I did not live that we enter the story with almost zero introduction before the spice/abuse/action begins. I don’t find the characters all that appealing and the reminiscence of their shared past does not really make for any kind of history or character development

DNF
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(ARC)

I tried really hard to get into this book but it just wasn't working. Like I could get past the triggers and the like but overall I was just really bored, I had no interest in the world or the characters and their stories so overall the only thing that was left was the spice and it still wasn't enough to keep me interested. Maybe this author's writing isn't for me, maybe I'll pick another book up in the future but right now I had to just let this one go.

I wanted to love this book as I've really enjoyed Darcy Fayton's other books set in the same world but after reading Kira & Nathaniel's duet I hated Henrikk so much I struggled to enjoy this book.
King Henrikk is obviously just a villain but not the morally grey kind we all usually love..

You may enjoy this if you like:
-Vampires
-Dark Spice
-MM

I’m not an MM romance girl but I do appreciate Darcy’s writing. At first I couldn’t understand why she would bother with a back story to Hendricks but as it went on I really got into it. Originally I gave 3 stars but I think the end of the book and what could come from the series of short stories has a lot of promise.
Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

This book had some really good moments but overall the world building wasn’t cohesive. Significant parts of the world were only made known when their existence became helpful to the plot. This made it feel like these things were not a part of the world from the start but rather something the author created in the spot in order to continue the story.

The storyline wasn't good enough to carry the book between 'scenes'. I found myself skipping many pages and wanting to DNF it at several different spots. The ending felt just odd and muddy.

I did like the spicy scenes. Although the first one made me want to throw my kindle because no way would he have access if he was hogtied. Which was kind of addressed but I couldn't get over it. They did feel really repetitive though. I know MM duos have less orifices to go around but it was very redundant writing.

I will not be posting this review to my Goodreads because I don't like posting negative reviews for ARCs. I did enjoy the other two books offered by this author. This one just didn't hold up for me.

This is a deep, dark and hot book. There are plenty of triggers make sure you check them out first. However, it is still a book of love and it's power.

You may enjoy this if you like:
🖤 Dark Fantasy Romance / Romantasy
🖤 MMC is a true villain
🖤 Steamy Vampire Romances
🖤 MM dark romance
🖤 CNC, dubcon/noncon, punishment, BD$M

Punished by the Vampire King is set in the spicy paranormal world Darcy Fayton has created. You don’t have to read any other books first though, and this one is actually a prequel to those.

This is a villain origin story of King Henrikk and his no so sweet romance of his General, Asher. The king is a true villain, so don’t expect him to be morally gray, he isn’t. If you read the other books, you’d know this and already hate him, too. Maybe that is why I just couldn’t get into this one and didn’t enjoy reading it as much.

Thank you to the author, publisher and @netgalley for this copy! All opinions are my own and I reviewed this voluntarily.

The description of this was spot on, it was one heck of an emotional rollercoaster! Asher and Henrikk are two amazing characters and I loved how everything played out.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't like this book as much as I had hoped. I liked Collard By the Vampire Prince. But I don't know why it had to take forever to get into the plot. Like her other books the spice was always five stars.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.
Dam*n sexy! M/M monster smut done right.

This was a dark read, but a fun one. It was really fast, which is nice sometimes! Make sure to check your triggers as this book does contain some pretty intense themes.

As much as this was entertaining, to get to know Henrikk's past it was a bit dragging towards the end. I found myself struggling in some parts and bored in others.

I much preferred the other two stories Darcy wrote.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Even though I enjoyed another title in this universe, and this is the prequel to that title I did not enjoy this book. I already knew I hated the Vampire King so I was just not in the mood to read a whole book based on torture.
I was not able to finished.

This book starts out as a very dark story as the vampire king punishes his general who he believes betrayed him. While you see romance later in the story, the book starts out very brutal. Please check trigger warnings before diving in.

The story started strong and had me very interested in the relationship/history between our two main characters, but it got a little weird in the middle when we were randomly taken through a portal that we didn't know existed and met a dragon that we also didn't know existed. I also found it hard to empathize with the main character and ultimately couldn't find it in myself to root for a love story between an abuser and their abused partner, even if there were reasons for why he acted that way.

If you enjoy very dark romances and MM romance, you might still enjoy this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Darcy Fayton for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Punished by the Vampire King by Darcy Fayton is a captivating and intense MM Dark Vampire Romance that delivers a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions. Set in a royal castle, this standalone novel is part of a larger world featuring interconnected characters.

The story begins with a shocking and humiliating punishment for General Asher, who is forced to submit to the King's wrath. As the narrative unfolds, we witness a complex power struggle and a toxic relationship that slowly evolves into something deeper.

What I Loved:

Intense and Emotional: The author masterfully explores themes of love, betrayal, and redemption, creating a deeply emotional journey for both the characters and the reader.
Compelling World-Building: The fantasy world is rich and detailed, with intriguing characters and a captivating setting.
Dark and Spicy: The story is not afraid to delve into darker themes and explicit content, making it a thrilling read for those who enjoy intense romance.
Standalone Novel: While part of a larger series, this book can be enjoyed as a standalone, making it accessible to new readers.
What Could Have Been Better:

Slow Burn: The beginning of the relationship is slow and somewhat toxic, which may not appeal to all readers.
Predictability: While the plot is engaging, some elements may be predictable for experienced readers of the genre.
Overall:

Punished by the Vampire King is a captivating and intense MM Dark Vampire Romance that will leave you wanting more. With its compelling characters, dark themes, and thrilling plot, this book is a must-read for fans of the genre.

Definitely take the trigger warnings into account before reading this book. The author is upfront about them, so it isn't shocking, but it was harder to read about than I expected, at least for myself.

Physiological thriller about a vampire king corrupted by power and his oldest friend whose old romantic feelings are now used against him as torture. It has the point of view of both main characters so you get to see how things play out physically and emotionally for both. There is a lot of emotional turmoil.

It was too much for me. I tried skipping ahead a few times but it was all so tragic. I could not finish the book.

A very emotional read that is heavy on SA.

Henrikk is a truly horrible villain and has one redeeming quality, Asher. For a bad man this is a sweet romance. If you are looking for a dark and twisted M/M romance I would recommend!

I really struggled with this book. I was often confused or bored by what was going on. I kept feeling like I was missing something like this book was a side story, but I haven't read main story. I also struggled with rape as a punishment even if both parties secretly enjoyed it.

This book was a wild ride from start to finish and I never knew what turns it would take. The premise of the book was very unique and the author did a great job incorporating vampire lore but keeping it fresh. I think there were some opportunities for more world building and for exploring the magic system more especially the witches and the dragons. Hopefully these will be expanded on in the next book.
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