This is a must-read book I don't want to give any spoilers, but you won't regret getting this book, you won't put it down till you're done reading the whole this.

A Dream of Blood and Magic had pacing as unstable as a cup of milk on the edge of the table being reached for by a toddler. While the first half of the book was quite enjoyable and fast-paced, overall, the characters were convoluted and contradictory. Instead of information being gained fluidly, it occurred out of nowhere only to push the plot forward. Overall, I really enjoyed the story with its fast pacing and, while predictable, well-done plots. Until the romance started to build up between two characters who randomly expressed interest in each other, making the book seem unbelievable. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A dream of blood and magic was your average urban fantasy. I wasn’t absolutely WOW’d by it but I also wasn’t bored. I found aspects I really enjoyed and aspects of it that I found lackluster. I found the foundation of the witches and vampires being locked in years and years of war to be an intriguing basis but unfortunately a bit over done in this saturated romance fantasy market. Initially the first half the book is relatively slow and repetitive but I felt like the author made major improvements are the novel progressed as far as pacing goes. I did really enjoy the different character POV’s throughout the book which was done extremely well and fluidly. The potential is there for the book and the series, I felt like it could’ve used a bit more fine tuning. The spice 🌶️ GOT SPICY! So that was a surprising and really done. I think it overall it was a solid read, I’m interested to see how the series will progress given that the writing and pacing DID improve as the it went on. There’s a lot of potential here and I’m hoping to see it do well!

Thank you NetGalley and Three Brothers Press for an ARC of A Dream of Blood and Magic!

'A Dream of Blood and Magic' is a spellbinding gothic urban fantasy that stands out with its dark atmosphere and captivating world. Olivia Boothe crafts an enchanting story where magic and mystery collide, drawing readers into a shadowy, irresistible realm. The plot centres around Avery, the protagonist, as she navigates a dangerous supernatural journey, contending with vivid lucid dreams and forming connections with elemental spirits. Her adventure is one of self-discovery, suspense, and surprising revelations.
Boothe’s writing is captivating, striking a perfect balance between vivid descriptions, smooth dialogue, and a swiftly unfolding plot. The occasional heated moments are expertly woven in, heightening the tension, particularly in the slow-burn romance that gradually intensifies. The seamless blend of paranormal and dark-fantasy elements gives the story an added edge, while the action sequences are exhilarating, interspersed with chilling moments of suspense.
At the heart of the novel is Avery’s emotional journey as she struggles with her powers and identity in a fractured world. The surreal dream sequences add depth and mystery, keeping readers hooked. Though the ending did feel a bit abrupt and leaves some questions unanswered, the plot remains compelling, leaving you eager for more.

Overall, A Dream of Blood and Magic is a captivating urban fantasy that skillfully combines gothic romance, rich character development, and a vivid setting. I can't wait for the next book in this intriguing series!

If you loved the vampire diaries you’ll love this. This gothic, contemporary fantasy romance brings back all the things I loved when I read TVD.

It has forbidden love, rivals to lovers and it has a wonderfully gothic atmosphere that I was fully immersed in.

If you’re looking for a supernatural filled, slow burn urban fantasy, this is the book you should read,

A thrilling mix of witches, vampires, and elemental magic, A Dream of Blood and Magic pulls readers into a fast-paced supernatural world filled with danger, secrets, and forbidden love. Avery’s journey of self-discovery and power kept me hooked, and the rich world-building made the story feel immersive. I especially loved the tension between the characters and the balance of action and romance. While some plot threads could have been explored more, the unique magic system and emotional stakes made this a standout read!

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🧙‍♀️ Witches & Vampires | ⚡ Elemental Magic | ❤️ Forbidden Romance

DNF @ 30% - I had really high hopes for this, but it just fell flat unfortunately. Thank you to net galley and the publisher for providing me with this arc.

A slow start, but there is a whole new world to build and it's built amazingly well. The connection between the two main characters is also a little characters is also a little challenging at first but there is a great promise of heat yet to come. I loved the connection of vampires and witches and the history between them. All in all a great book to start what I hope will be a brilliant series.

3.5⭐️
🫑

The premise of vampires and witches locked in a centuries-long feud had me hooked from the start. I really enjoyed the multi-POV format and would have loved to see more chapters from Azrael and Kane’s perspectives. The dreams and visions, along with Avery’s journey of coming into her power, were intriguing and kept me invested initially.

However, my enthusiasm waned as Avery began to embody the now-common “strong FMC” trope, which often translates to being willfully stubborn and causing unnecessary problems for herself. Watching her repeat the same mistakes over and over was frustrating and extremely irksome. That said, I pushed through, and overall, the story was okay. It has potential—hopefully, Avery shows some growth in future installments, and we get more focus on the male POVs.

I ended up not finishing this book because I just couldn’t connect with the characters or the world-building. The characters felt pretty one-dimensional, and there was so much info-dumping that it got confusing. I tried to keep going, but the plot didn’t grab me, and the pacing was so slow that it got boring. Furthermore, the writing style did not resonate with me enough to keep me reading. It might work for others, but it just wasn’t for me.

A Dream of Blood and Magic by Olivia Boothe is the first book in the Spirit Marked series. We see multiple point of views, and character development throughout this book, which is a gothic contemporary urban fantasy romance. I found the FMC, Avery, a little annoying but she grew on me. I love the MMC and his broodiness. You will get plenty of magic and supernatural in this book. If you like Vampires, this is a must read. I would recommend reading this if you’re a fan of paranormal and urban fantasy. I cannot wait for the next installment to see where this story goes.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I struggled to get into this one, minute details were over described making the pacing too slow for me. It has a lot of potential but just not one I enjoyed.

This one didn't work at all and sadly it was just not good. It had enough info dumping that it bogged the story down to the point that I was just bored so very bored. The characters weren't enough to keep me going and I decided to DNF around 20%.

Avery Jaxon is a young woman who has had a troubled past, and she now finds herself in the middle of a war between vampires and witches. Strange men invade her dreams, though these dreams seem more like hallucinations when they start to seep into her waking world. This book is filled with fae type shifters and has a world that has shown me just enough of it's secrets that I am hungry for more. I loved the action and tension, as well as the fantasy elements, and it looks like it's leading up to some yummy romance scenes.

I wanna start with the fact that multiple pov's are always super nice in a book, but not if they repeat scenes all the time. This just seems like it is there to fill up the book, and rarely gives a lot of extra dimension to a story. The world building was really good in this one, but the characters fell kinda flat for me. It is a first and it sets up the story, but I could've used a bit more to get me into it, sadly.

In this captivating fantasy romance, the author weaves a beautifully intricate world filled with magic, adventure, and an undeniable chemistry between the protagonists. From the very first page, readers are drawn into a richly imagined landscape where the stakes are high, and love transcends boundaries.

The characters are delightfully complex, each facing their own trials and transformations. Their journey is not just about romance; it’s about self-discovery and the courage to embrace one’s true self. The chemistry between them crackles with tension, making every shared moment feel electric and deeply meaningful.

The plot is expertly crafted, balancing moments of heart-pounding action with tender, intimate scenes that linger long after the book is closed. The author’s lyrical prose brings the settings to life, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and danger of this enchanting world.

Overall, this book is a delightful escape that deftly combines elements of fantasy and romance. It’s a testament to the power of love and the strength found in vulnerability. Perfect for fans of the genre, it’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a magical journey of the heart!

This novel had such rich world building but seemed to lack some character development. I am hopeful since the world has been so thoroughly fleshed out that our characters will develop and evolve more in the next book. I am excited to see where our world of witches and vampires takes us!

Thank you for the arc opportunity and apologies for the delay in getting my review completed.

I enjoyed the story although it was slow to start with. It has multiple POV and seems to repeat specific scenes from the different povs. This seemed like it was to hit a word count and not really needed in the final story.

The character development was sort of there but wasn't great.

The ending was abrupt as hell, I didn't expect it to end so abruptly tbh. Overall I give this a 3.5/5

A Dream of Blood and Magic had so much promise- I wanted to love it, but not enough happened and we didn’t get enough answers for the amount of build up. There was also very little character development/distinction between characters for an initial fantasy book. The world building and magic was so intriguing, enough to keep me reading- but the book ended without much answer or reward and felt like it needed more wrap up.

The author states this book sets the scene for the rest of the series, and I am curious to see where it goes- but think maybe some of the rest of the series should have been included in this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.