Happy publication day to Blood Sanctuary, a fantastic addition to the Blood Grace series by Vela Roth! I’m excited to share my review today for this epic romantasy!
About the Book:
Title: Blood Sanctuary
Author: Vela Roth
Series: Blood Grace #3
Publication Date: March 23, 2022
Publisher: Five Thorns Press
Synopsis:Their love could last for all time – unless the king’s assassins cut her life short…
Cassia has reunited with her beloved Lio in the land of eternal night. She longs to become an immortal Hesperine like him so they can stay together forever. But she’s torn between their happiness and her duty to the kingdom her human father rules. To free herself from the king, she must convince his ambassadors to ally with the Hesperines, despite centuries of conflict.
Lio will die if Cassia leaves him, but he won’t force her to stay by revealing their blood bond. While they negotiate for peace in public, he tempts her in private with the promise of everlasting passion. But their future may end before it begins when enemies within the embassy threaten her with a lethal spell.
Steamy romance meets classic fantasy worldbuilding in Blood Grace. Follow fated mates Lio and Cassia through their epic story of forbidden love for a guaranteed series HEA.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon |
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My Review:
Blood Sanctuary is another great addition to the Blood Grace series! It is as immersive and captivating as the first two books in the Blood Grace series, and I can’t get enough of Lio and Cassia! Their story continues as they try to form an alliance between their people, while politics, sabotage, and secrets threaten them at every turn. However, Cassia and Lio remain steadfast in their desire to achieve peace between their kingdoms. The couple faces many difficult, and often underhanded and dangerous, obstacles. With tons of political maneuvering, the looming threat of war, a variety of conflicting views, and threats from every direction, the stakes for Casia and Lio keep getting higher, and finding a way to bring these two very different places together in peace seems impossible.
I like that Cassia and Lio continue to grow individually and as a couple and that they are so in tune with each other. They have similar goals and desires, and they work together exceptionally well. Plus, I absolutely adore their love story! It is sweet and passionate, and their chemistry is off the charts! I can’t wait for this couple to completely give in and say how they truly feel. I want Cassia to tell Lio of her plans to stay with him in Orthos, and I want Lio to tell her the secret he’s been keeping from her. I think both are afraid of losing what they have, and I’m eager to see them face these issues.
The secondary characters are also dynamically developed, and I loved learning more about each of them. Every character has a significant role in the story and that we learn so much about each of them. They all have unique stories, and there are layers upon layers to unravel. Some of my favorite characters include Lio’s amazing, funny, and supportive friends, Lio’s adorable sister and her pets, and Lio’s parents. Individually, they are compelling, and as a group, they are a force to be reckoned with.
All of these characters welcome Cassia into their fold, and the way they treat her and each other is everything Cassia has been missing in her life. It is with these people that Cassia finally feels a sense of belonging, and their inherent kindness and patience is wonderful. I love that Cassia has found her family and am so hoping that she remains in Orthos with them while still achieving peace for her kingdom.
As the summit gathers in Orthos, we learn even more about this unique kingdom. Guided tours through the city, visits to many different homes and locations throughout the kingdom are described in such detail that you almost feel as if you were there. The author has a gift for creating vivid worlds, characters, and plotlines that are intricate, layered, nuanced, and detailed.
I’m really enjoying this series. It is a slow-building, character driven fantasy with political intrigue, amazing characters and relationships, tons of twists and turns, and the most swoon-worthy and passionate romance! I’m eager to see what’s in store for Lio and Cassia next, as they try to find a way forward.
Special thanks to Vela Roth for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The romance!!!
- The worldbuilding.
- The character development.
Favorite Lines:
You would be amazed how history can surprise you, were you to live long enough to watch it take shape.
You must choose your garden. When the ward divides Orthros and Tenebra for all time, where will your roots remain?
No man can move me, no matter how hard he pushes.
A man who likes to hear himself talk is doomed to embarrass himself.
Question: is this series similar to Lily Archer’s and/or Elise Kova’s series? Or, even Jeffe Kennedy and/or Lisa Kumar?
I’m not sure – I haven’t read those authors. From what I know of Kova’s books, they might be similar…