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Wraith of Carmarthen
Prince of the Vampires
Heir to the Throne

Sadist
Murderer
Traitor

Wraith is convinced New Orleans is his for the ruling—casualties be damned. Determined to take back his throne and the kingdom that is rightfully his, he plans to overthrow the reigning king of the vampire race—his own father—even if it means stomping on bones and wading through blood to do it.

Until he meets his fated mate…

Will Wraith take up his crown and bring honor to the vampire race once again? Or will his plans go up in flames, all for the sake of love?

470 pages, ebook

First published January 23, 2023

108 people are currently reading
576 people want to read

About the author

A.K. Graves

29 books436 followers
From loose-cannon vampires and smoking hot rockstars, to vengeful alphas and mysterious monsters, A. K. Graves makes it a goal to bring you the kind of love you want to ki... well, you'll have to find her tagline on her socials to get the rest of that because it's too much for this bio. A. K. is what happens when grumpy/sunshine is crammed into one human; you get a feral hermit who likes reading, surrealism, masked musicians, true crime, and maybe five people. She hails from Michigan, has been married to Mr. Graves for over fifteen years, and is mama to three beautiful, intelligent, creative Graves girls who make her proud every day. A. K. loves writing, it keeps her less grumpy and as sunshine as she can be, and as long as she can keep coming up with ways to combine her love of romance with the dark and morbid, she’ll be happy doing it forever. For more about A. K. Graves and her work, head to akgraveswrites. com or https://hopp.bio/akgraveswrites

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5 stars
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30 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
Profile Image for Tori.
299 reviews22 followers
January 20, 2023
Holy. Effing. Shite.

I went into this book totally blind. I had no idea what to expect aside from it being a dark romance.

My gods! First off, the way CD pulls you in and absolutely REFUSES to let you go?! I could not put it down! I devoured this the same day I got a copy of it from the authors PA.

I won’t even lie, Chapter 26 of Cryptic Dreams far surpasses the 🔪 scene in DoV. And it •almost• makes up for the ending. 20/5 stars. Cannot wait for book 2!
Profile Image for Kelsi.
541 reviews27 followers
February 16, 2024
Can I start this by saying that “my gentle breeze,” is one of the cutest pet names I’ve ever heard?! And second may I say WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?! I need book two right this very second as I absolutely can’t be left wondering like this!! Third though I would like to think A.K. Graves for the opportunity to read this amazingly dark and fabulous book early!!!

*Spoilers may be ahead if you don’t want anymore info

than what is in the blurb of the book*


Shall we jump into the review now that my feelings are freshly reeling from the ending I was just accosted with?! I think we should! Because this book is absolutely everything I didn’t know I needed in a dark vampire romance! We start off after a Great War that has exposed vampires to humans and has created a government system that ensures the two species work together “in harmony.” A system that is clearly failing our main female character Zephyr, with the way her human companion (for lack of a better word, and to avoid spoilers) is treating her. But she’s steadfast in her belief that if she can just out survive this human than she can go on to live the quit, peaceful, if somewhat lonely life she has always envisioned for herself. That is until her whole world is unceremoniously dumped on its head when she runs into her fated mate Wraith. But with literally everything, including each other, working against any kind of relationship forming between them everything seemed doomed from the start, but fate is a trickster and refuses to be denied. And with a world a friction spark away from going up in smoke our main characters are gonna have to open themselves up to a little fate and see just exactly what she has in store for them. And I will give you no more info on the actual story because there are no words to describe this book and it’s plot without it being riddled with spoilers so 🤐. I will say this book was absolutely amazing, the world building, the internal government and hierarchy building, the vampire traditions were all so creative, and had such a fresh spin and take on them that I found myself reading long into the night. But what really captured my attention from page one of the prologue was the amazing characters. In the begging our MFC Zephyr is a quit, shy, introverted wisp of a thing who while loves those she cares for deeply is ready to disappear into a shadow of herself to no longer burden them, that is until Wraith starts to push just the right buttons on her to show her that she can keep her core values and beliefs in tact and love just as deeply as she always has while still growing into a bad a** female with a backbone made of steel, and a reason to be just as feared as she is respected! And watching that change in her really solidified her as one of the best characters I’ve read this year! And don’t even get me started on my love for Wraith, now I’ll admit there were some moments he had where I was like wow throw the whole dude away, he doesn’t deserve someone as great as Zephyr. But he grows on you, the more you learn about what drives him, and who he is, you start to realize that while he is a cruel, and sadistic jerk he has his reasons for every thing he does, and everything he says. But watching him start to become someone worthy of what he’s fighting for with Zephyr at his side showing him that just an ounce of vulnerability won’t be his demise was another beautiful transition in character that made me fall so deeply in love with Wraith. And the love story between them, the kicking, fighting, clawing to fight against each other and for each other was truly beautiful! I know this has gotten a little wordy but I just love this story so much!! So I’ll wrap it up by saying, that if your looking for a story with vampire political intrigue, a beautiful romance, and characters that will keep you laughing and crying late into the night, than this is absolutely the book for you! And you should not hesitate to pick it up and immediately immerse yourself into the Cryptic Dreams world!!






HAPPY READING 📖
Profile Image for K.
579 reviews78 followers
October 14, 2023
A little slow towards the end but then it picked back up. Very spicy. Insta love
199 reviews4 followers
February 6, 2023
This is book 1 in a series. It ends on a cliffhanger.

Zephyr is a vampire who works at the library. She's very meek and isolated. Wraith is the Prince of vampires. He's very powerful and is plotting against his father's rule. One day, they meet and things are never the same again because they are fated mates. Will they follow the lead of their hearts? Will the intrigues of power crush them?

It's a very good book! I liked Zephyr, and although Wraith is definitely a morally grey character, I fell in love with him. I also really like the side characters Orion and Aries! It was suspenseful and nerve-wracking at the end... I can't wait to read the next book and find out what happens next! I recommend this book to anyone who likes vampires and intrigue...
Profile Image for Amber.
356 reviews15 followers
February 10, 2023
Cryptic Dreams is book one in a new dark paranormal romance series by A.K. Graves.
It is a dual POV that has everything you could want; vampires, mythology, fated mates, romance and much much more!

I wasn't 100% sure what I was getting into when I started this book, but it did not disappoint in the slightest! It was quite the ride of emotions.... and excuuuuuuse me!? That cliffhanger ending!?! I am dying to read what happens next!

This is a dark paranormal romance be sure to read the list of trigger warnings.

Thank you to A.K. Graves for the opportunity to read this book.
Profile Image for bea .
20 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2023
pure insanity!!

this here was totally fck mad, the protagonists are mad, especially the Wraith, he is exactly what is in the description of the book: sadistic and murderous (and u can add foul mouth, acidic humor, perverse and mockery to the extreme) he is arrogant, pretty and powerful, wht abt Zephyr? she's the slightly more sensible part of the relationship, but she's still the perfect match for the Wraith's insanity.

in my opinion, the book did not slow down at any point, this whole family tree of vampires, the Counsel, the dispute btw humans × vampires, was very interesting, bc contrary to what exists in supernatural books on this subject, vampires are very feared beings, but not here... they are treated as inferior beings by humans and have to follow strict laws.

villains are perfect, they don't seek redemption, they are evil bc they want to be evil and they like it, they don't have time to find a salvation, to feel regret, that doesn't exist and end of story.
Profile Image for Rachel.
2,362 reviews133 followers
January 23, 2023
A.K. Graves starts off her new dark paranormal romance series Prophets of Blood & Sunlight, with Cryptic Dreams. This dual-point-of-view story has mythology, vampires, romance, fated mates, rebellion, and more. Be warned it's dark AF, but oh, so worth it.


My heart goes out to Zephyr. She starts off in a depression spiral, she doesn't believe she deserves anything and suffers physical and psychological abuse at the hands of her boss slash owner because she's kinda like a servant (and yes this is modern times). However, as the story continues and after spending some time with Wraith, Zephyr gets out of her head and develops into this feisty badass, apparently someone she was underneath the timid bookworm, all along. Zephyr had her reasons for hiding, but I'm glad to see her overcome that trauma.


Wraith is a wanker (I'm not British but it feels appropriate) and even with his harsh attitude turns out I like the bastard. I'm sure he wouldn't mind being called a bastard because it disassociates him from his father who is lesser in all things and his wife is right there with him. Despite having despicable parents Wraith isn't all that bad. He's cheeky, and I love his wit. He isn't an elitist snob who only cares about power. He generally wants vampires to be treated as living beings, equals to humans, rather than trash. Between his intelligence, cunning, and determination, he could do it. Just because I like the bastard, that's not to say that he didn't sometimes just pissed me off, he could have done things better with Zephyr in the beginning. He's a little psychotic (but not for the reasons you think), but under all the BS, he isn't that bad of a guy.


I read dark books, and I have no triggers, but even I was a little leary after reading the first couple of chapters. Something was throwing me off at first but I'm glad I stuck with it because things got a lot better. I love the mythology in this book. Apparently, vampires are descendants of gods and have an interesting history. That might explain some of the extra powers that some have.


The humans govern vampires and I don't really know how or why it's happening. There is a lot of shady crap going on. The Great Counsel is a group of old vampire nobles who are elitists who lord their power so not to be trusted. Then there is the would-be king who is now the High Elder, Atticus, Wraith's shady af father. Atticus has proven just how dangerous he is by sending hit squads and moving behind the scenes. Wraith and his rebellion (the Purists) are just trying to get their rights back from the humans and the counsel alike but it's a tough road with enemies coming from all directions, some he knows and some he doesn't.


Cryptic Dreams was a darkly decadent read. What started off as a rejected mate romance turned into an epicly dramatic dark romance that got my pulse pounding. The ending was just as dramatic as Wraith is. Talk about the mother-of-all cliffhangers, Graves did us dirty with that one. There was betrayal, heartache, and mayhem. It was devastation, and I need the next book asap. I can think of nothing else.
Profile Image for Jacqueline McLachlan.
55 reviews2 followers
January 21, 2023
This is the first in a new series by A.K Graves, and wow, does it suck you in and have you begging for more.

This is a paranormal vampire romance novel and the story of Zephyr and Wraith, however its not your usual vampire story. Cryptic Dreams gives us the perfect introduction into this world and how the vampires and humans live, the world building is very well done and you are given enough throughout the book to keep it flowing well but not have everything thrown at you at once.
The character building is also done very well, and where I had an initial feeling about one character, I was pleasantly surprised at them as the story went on! I also love the side characters and what they add to this book, I really hope we get to hear from them more!

There is so much to this world A.K. has created that we have only just scratched the surface, and I, for one, can't wait to find out more.
This book does end on a cliffhanger, and it's a big one, but thankfully, we don't have to wait long for book 2 as it's scheduled for release in spring 2023.
There are trigger warnings clearly listed at the beginning. Please do check them.

Overall, I loved this book, I loved the characters and how we learned more about this world they live in, and I loved the fresh perspective on a genre that has so many books about it. Can't wait for the next in this series.
Profile Image for KitKat821.
677 reviews6 followers
January 22, 2023
Nice opener for a new series. There’s definitely heat with how we are introduced to Wraith. These first books in an urban fantasy world have a hard time striking the balance between plot, necessary world building, setting up interesting characters, and having enough of interest going on for a first installment. I was definitely drawn into the story. Zephyr (Z) is somewhat of a pathetic woman/vampire when we first meet her and learn about her gifts. Wraith appears solely cold blooded and built only for chaos/revenge. They appear like an impossible pairing. The author does a great job writing a story that causes these two to grow together, and provides plenty of steam and fun. There’s also a larger story happening involving the vampire world and government. I do wish Wraith was a bit more of a bada$$. He seemed to get a bit too flowery for me and then he also didn’t seem as scary/tough physically against the “bad guys” either. That was the biggest downside for me was that this huge, scary, supposedly amazing Descendant didn’t impress me at some points. I did like watching Z grow into herself. The cliffhanger is brutal - but I’m sure that the next book will make it all worth it. I’m excited to read more where Wraith is psychotic and where readers get some answers!
Profile Image for Cheryl Wells.
252 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2023
OH My freaking god! First, the way Cryptic Dreams pulls you in and absolutely captivates and will not let you go!!! I could not put it down! Zephyr is a vampire who works at the library. She's very meek, quite and isolated. Wraith is the Prince of vampires. He is so very powerful and is plotting against his father's ruling ways then one day, they meet and things are never the same again because they are true fated mates. Will they follow the lead of their hearts? Or Will the power destroy them?
I can’t express in words to describe this book . I adore this book it is so freaking amazing, the worlds, and hierarchy buildings,the vampire traditions were all so creatively written and had such a beautiful spin and take on them that I devoured this book in the first day ,But what really captivates me from page one of the prologue to me was the amazing characters. I am always amazed at how well AK brings her characters to life where you feel that you are living the story it’s amazing series can’t wait for next book 🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️🖤🖤🖤

Profile Image for StormEnchantra.
137 reviews5 followers
January 23, 2023
Stunning Story and World Building
Zephyr is blessed yet cursed to see the past and the future. An outcast when we meet her. She's bullied but she does what she has to. I must say the descriptions of her paintings alone make you feel as though you're in an art gallery. That's only the beginning. Her dreams and visions will blow you away with how vivid they are! Just wait til you meet Wraith! Can they navigate this darkness to find any light? Will Wraith take back his kingdom? Will his calculated plans pay off? I can't wait for book 2. You'll find new ways of torment, tons of action, details, steam, and everything a dark romance reader wants in a book! Yes, you'll be fussing at the characters in case you're wondering. Dive in to New Orleans with Zeph & Wraith and all their friends, in this beautifully wicked, well built world! This is my 1st book by the author and will be one of many!
Profile Image for Torri Valderrama.
209 reviews11 followers
January 25, 2023
I could not put this book down. It drew me in and would not let go. I went into this book knowing it was a dark vampire romance and that was all. Wraith made me love to hate him and hate to love him all within the same chapters and I wouldn’t change a thing about him. Zephyr is the sweetest with hidden darkness and is absolutely the perfect fated mate for Wraith. Wraiths pet name for Z might just be the cutest thing I have ever read.

This story is definitely not your traditional vampire story and is very dark and steamy. Make sure to read the CW before diving in. Keep in mind that this book does end in a cliffhanger (one that might just crush your soul a little) but is absolutely worth the book hangover and I am excited to see where the next book takes us!
499 reviews7 followers
January 23, 2023
Amazing New Series

Cryptic Dreams is book one of a brand new series from the author and it is amazing!!! I could not put the book down, the story line was amazing, intense, and kept me waiting and wanting to find out what was going to happen next. I absolutely love Zephyr and Wraith! Zephyr and Wraith had a rocky start not only because of secrets each our holding but because of outside pressures putting stress on the relationship but when they finally push past it all those two are amazing together and are stronger together even if they dont realize it. This does end with a cliffhanger to lead to book 2.
Profile Image for Mrs A.
1,398 reviews29 followers
January 24, 2023
Wow! This author is new to me and I found the blurb intriguing. What the hell did I just read?! Gosh this book has got to be one of my highlights this year. Kept my attention from the first few pages to the last! The world building and the attention to detail is fantastic. I love the character progression of both the Wraith and Zephyr. Their chemistry is undeniable and their banter and dialogue is so good. The plot is fantastic and there are so many secrets, revelations and then there is that ending! The steam - new kinks were unlocked! Wow, just wow. Cannot wait for book 2. Wraith is the new book boyfriend, move over Casteel
Profile Image for Sierra Mackenzie.
Author 5 books129 followers
January 19, 2023
Oh...my...God. Talk about some amazing yummy scenes and a whole lot of dramatic chaos throughout the whole book! It is simply amazing to meet Wraith and Zephyr how they are originally and then watch them GROW during the whole book! I absolutely love how strong Zephyr becomes--not to mention stubborn!! But she is the perfect fit for Wraith! They are literally one of my favorite couples. I will say one thing without giving the ending away: I was NOT prepeared for it. I am an author myself so how it ended, I literally reacted out loud and I am now currently sulking and wishing I had the next one. It is a love-hate relationship but I do love the fact that I feel this way. I became extremely fond of these characters.
I can't wait for the next one!! I highly recommend this book and I DEFINITELY recommend that you go ahead and add the next one to your list to get when it's ready!!
Amazing job!!
Profile Image for Elizabeth Kolczak-Hardy.
5 reviews
January 25, 2023
Wraith and zephyr
This was my first arc and is the first review I’ve ever done on a book so don’t judge 😂 but

WOW. Just wow. This was my first vampire romance and it definitely will not be my last. Wraith is definitely a morally grey character and had my heart from the very beginning. I love a book with a good plot and spice, and CD has both. 🌶️🥵 The connection between wraith and zephyr is 🔥. But the ending, like what?! I CANNOT wait for book 2! I have a very strong feeling that things are not what they seem to be.
Profile Image for Martha.
491 reviews4 followers
January 26, 2023
Cryptic Dreams is a Dark Paranormal Romance. With that please check Trigger Warnings before reading. This is also Book one of a brand new series. This book was so good that I couldn't put it down. The FMC experiences so many upsetting and traumatic things that will have you spiraling with so many emotions. The MMC is morally gray and will have you loving him. This book ends on a cliffhanger so be prepared for begging for more. I can not wait for Book two. AK Graves did Fantastic! I highly recommend reading this book.
Profile Image for Madeline S..
339 reviews15 followers
January 22, 2023
I don’t think I have fallen this hard for a vampire since my teenage years 😂 Wraith is everything dark bruty and delicious from his banter to he sweet nicknames for Zephyr. And Zephyr is will surprise you!! I loved seeing her come into her own in this first part. I love reading fated mates and see there relationship have that unconditional passion and lust. The story line is amazeballs and have the setting be Louisana #swoon it just makes you go into there world and that is why I love AK’s books so much and that ending!!! Come on!!! So good can not wait for book 2 💙
Profile Image for Renee.
461 reviews22 followers
January 23, 2023
I don’t even know where to start with this book. It was amazing!! I could not put it down!!!

Wraith is what is known as a Descendant (one of the original vampires) who lets just say doesn’t like he things are ran between his kind and the humans.

Then we have Zephyr who is a vampire just trying to get through life, stuck in a bit of a shitty situation.

This book has it all…fatted mates, love, spice, family, power struggle…

The cliffhanger of an ending!!! So ready for book two!!!

Please check TW/CW’s

Story 4.25⭐️
Spice 5⭐️🌶️

I received this as an ARC and this is my honest and true review
Profile Image for Fawn.
571 reviews3 followers
January 22, 2023
Not your traditional vampire story, this one has an interesting twist where the apex predator of society isn’t the vampires but the humans, creating treaties and laws that make humans the protected species. Of course this causes chaos, betrayal, and uprising. Mixed with fated mates, a love that knows no bounds, a protective mate, quite a bit of hot scenes with bdsm elements. I really enjoyed this story. Downside the cliffhanger and the future release date being sometime next year. Though that can always change.
638 reviews9 followers
January 21, 2023
This book will simply blow you away.

The imagination and writing of AK Graves is beyond compare, and honestly quite scary.

She has created a vampire Prince, Wraith of Carmarthan, who is truly a vile creature and you really should not like , let alone fall for him.

However I very quickly found myself becoming attached to him, as Wraith plots to overthrow his father and refuses to acknowledge his true mate.

And then there's Zephyr.i think I fell for her harder than Wraith, and watching her grow and get stronger was a delight.
6,488 reviews22 followers
January 26, 2023
This is an incredible introduction to the Prophets of Blood & Sunlight series. Zephyr and Wraith are very likable if not lovable characters. Wraith most definitely falls into the morally grey category. This is a deliciously dark read with a dual POV. This is a very well written read that provides amazing world building, a range of emotions, and heat. This really sucks you in and then leaves you hanging on a cliff. I am very excited to read the next book of the series.
Profile Image for Sam.
115 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2023
I received an ARC copy and am posting this review independently.

I thought this book was a great first book in the series! Definitely a dark romance which is up my alley plus vampires. Very very spicy! Was not a traditional vampire book either, comparing to past vampire books I’ve read. Wraith grew on me even if he did irritate me on occasion.
Profile Image for Pinky Berg.
126 reviews3 followers
January 24, 2023
A dark and twisted vampire love story. I was so enthralled by the story told in this book it was hard to put it down while I was reading it. I was on the side of the FMC and her mate throughout. The ending was quite unexpected and I look forward to reading more about them.
Profile Image for Savannah.
303 reviews7 followers
January 26, 2023
She did it again!
Author of the incredible Bound Beyond Blood and Wulven Kings series is back and better than ever! This is nothing like anything I have ever read before. It was darker, hotter, and absolutely brutal. I loved it. I'm going to need about a hundred more books set in this world. But I would settle for book two (come on, that ending!) You will find yourself falling in love with this couple. I know I did. Get the book and strap in for a bloody good time with Wraith and Zephyr.
Profile Image for Amber K.
1,250 reviews50 followers
January 28, 2023
Holy. Wow!!
This story is so intriguing, dark, gritty, steamy - all the things, just amazing!! I was glued to the pages till the end. And that ending!!!! I need the next book. I had the extraordinary opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book and I cannot highly recommend it enough to any fans of darker paranormal romance! This is a must read!
Profile Image for Rose Hawks.
209 reviews6 followers
February 9, 2023
So this is book 1 in the series. I loved seeing Orion and Aries a bit in this book. This book has vampires in it, so if vampires are your thing like me I recommend. I fell in love with Zephyr the moment I read him. Do you like morally grey men? Wraith is your man then. Wraith is the prince of vampires and you’d love him. Give it a read! 10/10 recommend.
Profile Image for Nicole Tate.
126 reviews3 followers
January 22, 2023
Oh how I loathe cliffhangers!! And yet the author has made it an absolute must for me to get the next book. Zephyr and Wraith are fated mates and must overcome many obstacles to find some sort of happiness. And yet fate is an evil b***h. Nothing is as easy as it seems with evil lurking in Wraith’s parents, the government and assassins at every turn. This book is a must read!
Profile Image for Becky.
497 reviews7 followers
January 29, 2023
Holy smokes! That ending!!!! I was completely anxious for the last half of the book, as I knew something was going to happen BUT I did not expect that to happen!
I loved Wraith from the start! His POV chapters provided such insight into his actions, that it would have been hard not to love him, in all his morally gray splendor!
Zephyr’s opening chapters were hard to stomach, as she was living such a depressing and solitary life. It was easy to see there was more to her and I loved seeing her progress into such a fierce, strong vamp. The steam factor is off the charts with these two! I loved the side characters, such as Orion and Aries, as well as Declan. I hope we get to see more of all of them in the next book, which cannot come soon enough! Love this story and highly recommend it!!
4,273 reviews53 followers
January 24, 2023
Wraith and Zephyr Are fantastic characters. There are bonds, enemies, allies, action, mating, and steam. A.K. Graves does so well in her writing style bringing a mixture of emotions and a great plot. Look forward to the next one. I received this copy and my spoiler free review is voluntary
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews

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