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The Vampires of Dumas #2
The Swordmaster
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26For two days and three nights, Françoise de Montesquiou d’Artagnan has slept, trapped in a strange dream of a shifting world of spirits. Everyone in the dream is clad in the forms of animals, including Françoise herself, and they are discussing secret affairs of monsters and princes – until a host of vampires attacks them in the dream. A man with a beautiful voice faces them down, telling her to run.
Françoise wakes in her grave, buried by her grieving parents and abandoned by her fiancé – and determined to find the man who’d saved her life, identifiable only by his voice. She flees to Paris and finds people like her: the Benandanti, born in their cauls, and blessed with the gift to enter the spirit realm in dreams. She learns that the vampires who attacked her in spirit are a threat in the waking world – and that they sit in the highest positions in the land. Only she and her new brothers and sisters can bring them down.
Françoise wakes in her grave, buried by her grieving parents and abandoned by her fiancé – and determined to find the man who’d saved her life, identifiable only by his voice. She flees to Paris and finds people like her: the Benandanti, born in their cauls, and blessed with the gift to enter the spirit realm in dreams. She learns that the vampires who attacked her in spirit are a threat in the waking world – and that they sit in the highest positions in the land. Only she and her new brothers and sisters can bring them down.
- GenresFantasy
304 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2026
About the author
Kate Heartfield
36 books403 followersKate Heartfield is the author of The Embroidered Book, a Sunday Times bestselling historical fantasy novel published in 2022, which was shortlisted for the Ottawa Book Award. The Valkyrie, published in 2023, is a retelling of Norse and Germanic legends. The Tapestry of Time, published in 2024, is about four clairvoyant sisters fighting the Nazis for control of the Bayeux Tapestry in 1944. Her Alice Payne time travel novellas were published in 2018 and 2019. Her debut novel Armed in Her Fashion (2018) was re-published in a revised edition in 2023 as The Chatelaine. She also writes interactive fiction, including The Road to Canterbury, and The Magician's Workshop, published by Choice of Games. She has published two Assassin's Creed tie-in novels: The Magus Conspiracy and The Resurrection Plot. She has won the Aurora Award for Best Novel three times, and her short fiction has been shortlisted for the World Fantasy, Nebula, Locus, Aurora, Sunburst and Crawford awards, and her journalism for a National Newspaper Award. Her short stories have appeared in Strange Horizons, Lackington's, Podcastle and elsewhere. A former newspaper journalist, Kate lives near Ottawa, Canada.
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July 6, 2026🗡️🦇 The Swordmaster 🦇🗡️
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Historical Fantasy
• Vampire Fantasy
• Shapeshifters
• Political Intrigue
• Secret Societies
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 8, 2026
Thank you to Rebellion and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Historical Fantasy
• Vampire Fantasy
• Shapeshifters
• Political Intrigue
• Secret Societies
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 8, 2026
Thank you to Rebellion and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Read
April 30, 2026The Swordmaster by Kate Heartfield | Pub Date: 8 September 2026 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
The Swordmaster is a richly imaginative and fiercely compelling blend of historical fiction and dark fantasy, delivering a story that is as atmospheric as it is exhilarating. Kate Heartfield crafts a world where intrigue, danger, and the supernatural intertwine seamlessly, pulling the reader into a narrative that feels both expansive and intensely personal.
At the heart of the story is Françoise de Montesquiou d’Artagnan, a protagonist whose journey is as captivating as the world she inhabits. From the moment she wakes—quite literally—from death, her path is defined by resilience, curiosity, and a quiet but unwavering strength. Her search for the mysterious voice that saved her becomes more than a quest; it is the thread that draws her into a hidden war that exists both within dreams and the waking world.
The concept of the Benandanti and the spirit realm is handled with remarkable creativity. Heartfield builds a layered mythology that feels original yet grounded, weaving together shapeshifters, vampires, and historical elements in a way that never feels overwhelming. Instead, the world unfolds naturally, inviting the reader deeper with each chapter.
What truly elevates this novel is its atmosphere. There is a constant sense of tension—of something lurking just beneath the surface—whether in the dreamlike sequences or the political undercurrents of Paris. The pacing is carefully controlled, balancing moments of action with quieter, character-driven scenes that allow Françoise and her allies to fully develop.
The writing itself is elegant and immersive, with vivid descriptions that bring both the spirit world and historical setting to life. It captures the romance of swashbuckling adventure while maintaining a darker, more dangerous edge.
The Swordmaster is a standout read for those who enjoy historical settings infused with supernatural intrigue, strong character arcs, and intricate world-building. It is gripping, original, and leaves a lasting impression—an unforgettable beginning to what promises to be an exceptional story arc.
The Swordmaster is a richly imaginative and fiercely compelling blend of historical fiction and dark fantasy, delivering a story that is as atmospheric as it is exhilarating. Kate Heartfield crafts a world where intrigue, danger, and the supernatural intertwine seamlessly, pulling the reader into a narrative that feels both expansive and intensely personal.
At the heart of the story is Françoise de Montesquiou d’Artagnan, a protagonist whose journey is as captivating as the world she inhabits. From the moment she wakes—quite literally—from death, her path is defined by resilience, curiosity, and a quiet but unwavering strength. Her search for the mysterious voice that saved her becomes more than a quest; it is the thread that draws her into a hidden war that exists both within dreams and the waking world.
The concept of the Benandanti and the spirit realm is handled with remarkable creativity. Heartfield builds a layered mythology that feels original yet grounded, weaving together shapeshifters, vampires, and historical elements in a way that never feels overwhelming. Instead, the world unfolds naturally, inviting the reader deeper with each chapter.
What truly elevates this novel is its atmosphere. There is a constant sense of tension—of something lurking just beneath the surface—whether in the dreamlike sequences or the political undercurrents of Paris. The pacing is carefully controlled, balancing moments of action with quieter, character-driven scenes that allow Françoise and her allies to fully develop.
The writing itself is elegant and immersive, with vivid descriptions that bring both the spirit world and historical setting to life. It captures the romance of swashbuckling adventure while maintaining a darker, more dangerous edge.
The Swordmaster is a standout read for those who enjoy historical settings infused with supernatural intrigue, strong character arcs, and intricate world-building. It is gripping, original, and leaves a lasting impression—an unforgettable beginning to what promises to be an exceptional story arc.
September 9, 2026
This is the second book in the Vampires of Dumas series, and I still don't understand the concept. Various authors write stories set in historical France, with vampires, but they're not really connected except by charachters that have featured by Dumas? I feel the reader needs a PhD in literature to understand the connection, and since Dumas wrote about historical figures, as do these authors, why is he needed there? Author's note at the end tell which of Dumas's stories she was inspired by (Queen Margot), and Wikipedia (and the weird epilogue; was there one in the first book with the same characters? I can't remember) reveals that the protagonist of this book is named after the real mother of the real historical figure, Charles de Batz de Castelmore, Count d'Artagnan, whom Dumas used as his insipiraton for The Three Musketeers. But the story would've worked perfectly fine without the connection, and it didn't bring anything necessary to it. It certainly doesn't rise to the level of its inspiration.
The second book at least brings the vampires in from the start, and not the last chapter. Françoise de Montesquiou d’Artagnan dreams of being a rabbit in a convention of animal shifters attacked by vampires. When she wakes up—in her grave—she sets out to find the person who helped her. For that, she needs to travel to Paris.
That's where the book lost me, already in the early chapters. Turns out, I can easily believe in a world of shifters and vampires, but a world where a lone woman travels to Paris for three weeks with nothing but a sun as her direction, gets there in the middle of St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, asks a bit of directions, and finds the person she's looking for on the first try without knowing what he looks like was a bit too much.
I persevered. I never warmed up to Françoise though. The new life she found for herself didn't seem to affect of faze her at all. She had no inner life. I didn't really understand her goal, and most of the book she spent as an observer, even to the last moment. The lack of emotions she showed during the final battle was ... amazing.
The side characters, the Swordmaster of the title, Chicot, and Françoise's employer the duchess, remained rather vague. The political situation was intriguing and one that isn't overly used in fiction, but the author couldn't bring the historical setting to life even a little. She also failed to show the tension of a world where you could as easily be killed for your religious beliefs, gender, or being a snack at the wrong place. And the ending was truly abrupt, and the epilogue didn't make it better.
Still, this wasn't quite a 2-stars bad read. The story flowed, there were secrets to unravel and vampires to best. Romance too. I took quite long to finish it, but I got there in the end. But I won't continue with this series.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The second book at least brings the vampires in from the start, and not the last chapter. Françoise de Montesquiou d’Artagnan dreams of being a rabbit in a convention of animal shifters attacked by vampires. When she wakes up—in her grave—she sets out to find the person who helped her. For that, she needs to travel to Paris.
That's where the book lost me, already in the early chapters. Turns out, I can easily believe in a world of shifters and vampires, but a world where a lone woman travels to Paris for three weeks with nothing but a sun as her direction, gets there in the middle of St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, asks a bit of directions, and finds the person she's looking for on the first try without knowing what he looks like was a bit too much.
I persevered. I never warmed up to Françoise though. The new life she found for herself didn't seem to affect of faze her at all. She had no inner life. I didn't really understand her goal, and most of the book she spent as an observer, even to the last moment. The lack of emotions she showed during the final battle was ... amazing.
The side characters, the Swordmaster of the title, Chicot, and Françoise's employer the duchess, remained rather vague. The political situation was intriguing and one that isn't overly used in fiction, but the author couldn't bring the historical setting to life even a little. She also failed to show the tension of a world where you could as easily be killed for your religious beliefs, gender, or being a snack at the wrong place. And the ending was truly abrupt, and the epilogue didn't make it better.
Still, this wasn't quite a 2-stars bad read. The story flowed, there were secrets to unravel and vampires to best. Romance too. I took quite long to finish it, but I got there in the end. But I won't continue with this series.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
my rating is 3.5
The Swordmaster is book two in The Vampires of Dumas series (interconnected standalones). A historical dark fantasy story set in 18th century Paris, with vampires, shapshifters, dream walking, dangerous intrigue and characters that while flawed, seem to propel the narrative forward.
Francoise, our main character discovers a power within her and a secret society after falling ill and waking after being buried alive. She begins a journey to find others like her and the one who saved her from vampires. Chicot, the "swordmaster" plays a secondary role but seemed to be a more fleshed out character than even our MC.
While I enjoyed this story, I found it hard to bring all the elements together in a cohesive narrative. Things go very easy for a single woman alone in Paris but add in vampires, her shapshifting ability and side characters that often had no depth, and I struggled to find my groove. The ending didn't help matters by being just so DONE, without a real wrap up and the epilogue didn't shed much more light for me.
I had not read book one which is by another author so that may have influenced my understanding and enjoyment.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion for the opportunity to read and review this title. My thoughts are my own.
The Swordmaster is book two in The Vampires of Dumas series (interconnected standalones). A historical dark fantasy story set in 18th century Paris, with vampires, shapshifters, dream walking, dangerous intrigue and characters that while flawed, seem to propel the narrative forward.
Francoise, our main character discovers a power within her and a secret society after falling ill and waking after being buried alive. She begins a journey to find others like her and the one who saved her from vampires. Chicot, the "swordmaster" plays a secondary role but seemed to be a more fleshed out character than even our MC.
While I enjoyed this story, I found it hard to bring all the elements together in a cohesive narrative. Things go very easy for a single woman alone in Paris but add in vampires, her shapshifting ability and side characters that often had no depth, and I struggled to find my groove. The ending didn't help matters by being just so DONE, without a real wrap up and the epilogue didn't shed much more light for me.
I had not read book one which is by another author so that may have influenced my understanding and enjoyment.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion for the opportunity to read and review this title. My thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🏰 Historical fantasy loosely based on Dumas
🧛 Vampire court intrigue
🕯️ Slow burn political plotting
🌹 Late-arriving romance
💭 Personal Reflections
I came to this book as a Dumas reader of exactly one novel — The Three Musketeers — and I came in hot with expectations. That's on me. This book isn't swashbuckling, or jovial which is what I was expecting, but it is great if you are coming for political intrigue and the slow simmer of court drama.
This novel is a slow, careful political intrigue set in 16th century Paris, where vampires have embedded themselves in the French court and a small community of dreamwalkers called the Benandanti are trying to survive under the radar. Françoise de Montesquiou d'Artagnan — whose son will eventually become the d'Artagnan of Dumas legend — arrives in Paris after being disowned by her family, not exactly by choice. Convent or Paris. She chose Paris.
Heartfield's prose is assured and the historical texture is inviting and detailed. If you love courtly maneuvering, careful strategy, and a world where everyone is watching everyone else and nobody can afford to make a move without thinking three steps ahead, this will scratch that itch well.
I am not that reader, unfortunately, so the pacing and lack of character development was a no go for me. I spent most of this book waiting for something exciting to happen or for the characters to get a bit deeper. The characters, including Françoise, are written at a slight distance. I often struggled to understand what she wanted, what drove her, what she was afraid of. Secondary characters remained fairly one dimensional in my opinion.
The plot itself is loose in a way that's hard to describe. There isn't much tension building toward a climax because it's not entirely clear what the goal is meant to be (other than "kill vampires").
For readers who are drawn to historical fiction with deep political texture, who don't need a lot of external action because the internal chess game is enough, this is for you.
🌈 Representation
Implied historical queerness appears in the margins — the kind that 16th century France wouldn't have named directly. It's understated enough that it didn't register as a significant rep moment, more a period-accurate nod than a meaningful thread. Characters are white Eueopean or race is not noted.
🔍 Tropes & Power Lens
The book is largely careful about power dynamics. The fade to black romance that develops in the second half arrives consensually and between adults.
The vampiric power structure is genuinely interesting as a metaphor for how institutions protect themselves and consume the people inside them. That's the book's sharpest theme in my opinion and it could have been pushed further.
⚠️ Content Warnings
Content warnings are non-exhaustive and reflect what stood out to me as a reader.
Violence, blood, death of people and animals, period-typical treatment of women.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐ rarely reviewed
⭐⭐ hard to recommend
⭐⭐⭐ worth recommending to the right reader
⭐⭐⭐⭐ recommending with confidence
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ the kind of book that stays with you, that you'd buy or reread
BookShrink star ratings begin with books read in 2025. Earlier ratings on this profile reflect personal reading history rather than a consistent critical framework.
Thank you to Solaris for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
🧛 Vampire court intrigue
🕯️ Slow burn political plotting
🌹 Late-arriving romance
💭 Personal Reflections
I came to this book as a Dumas reader of exactly one novel — The Three Musketeers — and I came in hot with expectations. That's on me. This book isn't swashbuckling, or jovial which is what I was expecting, but it is great if you are coming for political intrigue and the slow simmer of court drama.
This novel is a slow, careful political intrigue set in 16th century Paris, where vampires have embedded themselves in the French court and a small community of dreamwalkers called the Benandanti are trying to survive under the radar. Françoise de Montesquiou d'Artagnan — whose son will eventually become the d'Artagnan of Dumas legend — arrives in Paris after being disowned by her family, not exactly by choice. Convent or Paris. She chose Paris.
Heartfield's prose is assured and the historical texture is inviting and detailed. If you love courtly maneuvering, careful strategy, and a world where everyone is watching everyone else and nobody can afford to make a move without thinking three steps ahead, this will scratch that itch well.
I am not that reader, unfortunately, so the pacing and lack of character development was a no go for me. I spent most of this book waiting for something exciting to happen or for the characters to get a bit deeper. The characters, including Françoise, are written at a slight distance. I often struggled to understand what she wanted, what drove her, what she was afraid of. Secondary characters remained fairly one dimensional in my opinion.
The plot itself is loose in a way that's hard to describe. There isn't much tension building toward a climax because it's not entirely clear what the goal is meant to be (other than "kill vampires").
For readers who are drawn to historical fiction with deep political texture, who don't need a lot of external action because the internal chess game is enough, this is for you.
🌈 Representation
Implied historical queerness appears in the margins — the kind that 16th century France wouldn't have named directly. It's understated enough that it didn't register as a significant rep moment, more a period-accurate nod than a meaningful thread. Characters are white Eueopean or race is not noted.
🔍 Tropes & Power Lens
The book is largely careful about power dynamics. The fade to black romance that develops in the second half arrives consensually and between adults.
The vampiric power structure is genuinely interesting as a metaphor for how institutions protect themselves and consume the people inside them. That's the book's sharpest theme in my opinion and it could have been pushed further.
⚠️ Content Warnings
Content warnings are non-exhaustive and reflect what stood out to me as a reader.
Violence, blood, death of people and animals, period-typical treatment of women.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐ rarely reviewed
⭐⭐ hard to recommend
⭐⭐⭐ worth recommending to the right reader
⭐⭐⭐⭐ recommending with confidence
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ the kind of book that stays with you, that you'd buy or reread
BookShrink star ratings begin with books read in 2025. Earlier ratings on this profile reflect personal reading history rather than a consistent critical framework.
Thank you to Solaris for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an eARC from the publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
I was not going to keep reading this series, given I did not particularly enjoy the first book, THE VENGEANCE, but this second instalment (in a series of, so far as I can tell, unconnected standalones beyond the "retelling of Dumas" concept) is written by Kate Heartfield, so of course I was going to read it. To be honest, this is not one of my favourite Kate Heartfield books, but I wonder if I would have liked it more if I a) knew more about the time period, b) knew more about Dumas' work, and c) wasn't so stressed while reading it!
I (still) don't know Dumas' work beyond what's made its way into the public consciousness. I also couldn't work out with google which book it was based on (so I could then find a synopsis of the original!) The most obvious name is a THREE MUSKETEERS name, but it's not a retelling of that. Apparently it's mostly based on LA REINE MARGOT (which I had not heard of before!), itself a very loose retelling of part of the French Wars of Religion.
These wars are a time I do wish I knew more about (a bit too modern to really capture my interest, hence not really looking it up before!) I also wish I'd known this was a key bit of the story before going in because that would have set my expectations better and I think I would have enjoyed it more!
There is plenty in this story to capture my interest - a turbulent historical period interwoven with fantasy (vampires in this case). This is why I think stress played a part as I was struggling to concentrate on the book. Perhaps a tale I will come back to another day?
The ending is very abrupt. It didn't really feel like an ending, to be honest. I was noticing the remaining pages tick down and wondering how this was going to be able to end in time - and then it just sort of did. It didn't feel like it had much of a resolution. Then it jumps to an epilogue (linked to other Dumas books) that gives it a bit more of a resolution, but not the most, if I'm being honest. I would have liked a bit more time to wind the book down.
I was not going to keep reading this series, given I did not particularly enjoy the first book, THE VENGEANCE, but this second instalment (in a series of, so far as I can tell, unconnected standalones beyond the "retelling of Dumas" concept) is written by Kate Heartfield, so of course I was going to read it. To be honest, this is not one of my favourite Kate Heartfield books, but I wonder if I would have liked it more if I a) knew more about the time period, b) knew more about Dumas' work, and c) wasn't so stressed while reading it!
I (still) don't know Dumas' work beyond what's made its way into the public consciousness. I also couldn't work out with google which book it was based on (so I could then find a synopsis of the original!) The most obvious name is a THREE MUSKETEERS name, but it's not a retelling of that. Apparently it's mostly based on LA REINE MARGOT (which I had not heard of before!), itself a very loose retelling of part of the French Wars of Religion.
These wars are a time I do wish I knew more about (a bit too modern to really capture my interest, hence not really looking it up before!) I also wish I'd known this was a key bit of the story before going in because that would have set my expectations better and I think I would have enjoyed it more!
There is plenty in this story to capture my interest - a turbulent historical period interwoven with fantasy (vampires in this case). This is why I think stress played a part as I was struggling to concentrate on the book. Perhaps a tale I will come back to another day?
The ending is very abrupt. It didn't really feel like an ending, to be honest. I was noticing the remaining pages tick down and wondering how this was going to be able to end in time - and then it just sort of did. It didn't feel like it had much of a resolution. Then it jumps to an epilogue (linked to other Dumas books) that gives it a bit more of a resolution, but not the most, if I'm being honest. I would have liked a bit more time to wind the book down.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Swordmaster has two clear strengths: its worldbuilding and its political tension. The setting is unique and built with a lot of care — from the supernatural elements and vampires to new, unusual kind of shapeshifters who fight them while sleeping. These details make the world feel genuinely fresh. All the political intrigues - constant scheming, maneuvering, and betrayals give the story a solid backbone. The plot is steady and coherent, with several genuinely unpredictable turns. The pacing was sometimes way too slow for me, but the story stays focused.
The YA tone that bothered me in the first half never fully disappears. It shows up mostly in the dialogue and in certain character interactions — especially mentor‑type exchanges where emotions are stated too directly, lessons are spelled out, or conversations lean toward simplified moral clarity. Some scenes resolve emotional beats too quickly, which gives them a YA‑adjacent feel even though the book is positioned as adult fantasy. This tone becomes less intrusive in the second half, but it never goes away completely.
The characters themselves didn’t fully work for me. They remain fairly shallow, without emotional depth or internal layers, which made it difficult to connect with them or care about their decisions.
The writing style caused the most issues for me. The book reaches for an archaic or elevated voice, but the phrasing frequently lands as artificial rather than atmospheric. Certain expressions read awkwardly — “she wanted to skip with elation as she went” being a clear example. It’s neither convincingly archaic nor natural in contemporary English, and moments like this disrupt the tone instead of enhancing it. Some sentences were simply difficult for me to understand.
The book would benefit from additional rounds of revision. There are clear mistakes, including mid‑sentence pronoun switches (“he” suddenly becoming “she” and vice versa”). Since Solaris clearly states this is an uncorrected proof, these issues did not influence my rating.
Thank you to Kate Heartfield, Solaris, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The YA tone that bothered me in the first half never fully disappears. It shows up mostly in the dialogue and in certain character interactions — especially mentor‑type exchanges where emotions are stated too directly, lessons are spelled out, or conversations lean toward simplified moral clarity. Some scenes resolve emotional beats too quickly, which gives them a YA‑adjacent feel even though the book is positioned as adult fantasy. This tone becomes less intrusive in the second half, but it never goes away completely.
The characters themselves didn’t fully work for me. They remain fairly shallow, without emotional depth or internal layers, which made it difficult to connect with them or care about their decisions.
The writing style caused the most issues for me. The book reaches for an archaic or elevated voice, but the phrasing frequently lands as artificial rather than atmospheric. Certain expressions read awkwardly — “she wanted to skip with elation as she went” being a clear example. It’s neither convincingly archaic nor natural in contemporary English, and moments like this disrupt the tone instead of enhancing it. Some sentences were simply difficult for me to understand.
The book would benefit from additional rounds of revision. There are clear mistakes, including mid‑sentence pronoun switches (“he” suddenly becoming “she” and vice versa”). Since Solaris clearly states this is an uncorrected proof, these issues did not influence my rating.
Thank you to Kate Heartfield, Solaris, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Swordmaster is a gripping mixture of historical fantasy, dark magic, and gothic mystery that utterly entranced me from start to finish. From its opening lines, Kate Heartfield creates a haunting world filled with vampires, werewolves, and dream walkers, lurking just below the dazzling veneer of 18th century France.
Françoise de Montesquiou d’Artagnan is an interesting protagonist. She is strong, fragile, and relentless in her search for the truth behind the mysterious powers inside her. It was fascinating to watch her go from a ‘corpse’ that awakened to the horrors of the world into a brave young girl who enters into a covert war against the monsters occupying high places. The scenes in the spirit world were very interesting and captivating.
But what really impressed me was the amazing atmosphere and the swashbuckling feeling that permeated the entire novel. Those who love gothic fantasy, politics, and morally ambiguous stories involving supernatural elements will definitely enjoy reading this novel.
Thank you so much to Solaris Books and Kate Heartfield for gifting me this amazing book in advance of its release! I thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in this mysterious world in advance of the release date!
Françoise de Montesquiou d’Artagnan is an interesting protagonist. She is strong, fragile, and relentless in her search for the truth behind the mysterious powers inside her. It was fascinating to watch her go from a ‘corpse’ that awakened to the horrors of the world into a brave young girl who enters into a covert war against the monsters occupying high places. The scenes in the spirit world were very interesting and captivating.
But what really impressed me was the amazing atmosphere and the swashbuckling feeling that permeated the entire novel. Those who love gothic fantasy, politics, and morally ambiguous stories involving supernatural elements will definitely enjoy reading this novel.
Thank you so much to Solaris Books and Kate Heartfield for gifting me this amazing book in advance of its release! I thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in this mysterious world in advance of the release date!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This series is a little confusing to me. We got two standalones written by different authors. They are not really connected in any way that I picked up on. In book 1 vampires was bererly introduced in the end of the book. We do get more vampires in this second book and I do mostly love reading about vampires.
I feel like this book is kind of messy and I struggled to follow along with where the story was going. I did not connect with any characters. The main FMC´s struggles was resolved a little to easy I think. I did mainly finish this because I got an arc. I sadly could not get into the story and did not really enjoy it. I know little of the time the book is set in, and what the book is based on, so maybe that is some of the problem. I will not continue the series if more books are released in it.
I feel like this book is kind of messy and I struggled to follow along with where the story was going. I did not connect with any characters. The main FMC´s struggles was resolved a little to easy I think. I did mainly finish this because I got an arc. I sadly could not get into the story and did not really enjoy it. I know little of the time the book is set in, and what the book is based on, so maybe that is some of the problem. I will not continue the series if more books are released in it.
June 7, 2026
This time around we get Kate Heartfield taking the vampiric world that was established in The Vengeance and applying it to The Three Musketeers, only this time our D'Artangan is a woman, and she is in the intrigues of Versailles as she is finding her footing as a vampire. Continues to be a really fun, well executed series, and does incredibly well at translating Dumas' characters into new settings, but still keeping to the core of the original story. I will fully admit that I squealed at the end and the reveal of which book is up next (COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO FUCK YEAH). Pick up Emma Newman's The Vengeance with this, and enjoy the ride.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh this was so much fun! I adored the first book in the Vampires of Dumas world so knew I had to get this one too and it did not disappoint! Intrigue, vampires, that quintessential Dumas feel to the setting, it's so good! I love this idea of different authors writing in a shared world. The Vengeance by Emma Newman had pirates, this one moves into the world of courtly intrigue and the shifting spirit world. Both brilliant books and I can't wait to see where this world goes next! I loved Francoise, loved the way she refused to bend to the role the world demands of her as a woman, refuses to break beneath the weight of the burden fate has handed her. More please!
May 9, 2026
Copy received through NetGalley, thank you for Solaris Books for a copy.
The concept of this book really intrigued me - vampires embedded within 16th-century royal Paris, while spirit walkers try to counterbalance. (Also known as the Benandanti)
The plot was a little slow at times, and occasionally it felt like I was just waiting for the next major plot point to happen. That said, the writing was beautiful, and I still felt completely pulled into the world. Our FMC was also a bit of a bad ass.
If you enjoy historical settings with fantasy elements, I’d definitely recommend this one.
The concept of this book really intrigued me - vampires embedded within 16th-century royal Paris, while spirit walkers try to counterbalance. (Also known as the Benandanti)
The plot was a little slow at times, and occasionally it felt like I was just waiting for the next major plot point to happen. That said, the writing was beautiful, and I still felt completely pulled into the world. Our FMC was also a bit of a bad ass.
If you enjoy historical settings with fantasy elements, I’d definitely recommend this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book! You are immediately dropped into the story where a girl is a asleep for a few days and wakes up in her grave. We learn quickly that she can become something else in spirit form. We follow her along the way finding out who and what she is. It is a story of spirit (animals) and vampires and the tensions between them.
I would like to thank the author and netgalley for sharing the ebook with me.
I would like to thank the author and netgalley for sharing the ebook with me.
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