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From Blood to Ashes #1
Vampire Captives
Kill him?
I could have done that.
Couple with him?
Like hell.
I am a slayer, one of Silver Hollow’s greatest warriors. I carry my fellow vampires with honor and carve out werewolves’ unsuspecting hearts.
Or I did.
I tend to ask forgiveness instead of permission, and my body count didn’t save me this time.
Our queen stripped me of my rank, my purpose. She commanded I become a vessel meant to bear vampire young.
And the male I’ve been assigned is trouble.
We have undeniable chemistry, but Adano Vice would sooner kill me than follow our queen’s orders. The feeling is mutual.
Unfortunately, Adano is no ally. He’s another enemy. If I don’t play his game and free him from Silver Hollow, he’ll make sure this ends in my death. Unless I win and reclaim my slayer rank.
I have everything to lose.
He has everything to gain.
—
Note: Vampire Captives is the first book in an adult dark fantasy series, From Blood to Ashes. This book contains violent and sexual situations some might find triggering. But never fear. Our heroine and hero will overcome at series end, and they might just find love along the way.
I could have done that.
Couple with him?
Like hell.
I am a slayer, one of Silver Hollow’s greatest warriors. I carry my fellow vampires with honor and carve out werewolves’ unsuspecting hearts.
Or I did.
I tend to ask forgiveness instead of permission, and my body count didn’t save me this time.
Our queen stripped me of my rank, my purpose. She commanded I become a vessel meant to bear vampire young.
And the male I’ve been assigned is trouble.
We have undeniable chemistry, but Adano Vice would sooner kill me than follow our queen’s orders. The feeling is mutual.
Unfortunately, Adano is no ally. He’s another enemy. If I don’t play his game and free him from Silver Hollow, he’ll make sure this ends in my death. Unless I win and reclaim my slayer rank.
I have everything to lose.
He has everything to gain.
—
Note: Vampire Captives is the first book in an adult dark fantasy series, From Blood to Ashes. This book contains violent and sexual situations some might find triggering. But never fear. Our heroine and hero will overcome at series end, and they might just find love along the way.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2020
14 people are currently reading
514 people want to read
About the author
Kestra Pingree
78 books80 followersKestra Pingree is a creative who doesn’t know how to stop. They are first and foremost a writer and storyteller with an endless library of books in their head just waiting to be typed. They are also an artist and animator, as well as a singer, songwriter, and voice actor. One day they swear they’re going to make their own video game, too.
If it involves creating, they are there.
They can also be seen cuddling their cat, reading, or playing video games.
If it involves creating, they are there.
They can also be seen cuddling their cat, reading, or playing video games.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 16, 2020
This book strives to achieve the title of paradoxically writing.
The main heroine was a ferocious fighter, until she was no longer. She got striped of her title because she proved herself to be “too human” (I do not know what that should mean in the context of this book`s world because there are no humans present. I took it that “being human” is synonymous to “being too sentimental”).
So, she was reduced to a vessel (Vessel Lisette) that had to assures the next generation of vampires (scamps). If her mind got a little bit off the rails, at least the body to serve some purpose to the kingdom. (it reminded me of the Alpha Night series).
The love interest was a male vampire, also forced into this procreation affair.
The pair seemed to play a reversed stereotype:
1. she is fighting in battles, he is contributing to the survival of a race, by means of copulation,
2. she brawly, he cerebral,
3. she is cold, he feels too much;
4. she does the rescuing, he is the one that needs it.
Both wanted to escape the center in which they were made to breed like rabbits. If the reference to the The Handmaid's Tale was not clear enough, I do not know how to spell it in more obvious terms.
But, it got stranger.
You have on one hand a fight for control and prestige as a fighter on the battlefield, just to fall, so quickly (!!), to the role of a unwilling mother.
What kind of kingdom is that in which it claims to prize its warriors but fails to see to their needs?No, this is not a good question, It helps the book. You would not reach that conclusion. What you would wonder is why there are those birth centers existent if vampires can live for a long time. Even in war times, you have magical powers, you can manage it.
Maybe the second book will explain at large what is going on.
The world was pretty neat and the characters were kind of smart and interesting to follow.
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The main heroine was a ferocious fighter, until she was no longer. She got striped of her title because she proved herself to be “too human” (I do not know what that should mean in the context of this book`s world because there are no humans present. I took it that “being human” is synonymous to “being too sentimental”).
So, she was reduced to a vessel (Vessel Lisette) that had to assures the next generation of vampires (scamps). If her mind got a little bit off the rails, at least the body to serve some purpose to the kingdom. (it reminded me of the Alpha Night series).
The love interest was a male vampire, also forced into this procreation affair.
The pair seemed to play a reversed stereotype:
1. she is fighting in battles, he is contributing to the survival of a race, by means of copulation,
2. she brawly, he cerebral,
3. she is cold, he feels too much;
4. she does the rescuing, he is the one that needs it.
Both wanted to escape the center in which they were made to breed like rabbits. If the reference to the The Handmaid's Tale was not clear enough, I do not know how to spell it in more obvious terms.
But, it got stranger.
You have on one hand a fight for control and prestige as a fighter on the battlefield, just to fall, so quickly (!!), to the role of a unwilling mother.
What kind of kingdom is that in which it claims to prize its warriors but fails to see to their needs?No, this is not a good question, It helps the book. You would not reach that conclusion. What you would wonder is why there are those birth centers existent if vampires can live for a long time. Even in war times, you have magical powers, you can manage it.
Maybe the second book will explain at large what is going on.
The world was pretty neat and the characters were kind of smart and interesting to follow.
July 13, 2020
ONE ACTION PACKED SURPRISE!!!
Wipe out! Kestra dropped kick this bad boy, lowering the boom, raising the stakes and keeping it real, riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat, melding this baby together piece by jagged piece. Bearing the burden and carrying the load, delivering one pulse racing, heart pounding, adrenaline pumping, page flipping bombshell, blasting this baby to a whole new realm. Toss in the drama, intrigue, turmoil, misgivings, underlying threats, spiraling suspense and nail-biting situations along with a boatload of danger while dodging disaster, you have one jaw dropping experience. Shenanigans, escapades and havoc run amuck, blurring lines and crushing boundaries, limitations are amplified and exploited booting this gem into the eye of the storm, kicking it into a frenzy with an astonishing culmination. A surging vortex of vexing mishaps and surprising circumstances, along with the intimidating trials and challenging tribulations, exposing the deadly twists and stunning turns, put our characters through their paces. The characters are authentic and realistic with depth and qualities that add diversity, transforming into amazing personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and depictions creating an elaborate backdrop that's so vividly descriptive it's like your transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Kestra, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
Wipe out! Kestra dropped kick this bad boy, lowering the boom, raising the stakes and keeping it real, riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat, melding this baby together piece by jagged piece. Bearing the burden and carrying the load, delivering one pulse racing, heart pounding, adrenaline pumping, page flipping bombshell, blasting this baby to a whole new realm. Toss in the drama, intrigue, turmoil, misgivings, underlying threats, spiraling suspense and nail-biting situations along with a boatload of danger while dodging disaster, you have one jaw dropping experience. Shenanigans, escapades and havoc run amuck, blurring lines and crushing boundaries, limitations are amplified and exploited booting this gem into the eye of the storm, kicking it into a frenzy with an astonishing culmination. A surging vortex of vexing mishaps and surprising circumstances, along with the intimidating trials and challenging tribulations, exposing the deadly twists and stunning turns, put our characters through their paces. The characters are authentic and realistic with depth and qualities that add diversity, transforming into amazing personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and depictions creating an elaborate backdrop that's so vividly descriptive it's like your transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Kestra, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
June 28, 2020
This is not a romance story, this is the set up for an action series. Maybe romance will come later, I really don’t know, but it wasn’t in this book. Since it is the set up for a larger series, the first 1/3 is a lot of exposition and we don’t start to get into the real thick of the problem we need to solve until more than 50% in. The beginning in a bit slow since it is a necessary info dump, that being said, the ending is very strong. I understand why the book is this length, but I would have loved for this to be a giant 600+ page story with both books 1 & 2 as one book that I would have gladly spent hours consumed in a book heavy enough to make my arms sore (figuratively, I read the ebook).
You should know going in that this is a VERY rapey book. I did not find the scenes to be very violent, and since neither of our main characters are consenting, there is no issue of portraying a toxic relationship. The author did her best to make our main characters endearing despite the horrific events, and none of the assault scenes made me think poorly of the main characters. Basically this is the vampire Handmaids Tale, but both people involved do not want to be there.
I will be keeping my eyes out for book #2. There is no cliffhanger, but I do really want to know more.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book.
You should know going in that this is a VERY rapey book. I did not find the scenes to be very violent, and since neither of our main characters are consenting, there is no issue of portraying a toxic relationship. The author did her best to make our main characters endearing despite the horrific events, and none of the assault scenes made me think poorly of the main characters. Basically this is the vampire Handmaids Tale, but both people involved do not want to be there.
I will be keeping my eyes out for book #2. There is no cliffhanger, but I do really want to know more.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book.
July 14, 2020
In this vampire world ruled by the Queen, the female vampires are in charge and the male vampyres are used primarily for breeding purposes. Lisette is a slayer and excellent at her job. But because she showed compassion to Tuel by taking her home and burying her, Queen Maud stripped her of her rank and made her a “vessel” which is the designation for a female vampire who is to breed with a vampyre or thrall male (a once-human turned mostly vampyre by venom) and produce vampire offspring. It is not something Lisette would have chosen for herself! And worse, Adano Vice has been chosen for the breeding, although so far he has always refused to breed with anyone, and Lisette is to be his “vessel”. She knows he is nothing but trouble. Despite their chemistry, he would rather see her dead, and she feels the same way. Will they overcome their hatred and join together to fight their way out of there at the first chance they get?
This was a very different kind of story line, not the tender love and affection type of build up one might expect. There was violence and adversity. The strength of the characters was admirable, especially for Adano who has been badly treated by the Queen. The world building was good and helped make the story more believable. Grab your copy and let the author pull you into their world and prepare you for what is still to come.
This was a very different kind of story line, not the tender love and affection type of build up one might expect. There was violence and adversity. The strength of the characters was admirable, especially for Adano who has been badly treated by the Queen. The world building was good and helped make the story more believable. Grab your copy and let the author pull you into their world and prepare you for what is still to come.
July 12, 2020
This is a great start to a new series. Set in a world where Vampires and Werewolves rule. The book tells the story Lisette and Adano, however this is not a romance; with both hating the other at the beginning of the story. It is told from both Lisette's and Adano's perspectives. In this matriarchal society the vampires (females) rule whilst the vampyres (males) are kept mainly for breeding. Lisette has spent all of her life training to be a slayer against the Werewolves, however she makes a mistake which then causes her to be sent to become a vessel and bare a child. This is where she meets Adano, who has suffered at the hands of the Queen and has refused to have sex with any of the previous vessels brought to him. Both Adano and Lisette are strong characters who are victims of their very different circumstances and are being held captive by the Vampire Queen. There is a trigger warning as Adano has suffered sexual abuse at the hands of the Queen and there are some quote violent aspects as well. I enjoyed reading this and will look forward to the next in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 15, 2020
Lisette was a vampire warrior and her people were fighting a war against werewolves trying to recover land that was theirs before the wolves invaded. She happens to see another white team member and a close friend hers Tuel. She was lying face down when she turned her over her heart was about to break because this woman was closest as she could come to family other than her team leader. She did something unthinkable and her team leader Fyefa could not phantom what was going on but she was very upset with her number 1. Then because of her actions the previous day she didn't have the stamina to take on her team leader and she had to learn a very painful lesson and as punishment for being headstrong she was put into the reproduction project and she was told as soon as she produced she would be allowed to go back to her status as a warrior when she met Adano who was to be her partner things didn't go as planned. The interesting storyline and the characters are intriguing. I was given a copy from Bookfunnel without obligations. I am providing an honest review.
July 13, 2020
This was amazing. you don't find many books that just suck you in and won't let you go until the last page. This is one of those books. When i picked it up and started reading it i wasn't sure what i was expecting to read...other then i hoped it was a good story. This story far surpassed what i was hoping to find inside it. It had amazing characters and an amazing world held between the covers of this story. I could feel, hear and see everything the author described in this story. it was utterly amazing. a first for me with a story. i can get sucked into many books when i am reading them but i have never felt like i could reach out and touch or smell the flowers, grass or trees in a book like i did with this one. I read this book in one day i couldn't put it down after i started reading it. I have never read this authors books before but i am so glad i found it and i can't wait to read more of them now that i have found them.
July 16, 2020
Lisette is a slayer who showed compassion for a dead comrade by bringing her home. This act alone is weird to the vampires and set a course of distrust of her. As punishment Queen Maud has relieved Lisette of her slayer duties made her to become a breeding vessel. As she takes to her new role, Lisette emotionally comes to terms with her act of weirdness, her fellow slayers abandoning her, and her growing compassion for others. This story is jam packed with action, and intrigue. Prime burning to the ground, and everyone runs for cover. As Lisette’s escape companions take cover in the forest it ends on a cliffhanger with a wolf mind communicating with Adano....this leads to more questions than answers to begin in the next installment. I highly recommend this book as it gives a new perspective on vampire cruelty to a whole new level, as well the vampire dynamic with multiple species.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 12, 2020
This is a NON-SPOILER REVIEW. Vampire Captives by Kestra Pingree is the opening for her new series From Blood to Ashes. This is an interesting take on the vampire culture. For me, I thought the book started well and then it sort of dragged a bit. I was a little tempted to put the book down in favor of another series read that I was eyeing, but I never just stop reading a book because it hits a snag. And Am I Glad I Didn't! The story takes off on greased rails. The action and drama kick up, the characters begin to grow and there are a couple of interesting plot twists. There is no resolution in this book as it sets us up for the next book in the series. There is a bit of heat to the story making this a Mature Readers Only Read.
This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.
This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.
July 10, 2020
Lisette is a vampire of the White team (slayers) and lives in a world dominated by female vampires. Human men and vampyres are known as thralls. They serve to impregnate the female vessels. The Queen has a special predilection for one thrall – Adano. He has never coupled with another female vampire. The Queen has tortured him endlessly is various ways. Lisette has been assigned to be his vessel. Now, the two shall strive to undermine the Queen and Ednis. Also, another enemy is the werewolf, that they seem to be in a perpetual war with. Lisette and Adano know secrets about the system that runs Silver Hollow. They plan to leave…break out…with others. It will be a huge fight…but surprises shall arise when they least expect! I received this via Booksprout and am leaving a voluntary review.
July 13, 2020
I have enjoyed this author for some time now and I'm always pleased that they shy away from the easy HEA route with typical characters and storylines. And so I was pleased to read about two new protagonists in the Prime world with unexpected strengths and emotions regarding love, duty, respect and integrity. I do love a feisty female lead! A reluctant heroine but one who rises to the challenge nonetheless.
The author does not patronise the reader by over-explaining the fantasy world she has created - this leads to a little confusion on initial reading but if you stick with it you will be rewarded to an intriguing beginning to what I hope will be another great series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The author does not patronise the reader by over-explaining the fantasy world she has created - this leads to a little confusion on initial reading but if you stick with it you will be rewarded to an intriguing beginning to what I hope will be another great series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 14, 2020
I look forward to reading more
Lisette, an elite vampire slayer, is demoted and assigned to serve as a vessel to Adano, a vampyre breeder, but has a plan of her own. As the story progresses a rocky start leads to a fragile alliance, secrets are revealed, and trust may not be enough to let them survive the coming dangers. Kestra Pingree has created a wonderful world filled with complex societies and enough enemies to choke on. I look forward to reading more in the From Blood and Ashes series as well as the Prime World.
I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I received a free copy of the book from the author via Booksprout. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Lisette, an elite vampire slayer, is demoted and assigned to serve as a vessel to Adano, a vampyre breeder, but has a plan of her own. As the story progresses a rocky start leads to a fragile alliance, secrets are revealed, and trust may not be enough to let them survive the coming dangers. Kestra Pingree has created a wonderful world filled with complex societies and enough enemies to choke on. I look forward to reading more in the From Blood and Ashes series as well as the Prime World.
I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I received a free copy of the book from the author via Booksprout. I had the opportunity to review or not.
July 26, 2020
This was quite a different vampire tale for many reasons: it's based on a matriarchy, they're battling werewolves, and most unusual, in a refreshing way, is that the heroine is older and stronger than the H. Yay! Though Adano does have his own strengths too. Betrayal, trust, sorrow, loss, friendship, loyalty, survival, determination, hope, and love were some of the undercurrents in this exciting story. The plot was interesting, and the characters felt real too. It ended in a sfn cliffhanger in what looks like quite a promising new series.
I received a free copy of Vampire Captives, but that did not affect my review.
I received a free copy of Vampire Captives, but that did not affect my review.
August 1, 2020
I love vampire stories and this is one of the great ones written by an amazing author and this is the story of Lisette. Lisette is a warrior vampire she’s a strong warrior in a coven of female vampires but Lisette broke the rules too many times and this last time the queen wanted Lisette to be a vessel to have a baby with the male vampyre Adano Vice but she had no choice and once she had the baby Lisette could return to slayer duties and the war against the werewolves but would Lisette go through with it or will she rebel even more?. Wow what a fantastic story there’s so much going on but this is all I’m going to give and I can’t wait to read book 2 and I highly recommend this book.
July 17, 2020
This is the first book in this continuous series. The both characters are put into situation they hate and are desperate to escape. Their plans to use the other person changes and develops as their situations change. Their loyalties and goals shift due to different events occurring. When they finally seem to get what each person wants, there is yet another shift in their lives. I wait not-so-patiently for the next part of the series.
July 22, 2020
Vampire Captives by Kestra Pingree is a wonderful story to read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series that I have loved reading and can not wait to read the rest of this wonderful series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about vampires, fantasy and paranormal romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 3, 2020
This is book 1 of From Blood to Ashes series. This was a great start for the series. The storyline is very well written with a great plot and flow. I was pulled in from the start and didn’t want to put down. The characters work is great as well. I’m really looking forward to the next book. I would recommend reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 28, 2020
I liked the twist in this story. I thought the author wrote a compelling story that had moments of unbelievable actions and reactions. The punishment was shocking. The clash of their interactions was brutal and stunning. The story was fascinating. I can’t wait to read more. Recommend
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 25, 2020
Great book to read. It took me a few hours. The characters and world building are spectacular. Would read this again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 10, 2020
In the same world as Howling Skies we see the vampires and their fight. I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to see what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 12, 2020
The story line was good, the character work was terrific and the book had a fairly smooth flow to it. This was a great series starter and I was entertained from beginning to end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 15, 2020
What a read, this book thrilled me and was exciting throughout. She didn’t like the situation she got put in by the queen, but it was do it or die. How will they get over the problem and return to her rank.
September 7, 2020
Wish it was longer . . .
I was so sucked in I finished in a day an a half. Mind, I work 10 he shifts so I am very short on sleep right now. Great character building and intriguing world. Can't wait for more! This is my first book by this author, won't be my last.
I was so sucked in I finished in a day an a half. Mind, I work 10 he shifts so I am very short on sleep right now. Great character building and intriguing world. Can't wait for more! This is my first book by this author, won't be my last.
February 26, 2023
I enjoyed this story even though it didn't have much romance in it. This story did contain violence. This story was well written that it holds your attention and makes you read it to find out what happens.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 16, 2023
While I still have a million questions about the maiden I enjoyed this thoroughly. A fun different twist on vampyr stories!!!! Plus Poppy is so strong and likeable i am actually interested in her next move.
August 11, 2020
Absolutely different from anything i have read. I love it. Fair warning it has triggers for anyone with past sexual abuse or violence.
August 12, 2020
This is a first read for me by kestra! And I loved it well written great characters! I'm off to check out more of her other series!❤️
Want to read
November 24, 2020🎁The complete From Blood to Ashes Serial: Episodes 1-8 is Free on Apple iBooks today (11/24/2020)!🎁
July 15, 2020
An enjoyable read with a good story and strong characters. This is book 1 Looking forward to reading more from this author.
May not be for everyone as although a love story it does contain violent and sexual situations
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May not be for everyone as although a love story it does contain violent and sexual situations
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews