I'm so delighted I stumbled upon this book. I ordered a physical copy because I loved it so much. This is my type of fantasy. I loved the magic and curses. Both are new and refreshing. There are also magical creatures, who make great side characters. Elia is such an interesting character. She takes responsibility for everyone, but she also makes rash decisions and tackles the impossible. Trys is another interesting character. His background is complex, and I love his growing relationship with Elia. Their moments are cute. I could see more opportunities to go back to this world, so I'll wait and see.

A great debut young adult fantasy! Our protagonist Elia, is a key conjurist with the ability to unlock anything. To save her family she accepts a Prince's contract and opens a portal to a world she swore she'd never return to.

Unlock the Door has a unique magic system and intricate yet accessible world building. I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only complaint is the breakneck pacing in the second half. We needed more time to become invested in the stakes and I think the romance would have benefited from an increased page count as well. I would recommend to anyone in the market for a romantic young adult fantasy and I'm look forward to reading Sasa Hawk's future works.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much HarperCollins for the advanced copy!

I enjoyed reading it. I was fascinated with the world-building and the magic system. I also related a lot to Elia, the eldest in the family, who would do anything for her family.

However, there were some aspects I did not like. For instance, it would have been great if there were more pages or a duology since I did feel that some parts were rushed and or parts that were confusing. This also adds to wanting more character development for Elia, like pushing more of the boundaries of her magic.

Despite that, I would recommend reading this!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books | Storytide, and Sasa Hawk for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review of Unlock the Dark!

Not only is this a debut novel, but the way the magic works in this world is unlike anything I’ve ever read. I loved the twist on portal magic and how Elia will do anything to save her siblings, even if it hurts.

But she draws the line at a vengeful god determined to punish her for trying to do whatever she can to survive. Desperate for a way to save her little brother, she finds a solution in Trys, a handsome prince that offers his hand in marriage and every opportunity she’s ever wanted for her siblings in exchange for passage into a forbidden realm.

We get introduced to the MMC pretty much right away but he doesn’t become a main plot point until a bit later and I loved that approach. She’s reluctant to accept his offer at first but she comes around, especially when she realizes helping him achieve his goals also opens the door for her to save her brother from the gods wrath. But just when they seem to have all the answers to their problems, the unthinkable happens, Trys is transformed into a terrible beast. Now Elia must go to even greater lengths to save Trys and the rest of her family.

The way that their solution to both issues introduces a totally new and bigger problem that they have to face together was done so well. I loved that this wasn’t a twist that was glossed over in a few pages, we see Elia truly work at helping her family and Trys. We also never have those moments where Elia as an FMC forgets her goals. She continues to struggle with her choices but in the end she knows her heart is in the right place.

One of my favorite things by far was that the author was committed to making the reader care about all the characters. Whether that be character's that we meet briefly in a single chapter or Elia's own siblings, everyone that is introduced and plays a part in this story is dynamic and it was refreshing to read a story where side characters aren’t just plot fodder. It contributed to a more well-developed story and really brought this world to life in my opinion.

I’m so glad I requested this ARC because I truly believe this could be one of the best YA romantasy releases this year!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

My review was posted to Goodreads on 1/7/24.
My Instagram review will be posted on 1/10/24.

This book was fine but nothing ground-breaking. I enjoyed it well enough, but I probably won’t go out of my way to recommend it.

This book is a sweet but still intense upper YA fantasy. Full of family loyalty as well as found family. Elia will do anything for her siblings and father and eventually Trys. The beginning of this book is a lot of backstory, and the magic system is definitely unique. I thought Elia and Trys’ love story was cute, however I do wish this had been a duology or maybe even an additional 200 pages, since so much occurs and some parts felt rushed or glossed over.
Overall if you love a quirky witch, found family x real family, unique magic, a sweet and gentle MMC, and a fierce FMC then you should definitely pick this book up.
Thank you so much HarperCollins for the advanced copy!

Read this if you like: standalone fantasy, unique magic systems, close family bonds.

This novel mostly follows Elia, as she tries to provide for her family in increasingly difficult circumstances. Her brother is called into service by a death god, and in order to break that bond, she seeks an alliance with Trys. Trys, a scholar prince, is willing to pay dearly in order for Elia to open him a door to a magical library that holds answers for both of them. Of course, things don’t go as planned.

This story really shines in its unique magic system and world-building. The concept of the godstouched, and the different unique brands of magic was very engaging and provided an atmosphere that was a step beyond your typical cookie cutter fantasy. In addition, the settings of Serratura and the dark battlefield were so magical and different. I don’t want to give too much away, but Elia’s journey takes her to some incredible places. I really wish we could’ve seen more of Serratura.

The plot was solid - I’ve seen other reviews cruising plot holes or pacing and I don’t agree. I didn’t feel that any part of the book dragged. If anything, I felt that there was a lot going on that could have benefited from some extra pages.

My main criticism would be in the romance. It did not feel well-earned. By my count, Elia and Trys only spent a few days together before they were saying “I love you.” I think that this could have been solved by making the book a duology. This would have provided more time for a friendship and romance to blossom, and would have also contributed to some additional character development. While I felt that Elia had a significant amount of depth, I wish we could have spent more time with Trys, and Elia’s siblings.

A solid debut from Sasa Hawk! Hoping to see more enchanting settings and magic systems from her in the future! Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Sasa Hawk for the eARC!

I love the concept, especially the world it’s set in, but the execution fell flat. The story felt rushed and the romance aspect was not convincing, being that they somehow fell in love without having built a deep connection first. The story was dark, but the characters were pretty juvenile and naive. The plot was not fleshed out enough to be a standalone. I’ve never said this before, but I think the story would have been better if it were paced slower to focus more on character development. The plot was okay, but the romance ruined the book for me, and I don’t think the tone fit the storyline the best.

Unlock the Dark is a YA fantasy about a young woman in a world filled with magic. After her mother’s untimely death and an extended illness affecting her father Elia our FMC must do everything she can to keep her family together.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins/Storytide for the opportunity to read and review this book. Unfortunately the best I can give this book is 3⭐️ which is firmly in the I liked it but didn’t love it status.
What I did like about this book was the first third of the book. I liked the introduction of Elia and her siblings, I really liked the magic system and world building. I liked her love interest (a bookish prince no less) and their very beginnings of a relationship.
Unfortunately after that first third of the book it all kind of fell apart. It was as if I could see the writing in this book becoming worse and worse as the story went on. The introduction of a new world that Elia and Try’s needed to travel to was so rushed. The pacing of her big secret why Elia should not return to this mystical land felt off. The fact that she basically abandoned the man she felt she was falling in love with for WEEKS regardless of her need to protect her family made no sense.
Everything was based off Elias time schedule and that included draining her father dry of his magical ability while the man suffered was frustrating and while I understand she was trying to protect her family at a certain point it felt like an excuse for laziness and abuse.
I did really enjoy the first third of this book but I can’t really recommend this to anyone and won’t be posting about it on my social media when it releases.

Since her mother's death and her father's illness, Elia has worked hard, using her magic to unlock things, to keep her family together. That means taking under the table jobs, using her magic to do some difficult things and trying to run herd on her younger sister and brothers. But when Prince Tris comes to ask her to unlock a very specific door, Elia must decide how far she is willing to go to risk her family.

Sasa Hawk is a debut author getting a lot of buzz and I was really excited to read her work. Elia is a great heroine. She is loyal to her family, but I really liked how practical and ambitious she was in crafting plans for them. I wish she and Tris had gotten to spend more time getting to know each other, but there was A LOT happening in this book. It is incredibly fast paced, and covers a lot of different locations and scenery. It also has some complex world building, so I would encourage a reader to hang in there if it doesn't make sense at first.

I would recommend this book to young women interested in romantic fantasy and I am excited to see what is next for this author.

Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk is a standalone fantasy romance set in a richly detailed world. The story follows Elia Tallis, a young woman navigating love, family responsibilities, and a dangerous quest that could change her future. With a blend of magic, emotional stakes, and adventure, the novel explores themes of sacrifice and resilience.

The world-building in the first half of the book was stunning. I especially loved how Sasa Hawk described colors and furnishings, painting a vivid and immersive picture. However, in the second half, I found the visual aspects less defined, which left me feeling a bit lost. More detail, especially regarding the magical elements and character appearances, would have greatly enhanced the story. Unfortunately, many of the characters felt incomplete without physical descriptions.

Overall, while I thoroughly enjoyed the first 50%, the latter half left me wanting more. A stronger focus on details could have made the book feel more cohesive and fully realized.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book prior to its publication.

What immediately stands out about Unlock the Dark is its captivating world-building and interesting magic system. The setting is richly imagined, and draws you into a world that feels alive and full of potential. It’s a strong foundation for a story with a lot of promise.

Trys’s character was another positive for me. He was a nice change from the broody, arrogant love interests that are so common in this genre, which was refreshing to read. On the other hand, Elia, the other main character, didn’t evoke as much of a reaction from me. She wasn’t poorly written, but she anything that made me feel strongly toward her.

One of the issues I had with this book was the romance. It developed far too quickly, leaving no time for a gradual buildup or genuine connection. Because of this, it never truly felt convincing, and so I was never really invested in their relationship.

The climax and ending were the most disappointing thing for me. As the story reached its conclusion, everything started to feel rushed. The book could have benefited from more pages—or even better, a sequel like other reviewers suggested—to give the plot and characters the time they needed to reach a satisfying resolution. Normally, I prefer shorter standalones, but in this case, the rushed climax made for a flat and unsatisfying ending.

Overall, this had a lot of potential, especially with its world-building, but it didn’t fully deliver. With more space to develop the romance and a more fleshed-out ending, this could have been a much stronger story. As it stands, it’s enjoyable in parts but ultimately falls short of being memorable.

Thanks you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!


~🅞🅥🅔🅡🅐🅛🅛 🅡🅐🅣🅘🅝🅖: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆~

The world building in this was so interesting! I greatly enjoyed it, and man do I love a good quest!! This was such a fun read, and I will be adding to it to my recommendation list!

This book was an enjoyable read, with a fascinating magic system that had a lot of potential. I found myself wanting to learn more about how it worked, as it wasn’t explored in as much depth as I’d hoped. The characters were compelling, and their journeys kept me invested in the story. However, the book’s biggest challenge was its length. It tried to pack too much into a single volume, making the pacing feel rushed. The plot could have been more effective if it had been spread across two books, allowing more room to breathe.

The rapid pacing impacted several elements, including the romance. The relationship between the main characters felt too sudden, leaning heavily into the "instalove" trope. While both characters were strong individually, the rushed development of their connection made it harder to fully invest in their bond. A duology would have provided the time needed to build their romance and deepen the stakes of their relationship.

Despite these issues, the magic system, the intriguing storyline, and the engaging characters made it a worthwhile read. If you enjoy fast-paced stories and don’t mind instalove, this book is still worth checking out. I’m also interested in exploring more from this author, as the areas for improvement seem like something they could refine in future works.

The first half of the story was engaging with an interesting setting and cool magic system. We learn about our main character Elia and how her and her siblings magic works, how they all have a different “gift”. I really enjoyed their connection brought on by survival after loosing their mother and trying to keep their father alive. Then we meet Trys, our MMC who is a prince in search of a scroll of peace to stop the war raging in his kingdom. He recruits Elia who is something called a Conjurista that can create keys to open doors to anywhere desired. They travel to another world and things happened I do no want to spoil but it leads to the second half of the book to feel like it was a different story altogether. I do feel like the author tried to include a lot conflicts but didn’t delve deep enough on the world or character connection as a whole. Elia is 18 turning 19 and Trys is around the same age but they read a bit younger and their romance felt the same way. They barely meet 3-4 times before developing feelings for each other so it felt rushed. Overall I did enjoy the concept and world, just wish maybe it was split into another book or cut back on some things.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollin's Children's Books for this ARC, all opinions are my own.

Wonderful book. I liked it a lot. It was written in a very good manner. I enjoyed it. I would highly recommend it.

I had a fun time reading this book. Elia is a great protagonist and the side characters were also loveable (Myron is my baby). I love how Elia was so close to her siblings, it added a unique element and also was done very well, in my opinion as an eldest sibling myself. However, while I liked the idea of this being a standalone, I think that the middle lagged and the ending felt rushed. It might have benefited from being a series, especially so the author could delve further into this cool world she created and really dig into some of the other characters besides Elia. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who is interested by the synopsis.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

Okay. Look. I know a LOT of people really liked this book, and I wanted to really like it too. Hell, when someone else compared it to Harry Potter in terms of world building and then I saw the “Romantasy” tag and the ages of the characters, I got even more excited.

But… And it’s a really big BUT…

It’s just okay. Sure, the world building is great, but we never really see much of it except for skirting around it with cleverly sprinkled key words and phrases. Nothing is really descriptive in depth. What *is* threadlore? I couldn’t tell you. I could maybe imagine it, but I’m probably wrong.

Sure, the characters are adults, but they’re written like middle grade characters and never act or think beyond the confines of maybe a 13 year old. The situations they’re placed in are so much darker and larger than life than what they make it out to be. It’s like reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone or Keeper of the Lost Cities.

Sure, it has romance, but it’s definitely NOT a “Romantasy” in the way the genre is defined today. If you finish Throne of Glass all the way and then jump into this, you’re going to be disappointed.

The plot feels sluggish in the beginning, rushed when the action point finally hits, and then unsatisfactory in the end. I agree with many reviewers in that it should have been a duology. It should have been fleshed out, with no instalove, more conflict, more attention to detail, and more attention to the climax and end. Character development would have also been nice, considering they were supposed to be adults. If the author wanted write the way they wrote, they should have aged down the characters by a lot.

And that’s not even mentioning the amount of errors I found. Repeated phrases galore and quite a few typos.

Overall, this book is just okay. It felt like the author was trying to give us Studio Ghibli in the length of time of a film, without actually considering that this is a novel instead.

this will be the only time you ever hear me say this book should have been a series. too much was packed into one book. the premise and the characters were great, but it would be even better if there was more than one book. everything felt rushed, especially the romance. the way the cliffhanger would have devoured if the book ended at the 50% mark?!?!?! oh i will never get over what could have been if this book was longer.

“Unlock the Dark” by Sasa Hawk is a unique, intriguing fantasy that leaves me excited to see what this author will do next, This book has a unique magic system, and complex character development. The love Elia has for her siblings is a driving part of her character and impacts a lot of the decisions she makes. The plot is developed nicely, and I like the ending. I’m very glad I read this book, and would definitely recommend it, especially those who like fantasy.