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Taletha #1
By Blood & Blade
In the land of Taletha, the Wife Market is the prime place for young lords to find a spouse...but not the place for love. Something Inara knows all too well. After six years of rejection, she has no hope of being chosen for anything but a plaything. When the future ruler of Taletha arrives at the Market, Inara is chosen. More shocking still, Dhamar is exactly what he appears to kind, gentle, and willing to build a relationship of mutual respect and trust. Yet Dhamar has his own demons to fight. With a tyrannical father pushing for war with the Šerians, a scheming council, and the burden to protect those he loves, Dhamar is stretched thin. He wants to be a good husband to his wife, but how? Thrown together by chance, will breaking down their walls reveal something beautiful, or leave only shattered pieces behind?
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2023
8 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Anna Augustine
20 books327 followersAnna Augustine has always loved telling stories that speak truth into the lives of her readers. She lives in a small town in the midwest with her crazy family. When she's not busy writing, she's either trying to put a dent in her massive collection of books or working on graphics for her social media.
Anna is the author of two novella collections--When You Found Me and A Love Like Ours. She's been in a number of anthologies as well. In 2023, Anna will have a novella and a novel releasing in Quill & Flame Publishing House.
Anna is the author of two novella collections--When You Found Me and A Love Like Ours. She's been in a number of anthologies as well. In 2023, Anna will have a novella and a novel releasing in Quill & Flame Publishing House.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 13, 2023
Endorsement:
By Blood and Blade is mystifying and powerful, every page filled with emotion and authenticity, showing the kind of courage needed to truly love and be loved. Augustine delves deep into difficult topics with grace and compassion, offering hope to the hurting and ashamed, and giving readers the chance to know what love is by experiencing it with Dhamar and Inara.
-Erin Phillips, author of A Crown of Chains
Full Review:
“We are one. To hurt you would hurt me.”
This was a step outside of my normal genre, but I am so glad that I was offered the opportunity to read this book early!
Right off the bat, we jump into the deep end. The Wife Market. Let's Go.
There are several uncomfortable moments (uninvited touches and fondling, references to physical and sexual abuse) that give readers a raw and authentic understanding of the circumstances Inara is in at the start of the story, presented apporpriately without shying away from the reality. I think those who have trauma may find this difficult, but equally provokes a lot of understanding and compassionate in those who do not.
BBB truly has a great representation of how trauma and triggers effect relationships, as well as how those complications can be handled with grace and compassion.
I find the conflict Inara feels of not wanting to be bought for her body, but also the pain of rejection due to one’s appearance, very intriguing. The desire to be wholly loved and yet feeling it is impossible given the circumstances is wonderfully balanced and complex in the best of ways.
This story also has very tight pacing so there is never a dull moment! I would almost say easy to read (as in not dampened by tedious exposition or useless fluff), except for the topic being so heart-wrenching. You won't want to put this book down!
I also really liked Dhamar. I didn't know what to expect at first; would he be perfect or cringy? But he is presented with just as much complexity and sympathy as Inara. Throughout the story, we get to journey alongside him as he truly tries his best to help others, even given the difficult circumstances and constraints put upon him. Dhamar also has a very believable motivation to respect and earn Inara’s trust, because he doesn’t want to be like his father. Additionally, he is a great example of how to react when someone shares their struggles, both shameful secrets and hidden hurts.
You like romance tropes? BBB has several swoony ones: one bed, forced proximity, forced marriage, & boy falls first.
And the journey of the romance in this story was definitely one of the major highlights for me. While I love all the political intrigue, it is Dhamar and Inara who are at the heart of the story, as they learn and grow together, both as individuals and as a couple. They represent such a good example of healthy courtship and romance, with respect for boundaries and consent.
“As long as it takes, I will win your heart, my amira.”
The romance is complex but also complete, full of grace and selfless love.
btw, I feel seen by the appreciation for coffee in this book.
On top of it all, excellent prose and pacing keeps the story moving and the stakes changing so you never know what might happen next, but you always have hope that things will turn out alright.
By Blood & Blade covers a lot of different aspects of love (including what love isn't!) and reminded me of Arabian Nights meets Redeeming Love. It is a mystifying story of a romance that dares to believe in loving and being loved, regardless of scheming nobles and a past filled with darkness.
By Blood and Blade is mystifying and powerful, every page filled with emotion and authenticity, showing the kind of courage needed to truly love and be loved. Augustine delves deep into difficult topics with grace and compassion, offering hope to the hurting and ashamed, and giving readers the chance to know what love is by experiencing it with Dhamar and Inara.
-Erin Phillips, author of A Crown of Chains
Full Review:
“We are one. To hurt you would hurt me.”
This was a step outside of my normal genre, but I am so glad that I was offered the opportunity to read this book early!
Right off the bat, we jump into the deep end. The Wife Market. Let's Go.
There are several uncomfortable moments (uninvited touches and fondling, references to physical and sexual abuse) that give readers a raw and authentic understanding of the circumstances Inara is in at the start of the story, presented apporpriately without shying away from the reality. I think those who have trauma may find this difficult, but equally provokes a lot of understanding and compassionate in those who do not.
BBB truly has a great representation of how trauma and triggers effect relationships, as well as how those complications can be handled with grace and compassion.
I find the conflict Inara feels of not wanting to be bought for her body, but also the pain of rejection due to one’s appearance, very intriguing. The desire to be wholly loved and yet feeling it is impossible given the circumstances is wonderfully balanced and complex in the best of ways.
This story also has very tight pacing so there is never a dull moment! I would almost say easy to read (as in not dampened by tedious exposition or useless fluff), except for the topic being so heart-wrenching. You won't want to put this book down!
I also really liked Dhamar. I didn't know what to expect at first; would he be perfect or cringy? But he is presented with just as much complexity and sympathy as Inara. Throughout the story, we get to journey alongside him as he truly tries his best to help others, even given the difficult circumstances and constraints put upon him. Dhamar also has a very believable motivation to respect and earn Inara’s trust, because he doesn’t want to be like his father. Additionally, he is a great example of how to react when someone shares their struggles, both shameful secrets and hidden hurts.
You like romance tropes? BBB has several swoony ones: one bed, forced proximity, forced marriage, & boy falls first.
And the journey of the romance in this story was definitely one of the major highlights for me. While I love all the political intrigue, it is Dhamar and Inara who are at the heart of the story, as they learn and grow together, both as individuals and as a couple. They represent such a good example of healthy courtship and romance, with respect for boundaries and consent.
“As long as it takes, I will win your heart, my amira.”
The romance is complex but also complete, full of grace and selfless love.
btw, I feel seen by the appreciation for coffee in this book.
On top of it all, excellent prose and pacing keeps the story moving and the stakes changing so you never know what might happen next, but you always have hope that things will turn out alright.
By Blood & Blade covers a lot of different aspects of love (including what love isn't!) and reminded me of Arabian Nights meets Redeeming Love. It is a mystifying story of a romance that dares to believe in loving and being loved, regardless of scheming nobles and a past filled with darkness.
August 29, 2023
Anna Augustine continues to impress me. I think it's natural for authors to get better with each release, but with Augustine there's a clear distinction between this and her Allura novels that has me really looking forward to all her future releases.
In case it sounds like I'm bashing her old stuff, I have given all of her work four and five stars. I've been a big fan since the beginning. If there's one thing Augustine has made clear, it's that she's wildly creative and a romantic at heart. Both of these elements come into play in all her books. I'm not one to read books only for the romance, but I would read this just for it. The romance plot is more than enough, yet it's only part of this story. We also get a lot of well-done fantasy political intrigue AND a lot of great conversations/thoughts on being human.
By Blood and Blade had me annotating my little heart out. Inara and Dhamar are such full characters. Augustine boldly explored their relationship, both with each other and with themselves, in a way I was hoping she would. This book was actually much stronger and more open than I dared to hope for. Augustine isn't one to shy away from things, but this time she really goes for it.
If you enjoy adult fantasy that tackles harsh topics and builds up an intriguing world, I recommend picking up a copy of this.
In case it sounds like I'm bashing her old stuff, I have given all of her work four and five stars. I've been a big fan since the beginning. If there's one thing Augustine has made clear, it's that she's wildly creative and a romantic at heart. Both of these elements come into play in all her books. I'm not one to read books only for the romance, but I would read this just for it. The romance plot is more than enough, yet it's only part of this story. We also get a lot of well-done fantasy political intrigue AND a lot of great conversations/thoughts on being human.
By Blood and Blade had me annotating my little heart out. Inara and Dhamar are such full characters. Augustine boldly explored their relationship, both with each other and with themselves, in a way I was hoping she would. This book was actually much stronger and more open than I dared to hope for. Augustine isn't one to shy away from things, but this time she really goes for it.
If you enjoy adult fantasy that tackles harsh topics and builds up an intriguing world, I recommend picking up a copy of this.
May 17, 2023
How can I explain what my own book means to me? It’s my story of healing, of moving on from my past mistakes. It’s a love letter of hope to myself that there is someone out there for me—someone good and kind who will lead me in love.
There is hope for your future, no matter your past.
There are good people you can trust, no matter how many times it’s been broken.
There is beauty in mistakes—beauty in the broken.
If you’re a little worn down and broken, tired of trying, tired of being beaten down… this story is for you, my friend.
There is hope for your future, no matter your past.
There are good people you can trust, no matter how many times it’s been broken.
There is beauty in mistakes—beauty in the broken.
If you’re a little worn down and broken, tired of trying, tired of being beaten down… this story is for you, my friend.
July 17, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
I’ve been excited for Inara & Dhamar’s story for what seems like forever, and it delivered beautifully in every way!
There’s an authenticity & rawness to it, yet with so much hope & beauty in the brokenness woven between the pages. It’s a story of healing & trust & strength for the weary-hearted. It handles hard, gritty topics with grace, yet without sugarcoating.
“Love is a choice” is one of my favourite themes in stories. Inara’s journey of learning she is worthy of love—no matter how unworthy she felt or how shadowed her past—was beautiful. Dhamar was lovely, and I loved the balance & understanding he brought, while trying to overcome his own shadows. They both made mistakes—but they are more than their mistakes. 🥹
Anna’s books are comfort reads for me. She packs so much depth & heart into them along with characters that are so real & relatable—I’m happy to keep returning.
Her smooth storytelling voice immerses the reader, and before I know it, I’m halfway done & blinking to remember where I am. 😂
Throughout the story, I felt incredibly seen & it touched this on-the-mend heart deeply. For that, I am grateful. 💛
Content:
I would consider this for an adult audience. As mentioned above, hard topics are covered, but in a way that I didn’t feel uncomfy with them. Includes: (nondescript mentions of wicked men fondling women at the Wife Market & in the palace // brief mentions of premarital intimacy; marital intimacy; and prostitution // a few suggestive comments from wicked men // short scene without gratuitous details of faking a wedding night to protect a marriage covenant & its sacredness as someone was wrongly sent to witness it)
*I received an ARC copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
I’ve been excited for Inara & Dhamar’s story for what seems like forever, and it delivered beautifully in every way!
There’s an authenticity & rawness to it, yet with so much hope & beauty in the brokenness woven between the pages. It’s a story of healing & trust & strength for the weary-hearted. It handles hard, gritty topics with grace, yet without sugarcoating.
“Love is a choice” is one of my favourite themes in stories. Inara’s journey of learning she is worthy of love—no matter how unworthy she felt or how shadowed her past—was beautiful. Dhamar was lovely, and I loved the balance & understanding he brought, while trying to overcome his own shadows. They both made mistakes—but they are more than their mistakes. 🥹
Anna’s books are comfort reads for me. She packs so much depth & heart into them along with characters that are so real & relatable—I’m happy to keep returning.
Her smooth storytelling voice immerses the reader, and before I know it, I’m halfway done & blinking to remember where I am. 😂
Throughout the story, I felt incredibly seen & it touched this on-the-mend heart deeply. For that, I am grateful. 💛
Content:
I would consider this for an adult audience. As mentioned above, hard topics are covered, but in a way that I didn’t feel uncomfy with them. Includes: (nondescript mentions of wicked men fondling women at the Wife Market & in the palace // brief mentions of premarital intimacy; marital intimacy; and prostitution // a few suggestive comments from wicked men // short scene without gratuitous details of faking a wedding night to protect a marriage covenant & its sacredness as someone was wrongly sent to witness it)
*I received an ARC copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
May 22, 2023
This book has stolen my heart and I do not think I want it back. I knew after reading By Light and Love that the land of Taletha would be one that I would fall in love with, but Anna blew my expectations out of the water. The world-building and how she told her story had this book playing like a movie in my brain. I loved (and hated for reasons that you would understand if you read the book) the political tension and the uniqueness of Taletha. Although you can tell that Anna did research into middle eastern countries, she also added her own flare to the culture to make it so colorful, exciting, and real.
The characters were what stole my heart most though. The dynamic between Inara and Dhamar made me want to cry, swoon, and pace around my room. Their relationship was a rollercoaster of emotions but for good reason. I loved seeing both characters develop and mature into who they needed to be for themselves and for each other. Not gonna lie, I swooned one too many times with these two...I love them so much!!
Anna was not afraid to include hard topics throughout this book and that made this book even better. The realism of a relationship, trauma, and political pressures make this book so fast-paced, you will have a hard time putting it down. However, it is not too fast that you feel lost. The pacing and pose of this book are so beautiful! I cannot wait to see what Anna has next for us in the Taletha series!
*FTC: I received ane early copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.*
The characters were what stole my heart most though. The dynamic between Inara and Dhamar made me want to cry, swoon, and pace around my room. Their relationship was a rollercoaster of emotions but for good reason. I loved seeing both characters develop and mature into who they needed to be for themselves and for each other. Not gonna lie, I swooned one too many times with these two...I love them so much!!
Anna was not afraid to include hard topics throughout this book and that made this book even better. The realism of a relationship, trauma, and political pressures make this book so fast-paced, you will have a hard time putting it down. However, it is not too fast that you feel lost. The pacing and pose of this book are so beautiful! I cannot wait to see what Anna has next for us in the Taletha series!
*FTC: I received ane early copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.*
July 17, 2023
From the first pages, I was taken in and could not put this book down! With depth to the romance and gorgeous details of the palace, gardens, and world of Taletha, I enjoyed every chapter.
June 12, 2023
I enjoyed this a lot! Seeing Dhamar and Inara fall in love was so precious (though I'll admit there were a few times I wanted to shake them and say "please just TALK to each other good grief", but it's okay, they're growing and healing, and we get there in the end xD). It's very much a character-driven story, with the plot taking a backseat to watching the main characters' relationship grow. We also see a few familiar faces from "By Light & Love", which I loved!
There are definitely some heavy topics discussed, the villains are truly villainous, but the promise of a happy ending for the leads is something I was rooting for from the beginning!
Overall, I loved my time in Taletha, and I'll definitely be curious to follow more adventures here if the author decides to write more! Four stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
There are definitely some heavy topics discussed, the villains are truly villainous, but the promise of a happy ending for the leads is something I was rooting for from the beginning!
Overall, I loved my time in Taletha, and I'll definitely be curious to follow more adventures here if the author decides to write more! Four stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
May 30, 2023
By Blood and Blade was amazing!! It had a wonderful romance, the perfect amount of world building and Middle Eastern type culture, and an engaging plot! 😍 My main complaint with the author’s previous works is that since they were novellas the romance was super rushed, but in this full length novel it was paced PERFECTLY! 😆
Gahhh I can’t go on enough about how much I loved Inara and Dhamar!! 😍😍😍 I loved these characters so much, and watching them learn to trust and love each other, to fight back their insecurities and fears and become who they were made to be, was just beautiful! 😭😍 It was just so heartfelt and I was rooting for the characters from page one!
I appreciated how Anna intertwined the political plot with the romance. You never felt bored or like you wanted to get back to the characters because it was balanced so well. Also the writing style was sooo good! 😍
All of the characters were great, with a return of Saif from By Light and Love! I really liked Zahir’s relationship with Dhamar, and Lenna’s story is so sad! Also need to shoutout Gamil, the lion!
I love the arranged marriage/marriage of convenience tropes, and while By Blood and Blade didn’t have that exactly, it’s basically the same thing, so I really enjoyed that aspect of the book and romance! 😍 Something about putting two strangers into a marriage and having them work at making it happen, at learning to love and be what the other needs, at how to coexist together, and never giving up is just so beautiful to me!! 🤩
While this book is clean, it does deal with some heavier matters, so I’d say 16+ should read it. There’s a lot of emphasis and talk on the Wife Market and how the girls there are fondled and touched, expectations from a husband and fear that he might force himself on her, sexual abuse/harassment, the king’s harem that’s viewed as disgusting by the MCs, etc. All of it was handled tastefully and I’d say the book is totally clean, but because of that it’s probably not suitable for young teens.
I HIGHLY recommend By Blood and Blade by Anna Augustine and can’t wait to see what else she writes!! 😆
/I received an ARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own/
Gahhh I can’t go on enough about how much I loved Inara and Dhamar!! 😍😍😍 I loved these characters so much, and watching them learn to trust and love each other, to fight back their insecurities and fears and become who they were made to be, was just beautiful! 😭😍 It was just so heartfelt and I was rooting for the characters from page one!
I appreciated how Anna intertwined the political plot with the romance. You never felt bored or like you wanted to get back to the characters because it was balanced so well. Also the writing style was sooo good! 😍
All of the characters were great, with a return of Saif from By Light and Love! I really liked Zahir’s relationship with Dhamar, and Lenna’s story is so sad! Also need to shoutout Gamil, the lion!
I love the arranged marriage/marriage of convenience tropes, and while By Blood and Blade didn’t have that exactly, it’s basically the same thing, so I really enjoyed that aspect of the book and romance! 😍 Something about putting two strangers into a marriage and having them work at making it happen, at learning to love and be what the other needs, at how to coexist together, and never giving up is just so beautiful to me!! 🤩
While this book is clean, it does deal with some heavier matters, so I’d say 16+ should read it. There’s a lot of emphasis and talk on the Wife Market and how the girls there are fondled and touched, expectations from a husband and fear that he might force himself on her, sexual abuse/harassment, the king’s harem that’s viewed as disgusting by the MCs, etc. All of it was handled tastefully and I’d say the book is totally clean, but because of that it’s probably not suitable for young teens.
I HIGHLY recommend By Blood and Blade by Anna Augustine and can’t wait to see what else she writes!! 😆
/I received an ARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own/
September 10, 2022
This was the book that made me believe in modern fiction again!🤩 It was so captivating and I couldn’t tear myself away until I had read every page! A must read! The characters are so raw, real, and completely relatable! Anna deals with sensitive topics in a tasteful way without diminishing the real emotions! I absolutely fell in love with Inara and Dhamar as well as many of the side characters! The other characters are the type that you love to hate!😂 it’s so so good!
June 8, 2023
This story is full of heart and healing, and I love how much the author has clearly poured herself into these characters to make their struggles real and raw, yet beautiful in their journey toward hope.
October 24, 2023
I haven’t picked up a book set in a Middle East-inspired land (aside from the Bible, of course) in years, so By Blood & Blade was a welcome change of pace for me! Anna Augustine’s growth as an author is on full display with this novel, showing how she has improved on her craft and developed her ability to spin a tale of hope, love, and redemption. This story dives deeper into the darker parts of life, revealing that Augustine has no trouble writing about more painful and realistic topics. Where her romance novellas, Where You Found Me, paint biblical stories as fairytales, By Blood & Blade shows how hope and love can be found even in the most bitter and dark circumstances.
As someone who has been through some of the darker parts of life, I really appreciated this story and how sensitively Anna told it. While this book comes with an array of trigger warnings (see the bottom of this post for details), it was told in a way that is respectful of the lived experiences of survivors of the various traumas included in the story. Some of the dark parts of the story included sexual assault and abuse, but it was never gratuitous in its depiction, which is a very fine line that most authors don’t stay on the right side of. Kudos to Augustine for handling this story in a respectful and trauma-informed way.
Now for the lighter side of things! The love in this book was so sweet and gentle, I couldn’t help cheering for Dhamar!! I will always stan a man who champions consent!!! The side characters were lovable, the antagonists were perfectly wretched and hateable, and the main characters had a great character arc. I also loved seeing an interracial couple be the center of attention!! It’s not often that I’ve spotted that in the Christian and/or indie publishing scene, so I’m proud of Anna for having the courage to put that in her story.
There were a few things I didn’t quite love about this book, but I suppose it’s me being a bit nit-picky. The romance from Inara’s POV was a little too will-she-won’t-she for me, while somehow also managing to make Inara cave too soon to feel right. Like, so much of her inner dialogue is about how she doesn’t want to love Dhamar, but also she falls for him way too quickly for how adamantly against it she was. I’m not sure I’m explaining that well, and obviously I wanted them to fall in love, so I got over it. I just think a bit more true tension and angst was needed to make it feel more believable. Also, the resolution felt anti-climactic after all the build up toward it. I can’t say more without spoiling things, but I would’ve liked a fuller resolution.
Overall, I still give By Blood & Blade 5 stars. The story was a well-written display of Augustine’s growth as an author and worthy of accolades for its handling of tougher topics. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet romance set in a Middle Eastern-type setting, or who simply enjoys a story where light outshines the darkness. I very much look forward to the next installment in this series!
Trigger Warnings: Sexual assault and abuse, child abuse, spouse abuse, domestic violence. Depictions of post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, avoidant behaviors, narcissism, racism and racial slurs, gender-based discrimination, and prostitution. This sounds like a lot, and can certainly be triggering depending on the reader’s level of sensitivity and where they are on their healing journey. The topics are handled gently and in a trauma-informed way, but only you know what you can handle, so make the choice that is best for you.
Gore: 2/10 (injuries and violence happen, but aren’t described in any detail aside from pointing out bruises)
Romance/Spice: 4/10 (NO spice, but obviously it’s a romance story, so there’s clean romance)
Cursing/Vulgarity: 2/10 (mild, if any)
This book was given to me for free by the author. I am voluntarily writing this honest review.
As someone who has been through some of the darker parts of life, I really appreciated this story and how sensitively Anna told it. While this book comes with an array of trigger warnings (see the bottom of this post for details), it was told in a way that is respectful of the lived experiences of survivors of the various traumas included in the story. Some of the dark parts of the story included sexual assault and abuse, but it was never gratuitous in its depiction, which is a very fine line that most authors don’t stay on the right side of. Kudos to Augustine for handling this story in a respectful and trauma-informed way.
Now for the lighter side of things! The love in this book was so sweet and gentle, I couldn’t help cheering for Dhamar!! I will always stan a man who champions consent!!! The side characters were lovable, the antagonists were perfectly wretched and hateable, and the main characters had a great character arc. I also loved seeing an interracial couple be the center of attention!! It’s not often that I’ve spotted that in the Christian and/or indie publishing scene, so I’m proud of Anna for having the courage to put that in her story.
There were a few things I didn’t quite love about this book, but I suppose it’s me being a bit nit-picky. The romance from Inara’s POV was a little too will-she-won’t-she for me, while somehow also managing to make Inara cave too soon to feel right. Like, so much of her inner dialogue is about how she doesn’t want to love Dhamar, but also she falls for him way too quickly for how adamantly against it she was. I’m not sure I’m explaining that well, and obviously I wanted them to fall in love, so I got over it. I just think a bit more true tension and angst was needed to make it feel more believable. Also, the resolution felt anti-climactic after all the build up toward it. I can’t say more without spoiling things, but I would’ve liked a fuller resolution.
Overall, I still give By Blood & Blade 5 stars. The story was a well-written display of Augustine’s growth as an author and worthy of accolades for its handling of tougher topics. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet romance set in a Middle Eastern-type setting, or who simply enjoys a story where light outshines the darkness. I very much look forward to the next installment in this series!
Trigger Warnings: Sexual assault and abuse, child abuse, spouse abuse, domestic violence. Depictions of post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, avoidant behaviors, narcissism, racism and racial slurs, gender-based discrimination, and prostitution. This sounds like a lot, and can certainly be triggering depending on the reader’s level of sensitivity and where they are on their healing journey. The topics are handled gently and in a trauma-informed way, but only you know what you can handle, so make the choice that is best for you.
Gore: 2/10 (injuries and violence happen, but aren’t described in any detail aside from pointing out bruises)
Romance/Spice: 4/10 (NO spice, but obviously it’s a romance story, so there’s clean romance)
Cursing/Vulgarity: 2/10 (mild, if any)
This book was given to me for free by the author. I am voluntarily writing this honest review.
December 16, 2025
3.5⭐
This was better written than its novella prequel, so I was glad to see that.😍 I enjoyed the story and appreciated the author's focus on healthy relationships. I did have a few problems with it, though.
First, it was a bit "instructive." There were several times where the author leaned a bit too much on telling instead of showing when it came to having healthy relationships despite difficult family beginnings. The message was wonderful, but it could have been packaged a bit better.
Second, I found the showcasing of the sexual debauchery and abuse to be uncomfortable to read. Nothing was explicitly shown, but there were too many details to not be filling in the blanks in my mind. I would have appreciated less literal description and more figurative language in that area.
Third, I was hoping for more redemption of that area (☝️) at the end of the book. The MCs were very concerned about it and clearly wanted it stopped, so I don't understand why it wasn't a prominent feature at the end of the story. Yes, we know it will change because of something I cannot say because of spoilers, but we aren't told or shown.
Overall, it was an enjoyable story showcasing two people from unhealthy homes learning to love each other well despite their backgrounds. I don't usually read romance, so I felt like the story lacked something, but that, I am confindent, is only because it isn't my usual genre of choice.
Recommended for 18+
This was better written than its novella prequel, so I was glad to see that.😍 I enjoyed the story and appreciated the author's focus on healthy relationships. I did have a few problems with it, though.
First, it was a bit "instructive." There were several times where the author leaned a bit too much on telling instead of showing when it came to having healthy relationships despite difficult family beginnings. The message was wonderful, but it could have been packaged a bit better.
Second, I found the showcasing of the sexual debauchery and abuse to be uncomfortable to read. Nothing was explicitly shown, but there were too many details to not be filling in the blanks in my mind. I would have appreciated less literal description and more figurative language in that area.
Third, I was hoping for more redemption of that area (☝️) at the end of the book. The MCs were very concerned about it and clearly wanted it stopped, so I don't understand why it wasn't a prominent feature at the end of the story. Yes, we know it will change because of something I cannot say because of spoilers, but we aren't told or shown.
Overall, it was an enjoyable story showcasing two people from unhealthy homes learning to love each other well despite their backgrounds. I don't usually read romance, so I felt like the story lacked something, but that, I am confindent, is only because it isn't my usual genre of choice.
Recommended for 18+
October 24, 2023
Loved this!
Jane and Magnus did a great job narrating! Can’t wait till the next book!
Jane and Magnus did a great job narrating! Can’t wait till the next book!
December 13, 2023
I enjoyed the story and the characters. I would say there is a lot of potential for this story to be improved by adding details and making it more realistic. A lot of things that happened and things that were said seemed a bit too romantic and grand to be true. But as a romance and a fantasy, it's nice. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys those two genres and is not dissauded by stories which seem too good to be true.
August 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this. The only critique is that the narrators had such a heavy accent that it was difficult to understand at times.
November 9, 2022
A heartwarming and refreshing story of love and healing! By Blood & Blade is a great testament that although our pasts may be tainted, we have the power to change our futures into something beautiful.
July 17, 2023
What a story! Anna Augustine has done it again with raw and real characters that don’t shy away from the messy parts of life. Through friendships and Inara and Dhamar’s marriage, unconditional love is demonstrated powerfully. Inara and Dhamar show what it looks like to fight for love and to strengthen each other while encouraging betterment. Beautifully written and comes with my highest recommendation!
Content warnings: romance goes as far as fade-to-black (non-detailed kissing and touching is frequent); no on-page cursing; abuse (martial, sexual, childhood); violence and blood (at least one battle scene, multiple deaths, blood from injuries). Recommend for adults, though it’s clean.
Content warnings: romance goes as far as fade-to-black (non-detailed kissing and touching is frequent); no on-page cursing; abuse (martial, sexual, childhood); violence and blood (at least one battle scene, multiple deaths, blood from injuries). Recommend for adults, though it’s clean.
November 6, 2023
This was a good story, but it was on the unfortunate end of my realization that I no longer like romance books. This was not because of this book in particular! I had my suspicions before, but this book solidified it. If you like romance, I recommend this as a read! It's themes of love are very real and refreshing to read about in a novel.
August 14, 2023
This book is absolutely amazing! Anna changes the point of view every other chapter between the two main characters. It’s engaging and gives the reader great insight into different aspects of the story. It’s engaging from the start. You won’t want to put this book down.
August 13, 2023
This was a great story. I was looking for something to read that would just make me happy, and this did that for me. But it was so much more than just a feel-good story. There was so much depth, rawness, and growth. Perfect for those times you want to read a story that uplifts, entertains, and moves you.
December 24, 2025
4.5 stars
This was a really good read that kept me up for hours as I read it in one sitting. It is a middle eastern type romance written set in a made up world. Our hero is the Prince and our heroine is a commoner. This book and world were quite different. The women were bought at a market as wives and are viewed as little more than slaves and pieces of flesh to use and abuse. The king has a harem of women that are used and abused throughout the story. There is debauchery. But our Prince has a good heart. His new wife has a long journey to take to trust him and he is bound to obey his father no matter the decree. The king truly is evil as are a good portion of the men in this book. All of those scenes turned my stomach but I enjoyed the sweetness of our MCs and their slow burn, developing love. The battle as our Prince struggles to obey his father, hep his people, keep his wife and mother safe, and win a war kept me captivated. The romance is fade to black in marriage, intimacy level 2. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Content warnings:
-women sold as brides
-a harem of women that are used and abused physically and sexually
-Abusive father
-War
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This was a really good read that kept me up for hours as I read it in one sitting. It is a middle eastern type romance written set in a made up world. Our hero is the Prince and our heroine is a commoner. This book and world were quite different. The women were bought at a market as wives and are viewed as little more than slaves and pieces of flesh to use and abuse. The king has a harem of women that are used and abused throughout the story. There is debauchery. But our Prince has a good heart. His new wife has a long journey to take to trust him and he is bound to obey his father no matter the decree. The king truly is evil as are a good portion of the men in this book. All of those scenes turned my stomach but I enjoyed the sweetness of our MCs and their slow burn, developing love. The battle as our Prince struggles to obey his father, hep his people, keep his wife and mother safe, and win a war kept me captivated. The romance is fade to black in marriage, intimacy level 2. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Content warnings:
-women sold as brides
-a harem of women that are used and abused physically and sexually
-Abusive father
-War
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
February 2, 2025
Unfortunately, I couldn't make it very far in this one. The worldbuilding was very interesting and well done, and similar to cultures that I don't see represented very often, so I was really excited to see where it went! But even in just the first couple chapters, I was very uncomfortable with some of the sensual descriptions and otherwise blunt talk around the issues of marriage and sexuality. I skipped ahead to the wedding night... I'm sure this is still relatively clean compared to other books that are out there, but it's just way too much for my own imagination, and I couldn't keep going.
November 6, 2023
I loved this book! It had characters that dealt with hard things with poise and wisdom, who grew as the story progressed, and made a wonderful happy ending despite their difficulties. I also love that this was a clean romance, even though the characters had to deal with abuse and despotism! I definitely recommend this book and look forward to more by this author!
Read
October 2, 2023Did not finish.
Not my cup of tea.
Not my cup of tea.
October 3, 2023
I really enjoyed the setting and the fact that it was a closed door romance set in a magic free world.
The romance was sweet and definitely had "he falls first " vibes.
The romance was sweet and definitely had "he falls first " vibes.
July 7, 2024
Well written, well crafted, with deep themes and harsh topics. I enjoyed this book and the journey it took me on, as well as the ponderings it inspired.
August 1, 2023
By Blood & Blade is a heart warming story of choosing love in the midst of hard circumstances. The story explores themes of forgiveness, learning to trust when your heart's been broken—multiple times—and encourages readers to soar above their broken pasts. The slow-burn romance is perfect for the setting, and rich world building captivates the readers mind and transports them to another time and place.
The only reason I gave this four stars is that, for me, the pacing is a bit slow. I prefer stories that are faster-paced or have an element of mystery to them, neither of which are in this story. However, I do think the pacing is perfect for this story/genre, it just isn't as suited to my tastes. It's still a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it!
The only reason I gave this four stars is that, for me, the pacing is a bit slow. I prefer stories that are faster-paced or have an element of mystery to them, neither of which are in this story. However, I do think the pacing is perfect for this story/genre, it just isn't as suited to my tastes. It's still a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it!
September 7, 2023
Very good read
Very good story, hit all the romantic beats I was hoping for. Also a lovely story about healing from abuse and learning to move forward.
Edit: adding to this review later on, once I had time to think about it.
The theme of this story is recovering from abuse, right? Heroine has been in the wife market for years, so she's all screwed up from that. Prince has an abusive father so he's all screwed up from that. And the way you heal from abuse is .... what? The book spends all its time showing the guy and girl carefully not having sex, and just talking instead. They bicker and fight sometimes because of all dat unresolved sexual tension. But as for the healing from abuse, what is the answer?
The answer, in reality, is that there's a huge spiritual aspect that must be addressed. A person can go to God for supernatural healing of their soul. Without that, they'll only perpetuate the cycle of abuse on the ones they love. I don't care how much they love each other, the guy and girl won't rise above their pasts very well without a Redeemer of their souls. I'm pretty sure this author is a Christian and ought to know this. This book could have been a beautiful way to show that. But instead, we're left with a question mark. How do you heal from abuse, anyway?
The book's answer is sex. Sex is how you heal from everything. Nevermind that in real life, it doesn't actually do that. Oh, it's lovely for bonding spouses, but it won't stop the cycle of abuse. And it won't mend a damaged soul. I put the book down going, "That's it? That's the answer to healing from abuse?"
Very good story, hit all the romantic beats I was hoping for. Also a lovely story about healing from abuse and learning to move forward.
Edit: adding to this review later on, once I had time to think about it.
The theme of this story is recovering from abuse, right? Heroine has been in the wife market for years, so she's all screwed up from that. Prince has an abusive father so he's all screwed up from that. And the way you heal from abuse is .... what? The book spends all its time showing the guy and girl carefully not having sex, and just talking instead. They bicker and fight sometimes because of all dat unresolved sexual tension. But as for the healing from abuse, what is the answer?
The answer, in reality, is that there's a huge spiritual aspect that must be addressed. A person can go to God for supernatural healing of their soul. Without that, they'll only perpetuate the cycle of abuse on the ones they love. I don't care how much they love each other, the guy and girl won't rise above their pasts very well without a Redeemer of their souls. I'm pretty sure this author is a Christian and ought to know this. This book could have been a beautiful way to show that. But instead, we're left with a question mark. How do you heal from abuse, anyway?
The book's answer is sex. Sex is how you heal from everything. Nevermind that in real life, it doesn't actually do that. Oh, it's lovely for bonding spouses, but it won't stop the cycle of abuse. And it won't mend a damaged soul. I put the book down going, "That's it? That's the answer to healing from abuse?"
February 24, 2024
At its core, By Blood and Blade is about healing from past mistakes and traumas, and it is the character development that really moves this story forward. The world building was very immersive and I did not have any difficulty getting lost (in the best way) in it. I loved how a healthy marriage that breaks the cycle of those that came before it was the star of this story.
Anna Augustine has a very beautiful way of writing, and there were plenty stunning moments in this book. She displayed the characters' vulnerabilities very, very well.
This book is best suited to a more mature audience because some of the themes pertaining to a marital relationship are quite mature in nature. The author handles these themes very carefully, but it is definitely something to consider, and aspects of the past traumas and the corrupt culture churned my stomach at times.
All in all a wonderful read (and the narration in the audiobook was stunning!), edging closer to five stars than four.
Anna Augustine has a very beautiful way of writing, and there were plenty stunning moments in this book. She displayed the characters' vulnerabilities very, very well.
This book is best suited to a more mature audience because some of the themes pertaining to a marital relationship are quite mature in nature. The author handles these themes very carefully, but it is definitely something to consider, and aspects of the past traumas and the corrupt culture churned my stomach at times.
All in all a wonderful read (and the narration in the audiobook was stunning!), edging closer to five stars than four.
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