My Review
*A Review by Farahilda*
Oh my stars, what a delightful surprise this vampire romance turned out to be! I stumbled across "Mark of the Vasirian" during one of my late-night bookstore wanderings (yes, I'm that person who lurks in bookshops until closing time), and I'm so glad I did. As someone who lived through the original vampire craze of the early 2000s, I was admittedly skeptical about another vampire romance, but this one actually brought something fresh to the genre.
I was immediately drawn into Blaire's story - her struggle really touched my heart. The author created this beautiful slow-burn romance that had me absolutely invested in the relationship between Blaire and Lukas. The tension! The pining! It was exactly what I needed. I particularly loved how the author handled the complex dynamics of trust and healing after trauma. As someone who's worked in counseling, I appreciated the sensitivity shown toward these themes.
The worldbuilding particularly caught my attention - it's not your typical vampire story. The concept of Korennas and the unique take on vampire mythology felt fresh and engaging. The inclusion of a map (I'm a sucker for fantasy maps!) helped ground this new world beautifully.
However, I did find myself wishing for more depth in certain areas. Some of the side characters felt a bit underdeveloped, and there were moments where the exposition felt a tad heavy-handed. I also noticed some repetitive writing patterns that could have been smoothed out with additional editing.
Despite these minor quibbles, I found myself completely absorbed in the story. I literally stayed up until 3 AM to finish it (and then had to explain to my cat why breakfast was late the next morning). The chemistry between the characters was electric, and the slow-burn romance was *chef's kiss* perfectly paced.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Especially if you enjoy vampire romance with actual substance, complex character development, and a dash of spice. It's perfect for readers who want their paranormal romance to have both heart and depth.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5 stars)
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Book Description
What if there was truth to the vampire myth? And what if your fate was bound to that truth?
Desperate to escape her abusive stepbrother, Blaire accepts a scholarship to the exclusive private university Blackthorn Academy. Surrounded by Vasirian—the root of vampire myth—Blaire fears she has traded one cage for another. She is marked as a Korrena, the fated mate of a Vasirian. While she is attracted to the mysterious Lukas, whose gruff exterior hides a lonely heart, the expected ritual for the bond repels her. No one can guarantee her safety; a match between a Vasirian and a human is unprecedented. If she leaves Blackthorn, she could be killed, yet if she stays, Lukas could unintentionally drain her of life.
Facing danger by stepping into a den of monsters may be the only way for her to truly be free.
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Mark of the Vasirian is the debut full-length (nearly 120k words) new adult paranormal romance by author Stephanie Denne that is the first of a long series filled with mystery, magic, and love that stands against everything the supernatural world can throw at it. No cliffhanger, but you'll be left wondering what happens next! And of course, this dark fantasy romance series has a HEA, with spin-off series to come.
The dark and mysterious world of the Blackthorn Saga is a new take on vampire romance in an academy setting complete with a king and his court, fated mates, magic, and more! This series is for you if you enjoy a paranormal romance with a human female lead that overcomes her past to find where she truly belongs in a fantasy world filled with supernatural creatures.
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Author's Note: 18+ This series contains content that may be unsuitable for certain readers. To learn more about content warnings in the author's work, please visit her website.
Stephanie Denne is an author of Paranormal Romance and Dark Fantasy for new adults and adults. Her debut new adult novel Mark of the Vasirian, the first in a long saga, released January 2023.
Inspired by art and music, she felt the need to give life to character's that had been rolling around in her mind for 12 years. Never having written anything before, when she sat down and started drafting, she discovered that she had a passion for the craft and the story naturally grew into something much bigger than she could fit into one book—much less five, or even one series!
Born in the United States of America in the Southeast, Stephanie now has called Ontario, Canada her home since 2011. When not writing, she can be found reading her favorite stories, playing video games with her husband, painting with watercolor, or cuddling with her Golden Retrievers. But not the cat—the cat has her own agenda.
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