Now what is this? I have never read a book that felt as this one does, but I didn't hate it? I read the whole thing in an afternoon and was unable to really stop myself.

If The Bargainer Series by Laura Thalassa and the Hades x Persephone series by Scarlett St Clair had a baby, it would be this book.

If you love grumpy winged assassins and a world of flying creatures, youll love this book.

The way Dom turns to mush is a feet kicking read and finding out how the mystery of Maddy and how she ended up in OneWorld etc kept you wanting to read the book as quick as possible.

Really enjoyed this one and would definitely reccomend. I have some questions so I really hope there is a book 2 so we can figure out what is going on with OC and the world 😍

Thank you NetGalley

I recently finished this book and overall, I really enjoyed it. This was my first time reading anything by this author, and I’m glad I gave it a try. Although the beginning was a bit slow and took me a few chapters to get into, the pace picked up pretty quickly, and from there, I found myself drawn into the story.

The storyline itself was intriguing and kept me turning the pages, especially because I loved following the journey of Maddy and Dom. They’re both engaging characters with great chemistry, and I found myself rooting for them throughout.

If you enjoy a bit of spice in your romances, you’ll be happy to know there are some open-door scenes scattered through the book. It’s not overwhelmingly steamy from start to finish, but the intimate moments are well-written and felt perfectly placed within the story, adding to the connection between the characters rather than overshadowing the plot.

One thing to note is that this book does end on a cliffhanger, which definitely has me eager to see what happens next in the series. I’m looking forward to picking up the next installment to find out where Maddy and Dom’s story goes.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Romantasy and is looking for an engaging read with a mix of romance, intriguing plot twists, and a touch of spice.

I really enjoyed the story, its fast paced. You get details about each character and what theyre going through. The action scenes have great potential but they are quickly passed over. The world building is strong, and its an easy read.

Dark Shadow of Guilt dives straight into the action, which I really enjoyed. The concept was strong, and the plot itself had all the makings of something gripping. I loved the idea behind it.

That said, it just didn’t land emotionally for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters or feel the tension. I wanted to, but it just didn’t hit. Even the spice felt kind of flat. I wish I had the words to explain exactly what was missing, but I just know I didn’t feel pulled in the way I wanted to be.

Still, I think others might vibe with it a lot more than I did. It has a solid framework, and I can see it really working for the right reader.

Thank you so much for the earc.

This was somewhere between 4 stars and 4.5 stars for me. The storyline held my interest and always had me wanting more. The world T.M. Smith created is unique and so creative! It really felt like something different than a lot of the books I've read. I also really loved the characters! My favorites were, of course, Dom and Madeline, but the side characters were great too. I enjoyed watching Dom and Madeline fall in love. I always love when the MMC is only soft for the FMC. Madeline definitely brought out the best in Dom.

The main reason I didn't give this 5 stars was because of the writing style. It just wasn't quite for me. There were 10 POV in the book and that was too much for me. Some readers might love that and feel like it gives a more well rounded story though. Unfortunately for me, it made it feel a little disjointed instead.

Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for the ARC!

I received and ARC copy of this book from NetGalley!

I’m uncertain about my feelings regarding this book. The overall story feels somewhat rushed, with too many events unfolding in a short timeframe. The romantic aspect seems hurried, as Maddy transitions from being a sycophant—something Dom refrains from exploiting—to suddenly being deeply in love with him, almost resembling a couple. Although they discuss how they have changed, I, as a reader, don’t feel like I’m able to follow their emotional development.

Perhaps this is partly due to my preference for first-person narratives. Because of this, it feels like I don’t truly understand how they feel or why; I’m simply informed of their emotions instead of experiencing them firsthand. Additionally, the multiple points of view hinder my ability to form a genuine connection with the characters.

Nonetheless, I believe the story's concept has significant potential. Unfortunately, the way it’s written just doesn’t resonate with me.

I really enjoyed this book, the characters were interesting, the romance was great and believable, but I wanted more! Not necessarily a bad thing, but I wish we saw more development in the FMC, MMC, and their relationship. The rest of the book is fantastic, though, especially the worldbuilding. I can't wait to read more from this author, 4.5 stars!

3.5 ⭐️ There were elements of this I really enjoyed and others that I didn't like so much but overall this was a good story and I will continue the series as it goes on.

Firstly, I really liked the characters! Dom is grumpy, winged and a warrior. He has a dark humour but has been through a lot in his life. Betrayal and hurt clings to him. I thought Maddy was great and I really enjoyed the insights to her past. It showed so much of why she was like she was.

The other warriors were a great addition. I loved that Remi was a film buff and he chucked in movie quotes here and there. I'm so intrigued by the OneCreator especially with the little revelation at the end.

The world building was good. I liked how the different dimensions had distinct differences.

The plot has a lot of intrigue and I liked how it didn't give it all away in the first book. I am so keen to know who is leading the rebellion and what has happened to Maddy's sisters?!

The reason why this got 3.5 stars is because I feel like the romance wasn't really developed enough. It was just a bit too quick for me and they fell so quick and I guess I prefer a bit more angst thrown in. I did even joy the spice though! I'd have also liked more battle / action scenes. The ones we got felt over too quickly for me.

I liked the humour and banter between characters and LOVE Freki. There should be more talking wolves in books if you ask me!

Thank you to Victory Editing, the author and NetGalley for the arc. This is my own honest review of the book!