Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 538 pages
Author: Melissa K. Roehrich
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 29th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A CAGE.

Owned by a ruthless Assassin Lord, Scarlett Monrhoe and her two sisters have been trained since they were children to torture and take life. They are the most feared trio on the continent, but they are also wild and unpredictable. A tragic night has Scarlett finding herself locked away in a noble’s household, trapped and forgotten, until she’s ready to fall into line.

A CHOICE.
Until the day she is presented with a job. If she completes the assignment, her payment will be something she has coveted for ten years. Revenge against the Fae Fire Prince who brutally killed her mother ten years ago. Is she willing to sacrifice her ideals for retribution?

A MYSTERY.
But when children begin disappearing from her home, all her plans are put on hold as she races to save the most innocent. With the help of old friends, a jilted lover, and a mysterious newcomer who claims the magic of the Fae is possible in the mortal lands, Scarlett delves into the darkest corners of the world. Forgotten secrets will come to light, and she will discover the darkness extends far beyond her own kingdom.

Lady of Darkness is a new adult, fantasy, enemies-to-lovers romance and adventure novel that will appeal to lovers of possessive Fae, wicked Witches, sexy Shifters, and arrogant Vampires. It may have triggers of love-hate themes, sexual scenes (both consensual and non), violence, and jealous/possessive themes.

I AM HOOKED.

When I started this I immediately noticed the Throne of Glass vibes it was giving off. Luckily though, over the course of the book I do think it felt different enough that I became very much attached to the storyline. So if you loved ToG, my star rating is clearly saying TRY THIS ONE.

I loved having dual POV with Sorrin and Scarlett. There’s incredible tension between them. From strangers to sort of friends to lovers to enemies. I loved all of the ups and downs. This isn’t (currently) a straight forward romance and I actually am really into that. It’s a nice mix-up from my usual fantasy romance reads. This feels spread out, playing the long game, and I’ve got 4 more books to see how it all unfolds.

The plot is enjoyable. I loved the found family vibes and the close relationship between characters. I felt all the things and some of those reveals at the end are some of my favorite to read. FAVORITE. There’s plenty of action and intrigue, some burgeoning court politics and all sorts of fae, shifters, vampires, witches and more. This was an amazing first book and I want more.

It was a great audiobook too!!

Overall audience notes:

• Fantasy Romance
• Language: moderate
• Romance: brief open
• Violence: high
• Trigger/Content Warnings: rape, PTSD, loss of close friends and loved ones, kidnapping, physical and magical altercations, murder, blood/gore depiction, torture

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