5 Lost Dagger Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️/5

This book is the type of book that you can't help but be sucked into and be enamoured by. With the multi-level layers of intricacies the story holds, it ends up as something that is both simultaneously gut-wrenching but also undeniably beautiful. At face value, it is a Fantasy that does draw on some standard tropes that are common in the genre.

However when you look deeper into the writing, a hauntingly elegant written story unfolds that is a traumatic and undeniably emotional journey. It is this aspect that made the book unforgettable.

This book follows Asher, who is the ward of the King and Queen of the Fae. Asher is bound by an overly loyal sense of duty and responsibility for her kingdom and her people, but she really craves love and acceptance. She hopes to be worthy and not feared. In so doing, she often lets her own feelings, aspirations, needs, wants, and dreams be left to the wayside to please those around her. Very quickly, though, Bellamy comes into her life and soon Asher is faced with questioning everything that she knows, the history that she's been told to believe. The motives of the family that has raised her and what her actual place in the world is.

If you LOVE a story that is primarily character-driven, you will love this as much as I did! I felt there wasn't as big of a plot focus as most of the story is dedicated to Asher's growth. She is undeniably real and very easy to relate to. Her growth as an individual is just beautifully commendable and captivating that I could not put this book down. I must warn you that her story is not an easy one to read, it's dark and painful. My heart broke for Asher and what she has to deal with.

The world-building in this is something to be commended on. There is a unique magic system, warring kingdoms with political intrigue. A rich complex but well-built history, a compelling world and FAE and DEMONS!

From a romance point of view, it was strange that this was the first time something I normally consider a book ick - "Instalove" (especially on Bellamy's part), was used as a plot element. There is this almost infatuation where he is utterly devoted to her and the reader is spectacularly taunted as to why. My advice is if you're like me and do not particularly like instalove, do not let the first 20% of the book dissuade you from reading the rest of the book. This sets the foundation for what is a really magnificent slow-burn romance. One where you will find yourself just as captivated with Bell as he is with Asher...

I also absolutely adored the side characters in this as well and how they all add to the development of a found family. Not only is there banter between Asher and Bellamy but with most of the characters she meets. I honestly felt like I knew each and every one of these characters, that is how well-developed, well-rounded and complete each of them felt.

Overall this was a wonderful debut from Brea Lamb, that I do not think anyone will not enjoy when they pick it up!!! AND GOSH...the number of thoughts, feelings and speculations I have reeling in my mind at the end of this has me begging for book 2 already and this one isn't fully released!

Of Night and Blood releases 1 May 2023!

Thank you Brea for an eARC in exchange for a review!
All thoughts and feelings are my own