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Darlings
Darlings follows the final months of the young adults born with the Iris disease. This rare disease causes its victims to be born physically flawless, but curses them with a twenty-two-year lifespan. At the end of their lives, they gather under one roof in New York City to live out their dreams. Fey Davis is the youngest of the Irises and he soon becomes obsessed with Marcy Darling--the leader of the group. Marcy has everything he's ever wanted in a strength, confidence, and fierce beauty. But why did he have to meet her so late in his life? As their time comes to an end, Fey experiences love and fame for the first time. Lost in the throes of existential terror, Fey and his new friends count the minutes to their deaths. Gossip Girl meets Gone Girl in this brutal romance.
- GenresYoung Adult
469 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2017
2 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 5, 2017
I give this book 5 out of 5 Unique Stars! When I read this book a few weeks ago I devoured it! Yes, Yes I know I’m a tad behind on my reviews, guilty as charged!🤤 But anyways, I was surprised by the intensity and how much this book sucked me in! Some scenes might trigger some folks but overall this was an awesome and unique book!
I enjoy going to a “what if world” where things might be more dystopian. I felt completely hooked from this brutal romance and it made me feel so many different types of emotions!
I loved Fey and Marcy’s characterization. While reading this book it sucks you in and makes your heart race with the need for wanting to know more! I’m glad I picked up this title and would recommend it to YA readers.📚💖 Just loved this book!🎊🤗
I enjoy going to a “what if world” where things might be more dystopian. I felt completely hooked from this brutal romance and it made me feel so many different types of emotions!
I loved Fey and Marcy’s characterization. While reading this book it sucks you in and makes your heart race with the need for wanting to know more! I’m glad I picked up this title and would recommend it to YA readers.📚💖 Just loved this book!🎊🤗
August 22, 2019
This book was interesting. I loved the premise and enjoyed the characters. I left this book wanting to know more! I hope he does a sequel so we can find out what happens!
May 7, 2021
I thought that this book was good
September 20, 2017
Thank you so much to Nick Rester for providing me a physical copy of this book to read :)
This book is all about the Irises, or those with Iris disease. This disease gives you the looks of a model, but with that comes a shortened lifespan. All Irises die on their 22nd birthday. With this condition comes isolation, and most of those with Iris disease live together in a converted school building called PS 111. Together, they drink, party, and record it all to be put up on their app called the Eff it List, in which submitters must record a new experience(called a NewEx) every day. These experiences lead to adventures no one would have expected, and soon they create some deadly consequences.
This book was interesting, to say the least. While it was action packed and I was never bored, I was perplexed at some of the activities this book featured. For example, there are rape scenes that are more than hinted at throughout the book, and this made me a bit uncomfortable. I talked to the author about this, and he said that he used his book to showcase the worst parts of humanity, and he used these scenes to condemn the characters involved as villains, rather than using these scenes to shock people or to say that these actions are okay. Take that as you will.
My copy was unedited, so I can't comment too much on the writing of this book. However, there were some passages I had to read several times through because I couldn't understand what was going on. There was even a point where one character died, and her name was used again a few pages later as if she were still alive. The plot of this book was interesting, and I liked how it moved. The writing, on the other hand, could use a bit of work.
Overall, this was a different read than what I would normally pick up, and I appreciated that. The author is doing a lot of free giveaways of this book, and I recommend you check those out if you can (@darlingsbook on Instagram). I personally would not buy this book full price because of the iffy scenes and the subpar writing, but for a free read, I definitely approve.
This book is all about the Irises, or those with Iris disease. This disease gives you the looks of a model, but with that comes a shortened lifespan. All Irises die on their 22nd birthday. With this condition comes isolation, and most of those with Iris disease live together in a converted school building called PS 111. Together, they drink, party, and record it all to be put up on their app called the Eff it List, in which submitters must record a new experience(called a NewEx) every day. These experiences lead to adventures no one would have expected, and soon they create some deadly consequences.
This book was interesting, to say the least. While it was action packed and I was never bored, I was perplexed at some of the activities this book featured. For example, there are rape scenes that are more than hinted at throughout the book, and this made me a bit uncomfortable. I talked to the author about this, and he said that he used his book to showcase the worst parts of humanity, and he used these scenes to condemn the characters involved as villains, rather than using these scenes to shock people or to say that these actions are okay. Take that as you will.
My copy was unedited, so I can't comment too much on the writing of this book. However, there were some passages I had to read several times through because I couldn't understand what was going on. There was even a point where one character died, and her name was used again a few pages later as if she were still alive. The plot of this book was interesting, and I liked how it moved. The writing, on the other hand, could use a bit of work.
Overall, this was a different read than what I would normally pick up, and I appreciated that. The author is doing a lot of free giveaways of this book, and I recommend you check those out if you can (@darlingsbook on Instagram). I personally would not buy this book full price because of the iffy scenes and the subpar writing, but for a free read, I definitely approve.
August 27, 2025
This is one AMAZING BOOK and one of my favorites.
The story sounded odd at the beginning but it soon became magical and addictive, I loved it to the very end and I feel that I will keep the story with me for a long time.
I hope to see more of the writer in the future.
The story sounded odd at the beginning but it soon became magical and addictive, I loved it to the very end and I feel that I will keep the story with me for a long time.
I hope to see more of the writer in the future.
May 20, 2018
Great novel from my good friend and cobbler Nick Rester
January 13, 2020
What an interesting read. I'm not usually a fan of books promoting delinquency. I was a little uncomfortable reading that, but it still captured my attention.
May 5, 2020
well that was depressing
September 20, 2022
(Rating 1.5) —- ***SPOILERS*** There was so much I didn’t like about this and honestly, even by 40% I still didn’t really understand why they were doing these random pranks for likes online. I didn’t understand why they all had to live together, what PS111 was, why would they choose to live like this if they didn’t have long to live? Yes, they are famous and can drink and party and take drugs and have lots of sex but they also have to follow Marcy’s rules and diet and go to the gym - it all just felt like such trivial pursuits if you are going to die! Seriously, what is the concept here? And why is he so bothered about getting a six pack??!??!
Also, the banter was soooooooo bad!!!! I felt like the author wanted them to sound edgy and provocative so just threw in a lot of swear words and crudeness but it just did the opposite and made them all sound so childish and stupid. And don’t even get me started on the sex scenes - literally the worst, most cringeworthy I have ever read!
And I have to mention that rape scene. I’m all for being realistic about there being bad people out there but that scene where Fey (the protagonist) and Brandon have sex with a drugged, passed out woman and then Fey just leaves her with Brandon who is obviously going to rape her was just awful! I get that he was supposed to be becoming a douche bag and that his fame went to his head and he started treating everyone awful but this was just so bad! It really just made Fey unredeemable in my eyes and ruined any chance that I could every root for him, even if he changed.
And the ending was one of the worst I’ve ever read!!!!! It was so stupid and made no sense to me whatsoever! Why do a mass killing? I know why Marcy says it but it’s just such a weak reason! She is literally a psychopath and Fey isn’t bothered and still loves her!!!! Nope, none of this made sense and I hated (and not in a good way) every single character!
Also, the banter was soooooooo bad!!!! I felt like the author wanted them to sound edgy and provocative so just threw in a lot of swear words and crudeness but it just did the opposite and made them all sound so childish and stupid. And don’t even get me started on the sex scenes - literally the worst, most cringeworthy I have ever read!
And I have to mention that rape scene. I’m all for being realistic about there being bad people out there but that scene where Fey (the protagonist) and Brandon have sex with a drugged, passed out woman and then Fey just leaves her with Brandon who is obviously going to rape her was just awful! I get that he was supposed to be becoming a douche bag and that his fame went to his head and he started treating everyone awful but this was just so bad! It really just made Fey unredeemable in my eyes and ruined any chance that I could every root for him, even if he changed.
And the ending was one of the worst I’ve ever read!!!!! It was so stupid and made no sense to me whatsoever! Why do a mass killing? I know why Marcy says it but it’s just such a weak reason! She is literally a psychopath and Fey isn’t bothered and still loves her!!!! Nope, none of this made sense and I hated (and not in a good way) every single character!
December 27, 2020
The book is described as "Gossip Girl meets Gone Girl" but I would say it's more Nerve (/Tik Tok) meets Gone Girl.
I am struggling to write this review. I honestly can't tell if I like this book or not. I tend to avoid male authors for the exact reasons I am struggling with liking this book: the rape-y vibes that are written like they aren't that way (minus the just straight rape bit) and the way women are written. The irises are so cookie-cutter. Death and an end date changes people. And knowing exactly the date you're going to die is going to cause you to do some things you wouldn't normally do.. but every single iris reacting the exact same way (minus the love interest, to make her stand out) of drinking, doing drugs, etc. It's not realistic. Everyone would react to death differently. I finished the book, because I was interested in it enough to read the ending, but I will not be reading the sequel (that I'm not even sure if the author still plans to write).
I am struggling to write this review. I honestly can't tell if I like this book or not. I tend to avoid male authors for the exact reasons I am struggling with liking this book: the rape-y vibes that are written like they aren't that way (minus the just straight rape bit) and the way women are written. The irises are so cookie-cutter. Death and an end date changes people. And knowing exactly the date you're going to die is going to cause you to do some things you wouldn't normally do.. but every single iris reacting the exact same way (minus the love interest, to make her stand out) of drinking, doing drugs, etc. It's not realistic. Everyone would react to death differently. I finished the book, because I was interested in it enough to read the ending, but I will not be reading the sequel (that I'm not even sure if the author still plans to write).
June 1, 2020
Maybe the audiobook was missing the ending but I’m a bit annoyed it ended the way it did if that was truly it.
From the book description I wasn’t expecting what it was given. So many references to drugs, drinking, using and abusing. A typical 20 year olds life style haha
Some interesting twist and turns.
Fey kinda turned into a douche half way through with all those gym sessions and fashion talk.
From the book description I wasn’t expecting what it was given. So many references to drugs, drinking, using and abusing. A typical 20 year olds life style haha
Some interesting twist and turns.
Fey kinda turned into a douche half way through with all those gym sessions and fashion talk.
July 5, 2020
This was one of those random finds & honestly it was one of the best.
Five stars sounds intense - however it deserves it : it was such an original concept & full of all the right levels of drama, suspense & heartache. So glad I found it!
Five stars sounds intense - however it deserves it : it was such an original concept & full of all the right levels of drama, suspense & heartache. So glad I found it!
September 20, 2020
Definitely unique.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews