Review: A Dagger in the Ivy by Dorothy Dreyer | Award-Winning Fae Romantasy | Blade Bound Saga Book 1
Epic fantasy always asks readers for a little faith at the beginning. New worlds must be explored, magic systems understood, and political alliances untangled before the story can truly take flight. A Dagger in the Ivy rewards that investment beautifully.
Dorothy Dreyer has crafted an award-winning romantasy filled with fae courts, dangerous magic, political intrigue, and slow-burn romantic tension. What begins as the story of a warrior princess facing an arranged marriage soon expands into something much larger-a tale of hidden powers, betrayals, monsters, prophecy, and a kingdom on the brink of disaster.
While the opening chapters focus on establishing the world and its rules, the pace steadily builds until the story becomes nearly impossible to put down. By the time I reached the final chapters, I was racing through the pages, completely invested in Celeste's journey and utterly unprepared for the twists that awaited me.
If you enjoy romantasy that balances compelling romance with strong world-building, memorable characters, and genuinely surprising plot developments, A Dagger in the Ivy delivers an unforgettable start to the Blade Bound Saga.
What begins as a richly layered fantasy of court politics, hidden magic, and arranged marriage soon transforms into a page-turning adventure filled with betrayals, monsters, unexpected alliances, and an ending I never saw coming.
About A Dagger in the Ivy
A Dagger in the Ivy By Dorothy Dreyer
Published by Crimson Fox Publishing on 11/12/2024
Genres: Adult Fiction 18+, Romantasy
Formats: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 417
With a kingdom in peril and magic awakening in her blood, Celeste is thrust into a deadly game of power, secrets, and forbidden desires.
In a world plagued by darkness and deceit, half-fae Celeste Westergaard is torn between her duty as the Commander of the Royal Regiment and her station as the next in line for the throne. On the rise are attacks from supernatural creatures, the carnivorous beasts sent by the Shadow Tsar to claim the lives of third-born fae throughout the realm of Terre Ferique.. But as Celeste’s homeland of Delasurvia faces turmoil and unrest, she is thrust into an arranged marriage to the Prince of Hedera, the Land of Ivy.
While the destiny of her kingdom rests on Celeste’s shoulders, she must also face the threat of madness, a fate which could befall her if her fae powers do not manifest. And to make things worse, the prince’s brooding half-brother carries a hatred for her she can’t understand.
As Celeste unravels the mysteries hidden within Hedera, she must navigate a treacherous path to protect her kingdom and uncover the truth hidden within her own bloodline.
🏆 Winner of the 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Award (Romantasy)
🏆 Winner of the 2025 BIBA Award for Fantasy
🏆 Winner of the 2025 PenCraft Book of the Year Award (Romance/Fantasy/Sci-Fi)
🥈 Finalist in the 2026 Indies Today Award (Fantasy Romance)
🏆 Plus many more
Readers Can Expect
From enemies-to-lovers tension and arranged marriage politics to dangerous magic, sirens, and monsters, A Dagger in the Ivy delivers many of the tropes romantasy readers love.
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Review at a Glance
| Genre | Romantasy |
| Series | Blade Bound Saga #1 |
| Setting | The fae realms of Terre Ferique |
| Length | 420 Pages |
| Content Rating | R - Profanity, explicit romantic scenes, battle violence, blood and gore |
| Vibes | Fae Politics • Slow-Burn Tension • Court Intrigue • Hidden Magic • Epic Adventure |
| My Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - CAWPILE 9.1 |
Curious how I rate books? Read my full rating system here.
Quick Take: An immersive romantasy featuring a strong warrior princess, enemies-to-lovers tension, excellent world-building, and a jaw-dropping ending that makes the slower setup more than worthwhile.
Content Considerations: Contains profanity, explicit romantic content, battle violence, blood and gore, supernatural creatures, and themes of betrayal, political intrigue, and dangerous power struggles.
With its blend of fae politics, dangerous magic, slow-burn romance, and high-stakes adventure, A Dagger in the Ivy delivers many of the elements romantasy readers seek. What ultimately elevated this novel for me, however, was the combination of strong character development, immersive world-building, and a finale that completely changed where I thought the story was heading.
My Thoughts on A Dagger in the Ivy
As the first installment in the Blade Bound Saga, A Dagger in the Ivy carries the responsibility of introducing readers to an entirely new world, its political landscape, and its magic system. That means the opening chapters move at a measured pace while Dorothy Dreyer establishes the foundations of Terre Ferique and the threats facing its kingdoms.
Readers familiar with how I choose books know I'm usually willing to give a fantasy series opener a little extra room to establish its world and magic system.
For some readers, that slower beginning may require a bit of patience. For me, it felt like careful groundwork for something much larger. Once the various factions, magical elements, and political tensions became clear, the story gained momentum quickly. By the midpoint, I found myself fully invested, and from there the pages seemed to turn themselves.
Dreyer's world is populated with fae, sirens, monsters, hidden dangers, and long-buried secrets. The setting feels expansive without becoming overwhelming, and each revelation adds another layer to the larger conflict unfolding around Celeste.
At the heart of the story is Celeste, a warrior princess who must balance duty, family expectations, and the awakening powers within her. She is brave, compassionate, and determined, making her an easy protagonist to root for. While she possesses considerable strength, she never feels invincible, which makes her struggles all the more compelling.
The romance develops through several beloved romantasy tropes, including arranged marriage, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers tension, and the ever-popular "only one bed" scenario. Fortunately, these elements never feel forced or included simply to check boxes.
Dante proved to be the perfect counterpart to Celeste. Aloof, mysterious, and carrying more secrets than answers, he creates exactly the kind of tension that makes a slow-burn romance work. Their banter adds moments of levity throughout the story, while their growing connection develops naturally amid the dangers surrounding them.
The supporting cast deserves recognition as well. Several secondary characters became favorites in their own right and helped make the world feel fully realized.
What began as an engaging romantasy eventually transformed into a true page-turner. Betrayals, unexpected revelations, and escalating dangers continually raised the stakes, making it increasingly difficult to predict where the story was heading.
Without venturing into spoiler territory, the ending delivered one of my favorite surprises of the year. Just when I thought I understood the direction of the story, Dreyer pulled the rug out from under me in the best possible way.
That final sequence not only provided a satisfying conclusion to this installment but also left me eager to continue the series. Thankfully, readers won't have to wait long to discover what happens next, as Book Two is already available.
More Fantasy Worlds to Explore
Flames of Soulflare by La Kayshal
The Men of the Mountain by Drew Harrison
In Conclusion
A Dagger in the Ivy is a rewarding romantasy that combines excellent world-building, memorable characters, compelling romantic tension, and an unforgettable ending. While the first portion of the novel takes time to establish its world and magic system, that investment pays off in a story filled with intrigue, danger, surprising twists, and genuine emotional stakes.
Readers who enjoy fae fantasy, enemies-to-lovers romance, strong heroines, and richly developed fantasy worlds will find plenty to love here. I finished the book eager to see where Celeste's journey leads next-and grateful that the next installment is already waiting.
Here's a little more about the author behind the story.
About Dorothy Dreyer
About Dorothy Dreyer
Dorothy Dreyer is a Philippine-born American living in Germany with her family. She is a multi-award-winning, USA Today Bestselling Author of romantasy, fantasy, and romance books.
Aside from reading, she enjoys movies, binge-watching series, chocolate, take-out, family game night, and having fun with friends. She tends to sing sometimes, too, so keep her away from your Karaoke bars.
Explore more from the author:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads
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Tour dates: June 15 to July 3, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the
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