A great plot with great characters. A must read, page turner that will keep you entertained all through it

This book had a good mix of action, adventure, a little romance and time travel. It was fast paced and kept the plot moving along and was an enjoyable read. I would have liked to hear a bit more of the "present day" story line when she goes back to the past, as it felt like that was just "on hold" until whatever resolves in the past. Phaedra is such a focus in the second half of the book, but without her point of view on "flashbacks" it's hard to emotionally connect with her character. The world building was executed well - not overwhelming at the start and doled out throughout the story line. Some questions are left unanswered, but as it's the first in the series, expect to hear more of that in the followup books.

The concept and world building is really interesting and the idea that Aurora is this chosen one to defeat the final Calamity of Chaos, Drakon started off really strong. I loved the idea that strings of fate are entwined within this world. Overall, the book started off really strong with Fae and Silvanus but as soon as Aurora travelled back in time and the whole time jump, I was struggling to get my head round what was happening. There was too much happening with multiple POV that didn't make it clear that the book had moved location or time. It wasn't really addressed what happened to make her go back in time aside from having to defeat Drakon before he became too powerful. Theron and Aurora's relationship was rushed and I didn't feel any chemistry between them only making the twist at the end lose impact.

I think this book will appeal to readers who enjoy heavy world building with a complex magic system, but I was lost and I think maybe I'm not the right reader for this book. I did enjoy the dialogue and banter between characters at times and all the characters had great personalities and were well-rounded. I wished Fae and Silvanus didn't just disappear entirely because it felt as those first few chapters were disjointed to the rest of the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-ARC.

I found the premise of this story very intriguing, so my expectations were high. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.

I liked the premise of the magical world-building, but I disliked its execution. I wanted to learn more about this world and the temples' hierarchy in the beginning, but instead the plot took over control. There's hardly any warning before Phaedra and Aurora are whisked away on an adventure.

I enjoyed the dynamic between the two young women, but when the Hero arrives, Phaedra and Aurora leap into emotion. I felt their reactions were over-the-top and difficult to follow. I wished some better characterizations were used.

2.5 stars – So much potential, so many question marks

The Oracle of Dusk had all the right ingredients: a cool magic system, ancient cycles of chaos, divine vs. wild magic, and a pantheon that had some real flavor. As a D&D nerd, I appreciated the familiar vibe with paladins and clerics thrown around—super easy to slide into without needing a glossary or a corkboard with red string.

But despite the solid worldbuilding foundation, the story itself kind of tripped over its own feet.

For starters, the first third of the book felt like the prologue to a completely different novel. Just as I was getting settled with the characters and plot threads, boom—1000-year time jump, new setting, new characters, new vibes. It wasn’t a twist so much as a genre switch. I genuinely thought I had missed a chapter or accidentally opened book two. It made me wish the author had either committed to the original timeline or expanded it into a full book before hitting the time-travel button.

And then there’s the POV situation. Look, I don’t mind multiple perspectives—but give me some kind of sign. Mid-chapter hops between characters with no warning made for a disorienting reading experience. Just when I’d finally figure out whose brain I was in, the narrative would yank me into someone else’s, like fantasy-speed dating with zero name tags.

The writing itself had its moments, but also… thesaurus-core. Every few pages I was stumbling over words like “succour” or “staid,” which made everything feel a little stiff, like the book was trying to impress its old English professor. I love good prose, but not when it gets in the way of telling the story.

And then, the characters. Yikes. I really wanted to root for someone—anyone—but no dice. Aurora, our main character, is supposed to be a seasoned adult who’s been ignoring her magic for decades, but she reads more like a shy, bookish 16-year-old who just discovered eyeliner. Her whole “reluctant hero” thing never quite gels, especially when she ends up time-hopping into a world where everyone is part-giant and she’s mistaken for a child half the time. Add in a love interest who starts flirting after she walks in on him bathing and turns pink with embarrassment… and yeah, it gets awkward fast.

But the real MVP of the “What Is Happening Right Now?” category goes to Phaedra and Silvanus. These two side characters go from snapping at each other for no reason (like, actual toddler-grade squabbling) to making out and being fated soulmates in what felt like four pages flat. No buildup, no chemistry, just “I loathe you” followed by “I must kiss you right now.” I actually laughed out loud when it happened. Were they bewitched? Was I? Who can say.

I finished the book, so it clearly had something that kept me going—but I wouldn’t say I enjoyed the journey. It felt like a really solid draft that needed a few more rounds of development, especially to smooth out the pacing and make the characters feel like real people instead of tropes in a cosplay lineup. There’s definitely an audience for this kind of myth-heavy, lore-packed fantasy, but it needed a little more polish and a lot less whiplash.

Still, points for ambition. And the cover’s nice.

This was a great book! It is the perfect blend of romance, fantasy and time travel. The romance was so sweet. I would recommend!

I really enjoyed this book! The pacing was great, and the story pulled me in right from the beginning. I liked that we were immediately thrown into the world without too much buildup—it made the whole thing feel more immersive. I'm still a little confused about some parts of the plot, but I’m hoping those questions will be answered in the second book. The writing was decent, and I especially liked the dynamic between the two main characters. They were different in a lot of ways but still had this underlying connection that made their relationship really interesting to follow.

I really enjoyed this book!
We get epic fantasy with monsters and interesting characters combined with time travel elements and an interesting magic system. Everything combined with religion and politics.
Aurora is a clever young woman who is not the brave hero by default but still has to become one when needed. I really felt with her heartbreak on loosing her best friend and be thrown back into time. But still she manages to get by and make the best out of the situation.
Theron is a very interesting person too, even though I didn’t like him as much as Aurora as one of the main characters.
The story is immersive and interesting with nice turns.
And the end? Wow. I didn’t know my opinion on a person could change that quickly and that drastically.
Full recommendation for everyone who likes epic fantasy!

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC!

This book is perfect for fans of true fantasy - it definitely gives Zelda vibes and has lots of elements that feel nostalgic.

The story begins immediately, there’s very little given to understand the world, you’re straight in from the beginning.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars!

I went into this book completely blind, having not read a lot about the book, the cover snagged me along with the promise of an epic fantasy romance. This book is loosely based on Legend of Zelda and I'm not super familiar with the story since my only experience with video games is watching my younger brother play as a kid. After reading some other reviews, I think this probably helped, so I didn't know what was coming!

This book started off kind of slow for me, it took me a few days to get to 20% and I normally get through a book a day. However, once I got to about 25%, I finished the book that day, it really took off at about 45% and from there I couldn't put it down!

Things I absolutely loved: the complex magic, the chemistry between the FMC and MMC, the side characters being so well developed.

Things I wish were slightly different: I personally needed a little bit more world building, the glossary helped, but I was still pretty confused about the World and its magic system. (Although, this may be because I'm not familiar with the Legends of Zelda backstory.)

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am excited for the bext installment in the series and will definitely be reading and recommending this series!

Such a great story and very well written!

Aurora is an acolyte of Knowledge and besties with a hot-headed princess. She discovers an ancient artefact and then gets swept away into fulfilling a prophecy she cannot refuse, ending up thousands of years in the past lusting over a king who is destined to die.

This whole book was so enjoyable to read, I struggled to put it down. It’s true that the beginning of the book is completely different to the rest but it is interwoven so beautifully. From the profound world building to the depth of connection between the characters and even the richness of the history embedded within the story- I just thoroughly loved every minute.

As someone with, dare I say, oracle-adjacent foresight, I can kinda see where the next book and maybe even the ending/main twist is going but I am still really excited to read through the journey.

Thank you Victory Editing and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC early.

A dedicated historian, who doesn’t want to be a hero, falling for someone in the past who is doomed? Yes please! This twisting tale of time-travel, romance, magic and in-depth world-building with amazing (and I do mean amazing) characters and dialogue had me captured from the first chapter. Well-paced and alluring, an overall brilliant start to an action-packed fantasy series! I look forward to the next book.

Breathtaking from start to finish, this epic fantasy romance swept me into a world of magic, danger, and heart-wrenching love. The characters were complex and unforgettable, with a chemistry that felt tender and electric. Immersive worldbuilding made every twist in the plot feel like a revelation. I'm eager to see how the series continues!

This book kept me up at night for several days in a row. I loved it and I could not stop reading it. I hated the MFC and FMC. Theron is super hot headed, irrational and selfish. Aurora is super smart but also so very irrational and naive. But I am not sure the author intended for the reader to like them. Rather than watching the characters grow and learn, their horrible personalities are revealed, leaving you wondering whether they are truly the heroes or actually the villians.

Although the characters were unlikable and the romance was toxic, the characters were full of depth and contradictions. While I didn’t love them, I loved watching their story unfold.

I absolutely loved this book. The depth of the characters, the political intrigue, the religious turmoil, all of it together wove a unique and fascinating story that kept me on the edge of my seat until the epically devastating cliffhanger. I cannot wait to read the next book and see what happens next to our characters.

A great big Thank you to NetGalley and Two Laurels Press for providing this advance review copy. It was truly a privilege to read. All opinions in this review are my own.

If you’re interested in a story that intertwines destiny, romance, and ancient magic, this novel might be a compelling addition to your reading list.

This one sounded promising but unfortunately fell flat for me.
We jump right in to the story from the very first chapter, which would have been great if we got the worldbuilding and backstory at the same time but we didn't and that just left me confused.
There was also a lot of POV switches without any warnings, sometimes mid chapter and that was not it for me.
The characters also fell flat and were one dimensional imo. It even felt like some were there just to fulfill certain tropes..

Overall, this could have been a good book but everything needed to be more fleshed out.

The setup is rich—primordial monsters, time travel, fated romance, and a doomed king with a sharp tongue and political cunning. Aurora and Theron’s chemistry had potential, and the Zelda-inspired time-travel and ancient-ruins aesthetic brought a mythic, quest-like atmosphere that I found immediately compelling.

I was especially drawn to the opening chapter, where we meet Aurora mid-excavation. A fantasy romance that begins with a female archaeologist analysing history through artefacts? Yes, please. Her reflections on the past through material remains gave the story a fresh, intellectual edge I really appreciated.

However, I struggled with the pacing and emotional stakes. The story moves too fast to allow for meaningful character development or deeper exploration of its darker themes. As a result, key plot points feel rushed, and character motivations—especially Aurora’s selection for this divine quest—remain underdeveloped. The gods’ intervention felt arbitrary, which diluted some of the narrative tension and world logic.

Additionally, the book leans heavily on dramatic speech and high-conflict dialogue, with characters often shouting or arguing rather than communicating. This made emotional moments feel shallow and left little room for quieter character development or atmospheric worldbuilding. There was an overreliance on dialogue, which sometimes took the place of richer description or introspection.

While this one didn’t fully land for me, readers who prioritise fast-paced plots and a mythic setting over deep character work may still enjoy this one.

i ATE this up. The world, the romance, the tropes. Here for it
Give me more immediately!
Will deff recommend this!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I want to state upfront that I did DNF this book at 35% after I realised that this book was just not for me and I was struggling to force myself to continue.

Based on the cover of the description of this book I expected it to be a lot faster paced but I did not connect to the writing. I found myself more attached to earlier characters in the story that did not feature throughout the book.

I have played some Zelda games before and found that my previous knowledge almost took away some of the tension from the story. Whilst some readers may find that enjoyable, I myself did not.

I did enjoy the relationship between Fae and Silvanus and wish this had been explored more. It almost felt like the introduction needed to be a book on its own.

Overall, this book was not for me, however I think some readers may find this enjoyable if they are a fan of more political based fantasy and lengthy descriptions.

I enjoyed this book and the unique premise around it.

It did seem a little slow at points but it's also a book that's heavy on the political intrigue which makes sense with the pace. The idea of traveling to the past before what is basically the apocalypse is a very interesting idea and I was very excited to see what happened. I love the idea that she's from the temple of Knowledge because it gives her an advantage in some ways when she's thrown back. She has some idea about what happens.

I also enjoyed the interactions between the MMC and FMC. They're both stubborn and willing to do whatever they think is necessary to save those important to them. Unfortunately, those goals don't always align since they care for completely different people. Watching them grow to tentatively trust one another made the book even better since they didn't immediately love or trust the other. Even by the end there's some distrust under the surface which makes sense for this book.

All of the characters in this book are fleshed out and have stories of their own that intersect and interact throughout the story. It was nice to see even side characters have a story that tied into everything else.

I'm very excited for the next one!