The Book of Azrael: Gods and Monsters, Book 1
Amber V. Nicole
by J. L. Vampa
In the shadowed halls of Trinity College, Dublin, a grotesque affliction is taking root. Victims suffer as unnatural flora blooms beneath their skin, entangling their bodies in a lethal, botanical plague that defies modern medicine. Graduate student Atta Morrow has quietly dedicated her life to uncovering the origin of this contagion, even as her obsession threatens to derail her academic future.
Her solitary investigation takes a volatile turn when she crosses paths with Sonder Murdoch, the university’s brilliant and elusive professor of morbid anatomy. Drawn together by the mystery, Atta and Sonder form a precarious alliance that balances on the knife-edge of professional scrutiny and burgeoning, forbidden attraction. As they peel back layers of reality, they discover that the plague is not a mere biological anomaly, but a manifestation of folklore turning predatory.
The stakes escalate as their research pulls them into an occult underworld where science fails and ancient, vengeful forces stir. Caught between the academic rigor of their world and the terrifying truth of the supernatural, Atta and Sonder must navigate a deepening intimacy while fighting to survive a blight that seeks to consume them both. In Dublin, the line between healing and horror is vanishing.
Melissa Vacademic fantasy must read
"This was a page turner from the beginning. The mystery of the plague, the secret society, the lies, and the dark scary professor. What’s not to love? I really enjoyed this book. ["
January 28, 2026 Verified Purchase
NicoleIt was cute
"I was delightfully surprised by this book. The beginning was strong, and not at all what I expected. Fantastic idea of a plot. I liked both the main characters, but the ending fell completely flat for me. Rushed and disappointing, but overall a good read. I wouldn't call it a "dark romance", but it was cute. ["
December 1, 2025 Verified Purchase
BookwormFor a dark reading mood!
"A wonderfully bleak and dark book with autopsies and descriptions of illnesses. Not forgetting banter, romance and scientific intrigue. A great mystery about a disease in which a special and surprising cure is found. ["
October 21, 2025 Verified Purchase
NiquoleAtmospheric Read
"Really enjoyed the atmosphere and vibes of this story! It was right up my alley but also felt very unique and different from everything else that I have been reading lately. I love the dynamics between the FMC and MMC and the romance is strong, but you could also take the romance aspect out of the book and the storyline would still stand strongly on it's own. My favorite part was the atmospheric setting. I felt like I was in a foggy, damp, dark graveyard or forest while reading this! I didn't realize it was a duology when I picked it up, but I am super excited to see where the author takes us in book 2! ["
April 16, 2026 Verified Purchase
Amber V. Nicole
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