The Crown of the Dark Prince

House of Hyrax #2

by Arcadia Rayne

The Crown of the Dark Prince is the exciting sequel to the bestselling novel The Rose in the Shadows and promises readers a steamy story filled with magic, secrets, betrayals, and heart-pumping action.

Theadora Moore has finally found her place within the Athenian Court.

With her would-be assassin now imprisoned in the palace dungeon, the kingdom awaits her next steps—completing her trials, ascending to the Royal Council, and forging a powerful alliance through marriage. Yet, despite her willingness to embrace these new responsibilities, she is haunted by dark secrets.

Thea can't stop dreaming of the Underworld, and she’s desperate to figure out what her ancestor, the God of the Dead, wants from her. Until she understands, she can't trust anyone with the truth, not even Crown Prince Clayton Vail. As her secret meetings with Hyrax continue, they threaten everything she cares about, including her growing relationship with Clay, who is determined to uncover what she's hiding—even if it risks tearing them apart.

​​​​​​​When the legendary Sword of Zion is stolen from it's archives, Thea must seek help from an unlikely ally and realizes that secrets have a way of surfacing and prophecies cannot be ignored. To protect the Mortal Realm and keep her friends safe, she must finally accept who she is and the destiny she was born to fulfill—before it's too late.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Forbidden Romance, Forced Proximity, Dragons

Published May 8, 2025

About the author

Arcadia Rayne is a fantasy romance author based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Originally from Baltimore, MD, Arcadia developed a passion for storytelling from a young age. After receiving her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland she went on to pursue a Master's and PhD at Boston University.

Arcadia is passionate about creating fantastical worlds with strong characters. She loves all the tropes. When she's not writing, Arcadia enjoys binging reality tv and crocheting.

Reviews

[Sophie]

Finally book 2!! Hope I love this even more than book 1 🧡

[Gabi Koz · Rating 4 out of 5]

okkkkkkk hold on that ending WHAT???!!!!! This took such a different turn then I was thinking and I am shook??!!

Also OKAY CLAY!!!! So many quotes I highlighted 😩
“You are my Kingdom…War will always come with casualties. I know that better than most, Thea, but everything that means anything to me is right here in this room. I would burn my own kingdom to nothing but embers if it meant I could protect you and have you with me. I’m not afraid of war. I’m afraid of losing you.”

The romance & spice really increased in this book! The found family & lore elements continued to expand and surprise me in the best ways.

Thank you SO MUCH to Arcadia Rayne for the early copy!!! I am loving this series 💗

[Jade. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If life didn't get in the way, I would finish this book in one sitting. It's marvelous!

Read this book if you like: forbidden love, arranged marriages, magic battles, betrayals, deities, trials, dragon shifters.

This is the second installment in the House of Hyrax series, and this book is so much better than the first one!

It's such an intense rollercoaster with lots of twists and turns. You sometimes forget to breathe 'cause of the suspense. It's action-packed, a real page-turner, and the romance is everything!

That open ending made me scream. I want to know what happens next! Please hurry, Arcadia!

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

[🌺 Hannah 🌺 (Fable link in bio) · Rating 5 out of 5]

THAT ENDING 😭 currently sobbing 💔

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and author Arcadia Rayne for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book releases on May 8, 2025, and you won’t want to miss it!

This was an easy 4.75/5 stars, rounded up to 5. The only reason for the slight deduction was that the beginning felt a little slow for me, but it picked up around halfway, it did not let up.

I LOVED Clay and Thea in this book. So much happened to build their relationship and deepen their love for each other. I swear I was highlighting every cute thing they said to each other. The world building remained absolutely top-tier, and I really appreciated the little refresher at the beginning to help recap the previous books.

This book was packed with thrilling battles, heartbreak, unexpected friendships, and so much more! My heart shattered for Thea throughout so many moments, and after that ending, I desperately need the next book. There were twists and turns that kept the story engaging, and I loved diving deeper into Thea’s link to Hyrax and the underworld. Right now, I have a love-hate relationship with a few characters, and I’m so excited to see how their arcs play out in the rest of the series.

If you love fantasy, this is a must-add to your TBR! 💖

[Hailey Delaune · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Arcadia Rayne (the author) for an arc in exchange for an honest review! Arcadia’s writing is so addicting. The second book in the house of hyrax series was filled with twists, reveals, gut punches and more! If you love a romantasy book that:

🐉 Has dragon shifters

❓An amnesia trope

🤯 Mindblowing reveals

😳 A cliffhanger that has you on the edge of your seat

🤬 The f*ck it microtrope

YOU need to read this! I truly enjoyed being back with these characters and when Nikolai comes back into the story for the novella I was THRILLED! This is the type of romantasy book that is easy to consume because it’s not too crazy or world building and it’s truly all about the character’s relationships which I love.

My only small pieces of critique were that the relationship between Thea and Clay was at times a little grating for me due repetitiveness and I missed the side characters! In the novella we got so much from each side character that I missed them. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!

[chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what an incredible sequel! Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the early copy!
I adored the first book, The Rose In The Shadows, but this one really takes the cake. To start, there is a very detailed recap of the first book, which I absolutely love and I think a lot of readers will appreciate!
We follow Clay and Thea as they navigate balancing their responsibilities as heir and Councilwoman and their feelings for one another. Despite impending arranged marriages for each of them their intense feelings for one another is impossible to ignore.
This one definitely hurt. Their love is forbidden and I totally felt the yearning between them. This was full of action, forced proximity, and complex conflicts between the characters. I absolutely love Thea as an FMC.
This was definitely my favorite installment in this series so far and I’m so excited to see where this story goes!

[Brooke Rothenbuhler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

Crown of the Dark Prince is the second book after The Rose in the Shadows (there is also a novella). Tbh I liked this more than The Rose in the Shadows! The slow burn, learning more about the Gods and about Thea. I also didn’t predict some of the ending! I wasn’t sure where it was going to go, but I can say I am not disappointed.

There is a new character introduced that I’m honestly wanting Thea to end up with, but I don’t think that’s happening. A girl can dream though 😂

This is a romantasy that has:
👑Dragon shifters
👑Slow burn
👑Protective MMC
👑Magic wielding FMC
👑Gods and Goddesses

Thank you to Arcadia Rayne for this ARC!
This will be released on May 8th!

[Cat Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was even better than the first. Patiently waiting for the next book after that ending!

[Ashton V · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I loved this sequel! For me this book was better than the first one. Picking up where the first left off Thea is on her way to finishing the challenges to join and complete the council. We immediately see the tension between Thea and Clay since Thea is trying to keep her distance to avoid more problems with The Dragon. Now I absolutely loved the political and court intrigue. That is one of my favorite parts of fantasy books and I always love to see how the main character works through it.

After a very exciting challenge testing Thea’s magic she becomes a full council member and now comes the time to find a husband. This had been threatened since the first book so I was so curious to see what was to come. And of course it so happens to be Clay’s cousin. When Thea has to go to her future husband’s kingdom Clay comes along which finally leads to Clay and Thea having some much needed conversations. Their tension and buildup was so strong from the get go that I was waiting for them both to break and finally be together.

Now we get some new insights into the underworld and Hyrax in this book as well as a new controversial character. I loved seeing more from Hyrax, his kingdom, Thea’s history, and so much more. The gods are such an interesting part of this world that we are slowly starting to learn more and more about. After that ending I can’t wait for the next book! So many mixed feelings about how the main characters are left in this book and wow I am so curious to see where the author takes some of these relationships. This was such a great read and I need the next book asap!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for an eARC!

[Queenie2023 aka Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been looking forward to this book since completing the first one and was not disappointed! I love Thea and Clay and the rest of the gang and the plot was definitely PLOTTING and there was so much suspense and build up - eeek and that cliff hanger !! Wow !

[Tay (Read With Tay) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Since this was a beta copy, I am not going to do a formal review, until I get an ARC copy. But I freaking loved it.*

[bookswithmeg_26 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot Summary:
Theadora Moore has finally found her footing within the Athenian Court.

With her would-be assassin locked away in the palace dungeons, the kingdom now looks to her future—completing the sacred trials, securing a seat on the Royal Council, and forming a strategic alliance through marriage. Though Thea is ready to embrace her role, shadows from the past refuse to stay buried.

Plagued by vivid dreams of the Underworld, Thea becomes increasingly desperate to understand what her ancestor—the God of the Dead—demands of her. Until she unravels the truth, she keeps her visions hidden from everyone, including Crown Prince Clayton Vail. But her secret meetings with Hyrax threaten to destroy everything she’s built—especially her deepening bond with Clay, who grows ever more suspicious of what she’s hiding.

When the legendary Sword of Zion is stolen from the royal archives, Thea is forced to turn to an unexpected ally. She quickly learns that secrets never stay buried and that ancient prophecies have a way of forcing themselves into the light. To save the Mortal Realm and protect those she loves, Thea must finally embrace her true identity—and the destiny she was born to fulfill—before time runs out.

Review:
THAT ENDING 😭 I’m heartbroken and need more !!!💔

Thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and author Arcadia Rayne for the ARC of this incredible book. It officially releases on May 8, 2025 and trust me, you do not want to miss it!

I adored Clay and Thea in this instalment. Their relationship grew so beautifully, with heartfelt moments that had me highlighting nearly every sweet line they exchanged. The world-building remained phenomenal, and I appreciated the helpful recap at the beginning; it made jumping back into the story seamless.

This book delivered everything: intense battles, emotional depth, surprising friendships, and plot twists that kept me hooked. My heart ached for Thea so many times, and after *that* ending, I’m in desperate need of the next book. I also loved exploring more of her connection to Hyrax and the Underworld; it was done beautifully and enjoyed whenever we got to see more of Thea's story. Let’s just say there are a few characters I’m now feeling very conflicted about, and I can’t wait to see how their journeys unfold in the rest of the series.

I definitely recommend this book 100%. I will be doing a re-read of both of the books in this series again soon !!

[Brandy Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

First off THANK YOU for adding a recap of the first book and prequel as a memory refresh! Love this 💗

Did I find myself loving multiple MMCs in this book…100% The way each MMC was written was so swoon-worthy and honestly I can’t decide right now who is my favourite 😂 We have some morally grey vibes along with some cinnamon roll vibes and I’m here for it! The tension in the book was 👌 and I’m loving where this series is going.

There are politics and world building throughout, and it’s very easy to immerse yourself into this world. If you’re looking for a fast paced, easy to understand world this series is it.

And Wow that ending!!! I need the next book in the series ASAP 😯😍 my mind is picturing so many paths this can take and I can’t wait to see where it goes.


Multiple MMCs
Dragon Shifters
Found Family
Forbidden Romance
Arranged Betrothal
Unique Magic
Prophecies
Politics
Gods
Yearning
Found family
🌶️.5
Cliffhanger ending

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: The Crown of the Dark Prince (House of Hyrax Book 2)

“𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮.”

Following the events and revelations from the first book, Thea finds herself facing deadly trials to secure her place in the court. She remains haunted by dreams of the Underworld and a forbidden attraction to the Crown Prince. Duty to their people and secrets divide them.

Tropes:
🚫Forbidden Love
☝🏻Chosen One
📜Godly Magic & Prophecies
👏He’ll give up everything for her
🏰Political intrigue
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Found Family
💫Magical Trials
🤝Unexpected Allies
🔥Slow burn 🌶️

Thea and her allies grapple with their new circumstances in the wake of loss and betrayal. Thea learns more of the history of Hyrax and Zion but nothing can prepare her for what’s to come.

Duty sends her to another court and with none other than Prince Clayton joining her. Oh my heart, the angst in this sequel! The heated stares and intense longing lend to a forbidden passion that threatens to burn them both. I cannot get over this “burn the world for her” MMC!

The Crown of the Dark Prince is an electrifying sequel that delivers the most satisfying gut-punch of an ending! I will be screaming until I have the next book.
Huge thanks to the author for the review copy. This is my honest and voluntary review

[Gwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that this still has so much more to develop in the remaining books! I have read so many series where by the end of book two, it’s essentially wrapped up. NOT 👏THIS 👏CUTIE 👏 I can’t wait for the next one to come out!

I also think I’m rooting for the wrong side though so maybe I can wait 🧍

[Jordan St.Onge · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the first book is this series I prayed that the second one would be as good as the first and Arcadia delivered. I absolutely loved this book and the two main character’s relationship has me in a chock hold. Their relationship finally advanced in this book and the slow burn was absolutely worth it. Things I needed to be confirmed in this book were all confirmed and I thought the ending of the book would go one way but I was completely wrong. I loved being wrong too because I love a surprise. I was honored to be an ARC reader for Arcadia. However I will now be waiting so patiently to read the next book in the series because the ending of this book was just too good I need to know what happens!!! 100% recommend this series because I loved it.

[Rakala · Rating 4 out of 5]

*The Crown of the Dark Prince* exceeded my expectations; it was better then the first. The narrative was compelling, emotionally resonant, and thoroughly satisfying. The protagonist, Thea, remained a captivating character as she navigated challenging circumstances, powerful gods, a forbidden romance, and complex relationships, discerning allies from adversaries while safeguarding those in need.

The romantic relationship between Thea and Clay, the male protagonist, continued its captivating, albeit tumultuous, leaving me eagerly anticipating their union.

As the series progressed and delved into the underworld, Thea's perspective on this realm of pain and suffering evolved.A particularly intriguing aspect of the underworld was the introduction of a new character—a strikingly handsome individual. Who i might have been smitten with.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher of *The Crown of the Dark Prince* for the wonderful opportunity to review this ARC.

[Alexandra Laroche · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 rounded down
Thea was insufferable in this book, it made it impossible for me to enjoy the plot.

[Mackalah Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book picks up where we left the first book, and it didn’t disappoint! Great pacing, great storyline. It really kept you wanting more, and plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep you hooked!

Thank you NetGalley for a eARC in exchange for an honest review. Excited to see more from this author!

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was enjoyable but not as much as the first book. It gave me Powerless vibes, with some spice so if that’s your sort of book then you would like this.

I won't give too much detail because I don't want to spoil anything but this book follows on from The Rose in The Shadows (see my earlier review).

Thea has finally settled into life at court and has developed control over her magic. Thea is a strong stabby FMC * We learn more about her mysterious past in this book, which kept me hooked into the story as the little hints kept getting dropped until we finally get the big reveal. There's a new character in the underworld, who I did fancy for a new love interest at first, I'm interested to see how it's going to play out in the next book.

I found the start of this book a bit slower than book one, however the ending was brilliant and I read the last third of the book in a few hours.

I am still having issues with the main male character, he spent a bit too much time sulking because Thea wasn't doing what he wanted/thought she should be doing, keeping secrets etc. I wish she had told him off a bit more for being rude and grumpy.

Thank you to netgalley, victory editing and Arcadia Rayne for the eArc.

[Katelyn White · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARCADIA.. you have some explaining to do and a therapy bill to pay for!

The Crown of The Dark Prince is the second book of the House of Hyrax. This book has found family, touch her and you ☠️, a golden retriever for her MMC, morally grey characters, 🌶️🌶️some spice and everything nice. There are plot twists that take you from feeling high as heaven to lower than hell itself and I enjoyed every minute of it. I started this book and if it weren’t for work, i’d most certainly would have consumed it all in one sitting.

For those who need a quote to encourage you to read it.. “…I love you. Only you. And it’s only ever been you” 💔

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This FMC is being stubbornly dumb and refusing to just connect the dots on her own or have an original thought.
The MMC can eat rocks. He's too whiney and controlling and I can't stand him.

And OMG this endless cycle of fighting between the FMC and the MMC, it's just the same arguments over and over again but then ThEy LoVe EaChOtHeR... they're acting like teenagers.

There were a lot of unnecessary side quests and I had to wait until I was 75% through the book before the good shit actually happened.

All that being said, I do love this series and yes I'll read the next one obvi. Especially because I'm a big fan of Caldrius... I just hope Thea can get a hold of herself start making big girl decisions.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Honestly I don’t want clay and Thea together and was just annoyed by that the whole time which is a shame because the plot was super compelling!!

[Maddy Martinelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can read my ARC review of The Crown of the Dark Prince on my blog, here: https://thepaperworlds.blogspot.com/2....

This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my review of The Rose in the Shadows on my blog, now! The Crown of the Dark Prince will be available on May 8, 2025.

I would first like to thank NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved The Rose in the Shadows, and was incredibly excited to dive back into the world and see what was in store for these characters. Thea is now even deeper into Athenian Court and Council member life, and as she continues her internal battle between following her feelings and looking for the truth, she finds herself more isolated than ever. After the events of The Rose in the Shadows, she is essentially moving through life with determination to understand what the God of the Dead has in store for her.

Her attraction to Clay and their complicated relationship continue in this installment, and the will-they-wont-they is addicting. Every interaction they have is like adding fuel to the fire to their story, and I found Thea's complex and guarded actions towards Clay an intriguing part of her character that made her more nuanced as the story went on. Clay's reactions to her approach were completely valid, and his determination toward understanding the situation really solidified him as a character and as a potential love interest.

The Dragon continues to be one of the most vile characters in this series and the introduction of another foe only causes Thea, Clay, and the rest of their friends to face even more difficulties and loss throughout this installment. Thea is truly put through the ringer at every chance, and I felt as though she could never catch a break - there would be fleeting moments where she was content or at ease, but two chapters later, she would be fighting for her life or trying to save someone. That being said, she certainly had her moments and needed to lock into her common sense skills - I think she would become so overwhelmed at the state of the madness that she was unable to focus on how to solve issues.

Friendships in this series have been at the root for logical thinking and holding each other accountable. The majority of the characters either go through something horrific or bear witness to something of that nature, and the outcome tends to impact their relationships with one another. Considering what occurred in The Rose in the Shadows, it comes to no surprise that particular characters are not acting like their usual selves, while other characters attempt to aid those affected in the best way possible. Secrets are uncovered and loyalties are put to the test as everyone seeks to end the suffering around them.

Once again the ending of this book was insane and now I cannot believe I have to wait for the third installment. I had a feeling things were going in that direction, but when it actually happened, I still could not believe what I was reading. Rayne does such a fantastic job at pulling readers into the story, and coming off the intense battles these characters fight in, it felt like another blow by a sword, in the best way possible. I absolutely will be continuing on with this series, and cannot imagine what trials and tribulations this group of friends will have to endure.

You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads (maddymartinelli), Instagram (@thepaperworlds), Twitter (@thepaperworlds), and following this blog in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more!

[Kenz 📚🫶🏽✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

"What would you do for the man you love?"

The Crown of the Dark Prince, the second book in the House of Hyrax series, picks up immediately where The Rose in the Shadows ends. But, if it's been a while since you read the first, this book has a "Previously in" chapter that can help refresh readers (which I think more authors should do). The book also has a pronunciation guide, descendent lines, and a map which I think provides incredible extra context for the readers. The book starts off quickly, slows in the middle, and ramps up with twists and reveals towards the end. I wish the reveals at the end came a bit earlier, but the pacing was definitely done with the intension of shattering our hearts at the end and keeping us on our toes for book three.

Much like the first, we see Thea's growth as she learns more about her powers, her heritage, and ultimately herself. Thea is facing two battles: the physical one in Athenia against the Dragon and the mental one as she is desperate to understand "who am I?" I resonated with Thea's constant battle of pivoting between self doubt and self assurance. There are times in my life where I am so confident in who I am and my strength, but there are days when I doubt myself too. Thea felt extremely real to me with the story line centered around her and Iris' friendship strains. I could understand her pain and determination to fix things.

This story continued to explore both Thea's and Clay's separate arranged marriages and the cost of defying laws. Some of this push and pull felt repetitive from the first story, but I understand it was written to show how tumultuous certain decisions would be for our MCs. I loved how this book introduced us to new characters and focused on world expansion, specifically due to the arranged marriages. I am curious with the ending of this book how these characters and worlds will come into play in book 3.

Overall, I am absolutely enjoying this series so much and I can't wait for others to read the latest installment! This book would be a perfect fit for those who enjoy:
✨ world inspired by Greek mythology
✨ forbidden romance
✨ royal arranged marriages
✨ magic
✨ overcoming grief
✨ self acceptance

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Shana Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crown of the Dark Prince (which releases 05/08/25) is the sequel to the bestselling novel The Rose in the Shadows, there is also a prequel novella called To the Edge of Athenia. Both of these are highly recommended prior to reading this sequel.

If you love books with magic, secrets, betrayals, heart-pumping action, Gods and Goddesses, amazing world-building, and Dragons – then look no further as this one I promise you will be one that you won’t be able to put down. This book is packed with twists and turns you didn’t see coming, as well as some heartbreak, friendships that you won’t expect.

I love how she opens up this book with a recap of The Rose in the Shadows and the prequel novella, To the Edge of Athenia, which gave those of us that read Book 1 over a year ago a quick refresher.

Thea has to complete three deadly trials in order to ascend to her rightful place on the Athenian council and true to Dragon form – he has selected some brutal trials. And both her and Clay (the brutally handsome Crown Prince) must be married to someone else in order to continue their bloodlines. Thea and Clay are my favorite characters and I hate how they have to go through so much but I’m hoping in the end it all works out for them.

Loved Thea’s visit to the Underworld and meeting of Caldrius, Hyrax’s Supreme Lieutenant and just maybe a little easy on the eyes as well. I loved when Thea came to a revelation regarding her relationship with Hyrax. I still feel like we haven’t unearthed everything there and can’t wait for more.

The ending of this book had me in absolute Tears and I cannot wait for Book 3 – it will be pure torture. Thank you, Arcadia, for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book and provide my honest thoughts and opinions.

One of my favorite quotes from Clay to Thea – I Choose You...Over Everything!! Just WOW!!

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves fantasy like I do. Arcadia has quickly become one of my favorite authors!

Content Warning from Author:
Sexual content, violence, experiences of depression and grief, suggestions of self-harm and suicide, suggestions of abuse (off-page) and portrayals of insanity – your mental health matters, read at your own discretion.

[Elizabeth Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Darker Sequel Full of Surprises
Overall Rating~ 4.75 stars
Themes~ Who to Trust, Family Secrets, Unforeseen Allies, Secret Romance, Courtly Conflicts, Gods & Humans Conflicts, Mythology

—————————————————————-
Summary Analysis~ In the sequel the story heats up with rising stakes, more romance, and new charters that add complexity to Thea’s mission and goals. “The Crown of the Dark Prince” is an excellent sequel that doesn’t drag or have a slow pace but keeps the reader engaged with the plot devices throughout. Athenia’s council is nearly whole with Thea’s ascension but with the Dragon’s dislike of her relationship with his son, her life will be nothing but challenging as she faces unexpected forced deals, unforeseen allies, and must face her connection to the underworld if she wishes to keep herself and her loved ones alive.

Standout Characters~
~ Theadora: She is gaining more character depth and confidence in her actions in the sequel which make her even more interesting and empowering to follow along
~ Clayton: He is a main male character that goes against the miscommunication trope whole heartedly by communicating effectively which is refreshing in the Romantasy genre
~Nessira: Her timely interjections and appearances added many comedic moments
~Veric: Without spoilers, he’s just a surprisingly good character!

Standout Aspects~
~ The Descendant Line Charts and Detailed Maps for reference were great resources
~ Keeping readers guessing with surprising plot twists that had me needing the 3rd book now
~ More romantic development in this sequel was a great addition for those who truly love Romantasy as a genre

Wishes~ I only had a few!
~I wish we saw bit more character clarity on Hyrax, is he misunderstood and misconstrued in the human realm or is he as he is portrayed in the human realm?
~Checking in on the developed side characters more in the second half to ensure the readers know where they are and how they are in the second half of the story’s events!
~ With the expanded geographical world, will the new regions and other political powers be utilized more so going forward?

I am grateful for the NetGalley Arc copy!

[The Fated Shelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ 5 🌶️ 2

OMG! What a book! I was not expecting this, but I am in love with this series! I really enjoyed the first book, but this one is even better.

- 💁🏻‍♀️ First thing... the writing style is so addictive! I could not put this book down. It has the right amount of everything.
- 📚 The plot is refreshing and surprising, and I had so many "WAIT WHAT?!" moments! So many twists and reveals! I truly enjoy the story, the complex interactions, and the development and side effects of each action and decision the characters took. So well written! I think this was my favorite part, I loved it!
- ♥️ The love story felt so real! I love them both, and the level of yearning!!! OMG! I loved how the relationship evolved, and although there was so much miscommunication (and I am not a huge fan of that trope), it definitely worked in this case. I love the two characters separately, but together... I was enjoying every single interaction
- 🫂 Talking about characters... I love each of them! Thea is a great FMC, and Clay is just amazing. I love his ethics and how he treats Thea. I love his personality. In general, all the characters were interesting, even Camilla. Every character has their special characteristics and personalities, and each of them has an important part in the story. I loved Caldrius and Veric! And even Elaina! I am also looking forward to knowing more about Nikolai... even the Gods! Truly amazing characters
- 😱 And that end!! OMG, I won't be able to stop thinking about this series... I need to read the next book now!

I highly recommend anyone who hasn't read this series to do it ASAP.

Thank you so much to Arcadia Rayne and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for giving me access to this amazing ARC via NetGalley.

[Gabrielle (belle.bookcorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crown of the Dark Prince is a fantastic sequel to The Rose in the Shadows!
This book dives deeper into Thea’s bond with Hyrax, her growing powers, and her evolving relationship with the dragon prince, Clayton Veil.

I loved how this book deepened Thea’s journey, from exploring the Underworld to uncovering her heritage and growing into her power—all while navigating the emotional complexities of her bond with Clayton.
The author’s recap made it easy to reconnect with the world and new characters, which I really appreciated!

Their relationship was one of my favorite parts—watching their feelings grow while being torn between duty and rules made this story quite emotional.
Despite the challenges, seeing their connection evolve was incredibly satisfying, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for them!

The last few chapters had me completely hooked—so many twists and turns, and I couldn’t put my Kindle down!
A few new characters make an appearance, and I’m incredibly curious to see how they’ll play into the next book, especially after that massive cliffhanger!!!!

Overall, this was a total page-turner!
With stunning world-building, compelling characters, swoony romance, and a gripping plot, this series just keeps getting better.
I seriously hope the third book comes out sooner rather than later because I need to know what happens next!

I received an advanced review copy through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: sexual content, violence, experience of grief and depression, suggestion of self-harm and suicide, suggestion of abuse (off page) and portrayals of insanity.

[Ashley Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jumping back into the world of Athenia in the long anticipated sequel to A Rose in the Shadow, picked right back up with all of favorite characters right in the feels and emotions of where we left them in the last book. This book does an amazing job of keeping us on an emotional roller coaster and not knowing if we will love or hate the next move Thea or Clay makes along with constantly wanting what everyone’s hearts want, but never believe we will get.

Rayne continues to amaze me with her ability to keep us wanting more while giving us just enough to satisfy the reader until the next chapter. Getting to understand more of Thea’s history was one of my favorite parts since we get to know Hyrax and what he really is about. If you are looking for the fantasy battle scenes, there are great ones to be found between the covers of this book! And you get to the end, and the cliffhanger had me literally exclaiming while equally being frustrated to not have the next book to pick up.

After finishing this book, I’m going to need some serious romantasy recommendations or rereads since the third book isn’t out yet and the book hangover is quite severe from this one… I highly suggest adding to your TBR or picking it up as your next read right away if you love the following tropes: forbidden love, dragon shifter, forgotten past, magic, arranged marriages, romantasy, magical challenges/trials, slow burn, gods and goddesses, he will burn the world for her