If you love your urban fantasy with bite, badassery, and a splash of slow-burn tension, Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane needs to be on your radar. This high-stakes series starter blends paranormal politics, sharp wit, and a heroine who doesn’t play by the rules. Think power plays, killer chemistry, and supernatural justice, all set in a neon-drenched Vegas where the vampires don’t sparkle… they bleed.

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

What is Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane all about?

Rowan Summerwaite is more than human, she’s the living vessel of a Celtic goddess and was raised by vampire royalty. Tasked with enforcing a sacred treaty, she takes no prisoners when rogue vampires cross the line. When a string of brutal murders puts her in the path of Vegas’s sexy new vampire leader, sparks fly, on and off the battlefield.

Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane Book Review

In Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane, Rowan is a special human, she is the true Vessel of the Celtic triple goddess Brigid, which gives her some in-human powers and strength. She carries a blessed blade, created to kill Vampires. She is the enforcer of the treaty between the Hunters and the Vampire Nation in Las Vegas. Am I seeing a pattern with Ms. Dane’s fascination for Vegas? Love it!

While enforcing this treaty she killed the prior Scion (or head of the Vampire Nation) in Las Vegas, and was away for a while in London. Now she returns and finds a new Scion, Clive, has filled in the position.

Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane started out really good for me. Rowan is a pretty tough cookie, loves to drive a hot, sleek car, and just generally make vampires lives miserable. Her sense of humor was fun at the beginning but it got on my nerves after a while. I mean, she is almost 30 years old, and I felt that sometimes she had the thought process of a child.

Clive is smooth, sexy, classy, AND has a British accent. And a vampire. He really should stay away from the Hunter, but she is irresistible to him. I actually felt that throughout the book you could tell Clive was falling for her a lot more than the other way around.

And I have to complain about the sex scenes. gasp. In a not-so-much-Dane-fashion they felt awkward, and rushed through, with a lack of connection. I don’t know how to explain it.

I enjoyed the actual storyline! The idea of a vampire killing humans to get a high on their drug habits and all.

I am at a loss for words right now. Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane is my least favorite Lauren Dane book. And I love her writing style! It didn’t pull me in, I didn’t feel a connection between the h/h, actually her friendship with Jack felt more intimate. Being a fan of her work, I was a bit disappointed.

Whether you’re here for the supernatural smackdowns or the simmering enemies-to-lovers heat, Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane delivers a sharp, fast-paced ride through a paranormal Vegas you’ll want to revisit. Add it to your TBR if you’re craving a fierce heroine and a world where divine power meets vampire politics.

About the Goddess with a Blade Series by Lauren Dane

This urban fantasy series follows Rowan Summerwaite, a vessel of divine power and a sanctioned vampire hunter, as she navigates tangled politics between humans, gods, and the undead. Expect fierce action, sizzling tension, and supernatural intrigue as Rowan protects the fragile peace between worlds, often with a sword in hand and a sharp word ready.

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