This is a fantastic and fanciful retelling of Count of Monte Cristo! We watch Elodie Dantés rise, fall, avenge, and remake herself in every way possible (for better and for worse). The redemption arc is well rounded, believable, and poignant.

And let’s not forget about the love story! While slightly rushed in the beginning (insta-love) - Sara Larson intoxicates the reader with tension, frustration, and longing.

The worst part of the book was the ending— simply because I didn’t want the book to be over!

Sara B. Larson has accomplished something brilliant here: taking The Count of Monte Cristo and transforming it into a sweeping, intense fantasy novel. It keeps all the beloved, classic undertones of betrayal, intense passion, and vengeance that made Dumas's original so iconic, but layers on a fresh, exhilarating twist with a beautifully crafted world and a compelling magic system. It genuinely feels both familiar and brand new.

One of the standout elements for me was the female-driven narrative. Giving the story this bold perspective adds such depth and intensity to the plot—it truly elevates the emotional stakes. The protagonist's journey of retribution and self-discovery is completely riveting. And for those who love a good pairing, the romance is absolutely swoon-worthy, woven seamlessly into the narrative without ever overshadowing the core plot.

For readers who crave epic tales featuring strong heroines, complex emotional arcs, and a powerful dash of enchantment, this is a must-read. It’s brutal, beautiful, and utterly captivating—a story that I know is going to linger long after the final page.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Absolutely addictive, enthralling , this is a gripping tale of betrayal, resilience, and emotional reckoning, blending dark fantasy with heart-wrenching romance. Elodie’s journey is fierce and unforgettable, full of twists and turns that keep you guessing.Elodie is a fantastic character, I lived her so much, her strength and vulnerability at the same time are just so well done. A must-read for fans of morally complex protagonists and richly imagined worlds.

A Promised Vengeance absolutely blew me away. Think The Count of Monte Cristo, but make it magical, romantic, and totally unputdownable. It’s lush, emotional, and a little brutal in the best way—filled with betrayal, heartbreak, and that kind of slow-burn revenge that keeps you glued to the page. Sara B. Larson somehow takes a classic and makes it feel completely fresh and original. Elodie’s journey is equal parts vengeance and healing, and by the end, you’ll be wrecked and rooting for her. If you love sweeping fantasy, swoony romance, and stories that make you feel—this one’s for you.

Sara has done a brilliant job at writing a fast paced and easy to follow book to get lost in instantly.

Unlike a lot of fantasy books I read I found no struggle understanding the world and magic system Sara created for this which allowed me to fall head first into the story and I devoured this.

I liked that it was all 1st person and Elodie’s POV, although I ended up loving the other characters in the book just as much. It combines the perfect amount of healing, betrayal, vengeance and romance - what more could you want?!

The ending wow, I may have shed a few tears… 😭 a must read.

This book snatched me. Gripped me by the shirt and demanded I read it faster. I gorged myself on the no-spice yearning. I mourned with Elodie in her trials and losses, and lived to watch her plan unfold. I don’t have much time to read these days, and I gobbled up the second half of the book in one day. This low-magic retelling of Count of Monte Cristo hit so many of the right notes for me.

For me, this book missed the mark in two areas (without spoilers): 1) the ending felt too easy. While the victory did come at a price (which I always appreciate), I was expecting a little more of a struggle to get there. But Elodie didn’t have much push back when the chips metaphorically fell, and I personally would have loved a little more consequences for her actions. And, tying into that, 2) I wished Elodie had more of a role in the vengeance she exacted. Her role in her enemies’s downfall felt very hands off. I’m not sure if this choice was made to keep Elodie “good” or if it was to keep the book clean, but I wanted more.

Of course, neither of these things stopped me from flying through the book, or from giving it a well-earned 4 stars. It was captivating. Elodie and Killian were made for each other. And I would gladly read this book again.

I received an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jumelle Press for the opportunity to read and review an Advance Reader Copy of this book!

I went through so many emotions while reading this—confused, intrigued, disgusted, intrigued again—and then around the 60% mark, I was completely entranced. The hardest part for me was definitely the main character. I didn’t really understand or like her attitude or reasoning behind some of her decisions, which made it tough to connect at times.

That said, I loved the vengeance trope in this story, it was handled so well! And don’t even get me started on the romance. When it was good, it was so good. I just wish the main character had been more trusting toward the male lead, especially considering their childhood connection. The time difference of only three months didn’t feel like enough for that level of distrust, especially after multiple people reassured her otherwise. If it had been a longer separation, I think it would have made more sense.

Still, by the end, I found myself really enjoying the story. I settled on a 3.5-star rating, and I think it works perfectly as a standalone read!

Thank you again to NetGalley and Jumelle Press for the opportunity to read and review this book before release!

This was a fun gender reversal of one of my fave novels of all time. I read it in one day and enjoyed it but I wish that the MMC didn’t get off so easily. Come on you thought she was dead and married her friend like weeks later, give me a break! But I’m a relentless bitch and never would have gotten over it.

This book was just what our classroom library needs! It was suspenseful enough to keep my 6th graders interested and just enough love to not cross the line. The pace kept me holding my breathe and questioning if I should turn the page and be delighted or devastated! We will be putting this on our list of First Chapter Frenzy (a read aloud of the 1st chapter to introduce it to our 2 classes!

This book lands as a clean, high energy revenge fantasy with a tight personal focus. The opening locks in the stakes fast and the story keeps pressure on with clear scene goals. I liked how the plot balances survival problems with a longer strategy. Training, planning, and small alliances actually change what happens next instead of filling space. The world rules are readable, especially the limits around forbidden power, and the book uses those limits to force choices. The lead’s arc is straightforward and satisfying. She moves from shock to discipline to intent, and the steps feel earned. The romantic thread is present but never pulls focus from the goal, which works for me in this subgenre. Action reads clearly, chapter endings give a real reason to turn the page, and the final stretch answers the central promise without swerving into a twist that the book did not set up.

The middle leans more on movement than texture. A run of camp to city transitions goes by so quickly that the geography blurs, and I wanted one quiet chapter to let the fallout from the midpoint hit a little harder. Fight scenes read cleanly, but a touch more sensory detail about terrain and injuries would raise the stakes. The antagonist is sharp when on the page, yet vanishes for long stretches; a brief cutaway to their strategy would keep tension taut without changing the plot.

Such a hard book to read at times but what beauty shone through its pages. The characters were flawed and broken yet still willing to grow and learn.

Yes, I despised some of the choices that Elodie made throughout her journey especially when they went against everything the others were telling her, but they were essential to ensure that she grew.

This was my favorite Larson book to read so far.

This book!

I could not put it down! I loved it!
I found it well written and easy to follow. I was hooked from the beginning.

I would defo recommend this book.

Falsely accused and exiled to a magical prison, Elodie Dantès escapes with vengeance burning in her heart. But as she hunts down those who betrayed her, she must decide if revenge is worth losing the love she once lived for.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, it was so refreshing to see a female lead who stops trying to be the “bigger person” and finally decides to take control. I loved watching Elodie refuse to take any more injustice and instead choose action. Even though I personally don’t believe revenge is always necessary (I tend to lean toward indifference rather than retaliation) it was deeply satisfying to see Elodie’s journey and the way her pain transforms into power.

One of the most heartwarming parts for me was her relationship with the priest. Their bond felt so genuine and tender, like that of a father and daughter, and I loved the emotional grounding it gave to the story.

I’ll admit, the first few chapters were a little slow for me, especially when she first arrived at the prison of Autremonde. The shift there felt quite sudden, and it took me some time to adjust. It actually reminded me a bit of The Bone Season, that same sense of being thrown into an unknown world with its own strange rules. But once I got into it, I found the world complex and fascinating.

Elodie herself completely won me over. She’s kind, caring, and deeply loyal to the people who deserve it but she’s also a no-nonsense character who is not afraid to stand her ground. I was a bit uncertain about the love story at first, but by the end, I appreciated how it balanced her arc of vengeance with a touch of emotional depth.

If anything, I wish there had been a little more of the vengeance arc, because watching Elodie take back what was stolen from her was incredibly satisfying. Even though revenge isn’t something I usually root for, in her case, it felt justified and almost cathartic.

Overall, it was a gripping, fun and empowering read!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Jumelle Press for sending me an advanced reader's copy!! The Promised Vengeance will be out in 2 days!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Rated 3.5 Stars

A Promised Vengeance was an awesomely enjoyable take on The Count of Monte Cristo. I loved the setting, the magic system and how the elements from this beloved story were incorporated and woven into this retelling. It made it fresh, unique and engrossing. It was also an emotionally engaging read. I was wholly invested in what was going on especially to the heroine. I wasn't all the way sold on the hero. He was kinda blah to me and faded into the background. However, what intrigued and stumped me in a way was how very gentle it felt for a revenge story. It wasn't bloodthirsty but more of an emotional revenge is what I'd call it if that makes sense. You'll have to read it to see what I mean. I kinda liked that change of pace. All in all it was an enjoyable read, my first by this author but definitely not my last.

The way Larson crafts a balance between fantasy and a classic retelling is stunning. Elodie is an unyielding character who battles impossible situations and impractical odds, yet is left with a daunting choice–to seek revenge or to offer forgiveness.

The overarching theme seemed to be her pursuit of avenging those who betrayed her, and I would have loved more magic and romance mingled in. I would have loved to see this as a duology or trilogy to allow for all the background and set-up of the magical elements and artifact, as well as a more abundant flesh-out of all the characters and complicated relationships.

Regardless, I was engrossed and found myself flying through the pages to see how it would all wrap up.

Content: some violence/peril; mild romance; betrayal/revenge

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinion expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

I finished this book and honestly, was sad it was over! I really love the original and thankfully this smaller fantasy version hit so many marks of a great re-telling! It had strong lead characters, crazy antagonists, magical elements, enduring friendships, remarkable forgiveness and an enchanting romance! What a ride! It could have gone on for much longer and in my honest opinion, could have had lots more meat in the story. But I think that is only due to my love of “The Count of Monte Cristo!” The author did a fantastic job putting into a book we can all enjoy!

Thank you to Jumelle Press and NetGalley for this story, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

A Promised Vengeance is a dark, emotional fantasy standalone from Sara B. Larson, and it’s the first book I’ve read by her. Elodie Dantès is a fierce and flawed heroine. She’s been betrayed, imprisoned, and stripped of everything she cared about. Watching her wrestle with her anger and the pull of revenge felt raw and real. I liked that she isn’t perfect—her choices are messy, and sometimes she’s her own worst enemy, which made her journey even more believable.

The world Larson builds is vivid and dangerous. The prison of Autremonde is creepy and full of tension, and the mix of magic, mystery, and survival really pulled me in. The romance between Elodie and Killian added another layer to the story. It didn’t take over the plot, but it gave the stakes more weight. I found myself rooting for them, even when I wasn’t sure if they could make it through everything that stood between them.

There were a few parts that felt a little rushed, especially toward the middle, and I wanted more time with some of the side characters. But overall, the pacing kept me turning pages, and the story hit the right emotional beats.

The ending surprised me in the best way. It wrapped things up in a way that felt satisfying without being too neat.

A delightful reinventing of The Count of Monte Cristo. It had the same feel as Dumas' writing, while holding its own unique charm.
Elodie was very relatable, with her struggles with vengeance, forgiveness, and herself. Enza and Jaques were the perfect mentor characters, (especially Jaques. I always love the priest's character.) and what little we got of Killian proved him to be outstandingly sweet and caring. His little sisters were also adorable.
The setting was unique, what with the magical Autremonde and the bustling Port de Ciel. I am a fan of Larson's work, and she did not disappoint with this one! If you like The Count of Monte Cristo it is delightful seeing the comparison between the two, (and I appreciated the excerpts between parts,) but I also feel you could enjoy this book without having read any Dumas, as it stands solidly on its own. A good fantasy read. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer! But I do understand there are genre requirements and such, and Larson did a good job with distilling a thousand page story into far less than that.
A splendid read!

I flew through this book!! Absolutely loved the FMC and her personal journey. Such a good retelling of “The Count of Monte Cristo”, with fantasy elements. One of the few books to make me feel so much, I actually cried! I will recommend this to all of my friends!

It was so wonderful to be reading another book of Larson’s. Although it’s a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, the author made it her own with strong characters, a beautiful setting, magic, and so much more.

Elodie is amazing. Her drive and determination was what held her through the unbelievable and unfair circumstances she was forced into. The people she meets on her journey were well done too. Jacques and Enza were amazing. The short time spent was Jacque was so memorable and powerful. Enza was my absolute favorite. Her patience with Elodie and dedication was enduring.

Elodie’s journey back was full of heartache, growth, and strength. The author does a great job of establishing the necessity of her feelings, while showing that growth and change of heart. This is the perfect romantasy with Elodie and Killian. He is a very memorable MMC.

This book is very special to me too. Not only it is a book of Larson’s, but my CEO’s wife was one of the publishers before she was tragically killed in a car accident earlier this year.

I received the ebook from NetGalley read now. All views are my own.

A Promised Vengeance is Sara B. Larson's newest fantasy release and I have to tell you that from the first page, I couldn't put this one down. This book takes the Count of Monte Cristo story and retells it in a way that had me turning the pages not only because of the characters but the story of betrayal and revenge had me needing to know how it all turns out.


The story centers on Elodie, a girl whose life is destroyed when she is accused of murder. Ripped from her childhood love, Killian, and the man she was planning to make a future with, she is sent to an otherworldly prison of Autremonde where time passes differently (much faster). Trapped in a world where she believes there is no escape and slowly dying of the magic that poisons it, Elodie is just about ready to give up when she meets an unexpected ally and they work together to escape. But once she gets her freedom, Elodie finds out how far that betrayal goes and she will do whatever it takes to get her revenge. The question will be whether it will be worth it in the end.

I thought Larson did a great job of developing the character of Elodie. She goes on a journey through this book and it's not an easy one. There are so many ups and downs for her that it was hard not to feel sorry for her and cheer her on against those who did what they did. With that said, she has the opportunity to do some real good because of the things she has gone through and while her vengeance is the goal, she is also trying to make sure that these individuals don't hurt anyone else so I can't blame her for wanting to make sure she does something about it instead of just walking off and forgetting about everyone and everything.

Larson's world-building was well done and contributed to the story. There are hierarchies and magic/magical artifacts that feed into the plot and I found it to be an interesting aspect to the story. Additionally, the secondary characters like Enza, Celine, Killian, and even Therese all had key roles to play and they all helped drive the story forward. Enza is there to be Elodie's conscience and while she doesn't always get her to do what she would consider is the right thing, she at least pushes Elodie to think really hard about her actions. I will say that I found it interesting that for as critical of a role that Therese had, we didn't really see too much of her and really, in the end, Elodie didn't really do a lot of the dirty work to get back at those who wronged her - though at least she did get to deliver the messages.

Ultimately, A Promised Vengeance is a book that has all the elements I look for in great fantasy: a compelling heroine, a magical world, and a side of romantic tension that keeps me turning the pages. If you like retellings...or even if you don't, consider picking this book up. I found myself immersed in this book from the very start and can't wait to see what Larson writes next. I shouldn't have been surprised as I've enjoyed her prior books so if you have as well, I think you'll like this one too.

A Promised Vengeance is a story soaked in betrayal and revenge, with a sprinkling of magic. It's an easy, entertaining read with twists that are make me sad for the FMC and truly loathe the dregs of humanity that is this story's villain. The magic was very low level but added something fun and new to the story and also made the FMC being unrecognizable when she returned so believable. The author also did a great job of creating romantic tension between Elodie and Killian, that kept me turning pages and eager to see how their tale would end. If you enjoy A Count of Monte Cristo, you'll probably really like this. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

A non-stop dash to revenge, built on the bones of The Count of Monte Cristo. The misadventures of Elodie Dantes begin largely faithful to the original - a sailor returns home to their soon-to-be lover, flush with grief and promises of future fortunes, only to be imprisoned for treacherous crimes. In this fantasy world, the charge of Bonapartist conspiracy is replaced with murder and possession of a mystical artifact, which the current regime (perhaps in a nod to the French revolutionaries) has deemed blasphemous along with the traditional religion, and certainly not a fit possession for a common sailor. Thus maligned and imprisoned, Elodie wallows in despair, until a chance encounter sharpens that fog into escape and a desire for vengeance.

How this eventually comes to pass is significantly abbreviated, and in this lies the story’s strength and weakness. Dumas indulged in over one thousand pages (per my current copy), and curtailing some of the more roundabout quests and anecdotes serves the modern style of character driven narrative. We see through Elodie’s eyes every step of the way. On the other hand, that abundance of words informed Dantes’ character and the multitude of themes - lost innocence, vengeance, benevolence, when man plays at god, a buried hope to preserve some goodness in a world of ills. This book also tries to take a sampling of each, but there isn’t enough material to see them fully formed.

Retelling this tale is an ambitious project, and I just don’t think the limited page count allowed the scattered themes to hit the mark. However, YA readers looking for a quick pseudo-historical adventure will be rewarded with bittersweet love, hastily plotted deceptions, a glimpse of magic, and villains that get their comeuppance.

A gender-switched reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, A Promised Vengeance follows Elodie Dantès, a heroine who refuses to stay powerless in the face of betrayal. Watching her transformation from someone wrongfully imprisoned to someone who takes control of her fate and seeks vengeance was great, even though I sometimes struggled to understand her actions. She doesn’t always choose the moral high ground, and she's definitely a morally grey protagonist, but I feel like that made her story even more compelling, as she learns the cost of seeking vengeance.

The relationship between Elodie and the priest was one of my favorite parts of the novel. Their connection felt so sincere, and it gave the story a rare softness amid all the darkness and anger, much like the imprisoned pair in the original story. The priest becomes a true friend to Elodie at a time when she needs it most, and it was very touching, especially after she faced so much betrayal and then a significant amount of isolation.

The first half of the book moved at a slower pace than the second half, which made sense contextually. There was definitely a build-up to the final confrontation and Elodie's journey toward exacting justice. However, the ending felt a bit rushed, especially after so much buildup. I think I expected to see Elodie face more challenges than she did, and I wanted a little more groveling from her love interest. Even so, her journey was powerful, and I ended up enjoying how everything played out.

A Promised Vengeance is an empowering story about reclaiming one’s power, confronting betrayal, and deciding how much of yourself you are willing to lose in pursuit of justice. I always like Sara B. Larson's stories, and this is no exception. Thanks to NetGalley and Jumelle Press for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Atmospheric, emotional, and satisfyingly vengeful. A Promised Vengeance reimagines the heart of The Count of Monte Cristo through a YA romantasy lens, blending betrayal, forbidden magic, and a love that refuses to die even under the weight of injustice. Larson’s writing is clean and compelling, with a steady rhythm that keeps the pages turning.

Elodie is a strong and sympathetic heroine—wronged, furious, but still deeply human—and her time in Autremonde gives the story its sharpest edge. The revenge arc feels earned, and the romantic thread with Killian brings warmth back into a narrative built on loss. Some plot turns lean familiar, but the magic system and emotional stakes give the retelling a fresh spark.

A great pick for readers who enjoy clean YA romantasy, second-chance love, and heroines rebuilding their power after betrayal.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this book.

This was a lovely retelling and I enjoyed the way the fantasy setting. I've enjoyed all of this author's stories in the past and this was no except- I will definitely be re-reading!

What I Liked:
*The themes of revenge and forgiveness were tied very closely to the story and to Elodie's character arc.

*Enza provided a needed mentor to Elodie.

What I Struggled With:
*The pacing at the beginning felt a little off. Understandably, Larson was trying to get the plot underway as quickly as possible, but it led to things feeling a little too rushed.

*One of the things I enjoyed about the original Count of Monte Cristo was getting to see how the Count plotted and maneuvered everything in taking down his enemies. However, in A Promised Vengeance, Elodie sort of outsources most of the plotting and ruining to a side character. As a result, the reader is more told that xyz thing happened to certain characters.

*I also wished the Artifacts and magic had played a larger role in the story. Aside from being the reason for Elodie's arrest and the scene near the end, they really didn't have all that much importance to the story.

Overall:
Personally, I feel like A Promised Vengeance might be better thought of as inspired by The Count of Monte Cristo, rather than a retelling. Fans of strong FMCs, sweet romance, and strong themes will likely enjoy this one.

I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book. My review reflects my honest impressions and neither the author nor publisher solicited my review. Content and pacing may differ slightly from the final published version.

A Promised Vengeance absolutely captivated me—I genuinely could not put it down and ended up staying awake far too late because I just had to keep going. The writing style is descriptive, atmospheric, and at times almost poetic, without ever feeling weighed down. It creates an immersive reading experience that makes the world feel vivid and alive. The story pulls you in quickly and maintains a steady, engaging pace all the way through, striking a perfect balance between emotional gravity and easy readability. Even with occasional unfamiliar vocabulary, the flow remained smooth, and reading on Kindle made it effortless to look things up without interrupting the momentum.

The plot is incredibly strong and is surprising in the best ways, with developments that feel both earned and exciting. It advances confidently without dragging or rushing, and it was so easy to sink into the narrative that hours slipped by without me noticing. The characters were also a huge highlight. They’re layered, compelling, and full of personality, and several of their arcs took turns I didn’t expect but really enjoyed. Their emotional depth and the complexity of their motivations added richness to the story, and the dynamics between them carried a lot of tension, heart, and nuance. The romance is very present throughout in desperation, longing looks, meaningful moments, emotional closeness, and a connection that pays off beautifully without ever leaning on spice.

This was a quick, absorbing read that left me thoroughly satisfied. Even though I’m not sure I need to reread or purchase my own physical copy, I am absolutely interested in exploring more of the author’s work. I would highly recommend this book to a wide audience, especially readers who love richly written fantasy, gentle but gripping romance, emotional arcs, and stories that sweep you up from page one and don’t let go.

4.25/5 stars: A young adult romantic fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo?! Say less! This book was fast paced and I honestly couldn’t put it down. It may have only been around 300 pages but it still packed a punch with the suspense and many emotions I felt. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

A promised vengeance is a Count of Monte Cristo retelling with a twist on the MC and with the addition of a bit of magic.

I've not read the original but know the basics and this book feels pretty true to it. Its a very fast paced book which is great given the sense of urgency to Elodie's story and quest for revenge. The story didn't dwell on the nastiness of prison life but focused on her transformation (which I felt was very cleverly done) and how she placed herself in high society to carry out her plan.

Where fast paced works for shorter books I did feel that the story was not as fully formed as it could have been, not to say it was rushed as the pacing and character driven nature of the story demanded this pace, but it did mean that lots felt very basically explained and a lot of acceptance of going with the flow, especially when it came to the importance of the artefacts which were really the catalyst by which the story was propelled. I think I'm just too much of a world building fan.

Ultimately though this is a really fun read with a strong FMC and a satisfying character arc where she remained true to her beliefs despite hot boy distractions, which made this perfect to keep me company on a very long train journey.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the review copy

"A Promised Vengeance" is such a fun, immersive fantasy. Elodie’s life is completely destroyed when she’s falsely accused of murder and thrown into this weird, magical prison called Autremonde, where time moves differently and the air itself is toxic. She goes through so much, grows stronger, and eventually decides it’s time for revenge—but honestly, a lot of the actual planning and payoff happens off-page, which I kind of wish I could’ve seen unfold.

That said, Elodie is awesome. She’s smart, determined, and doesn’t take any nonsense from anyone. I loved her relationships too—Killian, her ally Enza, and the priest all added so much heart and made her journey feel grounded.

The world-building is really fun, the magic is intriguing, and the second half of the book is when everything really clicks. Even though it follows The Count of Monte Cristo pretty closely, Larson’s tweaks and the emotional depth make it feel fresh.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sara B. Larson, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A beautiful story about love, loss, betrayal, revenge, redemption, and forgiveness. I loved the overall theme to the story! It had good lessons to be learned throughout.

Elodie was a strong character. I loved her perseverance! I enjoyed her journey throughout.

If you enjoy stories with fantasy, retellings, betrayal, revenge, hints of magic, romance, vengeance, forgiveness, cozy vibes, no spice, and more then check this out today!

A Promised Vengeance is a young adult retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. I haven’t read the original book nor do I know much about it, so I can’t judge how accurate of a retelling this is.

Ultimately, A Promised Vengeance is a story of revenge and of becoming who you’re meant to be.

The part I was most looking forward to was seeing the revenge play out, and unfortunately the part that was skipped over was seeing the revenge play out. I was really disappointed by this. Elodie is basically like “we need to ruin these people,” and her informant is like “okay I’m on it.” And then later the informant comes back and is like “the plan worked, their downfall is imminent.” No, so much was missed! I wanted to see the plans being made and see them being enacted. I wanted to watch the people’s downfall as they suffered Elodie’s vengeance. I really wish the actual revenge planning and execution took place on page as that seems like the whole point of doing a retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo.

With that being said, the story that was on page was good. We see a detailed account of Elodie’s supposed downfall and her time in prison and her escape. I liked her character development across these scenes.

There is a clean, age-appropriate romance in this story. I wasn’t fully on board with the romance at the end after the events of the story play out, but it was still cute. This is a story I would fee comfortable recommending to anyone because there is no spice or language or heavy violence.

I would potentially read more books from this author as I was engaged in the overall story and generally liked the characters. I wonder if my biggest complaint of the vengeance being largely off page has to do with this book being for young adults instead of adults. Either way, I think this book was well written even if it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.

I was really excited to read A Promised Vengeance since I love any book revolving around revenge. It unfortunately took a while to reach that revenge part which is why I rated three stars. Elodie is in prison until after the halfway point, so I felt there was more time spent on her getting to know the Priest and the magic realm as they dug their escape. Romance was also a bigger component of this retelling which took away more of the revenge plot. All in all, I wanted revenge but that wasn't really what A Promised Vengeance was about and that is okay. I still enjoyed Elodie's journey, her time with the Priest, and her passion of caring for those around her, especially Killan's family. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

A Promised Vengeance is the story of Elodie: sent to a magical prison for a crime she didn’t commit, she escapes and vows to exact her revenge on the people who ruined her life.

This is a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo set in a fantasy world. It has a strong FMM, a sweet no-spice romance, revenge, magic and ruses. Elodie is a compelling character, driven by her need for vengeance but conflicted by her desire to be a better person.

I liked the magical elements of this story and the world-building was clear and vivid. There were parts that felt a little rushed and possibly could have done with having a little more book time spent on them, but the best part for me was the characters. Whether you liked them or not, the characters were all fully fleshed out, believable and very well-written.

I would say this is more of a justice-seeking story than a vengeance one as Elodie’s actions are very restrained and completely legal. I don’t think she needed any of the forgiveness she asked for in the end – other than lying about her identity to avoid being sent back to prison, her actions were to uncover evidence that resulted in murderers receiving punishment, which is perfectly acceptable.

Overall, it was a lovely read and I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jumelle Press for the arc.