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The Thirteenth Count
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 4, 2026
“Some secrets are buried for a reason. Some bloodlines refuse to stay buried.”
There is something utterly intoxicating about a gothic romance that knows exactly how to make a beautiful setting feel dangerous.
The Thirteenth Count by Paige Annabentleah is that kind of book.
From the very beginning, I felt like I had stepped through the gates of some forgotten estate where the roses grow a little too dark, the halls hold memories they shouldn't, and every locked door is hiding something someone desperately wants to keep buried.
This book is dripping in gothic atmosphere.
Crumbling manors. Black roses. Ancient rituals. Forbidden desire. Blood magic. Hidden histories.
Honestly, what more could my dark little bookish heart ask for?
What I particularly loved about The Thirteenth Count is the way the gothic elements aren't simply decoration. The darkness feels woven into the story itself. The setting, the magic and the secrets all seem connected, creating this wonderfully oppressive sense that the characters are walking through a history that is still very much alive.
And beneath all that darkness is a romance filled with tension.
The dynamic between the ruling heir and the forbidden girl brings such an intriguing clash of power, status and desire. There is a delicious sense of we absolutely should not be doing this hanging over their interactions, and those are precisely the kinds of romances that I find impossible to resist.
The class divide adds another layer to their relationship, making every moment between them feel like it carries consequences.
And then there is the blood magic.
Magic always feels more compelling to me when it comes with a price, and this story embraces that idea beautifully. There is something wonderfully sinister about magic that isn't simply a gift but something that demands payment in return.
The further I got into the story, the more I found myself wondering just how much the characters truly understood about the world around them—and how much had been deliberately hidden from them.
The mystery surrounding the past was another highlight for me.
There are secrets buried beneath generations of history, and watching those secrets slowly begin to surface gave the story this fantastic feeling of unease. You know there is something lurking underneath everything, but you don't necessarily know what shape it will take.
That feeling kept me turning the pages.
Because gothic stories are at their best when they make you suspicious of everything.
A person can smile while hiding a knife.
A beautiful manor can conceal something monstrous.
A rose can bloom beautifully while growing from poisoned soil.
And a bloodline can carry far more than a name.
I also really appreciated the emotional weight underneath the fantasy. Beneath the rituals, magic and gothic decadence are characters forced to confront choices that have consequences far beyond themselves.
There is desire, but there is also fear.
There is power, but there is vulnerability.
There are secrets, but eventually there comes a point where those secrets demand to be uncovered.
And that gave the story a depth that made it more than simply a dark romance.
It felt like a story about inheritance, identity, power and the things we inherit from those who came before us.
The atmosphere was easily one of my favourite aspects.
I could practically see the candlelit corridors, hear footsteps echoing through old halls and imagine black roses climbing over ancient stone. There is something beautifully melancholic about the world Annabentleah has created, and it gave me that exact gothic feeling I look for when I pick up this kind of book.
It's romantic.
It's mysterious.
It's dark.
And there is always the feeling that something terrible is waiting just beneath the surface.
By the time I reached the end, I was completely invested in these characters and their tangled history.
And knowing this is part of The Rooted Crown Duology has me very intrigued about where the story will go next.
The Thirteenth Count feels like a love letter to readers who want their romance wrapped in darkness.
If you love gothic fantasy filled with forbidden romance, dangerous magic, ancient secrets, morally complicated choices and beautifully decaying estates, this is absolutely one to add to your TBR.
Give me the haunted manor.
Give me the black roses.
Give me the forbidden romance.
Give me the blood magic.
I'm ready to go back into the darkness.
Thank you so much to Paige Annabentleah and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
🥀 ★★★★★
Perfect for readers who love:
🖤 gothic fantasy romance
🥀 black roses & dark estates
🩸 blood magic
👑 ruling heirs
🔥 forbidden desire
🌙 forced proximity
🗝️ buried family secrets
✨ hidden bloodlines
📜 ancient rituals
🖤 beautifully dark atmospheres
There is something utterly intoxicating about a gothic romance that knows exactly how to make a beautiful setting feel dangerous.
The Thirteenth Count by Paige Annabentleah is that kind of book.
From the very beginning, I felt like I had stepped through the gates of some forgotten estate where the roses grow a little too dark, the halls hold memories they shouldn't, and every locked door is hiding something someone desperately wants to keep buried.
This book is dripping in gothic atmosphere.
Crumbling manors. Black roses. Ancient rituals. Forbidden desire. Blood magic. Hidden histories.
Honestly, what more could my dark little bookish heart ask for?
What I particularly loved about The Thirteenth Count is the way the gothic elements aren't simply decoration. The darkness feels woven into the story itself. The setting, the magic and the secrets all seem connected, creating this wonderfully oppressive sense that the characters are walking through a history that is still very much alive.
And beneath all that darkness is a romance filled with tension.
The dynamic between the ruling heir and the forbidden girl brings such an intriguing clash of power, status and desire. There is a delicious sense of we absolutely should not be doing this hanging over their interactions, and those are precisely the kinds of romances that I find impossible to resist.
The class divide adds another layer to their relationship, making every moment between them feel like it carries consequences.
And then there is the blood magic.
Magic always feels more compelling to me when it comes with a price, and this story embraces that idea beautifully. There is something wonderfully sinister about magic that isn't simply a gift but something that demands payment in return.
The further I got into the story, the more I found myself wondering just how much the characters truly understood about the world around them—and how much had been deliberately hidden from them.
The mystery surrounding the past was another highlight for me.
There are secrets buried beneath generations of history, and watching those secrets slowly begin to surface gave the story this fantastic feeling of unease. You know there is something lurking underneath everything, but you don't necessarily know what shape it will take.
That feeling kept me turning the pages.
Because gothic stories are at their best when they make you suspicious of everything.
A person can smile while hiding a knife.
A beautiful manor can conceal something monstrous.
A rose can bloom beautifully while growing from poisoned soil.
And a bloodline can carry far more than a name.
I also really appreciated the emotional weight underneath the fantasy. Beneath the rituals, magic and gothic decadence are characters forced to confront choices that have consequences far beyond themselves.
There is desire, but there is also fear.
There is power, but there is vulnerability.
There are secrets, but eventually there comes a point where those secrets demand to be uncovered.
And that gave the story a depth that made it more than simply a dark romance.
It felt like a story about inheritance, identity, power and the things we inherit from those who came before us.
The atmosphere was easily one of my favourite aspects.
I could practically see the candlelit corridors, hear footsteps echoing through old halls and imagine black roses climbing over ancient stone. There is something beautifully melancholic about the world Annabentleah has created, and it gave me that exact gothic feeling I look for when I pick up this kind of book.
It's romantic.
It's mysterious.
It's dark.
And there is always the feeling that something terrible is waiting just beneath the surface.
By the time I reached the end, I was completely invested in these characters and their tangled history.
And knowing this is part of The Rooted Crown Duology has me very intrigued about where the story will go next.
The Thirteenth Count feels like a love letter to readers who want their romance wrapped in darkness.
If you love gothic fantasy filled with forbidden romance, dangerous magic, ancient secrets, morally complicated choices and beautifully decaying estates, this is absolutely one to add to your TBR.
Give me the haunted manor.
Give me the black roses.
Give me the forbidden romance.
Give me the blood magic.
I'm ready to go back into the darkness.
Thank you so much to Paige Annabentleah and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
🥀 ★★★★★
Perfect for readers who love:
🖤 gothic fantasy romance
🥀 black roses & dark estates
🩸 blood magic
👑 ruling heirs
🔥 forbidden desire
🌙 forced proximity
🗝️ buried family secrets
✨ hidden bloodlines
📜 ancient rituals
🖤 beautifully dark atmospheres
September 10, 2026
Thank you to the author for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I will start off by saying this book is written so beautifully. The author does an amazing job of describing this world without making you feel overwhelmed by it all. This whole area (Thornvale) is built around and in this mountain and within are the inhabitants who are divided by social class. There are the Rootfolk who reside in the valley known as Ashford Cross along with the Deadwoods (criminals ?). Both are considered "lower class" with minimal amounts of simple magical abilities. Then, literally built into the mountain are tiers. The 2nd tier are where the Stembloods reside. They are "higher class" than the people in Ashford Cross and have more magic, dress in finer clothing...well you get the picture. Then finally on tier 3 we have the Highbloods. They reside in The Keep and for the most part mainly consist of the family who rules over this area. They are the Blackwell's. This area known as Thornvale is ruled by The High Blackwell. Second in command and the heir to it all is Cassius Blackwel (MMC)l. Control should be his first name instead. He very much likes all things in order and under complete control. Ooh and I forgot to mention that the whole area of Thornvale runs off of blood. The blood that is "donated" by the lower class- the Rootfolk and the Deadwoods. This is where all the magic comes from.
That brings us to The Count. Every so many years the Rootfolk are made to have their blood publicly tested to see if they have the ability to do more magic. If they do they are elevated to the 2nd tier to now reside with the Stembloods, leaving everything and everyone from the valley behind. But it is meant to be a great honor. Until our FMC Fern steps up to have her blood tested by Cassius Blackwell. Fern's test turns out to be something no one has ever seen. Before you know it she is being elevated, but not to the 2nd tier, Fern is going to the 3rd tier- to live in The Keep with the Blackwell family.
Once in The Keep Fern is unmade and remade into what the Highbloods consider acceptable. She is drilled by Cassius daily on history, ledgers, and taught exactly what the price is of having the magic that the Highbloods and the Stembloods use. Lady Blackwell tortures Fern on etiquette and how to embroider properly, what angle to hold her neck and head at, how to stand and sit like a proper Highblood, and most of all how to take any emotion that Fern may have and hide it so deep no one will every find it.
In the midst of everything that is going on in the daily life inside The Keep there are a couple side characters worth mentioning. Lina, Fern's maid and Willem, Cassius's confidant, spy, and servant. Both characters bring a lot to the story.
Amongst it all there are plenty of people keeping secrets including Cassius and Fern. The Keep itself holds many secrets behind closed and guarded doors and deep in the heart of the mountain lies the most horrific things that Fern believes she has ever seen, but also farther and deeper into the dark underbelly of the mountain is a truth no one ever saw coming.
Again, I say this story is beautifully written, but I found it to be a little slow for my taste. The story does eventually get to the point it was trying for. And there are feelings between Cassius and Fern, but it is definitely not the focal point of the story. There is no spice in the story and that's okay because again, the relationship between Fern and Cassius is not the story. If you like a slower, world immersing, mystery kind of story this book will be for you.
I will start off by saying this book is written so beautifully. The author does an amazing job of describing this world without making you feel overwhelmed by it all. This whole area (Thornvale) is built around and in this mountain and within are the inhabitants who are divided by social class. There are the Rootfolk who reside in the valley known as Ashford Cross along with the Deadwoods (criminals ?). Both are considered "lower class" with minimal amounts of simple magical abilities. Then, literally built into the mountain are tiers. The 2nd tier are where the Stembloods reside. They are "higher class" than the people in Ashford Cross and have more magic, dress in finer clothing...well you get the picture. Then finally on tier 3 we have the Highbloods. They reside in The Keep and for the most part mainly consist of the family who rules over this area. They are the Blackwell's. This area known as Thornvale is ruled by The High Blackwell. Second in command and the heir to it all is Cassius Blackwel (MMC)l. Control should be his first name instead. He very much likes all things in order and under complete control. Ooh and I forgot to mention that the whole area of Thornvale runs off of blood. The blood that is "donated" by the lower class- the Rootfolk and the Deadwoods. This is where all the magic comes from.
That brings us to The Count. Every so many years the Rootfolk are made to have their blood publicly tested to see if they have the ability to do more magic. If they do they are elevated to the 2nd tier to now reside with the Stembloods, leaving everything and everyone from the valley behind. But it is meant to be a great honor. Until our FMC Fern steps up to have her blood tested by Cassius Blackwell. Fern's test turns out to be something no one has ever seen. Before you know it she is being elevated, but not to the 2nd tier, Fern is going to the 3rd tier- to live in The Keep with the Blackwell family.
Once in The Keep Fern is unmade and remade into what the Highbloods consider acceptable. She is drilled by Cassius daily on history, ledgers, and taught exactly what the price is of having the magic that the Highbloods and the Stembloods use. Lady Blackwell tortures Fern on etiquette and how to embroider properly, what angle to hold her neck and head at, how to stand and sit like a proper Highblood, and most of all how to take any emotion that Fern may have and hide it so deep no one will every find it.
In the midst of everything that is going on in the daily life inside The Keep there are a couple side characters worth mentioning. Lina, Fern's maid and Willem, Cassius's confidant, spy, and servant. Both characters bring a lot to the story.
Amongst it all there are plenty of people keeping secrets including Cassius and Fern. The Keep itself holds many secrets behind closed and guarded doors and deep in the heart of the mountain lies the most horrific things that Fern believes she has ever seen, but also farther and deeper into the dark underbelly of the mountain is a truth no one ever saw coming.
Again, I say this story is beautifully written, but I found it to be a little slow for my taste. The story does eventually get to the point it was trying for. And there are feelings between Cassius and Fern, but it is definitely not the focal point of the story. There is no spice in the story and that's okay because again, the relationship between Fern and Cassius is not the story. If you like a slower, world immersing, mystery kind of story this book will be for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Do you hear the bells? Did you count them? It’s time to stop what you’re doing and prepare yourself. It’s not often that a count occurs, and they still have some time before the next one is supposed to happen. Perhaps we’ll learn something new and someone gets elevated to new status. This is Paige Annabentleah’s The Thirteenth Count.
Thornvale citizens are separated into a caste system based on the magical properties in their blood. Those who don’t have any are Rootfolk, those with some are the Stemfolk, and those with a lot are the Highbloods. When the thirteenth bells chimed throughout the lands, everyone gathered together to test their blood. When Fern Grovekeeper discovered her blood turned white and not red during the ceremony, she was taken away to live with the ruling family, but now she is left with more questions than answers. As Cassius Blackwell begins tutoring her about the Highblood lifestyle, she begins to uncover the mysteries of the Keep, and some secrets should stay buried underneath.
This story is an adventure. The prose has you wondering what is going on, leaving you with bits of suspicion that you can’t be able to put it down until it satisfies your cravings for answers. The premise of the story is intriguing. People are divided by magic contained in their blood, and this system shows how divisions between the more magical and nonmagical can cause problems. Those with more magic have control, and those with control not only have powers of suppression, but direction: they control the narrative. Those with lesser standing willingly, without thought, have their blood taken away to maintain the illusion, but at what cost?
Fern is tenacious, curious, and intelligent. Her powers of observation, partnered with her curiosity, lead her to find answers to questions she didn’t know she had. Cassius Blackwell, the heir presumptive to the Keep, is the stoic son teaching Fern, and essentially a forensic accountant. While Fern is frustrated to only be learning and memorizing books, clues are dropped. The secrets are hidden amongst the mundane, and Cassius needs Fern’s help without telling her. Together, Fern has to put the pieces together, while trying to survive living in a society easily trying to eliminate any part of her old one. Their relationship starts off slow. She’s annoyed with how structured he is, but this structure and order are paramount for what is to happen. When they use their powers of observation and begin questioning the powers at play, their relationship begins to grow together. It’s quiet, but strong, like a flower that blooms after a storm. Also, they have their nerdy moments when they get excited about progressing in their quest when they start referencing the ledgers from memory.
With the events that happened, and the information Fern and Cassius learned, they are now tied together, and must continue digging deeper to find the answers to questions no one thought about. All in all, it was an enjoyable story full of mystery and intrigue, with an interesting plot that’ll have readers glued until the end.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Paige Annabentleah for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My intentions are to write feedback that reflects my genuine thoughts and is written with the book’s genre and target audience in mind. I aim to review fairly and respectfully, focusing on the story’s purpose.
Thornvale citizens are separated into a caste system based on the magical properties in their blood. Those who don’t have any are Rootfolk, those with some are the Stemfolk, and those with a lot are the Highbloods. When the thirteenth bells chimed throughout the lands, everyone gathered together to test their blood. When Fern Grovekeeper discovered her blood turned white and not red during the ceremony, she was taken away to live with the ruling family, but now she is left with more questions than answers. As Cassius Blackwell begins tutoring her about the Highblood lifestyle, she begins to uncover the mysteries of the Keep, and some secrets should stay buried underneath.
This story is an adventure. The prose has you wondering what is going on, leaving you with bits of suspicion that you can’t be able to put it down until it satisfies your cravings for answers. The premise of the story is intriguing. People are divided by magic contained in their blood, and this system shows how divisions between the more magical and nonmagical can cause problems. Those with more magic have control, and those with control not only have powers of suppression, but direction: they control the narrative. Those with lesser standing willingly, without thought, have their blood taken away to maintain the illusion, but at what cost?
Fern is tenacious, curious, and intelligent. Her powers of observation, partnered with her curiosity, lead her to find answers to questions she didn’t know she had. Cassius Blackwell, the heir presumptive to the Keep, is the stoic son teaching Fern, and essentially a forensic accountant. While Fern is frustrated to only be learning and memorizing books, clues are dropped. The secrets are hidden amongst the mundane, and Cassius needs Fern’s help without telling her. Together, Fern has to put the pieces together, while trying to survive living in a society easily trying to eliminate any part of her old one. Their relationship starts off slow. She’s annoyed with how structured he is, but this structure and order are paramount for what is to happen. When they use their powers of observation and begin questioning the powers at play, their relationship begins to grow together. It’s quiet, but strong, like a flower that blooms after a storm. Also, they have their nerdy moments when they get excited about progressing in their quest when they start referencing the ledgers from memory.
With the events that happened, and the information Fern and Cassius learned, they are now tied together, and must continue digging deeper to find the answers to questions no one thought about. All in all, it was an enjoyable story full of mystery and intrigue, with an interesting plot that’ll have readers glued until the end.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Paige Annabentleah for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My intentions are to write feedback that reflects my genuine thoughts and is written with the book’s genre and target audience in mind. I aim to review fairly and respectfully, focusing on the story’s purpose.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐ 4.5/5
Favourite quotes:
“Remember who you are, no matter what they tell you.”
“Love guides us forward, even through separation.”
“They think power is something you take. Show them power is something you are.”
“I chose. I chose. I would choose again in every draft of the world.”
ARC Review (No Spoilers)
Huh... where to even begin...
This book became a must-read for me the moment I heard about it, because I loved the author's debut book Sea of Exiles.
This is such a beautiful love story. The vibe of the book and the connection between the main characters swept me away from the real world. I was bespelled...
I had surprises, confusion, smiles over adorable moments and held my breath when danger came. And in some ways, the book was unpredictable. There were a few moments when it became hard to read because of my blurry vision...
The writing felt magical. Detailed and beautifully woven phrases that I could imagine every place, every hall, every gown and every feeling.
The vibe is dark because this world is cruel and keeps secrets that could change everything. But through all that darkness, there is also the beauty and the power of love. There is a price to pay for truth, peace and a future, though. And there are painful sacrifices along the way...
FMC Fern and MMC Cassius... what amazing chemistry. A slow, deep, delicate, cautious collision of two people becoming one. The way their relationship developed was amazing.
And there is one 🫑 scene. Usually, I prefer 🌶️, but here... this was one of those times when all other details occupied my mind completely.
Just one tiny thing that confused me was some words that weren't explained until later. It didn't influence my enjoyment of the story at all (maybe a short glossary would come in handy, or maybe it was just my curiosity).
And besides the romance, I think there is another message in this story. Titles and social layers don't really matter, because what matters most is who we are inside - the real power we hold within ourselves. Sometimes we forget how much power we carry. Sometimes we overestimate or underestimate someone else's power. And perhaps the worst thing is when someone tries to take that power away, to make us believe we are less than we truly are. Each of us holds something special inside and that is a precious thing.
Thank you so much Paige, for having me on the ARC team! I'm happy this book is ready for the world to love it.
Keywords/Tropes: Dark Fantasy Romance, Forbidden Love, Gothic Vibe, Bl00d Magic, Secrets, The Rite, Bonded, Slow Burn, 3rd Person POV, TW
Favourite quotes:
“Remember who you are, no matter what they tell you.”
“Love guides us forward, even through separation.”
“They think power is something you take. Show them power is something you are.”
“I chose. I chose. I would choose again in every draft of the world.”
ARC Review (No Spoilers)
Huh... where to even begin...
This book became a must-read for me the moment I heard about it, because I loved the author's debut book Sea of Exiles.
This is such a beautiful love story. The vibe of the book and the connection between the main characters swept me away from the real world. I was bespelled...
I had surprises, confusion, smiles over adorable moments and held my breath when danger came. And in some ways, the book was unpredictable. There were a few moments when it became hard to read because of my blurry vision...
The writing felt magical. Detailed and beautifully woven phrases that I could imagine every place, every hall, every gown and every feeling.
The vibe is dark because this world is cruel and keeps secrets that could change everything. But through all that darkness, there is also the beauty and the power of love. There is a price to pay for truth, peace and a future, though. And there are painful sacrifices along the way...
FMC Fern and MMC Cassius... what amazing chemistry. A slow, deep, delicate, cautious collision of two people becoming one. The way their relationship developed was amazing.
And there is one 🫑 scene. Usually, I prefer 🌶️, but here... this was one of those times when all other details occupied my mind completely.
Just one tiny thing that confused me was some words that weren't explained until later. It didn't influence my enjoyment of the story at all (maybe a short glossary would come in handy, or maybe it was just my curiosity).
And besides the romance, I think there is another message in this story. Titles and social layers don't really matter, because what matters most is who we are inside - the real power we hold within ourselves. Sometimes we forget how much power we carry. Sometimes we overestimate or underestimate someone else's power. And perhaps the worst thing is when someone tries to take that power away, to make us believe we are less than we truly are. Each of us holds something special inside and that is a precious thing.
Thank you so much Paige, for having me on the ARC team! I'm happy this book is ready for the world to love it.
Keywords/Tropes: Dark Fantasy Romance, Forbidden Love, Gothic Vibe, Bl00d Magic, Secrets, The Rite, Bonded, Slow Burn, 3rd Person POV, TW
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow okay. I was NOT expecting to like this as much as I did, but I was hooked from page one all the way until the end. Like genuinely, once I started, I needed to know what the hell was going on.
Fern is our FMC and she is NOT one of those. She really does not take any sht, and she will not give up until she gets an answer. If Fern is being passive, it’s because she wants you to THINK she’s being passive. She is always watching, thinking, and figuring out what her next move is. I live for strong FMCs who aren’t immediately swayed by whatever man walks into the room, and Fern is absolutely that FMC.
And the PREMISE??? Three different classes of people separated by literal levels on the side of a mountain? A blood-based magic system? Perpetual twilight?? A crimson fog that is somehow everywhere all at once??? AMAZING.
The world was probably one of my favorite parts. There’s so much going on between the class system, the court politics, the magic, the mysteries surrounding the mountain and the fog, and all the things we clearly still don’t know yet. It feels like we’ve only scratched the surface, and I am SO curious to see where everything goes in book two.
The romance is very secondary here—honestly, almost nonexistent for a good portion of the book—but I actually think that worked really well for the story. There was way too much happening for Fern to be sitting around worried about a man. And when the romantic elements DID come into play, I really enjoyed them. It felt like just enough to make me excited about where that relationship could go without taking away from the actual plot.
I also was not expecting this book to make me cry but one particular scene got me and I was legitimately teary-eyed for a hot three pages.
And listen… you know the villains are doing their job when you find yourself wanting to square up with your Kindle while you’re reading. Some of these people had me HEATED. Like please allow me into the book for five minutes. I just want to talk.
This is definitely for anyone who loves atmospheric fantasy, court drama, political scheming, mysterious magic, and powerful humans being humans which obviously means some of them are absolutely terrible. No fae necessary!
Five stars all around. I am VERY eagerly awaiting book two because I need to find out what happens to Fern and Cassius immediately.
Fern is our FMC and she is NOT one of those. She really does not take any sht, and she will not give up until she gets an answer. If Fern is being passive, it’s because she wants you to THINK she’s being passive. She is always watching, thinking, and figuring out what her next move is. I live for strong FMCs who aren’t immediately swayed by whatever man walks into the room, and Fern is absolutely that FMC.
And the PREMISE??? Three different classes of people separated by literal levels on the side of a mountain? A blood-based magic system? Perpetual twilight?? A crimson fog that is somehow everywhere all at once??? AMAZING.
The world was probably one of my favorite parts. There’s so much going on between the class system, the court politics, the magic, the mysteries surrounding the mountain and the fog, and all the things we clearly still don’t know yet. It feels like we’ve only scratched the surface, and I am SO curious to see where everything goes in book two.
The romance is very secondary here—honestly, almost nonexistent for a good portion of the book—but I actually think that worked really well for the story. There was way too much happening for Fern to be sitting around worried about a man. And when the romantic elements DID come into play, I really enjoyed them. It felt like just enough to make me excited about where that relationship could go without taking away from the actual plot.
I also was not expecting this book to make me cry but one particular scene got me and I was legitimately teary-eyed for a hot three pages.
And listen… you know the villains are doing their job when you find yourself wanting to square up with your Kindle while you’re reading. Some of these people had me HEATED. Like please allow me into the book for five minutes. I just want to talk.
This is definitely for anyone who loves atmospheric fantasy, court drama, political scheming, mysterious magic, and powerful humans being humans which obviously means some of them are absolutely terrible. No fae necessary!
Five stars all around. I am VERY eagerly awaiting book two because I need to find out what happens to Fern and Cassius immediately.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
Genres:
Fantasy Romance • Gothic Romance • Dark Fantasy
Trigger Warnings: Death, Violence, Abuse, and Sex (closed‑door / fade‑to‑black)
The Thirteenth Count by Paige Annabentleah, the first book in The Rooted Crown duology, was a pleasure to read. The atmosphere leans beautifully into Gothic Fantasy: moody, shadowed, and richly textured, which is something I always enjoy. The story explores themes of caste systems and the abuse of power, set against a world that felt vivid and easy to picture.
The beginning was especially strong, pulling me in right away and keeping me curious about where the story would lead. Although the romance is very low‑spice, it still carries the tone of a dark fantasy romance, and the high‑fantasy elements were an unexpected but welcome surprise. The magic system, like the world itself, felt unique and intriguing.
The cast of characters are full of strong personalities, and I’m hoping the next book expands even more on their histories and motivations. I’d also love to learn additional details about the magic’s origins and the higher being the characters pray to. I’ll admit that a few character actions and some of the late‑story developments left me a bit confused, but that may simply be me needing more context and I’m confident the sequel will bring clarity. The ending itself was satisfying and definitely left me wanting more. I need to know what happens next.
Overall, this is a compelling Gothic Fantasy with low spice, a dark atmosphere, and a twisty storyline. If you enjoy mystery, unique magic systems, and a moody, immersive world, this one is worth picking up.
Genres:
Fantasy Romance • Gothic Romance • Dark Fantasy
Trigger Warnings: Death, Violence, Abuse, and Sex (closed‑door / fade‑to‑black)
The Thirteenth Count by Paige Annabentleah, the first book in The Rooted Crown duology, was a pleasure to read. The atmosphere leans beautifully into Gothic Fantasy: moody, shadowed, and richly textured, which is something I always enjoy. The story explores themes of caste systems and the abuse of power, set against a world that felt vivid and easy to picture.
The beginning was especially strong, pulling me in right away and keeping me curious about where the story would lead. Although the romance is very low‑spice, it still carries the tone of a dark fantasy romance, and the high‑fantasy elements were an unexpected but welcome surprise. The magic system, like the world itself, felt unique and intriguing.
The cast of characters are full of strong personalities, and I’m hoping the next book expands even more on their histories and motivations. I’d also love to learn additional details about the magic’s origins and the higher being the characters pray to. I’ll admit that a few character actions and some of the late‑story developments left me a bit confused, but that may simply be me needing more context and I’m confident the sequel will bring clarity. The ending itself was satisfying and definitely left me wanting more. I need to know what happens next.
Overall, this is a compelling Gothic Fantasy with low spice, a dark atmosphere, and a twisty storyline. If you enjoy mystery, unique magic systems, and a moody, immersive world, this one is worth picking up.
September 16, 2026
::insert gif of Nathan Fillion starting, and stopping- clearly at a loss for words::😶🙃
This book has the dark, gothic, world building that is VERY detailed. Author, Paige Annabentleah, uses old/of-the-gothic-timeframe verbiage that is so incredibly important and ABSOLUTELY made me (the reader/audience) feel immediately immersed.
I will say that some of gothic (and not-so-“gothic”) terms (“phial,” “brazier, “dais,” etc.) weren’t ones super familiar to me, but if you’re perhaps, better acquainted with gothic-era-type books, perhaps the terms wouldn’t be an issue. Either way, props to the Kindle app and the easily accessed dictionary feature 😅
I want to point something out to any prospective readers: this read is a SLOOOWWWW burn, and it is NOT a spicey saucy book, but HOLY MOTHER🚨😅💔 The storytelling, the tension, the simmering rage, the HEARTBREAK (good GAWD my most used emojis were:💔 and 🚩), will leave your heart and mind in an emotional chokehold (but like, in a GOOD way🥴😆😆)
This is Book 1 of “The Rooted Crown” duology, and let it be known - I am absolutely going to be on the lookout for Book 2 (“The Fourteenth Sacrifice”) come January!
• I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.•
This book has the dark, gothic, world building that is VERY detailed. Author, Paige Annabentleah, uses old/of-the-gothic-timeframe verbiage that is so incredibly important and ABSOLUTELY made me (the reader/audience) feel immediately immersed.
I will say that some of gothic (and not-so-“gothic”) terms (“phial,” “brazier, “dais,” etc.) weren’t ones super familiar to me, but if you’re perhaps, better acquainted with gothic-era-type books, perhaps the terms wouldn’t be an issue. Either way, props to the Kindle app and the easily accessed dictionary feature 😅
I want to point something out to any prospective readers: this read is a SLOOOWWWW burn, and it is NOT a spicey saucy book, but HOLY MOTHER🚨😅💔 The storytelling, the tension, the simmering rage, the HEARTBREAK (good GAWD my most used emojis were:💔 and 🚩), will leave your heart and mind in an emotional chokehold (but like, in a GOOD way🥴😆😆)
This is Book 1 of “The Rooted Crown” duology, and let it be known - I am absolutely going to be on the lookout for Book 2 (“The Fourteenth Sacrifice”) come January!
• I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.•
Review of advance copy
This book was phenomenal. I could not put it down. I have been thinking about it every single night since I got it. I just can't stop thinking about it. It is so well written, well-paced, and has an amazing fantasy world that you are just thrust into. This book is if you want to be thrown into a world that is using world specific words that you're going to have to pick up the clues in pieces.
We follow a young woman in a society where blood is magic and she's going to find some crazy stuff about herself and end up on this chaotic journey of what are they actually doing with all this blood.
Trust me on this. I need you to read it. This is probably my favorite fantasy book I've read this year. I am more than pleasantly surprised by this one.
Thank you so much for this ARC! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We follow a young woman in a society where blood is magic and she's going to find some crazy stuff about herself and end up on this chaotic journey of what are they actually doing with all this blood.
Trust me on this. I need you to read it. This is probably my favorite fantasy book I've read this year. I am more than pleasantly surprised by this one.
Thank you so much for this ARC! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
This was an enjoyable book that was analytical and whimsical at different moments. Fern, the FMC, had secrets she didn't know existed and Cassius, the MMC, was a pain in a game he hated. The journey of these two, secrets of the mountain, and untold truths led to major consequences for both. The ending was a cliffhanger but also showed just strong Fern was.
This book is not spicy, it's more closed door and I do think it was the right choice. For Paige's writing style and the way the story flowed, throwing in a spicy scene wouldn't have worked. Sometimes authors write in spice to have spice and sometimes authors shorten the experience by not providing a peek behind the door, but Paige balanced it very well - just like the analytical whimsy of the main characters.
I love forward to see what Fern does next, how Cassius hopefully survives, and I do want more of Sprout ❤️
This book is not spicy, it's more closed door and I do think it was the right choice. For Paige's writing style and the way the story flowed, throwing in a spicy scene wouldn't have worked. Sometimes authors write in spice to have spice and sometimes authors shorten the experience by not providing a peek behind the door, but Paige balanced it very well - just like the analytical whimsy of the main characters.
I love forward to see what Fern does next, how Cassius hopefully survives, and I do want more of Sprout ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Whatever we become... I'll find you"
The Thirteenth Count is a deliciously immersive, atmospheric, dark fantasy that won't be leaving me anytime soon.
Such an interesting world, magic system, and supporting lore. All of that I still don't know I fully understand but I wholeheartedly believe that to be intentional and I cannot wait to see what answers we get in The Fourteenth Sacrifice.
If you like gothic-style storytelling, the author's writing style is beautiful. Full of rich, figurative language and interesting turns of phrase. I did feel like some of it was repetitive and while the over-reliance on ledgers, accounting, inventory, etc did become a little distracting at a point, I don't feel like it took away from the overall story at all.
The Thirteenth Count is a deliciously immersive, atmospheric, dark fantasy that won't be leaving me anytime soon.
Such an interesting world, magic system, and supporting lore. All of that I still don't know I fully understand but I wholeheartedly believe that to be intentional and I cannot wait to see what answers we get in The Fourteenth Sacrifice.
If you like gothic-style storytelling, the author's writing style is beautiful. Full of rich, figurative language and interesting turns of phrase. I did feel like some of it was repetitive and while the over-reliance on ledgers, accounting, inventory, etc did become a little distracting at a point, I don't feel like it took away from the overall story at all.
September 24, 2026
4 stars — atmospheric, slow-building, and beautifully vivid.
The Thirteenth Count started off a little slow for me, but once it found its momentum, it became wonderfully immersive. Fern is a fantastic main character — steady, intuitive, and easy to connect with — and her perspective grounds the story as the world around her grows stranger and more enchanting.
The imagery is stunning, full of lush, gothic detail. The atmosphere feels eerie and elegant at the same time, and once the plot deepens, the tension and mystery pull you in quickly. The slow-unfolding narrative rewards patience with emotional depth and a compelling payoff.
A beautifully written, atmospheric fantasy that lingers long after the final page.
The Thirteenth Count started off a little slow for me, but once it found its momentum, it became wonderfully immersive. Fern is a fantastic main character — steady, intuitive, and easy to connect with — and her perspective grounds the story as the world around her grows stranger and more enchanting.
The imagery is stunning, full of lush, gothic detail. The atmosphere feels eerie and elegant at the same time, and once the plot deepens, the tension and mystery pull you in quickly. The slow-unfolding narrative rewards patience with emotional depth and a compelling payoff.
A beautifully written, atmospheric fantasy that lingers long after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I just finished reading this for an arc copy and am now impatiently waiting for book two!!
The book handles hard topics that I usually don't see in this genre anymore. It's a mix of an old fashioned fantasy book and romance, with a big plot.
I did cry at some parts. The entire book is very emotional and different, with a cliff hanger so be forewarned.
It's lower on the spice scale so don't read it for that, read for the story. ❤️❤️
I received an arc from the author and this is my honest review.
The book handles hard topics that I usually don't see in this genre anymore. It's a mix of an old fashioned fantasy book and romance, with a big plot.
I did cry at some parts. The entire book is very emotional and different, with a cliff hanger so be forewarned.
It's lower on the spice scale so don't read it for that, read for the story. ❤️❤️
I received an arc from the author and this is my honest review.
August 26, 2026
Wow! This was so good!! It did vampires in such a different and almost darker light, and so well written!
I felt so many emotions reading this book, I cried, I got angry and I was over joyed! It was also such a slow burn romance I thought, that I did not see the kiss coming! And I loved the book even more for that.
If you want that old school fantasy, strong female lead who refuses to be broken and an amazing plot, pick this up immediately!!
I am gasping for the next book!! Soooo many secrets still left to uncover!
I felt so many emotions reading this book, I cried, I got angry and I was over joyed! It was also such a slow burn romance I thought, that I did not see the kiss coming! And I loved the book even more for that.
If you want that old school fantasy, strong female lead who refuses to be broken and an amazing plot, pick this up immediately!!
I am gasping for the next book!! Soooo many secrets still left to uncover!
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