The Blood Vier

This was a very good start to the series. The world building was great. The characters were very love able and I enjoyed this book a lot!

The Blood Vier by Christy R. Harrill was a fun start to a great fantasy series.
An intriguing and captivating story with fantastic characters.
The writing sucked me in and held me captive till the end.
I’m excited for the second title in this series.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Rose Hollow Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Gorgeous and interesting fantasy with a really fun plot and a really fun protag. Thanks for the arc! Would recommend

This was a great start to a series that left a lot to be answered.
I really enjoyed the politics and court intrigue.

My only complaint is that I wanted more from the fmc. She needed help more often than not and it got a little tiresome.

Overall I definitely will continue this series.

The blood Vier by Christy R. Harrill. Tanks to Nergalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A story about Taryn who searches for her father's killer and discovers that her father and mother have always lied about her father's background. She soon finds herself in a world with political intrigue, murder and betrayal and she must decide how she will find her place in it.

What to expect?
- Secrets
- Political intrigue
- Murder mystery
- Betrayal

The characters in the book are well written and have interesting backgrounds with deep feelings. You are taken into 2 different POV and this often makes you as a reader doubt the intentions of other characters. This increases the need to understand the story.

the world-building is good, the magic is explained but not yet over-determining for the book and there is no romance. However, Tyren is a damsel in distress and the fitting of the book is so well done that you don't miss it.

I definitely recommend this book, it's a very strong start to a series. I'm very curious to see how the story continues. I'm rating this book 3,5 stars

A really good tale that leaves you with a lot of unanswered questions.

This is a quick and easy read with likeable characters, a decent plot, and good pacing that keeps you churning through the pages. I got through it in a day and wanted more.

The epilogue was very interesting, and I would like to know how that is going to play out. I'm also very interested in something that happened at the very end of the book that made me have doubts about a character. Because of all of these things, I will definitely be looking forward to the next one.

An intricate and delicately balanced tale of intrigue and heartache.

The characters in The Blood Vier are well-written and have amazing depth. As the tale unfolds, we find that the characters each have their own heartache and it is this heartache and the loss that brought it on that informs their actions and choices throughout this story.
Though this tale started slowly, it was gripping right from the beginning. And though there were times that the reader is surprised by a twist in the story, there are some characters for whom we can never quite grasp their allegiances. This all helps to create a book which demands to be read as quickly as possible in order to see just what happens next.
A wonderful beginning to the tale, this first installment is well worth the read. Highly recommend!

Harrill weaves a captivating tale of fantasy--blending elements of political intrigue, mysteries, and the more emotional topic of dealing with grief and healing. I found myself flying through the book and completed it within one sitting. It was so easy to get immersed into the story and captivated by the mystery. Who had killed Taryn's father? Why had they done it? Every question made me want to finish the book all the more. The ending was beautifully poignant and I felt that it wrapped up the relationship Taryn had with her father perfectly. That epilogue though... it left me hungry for more.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really loved it! I loved the character and the world building. The interactions were well thought out as well as not focusing on romance. I enjoyed the plot and the concept. I did find that at around chapter 27 (5 chapters give or take) the events and conflicts happened too quickly. That being said shortly after that the conflicts slowed down and it went at a slower pace. Vladimir will hold a special place in my heart.

All my best,
Emma

Secrets
lies
Murder
Political intrigue
Slowburn romance


I enjoyed the MC, at times Taryn was extremely empathetic and at others (maybe) too impulsive with her actions. Although, for her age and the whiplash of the situations she finds herself thrown into, the scale tipping between wanting to do what’s right and wanting to be self serving was a refreshingly real response.

I have so many questions after reading this book, and will be running to pick up the next in the trilogy.

I loved both of the potential romance interests, and need to know who ends up with whom.

There is sprinkling of fantasy elements being planted and am interested in how they grow as the series progresses.

Overall, the world building was solid and the storyline progressed nicely. The ending pulls you in to want to know more on what the characters will face/uncover next, and how they respond.

3 STARS!!

”I thought Death would taste bitter, but it was surprisingly sweet”

This book had me hooked right from the beginning! Taryn's world gets shaken when she learns her father, who pretty much abandoned her all her life, was part of this secret royal government, The Kavari. But, her father gets murdered, and Taryn is dragged into a political mess, trying to figure out who committed the murder. Revenge vibes, identity crisis, you name it.

The political intrigue kept me on my toes, and Taryn is such a cool character. I mean, she's complicated, impulsive, and kind of reckless, but that's what makes her interesting, you know? I tried to be a detective, guessing who killed her father, but plot twist after plot twist, I was wrong every time!

The characters are well-written, and there's this bigger plot hinted at for future books that's got me curious. Taryn's growth is something to watch; she's fiery and faces the consequences head-on. I usually can't stand reckless characters, but she had me hooked.

Vladimir too! he's a mystery so far, but you can tell he's dealing with some heavy and intriguing stuff. Can't wait to know more about him in the next book.

The world-building is good, not too much magic, and no romance – a shocker for me (an avid romance addict), but it worked. However, there's this “damsel in distress” vibe I wasn't crazy about, and the pacing also got a bit wonky at times. Some scenes were epic (especially the fight scenes), but then the dialogue got too rushed. Also, there’s lots of running, getting caught, and saving – got a bit repetitive towards the end.

Still, a fantastic start to the series, especially for a debut. Harrill's got me hooked for more!

“Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and the author for sending me a copy of this e-arc. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”

The Blood Vier by Christy R. Harrill
5/5 stars!
This is an amazing read, it explores loyalty to the crown, politics, betrayal and more with a hint of romance! I would definitely recommend this to family and friends, it written beautifully and made me grab the next books straightaway! If you want a quick exciting read then I definitely recommend this.
Thank you to Christy, the publisher and NetGalley for such a wonderful arc! I cannot wait to read more books by Christy!

Thank you for this arc!

Since this was published in 2022, I'm a bit late to the party, but I'm happy that I found this book and got approved for it.
Normally, I'm not a YA reader, but I really liked the world building, political intrigue and murder mystery in this book. Also, the pacing was so fast that I didn't even need a romance subplot. I liked Taryn as a character, her development and how she didn't need to be trained – she was already a badass :)
The only thing I didn't like was that Taryn always needed to be saved by someone, even though it was stressed several times that she had been trained by her father at a young age.

Still, I enjoyed this book a lot and practically flew through the pages. I definitely want to read the rest of the series and hope that I can find it on NetGalley (if not, I'd totally buy it).

Thank you to @netgalley for a copy of this book.
Pub Date Sep 6, 2022

After reading the synopsis I was excited to see this as a Read Now option. The start of a new fantasy series can always feel daunting but I was surprised to be able to read this fantasy with ease. The book moved at a nice pace where the fantasy elements did not feel overwhelming and getting to know Taryn as a character was refreshing. Politics and treason in a Kingdom are followed by many twists and turns that lead into some resolve but still leave things open for the following books. It was a mid-amount of world building that still felt large enough to see yourself in. This definitely will not be my last Harrill book.

I was really hesitant about the book in the first half, but once we hit 50%...wow did it go fast.

The Blood Vier is a fantasy story about identity, politics, and betrayal. I'm not usually a fan of fantasy books with "court intrigue" plots, but the second half of the story was more of an adventure, which I enjoyed immensely.
We follow Taryn, the daughter of a famous military leader, as she tries to uncover her father's murderer while simultaneously navigating the dangerous politics of a royal court. It took a bit for me to get into, and then I was scared when a "big reveal" happened at around 40%, but then the story took off from there and there were several instances where I had no idea where the story would go from there. It had danger and action in nearly every chapter in the second half and I loved that.
Honestly, I'm a bit wary of trusting any of the characters in particular. The story has two POVs - Taryn and Vladimir, who I assumed would be the love interest but doesn't seem to be (and that's probably for the best). Both of them felt like unreliable narrators at times just because I could see them possibly withholding information. Similarly, I didn't trust Katherine and I still don't...I don't know why I just have a gut feeling. The only character I genuinely trusted was William because he didn't really do anything suspicious. I liked him the most, but Taryn was a solid main character.
If you're looking for a Russian setting, a fantasy with a political focus, or tons of suspicious characters, The Blood Vier is an exciting mix of adventure and intrigue.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
3.75/5

A big thanks to NetGalley and Rose Hollow Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

You sold me on a mysterious man showing up. I smell enemies to lovers!

The Blood Vier by Christy R. Harrill is a YA fantasy novel about Taryn who wants nothing to do with the father who abandoned her. She bolts at her first glimpse of freedom, only for a mysterious man to track her down, claiming her father was murdered and she is the key to finding the killer. She strikes a bargain, traveling to the kingdom’s capital where she becomes an unwilling player in a political game against the opposing sovereignties and her father’s suspected killer. As a Blood Vier, a blood heir come to vie for her father’s position, Taryn is now the prime target of assassination for her interference. She seeks evidence to bring down her deadly opponent, enlisting the help of the cocky prince and a despised healer. But as her father’s secrets begin to slowly unravel, Taryn is caught between duty and freedom, questioning where her allegiances lie and how much she is willing to sacrifice. Treason haunts the kingdom halls, death stalks close behind, and betrayal is only the opening act. Taryn has spent her life shrouded in secrets and deception, and she’s done playing the pawn.

I really liked the politics Harrill presents in this book. It was a lot more intense than you would find in most YA books, which was quite refreshing. But at the same time, the pacing and some of the characters were a little lack luster. I felt like the pace needed to slow down just a hair so I could fully understand what was happening. But at the same time, I felt like I didn't get to know any of the characters all that well due to it. Overall this was a great read and I can't wait to see what else Harrill has up their sleeve.
Genres
Fantasy
Young Adult

3/5 stars
I enjoyed reading this book and I am interested to see where the series goes from here.
The only part that was a bit odd for me was what felt like a forced romance near the end of this book. It felt a little out of place where I assumed it would end up as more of a brother/sister bond.
I’m excited to read book two and uncover more secrets.

With so many YA fantasy books recently pushing heavily on the romance subplot this was a refreshing change. Don't misunderstand I do feel there's a huge possibility that our protagonist will end up with a special someone but this the first book allows readers to meet her and start to understand her motivations in life
. Primarily it's a revenge type plot with a heroine struggling to understand how and why she feels abandoned. Yet the reader quickly comes to realise that Taryn is no ordinary orphan but someone who has deliberately been hidden which lends to all sorts of possibilities down the line.
I did enjoy this and would happily read more. However I feel some readers might be irked by the way there's so much not explained. The book literally starts with Taryn having escaped from thieves so already as a reader I felt I'd missed some action. Then there's the magic in this world which is briefly touched on but felt somewhat underused. . Essentially this focused on the politics in play with treason, betrayal and ambitions clearly pulling characters along. There is action here which felt well done and an epilogue that clearly casts a shadow over what is still to come.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

A classic fighting for vengeance after the murder of a parent. Secrets emerging after an estranged father-daughter relationship.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved how it immediately went into the story, the character development happening alongside events.

Books 2 and 3 on my list immediately.

Secrets, lies, murder. The list goes on.
This book follows Taryn and Vladimir in alternating POVs. Taryn was left to fend for herself after her mother passed away, and her already absent father stopped coming around, Taryn learns that her father has passed away, and sets outs on an adventure.
A few weeks into her adventure Taryn meets Vladimir who had been looking for her. He tells her that her father has been murdered. He strikes a deal to take her to the capitol in hopes of discovering a secret her father kept that was only meant for Taryn's ears.

Wow! I really loved the world building and imagery in this book. The descriptiveness in every scene was just the right amount to be able to imagine everything that happened moment by moment and wasn't too much to feel so overwhelming. This book also had enough action to keep me reading every moment I could.

Overall the world building, and character relationships progressed very smoothly throughout the story. I really love that the ending has me wanting to read more and uncover what happens next! Multi POVs always really pull me in especially because I love being able to connect with characters on a deeper level. This book was absolutley amazing and I am looking forward to continuing the series!!!

5/5 Stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Rose Hollow Press, and Christy R. Harrill for the complimentary eARC.

tl;dr
Fast-paced plot with a lot of action pieces, but doesn't give the entire cast enough space to shine.

Thoughts
Dang this one moves FAST. As in, it feels like the plot of the first two books in a trilogy have been smooshed into a single book. Our titular blood vier shows up to vie for a position as her role suggests, leaving me to expect a book's worth of training, tests, sinister plot hooks, and a slowly developing relationship with the other leads. Instead, we race past the actual vying portion and jump straight into what comes after. On the one hand, I appreciate that the author didn't lock all the big action pieces away for the next book. On the other hand, I feel like I didn't get to know the cast nearly well enough before they went on their big adventure, leaving me to play catchup as the plot unfurls. The second POV character gets so much less attention than the first that part of me wondered if it was fully necessary to have him at all when we could use that time for other things. The healer character mentioned in the book description also gets very little air time. She's got a lot of history and a lot of personality, and we get only the barest glimmers of it before breaking off to do other things. And there are plenty of other things to do. Chase down leads, escape from kidnappings, prevent war, break out prisoners, and even fight the elements. Overall, I'd say there's a lot of stuff packed in here with some interesting world-building (especially that cliffhanger stinger!), but I yearn to get to know the supporting cast better.

Blood Vier had me at page 1. The change in narrative voice gave a three dimensional view to events. Along with the sensory descriptions and powerful narrative voice, this novel delivers. Book 2 is going to be exciting.

This book had me hooked from the very first sentence! Everything about this story was wonderful, from the characters to the world building! Let me start by saying that I was really happy to find a fantasy book that didn’t revolve around steamy romance. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my fair share of spicy books! However, it’s refreshing to find a book that manages to be so deeply engrossing without relying solely on romance.

I honestly fell in love with all the characters in this book. I especially enjoyed Taryn’s character arc throughout the story. It really made it all the more bittersweet at the end when she finally has the epiphany that sometimes what you WANT isn’t always what you NEED. I also personally loved the character of William. He was such a well rounded, realistic character and I was captivated by his backstory and personality.

Another thing I really appreciated was how natural the relationship between Taryn and William felt. You could see the bond slowly building throughout with every challenge they faced together, and every decision/action they took. It didn’t feel like the classic, convenient “for some random reason I feel this deep connection with them”. It was something that grew naturally.

Finally I really loved the world Christy R. Harrill created. I was riveted by the political intrigue in this world and how it was so well weaved with the mystery of Taryn’s personal background. By the last quarter of the story I went from internally screaming, to crying. And that ENDING!! I GASPED!! I need to know what happens next!!

Thank you SO MUCH NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and the author for giving me access to this e-arc and introducing me to this wonderful series! I really can’t wait to read the next book!

Thank you Netgalley and Rose Hollow Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"The Blood Vier" is a thrilling YA fantasy novel that mixes political intrigue, mystery, and themes of loyalty and sacrifice, making it a compelling read for fans of similar series like the Shadow and Bone trilogy and the Cursebreaker series. While I am not a big fan of YA fantasy recently, I really enjoyed the world that Harrill created; I thought the world-building was really well done, especially since this can be a challenge in YA books.

The story follows Taryn who is thrust into a world of political turmoil after the murder of her father, a member of the secret royal government known as the Kavari. As Taryn unravels the mystery surrounding her father's death, she discovers truths about her own identity and her place in the kingdom's intricate political landscape.

As stated earlier, one of the book's strengths lies in its world-building, which is rich and immersive. The concept of the Kavari adds depth to the story, as does the exploration of Taryn's internal struggle as she grapples with her desire for revenge and her growing understanding of the greater good. Harrill's character development is exceptional, particularly with Taryn, who undergoes significant growth throughout the story. Her journey from recklessness to understanding the importance of sacrifice is both compelling and relatable. At the beginning, you sometimes think that Taryn is making stupid decisions, but that is totally expected of someone her age who is suddenly thrust into this position/situation. She really does demonstrate significant growth in the book. At the beginning, I thought Taryn was a bit selfish and naïve, but at the end, I found myself attached to her character. Additionally, the dynamic between Taryn and other key characters, such as Vladimir, the leader of the Kavari, adds depth to the story as Harrill expertly crafted complex relationships, which made me like Taryn even more.

The pacing was sometimes a bit too fast where I barely had time to absorb events in a specific scene before suddenly rushing off to another. I think some scenes needed more time to fully develop the emotional impact. Some scenes were also a bit repetitive. I also wasn’t expecting the lack of romance; this was unexpected but welcomed. I thought the lack of romance allows the focus to remain on the character development and plot, which are executed with skill and precision.

Overall, "The Blood Vier" is a promising debut novel that sets the stage for an epic fantasy series. With its engaging characters and immersive world-building, it is a book that left me eagerly waiting for more. Harrill has crafted a compelling story that will appeal to fans of YA fantasy and political intrigue alike.

“The Blood vier,” by Christy R. Harill

When she finally can leave her life behind Taryn starts to travel away from her hometown until a man tracks her down revealing that the father who abandoned her was murdered. She strikes a deal with the man to go to the kingdoms capital where she thrusted into a political game that she has no choice but to play.

I loved this book. It was interesting and I did not get bored while reading at all. There is more political intrigue than anything else and so much action. I cannot wait to read book 2. 5 out of 5 stars.

-Political Intrigue
-Magic
-Multi POV

Thanks for the free copy.

A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this copy.

This was such an enjoyable read. It was easy to get into and the plot carried really well throughout the book.

Taryn is such a likeable main character and her impulsiveness was so entertaining. That alone earned a star for this book.

I was constantly on the edge of my seat with each reveal and I LOVED any type of political intrigue. The betrayal, the lies, the angst. UGH!

I’ll definitely be recommending this!

Thank you to Netgalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn't influence my review. This was a wonderful read, I loved it! Tropes include: court intrigue, hate to love, and romance fantasy

I got access to this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There is so much deception going on in this book that I can’t tell who to trust and who to despise. I liked the twists and turns of the plot it really elevated the story overall. I wish there was a bit more romance of enemies to lovers, but there are still 2 more books so who knows 👀👀

5 stars!
This was such a great read! So suspenseful from start to finish.
In this book, we follow a 19 yr old girl named Taryn, who was abandoned by her father and she has no idea why. Not soon after her mother died, Taryn found out her father had been murdered and she is left feeling unsettled. Her father's loyal friend Vladimir then visits Taryn and convinces her to help both of them find the answers to questions pertaining to her father's murder. Along this journey, Taryn faces many obstacles, many being near-death experiences, and internal conflict. It's a great book that touches on trust, the damage hatred and grudges can cause, and the power in forgiveness. I couldn't put this book down and with the ending, I am eager for the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Christy R. Harrill for providing me with this wonderful ARC in exchange for my honest review!

If you like YA political heavy books, this is for you! The world building and political system is well thought out. The crown is not the be all end all but a counterpart to a much larger operation. This story is a tip action action. I feel like a lot happened in very little time, it left me reeling. However, this book has such potential to be a hit. If you enjoyed Realm Breaker and King of Scars then this book is definitely a must. The FMC’s transformation is beautiful and haunting. There are such good themes throughout the story.

I have been provided with a review copy of this title from NetGalley for an impartial review. I just absolutely had so much fun getting to go along on these characters journey. I was just swept away and I just absolutely can’t get enough of this series or its wonderful characters. This author just has a way of drawing you in with her wonderful stories and you just can’t get enough of them. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

A very well written story that was full of adventure. I couldn't put it down. I just had to keep reading and I can't wait to read the next!

An intriguing book that follows the story of a heroine that just wants to find her mother's family, but instead is caught in court schemes and politics, and everything will lead to discovering even darker secrets than she expected.

This book is filled with mystery, with knight and traitors and it's quite easy and enjoyable to read. It's a great book to begin the series, but there are many questions left unanswered. Hopefully, the next volume will shed some light on everything.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

The pacing on this was something else. I started reading it and suddenly I was three quarters of the way through the book. The world building was overall pretty good though I felt some of it was lost during what I'd consider "repeating" events in the story. No romance but I'm wondering if there's an enemies to lovers arc in the works. Curious to see where the next one goes!

Fast paced plot, good character development, awesome world building. Nice to read a fantasy novel without the romance. Thanks for the arc netgalley. I really enjoyed it.

Taryn made a promise to her mother that she would stay in her tiny village until she received her father's blessing, but instead of a blessing, the message she received was that he was dead. With both of her parents gone Taryn leaves her small village out to claim her mother's family. She is immediately attacked by thieves and just when she thinks she will die she is saved, by a stranger who says her father, the father that abandoned her and yet somehow dictated her life was murdered. Not only that he was one of the most powerful people in the Kingdom. And with her father gone Taryn now has a target on her head and a dedication to end the life of the man who took him away from her.

There is so much potential in this book just begging to burst free. A complicated tale of murder, treachery, and a daughter trying to come to grips with the fact that no matter how much she wishes to hate her father she can't. It's got everything. It's just too short. The author doesn't have the time to truly develop these characters and the plot on the level they not only need to be but deserve to be. There was genuinely nothing I disliked about this, except for the fact that I believe it would have been better served by not following a typical YA formula.

Overall, I do recommend it, it's a quick read with interesting characters and will work well for fans of political fantasies looking for something not too involved.

As always thanks to Victory Editing/Rose Hollow Press and NetGalley for the eArc.

Just finished and let me tell you I absolutely love it, I started reading one book and didn’t enjoy it then I picked this one and basically couldn’t stop
Love the fact that there a very small appearance of romance and it’s kind of a trio? I’m happy that’s not the main focus.I would definitely liked to see more perspectives, can’t way read the next one

Thank you to Netgalley and Christy R. Harrill for allowing me to read and review.

I really enjoyed this story and need to hunt down book two somehow.

Two POVs, Taryn and Vladimir. Their stories meet when Taryn's father whom she rarely saw passed away. The last time she saw him 5 years had passed after mother's death and he left her a ring. Unbeknownst to her, Michael Gallows was the leader of the Kavari and now Taryn is the Blood Vier, a blood heir. The ring is a symbol of the Kavari. She must now vie for her right to be in the Kavari while avenging her father's death and locate her mother's lost people.