Do you want to read a wholesome, lighthearted, queer vampire/werewolf romantasy? Well this is exactly that! I enjoyed reading it, it was on the whole very cutesy and lovely, whilst still having a full on fantasy plot which was fun. However, there are definitely some things I think could have been improved on. Don’t be put off as my dislikes may differ from yours!

Quick summary:

This story follows Lenora and Arché who are heirs to two of the founding houses, vampire and werewolf, of a town called Concord. In the beginning of the book, Concord is invaded and the whole town is captured, apart from Lenora and Arché who manage to escape. The plot follows the two as they try and find help and save their captured people.


What I liked:

- I liked Lenora and Arché and how funny they both were and also really cute and wholesome;
- I LOVED the queerness in this book - there wasn’t any homophobia which was really nice to read;
- I think this would make a really cool graphic novel - I really want to visually see all of the characters and scenery!
- Leahi (side character) is super cool - I want to be friends with her;
- There was so much representation which was amazing! This is the first book I’ve read with demisexual representation;
- There was a lot of intense plot going on BUT Aimee kept it lighthearted which was really nice;
- I loved Lenora and Archés’ tension in beginning/middle;
- This is a vampire book….with a romance plot….you can see where this might be going and it was fabulous - the spice in general was good;
- I liked the world and the story, it was well developed and sets the second book up nicely;

Not so good:
- It was a bit hard to keep up with whose chapter was whose due to it being in third person and there being WAY too much telling and not enough showing;
- Because of this, the story didn’t feel like it flowed as well as it could have done Instead of feeling like I was completely immersed in the story like I often do, I felt slightly outside of it, noticing frequently when there was too many words in a sentence;
- For me personally, they were a bit too quick to repair things and I would have preferred for the arguments/tensions to have taken a bit longer to resolve. Whilst this is of course very nice and healthy, I feel like for there to be growth, you need to not be very good at it in the beginning at least;
- I could have done with more tension and for them to ‘give in’ a little bit later on, but maybe that’s just the inner slow burn girly in me.

Read this if:
- You are fed up of dystopian, dark and intense romantasy books, but you want to stick to something in the romantasy genre;
- You want a book with representation coming out of its ears;
- You’ve read many other cosy, lighthearted romantasy books and have loved them;
- You don’t mind there being less showing than telling.

2 ⭐️ - 𝐈 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞…

As much as I love a good romance, this romantasy was kinda tough to read.

I enjoyed this but not as much as I had hoped. The summary is what drew me to read this but when I was reading this, the story felt very dull - well at least not on the spice side. It felt like there was too much things going on and the trip that Arché and Lenora went on felt like it went on forever.

The story could’ve been shorter if there were things that were taken out, like the week’s trip which went on for about 170-ish pages. I get it though, it’s to build the story but a lot of the time it felt like it was unnecessary and boring.

As much as I liked the sapphic romance and the spice, what I didn’t like was Arché’s lack of communication in some chapters. It felt like she got depressed a lot and couldn’t find comfort in Lenora when (once the romance began) she was constantly there for her. It was infuriating. Especially when Arché “lost control" which, if I can recall, was not mentioned what it meant when a Lycan loses control during the full moon. So there were also a few unanswered questions that it left.

Overall, this novel was not for me. I enjoyed it but not a lot. I liked the side characters a touch more than the main ones; Tunvra is so mysterious I wanna know more bout him, Lenora’s sibling and Andreas and Mira’s relationship dynamic. Not to mention Leahi - she sounds pre interesting too.
I am very invested into seeing Nikos’ story, cause bruh whattt!! What happens for him now, I need to know. I’d continue with the next book in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Aimee Donnellan for the arc in exchange for a review.

One thing that I believe Donnellan did well in this novel is the politics aspect. I believe that it’s the strongest part of the book, and I do wish she focused on the poltiics part more.

A Crimson Covenant is a fantasy romance, and if you know me, you know that I just tend to not like fantasy romance, but this was with lesbians, so I was like…why not give it a try. The romance part really threw me off; there was nothing wrong with it, but there was nothing really interesting about it either? It was just boring and bland. It made me frustrated. There was a lack of tension.

But as mentioned, this is probably a whole preference thing because:
a.) I’m not a huge fan of romantasy.
b.) I prefer high fantasies over lighter ones.
c.) At the middle of the book, I felt like it just became horny biting— and I believe the plot that I was interested in got lost.

unfortunately... this one didn't work for me.
₊˚ ⊹ the plot was way too drawn out, especially for the first 2/3 of the book. it dragged in so many places and there weren't very many notable events in the story at the beginning, so much so that it all seemed to blend together. the plot felt a little chaotic and all over the place and it should definitely have been shorter. we also didn't really get to know much about the side characters, concord, or the crusaders before arché and lenora leave so it ended up being very difficult to care about them or their motives. for example, whenever arché thought about how much she missed her family, it was difficult to feel bad for her, as we didn't really get to know her family at the beginning... like at all.

₊˚ ⊹ the characters also fell quite flat. while lenora's personality was decently captivating and interesting, arché's wasn't so much as most of the time i was just very annoyed with how immature and annoying she could be. there were also too many underdeveloped side characters. leahi and alta were the most interesting side characters. they were both quite charismatic so it was easy to like and root for them and their stories, whereas many of the other characters were quite bland and didn't really have very distinct personalities.

though, with all that being said, i thought the premise was very nice and creative! werewolves and vampires teaming up to save their town was such a fun idea, but i just wish it was executed a little better. i did like the writing style though, so i'll probably give the second book in this series a try when it is released!

Mixed feelings about this, I love the premise and the execution was fine but the first half was soooooo slow. The romance takes so long to even enter the chat and THEN the slow burn pining begins, which makes everything drag on. The back half was stronger but it was hard to feel invested after the front slog. I also felt like things wrapped up a bit too conveniently in the end which made it fall a little flat.

If someone asked me for wolf/vampire sapphic novels (a pretty niche genre) I'd definitely recommend it but it wouldn't qualify for just general sapphic fantasy rep.

Thank you to Netgalley and Aimee Donnellan for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Vampires and lycans?? Hold on there this is a must read, of course I got excited to know that I was chosen to read this ARC thanks so much Netgalley, author and publisher, this book was so amazing that I just couldn't put it down, I loved Arché and Lenora, this was one of the best sapphic romantasy I read lately and less than 5 stars is not acceptable

This was a fun read! The characters were compelling and while I didn’t find their motivations or issues to be always believable it was nice to see them develop. I wouldn’t say this story was anything that changed my life, and the main conflict didn’t feel as pressing as I assumed it would be, but it was so enjoyable. I always want more vampire and werewolf queer love stories, and this one was a great example! I would probably give it closer to a 4.5, and I’m excited to see what else this author releases.

This book was a fast paced romance that had me from the get go. I really enjoyed the world building and the characters were amazing. I will be checking out this author's other books and the next in the series. While vampires and werewolves have been done before, I liked the twist of this one. It felt fresh and I loved watching the characters fall in love! The romance really brought some lightness to this book as it easily could have been a heavy storyline without.

Oops I accidentally put this on my notes for publisher…

Ahem.

Great progression between the two main characters that made their relationship believable in a way most fantasy forgets nowadays! I definitely recommend this as a fantasy palette cleanser if you tend to read much larger books with much more density for a good time.

DNF AT 48%. I think the serialised format of this book works against its quite strong opening and character driven storytelling. The book probably needs a lot more editing than what it exists right now, especially with a lot of the journey and the almost businesslike workman description of the "biting" between Arche and Lenora is robbed of its tension until it just reads like "and then this happens in the background". Also Lenora reads a tad childish sometimes, especially since her dark shadow powers are seen less than they are spoken of in explanations of rumours, and her relationship with them described in much a YA fashion. Also, and this is just personal, I love coming of age and queer awakening stories but there's only so much Lenora can pointlessly rail internally at Arche who was the unknowing subject of her crush's crush without it coming off bordeline internalised misogyny, that even if couched in "she has a love rival", comes across as tiresome especially cause Lenora lacks a ton of nuance. The worldbuilding was quite interesting though.

i finally had a chance to read this book and i shouldn't have pushed it off so much. it was so good and i loved the two main characters so much. i definitely want to read more books from this author!

I was so excited to be able to read an ARC of this book through NetGalley!! I'd been seeing the authors promotions on social media and was looking forward to its release.

I really enjoyed this book. Arché and Lenora are both relatable, lovable, and flawed characters. They both struggled with anxiety and self-esteem, but in different ways. This slower-burn romance was a masterclass in communication and consent. I also LOVED all the flirting and banter between the main pairing and other characters.

The action and battle scenes were fun - fast-paced and not too gory. Final battles can be tough, but this one was so satisfying to read after everything Arché AND Lenora went through and learned from each other.

The writing wasn't always my favorite and the pacing was a little inconsistent. Some of the dialogue felt a little unrealistic, especially when it came to talking about feelings. At times the writing felt more like online works I've read than other books.

Overall I did enjoy this story, the world, and the town of Concord. Arché is an absolute dreamboat, and I could relate so much to Lenora. I'm looking forward to reading the other installments in this series and meeting more of the characters!

A wholesome and emotional sapphic romantasy that was very enjoyable to read.

If you want a cute sapphic werewolf/vampire romantasy then this book is for you. The story takes us through many emotions from loss and grief to hope of a better future.
Both Lenora and Arché are heirs to their respective houses and are tasked with an impossible mission. Their time on the road in pursuit of allies to save their town is also an opportunity for them to learn to know and trust each other.
I definitely feel like the highlight of this book is the character work. The growth and progress both women go through is handled very well. Both characters struggle with their mental health. Lenora has depression and Arché has trouble regulating her emotions as part of her adhd and i liked that it was handled in a way where it didn’t define them but still played a central role in their characterization.
The romance between Arché and Lenora was another highlight for me. It was incredibly sweet and refreshing. They go through a phase of trial and error trying to make sense of their feelings and learn to communicate openly that made the relationship feel authentic. The author makes us feel invested in their journey both as a couple and as heirs of Concord seeking help.
For me, the one aspect where the book struggles a bit is the pacing. The middle part feels slow and repetitive as our characters are on the road. The introduction of new side characters was a plus but wasn’t enough to keep me engaged as much.
Overall, a very enjoyable read and the ending definitely sets up the stage for the next installment.

This is a captivating read for fans of LGBTQIA+ romance, fantasy, and adventure, particularly those who enjoy stories featuring sapphic relationships, werewolves and vampires, and the thrill of a journey story that explores the complexities of love, identity, and self-discovery.

This was such a cute and fun sapphic romantasy! The world had such a cool dnd vibe to it and I thought the romance between Lenora and Arché was super sweet. I would definitely recommend this if you want a more lighthearted fantasy with loads of great queer and neurodivergent rep!

The character development in this book was amazing as Lenora and Arché learnt to trust each other and to be more open about their mental health struggles. The depression, ADHD, and anxiety rep, as well as the demi, gender non-conforming, and lesbian rep was handled really well in my opinion and I loved how queer-normative and inclusive the world was.

The actual plot for me was definitely secondary to the relationship between Lenora and Arché but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I quite enjoyed having a more low-stakes and lighthearted plot as a backdrop to them figuring out their feelings for each other. The dnd style adventure worked well, especially combined with some elements of the found family trope which I loved. The idea of religious fanatics attacking a group they know nothing about based on lies and hatred was a very poignant and compelling catalyst for the story, and while I do wish the different religious ideas had been explored a little more, I didn't mind that not being a focus.

I do think that exposition wasn't handled in the best way at some moments, and there were a few plot points that felt a little clunky or heavy-handed. I also wish we had a little more backstory for Concord and how lycans and vampires exist outside of it. However, I think these issues were easy to overlook because of how much heart was obviously put into writing this and just how enjoyable and uplifting it was.

If you want something that will just be a lot of fun to read and make you feel very understood and accepted then this is a great book and I would definitely recommend it!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with this eARC in return for an honest review.

absolutely adored this book!

the characters are so relatable and well written, and their wills and whims drive the plot so well! i would 100% read the second book to this novel and really enjoyed meeting all the side characters!! the arcs throughout the novel felt very natural and omg when they had to keep sneaking off for lenora I WAS LAUGHING EVERY TIME

More sapphic romantasy please! I was so stoked to see a wlw werewolf/vampire book. And Arché having a biting kink made the whole tension between her and Lenora even better.
The middle third of the book was slow for me - there was a lot of focus on the building romance which i wanted but i wanted more plot development while this was happening. This is a me problem though - i think i'm finding that i have trouble with romantasy and am more of a fantasy with romance reader. I found the emotional depth and journeys of both women really compelling but the stakes felt a little underdeveloped in order to prioritize the romance. I also found the epilogue focusing on the next book's protagonist less satisfying than a traditional romance epilogue.
If you're looking for a more traditional romantasy with wlw characters this is absolutely for you, i think i'm learning that it might not be my genre.

This book singlehandedly restored my love for fantasy. From the moment I picked up this book I became immersed in the story and characters, loving every second of it. A butch werewolf and a femme vampire? This is literally everything I've ever wanted. Aimee Donnellan has somehow picked my little ADHD brain and found exactly the type of book I've been craving.

Arché and Lenora's relationship developed so beautifully, I'm absolutely obsessed with how sweet it all was despite the horrors they were living. The way their relationship progressed and they supported each other through it all, the way Arché let Leonora take care of her too, it was just so lovely and heartwarming. Them constantly checking in with each other and displaying the importance and comfort in consent was an amazing touch that really elevated it for me.

The mental health representation was so good too. Arché's struggles with ADHD were so incredibly real, I often found myself sympathizing and relating to her. Meeting Alta and seeing them display the same symptoms, seeing Kalé acknowledge Arché's struggles at the end, it made me so incredibly happy. Reading about someone that's like me and manages to still be the hero of their story filled me with so much joy. Same with Lenora's depression, her difficulties getting up from bed, her anxieties about how she's not good enough. Seeing them grow together, not only as a couple but as individuals, was an incredible and relatable experience.

The world building was fun and very interesting, I can't wait to continue to delve into this universe and learn more. I was very intrigued by the villains being religious extremists, making this story—although a magic filled, fantastical tale—socially relevant to literally any point in history. And the ending with the prophet....... oh I cannot wait to see what they learn about that.

In summary, I loved the romance and deeply enjoyed the world, story, and characters. Will definitely be reading the author's other books.

A quick, fun sapphic read that gives you a glimpse into vampire + werewolf lore. I loved the concept of vampires and werewolves (lycans) working together instead of tearing one another apart. It was a nice change of pace compared to the normal hatred between both species.

The character development was enjoyable with plenty of angst/growth between both leads. I enjoyed the slow burn between both Lenora and Arche which felt natural and not forced. Especially accompanied by the dual POVs which helped dive deeper into each other's feelings and connections.

The magical elements within realms was wonderful, and the world-building was perfectly described. It was enough to leave me satisfied at the descriptions but not too much to bore me with specifics.

The plot and adventure were both gripping, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book as a whole!!

Thank you again for this beautiful ARC <3

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!

Here’s the fact: I love fantasy novels, but I’m not really big on romance. If I had a nickel for every time I tried reading something romance-focused and my eyes rolled all the way back into my head, I’d be a millionaire (or, at least, very well off). So what on earth am I doing reading a romantasy? Mainly: a) the romance is sapphic, and b) there’s a butch lesbian main character. So, I gave A Crimson Covenant a try, and despite some shortcomings (which I’ll detail in a bit), I’m really glad I did!

The story follows Lenora and Arché, a vampire and a werewolf who reluctantly team up and embark on a journey to save their people. What begins as a necessary alliance blossoms into something deeper, pushing both girls to drop their defenses and confront their fears.

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the romance part this much. It was chef’s kiss under every metric—a perfect slow burn that felt natural and sweet, full of respect for each other’s space and boundaries. Even the spicy scenes were handled refreshingly well.

The slow pacing allowed the story to build a believable, deep bond between Lenora and Arché, while also giving readers time to truly get to know them and understand the inner struggles they each faced. The author clearly poured a lot of care into creating two main characters who felt incredibly real—flawed and imperfect, but willing to grow and challenge themselves. There were quite a few scenes that made me tear up, especially on Arché’s side. I also really appreciated how sensitive topics like anxiety and depression (and mental health in general) were addressed. These themes were seamlessly integrated into the narrative and became an integral part of the girls’ personal journeys.

Now, what didn’t work for me: the fantasy aspects of the story and, more broadly, the plot outside Lenora and Arché’s alliance. I’ll admit I have a bias here—the fantasy stories I love tend to be complex, layered, deeply political, and heavy on symbolism and metaphor. I respect the author’s effort to deliver a story highlighting the senseless hatred toward entire communities (here, vampires and werewolves), but the execution felt too simplistic and lacking in nuance for my taste.

Characters were either clearly good or clearly bad, and the plot followed a linear path with no surprises, twists, or elevated stakes. For example, scenes like the Stag soldiers quickly accepting Arché’s story and offering their unconditional help felt somewhat unrealistic and pulled me out of the narrative.

The rescue storyline, which forms the core of the book, didn’t hold my interest as much as Lenora and Arché’s relationship. This was likely because I had plenty of time to grow attached to the protagonists, but nearly none to invest in the characters they were trying to save. The worldbuilding also felt shallow, with locations that lacked distinctive features (naming every tavern isn’t enough!).

Ultimately, I think A Crimson Covenant suffers from an imbalance between its romantic and fantasy elements. That said, the romance was an absolute joy to read, and I’d love to see Aimee Donnellan continue writing, especially since she has a clear talent for crafting (queer!) character relationships and development. With a richer worldbuilding and deeper fantasy elements, I think she could create something truly next-level.