What do you think?
Rate this book
Kingdom of Forest and Mist #1
The Witch Blood Prophecy
In a world where magic is punishable by death, and witches and demons lurk in the shadows, Elizabeth Ashcroft must learn how to survive without the protection of the nobility or her family name.
Forced into an arranged marriage with a wealthy, but cruel man, Elizabeth becomes desperate to find a way out. A handsome demon named Caspian offers her his help, in exchange for blood. Her blood, specifically, and her company in his home. Elizabeth finds this odd, for he refuses to tell her why he would trade so much to gain so little. Before she knew it, she’s sucked into a world of darkness and blood. A world filled with demons and witches and magic that quickly turns deadly to navigate.
Forced into an arranged marriage with a wealthy, but cruel man, Elizabeth becomes desperate to find a way out. A handsome demon named Caspian offers her his help, in exchange for blood. Her blood, specifically, and her company in his home. Elizabeth finds this odd, for he refuses to tell her why he would trade so much to gain so little. Before she knew it, she’s sucked into a world of darkness and blood. A world filled with demons and witches and magic that quickly turns deadly to navigate.
497 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
August 3, 2026
This was a solid debut and a dark romantasy that had me intrigued from start to finish.
Our FMC, Elizabeth, is being forced into a marriage with a cruel (and very old) man. Our demon MMC, Caspian, strikes a bargain with her to help avoid this. Naturally, Caspian has his own motives, but what happens when he finds himself wholly drawn to Elizabeth?
I LOVE Elizabeth. She is intelligent, witty, and quick. She is the kind of FMC I would love to see more of in this genre. She sees through (most) of the nonsense and is headstrong in a beautiful and refreshing way.
I have no qualms with dark, broody, or mysterious. I have no issue with any actions in this dark romantasy, because it’s dark after all. But, Caspian has little redeeming qualities that would make me root for their relationship. I hope we see more traits from him in the next book that make it clear why he should be with someone as wonderful as Elizabeth.
The pacing and plot has enough that kept me going like “oooh what’s going to happen next?!” with side characters that are so thorough and likable. I found myself wanting to explore more of the plot points presented and I hope those things get expanded on.
-enemies to lovers
-humans, witches, and demons (oh my!)
-grumpy x sunshine vibes
-forbidden magic
-so many secrets
-forced proximity
Overall, a good debut and a damn good fmc! Would recommend!
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the digital copy, all opinions are my own!
Our FMC, Elizabeth, is being forced into a marriage with a cruel (and very old) man. Our demon MMC, Caspian, strikes a bargain with her to help avoid this. Naturally, Caspian has his own motives, but what happens when he finds himself wholly drawn to Elizabeth?
I LOVE Elizabeth. She is intelligent, witty, and quick. She is the kind of FMC I would love to see more of in this genre. She sees through (most) of the nonsense and is headstrong in a beautiful and refreshing way.
I have no qualms with dark, broody, or mysterious. I have no issue with any actions in this dark romantasy, because it’s dark after all. But, Caspian has little redeeming qualities that would make me root for their relationship. I hope we see more traits from him in the next book that make it clear why he should be with someone as wonderful as Elizabeth.
The pacing and plot has enough that kept me going like “oooh what’s going to happen next?!” with side characters that are so thorough and likable. I found myself wanting to explore more of the plot points presented and I hope those things get expanded on.
-enemies to lovers
-humans, witches, and demons (oh my!)
-grumpy x sunshine vibes
-forbidden magic
-so many secrets
-forced proximity
Overall, a good debut and a damn good fmc! Would recommend!
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the digital copy, all opinions are my own!
May 25, 2026
3.5⭐️ - This was a solid debut for Olivia Hunter! It had a lot to offer - enemies to lovers, witches, demons, magic, a prophecy, a reluctant hero, forced proximity, good vs. evil, a deal with a demon, grumpy x sunshine, murder, spice, and more!
Elizabeth is being forced into a marriage she’s not excited about, with a man she definitely doesn’t want. Enter Caspian, a demon, with just the deal to get her out of it. We got some of Caspian’s backstory to learn a little about why he is the way that he is and what motivates him, and I’m hoping we get to see more in future books. Same with Asmodeus, I would love to get his full backstory as well!
This was a dark romance, and some of the spice really hit on that. I do think I wanted a little bit more from the relationship between Elizabeth and Caspian, and the ending left me so intrigued about where they go from here. I would also love to dive more into the witches, the amulets, and the prophecy in Book 2!
There was plenty of world building in this book, and I’m hoping to see more of the Underworld in future books to get that same world building there.
I really loved the premise and the plot of this book, and I didn’t see some of the events of the ending coming. That definitely had me intrigued for the rest of this series, and I’ll definitely be reading Book 2 to find out what happens next!
Thank you to Olivia Hunter for the gifted copy of this ARC! 💜✨
Elizabeth is being forced into a marriage she’s not excited about, with a man she definitely doesn’t want. Enter Caspian, a demon, with just the deal to get her out of it. We got some of Caspian’s backstory to learn a little about why he is the way that he is and what motivates him, and I’m hoping we get to see more in future books. Same with Asmodeus, I would love to get his full backstory as well!
This was a dark romance, and some of the spice really hit on that. I do think I wanted a little bit more from the relationship between Elizabeth and Caspian, and the ending left me so intrigued about where they go from here. I would also love to dive more into the witches, the amulets, and the prophecy in Book 2!
There was plenty of world building in this book, and I’m hoping to see more of the Underworld in future books to get that same world building there.
I really loved the premise and the plot of this book, and I didn’t see some of the events of the ending coming. That definitely had me intrigued for the rest of this series, and I’ll definitely be reading Book 2 to find out what happens next!
Thank you to Olivia Hunter for the gifted copy of this ARC! 💜✨
August 1, 2026
I enjoyed The Witch Blood Prophecy for its immersive world building and engaging storytelling. The fantasy elements were well developed, and the journey unfolded at a steady pace that kept me invested.
The FMC showed strength and determination, and the slow burn romance added a nice layer to the story.
While I didn’t completely connect with the relationship between the FMC and MMC, their dynamic was still enjoyable overall.
A solid fantasy read for readers who enjoy immersive worlds, gradual character development, and slow burn romance.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
The FMC showed strength and determination, and the slow burn romance added a nice layer to the story.
While I didn’t completely connect with the relationship between the FMC and MMC, their dynamic was still enjoyable overall.
A solid fantasy read for readers who enjoy immersive worlds, gradual character development, and slow burn romance.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
April 25, 2026
A strong, intelligent FMC signs a contract with a demon prince, both with their own agendas. This one took me a little while to get into, but once it hit the halfway mark, it really picked up. The last 45% had me way more invested, things got twisty, intense, and much harder to put down.
Overall, I enjoyed it, just found it a tad too long.
If you love slow-burn enemies-to-lovers with dark fantasy vibes and lots of secrets, this one’s worth checking out💜
Overall, I enjoyed it, just found it a tad too long.
If you love slow-burn enemies-to-lovers with dark fantasy vibes and lots of secrets, this one’s worth checking out💜
April 26, 2026
The Witch Blood Prophecy
By Olivia Hunter
Thank you for trusting me to be your ACR reader
Honest SPOILE free review
This book really said “you think you know what’s happening", and then slowly flipped everything on its head.
You go in expecting a familiar setup, magic, witches, demons, a dangerous deal, and a villain you know you shouldn’t trust, but it doesn’t stay that simple for long. The deeper you get, the more the story starts to shift, layer by layer, until you’re questioning the characters, the choices and honestly, your own judgment.
Caspian is the kind of character you shouldn’t feel anything for. He’s cold, complicated, and very much walking the thin line of villain energy. Yet!!! I kept finding myself understanding him. Defending him, even. Which had me sitting there like, hold on, what is happening right now? That's when my Villain era started.
Elizabeth, Ih dear Elizabeth, She tested me, Frustrated me, Made me want to shake her a little. That tension between what you want her to do and what she actually does adds so much more to the emotional pull of the story.
The world building is where this really shines. Multiple realms, distinct atmospheres, and just enough detail to feel immersive without overwhelming you. It feels big, like there’s so much more coming. I’m so already ready to explore all of it.
The plot builds in a way that sneaks up on you. Instead of one huge twist, it’s a series of smaller reveals that slowly unravel everything you thought you understood. By the end, I was questioning who the real villain even is, and I still don’t have a clear answer.
This story pulled me in, frustrated me, made me second guess everything, and then left me needing the next book immediately.
Not your typical Romantasy! It’s darker, messier, layered with magic, tension, and just enough heat to keep things interesting.
Our lovely FMC Elizabeth, does redeems herself, she becomes Stronger, bolder and fully capable of holding her own in a world that constantly challenges her. Loved the Female power!
Yeah! I’m locked in for this series, and what's more to come. Olivia Hunter don't make us wait to long for the next journey.
By Olivia Hunter
Thank you for trusting me to be your ACR reader
Honest SPOILE free review
This book really said “you think you know what’s happening", and then slowly flipped everything on its head.
You go in expecting a familiar setup, magic, witches, demons, a dangerous deal, and a villain you know you shouldn’t trust, but it doesn’t stay that simple for long. The deeper you get, the more the story starts to shift, layer by layer, until you’re questioning the characters, the choices and honestly, your own judgment.
Caspian is the kind of character you shouldn’t feel anything for. He’s cold, complicated, and very much walking the thin line of villain energy. Yet!!! I kept finding myself understanding him. Defending him, even. Which had me sitting there like, hold on, what is happening right now? That's when my Villain era started.
Elizabeth, Ih dear Elizabeth, She tested me, Frustrated me, Made me want to shake her a little. That tension between what you want her to do and what she actually does adds so much more to the emotional pull of the story.
The world building is where this really shines. Multiple realms, distinct atmospheres, and just enough detail to feel immersive without overwhelming you. It feels big, like there’s so much more coming. I’m so already ready to explore all of it.
The plot builds in a way that sneaks up on you. Instead of one huge twist, it’s a series of smaller reveals that slowly unravel everything you thought you understood. By the end, I was questioning who the real villain even is, and I still don’t have a clear answer.
This story pulled me in, frustrated me, made me second guess everything, and then left me needing the next book immediately.
Not your typical Romantasy! It’s darker, messier, layered with magic, tension, and just enough heat to keep things interesting.
Our lovely FMC Elizabeth, does redeems herself, she becomes Stronger, bolder and fully capable of holding her own in a world that constantly challenges her. Loved the Female power!
Yeah! I’m locked in for this series, and what's more to come. Olivia Hunter don't make us wait to long for the next journey.
May 17, 2026
The Witch Blood Prophecy was a beautiful blend of Regency vibes and dark, high-stakes fantasy. While the first third of the book is a slow-burn focused on rich world-building, the payoff is absolutely worth the wait.
Everything clicked for me at Chapter 17. Once Elizabeth receives a certain gift (no spoilers!), her agency kicks in, and she transforms into a powerhouse. I loved watching a strong female character come into her own against such a bleak and dangerous backdrop.
I was also fascinated by Caspian. While I found myself hungry for even more of his motives and the internal conflicts driving his choices, the mystery surrounding him kept me hooked. And as a sucker for side characters, Draugr the horse completely stole my heart. I’m so emotionally invested in him!
This is a must-read if you love dark bargains and resilient heroines.
Everything clicked for me at Chapter 17. Once Elizabeth receives a certain gift (no spoilers!), her agency kicks in, and she transforms into a powerhouse. I loved watching a strong female character come into her own against such a bleak and dangerous backdrop.
I was also fascinated by Caspian. While I found myself hungry for even more of his motives and the internal conflicts driving his choices, the mystery surrounding him kept me hooked. And as a sucker for side characters, Draugr the horse completely stole my heart. I’m so emotionally invested in him!
This is a must-read if you love dark bargains and resilient heroines.
July 16, 2026
Spoil Free Reviews
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Author: @oliviahunterwrites
POV: Multi 3rd Person
Gene: Historical Romantasy
Triggers: Blood & Gore, Open Door, Violance, etc.
Read Time: 12 - 16 Hours
Expected Publishing Date: 4/25/2026
I received an advance review from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
❤️ World Building: I loved the world building in this! There were so many great descriptions, but none of them bogged down the story. I loved the historical aspect to the story as well, you could tell research was done on this.
❤️ The Characters: I LOVED Elizabeth, I loved her courage, her inner strength, & her moral compass. Her and Charlotte’s friendship is the epitome to what a friendship should be! Caspian was written like one would imagine what a demon would be like, in the true sense, he is a true demon, he doesn’t really have redeeming qualities at this point. Asmodeus was also a wonderful side character I hope to see more of!
❤️ The Story: The story was fantastic. There was a lot of adventure and some action, but the personal stories are what made me love the book. They all had such depth that came from their past. It was nervewrecking, at parts funny, but overall it was very moving.
❤️🔥Overall: I think this is an incredible start to a new series that I can’t wait to keep reading!
European Witch Hunt Facts: Some commentators and scholars, even in the 20th century, have claimed ‘millions’ were executed, but the current best guess is that, between the famous papal bull of 1484, which implored authorities across Europe to eliminate witchcraft, and 1782, some 50,000-60,000 people were accused of being witches and legally executed. Historian Ronald Hutton estimated that in Germany as many as 26,000 may have been executed as witches. Hutton puts the figure for England and Wales at around 1,000. One specialist believes that somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 accused witches may have been killed in Scotland in the years 1560–1707.
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Author: @oliviahunterwrites
POV: Multi 3rd Person
Gene: Historical Romantasy
Triggers: Blood & Gore, Open Door, Violance, etc.
Read Time: 12 - 16 Hours
Expected Publishing Date: 4/25/2026
I received an advance review from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
❤️ World Building: I loved the world building in this! There were so many great descriptions, but none of them bogged down the story. I loved the historical aspect to the story as well, you could tell research was done on this.
❤️ The Characters: I LOVED Elizabeth, I loved her courage, her inner strength, & her moral compass. Her and Charlotte’s friendship is the epitome to what a friendship should be! Caspian was written like one would imagine what a demon would be like, in the true sense, he is a true demon, he doesn’t really have redeeming qualities at this point. Asmodeus was also a wonderful side character I hope to see more of!
❤️ The Story: The story was fantastic. There was a lot of adventure and some action, but the personal stories are what made me love the book. They all had such depth that came from their past. It was nervewrecking, at parts funny, but overall it was very moving.
❤️🔥Overall: I think this is an incredible start to a new series that I can’t wait to keep reading!
European Witch Hunt Facts: Some commentators and scholars, even in the 20th century, have claimed ‘millions’ were executed, but the current best guess is that, between the famous papal bull of 1484, which implored authorities across Europe to eliminate witchcraft, and 1782, some 50,000-60,000 people were accused of being witches and legally executed. Historian Ronald Hutton estimated that in Germany as many as 26,000 may have been executed as witches. Hutton puts the figure for England and Wales at around 1,000. One specialist believes that somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 accused witches may have been killed in Scotland in the years 1560–1707.
April 23, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. Wow the ending 🤷🏻♀️…I definitely can’t wait for the next book!! I absolutely loved this book!! The world building was phenomenal and on point!! Elizabeth is a strong FMC who knows what she wants!! This story kept me wanting more and had me hooked to where it was hard to put down!! Chefs kiss Olivia Hunter!! Can’t wait to see where this goes!! Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
“In a world where magic is punishable by death, and witches and demons lurk in the shadows, Elizabeth Ashcroft must learn how to survive without the protection of the nobility or her family name.
Forced into an arranged marriage with a wealthy, but cruel man, Elizabeth becomes desperate to find a way out. A handsome demon named Caspian offers her his help, in exchange for blood. Her blood, specifically, and her company in his home. Elizabeth finds this odd, for he refuses to tell her why he would trade so much to gain so little. Before she knew it, she’s sucked into a world of darkness and blood. A world filled with demons and witches and magic that quickly turns deadly to navigate.”
“In a world where magic is punishable by death, and witches and demons lurk in the shadows, Elizabeth Ashcroft must learn how to survive without the protection of the nobility or her family name.
Forced into an arranged marriage with a wealthy, but cruel man, Elizabeth becomes desperate to find a way out. A handsome demon named Caspian offers her his help, in exchange for blood. Her blood, specifically, and her company in his home. Elizabeth finds this odd, for he refuses to tell her why he would trade so much to gain so little. Before she knew it, she’s sucked into a world of darkness and blood. A world filled with demons and witches and magic that quickly turns deadly to navigate.”
April 25, 2026
Wow! This story has fantastic world building. The setting feels immersive with how descriptive Olivia was with her writing. It was easy to put myself into the story.
This was such a nice take on demons and witches. Elizabeth has always taught to be quiet and demure. She's tried to push from marrying but her father has decided it's no longer her choice. Elizabeth is going to be forced to marry an old lord known for cruelty. However, after an attempted assault at a ball she runs away after making a deal with a demon. There's underlining tension, little twists, and leaves you enraptured.
These characters have many layers. They'll have you frustrated yet rooting for them. Let me tell you that ending?? I can't wait for book two!
Thank you Olivia for the gifted ebook!
This was such a nice take on demons and witches. Elizabeth has always taught to be quiet and demure. She's tried to push from marrying but her father has decided it's no longer her choice. Elizabeth is going to be forced to marry an old lord known for cruelty. However, after an attempted assault at a ball she runs away after making a deal with a demon. There's underlining tension, little twists, and leaves you enraptured.
These characters have many layers. They'll have you frustrated yet rooting for them. Let me tell you that ending?? I can't wait for book two!
Thank you Olivia for the gifted ebook!
August 8, 2026
Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Olivia Hunter for the eARC!
I ended up liking this a lot more than I expected to, mostly because Elizabeth is the kind of FMC I get attached to really fast.
She is put through SO much and somehow still keeps this little core of steel in her the entire time. She’s scared, she doesn’t always know what the hell is going on, and half the people around her are keeping secrets, but she never felt helpless to me. Even when her options are terrible, she is constantly trying to figure out how to take some control back. I loved that about her.
And she is stubborn. Extremely stubborn. Sometimes I wanted to grab her by the shoulders, but also… I respect it 😂 She doesn’t just blindly accept what Caspian tells her, she questions him, pushes him, gets angry with him, and keeps trying to understand exactly what she has gotten herself into.
Caspian was still probably my favorite part of the romance side of things because that man is suspicious as hell. The whole blood bargain had me side-eyeing him constantly, especially because he refuses to properly explain basically anything. Their dynamic was fun because Elizabeth does not make it easy for him. There’s always this little tug of war between them where he knows more than he’s saying and she KNOWS he knows more than he’s saying.
I also really liked the darker atmosphere. Witches, demons, forbidden magic, blood, secrets, people hiding what they are. It has this gloomy fairytale feeling that I wish we got even more of because those were some of my favorite parts.
There were definitely moments where I wanted the mystery to move a little faster. I was DYING to know more about Elizabeth, the prophecy, and why Caspian was so interested in her blood, and occasionally I was just sitting there like PLEASE SOMEONE EXPLAIN SOMETHING 😂
But Elizabeth really carried this for me. Watching her go from being trapped in a life other people chose for her to realizing she might actually have the power to choose something different was probably my favorite part.
I ended up liking this a lot more than I expected to, mostly because Elizabeth is the kind of FMC I get attached to really fast.
She is put through SO much and somehow still keeps this little core of steel in her the entire time. She’s scared, she doesn’t always know what the hell is going on, and half the people around her are keeping secrets, but she never felt helpless to me. Even when her options are terrible, she is constantly trying to figure out how to take some control back. I loved that about her.
And she is stubborn. Extremely stubborn. Sometimes I wanted to grab her by the shoulders, but also… I respect it 😂 She doesn’t just blindly accept what Caspian tells her, she questions him, pushes him, gets angry with him, and keeps trying to understand exactly what she has gotten herself into.
Caspian was still probably my favorite part of the romance side of things because that man is suspicious as hell. The whole blood bargain had me side-eyeing him constantly, especially because he refuses to properly explain basically anything. Their dynamic was fun because Elizabeth does not make it easy for him. There’s always this little tug of war between them where he knows more than he’s saying and she KNOWS he knows more than he’s saying.
I also really liked the darker atmosphere. Witches, demons, forbidden magic, blood, secrets, people hiding what they are. It has this gloomy fairytale feeling that I wish we got even more of because those were some of my favorite parts.
There were definitely moments where I wanted the mystery to move a little faster. I was DYING to know more about Elizabeth, the prophecy, and why Caspian was so interested in her blood, and occasionally I was just sitting there like PLEASE SOMEONE EXPLAIN SOMETHING 😂
But Elizabeth really carried this for me. Watching her go from being trapped in a life other people chose for her to realizing she might actually have the power to choose something different was probably my favorite part.
August 5, 2026
The Witch Blood Prophecy is a spellbinding dark fantasy that delivers a masterclass in the slow burn, enemies to lovers trope. When high society Elizabeth accepts a dangerous blood pact with the revenge driven demon Caspian to escape an arranged marriage, their arrangement quickly spirals into a tense web of deception, lingering glances, and undeniable heat. Caspian’s original plot for vengeance completely unravels as his dark motives yield to genuine feelings, leaving Elizabeth torn between lingering betrayal and a fierce connection. Set against a high stakes backdrop of a warring demon realm, a world where magic is punishable by death, and a prophecy holding the fate of humanity, the story seamlessly weaves intense forbidden romance with perilous world building. The interplay of high risk magic and impossible sacrifices keeps the tension sky high, making this captivating read an absolute must for dark fantasy romance fans who will be eagerly counting down the days until the next installment.
April 23, 2026
✨🔮 𝟱⭐ 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 🔮✨
Witch Blood Prophecy (Kingdom of Forest & Mist #1) by @oliviahunterwrites
Magic outlawed. Witches hunted. Demons making very questionable but tempting offers… yeah, I was hooked IMMEDIATELY 😌🖤
Elizabeth Ashcroft goes from noble life to pure survival mode—and watching her rise in a world that wants her powerless? Absolutely everything. 👑🔥
And then there’s Caspian… 👀
Dark, dangerous, mysterious demon with secrets for days—offering protection in exchange for her blood AND her company?? Sir… explain yourself (or don’t… I’m intrigued 😏🩸)
But can we talk about the SIDE CHARACTERS?? Because they came in and refused to be background noise 👏✨
And the DEMON HORSE?!?!? 🐎🔥
I would die for him. No notes. Just love.
The atmosphere is thick with shadow and magic—every moment feels like something is lurking just beneath the surface, ready to strike. It’s dangerous, addictive, and impossible to put down. 🌫️🔮
📖 OUT APRIL 25TH — THREE DAYS!!!
This is one of those stories where you can feel the bigger chaos building… and I am SO ready to spiral with it 😈📚
Witch Blood Prophecy (Kingdom of Forest & Mist #1) by @oliviahunterwrites
Magic outlawed. Witches hunted. Demons making very questionable but tempting offers… yeah, I was hooked IMMEDIATELY 😌🖤
Elizabeth Ashcroft goes from noble life to pure survival mode—and watching her rise in a world that wants her powerless? Absolutely everything. 👑🔥
And then there’s Caspian… 👀
Dark, dangerous, mysterious demon with secrets for days—offering protection in exchange for her blood AND her company?? Sir… explain yourself (or don’t… I’m intrigued 😏🩸)
But can we talk about the SIDE CHARACTERS?? Because they came in and refused to be background noise 👏✨
And the DEMON HORSE?!?!? 🐎🔥
I would die for him. No notes. Just love.
The atmosphere is thick with shadow and magic—every moment feels like something is lurking just beneath the surface, ready to strike. It’s dangerous, addictive, and impossible to put down. 🌫️🔮
📖 OUT APRIL 25TH — THREE DAYS!!!
This is one of those stories where you can feel the bigger chaos building… and I am SO ready to spiral with it 😈📚
August 7, 2026
I loved this. This was just. So different??
It starts off like every other romantasy book on the planet - a girl gets engaged to awful man, and then a hot immortal guy who frowns a lot and has big muscles waltzes in and whisks her off to a magical castle. But THEN. Unexpected things keep happening. By the middle of the book I had no idea what to expect next. I guessed one plot twist pretty early on, and then the others I was SHOOKETH BY.
No spoilers but the prophecy plot twist (IYKYK), and that ending cliffhanger I did not see coming. I expected them to make up and live happily ever in Mr. Frowny McFrownerson's castle BUT THEN???
I just simply was not expecting that.
Also the romance was teaaa. I think I've just read soooo many books lately where they're enemies for about 2 pages and then BOOM they're in love, so I personally really loved that this book was not that. Caspian is very obviously a villain, and I loved that his humanity slowly inched to the surface around Elizabeth, giving us tiny glimpses of him having a shred of compassion and kindness. I loved that Elizabeth starts off basically hating him, for very valid reasons, and then warred with her attraction to Hotty McHottiePants with his muscles and deep ass voice (at least I'm picturing him with a deep voice) and her desire to not bang a psychotic murderer. (Honestly fair).
The arguing was hot, and I genuinely don't know what that says about me as a person.
The rain argument?
The hallway argument where she refuses to kiss him?
If I was her I would have folded like a cheap suit. I would have moved all my sh*t into the castle and told me parents seeya at the first forehead kiss but I guess that's why I am not the heroine LOL. I appreciate Elizabeth having morals and not wanting to sleep with or fall in love with a murderer, but I was basically yelling at my kindle for her to f*** the demon already by 40%.
speaking of.
The. ORB????
I also loved the side characters. The DRAGON. Also the demon horse was fun, and I liked Asmodeus and Charlotte and totally hope they are a thing in book two. Asmodeus was so funny, any scene he was in I was absolutely cackling.
Me reading about Asmodeus trying to woo Miss Charlotte in book 2:
Predictions for book 2
- We get more of Caspian's backstory / he continues his glacial pace character growth
- We find out more about magicy things and plot things
- Charlotte and Asmodeus get together
- Moar dragon.
Anyway. Um this review is already long and unhinged so final thoughts: I enjoyed this, pacing was eehhhhh in the first 20%, but I picked it up again and flew through the rest of the book from there and loved the ending. The worldbuilding was deep without being a lore dump, so I do give kudos for that.
It starts off like every other romantasy book on the planet - a girl gets engaged to awful man, and then a hot immortal guy who frowns a lot and has big muscles waltzes in and whisks her off to a magical castle. But THEN. Unexpected things keep happening. By the middle of the book I had no idea what to expect next. I guessed one plot twist pretty early on, and then the others I was SHOOKETH BY.
No spoilers but the prophecy plot twist (IYKYK), and that ending cliffhanger I did not see coming. I expected them to make up and live happily ever in Mr. Frowny McFrownerson's castle BUT THEN???
I just simply was not expecting that.
Also the romance was teaaa. I think I've just read soooo many books lately where they're enemies for about 2 pages and then BOOM they're in love, so I personally really loved that this book was not that. Caspian is very obviously a villain, and I loved that his humanity slowly inched to the surface around Elizabeth, giving us tiny glimpses of him having a shred of compassion and kindness. I loved that Elizabeth starts off basically hating him, for very valid reasons, and then warred with her attraction to Hotty McHottiePants with his muscles and deep ass voice (at least I'm picturing him with a deep voice) and her desire to not bang a psychotic murderer. (Honestly fair).
The arguing was hot, and I genuinely don't know what that says about me as a person.
The rain argument?
The hallway argument where she refuses to kiss him?
If I was her I would have folded like a cheap suit. I would have moved all my sh*t into the castle and told me parents seeya at the first forehead kiss but I guess that's why I am not the heroine LOL. I appreciate Elizabeth having morals and not wanting to sleep with or fall in love with a murderer, but I was basically yelling at my kindle for her to f*** the demon already by 40%.
speaking of.
The. ORB????
I also loved the side characters. The DRAGON. Also the demon horse was fun, and I liked Asmodeus and Charlotte and totally hope they are a thing in book two. Asmodeus was so funny, any scene he was in I was absolutely cackling.
Me reading about Asmodeus trying to woo Miss Charlotte in book 2:
Predictions for book 2
- We get more of Caspian's backstory / he continues his glacial pace character growth
- We find out more about magicy things and plot things
- Charlotte and Asmodeus get together
- Moar dragon.
Anyway. Um this review is already long and unhinged so final thoughts: I enjoyed this, pacing was eehhhhh in the first 20%, but I picked it up again and flew through the rest of the book from there and loved the ending. The worldbuilding was deep without being a lore dump, so I do give kudos for that.
July 29, 2026
2.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Spice level: 3 🌶
Elizabeth, a young noblewoman suddenly betrothed to a much older, violent man, strikes a pact with a demon to escape. What looks like a simple trade -- her blood and company for Caspian’s money and protection -- is part of a larger design on his side.
First, the good parts. There sure is no shortage of characters, events, locations and plotlines. There is some sense of place, and the sense of time is not bad either -- distances are large, travel takes time, things don't happen instantaneously, and there is some cohesiveness between the setting and the events. A couple of spicy scenes are well crafted. The story setup has a lot of potential.
Sentence by sentence the prose is fine. But somehow the plot lines and the character development don't come through self-consistently.
Elizabeth, late twenties, still reads as adolescent: bookish, strangely immature ideas on marriage, little worldly knowledge, thin reasons for Caspian’s interest beyond looks. Caspian flips between demon and man without consistent reasons or traits. He is stalkerish and obsessive one moment, oddly careless about Elizabeth's whereabouts the next (to the point when he has no idea how and with whom she is spending most of her time). A scene where they struggle to compliment each other is telling -- attraction without substance. A side plot line between Elizabeth and her father is also emotionally inconsistent. She is self-assured enough to flee and make a stand against him, but not to get angry at him and question his alleged love for her.
I struggle with the main conflict. The romance is less enemies-to-lovers than Beauty and the Beast, which is fine if the beast had interesting, redeeming qualities and evidence of growth. I don't see this here. He has coldly and deliberately psychologically destroyed and then murdered many women. The only "growth" is that he is somehow excepting Elizabeth from this track -- not out of remorse or reconsideration of his revenge mission, but for reasons that don't quite click. One moment he thinks her shallow, the next she is suddenly interesting, but not much new is revealed about her. Despite his professed affection, he still continues to lie to her (e.g., regarding his role in her family's demise). I truly don't see how he can be recovered as an interesting or romantic hero from this.
Elizabeth oscillates between terror for her own safety, moral indignation about his violence, and incomprehensibly gluing herself to him without regard to his crimes. She is at her most interesting when she is trying to resist him, reminds herself that he uses magic to compel her, and defies the standards of her society when she plans to indulge in just the physical aspect of the relationship. So when she throws herself at him and asks for his affection, that seems emotionally inconsistent.
The last quarter is over-the-top full of events and new revelations that perhaps read too much of convenient new magic whenever the plot needs it.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Spice level: 3 🌶
Elizabeth, a young noblewoman suddenly betrothed to a much older, violent man, strikes a pact with a demon to escape. What looks like a simple trade -- her blood and company for Caspian’s money and protection -- is part of a larger design on his side.
First, the good parts. There sure is no shortage of characters, events, locations and plotlines. There is some sense of place, and the sense of time is not bad either -- distances are large, travel takes time, things don't happen instantaneously, and there is some cohesiveness between the setting and the events. A couple of spicy scenes are well crafted. The story setup has a lot of potential.
Sentence by sentence the prose is fine. But somehow the plot lines and the character development don't come through self-consistently.
Elizabeth, late twenties, still reads as adolescent: bookish, strangely immature ideas on marriage, little worldly knowledge, thin reasons for Caspian’s interest beyond looks. Caspian flips between demon and man without consistent reasons or traits. He is stalkerish and obsessive one moment, oddly careless about Elizabeth's whereabouts the next (to the point when he has no idea how and with whom she is spending most of her time). A scene where they struggle to compliment each other is telling -- attraction without substance. A side plot line between Elizabeth and her father is also emotionally inconsistent. She is self-assured enough to flee and make a stand against him, but not to get angry at him and question his alleged love for her.
I struggle with the main conflict. The romance is less enemies-to-lovers than Beauty and the Beast, which is fine if the beast had interesting, redeeming qualities and evidence of growth. I don't see this here. He has coldly and deliberately psychologically destroyed and then murdered many women. The only "growth" is that he is somehow excepting Elizabeth from this track -- not out of remorse or reconsideration of his revenge mission, but for reasons that don't quite click. One moment he thinks her shallow, the next she is suddenly interesting, but not much new is revealed about her. Despite his professed affection, he still continues to lie to her (e.g., regarding his role in her family's demise). I truly don't see how he can be recovered as an interesting or romantic hero from this.
Elizabeth oscillates between terror for her own safety, moral indignation about his violence, and incomprehensibly gluing herself to him without regard to his crimes. She is at her most interesting when she is trying to resist him, reminds herself that he uses magic to compel her, and defies the standards of her society when she plans to indulge in just the physical aspect of the relationship. So when she throws herself at him and asks for his affection, that seems emotionally inconsistent.
The last quarter is over-the-top full of events and new revelations that perhaps read too much of convenient new magic whenever the plot needs it.
May 20, 2026
✨️ARC REVIEW✨️
3.5🌟
2🌶
Thank you to Olivia Hunter for the opportunity to read this intriguing story.
What would you do for revenge? What would you do for freedom? What would you do to save someone you care about? Why, make a deal with a demon, of course!
Our story begins with Elise, sole child to the Ashcroft fortune in a society that, though ruled by a powerful queen, values women as nothing more than bargaining chips. When it is announced her father has brokered an engagement to a lord rumored to be cruel, Elise is devastated. Following the announcement, Elise keeps running into this gorgeous silver-eyed stranger, Caspian. He reveals he is a demon, the blood-sucking monsters of nightmares, and proposes to give her the freedom she craves in exchange for 3 months as his companion. After learning the truth about her betrothed, Elise jumps at Caspian's offer and abandons her family.
Caspian has been hunting revenge against those who wronged him. Elise Ashcroft is the last piece to that puzzle and he won't let her stand in his way. But…there's just something about her that is not like those that came before her. As Elise navigates her way through a demon household and Caspian is working to stop a war in the demon Realms, the two will have to face this draw between them.
I have been dying for a new romantasy. The world building in this book was top tier. Hunter crafted a world of both human and magical creature political intrigue. And one does not exist without the other. The mystery as Elise uncovered it had me begging for answers. The back and forth with Caspian had the most delicious “will they, won't they” moments. I'm dying to see what's next. With all that said, the pacing was a bit slow and felt unnecessary to drag some points out. Elise had moments where she got on my nerves with her deliberate obtuseness. The instant hot & cold that Caspian displayed every time he was near Elise confused me when all of a sudden they seemed to have this deep connection. I will say the last quarter of the book made up for it though. It was action packed, new mysteries and heartbreak were revealed. I am honestly excited for the next segment to see where these characters go.
Tropes:
🥀Enemies to lovers,
💜Open Door Spice,
🥀Witch and Demons,
💜Prophecy,
🥀Reluctant Hero,
💜Grumpy x Sunshine,
🥀Good v. Evil,
💜Forced Proximity
🥀Enemies to Lovers
Favorite Quotes:
"He wanted to find her more than he craved revenge, and that realization alarmed him. She had wrapped him around her little finger and she didn’t even know it.”
“Reading, not dangerous? She snorted. A well- read woman was the most dangerous creature there was.”
“I want you because I have glimpsed your soul, and it has intrigued me beyond all reckoning”
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The above opinions are my own.
3.5🌟
2🌶
Thank you to Olivia Hunter for the opportunity to read this intriguing story.
What would you do for revenge? What would you do for freedom? What would you do to save someone you care about? Why, make a deal with a demon, of course!
Our story begins with Elise, sole child to the Ashcroft fortune in a society that, though ruled by a powerful queen, values women as nothing more than bargaining chips. When it is announced her father has brokered an engagement to a lord rumored to be cruel, Elise is devastated. Following the announcement, Elise keeps running into this gorgeous silver-eyed stranger, Caspian. He reveals he is a demon, the blood-sucking monsters of nightmares, and proposes to give her the freedom she craves in exchange for 3 months as his companion. After learning the truth about her betrothed, Elise jumps at Caspian's offer and abandons her family.
Caspian has been hunting revenge against those who wronged him. Elise Ashcroft is the last piece to that puzzle and he won't let her stand in his way. But…there's just something about her that is not like those that came before her. As Elise navigates her way through a demon household and Caspian is working to stop a war in the demon Realms, the two will have to face this draw between them.
I have been dying for a new romantasy. The world building in this book was top tier. Hunter crafted a world of both human and magical creature political intrigue. And one does not exist without the other. The mystery as Elise uncovered it had me begging for answers. The back and forth with Caspian had the most delicious “will they, won't they” moments. I'm dying to see what's next. With all that said, the pacing was a bit slow and felt unnecessary to drag some points out. Elise had moments where she got on my nerves with her deliberate obtuseness. The instant hot & cold that Caspian displayed every time he was near Elise confused me when all of a sudden they seemed to have this deep connection. I will say the last quarter of the book made up for it though. It was action packed, new mysteries and heartbreak were revealed. I am honestly excited for the next segment to see where these characters go.
Tropes:
🥀Enemies to lovers,
💜Open Door Spice,
🥀Witch and Demons,
💜Prophecy,
🥀Reluctant Hero,
💜Grumpy x Sunshine,
🥀Good v. Evil,
💜Forced Proximity
🥀Enemies to Lovers
Favorite Quotes:
"He wanted to find her more than he craved revenge, and that realization alarmed him. She had wrapped him around her little finger and she didn’t even know it.”
“Reading, not dangerous? She snorted. A well- read woman was the most dangerous creature there was.”
“I want you because I have glimpsed your soul, and it has intrigued me beyond all reckoning”
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The above opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4 ⭐ | 🌶️🌶️
This one started a little slow for me. I’m not usually a fan of third person, so it took me a bit to get into it, but once I did, I really enjoyed the story!
Elizabeth is forced into an engagement with a cruel duke, and her situation changes when she meets Caspian, a demon who offers her a deal. He will save her from the engagement, and in return, she must live with him for three months and give him her blood whenever he desires. At the same time, demons, witches, and angels are all hunting for an amulet that can open a portal to the demon world, and Elizabeth ends up in far more danger than she realizes when she learns where it is.
Elizabeth starts off quiet and introverted, and I really liked watching her grow into someone stronger who stands up for herself. That said, she was very back and forth with her feelings for Caspian, which gave me a bit of whiplash. The mixed signals were real.
Caspian is fully morally gray, maybe even black, and completely unapologetic about it. He clearly has his own motives when it comes to Elizabeth, and I liked that I was constantly questioning whether he actually cared about her or if it was all part of his plan. His softer moments with her were really enjoyable, but I still feel like I don’t fully understand him yet. I’m hoping we get more depth in book two.
Their relationship was honestly a bit frustrating at times. Because it was so inconsistent, I found myself not fully emotionally invested. It felt like Elizabeth kind of liked him, but I didn’t fully believe she loved him. Some of her actions suggested it, but I didn’t always feel it in her thoughts or words. She was also a little hard on him at times. That said, the feeding scenes were fun and I wanted more of them, and the tension and yearning from Caspian were definitely highlights.
The side characters really stood out in this one! I loved Elizabeth’s outgoing, carefree friend Charlotte! She was such a great contrast and an amazing friend. Asmodeus, Caspian’s flirty demon friend, completely stole every scene he was in and made me laugh. I would love to see something happen between him and Charlotte because their personalities would work so well together! Queen Rowena was another favorite. She gave strong Queen Charlotte from Bridgerton vibes, which I loved.
The world itself was also a big win for me. I’m always here for court intrigue and gothic castle vibes, and getting to see the underworld added another fun layer.
I won’t lie, the ending annoyed me in some ways, but it definitely set things up for a strong start to book two. I’m really curious to see where it goes from here!
Thank you to the author for my early copy! 🫶🏻
This one started a little slow for me. I’m not usually a fan of third person, so it took me a bit to get into it, but once I did, I really enjoyed the story!
Elizabeth is forced into an engagement with a cruel duke, and her situation changes when she meets Caspian, a demon who offers her a deal. He will save her from the engagement, and in return, she must live with him for three months and give him her blood whenever he desires. At the same time, demons, witches, and angels are all hunting for an amulet that can open a portal to the demon world, and Elizabeth ends up in far more danger than she realizes when she learns where it is.
Elizabeth starts off quiet and introverted, and I really liked watching her grow into someone stronger who stands up for herself. That said, she was very back and forth with her feelings for Caspian, which gave me a bit of whiplash. The mixed signals were real.
Caspian is fully morally gray, maybe even black, and completely unapologetic about it. He clearly has his own motives when it comes to Elizabeth, and I liked that I was constantly questioning whether he actually cared about her or if it was all part of his plan. His softer moments with her were really enjoyable, but I still feel like I don’t fully understand him yet. I’m hoping we get more depth in book two.
Their relationship was honestly a bit frustrating at times. Because it was so inconsistent, I found myself not fully emotionally invested. It felt like Elizabeth kind of liked him, but I didn’t fully believe she loved him. Some of her actions suggested it, but I didn’t always feel it in her thoughts or words. She was also a little hard on him at times. That said, the feeding scenes were fun and I wanted more of them, and the tension and yearning from Caspian were definitely highlights.
The side characters really stood out in this one! I loved Elizabeth’s outgoing, carefree friend Charlotte! She was such a great contrast and an amazing friend. Asmodeus, Caspian’s flirty demon friend, completely stole every scene he was in and made me laugh. I would love to see something happen between him and Charlotte because their personalities would work so well together! Queen Rowena was another favorite. She gave strong Queen Charlotte from Bridgerton vibes, which I loved.
The world itself was also a big win for me. I’m always here for court intrigue and gothic castle vibes, and getting to see the underworld added another fun layer.
I won’t lie, the ending annoyed me in some ways, but it definitely set things up for a strong start to book two. I’m really curious to see where it goes from here!
Thank you to the author for my early copy! 🫶🏻
May 15, 2026
I loved the plot, would have liked more from the romance. HOWEVER, the ending was pleasantly surprising.
Olivia Hunter has built a fascinating world in Asteria. I shared the map earlier, right after finishing The Witch Blood Prophecy, and I wanted to share more about my latest read. It was clear early in the book that Olivia has spent a lot of time worldbuilding and it wasn’t too difficult to find myself immersed in Rhodea and later in Arboras. It would have been nice to feel that same way in the underworld, but maybe it’s supposed to be confusing and foreign feeling to add to Elizabeth’s unease.
Overall, I’d give this book a three star rating, but I’ll break it down further below. My biggest craving as a reader is to feel like I know the characters and to watch them change. In order for that change to be meaningful, I need to feel like I have a level of understanding of them. I didn’t always understand Elizabeth, Caspian, or Charlotte’s actions and I think a part of that was that they could have been developed better. However, this is book one and I have hope that we’ll get more backstory, motives, and character traits in the rest of the series. I think the best portion of my review is the next line: I plan on reading the next book when it comes out!
For fantasy, I’d give this book a four star rating. Like I said above, I found Asteria fascinating. I loved being immersed in this world and it holds up to the fantasy elements and tropes that readers are expecting. The way magic was explained was naturally woven into the story and made sense in the wider world of Asteria. Gehenna was my favorite part IFKYK.
As for romance, I’d give this book a two star rating. It’s marketed as a dark romance and it is dark. I knew that going into it, but I felt that it was dark for the sake of being dark and didn’t always advance the plot, just pushed the envelope. In fact, I almost DNF after one of the intimate scenes. I don’t like degradation in the bedroom and I wasn’t expecting Caspian to act like he did after the Lord Howard incident. The only reason I pushed through is because the scene did not make sense in the larger plot, and I’m glad I kept reading because I felt the author redeemed that scene with Elizabeth’s later actions. My favorite part of their romance was the letter in Chapter 62. I’m hoping we get a Mr. Darcy moment in the next book(s) where Caspian makes some changes. Please tell me I’m not the only one who saw Lizzie and Charlotte as best friends and jumped to P&P comparisons! Hoping for a redeeming character arc for a demon seems absurd, but that’s exactly what I’d like. Maybe I’m just a sucker for a pair of green eyes.
Olivia Hunter has built a fascinating world in Asteria. I shared the map earlier, right after finishing The Witch Blood Prophecy, and I wanted to share more about my latest read. It was clear early in the book that Olivia has spent a lot of time worldbuilding and it wasn’t too difficult to find myself immersed in Rhodea and later in Arboras. It would have been nice to feel that same way in the underworld, but maybe it’s supposed to be confusing and foreign feeling to add to Elizabeth’s unease.
Overall, I’d give this book a three star rating, but I’ll break it down further below. My biggest craving as a reader is to feel like I know the characters and to watch them change. In order for that change to be meaningful, I need to feel like I have a level of understanding of them. I didn’t always understand Elizabeth, Caspian, or Charlotte’s actions and I think a part of that was that they could have been developed better. However, this is book one and I have hope that we’ll get more backstory, motives, and character traits in the rest of the series. I think the best portion of my review is the next line: I plan on reading the next book when it comes out!
For fantasy, I’d give this book a four star rating. Like I said above, I found Asteria fascinating. I loved being immersed in this world and it holds up to the fantasy elements and tropes that readers are expecting. The way magic was explained was naturally woven into the story and made sense in the wider world of Asteria. Gehenna was my favorite part IFKYK.
As for romance, I’d give this book a two star rating. It’s marketed as a dark romance and it is dark. I knew that going into it, but I felt that it was dark for the sake of being dark and didn’t always advance the plot, just pushed the envelope. In fact, I almost DNF after one of the intimate scenes. I don’t like degradation in the bedroom and I wasn’t expecting Caspian to act like he did after the Lord Howard incident. The only reason I pushed through is because the scene did not make sense in the larger plot, and I’m glad I kept reading because I felt the author redeemed that scene with Elizabeth’s later actions. My favorite part of their romance was the letter in Chapter 62. I’m hoping we get a Mr. Darcy moment in the next book(s) where Caspian makes some changes. Please tell me I’m not the only one who saw Lizzie and Charlotte as best friends and jumped to P&P comparisons! Hoping for a redeeming character arc for a demon seems absurd, but that’s exactly what I’d like. Maybe I’m just a sucker for a pair of green eyes.
May 29, 2026
{Romantic Fantasy; M/F; dual POV; closed-door spice}
After a couple of weeks of gag-me writing or AO3, I finally found a novel I could read a second time. Elizabeth’s character just appealed to me. Although she was born into the society elite, her father indulged her, allowing her to take up the business’s accounting and learning horseback riding. Since Elizabeth was in a Regency-like society, she was unfortunately being forced into marriage with an older man, but she did not let her father or the old man’s leering domination cow her into a bad marriage. Instead, she took a demon’s bargain and planned her downgraded life. It takes real courage to buck expectations, hock all your jewels, and save for a small apartment and plain frock.
The bargain calls for 3 months of closeness, allowing demon Caspian to suck her blood like a vampire. Elizabeth is willing to stay 3 months, even if he seems cold and aloof at first. Only over time does she find out why he bargained for her safety. After all, she talked him down from 1 year to 3 months, but my mind kept screaming *NOOOOO! * *You had a year of life guaranteed, now you have 3 months*? Be careful what you bargain for!
Elizabeth gets two chances to prevent her fate: first, she meets the angel Ambriel, who awakens her magic. Then an unmarked letter arrives encouraging her to explore her new witchy powers. Second, she learns that Caspian and Ambriel both need a special amulet, and Caspian might want that more than her.
The ROMANCE:
It’s a slow-burn to medium-burn from strangers to lovers.
“She was his. Completely. And that felt like the most beautiful and terrible thing in the world.“
I enjoyed the angst, then Caspian’s realization that he might lose her, Elizabeth’s recognition that she loves him but cannot stay, and the eventual HEA.
THE PLOT:
The plot changed during the last 35% or so to a typical fantasy with romantic ending. Honestly, I needed that. It’s a longer book, and I stopped reading at 70%, thinking I needed a change. Well, none of the other books kept me motivated, so I started reading it again. Elizabeth had an adventure to save her non-lover, but it was more of a fantasy with dragons at that point.
THE WRITING STYLE:
I have to mention this now that we have A.I.-influenced writing. I did NOT get the idea that an A.I. helped write the sentences or plot. Yahoo!
After a couple of weeks of gag-me writing or AO3, I finally found a novel I could read a second time. Elizabeth’s character just appealed to me. Although she was born into the society elite, her father indulged her, allowing her to take up the business’s accounting and learning horseback riding. Since Elizabeth was in a Regency-like society, she was unfortunately being forced into marriage with an older man, but she did not let her father or the old man’s leering domination cow her into a bad marriage. Instead, she took a demon’s bargain and planned her downgraded life. It takes real courage to buck expectations, hock all your jewels, and save for a small apartment and plain frock.
The bargain calls for 3 months of closeness, allowing demon Caspian to suck her blood like a vampire. Elizabeth is willing to stay 3 months, even if he seems cold and aloof at first. Only over time does she find out why he bargained for her safety. After all, she talked him down from 1 year to 3 months, but my mind kept screaming *NOOOOO! * *You had a year of life guaranteed, now you have 3 months*? Be careful what you bargain for!
Elizabeth gets two chances to prevent her fate: first, she meets the angel Ambriel, who awakens her magic. Then an unmarked letter arrives encouraging her to explore her new witchy powers. Second, she learns that Caspian and Ambriel both need a special amulet, and Caspian might want that more than her.
The ROMANCE:
It’s a slow-burn to medium-burn from strangers to lovers.
“She was his. Completely. And that felt like the most beautiful and terrible thing in the world.“
I enjoyed the angst, then Caspian’s realization that he might lose her, Elizabeth’s recognition that she loves him but cannot stay, and the eventual HEA.
THE PLOT:
The plot changed during the last 35% or so to a typical fantasy with romantic ending. Honestly, I needed that. It’s a longer book, and I stopped reading at 70%, thinking I needed a change. Well, none of the other books kept me motivated, so I started reading it again. Elizabeth had an adventure to save her non-lover, but it was more of a fantasy with dragons at that point.
THE WRITING STYLE:
I have to mention this now that we have A.I.-influenced writing. I did NOT get the idea that an A.I. helped write the sentences or plot. Yahoo!
August 15, 2026
“Sating his thirst for revenge against the atrocities committed against his ancestors was the only hunt that ever piqued his interest anymore.”
What it’s about:
Elizabeth Ashcroft, a noblewoman in her late twentie, is shocked when her father decides she is to marry a rich, older man who’s known for his cruelty. After being accosted by him at a party, Elizabeth makes a deal with a demon named Caspian to provide him with her blood for three months in exchange for her liberation. Little does she know the truth behind Caspian’s motivations. But despite her distrust and dislike, she begins to struggle with a growing attraction to Caspian.
What I liked:
I love Beauty and the Beast retellings! I enjoyed making comparisons of the characters and plot lines. This one even had a Gaston character, which only sometimes happens in the retellings I’ve read. Overall, I think it’s one of the more original retellings of the story I’ve read. My favorite characters were definitely Caspian, Asmodeus, and Charlotte. I liked Caspian’s complexity and how he evolved throughout the course of the book. Asmodeus was a lot of fun with his cheeky nature—I actually wish we could have seen more of him. And I really liked Charlotte’s intelligence, wit, and fierceness. I actually liked her significantly more than Elizabeth.
What I disliked:
My biggest complaint with this book had to do with the world-building surrounding the demons and angels. I feel like it was never really made clear how demons were made and what role both races played in the world. It made it hard to get into the world and find it believable. I also was not a fan of Elizabeth. For a woman claiming to be smart and clever she acted really ignorantly quite frequently. It started to grate on me. I also feel like the sections of the book that switched perspective were unnecessary to the story and wereredundant and sometimes confusing. Finally, I feel like the first spicy scene was not at all organic and came way too early in the narrative.
Final Notes:
I’m really on the fence about whether or not I’ll continue this series when book two comes out. On the one hand, I enjoyed the overall plot and am curious to see what happens next. But, with the poor world-building and an FMC that I didn’t really like, I don’t know if I’ll bother. I guess it depends on when it comes out and how I’m feeling at that time. Thanks to NetGalley and Olivia Hunter for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
What it’s about:
Elizabeth Ashcroft, a noblewoman in her late twentie, is shocked when her father decides she is to marry a rich, older man who’s known for his cruelty. After being accosted by him at a party, Elizabeth makes a deal with a demon named Caspian to provide him with her blood for three months in exchange for her liberation. Little does she know the truth behind Caspian’s motivations. But despite her distrust and dislike, she begins to struggle with a growing attraction to Caspian.
What I liked:
I love Beauty and the Beast retellings! I enjoyed making comparisons of the characters and plot lines. This one even had a Gaston character, which only sometimes happens in the retellings I’ve read. Overall, I think it’s one of the more original retellings of the story I’ve read. My favorite characters were definitely Caspian, Asmodeus, and Charlotte. I liked Caspian’s complexity and how he evolved throughout the course of the book. Asmodeus was a lot of fun with his cheeky nature—I actually wish we could have seen more of him. And I really liked Charlotte’s intelligence, wit, and fierceness. I actually liked her significantly more than Elizabeth.
What I disliked:
My biggest complaint with this book had to do with the world-building surrounding the demons and angels. I feel like it was never really made clear how demons were made and what role both races played in the world. It made it hard to get into the world and find it believable. I also was not a fan of Elizabeth. For a woman claiming to be smart and clever she acted really ignorantly quite frequently. It started to grate on me. I also feel like the sections of the book that switched perspective were unnecessary to the story and wereredundant and sometimes confusing. Finally, I feel like the first spicy scene was not at all organic and came way too early in the narrative.
Final Notes:
I’m really on the fence about whether or not I’ll continue this series when book two comes out. On the one hand, I enjoyed the overall plot and am curious to see what happens next. But, with the poor world-building and an FMC that I didn’t really like, I don’t know if I’ll bother. I guess it depends on when it comes out and how I’m feeling at that time. Thanks to NetGalley and Olivia Hunter for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
May 2, 2026
5 PLUS STARS!!!
Take a magical journey to a new land. A land fraught with danger, intrigue, romance, and SPICE! A land where witches must remain in hiding or be killed. A land where demons also roam yet stay hidden as well. A land where the humans are kept in line by a cruel, cold-blooded Queen. A land with a portal to the Underworld where one does not want to go, or do you?
Take this journey as you read this JUST PUBLISHED and AMAZING book!
The Main female Character is Elizabeth Ashcroft. Tall, blond, and absolutely gorgeous. Right from the beginning we learn she is nearing the point of being called an ‘Old Maid’ at the ripe old age of 26, and as she is from a family with wealth this is unacceptable. Her best friend Charlotte Harrison is the same age and from wealth as well yet for reasons unknown, at first, she does not demonstrate the same fear as Elizabeth. Where Elizabeth toes the line, prim and proper, Charlotte is happy, loud, and exuberant. What is one to do when one will be forced to wed against their wishes?
At the Midsummers Ball this is what happens when Elizabeth is forced to enter into a marriage contract with a cruel, old man. His actions when they are first alone in a room with only a frightened maid willing to stay silent drive her to contemplate the unthinkable. Yet enter Caspian. A very tall, well-built demon with silver eyes and dark hair. Caspian enters Elizabeth’s world for his own reasons, in fact he seeks her out. However, he becomes her ‘knight in shining armor’ when he offers her an escape from this unimaginably horrible marriage contract. But keep in mind all good things come with a price.
In this book you will learn the price Elizabeth must pay and see her grow in confidence and independence. You will learn secrets of the land. You will learn why Caspian sought Elizabeth out in the first place. You will learn why Charlotte is so strong-willed and confidant. You will learn who Caspian really is and see him grow as well. In this book you will laugh, cry, cringe, and blush. You will even encounter one of my favorite creatures!
This book held my attention from the first page and took me on a rollercoaster of fun! I simply can NOT wait for Book 2!!
Take a magical journey to a new land. A land fraught with danger, intrigue, romance, and SPICE! A land where witches must remain in hiding or be killed. A land where demons also roam yet stay hidden as well. A land where the humans are kept in line by a cruel, cold-blooded Queen. A land with a portal to the Underworld where one does not want to go, or do you?
Take this journey as you read this JUST PUBLISHED and AMAZING book!
The Main female Character is Elizabeth Ashcroft. Tall, blond, and absolutely gorgeous. Right from the beginning we learn she is nearing the point of being called an ‘Old Maid’ at the ripe old age of 26, and as she is from a family with wealth this is unacceptable. Her best friend Charlotte Harrison is the same age and from wealth as well yet for reasons unknown, at first, she does not demonstrate the same fear as Elizabeth. Where Elizabeth toes the line, prim and proper, Charlotte is happy, loud, and exuberant. What is one to do when one will be forced to wed against their wishes?
At the Midsummers Ball this is what happens when Elizabeth is forced to enter into a marriage contract with a cruel, old man. His actions when they are first alone in a room with only a frightened maid willing to stay silent drive her to contemplate the unthinkable. Yet enter Caspian. A very tall, well-built demon with silver eyes and dark hair. Caspian enters Elizabeth’s world for his own reasons, in fact he seeks her out. However, he becomes her ‘knight in shining armor’ when he offers her an escape from this unimaginably horrible marriage contract. But keep in mind all good things come with a price.
In this book you will learn the price Elizabeth must pay and see her grow in confidence and independence. You will learn secrets of the land. You will learn why Caspian sought Elizabeth out in the first place. You will learn why Charlotte is so strong-willed and confidant. You will learn who Caspian really is and see him grow as well. In this book you will laugh, cry, cringe, and blush. You will even encounter one of my favorite creatures!
This book held my attention from the first page and took me on a rollercoaster of fun! I simply can NOT wait for Book 2!!
May 11, 2026
This story gave me Beauty and the Beast vibes, but with a much darker edge. I’m not usually a dark romance/fantasy reader, and I honestly didn’t realize just how dark it would get because the beginning felt fun, charming, and easy to sink into. By the time the darker elements became more apparent, I was already invested in the story and especially in Elizabeth’s character, so I decided to keep going even knowing some scenes might be outside my comfort zone.
Elizabeth was definitely the highlight for me. I loved watching her grow from a timid noblewoman into someone more confident and capable of standing on her own. There were a few moments where I struggled to fully grasp her reactions; for example, when she encounters a demon and seems surprisingly unfazed. I wasn’t always sure whether she was scared, already familiar with them, or simply processing things internally. Still, despite those moments, I really liked her perspective and she was the reason I stayed so engaged in the story.
I also appreciated that the book actually had a strong plot driving things forward. Sometimes in romantasy the romance overshadows everything else, but here I found myself genuinely interested in the larger story. I do wish the war and political background had been explored a little more clearly, since some of those details didn’t fully stick with me, but I liked that there was a bigger world beyond the romance.
As for Caspian . . . I was torn in the best way. I love a broody MMC, and there was a lot to like about him, but he definitely leaned darker than what I personally gravitate toward. That said, I think readers who love dark romantasy will absolutely eat his character up. I also would have liked his redemption arc to feel a bit smoother emotionally, though that may just come down to my own preferences as a reader.
Around the 80% mark, the story became significantly darker than it had been earlier on (though, to be fair, the hints were there from the beginning), and I did end up skimming a few scenes that were too intense for me personally. Again, I think this is very much a “know your tastes” situation rather than a flaw in the book itself. Readers who enjoy darker romantasy will probably love where the story goes!
Overall, this was a really strong debut novel with compelling characters, a gripping atmosphere, and a romance that will definitely appeal to fans of darker fantasy romance.
Elizabeth was definitely the highlight for me. I loved watching her grow from a timid noblewoman into someone more confident and capable of standing on her own. There were a few moments where I struggled to fully grasp her reactions; for example, when she encounters a demon and seems surprisingly unfazed. I wasn’t always sure whether she was scared, already familiar with them, or simply processing things internally. Still, despite those moments, I really liked her perspective and she was the reason I stayed so engaged in the story.
I also appreciated that the book actually had a strong plot driving things forward. Sometimes in romantasy the romance overshadows everything else, but here I found myself genuinely interested in the larger story. I do wish the war and political background had been explored a little more clearly, since some of those details didn’t fully stick with me, but I liked that there was a bigger world beyond the romance.
As for Caspian . . . I was torn in the best way. I love a broody MMC, and there was a lot to like about him, but he definitely leaned darker than what I personally gravitate toward. That said, I think readers who love dark romantasy will absolutely eat his character up. I also would have liked his redemption arc to feel a bit smoother emotionally, though that may just come down to my own preferences as a reader.
Around the 80% mark, the story became significantly darker than it had been earlier on (though, to be fair, the hints were there from the beginning), and I did end up skimming a few scenes that were too intense for me personally. Again, I think this is very much a “know your tastes” situation rather than a flaw in the book itself. Readers who enjoy darker romantasy will probably love where the story goes!
Overall, this was a really strong debut novel with compelling characters, a gripping atmosphere, and a romance that will definitely appeal to fans of darker fantasy romance.
August 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Olivia Hunter for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First and foremost, this was a fantastic debut novel! Olivia… girllllll…. You killed it!
This one was a little hard for me to get into at first. Not enough that I wanted to stop reading because the story was absolutely interesting enough to keep me going, but it took me a few chapters to really find the rhythm of it.
Once I did though, I was IN.
Magic is punishable by death, witches and demons are very much real, Elizabeth is being forced toward an arranged marriage to a man she absolutely does not want to marry (Hunter did a great job making this man just so loathsome and lecherous) and then there’s Caspian and a bargain involving her blood because apparently we are making excellent decisions over here.
There was just a lot about this world that I wanted to know more about and once everything started moving I flew through it.
Also ASMODEUS.
Why did I become so attached to this man?? Honestly I’d read an entire novella about Asmodeus. I want to know what he is doing when everyone else is off dealing with the actual plot. He could be doing absolutely nothing important and I’d probably still read it.
The spice is there but I would definitely not call this a super spicy read, especially compared to some of the romantasy and dark romance I normally read. It was pretty minimal for me and honestly I didn’t mind that because there was enough happening with the actual story that I wasn’t sitting there waiting for it.
I think my biggest issue really was just getting through that beginning. It took my brain a minute to click with the writing and figure out where everything was going, but once it did the pacing felt SO much better.
This ended up being a really fun 3.5 star read for me. I wasn’t quite obsessed enough to push it into 4 star territory, but I absolutely wanted to keep reading and there are parts of this world and these characters I would happily come back for.
And by parts I mean Asmodeus.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book… I am still thinking about it. Olivia Hunter has truly set the stage for what promises to be an incredible series…and what a stage it is!
World Building – The attention to detail in the world building and lore is fantastic. I felt completely immersed from the beginning. And the map?? Beautiful. Such a fun and thoughtful touch that really added to the experience.
Characters – I LOVED the MMC. He is not the good guy. He’s a true villain and that felt very refreshing. The FMC is also wonderfully written: flawed, challenged, and incredibly human, which made her journey all the more engaging. The side characters deserve a shoutout too. The FMC’s best friend is one of my favorites, and the MMC’s right-hand man?? Chef’s kiss. Olivia Hunter does an amazing job making every character feel real and fully developed.
Plot – I was hooked from the start. I’ve seen some reviews say it begins slowly, but I didn’t feel that at all. I was drawn into the world being built. If you do feel that it is slow at first, PLEASE stick with it. It is absolutely worth it. The twists and turns kept me on edge, and by about 70% in, I could not put it down. The ending? Completely unexpected. No punches pulled. Things happen. That’s all I’ll say.
Spice – The romance and spice in this book were very well done. It added the right amount of heat without feeling overdone or out of place. It was fun, engaging, and tastefully written, complementing the story rather than overpowering it.
Overall, Olivia Hunter’s debut book left a lasting impression on me, and I cannot wait to see where her series goes next!
World Building – The attention to detail in the world building and lore is fantastic. I felt completely immersed from the beginning. And the map?? Beautiful. Such a fun and thoughtful touch that really added to the experience.
Characters – I LOVED the MMC. He is not the good guy. He’s a true villain and that felt very refreshing. The FMC is also wonderfully written: flawed, challenged, and incredibly human, which made her journey all the more engaging. The side characters deserve a shoutout too. The FMC’s best friend is one of my favorites, and the MMC’s right-hand man?? Chef’s kiss. Olivia Hunter does an amazing job making every character feel real and fully developed.
Plot – I was hooked from the start. I’ve seen some reviews say it begins slowly, but I didn’t feel that at all. I was drawn into the world being built. If you do feel that it is slow at first, PLEASE stick with it. It is absolutely worth it. The twists and turns kept me on edge, and by about 70% in, I could not put it down. The ending? Completely unexpected. No punches pulled. Things happen. That’s all I’ll say.
Spice – The romance and spice in this book were very well done. It added the right amount of heat without feeling overdone or out of place. It was fun, engaging, and tastefully written, complementing the story rather than overpowering it.
Overall, Olivia Hunter’s debut book left a lasting impression on me, and I cannot wait to see where her series goes next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I was so immersed in this world that I didn't even realize I’d breezed through nearly 700 pages. Olivia Hunter’s debut is a masterclass in dark romantasy, offering a story that feels significantly more substantial than your run-of-the-mill genre entry.
The story opens with distinct Bridgerton vibes. Elizabeth navigates an abundance of soirées under the crushing pressure of her parents’ expectations. Facing a forced betrothal as she ages out of the marriage market, she makes a desperate bargain with a charming demon named Caspian.
Caspian is so wonderfully evil and complex. He possesses vampire-like attributes that will make any blood-drinker fan feel right at home. While Elizabeth is initially drawn to him, their connection quickly evolves into a complicated, gothic-tinged romance. She is a relatable FMC whose decisions are often frustrating but deeply human.
The world-building is vast and expertly paced. Hunter introduces a diverse hierarchy of demons and lore that feels like it’s only just beginning to scratch the surface. This depth extends to the side characters, particularly Charlotte, ride-or-die bestie everyone needs in their lives. Even the Queen, who echoes Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte’s majestic presence, adds a lethal edge.
The spice here sizzles with a perfect balance. It’s firmly adult without overshadowing the narrative. Every intimate moment feels meaningful to the plot. If you are looking for a series with a promising world, flawed characters, and a true villain MMC, pick this up immediately.
Thank you to Olivia Hunter for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I was so immersed in this world that I didn't even realize I’d breezed through nearly 700 pages. Olivia Hunter’s debut is a masterclass in dark romantasy, offering a story that feels significantly more substantial than your run-of-the-mill genre entry.
The story opens with distinct Bridgerton vibes. Elizabeth navigates an abundance of soirées under the crushing pressure of her parents’ expectations. Facing a forced betrothal as she ages out of the marriage market, she makes a desperate bargain with a charming demon named Caspian.
Caspian is so wonderfully evil and complex. He possesses vampire-like attributes that will make any blood-drinker fan feel right at home. While Elizabeth is initially drawn to him, their connection quickly evolves into a complicated, gothic-tinged romance. She is a relatable FMC whose decisions are often frustrating but deeply human.
The world-building is vast and expertly paced. Hunter introduces a diverse hierarchy of demons and lore that feels like it’s only just beginning to scratch the surface. This depth extends to the side characters, particularly Charlotte, ride-or-die bestie everyone needs in their lives. Even the Queen, who echoes Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte’s majestic presence, adds a lethal edge.
The spice here sizzles with a perfect balance. It’s firmly adult without overshadowing the narrative. Every intimate moment feels meaningful to the plot. If you are looking for a series with a promising world, flawed characters, and a true villain MMC, pick this up immediately.
Thank you to Olivia Hunter for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Witch Blood Prophecy has witches, demons, angels, and forbidden magic… and somehow that’s just the beginning.
This is also a story where the MMC is very much a villain. Or at least… I think he is. Caspian has very few redeeming qualities, and yet I found myself feeling for him more than I expected. Which leads me to my biggest question while reading this book…
Why, Elizabeth?? Why are you like this?? Why are you so frustrating??
And more importantly… why did I feel bad for Caspian? Why was I sympathizing with the villain??
But then those last few chapters hit, and now I’m sitting here questioning everything. Is he actually the villain? I’m not so sure anymore.
Now for the essentials.
The world-building is fantastic. Olivia Hunter creates a multi-dimensional world with different lands that all feel distinct and alive. We only get a taste of some of them, but it’s clear there’s so much more to explore in future books, and I am ready for it.
The plot? Chef’s kiss. It starts with what feels like a familiar setup, girl makes a deal with a demon, girl falls for the villain, but it quickly becomes clear that it’s so much more than that. The twists toward the end aren’t massive, shocking reveals, but rather a series of smaller moments that slowly unravel everything you thought you understood. It makes you question the story, the characters, and your own assumptions in the best way.
This book pulled me in, frustrated me, made me question my loyalties, and then left me desperate for more.
I will absolutely be picking up book two.
This is also a story where the MMC is very much a villain. Or at least… I think he is. Caspian has very few redeeming qualities, and yet I found myself feeling for him more than I expected. Which leads me to my biggest question while reading this book…
Why, Elizabeth?? Why are you like this?? Why are you so frustrating??
And more importantly… why did I feel bad for Caspian? Why was I sympathizing with the villain??
But then those last few chapters hit, and now I’m sitting here questioning everything. Is he actually the villain? I’m not so sure anymore.
Now for the essentials.
The world-building is fantastic. Olivia Hunter creates a multi-dimensional world with different lands that all feel distinct and alive. We only get a taste of some of them, but it’s clear there’s so much more to explore in future books, and I am ready for it.
The plot? Chef’s kiss. It starts with what feels like a familiar setup, girl makes a deal with a demon, girl falls for the villain, but it quickly becomes clear that it’s so much more than that. The twists toward the end aren’t massive, shocking reveals, but rather a series of smaller moments that slowly unravel everything you thought you understood. It makes you question the story, the characters, and your own assumptions in the best way.
This book pulled me in, frustrated me, made me question my loyalties, and then left me desperate for more.
I will absolutely be picking up book two.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
The beginning of the book had a great premise and I liked getting the different POVs. Elizabeth, a gentle noble lady, being forced into a loveless marriage with a skeezy older rich man needed an escape. That escape came in the form of Caspian was amazing. His backstory was good.
Near the middle of the book, I lost a little bit of interest and had to push through to finish but the last bit was very engaging with lots of twists and turns. The middle part where it was mostly on Elizabeth and Caspian's relationship and her interaction and acceptance of demons in her life made me forget that this book is suppose to be about the witch blood prophecy! I felt like the over arcing plot got a bit sidetracked as the relationships were developed. I think if there was a bit more about the prophecy, the amulets, the witches throughout the book rather than a whole chunk at the end would have been more engaging on my end.
I enjoyed the world building and I loved the side characters! Charlotte and Asmodeus were really fun. The political intrigue between the demons and demon princes were great. The court politics with Queen Rowena and her ladies felt a bit lacklustre and just like set up for future conflicts (regarding Faina). One thing that kept on pulling me away from the story was Elizabeth always saying "Er". It was so distracting to me and it does not seem like vernacular that a noble lady would use.
Also just a side note: another Lizzy and Charlotte bff duo! I'm all for it :)
The beginning of the book had a great premise and I liked getting the different POVs. Elizabeth, a gentle noble lady, being forced into a loveless marriage with a skeezy older rich man needed an escape. That escape came in the form of Caspian was amazing. His backstory was good.
Near the middle of the book, I lost a little bit of interest and had to push through to finish but the last bit was very engaging with lots of twists and turns. The middle part where it was mostly on Elizabeth and Caspian's relationship and her interaction and acceptance of demons in her life made me forget that this book is suppose to be about the witch blood prophecy! I felt like the over arcing plot got a bit sidetracked as the relationships were developed. I think if there was a bit more about the prophecy, the amulets, the witches throughout the book rather than a whole chunk at the end would have been more engaging on my end.
I enjoyed the world building and I loved the side characters! Charlotte and Asmodeus were really fun. The political intrigue between the demons and demon princes were great. The court politics with Queen Rowena and her ladies felt a bit lacklustre and just like set up for future conflicts (regarding Faina). One thing that kept on pulling me away from the story was Elizabeth always saying "Er". It was so distracting to me and it does not seem like vernacular that a noble lady would use.
Also just a side note: another Lizzy and Charlotte bff duo! I'm all for it :)
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book starts out like a beauty and the beast retelling but then it becomes so much more!
Fair maiden is trapped in a lose-lose situation and decides to pick what she thinks will be the lesser of two evils, but nothing can ever be that simple.
This world is complicated…magic is outlawed, demons and angels wonder the world, class systems, women are just pawns in the world of men, political intrigue, magical creatures, war is brewing (from all directions), and hearts cannot be trusted.
I thought I liked Caspian (MMC) more because of his dual nature, specifically the internal war her has when it comes to Elizabeth (FMC), she likes me, she likes me not, I hate her, I hate her not, I’ll ruin her, I…👀
And I thought Elizabeth (FMC) was stubbornly annoying, and at times her withheld communications/miscommunications with Capsian was frustrating, until you get to the end of the book then boom! Shame on me for under estimating a head strong woman.
My favorite side character was Asmodeus, he was the funniest and most honest character in the book (what you see is what you get). I thought this was very needed with all the head games going on between the characters.
Swoon: “You may not be a princess … but you can be my queen for tonight.”
If you enjoy a slow burn emotional relationship, and interesting takes on Demons, this book is for you. Also, if you were a fan of Blackwarden, where all is not as it seems, you’ll enjoy this book. I received this as an ARC, my opinions are my own, and yes I recommend this book. :)
Fair maiden is trapped in a lose-lose situation and decides to pick what she thinks will be the lesser of two evils, but nothing can ever be that simple.
This world is complicated…magic is outlawed, demons and angels wonder the world, class systems, women are just pawns in the world of men, political intrigue, magical creatures, war is brewing (from all directions), and hearts cannot be trusted.
I thought I liked Caspian (MMC) more because of his dual nature, specifically the internal war her has when it comes to Elizabeth (FMC), she likes me, she likes me not, I hate her, I hate her not, I’ll ruin her, I…👀
And I thought Elizabeth (FMC) was stubbornly annoying, and at times her withheld communications/miscommunications with Capsian was frustrating, until you get to the end of the book then boom! Shame on me for under estimating a head strong woman.
My favorite side character was Asmodeus, he was the funniest and most honest character in the book (what you see is what you get). I thought this was very needed with all the head games going on between the characters.
Swoon: “You may not be a princess … but you can be my queen for tonight.”
If you enjoy a slow burn emotional relationship, and interesting takes on Demons, this book is for you. Also, if you were a fan of Blackwarden, where all is not as it seems, you’ll enjoy this book. I received this as an ARC, my opinions are my own, and yes I recommend this book. :)
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story was a long, epic ride filled with witches, blood-drinking demons, and plenty of tension. Thank you to Olivia Hunter for the ARC.
The beginning gave strong Bridgerton-esque vibes, with Elizabeth navigating balls, societal expectations, and an very unwanted arranged marriage for status. I loved the contrast between that polished court life and the darker demon-filled world she’s pulled into, especially as the story expands with detailed world-building.
Elizabeth was a bit of a rollercoaster for me. I went back and forth on her. She frustrated me when she clung to her “proper court lady” mindset, but I really started to enjoy her once she began traveling and bonding with Draugr (the demon horse!). By the time we reach the Underworld, she truly starts to come into her own.
Caspian leans firmly into morally gray, if not darker, and his tense, slow-burn dynamic with Elizabeth was interesting, though the pacing dragged a bit during their time at his manor with repetitive quiet scenes.
That said, the side characters absolutely shine. Charlotte was a standout with her fierceness, and Asmodeus completely stole scenes with his cheeky flirting and banter. Honestly, I could have used even more of them.
Overall, this is a richly built dark fantasy with strong character work and an intriguing setup. While the pacing isn’t perfect, the ending definitely has me excited for book two.
If you enjoy dark fantasy with heavy world-building, morally gray love interests, and a slow-burn heroine finding her strength, this is one to pick up.
The beginning gave strong Bridgerton-esque vibes, with Elizabeth navigating balls, societal expectations, and an very unwanted arranged marriage for status. I loved the contrast between that polished court life and the darker demon-filled world she’s pulled into, especially as the story expands with detailed world-building.
Elizabeth was a bit of a rollercoaster for me. I went back and forth on her. She frustrated me when she clung to her “proper court lady” mindset, but I really started to enjoy her once she began traveling and bonding with Draugr (the demon horse!). By the time we reach the Underworld, she truly starts to come into her own.
Caspian leans firmly into morally gray, if not darker, and his tense, slow-burn dynamic with Elizabeth was interesting, though the pacing dragged a bit during their time at his manor with repetitive quiet scenes.
That said, the side characters absolutely shine. Charlotte was a standout with her fierceness, and Asmodeus completely stole scenes with his cheeky flirting and banter. Honestly, I could have used even more of them.
Overall, this is a richly built dark fantasy with strong character work and an intriguing setup. While the pacing isn’t perfect, the ending definitely has me excited for book two.
If you enjoy dark fantasy with heavy world-building, morally gray love interests, and a slow-burn heroine finding her strength, this is one to pick up.
August 5, 2026
The Witch Blood Prophecy is a dark romantasy about the cost of making a deal with a demon.
The world-building is easily one of the book's biggest strengths. The blend of humans, demons, witches, and multiple realms creates a rich setting that feels expansive without becoming overwhelming. Both the human world and the underworld are filled with political tension, and the secrets surrounding their history kept me intrigued. Why have the history books been rewritten, and what are they trying to hide? While the pacing slowed a little in the middle, I appreciated that the story took the time to establish the world before introducing the added complexity of the prophecy.
I both loved and hated Elizabeth as the main character. She brings an intelligence and resilience that you don't often see, but her reactions to Caspian sometimes felt emotionally inconsistent. It was frustrating to watch her despise him one moment and then want to fall into his arms the next. This was one of the few stories where I wasn't immediately rooting for the romance, I was rooting for Elizabeth to stand up to him and put him in his place. That said, I did enjoy the enemies-to-lovers dynamic and watching Caspian's feelings gradually shift as Elizabeth transformed from a means to an end into someone who genuinely challenged and intrigued him. The supporting cast, particularly Charlotte and Asmodeus, also stood out and added plenty of personality to the story.
The action in the final third of the book significantly raised the stakes, and the ending left me eager to see where the series goes next!
The world-building is easily one of the book's biggest strengths. The blend of humans, demons, witches, and multiple realms creates a rich setting that feels expansive without becoming overwhelming. Both the human world and the underworld are filled with political tension, and the secrets surrounding their history kept me intrigued. Why have the history books been rewritten, and what are they trying to hide? While the pacing slowed a little in the middle, I appreciated that the story took the time to establish the world before introducing the added complexity of the prophecy.
I both loved and hated Elizabeth as the main character. She brings an intelligence and resilience that you don't often see, but her reactions to Caspian sometimes felt emotionally inconsistent. It was frustrating to watch her despise him one moment and then want to fall into his arms the next. This was one of the few stories where I wasn't immediately rooting for the romance, I was rooting for Elizabeth to stand up to him and put him in his place. That said, I did enjoy the enemies-to-lovers dynamic and watching Caspian's feelings gradually shift as Elizabeth transformed from a means to an end into someone who genuinely challenged and intrigued him. The supporting cast, particularly Charlotte and Asmodeus, also stood out and added plenty of personality to the story.
The action in the final third of the book significantly raised the stakes, and the ending left me eager to see where the series goes next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ • Book Review/ ARC Review • ✨
The Witch Blood Prophecy
@oliviahunterwrites
Book Review : 4 ⭐️
Spice Level : 2 🌶️
I want to say Thank you to Olivia Hunter for trusting me to be apart of her ARC team and for the opportunity to get an ARC of this book!
okay but LISTEN… this book had me in a chokehold real quick.
Imagine agreeing to a deal with a demon just to escape a terrible man… and somehow that feels like the SAFER option.. 🫠🤯
This book is giving dark magic, destiny, secrets, and a whole lot of “oh no… I’m obsessed.”
Elizabeth felt real, flawed, and easy to root for and the tension between her and Caspian throughout the story kept me flipping pages like my life depended on it. And just when you think you’ve figured things out… yeah, think again 😅
But Caspian isn’t what you expect. He’s dangerous, secretive, and way too interested in Elizabeth… especially her blood. And the more time she spends in his world of witches and darkness, the more complicated everything becomes.
The chemistry, the mystery, the slow unraveling of secrets?? I was locked in. The tension builds so well, and the twists keep you guessing the entire time.
dark, addictive, and just the right amount of chaotic.
Oh and I forgot to write who my favourite character was … Asmodeus.. he was quirky, flirty and had some pretty funny moments throughout the story. Your typical playboy attitude, the friendly tension between him and Elizabeth had me laughing out loud a couple times! 🤭
The Witch Blood Prophecy
@oliviahunterwrites
Book Review : 4 ⭐️
Spice Level : 2 🌶️
I want to say Thank you to Olivia Hunter for trusting me to be apart of her ARC team and for the opportunity to get an ARC of this book!
okay but LISTEN… this book had me in a chokehold real quick.
Imagine agreeing to a deal with a demon just to escape a terrible man… and somehow that feels like the SAFER option.. 🫠🤯
This book is giving dark magic, destiny, secrets, and a whole lot of “oh no… I’m obsessed.”
Elizabeth felt real, flawed, and easy to root for and the tension between her and Caspian throughout the story kept me flipping pages like my life depended on it. And just when you think you’ve figured things out… yeah, think again 😅
But Caspian isn’t what you expect. He’s dangerous, secretive, and way too interested in Elizabeth… especially her blood. And the more time she spends in his world of witches and darkness, the more complicated everything becomes.
The chemistry, the mystery, the slow unraveling of secrets?? I was locked in. The tension builds so well, and the twists keep you guessing the entire time.
dark, addictive, and just the right amount of chaotic.
Oh and I forgot to write who my favourite character was … Asmodeus.. he was quirky, flirty and had some pretty funny moments throughout the story. Your typical playboy attitude, the friendly tension between him and Elizabeth had me laughing out loud a couple times! 🤭
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews