8/14/24 - Kirkus Reviews
A promising series opener that’s sure to please adult readers of young adult novels.
7/29/24 - Publishers Weekly
A steamy enemies-to-lovers romance set in an intricate world full of magic and mystery that checks all the boxes for romantasy lovers looking for the next series to sink their teeth into.
Sarah Rees Brennan
"Gorgeous and ruthless. Stand back everyone—the true rivals-to-lovers has arrived."
9/13/24 - Booklist Online Exclusive
"Doyle... is at her epic best"
12/6/24 - School Library Journal
A series opener that will leave readers aching for the next installment. Not to be missed, this is one enemies-to-lovers trope that lives up to the name.
New York Times bestselling author of Powerles Lauren Roberts
Sizzling romance, stunning world-building, spectacular writing.
NYT bestselling author of Powerless Lauren Roberts
Sizzling romance, stunning world-building, spectacular writing.
Kirkus Reviews
2024-07-19
A forbidden attraction and explosive secrets set a city aflame.
Eighteen-year-old Seraphine Marchant’s mother manufactures Shade, a dust sourced from the boneshade plant that’s imbued with the power to manipulate shadows. Shade magic is used by the rival guilds that rule the city of Fantome’s underworld—Cloaks swathed in Shade-infused garments blend into the shadows to commit thievery while Daggers ingest it and acquire the ability to kill with a single touch. When her mother is murdered, Seraphine flees from the countryside to Fantome, seeking sanctuary among the Cloaks. But she’s the Daggers’ newest mark, tailed by talented Ransom. The two are recklessly drawn to one another as a new danger emerges from the darkness and surprising discoveries upend the rules of Shade and shadows. The lush worldbuilding of cobblestones, catacombs, and saints includes a richly crafted history that’s deftly introduced and ripe for continued exploration in the next installment. While the first third of the novel is well paced and tenderly developed, the quality of the remainder is uneven. The juvenile, innuendo-filled taunts lack charisma, although the more sincere exchanges and reflections achieve sultry depths. The repetitive overuse of expletives becomes tiresome, cheapening the dialogue. A steamy encounter that lacks verbal consent and contains power dynamic–coded language feels reminiscent of romances written for adults. Main characters are cued white; the strong supporting characters add racial diversity and elevate the narrative development.
A promising series opener that’s sure to please adult readers of young adult novels. (map, character list)(Fantasy. 16-adult)
