soulfullyalex's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to @mybiggaybooktour and Kristin Jacques for an e-copy of this book for participation in a book tour.
This is a book about a young Prospective of a Society that hunts and kills vampires to protect humanity, however when he arrives in Cress Haven to hunt down a fiend Johnathan Newman discovers that things are not exactly what they seem. Johnathan finds an ally in Vic, the vampire that he thought he was in Cress Haven to kill.
Now, I am going to be perfectly honest in saying that I have loved vampires for most of my life so I am always biased when it comes to a vampire book. However, this book has me feral and in a chokehold. I absolutely adore Johnathan. He is young and has had so much trauma in his life, he is trying to prove himself to everyone around him, and honestly he could use a friend. Vic is also amazing. While he is a vampire, he is a gentleman and cares deeply for the town he lives in and the people he calls friends.
I loved Vic and Johnathan together. Their immediate banter and Johnathan's hate for Vic is palpable and incredible. I loved seeming them work together and make a very tense truce between them. Aside from their relationship and the slow burn the absolute VIBES of this book are everything to me. I absolutely adore dark, ancient, creeping vibes that books with ancient evils have and this one gives me the vibes that the forest is always watching and the danger is bigger than originally perceived.
I don't want to give any spoilers, but the direction that this book took was absolutely everything for me. I loved watching Johnathan solve this mystery and discover all the secrets that were being kept from him. I loved watching him learn more about himself and the horrors about the world around him. I loved the darkness and the creeping ancient forest. I loved the myths and magic that were weaved into this book. I am absolutely feral for Johnathan and Vic and I can't wait to see what happens next in this series.
nerdydreamer107's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you to My Big Gay Book Tours and the author for a free eARC. This does not influence my opinion.
This was a really good read, I loved the mystery aspect and diving into the mythologies.
The characters were three-dimensional and I really cared for them by the end (or hated some of the others), especially Alyse has my heart (but honestly, all three of them do).
The book was frustrating at times, because the characters just wouldn’t communicate, but at least that had a supernatural reason, so it’s kinda fine and must have been much more frustrating to them than to the readers.
The plot was also great, lots of foreshadowing and well thought-out mysteries. Sadly, the ending was a bit rushed and we didn’t get all the answers or the characters simply didn’t tell us the conclusions they came to. I’m a bit scared they will just jump right over them as knowledge we should already have in future installments, but we don’t. But I guess we’ll see, time to stay optimistic, also I can always just reread if I feel like I’m missing something. And this is a book that I plan on rereading (aka a really good read).
Also, I really thought the ending was gonna go another way for a minute there, that really scared me. Well done!
I read part of the book to my cats (they wanted to hear my voice, I wanted to read, it’s a great compromise) and they seemed to enjoy it too. At least they were staring at me fascinated. In my books, that counts as enjoying the book.
So overall, an interesting and enjoyable read.
dbguide2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As I’ve said countless of times before – one mark of a good book is when I don’t realise how much I’m reading until I make myself stop and it’s like 40% or I’ve just finished the entire book. Glad to say this was one of those cases. Also I’m glad that I’ve had a couple of those experiences in my read book for this year. Makes up for the not good experiences that I unfortunately had to endure.
Johnathan Newman, a vampire hunter, newly assigned to a small town, was a good main character to follow. He’s smart, empathetic, and has a sad backstory. The sad backstory wasn’t a reason for me to like him, I’m not that kind of reader; but it allowed us to get to know him really well.
I liked Vic. I liked how he appeared to be all mysterious in the beginning and how he reveals his personality through Johnathan. Not only does that mean Johnathan gets to know him but we as the reader get to know the both of them (as they reveal themselves to each other). Plus we see their relationship growing.
I definitely want to read the sequel to see their relationship grow. I think Jacques did a good job of forming it and hopefully more cute moments will appear in the future. Luckily I’m able to get the sequel from the same site (StoryOrigin) so I hope I can read it soon.
I really enjoyed the plot in this! I thought it would go one way, be abc and then it was entirely upside down and I couldn’t predict like I thought I would be able to. I actually prefer these to the books where I can predict what happens. I hope that the next book also has a plot where I don’t really get to predict it.
Johnathan Newman, a vampire hunter, newly assigned to a small town, was a good main character to follow. He’s smart, empathetic, and has a sad backstory. The sad backstory wasn’t a reason for me to like him, I’m not that kind of reader; but it allowed us to get to know him really well.
I liked Vic. I liked how he appeared to be all mysterious in the beginning and how he reveals his personality through Johnathan. Not only does that mean Johnathan gets to know him but we as the reader get to know the both of them (as they reveal themselves to each other). Plus we see their relationship growing.
I definitely want to read the sequel to see their relationship grow. I think Jacques did a good job of forming it and hopefully more cute moments will appear in the future. Luckily I’m able to get the sequel from the same site (StoryOrigin) so I hope I can read it soon.
I really enjoyed the plot in this! I thought it would go one way, be abc and then it was entirely upside down and I couldn’t predict like I thought I would be able to. I actually prefer these to the books where I can predict what happens. I hope that the next book also has a plot where I don’t really get to predict it.
bookobsessedfamily's review against another edition
5.0
Jonathan is a novice vampire hunter. As part of the conclusion to his training he is tasked with getting rid of the vampire in Cress Haven. Once he sees the body of the first victim though, he knows it's not a vampire he's hunting.
Jonathan teams up with locals Vic and Alyse to try to find out who, or what, is killing young girls. Will they find the answers they need before someone else dies?
----
As mentioned, there is some MM romance, but no steam, mostly just some kissing and s3xual tension. I wouldn't consider this romance as the plot takes precedence and the romance seems to be more of an add on. There is a lot of gore and death as well.
I enjoyed this book a lot. There was a lot going on and it was very fast paced. There were also a lot of twists that I didn't see coming.
There's some mystery mixed in with everything and the ending was something I didn't see coming. Because of the ending, I can't wait to read the next book, but it's not a huge cliffhanger.
Jonathan teams up with locals Vic and Alyse to try to find out who, or what, is killing young girls. Will they find the answers they need before someone else dies?
----
As mentioned, there is some MM romance, but no steam, mostly just some kissing and s3xual tension. I wouldn't consider this romance as the plot takes precedence and the romance seems to be more of an add on. There is a lot of gore and death as well.
I enjoyed this book a lot. There was a lot going on and it was very fast paced. There were also a lot of twists that I didn't see coming.
There's some mystery mixed in with everything and the ending was something I didn't see coming. Because of the ending, I can't wait to read the next book, but it's not a huge cliffhanger.
conchanna's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
itsabookthing2021's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Thanks to Equality Book Tours for the eARC, my review is my unbias opinion.
I've been wanting to read A Bargain of Blood and Gold for awhile, so I jumped at the chance of being on this Review tour.
A Bargain of Blood and Gold is a unique story, there's so much going on that I felt I was wrapped up in a whirlwind and carried along for the ride.
The writing is great and it really builds up the world and characters, the setting and era lends well to the plot and I thought it was all created really well.
I really enjoyed the characters and was intrigued by Johnathan the vampire/monster hunter of sorts. He felt conflicted at times, he had trained to be this hunter but he seemed inexperienced. Though that's not a negative as i felt it made his character well rounded.
Vic for me was mysterious to start with and then the revelation of who he is, I thought was great and I really liked his and Johnathan's relationship.
The storyline was great and I really had me hooked, I liked how it played out and I really wasn't expecting all of that!!
I really look forward to reading book 2, I need to know how it all pans out for Johnathan.
I've been wanting to read A Bargain of Blood and Gold for awhile, so I jumped at the chance of being on this Review tour.
A Bargain of Blood and Gold is a unique story, there's so much going on that I felt I was wrapped up in a whirlwind and carried along for the ride.
The writing is great and it really builds up the world and characters, the setting and era lends well to the plot and I thought it was all created really well.
I really enjoyed the characters and was intrigued by Johnathan the vampire/monster hunter of sorts. He felt conflicted at times, he had trained to be this hunter but he seemed inexperienced. Though that's not a negative as i felt it made his character well rounded.
Vic for me was mysterious to start with and then the revelation of who he is, I thought was great and I really liked his and Johnathan's relationship.
The storyline was great and I really had me hooked, I liked how it played out and I really wasn't expecting all of that!!
I really look forward to reading book 2, I need to know how it all pans out for Johnathan.
book_geek15's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to the author Kristin Jacques for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for a review.
I just want to start off by saying I love everything the author has written and A Bargain of Blood and Gold (referred to as ABBG) was no exception. I had been looking for my next mystery/detective read and this one had the bonus of including vampires. So it was a win all around.
I’ll start with the characters, Johnathan and Vic were both very compelling characters for different reasons. Johnathan’s backstory pulled at my heartstrings, and watching him find happiness by the end of the book was one of my favorite parts of the story. And Vic was that perfect mix of charm and genuine compassion that always makes the character an automatic favorite.
Overall the plot of ABBG had a steady pace and never really hit a slow point. I was occasionally confused by certain lore points/mythic connections but I think they will be expanded upon in the next book. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and can’t wait to see what’s in store for Vic and Johnathan in book two!
I just want to start off by saying I love everything the author has written and A Bargain of Blood and Gold (referred to as ABBG) was no exception. I had been looking for my next mystery/detective read and this one had the bonus of including vampires. So it was a win all around.
I’ll start with the characters, Johnathan and Vic were both very compelling characters for different reasons. Johnathan’s backstory pulled at my heartstrings, and watching him find happiness by the end of the book was one of my favorite parts of the story. And Vic was that perfect mix of charm and genuine compassion that always makes the character an automatic favorite.
Overall the plot of ABBG had a steady pace and never really hit a slow point. I was occasionally confused by certain lore points/mythic connections but I think they will be expanded upon in the next book. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and can’t wait to see what’s in store for Vic and Johnathan in book two!
queerlyreading's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for sending me an electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
A Bargain of Blood and Gold by Kristin Jacques is a supernatural mystery that features a gay romance, vampires and more twists and turns than I was expecting!
This novel follows Jonathan, a novice vampire hunter on his first real mission, as he arrives in the mysterious town of Cress Haven. A bumpy first arrival leads him to form an unlikely partnership with Vic, a handsome young man that seems to know everyone in town.
Vic is more than he first appears, however. As the pair work together to solve the mystery that’s befallen on Cress Haven, old secrets come to light. When Vic is revealed to be a vampire, he has to fight his attraction to a man tasked with destroying him, while Jonathan’s own past surfaces and long-buried feelings mix with new forbidden desires.
Even if Vic isn’t the murderer, how can Johnathan yearn for his natural enemy?
As the two of them face terrifying encounters with even more terrifying beings, Jonathan learns the world is a stranger place than he knew. As this mystery unfolds, Jonathan learns that those he once trusted have far darker intentions than he ever could have imagined, while Vic has to confront his feelings for the hunter.
Cress Haven holds more sinister secrets than its resident vampire. It holds a secret so great, it could unleash Hell itself.
A Bargain of Blood and Gold is a beautifully written novel, and from a technical standpoint, I found this period piece exceptionally well done. It was vivid and bright, and I was able to follow the story visually in an enjoyable and engaging way with Jacques’ use of language. The characters were well-rounded and complex, and not only because of the multitude of secrets they all seemed to carry.
I really, really enjoyed Jonathan. At his core, this vampire hunter is a loving, caring man who just wants to keep others safe. He’s young, naive, and… well, he’s on his graduation mission, and let's just say he could use a few more classes. But, he’s brave. Endlessly so. He has such a big heart, and he really will go to the ends of the earth to protect those he loves.
And while he carries the burden of a dark past, I enjoyed Jonathan’s constant determination to do good.
Vic was another lovely character, though one who spent some of the book shrouded in mystery. When that mystery is pulled away to reveal who he truly is, however, we learn that Vic isn’t what he seems and he certainly isn’t what Jonathan was taught to believe. Through Vic, we get a compelling look at what makes us human.
Another key player is the fearless Alyse, and I really hope to see more of her in the future.
With that said… I found this book to be a difficult read.
I have to admit, the constant mystery of this book was something I didn’t enjoy. I felt like I never knew what was going on. Every answer we got came with another question, and as the story unfolded, I almost felt like I couldn’t, and didn’t want to, keep up with what was going on.
I thought this was a story about a vampire hunter who falls in love with a vampire. And while it IS a story about that, it’s also a story about monsters, magic, and mystery beyond anything I—or our characters—could have imagined when this book started. With a hefty dose of betrayal and heartache on top.
Beyond that, I would have enjoyed a softer ending. Our heroes win, and then… well, then it’s done. With only two exceptionally short chapters to wrap up the novel, I felt like I didn’t get a moment of luxuriating in their victory like I wanted to. This is definitely a bit of a personal preference, but after everything Jonathan and Vic went through, I would have enjoyed some more time with them at the end.
However, if you enjoy paranormal mystery, I truly think you’ll love this book. The romance is a bit of a back-burner to the twisty and turny plot, but is still well done and built up beautifully. Jacques’ writing is lovely, and the characters in this novel are bold, brash, and painted in colourful strokes of humanity!
A Bargain of Blood and Gold by Kristin Jacques is a supernatural mystery that features a gay romance, vampires and more twists and turns than I was expecting!
This novel follows Jonathan, a novice vampire hunter on his first real mission, as he arrives in the mysterious town of Cress Haven. A bumpy first arrival leads him to form an unlikely partnership with Vic, a handsome young man that seems to know everyone in town.
Vic is more than he first appears, however. As the pair work together to solve the mystery that’s befallen on Cress Haven, old secrets come to light. When Vic is revealed to be a vampire, he has to fight his attraction to a man tasked with destroying him, while Jonathan’s own past surfaces and long-buried feelings mix with new forbidden desires.
Even if Vic isn’t the murderer, how can Johnathan yearn for his natural enemy?
As the two of them face terrifying encounters with even more terrifying beings, Jonathan learns the world is a stranger place than he knew. As this mystery unfolds, Jonathan learns that those he once trusted have far darker intentions than he ever could have imagined, while Vic has to confront his feelings for the hunter.
Cress Haven holds more sinister secrets than its resident vampire. It holds a secret so great, it could unleash Hell itself.
A Bargain of Blood and Gold is a beautifully written novel, and from a technical standpoint, I found this period piece exceptionally well done. It was vivid and bright, and I was able to follow the story visually in an enjoyable and engaging way with Jacques’ use of language. The characters were well-rounded and complex, and not only because of the multitude of secrets they all seemed to carry.
I really, really enjoyed Jonathan. At his core, this vampire hunter is a loving, caring man who just wants to keep others safe. He’s young, naive, and… well, he’s on his graduation mission, and let's just say he could use a few more classes. But, he’s brave. Endlessly so. He has such a big heart, and he really will go to the ends of the earth to protect those he loves.
And while he carries the burden of a dark past, I enjoyed Jonathan’s constant determination to do good.
Vic was another lovely character, though one who spent some of the book shrouded in mystery. When that mystery is pulled away to reveal who he truly is, however, we learn that Vic isn’t what he seems and he certainly isn’t what Jonathan was taught to believe. Through Vic, we get a compelling look at what makes us human.
Another key player is the fearless Alyse, and I really hope to see more of her in the future.
With that said… I found this book to be a difficult read.
I have to admit, the constant mystery of this book was something I didn’t enjoy. I felt like I never knew what was going on. Every answer we got came with another question, and as the story unfolded, I almost felt like I couldn’t, and didn’t want to, keep up with what was going on.
I thought this was a story about a vampire hunter who falls in love with a vampire. And while it IS a story about that, it’s also a story about monsters, magic, and mystery beyond anything I—or our characters—could have imagined when this book started. With a hefty dose of betrayal and heartache on top.
Beyond that, I would have enjoyed a softer ending. Our heroes win, and then… well, then it’s done. With only two exceptionally short chapters to wrap up the novel, I felt like I didn’t get a moment of luxuriating in their victory like I wanted to. This is definitely a bit of a personal preference, but after everything Jonathan and Vic went through, I would have enjoyed some more time with them at the end.
However, if you enjoy paranormal mystery, I truly think you’ll love this book. The romance is a bit of a back-burner to the twisty and turny plot, but is still well done and built up beautifully. Jacques’ writing is lovely, and the characters in this novel are bold, brash, and painted in colourful strokes of humanity!