Blood Kissed by Keri Arthur
In a world where magic and science sit side by side, and powerful witches are considered necessary aides for all governments, Lizzie Grace is something of an outlier. Though born into one the most powerful blue blood witch families, she wants nothing to do with either her past or her magic.
But when she and Belle, her human familiar and best friend, open a small cafe in the Faelan werewolf reservation, she quickly finds herself enmeshed in the hunt for a vampire intent on wreaking bloody havoc.
It’s a hunt that soon becomes personal, and one that is going to take all her skills to survive–that’s if the werewolves, who hate all things witch, don’t get her first.
The Bite Breakdown:
Quick Verdict
I had a great time with this one. Blood Kissed leans hard into atmosphere, long memory grudges, and uneasy cooperation, and it never rushes Lizzie Grace into proving herself to anyone who has already decided to hate her.
At a Glance
- Genre: Urban Fantasy
- Subgenre: Paranormal Fantasy, Supernatural Mystery
- Trope: Uneasy Alliances
- Series: The Lizzie Grace Series Book 1; Lizzie Grace Universe Book 1
- POV: First Person
- Romance Focus: Low
- Tone: Gritty, tense, character driven
The Premise (No Spoilers)
Lizzie Grace is a witch trying to stay off the radar after a past that taught her how dangerous magic can be, especially when old grudges come back with teeth. When trouble pulls her into a rural town dominated by a deeply suspicious werewolf pack, Lizzie finds herself surrounded by people who have every reason to distrust witches and no interest in hearing her side of the story.
What makes this setup work so well is the imbalance of power and perception. Lizzie walks into a situation where her very presence feels like a provocation, yet the town’s survival quietly depends on what she can do. The tension is not just external threats, but the slow, grinding reality of having to cooperate with people who expect her to fail, or worse, betray them.
As the opening novel, Blood Kissed by Keri Arthur lays the foundation carefully. This is the start of The Lizzie Grace Series, and it establishes the rules, the scars, and the long memories that will shape the books that follow without requiring prior knowledge.
What Worked
The worldbuilding around witchcraft and werewolves immediately stood out to me. The werewolves’ historical grudge against witches is fresh, bitter, and deeply ingrained, not like a convenient source of conflict. It informs every interaction, every glance, and every refusal to trust Lizzie, even when logic says they should.
I also loved Lizzie herself. She is competent without being flashy, guarded without being cold, and she never forgets the cost of magic. Watching her navigate a hostile environment while refusing to soften herself for approval made her an easy character to root for. Her choices consistently feel grounded in survival rather than bravado.
The dynamic with the werewolf sheriff, Aiden, adds a sharp edge of reluctant respect that builds naturally. His resistance never feels performative. When his opinion of Lizzie shifts, it happens through action and consequence, not forced banter or sudden attraction.
What Didn’t Work (or Might Not)
Readers looking for fast paced action or heavy romance may find the early sections slower than expected. The story prioritizes tension, investigation, and atmosphere over constant movement or emotional payoff.
The romance elements stay very much in the background. If you are picking this up for a strong romantic arc in book one, this will feel restrained. That worked for me, but it may not land for readers who want immediate relationship focus.
Romance and Relationship Dynamics
Romance exists here as undercurrent rather than centerpiece. Trust develops through proximity, shared danger, and reluctant cooperation, not declarations or heat. Power dynamics remain uneven, but not romanticized, which keeps the emotional tension grounded and believable.
- Violence
- References to past trauma
- Long standing prejudice and hostility
Who Should Read This
This is a strong pick for readers who enjoy urban fantasy with sharp edges, slow trust building, and a heroine who survives through competence rather than dominance. If you like stories where history matters and grudges do real damage, this should land well.
Final Verdict
Blood Kissed by Keri Arthur delivers a tense, atmospheric start to a series that takes its world seriously. I loved the irony of a witch saving a pack that chased the last one away, and I was fully invested in watching Lizzie earn respect without ever asking for it.
Overall Rating: 4 Stars
A solid, confident opener that balances character, worldbuilding, and tension while setting up long term stakes without rushing payoff.
Heroine Strength: 4 Crowns
Lizzie Grace carries herself with restraint and resolve. She makes smart choices under pressure and never becomes passive in her own story.
Spice Level: 1 Flame
Very low heat. Romance is minimal and largely off page, with no explicit scenes.
Key Reveals and Turning Points
In Blood Kissed by Keri Arthur, the central irony fully comes into focus when it becomes clear that the danger threatening the werewolf pack is not caused by Lizzie’s presence, but by the consequences of driving the previous witch out of town. The pack’s hatred of witches directly enables the evil they now cannot contain on their own, forcing them to rely on the very kind of magic and person they despise.
Lizzie’s role shifts from tolerated outsider to necessary ally as her magic proves essential to stopping the escalating threat. She does not gain acceptance through speeches or apologies, but through action and a willingness to shoulder responsibility even when blamed for circumstances she did not create. This forces several pack members, especially Aiden, to confront the cost of their inherited grudges.
By the end, the immediate threat is resolved, but nothing is magically healed. Trust remains fragile, resentments linger, and Lizzie chooses awareness over comfort, fully understanding that her presence has altered the town’s balance. The resolution reinforces the series tone: survival comes from hard choices, accountability, and facing the damage left behind by fear driven decisions.
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