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Lord of the Forsaken
Not yet published
Expected 18 Mar 26Every decade, the human kingdoms send a tribute to the Death Lords to maintain the barriers between life and death. This year, they sent a thief: sharp-tongued, clever, and utterly unafraid of dying.
The Reaper is the most feared of all Death Lords. His touch means death. His isolation is absolute. But when she looks him in the eye and says, "You don't scare me, Reaper," something shifts in the eternal twilight of his realm.
Then someone begins destroying the wards that keep the realms separate—and somehow, she's the only one who can stop them. Navigating deadly court politics, assassination attempts, and the scheming courts of five Death Lords might kill her before she can save anyone.
Worse: she's starting to see past The Reaper's fearsome reputation to what he's hidden beneath. And he's starting to wonder if she might be worth the risk of everything he's kept under control.
In a world where his touch means death and her mortality makes her fragile, their partnership is becoming something dangerous. Saving the realm might cost them everything.
Including each other.
The Reaper is the most feared of all Death Lords. His touch means death. His isolation is absolute. But when she looks him in the eye and says, "You don't scare me, Reaper," something shifts in the eternal twilight of his realm.
Then someone begins destroying the wards that keep the realms separate—and somehow, she's the only one who can stop them. Navigating deadly court politics, assassination attempts, and the scheming courts of five Death Lords might kill her before she can save anyone.
Worse: she's starting to see past The Reaper's fearsome reputation to what he's hidden beneath. And he's starting to wonder if she might be worth the risk of everything he's kept under control.
In a world where his touch means death and her mortality makes her fragile, their partnership is becoming something dangerous. Saving the realm might cost them everything.
Including each other.
586 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 18, 2026
4 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Review of advance copy
This book is soooooo good! Do not let the page length fool you, there is no filler in this book. Everything that happens is there for a reason and I read the entire thing in one sitting. The yearning, the brushing glances, the shadows that can't resist her presence. It's giving pride and prejudice-levels of brooding and yearning and is the slowest of burns.
Brynn is a thief who gets caught and is given as a sacrifice to the Lords of Death. Intrigued by her defiance, Dante decides to accept her as his tribute, assuming she will waste away like all those who came before her. New abilities start to surface as Dante desperately pretends like he isn't immediately enraptured by Brynn, and her usefulness becomes more important as the realms of the dead start to crumble.
I honestly can't give this higher praise than Dante is a shadow daddy Mr Darcy for like, 75% of this book.
Thank you to BookSirens and Nora Nightingale for the free eARC.
Brynn is a thief who gets caught and is given as a sacrifice to the Lords of Death. Intrigued by her defiance, Dante decides to accept her as his tribute, assuming she will waste away like all those who came before her. New abilities start to surface as Dante desperately pretends like he isn't immediately enraptured by Brynn, and her usefulness becomes more important as the realms of the dead start to crumble.
I honestly can't give this higher praise than Dante is a shadow daddy Mr Darcy for like, 75% of this book.
Thank you to BookSirens and Nora Nightingale for the free eARC.
February 25, 2026
This arc was an easy 5 star for me, Brynn maybe one of my favorite FMCs of all time. I loved her fearlessness and strength and can we talk about shadow daddy Dante and what he does with those shadows 😏 I would say the spice in this book maybe some of my favorite spice of all time! This is a slow burn with so much yearning and at no point is the plot lost. This book was equal parts fantasy/action and romance. I will be buying me a physical copy of this book it was incredible ❤️❤️❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Let me preface this by saying that this story was good. So good that I don’t know if I finished this book… or if it finished me.
Death has five faces. She was given to the cruelest.
Every decade, the human kingdoms send a tribute to the Death Lords to maintain the fragile barriers between life and death. This year, they send a thief, sharp-tongued, fearless, and utterly unimpressed by the most feared of them all: the Reaper.
His touch means death. His isolation is absolute. But when she refuses to fear him, something shifts in the twilight of his realm.
As someone begins destroying the wards between worlds, deadly court politics and assassination attempts force them into an uneasy alliance. Saving the realms may cost them everything, especially when their partnership becomes something far more dangerous.
From the very first page, this story pulls you in and never really lets go. There’s no filler here, just 600+ pages of action, tension, and yearning. The book is written in third person with dual POV, which I’ve really come to love.
Brynn is a thief who gets captured and given a choice: die, or go as a sacrifice to the Lords of Death. During the selection, Dante is intrigued by her defiance and chooses her as his tribute, assuming she’ll waste away like all those before her. But Brynn settles surprisingly well into his kingdom, and as they both try to resist the pull that’s been there from the very beginning, circumstances force them to work closely together.
From then on, the stolen glances, the banter, his misbehaving shadows that can’t help but reach for her, and the forced proximity completely enraptured me. This book stole my focus, it was all I could think about even when it wasn’t in my hands.
The Italian slash gamer in me already loves Dante as a name for an MMC, but let me tell you, he absolutely earns his place as a top-tier book boyfriend. He’s a touch-starved Death God who deeply craves the human connection he believes he can never have. At first he appears cold, bored, and detached from everything around him, but as the story unfolds you start to see the layers beneath. He builds walls so high and thick to protect others from himself, keeping everyone at arm’s length, because let’s be honest, it’s hard to socialize when your touch means death.
And Brynn? She crashes straight through all his defenses.
She is deliciously stubborn, determined to get close to him no matter the risk, and Dante is almost adorable in how completely unprepared he is to deal with her. Watching him struggle between wanting to keep her close and fearing what that might mean was everything. In her presence, the Reaper, the most feared Death Lord, almost disappears, and what’s left is a man painfully, helplessly in love. Or at least that’s how it felt to me.
If you want a badass FMC, look no further than Brynn. Hardened by her life as a street thief, she’s fierce and resilient, but she also quietly craves connection. So often while reading you question why characters make certain choices, but with Brynn I never had that feeling. Her actions made sense. She’s intelligent, makes informed decisions, and never has to act foolishly just to move the plot forward. Watching her grow into her unapologetic self, taking up space and refusing to cower before anyone, even the other Death Lords, was beautiful.
Brynn is easily one of my top FMCs. She’s highly likeable, fierce, and faces her fears head-on.
The romance is a slow burn packed with yearning and tension, and when the spice finally arrives it’s beautifully written. It never overshadows the story or feels like filler, it enhances it. All I’ll say is this: don’t forget that Dante is a shadow daddy… and his shadows do misbehave in many different situations. Do with that information what you will👀.
I went into this book about ninety percent blind, only knowing the basic premise, but I quickly fell into a story that felt rich, layered, and immersive. It blends romance with political intrigue and mystery, keeping me on edge from beginning to end, with a healthy dose of emotional damage along the way.
The worldbuilding is beautifully done. Each Death Lord and their realm feels distinct and vivid, and the descriptions are so atmospheric that I could picture everything clearly in my mind as I read.
Just past the halfway mark, everything escalates. At that point I was reading in full panic mode as events started piling up, with that gnawing sense that something big was coming. You know that feeling when a book makes you completely ignore your responsibilities and forget about life outside the pages? That was me.
The best books make you think. Sometimes they make you reflect and look inward, and this one definitely had moments like that for me.
Overall, this book was magnificent. It had me crying, laughing, giggling, and gasping out loud more than once. It’s the kind of story that seeps off the page and settles somewhere in your mind, creating a little nook it refuses to leave, and honestly, I’m not complaining. I’m in no rush to leave Brynn and Dante behind.
This was a six-star read for me, balancing dark themes with courage, vulnerability, and love.
I highly recommend it with my eyes closed.
Death has five faces. She was given to the cruelest.
Every decade, the human kingdoms send a tribute to the Death Lords to maintain the fragile barriers between life and death. This year, they send a thief, sharp-tongued, fearless, and utterly unimpressed by the most feared of them all: the Reaper.
His touch means death. His isolation is absolute. But when she refuses to fear him, something shifts in the twilight of his realm.
As someone begins destroying the wards between worlds, deadly court politics and assassination attempts force them into an uneasy alliance. Saving the realms may cost them everything, especially when their partnership becomes something far more dangerous.
From the very first page, this story pulls you in and never really lets go. There’s no filler here, just 600+ pages of action, tension, and yearning. The book is written in third person with dual POV, which I’ve really come to love.
Brynn is a thief who gets captured and given a choice: die, or go as a sacrifice to the Lords of Death. During the selection, Dante is intrigued by her defiance and chooses her as his tribute, assuming she’ll waste away like all those before her. But Brynn settles surprisingly well into his kingdom, and as they both try to resist the pull that’s been there from the very beginning, circumstances force them to work closely together.
From then on, the stolen glances, the banter, his misbehaving shadows that can’t help but reach for her, and the forced proximity completely enraptured me. This book stole my focus, it was all I could think about even when it wasn’t in my hands.
The Italian slash gamer in me already loves Dante as a name for an MMC, but let me tell you, he absolutely earns his place as a top-tier book boyfriend. He’s a touch-starved Death God who deeply craves the human connection he believes he can never have. At first he appears cold, bored, and detached from everything around him, but as the story unfolds you start to see the layers beneath. He builds walls so high and thick to protect others from himself, keeping everyone at arm’s length, because let’s be honest, it’s hard to socialize when your touch means death.
And Brynn? She crashes straight through all his defenses.
She is deliciously stubborn, determined to get close to him no matter the risk, and Dante is almost adorable in how completely unprepared he is to deal with her. Watching him struggle between wanting to keep her close and fearing what that might mean was everything. In her presence, the Reaper, the most feared Death Lord, almost disappears, and what’s left is a man painfully, helplessly in love. Or at least that’s how it felt to me.
If you want a badass FMC, look no further than Brynn. Hardened by her life as a street thief, she’s fierce and resilient, but she also quietly craves connection. So often while reading you question why characters make certain choices, but with Brynn I never had that feeling. Her actions made sense. She’s intelligent, makes informed decisions, and never has to act foolishly just to move the plot forward. Watching her grow into her unapologetic self, taking up space and refusing to cower before anyone, even the other Death Lords, was beautiful.
Brynn is easily one of my top FMCs. She’s highly likeable, fierce, and faces her fears head-on.
The romance is a slow burn packed with yearning and tension, and when the spice finally arrives it’s beautifully written. It never overshadows the story or feels like filler, it enhances it. All I’ll say is this: don’t forget that Dante is a shadow daddy… and his shadows do misbehave in many different situations. Do with that information what you will👀.
I went into this book about ninety percent blind, only knowing the basic premise, but I quickly fell into a story that felt rich, layered, and immersive. It blends romance with political intrigue and mystery, keeping me on edge from beginning to end, with a healthy dose of emotional damage along the way.
The worldbuilding is beautifully done. Each Death Lord and their realm feels distinct and vivid, and the descriptions are so atmospheric that I could picture everything clearly in my mind as I read.
Just past the halfway mark, everything escalates. At that point I was reading in full panic mode as events started piling up, with that gnawing sense that something big was coming. You know that feeling when a book makes you completely ignore your responsibilities and forget about life outside the pages? That was me.
The best books make you think. Sometimes they make you reflect and look inward, and this one definitely had moments like that for me.
Overall, this book was magnificent. It had me crying, laughing, giggling, and gasping out loud more than once. It’s the kind of story that seeps off the page and settles somewhere in your mind, creating a little nook it refuses to leave, and honestly, I’m not complaining. I’m in no rush to leave Brynn and Dante behind.
This was a six-star read for me, balancing dark themes with courage, vulnerability, and love.
I highly recommend it with my eyes closed.
Review of advance copy
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice
Thank you to the author and Booksirens for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and given honestly.
Ok, can I start by saying bravo for the way the author gets you into the book? I, for one, love a strong female lead, and add a little rogue to her and I am on board. Our lead, even within a short time, comes across as someone used to dealing with the darker side of life, dealing with getting by and struggling day to day. This really helped me get to know her and invest in her journey as the book progresses.
I totally loved the alternating POV of Brynn and Dante throughout the book. It gave you a clear insight into the characters and an inside look into their minds as you got deeper into the story.
When I started, I was not really sure what I was going to get, but I found a super rich story. Dark from the start, but honestly, I think the dark and pain only highlighted the best parts and moments. There was mystery, a whodunit sort of feel that had me turning into a detective. A dark setting with lots of political land mines to dance around without falling in. But for me, the standout was how deeply it highlighted that sometimes it is not just the risks of the living you have to worry about.
There was a lot going on and a lot of information about the magic and realms, and for me that was a massive highlight. While there is spice in the book, Open Door, it is never used as a crutch or to overshadow the story, which I was so pleased about.
I would say after the halfway mark the book exploded with action and heart stopping panic and had me death gripping my seat, wide eyed and terrified about who it was all going to come to in the end. I was totally hooked and ready for anything and everything, and I was not disappointed. The ending and the buildup before that were well worth every page I read from start to finish.
Likes:
Leads were well fleshed out and easy to follow.
Interaction between Brynn and Dante.
The dark setting of the book.
Spice.
Strong female lead!!!
Dislikes:
There were times when I got lost in the details of the wards.
A moment in the book, looking back, made me confused and left me with a few questions.
Overall, a fantastic read with so much going on that stays true to putting the story first, yet still gives you a lot of heart and spice, delivering emotion in spades while still having banter and action flowing through it. Dark in ways that will have you grieving, but still reaching for that light that the author teases you with. I was in from the first page and stayed until the end. Wonderful!
https://bestbooks89.blogspot.com/2026...
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice
Thank you to the author and Booksirens for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and given honestly.
Ok, can I start by saying bravo for the way the author gets you into the book? I, for one, love a strong female lead, and add a little rogue to her and I am on board. Our lead, even within a short time, comes across as someone used to dealing with the darker side of life, dealing with getting by and struggling day to day. This really helped me get to know her and invest in her journey as the book progresses.
I totally loved the alternating POV of Brynn and Dante throughout the book. It gave you a clear insight into the characters and an inside look into their minds as you got deeper into the story.
When I started, I was not really sure what I was going to get, but I found a super rich story. Dark from the start, but honestly, I think the dark and pain only highlighted the best parts and moments. There was mystery, a whodunit sort of feel that had me turning into a detective. A dark setting with lots of political land mines to dance around without falling in. But for me, the standout was how deeply it highlighted that sometimes it is not just the risks of the living you have to worry about.
There was a lot going on and a lot of information about the magic and realms, and for me that was a massive highlight. While there is spice in the book, Open Door, it is never used as a crutch or to overshadow the story, which I was so pleased about.
I would say after the halfway mark the book exploded with action and heart stopping panic and had me death gripping my seat, wide eyed and terrified about who it was all going to come to in the end. I was totally hooked and ready for anything and everything, and I was not disappointed. The ending and the buildup before that were well worth every page I read from start to finish.
Likes:
Leads were well fleshed out and easy to follow.
Interaction between Brynn and Dante.
The dark setting of the book.
Spice.
Strong female lead!!!
Dislikes:
There were times when I got lost in the details of the wards.
A moment in the book, looking back, made me confused and left me with a few questions.
Overall, a fantastic read with so much going on that stays true to putting the story first, yet still gives you a lot of heart and spice, delivering emotion in spades while still having banter and action flowing through it. Dark in ways that will have you grieving, but still reaching for that light that the author teases you with. I was in from the first page and stayed until the end. Wonderful!
https://bestbooks89.blogspot.com/2026...
Review of advance copy
Selected as a tribute to be sacrificed for the Death Lords, Brynn refuses to let her fear rule her. Even when she is selected by the scariest Death Lord of all, the Reaper, who's touch kills, she won't be cowed. When a traitor starts sabotaging the wards throughout the land of the dead, Brynn discovers a new ability, and it soon becomes clear that she's uniquely situated to help counter the damage. Can Brynn navigate the treacherous courts of the dead, unmask the traitor, all while fighting her attraction to the Reaper?
Brynn is a survivor, and her scrappy resiliency is inspiring. She's always looking for a way out, or a way to continue. She did have a bit of a hang up about information being kept from her, which was a little harder to understand, given she was dealing with many eternal beings who have likely forgotten more than they deliberately kept from her. But her frustration about her ability to make clear, informed decisions being hampered due to being kept in the dark was understandable.
The Reaper, Dante, is bored of his position, and is frustrated by the lack of information about the declining wards. His isolation and fear of intimacy has greatly shaped how he interacts with others, and his natural inclination is to withdraw. This does cause the plot to occasionally slow down, as the main characters often avoid each other when in conflict. But Brynn's tenacious refusal to back down challenges, and Dante's dour outlook and creates an extremely fun dynamic to their relationship.
Lord of the Forsaken is an excellent slow burn dark fantasy romance with a shadow-daddy and a capable thief who refuses to give up. The world building is spot on, with plenty of creative implications of death. An overall fulfilling read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Brynn is a survivor, and her scrappy resiliency is inspiring. She's always looking for a way out, or a way to continue. She did have a bit of a hang up about information being kept from her, which was a little harder to understand, given she was dealing with many eternal beings who have likely forgotten more than they deliberately kept from her. But her frustration about her ability to make clear, informed decisions being hampered due to being kept in the dark was understandable.
The Reaper, Dante, is bored of his position, and is frustrated by the lack of information about the declining wards. His isolation and fear of intimacy has greatly shaped how he interacts with others, and his natural inclination is to withdraw. This does cause the plot to occasionally slow down, as the main characters often avoid each other when in conflict. But Brynn's tenacious refusal to back down challenges, and Dante's dour outlook and creates an extremely fun dynamic to their relationship.
Lord of the Forsaken is an excellent slow burn dark fantasy romance with a shadow-daddy and a capable thief who refuses to give up. The world building is spot on, with plenty of creative implications of death. An overall fulfilling read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
The author is new to me. I loved her writing style, The story was well thought out. Suspense, mystery and secrets revealed, steam to the eventual romance which was well earned. Worldbuilding was phenomenal. I could see the different courts of the Death Lords. I could feel their personalities.
The two main characters were well described. My first impression of Dante was - he was more than cruel, more than cold hearted. But as I kept reading I realized first impressions do not count. Don't get me wrong he is death and with that he is the most powerful lord in the realm. It was fun learning more about him .
I loved Brynn. What she went through especially after her parents death , learning to survive. I loved her defiance, her quick thinking , learning quickly and being able to perceive things others could not. She was one that you should not dismiss because you think she is beneath you as some in the court did. She proved them wrong in so many ways.
I loved the cover , that is what drew me to the book and of course I loved the HEA for them. Well earned and deserved.
I could write about the other lords and their kingdoms, but it would be better if you read them yourself .
I received a free advanced copy of this book via Booksiren and am voluntarily leaving my review .
The two main characters were well described. My first impression of Dante was - he was more than cruel, more than cold hearted. But as I kept reading I realized first impressions do not count. Don't get me wrong he is death and with that he is the most powerful lord in the realm. It was fun learning more about him .
I loved Brynn. What she went through especially after her parents death , learning to survive. I loved her defiance, her quick thinking , learning quickly and being able to perceive things others could not. She was one that you should not dismiss because you think she is beneath you as some in the court did. She proved them wrong in so many ways.
I loved the cover , that is what drew me to the book and of course I loved the HEA for them. Well earned and deserved.
I could write about the other lords and their kingdoms, but it would be better if you read them yourself .
I received a free advanced copy of this book via Booksiren and am voluntarily leaving my review .
Review of advance copy
If you are looking for a book with a badass FMC and enough female rage to get you through a bit of the chaos that is 2026, this is the book for you. Brynn makes the list of one of my favorite FMCs - she's smart and compassionate, but also isn't afraid to say it like it is and stick to her guns to make people who hurt her suffer.
Overall, this was a fun book - not in a "haha fun" way (it's set in death realms, after all), but more in an "exciting fun" way. It was action packed and the plot was intriguing and original. The world was very detailed and cool (the forsaken realm seems pretty crazy - most of the furniture and buildings are made of bone), and I appreciated how vividly everything was described.
The parts of the book that I struggled the most with had to do with repetition. The two main interpersonal conflicts between Brynn and Dante felt like basically the same thing, and there were a lot of phrases that were used frequently. Part of this may have been that short sentences were used to add emphasis, but it was done so often that it lot some of its impact and made it feel like you were reading the same thing again.
Thanks so much to BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I'm hoping Nora Nightingale writes more books in this world, because I am definitely interested to read more!
Overall, this was a fun book - not in a "haha fun" way (it's set in death realms, after all), but more in an "exciting fun" way. It was action packed and the plot was intriguing and original. The world was very detailed and cool (the forsaken realm seems pretty crazy - most of the furniture and buildings are made of bone), and I appreciated how vividly everything was described.
The parts of the book that I struggled the most with had to do with repetition. The two main interpersonal conflicts between Brynn and Dante felt like basically the same thing, and there were a lot of phrases that were used frequently. Part of this may have been that short sentences were used to add emphasis, but it was done so often that it lot some of its impact and made it feel like you were reading the same thing again.
Thanks so much to BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I'm hoping Nora Nightingale writes more books in this world, because I am definitely interested to read more!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
At first, Dante comes off cold and ruthless. He’s Death, the most powerful lord in the realm, and he acts like it. But the more you learn about him, the more layers you see. Watching him try to resist Brynn while clearly being drawn to her was one of my favorite parts.
And Brynn? I loved her. After losing her parents, she learned to survive on her own, and that strength shows. She’s clever, defiant, and way more perceptive than anyone at court gives her credit for. Seeing her prove people wrong again and again was so satisfying.
This book is so good. Don’t let the page count fool you, there’s zero filler. Every scene matters, and I read it in one sitting. The slow burn is unreal. The longing, the stolen glances, the way he lingers in the shadows watching her… it’s broody, intense, and full of tension that just builds and builds.
And Brynn? I loved her. After losing her parents, she learned to survive on her own, and that strength shows. She’s clever, defiant, and way more perceptive than anyone at court gives her credit for. Seeing her prove people wrong again and again was so satisfying.
The world-building is strong without being overwhelming, and the mix of fantasy, action, and romance feels balanced. The chemistry is electric, the spice is top tier, and the tension makes every moment hit harder. The HEA felt earned, and that cover pulled me in from the start.
Five stars. Dark, emotional, and completely addictive.
And Brynn? I loved her. After losing her parents, she learned to survive on her own, and that strength shows. She’s clever, defiant, and way more perceptive than anyone at court gives her credit for. Seeing her prove people wrong again and again was so satisfying.
This book is so good. Don’t let the page count fool you, there’s zero filler. Every scene matters, and I read it in one sitting. The slow burn is unreal. The longing, the stolen glances, the way he lingers in the shadows watching her… it’s broody, intense, and full of tension that just builds and builds.
And Brynn? I loved her. After losing her parents, she learned to survive on her own, and that strength shows. She’s clever, defiant, and way more perceptive than anyone at court gives her credit for. Seeing her prove people wrong again and again was so satisfying.
The world-building is strong without being overwhelming, and the mix of fantasy, action, and romance feels balanced. The chemistry is electric, the spice is top tier, and the tension makes every moment hit harder. The HEA felt earned, and that cover pulled me in from the start.
Five stars. Dark, emotional, and completely addictive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
Lord of the Forsaken by Nora Nightingale is everything I didn’t know I needed. A truly intoxicating mix of dark romance, tension, and passion that kept me on the edge of my seat. This book takes the enemies to lovers trope to new heights, with chemistry so sizzling that it practically leaps off the page.
I had the privilege of reading an EARC from the author, and let me just say—Nightingale's world-building is impeccable. The characters are complex, and the way they clash and then ignite with desire is nothing short of electric. The romance is unapologetically spicy, with moments that will make your heart race and leave you breathless for more.
Every twist and turn in the plot kept me hooked, and I couldn’t put it down. The tension builds in all the right ways, making each kiss, each touch, feel all the more intense. This is a story that grabs you and doesn’t let go, weaving you into its dark, forbidden world with every page.
The emotional depth, the scorching romance, and the edge-of-your-seat action make this book an absolute must-read. Five stars without question. Nora Nightingale has truly outdone herself with this one!
I had the privilege of reading an EARC from the author, and let me just say—Nightingale's world-building is impeccable. The characters are complex, and the way they clash and then ignite with desire is nothing short of electric. The romance is unapologetically spicy, with moments that will make your heart race and leave you breathless for more.
Every twist and turn in the plot kept me hooked, and I couldn’t put it down. The tension builds in all the right ways, making each kiss, each touch, feel all the more intense. This is a story that grabs you and doesn’t let go, weaving you into its dark, forbidden world with every page.
The emotional depth, the scorching romance, and the edge-of-your-seat action make this book an absolute must-read. Five stars without question. Nora Nightingale has truly outdone herself with this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 stars, pretty good but not incredibly notable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I did enjoy this read and I feel it was well written. The magic system is unique, though, I wish the death magic was explained a little better (how the death lords got their power/thrones, how death worked before they took their thrones, how they settled boundaries, etc).
I feel like when we got Dante's POV, we didn't really get his yearning for Brynn until later in the book so we don't have an idea how fast and hard he fell. And the trope of ignoring each other because they're upset really gets under my skin. I will say I actually kind of like how the author used it.
It seemed fairly obvious who was sabotaging the wardstones, but I don't hold that against the book because I've seen much worse. The villain monologue felt a little dragged out though. Ultimately though I think the plot was set up well and the pacing was really good!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I did enjoy this read and I feel it was well written. The magic system is unique, though, I wish the death magic was explained a little better (how the death lords got their power/thrones, how death worked before they took their thrones, how they settled boundaries, etc).
I feel like when we got Dante's POV, we didn't really get his yearning for Brynn until later in the book so we don't have an idea how fast and hard he fell. And the trope of ignoring each other because they're upset really gets under my skin. I will say I actually kind of like how the author used it.
It seemed fairly obvious who was sabotaging the wardstones, but I don't hold that against the book because I've seen much worse. The villain monologue felt a little dragged out though. Ultimately though I think the plot was set up well and the pacing was really good!
Review of advance copy
Such a wonderful world and book!! I really loved how the reader is instantly drawn into the book and the character's lives. The book just gets going right from the start which I really enjoy in fantasy books. The setting was so interesting and I loved how everything about the world, characters, and conflict were explained slowly and as needed. This added layers to the story and the reader's understanding and involvement in the book. The imagery was so beautiful and immersive. And let me just say, you will ABSOLUTELY have a new shadow daddy book boyfriend by the end!! And you have to love a BAMF female main character as we have in Brynn here!!
The writing reminded me so much of Sarah J Maas and Rachel Gillig while still maintaining the author's own style and voice. Seriously an awesome book that I had a blast reading. Very interesting concept, very interesting world, beautiful tension and romance, and fantastic writing.
The writing reminded me so much of Sarah J Maas and Rachel Gillig while still maintaining the author's own style and voice. Seriously an awesome book that I had a blast reading. Very interesting concept, very interesting world, beautiful tension and romance, and fantastic writing.
Review of advance copy
Was a good book all in all, but definitely a slow burn romance and a slow read.
I got the plot and thought it was a good story.
I just struggled to stay gripped in the first half. I felt as if i was reading and not making any progress.
When the story got into the main part of the plot i was gripped and it flowed lovely.
The romance was perfect and the spice was on point.
The ending was a mixture of sweet and meh at the same time, i personally would have liked to see an epilogue. Maybe a baby having both their power.
Or twins lol. Now that could be a whole twist in itself.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I got the plot and thought it was a good story.
I just struggled to stay gripped in the first half. I felt as if i was reading and not making any progress.
When the story got into the main part of the plot i was gripped and it flowed lovely.
The romance was perfect and the spice was on point.
The ending was a mixture of sweet and meh at the same time, i personally would have liked to see an epilogue. Maybe a baby having both their power.
Or twins lol. Now that could be a whole twist in itself.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lord of the Forsaken is a romantasy read that leans on the longer side and is heavy on lore and political intrigue. I really loved the opening pages—they pulled me in immediately. The middle lagged a little in pacing for me, but the story picked up again toward the end and finished strong.
If you’re after a dark romantasy with a fiery female lead who is very much not a damsel in distress, this book may be right up your alley. I honestly enjoyed this read. It wasn’t perfect, and at times the explanations of rooms and locations felt a bit heavy-handed, but that didn’t stop me from loving the story overall. The characters were solid, and this book ticked all my boxes. Also love the cover!!
If you’re after a dark romantasy with a fiery female lead who is very much not a damsel in distress, this book may be right up your alley. I honestly enjoyed this read. It wasn’t perfect, and at times the explanations of rooms and locations felt a bit heavy-handed, but that didn’t stop me from loving the story overall. The characters were solid, and this book ticked all my boxes. Also love the cover!!
Review of advance copy
I really enjoyed getting to read this, it had that dark fantasy romance element that I was looking for from an enemy to lover concept. It had a strong plot going on and enjoyed how strong the romance was during this, the characters were so well written and worked in the setting of the world. I loved the idea of the Death Lords and how it was used during this world, everything worked well together and had that concept that I was looking for. Nora Nightingale has a strong writing style and was glad I was able to read this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
WOW!!!! I received this book early..and I was hooked from the beginning!!!! I DEVOURED it! It was a SLOOOOOOOW burn..but OMG..when it burned it BURNED 🔥!!!!! It was so HOT 🥵. Brynn and Dante 🥵🌶️..oh my yes please Reaper! I kept yelling just TRY!!!!! IYKYK!!! I did cry a couple times near the end..and the ending!!! It was such a great read!!!! I absolutely recommend to all the supernatural death lord baddies!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Every now and again you come across a book that takes your breath away. That makes you wish it would never end. This is that book. Written with so much passion and love, you literally have to force yourself to put it down every now and again to sleep and eat. This is an extraordinary author!!! May her stories never end! I received an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.
February 18, 2026
Another started off good and then just idk lost my interest.. brain just said no that’s enough.. but ty for the opportunity
Review of advance copy
Great read. Slow burn, tension, and kept me interested from the beginning. Just the right amount of spice with the plot. So glad to have found the ARC.
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