Blood Union Part One: A Fantasy Romance (Blood Grace) Paperback – July 18, 2022

Plot twists can go awry, but this one was well done!! Much of the plot for this book hinges on that twist. It's not just there! We get to see more of Akanthia. When I read the first book one of my first impressions was how big the world felt, and that has been built upon in this book. We're seeing new places and people and it was so tangible.There were a couple points where I felt it moved a little slowly, but that may have been my own impatience to know what happens 😅 There was an underlying current of tension and I just needed to know the next thing.And Cassia's need to bite was one of the best parts 😂

Lio and Cassia decide to make their way to the Empire, on the search for information about Solia. They travel to dangerous locales, and manage to land on the wrong side of one of the kings. They are left with no alternative, but to evade the guards, and join forces with a local mercenary. He promises to help them find who they are looking for. Cassia seems to be more naive, over confident, and stubborn in this book. Almost annoyingly so. Still entertaining after all.

This one was rough. I’ve complained about “so much nothing” in these books before, but this one took it to a new level. The ending is the only saving it from a lower rating. The introduction of Monsoon as a character might bring just some much needed life to this story.I’m still in it to the end. But I really wish this author had a better editor. Like take out all the endless, repetitive talk. Add a bit more action between the diplomacy. I like being able to count on the steadfastness of Lio and Cassia’s relationship, but I’m so tired of the endless talking, descriptions of menial things, and tedious conversations that circle the same talking points.

This was another fantastic read of the series. The plot twist was done well and lead to a new part of their world. The additional world building when they get to the Empire is amazing.I enjoyed watching Cassia and Lio’s grow individually and within their relationship. It’s good to watch Cassia finally feel safe enough to step into her magic and test her boundaries. Lio is stepping more into a different side of himself. I also enjoyed learning about the Craving from Cassia’s POV and it also made me laugh in some spots 😂I can’t wait for part two because I need some answers because that ending left me speechless.

I received a free copy of this novel. This is my honest review.Hm! This is a tough one for me to rate. Let me preface by saying that overall I enjoyed the book, and deeply love the series. However, I think this is my lowest rated to date, and the problem might be two-fold. 1) my expectations on what the novel would contain 2) the fact that this was originally drafted as a single novel and then split in half.When I first read Sanctuary, it was before it was split into 2 books, and it was my favorite of the 3. I really enjoyed the pacing and the split between romance shenanigans and actual plot. I think if I had originally read the split version, though, I would feel the same way as I do about this novel. (Or, if I'd read an unsplit version of this one, I'd love it as much as Sanctuary.) The twist here is great, the Empire is fascinating and wonderful, the new characters are super intriguing, but the pacing felt really off, and it dampened my enjoyment of the book significantly. Again, I think part of it was expectation (and that removal of expectation is the same reason why I enjoyed Solace much better on a re-read, because I knew what not to expect). Once the twist comes in the beginning, I was on the edge of my seat, waiting to hear the truth, waiting to get to the Empire, just...waiting.I think the issue is compounded by just how strong the opening few scenes are, too. Vela really hits us with one thing after another. Bonding with Apollon, then a surprising/wonderful arrival, and a huge revelation after that - it was quite a ride. I was definitely enjoying myself, but it made it all the more frustrating when it felt like the resolution to everything brought up in those scenes took forever to arrive.Unfortunately, it's past the 50% mark before we actually reach the Empire. (It's pretty close, though maybe closer to 60%.) And that's the part I didn't like. I was tearing through the pages one after the other just wondering when we were going to get to know what the story was really *about* - when we were going to explore new lands, learn new customs, and meet new people.If this was the unsplit version of the novel - where presumably this lead-up would be around 25-30% - that would be totally fine. But because it takes up half of this book, it really feels like it drags. There are other happenings sprinkled throughout, but I really couldn't focus on them because I just wanted to find out what happened to X character so badly that everything else paled in comparison. Again, I think a reread in the future will be more enjoyable because I won't be strung out on that tension waiting for the other shoe to drop.(There's also kinda a weird thing where for the first time in the series we cut to a POV that isn't C or L's, which was strange? It felt like it was just to give us information we couldn't get any other way. It only happened 3 times, and I think all in the first half, which make it feel extra peculiar. But that's a small gripe - and tbh the scenes were fun, especially since they were about a character we haven't gotten to see much at all thus far.)All that being said - once we actually *get* to the Empire, I'm a very happy girl. I loved every moment we spend there. All the new characters are great. The pirate queen and her lover are of course stand-outs, but my fave is a certain avian humanoid we meet pretty close to the end. Tbh he's more my usual preferred romantic hero archetype, so I'm very very interested in his story and seeing more of him (and it sounds like we're going to get a lot!! I am very excited). I loved seeing the new settings and cities. I am enjoying every glimpse we get into the culture and mythology. And, of course, I love our C & L together.This novel actually puts a pretty interesting spin on their relationship, as we start to explore the Craving on *Cassia's* side and how she's dealing with it. It added some fun tension/longing to their scenes together and is a neat little conflict to explore. (I'm hoping it gets, ahem, resolved in the next half of the book, along with her magic, but we'll see!) I'm also intrigued by the plot behind the scenes that is being set up. I have my suspicions, but those will have to sit for now until Part 2 comes out.For all my griping, I really did enjoy this - I think it's just easier to outline the specifics of something I don't like vs naming off every single aspect I enjoyed (we'd be here all day with this series if I did that!). It's definitely a worthy follow-up to the stunning first arc, but I think it'll take until Part 2 comes out to really shine. And, of course, I'm eager to see how/if my feelings change on a reread, when I know what I'll be getting into from the get-go.

Another incredible installment in this epic fantasy romance saga!! SPOILER ALERT: I love that we finally got to see Lio and Cassia together with no obstacles. The smut was incredible as always haha and Ms. Roth knows how to get my heart pounding even after the many steamy scenes she’s written, and I felt their relationship grow deeper than I thought it could. Excellent introduction to this new plot and setting! I’m not great with writing reviews but I hope I get across that I love this series and highly recommend! I can’t wait to read part 2!!

I absolute loved this book and love following along Lio and Cassia's story. It is amazing and the other books in this series. There are a few chapters near the middle that were slow to me but I also know that Roth will have important details in these scenes that will make sense later.Cassia is mere hours from her gifting when Nike returns from abroad with news that changes everything and delays the gifting. I will admit this was slighly frustrating but I also know there is more Cassia needs to understand about her past before leaving her human life behind. Roth leaves us in suspense at the end when we learn someone doesn't want Cassia in the Empire.

I finally started the second arc of this series, and even though I'd been forewarned about its issues, I still feel a little disappointed. I loved the book as I was certain I would, because I love the world in which it is set and here we get a lot more tidbits about the magic that I find intriguing, like the spirit gates in which you can hear whispers from your ancestors! That part was so fun, a little reminiscent of the Veil in Harry Potter.Roth keeps layering mystery over mystery and adding complexity to each existing character and relationship. This slowed down the pace, maybe excessively, in the first 50% of the book as the new setting and the appearance of a much-hyped character unsettled the status quo, but I really can't complain. Nothing is ever swept under the rug, and I loved in particular how differently each member of Argyros' family reacted to Nike's return.We also get three chapters from Mak's POV that made me adore his character even more than I already did. I'm really hoping for more from him and Lyros in the second part of Blood Union.Now, to the bad. Of course I'll have to read part 2 before writing a proper review, but for now the romance has stopped working for me. There are interesting spins on their bond that keep the tension—and spice—high even now that Cassia and Lio are free to be together, but Lio's most endearing traits have transmuted in so much protectiveness that at times feels like possession. Almost as a reaction to that, Cassia feels more unsure of her own cunning and reliant on Lio to keep her safe, which is a bit of a letdown after being shown in the four preceding books how brave she is.For now, my least favorite book in the series, but I have high hopes for the next one (and being unable to resist spoiling myself, even higher hopes for book 7).

Cassia had the urge to drag her Hesperine back to the inn and ask him to be very impolite with her intended.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5Fifth book in the series was great.First 120pages were hard for me, i struggled with the way this story headed. Even if i knew that only book seven is ‘Blood gift’, i still was unprepared for this plot twist and sudden revelations. And after some time, i hope, i grasped the idea behind this twist and how we can observe this situation with elder sisters from different angles, but my frustration with missed opportunities and bruised feelings is still here.When our lovely couple and Knight moved to another continent i was intrigued, new places, new characters, interesting sub-plot and possibility that everything we faced is a part of one huge chain of events. Masters? Are you here?Need to start book six soon, cause we have a really nice cliffhanger at the end.

The special guest on her Gifting Night is one who has been long awaited in Orthros. Nike finally shows up, and offers Cassia final memories of her sister. Or not. It turns out Solia might still be alive after all these years. Not being able to bear the uncertainty, Cassia decides to delay her Gifting to find out what happened to her sister. But why is she feeling such relief?Tracking her sister all the way to the Empire, they have to go covertly, as citizens of Cordium and Tenebra are not allowed within the Empire's borders. And until she has her Gifting, Cassia is not considered a citizen of Orthros yet.On their journey they encounter the famous pirate captain Ziara (one of the many things they write Zoe home about as she is so excited at the famous woman privateer), a mercenary Monsoon who guides them all over the Empire to find Ukocha, the last one to have seen Solia. They encounter mythical Jinn who guard the Muqaal desert and the shadowy organization known only as 'Broken Stones' who seem to be targeting Cassia and have the uncanny ability to neutralize even Hesperine magic.It is so fascinating to find out more about the Empire and different cultures and languages all over it. Vela Roth has a way of writing that makes you only thirsty for more, and I can't wait to read more and finally meet Solia, and see what became of her after all these years.

I still have goosebumps from the big plot twist that happens in this Book. Vela Roth once again delivered romance, action and revelations that glue you to every page. I loved how Cassia steps more and more into her power and tests her boundaries. Lio is slowly exploring another side of him. A really sexy side if you ask me. Wink Wink. They both explore also some new spicy sides within themselves together. We also meet new friends or foes? Time will show! I cannot wait for Book 6!

Loved this book so much and I loved this series. There is a part two pf this book which I will be buying immediately because I need more 😅