I love a good why choose trope and Dhampira was such a solid addition to the genre. Vampires are back baby and this fantasy world is just getting started! Keep reading this book review of Dhampira for my full thoughts.
Summary
Corinthe has spent a lifetime longing for excitement outside her sleepy human village. As a dhampir born of a human mother and vampire father, her unique abilities make her desired by those who lurk across the Feyline—the boundary that keeps the magical realm in perpetual twilight where vampires hold dominion. To stay safe, she’s concealed her supernatural strength and taste for blood from her human neighbors, but when her yearning for excitement accidentally exposes her gifts, she is captured to sell to the highest bidder.
Terrified, she expects the worst. But rescue comes in the form of Vander, a handsome stranger who whisks her from the auction stage and across the Feyline . . . where he reveals himself to be a vampire knight of King Rasimir’s court. Notorious for his cruelty, the deranged king is determined to extend his rule to the farthest reaches, and Vander has been tasked with delivering Corinthe to him.
Now a pawn in the vampire court, Corinthe learns that Rasimir intends to marry her off to the arrogant Prince Lorcan and exploit her daywalking abilities for his own gain. But a wedding isn’t the only obstacle in her path to freedom. While Vander burns with dangerous charm, Lorcan watches her with hungry eyes. And both men claim they can help her—if she can trust them.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Dhampira brought me back. It has this classic fantasy feelings which brought me back to my paranormal fantasy romance background. Corinthe is thrown into a new pit of information as she’s running from her life. Dhampira hits the ground running. At the beginning, I got a little whiplash from her character, mostly because we barely got a chance to know her before she’s thrown into chaos. I wish we had a few more moments beforehand, but she’s thrown into this new world of information where she can’t trust anyone. I would say the romance is the most developed interest in Dhampira.
Their connections felt fast considering we aren’t supposed to trust anyone. In some ways it felt a bit like, “you’re the nicest person to me in this pit of vipers” which turns into love. I adore a why choose trope, I just wish we had a few more moments where they could be vulnerable together. That being said, the world was a bit shallow. This is a series starter, so I’m intrigued to see how it goes for book two. But I wanted to find out more about the actual world politics, the different creatures, and this new realm. The characters are the main draw in Dhampira. It’s a fast paced entertaining read which is just enough to hold up, I just wish it was a bit more developed overall.
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Find Dhampira on Goodreads, Storygraph, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.