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!

Jamye Smith’s Born of Blood & Shadows is a new addition to the fantasy genre that offers a blend of familiar fae lore and human drama. As a reader who enjoys discovering new voices, I found Smith's novel to be an overall enjoyable and easy read, though it does have its shortcomings.

The novel follows Ameris, Xander, and Oberon through a narrative that aims to balance romance, intrigue, and the complexities of fae-human interactions. The premise holds promise with its blend of magical elements and human conflicts, but the execution leaves a bit to be desired.

One of the notable strengths of the book is its accessibility. Smith's writing style is straightforward, making it a relatively easy read for those looking for a quick escape into a fantastical world. However, the story's potential is somewhat hampered by a few critical flaws.

Firstly, the character development is noticeably lacking, particularly among the side characters. They often blend into one another, feeling like variations of the same personality rather than distinct individuals. This lack of differentiation can make the world feel less immersive and the stakes less compelling.

Furthermore, the novel has moments where important elements are introduced but not fully explored. For instance, scenes involving a mysterious necklace and an encounter with a winter beast are introduced with a sense of significance, only to be relegated to mere side notes. This can leave readers feeling that crucial aspects of the story are being neglected or underdeveloped.

The romantic plot, which is central to the story, falls flat. The relationship between Ameris and Xander lacks depth and believability. The insta-lust dynamic feels rushed, and Ameris's conflicting feelings towards Xander and Oberon contribute to a sense of whiplash rather than genuine emotional conflict. The romance's lack of build-up or meaningful tension detracts from its impact.

Additionally, the pacing of the novel is uneven. The rapid progression from Ameris and Xander’s initial meeting to the dramatic events that follow feels abrupt. This quick transition to the fae world, coupled with a slow, introspective slog through the latter part of the novel, disrupts the narrative flow. The shift from the urgency of the human world to the more languid exploration of fae culture can be jarring.

In terms of lore, Born of Blood & Shadows doesn’t break new ground. The fae world is a familiar blend of typical fae elements, which, while engaging, doesn’t offer many surprises.

In summary, Born of Blood & Shadows is a book with intriguing elements and a promising premise but ultimately falls short due to uneven pacing, underdeveloped characters, and a lackluster romance. While it provides an enjoyable read, it may not fully satisfy readers looking for a deeply immersive fantasy experience. Given its potential, it will be interesting to see how the series develops. For now, this debut earns a solid three stars.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the copy and opportunity to review.

This was a great start to a fantasy series, and I can’t wait to read more. I’ll just be over here, hanging off that cliff until the next book comes out 😂.

There’s nothing better than a FMC who is a total morally gray badass, and Ameris fits the bill well. You could say I’m in my villain e r a. I’m always a team #shadowdaddy all the way. I do wish there was a little more world building, but that’s something that could come with the next book.

✨Read if you Love✨
🖤 Unique Magic Systems
♥️ Morally Grey FMC
🖤 Great Plot
♥️ Shadow Daddy’s
🖤 Anti-Hero Vibes
♥️ Fae Bargains
🖤 Love Triangles
♥️ Elemental magic
🖤 Forced Proximity
♥️ Dual POV

“She had become death incarnate, ready to deliver judgement.”

“Born of Blood and Shadows,” by Jaymes Smith

I loved this book from beginning to end. I loved how everyone had their own motives and none of them were truly pure. I loved how the two main characters were morally grey and willing to throw way too many people under the bus but were internally conflicted about it. I loved the enemies to lovers and chosen one vibes in the story. The ending blew me away, I cannot wait for the next book to come out. The female rage was insane and absolutely perfect. 5 out of 5 stars, so good!

-Witches
-Fae
-Enemies to Lovers
-Chosen One
-Dual POV
-Female Rage

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

This book has a little of everything that romantasy lovers crave - magical bonds, found family, shadow magic, tension & spice, battles, and a strong main character. Many interesting side characters drew me in. It was refreshing that Ameris was focused on saving herself and not everyone else around her. I still can’t decide if I am Team Oberon or Team Xander, and I can’t wait for the next book to see how the plot develops. I don’t want to say too much about the ending, but it shocked me!

Loved this fast paced fantasy! It had everything I like in a good romantasy! Highly recommend! It’s the perfect fall read!

Thank you to Victory Editing for this Arc via Netgalley.

This is the second Arc I've ever read and... sigh I think I'm disappointed in the experience through the platform buutt to be fair it's only the second book. Now... going into the story and plot.

Ameris? Dislike her, can't stand her. What is her purpose? This was 300 pages of her pissing me off with her thoughts and decisions. She goes on about blaming Xander for all the suffering in her life, admits it isn't so but goes " but I want to be angry so let me do whatever nonsense I want to do, not listen to anything others say" Gah she is irritating.

I couldn't even feel for her when Xander and the others excluded her, although fair enough because the second she does do exactly what they warned her not to do she gets caught... The author tried to do a trapped-for-safety bit and I wouldn't say I like Ameris enough to have begged her to be shoved back because once she steps into her power which mind you Xander and his people were teaching her how to manage, she basically turns against them for her own gain. It all her her her, won't be controlled, yadi yada and honestly I felt like all her decisions were the dumbest I've ever read, no plan just a girl thinking she can go through life on her own and crush anyone on her way out of fear and no clear deduction of what exactly is the situation,

Anyway... There was a plot and the story is somewhat easy enough to follow, I feel like sometimes the author loses direction in her writing, I would get lost and think wait when was this ever mentioned? But I can let it slide. There is little to no world-building because Ameris consumes the pages even though is a dual POV.

Xander is chill. Reading what he thinks and reacts just makes it abundantly clear that Ameris is the problem. She goes around professing her hatred for him, he's like okay but girl I'm not the other one but whatever. When he responds to the way she treats him, it's a problem.

Honestly, if there were no Ameris involved this would have but a solid 3 star maybe 3.5 because I actually like the villain Oberon over Ameris.

If there is a second book, good luck to anyone who decided to read it. But Ameris will not be on my screen again. Cute name though.

Review also available on Goodreads on September 6, 2024