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Temper the Dark
Servant girl Alaris Kahlanik finds out about her family’s gift the hard way when she discovers her ability to dreamwalk after being condemned to the Cells. With thoughts of escape, she uses her newfound ability to spy on the emperor and his secret search for something important. Nothing the emperor wants could possibly be good for the people he rules, and so whatever the emperor is looking for, Alaris must find first.
Throlani Guardsman Kagan Liis has served the Empire since Emperor Patuk’s reign began eight years ago. He can also communicate with a vicious oracle referred to only as the Darkness. When the Darkness tasks Kagan with investigating the Servant girl in the Cells, Kagan takes on a special mission that will require more than his usual interrogation methods of brute strength and intimidation.
From vastly different echelons of the same tribal society, Alaris and Kagan are surprised to learn they share one important goal—ensuring the best for the people of their island nation. Alaris discovers what the emperor is looking for — a dragon! But warning a senile dragon against impending danger is no easy task. Together, Alaris and Kagan must save a forgetful dragon and a divided nation…which may mean giving up any hope of saving themselves.
Throlani Guardsman Kagan Liis has served the Empire since Emperor Patuk’s reign began eight years ago. He can also communicate with a vicious oracle referred to only as the Darkness. When the Darkness tasks Kagan with investigating the Servant girl in the Cells, Kagan takes on a special mission that will require more than his usual interrogation methods of brute strength and intimidation.
From vastly different echelons of the same tribal society, Alaris and Kagan are surprised to learn they share one important goal—ensuring the best for the people of their island nation. Alaris discovers what the emperor is looking for — a dragon! But warning a senile dragon against impending danger is no easy task. Together, Alaris and Kagan must save a forgetful dragon and a divided nation…which may mean giving up any hope of saving themselves.
320 pages, Paperback
Published June 27, 2023
3 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
L. Ryan Storms
6 books56 followersL. Ryan Storms is an award-winning Young Adult Fantasy author who loves to read and write strong female protagonists with a "Fine. I'll do it myself!” mindset.
Storms lives in Pennsylvania with her cancer-survivor husband, two children, and a “rescue zoo” of ever-changing furry and feathered friends. When she’s not reading, writing, or keeping her kids in line, Storms can be found rescuing the latest neighborhood strays or snuggling her pet chickens in the suburbs.
Storms lives in Pennsylvania with her cancer-survivor husband, two children, and a “rescue zoo” of ever-changing furry and feathered friends. When she’s not reading, writing, or keeping her kids in line, Storms can be found rescuing the latest neighborhood strays or snuggling her pet chickens in the suburbs.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 28, 2024
Read as part of SPFBO10
I think the ‘book I didn’t expect to like as much but ended up really enjoying‘ is a thing when it comes to SPFBO. As time goes on and free time to simply read and enjoy book decreases, the enjoyment factor becomes more and more important to me. Temper the Dark was truly enjoyable for me and a total surprise.
The only ‘negative’ I would mention is the age old cliché of a romance in between 2 people who should not be together. The cliché that even though they are both nice, they see one another as an ‘impossible to like’ and there is a misunderstanding in between them. Cliché, but in Temper the Dark – well done because the cringe dials were nicely balanced. Kudos for zero cringe moments!
I enjoyed both of the POVs – neither of them had any easy decisions to make and the romancy bit was just enough. It tantalized the imagination enough to come across cute and exciting.
There is a cool twist in the book that my other team mates saw coming a mile away – and I didn’t – so, this ‘holy shit’ moment worked for me beautifully!
Finally, bonus points for the depiction of the ‘power’ that Alaris holds within her – that it’s not without consequences, and of course Kagan has his own darkness to deal with (pun intended!). Bonus-bonus points for the dragon! What a cool way to weave a dragon into the story!
Temper the Dark was a really, truly enjoyable book for me which I finished reading in record time and had fun while doing it! Just what a book is supposed to be and do!
I think the ‘book I didn’t expect to like as much but ended up really enjoying‘ is a thing when it comes to SPFBO. As time goes on and free time to simply read and enjoy book decreases, the enjoyment factor becomes more and more important to me. Temper the Dark was truly enjoyable for me and a total surprise.
The only ‘negative’ I would mention is the age old cliché of a romance in between 2 people who should not be together. The cliché that even though they are both nice, they see one another as an ‘impossible to like’ and there is a misunderstanding in between them. Cliché, but in Temper the Dark – well done because the cringe dials were nicely balanced. Kudos for zero cringe moments!
I enjoyed both of the POVs – neither of them had any easy decisions to make and the romancy bit was just enough. It tantalized the imagination enough to come across cute and exciting.
There is a cool twist in the book that my other team mates saw coming a mile away – and I didn’t – so, this ‘holy shit’ moment worked for me beautifully!
Finally, bonus points for the depiction of the ‘power’ that Alaris holds within her – that it’s not without consequences, and of course Kagan has his own darkness to deal with (pun intended!). Bonus-bonus points for the dragon! What a cool way to weave a dragon into the story!
Temper the Dark was a really, truly enjoyable book for me which I finished reading in record time and had fun while doing it! Just what a book is supposed to be and do!
October 22, 2024
I read this for SPFBO. My review only. More about the contest and links at the bottom.
Temper the Dark was an enjoyable romantasy.
The characters are fun- Alaris is spunky and Kagan has just enough blind loyalty to his Emperor, fellow soldiers and his beliefs to allow us to question his motives throughout. I’m a die-hard enemy to lovers’ fan so I appreciated the possibility of it not working out between him and Alairis even while expecting it to. (Also, tbh I am never quite sure when I read a romantasy if hea applies in the sub-genre?)
I have always preferred to have pov’s from each of the leads in a romance, so I was quite happy to spend time with both Alaris and Kagan and it was nice to see their world through their eyes; especially being of such completely different social classes.
I also really enjoy a bad guy I can hate, so props to the villain for being suitably villain-y. Though I did have a pause at him giving away the one thing that could give him more of what he wanted.
One thing I really thought was fun in Temper the Dark, and enjoyed a lot - was the problems associated with Alaris’s gift. I liked how it had to be dealt with in some of the most inconvenient times. It’s always nice to see things not always be at an optimum level when dealing with magical abilities.
Temper the Dark's story grew very nicely; the world, the characters, the magic, the romance, each little piece filled things out expanding the plot and our understanding of the world they live in.
Occasionally things did feel on the easy-side; Alaris coming across her sister comes to mind, and that last-inning save for the one character… but hey, I’m all about the HEA so I’m not going to complain too much on that score if it gets me a nice finish.
7.5
Learn more about the contest here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Phase one is here
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Temper the Dark was an enjoyable romantasy.
The characters are fun- Alaris is spunky and Kagan has just enough blind loyalty to his Emperor, fellow soldiers and his beliefs to allow us to question his motives throughout. I’m a die-hard enemy to lovers’ fan so I appreciated the possibility of it not working out between him and Alairis even while expecting it to. (Also, tbh I am never quite sure when I read a romantasy if hea applies in the sub-genre?)
I have always preferred to have pov’s from each of the leads in a romance, so I was quite happy to spend time with both Alaris and Kagan and it was nice to see their world through their eyes; especially being of such completely different social classes.
I also really enjoy a bad guy I can hate, so props to the villain for being suitably villain-y. Though I did have a pause at him giving away the one thing that could give him more of what he wanted.
One thing I really thought was fun in Temper the Dark, and enjoyed a lot - was the problems associated with Alaris’s gift. I liked how it had to be dealt with in some of the most inconvenient times. It’s always nice to see things not always be at an optimum level when dealing with magical abilities.
Temper the Dark's story grew very nicely; the world, the characters, the magic, the romance, each little piece filled things out expanding the plot and our understanding of the world they live in.
Occasionally things did feel on the easy-side; Alaris coming across her sister comes to mind, and that last-inning save for the one character… but hey, I’m all about the HEA so I’m not going to complain too much on that score if it gets me a nice finish.
7.5
Learn more about the contest here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Phase one is here
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Want to read
July 10, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBOX contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
A servant girl on the capital of a conquered island nation is thrown in the Cells by her cruel masters for reasons she can’t guess in this uniquely engaging dark fantasy.
There’s something unique about all the openings I’ve read so far, but there’s something refreshing about the world of this story, set on an archipelago. I’m still getting my bearing, but it seems cruel and original so far.
The dress of our ruling class is described in detail, providing a stark and distinctly non-European picture for my imagination.
The focus of the story so far has been on the experience of our teenage female MC, and I’ve found that focus engaging. The narration isn’t telling me too much too fast. I don’t know if she’s always been a servant, but I know the servants are treated brutally.
Told in competent 1st person narration, this story starts right away as our MC is jerked from her sleep in the middle of the night. I can’t guess just where it’s going, but the action has progressed steadily without seeming in a hurry.
I have a good sense already of our conflicted MC struggling between hopelessness and defiance. There’s more hate in her heart then fear tho. She isn’t just a helpless victim, however powerless she may be … for now.
I don’t want to spoil what happens at the end of chapter 1, but it made me sit up straight and say OKAY, now we’re in a fantasy! I was delighted—truly delighted—to find ch2 switched pov to a character who our MC particularly reviles!
This story has spirit. More is happening than we realize. The world feels meticulously thought out. The characters feel solid and motivated. I’m hooked. I can’t guess where this is going, and that’s a thrill.
Published last year, this still only has 7 ratings on Goodreads. That seems criminally under read to me. Have a look! Theres really something here! I’m in!
A servant girl on the capital of a conquered island nation is thrown in the Cells by her cruel masters for reasons she can’t guess in this uniquely engaging dark fantasy.
There’s something unique about all the openings I’ve read so far, but there’s something refreshing about the world of this story, set on an archipelago. I’m still getting my bearing, but it seems cruel and original so far.
The dress of our ruling class is described in detail, providing a stark and distinctly non-European picture for my imagination.
The focus of the story so far has been on the experience of our teenage female MC, and I’ve found that focus engaging. The narration isn’t telling me too much too fast. I don’t know if she’s always been a servant, but I know the servants are treated brutally.
Told in competent 1st person narration, this story starts right away as our MC is jerked from her sleep in the middle of the night. I can’t guess just where it’s going, but the action has progressed steadily without seeming in a hurry.
I have a good sense already of our conflicted MC struggling between hopelessness and defiance. There’s more hate in her heart then fear tho. She isn’t just a helpless victim, however powerless she may be … for now.
I don’t want to spoil what happens at the end of chapter 1, but it made me sit up straight and say OKAY, now we’re in a fantasy! I was delighted—truly delighted—to find ch2 switched pov to a character who our MC particularly reviles!
This story has spirit. More is happening than we realize. The world feels meticulously thought out. The characters feel solid and motivated. I’m hooked. I can’t guess where this is going, and that’s a thrill.
Published last year, this still only has 7 ratings on Goodreads. That seems criminally under read to me. Have a look! Theres really something here! I’m in!
October 19, 2024
Read for Team Queen's Book Asylum for SPFBOX. All views are my own and do not reflect the team. I read this entry to 100%.
Temper the Dark is a YA fantasy following the POV of two teens from opposite ends of the social divide. We begin the story with Alaris, a tribeswoman who was forced into a life of servitude after her island was taken over by Emperor Patuk and her family killed. Working as a servant girl under the new empire, she is one day thrown into the cells, though she doesn’t know why—until she discovers the ability to dream walk. Obviously angry at the empire, she uses her newfound abilities to play spy and learn that Patuk is searching for something of deadly importance that she must uncover first. Our second POV character is Kagan, a soldier sworn in service to the empire and with his own unique ability to speak with a strange voice known as the Darkness. This entity tasks Kagan with discovering the secret of Alaris’s powers, and thus begins a cat and mouse game as Kagan attempts to gain Alaris’s trust, who rightfully doesn’t. While Kagan also belongs to the same tribe as Alaris, serving the emperor makes him part of her oppressors.
As the story unfolds and the two characters are forced together, Alaris learns that the emperor is hunting a dragon—a dragon she is able to communicate with via her dream walking—and Kagan begins to learn the cruelties of the empire. Alaris is a strong and capable young woman with a defiant heart worthy of a plucky YA protagonist who eventually softens to Kagen, yet it’s the young soldier who goes through the most character development as he finally steps free from the empire’s control. As this is a YA story, there is a growing romance, one that I’m not sure really worked for me as it felt somewhat forced and didn’t have enough time to develop naturally.
I struggled to find our two protagonists likable at the beginning. Despite being locked in a cell, Alaris takes time to think about how handsome Kagan is, while being her oppressor, and there is also a female side character that Alaris seems to mock for being too feminine, while Kagan basically slut shames her for being flirtatious. I know this character was supposed to be a villain, but there are better ways of doing that, and I’d rather we leave such tropes behind.
Despite these problematic niggles, I found Temper the Dark to be incredibly fast-paced with plenty of action, intrigue, and twists to keep me turning the page, and I blasted through it quickly. I appreciated that this was a self-contained story with the possibility of a sequel—we simply didn’t get enough page time with the dragons!
Temper the Dark is a YA fantasy following the POV of two teens from opposite ends of the social divide. We begin the story with Alaris, a tribeswoman who was forced into a life of servitude after her island was taken over by Emperor Patuk and her family killed. Working as a servant girl under the new empire, she is one day thrown into the cells, though she doesn’t know why—until she discovers the ability to dream walk. Obviously angry at the empire, she uses her newfound abilities to play spy and learn that Patuk is searching for something of deadly importance that she must uncover first. Our second POV character is Kagan, a soldier sworn in service to the empire and with his own unique ability to speak with a strange voice known as the Darkness. This entity tasks Kagan with discovering the secret of Alaris’s powers, and thus begins a cat and mouse game as Kagan attempts to gain Alaris’s trust, who rightfully doesn’t. While Kagan also belongs to the same tribe as Alaris, serving the emperor makes him part of her oppressors.
As the story unfolds and the two characters are forced together, Alaris learns that the emperor is hunting a dragon—a dragon she is able to communicate with via her dream walking—and Kagan begins to learn the cruelties of the empire. Alaris is a strong and capable young woman with a defiant heart worthy of a plucky YA protagonist who eventually softens to Kagen, yet it’s the young soldier who goes through the most character development as he finally steps free from the empire’s control. As this is a YA story, there is a growing romance, one that I’m not sure really worked for me as it felt somewhat forced and didn’t have enough time to develop naturally.
I struggled to find our two protagonists likable at the beginning. Despite being locked in a cell, Alaris takes time to think about how handsome Kagan is, while being her oppressor, and there is also a female side character that Alaris seems to mock for being too feminine, while Kagan basically slut shames her for being flirtatious. I know this character was supposed to be a villain, but there are better ways of doing that, and I’d rather we leave such tropes behind.
Despite these problematic niggles, I found Temper the Dark to be incredibly fast-paced with plenty of action, intrigue, and twists to keep me turning the page, and I blasted through it quickly. I appreciated that this was a self-contained story with the possibility of a sequel—we simply didn’t get enough page time with the dragons!
Read
October 2, 2024Temper the Dark is one of Team Queen's Book Asylum's SPFBO 10 semi-finalists. My pick, as a fact. Our group review can be read on Queen's Book Asylum. Our overall rating was [updated later]/10, my personal rating is [updated later]/10.
I must admit, Temper the Dark caught me by surprise. When I was done with my initial sampling round (reading 20% of each book in my batch), my mind kept coming back to this book as it got my interest picked. It was the first book I returned to – and finished.
The set up is pretty simple. We have a Servant girl, Alaris who is kept in a cell and only a few people know why, herself not included. And we have Kagan, a young officer, part of the Throlani Guard, nephew of the general who is only second to the Emperor, whose interest is piqued as to why Alaris is imprisoned. Being raised differently, and having vastly different memories from their childhoods, these two have a natural dislike and a mutual lack of trust. Desperate times call for desperate measures, however.
From the get-go, it’s pretty clear where things are headed, but that’s expected from a YA Fantasy Romance novel working with tropes, so I absolutely didn’t have a problem with that. Both Kagan and Alaris were interesting characters with their personalities, views, and traumas. Their interactions were good, and their arc never felt forced. And it definitely wasn’t insta love, for which I was grateful, if there is a romance trope I hate, then insta love is definitely one. Both having their POV, written in first person, was also a bonus, as it helped that they both had their share of the spotlight and we got to see both sides of the equation. I liked that. It also made it easier to connect with them. We got to see both of them struggle with their values, ideas, and prejudices in a way that made them very relatable.
I also liked the island setting and the worldbuilding. I’m not sure what it’s about tropical-like islands that call to me, but here we are. The plot is not overly complicated, but that actually suited this book. On the whole, everything worked very well. There were sweet moments, brutal ones, and a lot in between.
However. As much as I had fun with Temper the Dark, I also had some issues. The writing and the editing are a bit rough around the edges, I felt like it could have done with some cleaning up. And I’m not sure how I feel about one of the big reveals in the end, as it felt… easy? Unimaginative? Yeah, I think that’s a good word. But then, the whole book itself has nothing mindblowing to it, which is not to say it’s bad. On the contrary, I think people will find the familiarity working for them very well. And also, did I mention there is a dragon?
As I said, I certainly enjoyed it a lot, and I believe that it will appeal to a lot of readers, even those who don’t like romance (I promise, it’s not very in your face). Temper the Dark is a standalone with a clear ending, although I don’t see why it couldn’t get a sequel, as there are plenty of things to discover yet.
I must admit, Temper the Dark caught me by surprise. When I was done with my initial sampling round (reading 20% of each book in my batch), my mind kept coming back to this book as it got my interest picked. It was the first book I returned to – and finished.
The set up is pretty simple. We have a Servant girl, Alaris who is kept in a cell and only a few people know why, herself not included. And we have Kagan, a young officer, part of the Throlani Guard, nephew of the general who is only second to the Emperor, whose interest is piqued as to why Alaris is imprisoned. Being raised differently, and having vastly different memories from their childhoods, these two have a natural dislike and a mutual lack of trust. Desperate times call for desperate measures, however.
From the get-go, it’s pretty clear where things are headed, but that’s expected from a YA Fantasy Romance novel working with tropes, so I absolutely didn’t have a problem with that. Both Kagan and Alaris were interesting characters with their personalities, views, and traumas. Their interactions were good, and their arc never felt forced. And it definitely wasn’t insta love, for which I was grateful, if there is a romance trope I hate, then insta love is definitely one. Both having their POV, written in first person, was also a bonus, as it helped that they both had their share of the spotlight and we got to see both sides of the equation. I liked that. It also made it easier to connect with them. We got to see both of them struggle with their values, ideas, and prejudices in a way that made them very relatable.
I also liked the island setting and the worldbuilding. I’m not sure what it’s about tropical-like islands that call to me, but here we are. The plot is not overly complicated, but that actually suited this book. On the whole, everything worked very well. There were sweet moments, brutal ones, and a lot in between.
However. As much as I had fun with Temper the Dark, I also had some issues. The writing and the editing are a bit rough around the edges, I felt like it could have done with some cleaning up. And I’m not sure how I feel about one of the big reveals in the end, as it felt… easy? Unimaginative? Yeah, I think that’s a good word. But then, the whole book itself has nothing mindblowing to it, which is not to say it’s bad. On the contrary, I think people will find the familiarity working for them very well. And also, did I mention there is a dragon?
As I said, I certainly enjoyed it a lot, and I believe that it will appeal to a lot of readers, even those who don’t like romance (I promise, it’s not very in your face). Temper the Dark is a standalone with a clear ending, although I don’t see why it couldn’t get a sequel, as there are plenty of things to discover yet.
January 2, 2025
Temper the Dark starts out very alluring and mysterious... and kind of bewitchingly dark, of course. Storms' style of world-building is top-notch in this one and the reader is whisked off to a dreamy setting which really feels believable.
This story was made for the young adult demographic and although I may not be the intended target audience, it was still a fantastic read. As a middle-aged woman with some accrued wisdom, I sometimes wanted to yell in frustration at the characters for their immature decisions and actions, but once I accepted that they are just kids making the best judgments possible given their limited arsenal of experience, I was much more at ease.
The romance is cute and you knew right away that Alaris and Kagan were destined to ultimately pair up, but that part of the plot is handled well, being secondary to aspects like the Darkness, the dreamwalking, the class structure, and the hidden dragon.
I highly recommend Temper the Dark. The ending had an unexpected twist that I never saw coming and appreciated. The middle school/high school version of me would have absolutely been obsessed with this story!
This story was made for the young adult demographic and although I may not be the intended target audience, it was still a fantastic read. As a middle-aged woman with some accrued wisdom, I sometimes wanted to yell in frustration at the characters for their immature decisions and actions, but once I accepted that they are just kids making the best judgments possible given their limited arsenal of experience, I was much more at ease.
The romance is cute and you knew right away that Alaris and Kagan were destined to ultimately pair up, but that part of the plot is handled well, being secondary to aspects like the Darkness, the dreamwalking, the class structure, and the hidden dragon.
I highly recommend Temper the Dark. The ending had an unexpected twist that I never saw coming and appreciated. The middle school/high school version of me would have absolutely been obsessed with this story!
June 29, 2023
L. Ryan Storms's books never disappoint! Want a YA adventure in a lush world, where good must overcome evil and oppression, and a smidge of romance, all woven together by a touch of magic? Then Temper the Dark is your pick. Alaris is a teen angry with the world and her position in it. When she discovers her magical ability to dreamwalk, adventure opens up to her, but with it comes obligation to save a fractured kingdom. Enter a dragon - who can only communicate with her. Did I mention the dragon is a bit old and forgetful? I loved this new spin on your typical fire-breathing dragon. Kagan is a guardsman sworn to protect, but when he meets Alaris, his hard edge softens and they both find themselves ensnared in a journey to save their divided nation. I loved the world-building and Storms' strong voice on the page. I also love a good action-packed plot and this one did not let me down. Bonus: a map on the inside cover!
March 2, 2024
Such a great read!!! The story of a servant girl Alaris a servant girl who just unlocked a power she didn’t know she had, and a Throlani Guardsman Kagan who communicates with The Darkness. Eight years ago their lives were very different and they were children. Now the Emperor Paruk rules and controls his guards and subjects. He is out looking form something. Alaris tries to find out what he is up to and Kagan tries to keep her alive for unknown reasons.
A great for any fantasy reader. A triumph by L. Ryan Storms again!!
A great for any fantasy reader. A triumph by L. Ryan Storms again!!
July 17, 2023
Alaris and Kagan are unlikely and unwilling heroes in this delightfully exciting young adult fantasy that includes a charming, yes - charming, and very old, dragon. Storms writes her characters with humility and humor and just a little romance to keep the readers attention so much so that I, the reader, spent an entire rainy Sunday afternoon and evening without putting the book down until the very last page.
May 17, 2023
I guess it wouldn’t be MY book unless I was the first to review it, right? Well, I *might* be biased, but I really enjoyed this story. Kagan and Alaris were a delight to journey with and I loved crafting a dragon after experiences with my own grandmother (who was certainly a dragon in her own right)!
June 21, 2024
It took a while for me to get into the book, but by the end, I was fully invested in the world and the characters. I would have liked more dragon-time, but all in all, an enjoyable read.
October 7, 2024
Move over Fourth Wing!
Dragons and dragon riding? Check.
Enemies to lovers romance? Check.
Well-developed characters you can root for? Check.
Engaging and interesting magic system? Check.
War and high stakes? Check.
This book was a delightful surprise, following Alaris and Kagan as they must find a way to work together to save their world, despite being mortal enemies at the outset.
Give it a read, you will not regret it.
Dragons and dragon riding? Check.
Enemies to lovers romance? Check.
Well-developed characters you can root for? Check.
Engaging and interesting magic system? Check.
War and high stakes? Check.
This book was a delightful surprise, following Alaris and Kagan as they must find a way to work together to save their world, despite being mortal enemies at the outset.
Give it a read, you will not regret it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews