Claimed by Blood

Daughter of Cain #2

by Marie Mistry

I endured decades of imprisonment, buried alive by the sire who made me. Punishment, Cain called it.

But now I’m free.

After betraying my thralls at the gala to save their lives, I take my place as Cain’s executioner once more. Everything has returned to how it was. Except it couldn’t be more different.

He doesn’t trust me.

With good reason. My loyalties have changed. I’ll do anything to return to my thralls—my pack—even if it means making dubious alliances that I know they won’t approve of.

But the pack is fracturing.

Frost and Gideon argue at every turn. Finn’s omega instincts are at war with his own wants, and the betas are barely managing to keep the peace. Not to mention Draven, whose true motives remain a mystery…

Will we be able to put our issues aside and work together to kill Cain? Or will our infighting lead to our downfall?

This is a reverse harem novel intended for readers aged 18 years and over. Book 2 of 3 in the Daughter of Cain Series. Please read the list of triggers in the front of the book.

Genres: Vampires, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Why Choose, Urban Fantasy

394 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 16, 2022

About the author

Marie Mistry is a reality challenged reverse harem romance author whose books are full of pirates, magic, and spicy adventures. When she's not writing, you can usually find her curled up with a game or a book and a large cup of tea. She lives in a wonky cottage in Kent with her other half and a super sweet shepherd named Meg.

She'd love for you to join her Facebook reader group: Mistry’s Inc where she hangs out daily: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mistr...

Or check out her website: https://www.mariemistry.com

Reviews

[AvidReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟.

-Reverse harem
-unique world building, Vile villains.
-angst, drama and alpha heroes.
-found family, well written.
-unexpected twists and turns
-TW, not standalone and KU.

P.s I hate Immy.

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After that shocking previous finish, Eve is now locked down terrified of putting a foot wrong and inciting Cains's suspicions. Drowning in her pain but keeping it locked down tight she believes her previous downtime with the pack is a thing of the past. She’s also now hesitant about who she can trust. Draven is also in the thick of the court currently in Cains's bad-books after allowing a certain Ghoul to escape he’s been tortured before being gifted to Eve on the order that she not allowed to kill him.

Then there’s Immy Eve’s sister who has changed from what she remembers and who definitely can’t now be trusted. A plan is hatched to escape Cain’s watch under the guise of a mission. Back together the pack are now in a race against time to discover Cains's weaknesses hoping to end his reign of terror for good.

This was fast-paced and a very enjoyable read. Eve continues building bonds with all her males even the closed-off Gideon is not immune from her allure. Each bond felt different and I’m liking Eve a whole lot. This progressed things further and the finish, well I saw a certain individual's betrayal a mile off. This left things on a very gripping and tense note and I’m on pins now to discover how the pack are going to regroup and come back at Cain. A great series I’m enjoying a whole lot.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad I continued!

[LunaLibro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buddy read with my friend Candice. I feel like this installment of the series was disappointing to be honest. Coming from the epic-ness that was the first book this one let me down. There was a lot of random smutty scenes thrown around haphazardly. And the thrall bonds forming felt rushed. Also, there was a lot of moments where Evie was acting “too stupid to live.” She is supposed to be this ancient vampire who is one of the top fighters, an ex-general and she gets tricked SO EASILY because she trusts too easily. I have complained about this book enough with my friend so I will just end the review by saying “I don’t know how I feel about this book.”

[LolaLovesRH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Marie’s other series and think she’s a wonderful author, but I couldn’t do this book. Evelyn was applauded for being a warrior for centuries and I was under the impression that she’s the favorite of the sisters because she’s an amalgamation of them all. Beautiful, cunning, powerful, witty, however she’s literally only the former. She makes dumb decisions REPEATEDLY, and trusts the wrong people. Hell I got to 63 percent of the book and already can guess what happened. Her younger sister is a walking red flag, and I hate to say this but she’s not the only one.

Gideon is awful. Regardless of whatever tragedies and trauma he’s gone through in the past, it’s no excuse for how he’s treated Finn and most importantly Evelyn. Gosh he was AWFUL to Evelyn it’s like the author forgot to show smidges of his compassion he had for her. He blames her for absolutely everything that’s goes wrong, and Finn is constantly forced to defend her as is Frost and the other men. At least in the beginning of the series he felt some type of way or bad for her. He’s just eww, I got the ick.

He’s also some how terrible towards Finn even though he thinks he’s doing the right thing? It’s a little confusing basically alphas get hyper-fixated on stuff, and the stronger they are the harder it is for them to control. So it’s essentially up to the omega to help calm them down mainly with sex, but because of Finn’s history. (He was used as a sex toy by his former pack) and because of the fear of making him feel the same way Gideon only has sex with him every full moon, which is very little and because he waits so long to do it he loses control. Which essentially ends up with him having tooo rough of sex with Finn and always ends in him losing the freaken plot and pushing Finn away when he’s at his most vulnerable. It’s hard to explain but basically in order to mend their relationship, Evelyn agrees to have sex with Gideon so it can mellow him out and maybe fix whatever problems he has with Finn because he refuses to have sex with him without freaking out. Mind you she’s doing this for Finn, but also with intention of maybe bonding a little with one of the Thralls she hasn’t got a chance to yet. (Because he wouldn’t allow her)

Finally after they have sex, and after another freak out where he proceeds to worry that he hurt her: and she reassured him that she’s a huge fan of rough sex We start to see a little more into Gideon’s mind but in my opinion it’s a little too late and not enough. Literally (eyeroll) after she takes his knot, he’s staring at her possessively not wanting to let her go, and funnily enough I would have been all for it—I really would have IF he hadn’t been a complete utter ass hole to her prior to it all, it made me unable to stomach it. I love me some slowburn but show me he has a good side, especially when it comes to her. His body even recognizes Evie as omega even though it should be impossible with her being a vamp, but to Gideon he realizes his body reacts to her as if she is one. So I’m over here thinking “progress I’ll take it” then in a matter of a few sentences it’s ruined.

We learn through his thoughts that he’s always expected to bond with her but always thought it would be after all the other guys? He also thinks that him and Frost wouldn’t be good for her because of her trauma. Which i thought was actually so sweet.

But let’s just back track a little and let it be known that he DID expect that there was a chance he would end up with Evie eventually, So he expected it???? Right??? But then when she’s leaving to meet up with the rest of the pack, he wants her to shower so his “Omega.” Doesn’t smell the sex they had just had with one another because he doesn’t want it to bother him??? Bro didn’t you just acknowledge that you were eventually going to be with her? Were you just going to try to hide it from your omega??? Who was literally the first one to bond with her? As someone who is very particular about their mm: as in I get jealous on behalf of the fmc if she’s isn’t loved just as much or even MORE than the men in the harem. This was my last straw. I don’t dislike Finn I adore him actually he’s one of my faves out of the men but this was just awful and made me feel bad for Evelyn.

Also Finn was happy about it and agreed to it? How is Gideon so out of touch with his “omega” I HATE gideon, and honestly think the harem is better off without him. I love me a good enemies to lovers trope, but what exactly did Evelyn to do him? She was a victim and he literally acknowledges that in the beginning that’s why he kind of didn’t view the whole situation with Frost in a positive light. That’s why he didn’t think he or Frost were fit for her because there was a chance they would trigger that trauma with their dominance.

But then he goes out of his way to be an asshole to her???

I get there was an established relationship between him and Finn but gosh he could have treated Evelyn with a little more respect. I wish there was a better build up to this . Where we see brief moments where he acts soft with Evie? This was just plain ole toxic. Not only the relationship with him and Finn but most of all Evelyn.

I guess one thing I can say about this series is that it is pretty interesting, and there’s not really any ow drama. It was one of the reasons I wanted to read but for my own good I’m dnf-ing at 63%

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is this Evie’s book or Finn’s?

I really liked the first book but this one kind of dragged. Here’s what I liked:

The Overall Concept- Vampire locked away for years and comes back to exact revenge on her evil sire? Good stuff.

The Sisters- I loved their dynamic and even liked the “evil” ones. The author does a good job of making me feel for each one.

Draven and Frost- They are both special cinnamon rolls :) Their devotion to Evie is just chefs kiss. I want more cutesy scenes between them. I was smiling so hard during Frost and Evie’s date. If her harem was just them and Vane, I would be satisfied.

What I that I didn’t like:

GIDEON- Enough said.

The Finn Dynamic- I could care less about his relationship drama with Gideon. It seems like they’re just using her sexually and emotionally to fix their relationship. There honestly should be two separate harems. One with Evie, Vane, Draven, and Frost. Then another with Silas, Gideon, and Finn since they all love each other so intensely.

Gideon- I coming back to this because I reeaally didn’t like him. I feel like he’s a misogynist. He humors practically everyone at a point—Frost, Vane, even Finn. But when Evie goes off to kick some a** because she was a WAR GENERAL, he rips her a new one. Then, everyone shames her for not being docile. Like what? Why would she stand behind and do nothing? Give my girl her props. The whole “but he’s an alpha” was so played out.

MINOR SPOILER- Hopefully a certain someone doesn’t recover in the next book :) They just brought a lot of unnecessary drama.

[Betteroffwithbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Talk about an intense and fast paced read. The action literally never stops for these characters. They’re constantly trying to outrun, outwit and outlast Cain and I’m loving the adventure.

This book picks up soon after the events in book 1. Strength and loyalties are tested and taken the the brink. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the relationships between Eve and her thralls grow. Each one grows at their own pace but they are all unique. They also fit so well together in their own ways.

The amount of betrayal and deceit in this book is unreal. Just when you think someone can be trusted, the rug is ripped away. It makes for a book that you can’t put down. Constantly questioning everyone’s motives.

I loved the emotions that Marie brought out in this book. Each character’s storyline delved a little deeper. Giving the readers an insight on each character. As well as who they were before meeting Eve.

I flew through this book. Constantly anxious about what was going to happen next. With everything brought to light towards the end I have no idea how I’m going to wait for the next book. Regardless, I’m beyond excited for it.

[Book Worm · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Vague spoilers) I was pretty excited for this to come out... but I'm only 25% of the way through and have lost my motive (I finished book one in a day and a half).

Here's why... it's written so hard that these sisters are basically the elite of the vampires and that Eve is the best one... its reinforced continously how smart and calculating she is and amazing for playing mental games with Cain... but you don't really see it... at all.

Also she's betrayed again and again and it's written like she'd have trust issues and that's part of her smart wit... however she basically forgives and trusts her largest betrayers almost immediately in the book after absolutely minimal conversation or interaction.

In the first book I largely overlooked how hard this main character (who is talked up as the toughest of the tough) leans so heavily on her men and everyone else's planning because ok... there's some decent back history and she's coming out weakened and traumatized. But I just couldn't do it again.

[Amanda Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. Just okay. I don't know whether it was trying to be Underworld, or if that's just what I associated it with, but it didn't live up to the mark. I think there were two problems: 1) Evie is not the badass chick she should be and 2) there's just too much going on. So 1) Evie is set up to be this super awesome warrior goddess who is Cain's ultimate general, but in actuality she's weak (I know, I know she's been imprisoned for two centuries but still!) and has no backbone and lets the pack walk all over her. Instant turnoff for me. Point 2) this is a vampire vs. lycans and humans story with witches and hybrids thrown in all wrapped up in an omegaverse. There's just too much going on and none of it is as developed as it should be, so it seems pretty slapped together. So. Was I thrilled with the first book? No. Was I thrilled with the second book? No. Will I read the third book? Probably also no. This one was more irritating than interesting.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie truly have a gift of writing, I hope she continues to write masterpieces like this for a very long time, I will surely be reading them all.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie Mistry writes the kind of books I want to read. Even better: She also has the kind of writing style that I absolutely love! So, she's now on the auto-buy list. Which is also why I had this book for quite some time already. However, her books are also a little bigger than the average romance. Nothing wrong with that, more room for character growth and world building, but it does mean I can't finish them within a day. However, I really wanted to read this one. So, I read it in two days!

In a way this is clearly the second book in the series. We've gotten to know the world and the characters in the first book, but of course it's not yet time for the big finale. However, although this is a middle book and there is not very much progression when it comes to the main plot, killing Cain, there is a lot of room for character growth, relationship building and personal development. And along the way Cain is showing more and more of his true colors.

What I really love is that in the beginning of the book, right after the horrible cliffhanger, our heroine makes a very clear choice. A choice that might cost her her life, but also a choice that's needed to move the book forward. I also like that reaching the goal is far from easy. If you're in power for as long as Cain you have the force, the intelligence and the paranoia you need to survive. Which means that our characters can't rush into things and have to be clever about what they do.

That also means they have to make sure they're a team. And although the guys have been a pack for quite some time already, it seems there are some issues that need to be dealt with. I really loved seeing more of the guys in this book, getting to know them better, seeing them interact with each other. I most of all loved that we really got to see the influence our heroine had on these guys, but also on their group dynamic.

I can't wait to read the finale! It's gonna be epic, I'm sure about that!

[mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

so much potential but it is just so poorly written. the characters sucks ass. it feels like i’m reading a book about teenagers instead of ancient beings. all the characters are literally just chickens running around with their heads cut off. two books in and they haven’t achieved anything. i get that cain is oh so powerful but the rest of the characters felt useless. like what’s the point of all this if they keep failing anyway? these are not heroic failures either just plain dumb failures bc none of them are thinking. AT ALL. evelyn is supposedly cain’s best warrior and strategist and it’s understandable that she won’t be 100% after waking up from 200 years of slumber but still she shouldn’t be that plain stupid. all the other characters shine more than her which is frustrating bc she’s literally the fmc. and also that shit with imogen was just 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ like come on. how stupid can everyone be in this series smh

i wanted to dnf badly many times throughout the book. there were so many out of placed scenes. it felt like the author doesn’t know how to pace and time things properly that everything feels so jumbled. its like she wanted to address so many things but doesn’t know which one to tackle first. even with the spice. it’s all so weird. the spicy scenes even feel icky bc of how badly written they are.

had to power through the rest of the book and not sure if it’s worth finishing the series. maybe they’ll miraculously grow brain cells and actually defeat cain 🤷🏻‍♀️

[T.P.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author definitely has a knack for skilfully combining admirable word-building alongside the naturally progressing storyline, where one is captivated by the characters' devotion to their main objective as they attempt to navigate the dangerous surroundings.

The FMC may appear as a far cry from the warrior she once was, but traumatic experiences have their impact on the lives individual, so for me at least, it is only natural that she will need time and effort as to battle through her own struggles. In this second book, she consciously makes the choice to risk it all for the potential freedom. The guys are coming around though I really cannot connect with Gid. D. has been fabulous from the beginning and I am so glad that she uas him in her life.

Things get even more complicated as some rather intriguing revelations take place and I am curious to see if the main heroine will be able to get in touch with her ling lost heritage.

[❀ Crystal ✿ - PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s hard to review this book as a whole when I’m reeling over the ending. I’m honestly kinda gutted Immy betrayed Evie in the end and even more shocked of the form of her betrayal. I mean stealing her blood to make herself a hybrid and then killing her sisters thrall? Hopefully Gideon will live but what he will be turned in to, I’m not so sure. Ugh Immy, Cain was never gonna love you, you stupid stupid girl. And then she’s lasered through the head? Like wtf is going on lol. So now two sisters have been killed but at least the group was kind of making some leeway into killing Cain, before the world exploded of course. Cain is always one step ahead and just so cruel I for one cannot wait for his defeat but who else will have to die?

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is consuming me! Trying to do day to day things is a struggle, when my mind is stuck in the world and characters the author has created.
I am usually a duet person, as longer series can get boring quickly when they feel dragged out. But this has so much character development, alongside plot twists and the spicy scenes thrown in for chemistry, that I am still finding myself hooked.
The next in the series has already been downloaded, and I am going to be diving straight in after the cliff hanger ending in this one.

[Bethany Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great and well paced second installation in Evies life. I love the relationships that are develping and as with all maries books i love the depth of the female characters. Without giving too much away i love the search they go through and the way they piece together bits of the puzzle throughout. Bloody love the series as always and will be waiting with baited breath for the next book!!

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[readwithmariaxoxo · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I wan not breathing from first page to the last. The plot gets more and more interesting. More secrets unravel and characters show their real faces…
WOW JUST WOW

[Ana Paula Fiorotti · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️


"“I won’t lecture you,” he begins, continuing to walk. “Gideon will want that honour. But if you put yourself in danger like that again, princess, I will tan your ass red every day for a week.”
I stiffen in shock. “Excuse you?” I choke.
“You heard me, and I’m not in the habit of repeating myself. It’s not up for debate, so save your arguing for Gid.”"



***** Review with spoilers *****


I’m really starting to ask myself where is that author that I LOVED her books. Because it is starting to feel that all I loved was in The Deadwood and The Fifth Nicnevin series, because this one and Vice College for Young Demons are not being it. Her writing continues to be addicting in a way that I cannot really put into words — you just keep reading and reading, and you can’t let go until you’re done, and even then you need to pick the next book to know what happens next, I will give her that. But I just think that it’s all good ideas and amazing potential, just combined with poor execution.

Even the beginning of the book was weird. We ended the previous book with all this crazy scene, only to come back to something totally different, with Evie already back to her role of serving Cain. Then suddenly it skips to Evie and Draven making up by having her first time with him, while still hating him and believing he betrayed them. And to make things worse, after they make up, they barely have any interactions, because now she has to focus on having another bond done so she can keep moving on.

I also thought it was dumb how she believed he hadn’t really betrayed them after just one conversation and some hate she felt through the thrall bond. It was forgiven too fast and without any “suffering” on his part to earn her trust back. Sure, she can feel loyalty through the bond, but still, I expected way more development before she even gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Honestly, the whole Finley being the heart of the pack because he’s the omega bothered me. I really like that there’s an omega in this story and some aspects of it, but I don’t like how they made him the center of everything. It felt like Evie was sharing the protagonism, and sometimes even having the attention completely taken away from her. At times, she felt like just another member of the pack instead of the actual heart of it. I prefer when the reverse harem dynamic keeps the protagonist as the core, because — hello? —she is the protagonist. When the focus shifts like this, it makes her feel less special, almost like a side character. And it adds even more weight to the story, because now it’s not just about Evie building relationships with the guys, it’s also Finn doing that, and sometimes it even felt like they were trying harder with him than with her, as if he was more important.

I also hated how the author decided to start fixing the relationship between Finley and Gideon by literally using Evie to have sex with Gideon, so he could take out his frustrations on her and then be good and romantic to Finn. At times it felt like she was a tool between the two of them, just there to make their dynamic work. Gideon even said he would invite an alpaca into the bedroom if it made Finn happy — sorry, what? That was awful, and a terrible way of starting Gideon and Evie’s relationship. It also made Finn look weak more than once, since he was always shown as so shy, sweet, delicate, and sensitive with the other males.

And why does EVERY series of this author need BDSM? If you want to add that, fine — but maybe put it in a book that has less going on. When you add it to a story that already has fantasy, romance, multiple supernatural elements, why-choose dynamics, complex world-building, multiple POVs (not just Evie and her Thralls, but her sisters too), alpha-beta-omega hierarchy, gifted powers, and two characters sharing the romantic spotlight, it just becomes too much. BDSM on its own is already a huge element to explore, but when it’s shoved into an already overloaded story, it feels out of place and undeveloped. The six different personalities from her Thralls are already hard to balance, let alone adding one into BDSM on top of everything else.

On top of that, the relationships never feel like they get real development. Every thrall bond just falls into place after a bit of sex and surface-level confidence. They’re always running from one place to another, always caught up in chaos, and with Finn constantly being the focus, I feel like I barely saw any meaningful work on Evie’s relationship with the others beyond sex. Their personalities suffered too — so little actual growth or depth.

And honestly, I’m tired of the constant cycle of someone being kidnapped by Cain or them having to launch yet another rescue mission. Nothing ever really moves forward, because the story keeps circling back to them getting separated, regrouping, and then rescuing whoever’s been taken this time. It’s repetitive, and the arc feels stuck.

Even the deaths felt pointless. Immy’s was at least tied to betrayal and jealousy, so there was some weight there. But Bella’s? Completely unnecessary. She could’ve been turned to their side and used to fight Cain, but instead she was just wasted as a character.

At the end of the day, I keep picking up these books because there’s something in her writing that hooks me. But the more I read, the more it feels like wasted potential. It’s like watching all the pieces for something great being laid out in front of you, but never really coming together the way they should. You know it could be incredible, but what you’re left with just doesn’t satisfy.



Main characters: Evie, Gideon, Finley, Silas, Vane, Frost and Draven.

Tropes: reverse harem/why choose, moraly grey, chosen one, secret identity, omegaverse (one of the guys, tho).

Supernatural types: Evie - hybrid of witch and vampire, Gideon - trybrid alpha lycan, vampire and ghoul, Finley - omega lycan, Silas beta lycan, Vane and Draven - hybrid of lycan and vampire, Frost - hybrid of vampire and ghoul.

[CBL · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot going on in this book. I was sometimes distracted by the machinations, plots and sub-plots going on. The relationships are tangled, seems like there isn't a lot of trust between people, lots of new characters, and new betrayals.

The Daughter of Cain series is my least favourite so far (Deadwood is first!) but I'm still enjoying it. I find these books have a very different vibe than the other ones that I have read by Marie Mistry. They seem.....darker? I'm not sure how to articulate it.

I did enjoy learning how the girls became the Daughters of Cain, the night of 5 knives.

Can't wait for book 3 to see how it all ends.

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Claimed by Blood" is an amazing second book in the "Daughter of Cain" series, and honestly a lot better than I anticipated. Second books are always tricky for me, and more than half of the ones I read don't live up to the first book and make me doubt continuing the series. This book was the opposite. While I liked the first book, I wasn't blown away by it and I only connected to a few of the characters. This second book though... The character building of the harem members was amazing, but I also loved how the book focusses more on the connections between Cain's five daughters. The fact that all bonds between Evelyn/Evie and her men are so different, and how the author takes her time to give all of them the attention they deserve, is something I rarely find in series with bigger harems and why I often tend to let them go before the series is finished. I won't be doing that with this series, that's for sure. Knowing that all of these details fit perfectly within a story that's filled with action scenes is even more amazing.

It might be weird, but it felt like the author put more of herself in this book than in the previous ones I've read. Don't get me wrong, I've liked everything by Marie Mistry I've read so far, but this one felt a bit "more". I can't explain why it feels like it, and she might think I'm crazy once she reads this, but I thought it wouldn't hurt anyone to write down how it felt to me.

I absolutely recommend reading this series; I am definitely checking out the next book once it releases.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I really struggled with this book mainly because I HATE when the main character is supposed to be this badass, seasoned warrior but makes the dumbest/weakest mistakes constantly. Stop telling me how capable and strong you are only to turn around and give me nothing but idiocy.

Romance wise I feel like some good strides were taken between some of the characters but others seemed kind of stagnant and moments with them happened off page so they kind of felt unimportant.

I like the plot and the characters but Evie is borderline useless and somehow naive despite being alive for *centuries*. I wanted to absolutely shake her and the men that also just glossed over obviously suspicious situations. I could rant for a while about it but don’t want to get too into spoilers but if you’ve read the book you probably get it. Very frustrating and hard to look past it, which is a bummer as I typically like this author.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the Overall Story

As a whole, this is a great sequel. Suffers what most sequels do though in that it’s connecting the plot from the first to that of the third. We get more character development and scene changes, but not much with the plot.

I also feel there are a few too many guys and was fully expecting to lose one or two. Wouldn’t be heart broken if that were the case. Telling y’all now, if Silas or Vane were to just suddenly vanish, I wouldn’t even notice. The only reason I remember their names is because I had to keep looking them up to remind myself who they were.

The relationship between Gid and Finn was a super sweet side adventure while the main plot just kinda stood still.

Loved the brutality in the chapter between daddy dearest, Bella and Callie at the main compound. One of the best sections.

[Cat]

50% in

what is going on... it feels like miss mistry lost the plot in this book. first we start the book a whole month after the cliffhanger of the last book and just waive off the events of the last month in a few paragraphs, and then eve and the guys severely underreact to all the betrayals they've gone through, and they just let her sister run around with them and tell them all their secrets??? they could literally kill them in their sleep or go report back to cain at any moment and they're just dilly dallying, going shopping, and going out to clubs? especially immy because she's a snakefaced traitor and top tier manipulator but eve just decides to forgive her and trust her? for no reason? And there are just way too many close calls and convenient coincidences. the stakes are supposed to be high but they don't feel high, you know?

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific writing with a highly innovative and exciting plot. Pretty much nothing went how I originally expected it to, including all the plot twists. Evie is definitely one of my favorite FMC. She's valiant, intelligent, and comical, with a perfect balance between being unbelievably infallible and TSTL. There are also some POV chapters covering her guys and other characters, which each have district styles. Only complaint is that now I'm desperate for book 3..

TW: While most of the book is spent evading Cain & his cronies, there are some dark parts mentioning torture, murder/death including of important secondary characters, and other violence. We also learn how the daughters were selected, which as one imagine, was brutal.

[Maple · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a rinse and repeat of the first book.

First book:
- Eve gets betrayed by sister
- Cain imprisons her
- She gets out to serve him
- Is sent to a far away land (NYC)
- Forced to fall in with rebels
- Has to try to find her place in a centuries-long established group where people don’t actually totally get along
- Makes almost no progress on their mission before being betrayed and captured again

Second book:
- Is imprisoned by Cain and forced to serve him
- Is let free and forced to fall back in with rebels
- Escapes to a far away land (Egypt)
- Has to try to find her place again in this group that doesn’t get along
- Trusts people and goes against all military instinct she’s supposed to have when going underground
- Is betrayed
- Escapes again to a far away land
- Makes almost no progress on their mission before being betrayed and captured again BY THE SAME SISTER AS FIRST BOOK
- Gets captured by Cain

Third book - Will it follow this same progress? I do not plan to finish the series. I was exhausted and bored. It was chaotic, stressful to read, and absolutely zero breaks from horrible things happening everywhere in the book. Also, she speaks with perfect modern English including slang words though she’s only been out of a coffin for 1-2 months after being imprisoned for almost 200 years.

[Migeldy Mauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 ⭐️

I’m officially ready for Cain’s reign to be over.

The magic system was interesting, and the world building had potential, but I kept wishing we got more of the “how did it all begin” part. There’s so much hinted history here, yet not enough detail to really ground the story.

Also, I knew her spineless little sister was up to something from the start. And Evie for someone supposedly powerful is a little too naive for my liking. It’s frustrating when a character meant to be strong keeps getting blindsided by obvious red flags.

Not a bad book, just not one that wowed me. I’m hoping the final book will be much better than the previous two.

[Zoey Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claimed by Blood By Marie Mistry:

Ohh opening with a prologue of one of Cains Sons... interesting! Yes! Draven is loyal only to Evie!! That's amazing to know! Everything with Morwen is tense and the secret she is keeping! Man I really have a hard time trusting Immy... Holy crap Samuel!!! From the prologue!!! WTF!! what a twist!! Poor Bellatrix... oh my gosh! I couldn't put this book down!!! That freaking ending!!!

[starry.9 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 it was good and interesting. i’m glad i continued. there is just so much going on that makes me crave the more romantic and intimate moments. i don’t feel so connected to all of the characters because evie doesn’t have time to connect to all of them other aside from anything surface level (mostly). i hope that changes but from how it’s looking i fear it won’t. regardless i am enjoying this series. 2025 p.s. I HATE IMMY!

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has gotten me out of a major slump. I've read two books in two days and can't wait to start on the last one. Love the characters and their development, love the world building, and the balance between plot/action and romance. I can see why it might not be for everyone, but I haven't been able to put them down, so an easy 5⭐️s