This cover is gorgeous but the story was not for me. I found it very insufferable trying to read this. And at almost 500 pages I have to say that I wish it would have been better. The world building was sub par and the characters well I kind of hated all of them. This felt more like some kind of bad fan fiction vs. a full fledged story.

This is a really good book and shows very interesting sides of the characters, especially regarding their morals. The magic system in her is good, however I personally found the book too similar to other systems. The story as a whole felt very familiar to me, almost like I've experienced the story before but I am yet to put my finger on what.

⭐3.1

⚚ Plot:
'A Bond with the Dark' navigates familiar supernatural themes while establishing its own identity through original lore, an innovative magic system, and intricate conflicts.

⚚ Writing:
While contemporary in style, the most alluring aspect of the prose is in the evocatively woven descriptions that vividly depict the scenery and amplify the novel's gothic ambiance. The narration features multiple points of view and remains character-driven throughout. However, during some sections, the dialogue is dense with exposition, which can feel a little overwhelming. Initial chapters lack momentum, though those who persevere will discover that the book intensifies significantly.

⚚ Characters:
The protagonists, both in their thirties, adorned with tattoos and alternative fashion, complement the gothic themes underpinning the narrative. While the romance unfolds rather rapidly, it is fraught with complications and external challenges. Sayah's refusal to heed her intuition may initially seem naive, but her backstory and Dominic’s emotional complexity ultimately enhance their dynamic. Additionally, an array of secondary characters, each with contrasting motives and abilities, enrich the storyline and introduce further obstacles.

⚚ Impact:
Central to the narrative is Sayah’s resilience and tenacity, highlighting themes of survival and personal strength. A rollercoaster of high-stakes action, introducing formidable adversaries that pose significant threats even to the most powerful characters, contributing to an exhilarating reading experience.

⚚ Overall:
For fans of supernatural romance, this novel presents the first installment of a journey with potential, particularly for those willing to overlook a slow start.

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Genre:
⚔ Supernatural romance

Tropes & Themes:
⚔ Vampires
⚔ Witches
⚔ Demons
⚔ Chosen one
⚔ Instant attraction
⚔ Love triangle
⚔ Supernatural entities
⚔ Mature protagonists
⚔ Magical Gifts

Spice:
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this captivating fantasy romance, the author weaves a beautifully intricate world filled with magic, adventure, and an undeniable chemistry between the protagonists. From the very first page, readers are drawn into a richly imagined landscape where the stakes are high, and love transcends boundaries.

The characters are delightfully complex, each facing their own trials and transformations. Their journey is not just about romance; it’s about self-discovery and the courage to embrace one’s true self. The chemistry between them crackles with tension, making every shared moment feel electric and deeply meaningful.

The plot is expertly crafted, balancing moments of heart-pounding action with tender, intimate scenes that linger long after the book is closed. The author’s lyrical prose brings the settings to life, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and danger of this enchanting world.

Overall, this book is a delightful escape that deftly combines elements of fantasy and romance. It’s a testament to the power of love and the strength found in vulnerability. Perfect for fans of the genre, it’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a magical journey of the heart!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this ARC!

I have mixed feelings about this book. The plot idea, the premise, and a lot of the scenes were great and I absolutely adored them. It definitely has very, very strong Vampire Diaries elements and that threw me off a little. Don't get me wrong, love vampire diaries, but I felt like some of it wasn't original and that it was very rushed. I think this book is one I would like to read the sequel to, but I'm not sure I would re-read it. It just wasn't my cup of tea with the pacing and immediate feelings.

Dual POV, Spicy. Falling for the Villain, Single Mom, Touch her an Die, Magical Creatures, Vampire x Witch, Morally Grey FMC & MMC, Family Dynamics

A Bond with the Dark gives Charmed mixed with the Vampire Diaries vibes centering around Sayah and Dom, a vampire whom is tasked to kill her to restore the balance of the world. This book is angsty, fast paced with plenty of plot twists and magical creatures to keep the reader engaged. I didn't anticipate the twist at the ending at all and am looking forward to picking up the next book in the series.

3.5 / 5 stars

This book was okay, I feel it could have been a bit more refined, but personally I liked the story. It is filled with romance (but it's a bit messy), mystery, vampires, witches, prophecies and lot of stuff.

At times it felt a bit too slow for my taste, but all in all, it was a refreshing read for me, and while, as I said, it needs some improvement, but if you want an easy and relaxing read.

3.5 stars rounded up

This book was interesting, it is a fantasy romance with a ton of vampires, mysteries, prophecies, and messy romance. The plot had some great conflicts with a lot of high stacks and drama. It was very entertaining and read very quickly.
There were a couple inconsistent throughout the book mostly relating to characters' personalities being depicted in one manner and them doing and saying things that don't really match. I would have really liked a more clear and detailed description. For example, I did not have a clear picture and rules surrounding vampires, mainly the Dominic family for most of the book. Things did end up getting cleared up, but I spent most of the book having way more questions than answers. The romance was ok for me, a bit insta love and did not really like Dominic, he did grow on me more as the story went on. Overall, I did have fun reading this and I am interested in continuing this series.
I received an advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

This book has all the elements that drew me in—witches, vampires, and just the right touch of romance. It gives off strong Twilight meets The Vampire Diaries vibes, which was right up my alley as someone who can’t resist rewatching TVD.

What really stood out to me was the fresh spin on the magic system and the way vampires, werewolves, and witches were portrayed. It’s not easy to make these familiar themes feel new, but A Bond with the Dark managed to pull it off in a way that kept me intrigued.

However, I did find myself struggling a bit with the pacing early on. While the characters, especially Bash, were compelling, the story took a while to pick up, and there were moments where the writing felt a bit heavy, overexplaining things that didn’t need it. That said, once the plot got going, I found myself really enjoying it. Despite the slow start, I’m glad I had the chance to dive into this world, and by the end, it had me hooked. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to discover this unique twist on familiar fantasy elements!

Thank you for this e-Arc.
I really enjoyed A Bond with the Dark. Inara Gage has created a fun romantasy with interesting world-building, character's, and magic system, with an amazing mix of supernatural creatures!
The plot twist at the end!!

There were a few pacing issues for me, but overall, I enjoyed the storyline, and Vampire Diary vibes.

Great idea! Interesting worldbuilding! And who doesn't love a modern world with Vampires and what not...

Potential Spoilers

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This book had me hooked from the beginning. I feel the stress the FMC is going through and love how the MMC dates her, unwittingly falling for her hard in the process. The story is interesting and unique, with phoenixes, vampires, warlocks, fae, and lycan. The intertwining of the two main families tie them together more than they ever realized. They interplay between the main characters to resolve an issue that can either kill or save them. In the end, the FMC and MMC are at an impasse, unable to resolve the issues between them. This book ends in a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to the next book release. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy your book!

Thank you for NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for approving my request for an e-ARC of this book! This book is definitely made for fans of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals!

Inara Gage's A Bond with the Dark is a blend of dark fantasy, romance, and supernatural elements. The novel follows Sayah, a complex protagonist with a tumultuous past, as she navigates a world filled with witches, vampires, demons, and other supernatural beings. The book is the first installment in The Beautifully Broken Saga.

Sayah, the FMC, is a complex character who has experienced struggles in her past, and Dominic, the MMC, has his own fair share of familial struggles. The book delivers strong chemistry between the two characters, even has spice (imo very sexy!), but also some elements of 'who will she choose'.

I felt like the pacing was a bit slow at first, but I sped through it once I got passed the 1/4 mark. The dialogue was realistic and easy to read. I also appreciated the worldbuilding in this book. The world feels immersive with a well-crafted lore and magic system. One thing that stood out for me is the similarities between this supernatural universe and TVD, without it being too copied.

Overall, A Bond with the Dark is a book that is a mix of familiar tropes and plot twists that could make you keep turning that page! I loved this book and would recommend it for readers and fans of romance and fantasy within a supernatural world with witches and vampires! I can't wait to read the second book!

Ich habe mich über das Buch sehr gefreut. Es ist nicht nur fließend zum lesen sondern auch sehr spannend.

I DNF it at 30 percent I couldn’t take it anymore! Especially after chapter 16. I really think this story could have gone somewhere but it was poorly written and I love twilight but seriously? I loved that more traditional magick was used and that instead of mind wiping the author called it veilweaving. But over all it was unbearable and I really wish it wasn’t. I was super excited and it was a complete flop.

Whilst I thought this book sounded right up my street, the story sounded really interesting and I was excited to start reading it but I just could not get into at all. It took me a week to get to 31% and that was me forcing myself to read it.

I did like the FMC as she wasn't your typical main character, she had trauma yet didn't let it define her as well as being a single mother.

Having said that, I didn't like the writing style at all, it felt very young. I enjoy chivalry as much as the next person but the language used by Dom and his actions was just a bit too much.

I felt this book had a lot of potential but sadly it just wasn't for me.

Super easy book to read.
A great mix of heaps of different supernatural creatures! Good smut, relationship building, family, danger and twists.

A romantasy that didn't focus on the romance more than the rest of the plot. The story line was intertwined perfectly with events at the beginning coming to fruition in the end.

The book in my opinion is written more in the direction of the younger adult readers. I didn't enjoy the writing

Oh. My. Goodness...this book was so so good! And the twist at the end I did NOT see coming! Can't wait for the next book!

I really enjoyed a lot of things about this book. The witches, vampires and romance. Kinda felt like Twilight meets The Vampire Diaries, which is fine because I enjoyed both of those, and still watch TVD reruns every now and then.

However, I did have a bit of a hard time getting into the story. I loved the characters, Bash especially, but the story pacing was a little slow for me and there were a few sections which felt boring due to the slowness. It definitely picked up more towards the end and was very enjoyable to read.