A riveting fantasy adventure that captures your imagination. The author masterfully blends magic, adventure, romance and intrigue into an unforgettable story. Highly recommending it!

A very fun read! Overall I enjoyed this seeing that it follows our man Kai. Fighting off monsters and the mob that are slightly terrifying. This book made it so enjoyable to read but maybe that’s just my experience when it comes to horror/fantasy books!

I have to start by telling you, this book made me so freaking happy!
I mean, it also kept me on my toes guessing, reminded me that many people fucking suck - but many more are truly wonderful, it will get you hot (depending on how immune - or not - to 🌶🌶 you are), make you angry, remind you that found family is one of the best kinds, and also, kitty - if you've ever had an orange cat you know!!

For the first time (properly) since we met him in The Hollow Gods, we get to dive into Kai's head (with him as the only resident!) and Vrana skillfully tugs on the threads of repressed memory, ptsd, anguish, intrusive thoughts, and hopelessness before weaving these multiple strands into a single tale that affects so many more people than just Kai and taking us into the recesses of memory and nightmares, the underworld of the Russian mob, and back out into the light.

Being back with Kai, Miya, and the gang felt a lot like heading home, I think about the chaos duology a lot and I really enjoyed getting to see Kai's story and learn more about him. I've always appreciated his snark and sass, as it's really rather refreshing in a character and I always felt the way he is devoted to Miya ran deeper than simply fate. Seeing his vulnerability and his turmoil in Wildblood will really strike a chord for a lot of people. BUT...it also serves as a reminder that even if you feel like you are beyond repair, or that you are undeserving of even simple kindness, help is there, even if it is just one person telling you they've always got your back, and that's the real beauty of this book.

Wildblood is out on October 29th. Go. Go now!

Damn, this was such a wild ride. This book had me in a choke hold. The mythology behind the story, the magic mixed with a real world, it was amazing! But, what had me reeling was Kai going to therapy to understand why he was hurting those he loved, apart from deeply hurting himself. Is letting go of your fears to be the monster you need to be to protect those you love. Miya is a wonderful character, and their relationship was beautifully constructed.
Wonderful book, and I can't recommend it enough!

"If it spared someone pain, if it honored their wishes, why not be the monster they needed?"

Greatly enjoyed. I was confused as this was the first book I’ve read by this author, but the plot was explained in a wonderful way. Every part of this book was very interesting and I will definitely be buying when it releases.

Wildblood
Easy 5 stars!
Let me Start by saying what an absolute gem this book was, I've seen it posted about in a Facebook group a few times and thought I would try my luck at the eArc and boy it did not disappoint.

This book is a companion novel to a duology The Chaos Cycle, which I was unaware of until I began reading. It did not negatively impact my reading experience. The author provides sufficient world-building and character backstory, to enable this to be read as a standalone. ( like I did)
I could not put this book down, it was so entertaining! The plot was solid, the writing was beautiful, and I absolutely loved the two main characters and the love they have for each other.

The book contains a significant amount of graphic violence and gore, which may be disturbing to some readers.
I want more of Kai and Miya so I will definitely be picking up the authors previous books.

I loved this book. I started it and before I could finish, I read the books that came before it — The Chaos Cycle Duology. I cannot get enough of this couple. The inner-growth of both was insanely satisfying. The fact that the story represents a woman strong enough to demand change and a man who’s willing to work through his trauma is great. The storyline flowed really well. Ive been recommending it to everyone who will listen.

Wild Blood
By A. J. Varna.

Sexy, gritty and dark.

This book is all of things and more.
I found it took me a while to get into the storyline. But once I did…. I was there for the ride.

I loved Kia’s character and his development throughout the narrative. A dark, lovable and gritty character.

Fantastic banter and lots of snappy scenes to sink your teeth into.

A brilliantly layed out plotline that will have you on the edge of you seats….

A wickedly intriguing and immersive experience.

There's just something about a feral, tough as shit brawler that I just LOVE! So I enjoyed Wildblood from the get go; with a character like Kai Donovan, how could I not??
I felt it was a little slow at the beginning though- making sure the world and lore made sense to new readers and such. I didn't know this was a companion novel before starting and wish I had of read the Chaos Cycle Duology beforehand, though it still flows well as a standalone.
I LOVED Vrana's writing style too. Reading through this was like a punch to the gut; hard hitting statements and insights and metaphors. If I ever get my hands on a physical copy it'll be full of highlighted pages.
I loved the unhindered gory violence, the wild and imaginative magic, the gritty urban setting, the characters and of course, lil Ripper.
Highly recommend!!

I want to say that I started Wildblood without having read the other books set in the same world. I usually don't do this because I'm always worried I will miss some parts of the story or cannot understand the characters fully.

After finishing this book, I'm confident in saying that it's still better to read the Chaos Cycle Duology before venturing into this story. Don't get me wrong, you can totally start from here as I did, but I felt like I was missing some pieces while reading, especially when it came to the characters' relationships.

I think the magic part is perfectly explained, as is the world in which the story is set. The writing style is enjoyable, sometimes a bit too descriptive, but it's necessary for those who have not read the duology, and I appreciated it.

Kai is one of the most interesting main characters I've ever read about. He's complicated, and the development he undergoes during the book is moving. Once again, I felt like I would have appreciated it even more if I had known his whole story from book one.

Overall, I loved the dark mood of the story and its complex characters. While I enjoyed the plot, I felt the book was more focused on Kai's character development.

This is an absolutely gorgeous stand alone. I haven’t read The Hollow Gods series, but I didn’t find myself lacking for background or history.

In a sea of enemies/friends/rivals to lovers, a story about an established couple was like a breath of fresh air. The dynamic between the couple was that gorgeous, a beautiful depiction of two people who care very deeply for each other, and who decide to pick each other first every time. The way they lean on each other, and the desire to become a better person for their love is a glorious thing to read about.

As for the plot, again we don’t see a lot of Slavic folklore in popular romantasy, and the urban noir setting that wrapped so deliciously around traditional folk tales was so different from anything I’ve read recently. It was a perfect stand alone, a glorious mix of tension, spice, intrigue and romance.

The side characters were well rounded and developed, and I found myself caring about them as much as I did the main character, even the little non verbal house spirit has a special place in my heart.

An easy five star read, and I cannot wait to discover more of this authors back catalogue.

5 motherfucking star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ !!

“I’m not Death,” said Kai. “I’m the fucking calamity that wields it.”

This is how you write incredibly layered characters and plot! Honestly what a refreshing and unique way of telling story! Wow wow wow I am blown away! This story was unexpectedly good and touched me in soul level! (my favorite type 🙌🏼)

I was provided eARC by publisher through NetGalley and this review is purely my own opinion.

When I saw random instagram post from author and requested arc from netgalley. I didn’t anticipate reading such an incredible art! Writing is exceptionally good! Author paints incredible picture with vivid details! She literally painted with her words! I usually struggle seeing story vividly in my head but this wasn’t the case! I saw and felt everything into my bones. I love it so much that I already preordered the book for my bookshelf!

I was really worried that I didn’t read the duology and wouldn’t enjoy the book but honestly it wasn’t the case at all I loved it that way more reading this one first! I love the fact that I was thrown into 5 years established relationship and romance and love was amazing to see and live with them. I understood everything pretty well, author does incredible job referencing the things happened in duology. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything.

This book’s genre is paranormal thriller and it’s not my usual genre but it felt like homecoming for me because I used to read this genre when I was a teenager so I have felt so good and alive! The world is definitely gruesome and gritty but I love every minute of it! Plot was stellar and how it moved with characters growth was truly interwoven in a very exceptional way! Pacing and development has been done so well despite of being standalone! Wow 🤩

We usually see how trauma happened in stories not so much trauma recovery but this book was truly amazing storytelling in trauma recovery! The amount of wisdom this book contain is incredible, truly fascinating! As a trauma practitioner, I can literally see every layers of trauma being integrated 🙌🏼🤯 ancestral healing, inner child healing, deep intense trauma and relationships healing, soul/ past life (incarnation) healing! 🤩🤩 just wow! I am blown away truly! What an incredible work 🙌🏼

Kai touched me in soul level! He is such a complex layered character just wow! I love him so much and I understood him deeply! As a trauma practitioner and as a complex trauma survivor! His healing arc is done so well! I am seriously so inspired by authors writing! She touched me so deeply! I also cried many times because I have felt in my bones what Kai was going through! I also love Mia so much! I didn’t see her story because this book was about Kai but I love how she loves Kai so fiercely! She is truly selfless loving badass soft fmc (my favorite kind) ! Side characters also done so well! I loved glimpsing their inner worlds through Kai and Mia’s perspective! Also seeing world problem in the paranormal setting was so refreshing! I feel that financial pressure in my daily life and seeing portrayed so well in paranormal setting was cherry on top!

Honestly I have so much things to say but also what I can say more! This book was incredible and definitely in my top 5 read of this year for sure!

My favorite quotes and moments; I highlighted so much in this book! It was truly full of wisdom and which is gained through pain and trauma! I just wanna say to author I see you and you’re fucking incredible ❤️‍🔥

“there it was—that crippling, bone-deep fear of abandonment rearing its ugly head.” (I started to cry after I read this because this is exactly how being abandoned feels like! 🤯🥹)

“some shit just stays with you, burrows in your bones, then leaps out when you least expect it.” (somatic memory of trauma written in art form 🙌🏼)

“Youth brings peculiar insight. Unadulterated truths. The wisdom of children, so often overlooked by those courted by their own irrelevance. A pathetic grab for control.” (inner child is the wisest of us all!)

“Being unraveled was hardly a gentle thing. It was a violent sort of pleasure, an unmooring that flayed you open, stripped you down to your barest parts.” (trauma recovery is truly ugly and difficult phase and I am in awe of author doing such an incredible and real work!)

I finished Wildblood and I just want to say I am blown away by this book!

How Vrana writes the relationship between Miya and Kai is so real and I adore that they are already established couple in this book, it's refreshing to see. Also the way they go through highs and real lows but still choose each other always, go to war for each other, is very raw, as a reader you feel their emotions jump from the page.

I knew that going into this book I would be met with Kai's traumas and again, Vrana gets real. Kai is a beautifully flawed character and to see him struggle in therapy and how his trauma is tearing at him and his relationships was intense. It's rare to see this in any book, even more so in fantasy.

What I also loved here is the delve into Slavic folklore as this is not as well explored as for example Roman or Greek myths, so it's refreshing and exotic in a way as Slavic folklore is just as rich and has more than Vampires or Werewolves.

And oh gods, the way this author writes shifters and how they transform! I've never seen this done in such a brutal but also natural way. You basically feel your bones shift whenever Kai transforms.
Vrana does not overuse this which makes these scenes even more stand out. As someone who was always disappointed by transformation scenes from human to animal form and back, these moments were amazing to read, finally shifting done right!

As I just discovered the author with this book, I will surely get the duology of her Dreamweaver story to witness how it all started. It's to noone's surprise by now that I've become a big fan of Kai and Miya.
And that trickster named Gavran.
A.J. Vrana has become my new favorite author, highly recommended if you love fresh Urban Fantasy!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the #Wildblood eARC!

(3.75 stars)

Wildblood has some of the most phenomenal character and relationship writing i have seen in a long time. our protagonists, kai and miya, were the absolute highlight of the book, and the depth with which they were written (especially kai) leaves me still reeling with absolute awe.

i hadn't read the original duology that established the context for the world/characters, but for the most part, i was able to grasp onto the story pretty quickly. vrana writes in a way that still makes the novel accessible for new readers by filling in the gaps about events that occurred before the novel. and rather than one big recap dump at the start of the book, the author seamlessly interweaves this information throughout the story.

one of the biggest strengths of this novel is how well-written kai is. his weaknesses were explored beautifully, and i especially loved seeing him tackle these in his therapy sessions. not only were they important in helping kai overcome his internal conflicts, but it also allowed me to really understand him as a character.

kai and miya's relationship was another standout for me. it's not always easy to fall in love with an established couple when you first meet them, but that's how it was with me. they had so much chemistry together, and all the layers within their relationship made them really feel like a real couple. i love that vrana took the time to explore why kai and miya loved each other. at one point, miya connects her past with the independence that kai wields and values, and gosh, i was just amazed at how that link was established. similarly, the conflicts that miya and kai face as a couple are all intertwined with kai's internal conflicts, and i just think it's such a clever way of going about it.

furthermore, i loved how the sex scenes were also used as a vehicle to further understand kai and his relationship with miya. everything is so intentional, which feels so refreshing to read.

the only thing holding this story back is the plot. the story about finding the kidnapped girl somehow didn't feel compelling enough for me. although it is a companion novel, i think if the magic system was established stronger, particularly in the beginning, i would have had more of an emotional investment in this aspect of the story.

overall though, this was a fantastic read, and i am looking forward to reading more of vrana's works in the future!

and thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC!

I had not heard of A.J Vrana before Wildblood popped up on my Instagram feed. The author was doing a pre-order for a special edition of the book and it was so pretty I was intrigued enough to go & find out more. Although advised that it could be read as a stand-alone, I'm a bit of a completist so went back to read A.J's original Chaos Cycle duology, which introduces the main characters of Wildblood - Miya and Kai.

In retrospect, I think A.J did a fantastic job writing this novel in order for it to stand on its own. You could definitely read it as a stand-alone but I think you will get a much richer experience having read all of Miya & Kai's prior experiences together in the Chaos Cycle duology. I certainly enjoyed reading all three books!

I loved the urban setting of Wildblood and the mystery element of the storyline - think a much gritter, sexier scooby doo experience (where Scooby is a shape-shifting underground fighter who gives zero fu*ks about almost anyone or anything!). The mystery was the main plot device of the story but this book also delves into Kai's unknown past. It was incredible how the author seamlessly interwove these two storylines - it was very satisfying to see it all come together. I couldn't put the last third of the book down.

This book is also a lot spicier than the duology but I really liked seeing that aspect of the character's relationship as they are quite an established couple in this story (as opposed to meeting and forming their initial relationship during the duology). But AJ didn't just write spice for the sake of spice - the couple's physical relationship is often an outlet for untreated trauma and I think the author does a great job representing mental health in this book.

Overall, this book (& series) were quite different to what I would usually read and I absolutely loved them for it! I would recommend these books for anyone who loves the romance/urban fantasy/PNR genres but are looking to step away from the somewhat formulaic & predictable trope fests that we all know and love!

✨Wildblood✨

Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. The. Ending. So utterly perfect. 🥹😭

It’s so surreal after having read books 1,2, and the novella with extras (Strayed Feathers, which I recommend!) to now go back to normal life without Kai and Miya. Despite the fantasy aspect, this was one of the most real books I’ve read. Lots of focus on trauma and facing it, addressing it, forgiving and acknowledging it, and not letting it define you or your future.

Back with our nitty gritty found family, Wildblood is focusing mainly on Kai’s story. We learn a lot of his history and making in books 1&2, but we don’t get to address it until now. And how else to do that but with monsters, shadows, violence, and mobsters?

Miya and Kai must face their relationship head on, acknowledging that they can’t grow unless they heal. The mission they both receive is different, supernatural, and yet entangled. Who knew ghosts could force you to introspect?

I love Miya and Kai’s relationship. Miya’s grace. Kai’s loyalty. Miya’s unconditional love. Kai’s fight to understand what love looks like. Such a brutally beautiful story.

This is technically a standalone and can be read that way, but I HIGHLY suggest reading The Hollow Gods, The Echoed Realm, and Stray Feathers to truly understand the relationship between Miya and Kai. And so you don’t think Kai is just a jerk. He has SUCH depth. My favorite character by far.

Tropes you may find in Wildblood are established relationship, found family, mobsters and street fighting, monsters and shifters, dream realms, gore and language, spice 3/5, men in therapy, mental health rep, and a completed ending.

I’m so thankful I signed up for this arc by AJ. It was totally out of my normal realm but a story that is so delicate despite its brutality and will stick with me always.

Thank you NetGalley and Parliament House Press for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

5/5 stars

Wow, this book had me hooked. I loved Kai and Miya’s devotion to each other. When things got tough they worked through it rather than running away. I appreciated that there was issues but it wasn’t relationship ending. They chose each other and stood by that decision. I will say even though this was a standalone I do feel like I missed some of their relationship buildup by not reading the duology first. I still greatly enjoyed it and think the author did a great job recapping the important pieces.

I loved how unapologetic Kai was. He knew his faults and embraced them. One of the ending lines in a chapter was, “I’m going to lose my temper.” and it is such a fitting line for Kai. He does lose his temper, a lot. I enjoyed his background and him working through his issues. Getting into his mind was fun and always a bit bloody.

Miya and her dreamscape powers were fascinating. I wish we had more scenes with her in the dreamscape as it was really cool to read about! I enjoyed that she pushed Kai and didn’t let him get away with stuff.

I really enjoyed how the author portrayed therapy and how it helped Kai. I think it’s something that gets glossed over and I think it’s important the author included it.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and want to read the duology next! The author built a rich supernatural world with complex characters that hooked you in!

Rating: 4.5/5

Wildblood is marketed as a book that either can be read as a Standalone or as a companion novel in The Chaos Cycle duology. I haven’t read through duology prior to this, so I can confirm that this was very easy to read as a standalone, and incredibly enjoyable to do so. There are references to what happened within the previous two books, easily enough to follow and well explained to let this continue being a standalone, but intriguing enough to make me want to read those two books sooner rather than later.

We follow Kai, a very hotheaded character with more childhood trauma than one man should be allowed to have and his girlfriend, Miya. Both are paranormal living on the outskirts of the human world, in Boston’s darkest and dirtiest mobster ran streets.

Making a living as a cage fighter, which are clearly prearranged to help with betting, Kai loses a match he shouldn’t have and now owes a huge debt to those he really doesn’t want to owe anything, a Russian Mobster.

Given a task to resolve the issue he’s created, he finds himself embroiled in a much bigger problem which is traversing worlds. Whilst dealing with his traumatic past, his potentially crumbling relationship and the chaos that is his found family, Kai must work out how to save a life which may be impossible.

This book is gripping from the get go, full of gore and violence I would confirm the TW first before reading. There is spice, but applicable to the plot and not presented for the sake of it. There is fantastic representation of the benefits of therapy, and how sometimes the family you need is the family you have chosen.

I want to thank NetGalley and A.J Vrana for the opportunity to read this as an ARC - this was my first introduction to this author and I can safely say it will not be my last book I choose to read by them!

I absolutely loved this book! I hadn't read the first book before hand.. but this books explains plenty to understand the storyline and backstory. I loved that I was always in suspense of what was going to happen next. I fell in love with Kai and miya and the highs and lows they experienced with each other and gavran and ama were also amazing characters! I highly recommend this book!!

3.75 stars but rounding up to 4.

I made the mistake of not checking if this was a standalone or not. It can be read as a standalone, make no mistake, but presumably you too like me will be missing some stuff from the story before.

Took me a while to catch up but when I did I found that I enjoyed being in this world with these characters. And it was a fairly fast read for me, which is definitely a plus, I kept wanting to pick it back up and continue reading (real life though, alas...).

Liked the writing, there were lines and parts that had me laughing out loud, the sarcasm and the dialogue were on point even though I would have to admit that the plot was a bit weak but - I LOVED the character writing and the relationship, it really stuck out to me as one of this year's best that I've read so far.

This book was incredible. This is one of the rare books where I was hooked from page 1 and finished it in two days! I need an entire series in this world and with these characters. I have been in a literary slump lately and this pulled me right out of it. I finished it three days ago and haven't stopped thinking about it since.

I really like this book. It was such a unique story filled with many of the supernatural that I live and then other aspects of the supernatural that the author created themselves. The dynamic between the MMC and FMC was so interesting and done in a way I haven’t really read before. I enjoyed this read! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the read!!

I really liked this book! It's the first romance novel that I read where the MMC goes to get help for their mental health, which was refreshing to see. Seeing how both main characters grow through this book together and in their own right was so great, and it was beautifully written! This book had everything romance, adventure, and incredible characters! Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGallet and A.J Vrana for providing me with the ARC.

*ARC received from Netgalley - all opinions are my own*

TL;DR: An emotionally complex story wreathed in blood, gore, and darkness. Definitely recommend Wildblood but would recommend the previous Duology to really bring you closer to the characters.

Review:
"Wildblood was my introduction to Kai and Miya’s life, and I absolutely loved it! It’s everything I enjoy in Urban Fantasy—mystery, grit, darkness, and a generous dose of blood and gore.

While Vrana does an excellent job of making the story accessible to newcomers, I’d still recommend reading the Chaos Duology first. Doing so might have given me a deeper connection to the characters, which I felt was the only thing missing from making this a 5-star read.

I enjoyed the complexities of Kai’s character and being inside his mind and seeing him making progress mentally to face his fears/ demons. I also liked the fact that Miya didn’t let Kai deflect and push her around - she stood firm and let him know what she needed from him.

Wildblood surprised me with its emotional complexity and seeing that alongside the violence and gore was amazing. Such a rich and complex story and characters and will have to make The Chaos Duology one of my next series to read!

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

First off, a huge thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Boy, was this book weird and different… but in all the right ways! As someone who loves dark and gritty fantasy, *Wildblood* hit all the marks for me. The atmosphere and intensity reminded me of *Vicious* by V.E. Schwab—another dark tale I love—but dare I say, I might love Wildblood even more!

Let’s talk about Kai Donovan. There’s just something about that name that gets me excited! Whether it’s Kai Donovan here or Kai Parker from The Vampire Diaries (if you know, you know) I’m always ready to be entranced. Anyways, I absolutely loved Kai and Miya’s relationship, the gritty adventure they embarked on, and the dark, atmospheric world that the story created.

This book is perfect for those who enjoy their fantasy on the darker side, filled with banter and intense moments. Definitely a must-read for fans of urban fantasy with a bit of an edge!

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🌿🖤 **Wildblood** by A. J. Vrana 🖤🌿

*Dark, atmospheric, and hauntingly beautiful—a tale where love and magic intertwine in dangerous ways.*

🌟🌑 **Review:** 🌑🌟

*Wildblood* by A. J. Vrana is an enthralling dark fantasy novel that takes readers into a world where magic is as wild and untamable as the emotions that drive its characters. Vrana weaves a story that is equal parts romance, dark magic, and psychological intrigue, creating a narrative that is both compelling and emotionally intense.

The novel follows the story of a young woman, Selene, who is cursed with the ability to see into the afterlife. Her journey through a dark, twisted world of shadowy forests and ancient spirits is deeply immersive, as the line between reality and nightmare is beautifully blurred. Vrana’s prose is lyrical and haunting, adding a depth to the world that feels both dreamlike and terrifying.

What sets *Wildblood* apart is its exploration of trauma, mental health, and the complexities of human emotions, wrapped in a gripping fantasy plot. The characters are deeply flawed, yet relatable, making their struggles feel raw and real. The slow-burn romance at the heart of the story adds to the tension, pulling you deeper into the intricate web of magic and danger.

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🌟 **Highlights:** 🌟
- **Dark & Atmospheric World**: The setting is hauntingly beautiful, with forests and shadowy realms that evoke a sense of foreboding and wonder.
- **Complex Characters**: The characters are deeply developed, each grappling with their own demons, both literal and figurative.
- **Lyrical Writing**: Vrana’s prose is poetic and immersive, perfectly capturing the emotional depth and dark magic of the story.

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💌 **Favorite Quote:**
*"In the wild, nothing is tamed. Least of all the heart."* - A beautiful encapsulation of the novel’s themes of untamed magic and raw emotion.

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🌟 **Rating:** 🌟
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

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For readers who love dark fantasy with deep emotional resonance, *Wildblood* is a must-read. A. J. Vrana crafts a story that is as unsettling as it is beautiful, blending psychological depth with a richly imagined world of magic and mystery.

See more reviews at:
<a href="https://www.caslareads.com">Casla Reads</a>

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"Wildblood" was quite unlike anything I've read. Part supernatural noir, part study of relationship and facing ones demons, it was intriguing.

The real strengths lie in Vrana's writing of the dynamics between Miya and Kai. Honestly, some of the most interesting character work that felt really raw and honest. Although you can read this without first reading the duology that precedes it, I wonder if I would have enjoyed this even more with a clearer understanding for the lore and world-building. Overall, definitely worth your time!

"I am not death", said kai , "I am the fucking calamity that wields it"

This is 'awesome' in one word, the way the Author takes us through the feelings and thoughts of each of the character is awesome.
Passing through all that pain and still emerging with a wonderful ending- or beginning now-took a lot of 'love' , which sounds alien even to me.
Kai is traumatized and he keeps covering up his wounds while biting off a helping finger, you have to find out what happened ...

Thus is one of the best books have read so far, I got really enthralled even from the beginning.
Good one.
Live with joy.

Characters who are reincarnations of gods in love who search for each other in every lifetime? Yes, please.

Wildblood is a companion story to A.J. Vrana's Chaos Cycle duology, which I had not read prior to starting Wildblood. While Vrana does an excellent job giving new readers all the info necessary to understand what's going on (you can definitely read this as a standalone), I do wish I had read The Hollowed Gods and The Echoed Realm first (I'm a completionist, what can I say?).

I am absolutely hooked on Vrana's writing style. I don't usually gravitate towards urban fantasy, but I loved the execution of this story. The vibes were vibing, my friends.

The standout feature of this story was without a doubt the dynamic between Kai and Miya. Miya is a badass. Often we get FMCs who rely on the strength and support of the MMC to grow into themselves or assert themselves, but Miya is confident all on her own and never stops supporting Kai along the way. Kai was a standout MMC for me because he was easily one of the most interesting MMCs I've ever read. He is complex, deeply flawed, and we get to see really excellent character growth and emotionally complex themes that had me really regretting not reading The Chaos Cycle first for context (**cough** more Kai **cough**).

If you like urban/paranormal fantasy, gritty vibes, morally grey men who aren't afraid of a little therapy, badass FMCs, spice that works with the plot and isn't just there to be there, and well written ADHD/PTSD representation...read this.

I devoured this book!!!! I have read so much fantasy latley but fantasy noir was so perfect!! I loved Kai and Miyas relationship so much it was my favourite parts to read!

Now about to start the chaos cycle and cant wait to see how my fav characters fell in love ....

5/5

This was the first book I’ve read by AJ and now please excuse me while I go read her backlist. If AJ Vrana writes it, I will be reading it and screeching about it to anyone who will listen. It was dark, gritty, and utterly enthralling. Miya’s Dreamwalker abilities were so unique, and I wanted more. She was so badass.

I would recommend this book if you like effortless banter, morally grey characters and being taken on a wild ride.

A Dark urban fantasy with Wolf and a Dreamwalker.
You get sucked into to this gritty adventure in a dark and supernatural version of Boston, where nigthmares comes to life...

It's dark, sexy, funny and action-packed! I really liked the chemistry between Kai and Miya, and how it's a grown up story - And apperantly it's there's a duology leading up to this beautiful standalone story following (which I of curse need ro read now).

Review on 15 of October on IG One_fairy_tale_at_the_time

Wildblood is indeed the “dark, gritty and sexy urban fantasy noir” it’s chalked up to be. The plot, the atmosphere, the folklore elements and the characters were all incredible. This was overall a beautiful journey of discovering truth and character growth for Kai — and seriously, what is better than a sexy, tall dark and handsome god (ahem literally?), morally grey mmc that gets his ass to therapy for his woman? KAI DONOVAN, you are that man ❤️‍🔥 but also a moment for Miya because !!!!!!! obviously the relationship and background between her and Kai is beautiful, but she is such a strong, smart and powerful woman in her own right. God I love these two so much.

This is my first time reading anything from this author and I’m definitely now eager to go back and read the duology that is set before this, especially to hopefully learn more of the characters I met in this story that I loved.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I’m excited to give my thoughts on Wildblood!

Trigger or content warning? Yes, it is found in book.

Details?
Main character of the book is Kai Donovan. He is 31 years old and 6’2. He lost his parents at 10 years old, and then lost his second guardian (Alice) at 16 years old.
Miya is The Dreamwalker. She is also Kai’s life’s partner. I remember it being mentioned that she is 5’8.
Ama is the White Wolf. She has watched over Miya her entire life, and is now in a relationship with Crowbar.
Crowbar is a friend of them all, and wonderfully human. She is also in a relationship with Ama.
Caelan is a fifteen year old girl who is missing from her home. She was adopted 3 years ago after she showed up out of the blue with no memory of where she’s from.
Domovoy is a house spirit attached to the King of Spades building. King of Spades is the grunge bar Crowbar and Miya own together.
Connor is the owner of the Confessional.
Carol is the cook at the Confessional.
Sergei is a middleman of the Bravta, and organizes the fights at the Confessional. He’s also the man who pays Kai for the fights he wins.

Kai and Miya have been in a relationship for the past 5 years since meeting in Black Hollow, British Columbia. There is no cheating in their relationship, but after issues that arise in the story Miya heavily influenced Kai to find a therapist.

My thoughts?

This is a poignant story. Vivid and startling in some instances. I’ve read a good chunk of fantasy romance, but very rarely pure-fantasy. So I needed to remind myself- a happily ever after is not guaranteed which kept me on my toes. I found myself reading this in my spare moments, sucked into the world that A.J Vrana has created.

Kai Donovan is not a perfect character, he’s like an onion with all of the layers he has. With a heart sprinkle of feral-cat energy. A God reborn into the body of a paranormal being, with his fate intertwined with the Dreamwalker. They made a choice 5 years ago to stick together, and make a life for themselves after spending multiple previous reincarnations together fighting their battles. Which leads them to living in Boston in an apartment with bug-friends and cozy-elbow-rubbing-space (it’s small and it has bugs but it’s within their price range so I have no judgment). I didn’t read the Chaos Cycle Duology so I came into this book blind with the curiosity of who Kai Donovan is. I also have a love for established relationships in books and one where they actually work on themselves? Beautiful.

Kai reinvented himself at 10 years old, 16 years old and now 31 years old. To see him building himself back up after everything he’s faced was a slow build. It wasn’t easy to read about because of how fragile it was but I did find myself unable to put down the book. Nearly everyone was pleasantly morally grey, it was difficult to predict who would be the antagonist in the story because the person seemed to be ever shifting depending on what piece of the story was being focused on.

I was captivated by the bold pictures the author is able to create, something my imagination latched onto and brought into my own dreaming world. While this book does tie up the issues introduced, there are many things left to resolve which I hope is in a future book featuring Caelan as the main character.

I look forward to the future books of A.J Vrana.

Wildblood by A. J. Vrana is an atmospheric blend of dark fantasy and psychological horror. The story follows Tala, a complex protagonist grappling with trauma, fear, and identity, set against a haunting backdrop infused with folklore. Vrana’s vivid descriptions and exploration of cultural mythology add depth to the supernatural elements, creating a tense and immersive read.

While the pacing can slow with introspective moments, the eerie tone and emotional weight of the narrative keep the reader engaged. Overall, Wildblood offers a gripping and unique take on fear, redemption, and the shadows of the past.

Rating: 4/5

This book is gripping from the get go, full of gore and violence. There is spice but thankfully it’s cohesive to the plot and doesnt feel like the book was written purely for spice!
Overall I loved the dark mood of the story and the characters even more!!

This book is a wonderful addition to the series, it is stated it can be read as a stand alone but I think reading the first two books gives a much deeper appreciation for the story and characters.

I am loving the dark vibes of Wildblood!! Let me just say this is the perfect read for fall/winter time with these darker tones in the book

The writing is fantastic! The whole book was beautifully written and well detailed. I think the story was extremely unique given the two MC’s already know each other and were together at the start of the book.

I really enjoyed following the main characters journeys separately and how they ended up morphing together. I felt like this was so well plotted out and I totally did not expect it to happen!

And a man in therapy?! There was a trope I didn’t know I needed in my life!

I do wish I had done my research and saw that there were two other books before Wildblood! While Wildblood is a standalone, I personally like to go into a story with all the background information. Wildblood is considered a standalone companion novel! So I will definitely be going back to read The Hollow Gods and The Echoed Realm because those books sound SO good!

Best part? NO CLIFFHANGER!!! Yay 😊

Overall I would definitely recommend reading this book!!

4⭐️ 3🌶

My Thoughts:
Mia and Kai are endgame! I loved how we got to know more about Kai’s background. We get to see his growth, and I liked how it was a significant change! The mental health rep in this book was also a plus! A lot of people struggle to open up, and I liked seeing Kai face these challenges and learn to overcome them. There was more than enough spice and humor to back up the enthralling plot. I really liked the dreamwalking scenes. The author really knew how to depict the dreamscape and pull you into the world.

This is the perfect season to read this book. It just gave all the fall/Halloween vibes with the folklore feel.

As always, check the trigger warnings as this is a dark urban fantasy.

Read if you like:
-Dark Urban Fantasy
-ADHD & PTSD Rep
-Mafia
-Morally Grey MMC
-Established Couple

**Thank you to Netgalley and A.J. Vrana for sending me an ARC for an honest review**

"He wanted to punish her, make her beg with need for him, and he wanted her to enjoy it."

Well, I love Kai

"He couldn’t fuck his way out of trauma, but it sure as hell made everything hurt less."

4.5 stars

The author sent me this amazing PR Package too 😭 Thank you thank you!!

You're gonna want to see this art it is PERFECTION

"The hardest fucking part, he’d learned, was finding his damn home."

This was such a fun read. It wasn’t a fun *book*, it was dark, depressing, and violent, but I had a great time reading it lmao

“How’s therapy treating you?”
“Well,” he feigned, “it made me mad enough to fuck you in a field, but that probably means it’s working.”

Kai and Miya were great! I rarely read books (or find them) with established couples and I always love that because there usually isn’t that standard relationship drama. You can technically read this one as a standalone, but I think I would have liked reading the other duology first, for all the background on our characters. But, it was described very well, so after the initial *new world, who dis* confusion, I was doing fine in understanding.

"After his first therapy session with Dr. Krunić, he wanted to lie on a cold floor and stare at the ceiling. People yammered on about how validating therapy was, but Kai felt like a deflated tricycle tire after running over a mastiff turd."

I think the big thing about this book that stands out is the mental health rep. Not only the rep itself but also the fact that Kai starts therapy in the middle of the book and it helps him sort out his head and stop lashing out, as one does. That was seriously great.

"It’s hard to empathize with others when you’re in pain."

Miya was so sweet but tough, I don’t have much to say about her, it’s one of those *vibes*, except I’m looking forward to reading the duology to see more of her beginning!

“It’ll take more than a few cracked ribs to stop me from fucking you”

I was crying at the plot tho, how it all unfolded, the revelations, and conclusions, ugh, so good.

"He thought it was jealousy, seeing Ama’s fingers woven with his girl’s, until he glared at the white wolf and realized he felt nothing. The feeling wasn’t for her. It was for himself. Ama was there to comfort Miya because he’d fucked up. Kai wasn’t jealous. He was ashamed."

I loved this dark, gritty urban fantasy and could not put it down! I really enjoyed the world that was created, the atmosphere, descriptive writing and folklore incorporated. Kai and Miya feel like such a relatable couple. Their chemistry is so good and the spice is spicy! The characters are well written with so many layers and the character growth, especially with Kai, is fantastic. I loved seeing the mental health rep and trauma/healing. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

This book was good! I enjoyed it! I love men in therapy. The angst was so good I do recommend you read the other books in the series as well just to get a better idea. I’m going to binge read the rest of the series. I absolutely love Kai.

officially—i love kai donovan. unofficially—i love kai donovan.

wildblood is the companion novel to a.j. vrana’s duology, the chaos cycle. this time focusing on kai’s history, a.j. vrana introduces us to kai’s childhood trauma and how his difficult life experiences formed him into the man that he is. we witness kai overcome his hellish nightmares and undergo much needed healing, in between his relationship with miya strengthening and following them as they resolve a complex supernatural situation.

the way the author created an atmospheric, foreboding environment drew me in. the settings are wonderfully dark and haunting, albeit beautifully captivating, from the city cast in shadows to the dense forests and ethereal dreams (or nightmares) that are encountered—everything evoked a sense of wonder and enthrallment.

as someone who hasn’t read the chaos cycle, i didn’t feel lost or unsure or confused reading wildblood. there are vague mentions of events that occurred in the duology, but the events in this book are so far removed from what occurs in the duology that there's no feeling of confusion. considering this contains an established cohort of characters, including a long-term and serious romantic relationship between our main characters, everyone is introduced with enough information to know who they are without becoming overwhelmed by details. told in third person and dual perspectives, it’s well executed for first time readers.

tl;dr, this is able to be read as a standalone.

“i’m not death,” said kai. “i’m the fucking calamity that wields it.”

kai donovan, god of destruction reincarnate
kai’s my favourite kind of tortured soul—a man who thrives on sex and violence as ways to cope with trauma and express his emotions. i appreciate a morally grey man who’s unapologetically himself. kai believes angry fucking is perfect conflict resolution and his best method of processing his thoughts. if this is considered a red flag, consider me colourblind. i only see green. i melted and swooned when kai actually did something about attending therapy (under miya’s request), rather than give us empty promises to change. there’s nothing sexier and sweeter than a hot-blooded male going to therapy to overcome said trauma for the love of his life!

kai is one hundred percent a man whose love language is actions, not words.

with miya, he was naked. he’d let her into the catacombs of his fucked-up head, and there wasn’t space for anyone else.

emiliya delathorne, competent dreamwalker
i really loved miya’s character and the way she was portrayed in wildblood. she’s so kind and sweet and smart—a down to earth, selfless woman who wants to keep everyone happy while staying true to herself. rather than lean into kai for her character growth, miya is confident all on her own and thankfully the complete opposite of a clueless doormat with no idea of self-preservation. her extraordinary abilities to dreamwalk and explore the otherworld is fascinating. combined with a take-charge kind of attitude, she’s one of the best ways a female main character is showcased.

“you can’t whore your way out of trauma, kai.”
“no shit, lambchop. if that were possible, i would’ve fucked my way to enlightenment by now.”

kai and miya made my heart burst with happiness. there's a strong sense of love and trust between them, and the use of words isn't a necessity because they show they care and love each other through actions. they weren’t just lovers, but also best friends who relied on each other for support and strength. this is an established relationship so if you are seeking a romance between two characters that have just met, this isn't it. the best part of them? they’re reincarnations of the dreamwalker and the god of destruction who vowed to find each other in every lifetime. if that’s not bittersweet, and simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming, i don’t know what is.

the overall vibe of wildblood screams the witcher within a dark fantasy, urban setting. from kai’s traumatic childhood to his inability to express his emotions outside of sex and violence. miya's abilities to dreamwalk and communicate with supernatural entities (her crow outfit and plummage reminds me so much of yennefer). the otherworldliness such as the leshy (literally my favourite slavic creature/forest spirit) and the domovoy. the way various people are involved, for different reasons, in seeking out caelan and hunting the forgery. it’s all wrapped up in layers of mysteriousness and the way it all comes together is well done.

you can expect the following tropes and elements:
˚₊‧⁺˖ russian mobsters and underground fighting
˖⁺‧₊˚ my absolute favourite—the found family
˚₊‧⁺˖ wolf shifting with a twist
˖⁺‧₊˚ dreamwalking and supernatural entities/creatures
˚₊‧⁺˖ irish and slavic folklore (amazing!!!)
˖⁺‧₊˚ a long-term established romance
˚₊‧⁺˖ a man in therapy + adhd/ptsd representation
˖⁺‧₊˚ morally grey characters + “touch her and die”

i don’t usually read dark urban fantasy romance, however wildblood may have changed my opinions on that! it contains dark grittiness and violence; a well balanced cast of characters; true character growth and development; an amazing established couple and so much more! it’s an exploration of trauma, mental health and the complexities of human emotion, all tied within an urban fantasy setting. combined with a.j. vrana’s poetic writing and immersive settings, it makes the overall feel of this narrative more unsettling but really captivating.

"Wildblood" by A.J. Vrana is a thrilling addition to the urban fantasy genre. It blends elements of darkness, mystery, and the supernatural in a setting that feels both familiar and eerily otherworldly. This novel promises a gritty and sexy adventure that's hard to put down.
The story follows Kai Donovan, a character with a feral edge who has made a name for himself as an underground fighter in South Boston. His life takes a turn when he loses a match to a formidable opponent, plunging him into the depths of the underworld where he must recover a coveted prize. Alongside Kai is Miya, a woman with the unique ability to traverse dreams, who finds herself on a quest to find a missing teenager, possibly someone with abilities like her own.
They are drawn into a tapestry of danger and intrigue as their paths intertwine. Kai's past comes back to haunt him, and he must confront the demons of his history or risk losing everything he's fought to build. The novel is not just an action-packed journey; it's an exploration of themes such as generational trauma, PTSD, and the struggle to overcome emotional scars.
Vrana's writing is sharp and evocative, with a narrative that grips from the first page. The characters are complex and flawed, making them relatable and compelling. The world-building is rich, blending Irish and Slavic folklore, adding depth to the story.

I feel this book was written very well and I enjoyed the entire aspect of it. I wish I would have read the Chaos Duo first for a little bit of knowledge going in but it was still a very good book.

I enjoyed the characters a lot; Kai’s complex story and Miya’s strong personality maybe things a lot more enjoyable. The attention to detail with violence and emphasis on emotional traumas were always a great addition to the plot.

4.5 stars
Wildblood is a complete standalone, but set in the same world as the Chaos Cycle duology, so I decided to read it first and I’m so glad I did. The duology is amazing and I highly recommend reading it first because I promise you will fall in love with it and be even more excited to read Wildblood. The Hollow Gods gave me the same feeling as reading Ninth House which is one of my favorite books of all time so finding a book with similar vibes made me so happy. This urban fantasy world is filled with spirits, demons, gods, dream realms, and wolf shifters. It’s dark and gory and gritty and violent and so realistic. The prose of these books hook me every time. The author’s attention to detail really makes a difference in setting the scene and tone to get you on the edge of your seat. I feel like I know these characters inside and out because they are just so honest and real. The first book made me cry cause I relate to Miya so much. These characters go through a lot so it was nice to see an emphasis on mental health and therapy in Wildblood. One of my favorite micro tropes when it comes to shifters is when they still have their creature’s mannerisms in their human form. And Kai may as well be a wolf 24/7 for how many wolf traits and habits cross over to his personality. This couple is one of my absolute favorite couples I’ve ever read so I could read 500 books about them and never get tired of them. The romance is amazing in every book and the spice is upped a few levels in this book which I loved. Wildblood leans into the urban world more than the duology, with all of the same fantasy aspects and mystery solving we are familiar with from the duology. Something we don’t see often in fantasy books is established couples and the characters figuring out their lives so it was refreshing to jump back into a world I already know and loved. Based on how much I loved these books, I will be reading absolutely anything this author writes in the future.

“I’m not death,” said Kai. “I’m the fucking calamity that wields it.”

So full disclosure, I haven't read the Chaos Cycle duology (yet!!) But this is so well done that I was able to not only read it as a standalone, but not feel as though I missed anything/felt lost during the read. It's SO hard to do that effectively, and so I was extremely pleased. I mean, that line ALONE had me hooked.

Dark fantasy is my JAM, so I was invested in this dark, gritty world IMMEDIATELY. This feels like Sophie Lark's Kingsmaker series, but aged up and...you know...fantasy. But even more importantly--Kai is a MMC that DOES THE WORK!! We all joke about red flags in our book boyfriends (and lord knows Kai has them!) but he does the thing that we all WISH the men in our books (and probably lives) would do---he does the work, deals with his trauma, goes to therapy, and works on a way forward. We LOVE a book with good mental health rep!!!

He and Miya's relationship is so complex because of the history they share, and their own personal histories. But it's such a (mostly) healthy and supportive relationship, and they work so well together--I loved them.

The only thing that prevented this from being 5 stars for me where a few places where the word choice felt weird/off to me and it pulled me out of the story to have a "....wait, what?" moment. But overall I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to reading the main duology soon!

Wildblood was my introduction to A.J. Vrana's work, and what an introduction it was! It was everything and more—it was rollercoasters & fireworks; it was a marathon & a sprint in one; it was an explosion of emotions leaving you gasping for air. I feel like I need to rest and relax after coming down from a high that is Wildblood. Wow, just wow!

Wildblood is being released on October 29th, and I am so thankful to A.J. Vrana and NetGalley for gifting me the opportunity to read this story as an ARC.

I haven't read (yet) Vrana's Chaos Cycle duology, but I had no trouble following Kai and Miya's story. Still, it made me want to learn more about this dark & gritty world Vrana has created, and I can't wait to dive into the duology as well.

Wildblood is a story that grips you with its intense emotional journey. It's a dark and grim tale, yet a ray of light always manages to shine through. The narrative is raw and real, showing the profound impact of a haunted and dire childhood. It delves into trauma and inner demons, compelling you to understand the motivations behind the characters' actions. Vrana's characters are forced to confront themselves and their actions, and it's a testament to their strength to see them fight their inner battles, regardless of the outcome. The road to redemption and healing may be paved in pain and rage, but it's still achievable if you choose to step into it.

One of the aspects I loved about Wildblood was the portrayal of an established couple, allowing us to witness the highs and lows of their relationship. Both Kai and Miya are faced with decisions and consequences, especially Kai. His journey through therapy, where he delves into the most vulnerable parts of himself, was so devastatingly beautiful to watch.

The plot kept me intrigued and made me want to know more. I especially loved the elements of Slavic folklore interwoven into the story, being Slavic myself. Vrana has masterfully executed this aspect of Wildblood, and I loved every second of it.

Wildblood was a book that I was destined to read. It's a gateway to Vrana's world and storytelling, and I can't wait to immerse myself in the Chaos Cycle duology and fully grasp the depths of Kai and Miya's story.

Wildbood by A. J. Vrana. was an utterly fantastic read. The writing and was truly stunning and captivating.

I will say, I am officially obsessed with Kai Donovan. I Absolutely love every single thing about his character and his story. I am excited to read the Chaos Cycle duology that comes before because I just need more of his character and this world.

One of the main things that was enriching about this story was the urban Fantasy setting. The fact that it was a true fantasy/romantasy novel, but it wasn't set back in time, it was modern and relatable and really made me feel like I connected with the world and the characters on a whole other level. Every single character was multi-dimensional. Even smaller characters and characters meant to be pets or minor felt like they had so many sides to them.

Something we don't always see in a fantasy/romantasy world is the concept of a mystery or solving a mystery. So, this one was a whole new journey for me. Typically, there are dragons and kingdoms to conquer and thrones to overthrow. In Wildbood, we get a whole mystery, It felt like a combination of "A Good Girls Guide to Murder" by Holly Jackson meets a "Dark Verse series" by Ruynx meets Crecent City by SJM. We got the mystery to be solved but the dark mafia, underground fighting, demons, shifters, and spice we see in the Dark Verse and Crecent City. With this, it was also nice and refreshing to read a story where the characters don't have it all figured out, we get to see and watch them grow and mold and develop. It truly made both Miya and Kai so so relatable to the reader.

I loved reading this story and I can't wait to read more from A.J. Vrana!

I really liked this book. It’s different from anything I’ve ever read but it did also give me similar vibes to Crescent City which if a favorite of mine so I loved that. It was such an interesting concept and I loved the image of this world and the way it sucked me in. I was nervous when I figured out it was an established relationship, as I had never read that before but there was enough going on to make the relationship feel important, impactful and interesting. Also loved the therapy rep. This was a true fantasy read, which isn’t always my jam but it was so good. I loved the vibe

My head space when starting this book: I was not sure if the fact that I hadn’t ready the Chaos Cycle Duology first would affect reading Wildblood (it doesn’t really, this is a standalone set in the same world and can be read first/only).

I really enjoy these characters. Kai is so 3 dimensional with flaws and strengths and redeeming qualities. It was really refreshing to read an established couple instead of the meet-fall-new love of a lot of the other books I’ve read this year.

I appreciate the character growth and development and the way trauma is explored and mental health is addressed throughout the story. The 🌶️ was well done and the character art that AJ Vrana shared on social media really helped me…visualize 🫣

All in all, the writing was great and I really enjoyed the book!

Dark fantasy with good plot and characters.
Ì couldn't put the book down.
Highly recommend for readers of this genre.

When your savage, gore-tinged past comes back to bite you, what do you do? Do you lie down and submit while it tears you to pieces, or do you fight back head on, protecting your new life and those within it with fevered ferocity? Kai Donovan, a young man with frightening abilities, must make his choice or suffer dire consequences in "Wildblood," a new breakneck, feisty fantasy thriller by A.J. Vrana.

Before I get started, I must admit that I'm a newbie when it comes to the fantasy-noir/fantasy genres. I tend to lean more towards horror, romance, and middle grade--my comfort genres. However, I'm always looking to broaden my horizons and try new things, which led me on a brief hunt for something new on NetGalley. When I came across this book, I instantly became excited, the characters and the premise sinking their claws into me from the jump. So, with bated breath and a rising sense of excitement, I picked up this book as quickly as I could. I'm so glad I did, because this little venture into new territory gave me the chance to read one of the best books I read all year.

There is so much to love about this book. For starters, the characters are excellent, flawed and beautiful in equal measure. The two main characters, Kai and Miya, are two of the best protagonists I've read in a good while: Kai, an underground warrior desperate to move on from his past, and Miya, a dream-walker tortured by her own abilities. What could have been needlessly edgy was instead captivating and, at times, deeply moving. The chemistry between the two was palpable--electric and red-hot. The side characters and the antagonists were equally as captivating, all of them having their own merit and their own distinct, interesting personalities. I also found the world-building to be stellar. Not only was the world itself stunning to read about, but the politics and the power systems were wonderfully told and instantly intoxicating. Finally, Vrana's overall writing was absolutely spectacular. Standing toe-to-toe with Kai and Miya in power is Vrana's ability with the pen. With heart-pumping action, searing drama, and breathtaking scenes between the two leads, Vrana has proven herself to be a powerhouse of a writer.

Overall, I absolutely adored this book. Stepping out of one's comfort zone can lead one down an uncertain road, and there's no guarantee of satisfaction or even partial enjoyment waiting at the end. One bad experience can lead one to disavow an entire genre indefinitely. On the other hand, one great experience can act as a revelation--a gateway into new worlds and new passions. "Wildblood" is one such revelation and gateway for me. With memorable characters, incredible worldbuilding, and blistering tension, "Wildblood" is a novel I won't soon forget. In fact, I was sad when I flipped the last page, dismayed that it was already over. I will eagerly await A.J. Vrana's next writing venture, though the anticipation may very well eat me alive. An enticing, devilishly sexy noir, "Wildblood" is a novel that will sink its teeth into you and keep you hooked until the very end--a book perfect for the Spooky Season. I would recommend this book to everyone who enjoys gritty, violent fantasy and great characters. Don't miss out on this; it's that good.

Rating: 5/5

𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮’𝙙 𝙤𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙚.

The way this book will forever have a special place in my heart <3

there were parts of Kai that i resonated with so much, I felt a little emo by the time I finished the book. ( yea I cried ) seeing him struggle to let those closest to him in to being like maybe it’s ok for them to see the parts of him he kept hidden away was everything. I loved seeing that growth in him.

I absolutely adored Kai & Miya together. She doesn’t let him get away with shit & isn’t afraid to let him know her thoughts. I loved how much he believed in her & let her do what she needed to figure out her own way. They are one of my favorite bookish couples I’ve ever read. They compliment each other so well 🥹

Wildblood has so many elements that I love:
Folklore, found family, emo men that aren’t the best with feelings (but hey, they try their hardest working on it), gore, spice; A.J. Vrana has created a world I’d never tire reading from. ✨

𝙔𝙚𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙪𝙢, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙚𝙩 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢.

Miya, Kai, Ama, Crowbar and Gavran are back once again, solving yet another mystery and...adopting a cat!! A cat was the last thing I was expecting from Kai, especially since he's the Big Bad Wolf and all that, but it somehow fits.

So, I know that Wildblood can be read as a standalone, but I decided to read the duology that came before it anyway. You don't HAVE to do that, everything you need to know is explained inside, and you get to know Kai better.

At the same time though, I'm glad I was able to experience Kai and Miya's beginnings, and watch them grow throughout each book, and with each challenge they face. So if you can, I'd recommend reading The Chaos Cycle first.

This time we follow only two PoVs, and Kai's is the main one. I won't lie, I definitely miss Mason from the past books and wonder what happened to him, but I suppose they wouldn't have had a reason to mention him.

Kai deals with a lot of stuff internally, which just makes me want to give him a big hug. If anyone needs therapy, it's him. Luckily, Miya convinces him to go and he actually listens. You can feel the development as you read, it doesn't come overnight, but by the end of the book, he's better at dealing with his emotions.

He's also a fighter now, which ultimately leads him into trouble (no surprise). Miya meanwhile, has become really confident in her powers and uses them in ways we haven't seen before, in order to find a missing girl.

Their relationship is stronger than ever, but still has its ups and downs. Either way, you can feel their love through the screen. There's also a higher steamy scene count than before, just putting that out there!!

As a Slavic, and specifically Serbian, reader, I love when I see little things from my culture sprinkled into a story. Be it creatures from our mythology or just characters with accurate, familiar names. Wildblood has both. At this point I know I'm going to have a little something to look forward to each time I pick up a book by this author.

Vrana mixes in some creatures non-Slavic readers might be familiar with (like the domovoy), as well as lesser known ones (bukavac, leshy). There's also an Irish mythological creature that fits in perfectly.

I'd say the first two books had more of a fairytale/folklore feel than this one though, which is pure urban fantasy. The vibes are still there, just a bit different.

The writing is even better than it was, and the story is just as engaging. I really hope this isn't the end for these characters, I want to see them going on more adventures, picking up new strays, maybe reuniting with Mason?? Fingers crossed.

Also, A.J. Vrana, THANK YOU for making Miya tall!!!! I don't recall her height being mentioned previously, but here we learn she's 5'9, which qualifies for my "tall girl rep" shelf. Never enough tall female MCs if you ask me.

Anywayyyyy, listen to me and go read this series from the beginning!!! Kai, Miya and the gang are all amazing characters who deserve your attention.

*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

"The Witcher meets October Daye with a splash of John Wick" is such a perfect summary of what to expect with AJ Vrana's Wildblood.

I didn't realize going in that this is a companion novel to The Chaos Cycle but I didn't feel lost or confused while reading which is fantastic and a testament to Vrana's writing power.

Atmospheric writing is one of my absolute favorite styles and Wildblood is so foreboding and atmospheric - I LOVED it. I felt haunted and drawn in immediately at the beginning.

I also really enjoyed it and it made me really want to go and pick up The Chaos Cycle to learn more about this world and these characters (I initially requested this arc because I stumbled upon the author on Instagram and was curious)

If AJ Vrana's other books are anything like this one she's got a new fan for sure

Wildblood is a new adult urban supernatural action adventure following Miya, a dreamwalker with the power to walk the spirit world, and Kai, her troubled werewolf-like boyfriend. A standalone sequal to a duology, I had no trouble understanding the original journey of the characters even though I have not read the duology. I can recommend this book for new adults interested in a Slavic folklore-inspired urban fantasy that features dual perspective, an established couple, DnD-like plot structure, and a mostly healthy and realistic relationship dynamic.

Set in Boston, I was pleased to see the personality of the area captured so well in the characters. Boston's extroverted, brash, snarky, quipy sense of humor shines through the local characters, neighbors, and shop owners. I am from the Boston area myself, and the vibes reminded me of home. The colorful side characters and cozy scenes breaking up each leg of the quest make this story a balm for the soul, even though it also explores difficult mental health issues.

Miya and Kai, five years into their relationship, are still growing individuals with their own unique ambitions. Miya is confronted with the mysterious disappearence of a young girl, while Kai is caught in the middle of a gang fued and must come to terms with his dark and violent roots. Tension is created throughout the novel as the two characters try to balance the dynamic of the relationship, figuring how much or how little they ought to lean on each other.

I liked how this book featured a couple that already understood each other, and used the current quests to add hurdles to their relationship. I loved the small yet flavorful details like the bar's Domovoy, the mention of Dunkins, and the questgiver's unique calling card, giving this fantasy world a unique cultural flaire. While the pacing was a bit too slow for me at times, the cosiness fits right in with the current trends of fantasy this year. I found this book comparable with the Throne of Glass series, The Spellshop, and One for my Enemy. Why is this author not famous yet?

First off, I absolutely love this cover page! This is hot and spicy!🌶️ If I was a person only judging on cover to get this book. I would totally get this book! The author did an amazing job creating an atmospheric and foreshadowing environment paired with sensual characters. I didn’t know there was a duology before this book. I wish I would have known so I could have read them.

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

I know this is companion novel to the authors other duology but honestly I didn’t have to read them to read this, which I throughly enjoyed, however off the back of wild blood I’ll definitely be reading the others. I really enjoyed how fleshed out and established all the characters were, and the growth throughout this book! Also the Slavic folklore, that was a fun twist! It was different reading an established couple off the get go, not usually my thing, but I did enjoy their dynamic… the trust, the love and the spice. The more I read of them the more invested I became… Also the backstory behind them was different and I loved that aspect of the book. I am a sucker for a great urban fantasy and this world felt gritty, dark and atmospheric. The writing really submersed me in the world and sometimes it was a little unnerving but I was hooked. Also I really liked the representation in this book, the mental health rep, the ptsd rep, the complexities of human emotions and trauma. Overall I was surprised and throughly enjoyed this read.

“𝙄’𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙𝙨 𝙞𝙩.”

Let’s be real—this was a total cover love situation for me, and omg, I’m so glad I trusted my instincts. I LOVED this book! It was every bit the gritty, unique, and entirely dark urban fantasy I'd hoped for. Set in the same unique world as The Chaos Cycle Duology, Wildblood is a standalone companion novel told through the POVs of the MCs.

Kai Donovan, a god incarnate, makes ends meet by fighting at his local bar, pulverizing anyone the Bratva asks him to. His inner wolf makes it easy work until one day an unexpected opponent turns his world upside down, ending with Kai owing the Russian mafia more than he ever wanted to. — Emiliya "Miya" Delathorne is the Dreamwalker, known for traversing the Dreamscape and providing clients small 'seer' services. But when a stranger seeks Miya out, she becomes entangled in a web of events forcing her and Kai's paths to intertwine, propelling them into the heart of a mystery.

𝘉𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘒𝘢𝘪 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯’𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦: 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘭𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳.

Literally, from the first sentence, I was hooked. Not many scenes open with "Nothing felt better than a sharp blade slicing through the larynx of an overconfident shit-talker." A.J. Vrana completely pulls you into her vision of Boston—a seedy, dangerous city, laced with Slavic folklore and mystical creatures like Domovoys and Leshys. Although, the Domovoy in this is completely adorable and probably my favorite character apart from Kai. One of the highlights for me was the fascinating exploration of the thin, fragile line between the Dreamscape and the Waking World. As Kai and Miya confront their pasts and unravel a haunting mystery rooted in the Dreamscape, we as readers, get a story that immaculately blends mythology with the urban edge of city life.

This book doesn’t shy away from heavy themes but balances them beautifully with crass banter and plenty of action. Trauma, especially PTSD, is rarely portrayed with the depth and authenticity we get here, and Kai’s journey is nothing short of well-written. His loss, fear of intimacy, and raw savagery forged by his struggles make him one of the most complex and refreshing characters I’ve read in a long time.

𝘉𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘢 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯, 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴.

And then there’s Kai and Miya’s relationship—wow. It’s not your picture-perfect romance, but that’s exactly what makes it so stunning. It’s real, raw, and deeply moving, built on understanding each other’s triggers and striving to grow together, even when it’s tough. Kai’s snarky quips and inner monologue had me rolling, even as I wanted to shake him for his stubbornness sometimes. His IDGAF attitude hides so much pain, and when those layers start peeling back? Chef’s kiss. Meanwhile, Miya’s quiet strength and occasional exasperation with Kai made her the perfect match for him. Plus, the way therapy is woven into the story? Absolute perfection. This book explores love in all its forms, and how it manifests across different relationships, which is brilliant. Crowbar and Ama were a wonderful couple along with the addition of Caelan's character.

"𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳?"
"𝘐𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸."

Seriously though, this book has it all: underground fights, magical entities, Russian mobsters, found family, and enough twists to keep you up all night reading. If you’re into dark urban fantasy with a beating heart, Wildblood will sink its teeth into you—and trust me, you won’t want it to let go.

"𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰?"
"𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵,"
"𝘓𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳."

Thank you so much to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this incredible story to review.

(4.25⭐s rounded down)

📖 Slavic Folklore
😍 Men in Therapy
🐺 Witches & Wolves
❤️‍🩹 PTSD & Generational Trauma
✨ Dreamwalking
👊🏻 Underground Fighting
🏠 Found Family
🫦 Amazing Banter

The banter in this book has me in an absolute
CHOKEHOLD. I was giggling, screaming, kicking my feet and absolutely devouring the snarky tension between the characters! If up to banter and characters alone this would be an easy 5 star read.

The plot is good, I really enjoyed the folklore aspects and how different cultures crossed and combatted the other. The sequence of events made sense and progressed quickly but I just felt it was convoluted at times. The world building was a lot and I was struggling to keep up at times, in saying that I haven't read any of this authors other work and I believe they're surrounding the same characters so this could be on me. I will be picking up the other books because of how much I loved these characters.

Kai and Miya may be skyrocketing up my list of favourite main characters. Kai's sarcastic charm and his inability to seek help coupled with Miyas open heart and tenderness worked so well together. I love how they both acknowledge their flaws and accept each other for who they are- it's refreshing from the main characters who strive for perfection that they'll never reach.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a ARC of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Kai Donovan is an underground fighter in South Boston. He doesn’t lose his fights until one day against an unknown (to Kai), he ends up obligated to the underworld. They wants the recovery of a prize craved by Boston’s most dangerous criminals. What is this prize? His partner Miya has the ability to cross dreams. She spends her days doing supernatural investigation. She is asked to find a missing teenager. Will she find the teenager? She suspects that there may be another with her type of special skills. Kai has a dark past that has returned to haunt him. Kai thought the bonds were ironclad. He’s faced with a choice: to unravel his blood-soaked history or lose himself and the life he’s put together. What will Kai do?

The author has created a dark urban fantasy. It is an emotional journey. It is a dark and Britt novel. I liked how it was spooky at times. Kai was a character that I enjoyed learning his background and his devotion to Miya. This was one of the est dark urban fantasy books I’ve read





——–

I LOVED this book!! I will come back and write a more in depth review because I feel it deserves that but for now I will say:
1. I was hooked from the very beginning
2. The writing style is stunning
3. The worldbuilding is so engaging
4. The characters are endearing, interesting and so fleshed out. Both the main and side characters
5. Kai Donovan I am your number one fan🥇

All of the stars!!

“Even when you’re broken, even when you’re shaped by the emptiness inside you, it’s worth it. You find other things to fill that fxxking void… I lost who I was but not who I am.”

One day I might grow out of loving morally grey MMCs, but today is not that day, because Kai Donovan has won my heart. Wildblood by A.J. Vrana is a sister novel to The Chaos Cycle Duology, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the duology and didn’t feel lost or out of place. There are some references and mentions to the events that transpire in those books, but they would probably only assist in informing you of background rather than providing any necessary information.

Wildblood puts much more of a focus on Kai, including his history, trauma, and events that have shaped his life now. The author creates this incredibly dark and immersive world filled with creatures of the night and a constant power struggle. I absolutely loved Miya’s character as the ethereal Dreamwalker. She is portrayed as someone so kind and loving and then has this incredibly badass power, and she realises just how powerful she is towards the end of the book. The book explores her and Kai’s relationship, and she is always there for him through everything, and in return he is her protector in the waking world.

I wish there was more of an explanation of why many people were what I assume were mortals, why some had magic, others had shapeshifting abilities etc, and whether these abilities were frowned upon or generally kept hidden or if everybody just lived harmoniously (well, as much as they can in a city ruled by opposing factions).

This has a bit of spice in it, but it is only an accompaniment to the main story. I was absolutely hooked and genuinely enjoyed this story so much.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for the eARC of this book 💕