The Umbra King

Vincula Realm, Book 1

By: Jamie Applegate Hunter

Narrated by: Nikki Grey, Gideon Frost

Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

The morally grey don’t want redemption. They want retribution.

After the brutal murder of her twin sister, Aurora 'Rory' Raven spends years forging herself into a ruthless vigilante killer.

She never gave up her search for the man who killed her sister, but when she is convicted of thirteen murders and sentenced to five-hundred years in Vincula, the prison realm, she knows her sister’s death will never be avenged.

After arriving in Vincula, Aurora discovers her opportunity for retribution is closer than she thought.

Caius is the notorious Umbra King, ruler of Vincula, King of the Monsters, and the thing nightmares are made of. After being locked in his own realm for a crime he didn’t commit, his only focus has been revenge.

When Aurora drops into his throne room, representing everything he despises, they begin a game of cat and mouse, and before long, their hatred turns into something else.

Circumstances draw them together, but revenge might tear them apart.

The Umbra King is book one in the Vincula Realm Duology, which is set in the Realms of the Aether multiverse. It ends on a cliffhanger.

Contains mature content.

©2022 Jamie Applegate Hunter (P)2023 Podium Audio

juvenile vocab

has good potential but is written at a 6th grade reading level but with spicey scenes.

What great story!

I really don't read a lot of fantasy books and never smut but decided to jump into this one on a whim. I am so glad I did! The world building is fantastic and you really do connect with the characters, not just the main. I can't wait to listen to book two!

This author needs more recognition!

I really love this book and immediately started the 2nd one. I NEED more books from this author!

Loved it!

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 this book was perfect! Has everything you want in a book! I can’t wait to read the next one!

Entrancing

Between the narrators and the story this book makes you forget about the fact you are reading. Seriously I lost time while listening. The story is gripping and the narrators are absolutely perfect for these characters. I kinda want to punch the author for devastating end to book 1 but I mean, it’s a duet. I should have expected it.

Captured attention and held it

I enjoyed the pacing of the narration, as well as the voices and how well they fit the various characters. Although the accents were a bit wonky at times, it didn’t distract from the overall experience too much. I really enjoyed this audiobook.

I am Obsessed with Caius

We meet Rory our fmc and travel with her from her realm to the prison realm Vincula. The scales of justice weighed her crimes and sentenced her there. This book is about Rory's time in Vincula and the relationships she makes and the chaos that ensues. There are some big reveals so get ready! This book has many "oh my god" and "oh s***" moments. I loved every second of it.

“I would set this entire realm ablaze to keep you safe, and if you think I’m bluffing, you haven’t been paying attention.”

Caius has now been added to my favorite mmc list. He is perfection. Did I mention he is also a shadow daddy? I fell in love with him the second he was introduced. I LOVE enemies to lovers. The banter and bullying in this book was extremely entertaining. It kept me engaged through the entire book. I loved the world the author created. I was able to picture everything in my mind as I was reading. I also love the originality in the names of the realms and characters. This story seemed very unique and has all the best tropes. Who wouldn't want a sexy King bullying you but lusting after you at the same time? His tongue is wicked too which is always a plus.

"I'll go slowly this once, but rest assured, the next time I have you naked I will f*** you like the savage you are."

I am a s*** for tension and it was written to well in this book. I loved Rory trying to fight her feelings for Caius. Who wouldn't be intrigued by him? I love that she had a plan once in Vincula and things go completely array. Watching this story unfold was amazing. Rory's feelings and thoughts are so raw and seeing her rough exterior start to crack was interesting to watch. I felt connected to these characters and even teared up and yelled in frustration towards the end. I also really liked Lauren and Sam. They make a great team and I enjoyed watching them interact with Rory and Caius.

“The next time someone lays a finger on you, their death belongs to me.”

WHAT A CLIFFHANGER. I am so happy that I read this late so I am able to go right into the next book because holy hell. I was yelling because of this ending. I would be so mad if I had to wait for the second book to come out. I will be jumping right into book 2.

So different from other fantasies!

She’s a serial killer that has a gray soul. He’s the ruler of a massive fae prison. Her world is colorless until she meets him. So good!

INCREDIBLE!!!

I dont even have words!!!! Absolutely SHOOK!!! The spice! The characters!! The world building!!! ALL OF IT!!!!
I was supposed to sleep after finishing this but now I HAVE to start the next one!!!!
What a cliffhanger!!!

It was okay.

Definitely took a long time to really get started. The romance part was anticlimactic and felt rushed