Descend into the Void

Dark Perceptions #2

by Alexandra Larson

You should never make a bargain with a fae darkyra.

For Amaya Mevson, this isn’t her first or even second bargain with the shadow wielder.

But with one of her best friends imprisoned overseas, she has no choice but to accept when Sebastian promises to save Sloane in exchange for pretending to be his fiancée.

Her world becomes twisted when she has to hide her shadow powers or risk becoming the next high priestess to disappear.

However, when the only way to deflect attention also involves losing a piece of herself, she finds herself lost in darkness.

Without light to guide the way, Amaya has no choice but to descend into the void to find her way through the abyss.

Descend into the Void is the second installment in the spicy new adult urban romantasy series, Dark Perceptions. This series must be read in order.

435 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2023

About the author

Alexandra Larson is a business woman by day, romance author by night. When she’s not writing or reading, she's trying to soak up the limited amount of sun the northern hemisphere provides.

Reviews

[Polak22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad but some parts were unclear &&felt dragged on

[Bobbie Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A colossal thank you to the lovely author providing an e-arc for an honest review.

When I got the email with the e-arc it made my weekend. I decided I was not parenting or wife’ing until I got my fill of this world! And I gleefully inhaled the story in less than 24 hours.

Book 2 starts immediately where book 1 ends, and it is fast paced and throws you straight into another country with even more secrets, betrayal, angst, and trauma…lots of trauma.

Alexandra knows how to write epic side characters, which is very much clear from book 1 with Sloan and Gwen. Book 2 introduces another favourite side character of mine who is very much needed for comic relief as some parts were trauma heavy. I love this new side character and the new dynamics. I cannot wait to see more of him and a certain someone.

Descend into the void contains more reveals, and even more questions to keep you up at night.

Some heavy triggers are featured in this book, and I recommend reading the content warnings found on Alexandralarson.com before proceeding.
Although there are heavy and tough topics, it is dealt with exceptionally well.

I really felt for Amaya throughout this book, although her growth from the start of this series is amazing. She is really coming into her powers, and I cannot wait to see her utilise them more and hopefully release some feminine rage in the next instalment.

The MMC is nuanced, and the author really toes the line with making you love him one minute and hate dislike him the next. A true morally grey character, with his actions and secrets, but also a complete cinnamon roll in softer moments.

"Sebastian had played the villain in his own story for so long, he refused to accept any evidence to the contrary”.

The angst and slow burn payoff is certainly worth the wait, and the spice level increases.🌶🌶🌶

The cliffy is a biiiiiig one and you need caution going forward! I had to read the last 5-10% twice to try and calm my heart rate and see light at the end of the tunnel.

I absolutely cannot wait for book 3, and what other stories Alexandra Larson bestows on us next.

[Tracy Myburgh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow Smut!!!! Need I say more ;)

Book 2 of a series.
Absolutely loved it.

Urban Fantasy
Sexy tattoos
Handsy shadows
Betrayal
Double agents
Fake engagement

[Bai Broadwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I hoped it would be & even more than that!!

Having absolutely devoured the first book, Ascend From The Shadows, I was waiting (impatiently) for the follow-up and resolution for my dearest Amaya and shadow daddy Sebastian.

Dear reader, I cannot describe how colorfully Alexandra Larson depicts & poeticizes mental health, especially depression. Not even half-way through the book I felt as though she had peered into my mind and taken my inner thoughts and feelings and put them into words. It is so empowering to know that there are amazing, badass women out there feeling the same way I have felt and traveling the same dark roads.

"How precious then crying should be. To lose a part of yourself each time you do it."

If you haven't started this series - you need to. It is quickly becoming my favorite of all-time, and while I would love to have all of the answers to my burning questions, I will mourn when I have to say goodbye to these intricately created and incredibly beloved characters.

[NL · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute whirlwind! I feel like since the first book set up a lot of the world building, we were able to expand on the mythology, and also move the plot forward a lot in this book, getting to know Sebastian as a hero (anti-hero? Up for debate honestly).

I really liked how the author explored mental illness, particularly depression in this book, I feel like it was really well categorized in the nonlinear path healing can take.

I think this book was also very in the shadowplay area, and if you’re into light bdsm kink this will probably be for you.

I hope book 3 comes out soon because it was left on a major cliffhanger.

disclaimer: I was given this book as an e-arc, and I also know the author.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a wild ride book 2 was, usually middle books in the trilogy are lacking but not this one! It was better than the first one!

I can't wait to read the final book and see how it all works out! I'm rooting for Sebastian and Amaya, I'm hoping for some major redemption and a lot of answers!

[Kristin Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was supposed to be a duology, but nope…trilogy!! So there is still one more installment coming later this year. I absolutely have loved this series so far. In this installment specifically, more about the powers of the high priestesses and the darkyras are explored, as well as the solsiers are gone into more in depth. Amaya and her friends are on a mission to save Sloane from prison, and Amaya makes a deal with Sebastian for his help, much to the chagrin of those around her. Everything points to Sebastian being one of the most evil characters, and then you get hit with an even bigger betrayal at the end. I never liked the character in question, and their actions have solidified that for me. I am at a point now where I just need to know what happens!!! I’m not thrilled about having to wait for the final installment. I’m quite impatient when it comes to this story.

[Anita Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the continuation of this story. I love the friendship between Amaya, Gwen, and Sloane. I enjoy her time with Sebastian but I knew something was wrong but couldn’t put my finger on what it was. I could never stand Caroline and now I know she is pure evil and my heart is broken from the deception of one person I liked and thought was on the side of good. So many revelations come out of this story and I am excited for the next book. The reason I gave this 4 stars is because I felt there was too much sex and not enough plot, the sex was the bigger portion of this book and I wanted more story, more background on Nico, more time of Amaya learning to use her powers.

[Joy Barrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, if you're not into smutty scenes you may not like this book, BUT hear me out!!

The story and the secrets and the passion but also conflict are so good!!!
I couldn't put book 1 down and this one was no different!

Book one sets you up and this book DIVES IN! The Plot thickens and thickens and you can't stop reading because 1. the sexual tension is to die for...and 2. you want to know who Sebastian really is...which is still a bit confusing.
Be prepared, at the end you are left with a "WTH!?!?!"

I'm on the edge of my seating waiting for the conclusion to this series!!

[Shai Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This book was pure chaos (and I liked it).

[Megan Reibel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been in a bad book slump all year but these books went straight to my blood like some kind of drug and I couldn’t put them down. I loved every second of it!