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His Cursed Empress: A Monster Romance
An ancient curse. A shattered fated mate bond. One last chance to save her from their doomed fate.
The discarded eighth daughter of her noble house, Leila took a position as a courtesan, offering her blood and company to the horned, clawed vampires that ruled the Empire. When the elusive, brutal emperor summons her, the last thing she expects is a proposal. He offers her a eternity at his side, or a human lifespan hidden in the shadows.
She chooses him.
Zyhor has waited centuries for the reincarnation of his fated mate, longing for her and hating himself for his failure to save her from the curse that ripped her out of his arms. The moment he finds her, he’ll do anything to keep her at his side. He’ll pay any cost, as long as she every drop of his power, even the empire itself.
The shattered fated mate bond burns in her chest as forgotten memories rise to the surface. As the curse upon their souls weakens him further, Leila has to decide how much of herself she’s willing to sacrifice to save the life of the male who makes her blood sing.
His Cursed Empress is a standalone high-heat Monster Romance that takes place in a Fantasy setting, with a vampiric MMC, a plus-size FMC, and many creative uses of shadow tendrils.
The discarded eighth daughter of her noble house, Leila took a position as a courtesan, offering her blood and company to the horned, clawed vampires that ruled the Empire. When the elusive, brutal emperor summons her, the last thing she expects is a proposal. He offers her a eternity at his side, or a human lifespan hidden in the shadows.
She chooses him.
Zyhor has waited centuries for the reincarnation of his fated mate, longing for her and hating himself for his failure to save her from the curse that ripped her out of his arms. The moment he finds her, he’ll do anything to keep her at his side. He’ll pay any cost, as long as she every drop of his power, even the empire itself.
The shattered fated mate bond burns in her chest as forgotten memories rise to the surface. As the curse upon their souls weakens him further, Leila has to decide how much of herself she’s willing to sacrifice to save the life of the male who makes her blood sing.
His Cursed Empress is a standalone high-heat Monster Romance that takes place in a Fantasy setting, with a vampiric MMC, a plus-size FMC, and many creative uses of shadow tendrils.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2026
About the author
Autumn Hawthorne
6 books39 followersAutumn Hawthorne is a feral bi goblin who writes spicy, queer Fantasy Romance with monsters and a little otherworldly twist. Autumn has written all of her life, and has dozens of ideas she’s trying to type out as fast as her little fingers will go. When she isn’t writing, Autumn plays video games, practices witchcraft, and yaps to anyone who will listen about her current read!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
June 17, 2026
This was quite the read! I've not read a ton of monster romance, but vampires are like my bread and butter. This book had a definite unique take on the vampire lore. The way that Zyhor was described was cool, but my brain kept conjuring Goliath from Gargoyles, but like isn't that the beauty in being a reader? Might not be entirely accurate but it worked in my brain. I absolutely loved that Leila was a loud and proud plus size baddie. The story did lag a little in some places, but it was done for the purpose of showing how the curse affected them both in rebuilding their bonds and it didn't stop me from reading. I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend if you want a solid romantasy.
June 15, 2026
I'd like to start by thanking the author for providing me with an advanced copy of this book to read. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own.
Look if a man doesn't yearn for me for 800 years despite our romance being cursed... then I don't want it. HE WAS DOWN SO BADLY FOR HER. This male tried to avoid her whilst she is living in his courts, and yet in the end it doesn't matter because IT WILL ALWAYS BE HER!! I was eating this one up because I loved the premise. Also the spice was just delectable. No notes. These two had a connection in every way possible, especially in the bedroom (he goes down on her during her period).
Yes I saw the evil character and that twist coming based on suspicious vibes, but I didn't care. This story was about the connection, the ability to face these trials together, and embrace love and life even when it is terrifying because of what could happen.
The only downside was that the start of the book felt quite slow to me, and then the ending felt too fast and like things occurred in rapid fire convenient succession. I did however still love this story of love and dedication.
What you'll find:
🩸 Tail Play
🩸 Blood Play
🩸 YEARNING MY GOD THE YEARNING
🩸 Feisty FMC
🩸 Praise Kink
🩸 Plus Size FMC
Quotes:
🩸 She was the missing fragment of his soul, the one human who slipped through his fingers. After all this time, he still didn't know how to save her.
🩸 An eternity of peace was meaningless if it meant he spent an eternity without her.
🩸 "There is nothing wrong with who or what you are, and those who say there is are simply too small-minded to see the magic of you."
🩸 "I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe, even things that make me a monster, things you might hate me for. I'll suffer through it all as long as you live."
Look if a man doesn't yearn for me for 800 years despite our romance being cursed... then I don't want it. HE WAS DOWN SO BADLY FOR HER. This male tried to avoid her whilst she is living in his courts, and yet in the end it doesn't matter because IT WILL ALWAYS BE HER!! I was eating this one up because I loved the premise. Also the spice was just delectable. No notes. These two had a connection in every way possible, especially in the bedroom (he goes down on her during her period).
Yes I saw the evil character and that twist coming based on suspicious vibes, but I didn't care. This story was about the connection, the ability to face these trials together, and embrace love and life even when it is terrifying because of what could happen.
The only downside was that the start of the book felt quite slow to me, and then the ending felt too fast and like things occurred in rapid fire convenient succession. I did however still love this story of love and dedication.
What you'll find:
🩸 Tail Play
🩸 Blood Play
🩸 YEARNING MY GOD THE YEARNING
🩸 Feisty FMC
🩸 Praise Kink
🩸 Plus Size FMC
Quotes:
🩸 She was the missing fragment of his soul, the one human who slipped through his fingers. After all this time, he still didn't know how to save her.
🩸 An eternity of peace was meaningless if it meant he spent an eternity without her.
🩸 "There is nothing wrong with who or what you are, and those who say there is are simply too small-minded to see the magic of you."
🩸 "I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe, even things that make me a monster, things you might hate me for. I'll suffer through it all as long as you live."
July 9, 2026
Starcrossed Lovers through ages
Zyphor longs for his long lost love, stolen from him, twice, by a curse. The curse took her when he experienced pure bliss. Twice.
On her third incarnation, she arrives at court, 800 years later as Leila.
Leila has dreamed of Zyphor for years, aiming for Zytryven the country of vampires living on blood and adult good times.
Zyphor finally finds a way to keep Leila alive for long enough to find a cure.
While struggling to figure out a HEA they partake in everything they missed in the last 800 years. Again, and again, and again.
Some interesting world building concept, complex magic, and creative eggplant anatomy.
Zyphor and Leila's mutual devotion is well established.
The villain is irredeemable.
Zyphor longs for his long lost love, stolen from him, twice, by a curse. The curse took her when he experienced pure bliss. Twice.
On her third incarnation, she arrives at court, 800 years later as Leila.
Leila has dreamed of Zyphor for years, aiming for Zytryven the country of vampires living on blood and adult good times.
Zyphor finally finds a way to keep Leila alive for long enough to find a cure.
While struggling to figure out a HEA they partake in everything they missed in the last 800 years. Again, and again, and again.
Some interesting world building concept, complex magic, and creative eggplant anatomy.
Zyphor and Leila's mutual devotion is well established.
The villain is irredeemable.
June 11, 2026
Thank you for letting me be apart of your ARC team Autumn this was so fun! So excited for what comes next!
ARC Review:
There’s just something about a cursed fated romance that hits differently. This story was filled with wonder, worldbuilding, and a fierce FMC who is the definition of a go getter.
And if that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also find tail play, a MMC who absolutely whimpers for her, blood play, 800 years of yearning, a MMC with a unique peen, shadow daddy energy, and plenty of magic woven throughout.
Needless to say, I was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end.
- Yearning
- Marriage of convenience
- Fated
- Vampire / incubus MMC
- Single mom
ARC Review:
There’s just something about a cursed fated romance that hits differently. This story was filled with wonder, worldbuilding, and a fierce FMC who is the definition of a go getter.
And if that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also find tail play, a MMC who absolutely whimpers for her, blood play, 800 years of yearning, a MMC with a unique peen, shadow daddy energy, and plenty of magic woven throughout.
Needless to say, I was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end.
- Yearning
- Marriage of convenience
- Fated
- Vampire / incubus MMC
- Single mom
June 19, 2026
His Cursed Empress delivered on the “he has waited centuries and is still all about her” energy.
I wouldn’t say this is my usual genre, yet I picked this up expecting a spicy monster romance and got a lot more. The spice is spicy. But the devotion, the longing, and a love story stretched across lifetimes was a main core point of this read.
If you love:
♾️ cursed fated mates
🩸 vampire emperors
🖤 centuries of longing
🔥 high spice
✨ reincarnation and second chances
🔪 “She is my entire reason for existing”
➕ quick palate cleaner read
Then add this to your TBR immediately.
Thank you the author for the ARC!
I wouldn’t say this is my usual genre, yet I picked this up expecting a spicy monster romance and got a lot more. The spice is spicy. But the devotion, the longing, and a love story stretched across lifetimes was a main core point of this read.
If you love:
♾️ cursed fated mates
🩸 vampire emperors
🖤 centuries of longing
🔥 high spice
✨ reincarnation and second chances
🔪 “She is my entire reason for existing”
➕ quick palate cleaner read
Then add this to your TBR immediately.
Thank you the author for the ARC!
June 15, 2026
⭐️ 3.5
📚 standalone (same world as Bound by their Blood)
Cursed fated mates. Zyhor, the Emperor is a vampire / incubus who has waited for his fated mate, Lelia (a human this third time) to reincarnate again and again. He has waited 600 years since they were last together and he won’t let her go again. He is determined to find a way to break the curse put on them and save her life, even if it means binding her to his life force and taking her place to pay the price.
Overall I enjoyed the story and i’m always glad for a HEA. The world is interesting and I’ll always root for fated mates, especially star crossed / cursed ones to find their way to each other. I think the pacing is a bit slow the first 40% and it takes a while until we even get our MMc and FMC to truly interact with one another. Once we reach this point the plot and romance all speed up. I loved the yearning and absolute adoration Zyhor has for Lelia. He literally worships her and it’s heart breaking to see everything he’s had to endure the centuries without her. Lelia, is a strong FMC, a single mom and overall a likeable character but I wish we had more of the returned passion on her end. I understand she doesn’t remember her past lives but I feel like we didn’t get her devotion until the end. But overall it’s an enjoyable read.
I think one other thing that could be improved is the terminology. While there is a glossary for reference, it think it’s very important terms are explained in context in the text itself for the flow of a story. Especially when reading digital copies trying to go look in a glossary is frustrating.
Tropes:
- Monster romance
- Vampires
- Shadow Magic
- Marriage of convenience
- Fated mates
- Yearning
Favorite Quotes:
- vow to always see you for who you are and not what this world has made you become. You are mine, Zyhor. The harmony to my heartbeat. You may be everyone else's nightmare, but you are my sweetest dreams realized.
- "In this life and all others, I belong to you and you alone. I vow to always wait for you to return to my side, no matter how long it takes."
Content Considerations
Betrayal (not between MCs), Blood (in sexy and not-so-sexy situations), Death of an Ex, Period Oral, Sex Work (Past), Verbal Abuse Between Family Members, Violence.
His Cursed Empress is a standalone with a HEA.
📚 standalone (same world as Bound by their Blood)
Cursed fated mates. Zyhor, the Emperor is a vampire / incubus who has waited for his fated mate, Lelia (a human this third time) to reincarnate again and again. He has waited 600 years since they were last together and he won’t let her go again. He is determined to find a way to break the curse put on them and save her life, even if it means binding her to his life force and taking her place to pay the price.
Overall I enjoyed the story and i’m always glad for a HEA. The world is interesting and I’ll always root for fated mates, especially star crossed / cursed ones to find their way to each other. I think the pacing is a bit slow the first 40% and it takes a while until we even get our MMc and FMC to truly interact with one another. Once we reach this point the plot and romance all speed up. I loved the yearning and absolute adoration Zyhor has for Lelia. He literally worships her and it’s heart breaking to see everything he’s had to endure the centuries without her. Lelia, is a strong FMC, a single mom and overall a likeable character but I wish we had more of the returned passion on her end. I understand she doesn’t remember her past lives but I feel like we didn’t get her devotion until the end. But overall it’s an enjoyable read.
I think one other thing that could be improved is the terminology. While there is a glossary for reference, it think it’s very important terms are explained in context in the text itself for the flow of a story. Especially when reading digital copies trying to go look in a glossary is frustrating.
Tropes:
- Monster romance
- Vampires
- Shadow Magic
- Marriage of convenience
- Fated mates
- Yearning
Favorite Quotes:
- vow to always see you for who you are and not what this world has made you become. You are mine, Zyhor. The harmony to my heartbeat. You may be everyone else's nightmare, but you are my sweetest dreams realized.
- "In this life and all others, I belong to you and you alone. I vow to always wait for you to return to my side, no matter how long it takes."
Content Considerations
Betrayal (not between MCs), Blood (in sexy and not-so-sexy situations), Death of an Ex, Period Oral, Sex Work (Past), Verbal Abuse Between Family Members, Violence.
His Cursed Empress is a standalone with a HEA.
Review of advance copy received from Author
So I just finished His Cursed Empress, and what can I say? It's an Autumn Hawthorne book. I mean that in the best way possible.
Autumn Hawthorne has a very unique writing and storytelling style. Their books are not for everyone, and that's perfectly ok. They specialize in spicy monster romances, with a heavy emphasis on both the spice and the monster part.
I will be honest, their books are usually a little too spicy for me, and sometimes I find myself skimming those scenes a bit. But that is a me thing, not an author thing. I have had authors tell me their books are really spicy, only to discover they really are not. That is definitely not the case here.
So if I am not reading these books for the spice, why do I keep coming back?
Autumn Hawthorne says this book is a standalone, and technically it is. But all of their books take place in the same universe, which means that, as far as I am concerned, they are all part of one giant story. That is what keeps pulling me back. While each book tells its own story, they all connect to a larger world. With every book, that world becomes richer and more detailed.
This story follows a bonded couple, a vampire and a human, whose bond was broken and whose lives were cursed. A curse that follows them through multiple lifetimes. The story focuses on them finding each other again and trying to break that curse.
The premise sounds simple, but it is the details that get me every time I read one of Autumn Hawthorne's books. The relationships between the characters, the trauma they carry, sometimes hitting a little too close to home, and the way those characters heal. These are themes that run through all of their books, and this one is no exception.
Again, these books will not be for everyone. But if you are a monster romance reader who loves spice and also wants a genuinely heartfelt story, I highly recommend His Cursed Empress.
Autumn Hawthorne has a very unique writing and storytelling style. Their books are not for everyone, and that's perfectly ok. They specialize in spicy monster romances, with a heavy emphasis on both the spice and the monster part.
I will be honest, their books are usually a little too spicy for me, and sometimes I find myself skimming those scenes a bit. But that is a me thing, not an author thing. I have had authors tell me their books are really spicy, only to discover they really are not. That is definitely not the case here.
So if I am not reading these books for the spice, why do I keep coming back?
Autumn Hawthorne says this book is a standalone, and technically it is. But all of their books take place in the same universe, which means that, as far as I am concerned, they are all part of one giant story. That is what keeps pulling me back. While each book tells its own story, they all connect to a larger world. With every book, that world becomes richer and more detailed.
This story follows a bonded couple, a vampire and a human, whose bond was broken and whose lives were cursed. A curse that follows them through multiple lifetimes. The story focuses on them finding each other again and trying to break that curse.
The premise sounds simple, but it is the details that get me every time I read one of Autumn Hawthorne's books. The relationships between the characters, the trauma they carry, sometimes hitting a little too close to home, and the way those characters heal. These are themes that run through all of their books, and this one is no exception.
Again, these books will not be for everyone. But if you are a monster romance reader who loves spice and also wants a genuinely heartfelt story, I highly recommend His Cursed Empress.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I liked the concept of the book and the idea of waiting for your fated other half to reincarnate so you can be together again with your soul mate. However, I think the execution of that idea could have been a bit clearer. And I mean this in a literal sense. Reading the first part of the book was like looking at the characters and the action through a mesh curtain. The narrative is from a first point of view, but the picture is still hazy. Things have happened and circumstances changed but exactly how we have gotten to this state was just mentioned in passing and as a reader we had to accept this without an explanation of reason, actions and consequences.
I suspect this is why I could not understand the motivation behind some of the main characters actions, especially the main love rival. The main female character family interactions were also a bit dubious because their words and actions did not fully align.
There was a lot of names and terminology that I struggled with. A lot of them were explained in the glossary at the beginning which I think should have been explained as they were mentioned in the book, so they make more sense. I am sure a lot of them were designed to build the world in the book and might have been explained in the other books from that universe. I however did not see any reason for mentioning some of them at all, they did not add or take away anything from the story.
The second part of the book was more clearer and things started unravelling. Again, I would have liked a bit more explanation about the motivation of some of the characters considering the time span of the events taking place. However, I would not discourage anyone from reading this because it has an interesting premise and a good love story that would appeal to everyone. This is only my opinion and what I found lacking could be what others find appealing and that is a beauty of a book in itself.
I suspect this is why I could not understand the motivation behind some of the main characters actions, especially the main love rival. The main female character family interactions were also a bit dubious because their words and actions did not fully align.
There was a lot of names and terminology that I struggled with. A lot of them were explained in the glossary at the beginning which I think should have been explained as they were mentioned in the book, so they make more sense. I am sure a lot of them were designed to build the world in the book and might have been explained in the other books from that universe. I however did not see any reason for mentioning some of them at all, they did not add or take away anything from the story.
The second part of the book was more clearer and things started unravelling. Again, I would have liked a bit more explanation about the motivation of some of the characters considering the time span of the events taking place. However, I would not discourage anyone from reading this because it has an interesting premise and a good love story that would appeal to everyone. This is only my opinion and what I found lacking could be what others find appealing and that is a beauty of a book in itself.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Technically 3.5 stars! I received an ARC for an honest review :3
I enjoyed this book a lot! The time I spent with Zyhor and Leila was wonderful! Their world is so interesting to me, I want so much more of it. Their chemistry was delicious, and I love a man who yearns. Though I was expecting them to get together immediately, the added tension of him not being able to touch her until she's protected was very enjoyable. One they were able to touch though, hoo boy it was spicy.
Leila being a mother was also a bit of a surprise plot point (to me at least) but I liked it more than I anticipated. Her love for her daughter was one of my favorite parts of the book, especially when she goes feral protecting her. I'm also a sucker for the reincarnated soulmates trope, though it did fall victim to a personal pet peeve: miscommunication. It seemed slightly out of character for Zyhor, and definitely took me out of the story a bit. I loved seeing Leila adapting to her life in Zyhor's court and her standing up to her family; their conflict was another highlight of the book for me. Seeing Leila grapple with her feelings for her family and the their betrayal was fantastic, and I wish there had been more. The final act's twist was foreshadowed some, but I wish there had been more, especially as flashbacks and memories started getting more frequent. The betrayal felt like it came from nowhere, even considering the past life ties that bound them all together that could have given a great layer of depth if explored.
Overall, this book was very enjoyable and I look forward to reading more from this author!
I enjoyed this book a lot! The time I spent with Zyhor and Leila was wonderful! Their world is so interesting to me, I want so much more of it. Their chemistry was delicious, and I love a man who yearns. Though I was expecting them to get together immediately, the added tension of him not being able to touch her until she's protected was very enjoyable. One they were able to touch though, hoo boy it was spicy.
Leila being a mother was also a bit of a surprise plot point (to me at least) but I liked it more than I anticipated. Her love for her daughter was one of my favorite parts of the book, especially when she goes feral protecting her. I'm also a sucker for the reincarnated soulmates trope, though it did fall victim to a personal pet peeve: miscommunication. It seemed slightly out of character for Zyhor, and definitely took me out of the story a bit. I loved seeing Leila adapting to her life in Zyhor's court and her standing up to her family; their conflict was another highlight of the book for me. Seeing Leila grapple with her feelings for her family and the their betrayal was fantastic, and I wish there had been more. The final act's twist was foreshadowed some, but I wish there had been more, especially as flashbacks and memories started getting more frequent. The betrayal felt like it came from nowhere, even considering the past life ties that bound them all together that could have given a great layer of depth if explored.
Overall, this book was very enjoyable and I look forward to reading more from this author!
June 15, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
His Cursed Empress is cursed fated mates, monster romance, a brutal vampiric emperor, and centuries of unresolved devotion all tangled up in one dark fantasy romance.
Leila is the discarded eighth daughter of her noble house, now a courtesan offering blood and company to the horned, clawed vampires who rule the Empire. Then Zyhor, the elusive emperor himself, summons her with a proposal that changes everything.
Casual. Normal. Definitely not the beginning of ancient curse drama.
This is very much for the readers who like their romance dark, dramatic, spicy, and full of “I have waited lifetimes for you” energy. Zyhor has been longing for the reincarnation of his fated mate for centuries, and the man is absolutely giving shadow daddy with zero interest in being normal about her.
The worldbuilding is heavier than I expected for a shorter monster romance, and the beginning asks you to settle into the lore, but once the tension, memories, curse, and bond start unraveling? I was locked in.
Leila and Zyhor’s chemistry is hot, the cursed bond is messy in the best way, and the shadow tendrils were absolutely not used responsibly.
If you like: 🩸 cursed fated mates 👑 vampiric emperor energy 🖤 plus-size FMC 🌑 shadow tendrils 💍 marriage/proposal chaos 🔥 high-heat monster romance ⏳ reincarnation / centuries of yearning 🔪 touch her and suffer energy
then His Cursed Empress is giving ancient curse, immortal devotion, shadow daddy behavior, and a man who waited centuries only to become everyone else’s problem.
Thank you to Autumn Hawthorne for the ARC opportunity! This is my 100% honest opinion!
His Cursed Empress is cursed fated mates, monster romance, a brutal vampiric emperor, and centuries of unresolved devotion all tangled up in one dark fantasy romance.
Leila is the discarded eighth daughter of her noble house, now a courtesan offering blood and company to the horned, clawed vampires who rule the Empire. Then Zyhor, the elusive emperor himself, summons her with a proposal that changes everything.
Casual. Normal. Definitely not the beginning of ancient curse drama.
This is very much for the readers who like their romance dark, dramatic, spicy, and full of “I have waited lifetimes for you” energy. Zyhor has been longing for the reincarnation of his fated mate for centuries, and the man is absolutely giving shadow daddy with zero interest in being normal about her.
The worldbuilding is heavier than I expected for a shorter monster romance, and the beginning asks you to settle into the lore, but once the tension, memories, curse, and bond start unraveling? I was locked in.
Leila and Zyhor’s chemistry is hot, the cursed bond is messy in the best way, and the shadow tendrils were absolutely not used responsibly.
If you like: 🩸 cursed fated mates 👑 vampiric emperor energy 🖤 plus-size FMC 🌑 shadow tendrils 💍 marriage/proposal chaos 🔥 high-heat monster romance ⏳ reincarnation / centuries of yearning 🔪 touch her and suffer energy
then His Cursed Empress is giving ancient curse, immortal devotion, shadow daddy behavior, and a man who waited centuries only to become everyone else’s problem.
Thank you to Autumn Hawthorne for the ARC opportunity! This is my 100% honest opinion!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review
This arc was one of my anticipated ones. I love smut, I love monster smut, and a plus-size FMC. Fated mates, curses...
I was a bit disappointed. It didn’t hit as much as I hoped it would. I am not sure if it’s the writing style or something else.
The book has a lot of world-building. It’s interesting, and I wish it were maybe structured differently because it felt a bit too lost in the rest. Names were a bit of a challenge to remember, but that’s my brain.
The characters are interesting. What surprised me was how much focus was put on the hate humans feel towards other races they call monsters, the prejudice even when someone says they are not monsters. And especially the consequences of such views.
I loved to see the care the MMC took in the FMC and her daughter, the consent-heavy society he built for her, the empire he built for her. Their relationship had highs and lows.
Overall, it was a good story, but maybe the pacing should have been changed? Still, I liked the book, and some characters were adorable.
Romance:
From the blurb, I expected kinda insta love. It’s more complicated than that; it’s yearning until he can have her without hurting or killing her.
It’s her pinning and yearning for him, being hidden from too many things. But when they finally resolve their issues, it’s a lot of smut; it’s him loving to be between her thighs, and her managing to fit a guy whose... appendage is as big as a forearm inside of her.
You know DnD? Shaddap, it’s magic!
This arc was one of my anticipated ones. I love smut, I love monster smut, and a plus-size FMC. Fated mates, curses...
I was a bit disappointed. It didn’t hit as much as I hoped it would. I am not sure if it’s the writing style or something else.
The book has a lot of world-building. It’s interesting, and I wish it were maybe structured differently because it felt a bit too lost in the rest. Names were a bit of a challenge to remember, but that’s my brain.
The characters are interesting. What surprised me was how much focus was put on the hate humans feel towards other races they call monsters, the prejudice even when someone says they are not monsters. And especially the consequences of such views.
I loved to see the care the MMC took in the FMC and her daughter, the consent-heavy society he built for her, the empire he built for her. Their relationship had highs and lows.
Overall, it was a good story, but maybe the pacing should have been changed? Still, I liked the book, and some characters were adorable.
Romance:
From the blurb, I expected kinda insta love. It’s more complicated than that; it’s yearning until he can have her without hurting or killing her.
It’s her pinning and yearning for him, being hidden from too many things. But when they finally resolve their issues, it’s a lot of smut; it’s him loving to be between her thighs, and her managing to fit a guy whose... appendage is as big as a forearm inside of her.
You know DnD? Shaddap, it’s magic!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review: His Cursed Empress
Author: Autumn Hawthorne
First, thank you to the author for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
As a monster romance reader through and through, I was incredibly excited to dive into His Cursed Empress. The premise immediately caught my attention a cursed soulmate bond spanning lifetimes, an immortal monster emperor, reincarnation, political intrigue, and a love story that has endured centuries. On paper, this had all the ingredients of a book I should have absolutely loved.
My biggest struggle was the pacing. The first 40% of the book felt exceptionally slow, and because of that, I found it difficult to connect with the romance. Zyhor and Leila spend a significant portion of the story apart or interacting very little, which made it challenging for me to fully invest in their relationship. While the story constantly reminds us of their fated connection and shared history, I personally needed more on-page interaction between them to truly feel the emotional weight of their bond.
The book leans much more heavily into fantasy and political world-building than I expected from a monster romance. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but there is a substantial amount of discussion surrounding empire politics, history, magical systems, and societal structures. At times, it felt like the world-building was overshadowing the actual romance, leaving me wanting more character-driven moments between the main couple.
Once the story reaches the halfway point, the pace improves considerably. The spice begins to emerge around the 45% mark, the mystery surrounding the curse becomes more compelling, and the story gains momentum as long-buried secrets start coming to light. I found myself much more engaged during the second half than I was in the beginning.
That said, even after finishing the book, I never fully connected with Zyhor and Leila as a couple. I understood their devotion to one another and appreciated the tragic nature of their circumstances, but emotionally, I never felt completely invested in their romance. Because of that, many of the later reveals and emotional moments didn’t hit as strongly as I think they were intended to.
Overall, His Cursed Empress offers an interesting premise, extensive world-building, and a unique take on fated mates and reincarnation. Readers who enjoy slower-paced fantasy romances with heavy political elements may find a lot to love here. For me, however, the slow start, overwhelming amount of world-building, and lack of early connection between the main characters kept me from becoming fully immersed in the story.
Author: Autumn Hawthorne
First, thank you to the author for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
As a monster romance reader through and through, I was incredibly excited to dive into His Cursed Empress. The premise immediately caught my attention a cursed soulmate bond spanning lifetimes, an immortal monster emperor, reincarnation, political intrigue, and a love story that has endured centuries. On paper, this had all the ingredients of a book I should have absolutely loved.
My biggest struggle was the pacing. The first 40% of the book felt exceptionally slow, and because of that, I found it difficult to connect with the romance. Zyhor and Leila spend a significant portion of the story apart or interacting very little, which made it challenging for me to fully invest in their relationship. While the story constantly reminds us of their fated connection and shared history, I personally needed more on-page interaction between them to truly feel the emotional weight of their bond.
The book leans much more heavily into fantasy and political world-building than I expected from a monster romance. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but there is a substantial amount of discussion surrounding empire politics, history, magical systems, and societal structures. At times, it felt like the world-building was overshadowing the actual romance, leaving me wanting more character-driven moments between the main couple.
Once the story reaches the halfway point, the pace improves considerably. The spice begins to emerge around the 45% mark, the mystery surrounding the curse becomes more compelling, and the story gains momentum as long-buried secrets start coming to light. I found myself much more engaged during the second half than I was in the beginning.
That said, even after finishing the book, I never fully connected with Zyhor and Leila as a couple. I understood their devotion to one another and appreciated the tragic nature of their circumstances, but emotionally, I never felt completely invested in their romance. Because of that, many of the later reveals and emotional moments didn’t hit as strongly as I think they were intended to.
Overall, His Cursed Empress offers an interesting premise, extensive world-building, and a unique take on fated mates and reincarnation. Readers who enjoy slower-paced fantasy romances with heavy political elements may find a lot to love here. For me, however, the slow start, overwhelming amount of world-building, and lack of early connection between the main characters kept me from becoming fully immersed in the story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Leila is a woman on a journey to pursue her own path and finds herself in an empire run by her fated mate. The downfall? A curse has been placed on their soul connection in a previous life. While she feels the familiarity of Zyhor, the cruel and ruthless emperor, she can’t quite place it. But our emperor knows his Venae and has been waiting for her return.
I really enjoyed this book! I read "Bound by Their Blood" prior to reading this sister novel. "His Cursed Empress" can be read alone, but reading both really helped deepen the understanding and knowledge of this incredible world that the author has built. There’s a blending of the two stories on the same timeline in this book, which I loved! While this book has big romance, the plot makes it worth reading. I wish there would have been some more flashbacks – I was really interested in the past lives and how they played into the FMC’s feelings.
I really love the FMC – she’s a feisty, independent woman who knows what she wants and will settle for nothing less. Even for her love, she stands firm in her expectations of truth/honesty and partnership. The MMC is a heartthrob too for those who love a sweet praise kink. We’re also visiting a world that worships women of all shapes and sizes – curves are revered!!! It’s different reading that love for curves through a lover’s eyes, but in the best possible way.
Overall, I would definitely recommend. Especially if you’re looking for a good bit of spice with a good plot.
I really enjoyed this book! I read "Bound by Their Blood" prior to reading this sister novel. "His Cursed Empress" can be read alone, but reading both really helped deepen the understanding and knowledge of this incredible world that the author has built. There’s a blending of the two stories on the same timeline in this book, which I loved! While this book has big romance, the plot makes it worth reading. I wish there would have been some more flashbacks – I was really interested in the past lives and how they played into the FMC’s feelings.
I really love the FMC – she’s a feisty, independent woman who knows what she wants and will settle for nothing less. Even for her love, she stands firm in her expectations of truth/honesty and partnership. The MMC is a heartthrob too for those who love a sweet praise kink. We’re also visiting a world that worships women of all shapes and sizes – curves are revered!!! It’s different reading that love for curves through a lover’s eyes, but in the best possible way.
Overall, I would definitely recommend. Especially if you’re looking for a good bit of spice with a good plot.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Incredible story. I adored how Zyhor’s character was made. He made mistakes in the past, and did his best not to redo them. He isn’t perfect, he has flaws, but he works through them with one goal in mind, keeping Leila safe.
I really appreciated that Leila actually did something about how others were making the decisions for her, including Zyhor. She understood his reasoning, which was mature of her, but also pressed her boundaries that she didn’t want people to choose for her, and her making the decision to risk her life, her bonds, and everything for him at the end was chief kiss. She made that choice, and I’m glad she had a say in this.
I knew from the moment Leila mentioned Ansel left again that he wasn’t safe. He was a manipulative, disgusting creep, and I’m glad he died. Though, I kinda wish he suffered more, but at least Leila got the last blow, after all he did to her.
Not a fan of pregnancy trope, but having a/multiple kid(s) at the end, giving how Leila adored Zyria, and kids in general, was the best ending for the two. It was well done, and I loved it for them.
It was a rather spicy book, not the kind I usually prefer to read, but the way it was written and done, and also the clear warnings at the start of the book was great!
The zytryven are an interesting species, and as a vampire lover, it was the perfect match for me.
Overall I enjoyed myself, Amazing book, and I sure will recommend it to friends who could be interested!
I really appreciated that Leila actually did something about how others were making the decisions for her, including Zyhor. She understood his reasoning, which was mature of her, but also pressed her boundaries that she didn’t want people to choose for her, and her making the decision to risk her life, her bonds, and everything for him at the end was chief kiss. She made that choice, and I’m glad she had a say in this.
I knew from the moment Leila mentioned Ansel left again that he wasn’t safe. He was a manipulative, disgusting creep, and I’m glad he died. Though, I kinda wish he suffered more, but at least Leila got the last blow, after all he did to her.
Not a fan of pregnancy trope, but having a/multiple kid(s) at the end, giving how Leila adored Zyria, and kids in general, was the best ending for the two. It was well done, and I loved it for them.
It was a rather spicy book, not the kind I usually prefer to read, but the way it was written and done, and also the clear warnings at the start of the book was great!
The zytryven are an interesting species, and as a vampire lover, it was the perfect match for me.
Overall I enjoyed myself, Amazing book, and I sure will recommend it to friends who could be interested!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Autumn for the chance to be an ARC reviewer!
This was definitely one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I was so excited to be chosen to receive an ARC. I was a little surprised with how in depth the lore and world building the story went into. For being a monster romance, there was a quite a bit of details and extra information that I personally do not think was necessary. Right off the bat the details in the story seemed to be a bit excessive for me, but I know some people do enjoy that. I also found the pacing to be a little off at the beginning, along with the sudden time skip was very sudden. Around half way in it got quite a bit better and rounded out the story, however. I also think for being such a short story, there was a lot of tropes thrown into it.
I LOVED the spicy scenes in this story. Every single scene between the two main characters was incredible and I absolutely adored those two. I also really, REALLY liked having an actual demi rep in a story, that meant quite a bit to me personally.
Overall I think the book itself could use another pacing/editing look through, but otherwise I do enjoy reading it and I am so glad to have been able to be apart of the ARC team! I am excited to see these two get in the hands of all the people who are going to love them as well!
This was definitely one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I was so excited to be chosen to receive an ARC. I was a little surprised with how in depth the lore and world building the story went into. For being a monster romance, there was a quite a bit of details and extra information that I personally do not think was necessary. Right off the bat the details in the story seemed to be a bit excessive for me, but I know some people do enjoy that. I also found the pacing to be a little off at the beginning, along with the sudden time skip was very sudden. Around half way in it got quite a bit better and rounded out the story, however. I also think for being such a short story, there was a lot of tropes thrown into it.
I LOVED the spicy scenes in this story. Every single scene between the two main characters was incredible and I absolutely adored those two. I also really, REALLY liked having an actual demi rep in a story, that meant quite a bit to me personally.
Overall I think the book itself could use another pacing/editing look through, but otherwise I do enjoy reading it and I am so glad to have been able to be apart of the ARC team! I am excited to see these two get in the hands of all the people who are going to love them as well!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*** ARC review***
Spicy monster romance? Sign me up. I’ll admit that when I first started the book, I was a bit unsure whether I would like it. This book tells the story of Zyhor and Leila, a fated couple that has been separated multiple times over the span of 800+ years. I struggled quite a bit in the beginning, perhaps because the two main characters didn’t interact much during the world building but once I got through that I think the pace picked up quite a bit.
I found both main characters to be well developed and interesting. Zyhor, was fascinating; much more caring and softer than I would have expected from a monster. He was consistent and honest in his expressions of love for both Leila and her daughter.
Leila, on the other hand, was fierce and protective, especially regarding her daughter. Her relationship with her family was an interesting dynamic and I love how her character specifically handled the obvious prejudices that her family displayed toward Zyhor but more importantly, Leila’s daughter.
I would have perhaps liked more exploration of the past and the relationship between the two main characters but overall, I genuinely enjoyed this book; it had spice, romance, conflict and a few life lessons on acceptance. If you don’t mind that it’s a little slow at the beginning I think it’s worth the read.
Spicy monster romance? Sign me up. I’ll admit that when I first started the book, I was a bit unsure whether I would like it. This book tells the story of Zyhor and Leila, a fated couple that has been separated multiple times over the span of 800+ years. I struggled quite a bit in the beginning, perhaps because the two main characters didn’t interact much during the world building but once I got through that I think the pace picked up quite a bit.
I found both main characters to be well developed and interesting. Zyhor, was fascinating; much more caring and softer than I would have expected from a monster. He was consistent and honest in his expressions of love for both Leila and her daughter.
Leila, on the other hand, was fierce and protective, especially regarding her daughter. Her relationship with her family was an interesting dynamic and I love how her character specifically handled the obvious prejudices that her family displayed toward Zyhor but more importantly, Leila’s daughter.
I would have perhaps liked more exploration of the past and the relationship between the two main characters but overall, I genuinely enjoyed this book; it had spice, romance, conflict and a few life lessons on acceptance. If you don’t mind that it’s a little slow at the beginning I think it’s worth the read.
June 16, 2026
3.5⭐️ rounded up.
I had a good time with this. I enjoyed the FMC a lot and i loved how she clung to her autonomy. I loved that consent was such a huge deal for this kingdom, and the comparison of monsters vs humans (and how the monsters are the ones that value consent so highly).
I do think this could have used some more world building. Sometimes the smut is the plot and that’s okay, but this did have an intriguing storyline around the romance and I just really wish we got a bit more out of that. It was also *very* similar to another book I read, and I think *because* that intriguing plot wasn’t as fleshed out (therefore differentiating it from the other) it started to lose me in the second half. I also wasn’t aware this is set in the same world as one of Autumn’s other books? So maybe if I had read that (those?) first I would have felt more familiar.
This has a *long* glossary right at the start that was actually pretty intimidating. I have the type of neurodivergent where when i see something like that it low key stresses me out bc i feel like i have to study and memorize it all in order to understand the story.
Still a great time, though. I look forward to reading more of Autumn’s books.
I had a good time with this. I enjoyed the FMC a lot and i loved how she clung to her autonomy. I loved that consent was such a huge deal for this kingdom, and the comparison of monsters vs humans (and how the monsters are the ones that value consent so highly).
I do think this could have used some more world building. Sometimes the smut is the plot and that’s okay, but this did have an intriguing storyline around the romance and I just really wish we got a bit more out of that. It was also *very* similar to another book I read, and I think *because* that intriguing plot wasn’t as fleshed out (therefore differentiating it from the other) it started to lose me in the second half. I also wasn’t aware this is set in the same world as one of Autumn’s other books? So maybe if I had read that (those?) first I would have felt more familiar.
This has a *long* glossary right at the start that was actually pretty intimidating. I have the type of neurodivergent where when i see something like that it low key stresses me out bc i feel like i have to study and memorize it all in order to understand the story.
Still a great time, though. I look forward to reading more of Autumn’s books.
June 18, 2026
Massive thanks to the author for having me read an arc!!! Can’t wait to dive into more Autumn Hawthorne ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
His Cursed Empress completely snuck up on me.
I went into this expecting a fun monster smutty romantasy and ended up absolutely devouring it. The spice is definitely spicy, which is not always what pulls me into a book, but the story had me hooked from start to finish.
Y’all there is just something about a man (monster? lol) being so catastrophically obsessed with one woman that I cannot resist. Even when it’s fate.
The longing. The tension. The devotion. The centuries of consequences from one terrible decision.
“All because she trusted the wrong man in one life, his curse followed her and her love for centuries.”
EXCUSE ME???
That line hit me with all the feels!
The romance felt epic in the truest sense of the word. Not because of grand gestures, but because every choice, every sacrifice, and every heartbreak carried the weight of centuries behind it.
I finished this book hours ago and I’m still thinking about it, which is usually the sign that a book has fully taken up residence in my brain.
If you love smutty romantasy, curses, fate, longing, and a man whose entire existence revolves around one woman, add this one to your TBR immediately.
His Cursed Empress completely snuck up on me.
I went into this expecting a fun monster smutty romantasy and ended up absolutely devouring it. The spice is definitely spicy, which is not always what pulls me into a book, but the story had me hooked from start to finish.
Y’all there is just something about a man (monster? lol) being so catastrophically obsessed with one woman that I cannot resist. Even when it’s fate.
The longing. The tension. The devotion. The centuries of consequences from one terrible decision.
“All because she trusted the wrong man in one life, his curse followed her and her love for centuries.”
EXCUSE ME???
That line hit me with all the feels!
The romance felt epic in the truest sense of the word. Not because of grand gestures, but because every choice, every sacrifice, and every heartbreak carried the weight of centuries behind it.
I finished this book hours ago and I’m still thinking about it, which is usually the sign that a book has fully taken up residence in my brain.
If you love smutty romantasy, curses, fate, longing, and a man whose entire existence revolves around one woman, add this one to your TBR immediately.
June 28, 2026
Thank you to the author for this advanced copy!
I’ve been wanting a good monster romance and this delivered. I really liked how it wasn’t a typical take on vampires and how they were described was enchanting!
Reincarnation is such a fascinating thing and I loved that aspect in this. Meeting multiple times and falling in love (or back in love) just to be ripped apart is heartbreaking. I LOVED having a FMC being plus sized who was confident and didn’t take shit from anybody. I had a suspicion on who it had been to curse them and the way this delusional fucker had me fuming 😤 I loved the connection Zyhor and Leila had and how they interacted and felt with issues. The absolute adoration he had for her was beautiful! And the spice? 😮💨 The use of his tail and shadows? Amazing. The side characters were all lovely and I’d love more of Xargol and Zaerhys! Zyria was such an adorable character and I’d be very interested to see what kind of woman she grows up to be!
Overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to see what else the author has!
-
Tropes/What to expect
Fantasy Monster Romance
Tail play
Blood play
Plus Size FMC
Vampire/Incubus MMC
THE YEARNING
Found Family
Fated mates
Marriage of convenience
Unsupportive family
Dreams of past lives
I’ve been wanting a good monster romance and this delivered. I really liked how it wasn’t a typical take on vampires and how they were described was enchanting!
Reincarnation is such a fascinating thing and I loved that aspect in this. Meeting multiple times and falling in love (or back in love) just to be ripped apart is heartbreaking. I LOVED having a FMC being plus sized who was confident and didn’t take shit from anybody. I had a suspicion on who it had been to curse them and the way this delusional fucker had me fuming 😤 I loved the connection Zyhor and Leila had and how they interacted and felt with issues. The absolute adoration he had for her was beautiful! And the spice? 😮💨 The use of his tail and shadows? Amazing. The side characters were all lovely and I’d love more of Xargol and Zaerhys! Zyria was such an adorable character and I’d be very interested to see what kind of woman she grows up to be!
Overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to see what else the author has!
-
Tropes/What to expect
Fantasy Monster Romance
Tail play
Blood play
Plus Size FMC
Vampire/Incubus MMC
THE YEARNING
Found Family
Fated mates
Marriage of convenience
Unsupportive family
Dreams of past lives
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review: His Cursed Empress
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
quote: “In this life and all others, I belong to you and you alone. I vow to always wait for you to return to my side, no matter how long it takes.”
review:
This was a really good book especially for being the first book I read by this author.
However, I did have trouble getting into it in beginning and felt there might've been a issue with the pacing throughout the book. I'm not gonna lie, the names kept throwing me off and I had to continue looking back at the glossary to remember how they're pronounced.. 😅
The chemistry between Leila and Zyhor was chef's kiss 🤌🏼, I loved the interaction between those two! Due to the pacing, it was a personal struggle to feel in tune and the giddiness I usually get between the main characters. I just couldn't personally feel the emotions as they did.
-
Releases (06/15/2026)*
Thank you to @autumn_hawthorne_ and @bookfunnel for sending me this eARC to review!
**I received this ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
quote: “In this life and all others, I belong to you and you alone. I vow to always wait for you to return to my side, no matter how long it takes.”
review:
This was a really good book especially for being the first book I read by this author.
However, I did have trouble getting into it in beginning and felt there might've been a issue with the pacing throughout the book. I'm not gonna lie, the names kept throwing me off and I had to continue looking back at the glossary to remember how they're pronounced.. 😅
The chemistry between Leila and Zyhor was chef's kiss 🤌🏼, I loved the interaction between those two! Due to the pacing, it was a personal struggle to feel in tune and the giddiness I usually get between the main characters. I just couldn't personally feel the emotions as they did.
-
Releases (06/15/2026)*
Thank you to @autumn_hawthorne_ and @bookfunnel for sending me this eARC to review!
**I received this ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.75 stars
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
There were a lot of things I liked about this book:
- Fated mates trope taken up a notch (across multiple lifetimes/reincarnation)
- The daring and bravery of the FMC
- Juxtaposition of dysfunctional family and found family
- Zyhor is hot & so is his dick & the amount of spice wasn't too much
- The plot twist is really clever
But I couldn't rate it any higher for a few reasons:
- I would have loved more time for the plot twist reveal, it felt rushed/too short
- The FMCs daughter is really important to her, but we are told this more than we feel/see it, if that makes sense.
- The spice was a bit repetitive (though the period oral was also clever)
- The spice was written with a pet peeve of mine (obvi no fault to the author). She "gushes" when she orgasms and like soaks furniture etc. And another is feeling a penis anywhere it shouldn't be. In this case it's "like it's in her chest." Politely, no thank you.
- The epilogue seemed only really to exist to add another sex scene.
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
There were a lot of things I liked about this book:
- Fated mates trope taken up a notch (across multiple lifetimes/reincarnation)
- The daring and bravery of the FMC
- Juxtaposition of dysfunctional family and found family
- Zyhor is hot & so is his dick & the amount of spice wasn't too much
- The plot twist is really clever
But I couldn't rate it any higher for a few reasons:
- I would have loved more time for the plot twist reveal, it felt rushed/too short
- The FMCs daughter is really important to her, but we are told this more than we feel/see it, if that makes sense.
- The spice was a bit repetitive (though the period oral was also clever)
- The spice was written with a pet peeve of mine (obvi no fault to the author). She "gushes" when she orgasms and like soaks furniture etc. And another is feeling a penis anywhere it shouldn't be. In this case it's "like it's in her chest." Politely, no thank you.
- The epilogue seemed only really to exist to add another sex scene.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As part of autumns street and arc teams I received an advance readers copy of this book. All opinion are solely mine and give 100% freely
This book is absolutely unlike any I’ve ever read.
The lore the word the characters all of it is very immersive.
The spice is tastefully spicy 4/5 🌶️ without being raunchy
The pace was good for me for sure and if I had had more time I would have devoured it faster than 10 days.
There are several quotes from the MMC that I absolutely fell in love with and the FMC is a spitfire that I absolutely adored.
I love the representation in this book too a great arc for pride month that makes it feel as normal as it should to have various entities mentioned
As with many arcs there was some spelling and grammar missed but it’s still gotta go thru final edits and none of that effects my personal opinion on the story. I absolutely adore autumns books and I believe I’ve read every one she’s published so far 🖤 thank you ma’am for allowing me the immense pleasure to be a part of this. And for giving me such a wonderfully immersive fantasy world to escape this reality when I need it.
This book is absolutely unlike any I’ve ever read.
The lore the word the characters all of it is very immersive.
The spice is tastefully spicy 4/5 🌶️ without being raunchy
The pace was good for me for sure and if I had had more time I would have devoured it faster than 10 days.
There are several quotes from the MMC that I absolutely fell in love with and the FMC is a spitfire that I absolutely adored.
I love the representation in this book too a great arc for pride month that makes it feel as normal as it should to have various entities mentioned
As with many arcs there was some spelling and grammar missed but it’s still gotta go thru final edits and none of that effects my personal opinion on the story. I absolutely adore autumns books and I believe I’ve read every one she’s published so far 🖤 thank you ma’am for allowing me the immense pleasure to be a part of this. And for giving me such a wonderfully immersive fantasy world to escape this reality when I need it.
June 16, 2026
This is a deliciously spicy, fated mates, monster romance.
A cruel curse means Zyhor, the Emperor of the vampiric Zytryven, has been separated from his Venae, his Bloodsong, for far too long. Unable to complete their bond before she died, Zyhor sustained himself on the blood of criminals, prolonging his life in the hope of finding a way to break the curse
Then after 800 years, his Vaene, now called Leila, comes to the court with her father in order to offer herself as a courtesan, a highly respected member of the court who provides sustenance for the Zytryven present, through blood and pleasure. But Zyhor knows he's not close enough to being able to break the curse yet. He needs to keep his distance, so not to risk losing her again.
Oh my goddess, the yearning!! I absolutely devoured this book! To be fair, I've loved all of Autumn's books so far, so I kinda knew I'd easily fall in love with this one too. The feisty MMC, the vampy shadow wielder, the unusual male "equipment", it all adds up to my idea of a good time.
I received an ARC of this ebook from the author, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.
A cruel curse means Zyhor, the Emperor of the vampiric Zytryven, has been separated from his Venae, his Bloodsong, for far too long. Unable to complete their bond before she died, Zyhor sustained himself on the blood of criminals, prolonging his life in the hope of finding a way to break the curse
Then after 800 years, his Vaene, now called Leila, comes to the court with her father in order to offer herself as a courtesan, a highly respected member of the court who provides sustenance for the Zytryven present, through blood and pleasure. But Zyhor knows he's not close enough to being able to break the curse yet. He needs to keep his distance, so not to risk losing her again.
Oh my goddess, the yearning!! I absolutely devoured this book! To be fair, I've loved all of Autumn's books so far, so I kinda knew I'd easily fall in love with this one too. The feisty MMC, the vampy shadow wielder, the unusual male "equipment", it all adds up to my idea of a good time.
I received an ARC of this ebook from the author, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.
June 20, 2026
absolutely amazing from the first page to the last
I loved this book so much. Zyhor and Leila are some of my favorite characters I’ve read from Autumn (I’ve read them all). They have such a tragic past and just the way that Zyhor was separated from his other half for so long is such a heart wringing arc. The lengths this male went to in order to ensure Leila’s safety and happiness are truly unmatched. Leila’s human family is absolutely abominable. The villain is genuinely one of the most loathsome primary antagonists of all time. He’s also super delusional. The spicy scenes are perfect and are so far beyond hot as a descriptor. Special appendages and shadows might make an appearance at some points, they might not…you’ll just have to read to find out. I love the way this is connected to the rest of the universe that’s been written about and the cameos from some previous books’ characters are so amazing. Zyria the little frog-eating princess is an absolute delight. Truly amazing read.
I loved this book so much. Zyhor and Leila are some of my favorite characters I’ve read from Autumn (I’ve read them all). They have such a tragic past and just the way that Zyhor was separated from his other half for so long is such a heart wringing arc. The lengths this male went to in order to ensure Leila’s safety and happiness are truly unmatched. Leila’s human family is absolutely abominable. The villain is genuinely one of the most loathsome primary antagonists of all time. He’s also super delusional. The spicy scenes are perfect and are so far beyond hot as a descriptor. Special appendages and shadows might make an appearance at some points, they might not…you’ll just have to read to find out. I love the way this is connected to the rest of the universe that’s been written about and the cameos from some previous books’ characters are so amazing. Zyria the little frog-eating princess is an absolute delight. Truly amazing read.
June 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you to Autumn for an ARC!
This was a wonderful story of fated mates finding one another across lifetimes. Our MMC, Zyhor, lost his fated mate, Leila, in two lifetimes due to a curse placed upon their souls in an act of betrayal. When she enters his life for a third time, Zyhor is determined not to lose her for a third time and to break their curse. Zyhor was brave and irrevocably devoted to Leila. Leila was strong, courageous, and determined to take control of her life. While they were strong independently, together Zyhor and Leila were unstoppable. Their devotion to each other was palpable and I could feel their fated bond. While there journey to happiness together was fraught with heartbreak, they were able to overcome all the obstacles keeping them apart. And the spice? Top tier! Zyhor‘s shadow daddy powers made their spicy times hot as hell. I would recommend this one to lovers of monster romance.
*Check TWs if needed.*
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you to Autumn for an ARC!
This was a wonderful story of fated mates finding one another across lifetimes. Our MMC, Zyhor, lost his fated mate, Leila, in two lifetimes due to a curse placed upon their souls in an act of betrayal. When she enters his life for a third time, Zyhor is determined not to lose her for a third time and to break their curse. Zyhor was brave and irrevocably devoted to Leila. Leila was strong, courageous, and determined to take control of her life. While they were strong independently, together Zyhor and Leila were unstoppable. Their devotion to each other was palpable and I could feel their fated bond. While there journey to happiness together was fraught with heartbreak, they were able to overcome all the obstacles keeping them apart. And the spice? Top tier! Zyhor‘s shadow daddy powers made their spicy times hot as hell. I would recommend this one to lovers of monster romance.
*Check TWs if needed.*
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
I’m forever impressed by the stories Autumn provides! If you like your love messy, immortal, and a little lethal, then this is a must read. Leila goes from discarded daughter to the emperor’s impossible choice, and every page hums with danger, desire, and a bond that refuses to die. It is emotional, intoxicating, and un-put-downable. Serious rec for anyone who worships danger and devotion. Zyhor is brooding, brutal and utterly devoted. Leila is fierce, heartbreaking, magnetic. Packed with heat and stakes so high I’m still shaking. Five fang filled stars.
Not only did I get the opportunity to ARC read this book, but I also got the chance to alpha read it. Seeing how this story started and ended was such a blessing and I’m so incredibly happy with how it turned out!
Thank you to Autumn for providing me with a copy of His Cursed Empress. As always, my opinions are my own.
I’m forever impressed by the stories Autumn provides! If you like your love messy, immortal, and a little lethal, then this is a must read. Leila goes from discarded daughter to the emperor’s impossible choice, and every page hums with danger, desire, and a bond that refuses to die. It is emotional, intoxicating, and un-put-downable. Serious rec for anyone who worships danger and devotion. Zyhor is brooding, brutal and utterly devoted. Leila is fierce, heartbreaking, magnetic. Packed with heat and stakes so high I’m still shaking. Five fang filled stars.
Not only did I get the opportunity to ARC read this book, but I also got the chance to alpha read it. Seeing how this story started and ended was such a blessing and I’m so incredibly happy with how it turned out!
Thank you to Autumn for providing me with a copy of His Cursed Empress. As always, my opinions are my own.
June 15, 2026
Amazing world and characters!
I received an ARC copy of this book, and it’s the first time I’ve ever been an ARC reader. Before reading this, I read the other standalone book in this universe, Bound by their Blood. These were the first books I’ve read by Autumn Hawthorne, and I was not disappointed! The world building was incredibly intriguing and diverse, it was amazing to read something so unique and get swept along with the world. The characters though are what really made me unable to put the books down. Each character was well-rounded, with their own thoughts, dreams, values and opinions. I wasn’t confused when the perspective changed, because each character has their own distinct voice in the story so it was easy to get immersed. Overall, I would recommend this book (and Bound by their Blood!) to anyone looking for a beautiful fantasy romance with a unique setting and gripping story. Fingers crossed that this won’t be the last adventure we see in this world!
I received an ARC copy of this book, and it’s the first time I’ve ever been an ARC reader. Before reading this, I read the other standalone book in this universe, Bound by their Blood. These were the first books I’ve read by Autumn Hawthorne, and I was not disappointed! The world building was incredibly intriguing and diverse, it was amazing to read something so unique and get swept along with the world. The characters though are what really made me unable to put the books down. Each character was well-rounded, with their own thoughts, dreams, values and opinions. I wasn’t confused when the perspective changed, because each character has their own distinct voice in the story so it was easy to get immersed. Overall, I would recommend this book (and Bound by their Blood!) to anyone looking for a beautiful fantasy romance with a unique setting and gripping story. Fingers crossed that this won’t be the last adventure we see in this world!
June 17, 2026
I really liked this one overall—it’s a fun, emotional monster romance, even if it’s not our absolute favorite of the year. It follows Zyhor and Leila, fated mates who’ve been torn apart across multiple lifetimes because of a curse, and now he’s desperate to finally break it and keep her. The whole “centuries of longing” thing hit, and Zyhor’s devotion was very swoon-worthy.
Leila was great too—spunky, independent, and not afraid to choose her own path. Together they had strong chemistry, and you could really feel their bond, especially with all the heartbreak they’ve been through. The story balances sweet moments with some darker, bloodier elements, which kept it interesting.
Also, I loved the extra touches like the pronunciation guide (so helpful), and yeah…the spice definitely delivered—Zyhor’s shadow powers made things extra hot. Definitely worth checking out if you’re into fated mates and spicy monster romance.
Leila was great too—spunky, independent, and not afraid to choose her own path. Together they had strong chemistry, and you could really feel their bond, especially with all the heartbreak they’ve been through. The story balances sweet moments with some darker, bloodier elements, which kept it interesting.
Also, I loved the extra touches like the pronunciation guide (so helpful), and yeah…the spice definitely delivered—Zyhor’s shadow powers made things extra hot. Definitely worth checking out if you’re into fated mates and spicy monster romance.
June 19, 2026
I knew the book was coming to a close, but I wasn’t ready for it to end! It’s so perfect. The devotion, the obsession, the YEARNING.
Leila is such a strong character! She’s inspirational, and I love love love how she’s determined to make her life her own. Zyria is absolutely adorable. As a single parent myself, I have a love for single parent books where they the happy ending they all deserve!
As for Zyhor, I will tolerate no slander about him. Morally grey though he may be, he is perfect, and he has done no wrong. Our poor boy waited for SO LONG. May every single moment for the rest of his time be filled with joy and love.
I loved getting to see some past characters again! I think Bound by Their Blood is still my favorite (though this is a close contender), so getting a glimpse of them was amazing!
5/5 stars and 3/5 spice! Thank you so much Autumn for allowing me to arc read this!
Leila is such a strong character! She’s inspirational, and I love love love how she’s determined to make her life her own. Zyria is absolutely adorable. As a single parent myself, I have a love for single parent books where they the happy ending they all deserve!
As for Zyhor, I will tolerate no slander about him. Morally grey though he may be, he is perfect, and he has done no wrong. Our poor boy waited for SO LONG. May every single moment for the rest of his time be filled with joy and love.
I loved getting to see some past characters again! I think Bound by Their Blood is still my favorite (though this is a close contender), so getting a glimpse of them was amazing!
5/5 stars and 3/5 spice! Thank you so much Autumn for allowing me to arc read this!
June 19, 2026
This is an ARC review but fully my own opinions 🫶🏻
I really enjoyed the premise of this book and had fun reading it! It was a great combination of spice and story. I loved Leila and thought she was such a strong and well written character. I loved that she knew she didn’t belong in the world she was born into and forged her own path. The world created was so cool and I wish there had been more about it because some parts felt rushed and not fully explained. I absolutely recommend reading this book if you love romantasy and spice (especially creative uses of tails and shadows 😏)! Sharing below the one thing I really didn’t love and struggled with.
The miscommunication trope can be a rough one for me, and I feel like it was overused in this book. 75% of the issues that arose could have been avoided if Zyhor had just communicated and been honest with Leila. At the beginning I understood why he wasn’t but as things went on and he still withheld info it was just over the top.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book and had fun reading it! It was a great combination of spice and story. I loved Leila and thought she was such a strong and well written character. I loved that she knew she didn’t belong in the world she was born into and forged her own path. The world created was so cool and I wish there had been more about it because some parts felt rushed and not fully explained. I absolutely recommend reading this book if you love romantasy and spice (especially creative uses of tails and shadows 😏)! Sharing below the one thing I really didn’t love and struggled with.
The miscommunication trope can be a rough one for me, and I feel like it was overused in this book. 75% of the issues that arose could have been avoided if Zyhor had just communicated and been honest with Leila. At the beginning I understood why he wasn’t but as things went on and he still withheld info it was just over the top.
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