This is imaginative fantasy about a girl marrying a vampire to gain access to the underworld to save her still living sisters soul. For fans of this its excellent.

A Steep and Savage Path by JJA Harwood is a captivating and haunting tale that blends supernatural elements with a forbidden romance. The story follows Irina, a woman who must become the bride of a vampire to save her sister’s soul from the underworld. In exchange for his help, Irina offers her blood to Stefan, her new husband, and they embark on a perilous journey through a world of nightmarish creatures and twisted landscapes.

The book is rich in eerie imagery, from three-headed beasts to winged horrors and walking corpses, creating an atmospheric setting that immerses readers in a realm both dangerous and otherworldly. The dynamic between Irina and Stefan is one of mutual distrust that slowly evolves into a powerful, unexpected love, making the enemies-to-lovers trope both fresh and compelling. The forced proximity between them heightens the tension, creating a bond that feels both inevitable and fraught with danger.

As someone with a teenage obsession with vampire fiction, I found this book particularly enthralling. Harwood’s take on the genre is unique, blending the thrill of the supernatural with an emotional depth that adds complexity to the characters and their relationships. Irina’s journey to the underworld is not just physically perilous but also emotionally transformative, with the stakes growing ever higher. The choice she faces at the end is heart-wrenching and leaves a lasting impact.

For anyone who enjoys dark, atmospheric stories with a strong female lead, A Steep and Savage Path is a must-read. The romance between Irina and Stefan is passionate and intense, while the world-building is both eerie and captivating. This book is a unique and unforgettable journey that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

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This book was absolutely mesmerizing—a dark, haunting, and beautifully written tale that completely pulled me in. Irina’s journey is full of sacrifice, determination, and quiet strength, making her such a compelling protagonist. The eerie, atmospheric world-building was stunning, and I felt fully immersed in the folklore and magic woven throughout the story.

The dynamic between Irina and Stefan was everything I love in an enemies-to-lovers romance—tense, electric, and full of slow-burning intensity. Their relationship unfolded so naturally, layered with trust, danger, and longing. Every twist and turn had me on edge, and the emotional depth made it all so satisfying.

If you love gothic fantasy, haunting myths, and romances that simmer with tension and passion, A Steep and Savage Path is an absolute must-read. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Oh my, oh my!
YA Gothic horror meets Romanian folklore meets Aeneid & some Persephone. Could I ask for more?

The back and forth between Irina (a very mortal, live bride) and Stefan (a haunting vampire) is incredible, oh the trauma, all the growth. Their journey through the shadowy underworld was so engaging that I didn’t want them to reach the end 🖤

I dove straight in the atmosphere, and finished it in less than 24h..

If you love eerie stories, a strong FMC that is fair, being surprised by a monster and you’re a big sister that would go through hell for your little one: you won’t want to miss this! ✨

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | Magpie for the ARC. 🙌🏼

This book was SO good! I loved the romance and how it was written, the character were fascinating to read about and I loved the setting of this book.
Absolutely will be reading more from this author! Such a beautiful read.

5⭐️ I absolutely love love 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬𝑫 A Steep and Savage Path.

As part of a desperate ritual to rid their Transylvanian village of a vampire, Irina is sacrificed to be his bride. But when Irina has to travel to the Underworld to retrieve her sister’s trapped soul, could the vampire that she was forced to wed be the one who saves them both?

immortal mmc x mortal fmc
forced proximity
vampires
forbidden love
enemies to lovers

This was heart-warming, beautiful, tragic, moving and all of the above, 5x over. I don’t cry at books often but this one made me SOB. Vivid and vibrant world-building, believable and well-rounded main characters and an ending that if I think about too much, I’ll start crying again.

Thank you endlessly to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

A gothic, atmospheric historical mystery that perfectly balances eerie suspense with emotional depth. The lyrical writing style creates a haunting, immersive world, and the journey is compelling. The slow-burn tension and intricate character work shine, though the pacing may feel sluggish at times. A beautifully dark tale that fans of gothic fiction will appreciate.

I'd love to write a long review about A Steep and Savage Path but I find it hard to write long reviews about books I love! So we'll just go with:
1. I cried for 30 minutes straight while reading this. Automatic 5 stars.
2. I didn't think it was going to be sweet and emotional! I wasn't prepared.

The description/blurb likens this book to The Crimson Moth and The Cruel Prince. I've only read one of those, but in my mental library I've placed A Steep and Savage Path with Olivia Atwater's Half A Soul - no-spice romantic fantasy full of emotion and heart that will stay with me and definitely be reread when my heart needs to be wrung out! This book took me completely by surprise - I have a post-cry photo as evidence lol.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.

Irina & Stefan
Enemies to lovers
Forced Proximity
Vampire
Forbidden Love
Journey to the underworld

Irina finds herself making a deal with Stefan, help her on a journey to the underworld to retrieve her sister's soul and he can drink her blood in exchange.

My teenage self was obsessed with vampire books so as soon as I saw the blurb for this one, I was intrigued!

This is different from anything I've ever read before but I really enjoyed it!