In the Stratocracy of Cain, vampires are the ruling class and humans, of whom there is a shortage, are seen as nothing more than supply units of blood. Wavorly Sterling was born outside of Cain and doesn't agree with the status quo and has dreams of escape.

Quick's vision of a world where vampires are another species and rule with cruelty is an intriguing one however the writing was a little archaic in places as well feeling as though there were too many elements to the story. I found the beginning very difficult to get into as Wavorly did not have a believable voice, despite her view that humans were more than just "supply units", she constantly referred to them as such. As I got into the story, I found myself really enjoying it (and using the dictionary function on my Kindle also helped!) and I was into the cliche romance. Then... then, *sigh* the whole book was turned on its head with barely 15% left of the book. Suddenly nothing is quite as it seems and there is a bizarre prophecy and superpowers? I mostly felt disappointed as I had no idea that this book was the start of a series.

I honestly don't know if I will be reading further novels in this series; on one hand I didn't enjoy it as much as I had expected but on the other hand, I feel invested in the romance and am intrigued about what is to come.

Ahhhh I needed a vampire book so bad. It does have many of the YA vampire book tropes but I have to admit I still enjoyed it. The enslavement was somewhat troubling though and I had a difficult time during those parts. However, the twist at the end has me DEAD!!!!

This book was fast-paced, full of steamy slow-burn romance, and action! So much action! I was into Wavorly and her strong-willed personality from the moment she appeared on the page. Zein was angsty and mysteriously, and was everything I was looking for in a broody vampire love interest. I need the next book immediately!!!

Unfortunately I don't think this one is for me, and is currently a DNF. I may come back to it at a later date, but I'm really not clicking with the writing style, and currently I have no idea what is going on with the plot, and have no real attachment to the characters. This is obviously something that would come further into the book I'm sure and I think other people will definitely love this one, but for me right now, I'm not enjoying it enough to continue.
The premise is interesting and there have been a few interesting moments, so, I may pick it back up, and I hope other people love it more than I am!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of A Violet Fire by Kelsey Quick in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I found this book very quick to get into and hard to put down. Wavorly Sterling is a human held captive in Cain for the purpose of providing blood to vampire Anton Zein. Things are not always as they appear and this book is not without it's surprises.

Wavorly is enslaved to the vampire who killed her family, but it's complicated. Or IS IT? In Quick's world, vampires rule, and humans are supply units. They were bred to it, though, so they don't mind. They consider it a duty, or even an honor. But Wavorly wasn't raised that way, and she considers it slavery, even if she feels close to her captor, Zein. Zein appreciates Wavorly's independence. Do they love each other? Is that possible in such an unequal relationship? These are the questions brought up in Quick's vampire series. Maybe not the newest concept, but one that is openly and questioningly explored.

Loved reading the fabulous and fantastic first book in the Vampires in Avignon series. Waverly, a blood bond servant, has one goal, to escape the vampires of Cain, but when Anton Zein takes her into his castle as one of his special blood bond servants, Waverly's goals aren't so clear. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, full of suspense and action, and a must read paranormal story. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I reviewed a copy of the book through NetGalley.

Not sure what this says about me, but I wasn't appalled by the idea of a future world ruled by vampires. Kelsey Quick did a decent job of creating a fairly believable world. It wasn't a stretch to believe in synthetic blood, breeding farms to supply fresh blood to elite vampires, vampire politics. Unfortunately, she didn't make a heroine that I really liked, not a rebellion I could really stand with.

Woah! These are not your sparkly vampires!

Vampires rule over humans. Having turned humans into an endangered species, vampires now breed humans and keep them in compounds, where they are trained how best to serve their vampire house as a ‘supply unit’. Waverly, our heroine, is one of the few humans who lived free before being brought to the compound by Lord Zein. She understandably struggles with this enslavement and despite attempts to train her to be a good supply unit, she remains determined to escape to be free again. Although at times I thought subtlety might serve her better, I admired that she was able to stay true to herself. She was gung ho and prepared to act, despite possible consequences to herself. She’s absolutely prepared to take risks to do what she believes in. Other interesting characters are Gemini, Savvy and Zein.

Although unlike a previous reviewer I did realise this was the first in a series, I agree with them that the overarching plot of the series took a while to emerge, but in the meantime there was a lot of very compelling world building to engross the reader. A good read.

I love some vampire books and just don't like some of them. It is not my favorite genre but when I find a series I like I go all in. I found this with 'A Violet Fire". While it does have some of the typical worldbuilding we would associate with vampires, there are some new ones that I did not see coming, Wavorly is a blood slave one of the humans who has been bred for generations to provide blood for the rich. As she faces her fears and doubts and her emotions towards her master, this book takes you on a fantastical journey.

**Thank you to Kelsey Quick and Netgalley for an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Welcome to the world of Cain, where vampires are in charge and humans are blood slaves called "supply units" that are bred from birth to be pliable, submissive, and utterly in love with the vampires. I mean serious brainwashing here. There is a limited supply of supply units so only the greatest of vampires are able to own them. Wavorly used to be a free-roamer, a human from a separate colony, unmarred by vampires. When her whole town is slaughtered by vampires, she is saved and brought to the Nightingale but a seemingly "nice" vampire. The Nightingale is a school meant to teach supply units how to be better at their job of feeding vampires and being utterly enslaved.

Wavorly is the only one who doesn't agree with how life is going for humans. She is the opposite of pliable, submissive, and in love with vampires. But, her owner, Lord Anton Zein continues to keep her alive even with all her attempts to escape. When she is brought to live in Zein's castle, she starts to have empathy for vampires and her feelings begin to change. However, things are not always as they seem...

I'm generally always a fan of vampires books, and I definitely enjoyed A Violet Fire. Wavorly is feisty and doesn't have a filter for what she says at all. She makes mistakes, but she owns them and that's about all you can do. She is trying to make the best of a situation that she has no control over but desperately wants to change.

The plot was solid, however I felt the love story was too quick and happened abruptly. Very much the enemies to lovers trope for those who enjoy that, I know I do. There was a good cliffhanger on at the end that leaves you questioning what is real and what isn't - and I'm sure Wavorly is too.

If you love enemies to lovers and vampire stories, A Violet Fire will be for you.

DNF at 39%
I received this book as an e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts and opinions are my own!
I was obsessed with vampire books back in Twilight days, so I thought I'd give this one a try, and Netgalley was kind enough to gift me an e-ARC. I had no problem with it in terms of prose - in my opinion, Quick is a good craftswoman, and Wavorly's voice is distinct, but I did not find her dilemmas compelling.
Wavorly was born as a free human in a world in which most of humanity is bred since birth by vampires to be their blood supply. she was captured as a little girl by Zein, one of the most influential vampires of Cain, and then raised in a school of "supply units", amongst those other humans favoured by the high and mighty. we see glimpses of Wavorly's past life in flashbacks and memories, and she even speaks French with her only friend, Savvy, an indication of her life before, but I simply could not bring myself to care about her and everything she was going through. the worldbuilding also wasn't my cup of tea - I thought it was too dark and grim for only Wavorly to take notice, and the book gave me the impression that it will be largely about female rivalry, which irks me a little,

Apparently vampires are making a comeback? Anyway this was a better example of those who went on to combine Twilight with a dystopian setting (although don’t believe it compares to the Handmaid’s Tale – that is a bizarre comparison.) I confess I wasn’t massively invested in the characters but I enjoyed the story for the most part. I think if you’re looking for something to scratch the Twilight itch then this would do it.

Thank you to netgalley.co.uk for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I'm not sure what I was thinking when I read the synopsis, at first it did look something that intrigued me and honestly I'm trying to remember what first attracted me to this book but in truth, I requested the book quite a long time ago.
In all honesty, this book was different from other vampire books I had read before, however, it still fell sort of flat for me. While I was reading, it felt almost like the author had taken whatever had been popular for the last few years, for example, vampires, dystopian and manipulating partners that are meant to be so romantic and the perfect person for you, and successfully attempted to mash them all together. I felt like there was too much trying to go on.
I wasn't keen on the main character, Waverly and at a time throughout the novel felt so frustrated by her lack of change, I don't know if this was intentional but I don't like novels like that. The only reason that I gave this book three stars was for the novel's setting, it seemed quite interesting. As well as that, I believe that this book had a lot of potential but it just fell flat for me.

First: I got this copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
4.5 stars rounded up. Would highly recommend if you want more vampires in your life with good world building.


Definitely one of the better vampire books and hopefully this does lead to a big trend of vampires again. The love interest isn’t absolute garbage and the world building is actually very good, like I’d want more set in this world.

The MC actually has a personality and it was not insta-Love. It takes a solid chunk of the book before the lovey stuff sets in. There is an interesting internal dynamic the main character deals with, and I think it does a good job of showing how a human would feel in this world.


Ok so I’ll say like 80% of the this book was extremely good. The last 20% I’m still undecided on, mostly because I am still thinking of how I feel about them. A plot twist happens, and I just don’t know how I feel about it. It made me interested in the sequel but, the sequel would have to be handled VERY well to make to set up work.

I am mildly annoyed it pulled one of my least favorite romance tropes, but I know how it will end so I guess I can’t really complaint

I am a closeted fan of vampire books, especially the YA genre, but if anybody asks me I'll deny it.

I watch the Twilight movies every. single. time. I see them on the guide, much to the chagrin of my bf. Again, I'll deny this fact.

And A Violet Fire is exactly why I'm such a fan of the genre.

It's not so much of an original storyline as it does have the typical ingredients: super hot vampire dude, willful chick who is, at first, immune to his wicked charms. However, I was pleasantly surprised that that is where the stereotypes end in this book.

This story revolves around blood slaves which is especially awesome in my book.... errrr... I mean this book. Whatever. I would totallyyy be a blood slave. In the cerebral words of Paris Hilton, "that's hot".

"Enslavement is still enslavement, no matter how soft the chains."

See? Totally hot.

Unlike typical vampire stories, vampires don't hide in the dark in this book, they rule the world. Muahahahaha 🦇

I appreciate that vampires are the only creepy peeps walking the earth in this story because I'm not particularly fond of mixing my paranormal monsters. I'm a snob that way.

There's a twist at the cliffhanger end that I didn't see coming. To be honest, I didn't even know I should have been looking for one.

Kelsey Quick's writing flows swiftly, never getting bogged down with superfluous page fillers. Easily a one sitting type of read.

I am totally invested in this story and will be awaiting the second book with cold blood-tinged bated breath.

Oh... and look at that cover. That's hot, right?


** I was provided an ARC from the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. **

Solid 4/5 stars!

When I received an ARC for this, I was so excited to dig in. I'm always searching for new vampire novels, and i find that indie authors are the best places to look. The synopsis sounded really interesting and similar, but still very different, to other books I have read.

Waverly is not your typical female MC. She's strong-willed, foul-mouthed, and knows just how oppressed the human race actually is. While all the humans have been brought up to serve their vampire masters, Wave knows exactly how it feels to have your freedom stripped from you. She's defiant, and I loved nearly every moment with her character. Lord Zein, the vampire who oh so graciously rescued her from a vampire attack when she was 8, brings her into his castle to be a part of his bloody supply unit. He has always taken special interests in her, and has never severely punished her for her misbehaving in the past when others would be dealt with for less.

We learn more about them as the book goes on, delving deeper in Wave's past, as well as seeing another side of Zein we didn't expect. While I found their character developments to be the main focus, it did drag around the 70% mark. We had a change of setting and some scenes felt a bit out of place. However, it was only for about 10% of the book before it all quickly built back up. We have a calm before the storm, before a very explosive and emotional ending. The beginnings of the climax were felt to be forced, but once the ball got rolling it was hard to put down. Needless to sat, I am very much looking forward to the next book! The sneak peak included for the next book had only confirmed my speculations, and I'm very excited to read it!

ARC provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this book. The writing style, the story line, and all of the characters. I’m so glad I got an opportunity to read this story..

I recieved an ARC of this book from the publisher through Netgalley for a review. All opinions are my own.


This story is about a teenager named Wavorly Sterling. She use to live in Avignon, France. Which was over run by rogue vampires and killed everyone she ever known. One of the five purebloods saved her and after that owned her. His name was Lord Anton Zein. After he rescued her he put her in Nightingale school. Which is a training center to be a blood supply for one of the five Leaders of Cain. Wavorly finally meets him again 10 years later.

Wavorly is different from the rest of the supply units given that she was once free. So she knows she is a slave. She always longs to be free and will do anything to be free. The rest have been bred and brainwashed to serve their masters. To them nothing else matters but making their masters happy. They dont understand why she wants to escape so bad. Just about all supply in Nightingale comes from Saya. Which is a breeding house for when supply units dont have any value to the lords of cain. So they have babies until they can anymore.

This is the first vampire novel I've read in a long time and I enjoyed every second of it. The story pulled me in immediately and made me want to keep reading. I really liked the writing and the story is very well developed. The characters are well rounded and very well describe. You ever get to know and learn about the supporting characters. I just loved everything about this story and can't wait for the second book come out.

*Received a free e-copy from Net-galley in exchange for an honest review!*

Real rating: 2.5/5 stars.

Wavorly still remembers life outside of Cain, the vampiric city where humans are treated as little more than cattle to sate the thirst of their vampiric overlords. Her rebellious nature catches the attention of Lord Zein, one of the five lords of Cain, thus sparking a tumultuous romance at war with the rage in her heart. Oh, and there's magic too!

A Violet Fire is full of all the classic vampire love story tropes: a spitfire protagonist who defies her captors at every turn, a cruel yet sympathetic vampire lover/overlord, said vampire picking the protagonist over all of the other women in his harem, etc. If you take it for a fun vampire romance, it's decent. I found Zein to be interesting and the romantic scenes suitably steamy. I especially appreciated the female camaraderie that formed despite the circumstances, as even the "bitchy rivals" have depth and nuance that Wavorly can recognize. I was glad that the author took this route instead of allowing the rival girls to be flat minor antagonists who are just here to bully the protagonist. I appreciate that Wavorly has several important female friendships with ups and downs that get resolved with some proper communication. Thank god.

There are some tropes that I indulge in (like the ones mentioned previously), and there are some tropes that I have a harder time with. Specifically, Wavorly being a Chosen One with a special destiny and magical ability that allows her to basically destroy vampires on sight... who of course gets recruited to join The Revolution by a childhood friend who she thought was dead... This book did not handle the magic system very well, and it felt very tacked-on with little explanation. The overall setting is just not at all conducive to a magical atmosphere. We know that vampires have magical powers, but this is never elaborated on until the very end and as a result, the tonal dissonance of the last 1/3 of the book bothers me to no end. The sudden developments at the end just gave me whiplash. We get weird scenes where Wavorly sees a mysterious "violet fire" (aha!) that are at such odds with the fairly dystopian setting. I wanted for the text to more thoroughly weave the fantastical elements into the narrative, because I kept imagining this society as something along the lines of Julie Kagawa's The Immortal Rules, as being much more sci-fi than it turned out to be.

As a result of the uneven integration of magic, the pacing within the story was also very off. It's jarring to move from visions of magic to the systematic routines of the dystopia setting. It got to the point where I was just severely uninterested in the magical scenes because they made little sense and interrupted the flow of the story.

Also, I like spitfire protagonists who are still rational people at their core. Wavorly... was not quite that. Many times I let out an audible groan when she snarked at decidedly the wrong time, and got herself (and others) into heaps of trouble. The rest of the cast was pretty average, though I did like that Savvy and Anaya were allowed complexity. Zein was suitably attractive, though I never understood the romance that developed between him and Wavorly. I have a hard time believing that she's the first spitfire redhead he's encountered in all his years of life.

At the end of the day, when I read this as a quick romantic romp, I had a decent experience. The overall structure and worldbuilding elements were very lacking, however, and so I just kind of "liked" it. I suppose I'm interested enough to want to look into the next book?