What do you think?
Rate this book
Halls of Darkness #1
Rotten to the Core
A Dark Fantasy Romance
Foe. Friend. Liar. Lover. Murderer. What are you, darling Rhea?
Everything.
To avenge the massacre of her family, Rhea forged herself into a weapon with one single killing the king of night.
And then she failed.
At the heart of the shade’s court, reduced to a puppet for the king’s entertainment, she bides her time, ready to pounce at the slightest show of weakness. But murdering Caldoryn isn’t as simple as Rhea had hoped.
Especially given the fact that he might not be her true enemy.
Doryn is playing a dangerous game with the snake in his bed, but she’s far too enticing for him to resist touching her, claiming her, sharing her.
For hundreds of years, he’s needed an heir, now more than ever, as a war with the southern realm seems inevitable. Rhea is the first woman to appeal to his primal power, and therefore the ideal mother to his future children.
Even if she’s likely to stab him through the heart again.
Rotten to the Core is a dark fantasy romance. This novel is not even remotely suitable for you if you have any triggers at all, even if you have enjoyed past Alexi Blake and May Sage titles. Check the trigger warning at the start for details!
Foe. Friend. Liar. Lover. Murderer. What are you, darling Rhea?
Everything.
To avenge the massacre of her family, Rhea forged herself into a weapon with one single killing the king of night.
And then she failed.
At the heart of the shade’s court, reduced to a puppet for the king’s entertainment, she bides her time, ready to pounce at the slightest show of weakness. But murdering Caldoryn isn’t as simple as Rhea had hoped.
Especially given the fact that he might not be her true enemy.
Doryn is playing a dangerous game with the snake in his bed, but she’s far too enticing for him to resist touching her, claiming her, sharing her.
For hundreds of years, he’s needed an heir, now more than ever, as a war with the southern realm seems inevitable. Rhea is the first woman to appeal to his primal power, and therefore the ideal mother to his future children.
Even if she’s likely to stab him through the heart again.
Rotten to the Core is a dark fantasy romance. This novel is not even remotely suitable for you if you have any triggers at all, even if you have enjoyed past Alexi Blake and May Sage titles. Check the trigger warning at the start for details!
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2023
204 people are currently reading
598 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 6, 2023
Was this a great book? Nope
Was it fun as hell to read? Uh huh
Was there a whiplash amount of group sex? Oh my stars, yes.
Did that influence my rating? Uhm.. I plead the fifth.
Was it fun as hell to read? Uh huh
Was there a whiplash amount of group sex? Oh my stars, yes.
Did that influence my rating? Uhm.. I plead the fifth.
May 27, 2023
You know, I wouldn’t go so far as to call this story “Dark” per say so much as, an ode to exhibitionistm and humiliation.
I think the darkest thing in here was the r@pe and some unwanted advances in the FL’s life. The rest of the “dark” that we see? Nah. I had no idea- until now- that a woman, previously traumatically assaulted and then trained in the ways of bad-arsery and assassination could emulate a doormat so perfectly.
Nothing made sense here.
1️⃣ A FL who’s been threatened and assaulted throws up no real fight when faced with a man who revels in cheapening her, humiliating her, shaming her, using her- all while directly in the midst of others. But the excuse for this is that she’s actually a succubus? Hah.
Idk about everyone else but a “strong female character” isn’t JUST the skills they have or the job they do. It’s a mental state too. My ideal SFC has the mental capacity of Fort Knox. She can absolutely succumb to her body- who wouldn’t?
What I don’t want to see is her never figuring out real solutions to her situation. Genuinely rattling the bars of her cage vs “the lady doth protest too much”.
2️⃣ The FL is actually stupid- no, I’m serious, she admits it herself and she hardly has any real control over her new succubus nature before she’s rewarded with EVEN MORE POWER?
She literally has this undeserved OG transformation at the end without ever having proved herself to ANYONE (except maybe the horses) that she was really a queen all along. Her court thinks she’s the butt of every lewd joke. The inner circle of her husband respects her as much as a fruit gnat. The ML is so quick to publicly assault her at any given moment all he considers her as is a slightly more tolerable, amusement, of a walking womb.
3️⃣ Speaking of unjust rewards- the ML gets that too. He completely mistreats the FL by pulling stunts that should trigger them BOTH (the act of unwilling s€x) but at the end, he never apologizes, never makes an effort to get her to fall for him- (btw, neither one of them in this entire book says at any given point that they “love” one another)- and so on but he still gets the girl.
No muss. No fuss.
Stupid girl gets more power. Stupid guy gets his dream wife. They both live happily ever after without ever solving any of their problems. They are more than content to go back to the castle pretending things are settled now that they’ve defeated the one dude and now things no longer concern them. 🙄
4️⃣ Oo! Last thing, I promise! The plot twist? With the Kind King bro? Did that make sense to anyone???
Bc I saw some pretty, poorly explained plot holes in it and I got so confused here.
Anyways, can’t say I’m a fan of this. The characters are poorly drawn and developed. The plot was laughable in an un-ironic way. And the ending was so poorly done if I had paid money for this I would have asked for it all back.
I think the darkest thing in here was the r@pe and some unwanted advances in the FL’s life. The rest of the “dark” that we see? Nah. I had no idea- until now- that a woman, previously traumatically assaulted and then trained in the ways of bad-arsery and assassination could emulate a doormat so perfectly.
Nothing made sense here.
1️⃣ A FL who’s been threatened and assaulted throws up no real fight when faced with a man who revels in cheapening her, humiliating her, shaming her, using her- all while directly in the midst of others. But the excuse for this is that she’s actually a succubus? Hah.
Idk about everyone else but a “strong female character” isn’t JUST the skills they have or the job they do. It’s a mental state too. My ideal SFC has the mental capacity of Fort Knox. She can absolutely succumb to her body- who wouldn’t?
What I don’t want to see is her never figuring out real solutions to her situation. Genuinely rattling the bars of her cage vs “the lady doth protest too much”.
2️⃣ The FL is actually stupid- no, I’m serious, she admits it herself and she hardly has any real control over her new succubus nature before she’s rewarded with EVEN MORE POWER?
She literally has this undeserved OG transformation at the end without ever having proved herself to ANYONE (except maybe the horses) that she was really a queen all along. Her court thinks she’s the butt of every lewd joke. The inner circle of her husband respects her as much as a fruit gnat. The ML is so quick to publicly assault her at any given moment all he considers her as is a slightly more tolerable, amusement, of a walking womb.
3️⃣ Speaking of unjust rewards- the ML gets that too. He completely mistreats the FL by pulling stunts that should trigger them BOTH (the act of unwilling s€x) but at the end, he never apologizes, never makes an effort to get her to fall for him- (btw, neither one of them in this entire book says at any given point that they “love” one another)- and so on but he still gets the girl.
No muss. No fuss.
Stupid girl gets more power. Stupid guy gets his dream wife. They both live happily ever after without ever solving any of their problems. They are more than content to go back to the castle pretending things are settled now that they’ve defeated the one dude and now things no longer concern them. 🙄
4️⃣ Oo! Last thing, I promise! The plot twist? With the Kind King bro? Did that make sense to anyone???
Bc I saw some pretty, poorly explained plot holes in it and I got so confused here.
Anyways, can’t say I’m a fan of this. The characters are poorly drawn and developed. The plot was laughable in an un-ironic way. And the ending was so poorly done if I had paid money for this I would have asked for it all back.
April 28, 2023
What in the gratuitous s**? 🤣🤣🤣
Storyline was quite simple and the book was shorter than expected, but overall it wasn’t bad.
Ok, the public sex and the other people sex was not for me AT ALL. The way I’d laugh reading those scenes 🤣🤣🤣 especially during the wedding when she called for Alrion and he came w his member in his grasp 😭😭😭 That made me weak 😂. Also, doesn’t he like her friend, sorcha?
I don’t think I’ll read the next one (not a cliff hanger but the possibility of a next book is very wide open) if it has all this public sex and random partners but if that’s your thing, you’d enjoy this book. Feels like who random partner thing should come w a trigger tbh. Too real bruh.
Storyline was quite simple and the book was shorter than expected, but overall it wasn’t bad.
Ok, the public sex and the other people sex was not for me AT ALL. The way I’d laugh reading those scenes 🤣🤣🤣 especially during the wedding when she called for Alrion and he came w his member in his grasp 😭😭😭 That made me weak 😂. Also, doesn’t he like her friend, sorcha?
I don’t think I’ll read the next one (not a cliff hanger but the possibility of a next book is very wide open) if it has all this public sex and random partners but if that’s your thing, you’d enjoy this book. Feels like who random partner thing should come w a trigger tbh. Too real bruh.
May 21, 2023
I am insatiable. I am unleashed. And I likely am exactly what the dark king of night accused me of being, because he's right. My body, my soul, thrives when it's being used. It likes it. I like it.
I wonder if my liking his abuse excuses him. I wonder if my not controlling my fate excuses my enjoyment of it. I wonder why either of us need excuses at all.
Have you ever questioned anything you've been told, girl?
I hadn't, but I'm starting to, and it feels like a dangerous slope. I'll either emerge wiser, or entirely corrupted. Evil.
I love it when I pick up some random recommended book on a whim and it proves to be exactly what I needed. Rotten to the Core scratched an itch I didn't even know I had, it was such a fun read! And it proved to have far more depth than I had expected initially going into it. I read those trigger and content warnings at the beginning and thought to myself "oof - hardcore dubcon? Not sure I am in the mood for that." But the way Alexi Blake/May Sage crafts each scene between Rhea and Doryn is this exquisite balance of heat, hedonism, a touch of horror as morals and boundaries are tested/pushed, all wrapped together with surprising emotion as we watch not only Rhea transform before our eyes as her true nature/self is revealed, but there's a fascinating shift in Doryn as well.
I think what surprised me most was that even with the copious amounts of sex in this book (and y'all, I don't say that lightly - there is a lot), interwoven in each scene is the captivating unravelling of Rhea - of all she thought she was and believed and all she turns out to truly be. Do I condone the methodology of her unleashing? I shouldn't even have to say this, but of course not. But as a fantasy, it's endlessly engaging and fascinating and enjoyable, and I will never get tired of authors using sex as a medium to explore those deeper emotions and philosophical concepts of identity, morality, and self. It's honestly brilliant.
The twists in this book were also fucking FANTASTIC. There were so many that completely took me by surprise in the best sense, which made this such an engrossing, unable-to-put-this-book-down read. I devoured it.
Rotten to the Core was so much more than I had anticipated, and this absolutely will not be my last Alexi Blake/May Sage book. I'm positively HOOKED.
P.S. My only complaint is that I wanted more of this world and these characters. It all ended too soon! I NEED MORE!
Life isn't black-and-white. People aren't suddenly perfect because they're called kind, or virtuous because they wear skirts long enough to cover their ankles, and the king of night isn't a monster simply because his magic comes from the shadow rather than the light. There's nothing ultimately wrong with winter or summer, though drought can scorch the land and the icy cold can freeze a heart. We're all the same, and the only monsters are those who refuse to accept other people's way.
April 25, 2023
This is my second Alexi Blake/May Sage book, and they have yet to disappoint! This is an enemies to lovers dark romance. There are trigger warnings, so be sure to read them.
Rhea is a trained spy and assassin, and she has one goal: to get revenge on the long who slaughtered her family. She has been trained in the art of seduction and how to wield her beauty like a weapon.
Caldoryn is the dark king and lives with assassination attempts around every corner. So, Rhea is not a surprise, nor is she entirely unwelcome. He is cocky, demanding, powerful, and beautiful.
The characters individually had me interested. The chemistry between Caldoryn and Rhea had me invested immediately. I was drawn in and couldn't wait to see how events would unfold. There was a constant chess match between the two as they played their roles with each other. However, sometimes the roles played morphed into more.
There were secrets unfolded as well as revelations that changed both Rhea and Caldoryn's plans. I loved how the story and events moved seamlessly together in the midst of chaos! The last events of the book felt a little rushed and a bit out of nowhere. I found myself asking where it came from. That is really my only complaint, but despite that, I still really enjoyed the book!
Rhea is a trained spy and assassin, and she has one goal: to get revenge on the long who slaughtered her family. She has been trained in the art of seduction and how to wield her beauty like a weapon.
Caldoryn is the dark king and lives with assassination attempts around every corner. So, Rhea is not a surprise, nor is she entirely unwelcome. He is cocky, demanding, powerful, and beautiful.
The characters individually had me interested. The chemistry between Caldoryn and Rhea had me invested immediately. I was drawn in and couldn't wait to see how events would unfold. There was a constant chess match between the two as they played their roles with each other. However, sometimes the roles played morphed into more.
There were secrets unfolded as well as revelations that changed both Rhea and Caldoryn's plans. I loved how the story and events moved seamlessly together in the midst of chaos! The last events of the book felt a little rushed and a bit out of nowhere. I found myself asking where it came from. That is really my only complaint, but despite that, I still really enjoyed the book!
March 9, 2025
2 ⭐
Well, I didn't like this, I found the characters to be extremely toxic and the plot was messy
Well, I didn't like this, I found the characters to be extremely toxic and the plot was messy
May 8, 2023
I was prepped for darrrk..but it was more just shadows
The warning the author gave really gave me pause, and I was almost nervous think oh geeze maybe I can’t read this. Then I remembered I ain’t no lil beotch and jumped in. I’m glad I didn’t let the warnings scare me away. I didn’t find it dark at all. I understand though that there are some who are much more sensitive, so if you’re very sensitive be warned. That said nothing happened to the main heroine that she didn’t enjoy or like. I loved Caldoryn, he was written very well, I really enjoyed him and his pov. The Royal circle was of secondary (thirdary ?) and didn’t really play a huge part in the story, but they were still likeable and I would read the sh*t out of their stories too! I felt kinda sad for Vess, he seemed so lonely, he deserves a person and a book, they all do….okay I take it back they’re not secondary at all, they’re in there enough for you to get know them and want more, very clever!
This is my first book by this author and I really liked the world building, as it seems like there’s so much more to explore about it.
If you like dark be warned it’s not that dark, and if you’re still unsure and you don’t like even shadows then skip it.
The warning the author gave really gave me pause, and I was almost nervous think oh geeze maybe I can’t read this. Then I remembered I ain’t no lil beotch and jumped in. I’m glad I didn’t let the warnings scare me away. I didn’t find it dark at all. I understand though that there are some who are much more sensitive, so if you’re very sensitive be warned. That said nothing happened to the main heroine that she didn’t enjoy or like. I loved Caldoryn, he was written very well, I really enjoyed him and his pov. The Royal circle was of secondary (thirdary ?) and didn’t really play a huge part in the story, but they were still likeable and I would read the sh*t out of their stories too! I felt kinda sad for Vess, he seemed so lonely, he deserves a person and a book, they all do….okay I take it back they’re not secondary at all, they’re in there enough for you to get know them and want more, very clever!
This is my first book by this author and I really liked the world building, as it seems like there’s so much more to explore about it.
If you like dark be warned it’s not that dark, and if you’re still unsure and you don’t like even shadows then skip it.
June 21, 2023
A fun, super smutty read.
Read
July 25, 2023DNF. Will read another time.
April 22, 2023
I feel like this was the moderately darker cousin to ACOTAR and A Promise of Fire. The characters are compelling and imperfect (grey, manipulative, naïve, etc), the plot was phenomenal and innovative, and the last third moves too fast, so kinda wish it had been a duology. HEA with lots of character growth and a freaking amazing ending.
Some stuff I noted that usually doesn't happen in non-"dark" books:
TW: Handful of mentions of SA, including , with some happening on page/flashbacks. Mention of mass deaths. Abusive parents.
Some stuff I noted that usually doesn't happen in non-"dark" books:
TW: Handful of mentions of SA, including , with some happening on page/flashbacks. Mention of mass deaths. Abusive parents.
June 12, 2023
Magic succubus is one of my least favorite tropes, because it steals the agency from the FMC and gets used to excuse non consensual sexual encounters. This book is no exception. “Dub con” in this case means that as long as the FMC has an orgasm, it’s not rape.
I don’t usually knock books for rape and dub con if they have trigger warnings, because I don’t have to read it. But I’m going to knock this one, because the trigger warning specifically says rape is not perpetrated by the main characters. The MMC anally rapes the FMC without prep after her assassination attempt. There’s no question about it. She says no, he has someone hold her, he rapes her. Ah, but she has a magic orgasm from this painful anal sex, so I guess it’s not rape as far as the author is concerned.
Anyway, the book was fine overall. Nothing special. The ending has a sudden twist that never really got fully explained or resolved. There’s some pretty good smut if you’re into humiliation or dub con. Steer clear if you’re not, because there isn’t much else to the story.
I don’t usually knock books for rape and dub con if they have trigger warnings, because I don’t have to read it. But I’m going to knock this one, because the trigger warning specifically says rape is not perpetrated by the main characters. The MMC anally rapes the FMC without prep after her assassination attempt. There’s no question about it. She says no, he has someone hold her, he rapes her. Ah, but she has a magic orgasm from this painful anal sex, so I guess it’s not rape as far as the author is concerned.
Anyway, the book was fine overall. Nothing special. The ending has a sudden twist that never really got fully explained or resolved. There’s some pretty good smut if you’re into humiliation or dub con. Steer clear if you’re not, because there isn’t much else to the story.
May 16, 2023
Is this over the top?
Absolutely.
Did I have fun reading this?
Without a doubt.
And you can tell what to expect from just the cover. If you expect anything else you will be disappointed.
This book is completely bonkers and full of trashy smut. There is barely a storyline, but who cares when you are having so much fun reading all the naughty fun that takes place. And that epilogue truly made reading this so worth it.
Absolutely.
Did I have fun reading this?
Without a doubt.
And you can tell what to expect from just the cover. If you expect anything else you will be disappointed.
This book is completely bonkers and full of trashy smut. There is barely a storyline, but who cares when you are having so much fun reading all the naughty fun that takes place. And that epilogue truly made reading this so worth it.
August 16, 2023
So she’s spent a year in training for all sorts of ways to kill him, but all we’ve gotten is a submissive woman who hates the fact that she’s into humiliation, group f***ing and exhibitionism. I am all here for reluctant attraction to your enemy. If we had at least that, i could trudge through the unnecessary amount of sex. We he instead is literally nothing that was advertised in the synopsis. The author could have just written a short erotica and called it a day.
August 17, 2023
DNF 35%
It wasn’t the misleading triggers/warnings.
It wasn’t the dark themes.
It was most certainly the contradictory narrative of the FMC. And the TSTL vibes.
What kind of highly trained/skilled assassin goes into a mission without any intel? Not even knowing what her mark looks like??? I mean, c’mon… she’s willing to throw her whole life away on a suicide mission to avenge a town full of people who collectively treated her like the town whore.. just. Nope. I’m not buying it.
It wasn’t the misleading triggers/warnings.
It wasn’t the dark themes.
It was most certainly the contradictory narrative of the FMC. And the TSTL vibes.
What kind of highly trained/skilled assassin goes into a mission without any intel? Not even knowing what her mark looks like??? I mean, c’mon… she’s willing to throw her whole life away on a suicide mission to avenge a town full of people who collectively treated her like the town whore.. just. Nope. I’m not buying it.
September 2, 2023
Very dark...
Too dark as a matter of fact... Not a fan of reverse harem, multiple partner/orgy type scenarios. Definitely not a fan and will take care to avoid this author and genre.
Too dark as a matter of fact... Not a fan of reverse harem, multiple partner/orgy type scenarios. Definitely not a fan and will take care to avoid this author and genre.
September 10, 2023
DNF
This would have be great if it didn’t romanticize rape. Like WHY?? WHY DO THAT?? There is absolutely nothing sexy about it. It’s pretty sick to do so.
This would have be great if it didn’t romanticize rape. Like WHY?? WHY DO THAT?? There is absolutely nothing sexy about it. It’s pretty sick to do so.
December 17, 2023
Spice level 5/5. A little too spicy for me. Couldn't really get into the plot but if you're looking for something with more spice than plot this may be for you.
December 22, 2023
Honestly, I read this for the smut...and stayed for the smut, because the story was pretty lacklustre. This 3 star rating is for the smut only.
February 15, 2024
This book was wild. I'm not quite sure what the plot was besides the sex scenes in every chapter. I also couldn't stop reading it.
September 17, 2023
INDEED ROTTEN.
THERE WAS NOTHING ROMANTIC ABOUT THIS STORY. It read like scripted porno with sexually deviant characters, a succubus, lots of sex (MF, MMF, a hint at MM) and the plot was a sinker. Very dub-con as well.
All the sex/possible cheating wouldn't even phase me if the romance between the MCs were true. THE LACK OF TRUST BETWEEN THEM WAS LAUGHABLE. I felt zero plausible emotions between CALDORYN and RHEA except lust and forcefulness - their relationship wasn't even sweet! Or respectful! It bordered on manipulating feelings, taking advantage of each other and the ending was superbly rushed. SUDDENLY Caldoryn magically developed feelings for Rhea and claims her as his mate? I DON'T FUCKING BUY IT.
I've no respect at all for Caldoryn who reminded me of a sexual fiend who has lost interest in sex, because who wouldn't? 900 centuries of daily fucking, forced to breed with several women and daughters for an heir...well, THAT would be a chore wouldn't it? And he never stopped even when he started fucking Rhea. Technically, it wasn't his fault but the archaic culture his kingdom practiced, but still...he didn't strike me as a really, really, really good King.
RHEA herself was stubborn and cold. There was nothing endearing about her, and mind you, she's a succubus who just realized what she was. I totally get how a succubus has to HAVE SEX in order to feed and survive, but her identity seemed like an excuse just to write in all those sex scenes. Most of the time, she was just a slave to her desire, it's like she lost who she was, and in the end she was only being used by the men in her life, even Caldoryn. SAD. Really sad.
There was potential, and while the story does warn you to check your triggers, all that dark shit wasn't my problem, but the lack of romance. Heck, the sex was hot, but they all lacked meaning. If metaphorically banging the woman around like rag doll, sharing her body with your friends and the absurd lack of trust between the MCs is what you call romance? Then be my guest.
THERE WAS NOTHING ROMANTIC ABOUT THIS STORY. It read like scripted porno with sexually deviant characters, a succubus, lots of sex (MF, MMF, a hint at MM) and the plot was a sinker. Very dub-con as well.
All the sex/possible cheating wouldn't even phase me if the romance between the MCs were true. THE LACK OF TRUST BETWEEN THEM WAS LAUGHABLE. I felt zero plausible emotions between CALDORYN and RHEA except lust and forcefulness - their relationship wasn't even sweet! Or respectful! It bordered on manipulating feelings, taking advantage of each other and the ending was superbly rushed. SUDDENLY Caldoryn magically developed feelings for Rhea and claims her as his mate? I DON'T FUCKING BUY IT.
I've no respect at all for Caldoryn who reminded me of a sexual fiend who has lost interest in sex, because who wouldn't? 900 centuries of daily fucking, forced to breed with several women and daughters for an heir...well, THAT would be a chore wouldn't it? And he never stopped even when he started fucking Rhea. Technically, it wasn't his fault but the archaic culture his kingdom practiced, but still...he didn't strike me as a really, really, really good King.
RHEA herself was stubborn and cold. There was nothing endearing about her, and mind you, she's a succubus who just realized what she was. I totally get how a succubus has to HAVE SEX in order to feed and survive, but her identity seemed like an excuse just to write in all those sex scenes. Most of the time, she was just a slave to her desire, it's like she lost who she was, and in the end she was only being used by the men in her life, even Caldoryn. SAD. Really sad.
There was potential, and while the story does warn you to check your triggers, all that dark shit wasn't my problem, but the lack of romance. Heck, the sex was hot, but they all lacked meaning. If metaphorically banging the woman around like rag doll, sharing her body with your friends and the absurd lack of trust between the MCs is what you call romance? Then be my guest.
July 15, 2023
Certainly spicy!
This was certainly a fun read! Until the end...
But let's talk about the good parts! I loved Caldoryn's personality; every inch a king and with not an insecurity in sight. Rhea was a solid MFC, but I wish she was fleshed out more (no pun intended). I like the ambiguity of the magic concepts not really adhering to stereotypes while also bringing in mythos type creatures and giving them a unique spin. I like the storyline, and it had some fantastic twists and turns. Characters building in the beginning was fantastic, and the dialogue was amazing and hilarious.
My cons. Possible *spoilers*
This story had the potential to be ten times more epic, and it kills me because it's good. It's steamy, and the chemistry feels good. Too much happened too soon about halfway through the book all the way to the end. Easily could have broken this stoey into two maybe three books to really get the build up it needed.
*spoiler*
It went from hey we're gonna have a wedding to warzone. One minute rhea is one thing, and then, the next, she's an all-powerful being. Ahhhhh. So much potential epicness lost.
ITS STILL WORTH THE READ! I just wish romance authors weren't afraid to flesh out their stories more and say screw word count. Quality of story trumps length any and every day.
This was certainly a fun read! Until the end...
But let's talk about the good parts! I loved Caldoryn's personality; every inch a king and with not an insecurity in sight. Rhea was a solid MFC, but I wish she was fleshed out more (no pun intended). I like the ambiguity of the magic concepts not really adhering to stereotypes while also bringing in mythos type creatures and giving them a unique spin. I like the storyline, and it had some fantastic twists and turns. Characters building in the beginning was fantastic, and the dialogue was amazing and hilarious.
My cons. Possible *spoilers*
This story had the potential to be ten times more epic, and it kills me because it's good. It's steamy, and the chemistry feels good. Too much happened too soon about halfway through the book all the way to the end. Easily could have broken this stoey into two maybe three books to really get the build up it needed.
*spoiler*
It went from hey we're gonna have a wedding to warzone. One minute rhea is one thing, and then, the next, she's an all-powerful being. Ahhhhh. So much potential epicness lost.
ITS STILL WORTH THE READ! I just wish romance authors weren't afraid to flesh out their stories more and say screw word count. Quality of story trumps length any and every day.
August 1, 2023
Rhea goes on a mission to assassinate the evil immortal king who is attacking her country and destroyed her village, or so she believes. However, since he is the MMC, we almost immediately learn that she has been indoctrinated, and he is innocent of those charges. He is, however, a bored immortal with an enormous libido, who takes great joy in “punishing” Rhea by making her his “lady of pleasure”, and pleasure her he does, almost incessantly. Allea, Rhea’s home kingdom, is prudish and uptight, while Nyxar is wild and licentious, and Rhea has a lot of adjusting to do as she gradually comes to understand that she was indoctrinated with a lie, and to accept her true nature. There’s a lot of humor along the way, some riotous orgies, and ultimately a solution to the political situation between the two countries. My main criticism is that the ending seemed rushed, and there were things left unexplained. I would have liked to know more about the lost stars in the Void. How did they get to be there, and why could Rhea communicate with them when no one else could? Exactly what did she do for them, and what did they do to her? More information would have been nice.
There’s an infographic on the author’s FB page that says this is a loose Snow White retelling. I didn’t see any similarities to Snow White though. The closest thing was that the Nyxar king has a council of 7 advisors, but other than there being 7 of them, they are nothing like the dwarves and don’t play a similar role.
Anyway, this book was a lot of fun. I really hope the next volume will also go onto KU.
There’s an infographic on the author’s FB page that says this is a loose Snow White retelling. I didn’t see any similarities to Snow White though. The closest thing was that the Nyxar king has a council of 7 advisors, but other than there being 7 of them, they are nothing like the dwarves and don’t play a similar role.
Anyway, this book was a lot of fun. I really hope the next volume will also go onto KU.
Read
March 22, 2025“What a powerful weapon, in anyone’s hand. If she wasn’t here to kill me, I’d offer her a job.”
“I don’t miss all the eyes on me, openly leering, after what they’ve seen. I’ve truly been reduced to nothing more than a royal harlot. ”
--well, yes. This is a smutty novelette...
Caldoryn : heir to the throne of the north but custom dictates any lord can “introduce” their daughter. That means they demand sex to entrap him. He needs an excuse not to be accosted.
Enter Rhea: a subject of the southern “Kind King” who wouldn’t mind killing his own subjects but blaming the northern countries. Rhea is not prepared for the lasciviousness of the northern court after she fails to even start an assassination.
What I can tell you is that their chemistry, their banter is amazing. Rhea comes across as a likeable, naive young woman caught in a foreign land, and Caldoryn is a likeable young man stuck in an untenable war and an untenable court.
DNF at 60% but liked it until I stopped.
“I don’t miss all the eyes on me, openly leering, after what they’ve seen. I’ve truly been reduced to nothing more than a royal harlot. ”
--well, yes. This is a smutty novelette...
Caldoryn : heir to the throne of the north but custom dictates any lord can “introduce” their daughter. That means they demand sex to entrap him. He needs an excuse not to be accosted.
Enter Rhea: a subject of the southern “Kind King” who wouldn’t mind killing his own subjects but blaming the northern countries. Rhea is not prepared for the lasciviousness of the northern court after she fails to even start an assassination.
What I can tell you is that their chemistry, their banter is amazing. Rhea comes across as a likeable, naive young woman caught in a foreign land, and Caldoryn is a likeable young man stuck in an untenable war and an untenable court.
DNF at 60% but liked it until I stopped.
July 14, 2023
Burn baby burn 🔥 🫣
Deliciously dirty. Devious anti-heros that spend half their time trying to batter at the walls stubborn hearts and prideful minds and the other half . . . well, let's just say batter at more pleasant things 😘💦😈❤️🔥. Hehe.
It's great when you read that story that just hits it on all points. I loved how everyone was in on who the assassin was, but no one clue the assassin in. Like a cat toying with a mouse, she was played with. She was mindfully unraveled from the hard-core assassin to her base self. Oh, how she shined. The author's did a great job of letting ever step of the way be viewed by both POV so even in humiliation the reader can see the characters true motivation.
I will definitely be looking out for more from not only the individual authors, but when they work together.
Deliciously dirty. Devious anti-heros that spend half their time trying to batter at the walls stubborn hearts and prideful minds and the other half . . . well, let's just say batter at more pleasant things 😘💦😈❤️🔥. Hehe.
It's great when you read that story that just hits it on all points. I loved how everyone was in on who the assassin was, but no one clue the assassin in. Like a cat toying with a mouse, she was played with. She was mindfully unraveled from the hard-core assassin to her base self. Oh, how she shined. The author's did a great job of letting ever step of the way be viewed by both POV so even in humiliation the reader can see the characters true motivation.
I will definitely be looking out for more from not only the individual authors, but when they work together.
June 1, 2023
Not a bad read
Check the trigger warnings listed. Mind your own triggers. But if you're like me and use those warnings as a shopping list be aware the dark and spicy in this one isn't as bad as mentioned. Maybe I read too much smut. This is a good read. I definitely didn't see the twist with the Kind King which was pleasantly surprising. There's lots of spicy scenes. This was my first book by this author and even though it takes place in a shared world I've never explored, I was easily able to follow the storyline. The plot is there, the s€x is there, but I just wanted more.
Check the trigger warnings listed. Mind your own triggers. But if you're like me and use those warnings as a shopping list be aware the dark and spicy in this one isn't as bad as mentioned. Maybe I read too much smut. This is a good read. I definitely didn't see the twist with the Kind King which was pleasantly surprising. There's lots of spicy scenes. This was my first book by this author and even though it takes place in a shared world I've never explored, I was easily able to follow the storyline. The plot is there, the s€x is there, but I just wanted more.
April 5, 2024
You win May ;-)
I have never written a book review. I don't usually know what to say. But I have enjoyed every book I have read by you. this one blew me out of the water. And I would love to have more. So you win, I am writing to ask you for more, please! Oh, and to tell anyone who reads this, READ THIS BOOK! I am not a huge fan of the 'dark romance ' genre as a whole, and I loved this. The characters, the action, the world building.....and yeah the hot sex.....( fanning self) oh mmmyyyyy! Do yourself a favor, a try one of May Sage's books today.
I have never written a book review. I don't usually know what to say. But I have enjoyed every book I have read by you. this one blew me out of the water. And I would love to have more. So you win, I am writing to ask you for more, please! Oh, and to tell anyone who reads this, READ THIS BOOK! I am not a huge fan of the 'dark romance ' genre as a whole, and I loved this. The characters, the action, the world building.....and yeah the hot sex.....( fanning self) oh mmmyyyyy! Do yourself a favor, a try one of May Sage's books today.
June 20, 2023
Wow let me process but i enjoyed the debauchery and well lots of endless smut
Check TW/CW this book has themes that are present in dark romance and not for the faint of heart. If you are not comfortable please don't read it.
ꜰᴏᴇ. ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ. ʟɪᴀʀ. ʟᴏᴠᴇʀ. ᴍᴜʀᴅᴇʀᴇʀ. ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪʟʟ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴀʟʟ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴀᴜᴛᴜᴍɴ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜʀᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴠᴇʟ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜰᴏʀᴇꜰᴀᴛʜᴇʀꜱ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛᴇᴅ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴀʀ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ɪᴛ’ꜱ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛᴇᴅ.
Do you want dark, depraved filthy smut? with a sprinkle or orgy, but with Fantasy aspects?! well dude, this book is for you! I picked this book up because I have a weakness for males with white long hair, okay? Periodt. No ifs, buts, or whys. But as the book went on, I did not expect this...
Rhea was raised to be a true-blooded killer and she is definitely the weapon in this kingdom and her purpose is to slay the Shade King. The Shade King already knew of her plans 'cause duh! He has eyes and ears everywhere. So he just entertained her despite her plans for him so and he is quite tired of being treated like bred by women all over the kingdom and he finds Rhea too enticing not to play with. He just wants an heir and well, a woman that matches his every powerful primal *cough* 10-inch snake. HAHA!
Like WTF DUDE?! TEN FUCKING INCHES! I CHOKED! CACKLE CACKLE CACKLE... DIED 💀 Thoughts and prayers to her 🐱
This is the kind of book you come for the debauchery and the smut for the plot hmm, yes, there is a plot, but the copious amount of smut. YES, It made me cackle. Did I enjoy it? Very so! The number of times where the word "cock" and "coom" were mentioned in this book is just...Wow. Very wow. Okay. HAHA!
🍎 Supposedly one couple but mf/mfm/mfmmm
🍎 enemies to lovers
🍎 dubcon/noncon
🍎 some public
🍎 Standalone
🍎 Instalust
🍎Some humiliation
Rating 4 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Spice Level 6/5 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Check TW/CW this book has themes that are present in dark romance and not for the faint of heart. If you are not comfortable please don't read it.
ꜰᴏᴇ. ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ. ʟɪᴀʀ. ʟᴏᴠᴇʀ. ᴍᴜʀᴅᴇʀᴇʀ. ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪʟʟ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴀʟʟ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴀᴜᴛᴜᴍɴ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜʀᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴠᴇʟ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜰᴏʀᴇꜰᴀᴛʜᴇʀꜱ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛᴇᴅ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴀʀ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ɪᴛ’ꜱ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛᴇᴅ.
Do you want dark, depraved filthy smut? with a sprinkle or orgy, but with Fantasy aspects?! well dude, this book is for you! I picked this book up because I have a weakness for males with white long hair, okay? Periodt. No ifs, buts, or whys. But as the book went on, I did not expect this...
Rhea was raised to be a true-blooded killer and she is definitely the weapon in this kingdom and her purpose is to slay the Shade King. The Shade King already knew of her plans 'cause duh! He has eyes and ears everywhere. So he just entertained her despite her plans for him so and he is quite tired of being treated like bred by women all over the kingdom and he finds Rhea too enticing not to play with. He just wants an heir and well, a woman that matches his every powerful primal *cough* 10-inch snake. HAHA!
Like WTF DUDE?! TEN FUCKING INCHES! I CHOKED! CACKLE CACKLE CACKLE... DIED 💀 Thoughts and prayers to her 🐱
This is the kind of book you come for the debauchery and the smut for the plot hmm, yes, there is a plot, but the copious amount of smut. YES, It made me cackle. Did I enjoy it? Very so! The number of times where the word "cock" and "coom" were mentioned in this book is just...Wow. Very wow. Okay. HAHA!
🍎 Supposedly one couple but mf/mfm/mfmmm
🍎 enemies to lovers
🍎 dubcon/noncon
🍎 some public
🍎 Standalone
🍎 Instalust
🍎Some humiliation
Rating 4 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Spice Level 6/5 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
June 17, 2023
Loved it!!!🤩😘
There are no words to describe how much I enjoyed Rhea and Doryn's story. Doryn's inner circle was hilarious and loyal. The hot and spicy scenes were well written and left you panting. The storyline, interactions between characters and world building was very immersive. Couldn't put the book down. There were so many laugh out loud moments. I highly recommend reading this book.
There are no words to describe how much I enjoyed Rhea and Doryn's story. Doryn's inner circle was hilarious and loyal. The hot and spicy scenes were well written and left you panting. The storyline, interactions between characters and world building was very immersive. Couldn't put the book down. There were so many laugh out loud moments. I highly recommend reading this book.
April 23, 2023
Rotten to the Core was easy to read. I flew through it. It was an enjoyable read and a scorcher for sure but there was more to it than that which I loved. There was action and betrayal. I liked the world building and the characters. Should the author decide to do more stories in this series of definitely read them.
Copy provided by author
Copy provided by author
June 9, 2023
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
All the feels!! This book is dark and dirty and all the things that my little heart needed to set me right!!! May Sage came through and gave us all the hate smex and dark and delicious things. THANK YOU!!! Great world building, I loved seeing the powers manifesting, and how the tables were turned, and ohhh that ending!!! I need more please!!
All the feels!! This book is dark and dirty and all the things that my little heart needed to set me right!!! May Sage came through and gave us all the hate smex and dark and delicious things. THANK YOU!!! Great world building, I loved seeing the powers manifesting, and how the tables were turned, and ohhh that ending!!! I need more please!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews