King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair
Book #1 in the Adrian X Isolde series
Romantasy (Vampires)

Warning: This book may contain your new favourite vampire book boyfriend. You will need to allot enough time to read this book in one go. It’s the kind of book that sucks you in on page one and won’t release you until the very end. You will ignore all other obligations until you have finished (trust me I speak from experience).

The general plot kind of reminds me of the From Blood and Ash series by JLA and for the sake of being honest, this book is exactly what I wish From Blood and Ash would have been. The writing here is polished and never feels repetitive. The story is constantly flowing and moving towards something. The sexual tension between our main characters is at peak levels from the moment they first encounter one another. It felt like every scene and character served a purpose.

Was this better than a Touch of Ruin? Dare I say so? I think I liked Adrian more than Hades. They both share similar character traits. Brooding, check. Devilishly handsome, check check! Appears authoritative but mostly a big softie on the inside. Absolutely. There’s just something about vampires that gives them the upper edge for me.

The universe itself aligns with something you would normally find in a fantasy novel and is entirely different from that found in Hades X Persephone.

If you are a fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout, Sarah J. Maas or Elise Kova and you have not picked up a Scarlett St. Clair book I highly, highly recommend checking her books out.

Many thanks to #SourceBooksBloomBooks and #Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so thankful to get this ARC, courtsy of the publishers, the author, and netgalley!

I absolutely loved this book! I thought the writing was beautiful and Isolde is such a baddie. I love heroines that are so sure of themselves and exactly what they want, and she was it!

Plot:
I loved how the plot unfolded, because it felt like the dramatic irony where there were things obvious by inference to the readers but Isolde was completely unaware. I want more and I can't wait for book two.

Characters:
The characters were everything. I loved how everyone had clear motives (or they became clear), because for me that is what is so important to development. Adrian is so dreamy and I am adding him to my collection of book boyfriends.

Worldbuilding:
I enjoyed this world, but I thought the world building could have been better, which is the sole reason for the one star. I feel like there could have been way more added to it and it wouldn't have been too much.

Thank you to Scarlett St. Clair, Bloom Books, and NetGalley for a digital ARC of King of Battle and Blood!

This book follows Isolde who is the princess of Lara which is being taken over by vampires. The humans and vampires are at a constant war, and Isolde agrees to marry the Blood King, Adrian to bring peace to her nation. But she soon realizes that what she has been raised to believe is not all that it seems. I really enjoyed all the character development of the main and side characters. If you like action packed books that feature a strong female character, beautifully written world-building, surprising twists of love, betrayal, revolution, and morally grey characters, then you will LOVE this book! The immediate chemistry between Isolde and Adrian was so extremely well done, and there is quite a bit of spice throughout the entire book.

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait until the next one comes out!

This was a really great book! Such a fun read - it had so many of the elements I generally really enjoy, the writing is solid and the characters are really likable. Really wonderful worldbuilding is going on in this book, and I'm really excited for the next installment!

‘I do not pray. But I begged for you’

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

Guys this book was WORTH THE WAIT!
If you’re already a fan of Scarlett St Clairs books, as I am, then you’re bound to love this one too. A book full of royalty, enemies to lovers, badass female lead, ominous male lead 👀 magic, vampires and some beautifully built world, not to mention those plot twists?!

The action kicks off almost immediately and doesn’t slow down, a fast paced and gripping read that managed to balance an intriguing fantasy world full of magic alongside the explorations of love, jealously, friendship, family and duty. I adored how human Scarlett St Clair made these characters even in the depths of magical world. I loved getting a good balance between a new fantastical world with great world building but also keeping us interested with a fast paced plot. It can be difficult to balance but I really enjoyed how this one seemed to manage both from the get go. You’re not overwhelmed with world building straight away and it slowly unravels as you read on.

The CHEMISTRY between Isolde and Adrian was just…I loved the development of their relationship throughout the book this is defo one for you enemies to lovers maniacs (like me!)
I had mixed feelings about Isolde from the beginning but if I’ve ever seen a character development and had my option so vastly changed on a character this is it. I loved her ARC and how she was vulnerable and powerful at the same time, Scarlett really pulled out the human flaws in these characters in the best possible way. I love seeing female
morally grey characters in books. She’s ended up being a much more complex and interesting character than I originally expected and has possibly become on of my favourite new fantasy characters?? And Adrian, I mean come on, men written by women what more can I say, he was phenomenal!

Shout out to the ‘Not Main Characters’ MVPs - Lothian, Sorian and Miha!! I actually loved almost all of the other characters in this book which is rare, I felt so invested in their stories as well and I would LOVE to get more of them in the following books!

Also I was not expecting that ending or the events that lead to them?! I had guessed at a few things but still managed to be surprised which is always great in a fantasy book! As I’ve said 1000 times already I’m dying for book 2!!

If you’re looking for a new fantasy book to curl up with I highly recommend giving this one a try, I can’t wait for the rest of the series and to see where these characters end up next. If you’re also a From Blood and Ash fan I guarantee this will probably be a read you’ll love! (That’s not to compare them at all they’re both outstanding books)

Full review on Goodreads because I somehow still had more to say about how GOOD THIS BOOK WAS!

Contains some mature themes and possible triggering content so please be aware of these before reading.

This was so good. I absolutely love the trope of "arranged marriage to get close enough to the enemy to kill them but oh no I caught feelings instead" and this delivered.

The romance was amazing. The side characters were wonderful.

I felt like the angst/learning of the secret was a bit too drawn out, but when we finally had the reveal it was great.

Definitely looking forward to the next book.

When I found out that Scarlett St. Clair was writing a vampire fantasy romance, I was so excited. I’ve really enjoyed her Hades and Persephone series, so this was one of my most anticipated reads for the end of 2021.

This book follows Adrian and Isolde, where Adrian is the evil Blood King and Isolde is a badass princess. Adrian is feuding with Isolde’s father (and really, literally everyone else in the world) and Adrian asks for Isolde’s hand in marriage in exchange for a truce.

While I loved the concept, parts of the execution fell flat for me. This book is very trope heavy, which is fine, but at times I felt like I was missing pieces of the world building so I got confused. Also, Adrian and Isolde began to fall in love (as to be expected), but I didn’t feel like there was enough dialogue to support that journey. Much of the dialogue occurred during sex scenes, and they barely spoke outside of the bedroom. Although I will say, the sex scenes are 🔥🔥

I went back and forth on how to rate this book, and I’m going to say it falls under my “three stars, would recommend” category. I did enjoy reading it, and I am definitely going to read the rest of the books in the series as they release. I can tell that there are some epic storylines brewing, and I am excited to see how they pan out.

"All the stars in the sky are not as bright as my love for you."

I would like to thank SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for sending me an e-ARC copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first encounter with Scarlett St. Clair's works, and I was actually really underwhelmed, especially given the entire premise of the book was something that got me really into wanting to read it. It had a lot of the elements I enjoy reading in a fantasy romance novel, but there were just so many tropes that somewhat didn't work that well together. I also found the entire thing too convenient and the story slightly sloppy, because I keep returning to previous pages just to refresh my memory on what is happening. I also didn't find the characters that memorable, and they were pretty much annoying.

I was just really underwhelmed for a book that I was excited to read.

An honest review for an ARC of this book.

This is the story of Isolde de Lara who is having to marry the Vampire King Adrian Aleksandr Vasiliev to end a years long war with the Vampires. Her real purpose though is to kill Adrian on their wedding night. She of course fails and Adrian threatens her saying if she tries again, he will turn her into a vampire which of course is the one thing that she hates the most.

Isolde tries to learn to navigate the Vampire Courts that she has been now thrown into but soon learns there are more things that she should be worried about. Like her ever growing attraction to Adrian, who is not as bad of a vampire as she first thought.

Over all I really enjoyed the book. Isolde is a very likeable character who is very bad ass and quick witted. St. Claire could have easily made her a damsel in distress but she didn't. Isolde knows how to use a blade and isn't afraid to try to use it. Adrian is also very likable. He isn't evil but he isn't a fully good guy. I can imagine imagine him stealing a the from The Count of Monte Cristo "I'm a Vampire, not a Saint." The romance between the two of them is very spicy and believable.

If you are a fan of kick butt heroines, interesting anti-heroes, and enemies to lovers stories, then I hightly recommend this book!

“𝐼 𝑑𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑎𝑦, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑏𝑒𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢.”

THIS STORY 🤤 I miss Adrian already 😭❤️‍🔥🥺

I was fully consumed by Adrian x Isolde's tale. I devoured it in just a few sittings. Scarlett creates yet another addictive and compelling world and love story that all fantasy romance fans will. LOVE. It's dark, romantic, and stirring... fierce and possessive. I couldn't get enough.

When the Blood King, Adrian, chooses Isolde as his consort, in the hopes of ending an age-old war, Isolde, Princess of Lara, accepts. Their chemistry is undeniable, but Isolde is determined to save her people. Under the guise of becoming the future vampire queen, Isolde enters their court with a plot to undermine King Adrian and his war efforts but is quickly dissuaded as she begins to learn the shocking history of both Adrian and the vampire court.

READ THIS IF YOU LIKE:
— vicious vampires
— goddesses x witches
— monsters plaguing the land
— arranged/forced marriage
— enemies to lovers steamy romance
— kingdom intrigue x corruption
— bonded love x reincarnation
— curses

I am somewhat ambivalent about King of Battle and Blood, not because it is a poorly written book, but because the plot is so overdone in Fantasy that it was easy to predict 90% of the book after reading less than a chapter. This being said, the story, or world, in which it takes place is somewhat unique (at least to me) and that does help make the main story more interesting. The characters, however, like the plot are weighted down by too common tropes that unfortunately also make them (particularly the female MC) pretty unlikeable. Essentially, developing strong, independent woman without trying to show these qualities through obnoxious and entitled behavior can often seem like a tall order. It is a characterization that I have, unfortunately, seen again and again in Fantasy books, and one that can almost single-handedly turn a great story into a struggle to read. While this book did not embrace this trope quite as hard as other, similar books, the MC was difficult to like and even more difficult to sympathize with.

I am literally always down for a dark fantasy with enemies to lovers and vampires - then we're tacking on arranged marriage and dark magic, I'm sold!

Isolde is a witty, strong-willed and loyal warrior who takes charge of her life. I love a book where the princess isn't held to a standard of purity just to be married off. Adrian is a swoon worthy anti-hero who's a "touch her and I'll murder you" type. Isolde's confusion regarding her feelings towards Adrian did get a little repetitive by the halfway mark but the twist and ending made up for it.

The world and specific vampire lore was the very intriguing with lots more to explore in the future. I look forward to book two and reading more from Scarlett St. Clair.⁠
⁠
Read if you like:⁠
-fantasy with spice⁠
-badass MCs⁠
-arranged marriage⁠
-enemies to lovers⁠
-warring kingdoms⁠
-vampires and dark magic⁠
-ACOMAF & FBAA
⁠
CW: death, gore, sexual content

“I can be anything. Your jailor, your savior, your lover.” His mouth was closer to my ear as he added, “Your monster.”

I’ve been highly anticipating this book since Scarlett first teased about it and I just finished the ARC and all I can say is you need to get this book if you love vampire fantasy romances!
Did not stop reading after starting & cannot wait to read the next book! Highly recommend! 🖤

✨the sexy villainous hero was not a dark skinned, brown haired man that could have his way with me, but ill let it pass this time✨

If you had handed me this book in high school, I would have practically foamed at the mouth from joy. Now, I might have had some issues with the book, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t enjoyable.

Tropes:
- arranged marriage to her enemy
- sent to kill her husband
- hero calls her a nickname that she thinks is an insult
- banter
- vampire king hero
- heroine puts a knife at his throat
- “keep your hands off my wife” vibes
- hero who would k*ll for his wife
- mixed race, mid-size MC ? (only mentioned briefly)

I think this book will be a great hit with its target audience. This is definitely the kind of book that BookTok would lose its minds over. I am very glad I got to read it because I really enjoyed this book.

Deliciously woven with dark magic and smut, this fantasy romance genuinely had me in its clutches.

It was giving me easy, basic fantasy vampire romance while still having unique elements to it. And that cover?! I think it is stunning. The plot was fast paced and kept me interested.

It was entertaining and gripping, don’t get me wrong, but there were some issues that I do want to point out. They could have all been easily solved and I hope that they do get solved in the next books.

My first issue: the formulation of the plot. While the plot was going at a fast pace, there were alot of elements that were introduced and then dropped or never explained. Despite that, there was still a lot happening. There were a lot of conflicts and a lot of twists being uncovered without getting a proper foundation or resolution.

My second issue: the choppiness of the writing. I had heard this about St. Clair's other books too, but I felt that the writing and the pacing of this book was very choppy. We would go from one tone to the next or from a slow part of the book to something insanely fast paced in the matter of sentences. While this is what happens with fast paced plots, the super successful ones are able to do it by creating a seamless transition between changes or progression in the story. I felt like my brain was jumping throughout the book.

My third issue: the main characters feeling caricature-ish. I felt the hero was a basic villainous, sexy, mysterious hero and the heroine was a basic fiery, sword wielding, "badass" warrior princess heroine. They didn't have much depth or development to their characters. I didn't really get to connect with them or get any genuineness from them. When the heroine would pull out her sword on a man who said something to her, I didn't think it's badass because that felt like her only personality trait. I think this worked from 2015-2018ish but I think there are so many fantasy romances out there with these characters and this kind of plot, that we need a little more from new releases. I will say, I saw such a brilliant glimmer of hope in the beginning. The heroine was discussing how she had spent her whole life preparing to be queen and proving a single woman could rule and now that she was suddenly getting married, she felt like she was losing her purpose and failing women. That would have been such a beautiful part of Isolde's personality to explore. That would have had me so in love with her character. I see the potential Isolde and Adrian have, I hope St. Clair taps into it.

One more issue I had was the plot twist at the end. The plot twist pertaining to Isolde just didn’t sit well with me. I know it is supposed to be romantic, but it made the love story seem a little ingenue to me. If you read the book, you'll know exactly what twist I am talking about. It technically is romantic and doesn't really steal away from the intensity of their relationship, in fact it adds to it, but something about it just didn't sit well with me. But I will say, I feel like I am in the minority with this opinion though.

I point out these issues, not because I am trying to bash on the book, but because I hope the author is able to resolve these issues in the next book. Because, honestly, I am hooked and very interested to see where this series is going to go.

Fans of ACOTAR and From Blood and Ash, hold onto your bookmarks, because King of Battle and Blood is FOR YOU. This book really reminded me of those two series. You have your villain hero, take-no-bs heroine, kingdoms at war, dark magic, engaging plot, and steaminess.

Just beware, this book is steamy, but it’s basic steam. Nothing really kinky or unique. It’s vanilla sex with a little paprika that just happens frequently.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend you guys read this if you are looking for a new fantasy vampire romance. I look forward to reading the next books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 stars | 🌶🌶/ 5 steam

Thank you to Sourcebooks Bloom Books, Netgalley, and Scarlett St. Clair for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion ❤️

I really enjoyed this book. I did feel like the middle part of the book dragged on for a while and the main character got a little annoying mid book. However, the end of the book definitely had me wishing book two was already out.

WOW!!! I had to binge read this book because I could not put it down. I had never read a book by Scarlett St. Clair but I do have two in my tbr pile and after reading this book I am moving them up to the top of my list. This book is about a woman named Isolde who has to marry an evil man to save her people. Forced Marriage? Evil love interest? I was hooked. Honestly, this is one of the few books where the main character did not give me any cringey moments or second hand embarrassment. I absolutely love her so much and I really enjoyed how much of a badass she is. I already am planning to go out and buy this book because I need to fill it with my tabs and have it on my shelf, especially with the beautiful cover it has!!!

This was my most highly anticipated release for the year- hands down- and it did not disappoint!

I absolutely love Scarlett’s writing (AToD is one of my favorite series) and reading a book written by her ABOUT VAMPIRES made my elder emo heart sing!

I loved Isolde- she’s such a no-nonsense bada** and so relatable.

Adrian was everything you could want in a villainous book boyfriend and then some. The tension between them was off the charts and his dirty talk was A+.

I loved the world and lord building in this story and can’t wait for the next book!!

Solid 4.5 stars

Thanks to Edelweiss and Netgalley for a digital copy of this book.

Some of the writing is a little silly at time but if like "The Shadows Between Us" but wanted a lot more sexy bits, this is the book for you.

“I do not pray,” he said. “But I begged for you.”

King Of Battle And Blood by Scarlett St. Clair deserves 10 freaking stars. I devoured it, I loved every word, every chapter, and I cannot wait for everyone else to read this. Adrian and Isolde has me question my hall pass book list. Thank you Scarlett for writing this amazing book! Adrian was something out of a wet dream and I would want nothing more than a whole book of him torturing, killing, and cleaning bloody weapons for the one he loves. Isolde, freaking bad ass goddess! I would sit there and watch her stab anyone, anytime, all the time. I felt so many emotions during this book and I am fully hungover. OH and the ending! 10 more stars!!!

Rating:
5/5 ★
This book is getting shoved down everyone’s throat. Scarlett has written such an original, hot, and captivating story. Vampires, Witches, Monsters, and don’t forget about the characters you love to hate. I was getting pretty stabby throughout this book. But the side characters, cheese and rice they were lovely and I want all the spin offs and extra scenes our queen will give us.

Oh, my word. I devoured this book in one sitting. It was the best of all the worlds - vampires, supernatural beings, strong heroines. I know there is going to be a series. It has to be a series. I despise a series, but for Adrian, I'd do a series in a minute. St. Clair needs to write faster!!!