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SoulBlood #1
Blood at Dusk
Will she forgive him of his sins, or fight their bond until her last dying breath?
Kora was left alone when the world crumbled, and the bloodsucking monsters invaded.
The vampires killed her family, her friends; everyone she had ever loved.
She waited for the moment they would enter her hideaway and snuff out her miserable existence for good. They never came though, and the revelation that she would be alone was too much... until she saw him.
Aldeon finds himself in a world that isn't his own.
A place filled with so much of the crimson liquid that keeps his species sane, that even he cannot resist feeding.
Dhampirs have been ravenous for eons, delving into madness as their minds grew weak with hunger. But now he is full again, left to await the time when the others return to their senses and join him.
A single scent dissipates all of his newfound revelations, and suddenly the tantalizing aroma is all that he can think about.
Everything changes when he gazes into the terrified eyes of a human woman, and another instinct takes hold.
Protect. Serve. Mate.
Kora was left alone when the world crumbled, and the bloodsucking monsters invaded.
The vampires killed her family, her friends; everyone she had ever loved.
She waited for the moment they would enter her hideaway and snuff out her miserable existence for good. They never came though, and the revelation that she would be alone was too much... until she saw him.
Aldeon finds himself in a world that isn't his own.
A place filled with so much of the crimson liquid that keeps his species sane, that even he cannot resist feeding.
Dhampirs have been ravenous for eons, delving into madness as their minds grew weak with hunger. But now he is full again, left to await the time when the others return to their senses and join him.
A single scent dissipates all of his newfound revelations, and suddenly the tantalizing aroma is all that he can think about.
Everything changes when he gazes into the terrified eyes of a human woman, and another instinct takes hold.
Protect. Serve. Mate.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2021
153 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
September 17, 2021
This was exactly what I needed to get out of post-book hangover reading slump.
If you’re looking for a quick read—I read this in just a few hours—with a post-apocalyptic US, paranormal creatures, fated mates, and Insta-love, this is the book for you. It features a dual-POV and a fast-paced storyline that is easy to follow.
It’a definitely a little Vampire Academy meets Twilight for grownups, and I am not complaining.
If you’re looking for a quick read—I read this in just a few hours—with a post-apocalyptic US, paranormal creatures, fated mates, and Insta-love, this is the book for you. It features a dual-POV and a fast-paced storyline that is easy to follow.
It’a definitely a little Vampire Academy meets Twilight for grownups, and I am not complaining.
April 23, 2021
ARC received from the author. Voluntarily reviewing and all opinions are objective and my own.
I very much enjoyed this book by its debut author! I felt reminded of another favourite novel: Transcendence by Shay Savage, if it had vampires. I’m not saying I felt like it was a copy or anything, because I don’t, but I feel if you liked Transcencence, this is a novel for you.
Kora has been surviving in a dystopia world alone. All in all, sounds like a pretty boring life, but her strength is definitely shown in her ability to make it through all right. She’s not your simpering female, no no. Aldeon ends up on Earth, for a reason I don’t recall properly explained to us. When moving through the place, he recognizes the mate call toward Kora. Protects her from afar, until finally they meet.
This book is definitely driven by their interactions and I loved them! At first, it’s fear, nerves, until just animosity. She knows he won’t kill her, but she’s careful around him. Won’t let her guard completely down. Then she begins to warm to the idea of him, until REALLY warming to him. It was a semi-quick flip of her feelings, but I also didn’t feel like it was too rushed. She was well justified in her journey there. Aldeon, being driven by the mate bond, is upfront with his feelings, as expected, and being in his perspective and getting the whole ‘must protect’ vibe sent tingles to my stomach.
The ending, ironically, gets a bit slower. For me anyway. Maybe because I was enjoying the duo vibe the book had going, before the characters linked up with more people lol. Either way, it’s a good transition and opening into the rest of the series and I’m curious to know about each couple now.
I very much enjoyed this book by its debut author! I felt reminded of another favourite novel: Transcendence by Shay Savage, if it had vampires. I’m not saying I felt like it was a copy or anything, because I don’t, but I feel if you liked Transcencence, this is a novel for you.
Kora has been surviving in a dystopia world alone. All in all, sounds like a pretty boring life, but her strength is definitely shown in her ability to make it through all right. She’s not your simpering female, no no. Aldeon ends up on Earth, for a reason I don’t recall properly explained to us. When moving through the place, he recognizes the mate call toward Kora. Protects her from afar, until finally they meet.
This book is definitely driven by their interactions and I loved them! At first, it’s fear, nerves, until just animosity. She knows he won’t kill her, but she’s careful around him. Won’t let her guard completely down. Then she begins to warm to the idea of him, until REALLY warming to him. It was a semi-quick flip of her feelings, but I also didn’t feel like it was too rushed. She was well justified in her journey there. Aldeon, being driven by the mate bond, is upfront with his feelings, as expected, and being in his perspective and getting the whole ‘must protect’ vibe sent tingles to my stomach.
The ending, ironically, gets a bit slower. For me anyway. Maybe because I was enjoying the duo vibe the book had going, before the characters linked up with more people lol. Either way, it’s a good transition and opening into the rest of the series and I’m curious to know about each couple now.
August 7, 2022
DNF на 50% цього письмена🤣
Натягую на 2 ⭐ бо було з чого посміятись, наприклад стокгольмський синдром головної героїні і вампіри прибульці! Ну і взагалі абсурдність й алогічність всього що там відбувається, а ще у мене пекло від примітивності сюжету, дитячих героїв, дивних відносин між ними й відсутньої будь якої світобудови й зв'язків. Не знаю що там можна на трилогію натягнути.
Не заперечую що комусь це сподобається і це круто! Хтось зможе відпочити, але не я.
Хоча я шукала вампірське любовне фентезі, але це сильніше мене, просто не маю сил стільки закочувати очі 👀
Натягую на 2 ⭐ бо було з чого посміятись, наприклад стокгольмський синдром головної героїні і вампіри прибульці! Ну і взагалі абсурдність й алогічність всього що там відбувається, а ще у мене пекло від примітивності сюжету, дитячих героїв, дивних відносин між ними й відсутньої будь якої світобудови й зв'язків. Не знаю що там можна на трилогію натягнути.
Не заперечую що комусь це сподобається і це круто! Хтось зможе відпочити, але не я.
Хоча я шукала вампірське любовне фентезі, але це сильніше мене, просто не маю сил стільки закочувати очі 👀
February 8, 2022
Interesting enough First book in a new series.
Fated mates/Insta love from one side.
I’m not overly sold on the almost instant forgiveness from the females side after years of savage vampires.
Also being quite ditsy and actually surviving out in the open by herself.
Narration was done really well. I really enjoyed Lynn’s voice adaptation.
Gifted audio in exchange for an honest review
Hea? Yes
World building? Ok could be better, may improve In book 2
Fated mates/Insta love from one side.
I’m not overly sold on the almost instant forgiveness from the females side after years of savage vampires.
Also being quite ditsy and actually surviving out in the open by herself.
Narration was done really well. I really enjoyed Lynn’s voice adaptation.
Gifted audio in exchange for an honest review
Hea? Yes
World building? Ok could be better, may improve In book 2
December 12, 2024
2024 Reads #681/250
Read for the Sights of Sweden Challenge 2024-2025
September 20, 2024 - January 10, 2025
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Read for the Sights of Sweden Challenge 2024-2025
September 20, 2024 - January 10, 2025
Online Availability:
📖 Kindle Unlimited Subscription/$
🎧 Audible $/Credit
April 10, 2023
a perfect dystopian romance
This was sooo good the plot and scenery was amazing ! I can’t wait to read about the others so fun
This was sooo good the plot and scenery was amazing ! I can’t wait to read about the others so fun
January 26, 2022
Decent Start
I liked this take on Vampires, add in some post apocalyptic world building, a fated mate and you’ve got a good thing. I enjoyed it, I was entertained for sure. I have just two issues—this needs a really good comb through for typos, but honestly that’s a little thing. If you’re someone who gets really persnickety about editing, this is probably not for you. However, if you can read right through them without getting uptight about it, you’ll be fine.
The other thing, I would have liked more development of this villain. At the end he’s on the war path for vengeance… I don’t understand what he wants revenge for, they’ve had no interaction with him at all and his intentions were really unclear. There was great development for Kora and Aldeon, and even Brone to some extent, but not for the villain. I’m interested in the next book for sure. I imagine that the villain development will be made up for in the next book, and I wanna know lol What’s his deal?
I liked this take on Vampires, add in some post apocalyptic world building, a fated mate and you’ve got a good thing. I enjoyed it, I was entertained for sure. I have just two issues—this needs a really good comb through for typos, but honestly that’s a little thing. If you’re someone who gets really persnickety about editing, this is probably not for you. However, if you can read right through them without getting uptight about it, you’ll be fine.
The other thing, I would have liked more development of this villain. At the end he’s on the war path for vengeance… I don’t understand what he wants revenge for, they’ve had no interaction with him at all and his intentions were really unclear. There was great development for Kora and Aldeon, and even Brone to some extent, but not for the villain. I’m interested in the next book for sure. I imagine that the villain development will be made up for in the next book, and I wanna know lol What’s his deal?
January 20, 2022
Love at First Bite!!! I listened to the audiobook.
As the narrator, Lynn Devereux, brilliantly tells the story by author, Brenna Harlow where “dhampires” (a new cool name for vampires) suddenly appear from another place with a maddening bloodlust they cannot control. This new apocalypse world reminds me of “The Walking Dead” except the dead are not rotting corpses, but instead, powerful, blood thirsty vampires. Harlow’s imagination is off the charts and her characters are deliciously addictive.
The more I listened along, the more I craved. The main characters: Kora—a human who is all alone and trying to survive in this world full of deadly creatures. Aldeon—a sexy, alluring "dhampire" (BTW, I now want one of my own) who has healed from this unknown vampire virus, finds himself drawn to Kora, a.k.a his “fated mate.”
Now, Aldeon must convince Kora he is not going to eat her, but instead, protect her. Plus, he wants to bond with her. YES! Wink, wink!
As the story continues, I fell more and more in love with the characters and everything about them. I’m a true lover of dark fantasy, paranormal romance, and anything with vampires, so this story was right down my alley. It’s one of the best I have ever came across. This would definitely make a wonderful series! I can’t wait for the next audiobook to come out since the author now has me addicted and left me with a cliffhanger. Ugg! I loved it so much, I went ahead and bought the paperback and all the others. If you’re a lover of paranormal romance, fantasy, vampires, suspense, thrillers, horror, or just damn good writing… this is the one for you! BRAVO!
As the narrator, Lynn Devereux, brilliantly tells the story by author, Brenna Harlow where “dhampires” (a new cool name for vampires) suddenly appear from another place with a maddening bloodlust they cannot control. This new apocalypse world reminds me of “The Walking Dead” except the dead are not rotting corpses, but instead, powerful, blood thirsty vampires. Harlow’s imagination is off the charts and her characters are deliciously addictive.
The more I listened along, the more I craved. The main characters: Kora—a human who is all alone and trying to survive in this world full of deadly creatures. Aldeon—a sexy, alluring "dhampire" (BTW, I now want one of my own) who has healed from this unknown vampire virus, finds himself drawn to Kora, a.k.a his “fated mate.”
Now, Aldeon must convince Kora he is not going to eat her, but instead, protect her. Plus, he wants to bond with her. YES! Wink, wink!
As the story continues, I fell more and more in love with the characters and everything about them. I’m a true lover of dark fantasy, paranormal romance, and anything with vampires, so this story was right down my alley. It’s one of the best I have ever came across. This would definitely make a wonderful series! I can’t wait for the next audiobook to come out since the author now has me addicted and left me with a cliffhanger. Ugg! I loved it so much, I went ahead and bought the paperback and all the others. If you’re a lover of paranormal romance, fantasy, vampires, suspense, thrillers, horror, or just damn good writing… this is the one for you! BRAVO!
March 14, 2022
I finished it ..spoilers
Hmm, the first thing I want to say is because of this book I will not be reading book 2.
There really wasn't a plot at all. Unless you claim the plot was getting her to be his mate. It was slow, boring with little to no action at all. We don't get any hints as to why the vamps ended up on earth. Not ever a peek at the beginning of the end for humans ,not they fell from sky, showed up in mass ...nothing .just her sister got eat and now she lives in a cave . He just wakes up seeing the difference in his planet and this one,as to why he would wake and automatically think he was somewhere other than his planet is a mystery. Because he admits to remember the slaughter of humans by his hands but nothing before that. Only some long distance memory of parents and sister.
We get no backstory ,no hint how they came,nothing on the destruction of humans ,just wake up here I am and I regret killing ppl but I was in crazy set of mind,so just forget about it,how did I get here ? Never mind it don't matter ,oh look I smell something and look its my mate ,stalk her ,trinket her to death win her over mate .😒
Her frame was I got to eat cause sis died and I must not let go to waste,find food stash ,pack it ,stupidly I might add, stuff for temporary feeding and stuff ,bunk down again till I run out .....yea that was pretty stupid,a survivor would go back until they got all the food and stuff ,as long as no threat
, that's exactly what someone would do .Not leave it for others to take and you starve ..but hey this is a stupid survivor..
Any way ,for someone that faced the horrors she had ,she put up little resistance to a vampire telling her he was safe . A rational girl would have been plotting his death or very least taking off to get away from a predator , that his kind and him , killed everyone you love.
Add the last bit and I was just thinking hmmm,nope book 2
We threw in some woman survivors ...cause men must have been really stupid and dies all out?? We never know. Along with two more " finally sane" vampires with crazy one now on hunt. And I have to say if the B. dude is sane now how come? Cause he didn't meet his mate .not till he went to army base.He was somewhere else ..but had rational thought all of sudden .so mate don't matter ? See we get no hints nothing .Is it just that they finally killed enough humans and mind says oh I'm full ? Sigh. Least way this has not interested me enough to read.another boring book in hopes to unravel vampire from space on earth interest .🤔
Hmm, the first thing I want to say is because of this book I will not be reading book 2.
There really wasn't a plot at all. Unless you claim the plot was getting her to be his mate. It was slow, boring with little to no action at all. We don't get any hints as to why the vamps ended up on earth. Not ever a peek at the beginning of the end for humans ,not they fell from sky, showed up in mass ...nothing .just her sister got eat and now she lives in a cave . He just wakes up seeing the difference in his planet and this one,as to why he would wake and automatically think he was somewhere other than his planet is a mystery. Because he admits to remember the slaughter of humans by his hands but nothing before that. Only some long distance memory of parents and sister.
We get no backstory ,no hint how they came,nothing on the destruction of humans ,just wake up here I am and I regret killing ppl but I was in crazy set of mind,so just forget about it,how did I get here ? Never mind it don't matter ,oh look I smell something and look its my mate ,stalk her ,trinket her to death win her over mate .😒
Her frame was I got to eat cause sis died and I must not let go to waste,find food stash ,pack it ,stupidly I might add, stuff for temporary feeding and stuff ,bunk down again till I run out .....yea that was pretty stupid,a survivor would go back until they got all the food and stuff ,as long as no threat
, that's exactly what someone would do .Not leave it for others to take and you starve ..but hey this is a stupid survivor..
Any way ,for someone that faced the horrors she had ,she put up little resistance to a vampire telling her he was safe . A rational girl would have been plotting his death or very least taking off to get away from a predator , that his kind and him , killed everyone you love.
Add the last bit and I was just thinking hmmm,nope book 2
We threw in some woman survivors ...cause men must have been really stupid and dies all out?? We never know. Along with two more " finally sane" vampires with crazy one now on hunt. And I have to say if the B. dude is sane now how come? Cause he didn't meet his mate .not till he went to army base.He was somewhere else ..but had rational thought all of sudden .so mate don't matter ? See we get no hints nothing .Is it just that they finally killed enough humans and mind says oh I'm full ? Sigh. Least way this has not interested me enough to read.another boring book in hopes to unravel vampire from space on earth interest .🤔
June 29, 2021
As I expected, the first book was as good as the third one. It was good reading the beginning of the entire story that started from The Prequel and now I will continue to follow every girl's personal story. I can not wait for book number 4 so I can finally read Maggie and Jacel story that we have seen in the Prequel. Now let's move on to book number 2 :).
June 10, 2021
This was something more adult. I could see the elements of other vampire series but then there were the standouts of its own.
May 3, 2021
Will she forgive him of his sins or fight the bond until her dying breath?
It’s been several months since the portal appeared in Detroit which culminated in the arrival of vampires bringing death and destruction in their wake. Mad with hunger and bloodlust, they have almost decimated the human population. Having lost her family to the vampires, Kora has found sanctuary in a cave. Alone, suffering from PTSD and with only memories of her family to sustain her as her supplies dwindle, Kora wishes that she could be ‘released from the agonising grip of this nightmare like the rest of humanity.’
In a forest not far from Kora’s cave, Aldeon, dhampir of Azure comes to his senses after years of madness and bloodlust. He finally remembers who he is but has no idea how he arrived on Earth. Images flash in his mind of those he has killed but remorse must take a back seat as the urge to find the rest of his people take precedence. When he reaches out telepathically to his brethren, he is relieved when Brone answers him from further afield. As they make their way to each other, Aldeon is dispirited when he encounters several of his brethren still in the grip of their bloodlust.
Aldeon’s telepathic conversation with Brone is interrupted when he picks up on Kora’s scent and he feels The Calling. Terrified that Brone will claim Kora for his own, he shields his thoughts from him and rejects Brone’s attempts to communicate with him. From now on, Aldeon’s one true purpose is to protect his mate at all costs, but with Kora hating everything about his kind, what hope does he have of winning her over?
Blood at Dusk is the first book in the Soulblood series. Having previously read the prequel, I had a better understanding of how the vampires arrived on earth as well as Jacel and Maggie’s backstory. This instalment however, is told from Kora and Aldeon’s perspective, and picks up several months after the the opening of the portal in Detroit. Kora has been surviving on her own since the vampires murdered her family. Having found refuge in a cave she only ventures out in daylight for provisions when her supplies run out. Living in constant fear of being discovered, Kora survives on sheer willpower and luck.
It is during one of these scavenges that her scent is picked up by Aldeon who instinctively knows she’s his mate. After accessing her memories however, he is saddened to learn that her family died at the hands of his brethren and resolves to protect her from afar while trying to gain her trust. When Kora is attacked by a rabid vampire however, Aldeon is forced to intervene and make his presence known. A shocked Kora is initially reluctant to drop her defences against him but comes to see that Aldeon is different from the others. Unfortunately it seems that someone else has their sights set on Kora and is recruiting his fellow blood crazed dhampir brethren into tracking her down at all costs. The question is who and why?
The author has created a credible dystopian world with compelling characters that readers will instantly find appealing - particularly Kora. Haunted by memories of her family, Kora is constantly on alert from hidden threats. Despite this, there’s a sense of underlying strength and resilience beneath the veneer that has kept her alive despite the odds. Aldeon on the other hand is honourable, considerate and fiercely protective of her. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two as their relationship unfolded.
One of my favourite moments was when Jacel asked Aldeon for relationship advice making it apparent that since the events of the prequel, he has made little progress in winning over Maggie. I look forward to reading more of their story in the next instalment as they’re my favourite couple.
All in all this book had all the essential ingredients of a well written book with characters that readers can visualise.
Recommended for N/A paranormal romance, vampires/dhampir, invasion, peril, strong female leads, mate bonds, post apocalyptic/dystopian genres etc
It’s been several months since the portal appeared in Detroit which culminated in the arrival of vampires bringing death and destruction in their wake. Mad with hunger and bloodlust, they have almost decimated the human population. Having lost her family to the vampires, Kora has found sanctuary in a cave. Alone, suffering from PTSD and with only memories of her family to sustain her as her supplies dwindle, Kora wishes that she could be ‘released from the agonising grip of this nightmare like the rest of humanity.’
In a forest not far from Kora’s cave, Aldeon, dhampir of Azure comes to his senses after years of madness and bloodlust. He finally remembers who he is but has no idea how he arrived on Earth. Images flash in his mind of those he has killed but remorse must take a back seat as the urge to find the rest of his people take precedence. When he reaches out telepathically to his brethren, he is relieved when Brone answers him from further afield. As they make their way to each other, Aldeon is dispirited when he encounters several of his brethren still in the grip of their bloodlust.
Aldeon’s telepathic conversation with Brone is interrupted when he picks up on Kora’s scent and he feels The Calling. Terrified that Brone will claim Kora for his own, he shields his thoughts from him and rejects Brone’s attempts to communicate with him. From now on, Aldeon’s one true purpose is to protect his mate at all costs, but with Kora hating everything about his kind, what hope does he have of winning her over?
Blood at Dusk is the first book in the Soulblood series. Having previously read the prequel, I had a better understanding of how the vampires arrived on earth as well as Jacel and Maggie’s backstory. This instalment however, is told from Kora and Aldeon’s perspective, and picks up several months after the the opening of the portal in Detroit. Kora has been surviving on her own since the vampires murdered her family. Having found refuge in a cave she only ventures out in daylight for provisions when her supplies run out. Living in constant fear of being discovered, Kora survives on sheer willpower and luck.
It is during one of these scavenges that her scent is picked up by Aldeon who instinctively knows she’s his mate. After accessing her memories however, he is saddened to learn that her family died at the hands of his brethren and resolves to protect her from afar while trying to gain her trust. When Kora is attacked by a rabid vampire however, Aldeon is forced to intervene and make his presence known. A shocked Kora is initially reluctant to drop her defences against him but comes to see that Aldeon is different from the others. Unfortunately it seems that someone else has their sights set on Kora and is recruiting his fellow blood crazed dhampir brethren into tracking her down at all costs. The question is who and why?
The author has created a credible dystopian world with compelling characters that readers will instantly find appealing - particularly Kora. Haunted by memories of her family, Kora is constantly on alert from hidden threats. Despite this, there’s a sense of underlying strength and resilience beneath the veneer that has kept her alive despite the odds. Aldeon on the other hand is honourable, considerate and fiercely protective of her. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two as their relationship unfolded.
One of my favourite moments was when Jacel asked Aldeon for relationship advice making it apparent that since the events of the prequel, he has made little progress in winning over Maggie. I look forward to reading more of their story in the next instalment as they’re my favourite couple.
All in all this book had all the essential ingredients of a well written book with characters that readers can visualise.
Recommended for N/A paranormal romance, vampires/dhampir, invasion, peril, strong female leads, mate bonds, post apocalyptic/dystopian genres etc
May 15, 2021
Ugh
Ok so zombie-pocalypse/ alien invasion but with vampires. Eye roll, you know exactly how this book is going to pan out. First of all, soooooooo many mistakes. Can we get a proofreader please? Secondly, this book is so slow. Like molasses in the arctic, this story is going nowhere. Let's summarize, chica with white hair (why is it white? We never find out.) is surviving on her own after her sister got eaten by vamps. Cue entrance of vamp love interest. Apparently, he's fated to this human... Why? Who knows. Human starts trusting this monster pretty much immediately (but hey, this book is only 200 pages so chop chop!) and within a week of knowing him, decides to be his mate and have sex with him. There is no more mention of sister being eaten by his kind. Vamps apparently get "the madness," which some are able to recover from while others aren't... Again no explanation. Vamp bf, happily kills his own people for his human mate (who may be half-vamp after mating.) Also how did the alien vamps end up on earth? This story is such BS. I didn't even read the last 60 pages. Definitely do not waste your time with this one. I kept reading expecting it to get good, but it never did. Garbage.
Ok so zombie-pocalypse/ alien invasion but with vampires. Eye roll, you know exactly how this book is going to pan out. First of all, soooooooo many mistakes. Can we get a proofreader please? Secondly, this book is so slow. Like molasses in the arctic, this story is going nowhere. Let's summarize, chica with white hair (why is it white? We never find out.) is surviving on her own after her sister got eaten by vamps. Cue entrance of vamp love interest. Apparently, he's fated to this human... Why? Who knows. Human starts trusting this monster pretty much immediately (but hey, this book is only 200 pages so chop chop!) and within a week of knowing him, decides to be his mate and have sex with him. There is no more mention of sister being eaten by his kind. Vamps apparently get "the madness," which some are able to recover from while others aren't... Again no explanation. Vamp bf, happily kills his own people for his human mate (who may be half-vamp after mating.) Also how did the alien vamps end up on earth? This story is such BS. I didn't even read the last 60 pages. Definitely do not waste your time with this one. I kept reading expecting it to get good, but it never did. Garbage.
June 23, 2021
✨✨✨/4 stars
🌶️/3 chili peppers
Dual POV (He/She/3rd Character)
Reading time: about 5-6 hours
This was such a cute, wholesome love story! Kora is living in a post apocalyptic world when she meets Aldeon and their story begins as he attempts to woo her.
This is a fated mate story with Instalove themes, while she's hesitant she doesn't put up much of a fuss about falling for him (totally not a judgment, just an observation of tropes). There's a note at the end that briefly mentions mental illness issues, and how they related to our lovely Kora. I really wish this was spoken about more! But we love to see rep in our books.
Overall, I enjoyed it and I can't wait to get more from our favorites as well as see the rest of our heroines fall in love!
▷ 3 Stars ✨✨✨
This work likely went a little fast for my tastes and could have used some more attention to detail or development either with world-building, character or plot but it didn't take away from the story so entirely that I wasn't able to enjoy it for what it was.
🌶️/3 chili peppers
Dual POV (He/She/3rd Character)
Reading time: about 5-6 hours
This was such a cute, wholesome love story! Kora is living in a post apocalyptic world when she meets Aldeon and their story begins as he attempts to woo her.
This is a fated mate story with Instalove themes, while she's hesitant she doesn't put up much of a fuss about falling for him (totally not a judgment, just an observation of tropes). There's a note at the end that briefly mentions mental illness issues, and how they related to our lovely Kora. I really wish this was spoken about more! But we love to see rep in our books.
Overall, I enjoyed it and I can't wait to get more from our favorites as well as see the rest of our heroines fall in love!
▷ 3 Stars ✨✨✨
This work likely went a little fast for my tastes and could have used some more attention to detail or development either with world-building, character or plot but it didn't take away from the story so entirely that I wasn't able to enjoy it for what it was.
April 26, 2021
Kora and Aldeon are as opposite as can be.
She is a human survivor, he of the race that wiped out her family. Yet there is a deep connection between them.
I found this was an interesting take on the idea of vampires. It really shows how much of a predator they really are, and the fact that they didn't come from this world was even more unique to me as a reader.
This book had me at the get go, it was darker than some of the other books I've read in the genre but it was written well and the characters were real and likable. Sometimes books that switch POV each chapter can be difficult to read, but not so with this one. Not many books can be carried alone with as few main characters as this contained but I was very pleasantly surprised at how easily this book gelled.
An enjoyable read and I'd love to learn more about this world and the characters in it.
She is a human survivor, he of the race that wiped out her family. Yet there is a deep connection between them.
I found this was an interesting take on the idea of vampires. It really shows how much of a predator they really are, and the fact that they didn't come from this world was even more unique to me as a reader.
This book had me at the get go, it was darker than some of the other books I've read in the genre but it was written well and the characters were real and likable. Sometimes books that switch POV each chapter can be difficult to read, but not so with this one. Not many books can be carried alone with as few main characters as this contained but I was very pleasantly surprised at how easily this book gelled.
An enjoyable read and I'd love to learn more about this world and the characters in it.
April 29, 2021
Loved this book set in an end of the world setting. Kora thinks she is the last human left she is a survivor and loved getting to see her progress thru the story. Aldean is a vampire and her soul mate. He will do anything to protect her. He definitely gives off the proctor vibes. It does end in a bit of a cliff hanger I can't wait for book 2.
May 18, 2021
Do yourself a favor
If you like vampires and humans this is the right book for you. This author is New to me and this is her first book I read. I truly enjoyed this fast paced read. I must say I don't like cliff hanger endings but.... I'm hooked and need my next fix.
If you like vampires and humans this is the right book for you. This author is New to me and this is her first book I read. I truly enjoyed this fast paced read. I must say I don't like cliff hanger endings but.... I'm hooked and need my next fix.
January 16, 2022
A Gripping & Fascinating PNR! Fantastic Narration & Audible Listen🎧
Blood at Dusk
The SoulBlood Series, Book One
By: Brenna Harlow
Narrated by: Lynn Devereux
This is my first book written by Brenna Harlow, so I was not sure what to expect, I went in knowing the blurb sounded intriguing and that she cast a fabulous narrator to bring her story and characters to life. It only took me a few minutes to know I was going to enjoy it, the author created an imaginative story with interesting storylines that grabbed my attention immediately and captivated it the entire book. There is great world building and character development, the characters are easy to relate to and connect with. I did not read the prequel, but I had no problem jumping in and finding that Earth is in a dystopian state after the invasion of paranormal vampiric beings from another planet; the Dhampirs landed on earth and went mad for blood, attacking humans and drinking all their blood. This book begins with Kora, a sole survivor living by herself in a cave hiding away from the vampiric monsters. She needs to go to a nearby town to raid the abandoned business for supplies. Aldeon, a Dhampir, who is no longer mad from the bloodlust. He picks up Kora’s scent and knows immediately that she is his mate, but she hates his kind who killed her family and friends and life as she knew it, can she get past that and see he is not like that anymore, that he did not have control of what he was doing when his mind was mad with bloodlust. He starts off small to win her trust in him and works his way into her heart. The danger increases for Kora, a live human is a rare commodity, Aldeon vows to protect her from those mad with the bloodlust but can he if he is outnumbered. There is never a dull moment in this is a cleverly plotted fantasy novel, the story moves quickly and there is plenty of drama, some angst, action, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartfelt and emotional moments and a hot romance. Brenna Harlow, thank you for this fantastic novel, I hope the rest of the series comes to audio soon.
🎧📚🎧 And for the wonderful narration, Lynn Devereux is a talented narrator and versatile voice artist. She performs the voices for all the characters, does a great job with both the male and female roles, gives each their own distinct voice, making it easy to follow along and tell who is who. She has a complete understanding of the characters she portrayed and sounds believable in every role she plays. You could hear how much heart he put into her work as she captures the character’s emotions and projects them into her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another fabulous listen
Blood at Dusk
The SoulBlood Series, Book One
By: Brenna Harlow
Narrated by: Lynn Devereux
This is my first book written by Brenna Harlow, so I was not sure what to expect, I went in knowing the blurb sounded intriguing and that she cast a fabulous narrator to bring her story and characters to life. It only took me a few minutes to know I was going to enjoy it, the author created an imaginative story with interesting storylines that grabbed my attention immediately and captivated it the entire book. There is great world building and character development, the characters are easy to relate to and connect with. I did not read the prequel, but I had no problem jumping in and finding that Earth is in a dystopian state after the invasion of paranormal vampiric beings from another planet; the Dhampirs landed on earth and went mad for blood, attacking humans and drinking all their blood. This book begins with Kora, a sole survivor living by herself in a cave hiding away from the vampiric monsters. She needs to go to a nearby town to raid the abandoned business for supplies. Aldeon, a Dhampir, who is no longer mad from the bloodlust. He picks up Kora’s scent and knows immediately that she is his mate, but she hates his kind who killed her family and friends and life as she knew it, can she get past that and see he is not like that anymore, that he did not have control of what he was doing when his mind was mad with bloodlust. He starts off small to win her trust in him and works his way into her heart. The danger increases for Kora, a live human is a rare commodity, Aldeon vows to protect her from those mad with the bloodlust but can he if he is outnumbered. There is never a dull moment in this is a cleverly plotted fantasy novel, the story moves quickly and there is plenty of drama, some angst, action, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartfelt and emotional moments and a hot romance. Brenna Harlow, thank you for this fantastic novel, I hope the rest of the series comes to audio soon.
🎧📚🎧 And for the wonderful narration, Lynn Devereux is a talented narrator and versatile voice artist. She performs the voices for all the characters, does a great job with both the male and female roles, gives each their own distinct voice, making it easy to follow along and tell who is who. She has a complete understanding of the characters she portrayed and sounds believable in every role she plays. You could hear how much heart he put into her work as she captures the character’s emotions and projects them into her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another fabulous listen
July 12, 2021
3 Cranky Stars
This book took a LONG while for me to get interested in it and even when it seemed like I would start to get into it, I couldn’t. I would read a little then stop and then go back to it. I like these kinds of books and genres too.
It opens with Kora talking to her dead sister in her dreams but you don’t know until she wakes up. It almost seems like the sister is predicting her death at first. Then for Kora to wake up her sister is telling her she has to eat, she needs to find food. Kota wakes up from her dream and decides to go out and find food. At this point I’m thinking Zombies. Nope. That’s not what it is.
Aldeon is a vampire. Most of the vampires are starving and looking to kill the first thing they see. Aldeon has eaten on animals to survive. He tries to mind link to any other vampire and finds one. But he soon ditches that vampire the minute he smells and sees Kora. All he can think is “mate” and how he won’t let anyone hurt her.
Kora and Aldeon are now spending a lot of time together. He is protecting her. She is falling for him. She is his mate but to make it official they have to complete the bonding ritual.
Someone called the dark one wants Kora so bad that he will stop at nothing to get her. Kora and Aldeon left the cage after a vampire named Brone came out of hiding to warm them. They had to run from the crazy vampires and wound up finding another vampire and some humans who allowed them refuge. The crazy ones tried to get in but eventually left. Some time went by and now they are back.
What will they do? Why are they after Kora? Guess we will have to find out in the next book. I hope the next book will pick up where it left off. It took a while for this book to catch my interest. Now that it has it, we’ll, it’s the end and we have to go to the next one.
This book took a LONG while for me to get interested in it and even when it seemed like I would start to get into it, I couldn’t. I would read a little then stop and then go back to it. I like these kinds of books and genres too.
It opens with Kora talking to her dead sister in her dreams but you don’t know until she wakes up. It almost seems like the sister is predicting her death at first. Then for Kora to wake up her sister is telling her she has to eat, she needs to find food. Kota wakes up from her dream and decides to go out and find food. At this point I’m thinking Zombies. Nope. That’s not what it is.
Aldeon is a vampire. Most of the vampires are starving and looking to kill the first thing they see. Aldeon has eaten on animals to survive. He tries to mind link to any other vampire and finds one. But he soon ditches that vampire the minute he smells and sees Kora. All he can think is “mate” and how he won’t let anyone hurt her.
Kora and Aldeon are now spending a lot of time together. He is protecting her. She is falling for him. She is his mate but to make it official they have to complete the bonding ritual.
Someone called the dark one wants Kora so bad that he will stop at nothing to get her. Kora and Aldeon left the cage after a vampire named Brone came out of hiding to warm them. They had to run from the crazy vampires and wound up finding another vampire and some humans who allowed them refuge. The crazy ones tried to get in but eventually left. Some time went by and now they are back.
What will they do? Why are they after Kora? Guess we will have to find out in the next book. I hope the next book will pick up where it left off. It took a while for this book to catch my interest. Now that it has it, we’ll, it’s the end and we have to go to the next one.
April 29, 2021
Blood at Dusk is told from two points of view. One being Kora, a human girl, one of the last of her kind still alive after the vampires came and started feeding off the humans. The vampires are feral running a muck all through the land attacking and drinking the blood of humans. The world over is flowing with blood turning the world red.
Kora has been alone for a while now as the vampires have killed all of her family and her friends. Kora has caught the eye of one of the vampires, Aldeon. Aldeon is unlike the other vampires as he is changing. Aldeon is becoming more alert and aware more so than the other vampires.
When Aldeon sees Kora for the first time he instantly recognizes her as his mate. He is drawn to her with all intentions of protecting her and keeping her safe from all the other vampires even if it means he will have to kill his own.
He follows her home one night and starts leaving little gifts, things that she needs at her door. Aldeon tells Kora from the beginning that she is his mate. Kora is afraid of him at first and won’t let him near her. But as time goes on and Aldeon continues to bring her gifts and prove himself to her Kora starts to weaken toward him and lets her guard down somewhat. Can she ever totally trust a vampire?
Oh, man I love this world that the author has created for Blood at Dusk. I can just picture it all in my read as if I am watching a movie when I am reading it. Although I would love to get a point of view from one of the feral vampires if that is even possible. You know to get their thoughts on stalking, hunting, chasing, and attacking humans after all it is a vampire book.
I hope to find out more in future books about how or why the vampires came to be on Earth. What is their story? Who are they exactly? Where did they come from? How did they get here? Why are some of the vampires changing and others are not?
I highly recommend Blood at Dusk to all vampire fans out there. If you like vampires then give Blood at Dusk a try as I do believe you will love it, hopefully as much as I do. One-click your copy of Blood at Dusk and step inside a whole new world of vampires with a twist on the vampire world.
Kora has been alone for a while now as the vampires have killed all of her family and her friends. Kora has caught the eye of one of the vampires, Aldeon. Aldeon is unlike the other vampires as he is changing. Aldeon is becoming more alert and aware more so than the other vampires.
When Aldeon sees Kora for the first time he instantly recognizes her as his mate. He is drawn to her with all intentions of protecting her and keeping her safe from all the other vampires even if it means he will have to kill his own.
He follows her home one night and starts leaving little gifts, things that she needs at her door. Aldeon tells Kora from the beginning that she is his mate. Kora is afraid of him at first and won’t let him near her. But as time goes on and Aldeon continues to bring her gifts and prove himself to her Kora starts to weaken toward him and lets her guard down somewhat. Can she ever totally trust a vampire?
Oh, man I love this world that the author has created for Blood at Dusk. I can just picture it all in my read as if I am watching a movie when I am reading it. Although I would love to get a point of view from one of the feral vampires if that is even possible. You know to get their thoughts on stalking, hunting, chasing, and attacking humans after all it is a vampire book.
I hope to find out more in future books about how or why the vampires came to be on Earth. What is their story? Who are they exactly? Where did they come from? How did they get here? Why are some of the vampires changing and others are not?
I highly recommend Blood at Dusk to all vampire fans out there. If you like vampires then give Blood at Dusk a try as I do believe you will love it, hopefully as much as I do. One-click your copy of Blood at Dusk and step inside a whole new world of vampires with a twist on the vampire world.
April 5, 2022
DNF @ 75%
Update: Skimmed to the end.
Well, I only made it as far as I did because I skimmed some. I'll be honest, this actually wasn't all that bad. In fact, it probably isn't even "bad" exactly. But for me? I didn't enjoy it. The writing was fine. No issues there.
Specifically, I didn't find the story itself that interesting. The cowardly heroine hiding away while being and being lonely was just sad. I didn't enjoy that at all. Even when the hero reveals himself she's still a big scaredy cat. I didn't like Kora. She was just a huge Debbie downer. And yes, this sort of story likey wasn't going to be super upbeat or remotely close considering the subject matter but damn she was just boring to read.
For such a short book I just never found anything interesting. I mean, yes the hero WAS interesting. I was interested in his backstory and how his people ended up on earth where they demolished humankind essentially without remembering the how's and why's. So, that was intriguing but otherwise the "romance" was major MEH. Nothing sparked. And again, the heroine was just pathetic. I don't want to read about such a wimpy gal in a post apocalyptic scenario. I don't need her to be GI Jane or something but anything would've been better than silly Kora.
I was really hyped to try this series but eh, maybe not.
Update: After writing this I got curious how it ended since the second book mentions a compound of some sort. So, I skimmed. It seemed a little interesting with meeting new characters and Brone recognizing his mate among the women there. But... His "mate" already told him to fuck off and truthfully? I don't know if I want to read another book where the hero is groveling for his mate to accept him. Already a little played out tbh. Especially because it seems this vamp Jacel is doing it already for his mate Maggie who was adamantly refusing his claim when we met them. Eh 🤷🏻♀️
Update: Skimmed to the end.
Well, I only made it as far as I did because I skimmed some. I'll be honest, this actually wasn't all that bad. In fact, it probably isn't even "bad" exactly. But for me? I didn't enjoy it. The writing was fine. No issues there.
Specifically, I didn't find the story itself that interesting. The cowardly heroine hiding away while being and being lonely was just sad. I didn't enjoy that at all. Even when the hero reveals himself she's still a big scaredy cat. I didn't like Kora. She was just a huge Debbie downer. And yes, this sort of story likey wasn't going to be super upbeat or remotely close considering the subject matter but damn she was just boring to read.
For such a short book I just never found anything interesting. I mean, yes the hero WAS interesting. I was interested in his backstory and how his people ended up on earth where they demolished humankind essentially without remembering the how's and why's. So, that was intriguing but otherwise the "romance" was major MEH. Nothing sparked. And again, the heroine was just pathetic. I don't want to read about such a wimpy gal in a post apocalyptic scenario. I don't need her to be GI Jane or something but anything would've been better than silly Kora.
I was really hyped to try this series but eh, maybe not.
Update: After writing this I got curious how it ended since the second book mentions a compound of some sort. So, I skimmed. It seemed a little interesting with meeting new characters and Brone recognizing his mate among the women there. But... His "mate" already told him to fuck off and truthfully? I don't know if I want to read another book where the hero is groveling for his mate to accept him. Already a little played out tbh. Especially because it seems this vamp Jacel is doing it already for his mate Maggie who was adamantly refusing his claim when we met them. Eh 🤷🏻♀️
November 10, 2022
TLDR - Ruby Dixons Fireblood but vampires -
So I first heard this compared to IPB and after reading the blurb I guessed it’d be more like fireblood. Very early on it started feeling exactly like fireblood. I’m not hear saying it was copied because we all know multiple people can come to the same idea just for me as someone who’s read almost all of fireblood it just felt like the B grade version of it (sorry)
The FMC and the MMC were pleasant but I definitely didn’t adore them or anything. I love the good ol “I’ll do anything for you” male mate (service is my love language after all) so that did endear him to me but otherwise they weren’t anything cool or notable. We had no minor characters until the last chapter so nothing to bolster up the character aspect of this book.
Plot was basic and just like fireblood looks like it builds over the builds very slowly with the same system of a big bad guy we know nothing about that wants to ruin everything. Honestly similar to fireblood I just dgaf about it
For romance I liked the early on push and pull (again similar to fireblood) however it did feel like the caving for the FMC was sudden but it’s a short book so it sort of makes sense. For smut it was pretty low on my scaling. It mentions the body parts but we don’t get long scenes or very much detail in the acts so very much the almost dinner polite levels of smut.
Overall I’m on the edge with ratings again. It could’ve just been that I didn’t successfully peg my mood for mood reading but I just didn’t really care with this and after they got together I considered dnfing but I was like an hour off finishing and I figured may as well. Probably wouldn’t recommend because in every way fireblood is just better in my opinion and if I want a vampire book there’s already plenty with mating tropes or smut. I don’t really see myself reading the next one unless I have absolutely nothing else to read (which never happens)
So I first heard this compared to IPB and after reading the blurb I guessed it’d be more like fireblood. Very early on it started feeling exactly like fireblood. I’m not hear saying it was copied because we all know multiple people can come to the same idea just for me as someone who’s read almost all of fireblood it just felt like the B grade version of it (sorry)
The FMC and the MMC were pleasant but I definitely didn’t adore them or anything. I love the good ol “I’ll do anything for you” male mate (service is my love language after all) so that did endear him to me but otherwise they weren’t anything cool or notable. We had no minor characters until the last chapter so nothing to bolster up the character aspect of this book.
Plot was basic and just like fireblood looks like it builds over the builds very slowly with the same system of a big bad guy we know nothing about that wants to ruin everything. Honestly similar to fireblood I just dgaf about it
For romance I liked the early on push and pull (again similar to fireblood) however it did feel like the caving for the FMC was sudden but it’s a short book so it sort of makes sense. For smut it was pretty low on my scaling. It mentions the body parts but we don’t get long scenes or very much detail in the acts so very much the almost dinner polite levels of smut.
Overall I’m on the edge with ratings again. It could’ve just been that I didn’t successfully peg my mood for mood reading but I just didn’t really care with this and after they got together I considered dnfing but I was like an hour off finishing and I figured may as well. Probably wouldn’t recommend because in every way fireblood is just better in my opinion and if I want a vampire book there’s already plenty with mating tropes or smut. I don’t really see myself reading the next one unless I have absolutely nothing else to read (which never happens)
October 16, 2022
– This is the first series ever that I won't be completing. I never start a book and leave it just like that, no matter how bad it gets for me. Well, except this one.
(Hard Spoilers ⚠️)
– Basically, Kora is a lone survivor in the post apocalyptic world, where her family was killed off by vampires. Next scene, a vampire just wakes up from his blood thirst phase and smells his mate i.e, Kora. Then there's a phase she doesn't accept him (obviously). But after seeing that he is protecting her, she accepts him. Falls irrevocably in love with him.
– There is absolutely no background story given as to how did the vampires land on the human's world. They just woke up one day with their blood thirst gone. There is multiple mentions of their world, called Azure. But no other information.
– The story continues on, with more female survivors found. Apparently, men never survive a vampire apocalypse. And females survive to end up becoming mates of the vampires.
– I would've continued reading it, even with all the plot holes and missing information. But from the second book, the pov changes to another set of character. Another vampire and one of the female survivors. Aldeon and Kora's story wasn't over, or anywhere near to being over. I don't mind reading the book from side characters' pov, like Kenji from Shatter Me series. But, making another set of main characters in the same series without even finishing the previous couple, hard no. That too, the first book was of only 176 pgs.
– However, the good thing was, this book got me out of my heavy reading slump. Well, kind of.
– I won't be tagging the author in this post because, the book didn't work out for 'me'. You may like it. I'm usually a crazyhead for dystopian, fantasy and paranormal books (and dark mafia). Always have. But this book just wasn't for me.
(Hard Spoilers ⚠️)
– Basically, Kora is a lone survivor in the post apocalyptic world, where her family was killed off by vampires. Next scene, a vampire just wakes up from his blood thirst phase and smells his mate i.e, Kora. Then there's a phase she doesn't accept him (obviously). But after seeing that he is protecting her, she accepts him. Falls irrevocably in love with him.
– There is absolutely no background story given as to how did the vampires land on the human's world. They just woke up one day with their blood thirst gone. There is multiple mentions of their world, called Azure. But no other information.
– The story continues on, with more female survivors found. Apparently, men never survive a vampire apocalypse. And females survive to end up becoming mates of the vampires.
– I would've continued reading it, even with all the plot holes and missing information. But from the second book, the pov changes to another set of character. Another vampire and one of the female survivors. Aldeon and Kora's story wasn't over, or anywhere near to being over. I don't mind reading the book from side characters' pov, like Kenji from Shatter Me series. But, making another set of main characters in the same series without even finishing the previous couple, hard no. That too, the first book was of only 176 pgs.
– However, the good thing was, this book got me out of my heavy reading slump. Well, kind of.
– I won't be tagging the author in this post because, the book didn't work out for 'me'. You may like it. I'm usually a crazyhead for dystopian, fantasy and paranormal books (and dark mafia). Always have. But this book just wasn't for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2021
Blood at Dusk is the debut novel in Brenna Harlow’s SoulBlood Series. This book is a breath of fresh air in the vampire/paranormal genre. From start to finish Brenna draws you in and has you falling in love with a whole new world. I don’t want to give away too much because you definitely need to read it yourself, but Brenna takes The Apocalypse in a unique direction. This plot is new and fresh and you won’t want to stop reading. Kora is an amazing main character. She’s not the typical bad @$$ heroine that you seem to find in these end of the world books. That being said, where a “damsel in distress” is usually a turn off in a book for me, Kora is so relatable in this situation that it makes everything seem so real. This girl is a survivor and it broke my heart to hear her story. The younger me was a total TwiHard and Edward will always hold a special place in my heart.. but Aldeon is a better Vampire and a better book boyfriend by far. The dynamic between these two is so interesting to read, I love the relationship. The chemistry is hot, and it’s a treat to watch Kora and Aldeon learn the ins and outs of a relationship that shouldn’t work. You can bet your sweet bippy that this couple will totally pull you in! As this is the first book in the series, we get all of the world building and character introductions, but the plot flows seamlessly and you enjoy the journey. Reader beware, it is a Happy For Now with a bit of a cliffhanger. There are way more questions than answers, but rather than making me mad, I’m impatiently waiting for the next book. I highly recommend Blood at Dusk, I’m excited for the next installments and anxious to see where this storyline goes! Great job Brenna!
ARC graciously given by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
ARC graciously given by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 1, 2021
I had the honor of reading Blood at Dusk by Brenna Harlow (Book 1 of the SoulBlood Series) before its official release. The book tells the story of Kora and Aldeon in a post-apocalyptic world.
Kora is one of the last humans alive after vampires appeared on earth. She struggles to survive, hidden in a cave, while living in the memories of her now dead sister and mother.
Aldeon is one of the vampires who descended on earth and killed everyone in their sight because of madness caused by an extreme blood craze. Soon after regaining his sanity, he finds Kora—his intended mate. But how can he claim her if he is the reason she lost everything?
The book is written in the first person, and as we switch between the POVs of Kora and Aldeon, we see how their relationships develops throughout the book.
The author describes the struggle of falling in love with “the enemy” quite well.
However, the story is not very deep—the development of the main characters’ relationship in a post-apocalyptic world is pretty much the whole plot. That’s not to say it’s bad—the world is well written and the characters are interesting and have a strong voice. Apart from flashbacks, the two main characters don’t meet other sane beings until the last fourth of the book, which is a bit dreary but understandable in this setting.
All things considered, this book felt more like an introduction into the world than a whole book. Since this is book 1 of presumably 7, this is totally okay.
I devoured the book in two days and enjoyed every minute, so I’m curious what the next books will bring. I’d recommend the book to readers who are looking for a light, steamy paranormal romance novel with vampires in an unusual setting.
Kora is one of the last humans alive after vampires appeared on earth. She struggles to survive, hidden in a cave, while living in the memories of her now dead sister and mother.
Aldeon is one of the vampires who descended on earth and killed everyone in their sight because of madness caused by an extreme blood craze. Soon after regaining his sanity, he finds Kora—his intended mate. But how can he claim her if he is the reason she lost everything?
The book is written in the first person, and as we switch between the POVs of Kora and Aldeon, we see how their relationships develops throughout the book.
The author describes the struggle of falling in love with “the enemy” quite well.
However, the story is not very deep—the development of the main characters’ relationship in a post-apocalyptic world is pretty much the whole plot. That’s not to say it’s bad—the world is well written and the characters are interesting and have a strong voice. Apart from flashbacks, the two main characters don’t meet other sane beings until the last fourth of the book, which is a bit dreary but understandable in this setting.
All things considered, this book felt more like an introduction into the world than a whole book. Since this is book 1 of presumably 7, this is totally okay.
I devoured the book in two days and enjoyed every minute, so I’m curious what the next books will bring. I’d recommend the book to readers who are looking for a light, steamy paranormal romance novel with vampires in an unusual setting.
May 23, 2021
Talk about a wild ride, loved every second of this book! The pain and struggles that Kora has been through, just living day to day. I could never imagine that, she was so strong and brave, losing her mother and then her sister shortly after was just heartbreaking. I was worried that she would never understand Aldeon, that she could never accept him for who he was. The fear she felt just thinking about leaving the cave to find food had me shaking and worried about what was around MY corner!
Aldeon, thought he was a perfect match for Kora. I wasn’t sure about him at first and how he was going to show her that he was just wanting to take care of her, to protect her from the others. His sweet gestures of bringing her supplies and helping start a fire had me swooning for him myself lol, I knew it was only a matter of time before Kora started coming around.
Definitely did not see that ending coming though, the fear I felt when I started to find out what was really going on was intense. Everything seemed to be fine there for just a hot second before another bomb was dropped that things were not fine, and they would need to start thinking about what they were going to do. Now I’m freaking out even more because I don’t want to have to wait to figure out more in book 2, I’m just too impatient.
One thing is for certain, I will wait for book two and can’t wait to read more by this author. Loved how easily I fell into this world and how much I enjoyed being there!
Aldeon, thought he was a perfect match for Kora. I wasn’t sure about him at first and how he was going to show her that he was just wanting to take care of her, to protect her from the others. His sweet gestures of bringing her supplies and helping start a fire had me swooning for him myself lol, I knew it was only a matter of time before Kora started coming around.
Definitely did not see that ending coming though, the fear I felt when I started to find out what was really going on was intense. Everything seemed to be fine there for just a hot second before another bomb was dropped that things were not fine, and they would need to start thinking about what they were going to do. Now I’m freaking out even more because I don’t want to have to wait to figure out more in book 2, I’m just too impatient.
One thing is for certain, I will wait for book two and can’t wait to read more by this author. Loved how easily I fell into this world and how much I enjoyed being there!
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June 10, 2021 When I first opened this book, I thought the story would continue directly from the prequel novella, but that idea was quickly squashed when I started reading. In this book, Aldeon comes back to himself from his madness and wakes up in a forest. When he reaches out to find others from his world, he still hears many with the bloodlust madness, but he also hears one other rational dhampir, Brone. He continues to mind speak with Brone as he moves along, until he hears the thoughts of a girl….and The Calling hits him. When he finds Kora, he will have a hard time convincing her that he will only protect her, after she’s seen everyone she cares about killed by the vampires.
There are parts of this story that are very compelling and that I wanted to come back to anytime I put it down, but there were also parts I wished had more elaboration on. The author is giving us bits and pieces of the past and the world Azure, where the dhampirs came from, but it’s still so vague. I’d also like to see more of the type of interaction between Kora and Aldeon where she is teaching him more about this world and how he needs to act to fit in better.
Other than that, I like the premise of the book, and I think it will bring more understanding with the next books in the series, with the author promising 7 books and a couple novellas along the way. We do find Maggie from the prequel toward the back part of the book – and this is an intriguing storyline that I will look forward to.
There are parts of this story that are very compelling and that I wanted to come back to anytime I put it down, but there were also parts I wished had more elaboration on. The author is giving us bits and pieces of the past and the world Azure, where the dhampirs came from, but it’s still so vague. I’d also like to see more of the type of interaction between Kora and Aldeon where she is teaching him more about this world and how he needs to act to fit in better.
Other than that, I like the premise of the book, and I think it will bring more understanding with the next books in the series, with the author promising 7 books and a couple novellas along the way. We do find Maggie from the prequel toward the back part of the book – and this is an intriguing storyline that I will look forward to.
May 1, 2021
I enjoyed the Twilight meets Walking Dead theme running through the book, but to be honest I wanted more . At the end of the book with it's extremely short chapters , I needed to know
👽 was Aldean an alien? Where was their ship, and why doesnt he have memories of getting to Earth?
😶 If Brone is the historian..why isnt he filling in the story line? It starts out like any survival story, raiding a Walmart/ Target Kora grabbing the essentials, and the OTP trope is clenched right away. Readers here for the sexy vampire get all that they came for, because at the end of the world, there are no jobs to go to, no homes to clean, no laundry to wash we just throw the dirty clothes away at the Walmart. What is left,, sex by a campfire, or in candlelight.Readers will be intrigued to continue on to book two while Kora and Aldean dont even need to speak anymore, because they hear each others thoughts. At the end of the book we are introduced to more human girls, and of course we have a Maggie ( will there be a Glen? I hope so..)
🔦short chapters
🔦spicy sexy scenes
🔦strong female protagonist
✖no LGTBQ representation ⁉️ more questions than answers
But overall I enjoyed and wanted more of the story., like another season of the Walking Dead
I recieved an ARC from the author to.participate with the street team for her book and book 2 can't come soon enough!!
👽 was Aldean an alien? Where was their ship, and why doesnt he have memories of getting to Earth?
😶 If Brone is the historian..why isnt he filling in the story line? It starts out like any survival story, raiding a Walmart/ Target Kora grabbing the essentials, and the OTP trope is clenched right away. Readers here for the sexy vampire get all that they came for, because at the end of the world, there are no jobs to go to, no homes to clean, no laundry to wash we just throw the dirty clothes away at the Walmart. What is left,, sex by a campfire, or in candlelight.Readers will be intrigued to continue on to book two while Kora and Aldean dont even need to speak anymore, because they hear each others thoughts. At the end of the book we are introduced to more human girls, and of course we have a Maggie ( will there be a Glen? I hope so..)
🔦short chapters
🔦spicy sexy scenes
🔦strong female protagonist
✖no LGTBQ representation ⁉️ more questions than answers
But overall I enjoyed and wanted more of the story., like another season of the Walking Dead
I recieved an ARC from the author to.participate with the street team for her book and book 2 can't come soon enough!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2021
I seriously loved this book! There's action, adventure, romance ... all set in a post-apocalyptic, paranormal universe where vampires have kicked off the end of the world. What's not to like?
Aldeon is possessive of the human he knows is his fated mate, but not in an overbearing growly way. He wants to take care of her, and determines to earn her trust. I found him to be very sweet, at least with Kora. When it came to others of his kind, or anyone he felt might be a threat, the vicious half of him was set free.
Kora has struggled to survive, even though her family all died. When she first meets Aldeon, she thinks he's going to kill her, the way the other vampires have wiped out the other humans. She believes she's the last of her kind in the entire world. Cities have been left in ruins, bodies left to rot. And yet Kora still hangs on, fighting to stay alive day after day.
The romance between these two was relatively quick, and the book was a fast read overall. I will say this book ends in a cliffhanger. I'm not a particular fan of them, but while this story ends with an overall story arc that hasn't been finished, Kora and Aldean do get a happily-for-now sort of ending.
If you like vampire romances, but want something a little different, Blood at Dusk is a must-read.
It takes everything you know and love about the sexy undead but adds a new twist.
Aldeon is possessive of the human he knows is his fated mate, but not in an overbearing growly way. He wants to take care of her, and determines to earn her trust. I found him to be very sweet, at least with Kora. When it came to others of his kind, or anyone he felt might be a threat, the vicious half of him was set free.
Kora has struggled to survive, even though her family all died. When she first meets Aldeon, she thinks he's going to kill her, the way the other vampires have wiped out the other humans. She believes she's the last of her kind in the entire world. Cities have been left in ruins, bodies left to rot. And yet Kora still hangs on, fighting to stay alive day after day.
The romance between these two was relatively quick, and the book was a fast read overall. I will say this book ends in a cliffhanger. I'm not a particular fan of them, but while this story ends with an overall story arc that hasn't been finished, Kora and Aldean do get a happily-for-now sort of ending.
If you like vampire romances, but want something a little different, Blood at Dusk is a must-read.
It takes everything you know and love about the sexy undead but adds a new twist.
May 5, 2021
A very good debut from Brenna with a refreshing and creative take on the vampire genre.
Dhampirs have invaded Earth from their own world and have decimated the human population due to blood lust from hunger. Only when they are full does their blood lust recede and they regain proper consciousness.
Aldeon finds himself on Earth like this, his past a blur of crimson and little else. Until he picks up a scent on the wind, one that calls to his very soul.
Kora is one of the human survivors, but who has lost everything including her family to the dhampirs. Surviving in a cave and only venturing out for supplies, waiting for the day that the dhampirs would find her also.
Once Aldeon comes across Kora he knows he has found his one true mate, but she is a human and is terrified of him. He must learn more about the ways of the human life and gain her trust and becomes her protector.
I really enjoyed this, quite a different take on vampires, there is a lot of mystery surrounding the origins of the dhampirs in this and I can't wait to find out more in the next books.
Dhampirs have invaded Earth from their own world and have decimated the human population due to blood lust from hunger. Only when they are full does their blood lust recede and they regain proper consciousness.
Aldeon finds himself on Earth like this, his past a blur of crimson and little else. Until he picks up a scent on the wind, one that calls to his very soul.
Kora is one of the human survivors, but who has lost everything including her family to the dhampirs. Surviving in a cave and only venturing out for supplies, waiting for the day that the dhampirs would find her also.
Once Aldeon comes across Kora he knows he has found his one true mate, but she is a human and is terrified of him. He must learn more about the ways of the human life and gain her trust and becomes her protector.
I really enjoyed this, quite a different take on vampires, there is a lot of mystery surrounding the origins of the dhampirs in this and I can't wait to find out more in the next books.
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