Revelations by Bella Higgin ARC Review!

 

Title: Revelations (Belle Morte #2)
Author: Bella Higgin
Publish Date: May 9, 2023
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Source: Huge thank you to Rachel @ Wattpad for providing me with an ARC for review!

Truth comes at a cost.

Ever since Renie Mayfield survived the merciless attack on Belle Morte that killed donors and vampires alike, she is forever changed. Now a vampire, the agonizing transformation of her body and mind is rivaled only by uncovering the horrific truth about her sister, June, who has escaped the mansion in her rabid form, adding even more chaos to Renie’s reality.

As the vampire responsible for Renie’s change, and now her distress, Edmond Dantes remains in his own desperate place. He’s confined in the secret cells of Belle Morte, awaiting the arrival of the council and the subsequent punishment for his actions. Edmond questions if what he did was right and deeply regrets what has become of his home.

Desperate to free Edmond, find June, and bring justice to whoever is behind the recent violence, Renie is out for blood in more ways than one. The smell of corruption is embedded in the walls of Belle More, but behind the walls are even more secrets that may lead to the truth and to justice.

Penelope's Review

We are back at Belle Morte! Kind of lol. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ BELLE MORTE YET, DON'T READ FURTHER. You've been warned.

So we finished the last book on quite the cliffhanger - Renie's a vampire, Edmond is locked up, and Etienne appears to be the evil mastermind behind it all. This book starts right where we left off and gathers speed from there. I like that it was fast-paced and I loved all the curve ball that get thrown in. There's nothing as exciting as a good plot twist, and this book has them in spades. 

I actually really like Renie as a character - she's strong and independent, and doesn't whine and complain. She sort of just learns to accept things, and moves on. It's quite refreshing for a YA series. Edmond is also great - he's sweet and in love, he'd do anything for Renie. I personally prefer my male leads to have a bit of a 'bad boy' streak, but Edmond's loyalty is definitely a draw. I also love the side characters - they added some great aspects to the book.

The writing itself is pretty good - it could use a little bit of tightening, it still comes off as a little bit 'debut-ish' but I can see a lot of potential with the writing style and look forward to following this author to see her progress and growth. 

Overall, this is a good book with a unique take on vampires. I'm not sure if this series is going to continue or if it's a duology - it could sort of go either way. I'm satisfied if this is the end, but I would also read a third book if that was happening as well. Either way, decent read that a lot of readers are going to enjoy!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!

Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert ARC Review!

 

Title: Court of the Vampire Queen
Author: Katee Robert
Publish Date: September 6th, 2022
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review! 

Three Powerfully Alluring Vampire Men

And One Queen to Rule Them All

All Mina ever wanted was to escape her father's control. Half human, half vampire, she lived eternally torn between two worlds, never fully experiencing the pleasures of either—until her father chose her as the pawn in his latest political move, gifting her to the darkly powerful and dangerously seductive Malachi Zion.

Malachi is not a vampire to be trifled with. He rules with an iron fist and has a reputation for the darkest of sins. But the longer Mina spends with him, the more she realizes he's not the monster she first thought—and as fear bleeds into lust, then trust, then something more, Malachi opens Mina up to a world she never knew could be hers for the taking: including the love of Malachi's two closest friends and companions.

Now surrounded by all three men, the center of their shockingly seductive world, Mina may finally have the power to face down her father and take back the life—and crown—that by all rights should be hers.

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN.

Penelope's Review

Ooohhh I love me some vampires! And this book has not 1, not 2, but 3!! THREE SEXY VAMPIRES! We start with one, then move into a threesome and eventually into a foursome and damn. Just damn. If you're into reverse harem, this one's for you!

Mina is a dhampir, so half-vampire half-human, and she's been sent by her father to Malachi to basically be a blood bag/sexual servant. We get off on a sexy note right from the beginning and we never really look back! Yes, there is a plot. And it's actually a decent plot! But if you came for the sex, you won't be disappointed. 

Our three vamps each have their own personality and I grew to love every one of them in their own way. They all brought a different perspective, and it made everything that much better. 

Could the plot have been fleshed out a bit more? Sure. Did I really care all that much because I was getting all of the steamy scenes my heart could imagine? Nope! Not a bit lol! 

Overall, it really was a decent read. I liked the characters, I liked the storyline, I liked the sex. It's a fun read! Dive in, you won't be disappointed if you know what you're getting into!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!

Belle Morte by Bella Higgin ARC Review!

 

Title: Belle Morte
Author: Bella Higgin
Publish Date: April 5th, 2022
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review!

There’s only one way out.

Belle Morte. One of five houses where vampires reside as celebrities and humans are paid to be their living donors. While others came here seeking fortune, I came in search of my sister who walked into Belle Morte five months ago . . . and never walked back out.

Now that I’m here, the secrets about this world have proven to be much bigger than I ever anticipated. And lurking around every corner are shocking insinuations of what happened to my sister.

There’s only one person who might have the answers I need, and the undeniable pull I feel toward him is terrifying: Edmond Dantès―a vampire, and my mortal enemy.

The harder I try to resist him, the further I fall under his spell. And in one instant my life is irrevocably changed. My past becomes prologue and my fate becomes sealed behind these doors.

Belle Morte has spoken. And it may never let me go.

Penelope's Review

Oof I am a SUCKER for vampire books and Belle Morte did not disappoint! At first, I was nervous that this would be a bit too similar to Twilight at its core, but honestly once I started reading I was like Edward and Bella who??? Lol which basically means that no, this is not a Twilight re-write. I found it unique and refreshing - I personally may have gone with a different name than Edmond simply due to the massive popularity of Edward but meh like I said, I wasn't thinking about Twilight at all while reading.

SO! We have vampires out in the open, and since their reveal 10 years ago, they have risen to the height of fame and become celebrities. They live around the word in various "vampire houses", each with a different name. This book is based on a UK vampire house called Belle Morte. Humans apply to these houses to become donors, and get paid very well for the honor. 

Renie was a headstrong, spirited girl with fire in her heart and a stubborn streak a mile long. She was loyal and determined and was more of an "act before you think" type of person which is always great in a book lol! Edmond was broody and sexy and stoic until he was vulnerable... yum. Everything I want in a male lead. He would do anything to protect Renie and it was swoon-worthy watching his devotion to her grow. 

I loved all the side characters - Roux and Jason were hilarious and amazing, I ended up liking Ysanne more and more the more I read, and I'm thinking we are going to see more Ludovic and Etienne in book 2 which is exciting for two very different reasons lol!

Overall, I think this was a really great debut! You need to go in expecting a YA vampire novel, otherwise you will be disappointed. You really do need to think along the lines of Twilight, not Dracula. (I'm not saying this is like Twilight, but that's the sort of vamp novel you need to go in expecting). I went in with  basic idea of what to expect and I ended up being really happy with what I read! I think the more this author develops her writing skills, the better her books are going to be and I'm really excited to watch her progress!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!