ALMOST DNF but pushed through and I must say I absolutely love Sayah. Between her backstory & all of the monsters. The cover is absolutely beautiful.! I’m hoping the book has sprayed edges it would be stunning! I can’t wait for book 2!

Thank you to The Publisher BooksGoSocial ,The Author Inara Gage & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Twilight meets The Vampire Diaries.

I did enjoy the final twists of the book, the Lasayah (I will always read this as lasagna but don't mind me I'm Italian) at the end is not the single mom we meet at the very start of the book and that was something very much appreciated.

Taking out the first half, where I found Sayah a bit wobbly in terms of actions. Example is when she feels Dom is certain to be a danger for her and her child, many times explaining how her witch sense are good at pointing out the soul of other beings. And yet literally gave him her address number and all on the very first date, even if she did think at first that maybe, <s>maybe </s>, the should trust her witch instructs and not the pretty appearance of a man that literally forced very subtly himself in her life. There are some unrealistic scenes and some second-hand embarrassment ones that made me want to throw my kindle against the wall.

Dom, unlike what I've written up here, is actually a gentleman (this screams Stefan Salvatore, aka the younger brother in TVD) but at times he's very naive. Which made me appreciate him quite a lot, especially his POV. It made it easy for me to like him a lot, even after the final twists that came at the end.

It hurt a lot since we all know who deep down Sayah, (and if you don't say Bash, Sebastian, strangled older brother or however you like to name him, literally screaming I'm a second copy of Damon Salvatore then you are lying to yourself) is ending up with.

I did like the writing, simple and not too heavy, maybe some chapters where a tiny bit too long but not at all. The world building didn't go too much into detail but in this case I found it right to do so. It is quite fast-paced and action packed so bombs of lore would have killed the vibe off a bit too much.

Tropes you will find here.
-Vampire x Witch
-Single mom
-Dual POV
-Loss and grieving
-Many magical creatures.
-He falls harder and sooner
- Hot older brother
-spice? 🌶️🌶️.5 / few scenes but I did appreciate them

Why 3.70 ⭐️ rounded up to 4?
Because I stand for the fact that the book could have been wayyyy better if continuous parallels between TVD and Twilight (where I laughed so hard when I saw it mentioned in the book) hadn't been made.

⭐ 2.75 (Rounded Up)

“It's as though the ancestors before us lit a trail of magick in our veins for us to follow back to the craft long after they're gone.”

This book started so strong I loved the descriptions in the book! The author made it so you could feel the magick in the air, but at some point that kind of fizzled which is very unfortunate.

I wasn’t a fan of Dom’s chapters until he learned of Sayah, then they became slightly more interesting to me. Almost as soon as Sayah & Dom met the plot kind of evaporated for a little bit, and Dom’s flirting with Sayah had me cringing so bad, possibly because it felt too real, and anyone who has flirted with me like that turned out to be a stinky (not smell) person.

It’s hard to not notice the strong influence Twilight and The Vampire Diaries had on this book. If you like that kind of thing then this book is for you but I found it kind of awkward and more like a fanfiction than its own story. There is definitely an audience for this specific kind of book, unfortunately, I don’t think I am a part of it.

I will say chapters 37 - 44 are really good, the plot comes back to the forefront and the elements that made the story feel like fanfiction dissipated.

I got an arc copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and thoroughly enjoyed the read! I was hooked from the first chapter, as I'm a sucker for anything with witches and vampires (and the zombies were cool too).

The FMC, Sayah, is so strong and so refreshing to read about. She's a single mom who has beaten cancer, which you don't often see in books like this.

Dom and Sebastian both have such great chemistry with Sayah, but I find myself hoping she ends up with Bash. He gives me Damon Salvatore vibes, and I love that.

The plot was so entertaining, and kept me hooked the whole time! This book also ends on a cliffhanger that has me waiting anxiously for the second book in the series.

The one negative I have is sometimes the writing could be stronger in places, and some of the dialogue is clunky. Other than that this book is a gem, and I would highly recommend.

"I really wanted to enjoy A Bond with the Dark by Inara Gage because the premise is fantastic—a supernatural world relying on our female main character, surrounded by vampires and warlocks who may be allies or adversaries. However, I found the writing disappointing. The pacing felt off, with awkward and unnatural dialogues that made it hard to connect with the story. The book started slowly, and I had to push myself to keep going. Despite giving it multiple chances, it only started to pick up towards the end, which felt rushed. The strong influence from The Vampire Diaries was apparent throughout, but rather than enhancing my excitement, it somewhat diminished it as the story progressed. Despite these challenges, I did appreciate the characters, especially the strong portrayal of Sayah. That being said, I still believe that people should give this book a chance!

A Bond with the Dark by Inara Gage
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 9 July 2024

"A Bond with the Dark" follows the journey of Sayah Thorne, a reluctant witch thrust into a perilous world after her family perishes in a mysterious fire. Alongside her witch aunts, Sayah seeks truth amidst danger. Meanwhile, Dominic Sangravelli and his siblings battle grimspawn, undead creatures haunting their lives.

Their destinies intertwine when prophecy names Sayah as a catalyst for change. Despite opposition from Dominic's vampire family, he is drawn to Sayah, sparking a forbidden romance.

"A Bond with the Dark" is a dark and enthralling supernatural romance that weaves together vampires, witches, and a captivating storyline. Sayah Thorne, a strong and resilient witch grappling with profound loss, discovers hidden truths about herself and her family following a devastating fire that claims her loved ones, including her mother. Enter Dominic Sangravelli, a compelling vampire with a complex backstory and a powerful family lineage of magical abilities.

From the moment they meet, the chemistry between Sayah and Dominic is tangible, drawing them together despite the challenges they face. Their relationship evolves amidst a backdrop of danger, prophecies, and a well-crafted love triangle that adds depth to the narrative. Inara Gage skilfully immerses readers in a fantastical world where action-packed sequences and heartfelt moments unfold seamlessly.

The novel is fast-paced yet richly detailed, inviting readers to fully immerse themselves in the intricacies of its plot and the depth of its characters. The side characters enhance the storyline, adding layers of emotion and enhancing the overall narrative.

Inara Gage's writing style shines through in this exquisitely crafted tale, showcasing her unique storytelling abilities and creative prowess.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and the author, Inara Gage, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

ARC Review: A Bond With The Dark
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

In “A Bond with the Dark,” Inara Gage, I found myself in a fantasy world with witches, vampires, grimspawn, warlocks, and a PHOENIX!!

It did not grab my full attention in the beginning due to a lot of fantasy creatures building and development. Later in the book, it goes into more detail and definitely had my attention.

After I dove deeper into the book, I loved how the story began to unfold. There was some spice, but it was minimal, in my opinion. The book focused more on the plot, which was great!

There were times when I felt that certain descriptions and phrases were being repeated way too much in the book.

With all that said, I enjoyed the book. It ended with a cliffhanger, though. I am looking forward to reading the second book.


Thank you to @inara_gage for providing me with an ARC to review!

#arcreader #arcreviewer #abondwiththedark #bookstagram #supportindieauthors

I enjoyed the premise of the book but struggled to stay engaged with the storyline. I wish that there could have been more character development

Unfortunately DNFd at 10%…
I understand that world building takes some time but it was too much POV jumping in the beginning for my liking, what made it hard to get hooked on the plot. I really tried and forced myself to continue reading hoping I’ll get hooked but alas that didn’t happen.
Also it is clear from the dedication that author was inspired by TVD show but sometimes traits of characters are straight up copied and that bothered me.

I can see people liking this book but perhaps it’s just not my cup of tea.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, the premise is great. A supernatural world that can only be saved by our fmc, vampires and warlocks who may or may not be against her. But sadly the writing let me down. The pacing of this book was strange to me, with stilted and unnatural conversations between characters. It seemed slow to start and I really had to push myself to get through it. I kept trying to keep an open mind and give it second and third chances, but it barely picked up, with everything suddenly happening within the last few chapters. The author also drew influence from The Vampire Diaries, and this was really strongly obvious to me, which lessened my excitement for the book as it progressed.

Title: A Bond with the Dark by Inara Gage
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Release date: July 9th 2024

A Bond with the Dark by Inara Gage is a spellbinding journey into a world where love, magic, and danger intertwine seamlessly. This novel is an exquisite blend of mystery, romance, and supernatural intrigue that will captivate you from the first page to the last.

Sayah Thorne, our reluctant witch heroine, is a force to be reckoned with. After a tragic fire claims her family, Sayah is thrust into a perilous quest for the truth, accompanied by her formidable witch aunts. Her journey is fraught with danger and deception, but Sayah’s strength, wit, and resilience make her a compelling and relatable character. She evolves beautifully throughout the story, proving time and again that she is a powerful witch who can handle anything thrown her way.

Dominic Sangravelli and his siblings are engaged in a fierce battle against grimspawn, the reanimated dead that haunt their existence. When destiny brings Sayah and Dominic together through a prophecy, their worlds collide in a forbidden romance that is both electrifying and deeply emotional. Dominic’s vampire family opposes their bond, adding layers of tension and intrigue to their relationship.

The chemistry between Sayah and Dominic is palpable, their romance a delicate dance between light and dark. As they navigate a landscape where betrayal lurks at every turn, their love becomes a beacon of hope against the encroaching shadows.

The dark forces that target Sayah believe her death will restore balance, but Sayah and Dominic are determined to defy fate and save their world from impending doom.

Inara Gage masterfully crafts a world rich in magic and mystery. The pacing is perfect, keeping you on the edge of your seat, while the world-building immerses you in a landscape filled with witches, vampires, and grimspawn. The character development is great, with each character—especially Sayah—showing growth and depth.

A Bond with the Dark is more than just a supernatural romance; it’s a tale of resilience, love, and the power of defying fate. The beautifully woven narrative, coupled with the intense, forbidden romance, makes this book a must-read for fans of fantasy and paranormal romance.

If you love stories where the line between light and dark blurs, where love and magic collide, this novel is for you. Sayah’s adventures are just beginning, and I can’t wait to see where they take us next


Thank you to The Publisher BooksGoSocial ,The Author Inara Gage & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

I had the opportunity to read A Bond With The Dark before its release!

Immediately this book gave me Charmed vibes with a modern twist! (I may be aging myself with such a reference lol) I loved the drama, supernatural beings, and fast pace.

The FMC, Seyah, has experienced her fair share of trials and tribulations and that continues to remain true as our story begins. She embodies strength, resilience and is overall a badass.

Dom, MMC, is our delightful vampire.😍 He has also been a part of his own share of darkness. Together, he and Seyah must persevere to defeat evil.

I love that this story was written with dual POVs, so that we truly experienced all of the emotions our characters felt. Honestly I can’t wait for Book 2 in The Beautifully Broken Saga.