Kira has spent years in hiding, 19 to be exact. Now she seeks to get herself caught and begin the revolution she was told only she can inspire. Thus she finds herself captured and escorted by the arrogant and infuriating Nathaniel the Crown Prince, to Volmasque Academy Estate. There, as a wolf shifter, and unknown to her she will need to figure out her standing within the student body and prepare herself to be trained and collared for a vampire master. With her life moving faster than she was prepared for she find herself questioning why she keeps seeking out Nathaniel's strong hand to teach her.
This novel gave me Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice vibes. That strong but naive heroine who does her best to roll with the punches but also finds herself interested and even enjoying the darker pleasures of life. The power dynamics I'm coming to recognize in Darcy's writing is still present here and done very well. I felt this novel had a pretty fast pace but the emotional push and pull between the two main characters was still great. This novel does end on a cliff hanger and I liked it so much I picked up the next in the series right away.
Once again, pay attention to the Content Warnings if you as a reader have reservations or questions and know that Darcy will give plenty of warning for any scenes involving sexual assault, prior to the chapter that its included in. **There is no SA in this part 1**
I look forward to other novels by Darcy. It's been a wild ride trying a darker fantasy than my usual read. Well done!

Big thanks to Darcy Fayton and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for a review.

Wheww, this was not for the faint of heart.
Kira is a new student with very little understanding of how the world works between shifters and vampires and humans.
She meets Nathaniel, who is much more than he seems. But maybe she knows that...

Very steamy, trigger warnings should be heeded, dub con and little cheezie in parts.

4 stars

Thank you @Netgalley for an copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Warning: very spicy and the FMC stays a virgin (technically) in Book 1 so I hope you get my drift on the scenes in this book. The kinks are not for everyone so have an open mind.

The plot flow isn't the greatest, however, the book managed to hold my attention. Don't know how. I suppose it was partly the spice, but that did get a little repetitive. There was a lot of internal back and forth with both the MMC and FMC, which frustrated me slightly. But then some action would happen to get my attention. The world was interesting. Like Harry Potter but for promiscuous vamps, werewolves, humans. Now THAT was interesting. I wanted to read more about the school and the students. That got my attention more than FMC and MMC.

Overall, it was OK. I want to read more of the author's works because the world is interesting (and it's very spicy).

Thank you @Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC. I read the first book in this series and enjoyed it. I really liked Nathaniel and Kira story better. The enemies to lovers trope is a favorite. As Kira learns more about Nathaniel, she realizes he might not be as bad as he seems. Very Spicy, but check trigger warnings.

3.75 stars / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Read the trigger warnings first

I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would.
Kira is a wolf shifter who’s been in hiding, but when she’s caught by Nathanial, the Vampire Prince, and taken to Volamsque Academy where the werewolves outnumber the vampires yet they still adhere to the vampire hierarchy, things get dark. Very dark.
Tropes included, age-gap, academia settings, enemies to lovers (kind of). The TWs had pet-play mentioned so I immediately said sign me up and wow did it deliver! This was so spicy and although the logistics of how some of the said spicy things play out were a little more than unrealistic, I ate this up regardless. Kira is strong willed, determined, and selfless when it comes to saving her kin. I really enjoyed her as a fierce fmc. She’s clearly dealt a shitty hand but she makes the most of her circumstances when she can. And as much as I wanted to like Nathanial, I just can’t get behind his actions in this book, and the disconnect isn’t growing on me. His personality fell flat for me, but a big part of that also seems to stem from the parts about keeping his secrets/motives hidden. Hopefully he has a redemption arc in the next book and some more details are given. This book leaves off on a cliffhanger and I’m immediately stressed going into the next book. I started with Punished by the Vampire King so I already know things for Kira are going to get worse before it could possibly get any better in what I’m assuming is going to be a rollercoaster of an ending.

Let me start by saying that Collared by the Vampire Prince by Darcy Fayton was not for me. I went in expecting something spicy and engaging, but unfortunately, I was left underwhelmed. Huge thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the ARC. I’ll always give honest feedback, so here it goes.

The main characters? Kira and Nathaniel were more frustrating than intriguing. Kira is supposed to be this fierce wolf shifter with a rebellious streak, but she felt flat and inconsistent. Nathaniel, our supposed dark and brooding vampire prince, came off more as a walking cliché than a compelling love interest. I get it—enemies-to-lovers with an intense power dynamic can work—but only if the characters are likable.

The plot? It had potential, I’ll give it that. The idea of wolf shifters trying to overthrow their vampire oppressors? Sounds epic on paper. But in execution, it was just… okay. Nothing stood out as particularly memorable, and the pacing didn’t do it any favors.

Now, the spice. I love a good steamy read, and that’s really the only reason I kept going. But even that wasn’t enough to carry the book for me. There was heat, sure, but it felt like the story leaned too heavily on it, leaving the actual substance behind.

The writing style also wasn’t my cup of tea. It felt overly dramatic in some places and lacked the finesse needed to really immerse me in the world.

Overall, if you’re looking for a quick spicy read and don’t mind one-dimensional characters, Collared by the Vampire Prince might work for you. For me, though? It was a miss.

Book 1 in Kira & Nathaniel's Duet

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Fayton; and I was impressed. I have to say that I was immediately engrossed in this story. It had a quick start and the MCs were quickly introduced to each other. The magical/academic world was fairly simple and was explained as the story continued on. The only part I didn't understand was when Kira shifted and it was explained that she was two wolves. What? How? What does that look like? Why? Those questions, unfortunately, were not answered. I'm hoping they will be answered in the next/last part of the duet.

Kira and Nathaniel are an amazing enemy to lover's couple. And that cliffhanger? Holy heck!! I immediately purchased the second book. I HAVE to know how this ends! And when I learned that there is a duet for Susie (Kira's BFF) and a single for the Vampire World. Oh yea! I'm in. I have to spend more time in this world.

after multiple attempts at reading- I have decided to DNF. I’m hoping to return to it in the future but right now i’m unable to connect with the author’s writing style.

I really struggled finishing this one. I found the MCs to be very unlikeable, a bland plot and way, way to many plug scenes. I will not be continuing the series but, if you're only interested in erotica this may work for you.

Oh my goodness! I just finished reading this book and I need time to process it. The ending has me shocked and heartbroken for both the FMC and the MMC.

The author is a beautiful storyteller. I was expecting mostly spice and hardly any plot. She balanced them both in a tasteful way. The spicy is spicy and the storyline had me paying attention. It truly wasn’t what I was expecting and I’m glad I gave it a try. It was a glorious he falls first, emotionally, slow burn. Her enemies to lovers story and so many other tropes but those are my favourite. Definitely read your triggers first and be sure this is your cup of tea. I had fun explaining certain scenes. I would definitely read the next book in the series.

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

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What to Expect:
🧛Enemies to Lovers
🩸Steamy
🧛Spicyyyyy
🩸Paranormal
🧛College Academy - Dark Academia
🩸Praise Kink
🧛CLIFFHANGERRR!!!
🩸BDSM
🧛Forbidden Love
🩸Taboo
🧛Vampires

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Collard by the Vampire Prince… Let’s just say wow, why didn’t I pick this up sooner?! I knew I’d be into it the second I saw “vampires and shifters with a sprinkling of BDSM spice”—sign me right the EFF up! The story dives right into Kira’s world as she’s escorted to Volmasque Academy by Nathaniel, the Crown Prince. While there, she’s meant to become an obedient wolf shifter for a vampire master, and let's just say, the power dynamics are INTENSE. The plot isn’t super heavy (spice>plot in this one), but it has just enough intrigue to keep me invested, and that cliffhanger? 👀 I’m certain the second book is going to deliver even more drama and spiceeee!

Nathaniel is every bit the domineering MMC with BDE, and I loved the small glimpses of his true self—there’s definitely more to him than just his alpha exterior. Kira’s character is complex, and it’s clear she’s holding back from him, which makes me excited to see how she handles that bombshell dropped at the end! The spice level? MMMMMM YESSS PLS. 🔥 You’ll def want to pick this one up if you love vampires, wolf shifters, SPICEEE, more spice than plot, angst, and all the things that come along with those.

Thanks, NetGalley for the chance to read this, with exchange to drop a review!

Surprisingly well written and enjoyable book.

Not my usual genre but fancied mixing it up and this was a worth a go with a decent plot.

Why haven't I read this earlier?!!

As soon as I read the blurb, I knew I was going to enjoy this book. Vampires and shifters with a sprinkling of bdsm spice?! Sign me up!

This was easy to read, and it really sucked me in (pun intended!). I loved reading more about the characters as the book went on, how they navigated their growing feelings for each other whilst also keeping a major secret from each other.

The spice was great, I loved it, and I love how he explored that with her. And that ending?! I will definitely be reading the next book.

I also loved the chapter names and how the author approached the acknowledgements, etc, at the end of the book. "Well done, pet. Halfway there. Now brace yourself - it's a long story, and I expect you to take it all."

If fantasy crossed with BDSM is your vibe, I would definitely check this out.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, the published and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book! I felt instantly drawn to the story from the beginning and the smut was HOT! There was not a moment in this book that I found boring, and I’m excited to read the next book (as well as the spinoff books from other characters’ point of views!)

Loved reading the mesmerizing and spellbinding paranormal story. When Kira is captured and collared by the Vampire Prince Nathaniel, she vows to get her revenge on all vampires. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting story. Can't wait to read the next story in the series by the fabulous author, Darcy Fayton

Collared by the Vampire Prince by Darcy Fayton is a seductive and thrilling dive into a world of vampire royalty, intense romance, and dark intrigue. Fayton knows how to blend romance and fantasy, creating a story that’s both emotionally charged and richly atmospheric.

The book follows a strong yet vulnerable protagonist who finds herself drawn into the orbit of a powerful vampire prince. The dynamic between the main characters is electric, with simmering tension and moments of vulnerability that make the relationship feel genuine. Fayton builds this vampire world with detailed lore and an alluringly dark aesthetic, which adds layers to the story and keeps you wanting to learn more about the characters' backgrounds and motivations.

What sets this story apart is Fayton’s balance between romance and suspense. The plot weaves moments of intense passion with real stakes, creating a world that’s as dangerous as it is alluring. The romance is steamy and well-paced, appealing to fans who enjoy a mix of paranormal romance with a hint of mystery and action.

Collared by the Vampire Prince is a must-read for fans of vampire romance looking for a story with depth and an edgy vibe. Fayton’s writing style pulls you in, and the chemistry between the leads makes for a compelling, addictive read. If you’re craving a dark, romantic escape, this book is sure to satisfy.

I've met Nathaniel on the first book of Susie and Arken and it was a enjoyable character in here? I loved him.. I was able to get to know him on another perspective and the cliffhanger wasn't nice the same on the Susie and Arken book so if the author kindly put the books on Kobo I would appreciate very much ahahahah because I'm not okay.
The books are very dark and I understand that some people don't connect with them, for me they are hot

I absolutely loved this book and can recommend it to anyone who loves dark fantasy romance with spice!!!

This would be great for a very spicy read but I expected a bit more plot, depth in emotions and I felt the trigger warnings give away too much of what's going to happen, I think having them at the back or a qr code would have been useful instead.

The book started off strong. I'd been reading a few different ARCs and this was one that caught my attention with more promising writing and a good grip of tension between the main characters than most. I enjoyed the slow burn and the enemies-to-lovers progression between the lead characters. I think it was an interesting premise with a lot of potential.

However, after a while, I found myself dozing off. It was hard for me to focus. I think I felt like there wasn't much happening; sure, the main characters' relationship got more and more entangled, but Kira's plan to exact revenge didn't really go anywhere. I didn't like that she kept on losing sight of her main goal, distracted by her lust for the prince lol. She was a bit frustrating to follow at times, because I wanted her to keep up that same level of resistance and hatred she had in the beginning, that same spirit of fighting.

It wasn't bad, but I personally kind of wanted to DNF because I got bored by the 70% point, but I finished it for this review. The beginning of the book was leagues better than the ending, which is left on a cliffhanger. I personally didn't feel enough stakes in the game to want to read the sequel, but maybe others will enjoy it more.