nice little urban fantasy, well victorian-esque urban fantasy? ( )

Rating: 4.5 stars (well-balanced mystery/gay/supernatural novel)

TW: slightly violent and gory

Meet Johnathan. He's a novice hunter who hates vampires, and was sent to finish this "typical" (nope it is not typical at all) assignment of dealing with a vampire in Cress Haven. Now meet Vic, a handsome, enigmatic, maybe trustworthy bachelor with some secrets of his own, annnnd---- he turns out to a vampire (I smell a enemies to lovers trope coming). As they try to solve Cress Haven's supernatural mystery (and deal with unsolved attraction between them which of coUrse is of secondary importance to solving the mystery), they uncover buried secrets of their own and of Cress Haven, which threaten to end them all.

Let's start with the world-building: Truth be told, some of the supernatural terms and explanations went over my head, but it was still fascinating to read about the world of Cress Haven and the concept of the supernatural characters there. Of course it includes the usual fare -- like vampires -- but I love how the author included detailed characteristics and the unique origin stories of each being. The mystery and the solving of it was very addictive; I never knew where or how it was heading until the last few chapters when it was clear (mostly) in how it was going to end. The plot twists were truly unexpected, and I never knew they were coming till it was too late, or it had already happened (which I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing). The characterisations of Vic, John and Alyse were perfect, and I enjoyed getting to uncover and better understand each of the characters. (I love Alyse, she gives off a fierce-and-protective-friend vibe, and I am still very curious as to how she got to know Vic so well... maybe I'll never know)

Then why did I give 4.5 stars, if it was such a great read? To be honest, I love Vic and John, and their dynamics and growth in their relationship was well-paced. it's just that although the attraction and development of their relationship was great, I felt that it took a backseat as compared to the mystery they were trying to solve. I felt more entranced and hooked by the intensity of the mystery than how their relationship was progressing (maybe it is because I am used to reading the very intense enemies-to-lovers trope, and this was not as all-consuming as I had expected it to be).

But let's be clear: their relationship is definitely not lack-luster, and if you are looking for a well-balanced, well-written and addictive supernatural-mystery-gay-romance, A Bargain of Blood and Gold is still highly recommended.



*An ARC received via NetGalley (thank you City Owl Press) in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.* ( )

Thanks to Equality Book Tours for the eARC, my review is my unbias opinion.

I've been wanting to read A Bargain of Blood and Gold for awhile, so I jumped at the chance of being on this Review tour.

A Bargain of Blood and Gold is a unique story, there's so much going on that I felt I was wrapped up in a whirlwind and carried along for the ride.

The writing is great and it really builds up the world and characters, the setting and era lends well to the plot and I thought it was all created really well.

I really enjoyed the characters and was intrigued by Johnathan the vampire/monster hunter of sorts. He felt conflicted at times, he had trained to be this hunter but he seemed inexperienced. Though that's not a negative as i felt it made his character well rounded.
Vic for me was mysterious to start with and then the revelation of who he is, I thought was great and I really liked his and Johnathan's relationship.

The storyline was great and I really had me hooked, I liked how it played out and I really wasn't expecting all of that!!

I really look forward to reading book 2, I need to know how it all pans out for Johnathan. ( )

Interesting entry in the vampire trope--would be better read in hard copy ( )

Johnathan Newman is a prospect for the Society. He hunts vampires and is sent to a little town called Cress Haven. He is young and is raised by the Society. During the story we get to know further how his life developed. He meets Vic and it surprised me that it took him so long to recognize the fact that Vic is a vampire. They are thrown together after geting shot, attacked, stabbed, or mauled by demonic creatures. There is kind of a romance between them.
There are a lot of supernatural beings in this book and it is not completely clear to me how it works all out, but overall it's enough to make me curious about the next book.

Disclaimer: I got this book in the Librarything Early Reviewers. ( )