(3.5, rounded up) A fast paced-story with a multi-layered plot and a unique, tarot-based magic system.

The magic system was my favorite part. It felt fresh compared to other card-based magic systems that I’ve read and I appreciated that it offered a lot of potential while still having clear limits and boundaries. Starting most of the chapters with a specific card and explanation was a great way to build the world while keeping it tied to the plot.

I struggled a bit with the first half of the book. The school setting and writing felt more in line with YA to me, but the second half of the book is stronger across the board in character development, plot, and pacing. Once you get deeper into the world politics of the three races and Rune’s search for her family, the story really finds its footing.

Rune is a strong character with clear, compelling motivations for her decisions. She’s easy to like, but not quite consistent for me. She has a past as a wraith in the human realm, but many of her decisions throughout the book are emotionally charged and lead to outbursts seemingly beyond her control. I find it unbelievable that she would have made it this far if she hadn’t mastered the ability to stay calm under pressure and stress.

There are heavy ACOTAR/Fourth Wing influences and I can see this going two ways for readers. Those who are looking to experience their favorite scenes over again in a different setting will probably love this. Those who were looking for similar themes and vibes but a plot that still feels like its own thing probably won't. In fantasy romance it’s normal to find similar tropes and scenes across different series, but it felt excessive to me in this.

Additionally, some readers may have issues with how modern the language is for a fantasy setting. References to ‘show tunes’, ‘aioli’, and ‘calling dibs’ didn’t feel like they fit.

Overall this did hook me, despite the fact that I’m not sure I’m the best audience for it. For the right audience, this could absolutely be a five star book. It’s easy-to-read romantasy with strong characters and a clear direction forward. I don’t think I personally will continue the series but I’d recommend other readers to check it out, especially if they’re looking for books to fill the void after reading Fourth Wing and ACOTAR.

I really enjoyed this book! The writing was engaging, the pacing kept me hooked, and the characters felt real and relatable. There were a few moments where the story dragged just a little or certain plot points felt a bit predictable, which is why I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5. But overall, it was such a great read that I would definitely recommend it to others. I’m excited to see what this author writes next!

This is an incredible fantasy romance debut and I absolutely ate this book up. I've recently read some fantasies with tarot card-based magic so I was excited to see how this book would measure up, and it did not disappoint! I was initially hesitant of combining druids and tarot cards because I think it's a bit of an awkward combination, but the author pulled it off very well.

The story follows Rune, a human living in a world where three groups of immortals (the seraphs, elves, and druids) dominate over the mortal lands and subject the mortals to a yearly selection, where dozens of humans are "reaped" by the immortals and sent to an unknown fate in the immortal realms. Rune's family members have all been chosen and taken to the immortal realms in each selection, and her mother killed by druids. When it's the Druid's year for the selection (the three immortal groups alternate each year), Rune essentially persuades them to select her.

When Rune gets to the realm of the Druids, nothing is as she expected. The group of selected mortals are all put to a test where they are "picked" by a tarot card and assimilate with the rest of the Druids already chosen by the same card. Rune is picked by the World, the rarest and most powerful card. She finds out that the only other person with the World is Draven, the handsome, broody and kinda evil prince.

I adored the forced proximity trope with these two. Every student lives in a house with others of the same card, so Rune and Draven have to share their own house... the tension was top notch!! There was a very intense enemies-to-lovers dynamic at first, but I do wish that hadn't fizzled when it did. That said, I loved their relationship and was absolutely obsessed with Draven. Not to mention, the plot was so strong -- this is one of those books that you can devour in one sitting. I swear the pages were turning themselves at certain points. This is a spectacular debut and it'll be a huge hit for romantasy lovers like myself!

Thank you so much to Zando and NetGalley for this ARC!

A Vow in Vengeance is a thrilling, gripping read that holds you in the moment you begin to read and doesn't let you go until you're finished. I've known this book for a while now, so I was very excited to get this opportunity, and oh God, this one didn't disappoint. I loved the storyline, I loved the characters and above all, I loved the romance. It's such a solid debut, and I can't wait to see what Jaclyn does next!

A Vow in Vengeance is an incredible fantasy story, with a fast paced plot, and loveable characters. The opening chapters had me hooked, and if you're a fan of 1st person pov Romantasy you will love this.

There is so much of this that I want to talk about but I don't want to spoil anything! What I will say is so much happens in this book, I'm trying to process exactly everything I read and considering the journey from the beginning to end it's insane how much this story progresses and the world opens up. It's not often that a book gets the pacing right as well as complex world building but this one does. And I will probably be obsessing over these characters for a long time.

I wouldn't say this story is original. There is definitely some clear inspiration from ACOTAR and Fourth Wing. But if like me you love those books and are always happy to read something similar but different I highly recommend you pick up A Vow in Vengeance when it is released.

A great dark academia read. The f you like distopia and magical schools this book is a good read. Rune the MFC has forced herself to be chosen by the druids to go searching for her family. Once picked she realizes that might not be so easy unless she has the help of the dark prince who has his own agenda.

This book hooked me from the start and with a book this good, I know the cover is going to be even better and I can't wait to see it.

It gives a fresh twist to the 'sacrificial games' plot that I love, the characters have so much depth to them, the world building is immaculate.

The romance was top tier, give me 15 of them.

This is a tale of deadly magic, swoonworthy MMC and silver-tongued heroine. This book had me hooked at the first page!

I love that we have a dark-skinned heroine with pale hair. Such a unique and beautiful FMC.

Rune has nothing left to lose. So she opts to be one of the 100 chosen. (Think Hunger Games level of chosen). It’s a sacrifice she wants because her entire family is gone.

Writing: 5/5
- Writing is beautiful and clear with a fast paced moving plot. Jaclyn Rodriguez knows how to write.
- Each chapter has a title. The formatting, when read in the NetGalley reader, is beautiful. I love the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. It really helps with the Tarot card world building.

Fantasy: 5/5
- Excellent Unique magic system is very well thought out.

Romance: 4/5
- Amazing and funny banter between Rune and Draven. Especially in the beginning.
- These two take the “fake dating” to a whole new level.
- The “discovery” in the middle escalated the spice to a whole new level.
- Not slow-burn. These two hit it off right away. It feels like a cozy romance.

Tropes:
- Touch Her and Die
- One bed
- Fake Dating
- High stakes
- Academic Setting
- Strangers to lovers
- Secret Identity

While the story is completely different, if you enjoyed Fourth Wing and want more romance and more pining, then this book is for you.

Overall rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Zando for this eARC.

A Vow in Vengeance by Jaclyn Rodriguez is the kind of romantasy that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go—an intoxicating blend of enemies-to-lovers tension, razor-sharp political intrigue, and a tarot-based magic system that feels entirely fresh and spellbinding. From page one, this book had me hooked.

Rodriguez’s writing is lush and cinematic, painting the Immortal realms with vivid color and menace. The Forge academy setting is both brutal and fascinating, filled with power players, deadly trials, and enough secrets to keep you second-guessing everyone. And when the twists hit? They hit hard. I found myself reeling more than once as the stakes escalated and the emotional core of the story deepened.

What truly sets this book apart is the emotional weight beneath the magic and politics. The characters are layered and aching—torn between duty, survival, and the things they dare to hope for. The betrayals cut deep, the alliances are fragile, and the cost of power is steep.

A Vow in Vengeance is everything I crave in fantasy romance: a bold, broken heroine; a dangerous, obsessed prince; a world steeped in secrets and lore; and a romance that burns slow and deadly. This is just the beginning of something truly epic, and I already need the next book yesterday.

A Vow in Vengeance, Jaclyn Rodriguez
5/5 ⭐️

Genre: Fantasy Romance

💝 Fated mates, protective MMC, morally gray characters, forced proximity, found family, royalty, secret identity, slow burn with spice, enemies to lovers (but like…barely), touch her and die vibes

Review:
A Vow in Vengeance sank its claws into me from page one and never let go. Fast-paced and emotionally gripping, this book delivers everything I crave in a fantasy romance: an original magic system steeped in lore, high-stakes conflict, diverse and complex main characters, and writing so vivid it feels cinematic. The world Jaclyn Rodriguez has built is beautiful, full of tension, shadows, and just enough light to keep hope burning.

Rune and Draven? Obsessed. Their chemistry is unmatched, their connection deep and fated yet earned through pain, sacrifice, and genuine growth. Draven is everything I love in a male lead. He is protective, commanding, but soft for only one person. And Rune holds her own in every scene, strong and vulnerable in the most human ways.

What sets this book apart is how emotionally rich the characters are. The dynamics within the royal court, the layered betrayals, the gut-wrenching moments of sacrifice…it all lands. And the plot twists? I gasped. Out loud. Multiple times.

This book cannot come out soon enough and I NEED the next one.

Final verdict:
Add to cart. Cancel plans. Prepare to fall in love with a fictional man and a world that will live rent-free in your mind.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Zando for the opportunity to review A Vow in Vengeance as an ARC. All view expressed here are my own. Thank you to Jaclyn Rodriguez for writing such a fantastic book!

A Vow In Vengeance aka A STUNNING romantasy debut.

Rune, our FMC, is a BIPOC bad ass Wraith but when she decides to be Selected by the Druids over The Wall her whole world turns upside down and secrets that could change the lives of everyone she knows are just a shadow portal away.

This book is like a breath of fresh air. Lately, every time I pick up a new romantasy I find myself putting it down after a couple dozen pages because it’s just a rinse and repeat, but THIS ONE?!? Let me tell ya, it’s everything you could want and MORE while still being fresh and engaging.

Oh you want the tropes? Slow burn, enemies to lovers, bad ass BIPOC FMC, winged (and HOT) MMC. A tarot card magic system, YES YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY, and it’s INCREDIBLE. And the writing?! Beautiful. Like genuinely, the prose are some of the best I’ve read, I found myself highlighting so many passages because they struck such a chord in me.

I can’t praise this book enough and CANNOT wait to read book two. The love I have for Rune and Draven is unmatched!

🔥 A gripping blend of magic, danger, and sizzling tension—I devoured this in one sitting! 🔥

A Vow in Vengeance delivers everything I crave in a romantasy: a cutthroat academy, high-stakes magic, and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic crackling with tension. Fans of Throne of Glass will recognize some familiar elements—an elite magical school, a sharp-tongued heroine, and a dangerously charming prince—but the tarot-based magic system brings a fresh and intriguing twist that kept me hooked.

One of the most compelling parts of the book was Rune’s relentless search for her family, scattered across this dangerous world. Her determination and the emotional depth of her journey added so much heart to the story, making every discovery and setback feel intensely personal.

The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, with every lesson Rune takes pulling the reader deeper into the complexities of the magic system. And then there’s Prince Draven—infuriating, cunning, and impossible to ignore. His dynamic with Rune is pure fire, with sharp banter and electric chemistry that had me devouring this book in one sitting.

While seasoned fantasy readers may spot some familiar tropes, Jaclyn Rodriguez delivers them with flair, crafting a gripping, fast-paced read that’s impossible to put down. For a debut, this is outstanding—I’m dying for a sequel! If you love high-stakes magic, dangerous alliances, and romance laced with tension, A Vow in Vengeance is an absolute must-read.

I don’t know if it’s the no spacing between paragraphs and chapters but it gave me a headache. It’s a good book besides that. The characters were great and will possibly pick up when it is released.