Droknina eARC Review

GoodReads Blurb:

As the consort of the Prince of the Vampiri, Saphrona resolves not to lose her identity in Gideon’s shadowy world. Though she feels ever more drawn to him and sympathizes with his people’s struggle to emulate human compassion, she refuses to allow anything to threaten her autonomy. 

Gideon longs for Saphrona’s love, but he is reluctant to reveal the full reality of their new relationship, for fear it will drive an irrevocable wedge between them before he has a chance to win her heart. When Saphrona discovers his omission, it shatters her trust in him. 

Heartbroken, Gideon risks self-destruction to prove to Saphrona that her free will is sacred to him. Even as his gamble leads to a revelation that will bring them forever closer, the consequences of such a risk set the Followers on the path of war with Antonia and tragic betrayal in House Bloodstone.

Content Transparency Statement

1. This is hate-free fiction.

2. The Garden of Night Series contains:

(a) PG-13 rated sensuality

(b) R-rated violence

(c) Vampire characters. Some of them fall in love with humans. There will be talk of blood and biting one another.

Like Vampire stories?

Want an interesting vampire one set in a new world and is more like a Fantasy novel?

Like slow burning romances that make you ship harder?

How about a book where the female protagonist is a freakin sculptor and has a really strong personal/guild moral code she sticks to?

Cool beans. Let me drop Ghondatha at ya.

I was really unbelievably pleased with Ghondatha.

^ Staring my review for the sequel to Ghondatha in much the same way, so just leaving that there to entice you to read the first book’s review.

Droknina picks up where Ghondatha left off and it’s great, if you have the ability to just go from one to two, I would. The books aren’t very long and Ayres packs so much into these books and she paces them brilliantly. Her world building set the stage in book one and now she can focus on giving us more about the vampires, their plots, and their humans.

Ayres just enhances everything I loved in Ghondatha and this book was probably one of my favorite May reads so far.

Saphrona is still strong, but she is is no longer arming her heart to the teeth.

Gideon is the same little cinnamon roll, but we get to see more of his kind ways and the depth of his feelings for Saphrona.

We also get to see more of his ten (think of it as his royal council) and more of Bradley and Sheena which is great.

The story Ayres is weaving for us is intricate and layered, this is about the past and present, with a hope for the future.

I particularly enjoyed the Ferals in this book, and Saphrona’s kindness really just captured my whole admiration.

Sheena’s storyline is probably my favorite, but, I won’t say more, #nospoilers.

Antonia is badder than ever, and pushing her powers to the limit while all the while keeping her goal, Gideon, in mind.

Gideon and his followers want nothing more than to reclaim their humanity, to feel their hearts again but Antonia is pulling out all the stops to make sure Gideon is restored to his former ‘glory’ and under her influence once more.

The stakes are high and this is building up to be what I feel will be an intense third book and I can’t wait.

Pros:
– Strong female, and she has a heart of gold and sticks to her guns.
– Sheena really got the spotlight and I loved it.
– Complex relationship between humans and vampires that consort them, but we get into different issues in this book.
– The shared memories were amazing
– The book is short but it feels nice and full, and in fact you’ll want to dive right into the next book.
– Sheena and Bradley are still showing the different ways in which humans can be affected.
– I didn’t not see the few plot twists, they were brilliant.
– We got to see more Antonia just like I wanted AND more Qyva as I had hoped!

Cons:
– Still want more Leigh
– I really would have loved more Qyva but I don’t know, there could be more in book three, but I may just be greedy at this point lol.
– People may be put off by the fact that it has vampires in it.
– Pacing could feel too fast, but this series is meant to be exactly how it is, so, may not be for everyone.
– I would have loved a bit more time for Leigh and Saphrona to just reflect on their new lives but I did understand the shift from them to Saphrona and Gideon

Any Vampire book recs for me? Have you read Ayres books?

Toodles!