"Our eyes met, and the room descended into silence. It was as if time had come to a standstill, with neither of us able, or wanting, to break the intense connection we were feeling." (p. 80)
★★★★☆
🌶🌶
Review:
An impossible romance between a Spartan soldier and a vampire in ancient Greece
Set in ancient Greece in the 5th century BCE,
Shadow & Ash: Bloodbound melds paranormal romance with historical fantasy. Amidst the growing threat of a Persian invasion, Kallian, a Spartan soldier, and his mentor, Aristion, must discreetly gather intel. When a kiss awakens a shared passion, Aristion pulls back. Despite their proximity, Kallian has not yet realized that Aristion is a century-old vrykolakas–an immortal Greek vampire. Aristion is hesitant to love a mortal, and while he could attempt to change Kallian, only one in fifty survive the transition from human to vrykolakas. With war looming and a forbidden and impossible romance growing, Aristion’s and Kallian’s lives and hearts hang in the balance.
Timoteu Montroig’s debut novel,
Shadow & Ash: Bloodbound reimagines history with vampires living and working alongside mortals. Instead of being an ominous entity living in the shadows and enslaved to bloodlust, the vrykolakas are neutral, only striking against those who seek to destroy them. Focusing more on their superhuman abilities, the narrative casts vampires in a positive light. I appreciate that the fantasy aspect was understated, making the world-building feel more realistic. Everyone is familiar with the valor of Sparta, and the addition of vampiric fantasy to Spartan history is captivating. The historical setting and magical realism set this novel apart. I would love to see this book become a series!
Shadow & Ash: Bloodbound is perfect for adult MM romance readers who savor a slow-burn, forbidden romance between a mentor and a mentee with a dash of the paranormal for flair.
Audience: adult
Trigger warnings: war, violence, death, animal hunting
Recommended for fans of: historical fantasy, MM romance, paranormal romance, vampires, Ancient Greece, Spartans, mentor/mentee romance, forbidden love, slow burn, LGBTQIA+
Publisher's Synopsis:
In a world where myth and reality collide, love defies all boundaries.
Shadow & Ash: Bloodbound transports readers to ancient Greece in an unforgettable gay historical romance, where Aristion—a
century-old vrykolakas (Greek vampire)—and Kallian, a fearless
young Spartan soldier, are bound by a forbidden yet unbreakable love. Their bond challenges the very laws of life and death, igniting a daring quest to transform Kallian into a vrykolakas—a journey fraught with danger, since few humans survive the
perilous path to immortality.
Amid Sparta’s brutal wars with the Achaemenid Empire of Persia, Aristion and Kallian must navigate a treacherous world filled with cunning allies, vengeful enemies, and ancient powers beyond comprehension. Every step tests their courage, their loyalty, and the strength of their love.
Can their bond transcend the boundaries of mortality, or will the shadows of fate tear them apart?
If you’re drawn to sweeping historical romances, thrilling action-adventures, or tales of forbidden love with a supernatural twist,
Shadow & Ash: Bloodbound will captivate you. It is a heart-pounding story of unyielding devotion intertwined with the inescapable pull of destiny—a perfect blend of epic romance with the timeless allure of immortal love. It promises an unforgettable experience for all fans of romance and Kindle Unlimited readers.
Source:
Kindle Unlimited
©White Raven Publishing: November 13, 2024
Edition: ebook
225 pages
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Shadow & Ash: Bloodbound on Kindle Unlimited!
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