This book was a mix of Twilight and Divergent and I loved every page and chapter from beginning to end. After being betrayed and summoned away from her family, Ava is found in captive with the Vampires in which she was tasked to hunt. She is after nothing but revenge on those that have betrayed her. Then when she was with the Vampires she discovers a secret of who her true identity really is and after finding out, all she will crave is vengeance. I am on the lookout for a new YA series to be involved with and I think I have found it with Darkhaven Saga. I can not wait to read the next book in the series, Dark Promise.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the premise of this book way more than the actual book. I am not a huge fan of novella books. I like one story rather than a bunch of little ones.

Overall, it was an okay book. I would read it again.

This is the first book in a new paranormal series by Danielle Rose. I really liked her Pieces of Me books so I definitely wanted to give her new series a try. This book was a fun and quick read. If you are a Twilight and Charmed fan then you will like this!! I will definitely read the other books in this series when they are released.

I didn't necessarily know what to expect when I picked up the Dark Secret, but I have to say I wasn't disappointed. We meet Ava, a young witch who is hell bent on protecting her coven and getting revenge on the creatures that threaten them and took her father away from her: vampires. She's not the most experienced witch in her coven, but she's certain that she should trust her instincts no matter what her mother says. You have to respect her determination and fire, but unfortunately, this is exactly what also gets her into trouble. After disobeying her mother to go hunt vampires, she unknowingly leads the vampires right back to her coven, which spells disaster for her and everyone around her.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book and the fact that it's written in novella format wasn't a bad idea. I will say that I didn't feel much development for Ava, the coven or the vampires. While I like novellas, I think a little bit more time could've been used to develop the characters and the mythology of the two groups (coven and vampires). That may happen in future books though. Ava was also very stubborn, which borderlined on reckless for no reason at times. At one point I found myself rolling my eyes at some of her actions because I KNOW she should be smarter than that.

Overall, I think Danielle has created a world that has all the possibilities of being interesting, especially in future installments. She doesn't shy away from the grittiness of vampires or the innate prejudices that the different species have for one another. With a bit more development and a deeper look into how we got to where we are with these characters, I think this could be a real gem.

I actually really enjoyed this book! The set up is fantastic and it really bonds you to the MC. Danielle Rose did a good job of showing us the bond the MC has to her family as well as her coven. It also shows you how much vampires are dislikes. Rose even gives US a reason to dislike the vampires. Once she sets all that up she completely turns it around. We are given a reason to like to vampires and be on their side.

The story as shorter than I prefer, but I think that is good because it wasn’t filled with a bunch of unnecessary details. Readers get a solid groundwork laid out for them and I was left on a note of wanting more. I will be eagerly waiting for the next book because I actually WANT to know what happens next.

WELL DONE DANIELLE ROSE!

-Stone.

This is a story about Ava who is a spirit witch in a town called Darkhaven. Her job is to protect the town from Vampires. One night she goes on a hunt and her best friend comes along. They wind up in the cemetery where they are attacked. During this Ava is bitten but she is healed by her mother. The next night is a full moon and the coven prepares for their ceremony under the full moon. Things don’t go as planned when the vampire who attacked Ava shows up and attacks her coven. She is saved but it has consequences and she is turned into a vampire by Jasik. His job is to hunt rogue vampires like the ones that attacked Ava’s coven. He takes her in and she comes to understand what her life is like now.

Hello, hello! I’m looking at Dark Secret by Danielle Rose. It’s the first book in her Darkhaven Saga. Waterhouse Press released the book on the 18th. If you’re familiar with Danielle’s Blood Books trilogy, the characters might seem familiar, but the story is completely new. First and foremost, I must thank NetGalley and Waterhouse Press for giving me access to an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. So, let’s get to it! Also, fair warning: there are spoiler adjacent tidbits from here on out. If you’re familiar with the genre, you can guess at what some newbies might consider spoilers.

Dark Secret follows Ava Lopez as she navigates being a witch and a hunter and harnessing her own powers. Despite being told not to go on her usual rounds, searching the small town she lives in for vampires to destroy, she does it anyway. Typical teenager behavior, right? And of course things go wrong, then they snowball from there. At one point, Ava has to make a choice between death and something that will get her kicked out of her coven and thrown in with the things she despises most. How will she cope? What will she learn? Will she be able to hold on to who she is? These are just some of the questions this book starts to tackle.

Sounds fun, right? It is. The plot isn’t exactly new, but it doesn’t feel overdone. Witches versus vampires, then a witch becomes a vampire and learns that there’s a difference between a real vampire and the rogues she was taught to hate. That’s cool. But I really liked hearing about the different covens more than the vampire thing. Her best friend’s coven is all about peace and coexisting with vampires. I hope to learn more about them and to see if they really feel that way or if it’s all talk. I’m also interested to see if Ava’s coven can accept her in her new form. Unfortunately, I have to wait for future books to see if my questions get answers.

The characters here are all pretty likeable. Yes, Ava is at that age where she knows she’s right until something proves her wrong. Sometimes, you just want to smack some sense into her. But she slowly learns and is evolving. It’s a short book, so she can only change so much, but she’s heading in the right direction. Jasik and the other vampires are interesting. They’re a little stereotypical at the moment, but some seeds have been planted for them to grow into their own in future books.

Speaking of future books, I wondered why this book was so short. Apparently, the first few books in this series are going to be released pretty close together, so they’re on the shorter end of the novel spectrum. Instead of having to wait a year or more for book two, we only have to wait about a month. And book three is due out about a month after that. It’s an interesting release schedule and I’m looking forward to seeing how it works out.

As far as the writing goes, it’s a fast-paced and fun read. Yes, there’s some repetition that gets a little distracting. We’re told multiple times that Ava is a spirit witch and what that means. But I figured out just to skim those paragraphs and move on pretty quickly.

Full disclosure: If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know Danielle and I actually got our MFAs together. I’ve watched her writing grow and tighten and improve over the last five years. I’m really proud of her and what she’s accomplished.

Ultimately, I had fun with Dark Secret. I’m looking forward to the next few books in the series. Luckily, I don’t have long to wait!

Overall, I gave the book four out of five stars. I definitely recommend it to anyone who is into YA fantasy and supernatural stuff. If you’re familiar with Danielle’s work, this is not a steamy romance, so don’t be disappointed if that’s what you were hoping for.

Well, as a first time reader of Danielle's I have to say I am pleasantly pleased. The ever stubborn witch turned vampire Ava is still coming to terms with the change of events as a rogue vampire attacks her at every turn. Ava is trying so hard to deny her feelings for the vamp that sired her Jasik. I can't wait for the continuation of her story.

That cliff hanger ending though!!! OMG!! I want more of Ava's story to come to paper!! I immediately fell in love with the premise and plot but the writing definitely honed it all together. I'm excited to see were the book goes, although it is a shorter, fast-paced read I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the world building, and prose!!

Ava has only ever known her coven, and protecting it. But one night a ritual goes awry and Avas life is changed for ever. She also learns that her beloved coven, has lied to her. Just how much though?
Ava must now work with what she thought to be the enemies, but is realizing it isn't what she thought at all!!!

2.5 stars

***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***

Dark Secret is the first book in the Darkhaven Saga and unfortunately it was a "meh" book for me.

The story went by really fast and there wasn´t enough time for me to engage to any of the characters, even the main ones. Ava seemed like she´d be a good heroine, but for me she was more in the whiney side.

I feel like there´s a mystery going on in the story, but there wasn´t time enough for me to feel hooked on it. I felt like things happen and then some characters completely dissapeared from the story. I get that they´ll probably appear in the next book (or books), but for me it felt like lose ends. Even when the story isn´t a standalone and there will be sequel, there is no need for lose ends. Lose ends and cliffhangers are two very different things.

The writing was good enough, so I think what made me not relate to the story or feel engaged were the fact that even though the plotline might be interesting, the way it was put into paper left something to be desired.

With some tweaks and some work I feel like this story could be more and I felt it needed maybe a bit more into it, because it was super fast and I didn´t realized it was supposed be a series until the end.

I'd be curious to see how the story goes from here, but I'm not sure I will continue with it.

Dark Secret is a perfect introductory novella for a series.

It's got a fast paced plot that follows a young witch turned Vampire that is exiled and has to come to terms with her new life living as her old enemy, being cast out by her family and discovering her new Vampire family.

The witch rituals are pretty accurate as far as my pagan friends knowledge is concerned and my high school interest in Wicca. It's nice to know the rituals and processes are accurate to reality despite being a contemporary fantasy.

I initially liked our protagonist is she was stubborn, strong willed, smart and firm in her beliefs. When she develops romantic feelings though I didn't like how she seemed to lose her edginess and I felt she became a bit more cliched.

I LOVED that the females in this weren't naturally portrayed as bitches to each other. They each had clear motives and beliefs that drive their actions. Whether those beliefs are good or not is another question and we find ourselves discovering not everything is as it has been told to our protagonist.

Overall, a great fun read with interesting characters. Would definitely like to read more of this series.

Review will be live on my Instagram @booksandyass late January.

This was SUCH a fun book! I am a sucker for enemies turned lovers/friends and this hit the nail on the head. I loved Ava and Jasik and I’m hoping that Ava might still have her powers somehow in book 2 (which I absolutely cannot wait for!)

I'm anxious to see where this story goes. It was a quick read and I was dying for more. Ava being forsaken by her family because she turned into the one thing she sought to kill was devastating. Jasik intrigues me and I'm ready to find out how him and Svz progress. I like this premise and I hope it keeps building because this part left me hanging and hoping for more.

Uhhhhhhhh I need the next book NOW!!!! I really really loved this book. Thanks Netgalley and Waterhouse press for the Arc

This was a quick read. Not much of a story, it had potential but unfortunately fell flat. It went by quickly but nothing really happened.

Holy cliffhangers. I need to know what happens next. This has been one interesting story that has had some wild twists and turns. Can't wait to see what happens next.

I really liked this book. It was a fun and quick paranormal read. I do wish that the first book was longer but I believe the second in the series is coming out only a few months after the first does. I really liked the main character. She was flawed but still entertaining at the same time. All she wants to do is protect those she loves and she will do anything to ensure their safety. The plot was enjoyable but I wish that it was more flushed out and we got more info on the big bad in this book. Hopefully the second book will answer some questions I have after reading the first book. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

This book was received as an ARC from Waterhouse Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was a mix of Twilight and Divergent and I loved every page and chapter from beginning to end. After being betrayed and summoned away from her family, Ava is found in captive with the Vampires in which she was tasked to hunt. She is after nothing but revenge on those that have betrayed her. Then when she was with the Vampires she discovers a secret of who her true identity really is and after finding out, all she will crave is vengeance. I am on the lookout for a new YA series to be involved with and I think I have found it with Darkhaven Saga. I can not wait to read the next book in the series, Dark Promise.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Wow! Danielle Rose, what an amazing start to a new series! Ava is so fierce and goes through so much! A great read, kept me fully engaged and I absolutely loved it!