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claire_loves_books's review
2.0
This was a really frustrating book, Seri just seems to spend most of it hiding from reality and avoiding dealing with the situation. I hated how easily Rilen manipulated her and how she repeatedly just went along with whatever he said without thinking about it.
erinarkin20's review
4.0
Queen of Blood by Jill Myles is a book I just happened to come across as I was scanning NetGalley one day and I am so happy I took a chance on it. I found myself flipping through the pages to see what was going to happen. This was an interesting twist on the standard vampire story and I enjoyed it a lot.
Seri is a poor, Vidari, goose girl who really just wants to take care of her father and her sister. She is also looking forward to getting hand-fasted to the boy she loves, Rilen. As we learn more about her, we find out that Rilen is a rebel who doesn’t believe that the rulers of Athon should control their people and it is this belief that changes everything for Seri.
By chance, she crosses path with an Athon noble woman who wants to stand out in a crowd of nobles trying to gain the attention of the Prince. Her thought is to have a “wild” Vidari as her attendant. At first, Seri refuses but when she tells her story to Rilen, he realizes this is the best way for him and his rebels to get inside the castle. By convincing Seri to do this, her life is changed completely.
The other piece to this story is the Athon Prince, Graeme. His father has sent him to the lands of Vidara just in time for his Betrothal Ceremony. Not only is he searching for his Eterna, the one woman who will be his eternal-mate and help quench the thirst the curse on his family has created, but he is also there to determine how best to take care of the rebels and get them in line.
The curse I mentioned was a direct result of the King of Athon offending the Goddess. Because of his actions, the Goddess determined his line would never be granted any daughters (because he killed his own) and he would only have sons that were as cursed as he is. They would also not be able to stand the sun and forced to drink the blood of others to survive. The key to this is that they would never be satisfied because the blood would quickly lose it draw and they would be forever hungry. Here’s the twist…an Eterna would end it all but there has never been one found in recorded history so to say that Graeme is a bit pessimistic that he will find his is probably fair.
You can probably guess where I am going with this story. With Seri right in the line of fire, she is found to be Graeme’s Eterna and following the will of the Goddess, Graeme follows through with the marriage.
Their relationship is rough although I have to say, Graeme goes into it with an open mind. Granted he doesn’t really know what Seri is up to but he definitely has a different outlook about the Vidari than his Athonite people do and he is also willing to give their marriage a chance. As the story progresses, Seri and Graeme definitely change and really I would say that Seri changes the most. Graeme seemed to have a different feeling toward Seri than she did toward him but he is also the one with all of the power. Because of that, even though he never really thought he would marry a Vidari, he still wasn't forced into the marriage in the same way that Seri was so I can sympathize with her.
As for characters, I liked Seri. There were times that I really wanted her to see what Rilen was up to and how he was using her but of course, she was looking at him as the boy she loved and wanted to spend her life with, why would he betray and use her. Rilen annoyed me. He only thought about himself and his end goal, not about the danger he was putting Seri in and in the end I wasn’t saddened by how things went for him.
I thought Myles did a wonderful job of creating this world and the story within. As I mentioned, I flew through this book. It is a quick read and yes, some of it is obvious but I didn’t think it hurt the story. I thought there was plenty of action, intrigue, and swoony bits to keep me entertained. If you are looking for a vampire story with a bit of a twist definitely check this one out - I'm glad I did!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy!
Seri is a poor, Vidari, goose girl who really just wants to take care of her father and her sister. She is also looking forward to getting hand-fasted to the boy she loves, Rilen. As we learn more about her, we find out that Rilen is a rebel who doesn’t believe that the rulers of Athon should control their people and it is this belief that changes everything for Seri.
By chance, she crosses path with an Athon noble woman who wants to stand out in a crowd of nobles trying to gain the attention of the Prince. Her thought is to have a “wild” Vidari as her attendant. At first, Seri refuses but when she tells her story to Rilen, he realizes this is the best way for him and his rebels to get inside the castle. By convincing Seri to do this, her life is changed completely.
The other piece to this story is the Athon Prince, Graeme. His father has sent him to the lands of Vidara just in time for his Betrothal Ceremony. Not only is he searching for his Eterna, the one woman who will be his eternal-mate and help quench the thirst the curse on his family has created, but he is also there to determine how best to take care of the rebels and get them in line.
The curse I mentioned was a direct result of the King of Athon offending the Goddess. Because of his actions, the Goddess determined his line would never be granted any daughters (because he killed his own) and he would only have sons that were as cursed as he is. They would also not be able to stand the sun and forced to drink the blood of others to survive. The key to this is that they would never be satisfied because the blood would quickly lose it draw and they would be forever hungry. Here’s the twist…an Eterna would end it all but there has never been one found in recorded history so to say that Graeme is a bit pessimistic that he will find his is probably fair.
You can probably guess where I am going with this story. With Seri right in the line of fire, she is found to be Graeme’s Eterna and following the will of the Goddess, Graeme follows through with the marriage.
Their relationship is rough although I have to say, Graeme goes into it with an open mind. Granted he doesn’t really know what Seri is up to but he definitely has a different outlook about the Vidari than his Athonite people do and he is also willing to give their marriage a chance. As the story progresses, Seri and Graeme definitely change and really I would say that Seri changes the most. Graeme seemed to have a different feeling toward Seri than she did toward him but he is also the one with all of the power. Because of that, even though he never really thought he would marry a Vidari, he still wasn't forced into the marriage in the same way that Seri was so I can sympathize with her.
As for characters, I liked Seri. There were times that I really wanted her to see what Rilen was up to and how he was using her but of course, she was looking at him as the boy she loved and wanted to spend her life with, why would he betray and use her. Rilen annoyed me. He only thought about himself and his end goal, not about the danger he was putting Seri in and in the end I wasn’t saddened by how things went for him.
I thought Myles did a wonderful job of creating this world and the story within. As I mentioned, I flew through this book. It is a quick read and yes, some of it is obvious but I didn’t think it hurt the story. I thought there was plenty of action, intrigue, and swoony bits to keep me entertained. If you are looking for a vampire story with a bit of a twist definitely check this one out - I'm glad I did!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy!
hannas_heas47's review
5.0
Thanks to the author for a copy to read and review.
Fantastic read! I absolutely loved it! Seri and Graemes relationship was intense and I loved the entire story. I hope we get more and this becomes a series. The fight between the Vidari and the Athonites and the way the story was told, just appealed to me. Hauntingly vampiric curse vs a caste of people that have been suppressed. An enigmatic read! Five stars.
Fantastic read! I absolutely loved it! Seri and Graemes relationship was intense and I loved the entire story. I hope we get more and this becomes a series. The fight between the Vidari and the Athonites and the way the story was told, just appealed to me. Hauntingly vampiric curse vs a caste of people that have been suppressed. An enigmatic read! Five stars.
raven168's review
4.0
When I got this book and I read the summary again, it was another one of those times when I wasn't quite sure why I wanted to read it. It didn't sound all that great anymore. But boy was I surprised. From the world building and the characters, this book turned out to be great. I was always curious as to what would happen next.
It has an interesting take on vampires, though admittedly that term is not used at all and they aren't super anything. Instead, the royal house has been cursed to live at night, hunger only for blood, live forever and only sire male children. The curse came upon them when an Athon king obsessed with power and wealth angered their goddess by slaughtering his daughter and all of her worshipers in her own temple. The only respite for one of the Blood can be found in their Eterna. One who can end their suffering of tiring from having to go from partner to partner because their blood no long satisfies them, and who will have a bond so strong with them they will always feel the other. But most importantly, an Eterna will bare them daughters. But one has to be worthy to be granted an Eterna, and for hundreds upon hundreds of years, none have. Until Prince Graeme.
Graeme was my favorite character. He was definitely the most worthy of his family to find an Eterna and his dedication to learning all that he could in order to be a good leader was commendable. Despite his reluctant acceptance of Seri as his wife, he was devoted to her from the moment it happened. He was smart, and sweet and I just very much liked him. Though I would have liked more back story on him. Like why did his father dislike him so?
Seri kind of grated on me at times because she was constantly selfish. Especially the closer we got to the end. It's impossible to say how one would react when thrown into situations like she was, but I couldn't help but get frustrated with her when she said or did something stupid. Most especially :
Leaving the Athon capital to settle the unrest with the Vidari people, Graeme makes his home in his newly restored castle there. Shortly after his arrival a ball is held in hopes of finding his Eterna and if she isn't found, his father would allow him to choose a wife. Many noble Athon women are there vying for their shot and one in particular wants to make as big of a splash as she can. Going so far as to "hire" Seri to be a handmaiden. Seri works very hard each day to feed and take care of her blind sister and very ill father, so when she is offered this position it's hard to turn down the money. She is engaged to Rilan (who as we see more and more of is clearly quite crazy) and it's because of him that she actually takes the job for the lady. The week passes in a terrible blur for her until the celebration is upon them and her whole life crumbles in a twist of fate when the Goddess chooses her to be Graeme's Eterna.
Neither are happy about this, but Graeme at least makes an effort for the most part to be civil, if not nice, to Seri. But she is so terrified of it all that she runs away. And again, it's Rilan who makes her go back. She should have noticed then that the man she thought she loved didn't love her the same when he wants her to kill the prince and doesn't care about how she feels. But she goes back and fortunately fails both times she tries. Graeme and Seri's relationship is strained at best but neither can deny the unbearable attraction they now have to the other. And despite everything, Seri finds herself falling for him. But she's not the only one, as Graeme is the first to realize he loves her. Though it took him almost losing her to figure it out. With Rilan part of the Vidari rebellion, Seri finds herself pulled in so many directions and hopelessly lost as to what she should do. Does she betray her heart, or does she betray her people? It was a little frustrating that she couldn't see another option, especially when he was right there next to her. But when the attack happens, Seri makes her choice and feels that it has been the right one from the start. I like the end, but I also kind of don't because the change in the rebels was too quick. But I was happy to see the two of them realize what they could have together.
Though it might have just been because my copy was an ARC and all, but there were A LOT of things that should have been caught in just a simple proofread. The number of times that there was an extra space, or a missing space was almost appalling. I do hope for the official release these have been caught and corrected.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
It has an interesting take on vampires, though admittedly that term is not used at all and they aren't super anything. Instead, the royal house has been cursed to live at night, hunger only for blood, live forever and only sire male children. The curse came upon them when an Athon king obsessed with power and wealth angered their goddess by slaughtering his daughter and all of her worshipers in her own temple. The only respite for one of the Blood can be found in their Eterna. One who can end their suffering of tiring from having to go from partner to partner because their blood no long satisfies them, and who will have a bond so strong with them they will always feel the other. But most importantly, an Eterna will bare them daughters. But one has to be worthy to be granted an Eterna, and for hundreds upon hundreds of years, none have. Until Prince Graeme.
Graeme was my favorite character. He was definitely the most worthy of his family to find an Eterna and his dedication to learning all that he could in order to be a good leader was commendable. Despite his reluctant acceptance of Seri as his wife, he was devoted to her from the moment it happened. He was smart, and sweet and I just very much liked him. Though I would have liked more back story on him. Like why did his father dislike him so?
Seri kind of grated on me at times because she was constantly selfish. Especially the closer we got to the end. It's impossible to say how one would react when thrown into situations like she was, but I couldn't help but get frustrated with her when she said or did something stupid. Most especially :
Spoiler
When she sent her maid to meet with Rilan, how could she possibly think that she would be safe!?!? And when she didn't show up the next day, I already knew she was dead. And that falls square on Seri for sending her.Leaving the Athon capital to settle the unrest with the Vidari people, Graeme makes his home in his newly restored castle there. Shortly after his arrival a ball is held in hopes of finding his Eterna and if she isn't found, his father would allow him to choose a wife. Many noble Athon women are there vying for their shot and one in particular wants to make as big of a splash as she can. Going so far as to "hire" Seri to be a handmaiden. Seri works very hard each day to feed and take care of her blind sister and very ill father, so when she is offered this position it's hard to turn down the money. She is engaged to Rilan (who as we see more and more of is clearly quite crazy) and it's because of him that she actually takes the job for the lady. The week passes in a terrible blur for her until the celebration is upon them and her whole life crumbles in a twist of fate when the Goddess chooses her to be Graeme's Eterna.
Neither are happy about this, but Graeme at least makes an effort for the most part to be civil, if not nice, to Seri. But she is so terrified of it all that she runs away. And again, it's Rilan who makes her go back. She should have noticed then that the man she thought she loved didn't love her the same when he wants her to kill the prince and doesn't care about how she feels. But she goes back and fortunately fails both times she tries. Graeme and Seri's relationship is strained at best but neither can deny the unbearable attraction they now have to the other. And despite everything, Seri finds herself falling for him. But she's not the only one, as Graeme is the first to realize he loves her. Though it took him almost losing her to figure it out. With Rilan part of the Vidari rebellion, Seri finds herself pulled in so many directions and hopelessly lost as to what she should do. Does she betray her heart, or does she betray her people? It was a little frustrating that she couldn't see another option, especially when he was right there next to her. But when the attack happens, Seri makes her choice and feels that it has been the right one from the start. I like the end, but I also kind of don't because the change in the rebels was too quick. But I was happy to see the two of them realize what they could have together.
Though it might have just been because my copy was an ARC and all, but there were A LOT of things that should have been caught in just a simple proofread. The number of times that there was an extra space, or a missing space was almost appalling. I do hope for the official release these have been caught and corrected.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
otherworldlyreader's review
5.0
I give this a solid 4.5 stars. I loved how different the characters were from what I'm used to reading, but in a good way. I think it's refreshing in novel when the main male lead isn't a total jerk... it's just nice to see a man treating a woman with respect and love. I can really appriciate this in the books I've read so far by Jill Myles because it makes her romances feel real and magical. The fact that Prince Graeme went from hating Seri to loving her was done perfectly. I also liked that Myles was writing about vampires, but never came out and said that it was about vampires... it was moreso hinted at. That's also another clever aspect to her writing. Seri wasn't as strong of a lead as I was hoping for, but I still really liked her. I also liked that there was conflict going on outside of the romance... it really added tension to the book and made the stakes more intense. Overall, it was a really nice, quick read.
star_sapphire's review
4.0
Rating: 3.75-4 / 5 stars
If you've read Betrothed and decided to skip this because it's a "republished" version, I'm going to tell you to not skip it and read it.
Most of the plot/dialogue/etc is the same as the first book, except this time--plot holes, foreshadowing, etc are handled better.
And the last 10-11% of the book is very different from the original version.
A lot of people had wanted there to be more POVs that focused on Graeme, and I'm glad to say that there are a few more (not enough, but still).
If you've read Betrothed and decided to skip this because it's a "republished" version, I'm going to tell you to not skip it and read it.
Most of the plot/dialogue/etc is the same as the first book, except this time--plot holes, foreshadowing, etc are handled better.
And the last 10-11% of the book is very different from the original version.
A lot of people had wanted there to be more POVs that focused on Graeme, and I'm glad to say that there are a few more (not enough, but still).
mjspice's review
4.0
I read Betrothed before this and while they're both the same story with majority of the same dialogue, this one is more polished and better written.
daychaser's review
3.0
3.5/5
Overall a pretty solid fantasy vampire romance, if that's what you're in to. There was enough angst and spiciness to keep you entertained.
The main character, Seri was not meek or grating, which I appreciated. The central conflict came from the fact that she is from an oppressed group, the Vidari, and she basically struggles with her love for the prince of her enemies, and being loyal to her people. I think in certain ways the plot moved the characters instead of the characters moving the plot.
The ending wrapped up a bit too nicely and was a little cheesy, but let's face it, we're here for the romance not the politics so it's not a big deal. One thing I thought was a bit strange was that the prince really seemed to have no clue about the suffering of her people- for being such a good guy and for those lands to be his you kinda think he'd be a bit more in tune to that sort of stuff.
Anyway, it was a solid and enjoyable read.
Overall a pretty solid fantasy vampire romance, if that's what you're in to. There was enough angst and spiciness to keep you entertained.
The main character, Seri was not meek or grating, which I appreciated. The central conflict came from the fact that she is from an oppressed group, the Vidari, and she basically struggles with her love for the prince of her enemies, and being loyal to her people. I think in certain ways the plot moved the characters instead of the characters moving the plot.
The ending wrapped up a bit too nicely and was a little cheesy, but let's face it, we're here for the romance not the politics so it's not a big deal. One thing I thought was a bit strange was that the prince really seemed to have no clue about the suffering of her people- for being such a good guy and for those lands to be his you kinda think he'd be a bit more in tune to that sort of stuff.
Anyway, it was a solid and enjoyable read.
b00kr3vi3ws's review
4.0
Seri is a simple Vidari goose girl. All she cares about is taking care of her family and getting married to Rilen in the spring. But when the Athonite court arrives, and Seri is given an opportunity to work for an Athonite noblewoman, she goes into the enemy’s castle to earn some money and to spy on the Prince. She soon finds out that the curse of The Blood is real and that the reigning royals are literal monsters who live on blood. When a twist of fate lands Seri and Prince Graeme together – bonds are forged, loyalties are tested and they each have to find a way to make things work.
I liked Seri from the beginning. She comes across this normal village girl who works hard to take care of her family. Her world revolves around her father, sister and her love interest, Rilen. She is pretty much resigned to the life that has been dealt to her. Later in the book though, I was really mad at Seri when she had the chance to get her parents out and up to the castle for a better life, she really dragged her feet. Her father had been sick and could have had a cure and medicines, yet she really did not do much to get them there. She did send for them, though a bit late, but never really followed up on it. It just did not feel right to me that she was enjoying the grandeur of the castle while her family was left behind. Rilen on the other hand came off as a really good guy in the beginning. He seemed to care for Seri and even gave up his daily earning to make sure she and her family had enough food. He also seemed to be an idealistic, who wanted to fight for his freedom from the oppression of the Athonites. But his ideas and fight for freedom took him down the wrong path… I really stopped liking Rilen when he sent Seri back to the castle. Prince Graeme made an ‘okay’ impression on me. He could do more… really more if he wanted to. But I guess after growing up under the expectations, he needed time. I also liked Prince Graeme’s sister, she is such a darling. I wish she had a bigger role to play.
The world building was fascinating. The concept of Athonites and Vidari and their difference in cultures was interesting. Also the concept of mortal and immortals were handles in a different manner. The book has Vampires, yet the word Vampire was never used. I would have liked more details and more history though… Like about the rest of Graeme’s family and even more about Graeme before he came to the Vidari lands. Also, I do understand the author’s need to explore the bond between the two main characters, but I sure wish there was less sex and more talking between the two.
I do not know if there is going to be a sequel, (there is no mention and this book works as a standalone with an acceptable ending) but I hope for more. I would like to know more about how Graeme and Seri end up ruling their people and about Seri’s daughters. I am left wanting more…
I liked Seri from the beginning. She comes across this normal village girl who works hard to take care of her family. Her world revolves around her father, sister and her love interest, Rilen. She is pretty much resigned to the life that has been dealt to her. Later in the book though, I was really mad at Seri when she had the chance to get her parents out and up to the castle for a better life, she really dragged her feet. Her father had been sick and could have had a cure and medicines, yet she really did not do much to get them there. She did send for them, though a bit late, but never really followed up on it. It just did not feel right to me that she was enjoying the grandeur of the castle while her family was left behind. Rilen on the other hand came off as a really good guy in the beginning. He seemed to care for Seri and even gave up his daily earning to make sure she and her family had enough food. He also seemed to be an idealistic, who wanted to fight for his freedom from the oppression of the Athonites. But his ideas and fight for freedom took him down the wrong path… I really stopped liking Rilen when he sent Seri back to the castle. Prince Graeme made an ‘okay’ impression on me. He could do more… really more if he wanted to. But I guess after growing up under the expectations, he needed time. I also liked Prince Graeme’s sister, she is such a darling. I wish she had a bigger role to play.
The world building was fascinating. The concept of Athonites and Vidari and their difference in cultures was interesting. Also the concept of mortal and immortals were handles in a different manner. The book has Vampires, yet the word Vampire was never used. I would have liked more details and more history though… Like about the rest of Graeme’s family and even more about Graeme before he came to the Vidari lands. Also, I do understand the author’s need to explore the bond between the two main characters, but I sure wish there was less sex and more talking between the two.
I do not know if there is going to be a sequel, (there is no mention and this book works as a standalone with an acceptable ending) but I hope for more. I would like to know more about how Graeme and Seri end up ruling their people and about Seri’s daughters. I am left wanting more…