Ahhhh.. the ending was amazing 🤩🤩 the post twist!! The cliffhanger.
I must say the start of the book was slow paced. However things start to pick up at the middle of the story. Second half of the book was absolutely brilliant. , fast paced and completely unpredictable. And give me huge second lead couple syndrome. I can't wait for the second book .
Thank you netgallay and Samantha Gonda for the arc

A Reign of Blood by Samantha Gonda is a 5 star read for me. It was sooo good. I couldn't stop reading this book for a bit. I totally recommend everyone to read this book.

Aria infiltrates the Skierkan court to destroy the enemy of her people- the prince himself. But he's something more and she ends up falling for him.

Lots of steam, intrigue and betrayal. A fun and seductive book. Really enjoy it. The ending was a surprise and filled with twists.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

4.5/5 I want the next book immediately, please and thank you!

I immediately felt myself drawn into this book, there wasn't a slow start or info-dumping period, it was so well-paced.

Cool creatures with cool lore, political drama, hidden identities, enemies to lovers, adventure - everything you could possibly want in a fantasy novel/series!

I loved the characters, their personalities and dynamics together.

Very random thing for me to comment on, but I loved: our FMC mentioned having to go pee! Why did I love that so much?! I am one of those people that when reading a book or watching a movie, I think "when do they go to the bathroom?" But maybe my small bladder is just to blame for that. But it made me laugh and I appreciated it because yeah, I'd need many bathroom breaks on a magical adventure. She also mentioned that she had dirty hair and it needed to be washed and she was desperate to do so, and that was SUCH a mood.

And the way it ends! I need answers and I need the next book. I cannot wait for this adventure to continue.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

**ARC Review: *A Reign of Blood* by Samantha Gonda**

If you’re craving a *dark, moody fantasy* with morally gray characters, intense tension, and a lead who *doesn’t hold back*, *A Reign of Blood* needs to be on your radar. Samantha Gonda kicks off *The Songs of Beasts* series with an *absolute banger*—packed with vengeance, forbidden attraction, and a world that feels *as dangerous as it does intoxicating*.

This book gives us a fierce, no-nonsense protagonist who’s *practical, confident, and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty*. No *soft and sweet* here—Gonda delivers *sharp dialogue, brutal stakes, and an atmosphere so rich you can almost taste the blood in the air*.

The beginning sets the stage with intricate world-building, but *once the story picks up, it doesn’t let go*. The *second half is a full-throttle ride* with twists that’ll leave you *reeling*. And the romance? *Deliciously forbidden*—the kind that keeps you flipping pages way past midnight.

If you love *dark fantasy with edge*, this one’s for you. Gonda’s writing is *gritty, immersive, and unapologetic*, setting up what’s sure to be a series that *only gets more intense from here*.

**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity 💕**