Book Review: A Vow in Vengeance by Jaclyn Rodriguez
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A Vow in Vengeance by Jaclyn Rodriguez
Published: January 13, 2026
Series: Immortal Desires #1
Genres: Adult // Fantasy, Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Open Door)
Quick Thoughts: I enjoyed A Vow in Vengeance so much more than I thought I would. Books with card-based magic systems are really hit or miss for me, so I was hesitant to pick this up, but I'm so glad I did. There’s good worldbuilding, loads of political intrigue, and a tension filled romance that made this so much fun to read.
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Attempted sexual assault
Nonconsensual kissing and touching
On-page suicide of an unnamed character
Slavery
Death/violence
Grief/Loss
Alcohol consumption and drug use
Diaspora
Forced assimilation
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Reluctant Allies to Lovers (This is billed as enemies to lovers, but I don’t quite think they are enemies.)
Academy Settings
Fake fated mates
Forced Proximity
Snark and Banter
Touch her and die
Tarot/Card Based Magic
Prophecy
Quest
Hidden/Secret Identities
What is A Vow in Vengeance about?
Deadly tarot, wicked schemes, dangerous alliances . . . can you survive the Forge?
Sexy, action-packed, and brimming with magic, A Vow in Vengeance is an unputdownable romantasy debut.
Rune Ryker has nothing left to lose. Everything’s been stolen by the Immortals—her family, her home, her freedom. But she’s done playing by their rules.
Each year, humans are forced to journey into the Immortal Realms, but twenty-year-old Rune orchestrates her own selection, determined to find her family and destroy anyone who stands in her way. Rune is used to doing whatever it takes to survive, and now she must endure the Forge, a cutthroat college for the Immortal druids’ elusive tarot magic. When Rune’s magic reveals itself to be the rarest and most powerful, she must live with its only other wielder—Prince Draven. As arrogant as he is ruthlessly ambitious, he’s the last person she can trust.
Rune’s abilities also draw the eyes of the most dangerous druids in the realms. Some want to use her. More want her dead. Draven offers to train her . . . for a price. As Rune becomes ensnared in Draven’s dangerous games, she learns there are secrets at the heart of the kingdom that some will kill to protect.
And Rune and Draven’s growing attraction may be the spark to ignite a brewing war.
A Vow in Vengeance Review
I enjoyed A Vow in Vengeance so much more than I thought I would. Books with card-based magic systems are really hit or miss for me, so I was hesitant to pick this up, but I'm so glad I did. I cannot believe this is the author's debut!
The synopsis really doesn't do the plot justice. I won’t say too much, but Draven and Rune make a deal that sends them on a mission across the three kingdoms, and I was pleasantly surprised with this addition of a quest because I think it leads to the best relationship growth and good tension. That said, my very minor complaint is that problems were solved a bit too easily throughout, with solutions often sitting right out in the open. It still made for a good story, but I wish the characters had to struggle and piece things together a little more.
The worldbuilding was well done and integrated into the story smoothly without many info dumps. We get a healthy dose of politics between kingdoms and hateable villains, but nothing too hard to follow. The tarot-based magic system was simple to understand and really interesting. I was worried because I'm not familiar with tarot cards, and usually I spend so much time trying to keep card-based systems straight that I don't enjoy the reading experience as much (as was the case with Arcana Academy). Here, most characters can only use one card, and we didn't get into the minutiae of combining cards or minor arcana, so it was way easier to follow.
The romance was so much fun. The tropes are the usual suspects like reluctant-allies-to-lovers, fake dating, and one bed, but they were done in a unique and entertaining way. The romance is well balanced with the plot and woven into the story instead of feeling like a distraction. I love how Draven and Rune's romantic development hinges on their mission and uncovering more about who the other is. The book also doesn't get spicy other than one short scene, but there was no shortage of amazing tension.
So, should you read A Vow in Vengeance?
I'll be anxiously awaiting the next one in the series. Definitely recommend if you're a fan of card-based magic systems or looking for a story with plenty of political intrigue that isn't too hard to follow.
Check out this review on Goodreads or Storygraph.
Happy reading!
Kim
A Vow in Vengeance FAQs
Some of the answers may be spoilers if you haven’t read it already. Proceed with caution!
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As of the publication of this post, the sequel of A Vow in Vengeance has not been announced yet.
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A Vow in Vengeance by Jaclyn Rodriguez is the first book in the Immortal Desires series.
As of the publication of this post, book 2 has not been announced yet.
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A Vow in Vengeance is a 3 🌶️ or open door. That means readers are in the room for spice scenes but they are not described in explicit detail.
There is only one spice scene in Chapter 24.
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A Vow in Vengeance has one brief spice scene in chapter 24.