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Queen of Wrath and Vengeance: House of Shadows Book One
Queen Vittoria DiSantis
My death was only the beginning.
Just as our unholy mother has made me aware of attacks against my queendom coming from foes we once had long ago banished into the veil; the attacks couldn't come at a worse time. I'm vulnerable, at my weakest, and about to go underground to a location only my guardsmen will know. It's the only way to keep me, them, us... safe.
When they decide to tip the scales and get trapped down there with me... it changes everything. Now, with the attacks coming from every direction, we're at war against time to find out who their leader is and what it is they want while trying to navigate a new life, love, old and new allies, and worst of all, handling betrayal from those we once thought closest to us.
The ultimate question
Who can we trust?
My death was only the beginning.
Just as our unholy mother has made me aware of attacks against my queendom coming from foes we once had long ago banished into the veil; the attacks couldn't come at a worse time. I'm vulnerable, at my weakest, and about to go underground to a location only my guardsmen will know. It's the only way to keep me, them, us... safe.
When they decide to tip the scales and get trapped down there with me... it changes everything. Now, with the attacks coming from every direction, we're at war against time to find out who their leader is and what it is they want while trying to navigate a new life, love, old and new allies, and worst of all, handling betrayal from those we once thought closest to us.
The ultimate question
Who can we trust?
- GenresShapeshifters
462 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 19, 2026
Queen of Wrath and Vengeance has a darker emotional core than I expected, and that is what pulled me in. The chemistry is hot, the tension is strong, and the paranormal world has plenty of danger, but the real draw is that these characters are all carrying pain. None of them feel untouched by what life has done to them, and that makes the relationships feel sharper and more meaningful.
I was especially invested in the FMC. She has backbone, but there is also real vulnerability there, which made me want more for her than just survival. I wanted her to get love, safety, and something that actually felt like peace. The same goes for the men. They all feel marked by their pasts in different ways, and that gave the reverse harem dynamic more emotional weight.
The spice is absolutely there, but it works because there is something underneath it. The attraction feels tied to longing, damage, and the need to belong somewhere. That made this feel like more than just a high-heat paranormal romance. It felt like the beginning of a story where the happily ever after is going to have to be fought for.
Overall, this was a dark, sexy, emotionally charged start to the series, and it left me very invested in where these characters go next.
Tropes: reverse harem, paranormal romance, vampires, shifters, werewolves, dark romance, high heat, wounded characters, strong FMC, possessive MMC
I was especially invested in the FMC. She has backbone, but there is also real vulnerability there, which made me want more for her than just survival. I wanted her to get love, safety, and something that actually felt like peace. The same goes for the men. They all feel marked by their pasts in different ways, and that gave the reverse harem dynamic more emotional weight.
The spice is absolutely there, but it works because there is something underneath it. The attraction feels tied to longing, damage, and the need to belong somewhere. That made this feel like more than just a high-heat paranormal romance. It felt like the beginning of a story where the happily ever after is going to have to be fought for.
Overall, this was a dark, sexy, emotionally charged start to the series, and it left me very invested in where these characters go next.
Tropes: reverse harem, paranormal romance, vampires, shifters, werewolves, dark romance, high heat, wounded characters, strong FMC, possessive MMC
April 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶🌶🌶
Ruby M. Darling, I love your mind. A dark vampire/paranormal reverse harem romance?! Yes, please! The MMCs and the FMC are morally grey, obsessive, and possessive in the most delicious way!
The FMC is a vampire queen and daughter of Lilith who learns her queendom is under attack from someone at the most vulnerable time for a vampire queen. Vittoria and her guards must defend their queen, the land, and find out who or what is planning to overthrow her.
The buildup and backstory were a little slow for me, this felt like a medium build. At the beginning, it was hard to keep up with who was who because there are five MMCs plus a few others involved.
The spicy scenes? Plentiful and filthy. Some would say depraved... but she's a daughter of Lilith, so 🤷🏾♀️ Check the TWs.
I'm so glad I didn't DNF because of the slow beginning. The story started to get can't-put-this-down good in the last 100 pages.
I'm on to the second book now. I'm excited to jump back into this world.
🌶🌶🌶🌶
Ruby M. Darling, I love your mind. A dark vampire/paranormal reverse harem romance?! Yes, please! The MMCs and the FMC are morally grey, obsessive, and possessive in the most delicious way!
The FMC is a vampire queen and daughter of Lilith who learns her queendom is under attack from someone at the most vulnerable time for a vampire queen. Vittoria and her guards must defend their queen, the land, and find out who or what is planning to overthrow her.
The buildup and backstory were a little slow for me, this felt like a medium build. At the beginning, it was hard to keep up with who was who because there are five MMCs plus a few others involved.
The spicy scenes? Plentiful and filthy. Some would say depraved... but she's a daughter of Lilith, so 🤷🏾♀️ Check the TWs.
I'm so glad I didn't DNF because of the slow beginning. The story started to get can't-put-this-down good in the last 100 pages.
I'm on to the second book now. I'm excited to jump back into this world.
March 30, 2026
So many typos, and a couple of not super important but a little annoying plot holes, but so very hot and the perfect mix of guys personalities. I also appreciate how they all have a bit of trauma. I love how Vittoria is “too old to be a dainty bitch.” Can’t wait for more of that energy.
August 6, 2026
This book reminded me exactly why I love Ruby M. Darling’s writing. She has this incredible ability to balance spice, emotion, and world building so that I’m equally invested in the romance and the overarching story.
Book one is all about building the world, introducing the guards, and showing us how each of these men comes to stand beside their queen. And wow… their stories absolutely broke my heart.
So much tragedy.
So much healing still to come.
And somehow… so much hope. 🥹
Vittoria has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy heroines. She’s powerful, compassionate, and carries the weight of an entire kingdom while learning to make room in her heart for those who need her most. Shadow mommy, indeed. 👑🖤
One of my favorite aspects of the story was slowly uncovering how every member of her guard came into her life. Each reveal pulled me in deeper, and every heartbreaking backstory only made me more invested in seeing this found family heal together.
And beneath all of that? A mystery that kept its hooks in me from beginning to end.
Who can they trust?
Who’s manipulating events behind the scenes?
Who’s friend… and who’s foe?
I needed answers just as much as I needed these characters to find happiness.
And yes… there is plenty of delicious spice 🔥, but for me it was the character work that made this book impossible to put down.
Confession time…
I may have been reading with the character art cards beside me and every time someone’s chapter came up I’d grab their card and just stare lovingly at it while reading. 😂❤️
No regrets.
Overall, this was a fantasy romance packed with emotional backstories, found family, political intrigue, and a queen worth following into battle. I already need book two.
Book one is all about building the world, introducing the guards, and showing us how each of these men comes to stand beside their queen. And wow… their stories absolutely broke my heart.
So much tragedy.
So much healing still to come.
And somehow… so much hope. 🥹
Vittoria has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy heroines. She’s powerful, compassionate, and carries the weight of an entire kingdom while learning to make room in her heart for those who need her most. Shadow mommy, indeed. 👑🖤
One of my favorite aspects of the story was slowly uncovering how every member of her guard came into her life. Each reveal pulled me in deeper, and every heartbreaking backstory only made me more invested in seeing this found family heal together.
And beneath all of that? A mystery that kept its hooks in me from beginning to end.
Who can they trust?
Who’s manipulating events behind the scenes?
Who’s friend… and who’s foe?
I needed answers just as much as I needed these characters to find happiness.
And yes… there is plenty of delicious spice 🔥, but for me it was the character work that made this book impossible to put down.
Confession time…
I may have been reading with the character art cards beside me and every time someone’s chapter came up I’d grab their card and just stare lovingly at it while reading. 😂❤️
No regrets.
Overall, this was a fantasy romance packed with emotional backstories, found family, political intrigue, and a queen worth following into battle. I already need book two.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews