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Deadly Syn

Not yet published
Expected 31 Oct 26
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A Mysterious Artefact. A Vicious Bloodlust. A Monster among the Hunters.

The Harker Family Institute—the leading authority on world-wide supernatural threats—hangs on by a thread. Financial ruin seems inevitable, a mysterious power-enhancing drug tears through the vampire underground, and the shadows beneath Harker Castle warn of looming danger. It’ll take one desperate mission to save not only their Institute but the very Etherworld itself. Too bad the unit assigned the task might be more trouble than they’re worth.

SYNNOVE LE JACQUES IS A VAMPIRE.
And… struggling.
The top-secret asset of the Harker Family Institute is hidden from her peers and plagued by a vicious bloodlust. Assigned to the Institute’s new covert Ghost unit, Synnove is tasked with hunting down the origins of a vampiric power-enhancing drug alongside a brooding vampire hunter who may just be as desperate to prove she is what she fears the most: a monster.

SPELL WYNN IS A GOOD SOLDIER.
When you’re born into a family of prestigious witches and legendary vampire hunters, being assigned to a unit that includes the very threat your own blood lusts to eradicate isn’t ideal. But Spell knows Synnove may just be their best weapon. If he’s prepared to use her, he cannot let himself see the humanity she clings to—a humanity he’s always believed a vampire could not possess.

KEIALYN HARKER IS... STRESSED.
As the new Head of the Harker Family Institute, this is her only chance to save the family legacy she endangered, and she’s gambling on an entirely mad plan to do it. She can’t say which is worse: the looming existential threat that hinges on a generational secret lurking beneath the castle, or the ticking timebomb within her new team.

Deadly Syn is perfect for fans of Empire of the Vampire, Ninth House, A Discovery of Witches, The Deer and the Dragon, and other media such as CW's Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries, Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, and the Underworld series.

592 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 31, 2026

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About the author

J. Lee

1 book7 followers
J. Lee is a queer Australian independent author who publishes stories about complex characters in fantastical worlds.

An avid reader and lover of all things myth and fantasy, she grew up reading the Lord of the Rings, Percy Jackson, Vampire Academy, Angelfall, the Iron Fey, City of Bones, and many others. 

She is in her last year of a Bachelor of Arts with dual Majors in Creative Writing and Ancient History, with the hopes of venturing into the Archaeological or Publishing fields as she pursues her lifelong dream of being an author.

J. Lee loves dragons, vampires, anime, coffee, field hockey, reading, and writing, and is always ready to learn. She happily nests in Victoria with her loving husband and black lab, Hades. 

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Mia.
312 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 27, 2026
OH. MY. GOD.

What the hell did J. Lee put into Deadly Syn? I picked it up and started reading a few chapters, and suddenly my entire day was gone. Still, I couldn't get this book outta my mind, so I kept reading the next day and finished it on my third day of reading.

The action scenes??? I was reading some of these fights and my mind started questioning like, "Can everyone PLEASE stop trying to kill each other for five minutes so I can breathe?" The vampire fights are absolutely feral, just pure survival mode.

In the laboratory scene, when Syn sees the vampire girl hanging from the ceiling, she sees a victim, a child. And you can feel her heartbreak at that moment itself. It literally tells you everything about who Syn is underneath all the anger and violence. She's someone who still cares, even after everything she's been through.

I LOVE how every single time these two (Spell and Syn) appeared together, my brain stopped processing the plot. The world could literally be ending and I'd be sitting there thinking, "Okay, but did you see the way they looked at each other?"

I was halfway through the book before I realized how much information I'd absorbed without even realizing it. Clans, ancient bloodlines, runekeys, exiles, family histories etc. It made every new piece of information feel rewarding, like I had earned it. By the time I felt fully immersed in the world, I knew my way around it, and it even made me think more carefully about who I choose to trust and keep close.

What really caught me off guard about this book was when it changed from ancient vampire history to labs, experiments, and synthetic blood?!! The idea of people trying to create supernatural power in a lab was honestly creepy. As soon as Risk explained what was in the vial, I knew there was much more going on than I first thought. My mind immediately started wondering who was behind it all and how far it actually went.

Another aspect that I enjoyed about this book is the constant questioning as to what makes a person a monster. The vampires are definitely a threat once you see what the humans do in the laboratory settings and then you begin to wonder who really is the villain. The experimentation and prisoners scenes are quite disturbing.

In the end, I just wanted more answers. More lore. More Synnove. More EVERYTHING!

I loved everything about it and would highly recommend it. 100/10
Profile Image for Pel Lusia Tangulu.
100 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 29, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I don’t want to not be me.”

Well. That one quietly reached into my chest and squeezed.

Deadly Syn is a beast of a book. It is long, dense, and carrying enough supernatural history to make me wonder whether J. Lee has secretly been documenting the Harker Institute for years. Vampire hierarchies, witches, ancient gods, blood bonds, alchemy, shifters, family politics, religious cults, magical artefacts… excuse me, this is a debut novel?!

The world-building absolutely earned these five stars for me. There is so much happening, but it never felt as though the supernatural elements were thrown in simply because they sounded cool. Everything has history. The families carry old grudges, the magic comes with rules and consequences, and the creatures all have their own beliefs and place within the world. I genuinely felt like I had stepped into something that existed long before I arrived—and will continue causing absolute havoc after I leave.

Synnove was my girl. I loved her dry humour, her strength, and the gentleness she tries so hard to hide. Her greatest battle isn’t simply against the people hunting her or the Hunger constantly pressing against her control; it is her fear that becoming a vampire has already taken away the person she used to be. She carries grief, guilt, and loneliness beneath all that power, and watching her slowly allow herself to trust this strange little group hurt my heart in the best way.

Then we have Spell: masked witch, vampire hunter, professional brooder, and a man who would probably rather fight an ancient horror than discuss one emotion. His hatred of vampires is rooted in genuinely horrific trauma, so his relationship with Synnove could never have been solved by attraction and one conveniently timed kiss. He has to question beliefs that have shaped his entire identity, while Synnove refuses to beg him to see her humanity. Their connection develops through reluctant teamwork, arguments about morality, shared grief, and small choices that gradually begin to mean everything.

The romance is a proper slow burn. Not “they argued twice and now they’re in love.” These two have walls, weapons, and approximately eight hundred years of emotional damage standing between them. When that tension finally shifts? Yeah… I was gone.

Rig deserves his own paragraph because that chaotic French explosives expert became one of my favourite people in this world. His friendship and blood bond with Synnove bring so much warmth to the story. He is loyal, ridiculous, and seemingly one unsupervised thought away from blowing up a building. Usually while making a joke about it.

And Alastair? Sir??? This ancient vampire can be terrifying one moment and deeply offended by somebody’s lack of theatrical flair the next. I never knew whether he was going to offer centuries-old wisdom, flirt outrageously, or wave a spinal column around like a stage prop. Apparently, all three are valid options.

The wider cast mattered to me just as much. Lyre, Cliff, Sheer, Keialyn and the rest of the Ghost unit made the book feel lived in. Their relationships are messy, funny, and shaped by years of history that existed before Synnove joined them. The found-family element develops slowly because trust in this world has to be earned.

I will be honest: this is not a quick read. Some sections are heavy with lore; the descriptions can become elaborate, and there were moments when I felt the story could have moved forward sooner. But the characters, emotional depth, and sheer creativity behind the world made the density worthwhile for me. I wanted to understand the history. I wanted to follow every suspicious little thread. Most of all, I wanted more time with these characters.

Then J. Lee ended it like THAT.

EXCUSE ME? I have questions. I have suspicions. I have trust issues. Apparently, peace was never an option.

For J. Lee’s first novel, I am honestly in awe of the imagination behind Deadly Syn. It is ambitious, dark, funny, emotional, and completely unafraid to build something enormous. I fell in love with Synnove and her beautifully dysfunctional collection of witches, hunters, vampires, and explosive enthusiasts.

Being part of J. Lee’s street team meant I was lucky enough to receive an early copy, but the five stars, excessive feelings and desperate need for answers are all mine. ❤️

Profile Image for Arta Sirma.
23 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 9, 2026
An Advanced readers copy from the author review

I must say, this book wasn’t my cup of tea. Normally, I’m a huge fan of paranormal and fantasy book however this one felt very long and heavy. There were many parts of this book that didn’t make sense to me and I found myself being confused a lot.

Despite my confusion of the book and struggles, I did really enjoy the characters. Spell and synnove were my favourites as both had great personalities and the dry humour was great. I enjoyed it even more when they both would clash and forced to work together

Then there was Duval who’s use of French was brilliant, I loved this humour and whether it was in a joke or in battle his French always made an appearance. And then we have Alastair whose appearance and involvement had me loving him.

Although I saw so much potential in this book unfortunately I found it really hard to get into the book. The first 5 chapters had me feeling extremely confused as I struggled to understand what was happening and where the story was going.
The book was written in 3rd person and the chapters would jump between different characters. Where I’m ok with books having multiple perspectives; there wasn’t any indication of who’s chapter it was about apart from when you read it and found out the hard way this also aided in the book being difficult to follow and keep track of which made it hard for me to connect with it and get invested. What also didn’t help was that there was a lot of descriptions, you’d find for one scene there would be 3/4 maybe more descriptive words. Where descriptive words are imperative when trying to visualise a scene there is a thing as too much as seen in this case where I found some parts to be exactly that.

In general I enjoyed the characters and getting to know them (some names were definitely unique) especially spell, synnove, duval and alaistair ( there of course were other characters involved) however the confusion I’ve spoken about made it hard for me so by the time I reached 50% way through the book I found myself skipping chapters because I had lost interest and there wasn’t enough keeping me hooked to want to pick it up again

As someone who reads majority fantasy/romance/paranormal books I really wanted to love this book as help a lot of promise but in the end the story and writing style just did not work for me. The characters were the best part but unfortunately just weren’t enough

If you enjoy a lot of back story and a lot of lore this book very well might be for you.
Profile Image for Lilith's_Library_.
1,019 reviews42 followers
Read
September 17, 2026
I knew I was in trouble the moment I started this one because I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter”… and suddenly I was way too invested. 👀🖤

Deadly Syn by J. Lee pulled me into a world of danger, secrets, tension, and characters who definitely know how to keep you guessing. There was something about the darker atmosphere that immediately grabbed my attention, and I loved never quite knowing what was going to come next.

The characters were complicated and wonderfully flawed, and their interactions were easily one of my favorite parts. The chemistry brought plenty of tension, while the secrets and darker elements kept the story moving. There were definitely moments where I found myself thinking, okay… I need to know where this is going. 👀🔥

I especially enjoyed the dangerous, can't-look-away energy of the story. There's just something about romance mixed with secrets and questionable decisions that keeps me turning pages, and this definitely scratched that itch. 🥀

Overall, Deadly Syn was an addictive read with dark romance vibes, intense chemistry, dangerous secrets, morally grey characters, and plenty of tension. It kept me invested and made putting the book down harder than I probably should admit. 😂🖤

Thank you to J. Lee for the opportunity to read this ARC! 🖤📖

If you enjoy dark romance where the characters are complicated, the chemistry is intense, and trouble seems to follow everyone around, this is one to add to your TBR. 🔥🥀

🥀 TROPES / VIBES 🥀
🖤 Dark Romance
🔥 Intense Chemistry
🥀 Morally Grey Characters
👀 Secrets & Mystery
⛓️ Dangerous Relationships
🌑 Dark & Suspenseful Atmosphere
🔥 Forbidden Attraction
🖤 Complicated Characters
Profile Image for Gem McGuire.
44 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 18, 2026
I finished this a couple of days ago and decided to think about it a little before I reviewed it. I didn't know what to expect going into this book, but I can tell you it is not what I got. Vampire books can be really hit or miss; sometimes it's pure smut, sometimes it's a cutesy little trope trotted out to show us they aren't to be feared, and sometimes they are the bad guys. This book was none of this. It was completly it own. It has its own hierarchies, families, and world.

It sucked me in from the first chapter. There is a love story at the center, but it is more added to the plot than the whole plot. Synnova, the vampire at the heart of the story, is not some princess in a castle; she is her own savior. She is well written, and her love story is not over the top; it is not founded on "Oh, she's pretty, so who cares that she is a vampire". It is something fought for and nurtured. Spell Wynn is a flawed man with a damaged soul, but he is not irredeemable. Watching his opinion of Syn change over time felt real and true.

Rig, who is Syn's bonded human, needs to have his own book. I want to know everything about him, and I hope this world is expanded on further than just a 2-part series. He is an explosive expert with Chaos goblin tendencies, and I was obsessed with him. The dialogue in this book is funny and down-to-earth. The world it is set in is so well described and thought out that it really would make a fantastic movie. My only real annoyance was the ending. What do you mean we have to wait for the next book? When is that coming out? I need this now, please, and thank you. If you are okay with cliffhangers and you want a vampire novel full of world-building and lore, you need to give this book a shot. It truly is a work of art.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for C. Hodges.
Author 1 book4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 3, 2026
*ARC received from author
First of all, for an indie author Jesi took the cake with the worldbuilding. My goodness! Various beings and creatures, places, lineages. Her world bible must be extensive. The world is rich and layered.
Second, I literally gasped at the end. Did not see that coming, at all.
ANYWHO, best ARC i have read the last few months and I have read a few. Yall go read this when it comes out!
Profile Image for FaeFireAndSmut.
73 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 17, 2026
This book was amazing. I felt like I was watching an action movie!!
Profile Image for Lex.
13 reviews10 followers
September 9, 2026
Holy shit! The ending!

Vampires, vampire hunters, magic, secrets and intrigue! Such a captivating story - the next book cannot come quick enough!
Profile Image for Ilakiya Reads.
38 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
October 13, 2026
I got to read Deadly Syn as part of the street team, thanks to the author for the eARC! All thoughts are my own.

Okay, first of all, THE CHARACTER ARTS? 😭🖤 Because seriously, they look SO GOOD! I love seeing the characters brought to life like this, especially when their looks match the way I imagined them while reading. The art fits the book so well, and I can't stop looking at it. Whoever worked on these character arts did an amazing job! Now, coming to the book itself, I have so much to say! The book has vampires, witches, dangerous missions, secrets and fights. I really liked Syn a lot. She is a vampire, she is dangerous, and at the same time, she is scared of losing control of herself. She has so much going on inside her and every scene is amazing with her in it. She is so scary and keeps making everyone nervous, and then again, she is also awkward. She isn't just a powerful vampire. She is someone who is trying to understand herself while dealing with everything life keeps throwing at her.

And then we have Rig. He's my FAVOUORITE character! His jokes, teasing, and the way he behaves even when things are going terribly wrong had me laughing. Rig and Syn can tease each other and joke around, but there is also a lot of care between them. They have been through so much together, and their bond makes their scenes even better.

Then, it's Keialyn Harker. She literally has so much on her plate, still she has to manage institute, deal with vampires and hunters and witches, then have to handle a hell lot of people who makes her life harder. I liked that she doesn't judge Synnove because she is a vampire. She sees what Syn can do and gives her a chance, a chance to prove. Even when other people don't agree with her decision. That says a lot about her. She can be cold, and intimidating, but there is more to her than that. But she has to take a break. Her people are causing problems every five minutes, and she's fixing everything!

Spell anger towards Syn causes so much tension, and their arguments are something else. He doesn't trust her, and he makes sure everyone knows it. He has his reasons for feeling the way he does, and that makes their disagreements more interesting. I like this enemies concept a lot!!! But the way these two argue is something else. The book also has a lot of action. It has a lot going on. There are different supernatural creatures, vampire ranks, families, secrets, and the Institute's own rules. I liked learning about all of this, although there were moments when I had to slow down because there were so many names and details to remember.

If you enjoy books with a lot of world building, you might really like this. Just be ready to pay attention because there is quite a bit to take in. The book does deal with some heavy topics, including grief, depression, suicidal thoughts and loss. There is also graphic vampire violence, so please check the content warnings before reading if you need to.

I love when character art makes me even more excited about a book, and that is exactly how I felt here. When you already have favourite characters, seeing their art makes the experience even better.

The book does have a lot of information to take in, but once you get comfortable with the characters and the world, there is plenty to enjoy. If you enjoy vampire stories, witches, supernatural fights, complicated characters, and friendships with teasing and arguments, pick this.
Profile Image for Evan.
49 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 23, 2026
4.5 * rounded up to 5, because it deserves it.
Deadly Syn is a complex - and huge - world-building, character-driven, paranormal vampire fantasy. The only reason this book is at a 4.5 for me is because of some situations throughout the book that caused a bit of confusion, almost like there were too many details reiterated within the same scene that pulled me out of it, and I had to re-read again to get my head around it a handful of times. Aside from that, this book is absolutely brilliant, and if I'm being totally honest, will likely change the 4.5 star to a 5 star once I've had some more time to sit with it.

Deadly Syn follows Synnove, a fledgling vampire, turned by her maker, Alistair, to save her life.
Synnove lives within the confines of the Harker Institute, the halls that house the tactical forces keeping the real world safe from the paranormal beings within the ethereal realm. Co-Headed by brother and sister Keialyn and Bartholomew Harker, the institute sends teams out to "take care" of those beings that threaten the reality of the human world, no team more legendary than Alpha-1, which has not been replaced since the team members deaths on an assignment years ago.
When vampires suddenly display dangerous enhanced powers, Synnove is sent out with a ghost team to locate the underground origin of the serum causing the effects. Unfortunately, she's sent out with a team of witches - who hate vampires - from one of the oldest families known to man. There is no one who hates vampires more than Spell Wynn, the witch twin who wants nothing more than to rid the world of the enemy he blames for ruining his life. No one questions Syns ability to have any human qualities left over from her prior life more than Spell, and Syn can only do so much to prove that she is still clinging to her humanity, despite the muzzle she wears to prove her control over the ever-raging bloodlust that sits at the base of her throat.

Deadly Syn is the first book in the Heir of night series, and is an absolute RIDE. This book is non-stop action from the very first pages, and the tension of yearning for your enemy, while trying to keep secrets, is palpable. The characters in this book are so well written and researched they practically feel real, and the relationships seep their way into your heart. Aside from the MC's the side characters are so much a part of the story it feels as if they too are essential to the plot, and the comedic humor of Syn's raktari (bonded human), Suraj Rigger Duval (AKA: Rig), casts a screen of levity that still sits incredibly well in every scene he's in, making him an incredibly lovable character.

While the pages (chapters) are long, the years are short (or something like that), so if you like modern day vampires without a cliche feel, stay up late and read Deadly Syn.
Profile Image for Laura.
126 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2026
I am on the street team for this book and received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Wow. What a banger!

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This book really did have everything I love in an adult fantasy. Compelling characters, a strong plot, a well-built world, a unique magic system, and a mystery speckled throughout that kept me engaged and guessing.

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There were so many different elements that made this book stand out to me, but one very prominent element was J. Lee’s writing style. Through its multi-perspective approach, you could see the scope of her talent and how much love and passion she put into this book. Each POV was written very differently, making each character stand out on their own, as you could feel the essence of them coming out of the pages.

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Whenever I picked this book up, it was so easy to fall into and forget about the outside world. While reading, I never wanted to put it down or have it end. One of the reasons this was so possible was because of the history and world-building. J. Lee has this world and history so completely throughout and planned down to the very last detail. I truly don’t know how she can keeps it all straight in her brain. She didn’t overload you with a data dump at the start, but it was built steadily over time with new information always being given.

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The plot was slow-going but had some amazing action-packed scenes within. This is the type of pacing that I personally love. It picks up at times, creating a sense of urgency or excitement, but slows down to give the readers time to process what happened and also to help grow more attached to the book.

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There were many different mysteries within, keeping you hooked and reading. You never know when a piece of information you need will be revealed. Each word was thought out and was so deliberate; everything mentioned was important, but you weren't hand-fed answers. J. Lee just gave you enough information to understand and come to your own conclusion.

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Talking about the characters, all of them were three-dimensional. Even the side characters. Some didn’t have backstories explained, but you were still able to sense that there was a backstory that could be explored. It felt like if you were able to ask Lee for any information about any of these characters, she would have an answer for you. They all had different personalities and felt very real to me. They had their strong points and their vices, making them so compelling to follow. Shout out to my favourite side characters, Risk & Rig! You will never fail to make me smile and giggle.

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The character relationships had me in a chokehold. There were so many complicated dynamics between so many different characters; it was truly a joy to follow all the threads. The romance was a slow build, and when I say slow build, I mean it. This romance was so full of complicated feelings, from loathing to understanding, pining, and awkward flirting. Instead of getting third-hand embarrassment like I normally do in awkward flirting scenes, I felt so endeared to their struggle.

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And that ending! What a way to end! I think I can safely say we all need the sequel, and we need it now.

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Overall, I can’t recommend this book enough. If you love fantasy with a paranormal twist, I’d say pick it up; it will be worth your while.
Profile Image for Arunima Dash.
115 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
October 15, 2026
This book is one of my best reads of 2026.❤️ As a reader, this was never my genre to begin with, but when I started reading it, I just couldn't stop myself. I couldn't find even a single moment boring because I was so immersed in the world the author had created.

Somehow, the world was so captivating, and the combination of vampires and vampire hunters, where she is the vampire while he is the vampire hunter, the slow burn, the urban fantasy, everything was the perfect combination that pulled me into the book entirely. And the slow-burn enemies-to-lovers element? The tension practically writes its own invitation to read the story.😌🫠

Even though I read it very slowly and it took me a lot of time, I was so happy reading it. But I'm also so, so excited🥳 because this isn't the end of something; it's the beginning of something new. I absolutely love the author's writing style. The writing is so meticulous and neat, and the quotations? I have them all noted down! I love them.

And especially the dynamic between the characters, the chemistry, everything is just superb. There were moments that were so funny that I just couldn't help but laugh. 😆 (the characters were effortlessly funny at some parts) This is a whole experience, and even if it takes time, it is worth every single second.

One thing I love is reading acknowledgements because I think they are a window into the author's personal world. So, when I read that, I got to know that this was 6 years of love, and that is a lot of time and effort. Hats off to the author! She deserves every bit of appreciation for her writing style. 🥹

And guys, don't wait, just read it! This is going to be released on October 31st, the best release for Halloween. I cannot wait, and if I can get a paperback in the future, I will definitely reread it! An urban fantasy filled with vampires, secrets, dangerous missions, and complicated dynamics releasing on Halloween feels like such a fitting combination.❤️
Profile Image for Shylis.
17 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 18, 2026
10/5 Stars!
**I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK TWO!**

I had the privilege to read this book as an ARC, and what an honor it’s been.

I don’t even know where to begin with this book. This is J. Lee’s debut novel and let me say, I adore it. I believe you might too. It’s got vampires, supernatural creatures, broody vampire hunters, and a mystery to solve. Chef’s KISS

This book is a beefy gal and I am here for every bit of it. I loved the fight scenes, I could imagine everything that happened, PEFECT. The characters are so dynamic you’d think they’re real. It’s never a dull moment in Deadly Syn. <3
I fell in love with the all characters and their flaws. [especially Alastiar] Syn is just out here trying her best and we adore her for it. Spell- I love to ‘hate’ this man, he’s so broody and complex you might sit there and think “I can fix him” . When you read this book, and you will- you’ll root for him too even if he frustrates you. Deadly Syn features a slow burn romance, which I usually cannot stand. BUT let me tell you, I was chomping at the bit for these guys, I wanted and needed more.

If you’ve read this far, read Deadly Syn I think you’ll fall in love just like I have. It’s plagued my mind for months. Thank you J. Lee for sharing this world you wrote with us.
Profile Image for Priya.
14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 15, 2026
I absolutely loved reading Deadly Syn!
This book was such an enjoyable experience, especially for someone who loves paranormal fantasy, vampires, mystery, and a dark gothic atmosphere.

One of the things I really liked was the whole concept of the story. The Harker Family Institute, the supernatural world, and the mystery surrounding the power-enhancing drug made the plot really intriguing. There was so much going on, and I loved how the story brought together danger, secrets, personal struggles, and romance.

Synnove was an interesting character to follow. Her struggle with bloodlust and her desire to prove that she isn't a monster added another layer to her character. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Synnove and Spell. A vampire and a vampire hunter being forced to work together already makes for an interesting setup, and I loved the tension and complicated feelings that come with it.

I also liked that the story wasn't only about romance. The mission, the supernatural threats, the secrets surrounding the characters, and the pressure on the Harker Family Institute all added to the overall experience. The gothic atmosphere was another highlight for me because it suited the story so well.

Overall, Deadly Syn was a really enjoyable read, and I'm so glad I got the chance to read it. If you enjoy vampire stories, supernatural mysteries, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and dark paranormal fantasy, I would definitely recommend giving this book a chance.

Thank you, J. Lee, for this intriguing story, and thank you to Literary Loft PR and Jabberwocky Books for including me in the tour. ❤️

Definitely a memorable read for me! 🖤📚
Profile Image for Rae Leivesley.
49 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 5, 2026
I must admit I was confused when I first started reading this. I felt rather thrown into the deep in, where there seemed to be ongoing stories that made feel as though I missed a book.

However as the story unfolds, it is slowly better explained. The past of our characters better explored as we get to know them better and they get to know each other and learn to work together as a team.

Must say though, this team has some of the worst field luck. I'm not sure whether to be impressed by how they manage to screw up every job they get handed worse than the last one, but they're certainly win medals flr trying!

J. Lee has introduced a rather dark and intrigue world of vampires, humans, witches and others. Hitting lots of great home scoring points for what is to be a monster and what makes a person humane. Certainly just because we're all human, right?

It's action packed, tension packed and slow burn to boot. We've got maker daddy issues, mommy's issues and shared trauma bondings.

All in all, it's a great beginning for what's a start to new vampire debut unlike any I've read.
Profile Image for Sammie.
6 reviews1 follower
September 24, 2026
I received an ARC of this book. Wow. This drops you in and then BAM. I needed to turn the page and learn more. It took a few chapters to understand some of the key information and plot, but then it starts to click and get good!! There are a lot of characters in this book and they all play a key part, so keep some notes! This book really builds the world of the Ether and the Harker Institute. The characters each have their own, well developed personalities. There’s a lot of backstory, especially to Synnove, Spell, Keialynn, and Rig that I’d really like to get to know. The twist that came I anticipated, but not in the way it occurred. Now, I need the next book! WHAT HAPPENS J. LEE?! I need to know!!!
77 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 7, 2026
This book wasn't bad yet the rating is very personal - I didn't like it, however I can appreciate some things about it.
For example the world and its history were well constructed. It is obvious that the Author spent much time thinking about everything. I didn't see any plot holes or inconsistencies (which are for me two main sins - pun intended 😉 - in books).

The story was very intensive. A lot was happening all the time and I must confess I had some problems with keeping up with the events and characters, especially in the beginning.
I don't watch tv, movies, series etc. Nothing. I prefer books. Yet this story could be great as an action movie, for people who are fond of this genre.

I got a free copy as an ARC reader and I am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.
Profile Image for 50shadesofalisha_.
60 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 5, 2026
“Fuck, fuckity, fuck fuck fuck" - What the fuck did I just read?

That pretty much sums up my experience with Deadly Syn 😂

This book had me hooked, confused, suspicious and questioning literally everyone. The darker vibe, vampires, spice, secrets and all the fucked-up shit happening kept me wanting to know what was coming next.

I genuinely had NO idea where this story was going half the time, and every time I thought I'd figured something out, I was immediately proven wrong.

And that ending??? Yeah. No. I need a minute. 😭
Profile Image for Melanie.
62 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 14, 2026
Grab this one only when you have plenty of time to spare—it is massive. With a huge cast, multiple POVs, and an insane level of worldbuilding, it’s a lot to track, and I definitely hit a few confusing patches. I kept losing my flow by having to stop and translate the French—even if I liked the personality, it brought out (gosh, I wish I spoke French!). That said, Synnove is a fantastic FMC, and the unique, plot has massive potential. The gorgeous cover and fresh storyline still make it a worthwhile journey.
Profile Image for Ms Noob.
284 reviews4 followers
October 18, 2026
This book was fun. There was a fair along of world building but I never felt like it was too much or too little. I really loved Syn she is so awesome. The rest are interesting but didn’t hold my focus much if at all.
That ending was diabolical …. Now I play the waiting game for book two.
Can’t wait for more of Syn.
Profile Image for Angel  Webster.
311 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 13, 2026
Okay, first off my review stars is just cause this book was not for me. It started like it was a series and being thrown into was mind blowing. It does slowly unfold and become more clear. Very action packed.

I got this arc from booksirens and this review is mine and free.
2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 6, 2026
Review of an advanced copy received from the author. All opinions are my own.

Love me a slow burn romance! The tension between Syn and Spell was incredible.
Profile Image for Danielle  B.
4 reviews
Review of advance copy
September 12, 2026
This book was amazing, I didn't want to put it down. So well written, loved the characters and cant wait to get to know them more and see what they get up too. Must read book!!
Profile Image for prachismusings.
80 reviews
September 22, 2026
I love the complexity of the characters; the hatred of vampires feels real and reminds me of real-life discrimination.

Many people hate just because of family or because they had to accept things to mend themselves. But often, I find that authors tend to overdo the "I'm in pain" thing; this book definitely didn't have that. I do think the prose could have been a bit shorter; it didn't need this many pages.

I experienced the struggle of digging through to the last 200 pages, so yes. Overall, I think you should read it if only because of the plot.
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