The Crown of the Dark Prince, book two in the House of Hyrax series, is absolutely exceptional. It was one of my most anticipated sequels—and it overdelivered in every possible way.

Theodora has been accepted as the last heir of Hyrax, and after completing her three trials, she’s ascended to her place on the Royal Council. Still reeling from the devastating loss of her friend Lorelai—a loss she blames herself for—she’s also grappling with her unrelenting attraction to Prince Clayton… and a mandatory arranged marriage she does not want.

Still plagued by haunting dreams of the Underworld, Theodora begins to glimpse more of that realm through the maddeningly snarky (and undeniably handsome) Supreme Lieutenant, Caldrius. As she digs deeper, she starts to see there may be more to Hyrax—and his world—than she ever imagined.

But when a powerful sword is stolen from the archives, it becomes clear that a new threat is rising in the Mortal Realm. Something dark is coming—and the question is, will Theodora uncover the truth about herself in time to face it?

I can’t say enough about this series—it’s smart, captivating, and so richly developed it feels almost tangible. This is one of those rare books where getting an ARC feels like a curse, because now I have to wait even longer for book three. And that ending!!! I’m not okay.

The Crown Of The Dark Prince is an exciting, action-packed sequel that will leave you wanting more and more! 💫💫💫💫💫

Thea, Clay, Iris, Kent, and Rankor are back, and this time, they must fight one of the greatest battles yet. Thea, per the Dragon's request, must marry his nephew Veric Starsen of Tenebris. While she is being hosted by the Tenebris, someone from the underworld escaped and is looking for vengeance in the mortal world.
Caldrius Dagon, Supreme Lieutenant of the Underworld and the right hand to Hyrax the God has his own plans, and they also include Thea.

I really enjoyed the new characters, like Veric, Caldrius, and even Pasnia herself. The imagery that portrayed the Underworld was also very surprising and thoroughly enjoyable. I liked how Thea's origin story played out, and her romance with Clay got warmer and warmer. My favorite part was what Hyrax did to the Dragon because he hurt Thea.

Thank you, Netgalley and Victory Editing, for my arc.

5 Stars – Utterly Addictive!
The Crown of the Dark Prince is a seductive, darkly enchanting sequel that completely pulled me in. Arcadia Rayne delivers steamy romance, rich world-building, and a dangerously magnetic prince I couldn’t get enough of. Full of twists, tension, and heart—this is dark fantasy romance at its finest. I couldn’t put it down!

I absolutely loved how Thea's character was the focus in this book as well as the detailed and intricate world building and explanations of the gods.

I absolutely can't wait for the next book. Thank you to Arcadia Rayne and Netgalley for this amazing ARC read and introducing me into a new fantasy world.

Thrilling sequel to The Rose in the Shadows! I absolutely loved the plot in this book and specially how it explained more about Thea and her relationship with Hyrax. And the evolving relationship with Clayton was delicious!

This is truly amazing romantasy, I highly recommend it!

The Crown of the Dark Prince is a fantastic sequel to The Rose in the Shadows!
This book dives deeper into Thea’s bond with Hyrax, her growing powers, and her evolving relationship with the dragon prince, Clayton Veil.

I loved how this book deepened Thea’s journey, from exploring the Underworld to uncovering her heritage and growing into her power—all while navigating the emotional complexities of her bond with Clayton.
The author’s recap made it easy to reconnect with the world and new characters, which I really appreciated!

Their relationship was one of my favorite parts—watching their feelings grow while being torn between duty and rules made this story quite emotional.
Despite the challenges, seeing their connection evolve was incredibly satisfying, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for them!

The last few chapters had me completely hooked—so many twists and turns, and I couldn’t put my Kindle down!
A few new characters make an appearance, and I’m incredibly curious to see how they’ll play into the next book, especially after that massive cliffhanger!!!!

Overall, this was a total page-turner!
With stunning world-building, compelling characters, swoony romance, and a gripping plot, this series just keeps getting better.
I seriously hope the third book comes out sooner rather than later because I need to know what happens next!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: sexual content, violence, experience of grief and depression, suggestion of self-harm and suicide, suggestion of abuse (off page) and portrayals of insanity.

I would say this is between 3-4 stars for me - Whilst I really enjoyed the first book and was keen to get into this one I found the love interest between the FMC and MMC fell a bit flat and I actually was rooting for her to end up with the alt MMC in the underworld as it felt like they had more chemistry - that could just be my opinion! I did really enjoy the storyline and keen to see where this story leads and looking forward to book number three. I think it's a great spin take on the gods and the underworld and look forward to seeing Thea develop further as a character.

Wow. Where to even start. THAT ENDING!! If I wasn’t already sat for this second book I most certainly am for the third. The slow burn was still burning all the way to its climax and it was DELICIOUS. The storyline continued its twisty turny ways leaving you trying to guess where we were heading and then pulling out complete 180’s. This series has had my attention from the moment Thea burst onto that bridge and I am still completely inhaling anything that Arcadia Rayne writes. I just can’t put her writing down. Big big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to absolutely DEVOUR an ARC copy of this book. Can’t wait for the next one.

Amazon/waterstones/Tome review to be published on release.

Plot Summary:
Theadora Moore has finally found her footing within the Athenian Court.

With her would-be assassin locked away in the palace dungeons, the kingdom now looks to her future—completing the sacred trials, securing a seat on the Royal Council, and forming a strategic alliance through marriage. Though Thea is ready to embrace her role, shadows from the past refuse to stay buried.

Plagued by vivid dreams of the Underworld, Thea becomes increasingly desperate to understand what her ancestor—the God of the Dead—demands of her. Until she unravels the truth, she keeps her visions hidden from everyone, including Crown Prince Clayton Vail. But her secret meetings with Hyrax threaten to destroy everything she’s built—especially her deepening bond with Clay, who grows ever more suspicious of what she’s hiding.

When the legendary Sword of Zion is stolen from the royal archives, Thea is forced to turn to an unexpected ally. She quickly learns that secrets never stay buried and that ancient prophecies have a way of forcing themselves into the light. To save the Mortal Realm and protect those she loves, Thea must finally embrace her true identity—and the destiny she was born to fulfill—before time runs out.

Review:
THAT ENDING 😭 I’m heartbroken and need more !!!💔

Thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and author Arcadia Rayne for the ARC of this incredible book. It officially releases on May 8, 2025 and trust me, you do not want to miss it!

I adored Clay and Thea in this instalment. Their relationship grew so beautifully, with heartfelt moments that had me highlighting nearly every sweet line they exchanged. The world-building remained phenomenal, and I appreciated the helpful recap at the beginning; it made jumping back into the story seamless.

This book delivered everything: intense battles, emotional depth, surprising friendships, and plot twists that kept me hooked. My heart ached for Thea so many times, and after *that* ending, I’m in desperate need of the next book. I also loved exploring more of her connection to Hyrax and the Underworld; it was done beautifully and enjoyed whenever we got to see more of Thea's story. Let’s just say there are a few characters I’m now feeling very conflicted about, and I can’t wait to see how their journeys unfold in the rest of the series.

I definitely recommend this book 100%. I will be doing a re-read of both of the books in this series again soon !!

Arcadia Rayne's The Crown of the Dark Prince, the second installment in the House of Hyrax series, picks up seamlessly from where The Rose in the Shadows left off. Theadora Moore has found her footing within the Athenian Court, but her journey is far from over. As she prepares to complete her trials and ascend to the Royal Council, Thea grapples with haunting dreams of the Underworld and the enigmatic intentions of her ancestor, the God of the Dead.​

Thea's clandestine meetings with Hyrax add layers of tension, especially as they threaten her burgeoning relationship with Crown Prince Clayton Vail. The dynamics between Thea and Clay are richly developed, showcasing a blend of vulnerability and strength that keeps readers invested. The theft of the legendary Sword of Zion propels the narrative into a thrilling quest, introducing unexpected alliances and testing loyalties.​


Rayne's world-building is immersive, drawing readers into a realm where magic, politics, and personal desires collide. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of introspection interspersed with action-packed sequences. The emotional stakes are heightened, and the cliffhanger ending leaves a lasting impact, setting the stage for the next installment.​

The Crown of the Dark Prince is a must-read for fans of romantasy, offering a compelling blend of romance, fantasy, and political intrigue.

What abook. Devoured this in a sitting, will pick up anything by this author now. An auto buy. 5* from start to finish I was hooked.

This was a heartbreaking yet amazing read, and I'm desperate for the next book. I loved returning to Athenia and diving back into Thea's journey as she faces the trials to become a councilwoman of the Royal Council. As the last remaining Descendant of Hyrax, she must complete these challenges before taking her position. Yet her growing feelings for Clay, the Crown Prince and member of the Zion house, complicate everything—especially since the King will do anything to stop their relationship, including betrothing her to another.

This book had it all: slow-burn forbidden love, royal political intrigue, betrayal, found family, and rebellion.

After finishing Book 1, I was more than ready to dive straight into Book 2! It picks up right where we left off, and I was instantly pulled back in. The political aspect was super intriguing, and the tension—both politically and romantically—was everything I wanted and more.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the arc!

This was a wonderful book! It is the second book in the series and I li ed how the story continued in this book. The main female chat was written very well!

This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my review of The Rose in the Shadows on my blog, now! The Crown of the Dark Prince will be available on May 8, 2025.

I would first like to thank NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved The Rose in the Shadows, and was incredibly excited to dive back into the world and see what was in store for these characters. Thea is now even deeper into Athenian Court and Council member life, and as she continues her internal battle between following her feelings and looking for the truth, she finds herself more isolated than ever. After the events of The Rose in the Shadows, she is essentially moving through life with determination to understand what the God of the Dead has in store for her.

Her attraction to Clay and their complicated relationship continue in this installment, and the will-they-wont-they is addicting. Every interaction they have is like adding fuel to the fire to their story, and I found Thea's complex and guarded actions towards Clay an intriguing part of her character that made her more nuanced as the story went on. Clay's reactions to her approach were completely valid, and his determination toward understanding the situation really solidified him as a character and as a potential love interest.

The Dragon continues to be one of the most vile characters in this series and the introduction of another foe only causes Thea, Clay, and the rest of their friends to face even more difficulties and loss throughout this installment. Thea is truly put through the ringer at every chance, and I felt as though she could never catch a break - there would be fleeting moments where she was content or at ease, but two chapters later, she would be fighting for her life or trying to save someone. That being said, she certainly had her moments and needed to lock into her common sense skills - I think she would become so overwhelmed at the state of the madness that she was unable to focus on how to solve issues.

Friendships in this series have been at the root for logical thinking and holding each other accountable. The majority of the characters either go through something horrific or bear witness to something of that nature, and the outcome tends to impact their relationships with one another. Considering what occurred in The Rose in the Shadows, it comes to no surprise that particular characters are not acting like their usual selves, while other characters attempt to aid those affected in the best way possible. Secrets are uncovered and loyalties are put to the test as everyone seeks to end the suffering around them.

Once again the ending of this book was insane and now I cannot believe I have to wait for the third installment. I had a feeling things were going in that direction, but when it actually happened, I still could not believe what I was reading. Rayne does such a fantastic job at pulling readers into the story, and coming off the intense battles these characters fight in, it felt like another blow by a sword, in the best way possible. I absolutely will be continuing on with this series, and cannot imagine what trials and tribulations this group of friends will have to endure.

The Crown of the Dark Prince was a good read, and I actually enjoyed this book more than I did the first book. Although there were times when the story felt a bit slow for me, there were more moments in this story that kept me wanting more. I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that I can't get enough of Thea and Clay and the sexual frustration going on between the two of them. I'm excited to read how things will continue to play out especially after everything that happened in this story and with that cliffhanger ending that left me wanting more. I'm looking forward to reading what other twists and turns, suspense, issues, surprises and more the author has in store for the characters in the next book. This series started off a bit slow for me but I'm enjoying it more and think other paranormal readers would enjoy it as well.

I won’t give too much detail because I don’t want to spoil anything but this book follows on from The Rose in The Shadows (see my earlier review).

Thea has finally settled into life at court and has developed control over her magic. Thea is a strong stabby FMC 🗡️ We learn more about her mysterious past in this book, which kept me hooked into the story as the little hints kept getting dropped until we finally get the big reveal. There’s a new character in the underworld, who I did fancy for a new love interest at first, I’m interested to see how it’s going to play out in the next book❤️‍🔥

I found the start of this book a bit slower than book one, however the ending was brilliant and I read the last third of the book in a few hours.

I am still having issues with the main male character, he spent a bit too much time sulking because Thea wasn’t doing what he wanted/thought she should be doing, keeping secrets etc.

Thea will forever by one of my favorite FMCs. Arcadia Rayne does such an amazing job writing a story that pulls you in. This was my favorite so far in the series.

This is an incredible sequel!

The story became more complex, and we get to know more of the characters, which is something I really enjoyed. Clay definitely redeemed himself in this and their relationship, although painful, i did feel for them and root for them. The yearning! The angst!

I am excited to continue this series and see where its going!

Not gonna lie, my heart hurts a little.
This book was incredible! When I thought I had figured things out, new twists and turns were thrown in that had my head spinning! When I thought I couldn't love these characters any more, they overwhelmed me with their strength and passion. I loved every single moment and I will slowly be dying until book 3 because that ending was insane! A House Of Hyrax is certainly a must read series!!

4.5 ⭐

"What would you do for the man you love?"

The Crown of the Dark Prince, the second book in the House of Hyrax series, picks up immediately where The Rose in the Shadows ends. But, if it's been a while since you read the first, this book has a "Previously in" chapter that can help refresh readers (which I think more authors should do). The book also has a pronunciation guide, descendent lines, and a map which I think provides incredible extra context for the readers. The book starts off quickly, slows in the middle, and ramps up with twists and reveals towards the end. I wish the reveals at the end came a bit earlier, but the pacing was definitely done with the intension of shattering our hearts at the end and keeping us on our toes for book three.

Much like the first, we see Thea's growth as she learns more about her powers, her heritage, and ultimately herself. Thea is facing two battles: the physical one in Athenia against the Dragon and the mental one as she is desperate to understand "who am I?" I resonated with Thea's constant battle of pivoting between self doubt and self assurance. There are times in my life where I am so confident in who I am and my strength, but there are days when I doubt myself too. Thea felt extremely real to me with the story line centered around her and Iris' friendship strains. I could understand her pain and determination to fix things.

This story continued to explore both Thea's and Clay's separate arranged marriages and the cost of defying laws. Some of this push and pull felt repetitive from the first story, but I understand it was written to show how tumultuous certain decisions would be for our MCs. I loved how this book introduced us to new characters and focused on world expansion, specifically due to the arranged marriages. I am curious with the ending of this book how these characters and worlds will come into play in book 3.

Overall, I am absolutely enjoying this series so much and I can't wait for others to read the latest installment! This book would be a perfect fit for those who enjoy:
✨ world inspired by Greek mythology
✨ forbidden romance
✨ royal arranged marriages
✨ magic
✨ overcoming grief
✨ self acceptance

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!