𝘼 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙡. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙚.

No notes. Just pure, feral perfection.

This book checked every single box:
Enemies to lovers. Dark academia. Fake (or are they?) fated mates. Forced proximity. Tarot magic. Shadow daddy energy. Touch-her-and-die vibes. Snark. Banter. Court intrigue. Found family. Possessive MMC. Stabby FMC. Wyverns?? Yes, wyverns. I mean… it has it all and then some.

Draven and Rune are absolute 🔥 together; the kind of pairing that ruins you for other couples. I’m not okay and I don’t want to be. The tension, the world-building, the quotes I wish I could post here (SO many highlights)… I’m obsessed. Truly. I am semi-sorry for all of the messages I sent to Jaclyn as I was reading this… but kind of not at all.

This is one of those books you finish and just stare at the ceiling, wondering how you’re supposed to move on. Jaclyn Rodriguez, you’ve created chaos in the best way. May I have some more, please?

Buckle up for this fantastic and fun ride! What a debut for the author.

I immediately found myself engaged and loving the characters and the world they live in. The tarot magic was so different and interesting. I found the pacing to be spot on, gripping from the start and never letting go. The slow burn, enemies to lovers romance was phenomenal. The banter is TOP TIER. I loved the twists, the turns, the laughs, the cries.

Definitely for fans of romantasy (nothing groundbreaking here with familiar tropes) and dark academia. I do agree with some other reviewers in that there isn’t much world “building” and you are told rather than shown, but it really helps with the pacing and keeps you engrossed and eagerly turning to the next page.

Honestly, this may be the next big series. I’m devastated I have to wait until release day for a physical copy, and even more devastated to wait even longer to find out what happens next to the characters I grew to love.

Thank you, Net Galley and Zando Projects for the eARC, all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the slow burn enemies to lovers fantasy!! It kept me hooked and wanting to know more, with some turns I wasn’t expecting!
There was some very small parts where I felt was similar to other books but it didn’t stop me enjoying the book!! And I can’t wait to read book 2!!

This book had so much promise for me. Right from the start, it felt like a mix of all my favorite fantasy series, and I was genuinely hooked. The pacing is surprisingly fast for a fantasy, which kept me turning pages, but sometimes it felt like things rushed by before they could really land.

One thing I really didn’t like was a particular plot choice — it felt unnecessary and pulled me out of the story enough to lose a star. And Rune… she started out as such a great character, but her path in the second half just didn’t work for me at all. It was frustrating to see her written that way after such a strong beginning.

But the world itself? The kingdoms, the powers, the overall setup — all of that was so good. The storyline could’ve been even better if it had slowed down a bit and developed those strong ideas more deeply.

Still, Draven made it better (long hair and all — I’ll ignore that, haha). Overall, this was good. I had really high hopes, and while it didn’t fully live up to them, I enjoyed the ride enough to give it 3.75 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

What a magical little surprise this turned out to be!

Big thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Zando Projects for the ARC 🙌

For a debut, this was seriously fun. The magic system was super cool; I loved how tarot cards were incorporated into it, which felt really fresh and gave the world a nice vibe.

Some parts were a little familiar if you read a lot of romantasy (which I do 😅), but I still had such a good time with it. The writing pulled me in, and I flew through it.

Can’t wait to see what happens in book 2!! When is it coming?? 👀💫

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow—just wow! This book is an easy 5⭐️ read, and I need book two immediately.

The world-building is absolutely stunning, and the witty, captivating banter between the main characters kept me hooked from page one. I felt fully immersed—like I was right there with them, laughing, crying, and fighting alongside every twist and turn.

This story strikes a perfect balance of humor and heart. I laughed out loud more than once, and yes… I even teared up. It’s the kind of book that grabs you and refuses to let go.

Run and Draven’s relationship was beautifully developed—genuine, layered, and full of chemistry. I only wish there had been just a bit more spice!

If you’re looking for a read that delivers action, emotion, and characters you’ll root for, this is it. Don’t walk—run to read it.

I need book 2 as of right this second…

You are what I’m proudest of…

The last words spoken to Rune before her father’s death.

If you could rip my heart out, hold it in your hands, and drop it to shatter on the ground, that’s exactly what A Vow in Vengeance did.

The world building, from beginning to end, made me feel like I was living in these factions of Arcadia right alongside the characters. My legs burned while climbing the wall, my hands felt the lava when Rune summoned her power, my feet slipped on gravel while fighting the enemy, my heart shred to pieces at the betrayal of friends, and the death of Rune’s father.

But most importantly, my resolve settled at the same time Rune decided her and Draven were going to take on the world, even if they had to shed blood to do it.

What a freaking story, and one that I need the second book for immediately.


Plot 5/5 ⭐️
Spice 5/5 🌶️
Emotional 5/5 ⭐️

This review may contain spoilers

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and would like to thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide an honest review.

3.5 Stars

A Vow in Vengeance is a slow-burn romantasy that weaves together tarot magic, intricate court politics, and a high-stakes treasure hunt aimed at saving the world. The story centers on Rune, our protagonist, as she seeks to reunite her family, members of which have been taken by immortals into their realms over the years.
Driven by vengeance, Rune schemes her way into the immortal lands, only to quickly discover that nothing is as it seems. What unfolds is an unexpected education in magic, a complicated partnership with a treasonous prince, and a web of family secrets. Vengeance remains her driving force, but she soon learns it must be played by a different set of rules.

This was an enjoyable read that consistently pulled at my thoughts even when I wasn't actively reading, and effortlessly drew me back in whenever I picked it up. Here’s what I particularly loved:
🎴 The FMC: Rune is a well-developed character who undergoes significant growth. She's a true badass who knows her capabilities, yet she never comes across as arrogant. She’s very self-aware, particularly in how she acknowledges the impact of her traumas without using them as a shield.
🎴A True Slow-Burn: So many books are marketed as slow-burns only for the main characters to jump into bed halfway through. Here, we genuinely get the delicious tension and yearning. Rune and the MMC don't even go "all the way" in this book, promising a multi-book slow-burn.
🎴The Magic: I was truly captivated by the magic system, especially how it varied across the different realms. The tarot magic, in particular, was complex without ever feeling confusing. It was described beautifully and I am hoping for more insight into how it works in the next book.

A couple elements kept this at a solid 3.5 stars:
➖Familiarity: At points, it felt a little too easy to draw parallels to other popular books within the genre. While similarities are inevitable, these instances stood out more than usual, making the world feel less unique at times.
➖World-Building: I believe deeper, more distinct world-building could have helped alleviate the sense of familiarity mentioned above. More unique details would have allowed this world to truly stand on its own. What we were given was certainly great, and I have no doubt the world-building will expand and improve in future books.

Overall, A Vow in Vengeance was a compelling read that left me wanting more. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!

This review is posted on goodreads. A review will also be posted on IG by 7/10/25 and on TikTok by 7/11/25

This book was so good, hard to put down! The storytelling and detailing made the world come to life. The epic quests for relics and war amongst everyone is very captivating - for me reminiscent of DnD.

The witty banter between Rune and Draven is so clever and humorous and also so hard to find!

Thanks to Jaclyn Rodriguez, Zando Projects & NetGalley for gifting me a arc copy.

This was a fun read. Not to complicated. I loved the MMC, you can never have to many dark broody men in books. I would have loved to have more information in the tarot cards. I did not like the use of urban foods mentioned in the story, For me it more believable if the world is set in ancient times.

The slow burn was good. I love that. Overal an easy to follow story to add to your tbr!

This book had such a promising start. By 18%, I was convinced it might become my next fantasy obsession. Unfortunately, I ultimately had to set it aside at 70%.

There were a number of small issues that gradually piled up for me. The characters, for instance, felt flat and one-dimensional. While I usually give characters time to develop, by the time I reached the 70% mark, I still felt no real connection to them. Their growth was minimal, and I never got a sense of who they truly were beyond surface-level traits. The writing style also proved to be a major hurdle. It was often clunky and overly wordy, making it difficult to stay immersed. I found myself rereading passages just to grasp the meaning. Another round of edits could significantly improve the pacing and clarity of this book.

What makes this DNF particularly disappointing is that the magic system had real potential. The book initially gives off a vibe that reminded me of Fourth Wing meets One Dark Window, but the execution just didn’t live up to the concept. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry, and while there seemed to be an attempt at a found family dynamic, it didn’t land. That emotional thread could’ve added a much-needed layer to the story, but instead, it felt underdeveloped and disconnected.

I really wanted to love this, but I just don't and won't be continuing this.

OH MY GOD MY NEW FAVE ROMANTASY JUST DAMNN
THINK ACOTAR MEETS CRUEL PRINCE WITH A SPLASH OF ONE DARK WINDOW

5/5 really enjoyed it and the romance? Yeah it delivers!

I’ve been wanting a book that hits the same spot as acotar did I missed that feeling and this fully delivers!

DNF @ 33% I'm sorry... I tried.. but this book cringed me out so bad at parts.. I feel like this book was trying to be to many things at once and it just wasn't landing for me.
The MCC was just a mash up of xaden and rhysand and the FMC had the personality of a board. Just didn't keep my attention.

This book was such a great read and a wonderful palette cleanser as it is so easy to read and the characters are just so interesting and well done. while some things felt rushed and i wish there were more pages and added scenes to the plot line i really had a great time getting to know rune and draven.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC! This was a stunning debut, and most definitely something I devoured.

May I say, Rune Ryker is a badass and a wonderful main character. She is unapologetically herself. (Former) Wraith-warts and all. I loved our broody prince, and I LOVED their sass together. I found the tarot magic very interesting, and I appreciated actually learning about it rather than it just popping up and it being expected for me to just roll with it. It was such a good change of pace, and so welcome.

I absolutely loved this book! The concept was so interesting and a book focused on tarot cards was so enticing to read. I was drawn into the world and history of the realms so easily. Rune finds herself in the druids realm to apply for the selection to hopefully find her family that she claims they took. She not only get selected, but gets the rarest and most powerful tarot card. The only other person who had this power is Prince Draven. I laughed as Rune is struggling to pull her card in class and says to herself that she has a middle-finger movement to show Professor Vexus.

From the teaching to the intimacy, I adore Draven and Rune's bond so much. Draven is so dark and mysterious, yet he had such a soft side for Rune. Despite the family secrets that they each hold, they find a way to power through their problems together. I was giggling at the part when they were writing letters to one another.


The ending definitely hurt my heart a little bit. All of that work to lose so much. I can't wait to see how the story continues. I'm hoping that Draven and Rune continue to grow closer and bring vengeance to those that deserve it. Thank you to Netgalley, Zando, and and Jaclyn Rodriguez for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.

4.5 🌟 could not put this down!!! Like, wanted to avoid all social activities to hide in bed and read this book.

Things I loved:
- premise of the global conflict
- the angsty, vengeant FMC
- the brooding, obsessed MMC
- found family vibes
- super unique magic system
- a young, come-from-nothing girl who steps into unimaginable power. a trope that will never get old.

Things I didn’t:
- 2nd half was a little rushed
- I was sometimes so focused on how the magic worked I was a little pulled out of the story
- some devastating deaths - stab me in the heart, Jaclyn Rodriguez

Book comes out next Jan which means I’ll be waiting a painfully long time until book 2. Thanks NetGalley for the arc!🃏

This is a wonderful debut novel. Let me start off by saying I absolutely LOVE the prose. It helped build a vivid picture in my mind! She has her own unique writing style and that’s sooooo essential.

The magic-system was a lot of fun and I enjoyed piecing it together throughout the novel. I do believe having more scenes in a school environment and learning how to wield and a backstory to the magic-system would’ve added depth.

The world felt unique to me and I think in romantasy that’s hard to do!! I enjoyed the politics and the other kingdom aspect.

I really loved both Rune and Draven! Rune is snarky and hard but she wants what’s right. Draven is delicious and I found myself giggling multiple times.

I do wish there had been more yearning/development in their relationship. It didn’t feel slow-burn to me whatsoever which that’s a trope it’s being advertised as.

Will I be reading book 2?! Ummm, yes. Considering this is a debut novel I’m so impressed and I really enjoyed it overall! I see this author going VERY far!!

I rated this book 4.5✨ I loved it so much!! Had such a good time.
We follow our Fmc Rune whose family has been stolen from her she's not just lost them also her home and her freedom. To get back at those who have stolen from her she's will take revenge!!
Each year humans are forced to journey into the Immortal Realms, Rune wanting to be selected stand tall and proud as the king youngest son chooses who's next.after being selected Rune is force to attend the Forge, a cutthroat college for the Immortal druids' elusive tarot magic.
Our Mmc Draven is the king's oldest son as arrogant as he is ruthlessly ambitious, he's the last person she can trust.
Draven offers to train her for a price.
Highly recommend this book!! 🥰🥰🥰
Tropes
Enemies to Lovers
Dark Academia
Fake fated mates
Forced Proximity Snark and Banter Touch her and die
Tarot

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5 stars (ARC Review)

This book had such a cool concept- tarot card magic? Yes, please! I loved that unique touch and really wanted to dive deeper into that system. Rune and Draven had some great moments, and the bones of this world are solid… but I found myself wishing there was more- more world-building, more character development, and more time with their friends and the politics of their realm.

Honestly, this could’ve easily been 100 pages longer just to give everything the depth it deserved. The plot had some fun twists, but at times it felt a little too familiar-if you’ve read Fourth Wing, you’ll definitely notice some similarities.

Still, I think this series has a lot of potential, and I’d be interested in reading book two to see where it all goes!