What do you think?
Rate this book
The Blood Levy : Dark Vampire Romance
In an empire ruled by ancient vampire houses, blood determines who holds power, who obeys, and who is sacrificed.When the Red Curia reinstates the Blood Levy and summons her sixteen-year-old son, Cassia Riven refuses to surrender him. Her attempt to bring him home places her in the path of Marcus Valerius, commander of the empire’s armies and the last surviving heir of an ancient bloodline.
Marcus needs what no vampire woman can give a living heir. Cassia needs what only a man with his power can protection for her sons.
Their bargain binds her to House Valerius for two years. She will become his wife and give him the chance to continue his bloodline. In return, her children will remain beyond the reach of the Levy.
But what begins as a transaction soon becomes far more dangerous. Desire grows where hatred should have remained, while beyond the walls of House Valerius, an ancient house has fallen, rebellion is spreading through the human districts, and someone inside the empire is helping its enemies.
The closer Cassia is drawn to Marcus, the more difficult it becomes to separate the monster she was taught to fear from the man she is beginning to trust. And with the empire starting to fracture around them, that trust may prove more dangerous than either of them imagined.
For readers who like their vampire romance dark, political, and dangerous. Expect an ancient vampire commander and a fiercely protective human widow, enemies to lovers, a marriage of convenience, a morally grey possessive hero who falls first, deadly court politics in an Ancient Rome-inspired vampire empire, a slow emotional build, and high-heat open-door romance.
Marcus needs what no vampire woman can give a living heir. Cassia needs what only a man with his power can protection for her sons.
Their bargain binds her to House Valerius for two years. She will become his wife and give him the chance to continue his bloodline. In return, her children will remain beyond the reach of the Levy.
But what begins as a transaction soon becomes far more dangerous. Desire grows where hatred should have remained, while beyond the walls of House Valerius, an ancient house has fallen, rebellion is spreading through the human districts, and someone inside the empire is helping its enemies.
The closer Cassia is drawn to Marcus, the more difficult it becomes to separate the monster she was taught to fear from the man she is beginning to trust. And with the empire starting to fracture around them, that trust may prove more dangerous than either of them imagined.
For readers who like their vampire romance dark, political, and dangerous. Expect an ancient vampire commander and a fiercely protective human widow, enemies to lovers, a marriage of convenience, a morally grey possessive hero who falls first, deadly court politics in an Ancient Rome-inspired vampire empire, a slow emotional build, and high-heat open-door romance.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2026
About the author
Lavinia Călina
24 books426 followersBorn in Romania on December 13, 1989, Lavinia Călina is an accomplished author with a passion for storytelling. She studied English and Spanish literature in Timișoara, which laid the foundation for her writing career.
Lavinia published her first novel in her home country in 2014, and since then, she has written a total of 13 books, primarily in the science fiction and fantasy genres.
For the past seven years, she has been living in the UK with her husband and son, continuing to craft captivating tales that transport readers to otherworldly realms.
Lavinia published her first novel in her home country in 2014, and since then, she has written a total of 13 books, primarily in the science fiction and fantasy genres.
For the past seven years, she has been living in the UK with her husband and son, continuing to craft captivating tales that transport readers to otherworldly realms.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 30, 2026
This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. Well written, engaging plot that kept me interested and great characters. Cassia is a human woman in a world ruled by an empire consisting of 9 ancient vampire houses. Humans are no better than animals used for food, pleasure, war, or any other purpose the vampire rulers determine. When the ancient houses revive the blood levy - a ritual mass turning of all human males between 16 and 40 - Cassia’s son is swept up and taken to a camp. Cassia will die before she allows either of her sons to be injured or turned and sneaks into the camp posing as a blood feeder (all in one food source and sex doll) managing to kill several guards before she’s captured and taken to the commander, Marcus.
Marcus is the last of his line and just trying to hold it together. His territory is being attacked by human rebels, the ruling Curia puts him in charge of the levy to further weaken him in the hopes he’s wiped out and they can claim his land. With no heir, Marcus’ house dies with him. Married 13 times with no success, Marcus sees a perfect solution in Cassia. She has two sons, she’s clearly able to bear and raise children. She will marry him in exchange for her life and the lives of her sons and provide him an heir.
The plot here was really engaging. Cassia is a great fmc. Somewhere in her early 30s, she’s not your typical teenage virgin chosen one and it’s fantastic. She agrees to Marcus’ deal but doesn’t take it lying down. When her son gets mixed up in some treasonous behavior, Cassia’s got a big problem. Because try as she might, she went and fell in love with Marcus anyway.
I couldn’t put this down. Great writing, engaging plot and enjoyable characters. It does end on a cliffy and I can’t wait for the next book.
Marcus is the last of his line and just trying to hold it together. His territory is being attacked by human rebels, the ruling Curia puts him in charge of the levy to further weaken him in the hopes he’s wiped out and they can claim his land. With no heir, Marcus’ house dies with him. Married 13 times with no success, Marcus sees a perfect solution in Cassia. She has two sons, she’s clearly able to bear and raise children. She will marry him in exchange for her life and the lives of her sons and provide him an heir.
The plot here was really engaging. Cassia is a great fmc. Somewhere in her early 30s, she’s not your typical teenage virgin chosen one and it’s fantastic. She agrees to Marcus’ deal but doesn’t take it lying down. When her son gets mixed up in some treasonous behavior, Cassia’s got a big problem. Because try as she might, she went and fell in love with Marcus anyway.
I couldn’t put this down. Great writing, engaging plot and enjoyable characters. It does end on a cliffy and I can’t wait for the next book.
October 28, 2026
I am so glad I found The Blood Levy, this was amazing, there wasn’t anything about it that didn’t have me hooked from the start, I couldn’t put it down.
One of my favourite things is Cassia, she has a sense of maturity that works perfectly, she is harden by life which gives her a realistic inner strength it’s brings her to life more, having two boys myself I could totally connect with her and that you would do anything to protect them. The stories I always love the most are always character driven, and have great dialogue and interactions between the characters and The blood Levy had that, which is one of many reasons why I loved it.
There is so much I loved about it, and I could ramble on talking about them all but simply put I can 100% recommend it. It isn’t a standalone, and does end on a cliffhanger which will leave you wanting more…
I’m off to find more books by the Author…
One of my favourite things is Cassia, she has a sense of maturity that works perfectly, she is harden by life which gives her a realistic inner strength it’s brings her to life more, having two boys myself I could totally connect with her and that you would do anything to protect them. The stories I always love the most are always character driven, and have great dialogue and interactions between the characters and The blood Levy had that, which is one of many reasons why I loved it.
There is so much I loved about it, and I could ramble on talking about them all but simply put I can 100% recommend it. It isn’t a standalone, and does end on a cliffhanger which will leave you wanting more…
I’m off to find more books by the Author…
September 27, 2026
It was well written and I was curious what would happen next.
Vampires took every son between the ages of 16 to 25 for the army and to attempt to make more vampires. Her son was taken.
She tried to rescue him and was caught. The vampire in charge offered to save her and her two sons. All she had to so was marry him and give him a baby born of his bloodline.
Spoilers.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
They fall in love.
He is trying to find traitor and rebels.
Her son is a rebel and Flavian the house guard is too.
She meets with the daughter of the rebel king. She is a vampire. The book ended abruptly at that point.
Vampires took every son between the ages of 16 to 25 for the army and to attempt to make more vampires. Her son was taken.
She tried to rescue him and was caught. The vampire in charge offered to save her and her two sons. All she had to so was marry him and give him a baby born of his bloodline.
Spoilers.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
They fall in love.
He is trying to find traitor and rebels.
Her son is a rebel and Flavian the house guard is too.
She meets with the daughter of the rebel king. She is a vampire. The book ended abruptly at that point.
September 27, 2026
Roman Empire meets vampire aristocracy and humans are the ones being enslaved.
Cassia enters the world of the vampire houses to save her children from death, only to find herself falling for the very vampire she was raised to fear. But while their unlikely love grows, rebellion rises, humans starve, and everyone is fighting to survive.
Power, class, blood, hunger and betrayal.
You start the book for the vampires. You keep reading for the politics, the hunger, the rebellion… and the “oh no, I’m falling in love with my enemy” situation.
Cassia embraces her new power as Lady of House Valerius and she doesn’t exactly play the obedient wife.
In this world, you don’t just kill to survive. You eat before you’re eaten. 🩸
#EnemiestoLovers #Smut as an extra
Cassia enters the world of the vampire houses to save her children from death, only to find herself falling for the very vampire she was raised to fear. But while their unlikely love grows, rebellion rises, humans starve, and everyone is fighting to survive.
Power, class, blood, hunger and betrayal.
You start the book for the vampires. You keep reading for the politics, the hunger, the rebellion… and the “oh no, I’m falling in love with my enemy” situation.
Cassia embraces her new power as Lady of House Valerius and she doesn’t exactly play the obedient wife.
In this world, you don’t just kill to survive. You eat before you’re eaten. 🩸
#EnemiestoLovers #Smut as an extra
October 17, 2026
Non-Spoiler Review
I haven't enjoyed a vampire romance this much in a long time! The Blood Levy has a fantastic Ancient Rome inspired setting, plenty of political intrigue, a morally grey vampire lord, and an enemies to lovers romance that actually takes time to develop.
What I particularly loved was Cassia. She's a widow, a mother of two, and a grown woman who's already experienced enough hardship to know what really matters. She's not some innocent young girl who falls at the feet of a powerful man. And Marcus? He's arrogant, controlling, dangerous, and sometimes downright infuriating, but that's what makes their relationship so interesting. Neither of them is willing to give an inch.
The worldbuilding was another highlight for me. The vampire hierarchy, the Red Curia, the military politics, and the way humans are treated all made the empire feel believable. There's also plenty of spice, but what kept me reading was the constant tension between the characters and the political situation unfolding around them.
And I have to mention Claudius because that man had me laughing more than once. 😂
⚠️ SPOILERS BELOW ⚠️
I loved that Cassia's entire motivation starts with protecting her sons. The lengths she goes to save Julius from the Blood Levy, including marrying Marcus, made her decisions understandable even when I didn't necessarily agree with them.
One of my favourite parts was watching her challenge Marcus's beliefs about humans. Especially when she starts helping the poorer people and opening his house to those in need. He might be a powerful vampire lord, but she certainly isn't afraid to tell him when he's wrong. I also enjoyed watching Marcus slowly become more protective of her and her children, even while struggling with his own prejudices.
And then there's the political intrigue! The attacks on the northern border, the suspicions surrounding House Aurelian, and Julius getting involved with the people plotting against the Curia had me constantly wondering who could actually be trusted.
But THAT ENDING!
Cordia's head appearing in the square, the gold, the revelation about the pearl jewellery being used to mark noble houses... I genuinely didn't expect everything to connect that way.
And then Adalind! The daughter of the northern king, secretly working with the rebellion, turning out to be a VAMPIRE?! That was the moment I realised I needed the second book immediately.
What I find particularly interesting is that Cassia now knows something Marcus doesn't, and Julius is already involved with people who could threaten everything Marcus stands for.
So here's my question for anyone who's finished it: Do you think Cassia will tell Marcus the truth about Adalind, or will she keep it from him to protect Julius? Because I honestly can't see how she can remain loyal to both of them if things continue the way they're going.
I need book two!
October 19, 2026
Ok so I picked up The Blood Levy for the vampire romance, and I absolutely loved the chemistry between Marcus and Cassia(and the 🌶). But as someone who also loves Ancient Roman history, I couldn't stop noticing the historical parallels. And now I have theories! 😂
The Red Curia is obviously inspired by the Roman Senate, but Marcus himself reminds me of Julius Caesar. A powerful military commander, respected by his soldiers, constantly clashing with politicians who need his armies but fear his growing influence. And Quintus Lateo? He gives me serious Pompey vibes, especially with the political rivalry developing between them.
(Posible spoilers)
The scene where Cordia Aurelian's severed head appears with molten gold in her mouth immediately reminded me of Marcus Licinius Crassus. According to an ancient account, the Parthians poured molten gold into his mouth after his defeat, mocking his enormous wealth. Coincidence? Maybe, but I loved that detail!
Then there's Julius, who reminds me suspiciously of Brutus. He's young, idealistic, sympathetic to the rebellion, and increasingly at odds with Marcus's world. Historically, Brutus was the son of Servilia, Caesar's longtime lover, and eventually participated in Caesar's assassination. Considering Cassia's relationship with Marcus, that parallel makes me nervous!
🥺
Obviously, these are just my theories, but knowing how the Roman Republic eventually collapsed, I can't help wondering whether Marcus is heading towards becoming the empire's sole ruler, and whether Julius will eventually betray him.
I loved the romance, the spice, and especially Cassia, but the political intrigue might be my favourite part of this book. I have a feeling things are about to get very messy in book two!
The Red Curia is obviously inspired by the Roman Senate, but Marcus himself reminds me of Julius Caesar. A powerful military commander, respected by his soldiers, constantly clashing with politicians who need his armies but fear his growing influence. And Quintus Lateo? He gives me serious Pompey vibes, especially with the political rivalry developing between them.
(Posible spoilers)
The scene where Cordia Aurelian's severed head appears with molten gold in her mouth immediately reminded me of Marcus Licinius Crassus. According to an ancient account, the Parthians poured molten gold into his mouth after his defeat, mocking his enormous wealth. Coincidence? Maybe, but I loved that detail!
Then there's Julius, who reminds me suspiciously of Brutus. He's young, idealistic, sympathetic to the rebellion, and increasingly at odds with Marcus's world. Historically, Brutus was the son of Servilia, Caesar's longtime lover, and eventually participated in Caesar's assassination. Considering Cassia's relationship with Marcus, that parallel makes me nervous!
🥺
Obviously, these are just my theories, but knowing how the Roman Republic eventually collapsed, I can't help wondering whether Marcus is heading towards becoming the empire's sole ruler, and whether Julius will eventually betray him.
I loved the romance, the spice, and especially Cassia, but the political intrigue might be my favourite part of this book. I have a feeling things are about to get very messy in book two!
October 17, 2026
I really liked this book! The dynamic between the main characters was my favorite part. They are not your typical love story and I really enjoyed that. I love how he complimented her instead of hiding her. There was not a lot of unexpected twists or turns, it was a smooth ride through this story, and it slowly builds and builds and it’s going to be so great in the end. It does leave on a pretty big cliffhanger. Lots of unfinished parts that I’m DYING to know about, so I’ll just have to wait for the next book. I would 100% recommend this book, just prepare to be disappointed because you can’t read what’s next yet. The spice is amazing and worth the read😏 I wouldn’t say it’s in every chapter but there were enough scenes to keep me happy and begging for more.
Read
October 21, 2026Absolutely brilliant
I do not write reviews often. But this book, the writing, the quality, the story, the struggle the FMC raw realness of what a mother would do.
Absorbed by the first chapter and heart broken and mended by the last. This book will stay with me for a long time ❣️
I do not write reviews often. But this book, the writing, the quality, the story, the struggle the FMC raw realness of what a mother would do.
Absorbed by the first chapter and heart broken and mended by the last. This book will stay with me for a long time ❣️
October 22, 2026
This book was fantastic! It was well written, with vampires, enemies to lovers, political intrigue, mystery, loveable characters, a splash of humor and spice. I couldn't put this one down. I can't wait for the next book to see where this story goes!
October 11, 2026
Wow. This is good.
I read this book in a day and now I’m mad I need to wait for the next one. It was just that good.
I read this book in a day and now I’m mad I need to wait for the next one. It was just that good.
October 4, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! I could not put it down. A FMC that is a mother of 2 and not a teenager - absolutely fantastic! Female rage, oppressive vampires that treat humans like livestock and a plot that keeps you hooked. Plus some great spicy scenes!🌶
This book is going to live rent free in my head forever and I am hanging out for the next instalment.
My only 6☆ read this year. OBSESSED!
This book is going to live rent free in my head forever and I am hanging out for the next instalment.
My only 6☆ read this year. OBSESSED!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews