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Dark Court Rising #2
Crown of Darkness
Thiago and Iskvien survived a dangerous curse, but will they survive the coming war?
Princess Iskvien made a dangerous bargain with an ancient goddess in order to break her mother’s curse. Now she must find the Crown of Shadows within a year, or the goddess will take her firstborn child.
Thiago—her heart and soul—stands at her side, but their love has never been tested like this.
Enemies surround them, but in the game of love and war, does her mother, Queen Adaia, hold the ultimate weapon up her sleeve? Or can their love defeat all?
True love will face the ultimate challenge when a dark goddess rises, secrets threaten to tear two lovers apart, and a queen will stop at nothing to gain revenge. Read this epic fantasy filled with magic and breathtaking romance today!
Warning: Cliffhanger ending.
Princess Iskvien made a dangerous bargain with an ancient goddess in order to break her mother’s curse. Now she must find the Crown of Shadows within a year, or the goddess will take her firstborn child.
Thiago—her heart and soul—stands at her side, but their love has never been tested like this.
Enemies surround them, but in the game of love and war, does her mother, Queen Adaia, hold the ultimate weapon up her sleeve? Or can their love defeat all?
True love will face the ultimate challenge when a dark goddess rises, secrets threaten to tear two lovers apart, and a queen will stop at nothing to gain revenge. Read this epic fantasy filled with magic and breathtaking romance today!
Warning: Cliffhanger ending.
500 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2020
264 people are currently reading
2732 people want to read
About the author
Bec McMaster
64 books3,463 followersKidnapped by a dread pirate when she was a child, USA Today Bestselling Author Bec McMaster was raised on myth and legend, and offered her younger siblings to the goblin king many a time. Unfortunately, he did not accept.
Now she writes epic fantasy romance with a dark and sexy twist, which is almost as much fun. She has a secret weakness for villainous heroes, wicked fae princes and dangerous vampires, though in all her daydreams, she’s the one rescuing them.
Bec lives happily-ever-after with her very own hero and princess-in-training in the wilds of Australia, where she can often be found drinking tea or plotting her next travel adventure.
Escape the ordinary at www.becmcmaster.com
Join Bec's mailing list at http://eepurl.com/F_LkD for all the latest news on releases, exclusive excerpts, cover reveals, and epilogues.
Newest Release: CROWN OF DARKNESS (Available now)
Next release: MASTER OF STORMS (Legends of the Storm #5--coming January, 2021)
Where to start?
If you want deliciously dark fae princes, then try Dark Court Rising or Court of Dreams.
For sexy dragon shifters, see Legends of the Storm.
Sorcery and magic?
Try the Dark Arts series.
Kick-bustle ladies-saving-the-day steampunk romance?
Then check out London Steampunk and the London Steampunk: The Blue Blood Conspiracy series.
For rocket-fuelled post-apocalyptic romance with a twist on the werewolf theme, then read the Burned Lands.
Now she writes epic fantasy romance with a dark and sexy twist, which is almost as much fun. She has a secret weakness for villainous heroes, wicked fae princes and dangerous vampires, though in all her daydreams, she’s the one rescuing them.
Bec lives happily-ever-after with her very own hero and princess-in-training in the wilds of Australia, where she can often be found drinking tea or plotting her next travel adventure.
Escape the ordinary at www.becmcmaster.com
Join Bec's mailing list at http://eepurl.com/F_LkD for all the latest news on releases, exclusive excerpts, cover reveals, and epilogues.
Newest Release: CROWN OF DARKNESS (Available now)
Next release: MASTER OF STORMS (Legends of the Storm #5--coming January, 2021)
Where to start?
If you want deliciously dark fae princes, then try Dark Court Rising or Court of Dreams.
For sexy dragon shifters, see Legends of the Storm.
Sorcery and magic?
Try the Dark Arts series.
Kick-bustle ladies-saving-the-day steampunk romance?
Then check out London Steampunk and the London Steampunk: The Blue Blood Conspiracy series.
For rocket-fuelled post-apocalyptic romance with a twist on the werewolf theme, then read the Burned Lands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
October 1, 2020
**I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**
Plot twists galore. I loved it. I’m honestly speechless at the turn of events of this book. I can’t wait for the next book, ah!
I enjoyed Vi and Thiago’s consistent, sweet love. And it was nice to see Vi be free at last, in contrast to the previous book. She was learning more about her place in this one, and we really saw her take initiative.
One thing that stood out for me in this book was Andraste. I was irritated with her in the first book for her hesitation and wishy-washiness. However, in this book, we saw how she felt empty, lost, and lonely. I sympathized with her. Even though some might hate her for being passive as her mother mentally tortured Vi, I thought it was heart-breaking that she hated herself more than anyone else could. Also, we saw how she always had good intentions – that she tried to protect Vi in her own ways. It made me sad but relieved hearing that she hated her mother for pushing Vi away, and making her lose the sister she loved. To see how much their sisterly bond meant to her made me appreciate her character even more. I hope we could see Andraste and Vi reunite in the next book. They both deserve happiness.
Another interesting development was Edain. I was curious by his fascination of Andraste. Who would’ve thought? This looked like a trainwreck about to happen, considering their own individual relationships with Queen Adaia. I’m excited to see what would happen here next!
Honestly, many characters had intriguing backgrounds. I appreciated that McMaster gave complex backgrounds to so many characters, which made them more fleshed out. I really hope that after we finish Vi and Thiago’s story, we could explore other characters’ story arcs. For example, Eris had such a complicated, tragic past. It would be cool to dive into her story, and the darkness within her.
On a random note, the MVP to me was Grimm, the grimalkin-cat. He was such a sassy, adorable thing. I hope to see more scenes of him in the next book.
4 stars. This was highly enjoyable. We definitely dived deeper into the plot and characters. It was a great sequel, and I can’t wait for the next one!
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
Plot twists galore. I loved it. I’m honestly speechless at the turn of events of this book. I can’t wait for the next book, ah!
I enjoyed Vi and Thiago’s consistent, sweet love. And it was nice to see Vi be free at last, in contrast to the previous book. She was learning more about her place in this one, and we really saw her take initiative.
One thing that stood out for me in this book was Andraste. I was irritated with her in the first book for her hesitation and wishy-washiness. However, in this book, we saw how she felt empty, lost, and lonely. I sympathized with her. Even though some might hate her for being passive as her mother mentally tortured Vi, I thought it was heart-breaking that she hated herself more than anyone else could. Also, we saw how she always had good intentions – that she tried to protect Vi in her own ways. It made me sad but relieved hearing that she hated her mother for pushing Vi away, and making her lose the sister she loved. To see how much their sisterly bond meant to her made me appreciate her character even more. I hope we could see Andraste and Vi reunite in the next book. They both deserve happiness.
Another interesting development was Edain. I was curious by his fascination of Andraste. Who would’ve thought? This looked like a trainwreck about to happen, considering their own individual relationships with Queen Adaia. I’m excited to see what would happen here next!
Honestly, many characters had intriguing backgrounds. I appreciated that McMaster gave complex backgrounds to so many characters, which made them more fleshed out. I really hope that after we finish Vi and Thiago’s story, we could explore other characters’ story arcs. For example, Eris had such a complicated, tragic past. It would be cool to dive into her story, and the darkness within her.
On a random note, the MVP to me was Grimm, the grimalkin-cat. He was such a sassy, adorable thing. I hope to see more scenes of him in the next book.
4 stars. This was highly enjoyable. We definitely dived deeper into the plot and characters. It was a great sequel, and I can’t wait for the next one!
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
July 26, 2022
*4.5 stars*
Really liked it!! I love Thiago and Vi! They’ve been through so much and the ending of this book killed me. Also please let Andraste and Edain be together in the next book, the epilogue was so heartbreaking.
Really liked it!! I love Thiago and Vi! They’ve been through so much and the ending of this book killed me. Also please let Andraste and Edain be together in the next book, the epilogue was so heartbreaking.
April 10, 2022
Outstanding storytelling.
Outstanding characters.
Outstanding plot.
Outstanding world building.
Outstanding sass.
Outstanding humour.
Outstanding loyalty.
Outstanding plot twists.
Can you tell I really liked it?
Read: 15/02/2021
1st rating: 5 stars
Genre/tropes: Fantasy/ romance/ Fae/ adult/ magic
Cover: 4 stars
POV’s: Multiple : 1st person (Mainly Vi though)
Will I recommend: Yes!
And I HOPE we get Andraste’s story. Her POV was so raw and painful and I want her to have a HEA!
Outstanding characters.
Outstanding plot.
Outstanding world building.
Outstanding sass.
Outstanding humour.
Outstanding loyalty.
Outstanding plot twists.
Can you tell I really liked it?
Read: 15/02/2021
1st rating: 5 stars
Genre/tropes: Fantasy/ romance/ Fae/ adult/ magic
Cover: 4 stars
POV’s: Multiple : 1st person (Mainly Vi though)
Will I recommend: Yes!
And I HOPE we get Andraste’s story. Her POV was so raw and painful and I want her to have a HEA!
October 1, 2020
I must shout it: I HATE CLIFFHANGERS!!!!
And here we have the worst kind of them all!!!!!!! Arghhhhh!!!!!
I just must give the book a 5 stars rating even if I wanted to smack their heads! Both Thiago's and Vi's!!!
I just don't know why they keep on the defense and why they run around like chicken without heads and don't attack!!!???!!! Why????!!!!
Of course the WORST happens! How could it not! They're such idiots!!!!
They're powerful, but so damn fair-players even if they know that the villains are not!!!!
And now I have to wait until Spetember 2021!!! Can you imagine? SEPTEMBER!!!! 2021!!!!
And here we have the worst kind of them all!!!!!!! Arghhhhh!!!!!
I just must give the book a 5 stars rating even if I wanted to smack their heads! Both Thiago's and Vi's!!!
I just don't know why they keep on the defense and why they run around like chicken without heads and don't attack!!!???!!! Why????!!!!
Of course the WORST happens! How could it not! They're such idiots!!!!
They're powerful, but so damn fair-players even if they know that the villains are not!!!!
And now I have to wait until Spetember 2021!!! Can you imagine? SEPTEMBER!!!! 2021!!!!
September 17, 2020
Vi finally remembers that she loves Thiago following discovering her power hungry mothers curse that repeatedly stole her memories from her. Queen Adaia hasn't forgiven her daughter for attacking her and plans a war that's getting increasingly more heinous but Vi has other more pressing problems to cope with.
You would think an evil parent, a treacherous sister and distrustful citizens would be enough on her plate but a promise made to a captured God could see her losing that which is most precious, a child !
I loved the first book but this follow up is amazing. These Fae are tricky bedfellows indeed with schemes and trickery aplenty. I adore the passion and devotion that pulsates between this couple but the author endeavours to make surrounding characters intriguing with stories I'm still desperate to know more about. This definitely had its share of surprises as I got to the end and oh my what a way to end it ! This story is far from over and I'm beside myself with frustration as I now have to wait for the next book to be written.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
You would think an evil parent, a treacherous sister and distrustful citizens would be enough on her plate but a promise made to a captured God could see her losing that which is most precious, a child !
I loved the first book but this follow up is amazing. These Fae are tricky bedfellows indeed with schemes and trickery aplenty. I adore the passion and devotion that pulsates between this couple but the author endeavours to make surrounding characters intriguing with stories I'm still desperate to know more about. This definitely had its share of surprises as I got to the end and oh my what a way to end it ! This story is far from over and I'm beside myself with frustration as I now have to wait for the next book to be written.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
September 27, 2025
..i..am…DEVASTATED
“His tail lashes. “Please. There’s not a ward in this world that can stop me from getting into a place I desire to be. And if all else fails, I simply stand outside and meow loudly until someone rectifies their mistake.”
“You know this creature?” Finn demands.”
***
“How does that help you find your child?”
“The future is a strange and nebulous thing. Try not to think about it too much. You’ll strain a muscle.”
There’s only one good thing”
“His tail lashes. “Please. There’s not a ward in this world that can stop me from getting into a place I desire to be. And if all else fails, I simply stand outside and meow loudly until someone rectifies their mistake.”
“You know this creature?” Finn demands.”
***
“How does that help you find your child?”
“The future is a strange and nebulous thing. Try not to think about it too much. You’ll strain a muscle.”
There’s only one good thing”
December 13, 2022
took me way too much time to read this and get into it
probably my mood...but I didn't enjoy it as much as book one
and that cliffhanger wooohooo I will be reading book three for sure...
probably my mood...but I didn't enjoy it as much as book one
and that cliffhanger wooohooo I will be reading book three for sure...
May 9, 2021
This was honestly fantastic. A very compelling sequel with some mysteries revealed while more questions rise up. I love this fantasy world, it is so well built and dark and compelling. I also love the romance so much. These two LOVE each other and it is palpable and real. And the steam in this was ratcheted up too.
Can't wait for the third.
Can't wait for the third.
April 19, 2021
WOW!! That cliff-hanger ending!!! I can't wait for the next installment.
September 20, 2021
Reading this book felt like going jet skiing on a particularly stormy day. You know you would arrive at your destination, but in what state, is anyone’s guess. And for the most part I loved it, but I was also fatigued by it.
It’s one thing for a book to be fast paced, which I love, but this one was fast-paced and seemed to jump from scene to scene, without cues, explanations or narration to give soft padding for the landing. The changes in the scenes were so abrupt and jarring, I was thrown out of the plot every time. Every couple of page had me reorienting myself, like ‘where am I, what day is it, who is here, why, what’s happening?’
The sparse descriptions certainly didn’t exactly help bring the world to life or ground me either. Ruin, lands trees, dead, earth, green, shadows and darkness. That’s about most of what the world comprised.
It read kinda like an action movie, shifting from frame to frame to keep things in the two-hour window. Except in movies, the visual cues, the dialogue and the music all helps to tell you the scene is moving and tells you exactly where you’d end up. This book, either for the sake of suspense or to build anticipation decided to forego those niceties. Hence 3 stars.
I find I am the smooth-sailing, wine-on-a-deck-sunbathing-with-a-book kinda gal. I expect and hope each book I read takes me on a wild ride, thrilling, entertaining and engrossing. This was not that kind of ride, though I was still engrossed and still loved the book.
As to the characters... please kill the queen! And omg for all the talk about strength, grand standing, and finally facing her mother, the FMC was so weak, constantly in danger, constantly needing saving. I honestly wonder how she ‘survived’ her mother’s court. But also... did she really survive or did her mother permit her survival? 🧐 I feel like too many people were shielding Vi, given all the back stories.
Obviously, not a big fan of Vi. All that knowledge from her mother’s court and she was still too brash, still made shoddy plans if any were made, and still reckless. She was also determinedly short-sighted and ignorant to the point of being TSTL. For someone who spent so much time in books, I expected her to be more analytical, to be smarter, and yeah to use what she’d read to make better informed decisions. She had to have people connect the dots for her more often than necessary. It wasn’t cute, especially since it amounted to the book feeling repetitive.
When Grim, the talking cat, called Vi out for being stupid and basically said she didn’t use her ears and was not very smart, he totally shot up on my character of the year award. 😅 I didn’t even know I had one.😂😂 That cat was the total MVP! 💛
One of my favorite things about this book was the back stories, particularly for Andraste. She definitely got the most character development and it broke my heart. Edain too. I loved the character development for the fringe characters, especially the little snippet of the queen’s back story. I also loved the little stories within stories to explain political situation and the history.
Stray thought: Thalia reminds me of Mor and Eris reminds me of Amren. Thiago kinda reminds me of Rhys. Anyone else get that feeling? (As to how I feel about the similarities, the next installment of the book would tell.)
Anyway, really good book! Can’t believe I have to wait a whole year for the next book.😭😭😭.
It’s one thing for a book to be fast paced, which I love, but this one was fast-paced and seemed to jump from scene to scene, without cues, explanations or narration to give soft padding for the landing. The changes in the scenes were so abrupt and jarring, I was thrown out of the plot every time. Every couple of page had me reorienting myself, like ‘where am I, what day is it, who is here, why, what’s happening?’
The sparse descriptions certainly didn’t exactly help bring the world to life or ground me either. Ruin, lands trees, dead, earth, green, shadows and darkness. That’s about most of what the world comprised.
It read kinda like an action movie, shifting from frame to frame to keep things in the two-hour window. Except in movies, the visual cues, the dialogue and the music all helps to tell you the scene is moving and tells you exactly where you’d end up. This book, either for the sake of suspense or to build anticipation decided to forego those niceties. Hence 3 stars.
I find I am the smooth-sailing, wine-on-a-deck-sunbathing-with-a-book kinda gal. I expect and hope each book I read takes me on a wild ride, thrilling, entertaining and engrossing. This was not that kind of ride, though I was still engrossed and still loved the book.
As to the characters... please kill the queen! And omg for all the talk about strength, grand standing, and finally facing her mother, the FMC was so weak, constantly in danger, constantly needing saving. I honestly wonder how she ‘survived’ her mother’s court. But also... did she really survive or did her mother permit her survival? 🧐 I feel like too many people were shielding Vi, given all the back stories.
Obviously, not a big fan of Vi. All that knowledge from her mother’s court and she was still too brash, still made shoddy plans if any were made, and still reckless. She was also determinedly short-sighted and ignorant to the point of being TSTL. For someone who spent so much time in books, I expected her to be more analytical, to be smarter, and yeah to use what she’d read to make better informed decisions. She had to have people connect the dots for her more often than necessary. It wasn’t cute, especially since it amounted to the book feeling repetitive.
When Grim, the talking cat, called Vi out for being stupid and basically said she didn’t use her ears and was not very smart, he totally shot up on my character of the year award. 😅 I didn’t even know I had one.😂😂 That cat was the total MVP! 💛
One of my favorite things about this book was the back stories, particularly for Andraste. She definitely got the most character development and it broke my heart. Edain too. I loved the character development for the fringe characters, especially the little snippet of the queen’s back story. I also loved the little stories within stories to explain political situation and the history.
Stray thought: Thalia reminds me of Mor and Eris reminds me of Amren. Thiago kinda reminds me of Rhys. Anyone else get that feeling? (As to how I feel about the similarities, the next installment of the book would tell.)
Anyway, really good book! Can’t believe I have to wait a whole year for the next book.😭😭😭.
November 22, 2020
Well - the first half was boring as hell, I almost stopped reading several times. Then right at the 50% mark it took off in a tear. It was tons of fun from that point on but it almost felt like the story was jammed into a place too small for it.
There’s a great twist at like 75% in. I still love Thiago and Vi - this sequel didn’t take my breath away like the first one did, but it was definitely worth reading.
I must love his series because I went to look up if the third one is close to being published, only to see that I’ve already pre-ordered it!
There’s a great twist at like 75% in. I still love Thiago and Vi - this sequel didn’t take my breath away like the first one did, but it was definitely worth reading.
I must love his series because I went to look up if the third one is close to being published, only to see that I’ve already pre-ordered it!
January 9, 2021
So enjoyed this, even moreso than the first one. Totally did not anticipate where this was going! The twists are super satisfying. I’m ready for book 3.
October 29, 2020
Amazing!
Oh my gosh what a read !
Iskvien is finally free from her poisonous mothers grasp and is in her rightful place with her husband Prince Thiago of Evernight...but at what cost?
Cannot wait for the next instalment of this amazing series!
Oh my gosh what a read !
Iskvien is finally free from her poisonous mothers grasp and is in her rightful place with her husband Prince Thiago of Evernight...but at what cost?
Cannot wait for the next instalment of this amazing series!
May 9, 2021
I liked it less than the first book and I feel exhausted after reading it. I had to stop reading it several times.
This felt less charming. Thiago and Vi are a cool couple, I like them but I thought I would be more attached to them by now. Vi is still meh, she annoys me because she is so short-sighted!
There was another huge secret revealed, there was still intrigue, suspense, and a lot of action. I still can't help myself but feel that this series is too similar to SJM's A Court of Thorns and Roses series.
Grim, the talking cat, was a huge highlight of the book! I love him!
The book ends with a cliffhanger so I kind of want to get my hands on the next book just to find out what happens next.
This felt less charming. Thiago and Vi are a cool couple, I like them but I thought I would be more attached to them by now. Vi is still meh, she annoys me because she is so short-sighted!
There was another huge secret revealed, there was still intrigue, suspense, and a lot of action. I still can't help myself but feel that this series is too similar to SJM's A Court of Thorns and Roses series.
Grim, the talking cat, was a huge highlight of the book! I love him!
The book ends with a cliffhanger so I kind of want to get my hands on the next book just to find out what happens next.
April 11, 2022
This time, I’m not prey. This time, I’m the hunter.
Crown of Darkness was an exhilarating continuation of the Dark Court Rising Trilogy! This story was filled with twists, love, friendship, sacrifice and so much heart. With heart pounding action and unfathomable peril, Crown of Darkness became an instant favorite! If you love fantasy and adult romance then you definitely need this series in your life!
In this moment, he’s no longer merely my husband.
He’s the Prince of Evernight. The Lord of Whispers and Lies. The Master of Darkness. And the most dangerous male in the south.
Vi and Thiago's love was forbidden, yet it was fated and written in the stars. And while they were now together, there was still no peace or rest. Vi was tasked with finding a crown or their first born child was to be given to Mother of the Night. And while that was impossible enough, war was brewing. With so much at play, I was terrified. Especially since three chapters in, we got Andraste's view. My feelings were twisted and confused when it came to her, and after following along with her part of the journey my head was left spinning. Just like so many other moments in this serious did to me. So hold on, because this book was a wild ride!
I cut him off with a kiss, painting it across his lips.
“You were my salvation,” I whisper against his mouth, because I know what my life was like before I met him.
I loved seeing Vi and Thiago finally together. We got to learn more about Thiago's childhood and his secrets. And that broke my heart. But I loved that throughout the chaos and struggles, Vi and Thiago got to spend beautiful moments together. Creating new memories. And ones that burned brightly with passion. With Vi now in his life, Thiago could hold off not destroying the world with his darkness, and that always left me breathless. But at the same time I was nervous, because it felt like their fate was tainted. Or too much was against them and I didn't know how it would play out.
"Nothing will take you away from me again. Not your mother. Not Angharad’s fetch. Not the Mother of Fucking Night. I will drown this world in Darkness before I ever let you go again.”
The twists in this story were phenomenal! As more pieces of the puzzle came together, I was left gasping and surrounded by so much emotion. Looking back, for some of the twists I could see those tiny crumbs of clues, but my mind was still blown. For others I was absolutely shocked. It made complete sense, I just never thought that the story would play out that way. This book will definitely keep you on your toes! So much was revealed, but also so much is unknown. And I had so much fun reading this story!
They will all die for him and give their lives gladly, and my mother doesn’t understand that.
Friendships within these pages added the much needed lightness to this story. I loved how they could make us laugh, even during times of peril. I loved their antics with one another and how much it made me smile. They were a true found family and one that I adore with my whole heart. Vi, Thiago, Eris, Finn, Baylor and more were the heart of this story and their friendships warmed my heart!
We are all capable of becoming monsters for the ones we love, little queen. Even you.”
“I am no monster.”
“If you want to destroy your mother, then you must become the thing she fears,” she says in a merciless voice.
With dire consequences, impossible choices and help from unlikely sources this book ended with a bang! Crown of Darkness was a dark, mesmerizing, epic fantasy! And while I rarely agree with others that a book ends on a cliffhanger, this book.....oh my heart! It ended on the most epic of cliffhangers. I'm so glad the final book is out or else I'd be a puddle of emotions. So make sure you have Curse of Darkness available, because you'll desperately need it! This story elicited so much emotion from me, I cried three different times and at one point I thought my heart would literally shatter into a billion pieces. But with friendships and love within these pages, it rounded out the hardships so fabulously!
Tears stream down my face, but it’s the rage in my heart that can’t be hidden. I always thought my mother had taken everything she could from me.
But I was wrong.
“I will kill her.”
PS I loved the Princess Bride references!
PPS I loved the addition of a new character!
For more of my reviews, please visit:
September 21, 2020
I think I would have liked this if I was a different person, or maybe a different (read younger) version of myself
Despite the fact that this book was just published, I have read this book too many times before. And I'm guessing most other readers have to, or if they haven't yet then they soon will.
And my biggest critique is that despite the fact that many of the characters in these books are hundreds to thousands of years old, they still all act like adolescent teenagers.
At one point a woman who is about to be QUEEN of another land is focusing all her energy on getting with our leading man, because nothing is more interesting to read than jealousy between our leading woman and some ho that will never appear again in the trilogy. But the author wants us to take this coming war really seriously...
Despite the fact that this book was just published, I have read this book too many times before. And I'm guessing most other readers have to, or if they haven't yet then they soon will.
And my biggest critique is that despite the fact that many of the characters in these books are hundreds to thousands of years old, they still all act like adolescent teenagers.
At one point a woman who is about to be QUEEN of another land is focusing all her energy on getting with our leading man, because nothing is more interesting to read than jealousy between our leading woman and some ho that will never appear again in the trilogy. But the author wants us to take this coming war really seriously...
Want to read
October 13, 2019Can't wait!
August 12, 2022
*sits and waits patiently*
September 25, 2020
This is the second book in the series and Yes, you do need to read book #1! Ms. McMaster does not waste words in retelling the first book, which I appreciate more than I could ever say. There are bits and pieces but you really need to read the first book....did I say that enough?:)
This book picks up about 3 months after the first one ended. Vi and Thiago are living in his castle outside of Ceres together. Her memories are bubbling to the surface as curse her mother placed on her wears away layer by layer. They are also desperately researching the Crown of Shards so that they are not forced to hand over their first born child to the Queen of Darkness. They don't know what the Crown does but are pretty sure it will be used to help free the Old Ones from their prison. If that happens the war between the Old Ones and the Fae will ignite once again with untold loss and destruction.
This is a great series with a complex world that makes me want to learn more! As this story unfolds the saying that the victor writes the history is very appropriate. Vi learns this lesson well. I like the complexity of the characters and how they have dark, light and grey areas in their personalities. Family by choice is a huge theme of the book and it is presented well. There are smexy bits and a self-harm scene. The self-harm is handled in a non-mocking or exploiting way. In this world the people torture one another and try to exert power and dominance over each other. This leaves mental and emotional scares. Self-harm is not promoted but it makes sense in the scene and the character involved. This still may be just too much for some people. Last warning, this book does end in a cliffhanger but it kind of had to or it would have ended up being 800 pages long:)
This is a great series by a very talented author who was kind enough to gift me an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did and I can't wait for the next book!
This book picks up about 3 months after the first one ended. Vi and Thiago are living in his castle outside of Ceres together. Her memories are bubbling to the surface as curse her mother placed on her wears away layer by layer. They are also desperately researching the Crown of Shards so that they are not forced to hand over their first born child to the Queen of Darkness. They don't know what the Crown does but are pretty sure it will be used to help free the Old Ones from their prison. If that happens the war between the Old Ones and the Fae will ignite once again with untold loss and destruction.
This is a great series with a complex world that makes me want to learn more! As this story unfolds the saying that the victor writes the history is very appropriate. Vi learns this lesson well. I like the complexity of the characters and how they have dark, light and grey areas in their personalities. Family by choice is a huge theme of the book and it is presented well. There are smexy bits and a self-harm scene. The self-harm is handled in a non-mocking or exploiting way. In this world the people torture one another and try to exert power and dominance over each other. This leaves mental and emotional scares. Self-harm is not promoted but it makes sense in the scene and the character involved. This still may be just too much for some people. Last warning, this book does end in a cliffhanger but it kind of had to or it would have ended up being 800 pages long:)
This is a great series by a very talented author who was kind enough to gift me an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did and I can't wait for the next book!
June 29, 2022
If goodreads did half-stars I'd probably say this was a three and a half star read. I didn't adore it, but I loved how gripping it was.
I will absolutely be reading the next book in the series, that cliffhanger was a killer and I can't wait for the third installment!
I loved Andraste in this book. And Edain too. I don't want to give anything away, but the dynamic between those characters was intriguing.
Vi... 🤔 She has so many gaps in her memories, I can't despise her for her ignorance or occasional childish outbursts. But she seems so perceptive with some people and circumstances and with others she's uncharacteristically blind. I think I grasp why McMaster developed her this way but it kept me from caring overmuch about her plight.
Thiago... despite the fact that I can't stand his name, or the fact that he sees himself through such ridiculous distortions, I like him. I wish he was more a part of this book. He needed a more active roll I think, but I reserve total judgment until book three.
👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾 June 29th 2022 Reread:
Note to self, the entire first half of this book (with the exception of chapter one), is garbage. It's overlong, oversexed, overdetailed and just DRAGS. Until chapter 24.
Yes, this IS the book with the cat, and Grimm is hilarious, I will never not love him, he saved Crown of Darkness almost entirely on his own (with the exception of the last chapters).
When Andrast gives Vi a note revealing a memory Vi had not yet remembered... that breathed life into the book. Everything up to that point could have been summarized into a single chapter, and the book would have been saved from its long, horrid, dragging self.
Those end chapters though!!! The action, the fear, the heartbreak... good grief it was so good! And that must have been what I based my previous review on, those last (handfull) of chapters. 😲🤩
I will absolutely be reading the next book in the series, that cliffhanger was a killer and I can't wait for the third installment!
I loved Andraste in this book. And Edain too. I don't want to give anything away, but the dynamic between those characters was intriguing.
Vi... 🤔 She has so many gaps in her memories, I can't despise her for her ignorance or occasional childish outbursts. But she seems so perceptive with some people and circumstances and with others she's uncharacteristically blind. I think I grasp why McMaster developed her this way but it kept me from caring overmuch about her plight.
Thiago... despite the fact that I can't stand his name, or the fact that he sees himself through such ridiculous distortions, I like him. I wish he was more a part of this book. He needed a more active roll I think, but I reserve total judgment until book three.
👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾 June 29th 2022 Reread:
Note to self, the entire first half of this book (with the exception of chapter one), is garbage. It's overlong, oversexed, overdetailed and just DRAGS. Until chapter 24.
Yes, this IS the book with the cat, and Grimm is hilarious, I will never not love him, he saved Crown of Darkness almost entirely on his own (with the exception of the last chapters).
When Andrast gives Vi a note revealing a memory Vi had not yet remembered... that breathed life into the book. Everything up to that point could have been summarized into a single chapter, and the book would have been saved from its long, horrid, dragging self.
Those end chapters though!!! The action, the fear, the heartbreak... good grief it was so good! And that must have been what I based my previous review on, those last (handfull) of chapters. 😲🤩
September 22, 2020
OmGGG! I need the next one now!! NNNNOOOO, I can't wait so long to read it. This is so good!!!! I'm loving how all of the side characters are being flushed out more!!!! I can't wait for all of their stories!!! But I seriously can't wait!!! Wow and totally things happened that I didn't see coming at ALL.
These covers are also fantastic. I guess Seduced by Darkness when it comes out in Jan. 2021 will have to hold me over until then. I'm all about this series in which I think its Bec's best work. I want to cry at the end and seriously who will end up with Andraste. Oh gosh my heart just breaks. Seriously I can't wait for Thiago and Vi's finale and to see the rest of the cast's books! Bec needs to write/release the rest of the series in consecutive order lol. That's how much the waiting will hurt, but I know it will be great!
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
These covers are also fantastic. I guess Seduced by Darkness when it comes out in Jan. 2021 will have to hold me over until then. I'm all about this series in which I think its Bec's best work. I want to cry at the end and seriously who will end up with Andraste. Oh gosh my heart just breaks. Seriously I can't wait for Thiago and Vi's finale and to see the rest of the cast's books! Bec needs to write/release the rest of the series in consecutive order lol. That's how much the waiting will hurt, but I know it will be great!
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
October 25, 2023
Audiobook- This one was slightly better than the first book but I still struggle with the romance. In the first book, we get dropped into the middle of their romance as their falling in love happens before the story starts. So I never got invested in the relationship or connected with either MC. In this one their story continues, they are now a power couple but they got fantasy stuff to do, quests to solve. I'm not too invested in the world either. There's a ton of info dumping at first that I spaced out on.
And then about midway through the plot finally got interesting and I decided to enjoy it for what it was, a fantasy first and a romance a distant second. Also a second romance gets introduced and I instantly became interested in those two.
This doesn't stand alone and also ends in a cliffie. I'll read the final book because I'm intrigued by the secondary love story and because I've invested way too much time in this.
🌟🌟🌟/5
🔥/5
Tropes
Marriage in trouble
Second chance
And then about midway through the plot finally got interesting and I decided to enjoy it for what it was, a fantasy first and a romance a distant second. Also a second romance gets introduced and I instantly became interested in those two.
This doesn't stand alone and also ends in a cliffie. I'll read the final book because I'm intrigued by the secondary love story and because I've invested way too much time in this.
🌟🌟🌟/5
🔥/5
Tropes
Marriage in trouble
Second chance
August 21, 2022
Okay wow... WOW!
I am in despair and heartache, absolutely shook to my core... Speechless.
No, but really - is this how people that hype acotar feel..? If yes, then this is my acotar 👀💕
“No one else, Vi. There will never be anyone else for me. You and I were born to fall in love. And we will chase the stars together, or we will drown in darkness. Together. There is no other option."
To say this book put me through a roller coaster of emotions would be a grevious understatement... As much as the first book was predictable, this one was a fire cracker of twists and turns! Where to even begin with? With Thiago's unrelenting devotion and love for Vi? With Eris' dark burdens and Finn's absolute, undeniable devotion to her? With the horror and beauty of the old world and Mother Night's riddles? The backstories...the tensions and chemistry between unlikeliest of couples (Kyrian/Thalia my eyes are on your hot enemies-to-lovers arse!??! What about sister's love? Andraste has been growing on me already but then fuckin chapter 32 happened and I SOBBED OKAY?! 💔😭
I laughed, I gasped and cheered...I cried.
And I need everyone to be happy and rid of their respective curses and demons a d someone, please please PLEASE that evil bitch Adaia already!!!🙏🏻
side note: am i still simping for eris? yes, so much, without a shade of doubt 💜
another side note: mother of the night is officialy eris from sinbad and my new fave 🔥
the last one, i promise: edain needs his own book please! preferably with andraste...also, thiago, GET BACK FROM THE DARKNESS YOU BIG BAT!
I am in despair and heartache, absolutely shook to my core... Speechless.
No, but really - is this how people that hype acotar feel..? If yes, then this is my acotar 👀💕
“No one else, Vi. There will never be anyone else for me. You and I were born to fall in love. And we will chase the stars together, or we will drown in darkness. Together. There is no other option."
To say this book put me through a roller coaster of emotions would be a grevious understatement... As much as the first book was predictable, this one was a fire cracker of twists and turns! Where to even begin with? With Thiago's unrelenting devotion and love for Vi? With Eris' dark burdens and Finn's absolute, undeniable devotion to her? With the horror and beauty of the old world and Mother Night's riddles? The backstories...the tensions and chemistry between unlikeliest of couples (Kyrian/Thalia my eyes are on your hot enemies-to-lovers arse!??! What about sister's love? Andraste has been growing on me already but then fuckin chapter 32 happened and I SOBBED OKAY?! 💔😭
I laughed, I gasped and cheered...I cried.
And I need everyone to be happy and rid of their respective curses and demons a d someone, please please PLEASE that evil bitch Adaia already!!!🙏🏻
side note: am i still simping for eris? yes, so much, without a shade of doubt 💜
another side note: mother of the night is officialy eris from sinbad and my new fave 🔥
the last one, i promise: edain needs his own book please! preferably with andraste...also, thiago, GET BACK FROM THE DARKNESS YOU BIG BAT!
March 24, 2022
I read this over a week which really was unusual for me. Thought the pacing was just ok. Forgot what happened generally in the first book. But that cliffhanger man! Even the author had to acknowledge it in her acknowledgments lmao. I was hoping this ended ok so that I wouldn’t feel compelled to read the third book, but I guess I am now!
August 21, 2021
WHAT?!!!
NO PLEASE NO 😭😭💔💔💔
NO PLEASE NO 😭😭💔💔💔
November 28, 2020
Oh, man, this was almost a dnf... I loved the first book, but this one started so slow. I'll also add that I have difficulty focusing while reading and tend to DNF a lot, so it might be a "me" problem.
That said, at 50%, the book picks up and it's a wonderful ride. Quit enjoyable and great world building.
I don't usually write anything negative about books (because I write, too, and I screw up a lot, and I don't want anyone thinking I believe I write better than other authors, because I know I don't 😂) I think the issue with the beginning is that we don't yet know what they're after. I mean, we know what they want, but they're meandering aimlessly and the book meanders aimlessly as a result. There's also worldbuilding that's dropped out of nowhere. Thiago has this dangerous darkness, and so does Eris, and so does Finn (in a different way, but still, and it's all dropped at once: oh, by the way, he's this race of whatever and whatever, something we hadn't heard before), and it's like, oh, there's this, then it's explained, oh, there's that, then it's explained... So I gave up reading the book a few times, tried again, gave up...
For some reason I decided to give this book one last try. Then, 50% in, everything clicks in place, and the plot is absolutely wonderful. It's as if the book finds itself. I wonder if the author pantsed this book and maybe found the plot halfway through. Or maybe it's just me.
But the gist of it is that other readers who enjoyed book 1 and might be having issues with the beginning of this book should keep it up. Maybe skim-read the beginning or something, but the second half is pretty good. Or at least I thought so. I'm glad I'm still enjoying this series.
That said, at 50%, the book picks up and it's a wonderful ride. Quit enjoyable and great world building.
I don't usually write anything negative about books (because I write, too, and I screw up a lot, and I don't want anyone thinking I believe I write better than other authors, because I know I don't 😂) I think the issue with the beginning is that we don't yet know what they're after. I mean, we know what they want, but they're meandering aimlessly and the book meanders aimlessly as a result. There's also worldbuilding that's dropped out of nowhere. Thiago has this dangerous darkness, and so does Eris, and so does Finn (in a different way, but still, and it's all dropped at once: oh, by the way, he's this race of whatever and whatever, something we hadn't heard before), and it's like, oh, there's this, then it's explained, oh, there's that, then it's explained... So I gave up reading the book a few times, tried again, gave up...
For some reason I decided to give this book one last try. Then, 50% in, everything clicks in place, and the plot is absolutely wonderful. It's as if the book finds itself. I wonder if the author pantsed this book and maybe found the plot halfway through. Or maybe it's just me.
But the gist of it is that other readers who enjoyed book 1 and might be having issues with the beginning of this book should keep it up. Maybe skim-read the beginning or something, but the second half is pretty good. Or at least I thought so. I'm glad I'm still enjoying this series.
September 25, 2020
Magnificent! Every page was extraordinary. Not a single moment did I feel bored. The romance between Vi and Thiago is what I've been looking for. The kind of chemistry you can feel and intensity of their love. The love that can take you to the deepest realms unimaginable. This book takes you everywhere and surprises you at every turn. I think I'm going to die while waiting for the next book that will come out in September 2021. But, the author was so nice in writing a book in Thiago's POV and I already know I'm going to swoon. LOVE LOVE LOVE (: Also, all of the characters are just AMAZING. Thalia, Eris, Finn, Baylor, and even GRIMM (:
May 9, 2020
god i'm so ready for this book to ruin me emotionally
June 11, 2022
A decently strong "middle book" in the Dark Court Rising series. Despite the romance and more descriptive scenes of intimacy that we all missed from book #1, this series is definitely action-driven - I found myself unable to look away as they tore from event to quest to dramatic reveal like they were spinning on a dancefloor to an immortal piper.
"That the power I wielded was... mine."
Our girl Iskvien is slowly becoming the badass we all hope she turns into. I'm so glad the initial pages of 'secret keeping' were limited; one thing we all know is Rule #1- Don't keep F-ing secrets.
One minor issue I had with the first book was the lack of 'dark' or depth to the supposedly wicked fae. In the early stages of considering this series to read, I thought I would get more bloody, wicked games and plots. I think we embrace that side of things in this book which really helped me stay tuned in, especially considering the first 2/3 of this book are those dreaded "set up for the finale" type pages where progress is really not truly made.
I need this.
I need to feel. To bleed. To cut this poison from my veins so that it's no longer bursting inside my skin.
Oh, Andraste. She quickly became an anticipated POV despite getting so few moments of her own. All of the side characters have these storylines you really root for - Andraste and Edain, Eris and Finn. Baylor, Lysander and Thalia. We really sink your teeth into these side character arcs and I expect lots of answers and progress in the final book.
"I am not a-"
"God?" Grimm curls his lip. "Well, neither was Maia. But every fae on the continent prays to that bitch at night, and I don't hear her complaining about it."
The addition of Grimm was fun and entertaining; I wasn't even sure who his lost child was until things started to be revealed.
"You're the only one I can trust, because I made you that way. Now tell me the truth. Who stole my crown, Edain?"
"Your daughter"
"Which daughter?"
I think Adaia as a villain is absolutely delicious - That is EVIL. And of course the sliver of insight into Adaia's origins gave her current existence a backstory and explanation in a way that -almost- made you sympathetic. Almost.
And thus, we, the dear reader, get to the dreaded cliffhanger. I'm not often bothered by a cliffhanger - especially if the next book is readily available - but this one was absolutely naughty on the authors part. I can't imagine having to wait for Curse of Darkness to be released to find out how things play out from here.
"That the power I wielded was... mine."
Our girl Iskvien is slowly becoming the badass we all hope she turns into. I'm so glad the initial pages of 'secret keeping' were limited; one thing we all know is Rule #1- Don't keep F-ing secrets.
One minor issue I had with the first book was the lack of 'dark' or depth to the supposedly wicked fae. In the early stages of considering this series to read, I thought I would get more bloody, wicked games and plots. I think we embrace that side of things in this book which really helped me stay tuned in, especially considering the first 2/3 of this book are those dreaded "set up for the finale" type pages where progress is really not truly made.
I need this.
I need to feel. To bleed. To cut this poison from my veins so that it's no longer bursting inside my skin.
Oh, Andraste. She quickly became an anticipated POV despite getting so few moments of her own. All of the side characters have these storylines you really root for - Andraste and Edain, Eris and Finn. Baylor, Lysander and Thalia. We really sink your teeth into these side character arcs and I expect lots of answers and progress in the final book.
"I am not a-"
"God?" Grimm curls his lip. "Well, neither was Maia. But every fae on the continent prays to that bitch at night, and I don't hear her complaining about it."
The addition of Grimm was fun and entertaining; I wasn't even sure who his lost child was until things started to be revealed.
"You're the only one I can trust, because I made you that way. Now tell me the truth. Who stole my crown, Edain?"
"Your daughter"
"Which daughter?"
I think Adaia as a villain is absolutely delicious - That is EVIL. And of course the sliver of insight into Adaia's origins gave her current existence a backstory and explanation in a way that -almost- made you sympathetic. Almost.
And thus, we, the dear reader, get to the dreaded cliffhanger. I'm not often bothered by a cliffhanger - especially if the next book is readily available - but this one was absolutely naughty on the authors part. I can't imagine having to wait for Curse of Darkness to be released to find out how things play out from here.
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