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Afterworld Academy #2

Darkness Deceives

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I thought my death would be the worst thing that ever happened to me.

I was wrong.

There's a Darkness lurking in the Afterlife using me as his vessel to steal the essences from souls. As his powers grow, I struggle to differentiate what's real and what's fiction.

Braxton, Karston, Auston, and Preston are working tirelessly to save me. But what if their efforts aren't enough?

Now that the Darkness has me, he's never letting me go.

Welcome to Afterworld Academy where the price of admission...is your life.


Darkness Deceives is book two of a four book series by bestselling authors Katie May and Loxley Savage. This is a reverse harem romance meaning that the main character won't have to choose between her love interests. This is medium-burn and does contain strong language and sexual themes. Oh, and death. Lots and lots of death. Book two will end in a cliffhanger.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2020

375 people are currently reading
306 people want to read

About the author

Katie May

98 books2,632 followers
Katie May is a romance writer of numerous genres! She writes everything from horror to fantasy to contemporary. #whychoose

She has a gorgeous tabby cat who she adores, and she’s obsessed with coffee and horror movies.

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5 stars
315 (42%)
4 stars
235 (31%)
3 stars
136 (18%)
2 stars
35 (4%)
1 star
16 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
Profile Image for Seraphia Bunny.
2,115 reviews34 followers
July 7, 2020
Darkness Deceives is the second book in Katie May’s and Loxley Savage’s Afterworld Academy series and the story continues with Hadley and her quadruplet’s fight against the Darkness that is attacking the souls of the Academy and stealing their essences. Except now, Hadley herself has become possessed by the Darkness and now the guys must embark on a fight to get her back. But are they ready for the secrets and truths that will be revealed piece by piece? Can they handle the truth of what it is that they will learn about Hadley herself and the very thing that has taken her? There is a darker evil at the Academy…and it’s out for revenge.
Darkness Deceives has been a long time coming for its follow up to Katie May and Loxley Savage’s first book in this series. The prologue in this book helps remind readers of what last transpired in the first book, and then shifts forward into the storyline as a whole as readers find out that Hadley has no idea as to what is transpiring “outside.” Piece by piece the story comes together as Hadley begins to realize that something isn’t quite right. The guys are scrambling to find her and figure out exactly what has happened to her so that they can free her from the Darkness. The story that is embedded in this story is what truly pulls me along. The authors fascinated me with the backstory that is woven into this book that elevates it as a whole. It’s an unexpected twist after an unexpected twist that makes you crave to know the truth of it all.
This story is both beautiful and tragic as it is revealed page by page. The authors show us that there is more than meets the eye and that not everything is what it seems. I loved it! I love the misdirection in a couple of scenes as well. The authors have a surprise twist that catches me off guard but seems like I should have seen it on a level. LOL! I love that the authors keep me guessing though when they drop subtle hints here and there as well.
As promised, this book has several steamy scenes mixed in. I’ll admit that I felt that one scene was a bit out of place, and then I expected the brothers to come and interrupt it as well. LOL! I appreciate that the authors clearly state in the foreword that this book does have mentions of cancer sprinkled here and there, so if cancer is an upsetting subject for you then I recommend that you skip reading this book.
All in all, I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. There isn’t much to dislike about this book. The storyline is engaging and I love all of the backstory and revelation that we get with the characters and from the authors. If you have read the first book and enjoyed it then I highly recommend you grab this book and dive in.
Profile Image for Mary.
162 reviews
June 26, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyable

I loved this book. I think a lot of energy went into making sure the reader is able to forgive Caius which was necessary. My one criticism is that the beginning of the book seems very discordant - which I get is probably how it’s intended. The book gets much more cohesive as it gets going and I found it easy to fall back in love with all of the characters. Can’t wait for book 3!
Profile Image for Liz.
455 reviews25 followers
January 17, 2021
Holy hell.
The plot is sooo bad. Or is it the characters’ acting and reactions?

The only reason it’s not one star is because of the steamy scenes. Because at least those are written well enough.

But wow is everything overly dramatic and written like a bad action movie.

Profile Image for Cat H.
1,974 reviews221 followers
May 15, 2021
3.5 stars.
I am liking this series so far. The afterworld is getting super fucked up as we get further into the storyline.
I really enjoy all the characters, and how they interact.
The sex is hot.
Though to be honest it’s kind of all over the place. They end up fucking each other in the weirdest moments. Makes me think that the author was kind of just looking for places to squeeze some fun times in between all the action. Totally fine with me, but some of it felt a bit out of place.
And one moment even had me scoffing, like, ‘Really? You’re gonna fuck right there? Right now?...That seems pretty dumb. But orgasms, am I right? Totally worth the dying.’

The hardest thing to get through is the characters’ ignorance, because I’m over here, screaming out answers in my head, and they’re still out there being all dumb and shit.
I mean, I get it.
She wanted the dramatic “Whaaaat??....” reveal.
She just really over did it with the hints beforehand.

Honestly. I’m kind of hoping this last book is half for them fulfilling their destiny and saving the underworld and all the other realms. And the second half is just a ton of group sex and cleaning everything up after the big boss fight that I’m sure is coming their way.
That’s where I’m out right now.
Profile Image for Annelie.
684 reviews25 followers
August 26, 2022
Boring... ***Soft spoiler*** DNF 70%

As much I loved the first volume, this one is extremely boring. I'm very disappointed. I lost any interest for the story and the characters and wasn't able to finish the book (read around 70% of it).
- It's not realistic that the guys miss school to look for Hadley without anyone noticed it.
- There are obviously a lot of dead students but the other students aren't afraid or panicked??!!
- The way Hadley accepts almost unconditionnaly the bound with Caius is a problem for me. The guy played with her mind, lied to her, manipulated her, etc. and just because he was her fated mate it's ok? It's very morally disturbing.
Profile Image for Rae.
23 reviews
October 28, 2021
possibly the most predictable series I’ve ever read.

There were no surprises, it was boring and cliched. And the number of malapropisms are insane, you’d think with 2 authors they’d be able to pick up on the billion misused words.
Profile Image for beth m.
874 reviews
July 1, 2020
Darkness deceives

I had a few hang ups about this book, all in all I love when a RH has the story told from multiple views, I like to be able to know what the others think/feel without the whole alluding. I love the over the top Aggie character but I felt like there’s a point when the comic relief is just so over the top that it’s almost annoying. Calm your snake charmer Aggie! It just gets too much where it’s more eye rolling then chuckle worthy. There were some moments of confusion here and there. it was hard to navigate through this book and some points that were trying to be made were frustrating. Like how each of the guys finally came together as a group and then when they started to each get a piece of the puzzle their thoughts were like “oh I gotta tell the others” and you just kept waiting and waiting and waiting for them to communicate so they could piece together what was going on. That dragged through the entirety of the book. And then there was attempt at mystery but you could spot it a mile away so it didn’t feel really surprising or mysterious (the popping up of Aggie and Layla) you knew something was up. I just didn’t feel much flow, I felt like there was a lot of inconsistencies in the book like how your main character goes missing and with everyone on high alert no teacher or higher up realizes she missing? And the headmaster person who’s in the know isn’t questioning where she’s at? She’s just been gone for a week? Like those kind of things where the book isn’t super well thought through where you as the reader are like how does no one not comment on her week long disappearance as evidenced by the fact it’s stated she’s a good looking girl who garners the attention of many? Then I’m confused so her new four guys are now her fated? They kept mentioning that they are her fated but they never got into it. You get a backstory at least with her and Caius but you aren’t privy to what makes her fated to the others. It’s not a bad book but I don’t feel like it always makes sense.
Profile Image for Dharia Scarab.
3,255 reviews8 followers
February 5, 2021
Incomplete series.

Read book one and liked the premise, but book two just couldn’t keep my interest and I skimmed most of it.

Don’t plan to read book three.


Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
363 reviews5 followers
July 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and how we got to learn more about everything that's going on. The only thing that kept bugging me throughout this whole book was Aggie, while she's funny and all after awhile I got annoyed with her and how it seemed like she couldn't have a serious conversation without adding something about sex into it. Another thing about Aggie though is I also think she's one of the "special people" they think are also hanging around the academy. I also knew who Layla really was and wasn't really shocked when that was discovered in the last chapter, I was more disappointed that they didn't figure it out sooner since I thought it was pretty obvious. Overall I did enjoy this book and Hadley and her guys, I also can't wait to see what happens next and to see them all save the world like they were always ment to 😊.
Profile Image for Daphnne.
1,313 reviews8 followers
July 2, 2020
Did not see all these twists coming

So...wow...yeah...I'm still trying to wrap my mind around everything that went on in this amazing read! This picks up where it left off in book 1 but there is so much going on. Who is the darkness really and why does it want Hadley? These questions are finally answered but I have to admit not in the way I expected. The brothers finally get it together and it's nice to see them getting along. The true evil mastermind is revealed and I'm surprised and not. You get a feel for who it could be throughout the book but it's so twisted. Overall a great read, well written and with many WTH moments that made it fun. There's also also sweetness, steam and laughs you got from book 1.
557 reviews1 follower
July 6, 2020
4.5 stars

The second in this duo’s Afterworld Academy series, this book picks up right after the events in the first installment, Dearly Departed. This book is a little more fast paced and full of twists and surprises to keep readers guessing as well as some laugh out loud moments, plenty of steam, and lots of angst. I love these characters so hard and was so glad to see a bit more insight into each of the quad and see has their relationship with one another gradually repaired alongside their relationship growth with Hadley. I can’t wait to read more of this series and highly recommend giving it a read.
20 reviews
July 14, 2020
Wow 😍

I absolutely could not put this down! There's so many great things to say that Idk where to start. The premise is wonderfully unique and the worldbuilding skills these two ladies have are top notch. Between the non-stop action, answers to the mysteries being fed to us on a steady drip and Hadley's completely devoted and yummy men I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! You go into the story thinking you're getting an understanding of what's going on only to have everything twisted around and turned on its head. If you are a fan of any one of these two talented authors and enjoy the reverse harem genre you won't want to pass this one up!
Profile Image for The Bodacious Bibliophile.
1,020 reviews
June 8, 2024
I really gave this series a try. I read two books. But it just sucks so bad I can’t continue. I can’t even believe this was one of Katie‘s books. Maybe it was because of the co-author that it sucks so bad, I don’t know.
But this isn’t what I’m used to from Katie. The writing was just horrible. It felt like it was written by teenagers for high school play. It was just so corny. It even seemed like dialogue from a bad infomercial. Or maybe even like a really cheaply made African soap opera.
It was just really bad y’all.
Profile Image for Alli.
281 reviews19 followers
May 30, 2021
This series has some great twists, suspense, steam, and laugh-out-loud moments! It's such a joy to read and you never quite know what to expect. I love that the relationship with each of the guys is unique and love watching them progress and change throughout all the trials they face together. I'm excited to see what happens in book three. I hope these characters get their own happy-for-now ending, cuz they've been through the ringer!
Profile Image for Hannah Brooker.
768 reviews2 followers
December 5, 2021
Much better than the first!

So first half didn't love, that's not to say others won't enjoy and whilst initially not understanding why the authors wrote it the way they did it did make a bit of sense in the second half. I did not like the its Hadley, it's not hadley, it is Hadley, oops she's missing again for the umpteenth time. It does work out eventually and it's much more interesting than the first.
Profile Image for Jessica.
885 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2022
Oh boy...

Ok there is a lot to unpack in this book. Many secrets were revealed about Hadley and her past. Along with learning more about the darkness. On top of that we had so much betrayal revealed, some from the past and some new. There are so many more players on this being brought to light heading toward the big grand finale. Will the group be able to handle the destiny that was thrust upon them or will they fail and the world (after world) as they know it crumble?
Profile Image for Ange Bennetts.
871 reviews6 followers
June 28, 2020
Hadley the female main character, is in for a real ride in this book. Her growth and changes in the first book were pretty extreme, but nothing compared to this book! Full of action (both actual action and sexy action) humor (OMG Aggie) evil baddies and the relationship building with the members if the harem. I loved this book, it's a decent length and very, very hard to put down. Loved it.
Profile Image for Yashira.
271 reviews33 followers
June 29, 2020
Wow just amazing, these 2 author's separately are great but together they also make magic!! I loved the guys, the world building, the powers, the plot, the whole story well I loved it all and if you haven't read this series you are missing out big time! Can't wait to see what they come up with next!!
1,016 reviews
July 2, 2020
Woah! That ending really threw me for a loop. I was taken away by so many of things twists and turns happening in this book. There are still some laughs to be had. I adore Preston, he's just to sweet. The guys have really become a team and will need that team as things continue to become more difficult. This book was definitely worth the wait.
Profile Image for Michaella Dieter.
Author 13 books237 followers
August 20, 2020
Seriously???

You can't...you just can't leave it like that! 😟

Once again, this super duo have created another fantastic book in the Afterworld Academy series. This unique take on academy books was filled with plenty of twists and turns, surprises and plenty of smoking hot scenes 😉

Loved it, and can't wait for the third book to find out what happens with Hadley and her guys ❤
Profile Image for Samantha Shaffer.
576 reviews
January 20, 2021
Darkness Deceives Katie May Loxley Savage

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

💀 Fated Mates
💀 Twisted past
💀 Revenge
💀 Huge plot twist
💀 Dick count 5

Holy after life what the fates!!!! I didn't think this book could get anymore amazing and I was wrong this book is blowing my mind!! These writing team is magnificent and now it has me wishing for book 3 yesterday I can't wait to see how this ends.

#SASBOOKREVIEWS
795 reviews4 followers
March 18, 2021
Plot thickens

Betrayal and vengeance are the two main attributes to the plot. Those that showed one face are exposed with their true colors. Life is going to be hard for the group in order for them to have their HEA. The book ends in a cliffhanger, luckily the next book is out.
Profile Image for Beckeh Bratley.
2 reviews4 followers
July 5, 2021
DNF at 34%

I’m not a fan of insta-love books but I was trying my best to push on through. HOWEVER, when you are running away from the scary Darkness but decide to stop for a quickie? Erm, really? You are doing that whilst the big scary monster is currently chasing after you? Big no no, stopped at that point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amanda Crossland.
1,183 reviews12 followers
September 9, 2021
Creative

I liked this book. The multiple POV’s were perfectly spaced. I did find that some situations became to lengthy. To much describing. Otherwise, the heat between the fmc and get men was hot. The secrets that came out either blew me away or was a little predictable. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Profile Image for Georgia.
589 reviews5 followers
October 11, 2021
Good sequel

That end reveal was a bit predictable, but it also felt poorly written, as if it was chucked in as an afterthought.

Good steam, a little group action this time.

I'm confused as to the teachers and why they're being blind little sheep.

Looking forward to reading book 3 as I'm interested to see how this wraps up.
Profile Image for Ellie Scothern.
301 reviews
October 12, 2021
fecking excellent!

Well, book two turned out to be so much more than I expected after reading book one, I was still looking forward book two as book one was good but book two was amazing, plot twists and Cliff hangers are all around, although I guessed correctly in some things!!! I now really can’t wait for book three!!!!
158 reviews2 followers
November 4, 2021
Book 2

I will be honest. It started off good but then it got a little boring(not the correct word I wanted) halfway through the middle. But I kept on because I was invested & needed to know what happened. But then the ending.....the ending. Man oh man the ending is what's making me grab book 3
Profile Image for Avia Shelton.
160 reviews
January 17, 2022
So good!

From the moment I started this series it has captured all of my attention! I love the witty banter and Preston’s adorable clumsy self! I wasn’t too excited about the new addition in this book, but quickly changed my mind shortly after. Now I love all the guys in Hadley’s harem and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews

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