Blood & Thorns

Shadows Descent, Book 1

I never wanted to be a vampire. But here I am, freshly turned and on the run from the monster who made me.

MistHallow Academy is supposed to be my sanctuary, a place where I can learn to control my powers. Instead, it's become a battleground of desire and danger.

Three guys have caught my eye. They're each intoxicating in their own way, and I'm drawn to them all.

Caine: the Ice Demon with his arctic touch and fiery passion.

Thorne: the Dark Fae nobility who sees right through my defenses.

Flint: the Dragon shifter savior who makes my undead heart race.

But there's no time for romance when students start turning up dead, drained of blood. The accusations fly, and all eyes turn to the new vampire on campus. To clear my name and protect the home, the sanctuary I desperately need, I'll have to embrace the very nature I've been fighting against, while I can feel my sire's presence growing stronger. He's coming for me, and I'm running out of time.

Welcome to my descent into the shadows where the nights are dark, the stakes are high, and the hunger runs deep.

This is a low-spice, slower-burn, paranormal romance set in England and book one in a reverse harem romance by USA Today bestselling author, Eve Newton. Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.

©2024 Eve Newton (P)2025 Podium Audio

Audio version- Nope

I just can’t do it, this falls into the category of ‘who knew a British voice could be boring’. There is no emotional range

I learned I do not enjoy Dual Narration

I had a very hard time getting into this story so it was a DNF for me. I did not enjoy the dual narration. it's not because the narrators were bad I just apparently enjoy duet and full cast narration more.
I made it about half way before I gave up on the book. The story also seemed to be missing character and world building. Several times I was left feeling like I missed something and had to rewind but it didn't help connect things.
This is a first for me wishing I didnt spend a credit on a book. :(

Ruined By Voice Acting Choices

I hate this narration.

The male voice is way too nasal (and I’m from a region with super nasal accents and I like them!) and sounds like he’s narrating a sleepy Saturday afternoon documentary on castles and trying to make the material sound exciting but his voice just makes me want to zone out and fall sleep because he’s making the castle tours so boring and unsexy. Think unsexy and unfunny accountant trying to hit on you - just ick.

The female voice sounds like she’s about to have a panic attack or nervous breakdown regardless of the emotion or what’s happening. It was so distracting I have no idea what the book was about except feeding a newer vampire. Her voice has a shrieking anxious energy NONSTOP. She doesn’t need blood, she needs anxiety medication.

I hate when dual voice actors are made to imitate the other character. Use them for their own lines regardless of the POV - why bother with the dual actors if you’re not even using them for all their own lines?!

I’m super bummed because I actually enjoyed the story at first then all I could think about was the whining and nasal voices. The male voice actor is just a NO. Not a romance voice at all. The female voice seems like it could still work if the actress can work on not sounding anxious nonstop. I actually like her voice a lot, it’s just an issue with lack of wider range in emotions.

Finished the book on 3.0x speed and will not be listening to another audiobook with these voice actors. I tend to think British accents automatically sound amazing but this was an example of how it’s not that simple.

I’m really sorry to the author. Would love to give the writing a try with other voice actors but this was an unfortunate pairing. I’m sorry. Keep going.