"He holds out half his sandwich, the oddest olive branch I've been offered." The way to a woman's heart is indeed through her stomach!

A Vow In Vengeance sets the scene for this Fantasy world where various different factions of immortals (Seraphs, Elves, and Druids) all use different types of magic. Selected mortals are forced to cross the wall into the Immortals' lands, and what goes on there is a mystery for all those left behind. Our FMC is the last of her family unselected, and is determined to be selected and reunite with them.
Of course, it's not quite as easy as that, and things are not quite as they seem...
We mostly see Druid magic in this book, which is all based on Tarot Card use - a fascinating magic system that was very well explored. I believe later installments will likely branch out further (or maybe not! Who knows!)

The romance is Enemies-To-Lovers, with fake dating and 'only one bed' to boot - basically all my favourites in one book! I absolutely loved Rune and Draven, and feel like many Romantasy readers will also really enjoy this book.
Draven is the epitome of book boyfriend-ness - Winged, Shadows, and the most poetically soulful guy you could ever want.

There were a couple of small typos across my ARC (for example, "the claim shared between partners is a chaffing, addictive bond, hard to disregard"), but I would expect these will be fixed in advance of publishing in January.

With thanks to Zando/Slowburn and Jaclyn Rodriguez, I read a free Advanced Review Copy of this book. My opinions in this review are my own.

Rune has lost her whole family to the Immortal Realms, and now it's her turn to be taken. She finds herself turning into one of the creatures she hates, whilst learning the magic that could help her reunited with her family.

Thai book had some really good world building and some cleverly written characters. The plot lagged a little in the middle but soon picked up again and I loved the ending! Can't wait for the next book.

Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy to review.

Rune Ryker is a true survivor. After losing everything to the immortals, she’s ready to bite back. Taking fate into her own hands, she volunteers for a forced human selection that sees her moved to the immortal realm—landing at The Forge, a brutal war college where survival is earned. With a rare magical bond to tarot cards, Rune sets her sights on freeing her family. Along the way, she navigates new friendships, hidden enemies, and a certain snarky Prince Draven… who definitely knows more than he lets on.

What I appreciated most was Rune herself; driven, focused, and absolutely there to get things done. Her determination to follow through on what she came to do felt real, and I was right there with her. Draven brings the perfect mix of tension and banter, and their relationship unfolds with a deliciously slow burn.

The Forge was such a clever setting. Learning about the immortal realm alongside Rune made the worldbuilding feel natural, not forced. I also loved the inclusion of druids, elves, and seraphs, each bringing their own flavour to the realm. The tarot-based magic system was a standout; original and full of potential for the next book.

The emotional connections, both romantic and platonic, kept me invested from start to finish. The side characters weren’t just background filler; they felt genuine and essential to the story. There were a few phrases that repeated a little too often and began to lose their weight, and I would’ve liked more exploration of the creatures in the realm to deepen the world-building, but honestly, these are minor notes in an impressive debut.
A compelling blend of fantasy, romance, and survival that kept me reading until 3am. Dark prince? Check. Sassy FMC? Absolutely. Danger, stakes, and an insane slow burn? All there. I need to know what happens in book two.

Posted on Goodreads and Storygraph. Posted on Instagram 06/08/2025.

Tarot card magic? Instantly intrigued. The magical system was such a cool idea and easily the most unique part of the book—I just wish we’d been able to dig into it more. Rune and Draven had some solid moments, and the world has strong foundations, but overall I found myself wanting more. More character depth. More time with side characters. More world-building and political tension.

This honestly could’ve used an extra 100 pages to let everything breathe. The plot had a few fun twists, but it did feel a bit familiar in places. If you’ve read Fourth Wing, you’ll probably notice some overlap.

Still, there’s definite potential here, and I’d be interested to see how things evolve in book two.

This is going to be the next big thing. The tension, the twist and turns, the building of the realm… everything was a 12 out of 10. Rodriguez found a way to pull me in and have the book live in my head rent free while I wasn’t reading it. A Vow in Vengeance is the perfect read for anyone who enjoyed the Fourth Wing or The Magicians.

First of all, the cover of A Vow in Vengeance is absolutely stunning.

The story follows Rune, who chooses to become Immortal in hopes of finding her missing family. She's granted magic and sent to a school to master her abilities. There, she spends time with Prince Draven, and as their connection grows, Rune begins to uncover hidden truths about the Immortals and her own past.

The magic system felt fresh and original. You can tell a lot of thought went into building the tarot-based magic, and I loved how it played out. I’ve never come across anything quite like it before.

The banter between Rune and Draven was perfection. I ate up every one of their conversations. The roommate trope was also done really well.

My only complaint is that the last 30 percent of the book felt a bit rushed. So much was revealed all at once, it was hard to keep up. Some traits about Rune’s parents weren’t mentioned until the very end, which made those moments a bit confusing.

That said, I’ll definitely be reading the next book when it comes out.

The story follows Rune Ryker, a human with nothing left to lose. Her family, her home, her very freedom have been brutally stolen by the Immortals. But Rune isn't one to simply endure; she's made a vow. Driven by a consuming desire for revenge and to reclaim what was snatched from her, she orchestrates her own selection into the annual human journey to the Immortal Realms. Her mission is clear: find her family and shatter anyone who stands in her way. Her journey quickly leads her to the Forge, a cutthroat college where Immortal druids hone their elusive tarot magic. This is where Rune truly shines. Her magic reveals itself to be not just rare, but staggeringly powerful, attracting the attention of both those who wish to exploit her and those who want her dead.
Rodriguez skillfully crafts a world brimming with danger and allure. The Immortal Realms are vivid, and the concept of the Forge as a brutal, magical academy is a perfect backdrop for Rune's development and her clashes with both allies and enemies. The magic system, centered around elusive tarot, is both unique and powerful, allowing for thrilling displays of power and strategic use.
Overall, if you're seeking a fantasy romance with a strong, vengeful heroine, a tantalizing enemies-to-lovers dynamic, and a magic system that will leave you spellbound this book is for you.

Where do I even begin?!?!?!

This is filled with so many of my favorite romantasy tropes and yet I LOVED IT and it did not feel overdone or boring. I love that we get to learn about the tarot card magic alongside Rune as she goes through the Forge, and the magic system was so unique and just dang COOL. Fake engagement, enemies to allies to lovers, forced proximity, only one bed... ugh it was the perfect combination.

I particularly liked the ending. The reveals about Rune's mom, the stabby proposal, her dad's sacrifice, all made it the perfect ending that wrapped up enough plot threads while leaving me very excited for book 2. I don't mind cliffhangers, but it was nice to have an ending that felt satisfying yet also emotional and devastating.

Can't wait for book 2!! 5+++ stars

A Vow in Vengeance completely delivered. I found myself sneaking in pages any chance I got, a rare sign of a true page-turner for me. The plot is packed (in a good way), with strong pacing and so many tropes layered in naturally:
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ He Falls First
✨ Fake Dating
✨ Found Family
✨ He Trains Her

The banter was excellent, and I especially loved the magic system. It felt fresh, somewhere between One Dark Window and Fourth Wing. The banter had me giggling and added real depth to the story and world.

Highly recommend for romantasy readers who want tension, emotional payoff, and immersive world-building. I’ll definitely be picking up the next in the series.

4⭐️
Rune & Draven are my new favorites. This was such a great read, I had to force myself to slow down. The world building in this was great and the tarot card magic was fun and new for me to read. Thank you NetGalley for this arc. Cannot wait for book 2!

I just finished A Vow in Vengeance and… I’m seriously impressed. I cannot believe this is a debut, especially with how original and layered the magic system is. For me, that was the true star of the show.

The magic in this world is centered around Tarot cards, at least in one of the kingdoms (👀), and it’s nothing like I’ve seen before in fantasy. These aren’t just symbolic tools for past/present/future readings, each person has an affinity to a specific tarot card, and that card grants them a unique magical ability.
Examples? The Death card gives shadow magic, the High Priestess allows mind reading, the Devil creates illusions, and that’s just a taste. It’s genuinely one of the most refreshing and creative systems I’ve ever read, and I’m OBSESSED.

And it’s not just the magic. This book hits so many of my favorite tropes:
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ He Falls First
✨ Fake Dating
✨ Found Family
✨ He Trains Her
✨ (And honestly, so much more…)

I’m a sucker for stories where characters build each other up, and this MMC? He wants her powerful. Like, even if she became more powerful than him, he would not care, he just wants her to thrive. He’s strong, loyal, and would probably walk through fire barefoot if she asked.

The FMC is equally divine. I loved watching her growth just within this book, from guarded and full of anger to open, curious, and truly stepping into her potential. You can tell this is just the beginning of her arc, and I cannot wait to see her grow even more.

Also… plot twists?? Oh, they’re there. And I have theories about her brother 👀

But let’s talk about that ENDING.
Because wow. The way it wraps up sets the stage for what I know will be a feral, divine feminine rage-fueled Book 2, and I’m here for it. All of it. Unhinged, powerful, devastating glory.

This series is going to be something special, and I’m already fully locked in.

Here is a book review for "A Vow in Vengeance" by Jaclyn Rodriguez:
Jaclyn Rodriguez's debut novel, A Vow in Vengeance, is a powerful and compelling entry into the ever-popular romantasy genre. With a unique magic system, a fiercely driven heroine, and a slow-burn romance that crackles with tension, this book is a must-read for fans of dark academia and enemies-to-lovers tropes.

Story plot rating⭐️: 4/5
The story is new and great but it's too slow and confusing at the beginning. There should be atleast 500 pages for this intricate story building. It felt like the author was in a rush to complete the story. There was no extensive information on the magic systems, no detailed college life. Rune made friends without any heart touching scene or any scenes on how their friendship grew stronger. There should be more to it.
Also the lovestory, why it sounds like deacen fell in love with her because he has to as the MMC.
So, heres a summary: The story centers on Rune Ryker, a mortal who has lost everything to the Immortals—her family, her home, her freedom. Driven by a burning desire for revenge, she orchestrates her own selection to the Immortal Realms, determined to infiltrate their world and find those she has lost. Her journey takes her to the Forge, a cutthroat college for Immortal druids where she must master the elusive and powerful tarot-based magic.
The MMC : 3/5 ⭐️
Draven is hot we get it.Arrogant, ambitious, and dangerously handsome, he is the last person she should trust.But, There's no male point of view. There's no where in the book on how he fell in love with her. There's no description of how he felt for our FMC. Although he is strong there needs to be more growth in their lovestory rather than all coming at once.
The FMC: 4.5/5⭐️
Rune is a captivating protagonist—sharp, broken, and unyielding. Her fierce determination and emotional depth make her a character you can't help but root for. Her journey of survival and self-discovery is as compelling as her quest Vengeance. Their relationship is a masterclass in the enemies-to-lovers trope, filled with witty banter, forced proximity, and a simmering tension that builds to a deeply satisfying slow-burn romance.
Rodriguez has crafted a story that is not only action-packed and thrilling but also emotionally resonant. The betrayals, sacrifices, and layered character dynamics land with genuine impact. The plot twists are genuinely surprising, leaving readers gasping and eager for more.
For fans of books like Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Vow in Vengeance will feel both familiar and refreshingly new.
It's a debut that announces the arrival of a hugely talented new voice in fantasy, and it's guaranteed to leave you obsessing over its characters and desperate for the next installment.

Rune Ryker has nothing left to lose. Everything's been stolen by the Immortals--her family, her home, her freedom. But she's done playing by their rules.
I really enjoyed this book it was so good,
It was so different to other fantasy books I’ve read. The world building was amazing the story was so intriguing…

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this absolute gem.. and to Jaclyn Rodriguez, who is clearly a goddess of storytelling. For a debut novel, this is a godsdamned masterpiece of fantasy!

I. Am. Obsessed.
This book completely absorbed me, it chewed me up, wrapped me in warm hugs, dragged me through the depths of hell, made me laugh, brought me to tears… and spat me out wanting more.
It’s incredibly fast-paced, with characters that are beautifully developed both individually and in their relationships. I loved the protagonists and hated the antagonists in all the best, most addictive ways.
The magic system is brilliantly crafted, it’s unique, layered, and deeply thought out. It took a moment to fully wrap my head around it, but once I did, I was in love.
And the slow burn was painfully delicious!
It’s a beautiful, brutal, emotional ride that wrecked me in the absolute best possible way and is hands down one of the best books I’ve read this year. If this isn’t the next romantasy obsession, I’m starting a riot.

I genuinely cannot believe this is a DEBUT novel. It is so well written, and the story is so original that I was convinced this was the work of a seasoned author with multiple series under their belt. What Jaclyn Rodriguez has managed in this book is incredible.

The magic system is the standout for me in this novel. I haven’t read a more considered and well crafted system in a long time, and it’s both gripping and strangely nostalgic. History lovers will find it exciting I’m sure.

Characters are fully fleshed out, and you can empathise with them despite their flaws - of which there are many - and you get fully invested in their stories. Fully recommend a read!

thanks to netgalley and zando for this arc
i liked this book. However, i think this book needs to be longer 400 pages and is not enough to fully flush out this story .

Have I read books similar to this before? Yes. Did I still love it? Yes🙂‍↕️

The only reason I gave four over five stars is because I felt the relationship between Draven and Rune moved kind of quick, with most of the progression seeming to be during a time jump, but still worth the read! I think if you loved ACOTAR, One Dark Window and Fourth Wing, you will absolutely love this one. It has politics, an interesting tarot magic system, academia, romance. All of it. Couldn’t put it down🖤

The worst part of reading ARCs is having to wait even longer for the next book to come out🥲

I loved this book and read it in one day because I was so hooked! Whilst the premise isn't necessarily the most innovative in the world, the way that it was told was so engaging and satisfying I couldn't put it down. I adored the magic system I this book and the structure of the society kept the plot feeling fresh. I also adored the way the relationships between all the characters were built and even the side characters felt fleshed out with their own personalities and goals.

The romance in this book was also super satisfying. I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers and this book was a brilliant example of why I love this trope so much. The chemistry between the two lead characters was so well written and I really enjoyed their banter. The way their relationship developed to explore their pasts and how they came to meet was also gripping. I can't wait to see more of them in the next installment.

Overall the plot was also very suspenseful with threats coming from all sides and the last few chapters really had me turning pages to see how things turned out. I'm really impressed that this is a debut title and would love to read more from this author in the future. Consider me waiting (impatiently) for the next installment.

Thank you SO much Zando & NetGalley for this advance copy! (All opinions are my own)
I’m calling this one. This is going to be the next big hit guys. You ever just read something and just felt immediately at home and in love. Like this is a book I know I will always go back and read over and over again. And if I travel, it’s coming with me. Our main character Rune Ryker is probably one of the best female protagonists I’ve read in a while. I highlighted SO many quotes from her that made me laugh and so emotional. This story truly has it all; enemies to lovers, a beautiful and intricate magic system using tarot cards (which omg I’m obsessed), forced proximity, and so much more! The romance and banter between Rune and Draven quite literally had me speechless and squealing in my own home. They truly balance each other out and have such a powerful connection. This novel was so captivating from start to finish with plenty of plot twists I did not see coming. I will be recommending it to everyone I know and cannot wait to have the beautiful physical edition next year!

Omg I loved the tarot aspect of magic! I recommended it to all my friends! It's giving Once Upon a Broken Heart meets Hunger Games