4.6 (1,540 ratings)

A Drop of Blood (The Lost Kings Book 1)

Name: A Drop of Blood (The Lost Kings Book 1)
Rating: 4.6 (1540 reviews)
Author: Charlene Hartnady
ISBN: B0C5HMPJTJ

by Charlene Hartnady

ghosts

About this book

I should’ve known better than to trust a stranger. Especially one as dangerously tempting as Xander.

Twelve years ago, our realm was thrust into almost perpetual darkness. The fae kings abandoned their posts and left us to her. Snow is our self-proclaimed queen and more evil than Hades himself. Once a human, she’s turned into something else, something all-powerful and vile. She seeks to confine us in camps to be bred like cattle. Used as slaves or, even worse, as food for the bloodfae, who are little more than vampires but with pointy ears. I hate the bastards!

They’re only too happy to oblige her in this mad quest to subdue us. Of course, they are! Did I mention that they are all bastards? Every last one of them.

But there are those of us who won’t bow. Those who refuse to break. We are few, but we are taking back our kingdom one village at a time. One human at a time. It isn’t enough. Not by a long shot, but we won’t give up.

Then a new force emerges. We rescue him on one of our raids. Xander is a farmer who got captured by the fae scum. He doesn’t look like any farmer I have ever seen. It quickly becomes apparent that he is strong and can fight like a warrior. He would serve our purpose well. If only I could convince him to join the rebellion. To lay down his hoe and pick up a sword instead.

The more time I spend with him, the more the lines become blurred. I can’t afford to fall in love, not when there is so much on the line. Then I learn something about the mysterious farmer that chills me to my very core. I want to believe him when he says that he hasn’t been deceiving us. I want to more than anything…

When the real truth about Xander finally emerges. I am horrified! At the same time, hope takes root within me.

For lovers of paranormal & fantasy romance, this is a series filled with magic, adventure, and delicious tension. Each book will follow a new couple, but there will be major crossovers. Note that there are scenes meant for mature audiences only.

Publication Date: May 25, 2026
ASIN: B0C5HMPJTJ

Reader Reviews

A Snow White retelling?!

October 5, 2025

This is an interesting twist on the Snow White fairy tale. It uses fae, humans, and Snow White has become an evil queen that curses the human lands with darkness, famine, plagues, and enslavement by the fae. Our main female character, Thesha, is a rebel who fights the fae trying to free the enslaved humans before they are taken to the Snow Queen’s realm. Xander, the main male character, is a farmer and has been captured by the fae. Thesha & her band of rebels free Xander in a raid. The rest of...

Finally, a kick-ass heroine!

January 10, 2024

I don't know how I ended up on the dark romance side of Kindle (maybe it was that time I read half of Haunting Adeline before deciding it wasn't for me), but in my slow crawl back toward books where the heroine actually has some self respect, I ran across some doozies. I hate romance books with virgins or century old fae being fated to 19 year old fae women (imagine getting married at 19, as a virgin, and living for centuries with only one man. Yikes! Live a little first! Anyway, I think I...

Storytelling is back!

February 19, 2024

I think that this is such a good beginning. Xander is more than what he seems and yet still just an enticing mystery. Our heroine Thesha it's every bit The warrior queen that Xander coins her. The chemistry is undeniable and their love is truly intimate. I can't wait to see the next book!!! My anticipation is high! ) 4 people found this helpful

This is what I was looking for

February 14, 2025

I almost didn't read this book. It didn't sound different from any of the other fantasy/romance books that I've read, but I was so wrong. This book is well-written, the world is layered and detailed, and the characters are believable. I really enjoyed the plot, most especially that there IS a plot. There are six scenes, but they don't detract from the story and they don't take over the book. The ending isn't a cliffhanger, but it does lead into the next book. I'm so glad that I found this...

Great story

July 4, 2025

Not many fae stories interest me, but this one was very well done. I just wish there was more sex throughout the book ) One person found this helpful