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Cover of Of Blood & Stone by A J Braun
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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

Quick fit

Is this story right for you?

A decision-first view of the reading experience.

Think twice if…

  • 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
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  • 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
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  • 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
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  • 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 stories

Similar in ways that matter

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

Cover of Tide of Darkness by Amarah Calderini

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).

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