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The Duskhunter Saga #1
Reign of Night
Lyssandra’s life is a lie. As a hunter of the Helius Order, she’s dedicated to slaying vampires and protecting the innocent. What no one knows is that she’s also a vampire’s human servant.
If her secret comes out, her own order will execute her.
When she finds Asher, she’ll cut out his heart for tying her to him, even if he only did it to save her. Even if it kills her too. But when a young girl is found dead, Lyssandra’s mission is derailed. In the gaping hole where the girl’s heart once was, lies single red rose. Lyssandra has seen the signature before, left by the vampire who took her uncle’s life.
Karpov is one of the ancients, and his death is the only one Lyssandra wants more than Asher’s. Unfortunately, Karpov is also the only being—dead or undead—who holds the key to Asher’s whereabouts. If Lyssandra ever wants to find him, she’ll have to work with her uncle’s murderer.
Asher’s death could finally bring her peace, but can she accept it when it means leaving her uncle’s killer alive?
The Duskunter Saga is a first person Epic Fantasy packed full of murder and intrigue, with a slow-building romantic subplot.
If her secret comes out, her own order will execute her.
When she finds Asher, she’ll cut out his heart for tying her to him, even if he only did it to save her. Even if it kills her too. But when a young girl is found dead, Lyssandra’s mission is derailed. In the gaping hole where the girl’s heart once was, lies single red rose. Lyssandra has seen the signature before, left by the vampire who took her uncle’s life.
Karpov is one of the ancients, and his death is the only one Lyssandra wants more than Asher’s. Unfortunately, Karpov is also the only being—dead or undead—who holds the key to Asher’s whereabouts. If Lyssandra ever wants to find him, she’ll have to work with her uncle’s murderer.
Asher’s death could finally bring her peace, but can she accept it when it means leaving her uncle’s killer alive?
The Duskunter Saga is a first person Epic Fantasy packed full of murder and intrigue, with a slow-building romantic subplot.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2020
About the author
Sara C. Roethle
138 books959 followersSara C. Roethle is a Fantasy author and part-time unicorn. She enjoys writing character driven stories in various fantasy realms with elements of Celtic and Norse myth, humor, and metaphysical ponderings.
Her series include:
Tree of Ages
The Thief's Apprentice
The Moonstone Chronicles
Xoe Meyers
Bitter Ashes
Her series include:
Tree of Ages
The Thief's Apprentice
The Moonstone Chronicles
Xoe Meyers
Bitter Ashes
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 16, 2022
⇢ Actual rating: 2.5🌟
⤏ What to expect:
∘ Vampires
∘ Vampire Hunters
∘ Crimes
⤏ Trigger Warnings: blood, graphic violence and gore
⤏ Plot
The plot was pretty interesting, I was fascinated with the vampires and their ways. I really enjoyed following them in their mission, seeing how they solve the crimes and having the criminals brought to justice.
⤏ Worldbuilding
As for the worldbuilding, we find a little about this world, the creatures roaming around (which are the stuff of nightmares) and the way things work here.
⤏ Characters
∘ Lyssandra
I honestly didn't like her from the beginning. She thinks herself above everyone, she was rude to Steifan from the beginning and the reason behind her mission to kill a certain vampire is just ... stupid (in my opinion).
⤏ Romance
There was a kissing scene, but it fell under the "bland" category. If you're here for the romance, you won't get it. At least, not in this first book.
«⋯ The Duskhunter Saga ⋯»
#1 Reign of Night — 2.5🌟
#2 Trick of Shadows — 3🌟
#3 Blade of Darkness — *tbr
#4 Heir of Twilight — *tbr
⤏ What to expect:
∘ Vampires
∘ Vampire Hunters
∘ Crimes
⤏ Trigger Warnings: blood, graphic violence and gore
⤏ Plot
The plot was pretty interesting, I was fascinated with the vampires and their ways. I really enjoyed following them in their mission, seeing how they solve the crimes and having the criminals brought to justice.
⤏ Worldbuilding
As for the worldbuilding, we find a little about this world, the creatures roaming around (which are the stuff of nightmares) and the way things work here.
⤏ Characters
∘ Lyssandra
I honestly didn't like her from the beginning. She thinks herself above everyone, she was rude to Steifan from the beginning and the reason behind her mission to kill a certain vampire is just ... stupid (in my opinion).
⤏ Romance
There was a kissing scene, but it fell under the "bland" category. If you're here for the romance, you won't get it. At least, not in this first book.
«⋯ The Duskhunter Saga ⋯»
#1 Reign of Night — 2.5🌟
#2 Trick of Shadows — 3🌟
#3 Blade of Darkness — *tbr
#4 Heir of Twilight — *tbr
December 11, 2021
I thought I had found another book to delve into but sadly it didn't deliver as I expected.
I enjoyed the premise but it just seemed that we wasted so much time about her thinking of killing Asher that nothing moved forward plot-wise.
I will have to revisit this series since all the reviews are glowing maybe things spice up in the coming books.
I enjoyed the premise but it just seemed that we wasted so much time about her thinking of killing Asher that nothing moved forward plot-wise.
I will have to revisit this series since all the reviews are glowing maybe things spice up in the coming books.
April 6, 2023
3.5 - Read this version thinking it was the reworked/remarketed version I have seen recommended numerous times on Instagram.
August 11, 2023
It's 3.5 stars for me.
Not bad surprisingly world building actually made sense, but I have read better fantasy books.
Anyway I liked lyss personality yet would have enjoyed if there was romance in the book. It's a very short read (finished it in almost 2 hours).
Not bad surprisingly world building actually made sense, but I have read better fantasy books.
Anyway I liked lyss personality yet would have enjoyed if there was romance in the book. It's a very short read (finished it in almost 2 hours).
August 3, 2021
Absolutely brilliant book! I love vampires and this book was so easy to read, action packed from the start.
Also, I really hope Lyssandra and Asher are endgame! Cannot wait to read the next one!
Also, I really hope Lyssandra and Asher are endgame! Cannot wait to read the next one!
August 21, 2021
Questions remain unanswered
Sara is a great story teller. I've read a lot of her books. And am always watching for her next book. Well Reign of Night was worth the wait. Lyssandra is the main character. She a vampire hunter. As the book jacket states she was turned into a human servant by Asher an ancient vampire and she is hunting him to kill him. Only, if she does she too will die.
When she finally finds Asher, their reactions to each other are interesting when. She is hiding a secret that she is plotting with other ancient blood suckers to kill him.
The question is, "Why did Asher save her? And more than once.
Sara is a great story teller. I've read a lot of her books. And am always watching for her next book. Well Reign of Night was worth the wait. Lyssandra is the main character. She a vampire hunter. As the book jacket states she was turned into a human servant by Asher an ancient vampire and she is hunting him to kill him. Only, if she does she too will die.
When she finally finds Asher, their reactions to each other are interesting when. She is hiding a secret that she is plotting with other ancient blood suckers to kill him.
The question is, "Why did Asher save her? And more than once.
February 25, 2022
Had potential DNF
Nothing happens for the majority of the book. She keeps describing about what she wants to do and it’s so painfully slow. Most of the book is MC moving between locations. I was hoping for the romantic plot to come in but 70% it is no where to be seen.
Nothing happens for the majority of the book. She keeps describing about what she wants to do and it’s so painfully slow. Most of the book is MC moving between locations. I was hoping for the romantic plot to come in but 70% it is no where to be seen.
December 3, 2020
This is a totally riveting tale and one of the best vampire books I have read by far. Lyssandra is a vampire hunter, a member of the Helius Order who hunted the undead in order to keep the normal citizens safe. However Lyssandra was more than just a hunter, she had a secret which she kept from everyone for fear of being excommunicated from the order if not killed outright by them. She was also out to seek vengeance on one particular vampire, the ancient Karpov who had killed her uncle, also a hunter, right in front of her eyes and thus turned her into a coward in the eyes of the order when she returned alive without Karpov's heart. She also sought another vampire Asher and her pique with this one was personal and she had been searching for these two for years. Now they suddenly both appear close to their hunting grounds and the Potentate sends her to get the Karpov job done, giving her the seeing eye, his own sentient sword to help her kill this ancient foe. Her friends Steifan and Tholdir join her on this dangerous mission to watch her back but she endangers all their lives as she blunders from one agreement to another with the enemy, hoping to best these ancient evil beings, little knowing how out of her depth she was. I love the tension building of the hunt, and the character of Asher and hope to see more of this intriguing relationship develop in the next book which I am already looking forward to reading.
November 30, 2021
Wow. The pages turned so easily + I was pulled into the story. It was one adventure after another + can I just say that while I really am liking the MC, I really like the side characters such as Steifan + Tholdri + is it me or does Lyss have chemistry with almost everyone including Asher. And I actually thought that I wouldn't even read much on Asher + Lyss's interactions but there are plenty in the book. I still wonder though, did she just get drunk + profess her problems that one drunken night to an ancient vampire because she can't really recall everything else that happened??? Or was that drunken interaction a lot more than what she remembers?? There were a few plots that were obviously predictable i.e Markus also being a servant but hey that's OK - I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. Took me less than a day to finish it. And I'm already moving on to the next book. And I clearly saw that Egar was going to be the next villain at some point in this series. This book was so fun to read! Read it! I highly recommend this series!
June 15, 2021
9 out of 10 for a refreshing vampire and hunter tale. This is my first book that I've read from this author and I'd really recommend reading this one.
I'm a big PNR reader and initially thought this would be one but actually there is very little romance in the story at all. Perhaps a very very slow burn at the most full of intrigue, but it absolutely goes nowhere. It makes wonderful reading for once since things aren't complicated by love triangles or unsaid feelings lol. Instead the focus lies on a very well built world with some solid characters. As the story unfolds we get to know the characters and what makes them tick as they get answers to the questions they need. A few twists and turns here and there add to the enjoyable journey that was this book.
I'm a big PNR reader and initially thought this would be one but actually there is very little romance in the story at all. Perhaps a very very slow burn at the most full of intrigue, but it absolutely goes nowhere. It makes wonderful reading for once since things aren't complicated by love triangles or unsaid feelings lol. Instead the focus lies on a very well built world with some solid characters. As the story unfolds we get to know the characters and what makes them tick as they get answers to the questions they need. A few twists and turns here and there add to the enjoyable journey that was this book.
April 22, 2022
A different take on vampires
I enjoyed this book as the main character has a compelling story and plenty of questions about her past. She is from a long line of vampire hunters but also an unwilling human servant of a vampire.
The character voices are varied and the world is during the times of horses, villages and walled cities. The pacing is good and it was a quick read for me.
The book is bloody and plenty of sword fight vs. teeth occurs. If that bothers you, you'll want to pass.
I enjoyed this book as the main character has a compelling story and plenty of questions about her past. She is from a long line of vampire hunters but also an unwilling human servant of a vampire.
The character voices are varied and the world is during the times of horses, villages and walled cities. The pacing is good and it was a quick read for me.
The book is bloody and plenty of sword fight vs. teeth occurs. If that bothers you, you'll want to pass.
June 29, 2022
I like ASher...but the heroine is a bit annoying. She want to kill him for "ruining her life." um but he saved your life...he's probably doesn't deserve to be murdered by you in return?? and he's nothing but nice to her and let her do whatever and didn't try to bind her by his side like other human servants. Sure she can be resentful towards him for turning her without consent into his human servant, but wanting to kill him just because of that makes no sense to me. what sort of logic is she thinking??
December 30, 2021
Horrific Scenes but of the Awesomest Kind
Wow! I was mesmerized from page one by this story. It is so different from what I have read by Sara, but in a really good way. There's not the classic magic but the vampire storyline is classically written .Lyssandra is a complex woman and we get to see more and more of her motivation as the story unfolds. Can't wait to continue with this series!
Wow! I was mesmerized from page one by this story. It is so different from what I have read by Sara, but in a really good way. There's not the classic magic but the vampire storyline is classically written .Lyssandra is a complex woman and we get to see more and more of her motivation as the story unfolds. Can't wait to continue with this series!
April 22, 2021
The lines between good and evil aren't as clear as you think
Not your typical vampire story! No mushy romance here... Instead what you get is a well developed story where the lines between good and evil aren't as clear as you think. There were so many twists and turns, I can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens next.
Not your typical vampire story! No mushy romance here... Instead what you get is a well developed story where the lines between good and evil aren't as clear as you think. There were so many twists and turns, I can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens next.
January 23, 2022
Only one POV!
Quick moving and interesting. Told from only one POV. It was a story unlike all the other books I have read. After a while they all start to sound the same. Being much shorter I enjoyed it as much as The Historian. Thank goodness for another IG annoying ad!!!
Quick moving and interesting. Told from only one POV. It was a story unlike all the other books I have read. After a while they all start to sound the same. Being much shorter I enjoyed it as much as The Historian. Thank goodness for another IG annoying ad!!!
February 5, 2022
Vampires beware!
A vampire hunter novel. I mostly liked the main character's actions and motivations, except the highly dramatic yoyo of wanting to find her vampire master and kill him and yet not really.
A vampire hunter novel. I mostly liked the main character's actions and motivations, except the highly dramatic yoyo of wanting to find her vampire master and kill him and yet not really.
Read
September 30, 2025I can’t. I just can’t. This may be the most painfully boring book I have read in quite some time. I quite literally can’t tell you anything about any of the characters, except that I don’t care a lick about any of them. 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
December 21, 2020
Not your typical vampire story
Love the strong female MC. Who isn't any typical damsel in distress but commands respect in her own right Entertaining. Cannot
Wait for book 2.
Love the strong female MC. Who isn't any typical damsel in distress but commands respect in her own right Entertaining. Cannot
Wait for book 2.
January 1, 2021
Another great series
Really liked this new series. My only complaint is now I have to wait until March for the next book! Great read.
Really liked this new series. My only complaint is now I have to wait until March for the next book! Great read.
January 31, 2021
Good story
Do not always like vampire stories but a different twist was good. Definitely looking forward to reading the next one.
Do not always like vampire stories but a different twist was good. Definitely looking forward to reading the next one.
February 19, 2021
Amazing!! I was not expecting this to be as good as it was. I can’t wait til the next book to see what’s in store for Lyssandra and Asher.
March 25, 2021
Excellent! Du début à la fin.
De l'action, de l'intrigue, des mystères et une espérance d'amour... Sans parler des créatures que contient ce livre.
De l'action, de l'intrigue, des mystères et une espérance d'amour... Sans parler des créatures que contient ce livre.
May 6, 2021
Very well written. I was interested from the very beginning
May 7, 2021
So fun! This novel lives in its own world and has unique monsters! It was a pleasant surprise to read.
June 21, 2021
DNF
Couldn't get passed the clunky language to get into the story. Stopped after a few chapters of stilted dialogue. Maybe it gets better but I don't have the patience for it.
Couldn't get passed the clunky language to get into the story. Stopped after a few chapters of stilted dialogue. Maybe it gets better but I don't have the patience for it.
October 25, 2021
the book / story ended to quickly,but saying that, I just moved onto the next one. I will enjoy the story of lyss and asher,
May 13, 2022
Enjoyable read
Likeable characters, good world building. Fab strong female lead. Well rounded story. I will be reading the rest of the series.
Likeable characters, good world building. Fab strong female lead. Well rounded story. I will be reading the rest of the series.
August 17, 2022
I’m not sure why this book is rated at over 4 stars. I found the main character extremely annoying and no one had any depth to them. I’m happy to not continue reading this series
January 18, 2023
What a disappointment! There was very little plot - just the MC moving from crisis to crisis. And calling this a slow burn enemies-to-lovers? Psh. There was zero chemistry.
January 23, 2023
??
Is the Dusk Hunter Saga the same as A Study in Shadows??? The first books of each are the same...
Is the Dusk Hunter Saga the same as A Study in Shadows??? The first books of each are the same...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews