Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

I'm a fan of vampires, fae and dark romance, so when I saw this I snapped it up. So happy to have been allowed to read this. It is my first book from Kathryn Ann Kingsley, and I wasn't disappointed.

It has action, romance, revenge, there are some trigger warnings to be aware of, but also plenty to like. Nadi is a fantastic protagonist, mostly because she isn't truly good, Raziel is also surprisingly likeable, I am looking forward to reading more from these two.

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook arc. I love Kathryn Kingsley books so much, and highly recommend this book for anyone who loves reading vampire fantasy romance.
She’s a fae planning to kill the vampire king and she ends up finding out that she is a sacrifice, and betrothed to the king. He slowly starts to fall for her and tries to figure out why her blood is so special.

This is like a mafia vampire romance to me! Crime lord vampire! There is humans, fae, and vampires. Very good world building and suspense. Morally gray to the next level. The only part I didn’t like was the 2 pov and every scene I had to read in 1 then the scene replayed in the other so I felt like I was having to double read everything. Over all a very good book! Would still recommend.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-ARC of this book via NetGalley. This has not influenced the review and all opinions are my own.

This book has me wishing I had a vampire husband. It’s like Twilight mixed with James Bond in the best way.

First let’s talk about the characters. The FMC is a complete baddie equipped with sarcasm and wit. I personally would be honoured to have her as my wife. She is unapologetically violent and exciting. She starts to develop some level of a conscience throughout the book, but she still keeps to her mission and end goal. The MMC is giving vampire daddy energy. He is one of the most morally grey characters I’ve ever known but does that stop me loving him? Absolutely not.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book and I found it really easy to read. This is a book that will cause you to feel grumpy if you’re interrupted from reading it because it feels like you need this book to function and breathe. Like I fully told my partner to leave me in peace until I’ve finished this book because I didn’t want any interruptions. The side characters are really cool too and I would die for Az, no questions asked.

I also loved the scene setting. A rich vampire mansion was described exactly as you would imagine, and lord sign me up to live there!! A vampire daddy protecting me, as well as a chef to make food for me? I’m sold. I wish I could say how much I love this book because 5 stars doesn’t seem like a high enough rating for this masterpiece!!! And yes I will be buying any special editions that come out despite saying I’m on a book ban, mind your own business

Rating: 5/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

“This was her wedding. Her name was Nadi. And she had come here to murder them all.”


Thank you to NetGalley, Second Sky and Kathryn Ann Kingsley for allowing me to read this ARC!

This was a 3.5 star read for me. I love the twist on the mafia romance, especially it being vampire vs fae. The beginning of the book hooks you in quickly and it’s fairly fast paced for the first few chapters. Unfortunately it does lag a bit and get a bit repetitive in the middle. There’s not a lot to move the plot along in between the three big events in the book. However, I do LOVE having two non-remorseful morally grey MCs. It was definitely a fun read and will cater perfectly to the intersection of readers who enjoy romantasy and dark romance!

Nadi is out for revenge, she wants to kill the family of vampires that murderer her family so she decided to pose as the bride for the youngest son of this family.
I liked the world building, it is a very dark and ruthless world, I liked Nadi, she is a badass FMC, a woman on a mission that won't stop for anything. I liked some parts of Raziel. Their relationship was a bit rushed to me but the end had a nice plot twist.
This book would have been a bit better if it wasn't so repetitive in some parts (like when Nadi was posing as Raziel's bride, she was always thinking stuff like i'm gonna act this way because i'm supposed to be from a small town where we are all naive and dumb), it was a bit tiresome.
Overall, it was a nice book and I would definitely continue on with this series because the ending got me hooked.
I want to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An absolute unhinged and depraved DELIGHT. Morally black to gray characters that are TRUE enemies. I am obsessed. This was FIRE. One of the best books I've read in a while. I RECOMMEND to everyone who loves a really really good enemy to lover story.

The writing itself was phenomenal and gripping. I couldn't put it down. I loved the internal dialogue of the female main character. She was an incredible main character. I especially loved her monologue about killing versus murdering. Yep, it's that dark. A dark and dangerous read that had me in a chokehold.

I loved everything about this book and I can't wait for the next one. The story, the plot, the characters, the grittiness, the worldbuilding, the dangerous main characters... the chemistry. It was all superb.

I have only hype for this romantasy. It's vampires and fae but with twists and turns. And it's dark and beautiful. Untamed.

Seriously, delicious. So so good. 100/10 stars. A Must read.

I already absolutely love Kathryn Ann Kingsley but this one was my alltime favorite and blew her other books out of the water. And trust me, her other books are also 10/10. But this was special. Gahhh!!!

This book!

This book....

This book had me hooked from the very first page. WOW! The world is not yet ready for this story....I thought it was incredibly well written; the MC's inner monologue was to die for. Her trauma and past were so four-dimensional that it felt authentic.

The dynamic between the MC and MMC is just delicious...and I'm loving this twist on the enemies-to-lovers trope. Our MMC doesn't know they're enemies....and it just lands spectacularly.

This is the kind of series that HAS to have some spin-offs, I want to know more about the Wilds, I want to understand why the Fae are hated so much....I want to know about the war.....

An exceptional reading experience.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

This book was difficult for me to rate because I enjoyed the authors writing style, but didn’t connect with the main characters.

Nadi is a shapeshifting fae who’s seeking revenge from “The Serpent” named Raziel. She sees an opportunity to exact her revenge and takes it and it leads to unexpected outcomes 👀

I enjoyed the opening scene of Nadi and how she handles men in her line of work. We find out right away she’s an assassin, which is one of my favorite kind of women in books, so I was really excited to continue the story. I read a lot of fantasy books and this book had something I’ve never really seen before. A shapeshifting fae? Who also happens to be deadly and intelligent? Obsessed.

The way the world worked was also really refreshing. It seemed really dark, grungy, and more dystopian than the usual fae vs human realms you always read about. The Metropolis and “The Wild” had me intrigued and I was yearning to learn more about both. Especially The Wild!! The world and how it was depicted reminded me a lot of the book House of Bane and Blood. So if you liked that book, I think you’d enjoy this one too.

There were so many comments depicting the underground fae realm but I felt like by the end of the book, I was still wanting more information. I understand this is only book 1 in the series, but I felt like there could’ve been more backstory into the different worlds, how the characters grew into who they were, and how the worlds operated. We didn’t learn anything about the humans, which I know this book is about vampires and fae, but I wanted context on humans played a part in the conflict between the two.

I could see where the author is going with Nadi and Raziel, and I won’t spoil it, but Raziel is kind of insufferable. He’s not a gentleman in the slightest and kind of acts like a pre pubescent teenager. And Nadi constantly being told she’s going to be sacrificed and not being perturbed at all was unrealistic and disappointing. I felt like that could’ve been reworked in a different way.

Also, I went into this thinking this would be a really spicy read but there were only 2 spice scenes. They were both very short and non descriptive, which was disappointing because the tension between the characters could make for some great spice.

Overall, I enjoyed the book but thought a lot of the story was repetitive and wish we got more back story and had the characters fleshed out more. The cliffhanger at the end was amazing though and I’m excited to read book 2 when it comes out!

This would have been a 5⭐️ read for me if it hadn’t been so damn REPETITIVE!

I absolutely loved the world building and loved the vampire/human/fae dynamic. I was hooked in straight away and I loved Nadi and Raziel’s characters.

For me though, the internal monologues of both main characters were so repetitive it actually started to get really tedious and distract from the story. Like WE KNOW got both want to kill each other 🫠🫠

However, that cliffhanger ending had me SCREAMING! Omg I need book 2 immediately.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of the book. I havent read from Kathryn Ann Kingsley and I loved the easiness I could feel inside the world and how the book flowed. For the first 50% I couldn't visualize how things can progress for the better but the end was satisfactory. I listened for the audio version and then at night I roamed the pages for the lines I liked. I always do this way and it improves my memory afterwards. Thanks..

This is my second book by this author and once I got used to the way it changes between PoVs I really enjoyed it. Anything with Vampires an arranged marriage with a revenge plot and it's always going to an instant read for me!

I loved how every single character was morally grey in the way they were, Raziel is a real monster but he has great banter that I couldn't help but love and the same for Nadi also a monster and not a very nice person and sometimes I couldn't understand the reasoning behind her actions and decisions, I did really love though that she's a shapeshifter Fae with the gift of stealing and being able to wear the image of another person as I've not seen this done before and found it refreshing for a change.

After that ending I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens next!

Highly recommend Serpent's Bride to anyone who enjoys a rather quick dark fantasy romance, with enemies to lovers, vampires and faes, plenty of banter and morally grey characters!

Thank you so much to Publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book before publication, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Quick Summary: An unforgettable, dark & twisted, vampire/fae romantasy

My Review: The Serpent's Bride by Kathryn Ann Kingsley is book #1 in the Bloodlines series. It is a dark vampire novel. It has been categorized as a sci-fi/romance. It is scheduled for release on 8/28/25.

About the Book: "I will disguise myself as the vampire’s bride.

I will win over his family.

And then I will murder every last one of them."

In My Own Words: Revenge is the driving force behind a female assassin's plan to utterly destroy the vampire who took away her family. Passion and bloodlust are the ties that bind her to her enemy.

About the Characters: Oh my word! The leads earned all of the gold stars. I loved both of them. Raziel and Nadi were the morally gray characters that I needed.

Raziel Nostrom...yes. He checked all of the boxes. He was dark, tortured, brooding, dangerous, and sexy as all get out. There was more to him than was obvious. He knows more than he lets on. Something is afoot, that's for sure. The way he ended book 1 was insane.

Nadi...okay! This fireball was fierce, mighty, bold, and determined. She was so focused on her mission. Nothing was going to stand in her way, and I loved it. That killer instinct that drove her was something to behold. Even as she was in control, she was lost; but then again, maybe she wasn't. Her plight made me wonder if her course was destiny at play.

About the Cast: Every character played his or her role in such a way that invited more curiosity. The most intriguing characters that captured my attention were the missing grandmother, Ivan (Raziel's second), and Raziel's mother and brother. With that said, the special form that Nadi takes makes me wonder if her family, who had a brief story, is truly who they seem to be.

About the Conflict: There was non-stop conflict and action in this story. It came from every angle. Outside the family, inside the family, in the relationship between the leads, in the various factions that readers are introduced to - the secrets and machinations abound. The story kept unfolding and more became evident, while at the same time, it remained elusive.

My Final Say: I LOVED THIS STORY! Period and point blank on that. It was incredible. I am completely invested in this series. Book one set the story up in such a memorable way. I am still gobsmacked due to the cliffhanger. It packed a punch. Wow!

Bring on book #2 ASAP!

Other: Readers who like enemies to lovers, dark fantasy/romance stories, vampire x fae tropes, and morally gray characters will adore this novel.

This book reminded me of the Ruinous Love series, as well as the Wolf God series.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience:A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Besties Shelf: Yes
Summer Heat Hit: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Series: Yes

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Second Sky Books), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review this amazing story. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars, what a twisty ending 😮

I had a lot of fun reading this book, no one writes a Romantasy villain like Kathryn Ann Kingsley. I had read a few of her series before so I knew what kind of MMC to expect. Fans of hers will not be disappointed. For those who are new to this author, this is not the standard misunderstood shadow daddy who softens for the MFC … Raziel is a real monster but he’s got great banter.

What I loved in particular:
- I loved Nadi’s shapeshifter fae gift, she can steal and wear the image of other people. I hadn’t seen this done before and while she only has a few changes in this book, I predict that she is going to be causing mayhem with it in the next instalment.
- I liked Nadi as a MFC, she’s a real monster too, although sometimes I couldn’t understand her decision making, particularly in relation to Luciento.

I can’t wait for the next book in this series, I just really hope it’s not a long a wait.

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for the opportunity to read this ARC.

3.5 ⭐️

A Fae seeking vengeance disguises herself as a human bride and enters into an arranged marriage with the Vampire who killed her entire family. What could possibly get in her way? Oh, just the crazy, hot tension between the two of them.

The Serpent’s Bride was a fast-paced, fun read that was super easy to get into. Right from the start you’re connected to Nadi’s character and her revenge arc. When she meets Raziel, our killer Vampire, sparks fly, and retribution is no longer so straightforward.

What I really liked:
I found the world building to be very interesting, specifically the Wilds and the history between vampires, humans, and the fae. I also really enjoyed our characters Nadi and Raziel. Neither of them are good people and they’re both fairly toxic, which was a refreshing break from the good girl/bad guy trope.

What I liked a bit less:
While there’s a lot to like about this book, I found much of Nadi’s internal monologue to be fairly repetitive. Raziel’s indecision over what to do about his new wife also became tedious.

Even though this wasn’t the perfect read for me, I’m very interested in finding out what happens next in Nadi and Raziel’s story; especially after that ending!

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

✨✨✨You had me at spicy vampire romance!!!!!!!!!!!!🧛🏻‍♀️ 🌶️ 🥀 ✨✨✨

I really enjoyed this one! I’m a huge vampire lover (of course!!) and I liked Nadi’s character a lot. The plot gripped me right away and kept my interest throughout. I wanted to keep reading and see what happens!!

I do wish there was some more solid world building. I definitely wanted a bit more time spent on some details! I also wish there had been more time spent on building up the romance. It was very insta lust and while the banter between characters was great, the enemies to lovers part was so quick that it lacked a bit of substance for me.

That being said this is a fast-paced and super fun read!! Overall I really liked the story and that ending definitely left me on a cliffhanger NEEDING more!!!! 🧛🏻‍♂️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released August 28, 2025.

Ah yes, nothing says true love like falling for the guy who wiped out your entire family. Revenge? Never heard of her. The revenge angle dissolved in seconds. They went from enemies to tempted in seconds and the constant repetition of her vengeful promise just dulled its impact. Really wanted to love this one!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

Okay so… The Serpent’s Bride absolutely delivered. I went in expecting dark, seductive vampire vibes—and wow, did it give that and more. From the very first chapter, I was hooked.
The writing has eerie, gothic vibes that just wraps around you.I genuinely couldn’t stop reading.

The romance is definitely dark, a little twisted (in the best way), and had me questioning who I should even trust. The vampire love interest? Yeah, he’s morally gray, dangerous, and ridiculously magnetic—and I loved every second of it. There’s this addictive push and pull between the characters that felt intense without being overdone.

Also, the worldbuilding was so immersive. It gave off this old-world gothic fantasy vibe with just enough creepiness to keep your heart racing. Honestly, it felt like reading something deliciously forbidden.

If you’re into dark romance with vampires, power plays, a heroine who refuses to be broken, and that kind of haunting beauty that lingers after you close the book—The Serpent’s Bride is 100% worth the read. Definitely one of my new favorite vampire romances.

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

Both the storyline and the twist at the end were not at all what I expected, and I absolutely LOVED it. When Ms. Kingsley says “Where Villains Stay Villains”, she really means that. I don’t know who I’m rooting for at this point, and the lines are so blurred between Raziel and Nadi. I can’t wait for the sequel of The Serpent’s Bride! Thank you for the ARC Kathryn Ann Kingsley, your stories have a big place in my heart as well as my bookshelves.

Exactly the vampire book needed. FMC is an assassin and vampire MMC really should be assassinated so there is the set up. And then they get married. Of course. But clever, fast-paced, and just giddy fae, vampire, human chaos. In short, a treat.