My Reign of Night Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
Reign of Night by Sara C. Roethle opens the A Study in Shadows series with a dark blend of vampire hunting, murder mystery, and slow-burn romance. Lyssandra is a top hunter for the Helius Order, raised to slay vampires and protect the innocent. Her secret? She is bound as a human servant to Asher, an ancient and powerful vampire—an arrangement she hates and must keep hidden or be executed by her own order. Her obsessive mission: kill Asher and avenge her stolen agency. But when a child’s murder (with the signature of the vampire who killed her uncle) upends her plans, Lyssandra is forced into a tense alliance with the very creatures she is supposed to hunt. Facing deadly magic, rival hunters, and dangerous bonds, Lyssandra must unravel old crimes and confront her own beliefs, all while resisting the pull toward her enemy. Set against a harsh world of ancient grudges, forbidden magic, and reluctant allies, this is a story of loyalty, revenge, and the lies we tell to survive.
Why I Love This Book
I love how Reign of Night throws me into a messy, morally grey world straight away. Lyssandra is fierce and stubborn—a protagonist easy to root for (and sometimes yell at), with clear trauma shaping her every choice. Her struggle with the bond, her anger, and her gradual grappling with everything she’s taught to believe kept me invested. The enemies-to-lovers tension with Asher sizzles in every scene they share. The worldbuilding feels lived-in and dangerous, with creepy vampire rituals, rivalries, and a streak of dark humor brightening the tension. The book blends action with internal conflict, bringing real emotion to every fight and every secret revealed. I was especially drawn to how it doesn’t rush redemption or trust—characters make bad calls, alliances are uneasy, and consequences hit hard. The found family elements, magical bonds, and hidden vulnerabilities add needed heart. Even when I’m frustrated by Lyssandra’s stubbornness, I understand where it comes from, and rooting for her to see the truth makes the emotional payoffs land even harder. This is the kind of romantasy that keeps me turning pages for both the plot and the ache of what might be if enemies don’t stay enemies for long.
Who Will Like This Book
If you love slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance packed with action, internal and external tension, and lots of secrets, you’ll get hooked on this series. Fans of strong heroines, complex power dynamics, and vampire lore will find lots to dig into. There’s a dark edge and some graphic moments (death, violence, magical manipulation), but it never feels gratuitous. There’s also plenty for readers who love found family, reluctant partnerships, and complicated trust. If you dislike characters who cling to anger or need more romance early on, be patient—the payoff is worth it, but the journey is rocky. ⚠️ Trigger warning: Includes murder, mentions of child death, violence, trauma, manipulation, and dark vampire magic. Best to check for detailed content warnings if you’re sensitive to these themes.
Tagged As
paranormal romance, fantasy romance, romantasy, vampires, vampire hunter, slow burn, enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, magical bonds, found family, murder mystery, strong heroine, tortured hero, dark fantasy, revenge, morally gray, open-door romance, angst, new adult, series, indie romance, kindle unlimited, action, betrayal, loyalty, trauma
Steam Level
This book has a few steamy, open-door scenes, but the focus is on tension and longing, making the steam feel earned. Romance and spice grow alongside the characters’ trust and frustration, not as a quick reward. If you want slow burn with real payoffs, this book will absolutely deliver.
