A review by words_and_dreams
Blood Mercy by Vela Roth
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Forbidden fantasy romance
Vela Roth has created a fully realised world, rich in detail, lore and history.
The story follows Cassia, the bastard daughter of the King of Tenebra, who is a cruel tyrant. (Seriously he is the worst.) She spends her life staying hidden and out of the way, to ensure her own survival at a dangerous court.
She meets Lio, a Hesperine ambassador, who is this worlds version of a vampire. Vampires in this story are not what you have seen or read before. They are wise, benevolent and at one with nature, I really liked the characterisation of their people.
Cassia was strong and resourceful and has had to endure much. While it takes a while to earn her trust, once you do, she is fiercely loyal. Lio is kind and patient and I loved how their relationship took time to grow. I love how Cassia grows from thinking of only her own survival to that of other people who are also under her father's thumb. Lio goes from idealistic ambassador to seeing the pain and suffering in the world and why someone like Cassia is so weary and pessimistic.
The story is full of court intrigue, political machinations, themes of racial prejudice and magic. There is also a great cast of background characters that add to the world without being too much. This is part one of four so the story is not resolved by the end and you really feel for the couples predicament. Cannot wait to read the next installment.
The authors writing is poetic and lyrical without being too flowery or bogged down by unnecessary words. The world feels beautiful and melancholic at the same time.
My only critique is that the first part of the book is a little slow and quite heavy in exposition where one character is explaining their culture to another. I feel as though it could have been edited down a little.
Fab read, beautiful love story. Looking forward to more.
Vela Roth has created a fully realised world, rich in detail, lore and history.
The story follows Cassia, the bastard daughter of the King of Tenebra, who is a cruel tyrant. (Seriously he is the worst.) She spends her life staying hidden and out of the way, to ensure her own survival at a dangerous court.
She meets Lio, a Hesperine ambassador, who is this worlds version of a vampire. Vampires in this story are not what you have seen or read before. They are wise, benevolent and at one with nature, I really liked the characterisation of their people.
Cassia was strong and resourceful and has had to endure much. While it takes a while to earn her trust, once you do, she is fiercely loyal. Lio is kind and patient and I loved how their relationship took time to grow. I love how Cassia grows from thinking of only her own survival to that of other people who are also under her father's thumb. Lio goes from idealistic ambassador to seeing the pain and suffering in the world and why someone like Cassia is so weary and pessimistic.
The story is full of court intrigue, political machinations, themes of racial prejudice and magic. There is also a great cast of background characters that add to the world without being too much. This is part one of four so the story is not resolved by the end and you really feel for the couples predicament. Cannot wait to read the next installment.
The authors writing is poetic and lyrical without being too flowery or bogged down by unnecessary words. The world feels beautiful and melancholic at the same time.
My only critique is that the first part of the book is a little slow and quite heavy in exposition where one character is explaining their culture to another. I feel as though it could have been edited down a little.
Fab read, beautiful love story. Looking forward to more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Blood and War
Minor: Death of parent and Death