I love, love, loved this book! The plot locked me in from page one, and spit me out a new person on the last page. The characters became real to me and will live in my brain forever. The setting was tangible and perfect. The pacing was riveting, but not rushed. All coming together to be a book I can't wait to recommend to my friends.

I did find the idea of tarot cards really interesting, but it could have had a little more of worldbuilding, because it turned sometimes a little confusing and through out the book it could have had more explaining about it. Unfortunely I did find the main character a bit boring and the mmc is literally like a mmc of a lot of romantasy books in which I don't enjoy. But I did like the writing style and it is a enjoyable book.

Thank you NetGalley and Zando Publisher for this E-Arc! From the onset of the book, the writing style engrossed me into the book. The start was strongly constructed and really reminded me on hunger games. I do feel it was heavily inspired by past books but the author did seem to have some original ideas that she incorporated into the book. It starts off with a girl who has already lost her father and twin brother has just lost her mother for her refusal to take part in the selection. She must find a way to get her revenge and take down the system. It was a well done romantasy book and I really enjoyed the plot, although I do hope an editor looks over the book once more before publishing as there did seem to be strange sentence structures and wrong spellings. Overall, it was a 3.5 stars for me and was a strong debut. Looking forward to new books from the author!

For fantasy books using common tropes, this book did a great job being unique and interesting. I always love watching how characters learn to develop their powers and I feel that Rune's journey was quite interesting. Definetly a decent dark academia.

A vow in vengeance is a good debut that I can see many others enjoying but is very similar to all the other romantasy books out there with a broody winged MMC and a FMC on a mission with powers that she's not supposed to have. I didn't think that it had enough to separate itself from other romantasy despite the world being an original one.
That being said, the world in a vow in vengeance was a bit confusing sometimes and I wished for more worldbuilding. Another issue that I had with the book was that it was almost solely based on telling and not showing. We were told how this and that was, how this and that person acted but never really got to see it.

However, I would absolutely give this author another chance as I enjoyed her writing and would love to see how she grows with her story telling.

A five star read! This book was amazing! I loved it from the first chapter. I found the world so interesting and the world building phenomenal. I loved the concept of this book and the introduction to Tarot Card magic was really well done. It was my first tarot card magic book I’ve read and I’m totally hooked.
It’s a dark academia with a powerful FMC who honestly (although sometimes struggles) knows what a badass she is and I love that.
The entire magic system was so fascinating and although it takes a little bit to understand it all, it’s so thought out and well executed. I found the entire book so fresh and new.
Fake fated mates, forced proximity, one bed - toe curling goodness! When there was spice, it was spicing - just a little sprinkling of spice throughout but the yearning was *chefs kiss*
I absolutely devoured this book, did not want to put it down and have been thinking about it ever since I finished it yesterday.
I cannot wait for book two- it’ll be JUICY

Thank you Netgalley for the gifted ARC!

This was a really unique and fun approach to romantasy. I loved how everything was set up, and loved the tension between the characters.

This first book in a planned duology really gave me rain of shadows and endings vibes in the best way. A bit dystopian which I love. Of course we have a mortal which is taken - but this mortal in particular wants this as she is looking to locate her taken family members from the past. This book had the classic romantasy tropes I absolute gobble up every time: fake relationship, forced proximity. The YEARNING of this book!!!

A Vow in Vengeance should be the next big book to take over booktok. If you love dark academia, enemies to lovers, and incredible banter this book is for you. Rune has had everything taken from her by the immortals across the wall and now everything on her side of the wall is gone. She has nothing left to live for except revenge against those that took her family and ruined her life. Once she is chosen in the Selection by the immortal Druids, her goal is to find her family and rescue them from the group (Seraphs, Druids, or Elves) that took them. She did not realize once she was chosen that she would begin the transformation to immortal and swear an oath to the ones she despises. She is sent to the training school where she is chosen by the World card to train. Her largest opponent is Draven, the Druid King's son, and the only other World. Draven has an agenda of his own and needs Rune to help him. Will they achieve their goal or will they both crash and burn?

The book has a feel of Fourth Wing and Percy Jackson with dark academia mixed together. It started off a bit slow for me, but quickly picked up and kept my interest throughout the story. The chemistry and banter between Rune and Draven are top tier. I cannot wait for the next book to be released. I would not recommend it for any school library due to the spice level of the book, but is a great YA or new adult read.

This book was more than I could have ever expected. I’m someone who is pretty picky when it comes to the Romantasy genre so for this book to have me hooked from the first page speaks volumes. I flew through it and I wish it was longer than 500 pages. Rune will do whatever necessary to find and get revenge for what has been done to her and her family. Rune and Draven’s relationship is amazing. The banter in this book is top tier and had me laughing out loud multiple times. I’m desperate to read the next book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A Vow in Vengeance is an absolutely stunning debut — richly written, emotionally layered, and wholly immersive. From the very first page, Jaclyn Rodriguez’s writing pulled me in with its vivid, majestic prose. The world she’s crafted is detailed and awe-inspiring, with a sense of grandeur and magic that’s both immersive and beautifully executed.

The characters are unforgettable — flawed, complex, and so easy to root for. And let’s talk about the slow burn romance: it is deliciously slow, but oh so worth the wait. The tension, the tenderness, the longing — all of it was perfectly paced and emotionally satisfying.

The plot is intricate and full of unexpected twists. Secrets, lies, truths, vows, and betrayals unravel at just the right moments, keeping me on my toes throughout. And amidst all the tension and suspense, there are tender, emotionally resonant moments that add depth and balance to the story.

It’s rare to find such a masterfully told story in a debut novel. I’m honestly in awe — this is easily one of my top reads of the year. I’m now officially a fan of Jaclyn Rodriguez and will read anything she writes.

Huge thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC — what an unforgettable journey!

Deadly tarot, ruthless schemes, and one very arrogant prince..yes, this book had me hooked!

Rune Ryker is the kind of FMC I love to follow: fierce, stubborn, and fuelled by vengeance. She literally walks into the lion’s den (aka the Forge, an elite school for druids) with zero fear and so much determination to burn it all down.

The magic system based on tarot cards was a refreshing twist. It was unique, dangerous, and layered with intrigue. I was eating it up.

And then there’s Draven. Prince Arrogant. Prince "there’s only one bed and I might murder you but also kiss you kind of vibe"

He’s every bit the morally grey love interest you want in a romantasy.

The banter? Sharp.
The tension? Electric.
The enemies to lovers slow burn mixed with fake fated mates made this a delicious ride.

Was it perfect? Not quite...at times I wanted the world building to go deeper, and some twists I spotted coming a mile away.

But overall, this debut felt sexy, magical, and action packed in all the right ways. If you’re into tropes like enemies to lovers, fake dating/fated mates, and forced proximity (hello, one bed!), this book delivers.

Highly recommend if you’re looking for a romantasy with teeth, spice, and high stakes magic.

A Vow in Vengeance is author Jaclyn Rodriguez’s debut novel. It is the first book in the Immortal Desires series.

Pub Date: January 13, 2026

What to expect
-Enemies to lovers
-Fake dating
-Dark academia
-Tarot magic
-Forced proximity
-Slow burn
-Only one bed

Rune has lost everything she cares about to the Immortals. She is determined to make them pay. Each year, humans are chosen through a selection to enter the Immortal realm.

Rune ensures she is chosen in the selection. She is determined to find her family and make her enemies pay!
Those selected are granted tarot magic and are sent to the Forge (college) where they must learn to wield their new power.
Rune’s power is the rarest of them all, and she must train and live with the only other wielder, the arrogant Prince Draven.

A Vow in Vengeance absolutely delivered! The magic system was creative and well thought out. I still cannot believe this is a debut.

This is the perfect read for fans of Fourth Wing. It’s packed with action, tension, and twists and turns I didn’t see coming.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Zando, and Jaclyn Rodriguez for the eARC of a Vow in Vengeance. I can’t wait for the next book!

I really enjoyed this book I lived the fantasy element within this story. I was hooked from the first chapter

I highly recommend this book

wasn't for me but I know that there are a lot of readers out there that will really enjoy this book. I would still recommend it to other readers

If this book isn’t the next big thing then I will lose all faith in humanity. This book is a dark fantasy romance with magic and a bad ass vengeful FMC.

I normally am too impatient for a slow burn romance but the way that this one is done had me foaming at the mouth. I absolutely adored the enemies to lovers and the BANTER was top tier. 🔥🫠

I was worried at first that the tarot system they use was going to be too confusing but the author does a great job of explaining it and making it feel fluid with the story.

Thank you so much to NetGally, Zando and slowburn for the eARC!

As a tarot reader, I really appreciated the way tarot cards are used in this story! For someone who isn't familiar with the cards, it may be a tad bit difficult to keep up, but I think you'll get used to it the more you dive into the story. Enemies to lovers is my FAVORITE trope and this did not disappoint. It also had some other delicious tropes within that I ate up! I have to admit I am a little over academia settings in my fantasy books, but it isn't the author's fault I'm burnt out. For a debut novel, I thought this was great and I'd recommend it to other fantasy lovers.

This book HOOKED me! The only books that I'd read before with a tarot card magic system were One Dark Window and Arcana Academy. I loved both of those, so I had high hopes for this book and it didn't disappoint.

I like a dark/academia/romantasy & this delivered. I rooted for both of the main characters & we move a MMC that will burn the world for her.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

✨ An engaging story with characters that feel real and themes that stick with you. A satisfying and enjoyable read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆

Thank you for this ARC but it was entirely seen before in worse ways.

It almost felt like it was trying to give dnd but it felt all muddled right at the beginning and the MC wasn’t likeable at all. The magic system had potential but didn’t give me anything to work with. And there was no real chemistry.