This was a very enthralling read and differed from the other vampire books I've read recently, which I loved. There was so much drama, action, betrayal, plotting, and scheming, and I was hooked.

Tatyana was really smart, determined, and strong-willed. Even knowing things could go either way, she still chose to gamble when it came to striking a deal with Oleg, and it paid off. She was always careful, and she delivered on her promises. Her attraction to Oleg was gradual, and while she was wary of him from the first moment, she became even more mindful once she found out about his true nature. But I liked that she didn't cower or back down even after she found out the truth. I also loved that she didn't wait around for others to save her, but she did everything she could to save herself.

I liked getting an understanding of Tatyana's relationship with the people in her life, although there were very few, but she knew she could count on them. Her relationship with her mother was complicated and not the best given her mother's struggles, but I still loved how her mother always came through and was the rock Tatyana needed while facing any uncertainties. They were a good team despite everything.

I was captivated by Oleg from that first page, and I only grew to like him more as the book progressed. He's a puzzle, and there's still so much left to learn about him, which I can't wait to get to. His interest in Tatyana was evident from the start, even when he tried to convince himself that it was only to get to Zara. But he was there for Tatyana every step of the way, always protecting her and unable to keep away from her even when he knew he should. I also enjoyed learning about his relationships with the different people in his life—his former mate, his daughter, his <i>Druzhina</i>, his employees, and obviously Tatyana. I also liked seeing his feral side come out, and watching him annihilate people to keep Tatyana safe was amazing.

The world-building was really interesting as the author blends a fantasy world along with our real world by creating some new cities and territories, which honestly made me understand and relate to this world better. The made-up parts were intriguing, and I loved discovering the new places and how they were detailed. The way book one ended, I'm waiting to see more of this world-building that will be continuing.

The book had so much going on, and it was riveting. I loved learning all about the vampires, the treaties, the rules, how their kind operates with each other and the humans. I liked the way the elements of nature were a part of the vampires, each one taking to a different element that defined their abilities.

The romance was a slow burn with everything else that was going on, and while they did get together, book one ends on a cliffhanger, and they still have a lot of navigating to do to figure out where they go from here. There are a lot of possibilities, so I'm waiting to see what happens next. The spice was good, though, and I enjoyed their chemistry and all the tension between them.

I loved Elene's character a lot and how she ran everything so effortlessly. She knew just what needed to be done, and there was no one—human or vampire—that could deter her.

I liked the side characters, and it took a while to get a hang of them, but they all added a lot to the plot, and I liked seeing their bonds with both Oleg and Tatyana. I'm hoping to see them in the next book and have more interactions with these two. 

The book ended in such an interesting way, and I'm so eager to find out what will happen next. Again, the possibilities seem endless at this point, and I don't know what trajectory their journey will take. I get why Tatyana did what she did, and I respect and admire her strength for pulling off everything given all the chaos and heightened emotions.

Thank you to Elizabeth Hunter and Valentine PR for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.