Vampire Marriage Drama with a Side of Frustration
Luna is sold into an arranged marriage with the Prince of Darkness, Sebastian. It's supposed to unite their lands, strengthen alliances, all that good political stuff—but surprise! Being bound to a broody vampire prince isn't nearly as glamorous as one might think. Especially when said binding goes terribly wrong, leaving Luna and Sebastian tethered together in ways neither of them understands. Cue the forced proximity, stolen glances, and a whole lot of tension. Sounds promising, right? Well... yes and no. Let's start with Sebastian. He's got the whole tortured, brooding vampire aesthetic down to an art form, and his devotion to Luna—though mostly expressed through moody silence and intense staring—can be oddly endearing. But here's the problem: these two never talk. Ever. Instead of addressing their problems like functional beings, they opt for emotional dodgeball, running in circles until you're left screaming at the pages. The tension is there, the chemistry exists, but the sheer lack of communication makes it exhausting. The world-building had so much potential—a ruthless Queen, exiled vampires, the mystery surrounding Luna's half-brother—but it always felt like it was playing second fiddle to the will-they-won't-they routine that overstayed its welcome. And the romance? While there were definitely some swoon-worthy moments, the overall depth was lacking. I wanted to love them, I really did, but watching these two fumble their way through avoiding real conversations was like witnessing a slow-motion car crash. Painful, yet impossible to look away from. Final verdict: I'm not dying to pick up book two, but I might give it a shot—if only to see if Luna and Sebastian can finally learn how to use their words. The setup is strong, Sebastian has potential, and I'd love to see this world shine beyond the miscommunication Olympics. Fingers crossed for less frustration and more actual development in the sequel.