Carissa Broadbent
Bramble
2024
211
Paperback
Romantasy
Bought Copy
Six roses. Six vials of blood. Six visits to a vampire who could be her salvation… or her damnation.
Lilith has been dying since the day she was born. But while she long ago came to terms with her own imminent death, the deaths of everyone she loves is an entirely different matter. As her town slowly withers in the clutches of a mysterious god-cursed illness, she takes matters into her own hands.
Desperate to find a cure, Lilith strikes a bargain with the only thing the gods hate even more than her village: a vampire, Vale. She offers him six roses in exchange for six vials of vampire blood–the one hope for her town’s salvation.
But when what begins as a simple transaction gradually becomes something more, Lilith is faced with a terrifying realization: It’s dangerous to wander into the clutches of a vampire… and in a place already suffering a god’s wrath, more dangerous still to fall in love with one.
Six Scorched Roses is a novella set between the first two books of the Crowns of Nyaxia series. It is the backstory of two characters from the second book; however, it could be read as a standalone even if you haven't read the other books in the series. I enjoyed this origins tale of Vale and Lilith. The plot was interesting and there was good chemistry between the characters, with romance that didn't progress too quickly and thus remained believable throughout. Although it's by no means a pure retelling, there is a Beauty and the Beast-type vibe to the story at times through some of the motifs used. I would note, though, that while this book appears to be over 200 pages, the actual story only lasts about 155 pages, and the rest is fluff, including a long except from Book One of the Crowns of Nyaxia, which if, like me, you've already read is a bit pointless. But that's a minor gripe, as this was generally an engaging tale that I finished in two sittings. I am giving it 4.5 stars.
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