The first time that i learned that this book is a dark academia with vampires, I be like "Yes, please!"
Personally i think the vampire lore and the world building in this book was so unique and fun,
The only downside for me was the main character. I found Rebecca a bit frustrating and felt she lacked nuance. Her internal conflict was too extreme. She's all about hating vampires but so down bad for Aliz.
But if I had to point out some flaw, it would be the pacing. I found that some parts felt just a little bit rushed, particularly toward the end, which could’ve used a bit more development—especially on Rebecca's character. Also that after some chapters i found this book kinda dry and I feel like it was easy to see a lot of twists coming.

Sapphic dark academic vampires are my favorite combination and this was dark, scary, and romantic. I did want to see Rebecca have a bit more characterization besides hating vampires, we understand her rage and then love for a mortal enemy but there needed to be more.

I’m kinda mixed about this one. On one hand, the vampire lore and world building was so unique and fun, and I’m really excited there’ll be a book 2 to dive deeper into the unanswered mysteries.

But also, I found this kinda dry? I liked the characters, and the pacing was fine, but I feel like it was easy to see a lot of twists coming. I also thought Aliz and Rebecca’s romance happened out of nowhere? I did like it by the end though and again I can’t wait to read more about them.

A solid read. Perfect for fans of THE COVEN or THE VAMPIRE ACADEMY series.

I’m trying to get back into fantasy, and when I read the blurb for The Book of Blood and Roses, I was immediately hooked: vampire x vampire hunter, lesbians, and a dark academia setting? Say no more. I was absolutely delighted to get the chance to read it early.

The novel follows Rebecca, a vampire hunter recruited after her family was killed by vampires. For her latest mission, she’s sent to an all-vampire university that has recently opened a program allowing human students. Her objective? To search for the mysterious *Book of Blood and Roses*, a lost compendium of ways to kill vampires. But things get complicated when she arrives in her new dorm room and finds a coffin opposite her bed. Her roommate is none other than Aliz Astra, heir to the most powerful vampire family...

The world-building is incredible, and I honestly have very few complaints—though some elements could have been developed more. That said, I suspect a sequel is coming, so I’m hopeful we’ll get more. One of the cleverest aspects is how Summerlee incorporates different cultural folklores: each vampire is tied to the beliefs of the country they come from. For example, a Spanish vampire wouldn’t be affected by garlic, but a Romanian one would. It’s such a smart and original take. Vampires also have ranks based on how they were turned, and there’s a vampire council with treaties that forbid harming humans.

As for the university setting, humans and vampires share classes—some held during the day, others at night. The campus even has underground tunnels so vampires can avoid sunlight. All in all, I absolutely loved the world Summerlee created.

The only downside for me was the main character. I found Rebecca a bit frustrating and felt she lacked nuance. Her internal conflict was too extreme: “I hate vampires, but I’d die to kiss Aliz.” I absolutely loved Aliz, but Rebecca didn’t win me over. That said, I did really appreciate that none of the characters hid their sexuality. Both Aliz and Rebecca are openly lesbian from the very beginning, which was refreshing to see.

If I had to point out another flaw, it would be the pacing—some parts felt rushed, particularly toward the end, which could’ve used a bit more development. Still, the story clearly sets up for a second book, and I’ll definitely be reading it.

If you like :

- vampires
- gothic
- dark academia
- romantasy
- halloween
- lesbians

Then this book is for you.

Huge congratulations to Annie Summerlee for her debut novel, this is brilliant!

AHHHHH. I loved it.
She's dangerous, she's mysterious, she's sexy af. She's... your roommate?
I loved the way we jump right into the story - there is no warm up period, it's just happening. We are given the information we need about the. cultural context of vampires, but no mass info dump, which I really liked. The setting is perfect; the cold, lonely, misty Scottish highlands, home to a thousand-year-old school for vampires - it had me hooked. The plot was just perfect; Rebecca, a vampire hunter driven by revenge, is sent to a vampire boarding school which is admitting human students for the first time, to search for a long lost book. The tension between Rebecca and her new roommate is quickly apparent, but what kind of tension is it? As the story goes on, some people's motives become clear while others' are hazier than ever.
I found the characters interesting, although I think my only single point of improvement is that I wished we knew more about them as people.
I was really happy to see that there wasn't a massive age difference between the FMCs, and I loved that we saw both the hard and soft sides of them both.
Annie Summerlee's writing was immersive, one of those books where I was so absorbed in the text that I forgot I was reading at all. I can't wait to see the hype when this comes out because I'm so sure it will be a hit.

Beautiful! I thought this was going to be a standalone but I'm so glad there's going to be another book.

I haven't read much Sapphic romance but this was definitely at the top. I think I saw that this is the author's debut novel and wow! Beautifully written. I never would have known. I hope it gets the recognition it deserves when it's released. Thank you for giving me the privilege of an ARC.

I can't wait to read more from her and continue this story when the time comes.

Beautifully textured setting, three-dimensional characters, a carefully constructed and well-executed plot, swoony vampire romance... I'm not sure what more one could want out of a book! Rebecca, our main character, is a vampire hunter sent to retrieve a mythical book at Tynahine, a vampire university. But as she grows closer to her classmates and her ladies' butch of a roommate, Aliz, Rebecca realizes that the truth of vampires is more nuanced than her organization wants her to believe.

There was so much to love about this book. Personally one of my favorite parts was the atmosphere. Tynahine is an ancient university, and we get an intense sense of how long it's been here and how historic it is just from the descriptions of the libraries, where we spend a lot of time initially. It really gives off the sense of being an actual relic of history, and the beauty of its public spaces coupled with the oppressive tunnels underneath-- and the secrets they contain-- is a great expression of the metaphor for this take on vampire mythology as a whole. The spin on vampires is great, too. In this imagining, vampires aren't all one type: they vary based on the mythology of where they came from, which is an excellent way to handle so many different understandings of the creature.

This book is in love with its vampires. It does not follow in the genus of Twilight, which discards monstrosity, nor Interview with the Vampire, which suffuses the reader with violence and gore. This book is bloody, yes, gloriously so; but it's not, for lack of a better word, a downer. Vampires are joyful and whimsical, especially Aliz, whose exterior bad-girl persona melts away as we get deeper into the narrative to reveal someone deeply compassionate and a little silly. Our serious, ruthless main character plays gorgeously off of her.

On a craft level, this book shines, as well. The prose is sharp and well-realized; it often melts away in service of its image, but there are a few standout lines that I can remember, usually unassuming little phrases that belie how excellent Summerlee is at a line level. Although this is a debut novel it is difficult to see where she could possibly improve-- and I'm very happy that we have a sequel coming!

Dark academia plus vampires? Yes, please! This is everything that I look for in a fantasy novel. I can't wait to read more by this author! Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this!

If you are a fan of any of the following this may be the book for you, Enemies to lovers, slow burn, dark academia, sapphic vampire romance. I love the setting of this book. The campus is filled with tunnels and libraries, a maze and hunting cabin? It really adds to the story. I love the characters Rebecca is a vampire hunter. She lost her parents to vampires and she is seeking vengeance. As much as I liked Rebecca the other characters steal the show. Aliz is a vampire from in the oldest most powerful families. She has a way with women. Rebecca and Aliz have chemistry right from the star. Julia is an artist vampire with sight. Elia is Aliza’s current love interest. I’m not sure which is my favorite. They are all so interesting and dynamic.i also love the vampire culture. Vampires from different cultures are susceptible to different things based on the myths of that region. So some vampires cannot go out in the sun and some can based on where they are from. Same for silver and garlic. I think it's an interesting way to tie in the different cultures and beliefs because they do differ. I love the slow burn of the relationship between Rebecca and Aliz they have some steamy scenes and I’m excited to see where their relationship goes. All this to say I was a fan of the book and I plan on continuing the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for providing me this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book had everything I look for - vampires, hunting, complicated emotions. It did not disappoint. I loved the different setting and the dark academia feel to it. There are some great twists and turns - if you like sapphic vampire romance with a secretive undertone then this is the book for you!

I’m not sure what drew me to this book. My history of vampire books, started and ended with twilight, until this book. Which I’m glad this was the next book. All in all I enjoyed it. This book was a pleasant surprise. I like the plot, and the back story that unfolded. The two main characters over all ended up being very likable. And not what I expected. The friends…only one actually stands out, the rest lack any personality or anything of interest. The attraction between the two seemed a little forced, but then again it kind was wasn’t it (no spoilers). I did feel some parts were a little slow and over done while others a little rushed and glossed over. I wish Aliz had a bit more back story explained. I do get there’s a second book planned, and that’s where that will likely come out more. Even just a bit more from her perspective, obviously parts that wouldn’t foreshadow too much or affect the second book. How can I make sure I’m approved for an advanced copy of the next book? Seriously! I will 100% be keeping an eye out for the second book. I wish the title of the second book was at the end. I appreciate not having a stressful cliffhanger. The key story is told, with just the future left open to explore. Nice little loose ends to make you wonder, but not annoyed for a bit of a wait on the next part. I wanted to be mad when it ended and there was another book planned, but I’m not!

3.5/4

A Book of Blood and Roses is a fun paranormal fantasy set in the Scottish Highlands. It features dark academia, sapphic vampires, secret societies and mystery with plenty of twists and turns that will keep you on your toes.

The story follows Rebecca, a vampire hunter, who is tasked with infiltrating a vampire university and finding the Book of Blood and Roses. Rebecca, using a fake name, must hide her true identity as a vampire hunter so that she can complete her mission. Of course things get a lot more complicated when she meets Aliz, heir to one of the most powerful vampire families, who just happens to be her roommate.

The book starts off strong by throwing us straight into the action. I found the authors writing style enjoyable and easy to read but despite the strong start, the story started to drag a bit through the middle and became a little repetitive.

It's definitely a slow-burn romance and it was fun to see Rebecca's and Aliz's relationship evolve over time as Rebecca slowly over came her prejudices against vampires and started to realise that things aren't always so black and white.

I loved the side characters, particularly Rebecca's friend group, and I hope we get to see more of them in the next book. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I'm keen to see where the story goes in book 2.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the eARC!

Vampire x hunter, but make it sapphic. An absolute yes!

I went into this without even giving it much thought. I saw it on here, the synopsis intrigued me and I requested it. Didn't even expect to get approved haha

The story follows Rebecca, a human who happens to be a vampire hunter. She is tasked with the mission to infiltrate a vampire university and find the Book of Blood and Roses; which supposedly contains information on how to effectively eradicate vampires. Right from the beginning we're pulled into action (which I absolutely love in the books I read!) And Rebecca meets Aliz, her vampire roommate at the university she's infiltrating for her mission.

A mishap happens, which results in Rebecca becoming Aliz's familiar. This, in turn, results in a series of events, because they need to break the curse (this is my attempt to not spoil anything haha), leading to revelations and discoveries. There were so many moments I was ready to throw my phone at the wall. The tension was high! I'm glad I didn't, though. I needed to continue reading 😁

I'd highly recommend this book if you're into vampire romance, sapphic romance, hurt/comfort, roommates to lovers.

If you're curious whether there's spice, there was. It was nicely written. I'd rate the level maybe 3 or 4 peppers. Is that how the kids are calling it nowadays? Well, I'm old-fashioned when it comes to rating. The story as a whole is PG-13, the few spicy scenes push it to R. Because it was beautifully done, it did not overshadow the plot and tbh I don't see it as an R rated book.

I don't know whether the story will continue in a second book, but to me, it's nicely wrapped up. A few minor loose ends here and there, but I didn't have the need to find out what happened there. If there's a second book coming, though, I'm definitely going to read it 😁 (I think I need to see more of Nocth as well haha)

OH MY GOD.
Honestly, i didn't know whether i would like this or not but it really suprised me. I LOVED the 2 main characters and the development within this book. It was easy to read, it kept me HOOKED from the moment i picked it up. I feel really lucky that i got to read this as an arc.
Thank you so much - easy 5 ⭐️

An elite vampire hunter teams up with her enemy at a prestigious vampire school. Together, they will scour the libraries for a book containing the knowledge needed to break a curse that could change the path of her life forever.

“I’m a firm believer in the wind being able to wipe away words we shouldn’t have said”

Lovers of books, dark academia, music and secret societies? This one is for you! Captivating from the get go. I was in a book slump before picking this one up and I flew through it. Harry Potter vibes with astounding world building left me wishing I could take a class at this vampire college! Tough women hunters also add to the excitement. The twists and turns this adventure took as well as the pacing couldn’t have been better.

The Book of Blood and Roses is a captivating blend of dark academia, vampire intrigue, and tons of sapphic romance. If you’re a fan of any of those, you definitely don’t want to miss this one.

Okay, as a long fan of Twilight I definitely had forgotten how much I missed vampires in my life like this, and after reading The Book of Blood and Roses, we are SO back. The concept: a vampire hunter Rebecca, going undercover at a vampire university in order to find the Book of Blood and Roses, a powerful artifact that could destroy vampires, but things get a bit complicated (understatement of the century) when she meets Aliz, a powerful vampire heir who also happens to be her new roommate.

Rebecca is a gifted vampire hunter on a mission by the organization or Callisto, at a vampire university, but her impulsive decisions sometimes make her seem reckless. Though her judgment is questionable at times (cause babe what are you doing??), her connection with Aliz adds emotional depth and complexity to her character while making her realise how to be smarter about things. As her mission and feelings for Aliz clash, Rebecca’s internal struggle becomes one of the most compelling aspects of the story to me.

Aliz is a badass, cold, and powerful, heir to the oldest vampire bloodline, the Astras, that is the biggest enemy of Callisto. She’s fascinating and dangerous, and her chemistry with Rebecca that’s electric from the start. Initially her motivations are unclear, creating suspense about what her end goal is: her own agenda or falling for Rebecca? To me Aliz’s character was a standout character and I enjoyed reading about her when she was mentioned! (maybe we could get a future extra POV chapter?)

As for the romance between Rebecca and Aliz? The tension between them is electric, and the slow-burn enemies-to-lovers dynamic was done so well. It was also really wonderful to see how they helped each other grow in such a short time!

The setting is atmospheric with a blend of dark academia and a vibrant, magical world that just pulls you in. The vampire world is as always compelling, with politics and lore that was done real and tangible. The plot twists and reveals kept me on my toes although some I saw happening in advance. However, by the end, I was left wanting more.

That said, there were a few points where the pacing felt a little rushed, especially in the beginning, as we were quickly thrown into Rebecca’s mission without much buildup. Some chapters also felt a bit awkward at times, like, there were small details about Rebecca’s actions that, if anyone had been paying attention, would’ve given away what she was up to. Still, these didn’t deter me from flying through the book at lightning speed as I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Rating: 4.3/5

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the eARC!

I was thrilled to get my hands on an ARC of The Book of Blood and Roses by Annie Summerlee, and let me tell you, this sapphic vampire romantasy had me hooked! Set in a gloomy, gothic university in the Scottish Highlands, this debut novel delivers a seductive blend of danger, romance, and dark academia vibes. Here’s my honest take for this Goodreads review, with pros and cons to keep it real.

Pros:
The atmosphere in this book is chef’s kiss. Summerlee’s descriptions of the elite vampire university, think crumbling stone halls, moonlit courtyards, and a constant undercurrent of menace—are so vivid I felt like I was sneaking through its secret passages. Rebecca, the vampire hunter infiltrating this undead hotspot to find the titular Book of Blood and Roses (a compendium of vampire-killing methods), is a fantastic protagonist. She’s tough, snarky, and deeply conflicted, which made her feel so human. Her chemistry with Aliz, the alluring vampire roommate who accidentally makes Rebecca her familiar, is pure fire, enemies-to-lovers done right, with tension that had me grinning and blushing. The plot moves at a brisk pace, blending heart-pounding action (vampire attacks!) with quieter moments of longing and moral grappling. Summerlee’s fresh take on vampires, infused with sapphic romance and a dash of wit, feels like a love letter to fans of Buffy and dark academia. The curse tying Rebecca and Aliz together is a clever twist that kept me invested in their journey to break it.

Cons:
While I adored this book, it’s not quite perfect. The world-building, though atmospheric, could use a bit more depth in places, I wanted to know more about the university’s history and the vampire society’s rules. Some secondary characters, like a few of Rebecca’s classmates, felt a bit flat and didn’t add much to the stakes. The magic system around the familiar bond was intriguing but occasionally vague, leaving me with questions about how it worked. Also, the ending, while satisfying, wrapped up a tad quickly, and I craved a bit more resolution for some of the side plots. A slightly slower build in the romance could’ve made those big emotional moments hit even harder, though I still loved Rebecca and Aliz’s dynamic.
Overall, The Book of Blood and Roses is a sizzling, atmospheric debut that nails the sapphic romantasy vibe. Annie Summerlee has crafted a world I didn’t want to leave, with a romance that left me giddy and a heroine I’d follow into any vampire den. I’m already dying for the sequel! Huge thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for the ARC, and I can’t wait to see more from this exciting new voice in fantasy.

Dark academia, sapphic vampires, and magical hidden libraries with what might be the snarkiest- and smartest- librarian? What’s not to love?

I flew through this book; everything works- the plot, pacing, writing, suspense. I loved all the characters, major and minor, with the exception of the protagonist. It takes her a very long time to overcome her prejudices, and I found her blind hatred of what she doesn’t yet understand frustrating. However, it makes the payoff of her change of perspective that much better, when it finally arrives.

Can’t wait for book 2. Thank you NetGalley and Del Ray for the ARC!

This is the kind of vampire romance I dream about; dark, aching, sapphic, and full of heart. I need the sequel immediately.

I have also posted similar reviews to GR and StoryGraph. See links at the bottom.

Right from the start, the voice pulled me in. I don't usually read first person POV, but many of them tend to have a magnetic quality to the voice, and TBOBAR certainly does, compelling me to keep reading (pun very much intended).

Let's start with our MC. I am drawn to tragic characters that are rough around the edges. We are introduced to her present and past pretty early on. The author leaves just enough clues in the backstory, which I believed hints at the fact that we have an unreliable narrator at hand. All these little mysteries, encompassed by the overarching mystery, pulled me along. And let me tell you, the reveal is so satisfying.

The world-building is clever. The book really puts a lot of thoughts into creating a vampire-friendly environment. The campus layout is an interesting juxtaposition of the modern, human-dominated world and the vampiredom. It also makes me want to visit Inverness, Scotland to escape heat.

Now, here comes one of my favourite parts: the romance. Aliz is a woman to die for. A walking contradiction. Their relationship is filled with tension from the start. I was at the edge of my seat, expecting every scene with them both to end in bloodshed. Every confrontation or exchange left my heart racing, my finger reaching for the next page. The buildup is brilliantly done. The painful yearning. Top tier.

I am dedicating another paragraph for the side characters. There are some that I never thought I would grow to love. Then there are also those who I hated vehemently, praying for their downfall (in one case, I still hate them. I will stay tuned for the sequel so I get to watch them meet their end).

I guess this is the end of my review! Thank you NetGallery and the publisher for the ARC. I will be purchasing a copy when it is released!