A monster slayer and a half-vampire form an uneasy alliance—and eventually a romance—as they race to destroy a powerful dragon relic before it can be used to unleash devastation, all while being hunted by a vengeful vampyric antagonist. Blending action-packed battles, feminist themes, and a richly queer, all-female cast, the story explores found family, the complexity of enemies-to-lovers relationships, and the blurred lines between monsters and heroes.

Reader Review Summary

Set in the world of Vil Tresar, the story follows Kas of Veldenier, a professional monster slayer, and Claudia of Trulio, a half-human, half-vampyric woman. Their paths cross when the remnant of the dragon Ombral resurfaces, threatening to unleash dragons upon the world once more. Despite being natural enemies, Kas and Claudia join forces to destroy the remnant, pursued by Serisa, a vampyric antagonist with her own destructive ambitions. The narrative is structured around their quest, featuring a journey through various provinces, encounters with a wide array of monsters, and a developing romance between the two leads. The book is told from multiple perspectives, including Kas, Claudia, and Serisa, and is characterized by a predominantly female cast, explicit violence, and queer themes, including lesbian and trans representation. The tone blends action, adventure, and romance, with influences and references to The Witcher, Castlevania, and Dungeons & Dragons, and includes elements such as sword fighting, magical creatures, and a focus on found family dynamics.

Readers praised the book for its fast-paced plot, engaging action scenes, and the chemistry between the main characters, Kas and Claudia. The enemies-to-lovers romance was frequently highlighted as a strong point, with many noting the slow-burn progression and believable banter. The all-female cast and queer representation, including lesbian and trans characters, were repeatedly cited as refreshing and well-integrated. Supporting characters like Aara, the werecat, were also singled out for adding depth and lightness to the story. The world-building, particularly the inclusion of various monsters and the distinct dragon lore, was appreciated, as was the multi-layered portrayal of the antagonist, Serisa, whose motivations and pain were explored in detail. Many readers found the book reminiscent of The Witcher and Castlevania, enjoying the familiar tropes reimagined with a sapphic focus.

Criticisms centered on the book's pacing and length, with several readers wishing for a longer narrative to allow for deeper character development and more exploration of the world and relationships. Some found the writing style choppy or the dialogue clichéd, and noted that the frequent perspective switches could be jarring or repetitive. The plot was described by some as predictable or lacking a major twist, and the resolution of the antagonist's arc was seen as anticlimactic by a few. Others felt that the world-building, while promising, was not fully fleshed out, and that the story sometimes relied too heavily on familiar tropes. A minority of readers struggled to connect with the characters or found the story difficult to get into, and some mentioned that the book's violence and explicit scenes might not match expectations set by the cover or marketing.

The book has an average reader rating of 3.77 out of 5, based on 90 ratings and 65 full reviews, and is scheduled for publication on April 15, 2025. It is marketed as adult fantasy with strong lesbian, queer, and LGBT themes, and is described as suitable for fans of sword and sorcery, enemies-to-lovers romance, and action-driven narratives. The narrative includes explicit violence, sex scenes, and a content warning at the front. The book is a standalone but several readers expressed interest in sequels or further exploration of the world and characters. The cover art and community engagement around the book's release were also noted as positive aspects by early readers and ARC reviewers.