The Covenant of Blood by J.S. Living

If you’re into Dracula folklore with a fresh twist, The Covenant of Blood is definitely worth picking up. I loved the whole idea of flipping the classic tale by having Dracula’s daughter in the spotlight, it gave the story a cool and unique direction that kept me hooked. The world-building is solid, and the story moves at a good pace with plenty of action and intrigue.

That said, there were a few things that bugged me. The biggest one? The names. There were literally three Elizabeths, and I kept getting confused about who was who, especially in the beginning. A little variety there would’ve helped big time. Also, while the plot was fun, I wish the author had gone deeper into the characters. There were moments where I wanted to really connect with them, but it felt a bit surface-level at times.

Overall though, it was a good, entertaining read. If you like vampire lore with a modern edge and don’t mind a few minor hiccups, you’ll enjoy it!

This was good but I thought that this was a new read it’s not it’s been out but I’m glad that I was able to read it because it was great

ARC Review – 2⭐️

Summary:
Elizabeth Bathory-Tepés, daughter of the infamous Dracula and the Blood Countess herself, has lived for centuries. Now, after 400 years, she sets out to find her long-lost mother in hopes of helping her father. Along the way, she crosses paths with supernatural beings, rekindles an old flame, and forms a dangerous blood pact. Rooted in real historical figures and steeped in gothic lore, The Covenant of Blood weaves together fact and fiction in a tale of vengeance, passion, and dark legacy.

Review:
I had never heard of Elizabeth Bathory before reading this, and her real-life history is wild. I ended up reading more about her outside the book, and I loved how the author blended historical elements and folklore to create a new supernatural narrative. The concept is bold, bloody, and rich with gothic atmosphere.

That said, the pacing dragged at times, and there are a lot of plot threads running at once—which made the story feel a bit convoluted. A tighter focus on the central arc would’ve made the emotional beats land harder.

Another challenge: the dual POV between “Liz” and “Lizzy” could get confusing. Clearer chapter headings indicating whose perspective we were in would’ve helped keep things grounded.

And I can’t not mention the sex scenes. The euphemisms veered into unintentionally hilarious territory—lines like “he places his silent flute into my altar of Venus” took me right out of the moment.

Bottom line: A dark, imaginative take on two legendary figures with strong worldbuilding and ambition—but bogged down by uneven pacing, too many subplots, and some truly bizarre prose. I’m glad I read it, but I probably wouldn’t revisit the series if it continues.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review: The Covenant of Blood by J.S. Living

This story was dark, emotional, and completely absorbing. The Covenant of Blood dives deep into legacy, identity, and sacrifice, with a main character—Elizabeth Bathory-Tepes—who’s haunted by questions no one wants to answer. Her search for her mother, her father’s soul, and the truth behind her blackouts had me turning pages fast.

The writing balances mystery, magic, and emotional tension so well, and I really felt the weight of every choice Elizabeth made. Nothing comes without a cost, and this book doesn’t shy away from asking what you’d give—or who you’d become—to get what you want.

If you’re into gothic fantasy with family secrets, moral grayness, and a heroine fighting for answers in a world built on blood, The Covenant of Blood is a strong start to what promises to be a powerful series.

This was great I thought it was a new read and was disappointed by it not being a new read. But i enjoyed it 😊

‼️ Spoiler alert🚨

Time for a book review…so good!

Thank you @netgalley for this incredible ARC

A little synopsis to get things going. The Covenant by J.S. living.

The Covenant of Blood follows Elizabeth Bathory-Tepés, daughter of Dracula and the infamous Blood Countess, as she embarks on a journey to find her long-lost mother. Along the way, she encounters supernatural beings, old flames, and dark pacts. The story blends gothic lore with history, but while it’s imaginative and atmospheric, it suffers from pacing issues, too many subplots, and confusing POV switches. Some of the prose—especially the euphemisms—felt unintentionally comedic. Ultimately, it’s a bold concept that doesn’t fully land.

💬 Final Thoughts: If you enjoy dark, lore-heavy fantasies with bold twists on legendary figures, this might be worth checking out. For me, it was a mixed bag—memorable in moments, but ultimately bogged down by execution.

⭐️ Rating: 3/5

#TheCovenantofBlood #NetGalley#netgalleyreads#booklover#bookstagram#netgalleyreviews#

I really enjoyed The Covenant of Blood. It’s a dark, imaginative story about Elizabeth Bathory Tépes the daughter of two infamous killers trying to piece together the broken family that abandoned her. With blood pacts, lost love, and magical stones in the mix, this book dives deep into legacy, power, and the price of loyalty. Twisted, emotional, and hard to put down. #bookrec #bookreview #bookrecommendations #reading