i loved this book and read it in one sitting! such a gripping and exciting story with breathtaking twists and lovely characters. i had a great time reading it and honestly can't wait for book two. rune and draven have my whole heart. <3

Jaclyn Rodriguez’s romantasy debut includes world-building that hooks you from page one, weaving a gritty, immersive realm that feels alive with danger and intrigue. The magic system is unique and based on tarot cards that funnel the druids power. The pacing is a chef’s kiss—tight, deliberate, and perfectly stoking the slow-burn romance that had me feral for Rune and Draven’s every charged glance. Rune, our fierce FMC, storms in with a blazing quest for vengeance, her pain fueling a “Who Hurt You?” trope that hits like a dagger to the heart. She’s no damsel—she’s a firestorm, wronged by a brutal system and ready to torch it to ashes.

Enter Draven, our winged, morally gray shadow daddy of a prince, who’s all brooding intensity and “I’ll burn the world for you” energy. The sparks between them? Electric, with a one-chili-pepper spice level that builds from enemies-to-lovers tension to a partnership that’s as steamy as it is strategic. Their chemistry thrives on shared wounds and mutual defiance, making their team-up to dismantle the system that scarred them both feel gloriously inevitable. Rodriguez nails the trope balance—fated mates vibes without losing the gritty edge of their rebellion.

The world’s vivid stakes and Rune’s complex mix of strength and vulnerability elevate this beyond typical romantasy. Draven’s layered darkness, teetering between protector and destroyer and vulnerable lover, kept me glued to every page.This ARC was a five-star knockout, and I’m already salivating for Book 2 to see how their revolution—and romance—ignites further.

A Vow in Vengeance is an epic world of humans and immortals with deep seeded hatred toward eachother, both looking for vengeance and to find a way to right the past wrongs.

I felt immersed in the world, truly, from the prologue. Such detail went into giving characters raw emotions , good and bad, and I could feel it on every page. Rune can be heartbreakingly relatable.

I love the way the magic is used and presented. There are many different kinds and it can be open to all people in a way. It was interesting to see Tarot blend with the magic of this world.

There's always a soft spot in my heart for any kind of romance built off a friendship, albeit a rocky one. This one is no different. Such a longing between the characters.

What a fantasy setting! A big 5/5 for me.
I'm excited to see where this series contiues!

Rune lost her family to the Immortals. She wants her revenge and makes sure she is Selected for the Wall. She makes it over the Wall and gets into the Forge. Tarot cards are magic and Rune got the rarest of all. At the beginning of classes, the magic doesn't work for her. The cards have different magical powers. Rune and Draven end up working together to get what they both want, after they learn each other's secrets. I felt as if the characters weren't really developed, so it was really hard to get into their story and feel much for them or feel like I wanted to be a part of their story.

The book seems to move slowly. It was hard to want to keep going. The author added too much extra fluff to the book and it was stagnant at times, as it didn't move the story forward fast enough. This book wasn't what I expected it to be.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC preview and give my review voluntarily.

Is Tarot the new Romantasy theme?!?! Because this is my third new 2025 Romantasy that is using Tarot as their magic system. Not that there’s anything wrong with using it, but I’m seeing a trend here. I’ll be honest I’m not quite sure if I’m a fan of it. Now that’s not the authors fault, but as someone who has never dabbled with Tarot I feel like for a new Romantasy book. We should give a brief overview so the reader can understand. However, in Vow in Vengeance your tossed right into it and expect to just figure it out. Which as a reader really threw me and found me more confused then I’d care to admit.

Once we got past that hurdle the res of this book was a ton of fun to read. We've got a magical school, an enemies to lovers relationship, a sarcastic FMC who has no filter, plus prince shenanigans. Like what more can you ask for.

My absolute favorite part of this entire book was Rune, our MFC. She definitely gives off Bryce Quinlan vibes. Her sass and sarcasm carried this book. Runes journey to find her family, balance her school training and throw in a romance. Our girl is clearly going through it. I honestly don’t know how she managed it all.

Our MMC on the other hand honestly felt like a Rhys rip off. Now don’t get me wrong I love a good shadow daddy as much as the next book reviewer but could we maybe give him a little more depth. Hopefully in book 2 we’ll see his character more flushed out and less annoying. I will admit his banter with Rune was top notch.

Overall, for a first book in a new Romantasy series I enjoyed it. I will also be continuing on with the series. Plus I would recommend this book for anyone who’s fans of ACOTAR & Fourth Wing. Lastly big thank you to NetGalley & Zando publishing for providing an arc for me to read and review!

The concept for this A Vow in Vengeance really intrigued me, I loved the tarot idea - it reminded me of One Dark Window. However I really struggled once reading. The pace was slow and it felt hard to get though, the reader learnt things through the FMC (which can work) but it fell a bit flat just telling us rather than showing.

Found family is another fave of mine but I just couldn’t get behind the side characters - they were also flat and not really fleshed out.

Again it was such an interesting concept, but not something for me.

I absolutely devoured it! This book grabbed me from the very first page and didn't let go. If you're a fan of dark fantasy, revenge plots, and an incredibly satisfying slow burn romance, you need this book in your life.

First off, I have to shout out how well done the tarot elements were! As someone who reads tarot casually, it always bugs me when books just throw in cards without any real understanding of their meanings. Not here! The way the author wove in the cards — from The Tower to The High Priestess — felt intentional and true to their real-life symbolism. The way they guided the story and reflected the emotional arc of the characters was just chef's kiss. It added such a mystical depth and grounded the magic in a way that felt authentic.

And speaking of characters — the chemistry between the FMC and MMC?? HELLO?? That slow burn was the kind that keeps you flipping pages at 2am. It's the perfect mix of tension, longing, banter, and emotional growth. You can feel the pull between them, and the pacing was so well done that when things finally ignited, it felt earned. Ugh, I’m still not over it!

This book is everything I love in a fantasy romance: lush worldbuilding, morally gray choices, magic that actually matters to the plot, and a romance that makes your heart ache in the best way. I already can’t wait to re-read it when it officially comes out.

Highly recommend for fans of slow burns, powerful heroines, and a touch of the arcane.✨

Fourth Wing fans do not miss this one!

4.5 ⭐️
1 🌶️
I would like to thank Netgalley and Zando Publishing for the opportunity to arc read ‘A Vow in Vengeance’ and in return her is my honest unbiased review

This almost gave a little Hunger Games at the beginning, mixed with a little Dark Window (magic) and Zodiac Academy with side of Fourth Wing.

A dark Romantasy with enemies to lovers vibes, fake dating and found family with all the tension and banter you love between the two main characters. The book is written in third person following Rune’s (FMC) perspective. The book is character based and was easy to read.

I want to give this book 5 plus stars but there is just a few things keeping me from doing that but I hope by the time the book is published maybe the editing team has caught some of things that could make this book perfection.

1. The world is made up of Mortal, Seraphs, Elven and Druids. If you are a beginner fantasy reader you may feel a little lost has an explanation of what the different immortals are isn’t explained.
Besides that I felt the world building was well done and is done is such away that you has the reader are learning about it has the FMC is learning.

2. The main magic system we learn about is unique and is used by tarot cards but again if you were a beginner fantasy reader an explanation of what tarot cards are would help the reader. The explanation of what each card does is well done and there is a helpful glossary at the beginning of the books too. Each immortal kingdom has their own magic but it’s the Druid magic that is in the forefront of this book.

3. There is a section later in the book were the two main characters are writing letters to each other, it starts of in letter form but switches to looking like they are speaking mind to mind but they are still writing the letters it was confusing and I had to back track to make sure they were still actually writing letters. This could have been a simple formatting mistake that was hopefully caught with editing.

With those threes things aside, I feel if you read this book you are either going to love it or hate it and I for one loved it. ❤️‍🔥 Although it feels like a lot of other Romantasy type books I do feel it has a unique story line that I can’t wait to see how it all plays out. I was captivated from the first page to the last. I didn’t want to put it down, this book held my attention 100%.

I love Rune she is a strong Female main character, she has sass and stands up for herself. Rune had some self-confidence issues at the start but she had really good character growth in this book and I can’t wait to see what the author does with her character.

Draven is your typical Dark brooding MMC but under all the tough exterior he has a certain vulnerability to him that makes it easy to fall in love with him.

Rune and Draven have the perfect amount of tension and banter between and loves seeing the progress of their relationship towards each other. Although there is an instant attraction to one another I would consider this a slow burn because it hasn’t caught fire yet, if you know what I mean 😉.

I loved the side characters, well at least most of them.
I would like to see more from the side characters maybe explore some of their back stories in the following books just to feel a little more attached to them.

The book ends on a small cliffhanger, nothing too dramatic.
I can’t wait for book two.

A Vow in Vengeance was a super fast paced, intriguing read. It had high stakes magic, with a unique tarot based magic system that almost reminded me of the Shepherd King duology? My favourite aspect of this was Rune however, she was fiery, stood on business, and her quest for a found family made my heart ache at time.

There was a gorgeous amount of world building that made it feel so easy to get lost in this world, especially for a debut novel, and the slow burn was buuuurning!!

If youre looking for your next romantasy read with all your favourite tropes but a unique magic system, look no further.

A VOW IN VENGEANCE blends a sizzling enemies to lovers romance with a coming of age story about a girl who infiltrates an elusive magical world just to try to find her family. It’s saucy, a real page-turner, and one highly entertaining read!

If you've been waiting for your next winged book boyfriend, look no further! A Vow in Vengeance is the perfect romantasy book, complete with a unique magic system, a badass heroine, and a powerful, morally gray love interest you'll be swooning for from the moment he steps onto the page. Every plot twist packs a punch, and I was utterly captivated by the enemies-to-lovers romance--equal parts intoxicating and utterly devourable. Rune is the bisexual heroine of my romantasy dreams! I hope other readers are prepared, because this book will keep you up late into the night desperate to find out what happens next.

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish, I was hooked so quick which doesn't always happen for fantasy books for me sometimes it takes me a bit to get into them. I absolutely devoured this book in one day. It is one of my favorite books of the year. I love Rune and her snarky remarks to Draven, she had me laughing and having such a good time I was telling my husband about it. I enjoyed seeing Rune and Draven's relationship evolve through the book from one of need to one of love. The other characters like Ember and Wynter were also lovely to ready, I adored then they were great friends. There were some twists and turns I was not expecting and I love a book that catches me off guard. This book was such a great time and I will be ready for book 2.

4/5

A Vow in Vengeance is a thrilling blend of dark romance and epic fantasy that pulled me in from the first page and never let go. Jaclyn Rodriguez crafts a world ruled by immortal powers, deadly traditions, and secrets that make trust a dangerous gamble.

The tarot-inspired magic and druidic lore add a fresh, haunting edge to the richly built world, while Rune Ryker—fierce, broken, and relentless—anchors the story with raw emotion and unstoppable determination. The slow-burning romance crackles with tension, layered with fate, politics, and deep scars that make every moment charged and meaningful.

Rodriguez’s twists kept me constantly second-guessing, and the pacing was relentless, driving me straight to a finale that was utterly unputdownable. For fans of morally complex characters, intense romance, and immersive fantasy, A Vow in Vengeance is a standout that demands to be devoured. I can’t wait for book two.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!

A Vow in Vengeance did not disappoint. The magic system and plot were so well thought out and explored fantastically elements i don’t often see in a book.
The way tarot was incorporated into and built off the plotline was absolutely amazing and i loved how it was used to bring the FMC and MMC together.
I also loved Rune’s character development throughout the story, how she slowly grew into herself and learnt who she could be.
This was an amazing novel and i hope to read the next one soon, thank you to netgalley and the author for giving me the chance to read this book.

A Vow in Vengeance hit all the right notes for me as a romantasy fan. Brutal academy setting, high stakes magic, and an enemies to lovers slow burn that sizzles from the start. Think Throne of Glass with its deadly training grounds and fiery heroine, but with a clever tarot based magic system that adds something completely original.

What really stood out to me was Rune’s search for her lost family. It gave the story so much emotional weight, grounding all the action in something deeply personal. Her drive, resilience, and vulnerability made her such an easy character to root for.

The worldbuilding is rich and layered, and the way magic is taught throughout the book is honestly fascinating. And then there’s Prince Draven. Arrogant, clever, maddening, and completely magnetic. His dynamic with Rune is pure tension, and their banter had me flying through the pages.

Yes, it plays with familiar tropes but it does so confidently and with style. For a debut, it’s impressive and I’m already counting down the days until the sequel. If you’re into ruthless training schools, slow burn romance, and original magic systems, this one’s for you.

I liked this but didn’t love it. This is a super fast paced book and easy to read which I liked but I didn’t feel ~super~ compelled to finish it.

Plot: 3/5. Liked the idea and the magic system idea but the world building was lacking. Also I was excited when the characters were transported to a different world but then it all seemed so juvenile when they were in the academy setting that I lost interest really fast.

Characters: 3/5. Didn’t feel connected to any of the characters or relationships. The FMC was supposedly like an assassin prior to the start of the book but we didn’t get to see this side of her at all and she seemed rather pathetic through a lot of the book so I’m not sure how we’re supposed to believe that part of the plot.

Overall liked the idea of the book but the way the characters acted were too juvenile for me.

A Vow in Vengeance is an emotional rollercoaster packed with tension, passion, and jaw-dropping twists. Jaclyn Rodriguez weaves a gripping tale of betrayal, retribution, and the blurred lines between love and revenge. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into a world where secrets simmer beneath the surface and trust is a dangerous luxury.

The characters are complex and deeply flawed—especially the leads, whose chemistry is as explosive as it is heartbreaking. Rodriguez doesn’t shy away from darkness, but she also allows space for redemption and vulnerability, which makes the emotional payoffs hit that much harder.

What I particularly loved was how Rodriguez kept me constantly second-guessing motivations. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, another twist would turn everything upside down. The pacing is relentless in the best way, making it impossible to put down.

Perfect for fans of morally grey heroes, slow-burning revenge plots, and emotionally intense romance, A Vow in Vengeance is a standout in the dark romance genre. Jaclyn Rodriguez has truly outdone herself.

Highly recommended!

The first thing inhave to say about this is that a map is definitely necessary. I had no idea where things were supposed to be. In line with that, i feel like the world building could've been a bit clearer. Same with the magic system, I thinks its really cool and unique but as a big tarot fan myself, i would've liked more artistry in the explainig.
As for the characters, they only thing that kept me reading was Draven. Rune was giving major pick-me vibes, all tell no show of what a badass she was. Reminded me the Throne of Glass FMC, and I wasn't a fan of hers (so much I don't remember her name) the side character were a bit one-dimentional in the way of Fourth Wing (a lot of it felt like Forth Wing, actually)
All things said, I think for what it is, it was good. A fun read, although it dragged at times and there were details that took me out of the story,

This book had so many elements that I love in a romantasy— a magical academy setting, enemies-to-lovers tension, a sassy and strong-willed FMC, and a prince who’s equal parts charming and infuriating. Rune’s journey kept me hooked from the start. She’s a determined character, searching for her family while juggling the challenges of a demanding academy and complicated romantic entanglements.

The magic system was hands-down my favourite part. The tarot-based setup felt really fresh and unique, and I loved how each chapter opened with a card explanation that tied into the plot. It gave the story a solid structure and kept me invested in the world. The world-building in general was strong, and I appreciated the depth it added—especially once the book moved into the politics of the different races and Rune’s personal quest.

That said, I did struggle a bit with the first half. The school setting and some of the writing felt more young adult to me, and the pacing was a bit slow at times. But things definitely picked up later on, especially with the rising stakes and the evolving character dynamics. Rune’s development was solid, though I sometimes found her decisions a bit erratic given her backstory. I’d expected her to be more in control in high-pressure moments, but her emotional outbursts made her feel more human, even if they occasionally frustrated me.

Overall, A Vow in Vengeance was a fun, action-packed read with strong characters, addictive banter, and a unique magical system. While I’m not sure I’ll continue with the series myself, I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fast-paced fantasy romance with a fresh magical twist and that classic enemies-to-lovers spark.

A Vow in Vengeance is a hopeful 4-star read that shows real promise. The writing style is beautiful, surprisingly so for a debut, but I often wished the author had shown more rather than simply telling, especially in scenes like the magic classes.

As my first Arcana/tarot-based fantasy, I found the world intriguing but sometimes confusing. The magic system could definitely be explored in more depth. I also noticed some writing mistakes, which I’ve shared with the publisher via NetGalley.

Character-wise, while enjoyable to read, they sometimes lacked depth. It felt at times like the author was writing characters that didn’t fully belong to her yet. Still, I’m rooting for them, especially the found family dynamic with the friend group, which is still growing but has great potential in future books. One part that felt particularly rushed was the sudden shift in Rune and Draven’s relationship before the first ball, i feel like it it needed more buildup.

What I truly appreciated was how unpredictable the story was. I usually guess the plot early on, but this one kept me on my toes until the very end.

Overall, this is a strong start. If the author and publisher take feedback into account, this series could truly shine. I hope it gets the hype it deserves, I’ll definitely be reading the next one.