This is an intoxicating gothic contemporary fantasy that I know will be even better during the reread & that this is just the beginning of an amazing series. There is A LOT of complex world building in this book - I’d say the first half is totally world building and you’ve got different realms and portals along with MULTIPLE POVs and about a dozen characters to keep track of. If you have the patience I’d highly recommend taking notes as you read this one… there’s a lot of information to absorb.

Avery’s POV was my favorite for sure - I loved learning about what she had been through and my heart truly felt for her. The last 20% of the book felt like it went by so fast and the ending had me wanting the sequel IMMEDIATELY. We are definitely being TEASED with a satisfying enemies to lovers that I’m already impressed with.

This book was incredibly well thought out and beautifully written - I would HIGHLY recommend this to lovers of Crescent City, From Blood and Ash, Serpent & Dove, and Heartless Hunter. Vampires, witches, magic all around — this is going to be one epic series. I’m ready for more smut, Olivia!!

Than you so much to NetGalley and Three Brothers Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. I am totally invested in this exciting series and I’d love to read more from Olivia Boothe.

“She was... more than a witch I wanted to drain of her blood. She was a woman I wanted to claim.
That fire she'd sparked in me flared inside my chest and my protective instincts began to surface, to win over my need for the kill. I didn't want to hurt her. I couldn't hurt her.”

"These moody vampires are going to be the death of me,"

A five stars book!!! My goodness !! I so needed something like this!! Vampires, witches, covens, incredibly strong but hidden powers, dream walkers and a past that links Avery to a world she has never known. She is Spirit touched and she is hunted. But she has had visions all her life. Imagine what happens when the main vampire men she met in her dreams suddenly knock on her doorstep (well not really). I sure know what I would have done. And when I met Kane … readers like me, have to fall in love with this brooding, morally grey, grumpy vampire lord who is ready to do anything in his power to save the people under his rule … and then some. Connections sparkle, truths are revealed and bargains are signed. And underneath it all, a complicated plot that gives such an interesting twist for the possible outcomes. This story has such potential, I find myself more than a little bit interested in the future of it!! I sure thing feel like I need more since I devoured this book in one sitting !!!
And even if it was the beginning so some parts were not clear, it is so be expected. It felt actually like a great choice to leave some questions hanging and some wounds still open. More room in the future for new explanations and action!!! Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, constant tension and vampires primal senses … oh, I so need the next one today !!!

“But you know what drives me crazier than human blood? Witch blood-that's the fucking curse your contemptuous foremothers placed upon me.
"You are a walking, breathing temptation that threatens to unravel me thread by fucking thread. I came out here tonight to feed on that saints-damn pig because my hunger for you blasted through me like a hurricane, determined to wreck my bones until only rubble remained, to destroy everything and everyone I love.”

“My self-control is on a precipice, my honor ready to burn to cinders... all because of you.”

This is the start of what looks like is going to be an epic series! It has vampires, witches, familiars, multiple worlds, dream walking, and lots of other exciting stuff. There’s certainly a lot of info in the first third or so of the book and a lot of names/terms to take in, but once all of that started to settle in I was invested. The world building and characters are compelling and complex, and I enjoyed each of the POVs.

Avery was a great MC - she’s had a super difficult life and is just now discovering that she has all of these badass powers. Kane and Azrael are thousand-year-old vampire brothers with a lot of history that I’m dying to know more about. This is definitely a slow burn, but the little hints of spiciness made me excited for what’s to come. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Kane in particular. I still have a ton of unanswered questions so I’ll definitely be reading the next book.

Thank you to Three Brothers Press for the ARC!

This book was so intriguing based on its premise. While it took me a while to be acquainted with the writing style and magic system, I found myself completely immersed approximately 30% in. The readers learn about Avery's past and how this connects with a much larger supernatural conflict where she is caught in the middle as the chosen one of a prophecy. Since Avery's elemental magic abruptly emerged, she struggles to navigate her sheer power with the guidance of her spirit companion (she will eventually have one for each of the elements). However, multiple forces are after her and she must determine who is a friend or foe. This is a great first installment to set up for the series as we slowly see Avery's development throughout the novel. Her relationship with each of the side characters are definitely considered slow burn but I cannot wait to see its pay off. I am incredibly intrigued by the spirit guardians (namely Shadow - loved the character so much!) and am looking forward to exploring their purpose further. The snippets we saw of Azrael and Arabelle were so compelling and I am a sucker for love triangles so I cannot wait to see how this comes into play. I am a Team Kane truther as expected. He has so much depth in his character and the readers can absolutely understand his motivations based on his past. There was no reason for the shower scene to be that sexually charged. I was definitely expecting more smutty scenes but the author was definitely teasing more in the future. That being said, there were minor details that sorta missed the mark for me - but this is based off personal preference and I seem to be in a reading slump upon beginning this book. However, I am definitely seated for the next book and can't wait to further explore this world.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital arc in exchange for an honest review!

What a ride! I’ll be honest, I found the beginning a bit hard to follow, but once I got accustomed to the authors writing style WHELP. Gimme more. I need to know what happens in the next book!!!

I am def team Kane though.

I love how the author has managed to generate an attachment to characters, and is descriptive enough to not distract from the overall story line!

Ultimately I can’t wait for the next book to come out

This book had me in a chokehold from the very first page. Gripping action in the first two chapters that left me with questions just begging to be answered.

I was briefly prepared to become impatient waiting for those answers, but this story just cascaded onwards, taking me along for the ride.

Boothe brings a whole new meaning to writing well, the world building and complexity of the characters being naturally incredible. There were no points in the book where anything felt forced, it flowed excellently, and I’m excited to see where the story will go in the next instalment!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for sending me an EArc, all opinions are my own.

This was a "could not put this book down" situation! The tension was awesome! The characters intriging! Great worldbuilding and magic system. Gothic urban romantasy with action and vampires...

Please make the second one soon ...

Overall, I really liked the a fantasy element of this book, especially the involvement of witches, vampires and elementals, and this if often my favourite set up for fantasy characters.

However, I felt there were parts of the book that were too long. I felt like it took me more than 50% of the book to actually get into the story. Whilst I appreciate that it is personal preference at what pace a book moves, this felt too slow for me and might be the case for other readers who like a faster gratifying read. Individually I liked the characters and the fact they are all a bit morally grey, made them feel a little more human. But the romance aspect wasn't for me. It felt rushed, especially considering the book felt long.

*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review* I need the next book ASAP! While I do think that the world building felt a bit rushed, especially with a unique magic system, the book was well paced and I enjoyed every second of it.

Took a little bit for me to really get into this book, but for the most part it was pretty good! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

This book sucks you in from the very beginning!

This was definitely one of the best reads this year. Although A Dream of Blood and Magic is much less romance focused than I usually go for, I was hooked from the very beginning. This is how you write a great plot driven and real slow burn fantasy/PNR romance!!!

The world building was done perfectly. The way the author incorporated different worlds and timelines was done very seamlessly. No info dumping for sure. The world was beautifully described and I know we’re gonna see much more in the future books.

The characters were extremely well developed. It’s a multi POV and although the focus is on our FMC Avery, all the side characters have depth and you can truly understand their motivations.

The twists and turns just kept coming and I can honestly say it’s been a while since I’ve been so invested in a book!

The tropes include:

✨ witches and vampires

✨ a hundreds years old war

✨ ancient prophecy

✨ slow burn (not yet romance but the tension was sizzling)

✨chosen one

Olivia has done a phenomenal job building an entire world (multiple even) with vampires, witches, elemental spirits, and more.

We are introduced to over a dozen interconnected characters and given just enough information about them to develop an attachment or spark and maintain interest. I ended up creating a character web so I could go back and look at everyone and I would really recommend it! I definitely have favorites so far (hello Avery, Shadow, Pyra, and Rayne) but I am SO excited to learn more about everyone else.

It really feels like we have just scratched the surface of this universe. In the author notes Olivia describes A Dream of Blood and Magic as ‘the foundation that sets the stage, introducing you to the game and the players’. I couldn’t have said it better myself! I can’t wait to learn more in the second book coming (hopefully *fingers crossed*) soonish? God I hope so!

I would definitely recommend it, this was a fun read!

Avery una chica de 21 años lleva una vida normal, bueno lo más parecido a la normalidad para alguien quien tiene visiones y sueños con criaturas que no conoce. Un día descubre que sus sueños eran en realidad cosas que ocurrieron en el pasado y se ve inmersa en una guerra.

Me gustó y me pareció interesante lo de Kane, Azrael, Arabelle y Avery, pero la parte del romance no me gustó se me hizo aburrida, es más interesante la pelea entre hermanos, la guerra de brujas vs Vampiros y como las brujas quieren destruir a los humanos.
Estoy confundida con la historia entre Azrael, Arabelle y Kane, porque bien se menciona que Azrael y Arabelle tenían algo y él la amaba, cuando Kane habla de ella a vece suena como que tuvieron algo.

Lo que no me gustó fue el final, no paso algo interesante o algo importante para la historia, parece que la autora decidió dejarlo hasta ahí y que lo demás que escribió perteneciera al siguiente libro.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was right up my alley for a fantasy novel!
It checked every box I had and then some, I can't wait for the next book!

A Dream of Blood and Magic by Olivia Boothe

Release date: June 12th, 2024

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"A Dream of Blood and Magic" by Olivia Boothe is a fantastic Fantasy novel! I already cannot wait for the next book!

Avery's manifestion of her magic, is thrilling and curious, and keeps you on your toes.

Then she meets Kane, and oh my stars the chemisty and tension!

The twist and turns in the book kept me on my toes, and kept me reading at a fast pace!

The blend of romance and action was so thrilling!

If vampires and magic are your thing, this book is for you!

This is the first instalment in the Spirit Marked series,

Thank you to The Publisher Three Brothers Press ,Olivia Boothe, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you love vampires and witches, this book is for you! I love multiple POV so I really loved this one, the world building was pretty good and the characters well developed.

Seeing Avery developing her powers was without a doubt one of my favorite parts, the multiple POV's also helped a lot to understand the story as a whole, the writing was just the way I love it!

I’m looking forward for the next book, thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I love me a good vampire book, even better when magic is involved. I had a good time reading this and would recommend

Title: A Dream of Blood and Magic by Olivia Boothe

Release date: June, 12th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

"A Dream of Blood and Magic" by Olivia Boothe is a captivating and intricately woven gothic contemporary fantasy romance that delves into the realms of forbidden love, high stakes, and the slow-burning passion between rivals.

This novel is a thrilling exploration of a young witch's journey to uncover her true identity, navigate the treacherous waters of a supernatural war, and confront the destiny that binds her to a vampire warrior.

Avery Jaxon's life takes a dramatic turn when a mysterious crow crashes through her Brooklyn apartment window, awakening the elemental magic within her. This event is the catalyst for a series of revelations that unravel the lies woven into her existence and unveil the secrets of her past.

Avery finds herself at the centre of an ancient prophecy, thrust into a conflict between witches and vampires that has spanned centuries.

As Avery seeks to understand and control her powerful magic, she forms an unlikely alliance with Kane, a vampire tasked with protecting humanity from the Spirit Marked—a witch whose immense magic could destroy the world. Their relationship is fraught with tension, attraction, and mistrust, as Avery struggles to place her faith in someone who is, by nature, her enemy.

The novel is rich with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning pages to uncover the mysteries that lie ahead.

Boothe's storytelling is a masterful blend of romance, action, and mystery, creating a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and filled with thrilling moments.

"A Dream of Blood and Magic" is a must-read for fans of gothic romance and contemporary fantasy, offering a perfect mix of heart-pounding action, enigmatic characters, and a love story that defies the boundaries of nature itself.

As the first instalment in the Spirit Marked series, it sets the stage for a saga that promises even more adventure, magic, and the exploration of Avery's powers. I am eagerly anticipating the next book, hungry for more of Avery's journey and the mysteries that await in the series!

Thank you to The Publisher Three Brothers Press ,The Author Olivia Boothe & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

I really wish I could do half star ratings because this one was more than a 4 star read but not quite a 5 star read for me. The premise for this story is intriguing and while it feels familiar on the surface it is its own story that sucks you in. If you are a fan of urban fantasy / romantasy I would really recommend this book.

The author has built an amazing world and created characters that make your feel for them and are realistic. So many fantasy books tend to lean into the perfect FMC/MMC but Olivia has created three dimensional characters who you can understand their motivations and feel how their pasts affect their decisions. I can’t wait for more books to finally find out more details about the past and unravel the secrets hinted at. The only rough spot for me was getting started, the first few chapters that were showing the past left me a but confused about what was happening to the point of struggling to get into the book. Once I got into the story in the present though I was instantly drawn in and read the entire book in one day.

To avoid any spoilers please enjoy the following random lists of things I loved: calling her ‘little monster’; cute animal sidekicks (but are they really); enemies to reluctant allies to I really hope lovers in the next book; the shower scene

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley to review but this review is my unbiased opinion.

A Dream of Blood and Magic is a fantastic introduction to the new Spirit Marked series. If you’re a fan of moody vampires, a bold witchy FMC, slow burns and a tiny bit of spice, this one’s for you!

Spoilers ahead, i’ll keep it to a minimum but you’ve been warned!

One thing I will 100% praise Olivia Boothe for is including trigger warnings right at the beginning of the book. I love this, it allows the reader to understand what they’re getting into without having to google triggers and potentially spoil plot points before even getting their hands on the book. I agree with all the triggers included, and I praise Boothe for writing them into her story carefully and thoughtfully.

The book is a 3 way Pov between the characters Avery, Kane and Azreal. We don’t see Azreal as much towards the end as he isn’t as pivotal as a charcter, but i’d have to say I enjoyed his POV’s due to him being a vampire stuck 500 years ago unable to understand the 21st century – it had me chuckling a few times. I liked the switch between Avery and Kane, their POV’s gave context to support story lines and character development throughout. Another little gem was the character art on each POV, they were beautiful and a nice little touch!

Our main character is a fiery red head called Avery, she has visions and strange dreams that have plagued her since being a child. Her parents died when she was young, and her childhood consisted of foster homes, avoiding the control of men and surviving in NYC with her best friend CJ. When a crow barrels its way through her window, her visions get worse and she begins to question whether her dreams are a little more real than she at first thought. As a traditional fantasy story goes, Avery realises, with a little help, that she’s the Spirit Marked, a powerful witch that can wield the powers of all four elements, a one in a kind that hasn’t been seen on this earth for 500 years – and she has no idea how to control it.

This leaves her running, hunted by The Shadow Knights (vampires determined to protect the innocent), Luther’s cronies (the bad guys, harvesting innocent girls for blood) and the Hive (all powerful witches, who want to use Avery’s power for the worst), all whilst trying to prove that she is innocent and working alone. She is finally captured by the Shadow Nights, with Kane, the man she’s seen numerous times in her dreams, her capturer.

Now, the slow burn romance enters the book probably mid way through, and it is pretty slow with the only small spicy scene and flirty banter coming at the end of the book. I like this though, as I feel like it sets up the next book really well and leaves me excited to find out how the relationship between Avery and Kane will grow. I found myself giggling and blushing over lines like “don’t mention it little monster” and “she was a woman I wanted to claim”, and i really want these two to grow together in power, I will be devastated if instead there is a betrayal! Oh also, Kane and Azreal are 500 year old vampires, who happen to have a scottish accent…

I liked Boothe’s writing style, it was so gripping and had me reading this book between busy spells at work, i just couldn’t put it down!

I would recommend this to the girlies who love a little bit of spice, some morally grey but ridiculously attractive men and a strong FMC who isn’t scared to tell people what she thinks. It’s a good book to get into the romantasy/smut genre, where the plot is still pivotal but there’s a budding romance we’re all going to be rooting for.

For me, it’s a 4 star read and i’ll be keenly waiting for the second book, A Dream of Frost and Midnight!!

p.s, the cover is also inconspicuous and pretty! a double bonus!