Thank you NetGalley & Publisher for this ARC copy. This review is solely my own opinion and words.

Gosh I really wanted to love this book but I just couldn’t. The FMC is super intolerable and the amount of editing/typo errors in this book was atrocious. Either the author paid a terrible editor or they didn’t get an editor at all. But that would be about it regarding what I didn’t like.
The MMC, Orion, and the FMCs bff Anika make this book. Plus Orions two friends. They were such great characters. Orion is so dreamy! Anika is smart, strong, sexy, and just doesn’t give a fuck but in a fantastic way.
Overall the plot was fairly good but there were a few small plot holes. Just seemed pointless to add it and then never provide a resolution/answer? The book also ended a bit weird for it to not be a continuation series. Overall it was alright. I’m unsure if I will read the 2nd book once it’s out.
3.5/5

This book was just not for me. I felt that the female main character was unlikable. However, I do not blame the author, I blame the editor. I would read other books by this author.!!!

I really like Karolina Wilde as an author and especially enjoyed House of Pain in the past. Unfortunately Masters of Blood was not the same for me.

It was still an enjoyable read, especially the first half of the book, it just didn’t have the same excitement and pull for me. The dynamic between the two main characters was alluring and sexy, especially the build up of their relationship, although later on it became overly sexual for me.
I enjoyed the setting and thought the world building was detailed and interesting, with likeable characters and a clever history and background.

The idea of the book was certainly cool, I just feel the whole story lost steam along the way and started to feel dragged out, even with a satisfying ending. However that being said, I would read the next book.

🌟🌟🌟⭐️ 🌶️Karolina Wilde’s Masters of Blood is a captivating journey into a world where power, betrayal, and dark magic intertwine. The story follows our protagonist, Alina, a young sorceress with a hidden past, as she navigates the treacherous political landscape of the blood mages' society.
From the very first page, Wilde draws readers into a richly detailed world, where magic is both a blessing and a curse. The intricate lore and the rules governing blood magic are meticulously crafted, offering a fresh and engaging twist on the fantasy genre. The author's attention to detail in world-building is commendable, making the setting both vivid and believable.
Alina is a complex and relatable character. Her journey from a naive sorceress to a formidable player in the blood mages' game is compelling and well-paced. Her internal struggles and moral dilemmas add depth to her character, making her more than just a typical fantasy heroine. The supporting characters, including the enigmatic and brooding Malachi, and the cunning and ruthless Seraphina, are equally well-developed, each bringing their own unique dynamics to the story.
One of the highlights of Masters of Blood is its plot. Wilde masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns. The political intrigue and power struggles are reminiscent of Game of Thrones, but with a unique magical twist that sets it apart. The action scenes are thrilling and well-executed, balancing the more intense moments with quieter, character-driven scenes.
Wilde’s prose is both lyrical and engaging, painting vivid pictures without being overly descriptive. The dialogue is sharp and natural, revealing much about the characters and their relationships without resorting to exposition.
However, the novel is not without its flaws. Some readers might find the pacing a bit slow in the middle sections, where the focus shifts heavily to political maneuvering. Additionally, the romance subplot, while intriguing, occasionally feels underdeveloped compared to the main plot.
Overall, Masters of Blood is a fantastic addition to the fantasy genre. Karolina Wilde has crafted a dark, immersive world filled with magic, intrigue, and memorable characters. It's a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and dark magic tales. I rate this book 3.5 stars and 1 chili pepper emoji for its captivating storyline, well-developed characters, and the perfect blend of romance and action.
Whether you’re a longtime fantasy fan or new to the genre, Masters of Blood is a spellbinding read that promises to leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

3.5⭐ Mysterious Vampire King kidnaps human princess from an arranged marriage, forces her to marry him instead, and causes an impending war. I was sold immediately lol. I feel as though this was a pretty standard plot, and there should be some major editing that needs to be done, but I still thoroughly enjoyed reading it! Although it was standard, I didn't feel like I was super bored, and I enjoyed Levana's character development and am interested to see where book two takes her and Orion! There's found family, shadow daddy hands, and the threat of a multi-species war, what more is there to ask for lol.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy for review!

You had me at shadow daddy 🥵
It was a quick easy read, if you like Persephone and hades in a retelling then you’ll love this book!

I would probably rate this book 2. stars although it could have been 3.5 stars. It honestly was a fast read, with likable characters and a good plot for a vampire romance however this was overshadowed by the two main characters being "Twin Flames" (ughh eye roll) which was not necessary at all. As soon as I came across this half was through I wanted to stop reading I told myself to ignore that part which was easy to do for majority of the book except towards the end,

I haven’t read all that many vampire books before, but I’ve been wanting to try more of them, so I was very happy when I got the opportunity to review this ARC. So let’s get into it;

What did I like;
- the characters; dark, broody vampires and supporting best friends are all you need
- It was super easy to read, which was an amazing contrast with another heavier book I was reading at the same time!
- I found it resembled acotar quite well
- The character growth we get so see in our mc!
- The fact that the mc stripped down naked in a room full of people to make a point (if you want the context you’ll have to read the book 😉)

What did I not like
- It was a bit too tropy for my taste at times

Overall I really enjoyed this read and it was some great entertainment. I’m also happy to have got the chance to read a vampire romance as I’m really starting to like those :)

Masters of Blood is a standalone vampire fantasy, and I loved its inspiration from Hades and Persephone and clever plot. Levana had a wonderful character arc, and I appreciated her interactions with Orion. I do wish the prose had more depth. Overall it was a cute fantasy read!

It was ok - I did find that I had to force myself to finish it as I feel that the writing style just didn't suit me.

Karolina Wilde's 'Masters of Blood' offers a fresh twist on the Hades and Persephone myth, blending elements of vampires and political intrigue in a setting reminiscent of the far north of GOT. While the premise holds promise and the plot is engaging, the execution falls short due to editing issues and inconsistent characterization. The protagonist, FMC, comes across as insufferable rather than intentionally complex, detracting from the overall reading experience.

Despite its flaws, the novel shines in its world-building and the dynamic relationship between Anika and Levana, who authentically embody the bond of best friends navigating political tensions and alliances. However, the continuous errors in spelling and grammar, along with inconsistent tone and dialogue, prove distracting and detract from the story's immersion. While 'Masters of Blood' offers moments of intrigue and spice, it ultimately struggles to deliver a cohesive narrative, leaving readers longing for a more polished execution.

This book surprised me, it was the right amount of plot and spice. It had Vampires, Fated mates, kidnapping, found family and some comedy in it.

The characters were good, I liked Orion and Anika the most and I look forward to Anikas book next. Overall the relationship between Orion and Levana was good there was enough enemies to lovers in there as well and I liked the light bondage the book had.

Overall I thought it was a good vampire romance and I enjoyed it! There were a few word slips where they weren’t in the correct tense but other than that it was well written.

This is a Hades x Persephone retelling that is advertised as for ACOTAR fans (but really isn't?). Not every book can be for fans of ACOTAR and that's okay, but advertising it as such puts a certain expectation in your readers mind before they even start...

The tropes were well chosen and the plot had a ton of potential but unfortunately there were too many missing pieces and typos to overlook. A lot of the story was predictable in a way that some readers might enjoy but the ending left me wanting more.

I will say, this is a more light-hearted fantasy (less emphasis on war and fighting) so if you're just looking for a good time and to not have to think very hard, give it a try!

Overall, I definitely really enjoyed this title! The spice was great and I think the plot itself was interesting and kept me hooked. The characters were fun and the interactions between the FMC and the MMC's friends was super entertaining. The main reason for deducting stars was the amount of errors that I believe could have been fixed with another round of editing - usually I'm not stickler for that but it happened often enough that it became distracting and took me out of the story when I picked up on it. I would give this a 4 for plot and spice, but have to drop it to a 3 for the errors, but if this ever gets picked up by trad publishing and put through another round of edits I would LOVE to give it another chance because I really think this has sooo much potential! And I definitely plan to continue on with book 2 whenever that comes out, I look forward to it!!

Thank you to NetGalley & Karolina for the complimentary copy of Masters of Blood, in exchange of an honest review.

Vampires are making an absolute comeback in 2024.. and Masters of Blood is giving a vampiric spin the Hades x Persephone retelling. Masters of Blood was, overall, an enjoyable read. It read more like a young adult fantasy with mild spice; it was very easy and digestible.

If you're looking for:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Romantasy
- Vampires
- Dash of spice

This is the book for you!

I would say this is a 3.75 ⭐️
I loved the story it was very cute. I loved the romance. The FMC got a little annoying, though, in the middle, and it continued for a while, and I didn't enjoy it as much. The ending was also a little underwhelming. I was expecting something big, and it was something more mild. A few things were left out that were never really talked about, and I think their could have been a little more insight into the vampires. It was a cute romantic read, though.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn't influence my review. The book had potential, but I did not like it.

I really enjoyed this book! I have not read a romance book involving vampires in quite some time so I was unsure how I would feel about it at first. But the story really drags you in!!

It was a well told story with plenty of information but not too much that it drug out or was boring. The spice was AMAZING!!! I really need to get me a vampire or something!

I honestly can’t wait for the next book!

3.5/5 I absolutely love the story of Hades and Persephone. I was worried I wouldn’t like a retelling involving vampires, but I was pleasantly surprised. Overall a different read than I’m used to but still enjoyed.

I really liked this book, Levana is such an powerful women, the world building and story is beautiful and i mean who can say no to a vampire king? i can really recommend it!