Solid concept but definitely needs work.

I like the author’s style, this cover is gorgeous and the premise of the story was promising. Unfortunately it’s the author’s writing style that lost me immediately. The pace is very choppy and the writing felt amateur. The entire story felt very rushed and not well fleshed out. Major information would be thrown at me and it came out of nowhere. I feel like it should have somehow been woven into earlier chapters with either foreshadowing or subtle mentions to make it feel like it actually tied into the story rather than just be thrown out there later on like it was a last minute add in. I don’t think I will be continuing on with the story. Not all was bad about this book, I did love the dark forest and I think Nyx has serious potential.

Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

A Court of Blood and Sacrifice opens with a strong and engaging start that immediately draws the reader in. However, between 20% and 40%, the pacing slows down and some scenes feel repetitive, as if the characters are stuck in the same emotional loop. Thankfully, the second half picks up again, and the story becomes more immersive and enjoyable.

The writing is smooth and easy to follow, making it a fast read. I appreciated the inclusion of male POVs, which added variety and depth, though I would have liked to see more of them. The world-building is intriguing and left me curious to learn more about the setting in future installments.

The female protagonist has a strong personality, but she tends to get discouraged too easily considering her goal. I expected more resilience from her. The male lead starts off as confident and powerful, but gradually loses that edge and becomes less compelling.

Overall, this was a pleasant and light read, with minimal drama and emotional weight. It has a Twilight-like vibe due to the vampire-human dynamic and the blood connection, though it's handled in a different way.

I’m interested to see how the story and characters evolve in the next book.

I went into A Court of Blood and Sacrifice hoping for a gripping, dark fantasy experience, but my feelings ended up mixed. The pacing throughout the book felt quite strange to me — at times it dragged, and at others, it rushed forward so quickly I barely had time to process what was happening. This uneven rhythm made it hard for me to fully get invested in the story.

The book definitely gave me strong Wattpad vibes, with familiar tropes and a writing style that sometimes felt more casual than polished. That might appeal to fans of that platform and genre, but it didn’t quite work for me. The storyline, in particular, felt below average. There were moments where I felt the plot was moving forward just to check boxes rather than to build tension or emotional impact.

Where the book did shine was in its characters. I really liked the main cast and was curious about their arcs, but unfortunately, the character development felt rushed and sometimes superficial. There was so much potential for deeper growth and emotional complexity, but instead, I found myself skimming through what felt like filler scenes that didn’t add much to the story or the characters’ journeys.

Despite these issues, the book is a quick read, which is great if you’re looking for something light and fast-paced. The world-building and stakes might not be as rich or immersive as some readers hope for in dark fantasy, but the characters and their interactions kept me going.

Ultimately, while A Court of Blood and Sacrifice wasn’t the book I hoped it would be, I think it will find its audience — especially among readers who enjoy quick, trope-friendly fantasy stories with likable characters and a fast pace. If you’re looking for a deeper, more immersive experience, this might not be the best fit, but for a breezy read, it’s worth a try.

The concept was intriguing, and I loved how the forest and trees were given personality, but overall, the execution fell flat.
The pacing felt uneven, and the characters lacked depth, often coming across as stereotypical. Lilah, the FMC, is driven by revenge against the vampires who killed her father when she was twelve and becomes the first female guard of the Sunfire Court. Nyx, the MMC vampire, essentially saves her—and then kidnaps her—for his own gain and to strike a deal with her.
I enjoyed the start of the book, but by the 40% mark, the romance moved too quickly. Lilah blindly trusts Nyx despite having no reason to, other than he needs her for something he won’t explain. The plot quickly became repetitive: attacks, hostage situations, rescues—over and over. The lack of real consequences made the stakes feel minimal, even though characters were supposedly on the brink of death multiple times.
The ending felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving many plot points unexplained.

Typically I don't read fantasy but this was twisted. The blurb pulled me in and I'm glad I took a chance. This was full of twists and turns. These types of books provide me comfort.

A Court Of Blood And sacrifice draws you in from the first prologue. I didn't want to put this down. A vampire romance with human with possible powers, fighting for her life? yes, please.
This book kept me on my toes while reading with its twist and turns throughout, and a very satisfying cliffhanger at the end wanting to know more..
I did find some parts a bit too repetitive, but it didn't make me want to stop reading.
I rated this 4.5 stars

From the very first chapter, I was hooked on the moody, dangerous world Kay Marrie created. Lilah, our fierce huntress, is the kind of heroine I can root for, determined, flawed, and carrying enough emotional scars to make her both compelling and unpredictable. And then there’s Nyx… the brooding vampire prince with just the right mix of danger and reluctant charm. Their enemies-to-lovers tension was everything I wanted, slow burn, sharp tongued banter, and those “I shouldn’t want you, but I do” moments that make you read just one more chapter at 2 am.

If you love fantasy romance with morally grey characters, simmering tension, and just enough bite (pun intended) to keep things dangerous, this is one to pick up. I’m already impatient for the next book because I need to know where this dangerous alliance and relationship goes next.

Unfortunately this was a dnf for me I couldn't vibe with the pacing and the execution of the book just felt off I could see it being a really good book but it just wasn't for me

A Court of Blood and Sacrifice by Kay Marrie is a gripping fantasy romance packed with dark twists, forbidden attraction, and a vengeance-fuelled plot that had me hooked from the first chapter.

The story follows a fierce heroine determined to avenge her father's death at the hands of a vampire. But when she finally earns her place among the Sunfire Court guard, her world shifts completely. Captured by the very type of creature she’s spent her life hunting, she’s dragged to the Dark Lands and forced into a reluctant alliance with her captor.

It’s classic enemies to lovers, full of tension, danger, and slow-burning chemistry. I loved the dual POV, with most of the narrative from the female lead’s perspective. The world-building is dark and immersive, and although this is the first book in the series, it lays down a strong emotional foundation while keeping the pace moving.

A must-read for fans of vampire fantasy romance, especially those who enjoy mysterious forests, slow trust-building, and a heroine who does not back down. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

With a bit of refinement, I believe this story has potential. The premise is intriguing, but the writing could benefit from some fine-tuning. At times, it felt like there were missing pieces—particularly in the development of the characters and the plot. I found myself wanting to know more about Nyx and Delilah, especially in the lead-up to the "I love you" moment. A deeper exploration of their connection would have made that moment more impactful.

Really enjoyed this one! Loved the characters and the plot development! This is the first I’ve read from this author but it definitely won’t be the last!

I had such high expectations for this story, as it seemed to have a great deal of potential it gave me vampire diaries vibes. It felt rushed most of the story. I feel like their was so much lacking between lilah and nyx.

This is not your typical vampire romance book. This book shows the what trauma and revenge look like. The magic system feels unique and remains a mystery as we learn not everything is as it seems. Secrets are revealed...what will Lilah do to protect those she cares for?

There are great bones here for a 4-5 star story. The story needed more pages to gel everything together and build the concepts of the story out more. I wish we had more of the story told from the mmc pov. The author does a great job giving the forest life through her words. Look forward to conclusion of the story in book 2.
Thank you netgalley and author Kay Marie for a copy of the book.

3.5⭐️ (bumped to 4) | ARC Review

This was a dark and intriguing start to a new fantasy romance series. The mix of vampires, tension, and magical realism pulled me in early, and while the pacing slowed a bit in the middle with a few abrupt scene jumps, the moody atmosphere kept me hooked.

I liked the dual POV, though I wanted more from the male lead’s perspective. The characters—both likable and frustrating—grew in ways that made me invested, and the enemies-to-lovers thread has so much potential for future books. I wish there had been a touch more romance here, but as a first book, it sets the stage well.

If you enjoy slow-burn fantasy romances with morally grey characters and darker vibes, this is worth picking up. I’ll definitely check out book two!

Tropes & Vibes:
🩸 Enemies to lovers
🖤 Vampire/human romance
🌀 Magical realism
🌑 Dark, moody atmosphere
📖 Dual POV (mostly FMC)
📚 Beginning of a series
🧛‍♂️ Recommended for fans of Twilight


Thanks to NetGalley & Kay Marrie for the ARC 🖤

I enjoyed the premise of this entire book, but I felt like it was lacking in descriptive details and more could have been added.

I liked the separation between the magical forrest and Eldoria, however, i feel like we should’ve been able to explore Eldoria a little bit better. We only really saw Lilah’s house, a little of the farm, and vague descriptions of the camp compound. I wish we saw a reason to explore the castle, catch a glimpse of the queen, see more interactions between Lilah and the 5 other “main” characters.

I also felt that Lilah didn’t really show much growth. She was very easily swayed into emotions (fury for her mother and father, easily trusted, etc). And also how quickly the Dark Prince “loved” her.

Plot 3/5 ⭐️
Spice 1/5 🌶️
Emotion 2/5 ⭐️

*Arc review*
3.75....

I enjoyed this, the writing flowed nicely, was very easy to read and the world building was nice and descriptive.

The 2 main characters i loved but i just wanted more from him towards her. Other than that i had the best time reading this and i for one cannot wait to delve into book 2. As i am now fully invested lol

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the chance yet again to have a fab time reading

I ended up dnfing this book not because it was bad or anything I only got to the second prologue of the book but I don't think its for me right now I will be going back to this book when I am in the mood to read it and will put a review up on my TikTok page.

I thought the idea/story was very interesting but I thought the book was too short to do it justice. Things felt rushed and events happened with no buildup.

I enjoyed the story, it was really engaging and I read it quite quickly. I enjoyed Nyx as a character and would look forward to more development from him in the rest of the series. I found Lilah a little annoying in how she spoke about herself.