A Deal in Death

Immortal Desires #2

by Jaclyn Rodriguez

Return to a world of dangerous tarot magic, thrilling deception, and spellbinding romance in the conclusion of the Immortal Desires series

A shattered realm, a deadly prophecy, a battle of hearts . . . can love overcome fate?

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Romance, Dark Academia, Adult, Fiction, Magic

688 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 2, 2027

About the author

Jaclyn Rodriguez is a biracial author of Puerto Rican heritage, and has been madly in love with fantasy since before she could walk, forever drawn to magic and the impossible. If there are high stakes and intricate world-building, she's in, and she adores a strong romantic subplot, the more complicated the better. She spends her non-writing time practicing archery, and deconstructing her favorite tv shows and films. She currently lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband, son, and two quirky dogs. She is also a proud member of the ​LGBT community.

Jaclyn can be found online at jaclynrodriguezbooks.com.

A VOW IN VENGEANCE will be her debut.

Reviews

[Jaclyn Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Reader,

A Deal in Death is the conclusion of Rune and Draven’s story. I wrote A Vow in Vengeance with love: for the romantasy stories that saved me, for those who have felt so unseen, and for every girl who has ever felt unworthy or undeserving of love. I especially wanted those who have never seen themselves receive a “happily ever after” in a romantasy to feel that they, too, could be the heroic FMCs in the stories that made me fall in love with reading.

We are all beautiful, and we are all deserving.

If A Vow in Vengeance helped you feel seen, or loved, or worthy, then I will have achieved far more than even my wildest dreams. If you had fun, and you laughed, or you slid into my DMs to threaten me with a shoe for that ending—errrr, well, I’m glad I made you feel something. To feel is to live.

A Vow in Vengeance was written with my love, and A Deal in Death was written with my hope. The hope that you will love it, too, and find a home within its pages, and that women will continue to grow into their power. To claim space not only in the reading community, but in every hall and at every table.

With that, I hope you love this book, keep its secrets while others wait to read it, and know that this time I won’t interrupt Rune and Draven’s time together (well . . . mostly).

Thank you for reading,

XO-Jaclyn

[Jessica Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. Book 2 is somehow even better than Book 1.

Did I think it was possible to top AVIV? Absolutely not. And yet Jacklyn Rodriguez said “hold my pen” and proceeded to multiply everything we loved in the first book by ten.

A Deal in Death is everything you want a sequel to be. It’s bigger, bolder, deeper, and refuses to slow down. The plot expands in the best way, the character development hits harder, and the pacing keeps you fully locked in from start to finish.

And the ending.

The EPILOGUE.

I have no words. Just know I sat there staring at my wall questioning every life decision I’ve ever made.

You will cry. That is not a suggestion, that is a warning. Multiple tears. Possibly emotional collapse. Especially in that last stretch of the book where everything hits at once and your heart officially clocks out.

I am already unwell thinking about other people experiencing this for the first time.

When this releases in February 2027, I am begging you, no I am URGING you, to run to your nearest bookstore like your life depends on it. If you’ve already preordered, congratulations, you are emotionally responsible. If not, fix that immediately.

[Lindsey]

My official blurb for this amazing conclusion:

A Deal in Death is the kind of finale every fantasy reader hopes for and few authors can deliver. Rodriguez masterfully weaves breathtaking tarot magic, devastating emotion, and impossible choices into a conclusion that never loses sight of its heart. Equal parts epic and intimate, this is a story that reminds us the greatest battles are often fought for the people we love. Unforgettable from beginning to end. A conclusion that earns every emotion and every page.

[Brandihreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this 6 stars, I would! Such an epic conclusion to A Vow in Vengeance. Had me feeling all the emotions and throwing my kindle multiple times cause WTF?! I ATE this up!!

Packed with rage, high stakes, prophecies, impending war, side characters you just love, and romance that ignites between the MC’s!! All of it wrapped up perfectly. Can’t wait to see what else the author writes!

[sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the main characters' development from book one, and the magic system was more fully explained. It was action packed and added depth to the plot. The heartfelt moments and the suspense of not knowing what was going to happen next kept me engaged in the book. I recommend this duology if you're into tarot cards and unique magic system. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Zando for the eARC.

[Kyley Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

TAKE NOTES, this is how you wrap a duology ladies and gentlemen 👏🏼👏🏼

5 ⭐️
4 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Okay before we start THANK YOU THANK YOU to NetGalley and Zander for bestowing this ARC in my hands. I’m forever grateful at having the chance at reading this masterpiece.

TL;DR
Do yourself a favor and make damn sure you pick this book up. The pacing is steady to fast, the story is beautifully built and executed, the tension is tense, the rage is raging, the spice is 🥵, and the end will leave you emotionally satisfied. AMAZING conclusion to Rune and Draven’s story.

Okay here we go:

LIKES
✨ A Vow in Vengeance recap at the start. Such a simple touch with just enough detail that made it so much easier to jump back into this world. Can we get more of these??

✨ Pacing starts steady and picks up towards the end. There’s a lot to cover in this book and I think the balance between introducing new information while ensuring the tension was tense and the suspense was suspenseful was so well done. Seriously, I wanted to crawl through my kindle and strangle Altair… so much rage

✨ Completed ending without a cheesy HEA feel or a ton of unanswered questions. About 90% of the way through I thought “damn how are we going to cover this battle and wrap the story?” - well folks she did it, and pretty well I might add. The battle doesn’t feel super rushed or dragged out, we get the perfect about of tension to build up, we get a solid battle, and we get enough after battle coverage that while yes I’m sure I can find 10000 questions to ask, I don’t feel the need to. I’m very happy with how this ends which honestly can be hard in a series.

✨ Character Development just continues to level up and I LOVED it. Each character in this story gets so much love and attention from the author without it feeling overwhelming. She does such a good job of drawing you in and leaving you feeling connected with them. Like I want to be best friends with Fable and Ember.

✨ Found family trope is very strong in this book as Rune navigates her own grief and feelings towards her actual family. I absolutely loved seeing her build her own family in her friends and the lengths they go through for each other. Ugh this trope is one of my favs

MID
✨ Hear me out, I LOVE Draven, he’s such of lovey smartass, BUT he’s a tiiiiiny bit too lovey at times in this story. Nothing crazy! But I would have liked 5-10% more banter and a little less moon of my stars

DISLIKES
✨ Fuck Kasper
✨ Fuck Altair with a rusty nail

[Kenz✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

again, I wanted to love this book so much because of the unique magic system, but everything else fell quite short for me. for how long this book is, the pacing was extremely uneven and made it hard to pick up at points. it almost took me a month to read, which is extremely long for me. when there were insane plot twists, that kept me in it as i still felt so removed from the characters and their relationships. i still don't buy the romance between Draven and Rune (i was rooting for Wynter, sue me) as i feel it was underdeveloped and lacked emotional depth. the fated mates situation in this book made no sense to me as well. i have to accept i might not be the target audience for this book, which makes me incredibly sad because i love the idea just not the execution.

thank you to Slowburn for this preview edition in exchange for an honest review!

[Alivia Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS is how you wrap up a duology! A Deal in Death was written so well, striking a perfect balance between major world building and romance.
One of my favorite aspects was how the author handled the mates dynamic.. it felt fresh and added so much weight to the relationship. The plot moved at a great pace and tied up all the loose ends in a way that felt earned and completely fulfilling.
Overall, this was just such a great read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a complimentary ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Arielle · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I was so eager to read this after where book 1 left off and it did not disappoint. This was a solid end to the duology. All loose ends were tied up and I loved every minute of it. A lot of the typical tropes weren’t done in the same way, and the uniqueness of the magical system carried through to the end. I wish I could have more of this world.

[Michelle Kimber · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I wanted to love this sequel I really did. I read the first one and due to some very YA writing I wasn't sure i wanted to read the second one. I decided to hoping the writing had improved, but i still found the writing style really dumbed down. I struggled with the FMC and the Druid King just pissed me off. I did think the plot was pretty interesting and I did enjoy some of the side characters. So all in all just a fine read for me.

[Lissa G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you SO MUCH to Jaclyn Rodriguez, her publishers, and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.

A Deal in Death was a complicated read for me—not because I wasn't interested, but because there was ✨so much happening✨ that I sometimes struggled to keep up with it all.

Going into this after A Vow in Vengeance, I was already invested in Rune, Draven, and this strange, fascinating world of tarot magic. I was invested in seeing where their story would go, and thankfully, that intrigue never really disappeared. Even when the pacing felt off, I still wanted to know what was coming next.

My biggest struggle was definitely the pacing. The book felt very off-tempo at times. There were stretches where everything moved incredibly quickly, with revelation after revelation, and then others where the story slowed down considerably. It made the book difficult to digest at times, especially with how much information is being introduced and expanded upon.

And there is A LOT to process.

The prophecy, Rune's growing powers, Draven, Wynter, the Immortal Realms, the war, political conflicts, secrets, betrayals, and all of the different character motivations are constantly pulling the story in different directions. I loved the ambition of it, but I occasionally wished the story had given some of those moments more room to breathe. There were times when something that felt like it should have been a huge emotional moment was followed so quickly by the next plot development that I didn't have time to fully sit with it.

That said, Rune's growth was one of my favorite parts of the book. I loved watching her become more confident in her power and more willing to make choices for herself. While some moments she is flawed, she ultimately chooses herself instead of what everyone else desires of her or the easy way but settling for something else, and that makes this story more powerful. She feels like a very different character from where she started, and seeing her step into that power was incredibly satisfying.

And, of course, Rune and Draven. Their relationship continues to be one of the biggest reasons I stayed invested. The chemistry, devotion, tension, and emotional stakes are all there, and the prophecy adds another layer to their relationship that made me genuinely question how everything could possibly work out.

The tarot magic also remains one of the most unique aspects of this series for me. I love that the magic isn't simply background decoration—it actually matters to the characters and the larger story. The expansion of the world and the stakes made the sequel feel much bigger, although that was also part of what occasionally made it overwhelming.

There were definitely moments where I thought, "Okay... I need a minute to process all of that." 😂

But here's the thing: I never stopped being intrigued.

Even when the pacing wasn't working for me, even when there were too many threads competing for my attention, I still wanted to keep reading. I wanted answers. I wanted to know what would happen to Rune and Draven. And, most importantly, I wanted to see whether all of these seemingly disconnected pieces would actually come together.

✨And they did.✨

By the end, the payoff made the difficult parts of the journey feel worthwhile. This isn't a book I would describe as an effortless or easy read, but it is one that ultimately rewarded me for sticking with it.

As an ARC reader, getting to experience the conclusion of Rune and Draven's story early made that experience even more exciting. I went into this with questions left over from the first book, and while the journey occasionally left me overwhelmed, I was genuinely invested in finding out how the author would bring everything together.

A Deal in Death is ambitious, messy, emotional, and sometimes difficult to digest—but ultimately, ✨it pays off.✨

And sometimes that's exactly what I want from a romantasy finale: give me enough chaos to make me question everything, make me care way too much about the characters, and then actually make all that chaos worth it. 🖤

4.5 ⭐️

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Deal in Death by Jaclyn Rodriguez
Publication Date: February 2, 2027

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (If I could give it 6 stars, I absolutely would.)

First and foremost, thank you to Jaclyn Rodriguez for allowing me to be part of the street team and for providing me with an ARC of this incredible book. It has been such an honor to follow this series and help support its release.

Now let's talk about the fact that Jaclyn somehow managed to top A Vow in Vengeance.

Did I think it was possible? Absolutely not.

Did Jaclyn Rodriguez prove me wrong? Without hesitation.

A Deal in Death is everything you could possibly want from a sequel and an epic series conclusion. It's bigger, bolder, more emotional, and somehow raises the stakes in every possible way. From the very first page, I was completely locked in.

Rune Ryker and Prince Draven return facing impossible odds, devastating losses, looming war, and prophecies that threaten everything they've fought for. The tension never lets up. Every chapter seemed to deliver another twist, betrayal, revelation, or emotional gut punch.

And the emotions?

This book absolutely destroyed me.

You will cry. That is not a suggestion—it is a warning.

Rune's journey throughout this book was incredible. She's carrying so much grief, guilt, rage, and responsibility, yet her resilience never wavers. Jaclyn has created such a powerful, complex, and unforgettable Latina FMC, and I loved every second of following her story.

One thing this duology does exceptionally well is character work. Every single character feels important. The side characters aren't simply there to fill space—they each contribute something meaningful to the story, and I became deeply attached to all of them.

Beyond the action, magic, and romance, this story carries a beautiful message about family. It explores the idea that family isn't always defined by blood and that found family can be just as powerful, healing, and life-changing. Those themes hit especially hard throughout this final installment.

And then there's the ending.

The ending.

The EPILOGUE.

I genuinely sat staring at my wall afterward questioning everything. I am still not emotionally recovered.

Packed with tarot magic, high-stakes battles, prophecy, romance, found family, heartbreak, hope, and enough emotional damage to last me until book release day, A Deal in Death is a phenomenal conclusion to the Immortal Desires duology.

I already know I'm going to be thinking about these characters for a very long time.

Do not sleep on this series.

Add it to your TBR. Preorder it. Tell your friends. Prepare your emotions accordingly.

Thank you again to Jaclyn Rodriguez and Slowburn Reads for allowing me to read and review this ARC. I truly feel honored to have been part of this journey.

[Karolina Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone needs to explain why Jaclyn Rodriguez thought it was okay to emotionally body slam me like this. I closed my iPad, stared at the ceiling for a solid five minutes and immediately wanted to erase my memory just so I could experience this book all over again. I couldn’t even bring myself to write this review because I was still processing all the emotions I felt after finishing the book.

Fellow reader, let me tell you, this book didn’t just meet my expectations… it completely ran them over. Somehow, this was even better than A Vow in Vengeance, which honestly didn’t seem possible. The world feels bigger, the stakes are higher and every chapter had me thinking, “There’s absolutely no way she can make this worse…” and then she did. In the best possible way.

Rune continues to be one of my favorite fantasy heroines. She’s fierce, stubborn, exhausted, heartbroken and still refuses to stop fighting. Watching her carry so much responsibility while trying to protect the people she loves hit me right in the feelings. And Draven? Still obsessed. His loyalty, sarcasm and the way he stands beside Rune made me love him even more.

I also loved spending more time with the rest of the crew. Fable, Ember and the others never felt like background characters. They each had their own moments to shine and the found family in this series honestly became one of my favorite parts. Those friendships felt just as important as the romance.

Without giving anything away… the prophecy had me constantly questioning everything, alliances kept shifting, betrayals had me yelling at my iPad and there were several moments where I genuinely thought “Oh… we’re really doing this?” The action never slowed down, but neither did the emotional punches.

If I had one tiny complaint, it’s that there were a couple of romantic moments where I wanted a little more playful banter between Rune and Draven before diving back into the swoony declarations. It’s a very small thing, though and it didn’t take away from how much I loved their relationship.

And can we talk about that ending? No spoilers, obviously, but let’s just say I wasn’t prepared. The final chapters had me smiling one minute and trying not to cry the next. Jaclyn somehow wrapped everything up without making it feel rushed and by the time I reached the epilogue, I was an emotional puddle.

This duology is one I’m going to be recommending over and over because it deserves every bit of the hype. If you loved the first book, trust me when I say the sequel somehow raises the bar even higher.

Huge thank you to Zando and Jaclyn Rodriguez for the opportunity to read this eARC through NetGalley before its release on February 2, 2027. I’m incredibly grateful to have experienced Rune and Draven’s unforgettable journey early. Thank you for trusting readers with this beautiful conclusion.

[Uncaged Reads Uncaged Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

+++I have received a free eARC of this book. This is my honest review+++

A Deal in Death is the thrilling, high-stakes conclusion to the Immortal Desires duology, and Jaclyn Rodriguez pulled out all the stops. Rune Ryker and Prince Draven—the powerful wielders of The World—are back, fighting seemingly insurmountable odds to save and unite the four realms.
From the very first page, this book is non-stop, nail-biting excitement. It is packed with so many jaw-dropping twists, turns, and betrayals that you won't be able to predict what's going to happen from one moment to the next. Rune is drowning in guilt, shame, grief, and rage as the hits just keep coming, and her resilience throughout it all is staggering.
Rodriguez has written a fiercely strong, resilient Latinx FMC, which is a breath of fresh air in the genre. We need so much more BIPOC representation like this in fantasy, and I am entirely here for it!
The character work in this duology is unmatched. Every single character—even the minor ones—brings something vital to the table, and each of them is fiercely loyal in their own unique way.
Beyond the action, there is a beautiful message about family. The story deeply explores how not all blood families are healthy or loving, and that found family is just as valid, powerful, and healing. As long as you have found love and happiness, that is what truly matters.
This book is an absolute masterpiece of tarot magic, raw emotion, and relentless action. The entire duology is an incredible, unforgettable ride that is worth every single second of your time.

Do not sleep on this one! Add it to your TBR and PREORDER NOW! Release Date: February 2, 2027

I want to thank @netgalley @jaclynrodriguezauthor and @zandoprojects @slowburn.reads for allowing me to read this amazing eARC. I truly feel honored to have had the privilege to read and review it.

[Cynder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters: 1.5/1.5 🌟
Plot: 2/2 🌟
Writing Style: 1.5/1.5 🌟
My Thoughts: Okay, I know I said it before but Imma say it again...I'M OBSESSED!!!! Let's talk about firstly the characters. In AVIV we meet a lot of characters, and those same characters stay true to ADID as well which was nice. We aren't really introduced to an overwhelming amount of new characters, and all the new ones are crucial to the plot and development of our already favorite druid/changeling squad. Now, I am probably about 76% sad for two of the characters in ADID's fate because what do you mean their bond was broken and that character passed??? Overall, the characters were really enjoyable and I could see how 2 and 2 made 4 for their backstories and what has led them to their actions in this book.

That being said, let us move into the plot... I already was obsessed with the plot from the first page. I know I know, it is typical for me to really like a second book if I adored and loved the first but guys here me out here. There are so many twists and turns to A Deal in Death that I couldn't predict what was going to happen next, which thankfully kept me on my toes and kept me locked into the story. The plot of this book was so well crafted and planned that I will most positively, absolutely, no doubt about it, read this book many more times in the future because it is just that good.

Next, for the author's writing style, let's have a moment of silence for her Instagram DMs from me... I cannot tell you how perfect this book was to read. I was able to read and comprehend this book so easily, literally no matter the circumstances or conditions. I read this book tired off my butt from work with no issues, after staring at my work screen for hours with no issues, and even better, I read it while slightly tipsy without any issues. Her words flowed so well together with little to no plot holes and allowed her vision for this world to come to life through her phrasing, structuring, and just the overall style. In the end, much like with the book, I am utterly obsessed!

Finally, I want to give a huge shoutout to Jaclyn Rodriguez, Zando/Slowburn, NetGalley, and overall her team for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC. I'm so beyond grateful to have gotten to finish the series and will now be experiencing post-book depression for the foreseeable future until I reread them.

[Lauren Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

eARC review!

3.5 / 4 stars

I have some mixed feelings about A Deal in Death. After book one, I was left with quite a few unanswered questions that I was eager to see addressed, but a lot of the beginning felt like the plot was dragging, the tension was overly manufactured, and many of the issues I had with the magic system and mate bonds were still left hanging.

My biggest issue, by far, was Rune's love triangle. I thought it was weird in the last book, but this one took it to another level, and I really struggled to get on board. I actually didn't mind the idea that fate left Rune with a choice to complete a bond. What I hated was how that choice was handled. She had already chosen Draven, but she spent so much of the book questioning herself, dwelling on her connection with Wynter, noticing his scent, and appreciating just how good of a man he was. Once the reason behind those feelings became clear, I wanted her to commit to the decision she'd already made. If she wanted Draven, then I think she should have done everything possible to move on from Wynter instead of continuing to entertain those feelings. Instead, it felt like she wasn't being fair to either of them. She wasn't being faithful to the man she'd chosen, and she was also unintentionally stringing along the man who was quietly loving her from a distance because of fate. The whole situation felt unnecessarily manufactured, and I never bought into the idea that there needed to be a choice in the first place.

There were also a few too many modern expressions that pulled me out of the story. This is supposed to be a vaguely non-contemporary fantasy world, so references to "taking a road trip" or comparing something to tin foil just felt out of place.

I did like getting the dual POV, although I wish we'd gotten more of Draven's chapters.

Overall, I still enjoyed the story. I think it could have used a tighter edit. The beginning was a slog, the pacing needed work, and I don't think this story needed all 688 pages. That said, by the end I thought everything came together nicely. I was happy with Rune's HEA and liked the direction the new reign was heading with its focus on its people and cultures.

[AlwaysBookedBrooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I want to thank Zando | Slowburn and NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read A Deal in Death.

This book was everything I could have wanted for the conclusion of this duology. I absolutely loved every bit of this series and I am sad it’s now over 😢. This is going to be one of those series that you wish you could forget just so you could go back and read both of them for the first time again.

Man did this book put me through the wringer with all the emotions it brought out in me during this book. I will say this book completely raised the stakes from book one and was WAY more emotionally devastating. This book had me completely immersed in it from page one. This book I will say was pretty fast-paced and VERY action packed.

I really appreciated the character growth we got in this book from Rune. I also LOVED that we still go so much from the side characters. I think Jacklyn does such an amazing job not only making you fall in love with Rune and Draven but also with every single one of their friends. I really felt the connection and relationship grow between Rune and Draven during this book. I appreciate the fact that Draven sees Rune as his equal and wants her to see herself that way as well. I think that shines throughout this book. I really don’t want to say too much about the plot in this book because I feel it would be too easy to give away major spoilers. Just know that you are in for a ride…..you are going to be angry, heartbroken and truly in love during this book. Your are going to HATE Kasper and Altair even more!! There are so many prophecies that come to light throughout and so many answers that we finally get. You are definitely getting quite a bit more political intrigue in this book as well. And of course we can not forget about the Tarot magic which I still think is amazingly unique and so well done in and we get so much more in depth in it during during this book.

And that ending and Epilogue I think wrapped this story up so beautifully. If you have not picked up this series you to go do it NOW!! It’s amazing and it’s a duology!! I have a feeling a will be thinking about this series for a very long time.

🪽Tarot Magic
🪽 Forbidden Romance
🪽 Prophecy
🪽 Political Intrigue
🪽 Touch her and die

[Trischia · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating: 3 ⭐️, 3🌶

I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.

What an interesting finale for the Immortal Desires series! This had all the ingredients of a book I would normally love. The premise was intriguing, the darker atmosphere pulled me in from the very beginning, and I was looking forward to seeing how the conclusion played out. While there were moments I genuinely enjoyed, the execution didn't quite live up to its potential.

My biggest struggle was connecting with the characters. Their motivations were very clear and easy to understand, but I had a hard time connecting with them emotionally. Because of this, many of the high-stakes moments lacked impact.

The romance between the main characters also felt rushed and underdeveloped. I do acknowledge that, in some instances, a fast connection can make for a good story. Here, though, it felt more forced than rushed. The attraction between them was undeniable, but I was searching for more meaningful interactions that would have helped their relationship develop more naturally before the deeper feelings became the focus.

The pacing was another area that felt inconsistent. With this book coming in at 688 pages, there's a lot happening. Some sections moved quickly, while others were slow enough that I had a hard time picking the book back up.

The book definitely had some strengths, too. The darker tone was well done, and I can definitely see why this series would appeal to readers who enjoy gothic vibes and morally gray characters.

Overall, A Deal in Death was a decent read, but it never fully came together for me. While I don't regret picking it up, it ultimately left me wishing the characters, romance, and world had been explored in greater depth to fully round out the conclusion. Perhaps making this a trilogy rather than a duology would have done the trick.

[Ember & Epilogue (Megan & Mae) · Rating 5 out of 5]

To think I was obsessed with A Vow in Vengeance the way I was, AND THEN Ms. Jaclyn Rodriguez decided to DESTROY ME even further *insert bawling emoji*

The emotional rollercoaster of this book. The GRIPPING boldness of twists and turns. THE TENSION. Jaclyn really gave it her all.

I connected with our beloved FMC Rune when reading A Vow in Vengeance as someone who grew up having to love her father from afar after suffering the loss of him at an early age. I was not disappointed in this book, falling even deeper in connection to Rune with the emotional gut punches (stab TO MY HEART JACLYN), and revelations she makes. The responsibilities stacking, the pulse pounding rage burning inside her, and a never-ending battle to stay resilient all came at me with such force, it was mind blowing.

The story really reminded me of the saying “the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb”, and I think that is what really sold it for me. I have developed the same mentality over the last year by finding my people, finding Ember & Epilogue, and this is one of those moments when I sincerely thank the author for showing that it is healing to find that, to find where you fit and that you have fit there the whole time.

PLEASE. I beg of you. READ THIS BOOK!! It is one of the most therapeutic experiences I have ever gotten out of a book. It hit on everything you can possibly think of, making it so much more than just another romantasy book.



Fav quote #1: “You can pry my throne and my magic from my cold, dead hands”

Fav quote #2: "..you deserve someone who is not only good for you but good to you. Whoever you choose, whatever your destiny, it’s important they give you what you want and what you need.”



THEMES/TROPES:
Enemies to Lovers
Dark Academia/Magic Systems
Forced Proximity
Touch Her and DIE
Forbidden Love
Found Family

ALL THE SPICESSS


Xx Megan

[Betsy Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since we read A Vow in Vengeance for my book club (I quickly was OBSESSED), I have been chomping at the bit for A Deal in Death and it was exactly everything I hoped it would be in a Duology. THE EMOTIONS I FELT. I needed to seriously take 5. Maybe 10 after finishing because the last third of the book (the whole thing - do NOT get me wrong was fantastic) but the last third, I was FLYING through.

Also, really quick can I just say thank you for the dual POV. With some stories, it's not necessary but it was perfect for this. Also, the world expansion and building were top tier and a good prophecy will ALWAYS hold my heart.

Let's start with the obvious, Draven and Rue. They are everything you want and more, the banter is still peak. The ANXIETY that we go through with them as the book went along. OOF.

The continuation of Rune's character arc and the development was immaculately written. Girl has got strength, HIGH emotional strength, sure sometimes I'd question a decision but in the end she was still the woman I loved, maybe even more. Then DRAVEN"s story, MY GOD. Ultimately, they were just everything. Their adventure together had me just all over the place. Also, lets be real. The spice was SPICINGGGG. Wooowee.

Our supporting cast, my girl Ember, I LIVE FOR THEE (through everything). Also, trying not to spoil anything but I'm not usually a fan of love triangles and my heart felt for..(insert character because no spoilers) the other option but come on. I'm sorry buddy.

I had never read a Tarot magic book before and it was still there in full force (and more) so don't fret about that! Ultimately, it was the perfect ending to the duology. I was completely satisfied with conclusion and all the questions I'd had in the first. 10/10 Romantasy. Bravo, Jaclyn!!

Thank you NetGalley and Zando for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the ARC copy for this book from Zando through NetGalley, Thank you so much!

This is the epic conclusion to Immortal Desires that started in A Vow in Vengeance. If you have not yet read that book, warning there may be spoilers.
The book opens with the best thing ever to happen to fantasy sequels: "what happened so far" or "previously on" chapter! How many of us go months/years before the next book in a series comes out and wonder "what the heck happened again?" This book gives it to you. That is a huge green flag for me. Great job. There is also a map of the world and a list of each Major Arcana Power and what it does.

Rune and Draven are still looking for the artifacts and her brother. Kasper got away, Felix is gone, and everyone is preparing for the Descent. The Decent is when the mortals become changelings and therefore immortal as well. The will pick what they look like as druids. Will they have wings? horns? fangs?
Wynter, Ember, Zara, Fable, Scorpius, Amaya, Cleona, and Malik have all rallied around Rune and Draven. They go where the future king and queen go. On the adventures, we meet up with new beasts and new people. They form alliances with people they thought were enemies: the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
We learn a lot more about the Lord of Westfall. After reading the first book, I was hoping this loose thread would come back, and it sure did!
Overall this book was a wonderful ending to the war between immortals and mortals. The descriptions are very detailed and may feel long to some. The magic is still amazing and creative.

Mood readers: This is a longer read. But it is very worth it. There are some spicy scenes, and remember they are not human anymore... Very fantasy and action packed. Not a one day read, if you want to fully enjoy it.

[Megan Witsche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early ARC Read From Netgalley

Tropes: Dark Academia Romantasy, Fake Fated Mates to Mates, Forced Proximity, Snark & Banter, Betrayal, Touch Her & ☠️, Tarot Based Magic, Forbidden Romance, Hate Everyone But You, Prophecy, Gods/Elves/Druids/Seraphs

Quotes: "I will always be yours. Until the stars burn out. Hatefully and adoringly, my wicked heart is yours alone. If you want it."

Review No Spoilers: A shattered realm, a fatal prophecy, a battle of hearts . . . can you claim the crown?

In the aftermath of the chaos that engulfed her last semester at the Forge the ruthless academy where Immortal druids are forged Rune Ryker is still grappling with the cost of the immense power she possesses. Determined to master her tarot magic, she trains relentlessly beside Prince Draven, bound together by a shared ambition: overthrow the Immortal Realms and destroy their greatest enemy, the Seraph King Altair.

For all the uncertainty surrounding them, Rune has always been certain of one thing her love for Draven. But that certainty is shaken when the God of Death delivers a devastating prophecy. A future with Draven is possible, but it will come with a horrifying and bloody price. There is another path available to her, one that offers peace, safety, and even the possibility of a different love, though accepting it may demand sacrifices she cannot yet comprehend.

As war draws ever closer and enemies both old and new begin to emerge from the shadows, Rune and Draven find themselves racing toward a brutal reckoning. With fate seemingly set against them, they must decide whether the strength of their love is enough to defy destiny or whether some prophecies are impossible to escape.

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Sennehs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel had the dial turned up all the way! Prophecies, corrupt rulers, conflict, high-stakes adventures, found family, ancient artifacts, and of course romance. It was glorious and much better than the prior book.

I felt like A Vow in Vengeance had too much going on, but as I read this I had to admit it set the stage well for this book. This also had a plethora to work through and I sometimes felt overloaded. I found there to be awkward phrasing and heavy-handed prose at times, but it didn’t drag the book down completely. And there are inconsistencies, but I can mostly overlook them.

The descriptions and actual workings of the tarot magic were better fleshed out in this book. Maybe because it was so much longer and I got a ton of repetition with what the cards meant.

Rune finally coming into her power both literally and figuratively was inspiring. And her relationship with Draven had a range of different emotions this time. Not just “I hate you, now I love you”. There were poignant moments and times when I laughed with them as well. Draven’s worshipping of Rune could get annoying though. I know, I know it was to show that he felt they were equals, but sometimes it was overdone and cloying like perfume.

The side characters were crucial to the overall storyline, and I felt they were viable and vibrant. Villains, friends, and lovers abound in this book in equal measure. They had their own realistic relationships with one another and within the creative world the author built.

Ultimately, I wasn’t sure where the ride was taking me which I appreciated. The creativity of the author was impressive. This is truly an epic conclusion to Rune and Draven’s story.

Many thanks to Jaclyn Rodriguez, Slowburn, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Jaylyn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you thank you thank you Zando, Jaclyn, and Behind the Pages for an e-arc of A Deal in Death in exchange for an honest review!!

5/5 stars (infinite stars!!)

I cannot believe I am writing a review for this incredible book right now! I’m so incredibly grateful that I got the opportunity to read A Deal in Death early! A Deal in Death was easily my favorite book I have read this year and the Immortal Desires duology is officially my favorite duology of all time! I took a few days to write this review because it’s so hard to fully encompass what I want to say about this story and how amazing it is!

I devoured this book! It was so incredibly fast paced and you could not tear me away from this book if you tried. I knew when Jaclyn posted the blurb about A Deal in Death and it mentioned a prophecy that it was going to make things very interesting! The prophecy added a whole other layer to this story that I was eating UP! It had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen!

Rune Ryker is such an incredible character. She is formidable, and will do anything to save her family and friends and is a character I greatly admire. And Draven is just the perfect MMC. I already miss reading about them so much!

Knowing that this was the conclusion of Rune and Draven’s story had me in tears at the end of the book. I love these characters and the world so much and I know it’s one I’ll go back to time and time again. I will never tire of this story or this series. I’m already planning a re-read of this series so that I can visit this world and read about this characters again!

[Jowls & Java - Bulldog Book Reviewers · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
3🌶️
📖 eARC
Themes/Tropes: Found Family, Greed & War, Fated Mates, Arcana Magic, School Setting, Immortals vs. Mortals, Making Your Own Destiny

Firstly, a big thank you to NetGalley, Jaclyn Rodriguez, and Slowburn for the opportunity to do an ARC read in exchange for an honest review. I read A Vow in Vengeance last year and really enjoyed it. The unique magic system, the character dynamics, the banter, etc.; so I was very excited when I saw this ARC get released.

I have to say, this book is CHONKY. And at times, it felt a bit chonky, TBH. I think it’s in the ballpark of nearly 700 pages. Now, I’m usually a HUGE fan of duologies because if a series/story gets drawn out gratuitously over several books, I get annoyed. That being said, I ALMOST feel like this could’ve been a trilogy and it may have helped with the flow.

This story picks right up where it left off after book one. I will not give away any plot spoilers, but there is a lot to do with fated mates, heirs, the Curse, and prophecy in this story. The characters did maintain their integrity from book one to two. The way they handled fated mates in this book was… weird. I won’t say more, but I think they could’ve left out the fated mates bit and the story would’ve been the same.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It is unique in its own right and weaves a good tale. Even though the ending of this wrapped up, there were still a lot of loose ends and it was a bit untethered for my liking. Some people like open ended promise though.

I would recommend this duology to anyone who likes romantasy reads, especially those in college settings and unique magic systems.

[ThatBook Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deal in death was a wild ride! It's full of action, banter, tension and of course love and friendship.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, maybe even more than A Vow in Vengeance! I love the unique tarot card magic system, and the different attributes of each immortal race.

Jaclyn's writing, world building, and character development were spot on, and the pacing was fantastic. It never felt like it slowed down because there was so much action happening.

The found family and bonds of friendship in this series worked really well, and I fell in love with Ember, Wynter, Fable, Malik, Amaya and the gang mixed with both Rune and Draven's friends.

The reunion of families was so bittersweet, with everyone's lives completely changed by the selection and those on each side of the war.

I enjoy a good character redemption, and some characters did deserve this. Others of course deserved everything they get! Altair is such a loathsome, vindictive villain who was so fun to read.

The story mostly wrapped up the duology well, but I still have questions. There were a couple of minor issues in the last few chapters that didn't make sense to me that I feel were overlooked or not explained.

I feel like we need a spin-off interconnected series because I'm not ready to let these characters or this world go. I can think of the FMC and MMC too (iykyk). Jaclyn, if you read this...think about it!

The ending felt a little rushed to me, I would have liked a bit more of what happened after the final battle, but again maybe this is just my wishful thinking that more could come from this world. If so, I'll be ready for it!

[Allison Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a rollercoaster, and I'm so glad I strapped in. "A Vow in Vengeance" was a five-star read, so I had high expectations for its sequel. Jaclyn Rodriguez delivered on that and more.

Rune and Draven navigate love, loss, and impossible odds as they attempt to save the realm and secure themselves on the throne. We're introduced to dynamic new characters (the found family grows!) as they balance court politics with war on the horizon. Rune has grown so much since the beginning of this series, not only in her tarot magic but also in her personal strength. She is a resilient FMC, and her rage and grief is felt through the page. Despite every twist thrown her way, she doesn't lose sight of herself and her values. She will do anything it takes to fight for those she loves, even if it breaks her in the process.

Now, let’s talk about fated mates. This is one of my top fantasy/romance tropes, and typically I am quite picky when it comes to how fated relationships are portrayed. To avoid any spoilers, I won't delve into the specifics of how the cards fall for these characters. However, I very much enjoyed the themes of destiny and prophecy. What role does fate actually play in our lives, and what happens if we say "fuck it" and follow our hearts?

Get ready to sob. Get ready to scream. Get ready to stare at the wall once you finish.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Jaclyn Rodriguez, and the publisher for the ARC. Jaclyn, this was such an epic journey and I will read anything you write in the future.

[Jamie Sadd · Rating 4 out of 5]

After absolutely loving Vow of Vengeance, my expectations for A Deal in Death were sky-high—and there is so much here that reminded me why Jaclyn Rodriguez has become one of my favorite emerging romantasy authors.

The first half had me completely hooked. The tension, romance, political intrigue, escalating stakes, and complicated character dynamics were SO good. Rodriguez has a particular talent for taking tropes and themes that are familiar to romantasy readers and doing something genuinely fresh with them. In a genre where almost nothing is truly unique anymore, she continually surprised me with approaches I haven’t seen before.

My biggest struggle was the pacing in the second half. There are so many exciting developments and huge emotional and political moments that I actually wanted the book to be longer. I wanted more time for those moments and their consequences to breathe and fully land.

But make no mistake: this book is a must-read for romantasy lovers. If you want high stakes, morally complicated characters, delicious tension, political intrigue, romance that keeps you guessing, and familiar tropes turned on their heads, put A Deal in Death on your TBR. This book deserves far more attention than it gets.

Rodriguez remains a must-read author for me, and I genuinely believe she’s an emerging voice in romantasy worth watching. I cannot wait to see what she does next.

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ❤️

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I say I want a book that makes me go through the desperation, the anxiety, and the sweet relief... I would definitely add this one, because of the way I went through it. Seriously, I SAVORED this one, and that was hard.

First, let me say thank you to Netgalley & Zando for the chance to read the ARC. These are my personal thoughts and review.

I appreciate the slow and I truly mean slow build up of everyone as they grew in character, the feeling of chess being played and everything being a move, the banter was amazing, the fated mates were stressful, the treacherous slow burn romance and the constant interruptions, the whole this is fate, and it must be the way it is, but on the other hand completely shattering those expectations and paving your own way, the found family aspect, the characters you were meant to hate giving you a reason to hate them less.

The tears!! That I shed as this book was closing. I was both relieved and stressed cause the fear I went through just to see how it all unfolded was unreal. Altair truly was a great villain, and I hope he rots for everything he did. That man is vile.

The world building, the risks, the female rage, the action, the plotting and scheming, the confessions of love, the final desperation that they all have as they go into war, the lives lost, the graphic detail. Truly, this book had it all for me.

This is the finale, and it was even better than book one. It left me satisfied, and I'm obsessed! Add this to your TBR, and if you haven't read A Vow in Vengeance, then I recommend it. Because you're missing out.

[Shanblythereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until the stars burn out…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

ARC REVIEW:
I received an advance copy of A Deal in Death by Jaclyn Rodriguez and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review:

I loved this book SO much! What an emotional, perfect way to wrap up this duology. Rune and Draven really went through it in this one, every time things got bad…they somehow got worse. The amount of stress was UNREAL! Draven’s story hit different with me (omg it def. made me so emotional), made me appreciate him so much more, and Rune’s growth was one of my favorite parts. She came back stronger than ever. Also...the banter between these two? Still my favorite and it somehow got even better (and so did the spice...yeah, it was HOT!). The found family was one of my favorite parts. I got way too attached to every single one of them. Ember…OKKKK!!!! Girl, I wasn’t familiar with your game (game of NO MERCY!! lol) but ok yea I was def cheering you on. You redeemed yourself and we love you. Wynter…you were never winning that battle, let’s be real. I could’ve done without the love triangle and all that drama, but the right man won, so I'll allow it. Kasper…I still don’t like you. OK BUT LISTEN...that ending was good, but the epilogue? It was everything, I had to reread it (more tears okkk lol) Jaclyn, you absolutely nailed this finale, soooo good! Until the stars burn out…I’ll be thinking about this one!

Huge thanks to Jaclyn Rodriguez and Zando/ Slowburn for approving me to read this one early. What a ride!!