires, and I was caught by its synopsis. But truly those gems are a credit to the artist and publishing staff for writing extremely compelling copy.
Alma Vampires is automatically set up for success, but there's story elements that need to be probed. The book is set into 4 acts, promising to deliver a hefty story, however the lore is shabby. The characters shifty (girl, forgive me for the pun), and the big twists in the narrative came in at the final 10-15% of the book. Which was super frustrating for me as a reader because the pacing wasn't serving the reader at all.
Now onto character work. In a sea of vampire books entering the field, is Alma Vampires original? No. Hadrian's backstory mirrored the beloved Lestat but fell short on execution, our heroine...I simply can't articulate. I want a heroine that isn't riddled with abandonment issues, can be strong by herself, that can think and act without hesitation.
A phrase to describe the book: un-tapped potential. There was an extreme well to work with here and it needs some reworking, re-editing, and revising a storyboard. It's called The Icarus University and I don't think we needed it to be set in a university in the first place (cause hello, we're off to Spain at one point). The set-up for Book 2 doesn't feel exciting because the secondary characters stepping into the spotlight weren't given much to make me root for them (think of it as a thinly drawn sketch). But I'll keep an eye out to see the beautiful cover-art.
As always thanks to Berkley Publishing for the digital copy. Sadly this one didn't work out for me. #BerkleyPartner
Like so many readers I gasped in shock and admiration when I saw the cover reveal for Alma Vampires, and I was caught by its synopsis. But truly those gems are a credit to the artist and publishing staff for writing extremely compelling copy.
Alma Vampires is automatically set up for success, but there's story elements that need to be probed. The book is set into 4 acts, promising to deliver a hefty story, however the lore is shabby. The characters shifty (girl, forgive me for the pun), and the big twists in the narrative came in at the final 10-15% of the book. Which was super frustrating for me as a reader because the pacing wasn't serving the reader at all.
Now onto character work. In a sea of vampire books entering the field, is Alma Vampires original? No. Hadrian's backstory mirrored the beloved Lestat but fell short on execution, our heroine...I simply can't articulate. I want a heroine that isn't riddled with abandonment issues, can be strong by herself, that can think and act without hesitation.
A phrase to describe the book: un-tapped potential. There was an extreme well to work with here and it needs some reworking, re-editing, and revising a storyboard. It's called The Icarus University and I don't think we needed it to be set in a university in the first place (cause hello, we're off to Spain at one point). The set-up for Book 2 doesn't feel exciting because the secondary characters stepping into the spotlight weren't given much to make me root for them (think of it as a thinly drawn sketch). But I'll keep an eye out to see the beautiful cover-art.
As always thanks to Berkley Publishing for the digital copy. Sadly this one didn't work out for me. #BerkleyPartner
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Alma Vampires healed the nostalgic hole left by The Vampire Diaries, Buffy, Twilight, Pretty Little Liars, Teen Wolf and I LOVED it s'much, we want more vampires with slutty little earrings who ride motorbikes 🤭 TEEHEEEEE @thebibliotheque it was fanGastic (IM SORRY) I adored the simmering tension between our Valle and the greyhound 🤭 it was so well done, I love a slow burn, the plot was plottin' I read this in one sitting (maybe 2, ya girl needed a nap) because I was so invested in finding out what the helly was going on, Valle was so relatable and an FMC you can really root for I immediately liked her (I have a problem with having a crush on everyone in every story I like my bad) and Hadrian was like a mesh of Damon Salvatore and Klaus but then you sprinkle a lil bit of golden retriever BUT just a bit and only for Valle, this is PERFECT reading for summerween, college romance, billionaires, vampires, what more do you want? Did I mention the hot vampire wears a slutty little earrings? Just making sure because it's v important
November 3, 2026
Hot hot hot!!!! I loved this SO MUCH!! One of my new favorite vampire books I can’t wait to see where the series goes next! It felt so nostalgic and my little vampire loving heart felt like I was watching The Vampire Diaries or Twilight for the first time again!
First off the tension between Valle and Hadrian is INSANE!! Like all of their scenes had me on the edge of my seat waiting for something and when something finally did I was kicking my feet and giggling like crazy!! My man Hadrian had some crazy swoony lines!! He was so so gone and I was so here for it!!
The plot is also plotting!! This book is chunky and full of lots of world building and unique characters!! This book is set up perfectly for a sequel and I can’t wait!!
This is going to be a new fall favorite!! I can’t recommend this enough!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
First off the tension between Valle and Hadrian is INSANE!! Like all of their scenes had me on the edge of my seat waiting for something and when something finally did I was kicking my feet and giggling like crazy!! My man Hadrian had some crazy swoony lines!! He was so so gone and I was so here for it!!
The plot is also plotting!! This book is chunky and full of lots of world building and unique characters!! This book is set up perfectly for a sequel and I can’t wait!!
This is going to be a new fall favorite!! I can’t recommend this enough!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
Did Not Finish
October 17, 2026DNF at 45%.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC copy.
Breaks my heart to say that this doesn't feel like a vampire or a romance book at all. It fell completely flat in both ends to me. Which is a shame because it had a lot of potential!
I was very intrigued to learn more about the supernatural characters in this book but the plot never moves forward.The FMC is too naive and not smart at all, it annoyed me so many times. And It makes no sense because she is supposed to be this super intelligent Ivy league student lol unfortunately I won't be able to continue reading it as I think my opinion won't change too much already half way through. I still invite people to give it a chance, just keep your expectations low and you might enjoy it.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC copy.
Breaks my heart to say that this doesn't feel like a vampire or a romance book at all. It fell completely flat in both ends to me. Which is a shame because it had a lot of potential!
I was very intrigued to learn more about the supernatural characters in this book but the plot never moves forward.The FMC is too naive and not smart at all, it annoyed me so many times. And It makes no sense because she is supposed to be this super intelligent Ivy league student lol unfortunately I won't be able to continue reading it as I think my opinion won't change too much already half way through. I still invite people to give it a chance, just keep your expectations low and you might enjoy it.
Want to Read
August 22, 2026―୨୧⋆ that cover could make me do dangerous things, like read an elena armas book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for my ARC of Alma Vampires!
The romance! The romance you guys. The yearning, the mutual pining, the touch her and die energy....swoon. It was done so well. Seriously, the chemistry between these two was jumping off the pages. The MMC's POV came in more rarely than the FMC's, and I felt like it was done perfectly to balance out the story and infuse even more life into the romance.
The book overall didn't quite get to 5 stars for me because although I enjoyed the world that was built here, I didn't feel like it and the plot was written to their full potential. There was a lot of care that went into world building, so I kept expecting more to happen. The romance definitely did the heavy lifting, and I enjoyed every bit of it, but I wish it had been a bit more balanced out with plot development and twists.
That said, I'll definitely be here for Book 2 and looking forwarding to more grumpy MMC energy.
The romance! The romance you guys. The yearning, the mutual pining, the touch her and die energy....swoon. It was done so well. Seriously, the chemistry between these two was jumping off the pages. The MMC's POV came in more rarely than the FMC's, and I felt like it was done perfectly to balance out the story and infuse even more life into the romance.
The book overall didn't quite get to 5 stars for me because although I enjoyed the world that was built here, I didn't feel like it and the plot was written to their full potential. There was a lot of care that went into world building, so I kept expecting more to happen. The romance definitely did the heavy lifting, and I enjoyed every bit of it, but I wish it had been a bit more balanced out with plot development and twists.
That said, I'll definitely be here for Book 2 and looking forwarding to more grumpy MMC energy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Hear me out, hear me out.
WOW, so for starters...
Prior to reading this, I would've considered myself somewhat of a fan of Elena's previous work.
We haven't had any recently published books by Elena so I was really excited to see her be coming out with a new romance in a completely different genre.
Jesus Christ, to say I was disappointed is to say the least. I spent 99.9% of the book cringing the fuck out, it got to the point I started skim-reading the shit out of this.
I'm embracing brutal honesty, because lately I've been reading a lot of crappy books. If the book has no original concepts and is just another repetitive book with the same outdated tropes. It's not gonna stand out, this book has no backbone to stand on. Stripped down to its bare bones, it's another Twilight-inspired romance with "older" characters that act like high schoolers. (AND I ACTUALLY LIKE TWILIGHT!!!!)
There wasn't any enjoyable main or supporting character. Everyone felt like they were at their most childish behavior DESPITE being on a University campus.
DO NOT even get me started on the MMC. Yeah, I like myself some fictional characters that are older but wdym he embed himself into nearly all aspects of her life and I was supposed to find him charming??? I'm not obsessed, I'm weirded the fuck out. He 100% was using her and I have the rage in me to say that this couple isn't fated but would end up splitting up over his jealous, insecure, spineless, useless, dumbass.
You can miss me with the "mate" mindset because that's just laughable.
This book seriously had no substance.
Thank you Berkley's Influencer Hub for Underrepresented Voices for the e-arc!
WOW, so for starters...
Prior to reading this, I would've considered myself somewhat of a fan of Elena's previous work.
We haven't had any recently published books by Elena so I was really excited to see her be coming out with a new romance in a completely different genre.
Jesus Christ, to say I was disappointed is to say the least. I spent 99.9% of the book cringing the fuck out, it got to the point I started skim-reading the shit out of this.
I'm embracing brutal honesty, because lately I've been reading a lot of crappy books. If the book has no original concepts and is just another repetitive book with the same outdated tropes. It's not gonna stand out, this book has no backbone to stand on. Stripped down to its bare bones, it's another Twilight-inspired romance with "older" characters that act like high schoolers. (AND I ACTUALLY LIKE TWILIGHT!!!!)
There wasn't any enjoyable main or supporting character. Everyone felt like they were at their most childish behavior DESPITE being on a University campus.
DO NOT even get me started on the MMC. Yeah, I like myself some fictional characters that are older but wdym he embed himself into nearly all aspects of her life and I was supposed to find him charming??? I'm not obsessed, I'm weirded the fuck out. He 100% was using her and I have the rage in me to say that this couple isn't fated but would end up splitting up over his jealous, insecure, spineless, useless, dumbass.
You can miss me with the "mate" mindset because that's just laughable.
This book seriously had no substance.
Thank you Berkley's Influencer Hub for Underrepresented Voices for the e-arc!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks PRH audio for the alc and penguin random house Canada for the arc 🫶
💭: First, I must say that I love the cover on this one so much 😍! Second, I had a fun time reading it! I read about 60% of it when I was at my reading retreat and it has the perfect vibes. I liked the overall story/plot arc and was invested in learning more. I enjoyed the relationship and romance development between the FMC and MMC. What’s not to love about a protective rich vampire MMC who falls first?? There were definitely some things that happened at the end that I didn’t see coming, which is always nice. I think the story wrapped up well and has left off nicely for the next couple’s story, which I’ll definitely be checking out!
🎧: This audio is narrated by James Cassidy and Eva Amar in a dual style narration format. I thought it was well done! Both narrators had a good range of voices and accents. They also both seemed very comfortable speaking in Spanish (brief phrases). The immersive read really pulled me into the story.
💭: First, I must say that I love the cover on this one so much 😍! Second, I had a fun time reading it! I read about 60% of it when I was at my reading retreat and it has the perfect vibes. I liked the overall story/plot arc and was invested in learning more. I enjoyed the relationship and romance development between the FMC and MMC. What’s not to love about a protective rich vampire MMC who falls first?? There were definitely some things that happened at the end that I didn’t see coming, which is always nice. I think the story wrapped up well and has left off nicely for the next couple’s story, which I’ll definitely be checking out!
🎧: This audio is narrated by James Cassidy and Eva Amar in a dual style narration format. I thought it was well done! Both narrators had a good range of voices and accents. They also both seemed very comfortable speaking in Spanish (brief phrases). The immersive read really pulled me into the story.
September 9, 2026
It all feels like a horrible dream to Valle, she has just inherited a poisoned legacy. She becomes an heiress after finding out her birth mother Ane has died. Taking over Ane’s life and business is extremely daunting to her because she’s never even met her. And she has a target on her back now that she has been revealed to the public.
From the moment Hadrian Cruz showed up on his motorcycle, they were inevitable. He is the enemy she’s been warned against who wants her mother’s company. It’s hard for her to trust his intentions. But Valle is being followed and she is being hunted. And Hadrian is there to protect her from her doomed fate of unknown enemies. They have a burning angsty connection after he saves her from a terrible attack. He calls her Hummingbird because he knows the flutter of her heart over everyone in the room.
"I kissed you because I couldn't bear not to."
Their chemistry is 🔥 and now he’s everywhere she is. Vampires love to covet their possessions! And he even takes over as her professor. He is diabolical and I am so here for it. There’s lots of tension and pining on both sides. Does he fall first or is it just vampire obsession!
“He kisses me like it's his first and his last chance. Like I'Il vanish if his lips lift from mine.”
He’s so possessive and would burn the world down for her. But she has trust and abandonment issues so she can’t fully trust what he’s feeling.
"I won't ever be your savior," … "But I will happily be your ruin, Valle."
All while she’s dealing with finding out the mystery that revolves around her mother’s history. All she has is Ane’s sketches in a journal that was left to her. Valle is trying to figure out who she is and who her mother was and what they are… The ending is so action packed and intense. So many twists unveiled! I’m looking forward to the next book with Baz and Kiki. 🐺
🩸Vampire Romance
🩸Possessive/Protective MMC
🩸Billionaire
🩸College Romance
🌶️🌶️ spice
🩸Pining/yearning
🩸He falls first
🩸Inheritance Drama
“You are my sun. You’re at the center of my godforsaken universe. You want to save me? Burn me instead, Valle. Burn me until I drop from the sky. Until there’s nothing left of me.”
Thank you NetGalley, Elena Armas, and Berkley for the eARC
From the moment Hadrian Cruz showed up on his motorcycle, they were inevitable. He is the enemy she’s been warned against who wants her mother’s company. It’s hard for her to trust his intentions. But Valle is being followed and she is being hunted. And Hadrian is there to protect her from her doomed fate of unknown enemies. They have a burning angsty connection after he saves her from a terrible attack. He calls her Hummingbird because he knows the flutter of her heart over everyone in the room.
"I kissed you because I couldn't bear not to."
Their chemistry is 🔥 and now he’s everywhere she is. Vampires love to covet their possessions! And he even takes over as her professor. He is diabolical and I am so here for it. There’s lots of tension and pining on both sides. Does he fall first or is it just vampire obsession!
“He kisses me like it's his first and his last chance. Like I'Il vanish if his lips lift from mine.”
He’s so possessive and would burn the world down for her. But she has trust and abandonment issues so she can’t fully trust what he’s feeling.
"I won't ever be your savior," … "But I will happily be your ruin, Valle."
All while she’s dealing with finding out the mystery that revolves around her mother’s history. All she has is Ane’s sketches in a journal that was left to her. Valle is trying to figure out who she is and who her mother was and what they are… The ending is so action packed and intense. So many twists unveiled! I’m looking forward to the next book with Baz and Kiki. 🐺
🩸Vampire Romance
🩸Possessive/Protective MMC
🩸Billionaire
🩸College Romance
🌶️🌶️ spice
🩸Pining/yearning
🩸He falls first
🩸Inheritance Drama
“You are my sun. You’re at the center of my godforsaken universe. You want to save me? Burn me instead, Valle. Burn me until I drop from the sky. Until there’s nothing left of me.”
Thank you NetGalley, Elena Armas, and Berkley for the eARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh I do love a good vampire romance! 😊
⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️
Release Date 11/17/2026!
This was my first book by miss Elena and I really enjoyed her writing. It was super easy to read and full of a lot of good detail. The romance was defiantly the star in this. I loved how the FMC is left in the dark on the supernatural world that she is attached to. It kinda gave an adult collage Twilight vibe on some aspect but was differently original in its story telling. The mystery was also a good plot element in this. I did really like the MMC also. He's POV's were really fun to read. I wish we could have gotten more plot though out the story. It was defiantly more romance heavy then world building and plot twists. But all around a fun time!💞 If you need a slow burn, tension filled vampire romance to scratch your paranormal itch check this out!
⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️
Release Date 11/17/2026!
This was my first book by miss Elena and I really enjoyed her writing. It was super easy to read and full of a lot of good detail. The romance was defiantly the star in this. I loved how the FMC is left in the dark on the supernatural world that she is attached to. It kinda gave an adult collage Twilight vibe on some aspect but was differently original in its story telling. The mystery was also a good plot element in this. I did really like the MMC also. He's POV's were really fun to read. I wish we could have gotten more plot though out the story. It was defiantly more romance heavy then world building and plot twists. But all around a fun time!💞 If you need a slow burn, tension filled vampire romance to scratch your paranormal itch check this out!
Want to Read
October 17, 2026⌗ ── જ⁀➴🦇 .ᐟ pre-read
⤿ start date: ?
i'm so excited to read this onee
also THAT cover omg
⤿ start date: ?
i'm so excited to read this onee
also THAT cover omg
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette for the E-arc.
Potential minor spoilers
I was enjoying this book until I wasn't, which really saddens me to say. The set up of this book ticked all the boxes that drew me in; an unsuspecting inheritence, a mysterious family history, an unknown vampire MMC (surely we all knew from the get go right), a little professor and biker moment, and a hostile billionare empire. I was very engaged in the first 30% of the book as we started learning more about the little mysteries of Valle's heritage, who Hadrian is, why he wasn't a good match for her, and what was up with her family.
However, the book I was reading seemed to become unrecognisable from then on. I wasn't convinced of Valle and Hadrian's romance and chemistry. I know they are supposed to be yearning for each other but I didn't feel that. I don't think we got enough scenes, especially from Hadrian's perspective of moments where he is longing for her and why, which feels like a bit of a let down since we have his POV in this book. I was also not really interested in the other characters. Kiki suddenly became a friend after being rude to Valle and we don't find out a lot more about eg. Baz, Hadrian's bestie. The most emotion I felt for a character was Roy, the douche.
The inheritance plot got lost along the way. It sort of fizzled out and we didn't get anything about how she had to live up to her new role as heir. The reveal of her parentage and her mother's secrets felt underwhelming and a bit predictable, which was a shame because I love mystery elements in my romance novels or in general, especially if it's built up to be big.
There were also very limited paranormal elements. There were vampires and other non human creatures that existed, but they weren't integrated well into the story. It just felt like they were normal humans with powers. They didn't feel full bodied. I was expecting more history, lore, secret societies or culture and other based on the promotion of this book, but it was just a dip of a toe into the water here.
One minor thing that didn't work for me were the many Spanish phrases used in the book that were most often than not, not translated. I don't know Spanish. I have no clue what many things were being said, even the 4 part act titles, and they seemed important. I felt like I missed out.
Overall the romance overshadowed the other aspects of the story which became slowly forgotten. Sadly, it wasn't so good that it made up for that. I was really pushing on to finish the story from 50% onwards as I grew bored of the story, romance and writing. Unfortunately this is a miss from me, but I think you should still give it a go if you love romance, the author, or are generally anticipating its' release.
Potential minor spoilers
I was enjoying this book until I wasn't, which really saddens me to say. The set up of this book ticked all the boxes that drew me in; an unsuspecting inheritence, a mysterious family history, an unknown vampire MMC (surely we all knew from the get go right), a little professor and biker moment, and a hostile billionare empire. I was very engaged in the first 30% of the book as we started learning more about the little mysteries of Valle's heritage, who Hadrian is, why he wasn't a good match for her, and what was up with her family.
However, the book I was reading seemed to become unrecognisable from then on. I wasn't convinced of Valle and Hadrian's romance and chemistry. I know they are supposed to be yearning for each other but I didn't feel that. I don't think we got enough scenes, especially from Hadrian's perspective of moments where he is longing for her and why, which feels like a bit of a let down since we have his POV in this book. I was also not really interested in the other characters. Kiki suddenly became a friend after being rude to Valle and we don't find out a lot more about eg. Baz, Hadrian's bestie. The most emotion I felt for a character was Roy, the douche.
The inheritance plot got lost along the way. It sort of fizzled out and we didn't get anything about how she had to live up to her new role as heir. The reveal of her parentage and her mother's secrets felt underwhelming and a bit predictable, which was a shame because I love mystery elements in my romance novels or in general, especially if it's built up to be big.
There were also very limited paranormal elements. There were vampires and other non human creatures that existed, but they weren't integrated well into the story. It just felt like they were normal humans with powers. They didn't feel full bodied. I was expecting more history, lore, secret societies or culture and other based on the promotion of this book, but it was just a dip of a toe into the water here.
One minor thing that didn't work for me were the many Spanish phrases used in the book that were most often than not, not translated. I don't know Spanish. I have no clue what many things were being said, even the 4 part act titles, and they seemed important. I felt like I missed out.
Overall the romance overshadowed the other aspects of the story which became slowly forgotten. Sadly, it wasn't so good that it made up for that. I was really pushing on to finish the story from 50% onwards as I grew bored of the story, romance and writing. Unfortunately this is a miss from me, but I think you should still give it a go if you love romance, the author, or are generally anticipating its' release.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you know me, you know I LOVE a vampire read, and this one definitely hit the spot with its paranormal vibes! 🧛🏼♀️❤️
This book also brought back a little nostalgia of Elena and Damon's love story from TVD, and honestly... COME ON. YESSS!😭😭😭
Now I did feel that Valle's (FMC) storyline was missing a little depth. We didn't get to explore much of her childhood, her time in foster care or really understand who she is beneath the surface. I also would have loved more of the backstory behind how she inherited ALMA, as that felt a little glossed over.
Hadrian (MMC) , however, was such an interesting character! I felt genuinely connected to him, and his backstory gave so much insight into his triggers, reactions and the reasons behind certain behaviours. You really get a sense of who he is, and can we talk about him being an A+ yearner?! We LOVE to see it👏🏼🫢
The romance is definitely the heart of this book, with the overarching plot taking more of a backseat. I also found that some of the side characters felt a little disconnected from the bigger picture, and I would have loved to see them woven into the storyline more naturally.
The writing was a little choppy in places, but I have to give Elena credit for stepping into a completely different genre! I'm excited to see what book two brings, especially as the world and its mythology continue to develop!!
Because I NEED more vampire and werewolf mythology. Give me ALL of it! ❤️
Out 17th Nov!
Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette and Elena Armas for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book also brought back a little nostalgia of Elena and Damon's love story from TVD, and honestly... COME ON. YESSS!😭😭😭
Now I did feel that Valle's (FMC) storyline was missing a little depth. We didn't get to explore much of her childhood, her time in foster care or really understand who she is beneath the surface. I also would have loved more of the backstory behind how she inherited ALMA, as that felt a little glossed over.
Hadrian (MMC) , however, was such an interesting character! I felt genuinely connected to him, and his backstory gave so much insight into his triggers, reactions and the reasons behind certain behaviours. You really get a sense of who he is, and can we talk about him being an A+ yearner?! We LOVE to see it👏🏼🫢
The romance is definitely the heart of this book, with the overarching plot taking more of a backseat. I also found that some of the side characters felt a little disconnected from the bigger picture, and I would have loved to see them woven into the storyline more naturally.
The writing was a little choppy in places, but I have to give Elena credit for stepping into a completely different genre! I'm excited to see what book two brings, especially as the world and its mythology continue to develop!!
Because I NEED more vampire and werewolf mythology. Give me ALL of it! ❤️
Out 17th Nov!
Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette and Elena Armas for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC of "Alma Vampires" in exchange for my honest review.
I went into this book expecting worldbuilding, paranormal elements, dark academia, and vampires — and I didn’t really get that. The pacing felt off for me from the start. It was very slow until around the 30% mark, when we finally start getting meaningful information. Honestly, I wanted what we got in the last 30% to be present throughout the entire book.
This story leans heavily into romance — pining, tension, steam — and very lightly into everything else. The chemistry is definitely there, and the sexual tension is hot and well‑written, but for about 70% of the book, that’s pretty much all you get.
**Tropes included:**
- touch her and die
- dual POVs
- intense sexual tension
If you’re looking for a ROMANCE, this book absolutely delivers.
If you’re looking for a dark academia, paranormal vampire story with action, fantasy elements, and rich worldbuilding, this probably won’t scratch that itch.
I went into this book expecting worldbuilding, paranormal elements, dark academia, and vampires — and I didn’t really get that. The pacing felt off for me from the start. It was very slow until around the 30% mark, when we finally start getting meaningful information. Honestly, I wanted what we got in the last 30% to be present throughout the entire book.
This story leans heavily into romance — pining, tension, steam — and very lightly into everything else. The chemistry is definitely there, and the sexual tension is hot and well‑written, but for about 70% of the book, that’s pretty much all you get.
**Tropes included:**
- touch her and die
- dual POVs
- intense sexual tension
If you’re looking for a ROMANCE, this book absolutely delivers.
If you’re looking for a dark academia, paranormal vampire story with action, fantasy elements, and rich worldbuilding, this probably won’t scratch that itch.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am beyond shocked that I read a vampire romance because it is so far outside my comfort zone, but for Elena Armas, I had to give it a try! I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. My guess is that the paranormal elements felt a little lighter than in other vampire romances, making it easier for me to get swept up in the story. The dark academia vibes, touches of magic, and chemistry between Val and Hadrian were so much fun. Even better was the audiobook narration by James Cassidy and Eva Omar, which kept me completely hooked from start to finish!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Recieved an e-arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
4.5
Guys I REALLY liked this. I literally ran to preorder a signed copy from the ripped bodice.
I was so pleasantly surprised at Alma Vampires, and I have to say it: Elena Armas knows how to write a paranormal romance.
I LOVE vampires, so I knew I had to read this. I was so happy to have gotten the arc, this was on my most anticipated reads of the year and it genuinely did not disappoint. The beginning really throws us in the world, and with Valle. She seems so smart and headstrong, she’s had to basically raise herself as an orphan, then all of a sudden is meant to have this connection with the dead mom who abandoned her. Being in her head was so interesting, because we see all the ways she reacts to the grief, abandonment, and pain she feels. But above all, she’s kind, and sees the best in people.
Hadrian is an interesting character, and he plays that quintessential vampire. He reminds me a lot of Damon from the Vampire Diaries, where’s he brooding and Valle can’t really tell if he’s a good guy or a bad guy. He’s very mysterious, a lil mean in a hot way, but I really loved him.
The two of them are sooooooo magnetic, they have amazing chemistry. It’s a little insta lusty, but hey, it’s a paranormal romance. The magic and world building is also a little confusing at times, but a lot of thought was put into the magic and the plot concerning it. I also really wished we got to see more of the company aspect, as I think that was kinda abandoned. Im not sure the plot would have changed much is Valle wasn’t the heiress to a fashion empire.
I’m so excited for the sequel, and I really hope we see more of Valle and Hadrian!!
4.5
Guys I REALLY liked this. I literally ran to preorder a signed copy from the ripped bodice.
I was so pleasantly surprised at Alma Vampires, and I have to say it: Elena Armas knows how to write a paranormal romance.
I LOVE vampires, so I knew I had to read this. I was so happy to have gotten the arc, this was on my most anticipated reads of the year and it genuinely did not disappoint. The beginning really throws us in the world, and with Valle. She seems so smart and headstrong, she’s had to basically raise herself as an orphan, then all of a sudden is meant to have this connection with the dead mom who abandoned her. Being in her head was so interesting, because we see all the ways she reacts to the grief, abandonment, and pain she feels. But above all, she’s kind, and sees the best in people.
Hadrian is an interesting character, and he plays that quintessential vampire. He reminds me a lot of Damon from the Vampire Diaries, where’s he brooding and Valle can’t really tell if he’s a good guy or a bad guy. He’s very mysterious, a lil mean in a hot way, but I really loved him.
The two of them are sooooooo magnetic, they have amazing chemistry. It’s a little insta lusty, but hey, it’s a paranormal romance. The magic and world building is also a little confusing at times, but a lot of thought was put into the magic and the plot concerning it. I also really wished we got to see more of the company aspect, as I think that was kinda abandoned. Im not sure the plot would have changed much is Valle wasn’t the heiress to a fashion empire.
I’m so excited for the sequel, and I really hope we see more of Valle and Hadrian!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
August 20, 2026
“Am I your Icarus? Will you burn my wings?”
Inevitable. Devastatingly inevitable is how I would describe the fated bond between the devil and his hummingbird. Or as we come to know them, Hadrian and Valle.
Being dropped into a fortune overnight when all you’ve known is poverty can be quite jarring, and it definitely is for Valle when she finds out her biological mother has left her one of the biggest fashion empires in the world, and she’s left to navigate a world filled with secrets, heartbreak, mysterious happenings and a past steeped in relevant lore.
There is soo much tension between our fmc and mmc. I mean you could feel it like static in the air. As much as they both tried to push whatever was brewing between them away, (Valle deeply in her denial with her pull and attraction towards Hadrian), it was inevitable that when in the silence, all they wanted was comfort from each other. He falls first you guys, in the most delicious, protective and broody way one can. A man wants what he wants, and Hadrian will stop at nothing to not only protect her, but keep her as his.
You have your academia setting, myths, professor x student moment, and this creature who continues to make an appearance that I STILL have so many questions about. Why is he targeting her? WHO IS HE?! I also wanted to find out more about the ‘sisterhood’ and their true purpose behind their actions, because although I knew in the moment of introduction what they were trying to do, I still feel sort of lost and vague to their cause? I actually really also came to love Kiki and the genuine friendship that was created, as well as in the introduction of Baz. ( Can’t wait to get their story in book two! )
Beautiful prose, I absolutely loved the writing, the pacing, and the overall gist of this read!
Truly can’t wait to see what happens next!
Inevitable. Devastatingly inevitable is how I would describe the fated bond between the devil and his hummingbird. Or as we come to know them, Hadrian and Valle.
Being dropped into a fortune overnight when all you’ve known is poverty can be quite jarring, and it definitely is for Valle when she finds out her biological mother has left her one of the biggest fashion empires in the world, and she’s left to navigate a world filled with secrets, heartbreak, mysterious happenings and a past steeped in relevant lore.
There is soo much tension between our fmc and mmc. I mean you could feel it like static in the air. As much as they both tried to push whatever was brewing between them away, (Valle deeply in her denial with her pull and attraction towards Hadrian), it was inevitable that when in the silence, all they wanted was comfort from each other. He falls first you guys, in the most delicious, protective and broody way one can. A man wants what he wants, and Hadrian will stop at nothing to not only protect her, but keep her as his.
You have your academia setting, myths, professor x student moment, and this creature who continues to make an appearance that I STILL have so many questions about. Why is he targeting her? WHO IS HE?! I also wanted to find out more about the ‘sisterhood’ and their true purpose behind their actions, because although I knew in the moment of introduction what they were trying to do, I still feel sort of lost and vague to their cause? I actually really also came to love Kiki and the genuine friendship that was created, as well as in the introduction of Baz. ( Can’t wait to get their story in book two! )
Beautiful prose, I absolutely loved the writing, the pacing, and the overall gist of this read!
Truly can’t wait to see what happens next!
August 29, 2026
From the very first page, this book had me completely and utterly captivated. I finished it in a day! I genuinely could not put it down because I had to know what was going to happen! 😭 And I’m absolutely ecstatic to know we’re getting a second book, Luna Wolves!
The world, the characters, the tension, the yearning, the passion… ALL of it was perfection.
Hadrian and Val are such fascinating characters, with such a unique history. The chemistry between them was absolutely electric. Every conversation, every look and every tiny moment was dripping with yearning and anticipation. 🥵
This wasn’t paranormal for the sake of being paranormal! It felt immersive, intentional and so beautifully woven into the story. The blood debts, the history, the mystery surrounding the vampire world, the college setting, the secrets… everything blended together so seamlessly that I never wanted to leave.
Hadrian is EVERYTHING you want in a MMC. Protective without being overbearing, powerful, patient, intelligent and absolutely devoted in ways that genuinely made my heart ache. And Val was such a wonderful heroine to experience this story through. Watching her navigate this completely new world whilst trying to understand her place within it made every revelation hit that much harder.
And the side story of her friendship with Kiki? 🥹So beautiful. There really is nothing stronger than female friendship.
I’m forever grateful that I got to read this as an ARC. I had such an amazing reading experience and honestly. Thank you, Elana Armas, for this perfect read! ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The world, the characters, the tension, the yearning, the passion… ALL of it was perfection.
Hadrian and Val are such fascinating characters, with such a unique history. The chemistry between them was absolutely electric. Every conversation, every look and every tiny moment was dripping with yearning and anticipation. 🥵
This wasn’t paranormal for the sake of being paranormal! It felt immersive, intentional and so beautifully woven into the story. The blood debts, the history, the mystery surrounding the vampire world, the college setting, the secrets… everything blended together so seamlessly that I never wanted to leave.
Hadrian is EVERYTHING you want in a MMC. Protective without being overbearing, powerful, patient, intelligent and absolutely devoted in ways that genuinely made my heart ache. And Val was such a wonderful heroine to experience this story through. Watching her navigate this completely new world whilst trying to understand her place within it made every revelation hit that much harder.
And the side story of her friendship with Kiki? 🥹So beautiful. There really is nothing stronger than female friendship.
I’m forever grateful that I got to read this as an ARC. I had such an amazing reading experience and honestly. Thank you, Elana Armas, for this perfect read! ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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