The Cardinal Code is a dark, romantic dive into vampire politics, bloodlines, and betrayal. Think The Vampire Diaries level brotherly tension meets the ominous authority of Twilight’s Volturi, layered with just enough supernatural intrigue to keep you hooked.

Paislee, the heroine, is rebuilding her life after personal tragedy when she lands a job at a mysterious nightclub in New York. That’s where she meets Michael Chamberlain—a quiet, intense club owner with secrets that go far beyond the surface. Their chemistry is immediate, but the deeper Paislee falls into Michael’s world, the more dangerous things become.

The slow-burn romance, layered worldbuilding, and brewing rebellion add tension and depth, though the pacing in some parts leans more simmer than sizzle. The sibling rivalry between Michael and his stepbrother Esben is the real driving force, filled with history, resentment, and escalating stakes.

While the story delivers a solid paranormal romance with dark undertones, it didn’t quite hit with the intensity or originality I was hoping for. That said, it’s a strong series starter that sets up bigger conflicts to come—and fans of vampire romance with power plays and morally gray characters will still find plenty to enjoy.

Oh boy! This was fun, but a little predictable. It was nothing inherently new, but I still found it to be enjoyable. If you like vampires, this is awesome. The rules for them are slightly different than usual ones at least.

I must say I absolutely loved this book! It's kind of a Fifty Shades with vampires type of read. The chemistry between the FMC and MMC was perfect, and while I wouldn't consider it a "slow burn" I was invested in their success immediately. This was a very quick read for me, because I couldn't put it down. There were some twists and turns that I didn't see coming, which made for a very engaging read. The plot was interesting, and it gave a few new ideas on vampiric lore that I really liked, especially the biology aspect that the book dives into. I was excited to see that there will be more to this series! The sex scenes weren't obnoxious, and actually added to the story, instead of just being gratuitous smut. I love how some hard topics were approached in a graceful way. The underlying themes of partners making mistakes (albeit big ones), but still being able to work things out added a refreshing perspective. I do wish a little more detail had been given, especially on the characters and the setting. I think that would add a lot more depth to the book, and draw readers in even more. Overall I would love to read more of Avery Sterling's work, and I can't wait to see what else she writes!