THE ENDING. I’m on the edge of my seat and I can’t believe I have to wait for book two.

This is a dark read so definitely check warning contents before reading. Emma’s story starts in a very tragic manner, we get to know her, her mind and her life and it’s not pretty. I very much appreciated the slow start for me to get to know her, her character is a complex one. Once Emma gets to travel and meets Prince Draven I could not stop reading. The tension between these two was high. This slow-burn was totally burning and it pays off, i promise.

The big plot on this was also enthralling. I was invested with Emma and Draven’s characters so much but it still did not make the bigger plot get lost and I really enjoyed that. I definitely had way more fun reading this than I thought I would. Now to wait for the second book.

Emma has everything ripped from her as a child, her entire world becoming reduced to the confines of the castle walls, shackles rendering her powerless while she suffers at the hands of the one she calls father. She slowly learns that everything she ever believed was a glossed over lie and she sets off to make things right again.

The themes are rather dark and adult, with a few spicy, open door scenes sprinkled in to remind you that this is definitely not a children's story, despite the more YA writing style. Blood of Desiderium is therefore easy to read, but the world building is intricate enough and the themes mature enough to keep things interesting for adults.

The dual POV of view was a bit repetitive at times, and I felt like some decisions were made rather hastily. At times I was left wondering how in the world Emma went from X to Y in one paragraph!

Be warned, the ending is a major and heart wrenching cliffhanger! And while I had guessed and was therefore expecting one of the story twists, I was really left slack-jawed by another! I will definitely be reading book two because I need to know how this all plays out.

Thank you for the ARK Ali and Netgalley. I wanted to bow out and pushed myself. 100 plus pages in and it started to really get good. Early on, the book was not clicking with me. The story wasn't grabbing me. But boom at about page 111 it sucked me right in. The amount of disappointment I have in having to wait tp find out what happens and being left in utter despair will haunt me until the next book.

Wow, this book was so good!
The characters, the world building, the magical system were all amazing!

Firstly I loved Emma, I though she was such a great leading female character.
I loved how she grew throughout the story and how we see her go to great lengths for her friends and the people she cared about. I loved Draven, I loved the “good girl” moments, the dragon within ands the fated mates aspect.

I thought the side characters Kyle, Cora and Flynn were perfect additions to the story, they offered some comedy to the story. I loved the banter between Cora and Flynn.

I loved the storyline I though it was so great, I thought some moments were quite fast and would have liked a little more exploring before the final battles, but other than that is was amazing!

First, thank you to the author for the copy of the book.

I really wanted to love it. The premise sounded so magical and interesting that I couldn’t wait to dig in. However, I kept finding myself so confused over what was happening and wasn’t sure if it was me or if the story was just making me feel so lost. After chapter 8, I realized that I was lost. I was catching a lot of what was going on, but there is so much fluff in between that it wasn’t flowing very well. Conversation between characters was stunted because there was so much inner monologue from Emma that I just didn’t like. Also, some information would just pop out of nowhere and I would try to fit it in and just couldn’t.

I wanted to love this book. I think with a solid edit that it would benefit greatly and I’d give it a go again if that occurs because the premise sounds so beautiful.

I enjoyed the story quite a bit! I loved the banter and the spice! I didn't love everything about it but I do believe that Ali will continue to grow as an author and we'll see some amazing work in the near future!

Thank you for providing me this arc in return for my honest review

Unfortunately, I could not find it in myself to finish this book. The writing is childish and all over the place. The first 6 chapters were incredibly confusing and lacked backstory. The idea for the novel was there, however, it did not suit my taste. I could not read more than 100 pages of this book without ripping my hair out.

I think the novel would benefit from more structure in terms of plot and backstory, as well as, writing technique.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC for my unbiased review.

I found myself enthralled by the premise and plot of this story, as Ali Stuebbe weaves a heart wrenching tale of learning to find worth and purpose in a life steeped in trauma from those who should have cared for her the most.
This story has dark themes, and it is highly recommended to check the trigger warnings before reading.
What I loved about this story was that it was not afraid to showcase the trauma and mental processes that resulted to the FMC as a result of her experiences.
I loved the plot and the internal battle with light versus dark, feeling versus numbness, love versus apathy. However, I found myself a bit disappointed by some of the world and character building as it seemed to jump around a bit - sometimes shifting major topics within the same paragraph. Much of the world building was told to the reader rather than shown which made some of it fall a bit flat, and while it was important to the story, the presentation didn’t hold my attention or intrigue me like I wanted. This same issue occurred in some of the side characters development as well, which left me wishing for just a bit more attention to these areas to smooth out the delivery. This book felt like it could be one of my favorites of all time if those portions felt more natural and in tune with the story. I am interested in seeing where the second book takes Emma, especially after that surprising cliffhanger! I have read several series that the writing becomes stronger which each book and I am hopeful that this series becomes one of them that ties my heartstrings into knots with anticipation for these characters to find a resolution and HEA.

To start, there is quite a lot of potential here and some of the characters are interesting enough to build a rounded story. This would be done with a robust edit. There are significant pacing issues, character dialogue and voice issues, and not a clear understanding what the actual plot is. The reliance alone on genre standard tropes does nothing except exacerbate the looseness of the book around them. The actual plot doesn't start until around 60% in of this 600 page novel, but again, there isn't enough clear exposition to be able to support it and therefore the pacing is wild from 60% on.

This was a high DNF potential book, but I stayed because of the potential here.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite highlight: I want to consume you, until I know every hidden part of your soul.
Top emojis: 🫠😂🥵
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I. Have. Been. Let. Down. Halfway through this book, I was on Amazon trying to buy the next one in this series. Only to find it hasn’t been released yet. A few chapters later, I try to find this one on Audible only to be crushed AGAIN! I cannot be left on this cliffhanger! Ali, why have you done this to me lol
The plot was interesting. While a few things were predictable, I definitely didn’t see that big 🤯coming. You had me with the multi-POVs, but to then add that spice with the praise kink 🥵 I can’t even go further into it in case I accidentally throw out spoilers. It had me experiencing all of the feels (mostly the hot ones lol). But this is definitely a great pick me up when you’re going through a book hangover or looking for something that just feels good. I especially LOVED the pieces of fan art that were included in a couple of spots. It helped to dig deeper into the story & feel a bit more real.
This is a hidden gem that deserves way more hype.

Blood of Desiderium was a gloomy, wonderful, glaringly grim depiction of a woman fighting for freedom.

This debut novel had just about everything I needed to stay captivated: a fierce heroine, who was battling a darkness she couldn't control; a devastingly handsome dark prince, who has his own secrets to keep; a few secondary characters who each deserve their own stories; an extremely cruel King, who wanted to rule over everyone; a stunning magic system; and a moving plot.

At times I wanted to both slap and hug Emma. She really was her own worst enemy (aside from the King and his followers). While she and Draven (our swoon-worthy hero) clashed from the start, there was no mistaking the chemistry between them. The author doled out the heat in spades!

And while this book definitely had some spice to it, whether through heated words or heated intimate exchanges, the plot was what held my attention most. I couldn't figure out how Emma would come into her power, who was responsible for the monstrous beasts plaguing the fae, or if any of these people I had come to love would even survive. I was hooked and I need the next book, Soul of Salvation immediately. Waiting for its release is going to feel like torture.

I found this book having a hold on me to find out the truths and hidden secrets following Emma. I felt as though the author gave us a great feel for her world and the struggles she faces while still letting us see snippets into the secrets behind the scenes. When it all finally comes together I couldn't help but get emotional!

I can't be more grateful to @netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book for free.   I am absolutely giddy with excitement and gratitude. 

Here is my honest take on the book.

1.  The first part of the book was a bit dragging, I had a hard time focusing on it even if it's the old book I was reading at the time. 
2.  Some of the writing is a bit juvenile and the conversations were also a bit cringey.  It's the way the characters converse with one another, plus a lot of real world things that get into the fantastical world is sometimes really a little distracting for me.
3.  Coming into 60% of the book is where suddenly there's so many things happening.  Initially, the FMC was annoying and I guess that's the reason it was hard for me to get into the story but she does grow on you.
4.  The way the "enemies" portion of their meeting was written was a bit confusing, I was wondering why she felt a certain way about the MMC without any underlying backstory, she was just annoyed with him for something really trivial.  Didn't make sense.
5.  Around the 70% mark the book became "un-putdownwable".   Probably because the action came in wham-bam!   Suddenly they're on a quest and it's interesting and grips you. 
6. The spice hit you right when you need it though. 👌
7.  The end was gripping and you'll have an idea where it's going but there's still that surprise factor. You will be wishing for book 2 really fast.
So here I am, totally excited for the next book and absolutely adoring the hero.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I am aware thay this is a re-pub of a copy that had editing issues and possibly needing other edits. This is my first read though.

Draven.... *chefs kiss*
I am such an easy swoon for a man who refuses his own love and tender care, broods around, and then eventually crushes so damn hard it hurts.

Emma, well there were parts where she annoyed me and I felt like it could have been deleted all together to increase character likeability. However, I did still like her.

I really like this book and I definitely recommend to Fantasy Romance readers who enjoy a painful, hurtful, romantic slow burn.

3.5 🌟
The first half of the book 0🌶️
The second half of the book 3.5🌶️

For a debut novel, this story was highly engaging. It had problems that can be somewhat overlooked because the story was good. If the story arc were not as good as it was, the problems with dialogue and items/clothing/behaviors would totally toss me out of a fantasy setting. However, the chemistry between Emma and Draven is electric from the beginning. Side characters added a lot of banter to the story, and you could not but root for them as they fought against the darkness invading the kingdoms. I felt this novel falls into the romantasy genre because the relationship between Draven and Emma is the greater focus and will drive the second book. Although the fantasy plot that left us on quite the cliffhanger will be an explosive beginning to the next book, I hope it's written well. I also hope Ali's editors rein in the use of modern-day language and items that really throw off the flow of a fantasy setting; still a solid 3.5 stars for a debut!

Thank you, @Netgalley, for the review copy. These opinions are my own.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Blood of Desiderium - Ali Stuebbe

At nearly 500 pages, Blood of Desiderium is a huge feat for a romantasy debut and the book has really exceeded my expectations - I just wish I’d read it sooner.

Blood of Desiderium tells the story of fae Princess Emma, as she is hidden away from the world and wishes for nothing more than freedom and a chance for the love she’s never had a chance to feel. It’s a story of betrayal, found family, fate, and fighting the darkness that comes with living through horrific things. Emma is a loveable, but extremely troubled, main character who I found myself rooting for throughout the book - and shed tears for as I got to watch her grow throughout the book. Her journey so far has been heart-wrenching and I am scared for the second book (but also desperate lol)

I’ve been nursing an ACOTAR shaped hole in my heart for a long while now - and I think this series could fill it! Not because there’s much similarity in the plot or anything (other than it being a fae romantasy book there’s not really any) but because the way Stuebbe writes her characters. Even the side-characters were wonderfully rich and complex and I can’t wait to get to know them more.

The slow burn romance in this book is also 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 for lack of better words! Got a bit worried at the start that we were going to have a wet wipe as the MMC but Stuebbe more than came through. Draven is for the morally grey lovers and I am currently battling with whether he’s replacing someone else in my top three book bfs but I’ve decided I’ll update at reading the sequel 👀

If you loveeee a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romantasy as much as I do with a FMC who fights BACK and finds her strength, I’m so sure you will love this as much as I do!

(ps third pic is the triggers at the start of the e-book as I think people should be aware of the themes before jumping it! that being said - jump in!!! the second book is out in march so get on the hype now 💅)

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing me with the ARC copy - as ever, I’m so appreciative 🫶 (I will ARC review the second one as well if you will allow me the honour 🫡)

A battle of Light and Dark.
I really enjoyed this book. I was cheering on Emma for the entire book. She needed someone to ❤️ her. She meets Draven, and life starts to change for the both of them. This iis a great story regarding the battle of light and dark. I can't wait for book 2.

Thank you to Ali Stuebbe for a copy of "Blood of Desiderium".

For her first book, Ali has an impressive grasp on book structure that a lot of other romantasy writers could take some notes from. She has the foundation for a compelling conflict and there were a few twists that were logical but not completely transparent. She made the story engaging even if her writing style and characters were a bit juvenile and one-dimensional. It's a great start and I commend any new writer for putting themselves out there, especially when trying to make a name through self-publishing.

However, I had a lot of challenges with this book and its similarities to other very prominent romance and fantasy series ("From Blood and Ash" by Jennifer Armentrout, "Throne of Glass" (specifically "Heir of Fire") and "ACOTAR" by Sarah J. Maas) that verged on the border of directly copying certain plot points and dialogue.

I'm not going to comment much on the prose and style writing. It leans towards juvenile but I expect that it will be improved with time. The characters, however, really could have been stronger. The supporting characters had no real depth and only had a handful of conversations with our protagonist where Ali info-dumped a backstory that didn't actually play into any present-day agency or decision making. Emma herself was also quite conflicting. She's 25 years old and is depicted as having some sort of fighting spirit, a desire to rebel against her father, and a yearning for a better life. But her actions are not at all in line with these qualities. There is no compulsion or physical barrier preventing her from leaving the palace. Very early on, she even expresses a complacently around death so she honestly has nothing to lose. Yet no decisions have been made or action taken in the decade since the King began directing his cruelty to her, that would suggest any agency on Emma's part. I would understand if the cruelty and abuse had created some sort of psychological barrier, but Emma's character isn't written that way at all. She's a conundrum that makes this series of events less believable for me.

Some last notes: the world building was very much lacking and it seemed like little research was done around the institutional framework and daily ongoings of a monarchy and kingdom and so it was all omitted. Also, why have a first person POV chapter from a four year old? It's a little nonsensical.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First of all, I want to start out by saying how GRATEFUL I am to have received an ARC for this MASTERPIECE of a book.

I just finished it. Am I crying? Of course. That CLIFFHANGER!😭

Ali Stuebbe has completely rocked my world with this story. A princess, trapped in a prison of a palace. A king with a horrible agenda. A dark prince with a cold heart. A shadow vigilante. A phantom who invades the princesses dreams, claiming she owes him something. Creatures that steal the souls of the Fae. Found family. Solid friends who would do anything for eachother. Secrets. Light & darkness. Tension. An INCREDIBLE slow burn.

I literally have NOTHING bad to say. I am speechless, and I absolutely cannot wait for book 2! I've read some great books this year, but this just took the NUMBER ONE SPOT.

I received an e-arc of this book for a honest review

WOW, this was easy one of my top books for the year. It had everything I love in a book. Not only a great story line but also the perfect amount of fae smut 😅. A few of the scenes have my kicking my feet with excitement. Emma and Draven are definitely up there with Aelin and Rowan AND Feyre and Rhysand as favorite fictional couples. Not only that but Draven is another shadow daddy😩 HIGHLY recommend adding this book to your TBR!