Don’t you know? Love is the purest form of destruction there is.

The Book of Azrael – Synopsis and Background

For a thousand years, the Etherworld has known peace.
Until now.

Many centuries ago, desperate to save her dying sister, Dianna made a deal with Kaden, a monster far worse than any nightmare. Locked in servitude to him, she is forced to hunt down an ancient relic held by her most dangerous enemies: an army led by Samkiel, the World Ender.

After the Gods War, Samkiel hid from everything, denying his crown and deserting his people. Now, an attack on those he loves sends him back to the realm he never wished to return to, and into the sights of an enemy he had hoped to forget.

With every world at stake, Dianna and Samkiel are forced to set aside their animosity and work together, before all is lost . . .

Dianna Martinez sacrifices her life to save her ailing sister, Gabby, in exchange for immortality – and servitude to the monstrous Ig’Morruthen overlord, Kaden. Bound by ancient pacts, she becomes a fearsome weapon tasked with retrieving the legendary Book of Azrael, a celestial artefact said to hold the power to slay Samkiel (also known as Liam), the exiled “World‑Ender” king of the gods. As realms tremble under looming war, Dianna and Samkiel’s paths collide – two ancient enemies forced into a fragile alliance against cataclysmic stakes.

The Book of Azrael Review

I’ve had my eye on The Book of Azrael for a while now, but with so many new releases from some of my favourite authors, it took me much longer than planned to finally pick it up. Thankfully, Fairyloot released special editions of the first three books in the Gods & Monsters series – which felt like the perfect sign to take the plunge and start reading.

I went into this completely spoiler-free and with zero expectations – and the first book hooked me from the very first chapter. Since reading Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas a couple of years ago, I’ve been craving another bad-ass female main character, and with Dianna, I absolutely got that and more. She’s fiercely powerful, deliciously morally grey, and refreshingly not a damsel in distress.

At over 500 pages, this is exactly the kind of epic fantasy length I gravitate towards. I don’t mind a slower start if it means layered world-building and complex character dynamics. That said, my only real criticism is that I struggled at times to visualise how the world is actually laid out – there’s so much happening across realms and cities that I would’ve appreciated a little more spatial clarity.

Writing Style

Amber V. Nicole’s writing style is flowing and easy to follow – well-paced, accessible, and highly readable. While it doesn’t lean as lyrical or colourful as authors like Rachel Gillig, it still offers a solid descriptive quality that lends itself well to high-stakes romantasy.

Her prose allows the emotion and action to shine without getting bogged down in overly ornate language, making it a good fit for readers who want vivid world-building without wading through purple prose.

Length and Grip (😏)

I know some readers balk at a 500+ page book, but I’ll always prefer a longer fantasy that takes its time over a rushed story that leaves too many threads dangling. The length here really worked for me – I found myself growing genuinely attached to the characters because I’d spent so much time with them. The book strikes a strong balance between violent, fast-paced action and those quieter, more vulnerable moments that give the characters emotional depth.

The narrative moves swiftly from Dianna’s brutal origin to dream sequences, betrayals, and shifting alliances. The dual POV with Samkiel adds an extra layer of richness, allowing us to explore his guilt, history, and inner conflict more fully. I’m a huge fan of dual perspectives when they’re done well, and this one absolutely delivered. The story builds confidently towards a cliff-hanger ending that had me instantly reaching for the next book.

World/Magic System

A grand tapestry of gods, monsters, vampires, witches and more – this is fantasy on an epic scale. The magic is potent and visceral, tied to blood, legacy, and ancient power. At times, I did wonder whether the two main characters were too powerful; it became difficult to see how any real danger could touch them. But their vulnerabilities are more emotional than physical, and that shift from external to internal conflict opens the door to some really compelling storylines.

The world-building is ambitious – sometimes dense, but always intriguing. There’s clearly so much more to be discovered in future instalments, both from the characters and the lore itself. With multiple realms, planets, and divine politics at play, there’s a risk that some threads may become muddled. But if Amber V. Nicole can keep developing this universe with clarity and care, then we’re looking at the beginnings of a truly epic romantasy series.

Smut

This is true enemies-to-lovers with a vengeance. Dianna and Samkiel’s dynamic bristles with tension, resentment, and an undercurrent of barely restrained desire. Their interactions are intense – full of sharp words, meaningful glances, and simmering heat. The romance is both explicit and emotionally charged, and the slow build is so well-executed that I often found myself practically begging for them to just give in already.

A lovely touch is the inclusion of LGBTQ+ representation, which is woven in naturally through secondary characters and relationships. It adds a modern, inclusive tone to the story without ever feeling forced, and helps ground the more fantastical elements in something recognisably human.

Side Characters

Both Dianna and Samkiel (or Liam) are at the heart of this story, and their character arcs are the most deeply explored. Their individual backstories – alongside their emotionally charged, antagonistic dynamic – drive much of the plot. The other relationship that gets meaningful attention is Dianna’s bond with her sister, Gabby, which adds a much-needed softness and grounding to her otherwise morally grey, hardened persona.

We see a lot of development in both protagonists, and they feel pretty fleshed-out by the end of the book. However, some of the side characters – though clearly intended to matter – fell a little flat for me. There were moments where I wanted to care more than I did. I’m hopeful this is down to the fact that it’s book one in a series, and that Amber V. Nicole chose to focus on solidifying the leads before expanding the emotional depth of the supporting cast.

One notable frustration for me was Kaden. As a central, looming presence throughout the novel, I really struggled to visualise him. He’s referenced constantly, and clearly meant to be a major antagonist, but I couldn’t quite grasp his image or essence – which made his scenes feel less impactful than they should have been.

Checklist:

• ✅ Dual POV
• ✅ Strong, morally grey FMC
• ✅ Slow-burn
• ✅ Enemies-to-lovers romance
• ✅ Gods, monsters, celestial magic & blood oaths
• ✅ Cliff-hanger ending that begs for book two

Favourite Quotes:

“I didn’t remember how long we talked, but somewhere amidst her laughter and smiles, I decided I would rip the world apart for her.”

“You already consume my every waking thought. Must you consume my dreams as well?”

“She is pretty for a fire-wielding death bitch that tried to kill us all.”

“You do not get on my nerves all the time. Sometimes you are mildly amusing.”

Overall Rating and Conclusion

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌶️🌶️🌶️

The Book of Azrael is an intense and ambitious start to what promises to be a sprawling romantasy series. With gods, monsters, morally grey leads, and a romance that simmers then burns, it delivers exactly the kind of drama I crave in this genre.

If you’re ready for a slow‑burn love-hate relationship set against colossal world‑shaping forces, this one will devour you – and then spit you out on the edge of book two.