Listened to this in one setting and this sapphic urban fantasy totally stole my heart. The slow-burn chemistry between Vy—a cursed half-vampire who can’t even drink blood—and assassin Petra is just chef’s kiss 💋🔥. Their enemies-to-lovers arc is bold, and really magnetic.

The magic system is clever—just enough depth without bogging things down. I loved the fresh twist on vampire lore, especially Vy’s tragic flaw. Some early sections felt a bit filler-y, in my opinion. The story took a tiny detour before really getting cooking. A few side plot threads and world-building elements could have been fleshed out more to make everything feel fully polished.

Pacing has its peaks—it's smoother in places—but the payoff is worth it, especially toward the end. Narration-wise, Laura Horowitz’s voice performance comes highly praised too.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook!

An interesting urban fantasy with interesting world building and an enemies to lovers sapphic romance. I will say the romance did kick off really quickly, and was definitely anywhere near as slow burn as I'd expect for someone who murdered someone else's mom.

There were also some really odd side tangents about food or neighborhood descriptions, like a tourism ad for Japan in the middle. There was A LOT happening so I would have preferred less of that and more world building / plot. Overall I enjoyed the story even if there were parts I was thinking please be serious are y'all NOT on a timeline?? There are things you need to be getting done asap.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and would like to see where it can go. I am intrigued by the science and what all the experiments are about. I'm also a sucker for a good vampire vs vampire hunter story. It creates a true enemies to lovers romance. However, I did feel that the story was a bit lacking. The beginning was really strong and then it felt rushed and the story became convoluted. I'm not sure the POVs outside of Vi and and Petra were exactly needed. I actually felt like they took away from some of the story.

As for the narration, it's just not for me.

This review has been posted across multiple socials.

Fast paced. Great characters and world.
Especially the vibe was spectacular.
I had really fun with this one.

Thank you NetGalley, MC Press, and MC Hutson for the ARC.

This is a fast paced action filled adventure. There are multiple 3 person povs that can be hard to keep up with during the audio. Please be aware of the triggers in this book before you start.

3.5⭐️

Born of Blood and Magic by MC Hutson
Narrated by Laura Horowitz
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

It feels like it's been so long since I read such a well done, urban fantasy romance! Make it sapphic on top of that and I'm in love.
The tension between Vy and Petra was palpable from the beginning, both because of their shared past and their sexual tension. Their progression felt natural and believable, which really added to their enemies to lovers vibe.
The world building and backstories sucked me in and I'm already chomping at the bit for book two. Without spoiling anything, I am DYING to know what is in store for our two lovely ladies because they went through so much in this first book!

Laura Horowitz did an amazing job bringing the characters to life, and let each character show their distinct personalities through her performance. I follow her on social media, and now I can't wait to listen to more of her work!

Thank you NetGalley, MC Press, and MC Hutson for the ARC.
All opinions expressed in this review are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything.

First and foremost let me thank NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen to this audio ARC.

I had attempted to read this book twice in the physical format and just couldn't get through it. Sometimes the audio book helps me bust through and find a great story at the end... I would not classify this as a great story.. but it was a story.

There are a couple of jokes about things that well I don't joke about. Sexual assault and trans matters. At one point the MC makes a comment about how their friend couldn't go to a sapphic club bc they had a dick between their legs. That feels terfy as hell! and I honestly just can't get past it.

My stars here are for the world building like I would love to know more there. But leave the "jokes" behind pls.

My Initial Thoughts
Straight away was ready for an adventure and this didn’t disappoint, to an extent. It did take me a while to settle into this audiobook and I found it hard to understand what was happening at first, it was made more difficult by the fact there is 4 POVs but its in 3rd person.
Plot
I really enjoyed the plot and the danger and intensity of the storyline. This would make a good film/series. Once I was fully emersed into the world of the lightless I could follow along easier and fully understand what was happening. That being said, the ending wasn’t for me and fell flat in my opinion.
Characters
There is so many different characters which all have very different personalities. I think Violet was my favourite, such a misunderstood character. Also Dustin… why.
Recommend
If you’re a fan of urban fantasy with a touch of romance then try this!
Narrating
I was able to keep up with the narrator and the full story and I feel like they did a great job, considering they had to voice 4 MCs.
Overall Wrap up
This did take me a while to warm up to and I enjoyed the middle and the adventure and danger that Petra and Vi went on together, the push and the pull of the relationship, discovering truths hidden under lies. The ending however, I was not a fan of and that really let it down for me, it just felt ok, nothing terrible but also nothing to shout about either. Also Dustin.. poor soul, there is always one. I hated some of the characters with a passion, but I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series, however I’m unsure as to where that might lead at the moment, but there is a few things left unanswered.
Stars & Spice – 3.75 stars and 2 chilli spices.

Book Information – Born Of Blood And Magic by M.C.Hutson.

Narrators – Narrated by Laura Horowitz.

Genre – Urban fantasy with a side of romance.

Length of audiobook – 10hrs 3 minutes.

Tropes –
LGBTQ+ rep.
Magical creatures.
Enemies to lovers.
Rewriting history.
Found family.
Available on Kindle Unlimited – Born Of Blood And Magic is available on kindle unlimited.

Available Formats – Available on kindle, audiobook and in paperback.

Publishing Information – Published on 13th August 2024 by MC Hutson Press INC.

Format in Which I Read – Audiobook.

Where my copy come From – Netgallery.

POVs – There is four POVs – Petra, Violet. Olivia and the general.

Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines – Written on a single timeline.

1st or 3rd Person – Written in 3rd person.

HEA, HFN or Cliff hanger – Open ended. I don’t see how the story can carry on from this ending ? Unless it’s a series of interconnected standalones with different MCs?

Series or Standalone – Book 1 of The Lightless series.

Trigger Warnings – Please check content warnings before reading if necessary and please always remember that your mental health matters.

Text-
This gave me vibes from something but for the life of me I can’t place it. If anyone has thoughts on it, let me know. But anyways I liked it.

I was surprised this had Multiple POVs. I feel the most you normally get is two. It was really interesting to get the other POVs.

Overall, I feel like this was pretty fast paced. A lot of stuff happened and honestly it got a little crazy. With the ending, I’m really curious what happens in the next book…

Audiobook-
I really like Laura Horowitz. I think she’s a great narrator and she does an awesome job. Would recommend!

First up, this book is a side-step to my usual literary fodder but I’ve been specifically looking for more queer-relationship focused books, especially ones where ‘coming out’ isn’t the story arc. And that seems to happen most in fantasy books.
I’d also been on the look out for a sapphic ‘romantasy’ for a friend.
So that led me here.
The narration is slow and sultry, if that’s your bag, you’re gonna love it. For me it grated so I sped up to 1.25 and that got me past the hurdle of it being too slow for my brain.
The atmosphere through the book is anger and revenge. A lot of anger and a lot of revenge. Everyone is pissed. And everyone is pissed off at each other.
The plot itself is good, goes through some twists and turns and does a good job of world building without it being tedious or repetitive.
It definitely could have more sex in it, there’s a lot of opportunity for it, and there are some nice sapphic sex scenes, but honestly I was left wanting more.
I reckon it would make a great animation or graphic novel, there’s loads of scope for the visual imagery and it would be sexy as hell at times.
As an audiobook, it was good, but not great. And really I don’t want to spend that much time with so much anger and hatred!

I had high hopes for this book after starting it. Both main characters are strong, interesting and flawed, and the plot really intrigued me. I mean, vampire x vampire hunter is an elite trope. The secret order of vampire hunters had me hooked, but it didn’t take very long before I kinda fell out of the story. The romance bit between the women is complicated as heck obviously, which is okay, but I didn’t really feel any <i>chemistry</i> between them.

The external plot is sort of two-sided. One part completely external, and one part closely related to both MCs. Sadly, I didn’t care much about the latter. The ending is a big cliffhanger, and if I’d been more invested throughout the story, it could’ve devastated me. I felt mildly shocked, but that was really it.

It’s not a case of bad writing or anything, and I really enjoyed the narration — Laura Horowitz is super talented. I just think this is a case of ‘not for me’.

If you enjoy enemies to lovers that spans a long time and doesn’t get completely resolved in the first book, and fantasy/paranormal, then for sure give it a try.

Thank you to NetGalley and MC Hutson Press for the ALC.

Ok. I felt the story had a lot of promise and it was done...fine. I thought I'd enjoy the premise of an enemies-to-lovers half-vampire/sorceress and revenge seeking orphan, but I ended up getting bored after a while.

The VA was ok. I think I would've liked it more if Petra was given more personality rather an being an aggressive and constantly reactive individual. I can't tell if that's a flawed of the writing or the VA though at this point. Vi's voice didn't really fit well either, she was constantly scared and came off as demure so much of the time but then she'd said lines like "fuck me" which came off as disjointed.

I don't really understand how Petra joined the organisation despite having finished the book. Like, not WHY she joined but rather HOW she managed to do so. It seems like everyone else in the organisation is a nepo baby besides her so how?

I didn't really appreciate the use of the word "fucktard" considering the connotations and semantics of the word. It really, really bothered me.

Overall, I think it was a fine read. Not my favourite, but it was ok. I would usually write something positive, but I'm struggling to find something I was more than apathetic about and I'm failing. Hopefully this book reaches an audience that enjoys it more. 2.5 Stars rounded to 3.

Born of Blood and Magic had some great moments, especially the banter between characters which felt sharp and natural. The storyline had potential and there were parts where I was genuinely drawn in, curious to see what would happen next. The pacing was steady and the world-building had a unique flair that could really appeal to the right reader.

That said, the book just wasn’t for me. I kept hoping I’d connect with it more as the story unfolded, but something didn’t quite click. It might be one of those books that depends a lot on personal taste. I can see why others would love it, especially for the snappy dialogue and imaginative plot, but I didn’t fully enjoy the experience. Still, I’m glad I gave it a try.

I was able to listen to this as an audio. This is an FF romance. Our two FMC‘s have a disastrous past together with our human SMC watching our vampire FMC kill her mother(this happens within the first two chapters) as the story progresses we watch as our human FMC comes to grips with her mother‘s very Catholic mindset, dealing with the guilt of having lost your mother and kind of being the cause of why our mother was out to be killed. Well, also trying to get revenge for her mother.
Our vampire FMC is not just a normal vampire. She is what they call an ill blood meaning that she is two separate supernaturals in one. This story takes us on the adventure of our human FMC having her chance at revenge on the vampire FMC but working around that to get to the end of the story which I don’t want to spoil so I will leave that there.

CW: sexual harassment, rape threats directed towards a lesbian, attempted rape of a lesbian by a man on page, transphobic jokes not addressed by the narrative

Before I rant about this book, I want to say that the audiobook narrator did a solid job and none of my critiques are targeted towards their performance.

This book needed to have a major content warning for sexual assault and threats of rape towards queer women. With the first rape joke I thought it was in extreme poor taste and it only got worse when one of our main characters who is presented as a lesbian was almost raped while being held in jail. If you are dealing with these topics your book should begin with a content warning or it should be very clear within the goodreads summary that these issues will arise in the story. This book is self published so it is on the author to include those warnings within the audiobook, it's possible that there is a cw in the kindle edition but I did not read that version.

I also think that the author needs to make a major change to a line in this book that reads as quite transphobic. Petra says something to the effect that her guy friend can't come into the sapphic club with her because he has a dick. Equating genitals with one's gender is pretty gross to me and made my terf alarms go off. It's possible that this was just a misguided line on the part of the author but it doesn't read like Petra is in the wrong or undereducated. My lesbianism includes trans women regardless of their genitals so this line put a pretty bad taste in my mouth.

Finally, there is just no chemistry between these characters. I don't understand why I'm supposed to root for their relationship because there were no efforts to develop their bond. These girls barely know each other and aside from their traumatic childhoods I don't feel like they're fully formed characters. I probably won't read another book from this author because those earlier writing choices made me really uncomfortable as a reader. As a lesbian I don't want to open a book and without warning have to read about sexual violence targeted towards my identity.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so much fun! We a sapphic urban fantasy romance. I loved the different types of magical creatures like vampires, hoppers, and sorcerers. The third person POV gave us a true scope of all the characters involved and I loved that. The romance was beautifully cruel and I really liked how it ended. We also get an interracial relationship which I can appreciate. The narrator did an amazing job portraying both main characters. The plot was interesting and unique. The pacing was done very well, and I felt like the book flowed perfectly. This was a good time.

3.5 stars
Loved the narration for this book! The cover drew my attention & I was not passing up on a sapphic romantasy plot! I enjoyed the world building as it was easy to follow. I liked the characters and was rooting for the ETL storyline!

This book includes:
- sapphic love
- vampires
- family trauma

I like the premise of this book, but found it very difficult to connect with this story or its characters. The writing was good, just perhaps not a match with my reading style. I think I will probably revisit this book in the future and give it another shot. I am happy to see that this book has a lot of fans tho and think it is worth others giving it a read.

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, MC Hutson, and MC Press for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

This was such a gripping story I enjoyed learning all about the vampires and other creatures in this book and I love that most of the characters are lgbt I very much enjoyed the audiobook as it kept me gripped and entertained

I love a fast paced book. In this case, it was a bit too fast, but I still enjoyed the story! And the audiobook being narrated by Laura Horowitz made it even better!

Vampire assassin x vampire is an interesting pairing that I am starting to enjoy in the books I read! Especially when they start as enemies. This is one of the instances where a fast paced book doesn't do them justice. It did feel a bit rushed for me, that is to say, I would have loved to see them pining for each other for a bit longer. A slow burn would have been brilliant for Petra and Vy.

The last few chapters were a chaotic rollercoaster! (In a good way!) And that ending?? 😭😭😭 I'm definitely looking forward to the next book! I need to know how things will proceed!

The ALC was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.