Heir of Prophecy by Analeigh Sbrana

On By TracyIn Contemporary, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Young AdultLeave a comment

Heir of ProphecyHeir of Prophecy by Analeigh Sbrana

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: August 25, 2026

Audra is a human whose life changes when magic and the Fae become unavoidable parts of her world. She begins as someone connected to her home and family, but her abduction and arrival at Holyvere Academy place her in a setting where she has to manage fear, secrecy, and the possibility that she may be the foretold Heir. The supporting characters include fellow prisoners, Fae Priestesses, academy figures, and a dangerous prince tied to a competing prophecy, though several of these relationships remain more lightly developed than the premise suggests.

The plot follows Audra as she is taken from the human realm and brought into a magical academy where she and others are expected to train, survive, and potentially serve a larger ritual connected to ending the Desolate Winter. The story blends Fae politics, prophecy, magic, guilds, academy lessons, visions, and conflict between two possible destinies. Much of the middle portion centers on Audra adjusting to the academy and trying to hide or understand her unstable power before the larger stakes become clearer near the end.

Overall, I liked the idea of the story and thought the premise had a lot of elements that usually appeal to me, especially the academy setting, prophecy angle, and fantasy worldbuilding. However, the pacing felt slow, the romance did not have as much intensity as I expected, and the darker elements did not fully come through until later. Personally, it seemed more like a young adult fantasy novel than the dark academia romance I was expecting, so while I can see the appeal for readers who enjoy detailed academy-focused fantasy with light romance, it did not completely work for me.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

The Dark in Her Veins by M.K. Lobb

On By TracyIn First Person Narrative, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Dark in Her Veins (Divine Villains, 1)The Dark in Her Veins by M.K. Lobb

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: Divine Villains #1

Release Date: August 25, 2026

Talin Keller is a hired sinner whose role in Valestadt places her between survival, violence, and loyalty to the Prophet who employs her. She carries the physical consequences of the sins she commits through Bloodrot, which makes her position both dangerous and unstable. Gabriel, the city’s revered Prophet, uses religious authority and public devotion to maintain power while keeping his own hands clean. Slade, also known as the Warden, serves as a darker opposing force whose connection to Gabriel complicates Talin’s mission. The characters operate in a morally corrupt world where self-preservation, manipulation, and hidden motives shape their relationships and decisions.

The plot follows Talin as she navigates a city where sin leaves a visible and deadly mark on the body, creating a system where the powerful can hire others to absorb the cost of their wrongdoing. Her work for Gabriel leads her toward Slade, a figure tied to rumors, danger, and the possibility of freedom from both Gabriel’s control and the worsening Bloodrot. As Talin moves between the brothers, the story develops through shifting alliances, revelations about her past, and a larger conspiracy connected to Valestadt’s religious and political structure. The narrative blends dark fantasy, violence, corruption, and supernatural consequences while building toward an unresolved ending meant to continue the story.

Overall, this book had an interesting concept, especially with the idea that sin could physically deteriorate the body, but it did not fully work for me. I did not like the first-person POV which made the story feel harder to follow and less cohesive. I also found the cliffhanger ending frustrating because so much felt unresolved in the final pages. The romance was another major issue for me because it came across as more of a niche / fetish-driven dynamic than a traditional romance, which made it difficult for me to connect with the relationship. So, while the premise had potential, and I am sure there are many readers who would enjoy this book, it was not for me, I felt the characters, pacing, and romantic development kept me from becoming fully invested and left me with no desire to read the next book.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *