I received this books from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book started so strong with the introduction. But, I slowly lost interest though due to the the FMC Ameris and the fae love interest Xander. Ameris is portrayed as naive and kind of dumb throughout the book, and it was really hard for me to root for her. And Xander is very dismissive and rude, to the point where I couldn't see the chemistry.

Overall, the plot does have a great hook and would have kept me engaged had I not disliked the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Jamye Smith for an eARC of Born of Blood and Shadows. The following is my honest review.

Ameris lives in a world where magic is hunted. With her own magic bound, she makes a bargain with Xander, the fae heir to the throne who has been shackled to the human world to teach her magic. When witch hunters destroy her home and her last bit of safety, she enters a blood bond with Xander to reach Elysium, the kingdom of the fae. In her quest to master her magic, Ameris enters deadly bargains and finds herself against the shadow king Oberon who has stolen the throne and she must tread carefully as her own lust and ambitions threaten her future.

Born of Blood and Shadow is a dark fantasy that explores a woman's ambition and quest for power after it's been locked away her entire life. We need more morally gray women in fiction and Ameris is definitely a force to be reckoned with. I loved the complexity of her and the way I was kept on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what she would do next. The beginning was a little slow but once we got to the shadow daddy, I was fully immersed in the story.

With all the light and dark fae stories I read, I thought I knew where the story would take me but Smith managed to keep the story fresh and intriguing. It bends the tropes I'm used to and the ending has me biting my nails for what's to come next and even I'm not sure what I want the resolution to be.

While I did love Ameris, there were times that her motivations weren't clear and I struggled and follow along. Once clarified though, I really enjoyed her character. Those moments did bring me out of my disbelief but I was still drawn back into the story. It was a good read with a easy to understand world and magic system, with complex characters, and a kingdom at stake. For fans of ruthless FMCs tired of men controlling their lives, this book is for you.

Overall, I enjoyed the premise of the story. I love that we have a human that is actually a human with no secret fae identity that can use magic like we usually see in other stories. Dual POVs so we get perspectives from our FMC and MMC. Be warned, it ends on a massive cliffhanger! Some things happen at the end that I did not see coming, will be interested to see what happens next!

This is a true enemies to lovers but their relationship seemed kind of forced and I don't think we had enough building of it, I would have liked to see more of Ameris and Xaden.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Jamye Smith for this ARC and for giving me the opportunity to review this book ahead of it's release.

I love supporting indie authors and this book was such a joy to read. It's so clear work, love and talent have gone into this story. I was instantly obsessed with the characters - rooting for Ameris and Xander and utterly convinced that I could fix Oberon, if given the chance! Normally when I'm reading to review, I'll take more breaks in my reading in order to collect my thoughts however, with this book I don't think I came up for air until around 1/3 of the way through. I was so hooked on wanting to know what happened next.

There were some moments throughout where I would have loved a bit more time and description in the text in order to develop a further emotional connection with all of the characters. The book was very plot heavy, and honestly I think it would have been great as two seperate books so we could explore the characters a bit better.
The timeline was also a touch confusing in certain parts (especially with regards to how old the fate are, and how long ago certain plot lines took place).

Ultimately this book was fantastic! I struggled to put it down. I was invested in the characters. The few moments that I was not reading, I was thinking about this story and itching to get back into it. This is some really impressive work from Jamye Smith and I'm genuinely excited to not only see where this story goes from here, but what else this author creates. I'm a fan!

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was very excited to read this book, and it delivered on some things that I was looking for but lacked in many other ways for me.

Let's start with what I liked:
- Having a morally grey FMC with an interesting twist at the end of the book.
- The various players and the "found family" aspect of fantasy novels that bring me a lot of joy with the rebellion members
- The plot was an interesting premise that kept me interested in what was going to happen next
- The fantasy setting was great, with various creatures, species, and dangers

What I struggled with:
- The pace of the book was so fast that I wished this was split into two books with some more scenes that built on the character relationships. I truly struggled to really care about anyone or have an opinion about the love triangle because I felt like I didn't have enough time to make an opinion. Things moved really fast throughout the whole book, which made everything seem very surface level. Having some scenes where we get to sit with our FMC and MMC (like multiple training sessions, talks around fires while traveling, dinners with the group of people she meets, etc.) without trying to hit a plot point beat would have really helped this for me and made me feel more connected to our main characters.
- In the same vein, I struggled with the magic system here because we barely saw our FMC using magic throughout the book. Some more time on that would have helped me understand how the system worked and shown that our FMC gets stronger over time, which would have given the final scenes some more believability for me.
- The timeline. I have no idea how much time actually took place in this book or how much time was between scenes. I felt lost a lot, to the point where I was trying to figure out if I was in the same scene as the last chapter or on an entirely different day. Some kind of indicator to what day it was or how much time had passed (even just a "The next day...") would have helped me a lot. As it is, the timeline felt very rushed.
- I didn't really find either of the romantic interests very believable. I think this is mostly because of how plot heavy the book was that took away from character driven moments, so I didn't get a good feel for either of them.
- I would have liked to have spent more time in the battle sequence to build up more tension. Maybe even seeing preparations for battle that geared up the reader to it instead of just "BAM, armies at the ready to battle it out." I didn't even think a real battle was going to happen in this book until it was upon me, so it threw me for a loop.

Overall, this book was a decent read in that it kept my attention for part of it, but I struggled to read through parts of it, too. I always want to commend anyone who spends so much time and effort in writing a novel, especially a fantasy novel. I definitely think that Jamye has really great potential for future fantasy endeavors because of how interesting the various plot points were, but this book just fell flat for me.

4.5 stars out of 5
I personally loved how Jamye created this strong female lead who dealt with both trauma and grief throughout the story. At times, I found Ameris to be annoying, but then I would remember anyone dealing with grief might act the same way. Remembering that helped me connect with Ameris even more. I think this is a great first book for Jamye. I loved the cliffhanger and also how Ameris felt attraction to the villain even though she knew she needed to hate him. Some things I felt were lacking and keeping this from being a truly 5-star book is Ameris learned her magic a bit too quickly (take it some scene may have been skipped to make this book faster paced), the magic isn't as well explained as I would have liked (hopefully some of this can be explained in the next book), and maybe a bit more world building. Overall, I will be excited to read the follow-up to this book.

I LOVED this book and that cliffhanger! I want book 2 immediately! What a fantastic story.
I love the twists, the character arcs and the plot

I read this book in one day because I couldn’t put it down
5 stars!
I’ll be posting my review to Goodreads right away

I received this ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book had so much potential and I liked Ameris more at the beginning of the book than I did at the end. That's not to say that I didn't appreciate her journey and her character development. It was dark and, at times, confusing.
The world building was fine, if a little lackluster when they reached the fey kingdom. I suppose there couldn't be much when the story jumped from the human world to an ice area to a tree then, finally, the palace.
Ameris' logic was sound. She was pissed that her magic had been bound and wanted it freed, hence the deal made with Xander. From there things become complicated. Despite being taught magic, as she had asked for, she took the view that it was only to the end of using her (fair enough assumption) but instead of facing this head on, she let it sit and fester inside her. There were a lot of times that I had to close my eyes and pray for patience but rolled with it because, it's the characters journey, I had to believe that there was method to the madness. And there was. As irritating as it was to read, it was also very different to the journey I've read of other FMC and I appreciated it. Ameris loses so much at the beginning of the book and it takes its toll on her. Therenare only so many knocks a girl will take before she starts knocking back.
Xander began as a hardened, betrayed Fae who was desperate to get his throne back from the evil usurper. He treated Ameris terribly and then was shocked when she went off on her own, standing on her own and going in her own direction. His character wasn't the strong MMC I am used to, his focus almost instantly shifted from his throne and the rebellion to Ameris and the bond. His change could excuse his treatment of Ameris and that was his downfall.
Secondary characters lack depth, zorria is the only one with half a personality and that's only because she hates Ameris, although I believe jealousy to be the cause of it.
Nothing was really delved into in any great detail. Secondary characters seemed to only be used at plot tools without any development so I didn't become invested in them.
The story moved at a good pace, the villain should've had a bigger role in the book and his backstory could've been explored more. We R only given the bare facts about how and why he became the way he was.
The romance... Well... Ameris seems to be attracted to anyone that looks twice at her. I know the fae are beautiful. We all know the fae are beautiful. I loved the love/hate, enemies to lovers dynamic between Ameris and Xander, it was more interesting from xanders POV. But then Oberon got involved and, you know if Ameris hadn't felt anything for him at all, I would've been ok with it. But she was attracted to him on some level and while I know it's symbolic of her attraction to the dark side, it really got my goat! A few steamy scenes, angst and sexual tension that culminated eventually and yet....
There was some good foreshadowing and honestly the end did make up for the lack of other character development. It was triumphant and intriguing. The view of the morally grey FMC is honestly the best thing about this book.
I'm interested to see what Ameris does next.

.This is the perfect blend of dark fantasy and romance, where every page drips with tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. Ameris, our witchy heroine, is on a quest to unbind her magic before witch hunters catch up with her. Enter Xander, a brooding fae prince with an agenda of his own. Together, they form a blood bond that sends them hurtling into the fae kingdom of Elysium—a place teeming with ancient vendettas and ruled by the shadowy king, Oberon.

The real magic here isn’t just the spellcasting—it’s the electric tension between Ameris, Xander, and Oberon. The enemies-to-lovers trope is on full display, and the chemistry? Let’s just say it’s hot enough to set off some serious magical fireworks. Xander might have a knack for smirking, but he’s not the only one throwing sparks around. This isn’t your typical slow burn—things heat up fast, so get ready for some serious page-turning action. There are areas where I wanted more buildup but really enjoyed it nonetheless.

Smoothly edited and captivating, this book is tailor-made for fans of intense, high-stakes fantasy with a side of steamy romance. I devoured it in just two days, and trust me, once you dive into Elysium, you’ll want to stay awhile.

In Born of Blood and Shadow, by Jayme Smith, our FMC, Ameris is born a witch in a country where witches are burned at the stake. Her parents bind her powers to keep her safe, but she always knows she’s a witch and grown frustrated by her inability to access her powers. That’s why, when Ameris is scavenging from a shipwreck and encounters a living male, she saves him. Xander, the MMC, is a fae, who has been banished from his home in another dimension because he’s the leader of a rebellion against the Fae King. Ameris and Xander make a bargain, where she helps him find his way home and he will help her unlock her magic and teach her how to use it. Once Xander and Ameris get to his home, she becomes disenchanted with his methods and his slowness to teach her. Xander fails to recognize Ameris’ growing unhappiness and does not address her concerns. In order to help herself, because he refuses, Ameris leaves the safety of the rebel compound and is captured by the Fae King, who uses her to trap Xander. Ameris frees herself and Xander and then the story ends. I’m assuming the story is a series and this is the cliffhanger ending? It is not clear whether there is a sequel to follow. The story is not original, there is no unique magic system, and the plot drags a little in the middle. The abrupt ending is the major problem I have with the plot. The intended audience for this story is romantasy readers and New Adult.
I rated this book 4 stars, but the abrupt ending, again, leaves the reader hanging and potentially wanting. I would probably read a sequel if there was one, in general I enjoyed the story and thought it was interesting.

Overall, Born of Blood and Shadow is a quick, interesting read for romantasy readers who love a slow burn, miscommunication trope.

Ty to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC :)

GIRL, THAT ENDING.

THAT ENDING.

It has me a little confused in the best possible way.

Read if you like:
Fae bargains
Elemental magic
Unbreakable bonds
A woman in her villain era ✨
shadow daddy's
Love triangles

This was a wild ride and a breath of fresh air. The writing style was so beautiful, and it deserves all the gold stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 3/5

The chemistry between Xander and Ameris was sizzling, but the chemistry between Ameris and Oberon? Yessss. I'm here for it.

I can't wait for the second book (hopefully there is one in mind?!). Would definitely recommend.

I’d give this a solid 3.5 rating. The morally grey FMC is a new experience for me and I have to say I don’t mind it one bit. I did not love the MMC Xander, something about him just didn’t do it for me. Ameris often had me waiting on the edge of my seat to see what she would do next and the magic elements were really quite interesting and built a gripping story.
I am not someone who can appreciate a love triangle, reverse harem all day long for sure but if you are someone who enjoys that this might be the book for you. Looking forward to the next one after that cliff hanger.
Thank you to Netgalley and victory editing for the Arc in exchange for my honest review.

Received this book as an ARC via NetGalley, thank you!!

This book is a romantasy story with witches, fae and elemental magic. It is full of tropes I love like enemies to lovers, forced proximity, touch her and die.
What I loved the most about this book was the fact the the FMC was morally grey which was a new twist for me! Ameris is a sassy, sharp tongued FMC who knows what she wants. Her journey and choices through the story I did not see coming and I cannot wait to read the sequel!!!

I ate this book up! This was fast paced and I was intrigued the entire time.

The elements of this fantasy romance book were really refreshing. There is a bond that occurs, but it is done so differently and it had me questioning everything (in a good way). The politics, magic system and overall plot were great.

I changed who I was rooting for so many times and was on the edge of my seat.

Perfect for anyone who likes:
-dual POV
-some spice
-morally grey FMC
-elemental magic
-love triangles
-witches & fae
-shadow daddy

The cliffhanger at the end left me wanting the next book asap.

*ARC received from Netgalley - all opinions are my own*

TL;DR: The book explores human and fae magic systems, features a degree of found family, and presents a morally grey female main character (FMC) amid a light vs. dark romance. While not an entirely unenjoyable read, the story's characters often fall flat which brings down my rating.
Review:

"Born of Blood and Shadows" marks my first encounter with a truly morally grey FMC, and it was interesting to see Ameris grow and change throughout the story. Watching her struggle with her choices between staying with “light” magic or succumbing to dark and destructive magic was intriguing. However, despite understanding her loss and the rationale behind her feelings and actions, Ameris's constant hostility becomes exhausting. It is particularly frustrating when she repeatedly refuses to take accountability for two significant choices that altered her life, instead blaming everyone else and completely disregarding their experiences.

My feelings towards Xander, our male main character (MMC), are mixed, leaning towards the negative. He is selfish, rude, and dismissive of Ameris until a certain bit of the book, at which point he suddenly acts like an infatuated teenager despite his age. Even if Ameris pushed him to the brink of death, he would still be content just to be near her. I find this dynamic between characters unappealing, especially since Xander continually disregards Ameris. He speaks over her, hides things from her, underestimates her power and abilities, and generally shelters her, then wonders why she is hostile toward him. There's a scene later in the book where he leaves her behind despite her begging to be involved and we get an inner monologue from him, essentially saying, "I'll bring her back a present from the city, and that will make everything better".

The overall story is pretty interesting, and I would love to learn more about the world's history and the events during the war. It would be nice to get a bit more clarification on Rhiannon as she is portrayed both positively and negatively, even by her supposed “friends” so it’s a bit difficult to know whether she was liked or even a good leader.

Our interactions with Oberan, our "villain", were pretty brief and feels like a bit of a lost opprtunity as he was unlikeable from the start. I think it would have been a great time to pit her against Xander as Oberan was willing to give and nuture her magic.
*potential spoiler taken away for Netgalley review*

Despite some frustrating moments with our main characters and some side characters (I’m looking at you Zorria), Born of Blood and Shadows offer a truly morally grey female character struggling with past and recent trauma all while trying to navigate her new life and powers. It’s very light and slow-burn on the serious romance side, so do with that what you will.
I do think it would be worth the read for many people but maybe read around other reviews or grab a copy from the library as it wouldn’t be my personal choice to read.

Born of Blood and Shadows - Jamye Smith

This book really surprised me with how much I enjoyed it! I’ve struggled to continue with fantasy since ACOTAR and ToG as I feel like nothing will live up to them, but Born of Blood and Shadows really had everything I could want from fantasy.

I’ll just start by saying, the beginning of this book had me HOOKED. Ameris is a little girl who’s magic is trapped by her mother while both her parents are burnt at the stake for being/enabling witches. The tension, character building and general start made for a great beginning.

I loved Ameris’s story. The idea that she knows she has abilities but can’t access them, living in a village where people suspect her magic but won’t act on it due to her ability to heal. Until coming across Xander, a being who she has only heard about in stories passed down by generations. And here comes my favourite fae storyline… What better way to introduce yourself to another being than saving their life in bargain for helping access her magic?

The journey of grief for Ameris had me bawling. In a short space of time, she loses everything and everyone and is stuck with Xander, a fae who recognises that she is a descendant of another great fae. Armed with a grimoire and an influx of memories, Xander and Ameris plan to undertake a trip to Xanders home, but the main problem is, the only way to do so is through blood magic and a bond… Which Ameris is aware of, yet Xander is yet to discover.

Their story of rebellion and submission of the ruler Oberon was written in a way that made me think twice about which characters were inherently bad, and reconsidering their motives. The plot twists and other characters were just as elaborate.

I will say though… Ameris isn’t fussy when it comes to her men. Does she just kiss everybody she comes across?

Regardless, this book was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed diving back into the fantasy world through this story!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review!

Morally grey tale where witchcraft, elemental fae magic, and strategic romances collide.

Ameris, desperate to escape relentless witch hunters, strikes a dangerous bargain with Xander, a captivating fae heir, to learn magic in exchange for saving him. Together, they form a bond that transports them to Elysium, the fae kingdom under the shadowy rule of King Oberon. As Ameris navigates a world of ancient rivalries and dark allure, she finds herself torn between Oberon's seductive shadow magic and her intense connection with Xander. With the throne at stake and threats looming from all sides, Ameris must decide whether to claim her power or remain ensnared by blood and shadows.

Born of Blood and Shadows is a captivating read, offering a fresh take on the world of magic with a rich tapestry of history and character dynamics. At its heart, this novel presents a unique spin on the history of witchcraft, descending from elemental fae magic that explains their deep connection to the earth. This distinctive approach breathes new life into the genre, emphasizing the ease of which Ameris comes into her powers.

The novel excels in its portrayal of character dynamics. Each character is intricately developed, with personalities that shift and adapt depending on their surroundings and the relationships they navigate. This fluidity adds layers of complexity to the narrative, especially when it comes to romantic interests. Relationships are portrayed with an air of mutual benefit rather than mere affection, making every interaction feel charged with strategic intent. Readers are left questioning the motives and allegiances of each character, mirroring Ameris’s own uncertainty and growing mistrust.

Ameris embraces the morally grey trope. Straddling the line between light and dark, she embodies the complexities of a character shaped by trauma and a quest for control. Her journey is one of profound internal conflict, where her powers, morals, and worldview are in constant flux. This inner turmoil is both heartbreaking and relatable, providing a nuanced exploration of how past suffering can shape present choices.

Overall, I enjoyed the blend of witchcraft and fae and the power of light vs. dark. I cannot wait to see how the fae world is expanded upon in future novels.

This had so many tropes that I loved to read, so I was already excited to dive in! And I loved the morally grey FMC. I honestly have read one done like this before and it was great. The world building was phenomenal and very unique. I’m looking forward to the next book!

Book Review: Born of Blood and Shadows by Jamye Smith

*Born of Blood and Shadows* by Jamye Smith is an extraordinary dive into a world where magic is both a gift and a curse. The intricate world-building is nothing short of masterful, creating a setting that is as dangerous as it is enchanting. The novel's captivating storyline, rich with magic and complex bonds, pulls readers in from the first page and refuses to let go.

Ameris, the protagonist, is a compelling character whose struggle to unbind her magic sets the stage for an epic journey. Her alliance with Xander, the dangerously attractive fae heir, adds layers of tension and intrigue, especially as they navigate the perilous political landscape of Elysium. The chemistry between Ameris and Xander is palpable, and their blood bond adds an extra dimension to their relationship, heightening the stakes at every turn.

The plot is a rollercoaster of ambition, lust, and betrayal, with each twist and turn meticulously crafted. The witch hunters' relentless pursuit of Ameris keeps the tension high, while the fae kingdom's ancient vendettas and the shadow king Oberon's machinations add depth to the narrative. Oberon, in particular, is a standout character, his dark allure and ruthless ambition making him a formidable antagonist.

Smith's writing is immersive and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the magical landscapes and the intense emotional battles within. The climactic ending is nothing short of jaw-dropping, leaving readers desperate for more.
*Born of Blood and Shadows* is undoubtedly a standout read of the year. It's a book that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned. For fans of fantasy and romance, this novel is a must-read, earning a well-deserved 5-star rating. Jamye Smith has crafted a tale that is both enchanting and thrilling, and I eagerly await the next installment in what promises to be an unforgettable series.
#NetGalley #BornOfBloodAndShadows

This book has everything I love in a story! It's fast paced, as a unique magic system, the author has done an amazing job with the world building, the fantasy world definitely needs more morally grey FMCs like Ameris. All the characters have a great back story and I absolutely loved the character zeke!

I cannot wait for the next book because that ending had my jaw on the floor!

Thanks to netgalley for providing the ARC