King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde, 1)

I was really struggling to find a good book lately and having read Scarlett's other series, A Touch of Darkness, I thought I'd give this a go. I loved it! Isolde is a complex, fierce woman and Adrian is just, well he's incredible. There are so many enjoyable characters in this book. I loved putting things together as clues were laid and the story unfolded however I did guess where the story was going which some may call a predictable ending but it made me all the more excited to see it unfold and confirm my suspension. I highly recommend this book, it was truly an amazing read

I hate to say it but I’m a little disappointed in this book. The pacing and characterisation and ultimately the story just wasn’t there for me. Isolde hates Adrian because he’s a vampire and is destroying the kingdoms. Fair enough. But that hate passes awfully quickly for the single reason that Isolde is basically horny. In the span of four days this warrior Princess who wants to kill Adrian and hates everything that he is, is jealous of other woman, is overly possessive of her ‘husband’ and thinks maybe he’s really not a monster after all because he saved her a few times and promised not to attack her people. Four days is apparently long enough to determine that she trusts her lifelong and most hated enemy. I just don’t buy it. The story needed slowed down a lot to let a relationship and trust truly develop in a way o believed. One of the problems was that I just didn’t know enough about Isolde. All I know is she’s been trained to fight and likes sex. Oh and she’s a Princess/ queen which she likes to remind everyone of all the time. That’s it. She would do anything for her people apparently but we never got to see her relationship with her kingdom because we jumped into this story and world so quickly with no build up and very little world building or back story. Also I get this author likes to write a sex scene but about 90% of the encounters the main characters have, they have sex. Where is the build up? The tension, the will they, won’t they aspect. There’s no progression in the relationship when they’ve jumped in at literally 3 chapters in and continue in the same way for the majority of the book. The author seriously needs to learn about the benefits of delayed gratification. Part of the excitement of reading a story like this is the build up of which this has none. The sex scenes became boring because they were so repetitive. I’d rather have a book with one or two well written sex scenes that are worth the wait than have the same tired tropes rehashed again and again. Once again with this author, this idea is fine and intriguing but the execution and story telling just let it down as she favours repetitive sex scenes over a compelling and well told story. For a vampire/ secret identify story, Jennifer L Armentrout ‘From Blood and Ash’ or ‘A Shadow in the Ember’ have much better world building and characters that kept me excited, kept me compelled and ultimately kept me reading. 3 stars is generous as this offers nothing new or original, I’ve literally read this story so many times before in various guises only told so much better so I’d probably have to say 2 1/2 stars.

St. Claire does it again! I have not read one book by this woman that I haven't absolutely devoured and re-read. She is a word magician lol I felt so many emotions reading this book and truly enjoyed the character development of Isolde. Also, Isolde and Adrian are my new favorite fictional characters. I don't want to give anything away so I will leave it at this is a vampire romance novel (the best I have ever read), it is 18+ (A LOT OF STEAMY SCENES), I didn't think it ended on a cliff-hanger but obviously, this is a series so it is unfinished and will leave you in a book hangover begging for more.

I love vampire stories. All of them. I love how each author carefully creates the world and everyone in it. But this vampire book is in a league all its own. Scarlett St Clair really outdid herself here! I read this entire book in one sitting. I love how Adrian and Isolde’s history was intricately woven into their present storyline. They were haunted by a history that was only giving them fragments of memories and truths. Their raw, vulnerable feelings pulled them to eachother, despite political lines and family loyalty that sought to destroy them. The plot was excellent. The sex scenes were freaking hot!! And their chemistry - past and present was explosive. The story Scarlett created here really was like stepping into another world. I cannot recommend this book enough. You will not be disappointed. ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

King of Battle and Blood is the first Scarlett St. Clair book I have read and I can honestly say it will not be the last. Initially, I was worried that it would be an exact replica of another popular fantasy vampire romance series, but the Blood King and his queen held their own. Adrian and Isolde's story was a rollercoaster of emotions, dark magic, violence and smut and I was thoroughly entertained. I cannot wait to discover more of the world Ms. St. Clair created and I hope we get to see Adrian and Isolde defeat their enemies together and finally get their long-awaited happy ending.