The Mark of Dreams and Darkness

The Mark of Creation Chronicles #2

by Arabella K. Federico

“Am I a good person?”

Haunted by the certain doom of her fellow Starseed, Kara makes a fateful decision—to enter the lethal Titan Games—a merciless competition where the stakes are life and death. The prize? A face-to-face reunion with her captured friend and the chance to confront the very enemy that threatens Earth’s existence. With each step closer to her teammate's liberation and Earth’s freedom, the line between allies and enemies blurs with every fatal round.

As Kara faces off against other deadly contenders, she simultaneously clashes with Malakyte in an entirely different arena—a battleground of the heart.

The Hunger Games meets Sailor Moon in the epic sequel to the award winning debut The Mark of Chaos and Creation. A true battle of the heart awaits our main heroine as she faces the dark prince Malakyte, but more importantly-herself. A beautiful blend of fantasy, urban fantasy, romance, and science fiction, this action-packed novel explodes with heart-pounding challenges and tear jerking relationships. The Mark of Dreams and Darkness bumps up to the New Adult category, exploring enemies to lovers and love triangle romances. If you're looking for a book that's different from everything else on your shelf, then this is the novel you've been waiting for.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Ebooks, Romance

482 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2023

About the author

My name is Arabella K. Federico and I am a passionate author who loves all things fantasy, scifi, romance, urban fantasy, dystopian, and paranormal. I write a mixture of genres with a mind-bending metaphysical twist you'll never see coming. Let's just say nobody writes like me and there's NOTHING on your TBR that's like my books.
If you want something different-yet with familiar tropes you crave-I'm your next favorite author. Don't let the indie author thing fool you, my debut novel "The Mark of Chaos and Creation" and it's sequel "The Mark of Dreams and Darkness" was professionally edited by a talented industry pro who's one of the developmental editors on Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn, as well as Tricia Levenseller's Daughter of the Pirate King duology, and literally hundreds more traditional and indie books that are best-sellers.
As an author coach and teacher of all things writing craft, I hope to take my amazing readers on a ride they won't soon forget. Storytelling is my passion. It lights me up like Christmas day and makes me more giddy than it probably should. Writing stories is my destiny, and I hope every new reader whose adoration I gain joins Arabella's Army and follows me down the path of taking over the world. Because women who follow the status quo typically never break it, and over here, we shatter expectations.

Reviews

[Arabella K. Federico · Rating 5 out of 5]

The new audiobook is WOW

Oh boy...you guys are IN FOR IT 😂😂😈😈☠️☠️

[freya.nightwolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

YOU ARE NOT READY FOR THIS! THIS BOOK IS A ROLLERCOASTER! Infinite amount of stars for this stunning book.

It was magnificent. I loved every page, and if the first book was excellent, this one hit a whole new level of awesome. Action, friendship, the power of found family, romance, spice, plot twists, and the trials in the Titan Games. It took my breath away. Of course, Malakyte is a villain until the end!!!! MAAAAAN! That ending!!!! That level of insanity?????? Holy shit!!!!! I’m afraid of what’s about to happen in book 3.

WE HAVE A NEW FAVORITE MMC! 😊 He is the best! All the alphas in the world could be in the same room, with our favorite villain, and I will still pick HIM! It was about time he joined the ride!
I want to say so many things, damn it, but I will NOT spoil anything! Malakyte… no matter how much I love him, I can’t forgive him for what he did in the end… He’s kind of a morally greyish-black character… Our team is going to need a lot of gas... Oh well...

Now, this book is full of action. How it starts, the games, the plotting, the ending! This whole book makes you want to read the next one ASAP. That's how good it is. It doesn't just end with a cliffhanger to make you want the third one. NO, this entire book keeps your heart in your throat and makes you want to know so much more. I hope we'll have spin-offs and more books in this world because it is awesome!

Some of the characters from the first book are back in business and I'm not going to say which ones because it will spoil the fun :)) We have good choices and bad choices (but necessary ones), the Titan Games which are literally hell! They might be hell, but I loved them because of what's happening there. Pacey :((( That's all I'm going to say :(((

If you're a fan of Divergent, Hunger Games, and Fourth Wing, you will love these games. I could say even the trials from the first book in TOG, or the trials in ACOTAR, but only the essence of the games. THIS BOOK IS UNIQUE, THE STORY IS ORIGINAL AND SCI-FI FANTASY IS IN MY READING GENRES NOW.

I loved the theme of every trial, and my favorite one is the third one. That one brings out the real monster, the real challenge. It kind of reminds me of Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back. The trials also serve for character development: reconnection, childhood, character growth, and also a test in those you trust but also the trust you have in yourself. Some bad stuff happened that made me scream "What the actual f***?????? I'm not buying this". And it was a good thing to trust my instincts.

I'm in love with this book and with my favorite MMC! I personally think the final battle will be between our new MMC and Malakyte :))) Those who will read the book will understand me perfectly :))) SO, READ THE BOOK!!!

My dear, Arabella, thank you from the bottom of my heart, for having me on your beta and arc team! If for the first draft I was already giving 5 stars, to this final official version I'm giving an infinite amount of stars! This book blew my mind.

[Luminoustaina TaínaMoodReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait to get on this roller coaster because baby book 1 had me on a ride 😬♥️

[Didi Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotions!

I can not even begin with how many emotions this book brought me. This is the sequel to The Mark of Chaos and Creation. I at first felt so bad for the main characters, the starseeds, they went through so much to have to sacrifice and fight more. Then you are stuck on what choices Kara should make and what to do or what you would do in her shoes. She is a young adult going through more than many adults ever will who live full lives. It's tough to see what she still has to overcome and fight for. The family she lost and found and her found family. To what happens to her in the end, she deserves so much better. I can see how negatively this will affect her, but to see who is in her corner and will help her when needed is beautiful. I am impatiently waiting for the next book!

[Lyndsi Cortez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mark of Dreams and Darkness has Sailor Moon/Hunger Games Vibes that i LOVED!!!! Arabella knows what she’s doing for sure! And her world building is 🤌🏼 chefs kiss, This isn't your normal Romantasy thats for sure😉 This FMC is Bad A$$ and these plot twist of her’s will have you shook! I loved book 1 and Book 2 was even better! 5⭐️’s for sure!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will I survive the wait of book 3? Who knows 😅

What a fantastic book series thus far!

[D.L. Blade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

The second book was even better. I'm going to be on a reading high for a while after this. Ready for book 3!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mark of Dreams and Darkness is the triumphant sequel to the Mark of Chaos and Creation. I'd hate to spoil anyone in this review (why are you reading this if you haven't read the first book??) so I've included the blurb of the first book instead. So if you haven't read the first book, go read that and if you have THEN YOU NEED TO READ THIS ONE. (Don't worry there aren't any spoilers in this review for Dreams and Darkness). 

First book blurb: Earth is inhabited by the Arianyte Empire. After narrowly escaping their clutches and witnessing the abduction of her best friend, Kara wants nothing more than revenge and to find her lost friend. But Kara has a secret: she is branded with a mark of  creation. After losing control of her power and ending up in the hands of the Arianyte, Kara must keep up the lies she's told. Her life depends on it. As the lines between good and evil blur Kara wonders what she'll have to do if she hopes to make it out alive. 

Now onto the review! 

We're back in the action and man, as much as I loved Kara in the first book do I really love her in this one! I always love bad ass main characters and Kara is no different! 

I'm still having a hard time formulating my thoughts into a more coherent review because the plot!!! MISS ARABELLA. And the ending?!!? Just- I don't even have words. This novel was crafted beautifully and got me right in the feels. I can't wait to know what happens in the next one!!! 

Definitely check out this book if you love science fiction and fantasy (but read the first one if you haven't yet!) 

Thank you ever so much to the author for a review copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions contained within this review are my own.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo much wow. I just don't even know how to articulate how good this book was. I definitely think Arabella has grown over the course of the first book and the second, because The Mark of Dreams and Darkness really shows her growth as an author. That I noticed right away. The work that was put into this book was evident in the way it was told. It was just a non-stop, action filled epic. My heart was physically pounding as I read this book. I was in tears at the end, I couldn't believe THAT ENDING OMG. I follow Arabella on social media and am an ARC reader for her, and she wasn't lying when she was to be prepared lol. I'm just stunned.

If you haven't read her first book, The Mark of Chaos and Creation, go read it first and then dive into this baby because it hits the ground running and never lets up until the very last word. The dynamic between the villain/love interest and our FMC is just a trip, the toxic love between them that we've all experienced is so real-life and I could relate to that toxic relationship dynamic. I think most girls can, and Arabella understands that. There's also a really sweet father/daughter thing going on here that I rarely see in these types of fantasy books, and it was both sweet and tragic at the same time.

Now I don't know what I'm going to do with myself until book 3 comes out, maybe get some therapy or something after this book. Just WOW!! Best read of the year, hands down! It's more action packed than Fourth Wing, it's got a better enemies to lover arc than ACOTAR, and it's as good if not better than Hunger Games. Read it noooowww!

[Mary]

Book 2: Mark of Dreams and Darkness is a wild wild roller coaster ride. This picks up shortly after Book 1 concludes. We had a LOT of surprises in this one. I have a love/dislike relationship with this story, and not in a bad story way, but in a way that the characters made me dislike them, and I love that way. When an author can pull more emotion out of me as a reader, it makes for a good story, in my opinion.

You definitely need to read book 1 before book 2, or you will be lost. There is so much that comes to light in Book 2 about Kara’s past and past lives. I’m still ruminating on my feelings about all that transpired. Talking about different things would spoil this story to no end, I think.

This saga—yes,  it’s going to be a saga—is one you need to buckle up and hang on tight. The world building is highly detailed, and the plot moves from book 1 to this book, and hopefully we will have the conclusion in book 3. I’m excited to see how it works out and if Jance and Kara are reunited. If fantasy stories are your thing, this series is for you. The romance portion does appear more in this story, so if you like closed door or clean fantasy, then this crosses that barrier. Otherwise, if you don’t mind the steam, then grab these two books and find out what’s happening to the Star Seeds, and wait with me to see if they survive! I always feel like in a fantasy someone d!es… but maybe I’ll get that magical romance HEA with it too.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mark of Dreams and Darkness by Arabella K. Federico is book two in the The Mark of Creation Chronicles. This author is absolutely one of my favorite writers, the way you are drawn into the story is awe inspiring. After I read this first book I called it a cookie that blended the perfect amount of sci-fi and romantasy together. I still stand by that description. This book was amazing! I absolutely loved it so much. I happily devoured this book, I didn’t adult again until I finished. Even then I went back to my bookmarked pages and read my favorite parts again. The worldbuilding is fabulous and is described perfectly so that you can imagine what you’re reading. This book was a rollercoaster and I wasn’t ready! The twists and the turns of this was one intense ride! The action and suspense with the spice mixed in was phenomenally well done. The characters were amazing! Both the ones from book one and the newer ones. I can’t was enough amazing things because I don’t think I could do justice to this amazingly this book was written. I will mention that you do need to read book one as this isn’t a standalone. This series is so worth it and Arabella K. Federico is fabulous, you need to have these books in your life. (Plus have you seen how beautiful the covers are!!)

Final review:
5 out of 5 stars

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️‍🔥ARC Review❤️‍🔥
The Mark of Dreams and Darkness by Arabella Federico

I absolutely love Kara as the FMC! She is strong, brave, and fearless and she will do whatever it take to protect the ones she loves. She is faced with so many hard decisions in this book. She does not know who to trust. Especially when it comes to her enemy who has been out to get her for years and will do anything to get her. She has to fight the darkness that is threatening to take over the world.

This book has a sailor moon & hunger games vibe. Kara has to face sting and deadly contestants in the Titan games. It has my heart beating out of my chest and want to read more.

I really love the world that has been created in this series. I have fallen in love with the characters. I’ve not really read much Sci-Fi but this is a Sci-Fi romance so I decided to give it a try and I’m so happy I did. I absolutely loved this book and this author! I highly recommend this book! ❤️

Other ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ books in this series
🦋 The Mark of Chaos and Creation

Genre: NA Fantasy w/ Sci-Fi Elements
ARC: eBook
Pages: 507 pages
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Series or Standalone: 2nd book in the The Mark of Creation Chronicles series.

[Sandy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an ARC for an honest review.

This is book 2 in The Mark of Creation Chronicles and I had such a great time and went through so many emotions on this book. This is a sci-fi fantasy but there is so much action and the author has so many twists and turns, you are in for one heck of a ride!

If you read book one, you will see a new MMC in book 2 and he is delicious! So now with Ardelle, Malakyte and the new MMC is it a quadrangle? Yes, you read that right. Malakyte is still in the picture and he had my head spinning. I will say in this book Kara (to me) made so many bad decisions. I felt like she was so selfish alot of the times and I do understand her reasoning but it was so frustrating because she kept hurting her everyone around her. I personally love Ardelle, that's my baby but now with the new MMC (so hot), I need Kara to be in a throuple! Many people love the villian, Malakyte, and I do see the draw to him but I can't trust him but he keeps pulling her back in! There are so many things that happen that the author had me screaming in shock!

Action...so much action because we have the Titan Games trials thrown by Malakyte that Kara and Ardelle enter in hopes one of them wins and can get them closer to Pacey. These trials are dangerous kind of like The Hunger Games. Every trial was a different and it really did challenge the person and became more difficult and even though the teams were chosen and broken up to two teams, it is still only one winner so it's every wo/man for themselves.

You do get some spice in book 2 and it was very well written. I loved it! I loved the direction the author went with on this book. I love this world she created and I love that she kept me on the edge on my seat and still the last eight chapters broke me! I re-read those chapters over like 3 times because I was in disbelief! She ended it on a cliffhanger and we do have to wait until next year for book 3 but if you have not started this book 1 Now is the time!!!

I am not a huge sci-fi reader, I think I have only read one series and it was YA, I think book one was marketed as YA but it didn't feel YA to me, and so it definitely isn't YA in book two and it doesn't read too sci-fi-y. I know that's not a word but what I mean is that I was able to understand and isn't too far out there for you not to get into the story. You should give it a try and because I do recommend this series!

[Gabs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mark of Dreams & Darkness 📚 Arabella K Fedrico
5 ⭐️ 1.5 🌶️

“You’re the air I breathe, Karalevine. Even if what you are is a toxic gas, I’ll still breathe you in until I’m choking for breath and my lungs give out. And likely far after that, too, knowing me. Perhaps consider the darkness is simply a part of you, and with me, you don’t have to pretend like you do with him.”

I loved this book, if you could take a romantasy, and a fantasy book about a bad ass women that finds her self and tie it up with a bow, you’ll get this. It’s not just a fantasy book about aliens and other species taking over earth, but it’s about finding a piece of yourself, toxic love that we are so addicted to, finding your worth. But above all else it’s a story that makes you realize that there isn’t always a hero or a villain sometimes your both.

Obviously I’d recommend reading the first book the mark of chaos and creation I will warn you she has to do quite a lot of world building so it takes a little bit to get into it but once you do, it’s amazing!

[Hannah The Awkward · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Mark of Dreams and Darkness features a strong willed, feisty, sarcastic FMC that has to learn how to figure things out— even if that means making mistakes along the way. It’s vibe is a mix of Sailor Moon, Hunger Games, and Destiny that I just absolutely ate up.

Arabella’s ability to write such intricate, but easy to understand magic systems and world building is impressive. If you want a romantasy where the FMC falls for the villain to get sucked into then this is for you. And the twists and turns will have you screaming and crying because you WILL be emotionally invested in the characters.

From the first page to the last I was ensnared in the story of passion, heartbreak, action, betrayal, secrets, and romance.

[Casey Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC of this title for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After reading The Mark of Chaos and Creation, I predicted that a lot of the information given would come to be crucial as the series progressed, and I am happy to say that I found that to ring true with book two!

The Mark of Dreams and Darkness ups the ante, turns the heat ALL THE WAY UP, and is all in all another one of those that leaves you with your jaw hanging by a thread by its final pages.

Holy heck, what a wild ride. THAT ENDING. 👀


Absolutely cannot wait for book three!

[T-Ann Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why does September feel so far away? Why do I feel more excited about this book than my own birthday in the same month?

I'm hoping the villain gets the girl in this one or else I'll be terribly disappointed. Kinda disappointed I didn't get to read it in advance but at least it won't be long now till the release. At least I don't have to wait over ten years for a book, yeah I'm looking at you SM, just a little over a month away.

[B.K. Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definite Hunger Games vibes and maybe even better! This is a keep you on the edge of your seat, guessing the whole time, action-packed, love the characters and world kind of read. I’ll tell you what…Federico did such a phenomenal job with her world building and character development, you can’t helped but get sucked in. Twists, turns, romance…just wow! Loved everything! From first page to the last, I’m telling you, you’ll want to read this book!

Highly recommended!

[Amanda Schumacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! we join Kara and the others as they continue to fight Aryante.. with Trinity’s help; Kara, Deimos and Ardelle decide to enter this year’s Titan Games in an effort to rescue Pacey.. through the games many discoveries are made! Kara learns that Gavrielle is actually alive and competing in the games as well! Learn all the trials and tribulations that happen… by reading this second book!

[Alonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing sequel to book one. We get to see old and new characters and I have so many feelings about all of them, after this book. In this book we have the games and I could barely breathe any relief because of them. Our girl Kara is still bad as ever and I like that she seems to be developing with each book. The intrigue, the spice, the action, and romance all came together perfectly to make this story amazing. I can not wait to see what happens in the next book.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh! The story continues from The Mark of Chaos and Creation, and it does NOT disappoint one bit. This rollercoaster of adventure doesn't stop, and the story has only gotten better! If you haven't started this series yet, you should!

[Angel Moree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me all over the place !!! It's world building it's amazing. The characters are prefect! The relationships within are the best ! I can't say enough about this story! Can't wait for me! Definitely start with the first book they are worth it !!

[Sherri Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even give a detailed review. The only thing I can say is you need to read this book asap.

[Grace Willows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word! This book has so many twists and turns with amazing characters. This book is a amazing ride! I am so in love with this book!

[Jesika Houck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. This is the fastest I have ever read a book. I just couldn't get enough. Highly recommend if you love enemies to lovers. But start with book 1 first. You will not regret it.

[Tenasha Gummybear_smutbookreder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was and absolutely thrill of a book to read it was so good 😊 this is the second book so make sure to read the first they are both 🤌🏽💋 10/10 recommend

[Dina Almeida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the storie and the character's are amazing, thank you so much for this amazing book Arabella

[Deana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A person does not cross the galaxy in search of the soul they purely like.”

4.5⭐️ I enjoyed almost every part of this book so much. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into Book 2 but it was definitely worth it. There were a few times Kara was a little “whiney” to me but I also remember that she’s on the younger side. I think it transitioned really well into the New Adult genre and I cannot wait to read Book 3. So many things happened and I was here for it all. The amount of twists and turns I was shocked at some points. Definitely read Book 1, The Mark of Chaos and Creation so you can jump into this one!

[Dartanyan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won't give away any spoilers, just know that I want Malakyte unalived. Someone needs to do that man great harm! 😩😅

[Mybookmemories · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! Definitely not what you’re expecting, and a book that grips you until the end. I loved the characters and how the author showed their development throughout. Definitely recommend this one!