House of Secrets and Vows by Genna Ashwood

This early review copy was provided to me by Genna Ashwood through Book Of Matches Media. This in no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: House of Secrets and Vows

Series: Crown of Deceit

Author: Genna Ashwood

Release Date: September 25, 2024

Publisher: Independently Published

Genre: Romantasy

Source: digital, Book of Matches Media

TW: violence, blood, graphic sexual content

Synopsis

When the lines between ally and enemy blur, trust is the deadliest game of all.

Zariah’s sure that someday her double life will wind up getting her executed. But using the information she learns as a priestess in the Temple of Secrets has paved her way to the top of the resistance that fights against the cruelty of the crown, and she won’t stop until the kingdom is a just place for everyone in it.

Prince Nevan, heir to the Valazican throne, has a dark confession to make. He's the newest member of the House of Blood–the most vicious of the Valazican houses. For him to take the crown would only make an already inequitable kingdom worse for Zariah and her people. When her friend is killed, and all blame points to the prince, she fears the rebellion won’t succeed soon enough.

As if by fate, five months later, Zariah is chosen to serve in the palace as the official Priestess of the Summer Solstice, and her opportunity for answers—and vengeance—arrives. But the prince isn't what she expects. And he's far from the only one with secrets.

Now Zariah must decide who to trust. The wrong choice might cost her life…but the right one might cost her heart.

Thoughts

I recently finished reading "House of Secrets and Vows" by Genna Ashwood, and I have to say, it was quite an experience! As a debut novel, it shows a lot of promise, even though it has its ups and downs.

First off, I was immediately drawn into the intricate plot. Ashwood has woven a tapestry of twists and deceptions that kept me on my toes throughout the book. However, I must admit that at times, I felt a bit lost. Some of the plot twists seemed to come out of nowhere, almost as if they were last-minute additions. This made the story feel a bit convoluted at points, and I found myself having to backtrack to make sure I hadn't missed anything.

Despite these hiccups, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance between Zariah and Nevan. Their dynamic was electric, and I couldn't help but root for them. The vampire romantasy element added an extra layer of intrigue to their relationship, and I loved how it played into the larger narrative.

One of the strongest aspects of the book, in my opinion, was the complex character loyalties. I never quite knew who to trust, which kept me engaged and eager to uncover more secrets. The world-building, while not perfect, showed potential, and I'm curious to see how Ashwood develops it in future installments.

Overall, while "House of Secrets and Vows" may not be a flawless read, it's definitely an enjoyable one. I found myself invested in the characters and their story, and despite its flaws, I'm genuinely looking forward to picking up the next book in the series. If you're a fan of romantasy with political intrigue and complex relationships, I'd recommend giving this one a try!