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Of Blood & Stone

by A J Braun

A poisoned priestess and a hungry thief make exactly the kind of bad bargain that turns into a quest, a romance, and a theology problem. The magic costs pain, which tells you most of what you need to know.

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goodreads 4.03/5 210 ratings

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A decision-first view of the reading experience.

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Content warnings: Violence, Blood, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Parental abuse, Abandonment, Self-harm, Sexual assault (referenced), Incest, Religious trauma, Cult themes, Poisoning, Plague, Famine, Starvation, Food insecurity, Poverty, Death, Death of loved one, Injury detail, Manipulation, Sexual content

Length450 pages

Story statusStandalone

Spice3/5 · Passionate / intense

PacingMedium

Story profile

What the story promises

The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.

Romance promise

Reluctant allies to lovers
Male/female pairing (M/F)
Slow burn
Medium
Passionate / intense
Book hangover

Rogue/scoundrel
Banter
Emotional / vulnerable intimacy
Earned hope
Thief/criminal
Tension / anticipation
Romantic fulfillment
Secretly soft
Hurt/comfort
Slow seduction
Tension finally satisfied
Survivor
Love/hate tension
Vanilla with emotion
Adrenaline rush
Dark/tortured soul
Tension
Anticipation
Playful banter
Longing glances

Fantasy promise

Romantasy
Forced proximity
Temple / church / monastery
High fantasy
Gods/deities
Enemies to lovers

Forest / wilderness
Mythological
Monsters
Only one bed
Small town / village
Forced alliance
Adventure romance

Reading experience

Dual POV
Dark
Fast-paced
Heavy
Witch/mage
Mysterious

Character-driven
Reluctant chosen one
Tense
Banter-heavy
Emotional
Immersive
Innocent / sheltered
Adventurous
Romantic
Hopeful
Bargain with consequences
Survival against impossible odds
Deadly trials
Enemies forced to ally
Chosen one burden
Morally complex

Similar in ways that matter

Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.

411 pages Completed

A Cursed Kiss

Jenny Hickman

Similar because

Rogue/scoundrel · Love/hate tension · Only one bed

Different because

It is completed rather than standalone.

530 pages Completed

Tide of Darkness

Amarah Calderini

Similar because

Innocent / sheltered · Survival against impossible odds · Hurt/comfort

Different because

It is completed rather than standalone. Spice is lower (2/5 vs 3/5).

416 pages Completed

Princess of Souls

Alexandra Christo

Similar because

Innocent / sheltered · Survival against impossible odds · Hopeful

Different because

It is completed rather than standalone. Spice is lower (1/5 vs 3/5).

Book details

Length: 450 pages
Publisher: Self-published
Language: English
Format: Book