This was a 3.5 star for me.

I love the whole premise of this story - a shadow mommy, the fmc is the morally grey one, men are the ones competing trials. It was so fun to have some of our favourite tropes flipped around like that! Unfortunately, there was just something about Calla that I had a hard time connecting with, which was a bummer because I LOVE a morally grey fmc. Fortunately Matthias was a really fun character and I loved whenever we got his POV.
The narration was great - Zura Johnson was really able to get across a lot of Calla's heartache and conflicted feelings. Loved Shane East in this too, I'd only ever heard him narrate dark romances, but apparently he can do it all because he brought Matthias to life!
Thank you so Dreamscape Media and NetFalley for the ALC!

Thank you netgalley, the publisher, and author for giving me a copy of this book to read and review. All thoughts are my own!

I am obsessed with deadly trials in my fantasy books, so I just knew I would devour this. I loved the characters, i loved the plot, the twist…I didn’t see coming, and I adored the romance. Also, having a strong female lead was refreshing. I don’t think there was anything I disliked about this book. I truly could not put it down once I started it. Matthias had me hooked from the first chapter. I love him so dang much.

I will definitely be picking up more books by this author.

This book was incredible. Vanessa's writing is beautiful and her characters feel so real it leaves me wishing they were so I could be friends with them. Matthias is soooo swoony and I loved watching Calla's grief journey.

Bravo, Vanessa! So well done!

Absolutely LOVED this book!!

Of note: This is book #2 in the series. A synopsis of book #1 is given in the beginning, but I did NOT read book #1, and did fine reading this one alone.
But, I will probably go back and read it at some point! 😉

So in this book we open up with Calla and Brennan, the newlyweds…smitten and in love…. Unfortunately that doesn’t last long, as Brennan DIES right in front of her. And there’s nothing she can do to help him! 🫣
***This is the opening of the book, and noted in the promos, so I’m not giving anything away… ***

Calla is the Queen, and unfortunately, she is now being tasked with finding a new husband in a very short amount of time. She has no interest in doing this, but if she doesn’t want to lose her kingdom, she must.

So, she and her general (Isla? Not sure of the spelling…) go about trying to figure out how to narrow down the prospects…and the scene that follows? Well, I was cracking up!!😆🤣

Some scary stuff. Some horrible stuff. Some sweet stuff. And some horrific, blood-curdling, vomit-inducing stuff follow…
But, I wouldn’t trade ANY of it, because it all makes this one… ONE TO REMEMBER!!

Oh…and did I mention…Fae and Dragons and Shape-Shifting, and… hidden powers??? It all adds up to a terrific book!!

I don’t believe I’ve read any of her books before, but I will be looking for more now!!

All the stars for me!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫💫💫💫💫✨✨✨✨✨
Brings out all the emotions, and then some!!

#OnceTheSkiesFade (Immortal Reveries #2) by #VanessaRasanen and narrated beautifully by #ZuraJohnson and #ShaneEast.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and ##DreamscapeMedia for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
*** Release date is March 18, 2025 so look 👀 for it on shelves soon !! ***

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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

First off, I love how the narrators give life to the depths of these characters. Calla is so full of angst and grief (rightfully so) but still manages to find the strength to endure all this political turmoil, even if she makes some questionable decisions along the way. And Matthias, oh Matthias, while he always has a quip for every situation, he's still been through plenty on his own and manages to use that to navigate his own trials in order to survive but also find empathy for our shadow queen. I've really come to love these characters and their story is wholly unique and not to be missed.

I loved the mix of mystery, fantasy, and romance. The narrators did great job illiciting the emotion out of story. There were some slow parts, where I felt the scene dragged longer than needed.

Then banter between the characters are great. I felt they all had depth. 

I think this is a great read, especially those who are getting into fantasy. I don't think you need to read book 1 to enjoy this book, but it would enhance the experience.

I had the pleasure of both beta reading this book and then listening to it on audiobook early from Netgalley!

Let me tell you, the narrators are incredible! I could listen to Shane East read the phone book (and he was the perfect Matthias) and Zura Johnson was incredible as Calla!

This book is a little darker than the first and I love how it digs deep into loss and grief and how to fight your way through the darkness to the other side.

I loved the whole deadly trials aspect. It is one of my favorite all time tropes and was done so well! The high stakes kept me on the edge of my seat.

Calla's shadow magic was so cool! I love that Vanessa switched things up and created a bada** shadow mama in a genre of shadow daddys.

I absolutely loved it!! I can't wait to see more of Asher, the dragon shifter, in the next book!

A little more info on the book: Once the Skies Fade is the second in a fantasy romance collection of interconnected stand-alones set in a magical war-torn world, where secrets have power and allies are few. This tale of love lost and fated mates brings a morally grey queen with shadowy secrets and the sarcastic general who could mend her heart…if he doesn’t put a dagger in it first.

Read if you like:

⚔️ morally grey FMC with shadow magic
⚔️ grumpy/sunshine
⚔️ fated mates
⚔️ who did this (but SHE says it)
⚔️ touch HIM and die
⚔️ deadly tournament
⚔️ political drama

I absolutely loved this book, Vanessa blew us away with Calla and Matthias’ story. It was packed full of action, adventure, heart ache and it was also deliciously spicy 🥵

The fact that Calla was the dark shadowy one and also said ‘Who did this to you’ perfection. Chiefs kiss. Give me more of that!

The narrators did such a good job making this book cone to life. The captured the characters so well.

Once the Skies Fade was such a fantastic story! One of my favorite things about this story was that Calla was the morally grey character, because we rarely get that with our FMC. I also didn't realize how much I liked Matthias. The voice acting was well done, highly recommend this story

I can proudly say that this book is freaking entertaining and has twists and turns that made me love it so much that so far it’s the top read of the year for me. I have adored book one but book two had surpassed my feelings. I am in love with the plot, the characters and the writer. Everything together is a blasting mix of perfection.

Gosh Isa is so so so so misunderstood. We got to see it in book one in a glimpse and she sounded cute but here omg so much is happening in her life and I’m glad that I could be a part of it by reading it. Everyone should read the story, I know they will love her. She is an amazing fierce character with the vibe of a villain who will burn the world for him.

Matthias in the other hand was very silent kind in book one and here he was the absolute book boyfriend material. The dangerous vibe does it for me and I fell for him at the start of the book. The banter here is wow and captivating. The pull between the characters is undeniably sexy and the best part Isa takes stand for what she wants.

Small chapters helped me feel accomplished of getting forward in the book and the pacing was fast but there was a lot of ground to cover so it is a chunky one. All is worth it. I also got to listen up the audiobook that definitely enhanced my reading experience. Narrator’s are gorgeous, their voice soothes the soul while listening up the story.

There were so many parts that I was not expecting and they kept coming making me more and more intrigued about it all. The political intrigue chaos was icing in the cake. So much happens when politics is involved. We se all kinds of species including some dragons and I have theories for the next book. Can’t wait for it too.

I really enjoyed the audiobook and how the narrators brought Matthias and Calla alive. You can feel the sorrow, frustration, surprise, and power in Zura Johnson's voice. And Shane East is an incredible Matthias as he portrays the flirty, confident, and conflicted character. It feels more like an audio play than an audiobook and it really helps connect with the story and the characters!

I am not sure how I feel about a morally Grey female character. It was definitely different and I loved her being the one with all the power. I did read book one to prepare for this one, and I think it was helpful. I enjoyed this book much more and it made me start to really love the world that is being built.

I did not appreciate Matthias in the first book, and I now regret it.
His character growth in this book was top-notch. He is funny, sexy, brave, caring, and so much more.
When I started, I did not realize who the queen was or her deceased husband, i know I should have, but I didn't want to admit it, I suppose. As it became clear to me what was going to happen and who would die, I had to take a minute.
While I'm very sorry he died so Calla could find her mate, and how much Matthias went through to be with her. It was exactly how they were fated to be.
The story started at a normal pace but quickly picked up and was sprinting right until the end.
I loved it. Loved the morally grey fmc and how true mates can save each other.
I received an advanced reader copy and these thoughts are my own.

Edit for audiobook
This was a fantastic listen. The narrators really brought out the smart-ass in Matthias and the heartbreak in Calla.
I loved listening to them come to life and find their hearts.
The torture scenes were even more heart wrenching to listen and listening to Matthias slowly give up hope broke my heart all over again.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy and these thoughts are my own.

A shadow MOMMY? The MAN has to be the one competing in trials for the queens heart? This was so fun and I really enjoyed it.

Until The Stars Fall and Once The Skies Fade are set in the same world and are interconnected standalones, but I think it makes it much more meaningful to read UTSF first because we get to see some of the same characters!

I listened to the audiobook and thought both narrators did a really good job.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!

When I tell you, you need to listen to OTSF, I mean you NEED to listen to it!!!

I am OBSESSED with OTSF and listening to this story really brings it to life! Vanessa is a fabulous author♥️

The narrators were perfect!! Their voices are phenomenal! zura johnson & teddy hamilton are some of my favorite audiobook narrators and they made the perfect pair for these MC’s!!


✨Tropes✨
Shadow Queen
Fated Mates
Grumpy/Sunshine
Deadly Tournaments
Who did this to you?
Touch him and ☠️
Political drama

Vanessa Rasanen has done it again! This is book 2 in the Immortal Reveries series. The first book, Until the Stars Fall, was one of my favorite reads of 2024. This next book did not disappoint. I love a strong FMC, and Queen Calla is definitely that. Matthias, who appeared in the first book as a supporting character, is the MMC in this one. And I fell in love with him 🥵 I love his personality and quips.

This book has:

🥵 Sarcastic cinnamon roll MMC
👸🏻 Morally grey shadow mama FMC
⚔️ Deadly trials
♥️ Fated mates
🌶️ Sexy banter with some spice

I tandem read the eARC along with the ALC of this book. The dual narration was so good. Shane East’s voice is perfection. The only con is that it wasn’t duet.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the early copy of this audiobook. And thank you to Vanessa Rasanen for the early copy of the ebook. I left all of my thoughts voluntarily and all of them are my own.

Once the Skies Fade is the second of an interconnected stand alone series. Calla and Brennan courted throughout book one. It seemed they were to live happily ever after, but OTSF opens with Brennan's death. Calla is heartbroken and untethered as she also lost her parents a few months prior and now trying to rule alone as queen. Now she is being forced by her council to remarry within 8 weeks, as the law dictates, or abdicate the throne. Determined to never love again, she holds a tournament to compete for the place of her king.

Matthais is the General of Brennan's former kingdom and the crown prince's best friend. Though Calla is a friend and ally, he is sent to the tournament to determine if the rumors of Brennan being killed by Calla are true, to uncover the truth of his death, but she is more distracting than he thought. Especially now that she is letting her shadow powers out.

You can expect -
Fae Romantasy
Widowed Shadow Queen
Sarcastic General
Deadly Trials
Murder Mystery
Fated Mates
Banter & Pining
Touch Them and Die
Who Did This
Anxiety & Grief
Interconnected Standalones
Dual, 1stP POV

I loved the banter and pining in this. Matthais is funny and helps to lighten Calla's grief. I liked the side characters, and while I was suspicious of some, the twist at the end still got me. The tournament events were different enough to be interesting and I thought it was a good way to work it out. The author does have a trigger warning of torture, so I was a little nervous for that, but it wasn't overly graphic. We meet the MMC for book three here, and it sets up an interesting premise I'm excited to read.

Thank you to the author for providing an eARC, and Netgalley for the audiobook, for my honest review. The audiobook was performed by dual narrators and I really liked both of their voices for the characters. I had already started reading this when approved for the audiobook and I do think it enhanced the experience.

I wanted to read straight through to see what would happen next. Shifters, poison, betrayal, shadows, kisses that change everything, all the drama! Interspersed with sneaky Princess Bride nods that made me giggle.
It's a standalone, but the story makes more sense having read the first in the series. But not a confusing number of characters or a complicated backstory. Brought to vivid life in the audiobook. HEA, no cliffhanger. Check CWs.
Thank you, NetGalley, for an ALC because these narrators envelop the listener into a magical world.

Once the Skies Fade is BOOK TWO of the Immortal Reveries series. This is an interconnected standalone set in a magical war-torn world.

The first book, Until the Stars Fall, was one of my favorite fantasy romances last year. While I enjoyed the main couple, Matthias was a favorite side character. So I was thrilled when I found out the second book would focus on him.

Once the Skies Fade felt a bit darker and grittier than the first book. The stakes felt a little higher and the action more intense.

I enjoyed exploring more of the world. And the tension and chemistry between Matthias and Calla was excellent.

Read if you enjoy:
⚔️ fated mates
✨ cinnamon roll MMC
⚔️ shadow queen
✨ secrets, betrayals, and intrigue
⚔️ deadly trials
✨ banter, sarcasm, and heat

I tandem listened to the audiobook while reading the eARC. The dual narration was great!

Book 2 in the Immortal Reveries series, yet not your average sequel. NetGalley made things possible and I was able to listen to the Audiobook.

With that being said, the opening initially confused me for a second and it took me a moment to get through the "flashback" and run down of what happened in book 1. Which sort of sets the scene for what is to come and also, well, some of us forgot what actually happened in the previous book..

We meet our friend Calla, she happens to be a Queen with some .. abilities. However, her people seem to not be too fond of that or her - for that matter. She's our girl and she will prevail, while having some snarky banter, trials and tribulations ( literally !) and of course love.

If you for a change would like the FMC to be the head honcho with the powers, this is the one for you!

Great narration and a fun listen!