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Blurb
A love so forbidden, it would shake the heavens
My father called them messengers.
He once told me they walked among us, and that somewhere in this dark and godless city, there shined a faint sliver of hope. I had only to look for the signs.
Well, I’ve spent my whole life investigating the inexplicable, and all I’ve found are the unsettling vestiges of iniquity – the evidence of another world shrouded by the obscure. Purgatory to some, where depravity hides in shadows, and girls like me are little more than delicious bites of temptation.
Others call it Nightshade.
This peculiar place is where I first met the cold and callous recluse living in a decaying cliffside cathedral. Jericho Van Croix is the epitome of everything I’ve been told to fear. A raven-winged harbinger who wears intrigue like a warm black cloak. An enigma that I’m determined to unravel – even if it means getting closer than I should.
One touch is forbidden. Even so much as a kiss would be my demise. But the sin on his lips burns me up like a wild flame, and his growing infatuation weakens my resolve.
Giving him what he wants, though, will mean no chance for redemption, or escape. What’s worse is, the signs I’ve followed yet failed to see all these years begin to unmask a terrifying reality:
That falling may be my only saving grace.
Review
5 darkly forbidden, absolutely captivating stars!
Wow, this book. It’s so hard to know what to say about this story except that I am kinda gobsmacked and completely and utterly obsessed! This book is the first in a duology – a paranormal dark gothic romance that is so completely captivating with wonderful characters, an intriguing world, mystery, suspense, and an absolutely epic love story. I loved it!
I love losing myself in a fictional world, and Keri Lake has created a wonderfully immersive story that I lost myself in every time I picked up the book. It’s a long one, and whenever I had to put it down, it was on my mind, and I couldn’t wait to get back to it and dive back in.
I can’t do this story justice, and I’m not even going to try. Plus, you just need to go in without expectations and watch it all unfold, so this will be a vague review.
Farryn has lost everyone in her life, and disturbing dreams and a series of strange events in her life has her questioning everything. Delving into her deceased father’s near-obsessive studies of ancient religion, she uncovers a mysterious cult, hints of the supernatural, and a place called Nightshade – a realm between the real world and hell where the mysterious Van Croix dwells – a man who may have the answers that she seeks.
Lake delivers a unique take on angels and demons, with a wonderfully dark and sinister world, and complex but well-developed lore that fully unfolds as the story progresses.
“Nothing is coincidence, Farryn. Everything has meaning.
The story moves between the past of the present, giving us two stories told from multiple perspectives. I would find myself completely engrossed in one story, not wanting to leave it, but then the POV would change, and I’d quickly become obsessed with the other part of the story and couldn’t wait to read more. I was obsessed with all of it! Lake’s writing sucks you right in and creates a darkly gothic mood that permeates everything. The spooky vibe adds so much to the story, and I felt like I was there experiencing it, and couldn’t wait to keep reading to see what was going to happen, but I also reread parts of it over and over again just to take it all in.
“Some creatures were born to defy the limitations of what should be.”
Farryn is a great heroine – smart yet vulnerable, and completely over her head. I could relate to her even in her unimaginable situation, and loved seeing the story through her eyes. And I need just a moment to gush about the glorious enigma that is Van Croix. Damn. The man is broody and sinister, and all kinds of badass, and he has this irresistible sex appeal that seeps into every interaction he has with Farryn, and I lived for those moments.
“You are a mystifying enigma, Mister Van Croix.”
His gaze swung back to me, devouring me in one sweep. “And you are a frustrating distraction, Miss Ravenshaw.”
Their love story is a slow burn which is full of chemistry, and that builds in intensity throughout the book, making me desperate for something to happen.
“If you think you’re going to try to seduce me into staying, Mister Van Croiz, you don’t know me, at all, I’m afraid.”
“If you think I have to try, I’m afraid you don’t know me either, Miss Ravenshaw.”
Like the rest of the story, there’s a hint of darkness there, but there is no denying the epic romance that unfolds. It’s emotional and exciting and seriously steamy. The sexy time is passionate, super intense and a little bit nasty, and that’s just the way we like it!
“I will burn down this pathetic world for you. Only you. You are mine … Always.”
It blends perfectly with the story in the past, which is faster moving and gives us a second romance which stole my heart just as completely. And while I was reading, my head was racing with thoughts about how it it all fits together. There are secrets and surprises revealed throughout the whole book which makes things more intense and involved, and the pieces comes together slowly to create an absolutely amazing read. This book has so much story in it. There is action, suspense, intrigue, heartache and romance, so many supernatural twists and turns, and I was mesmerised.
“My love for you will never fade. Not even when this wretched world ceases to exist and the sun dies out to an everlasting darkness. My life, my soul. It is yours eternally.”
This review is a hot mess, but I can’t wrap my head around everything that I want to say. Just know that if you’re a fan of dark romance, gothic romance, or supernatural/paranormal romance, you need to read this book.
The book ends on a mild cliffhanger. It’s satisfying for now, but something is brewing, and it’s going to be a wild ride when the story continues. I am here for whatever happens, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.
5 stars!
A Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Nightshade Duology
