2.5 stars.

As someone who enjoys dark fantasy with morally complex characters, The Hunter's Gambit was an intriguing read. The protagonist, Kazan Korvic, is a blacksmith with a grifter's edge, and her journey into the Vampire Court is both thrilling and unsettling. I appreciated the unique take on vampires—hedonistic, bloodthirsty, and unapologetically menacing. It felt like a return to the classic vampire archetype, which added a layer of nostalgia to the story.
Kazan's character is morally gray, and her willingness to do whatever it takes to survive made her compelling, though not always likable. The locked-room escape adventure within the Vampire Citadel was intense, and the pacing kept me hooked. The action scenes were brutal and vivid, perfectly complementing the dark tone of the book.
However, I did find some aspects of the story a bit underwhelming. While the premise was strong, the execution occasionally faltered, with some readers noting that the plot felt predictable at times. Additionally, the romantic elements, though steamy, might not resonate with everyone, as they seemed to divide opinions.
Overall, The Hunter's Gambit is a bold and atmospheric tale that explores survival, power dynamics, and the lengths one will go to when backed into a corner. If you're a fan of dark fantasy with a touch of romance and a protagonist who refuses to play by the rules, this book might just be worth your time.

The Hunter’s Gambit by Ciel Pierlot is a thrilling sci-fi adventure with rich world-building and compelling characters. The action keeps a steady pace, and the tension between the characters adds depth to the story. While some plot points feel a bit familiar, the engaging writing and well-crafted twists make it a gripping read. A solid 4 stars—exciting, well-written, and perfect for fans of fast-paced sci-fi with a touch of intrigue.

Vampire novels are always something I'm willing to try. And this one was fun with a great cast of characters and some honestly really cool worldbuilding, but the writing just didn't click for me

I realized early on that shock factor was going to be utilized in this story, which is not something I typically enjoy, and perhaps that has had an effect on my enjoyment of the story. I love different takes on vampires, and I appreciated that the vampires in this were intelligent while still being dangerous. I thought the story had potential going in, but I struggled with it. There were things that felt unrealistic, and I didn't understand some of the choices made. I still think it had potential, so I'm really interested in what this author puts out next!

Epic fantasy by one of the best fantasy writers. Suspense, drama and gripping writing. A fan for any fantasy reader.

The Hunter's Gambit by Ciel Pierlot is a captivating read, and the cover is absolutely stunning! The vampires in this story are far from the typical mindless, violent creatures you often see in the genre. Instead, they’re smart, capable, and attractive, adding layers of depth to their characters. They’re powerful and cruel, which keeps the tension high throughout the book—there’s no sanitizing here, and it makes for a much more engaging experience.

The plot leans into dark fantasy with a touch of romance, and I loved how well the setting of the Citadel and the vampire world came together. The world-building was top-notch, creating an immersive backdrop that felt rich and alive. I also really enjoyed the attention to detail when it came to the weapons, especially the knives and blades the characters wielded. It added a sharp edge (pun intended) to the whole experience.

The action scenes were dynamic and had me hooked from start to finish. The fight sequences were vividly described and kept me on the edge of my seat. There was so much energy in those scenes, and I had a blast reading all the intense action unfolding.

Overall, this book was an exciting, well-crafted ride through a dark, gritty world. It’s the perfect blend of tension, action, and fantasy with a dash of romance, and I can't wait to see where the story goes next!

Ciel Pierlot’s The Hunter's Gambit is a dark and captivating vampire fantasy that immerses readers in a world of danger, deception, and survival. With its intricate setting and morally ambiguous characters, the novel masterfully combines gothic atmosphere with a gripping tale of resilience.

The story follows Kazan, a blacksmith whose journey to sell a vampire-killing sword takes an unexpected turn when she is captured by a group of vampires and taken to their isolated fortress, the Citadel. Trapped in a deadly game, Kazan is crowned the "vampire queen" for three days of lavish celebrations, knowing that her sacrifice is planned to sustain the magic that powers the Citadel. Determined to defy her fate, Kazan must navigate this perilous world, forming fragile alliances with vampires whose true intentions remain unclear.

One of the novel’s strongest elements is its richly imagined setting. The Citadel, with its towering gothic architecture and eerie grandeur, becomes a character in itself. The decadence of the vampire festivities, juxtaposed with the ever-present threat to Kazan’s life, creates a sense of unease that drives the story forward. Pierlot’s descriptions bring the environment to life, pulling readers into a world where beauty and brutality coexist.

Kazan is a compelling protagonist whose flaws make her feel refreshingly human. Her sharp instincts and resourcefulness set her apart, though her tendency to lie and make impulsive decisions often lands her in trouble. Her interactions with Adrius, the stoic vampire seneschal, and Reya, a sorceress with her own hidden agenda, are layered with tension and intrigue. The relationships between these characters, though brimming with potential, sometimes lack the emotional depth needed to fully resonate, especially as the love triangle takes shape.

While the novel thrives on atmosphere and action, the world-building occasionally feels underexplored. The dynamics of vampire society, including the interplay between the various houses, are hinted at but not fully fleshed out. This leaves readers with a sense of untapped potential, as the political intricacies could have added greater complexity to the narrative.

The pacing is generally strong, with well-executed action sequences that highlight Pierlot’s ability to write dynamic fight scenes. However, Kazan’s decision-making can at times feel inconsistent, particularly in moments where her choices seem to undermine her otherwise sharp instincts. Her vacillations between self-preservation and rash actions occasionally detract from the believability of her character arc.

Despite these minor shortcomings, The Hunter’s Gambit is an engaging and atmospheric tale that delivers on its promise of danger, intrigue, and dark fantasy thrills. Pierlot’s storytelling keeps readers invested, even as the story leaves room for further exploration of its richly conceived world.

For fans of gothic vampire tales and morally complex protagonists, The Hunter’s Gambit is a captivating read that balances danger and decadence, leaving readers eager for more from this dark and alluring universe.

Premise was interesting enough, but the book itself needed more edits and better world building. Hopefully this author continues to grow in their writing, because they are no doubt creative.

Vampires vampires vampires! Need I say more! I loved this book Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

This is another book that just didn't hit the mark I thought it would. The description is amazing and I wanted to love this so much. I ended up feeling ambivalent toward everything. I wanted to finish and yet I felt as if I would be walking over hot coals to do so. This could have done with more world building and a little less sensationalism.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was one of those books where it could have been amazing but it just felt flat. The book needed to go through more editing as far as I'm concerned.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This might be a really great book, but I'll never know because I couldn't force myself past chapter 4, despite several attempts over several weeks. There just wasn't any draw to keep me slogging through the on-the-nose dialogue, abrupt changes in pacing, stilted and overwritten style, and the flat, predictable characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a captivating read that held my attention from start to finish. The story was well-paced, and the characters felt real and engaging. I’m grateful to the publisher for providing an early copy—it was a pleasure to read!

It was hard for me to get into the story. I found the start somewhat piecy, and it was difficult to care for the characters. Unfortunately, I DNFed at about 30%.

The Hunter's Gambit is a thrilling ride from start to finish. the story masterfully blends heart-pounding action with rich world-building, creating a vivid backdrop for the protagonist's journey. Characters are well-developed, each with their own motives and complexities that keep readers engaged. The tension builds with every page, leading to a satisfying climax that leaves you eager for more.

The Hunter’s Gambit by Ciel Pierlot is a dark fantasy novel that plunges you into a world of aristocratic vampires and a gripping locked-room escape adventure.
The story centers around Kazan Korvic, a skilled blacksmith with a vendetta against vampires.
Kazan must navigate a treacherous environment to reclaim her stolen weapon and escape before a lavish feast!

Kazan's interactions with other characters, particularly the vampires, are tense and charged with emotion. Kazan’s ability to adapt and think on her feet makes her a formidable protagonist. She is not a traditional hero, but her flaws and fierce will to survive make her relatable and compelling.

The plot serves as a cat and mouse game, with a fraught and suspenseful atmosphere, the constant threat of violence and betrayal lurking around every corner.

Overall, The Hunter’s Gambit offers a thrilling and darkly captivating experience, perfect for fans of vampire lore and intense fantasy adventures.
Thank you to @cielpierlot and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this amazing Arc

The Hunter’s Gambit had a lot of potential, and I was excited to get an arc of this book. I love vampire stories, and this plot sounded really interesting to me.

While it was an entertaining read, I think the book overall felt pretty rushed. I think a lot happened in just three days, and because of that, I never felt like I truly got to know any of the main characters or see their connections to each other. The ending was also a little anti-climactic to me. I would’ve loved to end on a cliff hanger and then pushed some of this into a sequel so we could’ve taken our time with the story more!

I’m sorry for the delay In posting my review for this one. I read it back in August but didn’t realise i hadn’t posted the review!

I enjoyed reading this book and as someone who loves reading about Vampires this one was a great take. I loved the different take on the Vampires and loved the dangerous vibe the author was able to portray.

The plot for this one is a little slow to get going but once it picks up the book gets you hooked. There’s plenty of twists to keep you guessing what’s going to happen next.
The world building was great but I felt like I could do with more. I would love a little more background to the different Vampire houses in the future books as I was left with some questions and wanting more details.
The characters were great and I loved how the mc came across. I love it when they are strong and determined and yet vulnerable at the same time.
I’m hoping the next book will be a little longer so that we can learn more from this new world.

Thank you to the Publisher, Author and Netgalley for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to love this. Or even like it. But I just couldn't get into it. It was a chore to finish it, if I'm being honest. I had high expectations from Ciel Pierlot after reading Bluebird, but this book really disappointed. Sad, really.