It won’t let me give 4.5 stars but that is what I’d rate A Vow in Vengeance. I see a lot of reviews complaining about the dark and broody MMC but for me, personally, if he doesn’t have dark hair and an attitude, it’s not the romantasy for me. I LOVED this book so much - I literally cannot stop thinking about it. I’m HOPING this will become a series (assuming it will due to the ending in this particular book). I loved Rune and I loved Draven. The friends, magic, romance, etc. was perfect and I couldn’t put it down (literally I stayed up until morning to finish it). I cannot WAIT for the world to fall in love with these characters like I did. Tarot is magic that I haven’t read about before. I’ve read the Shepherd King duology and that is the only series where I’ve seen cards being used, so this was new to me and I loved it so much.

2.5, rounded up. While this has a lot of potential, I have two major issues. I found A Vow of Vengeance needed to be at least 100-150 more pages. For a romantsy, this is light reading (arc is 385 pages), and you can tell when it comes to the lore, world building, and explanations. The concept is so interesting, but it felt like I missed a books worth of backstory before this. Everything is ‘told’ and nothing is ‘shown.’

Second major issue, is generic romantsy MMC. Tall with dark hair. Stupidly handsome with a cocky grin. Neck tattoos. This is the same MC that is in every other book right now. I don’t like similar characters, because it makes me compare non competing books.

I personally do tarot and was excited for a romantasy book including it. Unfortunately, my qualm with this book is that it lacks originality in the romance department. Every single recent romantasy book the MMC is tall with dark hair and he’s cocky. I just want one where it isn’t the exact same guy in every book.

Wow, this book was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible! From the very first page, I was hooked. The story is a perfect blend of fantasy, romance, and suspense that kept me turning pages late into the night.

The protagonist, Rune Ryker, is a force to be reckoned with. Her determination to uncover the truth about her family and navigate the treacherous world of the Immortal realms is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

The setting of the Forge academy is richly detailed and immersive. The tarot-based magic system is unique and adds an intriguing layer to the story. Each chapter beginning with a tarot card and its meaning was a brilliant touch that deepened my understanding of the world and its magic.

And then there's Prince Draven. Their relationship is the epitome of the enemies-to-lovers trope, filled with tension, banter, and undeniable chemistry. Their dynamic added so much depth and excitement to the narrative.

Jaclyn Rodriguez's writing is vivid and cinematic. The world-building is top-notch, and the plot twists left me gasping. It's hard to believe this is her debut novel!

If you're a fan of fantasy romances with strong heroines, complex magic systems, and sizzling chemistry, A Vow in Vengeance is a must-read. I can't wait to see what Jaclyn Rodriguez writes next!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I'm giving this book a solid 3. For a debut novel, I thought it was very entertaining. It had a nice mix of magic, danger, and tension. This was definitely a book I read in one sitting, the pace was perfect, and I just HAD to know what was coming next. The biggest thing that stood out to me was the magic system. I had never seen Tarot cards as the magic system before, I thought it was dope and unique. Vow of Vengeance did sound familiar in some parts, it was giving ACOTAR and Fourth Wing, but nowadays what isn't? Overall it was a good book. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! I can't wait to pick up my trophy in January!

A Vow in Vengeance completely captivated me. From the first chapter, I was drawn into a dark, enchanting world filled with sharp tension and high stakes. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Rune and Prince Draven crackled with intensity, and the tarot-based magic system added a refreshing, mystical edge to the story. Rune’s relentless drive for vengeance, her quiet strength, and the slow-burning chemistry woven through each scene made this an unforgettable read.

Thank you for the ARC NetGalley & Zando!

Loved. Loved, loved, loved. Add to your TBR now, please.

Firstly, basing magic off of Tarot cards - beautiful. I thought it would be hard to follow given how many there are and the Major/Minor of it all, but it just made sense. Each card and their powers were easy enough to follow and it was fresh and fun, have I mentioned I loved it?
The enemies to lovers has me in a chokehold and let me tell you, even knowing it's coming I adored the back and forth. AND THE BANTER! Ugh, yes. If they aren't threatening each other constantly? what. is. the. point. Chef's Kiss.
Only downfall with this one is that I have to wait so so so long until the next one is released.
I can't wait to see what cover art they come up with, oooooooooooh it's gotta be good.

5* easy

This had me gripped from the first page to the very last! I really enjoyed this story, and the magic system was really interesting to learn. I loved the characters, and I really liked the side characters too. I can’t wait to read the next book and will be anxiously waiting to find out what happens next.

This was definitely a romantasy which is always a good thing in my book. I loved the banter between the protagonists and the forced proximity. It was such a fun read.

I would definitely recommend this one!

ps thank you to author/publisher for allowing me to read this arc from NetGalley ❤️

4.5⭐️ This has just about everything you could ask for in a dark academia romantasy. This is one of my favorite ARC reads of the year so far and a fantastic debut by Jaclyn Rodriguez. For once I didn’t hate the MMC to where he had to grow on me by the end. I actually liked that Draven from the start and loved that the FMC Rune embraces and thrives within her insecurities. The magic system was honestly what drew me in and it did not disappoint. I am so fascinated by tarot and this was the first time I’ve seen it used this way and I would love to read more. The only downside now is having to wait for the next book!! I am definitely a fan

A Dark, Addictive Romantasy Full of Magic and Tension

I absolutely loved this book! A Vow in Vengeance pulled me in from page one with its gripping enemies-to-lovers tension, immersive world-building, and the deliciously dangerous dynamic between Rune and Prince Draven. The tarot-based magic system was unique and added a fresh twist to the romantasy genre. I was hooked on Rune’s quest for vengeance, her inner strength, and the slow-burn chemistry that built with every page.

The only reason I’m giving it 4 instead of 5 stars is that there were a few pacing moments—especially in the middle—where things dragged just a bit, and I found myself wanting more depth in the side characters and political intrigue. But overall, it’s sexy, action-packed, and full of addictive banter. I can’t wait for the sequel!

4.5/5 rounded up

I want MORE! This book was amazing, I was hooked on the story within the first two chapters. “A Vow in Vengeance” is full of fantasy, romance, and magic! It also has enemies to lovers (but not intense), fake relationships, and elements of found family. The plot is intriguing and it is easy to get lost in the world described. I truly enjoyed Rune & Draven’s chemistry and how their relationship evolved. I’ll be waiting on the next books in this series and I can tell it will get spicy soon (this book is abt a 1.5/5 in terms of spice). Also, I love the fact that both MCs are strong and certain scenes exhibit Rune’s (FMC) growth strength-wise. The magic system was creative and interesting to explore with FMC.

I’m so glad I was able to read this early, thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the eARC!

It’s like if Fourth Wing, Lord of the Rings, The Magicians, and A Court of Silver Flames had a baby—and I devoured every page.

This book pulled me in fast and never let up. With a world shaped by immortal rulers, deadly traditions, and a fierce heroine driven by loss and vengeance, A Vow in Vengeance delivers a story that’s as emotional as it is action-packed.

The magic system is deeply original—especially the tarot-inspired powers in the Druid realm—and the world-building is rich without ever feeling overwhelming. Rune Ryker, our main character, is one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve read this year. She’s sharp, broken, dangerous, and determined, and watching her evolve was incredible.

The romance is slow-burn, high tension, and deeply satisfying. There’s fated mates, forced proximity, political stakes, and emotional scars that make every interaction feel layered. And while the romantic tension kept me turning pages, the political intrigue and high fantasy plot had me glued to the final chapters. The last 20%? Absolutely unputdownable.

If you love epic fantasy with immersive lore, intense romance, and a heroine who refuses to break—A Vow in Vengeance is a must-read. I already need book two.

(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.