SON OF A BITE

The story opens as Soravelle Davana, once the most feared vampire of the D’Arco dynasty, is awakened from centuries of slumber in an underwater sarcophagus by the death of her twin brother, Mateo. He was her last remaining family member after the loss of their sister, Isi. Using her skills as a former assassin for the Crown, Sora makes her way to the castle her family used to own, only to find that its new occupant is an old enemy, Alobaz “Baz” Hawxley, the man responsible for killing her brother. What starts off as a straightforward revenge tale quickly becomes a game of wills when Sora learns her survival is linked to Baz. Although Sora maintains she’d rather die than submit, Ashta has crafted a morally gray romance from this situation that resists easy answers—Baz is both a conqueror and a captive of his imperial legacy, while Sora is torn between righteous fury and a desire she refuses to name. The author’s lush, dark blend of romance and gothic fantasy explores unwanted desire while sharpening its fangs on themes of vengeance, power, and political intrigue. The central characters are written with deliberate moral ambiguity, allowing their connection to feel raw and authentic rather than romanticized. The narrative pacing sustains a steady rhythm as the stakes are gradually raised. The prose boasts a rich, atmospheric intensity that reinforces the story’s tragic sensibilities, although the story does have instances of clunky dialogue and passages of heavy exposition. The fantastical setting adds texture to plot points, character interactions, and worldbuilding elements (from sentient, vindictive shadows to strange magical creatures), heightening the gothic atmosphere and rendering fate itself as an antagonist. The ways in which the novel treats destiny not as a promise but as an enemy to be resisted are particularly compelling (“Life and Death were known to be wicked gamblers, the more bizarre the scenario, the better”). The tension between vengeance and desire is maintained throughout, allowing the romance to capture readers’ attention through its twists and turns.