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Following Queen Lyric's daring sacrifice, darkness reigns in the Seelie Realm.

Despite the investigation of the Seelie Realm Tribunal, Alena maintains control of Winter while Ivy prepares herself for battle in the mortal realm. With Lochlan's help, Ivy will train to control her magic and her emotions, along with other skills required of a Winter queen. But with Bear's recent marriage to Slaine, keeping her heart in check could be the most challenging obstacle of all.

With alliances forged, protections granted, and promises made, Ivy finds herself the leader of a rebellion with the power to take back the Winter Court and restore balance to the Seelie Realm. But with Bear's status as a new Seelie Prince and marriage to Slaine, Ivy's battle plans could put her at odds with those she loves most.

Ivy has vowed to win her kingdom back, but at what cost?

Filled with friendship, adventure, and romance, Reign of Darkness is the fourth installment of the best-selling Iron Crown Faerie Tales series. Pre-order your copy today.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2019

248 people are currently reading
484 people want to read

About the author

Bekah Harris

21 books151 followers
Born and raised in the mountains of East Tennessee, Bekah Harris has been writing since she could hold a pencil. The beauty of her home in the Appalachian Mountains, along with the legends, myths, and folklore of that area, is what inspires the unique plots and settings captured in her young adult fiction. In addition to her love of all things fictional, Bekah is also a freelance writer and editor, an occasional adjunct professor, and a high school English teacher. When not working, Bekah can be found at home building block towers for her son to knock down, drinking coffee and watching Netflix with her husband.

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5 stars
275 (45%)
4 stars
207 (34%)
3 stars
96 (15%)
2 stars
16 (2%)
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7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for NAT.orious reads ☾.
967 reviews416 followers
May 21, 2020
3.5 dark STARS ★★★✬✩
This book is for you if… you've stuck around until #3. Right now, I'd say this is definitely one of the best ones in the series so far.

Overall.
Apart from the fact that I am living for this winter faerie theme, there's really not much to say except that I am here for Arden's redemption arch. Like this boy be playing the violin now and leaving his toxic behaviour behind. Give. me. it.


I've come to hate the tortured bad guy who's becoming good for that one girl trope in recent years but isolation times require desperate measures, so here we are. I stan Arden and Ivy. But I don't really understand the hate towards Bear. He's a fucking teenager who carries a damn load of responsibility, sorry he can't be perfect [mayor eyeroll]. I still really like him and am excited to see where it all goes.

As you may see, we can witness a lot of changes happening in Reign of Darkness. I've thus enjoyed it more than its predecessor and cannot wait for this story to continue. The character arcs drive the plot in interesting ways.

What’s happening.
Ivy now has to balance her mortal school life with her duties as the princess of the Winter Court, while making sure Elena won't catch her off guard. While Bear is out of reach, she can't help but notice the developments Arden has gone through: the arrogant treaterous fish evolved into a faithfull, supportive and hella cute friend. Will he prove to be the deciding factor in rescuing her mother and the Winter Court?
Con:
some hopes get lost
alliances will have to be made
school is still going
Pro:
arden is actually quite c u t e
accepting that some things weren't meant to be
all the flirting, damn you isolation

_____________________
writing quality + easy of reading = 3*

pace = 4*

plot/story in general = 5*

plot development = 4*

characters = 4*

enjoyability = 3*

insightfulness = 2*
________________
Many thanks to Bekah Harris who yet again was kind enough to provide me with a free audio version of this book.
Profile Image for Tabatha Barnaba.
25 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2020
First off, it’s well written, very easy to read. Listen I’m a suckerrrr for fairies and romance. I can’t dislike a book if they have those two things in it. But why did there have to be a love triangle? Why do authors LOVE writing about two guys and one girl? Let’s try to get a little creative. I do always love the bad boy in stories though. Also these books are so damn short so there isn’t much detail for those who crave in depth stories this probably won’t hold your interest. But I’m definitely going to finish the series since I read this in less then 3 hours 🤣
Profile Image for Jen.
105 reviews7 followers
May 8, 2020
Warning SPOILERS






What a bunch of BULLSHIT. The minute Alena makes Bears mom swear he would remain married to Slaine, I stopped reading.

I knew at that point, I wasnt going to like the end result.

And after reading the reviews for the rest of the series. Im glad I did.

After everything...EVERYTHING Bear has done and gone through for her, she ends up happily married to Arden!?

The same fucking Arden who kidnapped, cursed and leashed her best friend, betrayed, not only her, her mother and court, slept with her evil aunt who was also sleeping with his father and humiliated her in front of everyone...

She ends up happily married to him!?!

Bear sacrificed his freedom for her.
He sacrificed himself to keep Nan safe for her.
He was raped.
He took it all for her (literally, see above)

What. The. FUCK?

I hate when authors dont know how to end a series. Like Amy Bartol. They suck you in with this awesome story then it gets so twisted and fucked its like reading a totally different story. What makes this particular series even worse is that it expanded in to six books, when three would have sufficed, without all the bullshit.

Nope. Sorry. If I wanted my heart broken and put through the ringer with disfunctional drama, Id stick to real life. #DidNotFinish
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tarnparit.
449 reviews23 followers
October 25, 2021
I can’t continue. Dragged myself through the series for this. This series is perfect for younger teens. With cheesy dialogues and cringe worthy events, these books was quite average for me. I will not be finishing the series.
Every book was only 200-300 pages, so it was easy to finish in one sitting.
Profile Image for Dustin Street.
Author 3 books14 followers
April 11, 2020
Ardan is my dark, Unseelie teddy bear. That’s all.

Okay, fine, I’ll write more than that. Because, truly, Bekah’s fourth entry in the IRON CROWN FAERIE TALES series is worth all the good words I can say!

A lot of authors stumble through managing large casts of characters, but Bekah does a spectacular job of giving us just enough of each of them to keep us invested in their stories and wellbeing.

Y’all, I started this series convinced there was no way I’d feel anything but loathing and disgust for some of these characters, and nothing but earn adoration for others, and in four books, Bekah has manage to subvert and completely flip those expectations.

The last book, GAME OF SHADOWS, was the beginning of the second act in this story, and this book rounded out that middle section so very nicely. This book almost felt like a conclusion to the series, save for the final chapter, when Bekah introduces a new voice (albeit a familiar character, just one whose head we’ve never been inside) to the narrative.

This book really focuses on Ivy’s conflicted emotions about her life as the heir of winter, how she will go about reclaiming what’s hers from her evil aunt, Alena, and how she will continue finding agency in a world where it has all been stripped from her.

There’s a frustrating amount of injustice facing Ivy in these books, and what I love about her is that she is growing in her power and learning how to take control of her own destiny and beat back that injustice.

The surprising thing is that, throughout the course of that struggle, some of the things that were forced upon her in the beginning become things she has come to rely on in her forward momentum through the story.

I can’t say much without spoiling, but suffice it to say that Ivy’s path takes some unexpected turns on the road to the inevitable in this book, and while Bekah laid some excellent hints in the previous book about what would happen in this one, she crafted a very entertaining adventure on the way to achieving that end.

Cannot wait to move on to the final two books in this awesome series!
Profile Image for Susie.
132 reviews5 followers
September 14, 2021
Book 4. Whew. What a ride! Harris did it again. Truly.

Ivy and Ardan... man, what a roller coaster they are in and what a coaster they put you through! The characters are so insanely written and you truly feel like you know them. Multiple times I found myself speaking out loud to them (and consequently getting weird looks from people around me - don't judge me airport guy!).

It's nice to see that she has written characters moving forward as a "normal" person would... knowing they need to but yet questioning their decision all at the same time. Again, Harris makes these characters so relatable that it makes it hard to actually dislike any of them (even though you know you should).

Harris has beautifully and somewhat predictably set up the last couple of books in the series. As you reach the end of book 4, you can very easily guess where the story line is going to go next. While the set up is done well, I'm really hoping that there will be some last minute twists to keep me guessing.
Profile Image for Helpful Avocado .
30 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2021
⭐3.70⭐

I've really enjoyed the story line and plot so far, usually if a series is more than 3 books I get bored and lose interest but not in this case. However there are some things I find to quite annoying.

*There are too many POV's. The chapters jump from one character's point of view to the next. This includes the side characters.
*I feel we don't read enough of our main characters point of view and their story gets kind of lost.
*The villian's plans are revealed in many chapters so there is no mystery to what might happen.
*The amount of times Alena says "They will pay" is honestly ridiculous and makes for lazy dialogue.

All characters are very well developed and each is different with their own personality. But the numerous point of views are unnecessary and over done, it gets very monotonous to read after a while when I only want more of our main characters. There just isn't enough focus placed on our protagonists.
13 reviews
July 2, 2020
So many plot twists

Spoiler Alert***********
Ok so I low key was falling in love with Prince Ardan, but also had hope for Princess Ivy and Bear. But i hated the ending. Bear got the short end of the stick. He saved Ivy from Alena and was forced to marry Slaine sleep with her and what did Ivy do? Move on so quick from him? Don't get me wrong Ardan totally redeemed himself with Ivy and I am happy they ended up together, I just wish Bear hadn't been dealt such a shitty hand after everything he did for Ivy. I can't wait to read the next book although I am so over Teigen and Slain it feels like a bad soap opera.
Profile Image for Chaos.
3,615 reviews118 followers
October 28, 2020
I'm so glad Alena met her end. But her daughters should be dead too. Like it's not fair. We should all be done with them all. Ugh!!!! But im so glad Ardan admitted his love for Ivy and they are together. Jules and Padriac are going to live together for a bit and date ❤ i think bears mom is the biggest moron of them all. She was made out to be this strong amazing creature yet she is weak as heck! So many things could have been avoided if she would have just had some balls. I know things are not going to go well in the next few books ans I'm not ready for it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amy.
696 reviews8 followers
February 6, 2021
LOVEEE THIS!!! omg the characters... they are everything!!! Love ivy!!! She has become sooo confident, strong and wonderful!! Love jules even more and loveee her together with Padaic! And ong Ardan stole my heart!!! He's secretly a sweetheart!! And Bear deserves soooo much moree!!! My heart broke for him!!!
Still, I can't decide who I ship more with Ivy, love them both sooo much!!
The story continues to be fantastic!!! Love the plottwist and shocking moments, love the romance and emotional scenes, especially with Ivy and Bear!!!!
Can't wait for the next one!!!
Profile Image for Celine Spryks (Taylor’s Version).
283 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2023
And slain is pregnant. Dammit. How could you do that to Ivy?! However, the growing passion for Arden is undeniable. I love it. And damn son, Arden keeps using my love in contrast to just love from before. He’s a sweet little bastard, come to think of it. The snowflake? And they got married! I realize Arden is likable, but I never knew he could be this adorable. Alena is dead. And now her daughter swear revenge on Ivy. I do hope Ivy kills them both. But slaine has bear’s baby growing inside her. Arden should impregnate Ivy as well then?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Pille Pruulmann-Vengerfeld.
233 reviews3 followers
December 12, 2019
Ulmemini 5: Bekah Harris Reign of Darkness (Iron Crown Faerie tales 4) 302 lk, 2019 Dreamlake media (või siis VV, kui ulmeteemade puhul samasse teemasse ikka lõputult lugusid toppida ei saa :D)
Ivy seiklused jätkuvad. Tema ema on võitluses kurja õe vastu teinud strateegilise valiku ja lasknud end võita, kuid väikese sohiga - st tema õde on hetkel kuri kuninganna ja ta ise ootab, et Ivy ta ära päästaks.
Ivy peab valima, et kas anda järele sellele külgetõmbele, mis ta tunneb prints Ardani vastu, või esimest armastust Beari edasi taga igatseda, kuigi viimane on sundseisus abiellunud kurja kuninganna tütrega.
Raamatus on eepiline võitlus hea ja kurja vahel, kuid ma tunnistan, et ei saanud üle pettumusest, et sarja eelmises osas ära ei lõpetatud, vaid hoopis viies osa kirjutatud on. Seega, neljandas osas saab justkui terve hulk teemasid lahendatud, kuid siis selgus, et sari müüb nii hästi, et kirjutasime viienda ka. Ja viiendaga esimese kolmandiku peal olles on mul tunne, et kuues tuleb ka, sest vaevalt, et nad kõiki neid laiali loobitud otsi kokku jaksavad tõmmata.
Et tegelikult ei ole halb raamat, aga ma olen neid nüüd natuke liiga palju lugenud. Emotsioon on lahtunud, pinge tundub kunstlikult üles kruvitud. Tegelased on toredad, eriti meeldib mulle Juliet, inimesest parim sõbranna, aga mingid liinid jäävad ikka hästi lamedada ja üldiselt pean ma nüüd veidi pausi enne kui sarjaga edasi lähen.
3/5
#ulmekirjandus
Profile Image for Candy Smith.
495 reviews35 followers
July 24, 2020
The story was a great continuation of this series. Full of adventure, suspense, romance, betrayal and sacrifice. I'm absolutely in love with this series! I can't get enough of it! I want to stay in the world of our characters who I've grown to love!
Profile Image for Lit Echos.
71 reviews
July 21, 2022
Loving it

The story is getting more twisted. Ending one enemy isn't enough, now there's a new one. It was a little heartbreaking to not have Ivy matched up with Bear, but I love where the story is going.
Profile Image for TONI.
51 reviews
March 24, 2020
Great

Great storyline just keeps on developing new twists snd turns. I have really enjoyed getting to know the new dimensions in the all the characters.
Profile Image for Laurie Franco.
482 reviews9 followers
October 14, 2020
So addicting

Battle royale. Betrayal, Love, Loss, Intrigue...this book has it all and keeps you thoroughly engrossed until the surprising cliffhanger conclusion!
465 reviews
October 25, 2020
Iron Crown Faerie Tales

These get more and more interesting with intriguing plots I am enjoying each and every plot twist and can't wait to read the next one
Profile Image for Shawna.
327 reviews6 followers
December 21, 2020
AMAZING SERIES!!!! It just keeps getting better and better. I forgot to write reviews and kept reading. Book 5 is by far my favorite now on to book 6 in freaking APRIL!
Profile Image for Lisa Boyer.
352 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2021
I'm spending a fortune on these. I have read the first four books in about five days. I really like some characters more than others and I hope that I'm backing the right horse.
Profile Image for Antionette.
388 reviews
February 7, 2022
wow

This story just gets better and better with each book. I found this with the the last two books and have had to back read, well worth it
Profile Image for Olivia Marie Clark.
326 reviews10 followers
December 9, 2019
Perfect for fans of Holly Black

If you’re looking for a good book to get over your Queen if Nothing hangover, then this book is perfect for you. It’s a bit more slow paced than the intensity of the book before it, but there’s still a thick plot and good action. Betrayal and love all wrapped up into one.
Profile Image for Kim.
64 reviews1 follower
November 28, 2019
This book might be the best yet

Wow! Things can really change. Things that once seemed impossible for Ivy have now happened. Ivy has been through so much. Ardan was there for her when Bear wasn’t. This book was a lot of fun to read. Right now I really like this change that has come over Ardan. Bear has turned out to be a disappointment. We see Ivy at both her highest and her lowest. We are surprised at the new directions in Ivy’s life and the new feelings she is developing for Ardan. And Jules and Padraic’s story has been fun to read as well.
Profile Image for Ashley.
293 reviews
November 26, 2019
Excellent

A very enjoyable continuation of the series that did not disappoint. I do feel like the challenges ivy has to overcome to save her mother were a bit too easy. There is little suspense in whether or not the main character will succeed. That being said, I appreciate the side plots with Alena and her daughters as they try to conquer thrones though deceptive machinations. I wish I could have seen a little more depth to Alena's character, as I feel it's very rare for a person to just be 100% evil.
Profile Image for Jocelyn.
40 reviews
September 3, 2019
One day

was all it took to read through book 4! I hadn't expected to go through it so quickly, nor did I realize this wasn't the end! Book 4 kept me engaged just like the other three and I enjoyed watching the characters roles grow and change. I'm not happy the different directions Bear and Ivy took but curious all the same to see where each characters path lead. So when is book 5 coming?! Great job again Bekah!
37 reviews
November 3, 2019
This is a wonderful series with a compelling heroine and a gripping storyline that melds the human and fairy worlds. I read through the books one after the other, as I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. I thoroughly enjoyed this one up to the very end but knocked one star off because I'm not totally in love with how it left us hanging or what the potentially evil characters did. Regardless, I can't wait for the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Kathy Zuercher Diveley.
1,619 reviews11 followers
October 27, 2019
Ivy & Arden

Lyric fights Alena for control of Winter Court. Lyric dies, and Bear finds out he is a seelie prince. Alena forces him to marry her daughter, to save Ivy's life. Ivy awakens her mother, and Lyric gives her all the ancestral magic. Alena is killed, Lyric hands over the Winter court to Ivy, and Ivy marries Arden.
Profile Image for Jellybean70.
224 reviews6 followers
August 31, 2019
LOVE this series!! It keeps getting better and better!! If you like a strong female who pulls herself out of darkness. This series is definitely one you should read. Lots of romance, different characters all important to the story, love seeing the story through lots of eyes!
735 reviews6 followers
September 1, 2019
Awesome

As the story continues, Ivy experiences her growing powers. She must find her mother and release her from the spell she is under. In the meantime, she must sort out he feelings for the two young men she loves. Looking forward to next book in series.
Profile Image for Nicole.
17 reviews
November 15, 2021
Love this series! If you like Sarah J Maas and other authors like her you will love this series! It is such a fun and fast read. I really enjoyed each book in the series. I highly recommend this series and this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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