I really liked this book, but I was a bit confused as to why King Orion took Levana because of the vague reasons he was explaining. Once Orion explains things clearly to Levana, it all started to make more sense and that's when I no longer could put the book down! The story started to move quickly and, Ohh man, at the end, my heart of racing!! I was so nervous with what was going to happen. I definitely need a sequel to Orion and Levana’s story!!

I just couldn’t vibe with this book. It took me far too long to reach the end of chapter one. This just wasn’t for me.

I initially wasn’t sure about this book. I started reading it and just felt sort of silly reading about vampires, etc. However - I am SOO glad I kept reading this.

I finished this book in like 2 days - and likely would have been much faster just had some stuff going on. The plot was super interesting and curious to find out if they are continue continue the war story line into the next book.

If you are a fantasy fan and like smut (duh who doesn’t). Preorder and read this book! Shoutout to NetGalley for the ARC - I’m really excited to continue this series and actually want to preorder the books for my book shelf so I have physical copies!

This was a very interesting book to read. It covers political disputes, war, different species (humans & vampires) twin flames, forced marriage and a LOT of spice.

I feel like the story was a little rushed but the plot overall was enjoyable to read. Who can't love a spicy smug vampire king that is possessive but gentle and kind to the person they love? Orion won me over from the first chapter so I have nothing to complain about him...apart from the fact he kidnapped and forced a marriage onto Levana. I'll forgive him.
I honestly enjoyed the side characters a lot more. They were bubbly and supportive. I would love to read more about them in the next book or a spinoff!

If you love SPICE, then this book will not disappoint. Every few chapters it has a scene that makes you squeal. Even if some weren't necessary..I enjoyed them!

The book overall was an easy and fun read. I will most likely read the next one and would 100% recommend this!

Whilst this had the potential to be a great romantasy book, there were too many flaws for me. Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with the writing or the storyline.

However, if you like a simple vampire-related, sexy read, this is probably for you!

[Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review]

Masters of Blood follows the story of Levana, a human princess in distress with a controlled life that's been decided for her, and Orion, a mysterious, morally-grey vampire king that decides to kidnap and marry her.

Quick review: ⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️¾ |

A premise that reminded me of an Hades x Persephone retelling and that delivered a dark, goth, spicy romance -but also focused on the growing love binding between Levana and Orion. A reading option if you want to try a dark romance for the first time (this one is pretty 'vainilla') and/or you also care about dark romantasies having a plot.

That being said, I found the pace to be inconsistent for me: as hooked as I was for the premise, I felt the first 25% of the book had little interactions between the main characters. Levana hates Orion and avoids him, and he avoids her aswell. There's no space to really build any romance tension apart from that, but also I feel it does not really emphasizes the enemies-to-lovers trope -and it doesn't last very long.

After that, the book turns into a romantasy with dark romance, spicy scenes that are well written and that take into consideration topics such as consent and respect between partners - something I really value.

So I would recommend this book if you:
-Are looking for a 'vainilla' dark romance to read
-Like spice but also romance
-Want a simple, easy to read romantasy book

Things I did not like as much:
-Enemies to lovers trope was not really in the plot (only about a 25% of little interactions)
-A little bit predictable and slow pace

Goodreads review (english): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6461552878
TikTok video (Spanish review in caption): https://www.tiktok.com/@alba.reads/video/7364030153225145632

I really wanted to love this book and read it quite quickly. However the pacing was off and the language between the characters felt almost AI generated and something I would think someone in middle school would say. It was an interesting book with potential it just missed the mark.

My encounter with "Masters of Blood" by Karolina Wild was nothing short of extraordinary. This intriguing blend of a Hades and Persephone retelling with a vampire twist enthralled me from the first page to the last. Hades and Persephone is always a good retelling when done right and the author did just that, it was done right.

As Levana is whisked away by the enigmatic vampire King, Orion, I found myself immersed in a tale of romance and suspense that surpassed all expectations. Why do romance readers love our FMC being whisked away all the time, it always makes for such a good read.

The novel's incorporation of beloved tropes such as forced marriage, enemies to lovers, and royal intrigue added depth and excitement to the narrative. The character development of Levana, from a sheltered princess to a strong and resolute protagonist, was a highlight that resonated with me, I am always here for a growth and a strong FMC. Orion's magnetic and enigmatic presence further added layers to the story, making him a character I couldn't get enough of. (Morally Grey yes please)

The supporting cast, including Anika, Lestat, and Saxon, brought surprising elements to the plot, leaving me eagerly anticipating future stories centred around their journeys. The passionate romance between Levana and Orion was powerfully depicted, with spicy scenes that added intensity to their relationship I do wish there was more though, but this is coming from a heavy romance reader.

I found myself drawn into a world of dark allure and forbidden love. While I was captivated by the narrative and its enthralling twists, a few minor pacing issues prevented me from awarding it a perfect rating I do feel like the ending was a little quick. Hence, I grant "Masters of Blood" a solid 4-star review for its gripping narrative, compelling characters, and unforgettable romantic tale that left me yearning for more, it is a book I will recommend to friends and will be continuing myself.

A massive thank-you to NetGallery for allowing me to review this amazing book, I enjoyed it.

I loved this book! This was my first time reading from Karolina Wilde and she did not disappoint. I will definitely be checking out her other books. I have read other Hades and Persephone retellings and this is my favorite so far. The slow burn tension had me hooked early on. The world building was so descriptive I could picture it in my head as if I was there. And I laughed out loud multiple times.
After King Orion’s (MMC) request for marriage is turned down by Princess Levana’s (FMC) father, he has no choice but to steal her away. Naturally, she is angry and doesn’t trust him. It turns out her life at home wasn’t quite as it had seemed (I did not see that coming!) King Orion slowly gains her trust in the most entertaining of ways.



Fav tropes:
Slow burn 🔥
Spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Enemies to lovers ❤️‍🔥
Forced proximity 🌹
Arranged marriage 💍
Fated mates 💕
Royalty 👑
Vampires 🦇
Fae 🧝‍♀️
HEA 💋

Fav quote:
“She is worth starting a war for. And then some.”

I want to keep this review spoiler free, but if you're looking for an easier fantasy but still filled with spice, fated mates, political intrigue, action, and friendships pick this one up!! A rough and reluctant start Princess Levana marries vampire King Orion she was previously arranged to marry another king and Orion claims he's saving her and keeps her in his kingdom. Levana is locked away in a foreign kingdom surrounded by vampires with her new husband who swears he will protect her with his life if need be!
This book kept me flipping the pages to find out what's next.
Orion was such a protective but sweet MMC( some of Orion's line
SWOON) and I absolutely loved the friendship between Anika and Levana!

I have a soft spot for vampires and this was an enjoyable read. Some of the grammar and word choices did pull me out of the story a tad, and I wanted a bit more to the characters. I also wanted to know more about Eziron and its history, and I feel like we would have benefitted from seeing things from Orion's point of view to understand the relationship development. I feel like we miss a lot and then suddenly he's obsessed with Levana.

There was some good spice, but at times it felt like everything happening was just to be convenient to the plot. But if you go into it not expecting the most in-depth fantasy, rather a spicy romantasy with Hades x Persephone vibes but with humans and vampires - you'll enjoy it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I hate to be that reviewer, but this book isn't worth your time. The only thing it has going for it is a "my wife" and "who did this to you" moment, which happen back-to-back near the end.

There was no worldbuilding until 75%. There was no set up, and the story relied on the reader's blind acceptance that vampire villains are sexy without bothering to establish the vampire as a villain or viable love interest.

The pacing was terrible. There were so many odd turns of phrase and spelling mistakes that I doubt this was edited. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that AI was used in the creation of this.

Save your time and money for a better book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

Any time there is a story involving vampires, I can't help myself from being interested, they've had a hold on me since my youth. Masters of Blood is an incredibly immersive steamy and gothic fantasy romance that grabs hold of the reader and doesn't let them go until they finish the book.

This is a wonderful story for paranormal romance/dark romance fans as the story is easy to understand and you find yourself really wanting to learn more about the relationships between the characters. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Princess Levana Rhazien's sheltered existence as a royal heir is shattered when her father's plans thrust her into a world of political intrigue and forbidden romance. Forced into an arranged marriage and then abruptly snatched away by a formidable vampire ruler, Levana must summon her inner strength to navigate the treacherous landscape of Eziron's courtly politics and the enigmatic allure of her captor, King Orion Lothaire.

I really enjoyed this book! The plot was straight forward and easy to follow but certainly not boring, and I found myself not wanting to put it down. Add in some delicious spice and its definitely a worthwhile read. There were a few odd word choices/grammar issues and the character development was perhaps a bit shallow, but it honestly didn't take away from the overall story. The worldbuilding was relatively simple, hopefully it goes a little more in depth in the next book.

Vampires will never go out of style. I was expecting only to have fun going into this book, and fun I did have! Masters of Blood immerses you in its steamy, gothic fantasy and makes it difficult to stop reading.

Granted, I would have loved for the connection between our love interests to have stronger foundations on something other than their fate, but I enjoyed the romance nonetheless.

Perfect for lovers of dark romance!

Such a good read! I found the story was so easy to follow. The main FMC character growth was realistic! Loooove the MMC. The only thing I would like would more info on the FMC and how she is able to connect with nature and animals but over all great standalone book. The spice was perfect 👌 written beautifully! Can't wait to see more books in this world.

4 star read for me. Loved the plot, the writing is good but not everything is perfect to be a 5 star read for me. Neverthless it's an amazing book.

I rated this a 4.5 out of 5!
5 chili peppers!

I loved how steamy their relationship was. I loved the tension the two of them shared with one another from the very start.

I don't know how she was able to avoid falling in love with him for as long as she did because I certainly would've folded within seconds. But I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of watching her fight her basic nature and what her heart had been telling her. I mean c'mon.... Vampires? Yes, please!

I will definitely be continuing the series!

Let me preface by saying - I love to read & typically read very quickly, especially romantasy. I struggled in a way I have never struggled before to read this book. I know some people can look past grammar/styling concerns to just "enjoy", but I feel like this was not edited/proofed in any way. There were dozens, if not 100+ things I marked (I am not a professional editor) & then eventually gave up marking. The massive amount of tense issues, odd comma placements, incomplete sentences (maybe that's a style choice), some basic spelling & general structure choices that made me think it was written by a teenager. I do not know the author's age, but I'm going to assume over 20. The plot itself was underwhelming, and I was not invested in any of the characters. I refuse to give 1 star because if it's getting published, then yay - it takes courage to put your work out there. I received this as an ARC, so I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity. I hope things are cleaned up for the final version. I was interested due to description as "perfect for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses and The Serpent and Wings of Night." I feel like this book missed the mark - but maybe it's a slower start & will pick up in future books in the series.

This book did not do anything for me. The whole thing with vampires and humans... okay I get it but the way the MMC manhandles the FMC is just too much for me. I get the fact that you want to put smut in it and some people might also be into it however I did not like that. And the whole book is from the female leads pov which is as useless as her.