"In a country at war, where soldiers are mere bodies to throw at the enemy and the elite live in luxury, vampire princess Aurora Tepes is determined to make a difference."
Denisa Mih delivers a dark, action-packed, and emotionally compelling tale in Blood Sings. The story follows Aurora, a vampire princess navigating the challenges of leadership, betrayal, and survival in a brutal world.
From the start, it’s clear Aurora is unlike most royals. She deeply cares about her people and strives to do what’s right, even when the odds are stacked against her. Her journey leads her to Harbinger and his squad of misfit soldiers, where tensions rise and alliances are tested.
Aurora’s character is wonderfully complex. She stumbles through relationships, makes mistakes, and is dealt a terrible hand, yet she always finds the strength to get back up. She apologizes when she's wrong, sometimes even too much, but she never uses her past as an excuse. Harbinger, the brooding and mysterious male lead, is equally compelling—hot, enigmatic, and far more than he appears at first glance. The relationship between Aurora and Harbinger develops gradually, balancing tension and attraction without overpowering the main plot.
The supporting characters are also given ample room to shine, each with distinct voices and motivations that add depth to the story. Selene, Aurora’s best friend, is a standout, as is Harbinger’s squad, who bring camaraderie and heart to the otherwise dark narrative.
That said, the book isn’t without its flaws. The opening chapters are heavy with information, and certain crucial elements—like the significance of key cultural practices—aren’t fully explained until much later in the story, which could have provided clarity earlier. Additionally, while Harbinger is intriguing, his character would have benefited from more point-of-view chapters to deepen his backstory and motivations.
The action sequences are gripping, and the world-building, while occasionally overwhelming, is rich and immersive. The romance is subtle, serving the story rather than distracting from it, and the book ends with a cliffhanger that leaves you craving more.
Why You Should Read It:
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- A flawed yet relatable heroine with incredible fortitude.
- A brooding, mysterious MMC with just the right amount of tension.
- Fast-paced action, morally complex characters, and a dark, immersive world.
- Perfect for fans of gritty vampire tales with a touch of forbidden romance.
I devoured this book in one sitting and can’t wait for book two!
Spoilers Below! Read at Your Own Risk
The book opens with Aurora preparing to lead soldiers into battle. Despite her royal status, she genuinely cares about those fighting for their lives. However, her compassion is constantly overshadowed by the hatred and disdain she faces as the next heir to the throne.
Her mother’s decision to arrange a marriage to Lev sets the stage for a pivotal turning point. Lev’s gift of hybrids to feed on for Aurora's 100th birthday foreshadows his darker intentions. When he corners Aurora and forces a Blood Pact against her will, the violation is depicted with haunting clarity, serving as a metaphorical parallel to sexual assault in vampire culture. Aurora’s reactions—guilt, shame, rage—are painfully real, but the delayed explanation of the Blood Pact weakens the emotional impact early on.
After her birthday, Aurora, with the help of her best friend Selene, decides to take matters into her own hands. She knows she cannot go through with the betrothal to Lev and must find a way to protect herself and the people who rely on her for their safety. Her Godfather, a Captain in the army, suggests a drastic solution: sending Aurora to the frontlines to serve with the most dangerous squad he can think of—for the next 50 years.
Aurora and Selene are thrust into an unfamiliar world, wholly unprepared for the challenges awaiting them. Enter Harbinger and his squad of misfits, soldiers who have been fighting together for decades and have no desire to be led by a vampire princess, especially not one who dares to intrude on their turf.
We meet Harbinger through his own POV, but while his character is intriguing, he isn’t as fully fleshed out as Aurora. He’s a soldier with secrets and a rebellious streak that creates plenty of conflict and even outright fights. While his POV provides glimpses into his relationship with Aurora, I found myself wanting more—specifically moments showcasing his camaraderie with his squad-mates or the grief he experiences after losing one of them. A few additional chapters from Harbinger’s perspective could have added much-needed depth and humanity to his character.
Almost immediately, we learn that Harbinger is different—but just how different is revealed later in the story. The moment Aurora discovers he is a half-vampire, half-Varcolac is meant to be shocking, but for me, the impact was somewhat lost. By this point, the book had introduced so many different races, names, and factions that it became difficult to keep track. While the revelation eventually makes sense, the sheer volume of information early on muddled its significance. For example, I initially thought Lev’s family was the main villain, only to find out that they’re a lesser evil compared to the Varcolacs. This confusion, however, doesn’t detract much from the story overall—it simply highlights the need for clearer world-building.
That said, Harbinger’s Varcolac heritage introduces a forbidden romance element that was previously missing. There’s an undeniable attraction between Aurora and Harbinger from the beginning, but both characters resist it until nearly the end of the book. The tension is well-balanced and never overshadows the main plot, which I appreciated.
Things come to a head when Aurora nearly dies, and another squad member sacrifices her life. To save Aurora, Harbinger offers her his blood—a deeply intimate and emotional act in vampire culture. Aurora struggles against the thirst and her growing feelings for Harbinger but ultimately gives in, deepening her bond with him. The tension culminates in a spicy scene that was well-anticipated but left me feeling conflicted.
In this scene, Aurora shares her traumatic experience with Harbinger and the squad, but before she can finish, Harbinger whisks her away to his room and kisses her. While I enjoy their chemistry and the idea of them as a couple, this moment felt off. Given Aurora’s vulnerability, Harbinger’s immediate response should have included explicit consent—perhaps a simple "May I?" or "If you don’t want this, just say so"—before the kiss, not after. Consent should have been paramount here, and its absence detracted from an otherwise strong emotional moment.
Additionally, this scene could have benefited from Harbinger’s POV. His perspective would have clarified his motivations and added more weight to his actions, especially given the miscommunication between the two that follows. Since his POV was already established earlier, it felt like a missed opportunity to delve deeper into his reasoning.
The story takes another dramatic turn as the squad prepares for battle, culminating in a shocking revelation: Harbinger can communicate with the enemy. This twist raises the stakes and sets the stage for the sequel, leaving readers eager for answers.
The Big Questions for Book Two:
- Why is the commander withholding blood deliveries from Aurora and Selene? Is he a double agent secretly working against Aurora while pretending to support her? Or is something happening back home that no one knows about?
- Harbinger is searching for his presumed-dead brother among the monsters attacking the Republic. Do all fallen soldiers join the enemy ranks?
- How and why is Harbinger able to communicate with the enemy? What changed in this battle that allowed this to happen?
- Will Aurora and Harbinger find happiness, or will their bond only bring more pain and conflict?
The book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving readers desperate for more. Despite a somewhat overwhelming info-dump in the opening chapters, Blood Sings delivers a compelling story with strong characters, high stakes, and an emotionally charged romance. A glossary or summary page of key names, hybrid species, powers, and factions would have been helpful, but the story’s strengths more than make up for its minor shortcomings.
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