I really love it. It was well planned, and it had great timing. The characters were riveting and fascinating. The magical system was unique and diverse. All of the storylines added up in a way that just added a layer of complexity to the plot. I enjoyed the vampires and the whole way the author kind of set up a realm of magical creatures. I also enjoyed the push and pull between the main characters. The side characters added value to the plot in ways that either had me laughing or cringing or hoping that we could see more of them. I hope that we get more within this universe and also that the whole magical world can be more explored in the future.

Watch the full review: https://youtu.be/VN6HM85opv4

I wanted this one to work for me so much. Unfortunately, I did not vibe with it. The characters felt very one dimensional and I didn't feel any chemistry between out main characters. The plot was full of conveniences and repetitive. I needed more world building and explanations. I did like the second half better when Oberon was introduced, but I won't be continuing the series.

i'm really on the fence with this book. The vibes for me where primarily there. I did like that the FMC Aremis was a take no nonsense gal but she was also so selfish. The pacing of this book is light speed, everything happens so fast and there wasn't enough time for really anything to be flushed out or developed to a point where my interest was more than just surface level. I was hoping at some point to be able to really connect to any of the characters but that just didn't happen for me. I had zero interest in the romance part of this story, and while I do enjoy when the romance is a subplot instead of the entire drive of the story this just fell really flat for me. I mainly attribute this to the fact that I just never connected to any of the characters. I also really did not understand the magic system, I feel like a little more back story or explanation would have made it more understandable and thus more interesting. All and all I will say this was a surface level read with well intentioned vibes.

This book has something for everyone! Loveable sidekicks, witty banter, steamy romance, found family, hard fought battles, and an MC with an actual personality vs just a bunch of tropes thrown in with no substance!

I took this book on vacation and I couldn't put it down, I was hooked from the first chapter. The characters, storytelling and world are amazing and hook you and keep you in. I can't wait to read more by this author and am actively looking to see other books available.

Bravo keep it going

Thank you to NetGalley and Jamye Smith for the ARC copy of Born of Blood and Shadows.

I enjoyed reading this book and am excited for the second book, that said I do hope for some more world building in the second book as I was looking for just a bit more.

The storyline kept me hooked and the ending shocked me, it left me wanting more.

The beginning of this book was very promising and captured my attention immediately, however as I continued reading I felt it dragged on at times and went too quickly at others. I had a difficult time connecting to the characters and their love story/ triangle.

I loved the witchy vibe in this book and the idea of her love triangle but overall it fell a bit flat for me. It has great potential and the world was very interesting.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc read!

I love me a morally grey FMC and Jayme Smith DELIVERED!! I found myself entranced by the fae and witch magic systems. A perfect romantasy filled with magic, found family, tension and spice!!

A tale of female rage, desire, and revenge. This book hooked you right from the begining. It's starts off heavily with action and near death experience. Then you get hooked into this new world but are "caved" in with Ameris to the point you feel ansty for something. Then that something happens and you have NO idea what path Ameris will lean towards. The end was so satisfying to say the least and it was a 5 stars soley for that. It's something I've been wanting to see for a long time. Ameris feels naive, resentful, and always pulled to the whims of others because of that. But her dreams, and goals do not change. As much as others use her, and they do a lot of that, she uses them right back. In the end it comes up Ameris. Though I'm a little confused at the last few lines. So I can't wait to read the next book!

If you’re here for morally gray characters and anti-heroes, Born of Blood and Shadows by Jamye Smith is exactly the vibe. Ameris, our FMC, is a breath of fresh air in a genre filled with characters who wait around to be rescued. She’s fighting for her freedom, even if that means taking a darker path. Watching her navigate loss, rebellion, and her own brokenness was both empowering and devastating. I couldn’t help but root for her even as she spirals, because who doesn’t love a fierce woman fighting for what she wants?

The fae love interest, Xander, is a whole different kind of tension. Their dynamic is intense—rebellion, shadow magic, and the slow burn of wondering where their feelings truly lie. The dual POV adds so much depth, giving us insight into both Ameris and Xander’s struggles, and honestly, it kept me flipping pages. And then there’s Oberon… yeah, there’s a lot to unpack here.

The side characters are just as captivating, and the world-building pulls you into a realm filled with tension, battles, and complex relationships. Without spoiling anything, I’ll say that the ending took me by surprise in the best possible way. The twists and turns had me torn between Team Xander and Team Oberon—honestly, I’m still undecided.

I’m officially hooked on this series and can’t wait to see where it goes next. If you’re into morally gray heroines, fae rebellions, and plot twists that leave you gasping, this book is for you!

This has everything romantasy lovers are looking for! Magical bonds, found family, tension and spice, strong characters, epic battles, and best of all, shadow magic! This also has one of the best love triangles I've read in ages!! Normally, I can easily choose which team I wanna be on but I could not choose between Oberon or Xander, so I can't wait for the next book to see how it all develops! I also loveddd how Ameris is a bit selfish, she's focused on saving herself and not everyone else around her, it was very refreshing from all the self sacrificing heroines out there. The ending was crazy and I can not wait for book 2!!

‘Even the smallest splinter can cause the most pain. Remember that.’ 🩸

THAT ENDING THOUGH 😭😭😭! This was genuinely a quick easy read - it’s fab for readers who are new to reading fantasy/romance as it takes you right into the story without over complicating the writing/world building. The romance between the MCs (paired with some of the best tropes everrrr) hit the spot purrrfectly & after that cliffhanger, I can’t wait to dive into the next book!✨

🩸Love Triangle
🩸Forced Proximity (🩸 BOND🫡)
🩸Enemies to Lovers
🩸Witch Hunters & Fae

I wasn’t as quick as our heroine picking up this new world and that was the least of its problems.

Exiled for treasonous parents Ameris does her best to stay out of the way until her path crosses a Fae trafficked into the human world and when a bargain is struck she is thrust into a world of magic, betrayal and conquest.

This books seems as though it is checking boxes on what is trending right now and sometimes that works but others it breaks the fourth wall in a way Miley Cyrus would sing about and that’s never been more true than this book. The dialogue at times is clunky or worse leaning so far into what it’s selling it point blank tells you this is an enemies to lovers which was cringeworthy at best.

The characters are fine if not recycled again from stories similar which again can work if the plot is strong or fresh but this is one I had to stop twice because I was convinced I had already read this under a different title and had to double check. There is some clever maneuvering to explain away the quickness in which someone so naive to the world can hold their own and I do respect that but the rest I wasn’t able to get behind.

I think if you are looking to ride the wave of Fae and a sprinkle of smut this will scratch that itch for you but I unfortunately did mot get what I needed to continue.

•special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

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.

Another fantasy book that I think people will enjoy - magical bonds, found family, shadow magic, tension & spice, battles, and a strong main character.

I think there’s a lot of potential here, but it missed the mark for me.

The reason for the FMC’s power craving was bland. I found her repetitive.

The world wasn’t as developed as I wanted it to be.

Born of Blood and Shadows is book one in The Heirs of Elysium series by Jamye Smith.
I enjoyed this book! I thought Jamye did a great job with the world building, the characters, and the storyline.
This had me hooked from the very beginning until the end.

Eeeek! I love a good book with mutually moral grey MC's and this was just perfectiiiooon! So excited for the next book and I do hope that there is some more world building because i think that was all this book was lacking, but otherwise a fantastic fun read that filled a little romantasy craving i was having 😍🗡️


Thank you Netgalley and Jamye Smith for the ARC ❤️

Born of Blood and Shadows: A Journey into Dark Fantasy
From Blood and Shadows by Jamye Smith is dark fantasy at its finest, so well-crafted to whisk the reader deep into a vortex of magic, danger, and forbidden desires. The novel follows Ameris, who discovers powers inside herself that she never knew she had, and Xander, a prince of the fae in search of redemption. Their fates are intertwined in a dance of passion, betrayal, and political intrigue.

A Relatable Heroine

Ameris was such a multi-dimensional, relatable character. It was very empowering to witness her on this journey to get to know herself, especially with the introduction of magic into her world. She's that gray kind of protagonist who makes choices no matter how bad, as long as it accomplished what she wanted. Strong, resilient-she was an amazing character to fight for.

A Fae Prince with a Tormenting Past

Brooding and mysterious, this prince of the fae named Xander had a fully tragic past; his nature was conflicted, his soul in perpetual torture. This will bring depth to the story, the passion palpable, the tension between him and Ameris evident while forbidding love amidst a world full of political intrigue.

A Realm of Magic and Danger

Smith does an outstanding job of world-building, so intricate and immersive. The magical system is cool with powers that are unique and powerful, dug into throughout the story. From the danger to the intrigue in the fae world, readers will not be putting this book down from cover to cover.

A Thrilling Plot

The storyline is fast-paced, full of twists and turns. The political intrigue adds another dimension to this storyline-the power play amongst the different factions in the story. Ameris and Xander's romance was something to look forward to, and their chemistry and passion fueled the narrative.

Conclusion

Born of Blood and Shadows is one enthralling dark fantasy destined to send its readers into a desperate wanting. The book flows with complex characters, world-building, and intrigue in every plot-a book no fan of the genre should ever miss. Jamye Smith's perilously dazzling world makes the characters she brought alive surely continue to live in the minds of readers long after the final page.

Some of my favourite reading tropes include feminine rage, found family and morally grey characters all around, and this book fit the bill and above! The world building was aalllmost there (hoping for more in the next book) and the characters were *chefs kiss* in all their villainesque, no one is 100% good ways. Cannot wait for the next book!