Кров

Tales from the Kingdoms #5

by Sarah Pinborough, Ірина Гудкова (Translator), Наталія Семущак (Translator)

Темне фентезі для дорослих від Сари Пінборо, у якому казкові угоди мають справжню ціну. Румпельштільцхен прагне отримати обіцяне — першу дитину принца, врятованого колись від чар Красуні. Народження спадкоємиці запускає ланцюг подій, де магія, давні прокляття й забуті клятви виходять на поверхню. Бажання отримати родину стикається з наслідками старих рішень, і кожен крок може змінити долю королівств. Всі прагнуть свого щасливого фіналу, та ціна за нього може виявитися вищою, ніж очікувалося.

У п’ятій та завершальній частині циклу «Казки Королівств» переплітаються шляхи знайомих героїв — від Білосніжки до Аладдіна. «Кров» ставить під сумнів саму ідею казкового «і жили вони довго й щасливо». Історія досліджує, що відбувається після фіналу, коли шлюб укладено, корона здобута, вороги переможені. Щастя не стає точкою, воно перетворюється на процес, що потребує вибору й відповідальності. Авторка говорить про силу необдуманих обіцянок і про те, як одна угода здатна зруйнувати не лише життя боржника, а й тих, хто поруч.

Оповідь поєднує масштабні події з особистими драмами. Світ залишається похмурим, середньовічним, сповненим магії та небезпек. Знайомі персонажі отримують завершення своїх історій, а таємниці, розкидані в попередніх книгах, нарешті відкриваються. Атмосфера напружена, подекуди іронічна, з домішкою пристрасті й гіркої правди про владу, кохання та контроль. Українською ця історія опублікована вперше.

Genres: Fantasy

176 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2026

About the author

Sarah Pinborough is a New York Times bestselling and Sunday Times Number one and Internationally bestselling author who is published in over 30 territories worldwide. Having published more than 25 novels across various genres, her recent books include Behind Her Eyes, now a smash hit Netflix limited series, Dead To Her, now in development with Amazon Studios, and 13 Minutes and The Death House in development with Compelling Pictures. Sarah lives in the historic town of Stony Stratford, the home of the Cock and Bull story, with her dog Ted. Her next novel, Insomnia, is out in 2022. You can follow Sarah on Twitter at @sarahpinborough.

Reviews

[Kublanova]

Я вже без розбору ставлю всім на ринки серії 5, хоча обʼєктивно це 4. Але такий фінал, прям в серденько. Всі заслуговують на хепі енд, навіть якщо він ілюзорний

Кароче, цей цикл це як рілзи про те як полуничка народила від банана виноград. Персонажі всіх казок Грімм перемішані, хто кому сват брат не зрозуміло. Але мені особисто дуже цікаво було. Зазвичай я продаю книжки, які прочитую, але ці будуть стояти і чекати, коли мені захочеться от таких дорослих казок.

З кожною частиною сексу стає більше, на відміну від сторінок.

Можливо справді такий жанр не для всіх, але якщо любите ретелінги і відкриті до сексу Аладіна та Бель (наприклад) - рекомендую спробувати хоча б перші дві книги

[Lynn Williams]

5 magical stars
https://lynns-books.com/2024/11/18/re...
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Don’t Miss This Wonderful Series

Blood reads like a conclusion to the series but I’m not absolutely sure if that’s the case, it certainly has a fairytale style ending. That being said I would happily, nay ecstatically, pick up more books from the Kingdom. If anybody can give me the lowdown then feel free to update me in the comments. I’d actually love to be wrong.

I have to say first and foremost that this series is wonderful. I’ve absolutely loved reading these fairytales reimagined. They’re well written, they’re sassy, they have such twisted characters, everything is on it’s head and you can’t make any assumptions. Disney characters these are not. At the same time there are good characters where you least expect, plenty of magic, castles, dragons and thorny hedges.

If you love fairytales and you enjoy retellings then this series is for you and with a new first book in series (Magic) and this new conclusion it feels like the stories are now complete. Pinborough has pulled the rabbit out of the hat by tying all the stories together, bringing in mysterious characters just barely hinted at previously and giving them all the ending they deserve.

I can’t really say too much more without giving away spoilers so this review will be necessarily short and sweet (much like these little gems).

In conclusion. I’m sad to have read the final book. I’d love to go back and reread the whole collection one by one. These stories fulfil my fairytale need whilst putting a smile on my face. They’re a breath of fresh air filled with creativity, great writing and a little sexy punch.

Highly recommended.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

My rating – 5 of 5 stars for a fantastic series

[Bzz Kolla]

Thank you NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for this eCopy to review

Blood is an enthralling addition to her "Tales from the Kingdoms" series. This book, the fifth in the series, reimagines the story of Rumpelstiltskin with a dark and captivating twist.

Blood is set in a world where promises broken long ago have led to a vengeful curse. Eliza, finds herself entangled in a web of deceit and magic. Her father, desperate to save their family, makes a deal with a mysterious figure who can spin straw into gold. However, this deal comes with a heavy price.

As Eliza navigates the treacherous landscape of her kingdom, she encounters dragons, witches, and werewolves, each adding layers of complexity to her journey. The prince, who is not the typical charming hero, has his own dark secrets and motivations. The story explores themes of power, betrayal, and the consequences of one's actions, making it a rich and multi-faceted narrative.

Pinborough's writing is as enchanting as ever, drawing readers into a world that is both familiar and refreshingly new. The characters are well-developed, with Eliza standing out as a strong and relatable. Her struggles and growth throughout the story are compelling and emotionally resonant.

Pinborough masterfully blends dark fantasy elements with a modern sensibility, creating a story that feels both timeless and contemporary. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping my interest.

Overall, Blood is a beautifully written and thought-provoking book that offers a fresh take on a classic story. I highly recommend it to fans of fantasy and those who appreciate a darker twist on traditional tales.

[Angela]

I will never complain about getting to live in the world of some of my favorite stories! Although, while it's nice to see where our characters have been since the conclusion of "Charm", this book felt rushed. Pinborough is really great at getting to the heart of a tale quickly and it's what (in part) makes her so fun to read. However, in "Blood" there is SO MUCH that happens. Everything is wrapped up with a quick bow and I'm still processing the earlier plot points.

Outside of that, we got updates around how Snow/Lilith, the dwarves, Grandma, Petra/Toby, Rose/Prince and even Aladdin. Why did Cinderella not get her redemption arc? She was by far painted as one of the most youth and irritating characters but she got a few half hearted sentences around being a huntswoman. It felt a bit lopsided.

[Griffl]

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
2/5 🌶️

ARC Review

This was a great conclusion to the series - there was real skill in pulling all of the varying story lines together and balancing the main story told in this book. Looking back over the series now also shows how much depth the characters had!

The plot was exciting and unpredictable. I do have to question some of the characters' quite frankly crazy decisions 😅
I particularly liked the Aladdin and Beauty aspect and the big surprise at about 60%.
Overall, an enjoyable series of fairy tale retellings!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sinead]

Thank you, Netgalley, for this review copy for an impartial review
Bravo 👏 on this dark conclusion to a 'Grimm' and grisly retelling of Fairytales known the world over. I wondered how the author would bring all of the stories together and if it could be done well - I should never have doubted. A great big dark but happy ever after ending for all of the characters in the series. Will definitely be recommending and rereading in the future.

[Amanda Ekstedt]

It’s been 12 years since I read the first installment of the series and the new additions just made it better. To be fair, the overly happy ending did cause me to roll my eyes slightly. I wouldn’t have minded some more macabre ending in fashion with the plot of the books. But my lust for no more loose ends was heavily satiated. So, all in all, 5 star for vibes and plot even though the ending was too happy.

[Karen]

Blood is the final book in the Tales from the Kingdom series and it wraps it up nicely.

Difficult to say much without spoiling other books in the series, safe to say I would not read this as a standalone! Catching up with all of the characters we have been introduced to throughout and giving us the dark and twisted ending that our childhood fairytales always deserved!

[Deon Schalkwyk]

The final book in the tales of the 5 kingdoms see all the lose ends start to come together and here we see the prince finally called on to deliver on his promise from a few books ago. We also get a resolution of Aladdin and beauty. And we finally get to meet a beautiful dragon. Great book with great ending.

[Runalong]

A fine new and for now final instalment in this adult revisions of classic fairy tales. Smartly bring all key characters back together and delivers another great story

Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...

[Bethany]

I enjoyed the way this was its own story but linked to all four previous books, and managed to tie up all the loose ends

[Richard Mellor]

great retelling, with the darkness if the original Grimm's tales

[Sumaya]

2.5🌟

[Steph Yates]

Proving there really is someone for everyone.

[Paige]

I really loved this book, it was at my library but unfortunately the other books weren’t available so I do feel I’ve missed some back story with the characters but I loved how everything intertwined and the character development even in such a short book was great.

[Brian Stabler]

A little over a decade ago Sarah Pinborough ended the Tales from the Kingdoms trilogy with the unlucky in love prince apparently getting his happy ever after, but with the presence of a mysterious figure suggesting more to come.

Blood picks up shortly after the events of the third, and now not so final, book in the original series, Charm, and the sinister figure is revealed to be none other than Rumplestiltskin who wants the prince to fulfil a promise. A promise presumably made in the other new book is the series, the as yet unread Magic.

The tale that follows takes all the loose ends and characters from the original trilogy, and I guess the new prequel Magic, and weaves them into another of Pinborough's trademark sexually charged fairy tales that's more Grimm than Disney. Does everyone finally get their happy ever after? Well, that would be telling

I can't wait for the publication of Magic, and the opportunity to finally read it and the rest of the series, but this time in chronological order.

Thanks to NetGalley, Gollancz and the author for an advance copy.

[Ruth Weaver]

Love how all the threads from the previous stories come together in this one.
Completely recommend all 5 books 😍

[Dan]

“And you cannot break your promise. A deal is a deal and a broken promise brings a curse.”


Lilith and Aurelia: Two Queens, now married. 🖤 🤍

A rose for each queen, the pair of equal stature, and both now very much beloved by their people.

They were a perfect match, light and dark, fire and ice, and no one in the kingdom could any longer imagine it otherwise.

Rumpelstiltskin and his daughter, Rapunzel. He wants what was promised.

The prince of the Kingdom of the High Born. Rose. Baby Giselle.

Cinderella and the Huntsman.

The dwarves return. In fact, everyone is back for this excellent final wrap-up. Captivating ensemble cast.

Lilith, coming to peace with so much. Happiness looks great on her. 🤩

Aladdin. 🔪

The tunnels underneath The Sleeping City.

Lilith’s great-grandmother: identity reveal. She is Rapunzel.

Lilith and Rapunzel formulate a wild plan.

The dragon. 🐉 His song.

Bella and the infant.

Gorgeous ending.

Final couples:

Lilith and Aurelia (Snow White)
Cinderella and the Huntsman
Rose (Cinderella's step-sister) and the Prince
Petra and Toby
Aladdin and Bella (The Beast)
Grouchy and Petra’s grandmother

(I hope I’m not forgetting anyone.)


“You have to surrender to it. Do you understand? Even though it might kill you.”
“Yes. Just like love.”