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The Darkest Gift
For 18-year-old Amanda, the magical Academy ball was supposed to be an unforgettable night to celebrate the ending of the school year in Conifer, Colorado. But when she and her boyfriend Eric witness the most gruesome crime committed by the headmaster, they are given a choice: help him open a forbidden portal to the kingdom called Sunshadow from which no one has ever returned, or be his next victims.
Determined to discover the truth, Amanda and Eric enter the portal and follow the headmaster who claims he needs dark magic from Sunshadow to save the Academy from ruin. But, upon arrival, they are betrayed. Eric is hit with the most vicious curse, which leaves him barely alive. To save him, Amanda must reach to the deepest parts of her magic to follow the headmaster to the legendary Palace of Darkness and undo the spell before time runs out.
With the help of a warrior prince and two unicorns who are as dangerous to humans as they are magically powerful, Amanda travels deep into the land of Sunshadow, fighting the dark magic inside her and her growing feelings for the prince. Knowing that every step might be her last, Amanda will have to decide who to trust and how much she is willing to sacrifice in order to save the one she loves and find the way back home.
The Darkest Gift is a dark academia romantasy, perfect for fans of Holly Black and Kerri Maniscalco.
Determined to discover the truth, Amanda and Eric enter the portal and follow the headmaster who claims he needs dark magic from Sunshadow to save the Academy from ruin. But, upon arrival, they are betrayed. Eric is hit with the most vicious curse, which leaves him barely alive. To save him, Amanda must reach to the deepest parts of her magic to follow the headmaster to the legendary Palace of Darkness and undo the spell before time runs out.
With the help of a warrior prince and two unicorns who are as dangerous to humans as they are magically powerful, Amanda travels deep into the land of Sunshadow, fighting the dark magic inside her and her growing feelings for the prince. Knowing that every step might be her last, Amanda will have to decide who to trust and how much she is willing to sacrifice in order to save the one she loves and find the way back home.
The Darkest Gift is a dark academia romantasy, perfect for fans of Holly Black and Kerri Maniscalco.
- GenresFantasy
306 pages, Hardcover
Published February 10, 2026
3 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Welton
2 books19 followersIG @nikkiwithbooks
Nikki has a degree in English and a theater background. She studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute in Los Angeles. When she's not writing, she can be found watching movies, reading, playing with her cats and skiing. She is also partial to a cup of herbal tea.
Nikki has a degree in English and a theater background. She studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute in Los Angeles. When she's not writing, she can be found watching movies, reading, playing with her cats and skiing. She is also partial to a cup of herbal tea.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 3, 2026
Thank you to the author for the gifted e-ARC. Opinions are my own.
The Darkest Gift is a dark academia fantasy book that follows Amanda. On the night on the Academy ball, she and her boyfriend, Eric, witness their headmaster committing a gruesome crime, and are forced to help him open a portal to the kingdom of Sunshadow to keep their lives. Unfortunately for them, the headmaster betrays them! Eric is hit by a curse and in order to save him, Amanda teams up with a warrior prince and two dangerous unicorns. *enter messy for the protagonist but incredibly juicy for the reader love feelings*
👉 Add The Darkest Gift to your TBR if you love:
- Dark Academia
- Unicorn companions
- Elemental magic
- He falls first
- Love Triangle
- Fantastical worlds
- Quests
Amanda goes on quite the journey to save Eric, full of danger, magic, adventure, and friendships forged along the way. She shows bravery and strength of character, two qualities I enjoy.
The romance acts more as a subplot in this installment, and it's setting up a love triangle that could reserve surprises in the next books. On the one side we have a friends to lovers with Eric, which is one of my favorite tropes, though we don't see much of these two characters together before the curse strikes. On the other there's noble and heroic Matier who is clearly catching feelings for Amanda, but I'll need this relationship to be further developed in order to enjoy it fully.
Rating: 3.5 stars
The Darkest Gift is a dark academia fantasy book that follows Amanda. On the night on the Academy ball, she and her boyfriend, Eric, witness their headmaster committing a gruesome crime, and are forced to help him open a portal to the kingdom of Sunshadow to keep their lives. Unfortunately for them, the headmaster betrays them! Eric is hit by a curse and in order to save him, Amanda teams up with a warrior prince and two dangerous unicorns. *enter messy for the protagonist but incredibly juicy for the reader love feelings*
👉 Add The Darkest Gift to your TBR if you love:
- Dark Academia
- Unicorn companions
- Elemental magic
- He falls first
- Love Triangle
- Fantastical worlds
- Quests
Amanda goes on quite the journey to save Eric, full of danger, magic, adventure, and friendships forged along the way. She shows bravery and strength of character, two qualities I enjoy.
The romance acts more as a subplot in this installment, and it's setting up a love triangle that could reserve surprises in the next books. On the one side we have a friends to lovers with Eric, which is one of my favorite tropes, though we don't see much of these two characters together before the curse strikes. On the other there's noble and heroic Matier who is clearly catching feelings for Amanda, but I'll need this relationship to be further developed in order to enjoy it fully.
Rating: 3.5 stars
February 4, 2026
The Darkest Gift is the first book in a new Dark Academia Fantasy brimming with magic and adventure.
The story follows Amanda who is forced by the headmaster of the Academy to enter a portal to Sunshadow along her boyfriend Eric, who has the ability to open portals. But Eric is hit by a curse, and upon arriving in Sunshadow, Amanda must find the headmaster and the Palace of Darkness to undo the curse on Eric before he is lost forever. To do so, she will have the help of Matier, the prince.
I enjoyed the magic in this book. It was original, and I loved that it exists in both worlds, though Sunshadow is brimming with it. And there are also unicorns! I liked exploring Sunshadow through Amanda, and meeting new characters along her quest to save Eric. As for the romance, there seems to be a setup for a love triangle throughout the series with the love interests being Eric, Amanda’s longtime-friend-turned-lover, and Matier, the prince that helps Amanda in her quest. Usually, if there is a good friends to lovers trope, I tend to side for that. However, in this case I feel like both couples need more time to develop, and I’m curious to see the developments in future books of the series.
Here are some tropes!
Dark Academia
Unicorn companions
Elemental magic
He falls first
Warrior prince
Love Triangle
Rating 3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author for gifting me an eARC. Opinions are my own.
The story follows Amanda who is forced by the headmaster of the Academy to enter a portal to Sunshadow along her boyfriend Eric, who has the ability to open portals. But Eric is hit by a curse, and upon arriving in Sunshadow, Amanda must find the headmaster and the Palace of Darkness to undo the curse on Eric before he is lost forever. To do so, she will have the help of Matier, the prince.
I enjoyed the magic in this book. It was original, and I loved that it exists in both worlds, though Sunshadow is brimming with it. And there are also unicorns! I liked exploring Sunshadow through Amanda, and meeting new characters along her quest to save Eric. As for the romance, there seems to be a setup for a love triangle throughout the series with the love interests being Eric, Amanda’s longtime-friend-turned-lover, and Matier, the prince that helps Amanda in her quest. Usually, if there is a good friends to lovers trope, I tend to side for that. However, in this case I feel like both couples need more time to develop, and I’m curious to see the developments in future books of the series.
Here are some tropes!
Dark Academia
Unicorn companions
Elemental magic
He falls first
Warrior prince
Love Triangle
Rating 3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author for gifting me an eARC. Opinions are my own.
February 13, 2026
What a beautiful, enchanting journey! Thank you so much, Nikki, for sending me this ARC. I had so much fun reading it, but it also made me quite emotional. I loved wandering Sunshadow so much! ☀️
Warning - spoilers ahead ⚠️
The Darkest Gift is a real portal to the world of ancient magic and characters who stay in your heart long after you finish the book. And since this is the first book in the series - we'll have more of Sunshadow, and I just can't wait!
So, let's talk about my favorite characters first.
Matier, an Energian, was easily my favorite. There is something so precious about how he cares for the forest and every living thing in it. He uses elemental magic, which has always fascinated me. It feels so raw and connected to Mother Earth. He is so kind and witty, you just have to love him! And his Air powers are so cool. I wish I could fly among the clouds with him and Amanda! I'm quite sure I wouldn't feel sick though - I would enjoy the ride with my whole heart - but ohh, I totally get you, Amanda. It's not every day that you fly so high and swift on the wind!
Then there is Obsidian, the beautiful, strong, black unicorn. He is in such a difficult position - forced to work with the Darkners, trapped in a situation he didn't choose. Yet, his heart remains gold. He cares so deeply for Eric and Amanda. At the very end, he proves his loyalty by helping them escape. He really risked everything to make sure they could find their way back from the Palace of Darkness. 🖤
I also have to talk about the lovely, gorgeous Howlite. She is so sweet and loyal! In a world that can be so dark and cold, she is a beautiful light, especially to Amanda. And her scent - so precious. I love the idea of calling unicorns to come to you by remembering their scent! Such a unique concept.
The world-building in this book is so well done. The Palace of Darkness (one of many Palaces in Sunshadow, well, currently four - there were more before) was breathtaking, especially because of the lilacs. They are my favorite flowers. Reading about them blooming in such a dark place was magical... I could literally smell them across the pages. The skies there are permanently enchanted - the clouds never let the sunshine through. It's so moody and atmospheric, I just loved it.
But my heart really belongs to Matier's forest, the Palace of Dreams and his cabin in the woods. There's a strong winter storm raging outside, while the cabin stays perfectly warm because of Matier's magic. Isn't it just perfect? While I was reading this part, I was just thinking, ohhh how convenient this is! If I could just teleport myself there. That little cabin is literally a dream.
And now, the magic system! It's so layered. We have:
Ghosters: Our Amanda is a Ghoster. Ghosters have a deep connection to spirits and the veil. Their magic manifests as smoky and cold, and people are sometimes afraid of it.
Portalers: Rare and powerful, they are the only ones who can open the portals between worlds.
Minders: They can cast spells without saying them aloud.
Truthers: They can see through any lie. But if they lie about it, they'll end up with a bloody mark on their face.
Invisiblers: They have the ability to vanish from sight.
Blooders: A darker, more dangerous magic used by the Darkners. It's a transformative power that often requires a heavy sacrifice to achieve.
Energians: They are naturals, like Matier. They don't cast spells, but they command Earth, Fire, Water and Air. Their connection to the natural world is so deep and pure.
(If I could choose, I would personally be an Energian. 🌲)
And there is one more thing that really made me stop and think. It's the Palace of Flowers.
It completely fascinated me, and it is described in just one beautiful paragraph. I would give anything to read more about it and see it bloom again in the next books. It was burned to the very last petal... Just because its magic was considered too weak for fighting.
Can you imagine? All that beauty and life, burned down to ashes. A whole Palace. All I could think of is that both Sunshadow and our own real world need beautiful, growing things to make them better places.
I truly believe that art and the artists, all kinds - writers, musicians, painters, dancers, poets, gardeners, and everyone else - are the ones who make this world a brighter place. Without art, without beauty and flowers and their scents and colors - the world would never be the same.
This book was a true gift. Thank you, Nikki, for creating such a beautiful, enchanting world.
Now I'm waiting to see which Stargazer (soul weapon to help her fight the darkness) will Amanda choose - or better to say, which Stargazer will choose her on her path!
Warning - spoilers ahead ⚠️
The Darkest Gift is a real portal to the world of ancient magic and characters who stay in your heart long after you finish the book. And since this is the first book in the series - we'll have more of Sunshadow, and I just can't wait!
So, let's talk about my favorite characters first.
Matier, an Energian, was easily my favorite. There is something so precious about how he cares for the forest and every living thing in it. He uses elemental magic, which has always fascinated me. It feels so raw and connected to Mother Earth. He is so kind and witty, you just have to love him! And his Air powers are so cool. I wish I could fly among the clouds with him and Amanda! I'm quite sure I wouldn't feel sick though - I would enjoy the ride with my whole heart - but ohh, I totally get you, Amanda. It's not every day that you fly so high and swift on the wind!
Then there is Obsidian, the beautiful, strong, black unicorn. He is in such a difficult position - forced to work with the Darkners, trapped in a situation he didn't choose. Yet, his heart remains gold. He cares so deeply for Eric and Amanda. At the very end, he proves his loyalty by helping them escape. He really risked everything to make sure they could find their way back from the Palace of Darkness. 🖤
I also have to talk about the lovely, gorgeous Howlite. She is so sweet and loyal! In a world that can be so dark and cold, she is a beautiful light, especially to Amanda. And her scent - so precious. I love the idea of calling unicorns to come to you by remembering their scent! Such a unique concept.
The world-building in this book is so well done. The Palace of Darkness (one of many Palaces in Sunshadow, well, currently four - there were more before) was breathtaking, especially because of the lilacs. They are my favorite flowers. Reading about them blooming in such a dark place was magical... I could literally smell them across the pages. The skies there are permanently enchanted - the clouds never let the sunshine through. It's so moody and atmospheric, I just loved it.
But my heart really belongs to Matier's forest, the Palace of Dreams and his cabin in the woods. There's a strong winter storm raging outside, while the cabin stays perfectly warm because of Matier's magic. Isn't it just perfect? While I was reading this part, I was just thinking, ohhh how convenient this is! If I could just teleport myself there. That little cabin is literally a dream.
And now, the magic system! It's so layered. We have:
Ghosters: Our Amanda is a Ghoster. Ghosters have a deep connection to spirits and the veil. Their magic manifests as smoky and cold, and people are sometimes afraid of it.
Portalers: Rare and powerful, they are the only ones who can open the portals between worlds.
Minders: They can cast spells without saying them aloud.
Truthers: They can see through any lie. But if they lie about it, they'll end up with a bloody mark on their face.
Invisiblers: They have the ability to vanish from sight.
Blooders: A darker, more dangerous magic used by the Darkners. It's a transformative power that often requires a heavy sacrifice to achieve.
Energians: They are naturals, like Matier. They don't cast spells, but they command Earth, Fire, Water and Air. Their connection to the natural world is so deep and pure.
(If I could choose, I would personally be an Energian. 🌲)
And there is one more thing that really made me stop and think. It's the Palace of Flowers.
It completely fascinated me, and it is described in just one beautiful paragraph. I would give anything to read more about it and see it bloom again in the next books. It was burned to the very last petal... Just because its magic was considered too weak for fighting.
Can you imagine? All that beauty and life, burned down to ashes. A whole Palace. All I could think of is that both Sunshadow and our own real world need beautiful, growing things to make them better places.
I truly believe that art and the artists, all kinds - writers, musicians, painters, dancers, poets, gardeners, and everyone else - are the ones who make this world a brighter place. Without art, without beauty and flowers and their scents and colors - the world would never be the same.
This book was a true gift. Thank you, Nikki, for creating such a beautiful, enchanting world.
Now I'm waiting to see which Stargazer (soul weapon to help her fight the darkness) will Amanda choose - or better to say, which Stargazer will choose her on her path!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
The Darkest Gifts is a new entry in the 2026 YA landscape. It balances the velvet-and-stone aesthetic of dark academia with the raw, jagged edges of a high-stakes portal fantasy. The story centers on eighteen-year-old Amanda, a "Ghoster" with the rare ability to bridge the gap between the living and the dead. Amanda is the quintessential reluctant hero. While the Academy sees her as a powerful asset to be molded, she sees herself as a musician who just wants to play her bass. This internal conflict is the heartbeat of the novel.
The narrative tension spikes early when Amanda and her boyfriend, Eric, witness their headmaster committing a brutal murder. This isn't just a school scandal; it’s the catalyst for a desperate escape. When Eric is forced to tear open a portal to a parallel dimension, the story shifts from a campus thriller into a survival odyssey.
Eric is captured for a dark ritual, leaving Amanda alone in a world that is as breathtaking as it is lethal. Her journey through this mirror-realm isn't just a rescue mission; it’s a crash course in her own power. Amanda is desperate as we go through her panic and eventual resolve.
The magic system in The Darkest Gifts is unique. The classification of magic and the mechanics of using it require the reader’s attention, but it is worth it. Welton avoids the usual fantasy tropes by populating her parallel world with creatures that defy expectations. One moment, Amanda is navigating terrifying shadow dimensions; the next, she encounters unicorns. However, these aren't the glittery creatures of fables—they are integrated into the world with a sense of wonder that adds a much-needed layer of whimsy to the grim stakes.
🍵Final Verdict
The Darkest Gifts is a lovely start to a new series. It successfully captures the "reluctant hero" trope while surrounding it with a world that feels expansive. If you are a fan of secret societies, complex magic systems, and stories where the bond of friendship (and love) is tested by evil, this book is for you.
The narrative tension spikes early when Amanda and her boyfriend, Eric, witness their headmaster committing a brutal murder. This isn't just a school scandal; it’s the catalyst for a desperate escape. When Eric is forced to tear open a portal to a parallel dimension, the story shifts from a campus thriller into a survival odyssey.
Eric is captured for a dark ritual, leaving Amanda alone in a world that is as breathtaking as it is lethal. Her journey through this mirror-realm isn't just a rescue mission; it’s a crash course in her own power. Amanda is desperate as we go through her panic and eventual resolve.
The magic system in The Darkest Gifts is unique. The classification of magic and the mechanics of using it require the reader’s attention, but it is worth it. Welton avoids the usual fantasy tropes by populating her parallel world with creatures that defy expectations. One moment, Amanda is navigating terrifying shadow dimensions; the next, she encounters unicorns. However, these aren't the glittery creatures of fables—they are integrated into the world with a sense of wonder that adds a much-needed layer of whimsy to the grim stakes.
🍵Final Verdict
The Darkest Gifts is a lovely start to a new series. It successfully captures the "reluctant hero" trope while surrounding it with a world that feels expansive. If you are a fan of secret societies, complex magic systems, and stories where the bond of friendship (and love) is tested by evil, this book is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Nikki Welton for providing an eARC of The Darkest Gift!
The Darkest Gift is a young adult fantasy that blends dark academia elements with portal fantasy. The story follows eighteen-year-old Amanda, a Ghoster—someone with the ability to interact with the dead. While the Academy views her magic as something to be used and controlled, Amanda would rather focus on her music, creating an ongoing tension between personal choice and expectation.
The plot moves quickly when Amanda and her boyfriend, Eric, witness their headmaster commit murder, forcing them to escape through a portal into a parallel world. From there, the story shifts away from the academy setting and into a survival-driven narrative. When Eric is captured for a ritual, Amanda is left to navigate an unfamiliar and often dangerous environment on her own, learning how to rely on her abilities as she goes.
The magic system is clearly defined and easy to follow, with categories that are straightforward and closely tied to their function. While the system does not aim to reinvent familiar concepts, it is consistently applied and plays an important role in both the plot and the worldbuilding. The parallel world itself balances darker elements with moments of wonder, including creatures that are integrated naturally into the setting.
Overall, The Darkest Gift is a solid introduction to a YA fantasy series. It makes use of familiar tropes such as reluctant heroes and secret academies while setting up a larger story to come. Readers who enjoy portal fantasy, clear magical rules, and character-focused YA narratives will definitely find a very enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*Actual rating is 3.5 stars*
The Darkest Gift is a fantasy book that is part dark academia, part romance and part dangerous magic. Amanda is a magical student who travels into the parallel universe of Sunshadow, after she witnesses the school’s headmaster commit a gruesome murder. After her boyfriend Eric opens the portal, he is cursed and it’s up to Amanda to navigate the unfamiliar world in order to save him.
The world of Sunshadow is a fun place to escape into, and the unicorns that live in it is an added bonus. Amanda is a main character that it took some time for me to warm up to, as she doesn’t really start to find her own path in her journey until about a third into the story. But from that point onwards, I was really invested in her and the new characters that were introduced, including Matier. As well as her wonderful unicorn companion Howlite. But I’m not gonna beat around the bush, I would have enjoyed the book even more if it wasn’t for Eric. He wasn’t my favourite character in the older version of the book, and now as a love interest he manages to get even more on my nerves. Especially compared to Matier, whose relation with Amanda had so much more chemistry to it.
In short The Darkest Gift is the first book in a romantasy series, featuring an interesting world, unique magic and unicorns. As long as you like Eric, you will love this book.
—
Thank you to the author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Darkest Gift is a fantasy book that is part dark academia, part romance and part dangerous magic. Amanda is a magical student who travels into the parallel universe of Sunshadow, after she witnesses the school’s headmaster commit a gruesome murder. After her boyfriend Eric opens the portal, he is cursed and it’s up to Amanda to navigate the unfamiliar world in order to save him.
The world of Sunshadow is a fun place to escape into, and the unicorns that live in it is an added bonus. Amanda is a main character that it took some time for me to warm up to, as she doesn’t really start to find her own path in her journey until about a third into the story. But from that point onwards, I was really invested in her and the new characters that were introduced, including Matier. As well as her wonderful unicorn companion Howlite. But I’m not gonna beat around the bush, I would have enjoyed the book even more if it wasn’t for Eric. He wasn’t my favourite character in the older version of the book, and now as a love interest he manages to get even more on my nerves. Especially compared to Matier, whose relation with Amanda had so much more chemistry to it.
In short The Darkest Gift is the first book in a romantasy series, featuring an interesting world, unique magic and unicorns. As long as you like Eric, you will love this book.
—
Thank you to the author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC recieved in exchange for Review.
In The Darkest Gift, Amanda is a wizard who attends a magic academy in Colorado and gets tricked into travelling through a portal to another realm called Sunshadow with her boyfriend Eric.
Once there, Eric's life is in danger and Amanda faces a dangerous journey, through unknown perils, in a race to rescue him.
Along the way she meets unicorns, who may or may not be evil, other wizards, both friend and foe, and Matier, a boy who makes her question her relationship with Eric.
As she learns more about Sunshadow, she learns more about her own powers and strength.
The Darkest Gift is a fresh take on magic and its wielders. I particularly liked the inclusion of unicorns and the ambivalence of not knowing whose side they were on. Sunshadow was rich in complexity and interesting, as there was always something new to learn about it. The love triangle added just the right amount of romance.
In The Darkest Gift, Amanda is a wizard who attends a magic academy in Colorado and gets tricked into travelling through a portal to another realm called Sunshadow with her boyfriend Eric.
Once there, Eric's life is in danger and Amanda faces a dangerous journey, through unknown perils, in a race to rescue him.
Along the way she meets unicorns, who may or may not be evil, other wizards, both friend and foe, and Matier, a boy who makes her question her relationship with Eric.
As she learns more about Sunshadow, she learns more about her own powers and strength.
The Darkest Gift is a fresh take on magic and its wielders. I particularly liked the inclusion of unicorns and the ambivalence of not knowing whose side they were on. Sunshadow was rich in complexity and interesting, as there was always something new to learn about it. The love triangle added just the right amount of romance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Nikki for an e-ARC of The Darkest Gift!
Spice : 🌶🌶
Tropes:
🌟 Dark academia
🌟 Enemies to lovers
🌟 Unicorn companions
🌟 Curses
🌟 Murder
🌟 Elemental magic
🌟 Found family
🌟 He falls first
I loved everything about this book. It has a unique magic system using Shadows as doors and corridors between places. Relationships that remind me of the ones in A Court of Thorns and Roses which I love with all my heart. It kept me invested in the story. Characters that have depth and I would like to be friends with. Especially Matier's sister Carmela. I hope we will see more of her in book 2?
The ending was not at all what I was expecting! This book made me gasp so many times thanks to all the twists. And I loved the romance. I can't say much here because of possible spoilers, but I agree with Amanda's choice. I know it was a difficult one.
Literally my favorite book of 2026 so far!
Spice : 🌶🌶
Tropes:
🌟 Dark academia
🌟 Enemies to lovers
🌟 Unicorn companions
🌟 Curses
🌟 Murder
🌟 Elemental magic
🌟 Found family
🌟 He falls first
I loved everything about this book. It has a unique magic system using Shadows as doors and corridors between places. Relationships that remind me of the ones in A Court of Thorns and Roses which I love with all my heart. It kept me invested in the story. Characters that have depth and I would like to be friends with. Especially Matier's sister Carmela. I hope we will see more of her in book 2?
The ending was not at all what I was expecting! This book made me gasp so many times thanks to all the twists. And I loved the romance. I can't say much here because of possible spoilers, but I agree with Amanda's choice. I know it was a difficult one.
Literally my favorite book of 2026 so far!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the pleasure to read this book while it was still on wattpad in 2022. The writing is atmospheric and I love the authors' style and the way she describes emotions in every scene. It starts with a murder and an escape from an academy of magic in our world. The main character Amanda will do everything to save her boyfriend Eric and so she jumps into a forbidden portal not knowing what lies ahead or even if she will find Eric still alive.
In that parallel world called Sunshadow she meets members of different Palaces and learns who is her friend, and who is her enemy.
I absolutely loved the UNICORNS!! Especially Obsidian, who is not always what he seems. I did not see the twist coming. I only hope that book 2 will solve the mystery of what happened in the end because I need to know!
If you're a fan of dark academia and epic fantasy, you will love this book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In that parallel world called Sunshadow she meets members of different Palaces and learns who is her friend, and who is her enemy.
I absolutely loved the UNICORNS!! Especially Obsidian, who is not always what he seems. I did not see the twist coming. I only hope that book 2 will solve the mystery of what happened in the end because I need to know!
If you're a fan of dark academia and epic fantasy, you will love this book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Light and darkness fight in this book as Amanda is trying to decide how far she is willing to go to save not just her ex boyfriend but also the academy of magic in Denver. She is emphatetic and loves animals. I loved how she rescued the lynx in the forest and gave food to a homeless woman. And there is talk about angels? How cool is that? And I must say I found the Ace of the Palace of Darkness intriguing. And the way Amanda sneaked into their fortress was ingenious. I loved this book. I'm looking forward to book 2 in the Spells of Darkness series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
**ARC Copy**
I'll be honest the names of magic types and locations kinda gave me the ick in this book. I get that it's a YA novel and I really wanted to like it but I couldn't get past the names. they were just way too on the nose and it felt like they were extremely lacking in creativity (Example: "Dreamia" "Ghosters" "Darkners"). I was also super annoyed with the love triangle.
It just wasn't a book for me.
I'll be honest the names of magic types and locations kinda gave me the ick in this book. I get that it's a YA novel and I really wanted to like it but I couldn't get past the names. they were just way too on the nose and it felt like they were extremely lacking in creativity (Example: "Dreamia" "Ghosters" "Darkners"). I was also super annoyed with the love triangle.
It just wasn't a book for me.
February 14, 2026
This had good bones to the developing story but the too on the nose names of the people and things just pulled me out of the story. It started off fast and didn’t give enough world building to hook me. Things were explained as we went but that also took me out of the story at times. I received an ARC and am leaving this review willingly. I’m hoping for the rest of the series I can get past some of the naming and pacing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Darkest Gift is an exciting start to a new dark academia romantasy series. Welton weaves a fast-paced, enchanting tale laced with danger, desire, and sacrifices. This magical adventure ends on a cliffhanger so be prepared to eagerly wait! I’m looking forward to seeing what unfolds in the next one!
Review of advance copy
It's a good book with portals, unicorns and magic. One thing I missed was a map since they moved around a lot during the book. The relationship between Amanda and Eric was nice. I am intrigued by the potential love triangel involving the prince.
February 10, 2026
Welcome to the Kingdom of Sunshadow where unicorns roam freely and where you can find books and symbols of immense power. I hope you will enjoy your adventures in Sunshadow. The Darkest Gift is a dark academia fantasy with a quest and ghostly magic.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🌟ARC REVIEW🌟
A super loyal FMC is dragged into a shadow realm when caught between her evil headmaster and her best friend/boyfriend. This book features a ton of drama as she tries to save him and stop the headmaster from fulfilling his evil plot. The magic system in this book is totally unique. Honestly, I was really conflicted about Amanda’s loyalty to Eric, because he didn’t really seem to deserve it. Enter, intriguing side character, who I definitely hope to see more of. Matier ends up being loyal and kind, even when she seems to be hung up on Eric. Plus there are unicorns! And the book ended with a cliffhanger.
Stars: 3.5/5 (up to 4 for Good Reads)
Spice: 1.5/5
A super loyal FMC is dragged into a shadow realm when caught between her evil headmaster and her best friend/boyfriend. This book features a ton of drama as she tries to save him and stop the headmaster from fulfilling his evil plot. The magic system in this book is totally unique. Honestly, I was really conflicted about Amanda’s loyalty to Eric, because he didn’t really seem to deserve it. Enter, intriguing side character, who I definitely hope to see more of. Matier ends up being loyal and kind, even when she seems to be hung up on Eric. Plus there are unicorns! And the book ended with a cliffhanger.
Stars: 3.5/5 (up to 4 for Good Reads)
Spice: 1.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely adore the Darkest Gift. The atmosphere the Author builds, the lively and relatable characters and - of course - Unicorns! 🤩 I definitely want more!!!
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February 10, 2026Thank you to the author for this ARC.
Unfortunately, this was just not for me. DNF @20%. Too YA/young writing for my taste. Maybe better suited for someone else :)
Unfortunately, this was just not for me. DNF @20%. Too YA/young writing for my taste. Maybe better suited for someone else :)
February 10, 2026
I couldn't wait for this book to be published! Now I really want to know if they will save the academy in book 2. I hope the unicorns will be there as well because they were amazing!
Review of advance copy received from Author
My favorite romantasy ever! This book has a lush setting, unique magic system, tension, and portal magic - everything I LOVE in fantasy books. Plus, there are unicorns!
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