This is a hit in my book! Young people chasing their dreams and finding themselves along the way are among the topics that Seddon excels at in this title. The writing is propulsive and captivating. I found myself staying up late to see how everything would play out. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

"Darkening Song" is everything I want in a book. Seddon's writing style is atmospheric and immersive, pulling you into a world that feels both haunting and intimate. The themes cut deep—exploring darkness, identity, and transformation in ways that linger long after you've finished reading.
The characters are complex and fully realized, each one carrying weight and purpose. They feel real, flawed, and utterly compelling. Seddon doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable or the raw, and that's exactly what makes this book unforgettable.
A masterclass in dark, character-driven storytelling. Highly recommend.

Darkening Song by Delphine Seddon is a dark fictional take on some of the realities of the music and entertainment industry. The novel follows 16 year old Alora, singer songwriter, who is discovered by 18 year old Eva, intern at a record company. Throughout the novel, the reader discovers how fame and fortune changes the trajectory of each of their lives. The novel also tackles some of the hard and more seedy sides of the music industry like unbalanced power and its boys club.

I loved this book and audiobook! The story is written in a dual POV and dual timeline style that I really enjoyed. I was captivated as the story unwinds and the sometimes unreliable narrator. I loved reading about these characters' sky rocket stardom, downfalls and crash outs, and reflection to rebuild in order to truly be happy.

The audiobook was phenomenal. Not only did I really enjoy the narration of Cherise Silvestri, Mia McKenna-Bruce, and Milly Oldfield, but also I was shocked to find that the audiobook included full on produced songs that are featured in the novel. I loved that extra care and attention to include those songs because it really made the experience immersive. It was great to hear what

I highly recommend this book. I loved this novel and cannot wait to see what's next for Delphine!

This book does deal with heavy topics such as mental health issues, suicide, and substance abuse. Please check the trigger warnings and take care of your own health and headspace before reading!

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the eARC and ALC to review! This review reflects my own opinions.

📚 ALC AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 📚

Darkening Song By Delphine Seddon
Publication Date: March 10, 2026
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Saturday Books
Audiobook Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narrators: Cherise Silvestri, Mei Mei MacLeod, Milly Oldfield

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to #partner Macmillan Audio #MacAudio2026 for the ALC and to #partner St. Martin's Press, Saturday Books, the #SMPEarlyReaders Program, and Netgalley for the e-ARC, in exchange for my honest review!

📚MY REVIEW:

If Darkening Song, the upcoming release from Delphine Seddon, isn't yet on your radar, consider this your invitation to put it at the top of your TBR list! This fabulous literary fiction is this season's must-read debut that you simply do not want to miss.

This brilliantly unputdownable book is a dream for fans of music fiction with its character-driven story. I had every intention of immersively reading the e-ARC and e-ALC... but the audiobook featured multicast narration and original music composed and performed solely for the audiobook. [Which was hauntingly captivating, by the way] Once I started listening, I was completely captivated with the luscious voices of the narrators, the story, and the music -- and my earholes didn't want me to hit pause for even a moment.

Told in dual POVs in alternating chapters, the story is a fiercely feminist debut about two young women, Eva and Alora. Alora is a recording artist failed by the industry which made an idol, and Eva is her ambitious manager. It's a story about friendship and betrayal, it's a love story, and more than anything, it’s a story about redemption, and the ways that hopes and dreams can come true in ways we least expect.

Eva's POV is primarily told from the past, while Alora's POV is primarily told in the present - and the juxtaposition of the two worked beautifully to craft a fuller picture of both young women. While I enjoyed the storylines of both characters, Alora's character arc fascinated me and - in my opinion - really made this book remarkable.

I was stunned to discover this was Seddon's debut novel. Her writing has such an authentic voice, and her story features beautifully-flawed characters who are impossible to put out of your mind, long after the book's final page. It's easy to understand why this story is already being adapted for television. I was mesmerized by this book and I cannot recommend it enough! Please trust me and listen to this audiobook -- the narrators and the original music really make this a masterpiece for your listening enjoyment. Five musical stars.

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