Starting out with this book, I was all in. Morgane is aboard her mother's ship, The Vengeance, along with the crew she has grown up with. There was plundering, action, and some great relationships between Morgane and the crew.
However, once she leaves the ship to find her mother, things screech to a halt. I found myself bored and beginning to skim. I thought the romance came out of the blue, and we didn't get any of the vampire stuff until almost the end. I thought the writing itself was well done, and I did really like the beginning, but the rest just didn't particularly work for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a review copy of this book. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

I very rarely set a book down with no intention of picking it back up. It’s just not how I operate. So, choosing not to finish this book, especially without it being due to surprise harsh content, is very unusual to me. So is leaving a “DNF review”, but I feel I’ve read far enough to have some productive things to say.

I first picked up The Vengeance based on its description. The idea of vampires romping around a Dumas-style world made me smile. However, I think that description is what ultimately spelled out this book’s demise for me. I love Alexandre Dumas’ books, and I came into this book with very clear expectations. I knew what I wanted, and I was positive I’d get it. Unfortunately, The Vengeance didn’t quite pan out the way I had hoped it would.

Morgane is the daughter of a ruthless pirate captain. Her mother rules her ship with an iron fist, engendering loyalty and respect from her crew and fear from everyone else. When her mother is killed during a raid (is that the right term?), Morgane learns that she is not, in fact, the daughter of a pirate queen.

Morgane decides to return to France to learn more about her past. The world Morgane enters glitters a little too brightly. There is something underneath that could spell danger for Morgane. There is intrigue and mystery aplenty. With a book such as this, I feel the story should move quickly, with a snappy back-and-forth. However, the pacing felt choppy. Important bits were glossed over while way too much time was spent on explanations and inner dialogue.

I found my attention wandering. Instead of it being a rollicking romp, the book moved slowly. The descriptions were well done, however. It’s clear the author is talented in that way. It just wasn’t what I was hoping for. I kept reading in the hope that things would pick up as the book continued. Unfortunately, they didn’t.

The second issue I had, and what made me ultimately quit reading, was Morgane herself. She spent so much time in her own head, feeling sorry for herself, questioning everyone’s motives, or just overanalyzing, that I eventually wanted to yell, “Snap out of it!” Her reactions rarely fit the situations she was in. As I’ve mentioned in other reviews, I don’t need to like a character to find them interesting. However, I didn’t find a single character interesting. I found myself reluctant to pick The Vengeance up. It was at this point (pretty close to halfway through) that I decided it would be best if the book and I parted ways.

The ongoing theme here is that things weren’t what I was hoping for. This is far from being an objective judgment of the author or book. My expectations were so far from the story the author created that I was disappointed. That isn’t to say the book was badly written. It wasn’t. The writing was descriptive and painted a picture of a lovely yet dangerous world. The action, when it occurred, was flashy and exciting.

I love Alexandre Dumas so much that I believe I shot myself in the foot with this one. I should have realized that my expectations were ridiculously high. It’s very possible that I might have enjoyed The Vengeance if I had gone into the book without seeing the “Vampires of Dumas” series title. Unfortunately, my experience with the book was a letdown. I will not be continuing the book or the series.

The Vengeance came for my attention and for the most part, it got it.

This was a dark, gritty, emotionally-charged read, filled with tension, betrayal, and that sweet morally grey chaos I live for. The MC was complicated in all the right ways, and the slow burn of uncovering her past had me turning pages (even if I occasionally yelled at her through the pages).

But and here’s the thing, the pacing was patchy. Sometimes I was flying through high-stakes scenes with my heart in my throat, and other times it felt like I was wading through plot molasses waiting for something (anything!) to happen. A little too much time was spent building tension that didn’t always explode the way I wanted it to.

Still, the payoff was decent, the world was immersive, and the emotional punches landed.

3.5 stars gritty, intriguing, and emotionally messy, just needed a steadier rhythm to be a true knockout.

Satisfying read! I liked this. The ending seemed a little rushed and the balance of the book seemed like it was more heavy towards the beginning with the climax happening a lot later than I expected. Otherwise, I thought the story was nice!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC of The Vengeance. I wasn’t paid for this review, and all opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐️

The Vengeance by Emma Newman is a fast-paced, escapist adventure that blends historical France, female pirates, LGBTQ romance, and vampires into one highly entertaining read. Newman, well-known for her fantasy and sci-fi work—as well as her excellent narration—has long been a favorite of mine (I loved her Planetfall series), so I was excited to dive into this one.

The story follows Morgane, a young woman raised aboard the pirate ship Vengeance, captained by the woman she believes to be her mother. When the crew attacks what appears to be an easy target, the captain is assassinated, and Morgane discovers that her biological parents have been searching for her all along. Driven by grief and a desire for truth—or vengeance—she heads ashore to find them. If they are truly her parents, she wants answers; if not, they’re responsible for the captain’s death, and she intends to make them pay.

The catch? Morgane has no idea how to navigate life on land, especially not the intricacies of French high society. She’s used to solving problems with a blade, not manners. The result is a wild, often funny ride full of snarky dialogue, sword fights, and personal growth.

I really liked Morgane—though I know she’s been a divisive character among readers. Her fierce independence is compelling, but what stood out to me was how her journey forces her to confront the limits of that independence. She’s been sheltered more than she realizes, and I appreciated watching her grapple with her identity, the morality of her pirate past, and what kind of person she wants to become.

That said, the book isn’t without flaws. It’s described as set in the “world of Dumas,” though that feels like a stretch beyond the French setting. The vampire subplot is intriguing but underdeveloped, and the ending, while satisfying, felt rushed—particularly in terms of resolving key relationships. It also has the feel of a series opener, but there’s no clear indication that a sequel is coming.

Ultimately, The Vengeance is a genre-blending romp—part pirate tale, part road trip, part historical fantasy with a splash of supernatural romance. It might not satisfy readers looking for a deep dive into any one of those genres, but if you enjoy a bit of everything in your fiction, this is worth picking up.

The Vengeance by Emma Newman
#fiftyfirstbookof2025 #arc #TheVampiresofDumas #thevengeance

CW: piracy, death, murder, vampires, werewolves, kidnapping

From NetGalley: Morgane grew up at sea, daughter of the fierce pirate captain of the Vengeance, raised to follow in her footsteps as scourge of the Four Chains Trading Company. But when Anna-Marie is mortally wounded in battle, she confesses to Morgane that she is not her mother. The captain of the enemy ship reveals he was paid to kill Anna-Marie and bring Morgane home to France and her real family. Desperate to learn the truth about her lineage, Morgane spares him, leaving the Vengeance and everything she knows behind. Her quest reveals a world of decadence and darkness, in which monsters vie for control of royal courts and destinies of nations. She discovers the bloody secrets of the Four Chains Trading Company, and the truth about her real mother’s death, nearly twenty years before...

My thoughts: I was intrigued by the premise of this novel but it ultimately lacked a clear direction. The cover states that it’s book one in The Vampires of Dumas series, yet vampires don’t appear until maybe 90% into the book. It felt like a lot of build up to a conclusion that was tacked on and wasn’t earned. The story is also wrapped up quickly and handily, so while there can be a follow up, there’s no obvious pathway. The relationship between Morgane and Lisette is lovely, but the character change in Morgane is frustrating. The pirate story ceases to exist halfway through, so that’s obviously where book 2 needs to go, except it also needs vampires too, I guess. The story seemed a little scattered and lacked clear direction, but I think it had promise and I would be curious to see what is planned for book 2.

Thank you to @solarisbooks and @netgalley for the advance copy. (Available now, pub date was 5/6/25)

Emma Newman sets her tale of Morgane, daughter of the captain of the pirate ship TheVengeance (paper from Rebellion Publishing Ltd.) in the late sixteenth century, the golden age of piracy. Unfortunately Morgane’s mother is really her aunt, and upon her death, she sets out to find her real mother who had been sending gold and fine dresses for her. To say she doesn’t fit into polite french society is an understatement and a large part of the fun of the tale. There’s the guards hunting her, the father who isn't who he says he is, and, near the end vampires and werewolves. Though complete in itself, the tale is an introduction of the world of hidden monsters and I look forward to additional tales

This book had a very strong start and set the stage for an exciting story of intrigue, family secrets, and revenge among a backdrop of action-packed piracy. Unfortunately, the pacing slowed, the ship setting was left behind, and the story became significantly less interesting as several characters acted in extremely foolish and naive ways. The miscommunication and withholding information tropes were very present and were incredibly frustrating because so much could have been so easily resolved if more than the vaguest of statements had been made. The genre of the book seemed to abruptly change about two-thirds of the way through the book, and honestly, the last-minute fantasy additions did not add anything to the quality. The exact same plot and themes could have been conveyed in a historical fiction setting. I did enjoy the romance and some of the later characters who were introduced. The beginning of the book was definitely my favorite, and I wish that the story had focused more on the pirates, their backstory, and ship or introduced the fantasy elements earlier so the shift wasn't as abrupt. The big reveal at the end happened much too quickly and was not enough of a payoff given the very long build-up to it.

I really wanted to like this book. The premise of pirates and vampires is a dream come true but it all fell apart after Morgane left the ship. The four different groups trying to kidnap her, the overwhelming desire to find her mother (but not father?) and her arrogance made me start to not enjoy the story. The romance came from no where and the fantasy element of wolves at 60% and vampires not coming in until 80% felt like a last minute decision to make the story more interesting. I did love the start of the story but the ending fell flat for me unfortunately.

3 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2025/05/29/review-the-vengeance-by-emma-newman-the-vampires-of-dumas-1/
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Entertaining but Lacking in Depth

Okay, I’ll start this review by saying that I enjoyed this read – it was entertaining and I never felt my attention wain. I wanted to reach the end and see what would eventually become of our MC and I liked the writing, which isn’t a surprise as I have read this author before. Of course there is a ‘but’. Some of the content feels very flimsy. The pacing felt a bit off and I didn’t really feel like the romance worked exactly – it felt more like it was a friendship than anything else.

Anyway, the story revolves around Morgane who has grown up on board a pirate ship. As we begin Morgane’s mother, Anna-Marie, meets an untimely end but before she passes she shares some truths with Morgane. Anna Marie is not Morgane’s mother, she is instead her aunt and the Captain of the ship that was paid to hunt her down now offers to return Morgane to her biological mother. From this comes the title of the book as Morgane is determined to seek vengeance for the death of her aunt.

As you may imagine, being raised aboard a pirate ship with a bunch of cut throats has in no way prepared her to mix in everyday society and so she spends the weeks returning to France being almost tutored by the new captain. Upon arrival in France however it seems that Morgane’s mother is not the only one seeking her and she seems to barrel around from pillar to post being pursued and kidnapped.

So, firstly, the positives.

I enjoyed the writing and in fact particularly enjoyed the first two thirds of the book which were predominantly based out at sea. Morgane was a little bit of a difficult character to really get on board with, she definitely makes some rash decisions but, she is quite young and also quite sheltered. Her knowledge of life on land is practically non existent (a fact that makes her decision to set out on her own even more mind boggling) and yet I think this naivety made me cut her some slack in certain respects. I did like that she stood up for herself on countless occasions and you certainly couldn’t doubt her courage.

My real issues that prevented this from being a stronger read mainly came down to two or three things. Firstly, I never really felt any fear for Morgane, the threats and dangerous situations that she found herself in felt very surface level, they didn’t have credibility and the way in which she managed to extract herself from the situations often felt too easy, plus there were certain coincidences that appeared to be manufactured in order to simply help her on her way. Secondly, the supernatural elements. Well, they just felt so flimsy and almost unnecessary, particularly given that they don’t show up until the final third of the book – perhaps the next in series will rely more on these elements. For example, (and this might lead to slight spoiler territory so if you’re thinking of picking this up then don’t read further), Morgane is captured by a man who is obviously a first class swordsman and supposedly one of an elite group, he is in fact a werewolf (but this won’t become obvious until later on) and yet I would say Morgane managed to best him and escape with ease. The same could be said of the vampires that eventually make an appearance. Without wanting to go into too much detail, for me, both these elements felt very under utilised. Neither of them really held any threat, there was no terror or horror, just a kind of resignation from Morgane along the lines of ‘oh, another baddy to kill’.

Finally, the romance. For me it didn’t work. It felt more like a friendship and in fact worked well in that respect.

So, in conclusion. This kept me entertained. I think I would read more in the series because I’m keen to see how Morgane develops moving forward but I do think this needs a little more depth, particularly in the supernatural areas.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

The Vengeance had an awesome premise, but overall, the book didn't really come together for me. I'm sure there is a reader for this book somewhere.

I debated a bit about what I thought of The Vengeance and how I would rate it. It was well written, but I wanted more. I went into it anticipating book 1 in a vampire series, but came out wondering why it took so long to get to the point where we actually saw any vampires—or even knew they existed—although to be fair, if the cover didn’t literally say “The Vampires of Dumas” on it this wouldn’t have bothered me at all. I loved how cheeky and brash Morgane was, and Lisette was adorable, but I wanted more character development overall. I really loved the first third or so of the book and the conclusion was great, but the in-between was so busy and convoluted that it didn’t leave enough room to focus on the details or the development of Morgane and Lisette’s relationship. Overall I did enjoy it and will read the next book when it comes out, so I’m going with a hesitant 4-star rating.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.

I was very intrigued by the blurb on this book. The beginning hooked me. Morgane seemed like a strong female character and her 'mother' seemed very interesting, and who doesn't like pirates? Then suddenly, 1/4 of the way through, there's no more pirates, Morgane has done a complete 180 character change and she's not a strong female character anymore, and has completely forgotten how to be independent and became very annoying. There was nothing 'paranormal' until about 85% of the way through the book. There were a couple of interesting twists, but to be honest, I wish I'd DNF'd this one after the main character did a personality flip.

Emma Newman is an author who has dabbled in various genres, from the Regency fantasy of the 'Split Worlds' series, to the sci-fi, space-set 'Planetfall' books. This time she has produced an odd mash up of pre-revolution France, pirates, and some supernatural elements. The story starts with the protagonist, Morgane, on her mother's pirate ship, about to raid another luckless vessel. But soon her mother is dead, various secrets are revealed, and Morgane is on her way to France to a society she has no concept of and with her heart set on revenge.

The different elements don't sit together very well, with the more supernatural bits brought in very late and not particularly well explained. There is little nuance in the characters, although Morgane is a likeable enough heroine. The pacing also felt off. I assumed it was the first in a series, and the pacing seemed to match that, with a lot of build up. I expected the end to be inconclusive, setting up for another episode. But it seems that this was a one off, and as such the ending felt rushed and with lots of unanswered questions. I also found it implausible that Morgane would behave as incautiously and naively as she did at certain points. It's true she didn't understand French society, but she was supposed to be savvy and bright, and if anything her lack of knowledge should have made her even more suspicious of those around her

On the positive side, it's quite compelling, I did feel mildly invested in Morgane and her quest, and interested in how things would turn out. I just wish the ending had been more fleshed out, or maybe that Newman had spread the story over two books. It felt like good story opportunities were missed out on.

If you love fantasy, particularly anything involving France in the relevant period or pirates, then this would be worth reading. I don't think it's strong enough to recommend to readers without a special interest in those things - there is too much strong competition. But Newman's other novels are definitely worth reading, and would be a better investment of time than this one.

Morgane’s mother was a pirate with a mission. No matter the weather, no matter how tired the crew or how full the ship was with booty, she would never pass up the chance to destroy a Four Chains ship. It was foolish, it was annoying, it was infuriating … and in the end, it was that very same obsession that cost Morgane’s mother her life. On her deathbed, though, her mother revealed an unhappy truth: she wasn’t actually Morgane’s mother. She was her aunt, and had stolen Morgane away from her sister when she was born. With only a last warning that her birth mother was a monster … the woman who had raised Morgane died.

Torn between a desire for vengeance and an uncertain hope, Morgane leaves the ship she was raised on and heads to France, looking for her mother. What should have been simple enough — get off the ship, go find the man her mother hired to find her, and get taken to her mother — turns into several kidnapping attempts, a brief period of unconsciousness, and a frustration with all things French.

The only bright spot is Lisette, hired to be Morgane’s governess and companion. Lisette who is too easy to scandalize, too sweet and kind to survive on her own, and whose smiles and kisses make Morgane want to never leave her side. But there’s still the matter of finding Morgane’s mother. Is she the monster everyone says she is, or is she held captive, as her hidden letters claim?

This is the first book in the Vampires of Dumas series, taking place in a pre-revolutionary France where pirates roam the seas, nobles host decadent balls, and bandits roam the woods. There are evil landlords, smugglers and seamstresses, and — eventually — vampires. But don’t go into this book looking for a vampire story, because that’s not the focus, and really, the vampires are the weakest part of this book. The strongest part is its character work and the slow relationship between Morgane and Lisette.

Morgane lives the life of any child chaffing under the control of a beloved parent, only to have her world turned upside down by losing that same person. Finding out the truth is like a gut punch, and Morgane spends several chapters trying to avoid thinking about it, and several more coming to terms with how she feels about her aunt and about her whole life. She spends chapters wondering about her mother, about the letters her aunt hid from her, and even grieving the life she lost.

Morgane isn’t educated, but she’s not stupid. She’s an idealist, offended at how landed nobility (because she’s always lived on the sea) profit off the people who work their land. The injustice and inequality offends her, having been raised on a ship where her aunt ran things with democracy and fair treatment. Morgane’s ruthless in battle, killing people when attacked; she’s blunt, vulgar, and generally good natured. If someone treats her with kindness, she’ll offer the same right back. She’s pleasantly imperfect and has a strong voice.

Lisette is a governess hired to turn Morgane into someone suitable for society, only to have so many things go sideways that’s it’s a wonder she handled it with as much aplomb as she did. Gently raised, though not noble, Lisette knows how to navigate the worlds of society both high and low. She’s patient, stubborn, even tempered, and prone to mercy where Morgane might be more inclined to simply eliminate a threat.

Their romance starts as a friendship. Both of them are lonely and vulnerable, with only the other woman to rely on, but neither of them are fainting flowers. Even as they’re working their way across France, Lisette is determined to teach Morgane to read, which ends up tying into a very nice plot point later on. However, while I enjoyed the first two-thirds of this book as a slow road trip where mysteries were slowly being tossed out like breadcrumbs, the ending fell apart in a very clumsy manner that left me with my final impression of this story being how poorly the climax was handled, rather than the rest of the book.

There is a point where Morgane makes a sudden leap of intuition with regard to her mother’s husband. It feels more like the author quickly tying up a plot point than a realization Morgane came to on her own. Reading that section over a second time, there was no set up, no clues as to how Morgane came to that understanding, no indication as to whether she was right or wrong until the very heavy-handed villain monologue where the scene has Morgane behaving in a way that feels more like something the plot had her do rather than the character reacting on her own.

So, I’m left with a feeling of disappointment that a promising story ended as it did. If you’re looking for a pirate story, this one is a good two-thirds of that; if you’re looking for a vampire story, this probably isn’t that, as the vampires are around for only the last ten percent or so. Honestly, this is a pass from me. But, as ever, if you decide to give it a try, I hope you enjoy it!

This was fun, mostly because I adored Morgane and her absolute no fucks given brashness. A literal fish out of water story of a girl raised as a literal pirate of the Caribbean, finding out she is the daughter of French nobility. In an attempt to "rescue" her birth mother, any number of people in mainland France try to kidnap her, which they invariably regret. Also gets a girlfriend out of a governess, and finds out that the monstrosity of aristocracy is littered with actual monsters. It's all fun and capers and hilarious outrage, except every element of this story except Morgane's characterization seems like an afterthought. The fantastical monsters element comes in WAY too late in the game, and resolved too easily. I wouldn't be as upset if the book didn't declare ON the cover as part of a series called "Vampires of Dumas", while SEVERELY lacking vampires and any obvious Dumas references. Not to mention that it reads as a standalone. Overall, enjoyable and fluffy, but without much of a solid identity.

I read this and honestly, it surprised me. It’s not your typical fast-paced, revenge driven story it’s slower, more introspective, and really leans into the emotional weight of everything the main character is going through. As someone who reads a lot, I appreciated that it took its time and didn’t try to force big twists just for the sake of drama. The atmosphere was heavy in the best way, and the writing had this quiet power to it. There were moments that dragged a little, and I wished some of the side characters had more depth, but overall, it really worked for me. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t shout it lingers. Solid 4 stars.

“The Vengeance” tells the story of Morgane, who was raised on a pirate ship and expects to be their captain one day. However, an attack results in the death of Morgane’s supposed mother, who upon her deathbed reveals she is actually Morgane’s aunt. Morgane is in fact French nobility and the heir to a massive shipping company, taken from her family and raised away from them. She travels back to the mainland to take her place in society and learns the dark secrets of the company she is to one day inherit. I found Morgane essentially a blank slate of a character who made decisions not out of any actual reason, but because those decisions were convenient for the plot. The plot itself dragged along until the very end, which felt rushed and left things unresolved.

The beginning was really strong. I loved reading about Morgane’s life on the Vengeance and how she navigated the pirate world as a girl. That part was gritty and fun, and I thought it would last longer. Honestly wish we’d spent more time with the crew and seen what happened after the captain’s death. Felt a bit rushed.

Morgane’s journey to find her mother started off compelling, but kind of lost momentum halfway through. And for a book with vampires in the series title, they don’t show up until the very end. I expected them to play a bigger role and actually feel like a threat or at least be part of the worldbuilding earlier on. That was a letdown.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Definitely has potential, but this one didn’t fully land for me.

The Vengeance is the first novel in a swashbuckling historical inspired fantasy series, The Vampires of Dumas, written by Emma Newman, and published by Solaris. A great adventure story that will be following Morgane on her journey across France trying to unveil the truth about her mother, while navigating a society where she's the outsider, coming from a pirate's life.

Morgane grew up at the sea, part of the Vengeance crew, a pirate ship that is the scourge of the Four Chains Trading Company; however, when Anne Marie, her adoptive mother, is mortally wounded, Morgane discovers she's not her mother as she believed. The captain of the ship was paid to bring Morgane home to France and to meet her real family; Morgane leaves the Vengeance, embarking on a journey across a society where she's the outsider, many deceptions from various sides, and to discover the dark truth about her mother and France's aristocracy.

Honestly, I feel Morgane a bit of a contradicting character; while I absolutely love how badass and how brave she's, especially when she doesn't really get many of the ideas behind Frech society (and correctly pointing many of the failures of the monarchical system), I was also a bit disappointed with how naïve she acted at moments, leading her to dangerous situations due to her overconfidence. Lisette, however, is a character that slowly grew in me, adorable at moments, but also that anchor that Morgane needed when the trust in herself evaporated, a resourceful person in the most unexpected of situations. The rest of the cast fills well their role, even if they might be a bit plain.

While the novel is a bit light on the speculative elements, I really enjoyed how well Newman played with the historical setting, and putting it from the perspective of an outsider also gave her the opportunity to point many of the contradictions of the moment. While the pacing is a bit weak at the middle, the beginning and the ending balance it, and there are excellent action sequences that will delight the readers.

The Vengeance is a really enjoyable novel, a story that establishes the setting for a bigger series that promises much, especially in terms of setting; if you are looking for a swashbuckling adventure, mild romance and some supernatural elements in your historical inspired fantasy, Emma Newman is your author.